Friday 7 December 2012

RAJINIKANTH 63 ; SUPERSTAR 63


RAJINIKANTH 63  


Many magazines have listed out the 63 good qualities of actor Rajinikanth. An addenum – 36 qualities that Rajini needs to ponder over .


 1
An actor is a person who works hard and hard so that he becomes famous, and once he becomes famous wears sun-glasses to hide him from people. This idiom perfectly fits to Rajini.

2
A man who claims that he is god-fearing should have respect for other persons. Rajini claimed "Meena acted as my daughter & wife. One day she will act as my mother". You cannot boast of your youthfulness  by de-grading others.

3
He allowed lyricists like Vairamuthu to write songs which sung his PERSONAL praise – especially on his entry into politics. Muthu songs were all of this category.

4
A person is not allowed to openly announce to which party he had voted for. But Rajini did.

5
Rajini has bad opinion on women.Speaks ill of them in Baba movie. Then why did he have 4 heroines during your youth-time movie Naan Peotta Savaal?

6
Kids watch his movie. He must have taken more care not to allow songs & sequences like Kokku Saiva Kokku in Muthu.

7
Speaks punch dialogues on the face of audience. A good actor will not speak to audience, but will transform into the character he is doing.

8
The dance masters – Raghava Lawrence & Prabhu deva were shown in Baba song sequences. Not a good practise of mixing fiction with reality.

9
In Thanga Magan, Rajini took time to dance with Anuradha in Machaanai Paarudi song. The story sequence required Poornima to dance with Anuradha & not Rajini.

10
Rajini & Vairamuthu create too much hyphe on 'Black colour skin' saying that Tamil women adore it. But for Rajini, who appreciates a dark-skinned man?

11
In Paayum Puli song Pothukkittu, Rajini places his legs on actress Radha. There's no respect for heroines in movies ....but placing foot on a heroine's body is unacceptable.

12
 Openly expressed desire to act with Aishwarya Rai. Not a good move!

13
Most of his movies have an Alattal Ambujam lady and a Padhusu Pankajam lady.


14
In Annamalai, Rajini addresses heroine as Kushbu, instead of her character name of Subbu - but was modified during dubbing. Took the reel-relationship too seriously.

15
Too much relying on divine intervention. Baba was banned in Tamil-Eelam.

16
Separated from Kamal during 80's, so that each actor carves his own career – and of course there will be no clash on who romances the heroine.

17
Actress Banupriya got duped into acting opposite Rajini in Thalapathi.

18
If he is not eager in entry into politics, he should have discouraged politicians from using his name – especially during 1996.

19
Should pay more attention on his make-up while attending functions or appearing in public.

20
Should not be naive enough to call Mr.Bal Thackery his 'God Father'.

21
Should have made a "life-time movie" of sorts, say a movie against 'female foeticide'. A 'Done It Actor' is more useful to society than a 'Don actor'.

22
Had a strong belief that a song by singer Malaysia Vasudevan in his movie will make it a hit. Who created this hoopla? Perhaps, Vasudevan himself. 

23
Fans were stumped by his choice of heroine in Adhisaya Piravi. (Can't even remember her name)

24
Should improve on tamil pronounciation – but, isn't that feature claimed as 'style' by his fans?

25
Many of my school friends resorted to smoking citing 'Rajini style'. In this nation of fanatics, a mass hero has to watch out his personal actions too.

26
Politically 'linked' Nagma became his heroine in Baasha. Sometimes, the super-star has to bow to pressure.

27
Atleast for photographs, he should have posed in a Tamilian outfit during his daughter's marriage.

28
By the way, where's the treat he promised his fans during Aishwarya's wedding?

29
What prompted him to do silly movies like Naattukku Oru Nallavan during his career's peak?
(Kushboo?)

30
The bath scene with Sridevi in Ranuva Veeran was just "too much" . Must have advised the editor to give work to his scissors.

31
A fan broke his neck after trying to smash a pumpkin with his head (similar to Baasha scene). Must advise his fans not to ape his moves on the screen. (Incidentally, most of the acts of heroes on screen are 'near to illegal' in real life).

32
Should not have allowed the director to degrade Bhagawad Gita in Yajamaan. (Could have been a catastrophe had it been the Bible or Quran).

33
Openly expressed desire to rope-in Simran for Chandramukhi. But alas! Simran was pregnent & could have never done the climax dance.

34
Cameo roles are not acceptable, even if its done by his guru. Manadhil Urudhi Vendum – to say 'No' to such roles.

35
Should have abstained from 'drinking' in full view of his co-stars. Otherwise, Manorama could have got no clue to term him as 'drunkard' during 1996 election campaign.

36
Have dumped Illaiyaraja as maestro is not as 'submissive' as the poets. Finally, the viewers are the losers.





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Friday 16 November 2012

RAILWAY GAUGE CONVERSION IN TAMILNADU



GAUGE CONVERSION PROJECTS OF TAMIL NADU

The following is the list of gauge conversion projects pending in TamilNadu:

Let us travel from North to South:

1) Tambaram – Villupuram (150 kms)

This stretch is now being converted in patches – Melmaruvathur to Mundiampakkam, Pakkam to Tindivanam, etc. This Gauge Conversion will help to double the stretch between Chennai Egmore and Villupuram.
This will help to speed up most of the day trains like Vaigai, Pallavan, Cholan, Guruvayoor, Kanyakumari-Howrah , Sethu, Nagercoil-Mumbai and Chendur Expresses.

2) Thiruvarur – Karaikudi (150 kms)

This stretch will cover Thiruthuraipoondi, Pattukkottai, Muthupettai, Adhirampattinam, Arantangi and Karaikudi spanning Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagappattinam,Pudukottai and Sivagangai districts.

Mr.Karunanidhi – UPA influencer and former CM hails from Thiruvarur and Mr.P.Chidambaram – UPA Home Minister hails from Karaikudi. Its an irony that this line has been taken up as a last project by Railways.

Completion may drag on due to loose soil condition, insufficient fund allocation and passive politicians.

3) Thiruthuraipoondi – Agasthiampalli - Kodiakkarai (50 kms)

Now a train bus is operated in this route. Southern railways tried to pull down this route to facilitate private bus operators, but Indian Army stepped in to save this important link to aid logistics.

4)Thiruchi – Thanjavur (50 kms)

The erstwhile metre gauge line is lying idle. If converted to BG, this route will have a double track and passenger trains can be operated frequently between the two towns. But will the private bus lobby allow this to happen?

5)Manamadurai – Virudhunagar (80 kms):

This project is dragging for more than 3 years. Aruppukkottai town is out of railway map for many years. If converted, this will serve as an alternate route to the heavily congested Tiruchi-Madurai – Virudhunagar route.

Goods and few express trains can be diverted via Tiruchy-Karaikudi-Manamadurai – Virudhunagar.

6)Madurai – Bodi (90 kms)

This picturesque line was having only a pair of passenger trains – that too on weekdays. Non-availability of rolling stock of metre gauge parts forced railways to close this line. While dismantling of lines is done at break-neck speed, the actual conversion – that is laying of new lines will take many years.




7) Madurai – Coimbatore: (200 kms)

This crucial link between two major towns is lying idle for the past 5 years. Gauge conversion between Madurai and Dindugal will result in doubling of the congested line, and help in faster transhipment. The new line between Dindugal – Palani-Pollachi-Coimbatore will help in introduction of new express trains between these emerging cities of south and west TamilNadu.

Kara Kara Vandi Kamatchi vandi........Kilakke poegudhu Pollachi Vandi – danced Radhika in Kilakke poegum rail movie in 1978. Goddess Kamatchi alone can say when this train will be re-introduced.

8) Palakkad – Pollachi: (50 kms)

This line is left unattended because, the line originates in Kerala, but travels mainly inside Tamil Nadu. The Ottapallam – Palakkad – Trichur line inside Kerala is a double line and is well connected to rest of India. Only the TamilNadu portion is left unattended for the past 5 years (and maybe another 5 years).

9)Thirunelveli – Thenkasi (60 kms):

This line passing through Ambasamudram, is lying idle for around 5 years and no progress is made in conversion. If converted express trains can be operated between Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli-Kollam (Kerala).

10) Sengottai – Punalur (100 kms):

Now its time to salute the great Britsh Raj. This critical line which travels through huge gorges and hills of Western ghats travels through deep pits, tunnels and high rise bridges in the Ariyankavu Pass. Indian railways is struggling to complete this line citing rough terrain.....they even proposed to bypass the hills and circumvent it and travel 60 kms extra.

Now, we understand the skills and sincerity of the British Raj. Pamban Bridge, Kollidam Bridge, Nilgiris Mountain Railway, Ariyankavu Pass Railways are all due to hard work of the Britsh Raj. While the Kollam-Punalur line was completed in a year as it runs on a plain terrain , the difficult and tiresome Punalur-Sengottai stretch is awaiting further technical clearance. Let us wait and watch. Does anyone remember Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate movie of 1980s? This station is located on this beautiful yet neglected stretch.

11) Mettupalayam – Udhagamandalam (70 kms):

HA...HA..HA. At last, we got "Heritage Status" for this narrow gauge line. Otherwise, we CANNOT convert it into broad gauge. This is a rack & pinion arrangement track and a unique way of pushing the engine rather than pulling it.

This engineering marvel can never be equalled by our mediocre railways' team. So let's try to use steam engines imported from Europe, try to maintain them and continue to run the toy trains. The Indian Railways have done a marvellous add-on to this engineering wonder -THEY HAVE WRITTEN THE TRAIN NAME "NILAGIRI PASSENGER" IN HINDI. What a wonderful technological addition by the Indian Railways!!!!





Of the 2800 kms railway lines in TN, 980 kms that is 1/3 rd of the lines are metre gauge or pending gauge conversion. Other southern states like Karanatka, AP and Kerala have converted to Broad Gauge very long ago – thanks to initiatives by influential politicians like M/s.Narasimha Rao, Deva Gowde, Jaffer Sherif , K.R.Narayan and E.Ahmed.

But unfortunetely politicians from Tamil Nadu don't care much about our projects. Once they turn a minister they say "India is my priority" and lose sight of Tamil Nadu and even their own constituency. Look at the way Mr.T.R.Balu and Mr.S.S.Palanimanickam fight over projects for Thanjavur district – no, they fight among themselves and not for the district.

Such is the sad state of affairs. Our politicians have asked us to 'DREAM' but not to 'PERFORM'. That is the reason TN is lagging behind in rail connectivity and new projects.

****************

Saturday 10 November 2012

TN POWER CRISIS - A SOLUTION



 TN POWER CRISIS – A SOLUTION

"Sattam Oru Tamilnadu" states a Facebook comment – which in the current (no pun intented) context means "Sattam Oru Iruttarai – a dark room". I also come across cartoons and hot discussions on leading weekly magazines,  on the sorry state of the 'current affairs' in Tamil Nadu.

Is the government alone responsible for this shortage of 4000 MW? What is the responsibility of the people? This leading magazine which criticizes the government – also runs 5 or 6 Tamil TV Channels which consume enormous power during peak hours.

Why can't the private channels transmit only from 12 noon to 6 pm and keep away from the peak demand period of 6 ~ 10 pm. Presently, 1 crore television sets and another 1 crore free television sets are available in Tamil Nadu. These 2 crore television sets consune about 2000 MW of power during peak hour.

With free Televison available, now most of the households have 2 televisions – one at the drawing room in which tear-jerkers and illicit-affair serials rule roost, and another TV set where the kids watch a poorly dubbed cartoon show or an 'all-day' cricket match. While this '2 TV startegy' is sucking out power from the grid, it also splits the family from being together.

Also, the Indian government runs 70 television stations in Tamil Nadu , nearly 15 of them being High Power transmitters (HPTs) which consume around 300 MW of power. In order to aid private channels, the government channels – DD National & DD News mercilessly transmit Hindi programmes all day through. Only in this country will you find this irony – In Chennai city, 2 nos. of 300KW transmitters transmit DD National & DD News (Hindi programmes on Channel 4 & Channel 6 respectively) , and 1 no. of a 50KW transmitter transmits DD Podhigai (Tamil programmes on Channel 8).

Tamil programmes are transmitted at low power so that it does not reach beyond Tambaram. Content-wise, DD Podhigai has removed all entertainment programmes – you get only Carnatic music, Devotional music, Light songs and Sports quiz which does not excit the common man.. But still the state televison does not want to take a chance of some villagers in a remote place watching its programmes - and hence keeps its transmission range absymally low.

Public-private partnership (!!!) has ruined Indian Television - and despite consuming 300KW of power , less than 5% of TN people watch DD Podhigai. All the Hindi transmissions from morning 5 am to 3 pm  go with zero viewership on DD National, and the entire 18 hours of Hindi / English news transmission of DD News (most of them repeat telecasts) is also at zero viewership. What a waste of public money and energy!

The TN government must swing into action -

1)      Ban private television channels' transmission from 6 ~ 10 pm. Only DD Podhigai can operate terrestrially during this time. Let us go back to Kanmanipoonga, Vayalum Vaazhvum and Oliyum Oliyum. This will also result in revenues for the cash-strapped Doordarshan.

2)      Make the 2nd TV set taxable. With set-top boxes, you can trace if the house has a 2nd TV and let them pay 30% increased electrical tariff. Remove subsidized gas cylinders and ration items for families with 2 TV sets.



3)      Limit the number of TV channels to not more than 10 in any given language. The Indian governmrnt provides tax rebates to TV channels if they have more than 1 channel in the same name ( like Son TV, Son Music, etc). Oh! What a concern by the government on the poor TV channel owners.

            When China - with  a 130 crore population can thrive on 12 channels, why does the 7 crore      population in TN needs 50 channels. Here, a channel which starts single – like a Lion TV             and then goes in multiples like - Pig Music, Pig Movies, Pig News, Pig Comedy, Pig           Cartoons, etc ...........so many channels to get spoilt from.


These measures will definitely result in saving 1000MW power during peak hour – which can be used for the power-starved grid.

Recently, TN Chief Minister has launched many projects of automotive and electronics manufacturing hubs worth Rs.20,000 crore. More employment, more purchasing power, more gadgets and obviously more power consumption by the people. Not only by the people, who work and earn in these organizations but also by these industries who require un-restricted  power supply.

We need power to
-        light the streets to make them accident free
-        irrigate the paddy fields in villages
-        light the homes, so that kids can study well
-        run fans so that people can sleep peacefully

Till then, we may have to forego the luxury of a "100 channel Television" which is also an intrusion into our family activities. We grew up hearing Thenkinnam , Isai Malar & Vannachudar in Vividbharati or listening to Thenaruvi , Kudumba Viruppam & Iravin Madiyil in Ilangai Vaanoli – playing , eating and chatting together with family and friends. A radio consumes lesser power and does not require unhindered attention like television.

Let us go back 30 years – till the power scenario is set right. There is no use in blaming the government when everybody wants to lead a life of luxury and never willing to give up additional pleasures.

The next time when Sakatan comes up with a funny cartoon of the CM holding a candle – let them retrospect their TV channels which churns out entertainment one after another – earning Rs.50,000 per 10 second slot. Let us do our bit to save energy than pointing fingers at others.

When in dark, its better to light a candle than crying foul.


 

Thursday 20 September 2012

BRING BACK AUTO METERS


BRING BACK METERS

BRING BACK AUTO METERS – screams a leading English Daily in Chennai.

Why should this newspaper as well as another rival newspaper nurse a grudge against autorickshaws? Oh.....because these drivers do not read English Newspapers!

Why should a passenger worry about auto fares in Chennai? MTC is providing a variety of services starting from Rs.6 to Rs.60 for a 10 km ride (white board, yellow board, green board, electronic A/C board).

So many share autos & Tata Magics' to choose from and auto is only a last resort or a luxury which a passenger chose from various options.

So why to blame the poor auto drivers? If you are happy with their rates ... travel - or else choose your own mode of journey.

Will you fight with Sarvan Bhavan for pricing their idly at Rs.50, just because its available for Rs.5 in another hotel? Or will you fight with Data shoes as they procure shoes from Ambattur factories for Rs.400 and price it at Rs.1999.

Will this same newspaper take a grudge against  private TV channels and launch – "BRING BACK CHENNAI DOORDARSHAN".

The Indian government has close to 75 Television Transmitters in Tamil Nadu and wastes a hell of money transmitting Hindi / Sports programmes everyday avoiding Tamil prrogrammes so that private channels   like Son TV, Ajay TV, etc.  can thrive.

 No one can dare to "BRING BACK CHENNAI TELEVISION" for it will affect the "Rich & Rude" people.

Can we launch a campaign – "BRING BACK ENGLISH NEWSPAPERS".  Do you remember the days when an English newspaper's editorials and views were seen with great regard and respect due to their unbiased reporting. The editors of English newspapers were revered a lot for their bold and clear editorials and views.

But where are those newspapers today? Where are those editors today? When 1.5 lakh Tamils were killed brutally in Lanka where were these English newspapers?

For few drinks and some winks offered by  Mahindra Rojapakse the editors of  TOY newspaper claim in their editorial that " .........its a well known fact that Tamil children are also terrorists and so there's no fault in killing them".

N.Sam of THE MINDU newspaper dines over fine wine with  Mahindra Rojapakshe and report like writing an 'Anonymous story'   " I am sitting at the feet of The President and he has a clear vision on the 13th Amendment for providing political right to Tamils"

So we should literally shout "BRING BACK ENGLISH NESPAPERS".





Why should the poor auto driver must be blamed ? He is the one who may be your neigbourhood fellow and comes sharp at unearthy hours to pick-up you for an airport drop or so. Stop blaming them.

FIX Meters on 1G, 2G and 3G Spectrum.

FIX METERS on the Natural Resources of this country like Coal, Dantewade Iron Ore, Bauxite and Natural Gas in the North-East.

FIX METERS on the foreign trips undertaken by the Powerful Politicians.

Not ON the poor auto driver who struggles everyday to make his ends meet.


**********************


Wednesday 12 September 2012

GET CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO TIRUCHY


1) Train no.6853 CHOLAN EXPRESS is always avilable 2)Train no.6107 MANGALORE EXPRESS - book till Kulitalai (KLT) and get down at Trichy. Train No.6701 - RAMESWARAM EXPRESS book till Pudukkottai (PDKT). Train no.6713 - SETHU EXPRESS - book till Paramakkudi (PMK). Train no. 6735 Vaigai Express - book till Dindugal (DG)
2)

GET CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TIRUCHY TO CHENNAI

Train no.6701 ROCKFORT EXPRESS - book from Tiruverumbur (TRB) to Chengalpattu (CGL). Board at Tiruchy as TTE will wait for 1 station or still better take a town bus to Tiruverumbur and board there. Get down at Chengalpattu at 5 am and take a local train to Tambaram / Chennai.

GET CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO COIMBATORE

Train No.2671 NILAGIRI EXPRESS  clears Waiting List upto 250. (WL250)
. However, you will be provided only with RAC berths , that is 2 persons will share one Side Lower berth. If you find WL less than 250 proceed and book for 2 persons instead of 1 person. For example, if ARUN wants to travel book for SELVAM (Age 6). You will get RAC -2 seats. You can always cancel the second person's name AFTER the chart is prepared at Central station, before boarding the train. (Rs.20 only for cancellation charges). Tell the TTE that the second person is not travelling and enjoy the full side lower berth. BUT you have to get a ticket ACROSS the counter at PRS so that cancellation can be done before departure of train and AFTER preparation of Chart. E-tickets cannot be cancelled after charts are prepared. However, you can always take an e-ticket - inform TTE that  second person is not travelling and FILE TDR later and lose Rs.75 (50% of hal-ticket charges).

GET CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO MADURAI

1) Choose Madurai Express - 2623 on Fridays & Sundays in Sleeper Class. Still better, the unreserved compartments are also not fully occupied.

2) Book on any southern destination train on a station next to madurai : Kovilpatti (CVP) in NELLAI EXPRESS, Tirunelveli (TEN) in Kanyakumari Express , Tiruttangal (TTL) in Podigai Express, Virudhunagar (VPT) in Pearl City Express and get down at Madurai.
)





GET CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO KARAIKUDI

Train no.6713 SETHU EXPRESS has a quota till Paramkudi (PMK). Book from Chennai to PMK and get down at Karaikudi. (Rs.20 extra)

GET CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO THANJAVUR

. Train No.6701 RAMESWARAM EXPRESS has a quota till Pudukkottai (PDKT). Book till PDKT and get down at thanjavur. Rs.20 extra.
In return direction book from PDKT to MS (Chennai). Catch a bus to Pudukkottai (9.30 pm) or board at Tiruchy (10.30 pm)


GET CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO KUMBAKONAM

Mannai Express has a quota for Thanjavur. Book your tickets TO Thanjavur (TJ) and get down at Kumbakonam. In the return direction book FROM Thanjavur and board at Kumbakonam. Normally, TTEs will wait for ONE STATION if the passenger does not show up.

GET CONFIRMED TICKETS IN PANDIAN EXPRESS

IPandian Express has a special quota to / from Tiruchirapalli. Though you get the status as 'Pooled Quota Witing list' normally 90% of tickets booked from / to Trichy gets cleared




 .

GET CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS (TAMIL NADU)

With increase in bus fares, families in TamilNadu scramble for railway tickets at weekends or during weekdays.

Indian railways has lots of twists and turns in the railway reservation schemes and many passengers are forced to book through TATKAL.

TATKAL is bad because:
1) Rs.75 more for Sleeper class
2) No refund on cancellation
3) No senior citizen concession.

So get to know the quickie ways to book tickets to popular southern destinations.

Example: If you need a ticket to Kumbakonam, book in MANNAI EXPRESS from Chennai to Thanjavur. The quota for KMU is only 50 tickets & all other 350 seats are reserved for Thanjavur. (You can always get down at KMU with TJ ticket. Only Rs.20 more, but TATKAL hassles are not there)

To know more about getting CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS FOR SOUTHERN DESTINATIONS:

CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO KUMBAKONAM
CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO THANJAVUR
 CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO TIRUCHY
CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO MADURAI

CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO KARAIKUDI
CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO COIMBATORE

CONFIRMED TRAIN TICKETS TO CHENNAI

Just send a mail to keasenthil@gmail.com for guidance to get confirmed train tickets.

Or just sms to: 98401 46590 with minimum details:
Destination & Date only

 You will get a reply to your email id (or) mobile number (sms only)

GET GOING. HAPPY JOURNEY...............