another 'Amma brand' in Tamil Nadu - 'Amma marunthagam' - the medical shop

If media reports are to be believed, the  Narendra Modi government is likely to deliver on the long pending promise of universal healthcare that his predecessor Manmohan Singh shamelessly defaulted on. The Business Standard on Wednesday reported that the the NDA government’s budget will focus on a national health assurance mission, which will provide universal healthcare and comprehensive health insurance for the poor. The report further said that the national health assurance mission is “close to Prime Minister Modi’s heart".

Back home in Tamil Nadu, the 'Amma brand'  adds another commodity to its list. Chief minister J Jayalalithaa is all set to launch Amma Pharmacies on Thursday.  One would nurse different views on what Govt should be doing – but Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa took a giant leap forward when in her poll manifesto, she announced distribution of free mixers, grinders, fans, milch cows and goats, laptops to students, bus passes, free bicycles and more.   In Sept 2013, she  distributed free bicycles to Plus One students. A total of 6,43,867 students reportedly benefitted under this scheme which cost the ex-chequer approx 212 crores.   

Chennai is replete with hotels and restaurants – big and small, individual outlets, big chains and franchisees of International brands. There are already some good quality chain restaurants such as Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Sangeetha, Vasantha Bhavan,  Hotchips and more………..still not all could afford the cost…….suddenly the State Government forayed in to food industry setting up Amma Unavagams in all wards in the city, which instantaneously became a very big hit. The glowing success is attributed to good quality food being provided at very low costs.  The intentions are indeed noble -  an effort to provide hygienic food at low prices; the brainchild of Madam Jayalalithaa ‘Amma Unavagams’  exist in all the 200 wards of Chennai Corporation. 

Then came another master stroke - the packaged drinking water project ……. ‘the amma water scheme’ formally launched on 15th Sept. 2013.  The project involved production and packaging of mineral water in 1-litre bottles, and selling them in long-distance running state-owned buses and in bus terminuses. At a time when even little known brands were selling hot, came the low priced Rs.10/- Amma water, quenching the thirst of public. Not sure whether the Amma vegetables were hit in equal measure.

~ and in the State of famed Vedaranyam where Rajaji and others fought British with salt – Ms Jayalalithaa launched ‘amma salt’ recently.  In Tamilnadu Salt Corporation is a fully owned enterprise of the Government of Tamil Nadu, established during 1974 at Valinokkam.  Salt is cultivated in an area of 5524 acres of land  -  "Amma Salt", a product of  TNSC  is available  in three varieties — double fortified, refined free flow iodized and low sodium, the release says.

Following the success of ‘amma products’  - Tamilnadu Chief Minister wants to provide all kinds of medicines, from routine to life saving drugs at affordable costs to the common man. The government also plans to set up a computerized database later for this scheme. Today there is advertisements in newspapers of opening of ‘Amma Marunthagam (medical shops)’  across Tamil Nadu, a proposal that promises to win more goodwill for chief minister J Jayalalithaa, reiterating her commitment towards creating a welfare state, these Amma pharmacies will sell medicines at a subsidised rate. A senior official said the cooperative department has been working hard for the launch of the Amma medical shops in 100 places. The shops are ready and staff is being recruited. Officials said 10 shops will be opened in Chennai and 90 in the rest of the state. “A few cooperative shops in Tamil Nadu have been selling medicines without service tax. The idea of opening medical shops is to ensure sale of medicine at reasonable price,“ an official said. The government had announced that Rs.20 crore will be used from the price distribution fund for opening Amma pharmacies.

According to officials, a detailed survey was undertaken to identify areas to set up the outlets. “We identified localities where the demand is high and where there were few or no medical shops. The scheme may well help to rein in retail margins and act as a check against sharp practices. Though Amma pharmacies would be  limited and may not totally fulfill the demand of the people, Govt selling medicines at correct prices will give a run for some shops which have been making extraordinary profits.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

26^th June 2014.

Presenting June 2014 issue of BLISS and seeking donations for SYMA

Dear (s)

Presenting our June 2014 issue of Bliss – the newsletter of SYMA.  For downloading this issue – click here : SYMA Bliss June 2014 

 Apart from the editorial, the issue contains : an article on the good performance of the students of SYMA Growth; our Educational Aid Programme slated on 12^th July 2014; and an article on ‘transporting heart’ …. This month’s Q is ‘who was the first Railway Minister of India ?’……….  As you read this newsletter – something on the Organistiaon – SYMA is considered necessary…

Srinivas Youngmen's Association popularly (SYMA)  has been rendering social service from 1977.  We are registered with  the Registrar of Societies. With care and concern for the society, we have been actively involved in service doing multifarious activities which include – coordination with civic authorities in keeping the environ clean,  conducting health campaigns – promoting health care and hygiene;  organizing  Eye Camps, Blood Camps and other camps. Every year, we have been providing uniforms to poor students and this year too we are to provide 1200 sets.  In the Educational Aid function,  We also provide financial assistance to select college students.

File photo of 2010:  Dignitaries Mr SAM Hussain, Ex MLA, Sri AVM Saravanan; 

Sri TT Srinivasaraghavan with Yours Truly and SYMA President

In our earnest effort to improve the competitive spirit and to instill confidence in school children, We have been conducting Child Fest every year in which more than 4000 students from around 100 city schools participate.    

With a focus on sustainable service, we have two bigger continuing projects :

1)        Medical Centre and Laboratory run for the poor wherein free consultation and medicines are provided.

We have a Medical Centre working on all days except Sundays and National holidays.  This functions between 5 – 7 pm.  A nominal fee of Rs.2/- is charged- consultation and medicines are given free.  We have arranged to provide the drugs through medical shops in Triplicane with whom we have working arrangement.  Around 40 – 50 people utilize this daily.  We also have a Medical lab wherein blood and other tests are done at very nominal costs. The running of Medical Centre and Lab costs around Rs.25000/- per month. 

2 “SYMA Growth” – a purposeful special tuition centre for coaching poor students of 10th and 12th standards, running since 2008.  This year also we have had  very good results with the topper in X securing 490 out of 500. Through this project we aim to provide  quality educational support to poor  students who are marginal in their studies, ensuring that they pass their public examinations on their road to a good future. 

With this foundation, we strive towards fructifying our  long term vision of imparting value education to those children from the lower echelons of Society.  In the 7^th  year of operation nIn its 6th year of operation now, we  will have  4 classes – X Std : English and Tamil Medium; +2 Science and Commerce Group – with around 35 students in each class. Education is imparted through qualified senior teaching professionals who are paid nominal fees by us. Classes are conducted  on all days of the week.  We have created an excellent infrastructure and have dedicated staff too for this.   The classes are conducted at the premises of National Boys High School, Triplicane for which we pay  a nominal rent and some amount towards electricity and other expenses.  The project expenditure of our Tuition centre is around Rs. 5 lakhs per year. 

Generally, we collect funds in the months of June & July ahead of our Educational Aid Programme, though donations are welcome throughout the year. 

You have patronized us in a big way in the past, and we look forward to receiving your donations this year too.  Cheques are to be drawn in the name of ‘SRINIVAS YOUNGMENS ASSOCIATION’ – payable at Chennai.  In case any donor wishes to make a Bank transfer, we will provide details of our Bank A/c on request.   Contributions to SYMA are eligible for deduction under Sec 80G (5) (vi)of Income Tax Act, as applicable.

You have all along supported us in a big way and we look forward to your continued support.  Together we will ensure transformation towards a better Society.

With regards

S. Sampathkumar.

Secretary – SYMA; Editor – BLISS

For complete details of SYMA – please log on to : www.syma.in or email us at : srinivasyoungmensassociation@yahoo.co.in.

PS :  To those of you, who have already  contributed to SYMA this year, this mail is not  to seek additional donation   but only  to say thanks again.

coin toss in honour of Elena Baltacha ..... Suarez bites Chiellini...

Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova led a parade of former champions into the Wimbledon second round after Marion Bartoli briefly lit up Centre Court without swinging her racket.  Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli burst into tears on her return to Centre Court before taking the best seat in the house for an occasion in which she might have played the leading role. The 29-year-old Frenchwoman's retirement within weeks of her career's crowning glory last July means she is in London for this fortnight to offer choice analysis on television and savour the final days of her reign.  

It was an appropriate occasion for Wimbledon to pay its own tribute to former British number one Baltacha, who died of liver cancer at the age of 30 on May 4, and Bartoli and her young assistant performed the coin toss before the match as they met at the net with Lisicki and Glushko. The young girl was from the  Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis . To update on field happenings, the entertaining Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis went out to Argentine Leonardo Mayer 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in a second round match that never showcased the best of his talents.

Miles away, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli tendered his resignation in the wake of the country's elimination from the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Italy's 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in Natal meant they missed out on progression to the knockout stages from Group D.  The most ruthless soccer players often use their hands or elbows or knees to rough up opposing players. The most reckless — or dirtiest — might even use their cleats. The entire scene was surreal: The referee — a Mexican named Marco Rodríguez, whose nickname is Dracula — did not notice and paid no mind to Chiellini’s attempts to pull his collar aside to show what appeared to be bite marks on the back of his left shoulder. Moments later, Uruguay scored the only goal of the game. The 1-0 victory simultaneously eliminated Italy from the tournament and made certain that the Suárez incident would become an unappetizing reference point in the annals of soccer history.

Suarez checks his teeth ... Chiellini writhes in pain....

Among the animals, Lions do not find the top position in terms of power of the bite.  Lions reportedly  are so cooperative when they hunt that this might be one of the reasons they have a evolved to have the weakest bite of the genus Pathera or big cat. Another reason might be that their hunting habit, strangling its prey by biting its trachea, lacks the need of a strong bite.  Well, it need not be a jungle animal – we fear dogs ….. and we read that horses bite other horses: the most submissive ones don't get to bite anybody! Biting another horse is usually about establishing or reinforcing herd order, where the more dominant horse bites a less dominant horse, usually for failing to move away in response to a lesser gesture such as ear-pinning, head-snaking or just a glare. Horses bite for a number of reasons. In the pasture, they may bite in play, to defend themselves, their food or offspring, or to discipline a young horse or one lower in the pecking order. A horse that is aggressive, or has a lot of pent-up energy may act out by biting. Stallions, in particular, can become dangerous biters.  Horses bite, or try to bite, people, too ……..

FIFA can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the player Luis Suarez of Uruguay following an apparent breach of art in match Italy-Uruguay played on 24 June 2014.  According to art. 77 lit. a of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee is responsible for sanctioning serious infringements which have escaped the match officials’ attention.

~ and all the news is about the powerful Forward with 79 International caps in 29 years of age having scored 41 International goals.   Telegraph writes biting is an act borne of frustration, stress and loss of control. Luis Suárez is likely to have felt humiliated and put down in some way that he wanted to get one over on his opponent. Most people faced with these emotions would try to walk away and simmer down. According to the newspaper, researches show  that the most violent period of our lives is when we are between three and four years old. That is the most aggressive stage of development, because if we don't get what we want, we fight and lash out. It's also the stage when the Id takes over; a basic instinct when we can't control our temperament 

– the way Suarez with moniker Cannibal made his incisors exhibited on another player deserves strong condemnation and strict punishment. This is the 3rd time Suárez has been accused of using his pearly whites during a game. He was suspended for five games for biting at the beginning of the season.

The victim - Giorgio Chiellini  is an Italian footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team – Walter Mazzarri once labeled him "a force of nature, from another planet" – with a penchant for scoring headers from set-pieces. He made his debut for Italy in 2004, and has since earned over 70 caps.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

25^th June 2014.

Court bans use of oil, shampoos, soaps in bathing area of Courtallam falls

This place has very many names which include : Pithurkandam Theerthapuram, Vasantha Perur, Senbagaraniyapuram, Nannagaram, Gananapakkam, Thirikoodapuram …..   it is Kutrallam (or) Courtallam, the 'Spa of the south', situated at an elevation of about 167m on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District.  Considered an excellent health resort for its famous water falls and the atmosphere, it has interesting legend associated.   It is around 5 Km from Tenkasi – Senkottai and around 60 kms from Tirunelveli.

It attracts thousands of people heading for a bath in  Peraruvi(Main Falls), Chitraruvi(Small Falls), Shenbagadevi aruvi,  Thenaruvi(Honey Falls), Anitharuvi(Five Falls), Pazhathotta Aruvi, puli Aruvi(tiger Falls), Pazhaya Courtallam(old Falls),  and more..  the season here is around mid June to Sept.  Herbs and fragrant trees are plentiful here. Courtallam water has medicinal properties since the water runs through forests of herbs and the water has therapeutic qualities to cure physical ailments.  In the sweltering summer, the very thought of Courtallam would make one feel pleasant. 

Picture credit : www.tamilnadutourism.org

‘தேனருவித் திரையெழுப்பி வானின்வழி ஒழுகும்’ is how it is hailed … ‘Thiru Kutrala Kuravanchi’ written by ThiruKooda Rasappa Kavirayar praises the place Courtallam and ThiruKutrala Nathar, the deity at this place.  The South West Monsoon brings in the cold breeze with mild temperature. In one of the seasons, a group of our friends headed for the Main falls at mid night (yes at 12  in the night) …… and ….  –there were so many  lined up – with Police regulating the crowd – allowing people rationed time …. On a couple of times, found that Police would object to people loitering in shorts – but those covered with smaller towers was ok…. In the bus and everywhere else crowds would mingle – one will find people applying varied oils on them …..

In the city and elsewhere you find lot of boards advertising ‘massage’ especially the Thai message; you see many Vietnamese or people with similar looks ………. In different names -  a deep, full-body massage progressing from the feet up, and focusing energy lines throughout the body, with the aim of clearing blockages in these lines, and thus stimulating the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body, is considered a healthy experience.  At Courtallam, people apply varied oils – stand in the falls - ~ a few seconds the oil would be gone due to the force and strength of water and one feels very fresh …. ~ there are also various types of massage with oil done by specialists !

Those who have had personal experience will understand all this better -  now comes the news that the Madras High Court on Tuesday (24.6.14)  banned the use of oil, shampoos, soaps and washing of clothes in the bathing area of the Courtallam falls. It observed that the falls was not being maintained in tune with its historical fame and glory.  The Hindu reports that a Division Bench, comprising Justices N. Kirubakaran and S.Vaidyanathan, passed the order on a public interest litigation petition by an advocate. The court directed the authorities to ensure that the prohibited items were not carried to the bathing area. If the items were found, they should be seized and the violators fined.

The petitioner, R. Krishnasamy, said the falls should be maintained properly. During the season, several lakhs visited Courtallam but there was no regulation by police. Traffic was not being regulated despite a charge being collected for vehicles. There were no rooms for changing clothes for men and women. The court appointed T.S.R. Venkataramana, an advocate and a former MLA, assisted by Arun alias Arunachalam as Advocate-Commissioners to inspect all the falls and file a report in May. The Bench observed that the report gave details of the sorry state of affairs in Courtallam. The report pointed to pits in the Old Courtallam area, dilapidated condition of toilets, poor lighting facilities and lack of dressing room for women.

Mr. Justice Kirubakaran said the authorities should maintain the falls properly. Considering the condition, people were bound to get diseases by taking bath in the falls, instead of getting cured of their ailments. It was shocking to note that sewage was being drained into the river, which was supposed to be the source of drinking water for Tenkasi and Tirunelveli area. Though the local town panchayat had prohibited the sale of shampoos, soaps, oil and detergents, it was seen that no proper steps were taken to completely ban the sale or prevent visitors from carrying these items to the falls area. In its nearly 30 directions to the authorities, the Bench said safety pillars and railings should be made of materials which do not rust. Pits and holes in the bathing area should be closed with good quality concrete. More high-mast lights should be erected in the falls area. Toilets should be repaired. Police should ensure that people did not drink in open places, public roads and even in cars. A mobile court should be stationed so that offenders were tried immediately.

The Court directives certainly seem to be in the right direction. At Thirukutrallam, there is famous temple dedicated to Lord Thirukutralanathar (Siva). This temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings….. in the nearer Tenkasi, there is the temple of Kasi Viswanathar.  The temple tracing back to Parakrama Pandian is huge with imposing gopuram.  At the start of the last century, a lightning reportedly shattered the Rajagopuram, which now stands restored with much financial assistance of Sivanthi Adithan and others.  The gopuram  and the entry gateway  are said to be among the highest in South India. 

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

25th June 2014.