Sizzling Rainbow Fm launch in Puducherry after hot summer

Music rules each and every ear in Puducherry through this new Fm Rainbow. Rainbow is the symbol of Joy and surprise. Here comes the wondrous surprise in Puducherry through this Rainbow Fm channel which was launched recently. My new mobile just bangs with this Fm, my earphones melts in this non-stop entertainment and info gallery. “Everything for all” is the spell of this Fm Rainbow, Puduvai which is owned by All India Radio. This FM is set on air on 102.8 mega hertz. Our honorable chief minister N.Rangaswamy launched the channel on Saturday at 6 p.m and the function was presided over by Chief executive officer of Prasar Bharathi B.S.Lalli. This channel transmits for 17 hours from Morning 6 O’clock everyday.

Station Director of Puducherry AIR, Kalani Ramachandran was much excited and thrilled during this launch. She says that Rainbow is not only for entertainment purpose but should fulfill the needs of all sorts of people.

“Fm Rainbow is an entertainment channel of the AIR, totally different in terms of its content and presentation. However, as public broadcaster, Rainbow will not compromise on quality for the sake of entertainment. The interests of the individuals and welfare of the society will be kept in mind in all aspects of the broadcast. In short, infotainment is the forte of our programmes”, she said with a great confidence.

She also added that, “Rainbow is especially concerned about children, youth, women, illiterate and rural population, as they are the vulnerable sections of our population. A judicious combination of entertainment and information will certainly enlighten the target audience”.
All the programmes aired in this channel are very much special when compared with others. They all carry info to the public. One particular programme to all the age groups is “Vaanavil” (Rainbow)which offer a great opportunity to youngsters to enjoy the classic songs of yesteryears in various Indian languages and also takes the middle-aged and the old-aged people to their golden past.
Station Engineer P.Geetha Rani speaks in a satisfactory tone in the Fm launching. Having made a modest start, the channel broadcasts through 3 KW transmitter powered from Chennai station would cover Puducherry and Parts of Cuddalore, Villupuram and Thiruvannamalai districts, After six months a 10 KW transmitter would be installed and its would cover more areas, says Geetha with a confidential note.

Programme Executive G.Swaminathan says that “We are striving to present a quality product to the listeners, right from advertisements to voice modulation”.

There is new job opportunity for the youngsters in Puducherry, This Fm Rainbow would showcase the young talents in Puducherry by providing a good career start for the modern youngsters to become radio jockeys. Most of the programmes are live phone-in interactions and so sound listeners wishing to participate in the programmes can call 0413-2271660 or 2271770.

A Colourful Rainbow has come to paint all our lives with a blend of entertaining tools. Come on, let’s blast with Fun!

Puducherry Topping in Country's Suicide Rate

Puducherry has the dubious distinction of topping the country in suicides. Its suicide rate is 50.2 persons per one lakh population, compared to 10.5 in Tamil Nadu, 11.2 in Andhra Pradesh, and 26.8 in Kerala among others, as revealed by the Crime Records Bureau(CRB), Puducherry. Among the 517 cases of suicides reported in the Union Territory in 2006, 378 deaths were in the 15-45 age group.

Another alarming scenario is that more married males committed suicide, and in the case of women, more unmarried took their lives.

The inability to cope with pressure in the job, studies, home, financial problems and conflict in relationships were among the causes cited. Hanging, poison and self-immolation were the widespread methods. As many as 4,367 people of several age groups had taken their lives due to various factors from 2000-07.

With September 10 being observed as World Suicide (Prevention) Day, efforts are on to size up the actual status of suicides. The Data from CRB,Puducherry further reveals that suicides among people from 15 to 30 years of age is highest, followed closely by people in 30 and 44 years.

While failure in love affairs, unemployment, terminal illness and failure in exams average between 30-50 cases in the past 7 years. The least number of deaths are due to impotency, terminal illness, illicit relation, career problems, AIDS/STD, drug abuse, poverty and property dispute.

K Kumar, Director, Maitreyi, a crisis intervention cell, supported by Whirlpool of India, functioning at Puducherry for the past 15 years, reiterates that death among college goers who are not able to cope up soon after the spoon-feeding in schools is 7 times more than the normal cases reported in the past four years.

The heartening news is that suicides among school students after announcement of results has dropped by 70% in the past three years. Kumar stresses that the disparity in salary among the IT professionals and other professionals a major reason. The helplessness developing due to highly competitive world is the reason for stress.

7 Ways to Reduce Stress With a To-Don’t List

"I'd love to do it, but I can't fit another thing into my schedule." How many times have you heard that—including out of your own mouth?

And mostly this oft-repeated phrase is a true statement: Surveys show that most Americans feel starved for time to do the things that matter to them. All around the world, "crazy busy" is a code phrase for doing what it takes to be successful.

But in addition to possibly bringing success, a packed schedule brings stress. Under such conditions, making a to-do list, instead of being a tool to help us achieve more, becomes yet another way to beat ourselves up, because we're too busy to get to the things that we want to add to the list.

If all of this describes your situation a little too well, I'd like to suggest you make another list before you start in on your to-do list: a "to-don't" list.

Where a to-do list is expansive, inclusive and encompassing, a to-don't list is contractive, narrowing and boundary-defining. At the heart of the to-don't list is the Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule.

Simply put, the 80/20 rule tells us that 80 percent of our success comes from 20 percent of our actions. Making a to-do list is about discovering the actions that comprise that magic 20 percent and focusing on them. The to-don't list is about naming the other 80 percent of our actions for what they are - not crucial in a cosmic sense - and finding ways to resolve our entanglements with them.

A couple of caveats are in order here:

* A to-don't list is not an excuse to remove things you don't like to do, but need to get done, from your plan of action.
* It is also not an excuse to ignore family or friends to make room for behavior that is unhealthy or compulsive.
* And it is not a way to avoid necessary confrontations or conflict (i.e. friction which eventually results in a better situation).

A to-don't list is simply a list of actions which you are currently doing which are not high priorities at this time, and which you are willing to forego doing, at least for the immediate future.

When you make a to-do list, for new every item you add, be prepared to move at least one other item (and more likely two or three) to the to-don't list.

Some potential to-don'ts can be massaged, with the time, manner or frequency of the item manipulated in some way to free up time or energy.
However, it's truly surprising how many things turn out to be optional, and can drop off our to-do list without incident.

If you're able to develop and implement a "to-don't" list, you can reap the following seven benefits.

1. You can take advantage of a new opportunity when it arises.

No more worrying about whether this is the "right time" to pursue an attractive new option. Adding to your to-don'ts can help make now the right time.

2. You can cope more easily with sudden challenges and changing circumstances.

This is a less sunny restatement of benefit number 1, but it is perhaps even more important. How many people do you know have changed their lives dramatically—including how they spend their time—when faced with a crisis? Knowing that you can clarify your wants and needs if you're buffeted by a difficult situation may make it easier to imagine surviving it.

3. You can become clear on what your priorities are.

Many people juggle actions that reflect their true priorities along with a host of social niceties, imagined favors and other actions that have merit, but just do not count as "essential" in their heart of hearts. The to-don't list helps you make distinctions between actions that flow from deeply held values and actions taken primarily to please others, protect your reputation, etc.

4. You can do more with less.

Evangelists of the 80/20 principle promote this point as one of the greatest advantages to their mindset. With energy and time freed up to concentrate on the to-dos, focus provides the leverage to turn what doesn't seem like "enough" into sufficient, even abundant resources.

5. You can say 'no' more confidently.

Few people like to be told no, and fewer still seem to enjoy saying it to someone else. By drafting a to-don't list, you can be more confident that the items you are saying no to truly can wait, or can be done by someone else other than you.

6. You can generate options to resolve conflicts more easily.

You may be able to generate counter-suggestions to a request after drafting the to-don't list, and create a mutually satisfying result, even if you can't provide what was originally expected.

7. Your to-do list will become more useful.

And that's the intent of the to-don't list—to support a to-do list that leads to meaningful, satisfying actions.

If you only have three things on your to-do list, but they're the three right things for you to do today, and you do them, it's far more productive than if you have a long list that never gets accomplished. And that's what a to-don't list can help you do: create a to-do list that's about to-doing, not to-shoulding or to-wishing.

What’s Special in ADLABS Jeevan Rukmani?

ADLABS is one of the largest entertainment conglomerate in the country which has made its footprints in Puducherry by acquiring Jeevan Rukmani theatre in Kamaraj salai. Though the talk of the town is Dasavathaaram, I see most of the folks amused by the opening of Adlabs on June 13, 2008. I can’t hide the fact that people are more surprised by ADLABS Jeevan Rukmani than petrol hike or Autorickshaw fare hike. Even Chief Minister N Rangasamy along with R Siva, chairperson of Puducherry Municipality B Sridevi and Municipal councillor Sakthivel enjoyed the movie for more than half an hour after the inauguration.

“What’s special in Adlabs” is the question that knocks me every time when someone gossips about which is instigated by the Kamal Hassan or Dasavathaaram. Bearing the thought of demolished Anandha Theatre, I envisaged Adlabs a super duper theatre ever in Pondicherry. And fortunately I hadn’t been disappointed by the infrastructure, grandeur of the build, screen clarity, hot and spicy snacks, flashy light effects and coolest omnipresent room air conditioners. I personally went and took photographs in possible directions.

I saw an exceptionally newer thing in the entrance of the theatre, securities were checking each and every ticket holders…what's new in it?) But to my surprise they were checking for cigarettes and other unusual material. We need to appreciate the idea…there is no smoking inside the theatre, no electronic items except cell phones and (words from BIG fm) No black tickets. Wow that’s a great thing. I can’t believe the words “No black tickets” yet I swallowed the thought and decided to search for any black ticket sellers…most often children not more than 20 years and women of less than 35 years would be black ticketers.

Not after a long search I found a man in twenties selling tickets illegally that too in the gates of the theatre where two policemen braving for any security threats. Since it was around 11.45 a.m. people started bouncing for tickets around the rounded necked T-shirt man. A police man came across the crowd without leaving a single sign of noticing that black ticketer. I approached the tall red hated police man and said “People said there won’t be any black ticket in Adlabs but here guys are hauling like anything”

I guessed he is gentle and would be so gentle in answer, “Where they sell black tickets? I don’t find anything like that.” He asked show me the place as if it is 100 meters away. I just pointed to him some 10 feet away a guy and showed the crowd. I was expecting a typical police man action…taking the man by colar… the person immediately replied me “actually I am not policing this area” and murmured some words which I couldn’t hear as he moved rapidly away from me and crossed the road to join another fellow policeman.

This time I told to myself, is this A TYPICAL POLICEMAN ACTION? Without a word I sighed at the gorgeous ADLABS banner and raised my bike to home.

Educational FM Channel by Pondicherry University

Days are gone for the old radio stations by the micro and macro Fm stations around Pondicherry. I can’t escape a day from my mom’s favorite BIG FM yet she would flip through Suryan FM, Rainbow FM, and Nila Fm. Now Pondicherry University is filling the space of educational Fm channel in Puducherry. If you tune into FM 107.8, you will listen to Pondicherry University's educational broadcasts in another two months.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, J.A.K.Tareen told to Newindpress that “Through the channel, the university had plans to provide educational and learning resources to students and public in Puducherry”.

He also added steps were taken to prepare audio based lessons for students, innovative radio programmes for locals regarding health, business, cultural relations and competence, and other interactive fun filled educational programmes with Public.

Intially the station will broadcast programmes in Tamil, English and French for 3 to 4 hours in the forenoon and would repeat them in the afternoon. University faculties, students and other affiliated institutions will take part in the programme. This innovative step taken by Pondicherry university should be appreciated and hopefully the Fm would entertain the scholarly and knowledge crowds.

The Mother and Her Spiritual Guide Sri Aurobindo

Our union territory has got deep roots of spiritualism in its soil. The Aurobindo ashram marks the peak of the spiritualism in the city. The ashram was established by Sri Aurobindo and his most nearest spiritual disciple Mother. This article throws light upon the spiritual relationship between Mother and Sri Aurobindo along with few facts of Mother’s early life.

Mother’s name is Mira Alfassa and she was born in Paris on 21st February 1878. She was a child with a difference. She used to spontaneously meditate while she was very young and was conscious that she had a special mission on the earth. In her vision she used to see a spiritual guide. Herself being a profound genius, she had made a sketch of her spiritual guide. In 1914 when she saw Sri Aurobindo, she at once realized that it is whom she used to see in her vision. Mother spent few years in Algeria, exploring occult truths under the guidance of a couple: Theon, a polish adept and his French wife.

M. Paul Richard, Mother’s husband had visited Pondicherry soon after Sri Aurobindo’s arrival here and had been so deeply moved by him that he spoke to the audience in Japan soon thereafter. In 1914, the Mother, accompanied by her husband, came to Pondicherry and met Sri Aurobindo on 29th march. She at once realized that Sri Aurobindo was her spiritual collaborator. The Mother had to return to France due to exigencies of the First World War, in 1915, on 22 February. For the first time her birthday was celebrated in Pondicherry on the day before her departure i.e on 21 February.

Before she left her body, she launched Arya, a philosophical review. The first issue appeared on Sri Aurobindo’s birthday on 15th August 1914. It had French edition too, which was named as, Revue de la Grande Synthe’se. The French edition could not continue for long due to the First World War. The Arya serialized the major works of Sri Aurobindo and it continued till 1920. Thus, these are the most important facts that mark the start of the spiritual relationship between the Mother and the Aurobindo.

Know The Significant Days Of Aurobindo Ashram

The Aurobindo Ashram is an important milestone in the history of Pondicherry. Do you want to know the important days that are observed in the ashram? In today’s blog post, i would like to share the important dates along with its interesting significance.

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, after 1950, the Mother alone gave Darshan to the inmates of the Ashram as well as to the numerous visitors who came to Pondicherry from all over India and also from the other parts of the world. The following days are known as the Dashan days.
The Mothers birthday falls on 21 February. On this day, collective meditation is held in the morning around the Samadhi. The Ashramites and visitors can pass through the Aurobindo’s room. In the evening, members of the Department of Physical education have march past in the play ground, giving salute to the Mother.

Image Credit: Auroville.org

On 24th April 1920, the Mother came to Pondicherry to stay permanently. Sri Aurobindo’s birthday falls on the 15th August. The meditation and the march past are held on these days also.

The 24th November marks a milestone in Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga, for on this day, in 1926, he achieved victory over what is known his yogic vocabulary as the over mind. The victory prepares the advent of the super mind and this is the goal of his yoga.
The 29th February is marked as the Golden day in the ashram’s history. Because on this day a decent took place in the earth consciousness, as a result of which the Mother said on April 24th of the same year, “The Manifestation of the Supramental upon the Earth is no more a promise but a living fact, a reality”. The Mother further said, “It is at work here, and a day will come when the most blind, the most unconscious, even the most unwilling shall be obliged to recognize it.”

On every New Year’s Day the Mother used to give the message. Some of the other important dates are 4th April 1910 on which Aurobindo came to Pondicherry. On 5th December 1950 Aurobindo left his body and on 17th November 1973 the Mother left her body. Other days observed in the Ashram are Christmas, Saraswathi Puja, Vijayadasami and Deepavalli.

Merit list of JIMPER MBBS Enterance Examination 2008 Announced

Results of JIPMER MBBS Entrance Examination is published by The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research on June 10. Getting a seat is not that easy task since puplis from all over India will appear for this exam.

The list of merit candidates -- who appeared for the entrance examination on June 8 in various center like Puducherry, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram – would be called for counselling on July 10 and the courses are about to start on July 14.

There is an interesting news for the selected candidates. In this academic year the number of seats are increased from 75 to 100 by the Ministry of Health, Govt. of India.

Very important note: This is only a merit list and not a selection list. The selection list of candidates under the various categories will be notified in due course. (as in press release)

You can see the complete list of merit candidates at http://www.jipmer.edu/

Important Memorial Homes of Patriots and Writers of Pondicherry

Puducherry is as historic as it has given the shelter for so many patriots and writers. Now let us know about the memorial homes of Shree Subramaniya Bharathi, Bharathidasan and Ananda Rangapillai.

Subramanya Bharathi, the Tamil poet-revolutionary whose pen was an important weapon during India's freedom struggle, sought refuge in this French enclave when the British made life impossible for him elsewhere in South India. At No. 20, Easwaran Koil Street, where he lived in Pondicherry, Bharathi composed some of his finest patriotic songs and such immortal works of Tamil literature as the Panchali Sabadham, Kannan Pattu and Kuyil Pattu.

Bharatidasan @ KanagaSuburathinam, another great poet, was inspired by Subramanya Bharathi, whom he regarded as his guru. He won the Sahitya Akademi award for his play "Pisirandayar". He lived at No.95, Perumal Koil Street. The houses of both Bharathi and Bharathidasan are now maintained as memorials and are places of pilgrimage for Tamil-lovers.

Ananda Rangapillai lived at No. 69-C, Rue Rangapillai (Maison Ananda Rangapillai). His palatial house is an excellent piece of 18th century architecture, a unique blend of French and Eastern styles. Ananda Rangapillai is the famous diarist of Dupleix's time. The records he maintained of the events between 1736 and 1760 are an invaluable source of information on the history of Pondicherry and the French India that age.

The Destruction of Ousteri Lake

Motor launch on Ousteri Lake

The boat ride was idyllic - the new motor quiet, the winds calm, the lake beautiful. It would have been a perfect day, unless you knew what I now know.

Ousteri (or Oussudu) Lake is the largest lake in Pondicherry, located approximately 12 miles west of the town. For over a decade, environmentalists have tried to get the lake protected as a sanctuary, to no avail. The Bombay Natural History Society, a member of Birdlife International, has designated Ousteri an Important Bird Area (IBA) of India - over 20,000 birds belonging to over 40 species used to reside or winter at Ousteri. The Asian Wetland Bureau declared Ousteri one of 93 significant wetlands in Asia; and many of the birds recorded at Ousteri, including Spot-billed pelicans, Eurasian Spoonbills, Darters, Painted Storks, and Black-headed (or White) Ibis, are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This lake was one of the largest breeding sites for the Common Coot in South India, and many of the resident birds, such as the Purple Moorhen and Little Grebe, nested amidst floating vegetation present in the lake.

Paddle boat on Ousteri Lake

When boating was first contemplated by the Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC - a Government undertaking) about 10 years ago, professors and students at the Salim Ali School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, NGOs and concerned citizens protested - nesting birds would be disturbed and may not breed. At that time, the Tourism Department compromised to allow only paddle and row boats in a specified area, cordoned off by buoys. At some point, the buoys were taken out, allowing paddle and row boaters complete access to the lake. And a couple of weeks ago, PTDC began its motorized launch and boat service. For Rs. 50 (approximately US$1.28), you could ride either the launch, which seats 35 passengers and a crew of 5 comfortably, or an eight passenger boat.

The launch takes picnicking passengers (who more often than not, throw their plastic and other wastes into the water) around a small island and skirts the opposite shore for 45 minutes before coming back to dock. Sadly, there were very few birds in sight. A few egrets, a handful of individuals of a couple of species of ducks and some pond herons - all of which scattered at the approach of the launch. Certainly not the thousands of ducks that people who have been coming to the lake for 30 years remember. One resident of the lake, who participates in the two annual surveys of birds (the Salim Ali Bird Count held in November and the waterfowl count for Wetlands International in January), reports that 2 species of waterfowl no longer nest in Ousteri. Large birds are poached, and illegal gill nets cause the deaths of diving birds (particularly Little Grebe or Dabchicks) captured in the nets.

Then there is the pollution: raw sewage runs into the lake, untreated; household and industrial wastes are dumped either near the lake or in the dry lake bed in summer. (Local villagers living near the lake have not used the water in the lake for over a year and a half - they say it is not clean.) And the illegal soil and pebble mining: canyons of red soil have been illegally taken out of the area surrounding the lake to feed the construction of institutions, industries and residential colonies springing up in what was recently agricultural land surrounding the town of Pondicherry.

One of the “weed scrapers”

On top of all this, the lake is shrinking due to siltation, being choked with weeds, and losing its feeder channels due to industrial development in the catchment area. (The launch employs two men to scrape the aquatic weeds off the motor with large sticks, and every once in a while, the boat slowed and motor struggled as weeds overpowered the blades.)

Bird watching tower at Ousteri

Two lone towers that were built for bird watching before the change in tourism policy stand unused on the shore. And the huge sign board that listed the types of birds seen at Ousteri has been taken down.

Post Credit: Yoomilee

Achariya Institution of Teacher Training 8th Annual Day Function

The Acharya Group of Institutions which runs schools, colleges and B.Ed. Colleges in Villianur is well know for its good educational standard and expensive fees structure. . Despite the high work load, most of the students choose Ahariya teacher training college as the first option among all other private B.Ed colleges.

Achariya Institution of Teacher Training celebrated its 8^th annual day function headed by Mr. Aravindan (Director) on June 7, 2008. In the Annual Day function, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Vice-Chancellor Mr. R. Sabapathi Mohan appeared as a special guest and released a book written by Mr. Rajendran of Achrya College. Prizes were distributed to the students who scored top ranks, won in games and other competitions.

Candyman’s Great Bombay Circus ends on June 16

Puducherrians are exposed to a new kind of entertainment by Great Bombay Circus since March 21, 2008. Instead of strolling beside beach and Goubert street, grown ups and little kids gather with great joy in the ticket counter of the circus.

Great Bombay circus, which has 61 years of experience, is staged at AFT ground, Puducherry. This circus troop comprises of 300 circus artists including 30 men and 60 women. Artists from various countries like Russia, China, and other states of India have mesmerized the audience with their outstanding breath taking performances. Especially Chinese candle dance is a treat to eyes apart from a group of animals thrilling kids.

You can watch the performance in 3 shows: Afternoon 1.00 p.m, evening 4.00 p.m and 7.00 p.m. Ticket rating ascend like this Rs. 20, Rs. 50 and Rs. 75. You can also book the tickets by contacting 0413-6501686. If you aren’t been to Candyman Great Bombay Circus until now then you need to rush up with your friends, family members, and kids before June 16, 2008 (last day).

Historical Name behind Ousteri, a Brief Factual Dairy

Ossudu is a village and its importance may be attributed to the lake which is known as Ousteri. As a revenue village its jurisdiction extends up to Poraiyur and Sendanattam.

According to the inscription seen at the Chandramouleeswarar temple at Thiruvakarai, this lake is assigned to the period of Koperunjnga. It is also cited that the king has built the sluices and a canal to bring water to the lake. In the earlier days, the lake was known as “Paraiyan-eri” and “Ozukarai-eri”. In the historic book called as “Karnataka rajakal saritham” it is spelled as “Oosutheri. But according to the diary of Anandaranga pillai it was also called as Soosaretteri, Oosutteri, Pughasoodu-eri and Ushteri.

The Ousteri (or Oussudu or Usteri) lake is situated 11kms west of Pondicherry and now it is becoming the delighted summer resort. The winding water frontage is endowed with the scenic beauty adding color and charm to the entire backdrop of the lake. Ousteri Lake is one of the biggest lake and major supplier of drinking water in those days. Now it is opened for the tourists for boat ride and to watch the birds. During the season, this lake acts as dwelling place for many migrating birds.

Way Back to the History of Mudaliarpettai : Metamorphosis of Puducherry

Our sweet home town, Pondicherry, is the best as it has all the comforts and the best infrastructure. Do you people know about its metamorphosis? Time has never failed to lay its hand on Puducherry too and changes are always unavoidable. Different administration changes that merged various villages to town have turned out to be Puducherry. Let us travel back to the 1960’s…

The 1961 census counted 388 villages, spread over in all four regions of the territory, apart from the four towns of Pondy, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. However, for the purpose of revenue administration the division into 96 villages took place.

In the course of ten years starting from 1961 to 1971 almost the entire rural complex of Mudaliarpettai commune covering 18 villages except Kuppam and Pappanchavadi had developed urban characteristics so that the whole commune came to be treated as a town.

Similarly 16 out of 49 villages in ozukarai commune had developed urban characteristics to give shape to the new town of Ozukarai. Thus the new towns of ozukarai and Mudaliarpettai (also known Mudaliarpet) emerged only after the 1971 census.

During the same period, all the 20 villages of Pondicherry commune had developed urban characteristics to merge with the Pondicherry town and correspondingly the number of census villages in the territory declined from 388 to 334.

In another important development, the whole of Mudaliarpettai commune was merged with Pondicherry commune for the purposes of municipal administration. Hence, the demarcated towns were merged for the purposes of municipal administration. Thus, the changes make our home town more beautiful and comfortable.

7,000 houses in the coastal villages of Puducherry prone to disaster

Puducherry has never ever witnessed the rage of Tsunami than that happened in 2006. The natural calamity has been an alarm for the government to safeguard the public against such disasters in future.

Recently in a survey conducted by the Revenue Department of Puducherry it is stated that approximately 7000 houses in the coastal villages of Puducherry and karaikal region are prone to any damage by sea surge.

Since there is a lack of space in the Union Territory, it is tough to rehabilitate majority of the houses in the coastal villages. Vulnerable areas are identifies based on the past incidents and damages caused to the civil locality.

One of the leading news daily The Hindu reported, “The survey conducted in the Union Territory as part of the disaster management programme revealed that around 7,000 houses in 15 coastal villages of Puducherry came within 500-meter-high tide area and were “extremely vulnerable to the vagaries of weather.”

Officials in the Revenue Department said the dwelling units in the coastal villages of Karaikal region were located in a safe distance with a majority of the houses being relocated above 500 meters from the shore as part of the Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme.”
The government has planned for a new rehabilitation programme named “Reconstruction In-situ” which will provide disaster resistant houses in the existing places, early warning system and safe escape routes for villages.

The Secretary-cum-Collector G. Thevaneethidhas said to the press that the government had approached the World Bank for an assistance of Rs 240 crore to implement the programme. We planned to involve the beneficiaries in the entire programme even from the design of the houses to its execution. The government would only provide the technical assistance.