Latest news with #Saravanan
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Appointment orders handed over to 39 students from Project-Affected Villages
NLC India Limited (NLCIL) on Tuesday handed over appointment orders to 39 students, who had completed diploma courses in Mining Engineering from Annamalai University. The students are from Project Affected Villages (PAP) in Cuddalore district. According to a press release, the university had signed a memorandum of understanding with NLCIL for a two-year apprenticeship training with a stipend to the students completing the course at the company besides extending employment for the deserving candidates. C.G. Saravanan, Director, Mining Engineering programme, Annamalai University said that as many as 220 students have completed industrial training at NLCIL and more than 100 have got permanent placements in various posts like Surveyor, Overman and Sirdar. NLCIL also inaugurated the newly-established engineering lab and link road on the university premises under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. NLCIL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Prasanna Kumar Motupalli and Director (Human Resources) Samir Swarup were present.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Madras HC upholds disciplinary action against inspector in corruption caseprobe
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court recently confirmed an order passed by a single judge upholding disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Tirunelveli deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police against an inspector in 2024 over corruption charges. A bench of justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy made the decision while dismissing an appeal filed by inspector, B Saravanan, challenging the single judge's order which had permitted the DIG to proceed with the inquiry on two of the three charges made against him. According to the judgment, the charges were that he had demanded Rs 40,000 bribe for granting station bail to suspects in a criminal case involving pollution and demanded Rs 1 lakh for not implicating a tractor owner in a sand theft case. Saravanan claimed that the charge memo was issued due to personal vendetta and that the accused did not lodge any complaint. Dismissing his appeal, the division bench said the charges involve the morale of the officer and their veracity could be ascertained only after proper probe. Saravanan cannot take umbrage of the fact that the accused did not file any complaint, the judges added.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
24 Malaysian OKUs to showcase their skills at MAB's Entrepreneurs Day event
Blind crafter Saravanan Velayuthan is adept at weaving and basic woodworking, and has been using his crafting skills to eke out a living for the last 25 years. The 54-year old's specialty lies in making nylon-woven footstools, stools and tables. "Weaving isn't difficult. Anything is easy if you have the interest," says the affable Saravanan during an interview at the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur recently. Despite being blind and living with Marfan syndrome, Saravanan has spent 25 years perfecting his craft. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran There, he was completing a few woven stools, all of which will be displayed at MAB's Entrepreneurs Day, taking place from May 31 - June 1 (10.30am - 4.30pm) at MAB, KL. The objectives of the event include enhancing entrepreneurship and employability among persons with disabilities (OKU) and boosting their confidence to compete in the open market. A total of 24 entrepreneurs – from the visually impaired, physically disabled, deaf and those with intellectual disabilities – will be taking part in the event. Many items will be on sale, including handcrafted and homemade products made by the OKU individuals such as handicrafts, food, beverages, snacks, light meals, accessories and personal care products. And let's not forget Saravanan's woven stools, made using different weaving techniques like checkered weave, diagonal weave and honeycomb weave. Events like these mean a lot to the disabled community as they offer a chance to showcase their talents and earn some extra income. Often, this group of individuals isn't given the opportunity to shine due to a lack of support or exposure. Saravanan's stools are reasonably priced, ranging from RM130 to RM160 each. It takes him about two days to weave the design and make a stool. "About 98% of the work is handmade. Everything is done by my hands except for the thermo-treated meranti wood. This wood undergoes a heating process, making it stronger. I live in Shah Alam, and my son has to drive me to Kajang, Selangor to buy the wood from a sawmill factory," says Johor-born Saravanan, adding that one roll of nylon thread costs about RM15. Each handcrafted stool takes Saravanan two days to complete, using different weaving techniques. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran Yet some of his customers complain that the stools are too expensive. "Many people tend to bargain and ask for a cheaper price. It takes time to make the stool and complete the weaving, and I am blind," says Saravanan, who uses counting methods and his tactile skills to guide him through the weaving process. Saravanan also has Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects connective tissues. The disorder caused him to have problems with his eyes, which eventually led to blindness in his late 20s. Prior to that, he worked as a lorry driver, and he says he is blessed to have been able to see the face of his youngest daughter until she was five. After becoming blind, he signed up for a crafting course offered by MAB. From there, he eventually worked as a woodworking trainer for MAB for several years until MAB closed down its woodworking workshops due to low response from the blind. Today, Saravanan works from his flat in Taman Alam Megah. In a month, he can make five to 10 stools, earning between RM650 and RM1,600. It is not much but he's grateful three of his four grown-up children are already independent and earning an income. A pillar of support, Devayani (right) assists her father with his work, from painting stools to handling logistics. His eldest daughter Devayani, 25, works as a Braille publishing clerk with MAB. His kids assist him with his work, from painting stools to handling logistics. "When the kids were younger, it was very difficult to make ends meet as I was the sole breadwinner. Thankfully the Social Welfare Department gives me some money each month," he says. After mastering the art of nylon weaving, Saravanan now hopes to create opportunities for other visually impaired crafters. It is his dream to eventually have a small space where he can make his goods, and eventually train more blind people to weave. He is keen on Brickfields because it is easy for him to travel by train there, and that's the place where many from the blind community are based. "I dream of opening a workshop where I can teach and give jobs to other blind crafters so they, too, can earn an income. But without a proper space and with so few orders, how can I help them? "I'd love to explore weaving different surfaces like shoe racks. I can also weave traditional Indian beds called charpai. "But I live in a flat - there's no room to work. It's always difficult to craft these things at home, with my neighbours complaining whenever I do drilling work. "Hopefully my dreams will come true one day," he says.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Hans India
Cashew farmers in TN's Nagapattinam face 50 pc yield loss due to unseasonal rains, pests
Chennai: Cashew farmers in Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district are grappling with a significant decline in yield this season, with losses estimated between 40 per cent and 50 per cent. Cashew is cultivated on over 5,000 acres in the district, but unseasonal rains, combined with widespread pest infestations, have severely impacted the crop across major cultivation zones such as Vedaranyam and Keezhaiyur. Farmers say this year's setback is particularly distressing as the region had only recently begun to recover from the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Gaja in 2018. "After Cyclone Gaja, it took us several years to restore our cashew plantations. Just as yields were beginning to show promise again, this season has delivered another blow," farmer Saravanan K.R. said. "Due to the rains and pest attacks, the flowers, fruits, and even leaves are turning black. Despite using fertilisers, nearly half the yield is gone,' he added. Market rates this year are considered favourable, with cashew fruits selling at Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kg and cashew nuts at Rs 110 to Rs 120 per kg. However, the reduced output means most farmers are unable to benefit from the price advantage. "Even though the prices are good, the low volume of harvest is cutting into our profits," Saravanan said. Officials from the Horticulture Department have acknowledged the crisis. "We have been guiding farmers on the timely use of fertilisers and recommending preventive measures. But the recent unseasonal rainfall has worsened the pest situation, making it harder to control," a department official said. Experts note that the combination of excess moisture and lack of adequate pest control has accelerated the spread of fungal and insect infestations, particularly affecting flowering and fruit-bearing stages. Farmer groups in the region have urged the state government to conduct crop damage assessments and provide immediate relief to affected growers. They also requested the introduction of weather-based crop insurance schemes specifically designed for horticultural crops like cashew, which are highly sensitive to climatic shifts.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
New Additional Director of Industrial Safety and Health takes charge
C. Saravanan is the new Additional Director of Industrial Safety and Health, Chennai, according to a press release. In a Government Order, dated 30 April, he was promoted and assigned to the post. Mr. Saravanan took charge on May 26, the release added.
