Vol 1 Issue 37 Aug 19, 2012 Price Re. 1 Only

Reaches

55,000households every week

To advertise call

9444943293Anything interesting happening in your neighbourhood alert us at

news@alphatimes.net

May this Ramadan bring health, joy and wealth to you

For home delivery, call 23460984

With the r i se in commercialisation in the T Nagar commercial hub many buildings in the area do not adhere to the National Building Code (as amended ) 2005 says Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services.

The fire services officials on condition of anonymity said that many traders and commercial building owners flout the norms. Moreover the after the construction of the flyover it is most difficult to wade through the traffic and reach the spot incase of fire. Shop owners has been emphasized in various meetings on the compliance of the fire and rescue norms but to no purpose.

Leave a lone the small shops, even bigger commercial establishments are not paying attention in fulfilling the norms so that the NOC can be issued.

TFRS laments at poor adherence of National Building Code by T Nagar malls

Despi te our rpeated reminders some shops have given some thought on the safety aspect.

When contacted the Director Mr Bholanath DGP Directorate of Fire Service, he said "Ours is only an advisory body and we aid the licensing agencies before giving any licence or permission to the trade by them regarding the NOC

as specified in the National Building Code or Indian Fire Service Act. We are not empowered to take action for non compliance and we can only advice them.

With the resitrictions limited to only fire fighting and rescue service we cannot take action on the erring traders.

Expressing concern the T Nagar resident

associations with the festive season nearing the shoppers will mob the shop and the shopkeepers will make a booty of the sales leaving all norms in the air.

Even after Saravana Stores fire the shop keeprts have not learn't their lessons.

K u d o s t o F i r e department as they have not granted NOC to the erring establishments.

The irony is that despite the NOC not given to traders and shopkeepers by the Fire Service department the Chennai Corporation has granted the Trade licence to the undermentioned shops taking a loophole in the Corproation Licensing Act.

‘‘Soul is unborn, eternal, ever-existing And primeval soul is not slain

When the body is slain”Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family

AlphA Times

Master Ranjan

Homage

Page 2 ALPHA TIMES

For the week Aug. 19 to 25, 2012

Vol 1 ISSUE 36 Aug. 12, 2012

Aug. 19, 2012

To advertise call 9444943293

Aries [ March 21 to April 20) ]A lucrative business deal is in offering but discuss it with

a friend before signing. Litigation over property matters will swing in your favour. An illicit affair is likely; which should be avoided. Lucky colour: Cream.Taurus [ April 21 to May 21 ]

Finances, or the lack of it, will take precedence over everything. This is temporary, as matters may change for better. Partner’s busy schedule could make you feel neglected. Health may bother. Lucky colour: Purple.Gemini [ May 21 to June 21 ]

Grab new opportunities knocking at your door. A letter’s arrival could make you angry. You are wary of relationships as they have never worked out. Loosen up and give it another shot. Lucky colour: Sea green.Cancer [ June 22 to July 22 ]

Mercury trine Pluto brings unexpected progress in business or finance matters. Instead of procrastinating, take the decision you have been putting off. A friend may betray your trust. Lucky colour: Crimson.Leo [ July 23 to Aug 23 ]

Patience in dealing with subordinates will take you a long way. Unsolicited attention may bother you, but will work to your advantage. Financial deals and spiritual matters are going to keep you busy. Lucky colour: Peacock green.Virgo [ Aug 24 to Sept 22 ]

Moon brings positive changes at workplace and home. You will be in a pleasant frame of mind. Problems will get sorted out without much effort on your part. Lucky colour: Aqua blue.Libra [Sept 23 to Oct 23 ]

A friend will help you get back the money that someone owes you. There will be brainstorming sessions with a partner about new life strategies. Mercury Jupiter combine promises profit in business. Lucky colour: Red.Scorpio [Oct 24 to Nov 22 ]

Don’t worry about money, it is expected from a new source. You may strike up a rapport with a person whom you will begin to trust. Let your instincts guide you. Lucky colour: White.Sagittarius [ Nov 23 to Dec 23

You may make important contacts that can further your career. Responsibilities are weighing you down. Share problems with a friend; it could take the load off your chest! Lucky colour: Yellow.

Capricorn [Dec 24 to Jan 20]Money will pour in from a business venture. You will be

in a flirtatious mood; a good time for romance! However, you have to walk a tightrope between love and work. See a dentist. Lucky colour: Grey.

Aquarius [ Jan 21 to Feb 18 ]Business matters will keep you busy. Some news

could drain you emotionally but don’t let affect personal relationships. Take a break and go for a holiday. Good time to buy a car. Lucky colour: Brown.

Pisces [Feb 19 to March 20 ]Putting off a good assignment because there’s too much

work is a bad idea. You will realise your folly and complete it. Romance indicated, and running away from home may cross some minds! Lucky colour: Golden.

- Dr. A. Ranganatha Sarma

º‚Aò èœó‹ü£¡:

Ýèv† 20

²ðºý¨˜ˆî‹:Ýèv† 20, 22, 23

õ£v¶ ªêŒò ï™ô  Ýèv† 22

Sandeha nivaRaneeA Spiritual doubt clearing meeting will be held at the Sri Ayodhya Mandapam 47 Arya Gowda Road , West Mambalam on Sunday Aug. 26 between 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm on Ashtanga Yogas (Niyamas) (Eight Parts of Yogas) by the spirutal monthly magazine Viatheekasri .. The resource person will be Veda Sastra Praveena, Vaidika Kalanidhi, Veda Vidya Alankara Brahmasri Nannilam V.Rajagopala Ganapatigal.

ñ‡E½‹ à‡´ M‡íèó‹ ñ£îõ¡ õ£›A¡ø è‡í¹ó‹

õò¶ ºF ˜ ‰ î Þ ó‡´ ð£èõî˜èœ (Hó£ñíó™ô£î ¬õíõ ˜ èœ ) F¼ ‚ è‡í ¹ ó ‹ « è £ M½ ‚ ° â F K ™ ܬñ‰¶œ÷ âNô£˜‰î "Gˆò ¹wèóE' â¡ø F¼‚°÷ˆF™ có£®M†´, 𮈶¬øJ™ Üñ˜‰¶ F¼ñ‡ 裊H†´‚ªè£‡«ì «ðC‚ªè£‡®¼‰îù˜.

"â¡ù ²õ£I, Aó£ñˆFL¼‰¶ « ð £ ù õ £ ó ‹ õ ‰ î î £ è ‚ «èœMŠð†«ì¡. «ð£ù «õ¬ôèœ º®‰¶M†ìî£? àJ™ ê£êù‹ â¿FM†¯˜è÷£?'' â¡Á «è†ì£˜ å¼õ˜.

ñŸøõ˜ ªê£¡ù£˜: ""â™ô£‹ â¿F º®ˆ¶M†«ì¡. ñè¡ ªðòK½‹ ñ¬ùM ªðòK½‹ àJ™ â¿FM†«ì¡. âù‚° è¬ìC  õ¬ó ꣊𣆮Ÿè£è F¼‚è‡í¹óˆFŸ° ñ£î‹«î£Á‹ ðí‹ ÜÂŠð„ ªê£™LM†«ì¡. ÞQ«ñ™ ï‹ñ£›õ£˜ ªê£¡ùð® F ¼ ï £ ´ « ð £ ° ‹ õ ¬ ó F¼‚è‡í¹ó õ£ê‹î£«ù!''

Þ‰î à¬óò£ì™ âù‚° ªè£…ê‹ MˆFò£êñ£èð†ì¶. âù«õ ܉î á¬ó„ «ê˜‰î ï‡ðKì‹ Þ¬îŠ ðŸP‚ «è†«ì¡. Üõ˜ ªè£…ê‹ M÷‚èñ£è«õ ªê£¡ù£˜.

F¼‚è‡í¹ó‹ â¡ø Þ‰î FšMò «îêˆ¬îŠ ðŸP, ï‹ñ£›õ£˜ F¼õ£Œ ªñ£NJ™ ðô„²¼F»ì¡ 11 ð£ì™èœ 𣮻œ÷£˜. ÜF™ 5-Ý‹ ð£ì¬ô„ ªê£¡ù£˜.

"êóíñ£°‹ îùî£÷¬ì‰î£˜ ªè™ô£‹

ñ óíñ£ù£™ ¬õ°‰î‹ ªè£´‚°‹Hó£¡

Üóí¬ñ‰î ñFœ Å› F¼‚è‡í¹óˆ

îóEò£÷¡ îùî¡ð˜‚° ܡ𣰫ñ.'

⋪ð¼ñ£Qì‹ êóí£èF ܬìðõ˜‚° ¬õ°‰î ðîM ÜOŠð£¡ â¡Á Ý›õ£˜èœ ñƒè÷£ê£êù‹ ªêŒF¼‰î£½‹, F¼‚è‡í ¹óˆF½‹, Üî¬ù„ ²ŸP»œ÷ Aó£ñƒèO½‹ àœ÷ ¬õíõ ð£èõî˜èœ, îƒèO¡ õ ò¶ ºF ˜ ‰ î è £ ô ˆ F ™ F¼‚è‡í¹óˆFŸ° õ‰¶ îƒA, Gˆò ¹wèóEJ™ có£®, F¼‚è‡í¹óŠ ªð¼ñ£ù£Aò ÿ ªê÷Kó£ü¬ù 裬ô»‹ ñ£¬ô»‹ ªî£¿¶ õ‰î£™, G„êò‹ îñ‚° ¬õ°‰î‹ ܼÀõ£¡ â¡Á ï‹ñ£›õ£˜ «ñŸè‡ì ð£²óˆF™ à P » œ ÷ ¬ î à Á F ò £ è Aø£˜èœ. Þ¡ø÷¾‹ ðô ð£èõî˜èœ F¼‚è‡í¹óˆF™ îƒA, F¼ï£´ ªê™ô Ýòˆîñ£Œ õ‰¶ õíƒA õ£›Aø£˜èœ. ê e ð ˆF™ F¼‚è‡í¹ ó‹ ª ê¡ø « 𠣶 , ðô ð £ èõî ªð¼ñ‚èœ õì‚° ñìõ÷£èˆF™ õ£ì¬è‚° i´ â´ˆ¶ îƒèœ õ£›ï£¬÷‚ èNˆ¶, F¼ï£´ ªê™õ¬îŠ ªð¼‹«ðø£è‚ è¼F õ£›‰¶ õ¼õ¬î‚ 臫ì¡.

Þ‰î áK™ õ‰¶ õ£›‰¶ àJ˜ HKò «õ‡´‹ â¡Á ð‚î˜èœ M¼‹¹‹ ܉î F¼‚è‡í¹óˆ¬îŠ ðŸPŠ 𣘂èô£«ñ!

ÞˆîôˆFŸ° ¹ó£í, êKˆFó

õóô£Áèœ ðô à‡´. ðˆñ ¹ó£íˆF™ F¼‚è‡í¹ó‹ A¼wí£ó‡ò‹ â¡Á °PŠHìŠð†´œ÷¶. ºîL™ ¹ó£í õóô£Ÿ¬øŠ 𣘂èô£‹.

àðKê óõú§ â¡ø ñ¡ù¡ «îõ£²ó »ˆîˆF™ «îõ˜èœ ªõŸP ªðø àîMù£¡. »ˆî‹ º®‰¶ F¼‹¹‹ õNJ™, ñ¡ù‚° î£è‹ â´ˆî, A¼wí£ ó‡ò‹ â¡ø Þ¡¬øò F¼‚è‡í ¹óˆFŸ° õ‰î£¡. c˜ G¬ô¬òˆ «î®Š «ð£ù«ð£¶, õNJ™ ꣬ñŠðJ˜ (F¬ù) ãó£÷ñ£è Þ¼‰î, õN ãŸð£´ ªêŒò «õ‡®, ðJ˜è¬÷ ªõ†®ù£¡. Ýù£™ ðôK¡ Â°ó™ «è†è, ñ¡ù¡ F´‚A†´Š «ð£ù£¡. A¼wí£ó‡òˆF™ F¼ñ£¬ô «ï£‚AŠ ðô ºQõ˜èœ îõ‹ ªêŒîù˜. ªï´ï£œ îõˆî£™ Üõ˜èO¡ àì™ ªñL‰¶, ꣬ñŠðJ˜ «ð£™ å´ƒA MˆFò£ê‹ ªîKò£ñ™ Þ¼‰î, ñ¡ù¡ ꣬ñŠ ðJ¬ó ªõ†® âP‰î «ð£¶ ðô ºQõ˜èÀ‹ ªõ†´Šð†´‚ èîPù£˜èœ. ºQõ˜èO¡ °ó¬ô‚ «è†ì ⋪ð¼ñ£¡, ðFù£Á õò¶ õ£Lðù£è õ‰¶ àðKêóõú§ ñ¡ù¬ù âF˜ˆî £ ˜ . ñ¡ù¡ bMóñ£èŠ «ð£˜ ¹K‰¶‹ Üõù¶ ð¬ì ªð¼ñ£ù£™ ÜN‚èŠð†ì¶. î¡Âì¡ »ˆî‹ ªêŒõ¶ ñQîù™ô; ⋪ð¼ñ£«ù â¡ð¬î ÜP‰î àðKêóõú§ ªð¼ñ£O¡ F¼õ®J™ i›‰¶ õíƒAù£¡. àðKêóõú§ ñ¡ù¡ êóí£èF ܬì‰î¬î‚ 致, ñ¡Qˆ¶ Üõ‚° F¼‚è‡í¹óˆF™ ÿªê÷Kó£üŠ ªð¼ñ£÷£è‚ 裆C òOˆî£˜.

Ý ù £ ™ ª ê ÷ K º ® » ì ¡ 裆CòOˆî£˜ â¡ðîŸè£ù è£óíƒèœ ðˆñ ¹ó£íˆF™ °PŠHìM™¬ô.

¹è› ªðŸø ¬õíõ Ý„ê£Kòó£ù ÿðó£êóð†ì˜, ÿ Mwµ êèvóï£ñ ܈Fò£òˆF™ °PŠH´‹ "ªê÷K' â¡Â‹ F¼ï£ñ‹, "ªê÷K ªè£‡¬ì' ꣟P‚ ªè£‡´ 裆CòO‚°‹ ÞŠªð¼ñ£¬÷«ò °P‚°‹ â¡Aø£˜.

â ™ ô £ F ¼ ˆ î ô ƒ è O ½ ‹ ªð¼ñ£O¡ õôˆ F¼‚èóˆF™ àœ÷ ê‚èó‹ Ýœ 裆® MóL™ Üñ˜‰¶ ²ö¡Á ªè£‡´ Þ¼Šð¶«ð£ô ªð¼ñ£œ 裆CòOŠð£˜. Ýù£™ F¼‚è‡í¹óˆF™ ÿ ªê÷Kó£üŠ ªð¼ñ£O¡ F¼‚èóˆF™ àœ÷ ê‚èó‹ Hó«ò£è G¬ôJ™ Þ¼‚°‹. Þî¡ ªð£¼œ â¡ùªõ¡ø£™, îù¶ Ü®ò£˜èÀ‚° ¶¡ð‹ õ£¬ó ÜN‚èˆ îò£ó£è ê‚èóˆ¬îŠ Hó«ò£è G¬ôJ™ ¬õˆF¼Šðî£è‚ ÃÁAø£˜ èœ. Þ¶ «ð£¡ø Hó«ò£è G¬ôJ™ àœ÷ ê‚èó‹ îKˆî ªð¼ñ£œ, «õÁ

â‰î F¼ˆîôˆF½‹ A¬ìò£¶ â¡A¡øù˜.

ÞQ F¼‚è‡í¹ó êKˆFóŠ H¡ùE¬òŠ 𣘂èô£‹.

ËŸªø†´ Fšò «îêƒèO™, F¼ñƒ¬è Ý›õ£¼‚° ↪쿈¶ Fšò ñ‰Fóˆ¬î æFò F¼ˆîôI¶. Þˆîôˆ¬î 䉶 Ý›õ£˜èœ 129 ð£²óƒèœ 𣮠ñƒè÷£ê£êù‹ ªêŒ¶œ÷ù˜.

ï‹ñ£›õ£˜ (11), °ô«êèó Ý›õ£˜ (11), F¼ñƒ¬è Ý›õ£˜ (105), ªðKò£›õ£˜ (1), ݇죜 (1) ÝA«ò£˜ 𣮊 ðóM»œ÷ îô‹ Þ¶.

â‰î ¬õíõˆ îôˆFŸ°‹ Þ™ô£î ñŸªø£¼ CøŠ¹ Þ‰îˆ îôˆFŸ° à‡´. ܶ °ô«êèó Ý›õ£˜, ªð¼ñ£¬÷ °ö‰¬îò£è ð£Mˆ¶ cô£‹ðK ó£èˆF™, " ó £èõ«ù ô«ô£ ' â¡Á ÜÂðMˆ¶Š 𣮻œ÷‹. ÜF™ å¼ ð£ì¬ôŠ 𣘊«ð£‹.

"ñ¡Â¹è› ªè÷ê¬ô î¡ ñEõJÁ õ£Œˆîõ«ù

ªî¡Qôƒ¬è «è£¡º®èœ C‰¶Mˆî£Œ ªê‹ªð£¡«ê˜

è¡Q ï¡ ñ£ñFœ ¹¬ìÅ› èí¹óˆªî¡ è¼ñE«ò

â¡Â¬ìò Þ¡ùº«î ó£èõ«ù ô«ô£.'

ê‚èóõ˜ˆFˆ F¼ñèù£ù ó£ñ¬ù, °ö‰¬îò£è ð£Mˆ¶ cô£‹ðK ó£èˆF™ ܬñ‰î Ý›õ£˜ ð£²óˆ¬î, Ü«ïèñ£è îI›ï£†®™ ð£ì£î Mˆõ£¡è«÷£, Mˆõ£‹ CQè«÷£ Þ¼‚è º®ò£¶. Þ‰îˆ î£ô£†´Š ð£ì™, F¼‚è‡í¹óŠ ªð¼ñ£À‚° ñ†´«ñ à‡´.

嚪õ£¼ Üñ£õ£¬êò¡Á‹ ðè™ 12 ñE‚° F¼‚è‡í¹ó àŸêõŠ ªð¼ñ£¬÷, ÜöAò Üôƒè£óƒèÀì¡ CPò êŠðóˆF™ ° «ð˜ É‚A‚ ªè£‡´ Þ¬ê ºöƒè Mdûí£›õ£¼‚° ï¬ìòö° è £ †´‹ G蛄C ï¬ìªðÁ‹. Þ¶ ð‚î˜èÀ‚°Š ðóõê͆´‹ G蛄Cò£°‹.

Anything interesting happening in your neighbourhood alert us at

news@alphatimes.net

...ªî£ì¼‹

ALPHA TIMES Page 3Aug. 19, 2012

Passengers are advised not to carry inflammable material on trains as it would endanger the safety of passengers and railway property. | EPS

The Railways has appealed to passengers not ic ing in f lammable materials o n trains or railway premises to inform officials on the mobile number 09840668675 (Southern Railway Zone).

According to a press release, in case of an

Nearly 70 children who came to write the lower-level Hindi exams – Prathmic, Madhyama and Rashtrabasha – conducted by Dakshina Bharath Hindi Prachar Sabha at Kesari Mat r icu la t ion H igher Secondary School in T. Nagar, were unable to write the exam after being sent back by school authorities who cited lack of space. Over 800 others found their way to an alternative venue. Exams for the higher-level courses were conducted as per schedule.

The school claimed that it was unable to accommodate the children appearing for the lower-level exams since it was also hosting the Tamil Nadu Publ ic Service Commission (TNPSC) exam and redirected them to the nearby Hindi Prachar Sabha.

“The entire hall was crammed. Soon, the teachers announced that the exam was cancelled and put up a notice outside the hall,” said Lakshmi Raj who later wrote the exam around 11 a.m. at Hindi Prachar Sabha after she received information from her private Hindi instructor. The word spread and nearly 829 children wrote the exam at the sabha.

“At 10 a.m., some police personnel asked us to move out of the premises. Immediately, some of my friends left. Then, while we waited on the road, one of

To commemora te Swami Vivekananda’s 150th anniversary and Samskrita Dinam, Samskrita Bharati, an NGO which promotes the ancient language, is conducting a three-day cultural programme titled ‘Samskritotsavah’, from August 18 to 20, 10 a.m., at DG Vaishnav College, Arumbakkam.

Open to schools, co l l eges and o the r institutions, the events include Balakalotsavah (cu l tu ra l even ts fo r students) on August 18, Samajotsavah (events

August 29 on account of Onam festival, will b e a local holiday for Chennai district according to a release from the Chennai Collectorate.

However, the district treasury and sub-treasury offices in the district will

The Chennai City Police has opened three helplines to assist people from North-East who were leaving the city fearing danger to their lives in the wake of violence in Assam.

A police statement here said round the clock helplines were opened to instil confidence in those people living and working in the city.

"People and students of northeastern region

For Brahmin Horoscopesand Physically Challenged

Marriage MatchingContact:

Chennai Sai SankaRa MaTRiMonialS7, 9th Avenue, Ashok Nagar,

(Near Ashok Pillar Govt. Girls High School) Chennai - 600 083

Ph: 044-2471 6920www.ssmatri.om

Chaos at the Hindi Exam Centre Students left in the lurch

my friend’s teachers asked us to go to sabha to give the exam,” said nine-year-old Usha Ramanujnam who wrote her Prathmic exam.

Several parents, who went to pick up their children from the school, were redirected to the sabha. “These children reached the venue by taking an auto. How can the school authorities cancel the exam at the last minute? What if a child got run over or went missing?” said Ramaswamy a bank employee whose 10-year-old daughter wrote her prathmic exam. However, 300 students wrote the higher-level exam at the school under a shamiana .

About 39,000 students — 30,000 for lower- level and 9,000 for higher-level — attempted the exams in 81 centres in the city, according to the general secretary of the sabha. No such confusion was reported in any other centre. “On Friday, 15 centres backed out owing to the TNPSC exam and we made al ternat ive arrangements. But the principal of this school gave us an assurance and written approval for the exam,” he said.

Those who missed the exam today can write the re-exam within a week and will be individually intimated.

“The confusion arose because the parents arrived with the children ahead of time,” said a senior teacher of the school.

Mobile number alert for inflammable

material on trainsemergency, passengers may pull the alarm chain and wait for the train to halt.

Passengers are advised not to carry inflammable material o n trains as it would endanger the safety of passengers and railway property.

Carrying dangerous or offensive goods is prohibited under section 67 of the Railway Act and is punishable under sections 164 and 165 of The Railway Act, 1989.

Solomon Pappaiah in Sanskrit festival

for the general public) on August 19 and Yuvotsavah (for college students) on August 20. The fest will be followed by a 10-day spoken Sanskrit course conducted at various venues in the city.

Highlights of the event include a seminar, Vichara Satram (patti mandram) presented by Solomon Pappiah,on Aug. 19 at 10.00 am kavi sammelan, chanting of the Gita and Samsrhythm, a musical ensemble by Ghatam Karthick and party. For more information call 98403 87201.

Helplines set up for NE people

residing in and around Chennai are very safe and feeling at home.

Though not a single incident was reported so far in Chennai, to instil confidence and support, chennai city police have set up three helplines to assist them", the release said.

"For any assistance, the numbers 9840295100, 9677066100, 9789099100", can be called, the release said.

Amid confusion over the delay in declaration of results and issuing of certificates, Anna University has declared that the M. Tech counselling for nearly 12,000 seats will begin on August 25. This year, 20, 000 candidates have applied for the M. Tech programmes, at least 6,000 more than last year. The university is offering 20 specialisations in civil engineering, 34 in mechanical, 28 in Information and Communication. There are 20 courses being offered by the Faculty of Technology and six by the School of Architecture that include specialisations in real estate, digital architecture,

Counselling for M. Tech courses begins on August 25

landscape and environment architecture. This year, there are a 2,000 more seats for M. Tech programmes , said Rhymend Uthariaraj in-charge of the single window counselling for TANCA (Tamil Nadu Common Admissions) 2012.

The counselling schedule and the format containing details have been published on the website of Anna University and will be updated frequently. The counselling for candidates who have their GATE scores will be on August 25. The next day will be for students with physical disability and then we will have the phase one admission for students with non-Gate scores on August 31.

Local holiday for Onamfunction with drafted staff for the convenience of the public.

In l ieu of the local holiday, September 15 will be a working day for government offices and educational institutions.

Page 4 ALPHA TIMES

AlphA Times

Our TeamEditor

S RaghunathanAdvisor

K VenkataraghavanReporters

Bharadwaj KrishnanK GopinathanProduction

Layout: AnandPrint production:

LakshminrisimhanCirculation

R karthikeyan 99411 16677

Advertisement Desk94449 43293

OfficeR v Publications Private ltd.,B4-2, Vijayaraghava Manor

1,Vijayaraghava Road,T. Nagar,

Chennai 600 017Ph: 42697393

Aug. 19, 2012

It was a memorable evening for the enthusiastic students of around 450, representing various schools who turned up for the Indian Bank Olympic Quiz organized on 13.08.2012 at Image Auditorium, MRC Nagar, Chennai. Bank undertook this activity immediately after the conclusion of London Olympics with an objective of imparting knowledge on sports with budding youngsters and encourage them to take up sports actively and live healthily.

Dr Sumanth C Raman conducted the Quiz. Six teams were qualified from the preliminary rounds. The teams qualified for the final rounds were S Srivas and A Aravind Mohan (PSBB - Nungambakkam), S Sai Kaushik and S Suresh (Jawahar Vidyalaya), M Nirmal Karthick and S Adithya (Sir Sivaswamy Kalalaya), S.. Vijay Praveen and C.G. Vignesh (the Hindu Senior Sec School, Triplicane), A Arshiya Naaz and M Kamalee (C.S.I Ewarts School), K.S. Aswin Seshadri and M Arvind (PSBB - K K Nagar).

In the finals, Quiz Master Sumanth Raman mixed questions from the past and latest Olympics. K.S. Aswin Seshadri and M Arvind - Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School. K.K. Nagar - stood first with 160 points; S Srivas and A Aravind Mohan - Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School - Nungambakkam stood second with 35 points and in the third place were S Saikaushik and S Suresh - Jawahar Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School with 25 points

The presence of Indian Bank sports stars like Olympians Jayalakshmi (first Olympian Woman Athlete from Tamil Nadu), Tirumalvalavan and Dinesh Nayak (represented Indian Hockey Team at Sydney Olympics and Asian All Star

Olympic Quiz enthralled the students

Jayasankar (former Indian Basketbal l team captain) for the programme was an added attraction for the youngsters.

All the finalists r e c e i v e d m e r i t

Mohammed Riaz, a student of Std VIII at Sri Ahobila Math Oriental Higher Secondary School, West Mambalam, received a Special Prize from His Holiness Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, for his

Mohammed Riaz blessed with a prize by HH Sringeri Acharya

certificates and compliments from Shri B Rajkumar, Executive Director of Indian Bank. General Managers and other officials of the Bank were also present during the program.

commendable essay on the topic “Benefit of the Association with Noble Ones”, in connection with the Essay Writing Competition conducted by Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation on July 21. the award was presented on Aug. 21 at a function held at the Sringeri Mutt in Mylapore.

The seniors team from the school was adjudged Runner Up and the following students were representatives of the team:

R. Narendran – XII S1; M. Sathish Baboo – XII S1 ; A. Anandhi – XII C1; K. Lavanya – XII C1; S. Saradha – XI C1; A.S. Sruthi – XI C1; V. Hariharan – XI C1; G. Abinava – XI C3.

This is the postal stamp released by the Postal Department in comemoration of our Independence Day. The stamps price was 31/2 anas (i.e.,21paise in value)

For information of the gen now

Nostalgic Independence Day newsShown below are the Indian Newspapers glimpse which

carried the news of Independent India on Aug. 15 1947

ALPHA TIMES Page 5Aug. 19, 2012

ALPHA TIMES

ïôñ£è õ£ö

home improvement

Page 6 Aug. 19, 2012

Eating plays an important role in our survival and we need to do it correctly in order to stay healthy. Most of us treat eating disorders as something very casual because it is not fatal and there are no medications for it. However, these disorders are just as serious as any other psychosomatic illness. There are several types of eating disorders that eventually lead to serious health problems like obesity, gastric problems, low blood pressure and so on.

Sometimes you are suffering from an eating disorder for years and not even aware of it. Here are some of the types of eating disorders that are most commonly seen. Check the symptoms to see if you experience any of these.

Types Of Ea t ing Disorders:

1. Bulimia Nervosa: This is an eating disorder that makes you binge on food first and then puke it out. It is the principle of sin and purge. First you commit the sin of giving into the carnal greed for

Top 5 Eating Disorders That People Havefood and then as a source of punishment you vomit it out. In simple terms, you love to eat but are sacred of putting on weight, so you eat and then vomit what you have eaten. Bulimia nervosa can be a professional hazard (many fashion models suffer from it) or a lifestyle choice; the late Princess Diana suffered from Bulimia.

2. Anorexia: This is actually a disorder that occurs in response to great emotion insecurity. A person suffering from this type of eating disorder has a fear of becoming 'fat'. To cover their low self esteem they try to achieve the perfect figure. This results in excessive exercising, calor ie count ing and starvation. Many teenagers suffer from anorexia and end up spoil ing their digestive systems for life.

3. Compulsive eating disorder: If you have this disorder then you just cannot stop eating. In other words, you have food addiction. You are addicted to eating. Even if you are not hungry you just cannot

stop eating what you like. This is different from being a foodie; a foodie can never eat when they are not hungry.

4 . N ight Ea t ing Syndrome: If you are suffering from this eating disorder then you will put off eating till the evening telling yourself that you are on a diet. When you get really hungry in the late evening or night, you binge on food. Then you have trouble falling asleep. This pattern repeats itself and becomes your routine. As a result of unbalanced and unhealthy eating habits, you put on weight.

5. Pica: People with this disorder have a compulsive craving for eating, licking or chewing on things that are not strictly speaking food. You must have heard stories of people eating chalk in school. It could also be things like glue, paint, ice, wax etc. In some cases Pica may be linked to deficiency of a particular mineral and in others it is accompanied by developmental problems.

- Culled from the web

è£î™ G¬ù¾èœ, è£î«ô£´ Þ¬í‰î ªêò™ð£´èœî£¡ ñQî˜è¬÷ ªêò™ð´ˆF‚ ªè£‡®¼‚A¡øù. «ïꈫ ªê£™ôŠð´‹ 嚪õ£¼ õ£˜ˆ¬î»‹ àìù®ò£è G¬ø«õŸøŠð´‹. î‹ðFò¼‚A¬ì«ò Ü¡¹, ð£êˆ«î£´ ªè£…ê‹ ªó£ñ£¡v G¬ù¾èÀ‹, ªêò™ð£´èÀ‹ Þ¼‰î£™î£¡ Þ¼õ¼‚A¬ì«òò£ù H¬íŠ¹èœ ÜFèK‚°‹ â¡A¡øù˜ G¹í˜èœ.

âF˜ð£ó£î «ïóˆF™ ªè£´‚èŠð´‹ ºˆî‹, C¡ù„ C¡ù ܬ특 «ð£¡ø¬õ ÝJó‹ õ£˜ˆ¬îèÀ‚° êñ‹. ܶ«õ î‹ðFò¼‚° Þ¬ì«òò£ù «ïꈬî ÜFèK‚è„ ªêŒ»‹. ªó£ñ£¡v ªêò™ð£´è¬÷ ÜFèK‚è ªêŒò«õ‡®ò¬õè¬÷ G¹í˜èœ ð†®òL†´œ÷ù˜ G¹í˜èœ.

è £¬ôJ™ è‡ MN‚°‹ «ð£«î 𴂬è ܬøJ™ Þ¼‰«î ªó£ñ£¡¬ú ªî£ìƒ°ƒèœ. àƒèœ ñ¬ùM ⿉F¼‚è£ñ™ 𴈶‚ ªè£‡®¼‚Aø£ó£? ªïŸPJ™ ºˆîI†´ ܡ𣌠⿊¹ƒèœ. ÜêFJ™ ¹ó‡´ ð´‚Aø£ó£? Ü¡¬ø‚° cƒèœ è£H «ð£†´‚ ªè£‡´«ð£Œ â¿Š¹ƒè«÷¡. è‡íˆF™ Ü¿ˆîñ£Œ å¼ ºˆî‹ ªè£´ˆ¶ â¿ŠH 𣼃èœ. ÜŠ¹ø‹ ð£¼ƒèœ àƒèœ ñ¬ùM ݬêò£Œ àƒè¬÷ 膮 ܬ툶‚ ªè£œõ£˜.

ê¬ñò™ ܬøJ™ êƒè숫 ê¬ñˆ¶‚ ª è £‡®¼‚Aø £ ó £ ? ªñ¶õ£Œ H¡ð‚è‹ ªê¡Á Þ¼‚èñ£Œ

àƒèœ ñ¬ùM °†® «ð£†ì ̬ùò£ ²ˆF õóµñ£, ÜŠ«ð£...

Ü¬í»ƒè«÷¡. ñ¬ùMJ¡ «ê£˜¾èœ ܬùˆ¶‹ ðø‰«î£® M´‹. ÜŠ¹ø‹ ð£¼ƒèœ Ý¬ê ݬêò£Œ àƒèÀ‚° ê¬ñˆ¶ «ð£´õ£˜.

ܽõôè‹ ªê™Al˜è÷£? ªõÁñ¬ù ì£ì£ 裆´õ¬î C¡ù ºˆîI†´ A÷‹¹ƒè«÷¡. ܉î âù˜T ñ£¬ô õ¬ó Þ¼‚°‹. ܽõôèŠ ðEèO¬ì«ò ÜšõŠ«ð£¶ C¡ù„ C¡ù ªó£ñ£¡v ªñ«êx ÜŠ¹ƒè«÷¡ àƒèœ eî£ù è£î™ Ü÷M™ô£ñ™ ÜFèK‚°‹.

ñ£¬ôJ™ õó «ô†ì£°ñ£? Þ‰î «ïóˆF™ ªñ«êx ¬è ªè£´‚裶 ñø‚è£ñ™ «ð£¡ ªêŒ»ƒèœ. àƒèO¡ îèõ«ô£´ ºˆîˆ¬î»‹ ðF¾ ªêŒ»ƒèœ. àƒèœ î£ñîñ£ù õ¼¬è¬ò ªðKî£è â´ˆ¶‚ªè£œ÷ñ£†ì£˜èœ.

Þ¼õ¼‹ «õ¬ô‚°Š «ð£°‹ î‹ðFò˜ âQ™ C¡ù„ C¡ù êƒèìƒèœ â¿‹, Þ¶ Þò™ð£ù¶î£¡. Ýù£™ ܬî Hó„C¬ù¬ò áF ªðK°õ¶‹, î‡a˜ áŸP ܬíŠð¶‹ àƒèœ ¬èèO™î£¡ Þ¼‚Aø¶. èíõ¬ó Mì ñ¬ùMJ¡ ðE Cóññ£ù¶ â¡ø£™ ªè£…ê‹ M†´‚ªè£´ˆ¶Š «ð£èô£‹. ðE„²¬ñ ªîKò£ñ™ Þ¼‚è Þ¬ì«õ¬÷ «ïóƒèO™ è£î™ îèõ™è¬÷ °Á…ªêŒFè÷£è M´ƒè«÷¡.

àƒèO¡ å¼ï£¬÷ò M†´‚ ªè£´ˆî™ ðô ꉫî£êˆFŸ° õN õ°‚°‹.

ÜŠ¹ø‹ â¡ù °†® «ð£†ì ̬ùò£ àƒèœ ñ¬ùM àƒè¬÷«ò ²ˆF„ ²ˆF õ¼õ£ƒè â¡A¡øù˜ G¹í˜èœ.

Every time a guest excuses himself or herself to use the bathroom, you get nervous that it might stink. No matter how clean we keep our bathroom, the smell it gives out is sometimes unwelcoming. You might have resorted to spraying air fresheners twice a day or lighting scented candles, but these chemicals can only hide the smell. To make your bathrooms smell fresh, you need to change the way you use your bathroom.

H e r e a r e s o m e fundamental ways of ensuring that your bathroom smells good all day long.

Dispose the garbage. Most of us keep a tiny dustbin in the bathroom to dispose tiny things like finished shampoo bottles, soap covers and toilet paper. However, unlike our kitchen waste, this dustbin is not cleared out everyday. Even if your bathroom waste basket does not have wet refuse, you must clean it at least once in two days. Any sort of garbage

Ways to make Bathroom smell freshthat is kept covered starts stinking.

Let your bathroom breathe. Whenever you are not using the bathroom, make sure that you open the windows or the shutters. The bathroom window or ventilator is shut most of the time thus building a pungent smell inside. That stuffy smell in your bathroom is due to lack of cross ventilation. Let some natural air come into the bathroom and it will smell fresh on its own.

Lid it up. Whenever you want to flush the toilet after using it, close the cover and then flush it. This does not allow the stink of your feces or urine to escape the toilet pot. You can also try switching on the exhaust fan in your bathroom for a few minutes after you use the toilet. If you do not have an exhaust fan, open the window or shutters.

Keep it dry. It is vitally important to keep your bathroom as dry as possible. Yes we know, you have to bath in the bathroom. But that does not mean that

your bathroom should be soggy all day. Mop up the water on the floor and open up windows to let it dry quickly. If the bathroom is persistently wet, then it gives out a damp mouldy smell.

Citrus blast. Phenyl may help get rid of the stink in your bathroom but it smells quite medicinal itself. Lemon on the other side is a very natural way to beat the pungent smell. It is also a very powerful oxidising agent. So, use lime to clean your basins and toilet pots. It leaves your bathroom with a fresh citrus smell.

To keep your bathroom smelling good, try some of these tips

The following special trains will be run to clear the extra rush of passengers during Onam festival season.

Chennai Central –MangaloreCentral Superfast special & Mangalore Central -Chennai Central Special (via. Coimbatore): T.No.06001 Chennai Central – Mangalore Central Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 20.45 hrson Aug. 25, and arrive Mangalore Central at13.05 hrs. the next day. T.No.06002 Mangalore Central – Chennai Central Special will leave Mangalore Central at 19.20 hrs. on Aug. 26 and arrive Chennai Central at 12.45 hrs. the next day. The trains will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Gudiyattam, Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Shoranur, Kuttipuram, Tirur, Kozhikkode, Vadakara, Thalassery, Kannur, Payyanur, Kanhangad and Kasaragod.T.No.06002 will stop at Perambur also.

Chennai Central – Ernakulam – Chennai Central Superfast specials (via. Coimbatore): T.No.06055 Chennai Central – Ernakulam Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 22.30 hrs.on Aug. 24.and arrive Ernakulam Jn. at11.00 hrs. the next day. T.No.06056 Ernakulam – Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Ernakulam at 15.05 hrs.on Aug. 25 and arrive Chennai Central at 03.30 hrs. the next day. The trains will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Ottapalam, Thrissur and Aluva.T.No.06056 will stop at Perambur also.

Chennai Central – Shoranur – Chennai Central Superfast specials (via. Coimbatore): T.No.06063 Chennai Central

Onam Special trains – Shoranur Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 22.30 hrs. on Aug. 26. and 30 and arrive Shoranur at08.50 hrs. the next day. T.No.06064 Shoranur – Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Shoranur at 17.05 hrs.on Aug. 27.and 31 and arrive Chennai Central at 03.30 hrs. the next day.The trains will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad and Ottapalam.T.No.06064 will stop at Perambur also.

Chennai Central – Ernakulam Jn. – Chennai Central Superfast specials (via. Coimbatore): T.No.06057 Chennai Central – Ernakulam Jn. Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 18.15 hrs. on Sept. 01 and arrive Ernakulam Jn. at06.15 hrs. the next day. T.No.06058 Ernakulam Jn. – Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Ernakulam Jn. at 15.30 hrs. on Sept. 02 and arrive Chennai Central at 03.30 hrs. the next day.The trains will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Ottapalam, Thrissur and Aluva.T.No.06058 will stop at Perambur also.

Chennai Central – Kollam – Chennai Central specials (via. Coimbatore):T.No.06005 Chennai Central – Kollam Special will leave Chennai Central at 23.30 hrs. on Aug. 26 and Sept. 02. and arrive Kollam at 16.00 hrs. the next day. T.No.06006 Kollam – Chennai Central Special will leave Kollam at 19.30 hrs. on Aug. 27.8.2012 and Sept. 03and arrive Chennai Central at 11.30 hrs. the next day.The trains will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur and Kayankulam.T.No.06006 will stop at Perambur also.

To advertise call

9444943293Anything interesting happening

in your neighbourhoodalert us at

news@alphatimes.net

ALPHA TIMES Page 7

Consumer Rights Different Strokes

Aug. 19, 2012

Feature

Anything interesting happening in your neighbourhood alert us at

news@alphatimes.net

Complain if denied education loanA couple of weeks ago, I had written

about how banks flout the guidelines of the Reserve Bank, the Indian Banks Association and the government on education loans, and how the banking Ombudsman had, in many such cases, come to the rescue of consumers. Well, here is an interesting follow-up on that story. I wish to write about it as it opens our eyes to the ground reality in many parts of the country vis-à-vis government schemes and programmes aimed at helping the economically weaker sections of society.

A few days after the publication of my article, a person from UP called me up, saying that his son had got admission to a B.Tech course in Roorki and he urgently needed Rs 3 lakh, but the manager of the public sector bank in his village had told him that there was no such loan. I told him that the bank was obviously misleading him, and if the bank continued to take that position, he should complain to the nodal officer of the bank.

Apparently, when the person made a reference to the nodal officer, the branch manager’s attitude changed completely. He asked the consumer to fill up the loan form and promised that the loan would be sanctioned in a couple of days. Happy with this development, he even paid his son’s college admission fee.

However, after a couple of days when he went to enquire about the loan, the manager asked him to meet the field officer, who, in turn asked for a bribe of Rs 50,000. Without the bribe, he would not get the loan, he was told. Unwilling to disappoint his son, he borrowed the money from a friend and gave it, only to face a fresh demand for Rs 20,000. When he failed to meet it, he was told that he would not get any loan.

It was at this stage that the client called me up again and related this entire shocking story. Now this is not the first time that this man had contacted me. For several years he had struggled before courts to get the insurance amount following a fire in his shop selling medicines. By the time the money came (following the court order), he had no shop left, and today, he has a

small paan shop to earn his living.I told him that he had made a big mistake

by giving in to the demand for bribe. I told him that he should now send a complaint to the nodal officer of the bank as well as the RBI. I also asked him to complain to the manager of a larger branch of the bank that had a supervisory role over this village branch.

Fortunately, the consumer had a witness — the friend who had lent him the money — to the demand and receipt of bribe. In addition, the aggrieved person also told me that he had put an identification mark on every note in the bundle that he gave the field officer. I asked him to get a statement from the witness and have it attested and also write out his own complaint about the events and give it and not sign any other statement that the bank may ask him to sign.

News travels very fast in villages. Even as the documents got ready, the field officer called him and said his money would be returned in private, provided he agreed to say in public that he had made false allegations against the officer and the manager. The consumer refused.

Next, he was called to the bank, wherein a large number of villagers from his community had been invited to bring about an amicable settlement of the dispute. His money was returned and he was promised that the loan would be released in seven days, but he in turn, should not complain about the field officer and the manager. I am now waiting to hear whether the promised loan has been given or not.

Is this how things work in certain small towns and villages? My advice to people is that they should not give in to the demand for bribe. Complain. Remember, in addition to the nodal officers of the banks, the RBI has nodal officers for grievance redress at its regional offices and also a nodal officer at the central office to deal exclusively with all educational loan issues and grievances. (rbi website: www.rbi.org.in). You can also get the contact details from the bank itself. So complain.

- Pushpa G - TNS

‘‘Story of Appreciation”One young academically excellent

person applied for a managerial position in a big company. He passed the first interview, the director had to conduct the last interview, to make the Final decision.

The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, not a single year when he did not score well.

The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "none".

The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school fees?"

The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.

The director asked, " Where did your mother work?"

The youth answered, "My mother works at the cleaners.

The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

The director asked, "Have you ever helped your mother wash clothes before?"

The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study well and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.

The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.*

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high.

When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid.

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises on her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned.

This was the first time the youth realized

that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday that enabled him to pay the school fee. The bruises on his mother's hands were the price that was paid for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.

After cleaning his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time. And next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The Director noticing tears in the youth's eyes, asked: " Can you tell me what have you learned yesterday at your house?"

The youth answered, " I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the clothes'

The Director asked, " please tell me what you felt."

The youth said, Number 1, I know now what is

appreciation. Without my mother, there would not the successful me today.

Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only now I realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done. Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.

The director said, " This is what I am looking for to in my manager. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life.

You are hired.Later on, this young person worked

very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates.

Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.

MORAL :A child, who has been protected and

habitually given whatever he wants, will develop "entitlement mentality" and will always put himself first. He will be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and if he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others.

For this kind of people, who may be academically good, may be success will come to them for a while, but eventually they will not feel the sense of achievement. They will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more.

If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying our kid instead?*

You can let your kid live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in the right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.

- S Raghunathan

Wonder why we light incense sticks during a religious ceremony? There is more than one reason to it. You must have noticed that among all the other things that you do during a religious ceremony, you have to light incense sticks in front of the God's idol. This is one of the Hindu customs that has been carried forward through ages. There are some definite and scientific reasons behind most of the Hindu rituals. Let us find out the reasons behind lighting incense sticks.

Spiritual Reasons- There is a spiritual reason behind lighting incense sticks. It is so believed that the rings of smoke that rise high into the air carry our prayers to the gods. It inspires your thoughts to be pure and beautiful.

The incense stick burns itself completely filling the air with a fine smell, leaving behind just the ashes. This is one of the Hindu rituals which again symbolises

Why do we light incense sticks before the Almighty? a human virtue or quality. It teaches man the art of sacrificing oneself for the cause of others. It shows how to light the life of other people with happiness, leaving behind your own desires and aspirations. This is the reason as to why we light an incense in a puja or a religious ceremony.

Psychological Reasons- Incense sticks are also used during several therapies. The aroma that is spread in the air after you light an incense stick has an immense healing and soothing effect on the mind. You become mentally relaxed and forget all other troubles and worries when you sit for a religious ceremony. This helps you concentrate and pray to the lord with all your heart and soul. When you offer a prayer with great devotion it acts like a meditative process that reduces stress and depression.

Creates Ambiance- As a part of traditional Hindu rituals when you light an incense it

removes all foul smells from the air around. It creates the perfect ambiance for the performance of a religious ceremony or Hindu customs. The very smell of incense sticks can be related to religious rites and rituals. They are also used as natural disinfectant that drives way insects.

Others- Incense sticks are not only a part of Hindu rituals or customs; they have been used since centuries in Chinese, Egyptian, Tibetan and Japanese cultures. They use it not only as a part of their religious ceremonies but also for personal things like aromatherapy.

So, next time whenever you light an incense stick, remember that it benefits you in more than one way.

Published by K Venkataraghavan on behalf of R V Publications Private Limited, B4-2, Vijayaraghava Manor, 1, Vijayaraghava Road, T Nagar Chennai 600 017 and printed by him at KVP Printers 98/51, Jones Road, Saidapet, Chennai 600 015 Ph: 4269 7393 Editor S. Raghunathan

Page 8 RNI No. TNBIL/2011/40609 ReGiSTeRed Tn/CC(S) dn/436/12-14ALPHA TIMES Aug. 19, 2012