Rs 100-cr Aid for Srilankan Refugees Camps at Tamilnadu - CM

Tamil Nadu, chief minister M Karunanidhi on Thursday announced a Rs 100 crore package for Srilankan Tamil refugees welfare as per the Report from the Tamilnadu state ministers, offering them concrete houses, colour television sets and a comprehensive star health insurance cover.

Other Welfare schemes are...marriage assistance of Rs 20,000 to poor girls, free bus passes to school and college students, funeral assistance of Rs 2,500 and tricycles and equipment for the physically disabled.

The cabinet announced to avoide the word “refugee” and instead using the term “Sri Lankan Tamils residing in Tamil Nadu”. In Tamilnadu 115 camps are for refugees in 26 districts, now government to rebuild or repair 5982 houses initially.

Surya disguses as a 10-year-old in Aadhavan!

Surya is all set to wow audiences again if one to go by director K S Ravikumar's disclosuer at the audio launch oh Aadhavan.

The star, in a portion of the film, appears as a 10 year old! "The effort and hard work Surya put in 15 d ays to play the part of ten year old in the film is unbelievable," he disclosed, and addea that Surya was full of admiration for Kamal Hasan, who had played ten differnt roles in Dasavatharam, after playing the part.

"Surya was wondering how Kamal sir had managed to play so many roles so well when it was difficult to play one role," Ravikumar, said to loud cheers from fans gathered to witness the launch. The day would also undoubtedly remain etched in the memory of music director Harris Jayaraj as two of the top heroes in Tamil cinema confessed that they were huge fans of his music.

Actor vijay, while speaking on the occasion, said, "I really like Harris's melodious numbers. In fact, you could say that I'm a slave to his melodious number." Surya too showered praises on the music director.

While the audio of the film was released by director Shankar and received by Tamil film producer's Council President Rama Narayanan, the trailer was released by producer R B Choudary and received by actor Vijay.

Audiences were seen enquiring each other about the absence of the actress Nayanthara. Most of them wondered as to why she failed to attend the event, which saw the taking part of big names like Shankar and Vijay.Comedian of the film Vadivelu too was not seen during the function. Interestingly, his ‘competitor’ Vivek attended the event and spoke.

For more news about Actor Surya, visit here: http://ebestclassifieds.com/Tamil-Movie-Actors/Surya/celebrities_Surya.aspx

Measuring Electricity Usage with Google's New PowerMeter Tool

Google’s new Power Meter tool could help households to reduce the amount of electricity they consume by monitoring their energy use. Search Engine giant Google is developing new monitoring tools to help families keep track of the amount of electricity they are using.

Users will be able to monitor the PowerMeter through their computers and other web-enabled devices using a special widget embedded on their personalised iGoogle home page.

The TED 5000 from Energy Inc. is a real-time electricity usage monitor that you can purchase and install yourself, with packages starting around $200. It can run the free Google PowerMeter tool, allowing you to check on your personal home energy data from any device that can access the web.

For more details visit : www.google.org/powermeter/

Free Cafe Management Software Launched in Tamilnadu

Browzring brings a hybrid solution for online advertisers, Cafe owners & cafe users which is an ingenious internet platform.

Browzring addresses major issues faced by online advertisers, Internet cafe owners & cafe users, with mutual benefit for each other in an innovative way.

Online advertiser gets : Assured returns on AD spending, Reach the exact target audience, Fool proof mechanism, real time report for decision making, Custom made campaigns & much more.

Cafe owner gets : Additional revenue to increase the café profitability, Web based user & café management system, Value added services, Adherence to government safety policy & much more, the entire service is offered without any investments. Benefits like:

• Easy café management by providing real-time or monthly usage reports
• Café owners can monitor their cafés current usage from anywhere
• Users can be tracked under a given circumstance (cyber thread/misuse of Internet)
• A significant additional revenue through advertisements & VAS
• Users are rewarded for their browsing time and are encouraged to browse more

Cafe user gets : Redeemable points while they use internet, Exclusive Browzring privilege offers, Safe & secure internet environment for surfing, free roaming account & much

To know more about, visit www.browzring.com Email: reachus@browzring.com

Champions Trophy Schedule in SA

High on confidence after their the tri-nation Compaq Cup triumph in Sri Lanka, the Indian cricket team today left to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in South Africa from September 22.

The team left by the Dubai bound flight from the Chatrapati Sivaji International airport here and from Dubai they will be taking a connecting flight to South Africa. The eight-nation tournament is scheduled to start from September 22 to Oct 5th.

Placed in Group A along with Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men will open their first match against Pakistan on 26th September.

#	Date & Time	Match	Venue
1	22 Sep,2009 06:00 PM IST	SA vs SL	SuperSport Park, Centurion
2	23 Sep,2009 06:00 PM IST	PAK vs WI	New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
3	24 Sep,2009 01:00 PM IST	SA vs NZ	SuperSport Park, Centurion
4	25 Sep,2009 06:00 PM IST	SL vs ENG	New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
5	26 Sep,2009 01:00 PM IST	WI vs AUS	New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
6	26 Sep,2009 06:00 PM IST	IND vs PAK	SuperSport Park, Centurion
7	27 Sep,2009 01:00 PM IST	NZ vs SL	New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
8	27 Sep,2009 06:00 PM IST	SA vs ENG	SuperSport Park, Centurion
9	28 Sep,2009 06:00 PM IST	AUS vs IND	SuperSport Park, Centurion
10	29 Sep,2009 06:00 PM IST	ENG vs NZ	New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
11	30 Sep,2009 01:00 PM IST	AUS vs PAK	SuperSport Park, Centurion
12	30 Sep,2009 06:00 PM IST	IND vs WI	New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
13	2 Oct,2009 06:00 PM IST	A1 vs B2	SuperSport Park, Centurion
14	3 Oct,2009 06:00 PM IST	B1 vs A2	New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
15	5 Oct,2009 06:00 PM IST	T.B.C. vs T.B.C.	SuperSport Park, Centurion

Kanchivaram - Tamil Film Wins Best National Film Award

Tamil film ‘Kanchivaram’ wins the best feature film award at the 55th National Film Awards. 'Kanchivaram', a Tamil film that presents a rare portrayal of the Kanchipuram's silk weaver community, won big at the 55th National Film Awards on Monday, picking up trophies for best movie and best actor. This movie, directed by Priyadarshan, won Prakash Raj the award for best actor.

Although Bollywood missed out on the top awards, films like 'Chak De! India' and 'Taare Zameen Par' also featured in the awards list for 2007. 'Chak De! India', starring Shah Rukh Khan, won for best popular film while Aamir Khan's directorial debut 'Taare Zameen Par' was adjudged the best film on family welfare.

AP ChiefMinister Dead in Helicopter Crash

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has died in an air crash, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Thursday.

The bodies of 60-year-old Rajasekara Reddy, who led his Congress party to a spectacular second consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, and his Special Secretary P Subramanyam, chief security officer Wesley, pilot Group Captain S K Bhatia and co-pilot M S Reddy were found on Rudrakonda Hill, 40 nautical miles east of here, besides the mangled remains of the helicopter.

Highly placed Congress sources in Delhi said that the bodies have been found and an official statement is expected shortly.The Union Cabinet is meeting to discuss the matter.

Andhra Pradesh finance minister K Rosaiah has been appointed caretaker CM.

More Swine Flu Cases in Tamilnadu

Tamil Nadu recorded its first swine flu death on Monday when a 4 year old boy fell victim to the illness at a private hospital here. Its authorities said he died of multiple organ failure following the flu.

Sanjay Balakrishnan, who had been ill for about a week, was moved through two private hospitals before he was finally shifted to Mehta Hospital, where his A(H1N1) infection was finally detected. However, Sanjay’s condition had already deteriorated by the time he was given Tamiflu on Saturday.

The total number of confirmed swine flu cases being treated in various government hospitals in Tamil Nadu rose to 25 on Monday. Seven fresh cases were reported at Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and patients were being treated in quarantine wards.

Azad Visit Chennai to Talk with TN Chiefminister

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad is likely to visit Chennai tomorrow to hold talks with DMK chief and Tamilnadu's chiefminister Mr.M Karunanidhi in a bid to break the deadlock over allocation of ministerial berths.

Azad is being deputed as the Congress emissary to persuade the DMK chief after the party announced yesterday that it will give outside support to the UPA government, Congress sources said. Karunanidhi left for Chennai this morning with his son M K Azhagiri but left instructions that DMK MPs must attend the swearing-in ceremony of Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening.

"All DMK MPs will attend the swearing-in ceremony," senior DMK leader T R Baalu said in Chennai. "DMK is not worried. Congress is our friend," he said giving indications that the party had not foreclosed its option for further talks to end the stalemate.

Prabhakaran Dead Confirmed..First Visuals of Prabhakaran's dead body.

A new report has said that Velupillai Prabhakaran, the 54-year-old leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been killed in the Sri Lankan army attack.

PDK activists attack Indian Army vehicles

Activists belonging to the pro-Tamil nationalist Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) attacked a convoy of military trucks of the Indian Army allegedly transporting weapons to Sri Lanka. Five trucks were damaged in this attack. Mortar shells were found in the trucks, sources in Chennai said.

The PDK cadres waited till 3:50 p.m. at Neelaampoor (Neelamboor) near Coimbatore when the convoy of vehicles came. Protestors threw stones on the military trucks damaging them.

Your opinion regarding this issues...please comment.

Selvi.J.Jeyalalitha apposes 'Sethu Project' at Rameshwaram

The AIDMK is opposed to the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project as it would seriously affect the livelihood of fishermen, party general secretary Jayalalithaa has said.

Ms. Jayalalithaa, said the party was opposed to the project as it would irreparably affect the livelihood of the fishermen. She was replying to DMK president M. Karunanidhi’s criticism on the Sethusamudhram issue.

“This project will certainly leave thousands of fishermen in a state of helplessness. Moreover, it will badly affect the delicate marine ecosystem in the region where the project is being executed. That is why the AIADMK, only with the objectives of safeguarding the fishermen, their livelihood and the marine ecosystem, is opposing the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project,” she reiterated.

Vaiko May be arrested?

MDMK leader Vaiko and actor & politician Vijaya T. Rajendher may be arrested for alleged anti-national speeches, Chennai police Commissioner K. Radhakrishnan said on Sunday.

Police commissioner Mr.Radhakrishnan told, "The copies of the speeches by Vaiko and Rajendher are being analysed for various legal aspects. We have already registered a case against Vaiko. There are possibilities of arresting them." Mr. Vaiko has already been arrested twice on the same issues.

Former legislator Rajendherr has switched parties several times. He leads a party All India Latchiya DMK and currently hosts a talk show on Sun TV, a channel part-owned by Dayanidhi Maran, the DMK candidate for Central Chennai constituency. Mr. Rajendherr is a bitter critic of Mr. Vaiko and the actor-turned-politician Vijaykanth, all of whom espouse the cause of sufferings of the Tamil ethnic minority in Sri Lanka.

Two Tamil Tigers arrested in Chennai and Two missing

Four people, including two Tamil Tigers from Sri Lanka, were arrested here on Saturday, Tamil Nadu Police sources said. The four men were arrested from the suburb of Thiruvanmiyur early in the morning and were being questioned by the Q branch - the anti-extemism wing of the police.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Friday received a death threat allegedly from the banned LTTE, police said a death threat letter was received at Karunanidhi's Gopalpuram house, security has been stepped up for the Chief Minister, who already is in the 'Z plus' category.

According to this issue, the four men were identified as Jayanthan, 27, Guhan, 24, Jayanathan, 29 and Babu, 29. It wasn't immediately clear who the two Tamil Tigers were. They were nabbed for their activities relating to the LTTE, police said.

Advocates Boycott – Enters Fourth Week!

Chennai, The boycott of High court and all other courts by advocates in TamilNadu demanding the State government to take action against the District General of Police(DGP) and Chennai Police Commissioner who were allegedly responsible for the February 19 clash in Madras High Court campus(See Clash Video in this blog), entered the fourth week today, still no solutions taken by the govt.

The joint action group of the advocates, headed by Madras High Court Advocates Association President R C Paul Kanagaraj with hundreds of advocates staged a dharna and held a protest fast in front of the court complex.

The Women Lawyers Association conducted a free legal aid to the public inside the court buildings. Large groups of advocates submitted letters to Registrar General withdrawing from the cases they had taken up.

Meanwhile, a section of the advocates allegedly assaulted a photographer of leading Tamil Daily ”Dinamalar” when he was taking photos of the agitation.

Lawyers Police Clash at Chennai High Court Video

Lawyers and policemen clashed for over two hours on the premises of the Madras High Court on Thursday, leaving around 20 people injured. A high court judge and two news photographers caught were also hurt. The situation was brought under control after the Rapid Action Force, the Special Action Group and the Tamil Nadu police commandoes were called in.

[ The trigger for the violence was the presence of Janata Party leader and former union minister Subramanium Swamy in the court. Swamy had been assaulted by a group of lawyers on January 17 for having been a critic of the LTTE.

Swamy, who had come for an unrelated matter, departed without incident. A group of lawyers led by one S. Rajnikanth then went to the police station located inside the court premises and
complained that Swamy, while walking along the court’s verandah, had made derogatory remarks about the lawyers. However, some of the lawyers were detained by the police and told they were being arrested for the earlier assault on Swamy. “A furious argument began and all hell broke loose,” said an eyewitness.] - Thanks Hinduston Times

2nd SearchCamp'2009 in Chennai

SearchCamp'2009 is a two day event aimed to bring together the best minds from the Search Engine Marketing space to talk about search engine advertising, including optimization and marketing issues. The event is scheduled for the 28th February & 1st March 2009.

Main Speakers
Adam Lasnik, Search Evangelist, Google
Kapil Nakra, CEO, OMLogic
Kiruba Shankar, kirupa.com
Mahesh Murthy, CEO, Pinstorm
Milind Mody, CEO, eBrandz
and more online marketing experts... For more Speakers details visit searchcamp.in

Date & Location
The event is scheduled for the 28th February & 1st March 2009, at the Main Auditorium, Tidel Park, Chennai. The event starts at 9 a.m. Registration at 8 a.m. Reg.cost Rs.500/-.

Careers in SearchCamp
Due to the current economic downturn, the recruitment of freshers is most severely impacted. As part of Searchcamp, the Knowledge Foundation has organized "Careers in Search" This sub-event is a wonderful eye opener to an exciting world of "Search Marketing".

Final Year College Students, Gradutes interested in Online Marketing and Professionals are Welcome to attend this camp.

Day & Date for Careers in Search: Saturday, 28th February 2009, Time : 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, Registration Fee : Rs 100 (Students) - Rs 200 (Others), Venue : Tidel Park, Chennai.

More Info: Contact Mr. Ezhil Raja 98840 54506 ezhil@searchcamp.in

Meet you at SearchCamp, Chennai
Cheers
sskumar.
www.towerfour.com

Tamilnadu Budget - Interest Free Loans to Farmers

22 Jan 2009, K. Anbazhagan, Minister for Finance, Government of Tamil Nadu, presenting the Budget for 2009-2010. Tamil Nadu again took the lead among States in the country to come up with a new scheme of giving interest-free co-operative crop loans to farmers on Tuesday and slashed land revenue to rock-bottom level.

Keeping eye on the coming Lok Sabha polls, the DMK Government in yet another populist stroke decided to waive interest on all crop loans given by all cooperative sector banks. The interest rate on such loans has already been cut from 9 to 4 per cent. (The other freebies will continue including free electricity to all farmers, PDS rice at Rs.1 per kg to 1.86 crore ration card holders, and giving free colour TVs’ to over 56 lakhs poor families.)

AIADMK on Tuesday flayed the State budget for 2009-2010, Ms.Jayalalithaa said through this budget, poor would not get any benefit.

TamilNadu Shuts Colleges & Hostels Indefinitely

All private and Government Colleges and hostels across the State of Tamilnadu were closed on Sunday following the order by State Government.

More than 10,000 people including students and political and social activists on Saturday attended the funeral of a youth, Muthukumar, who immolated himself in protest against Lankan troops operation in the island country. They also raised slogans against LTTE leader V Prabhakaran and condemned India for its alleged military support/supplies of armed help to SriLanka. Students and youth had been protesting against the plight of Tamil civilians since Lankan troops launched their operation against LTTE in the island nation. On Saturday, newly-formed Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement, which is demanding a ceasefire in Sri Lanka, gave a call for the state bandh on February 4. The bandh will coincide with Sri Lanka’s Independence Day.