Homage paid to tsunami victims

Hundreds of fishermen thronged the beaches in Puducherry to offer prayers in memory of those killed in the tsunami that struck the coast in December 2004.

Fishermen living in the coastal villages of Puducherry, particularly residents of Chinnakalapet, Periyakalapet, Ganapathichettikulam, Murthikuppam and Pillaichavady, where the maximum number of deaths occurred, paid homage to the victims.

The Joint Action Committee of Puducherry State Fishermen Organisations organised a function on Beach Road near the Gandhi Statue on Sunday to mark the sixth anniversary of the tsunami.

A placard carrying pictures of those killed in the tragedy was kept on Beach Road. Union Minister of State for Planning, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture V. Narayanasamy, Social Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy, Member of the Legislative Assembly A. Anand, president of Puducherry Pradesh Congress committee A.V. Subramanian, secretary of the Joint Action Committee M. Elango and large number of people offered floral tributes.

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Puducherry CM V Vaithilingam declares assets

Puducherry Chief Minister V Vaithilingam today declared his assets in response to guidelines received from the Centre.

Vaithilingam released the details of his assets and that of his wife V Sasikala at a press meet here, saying "this is in keeping with the circular received from the Centre."

As per the statement of assets, Vaithilingam has deposits to the tune of Rs 11.85 lakh, mutual funds for Rs 18 lakh, LIC policy for Rs 12.25 lakh and 50 gm of gold. He has got 4,077 shares.

Besides having a plot at Boominapet measuring 322 sq m, he also owns a building measuring 21,600 sq ft at Moolakulam, two houses at 1,800 sq ft each at Brindavanam and a house at Madukarai, near Puducherry. In addition, he owns 11.52 hectares of agricultural land while his wife 3.8 hectares.

Hidesign unveils flagship store in Pondicherry

Global brand Hidesign has opened a flagship store in Pondicherry. Located at Jawaharlal Nehru Street, the store covers an area of 4,000 sq.ft, making it one of India’s largest concept stores to be set up by a luxury brand.

The company said the new store “aims to curate some of the most significant milestones from Hidesign’s past through museum pieces strewn across the store”. These museum pieces include the first handbag ever designed by Hidesign.



The flagship store reveals the brand’s history through a timeline displayed in the travel section on Level 3 of the store and a collage of its advertisement campaigns showcased on Level 2. Also, aptly displayed on the pillars across the four levels of the store are pictures of the ‘People of Hidesign’ – individuals who have helped build the brand – and the ‘Stores of Hidesign’ across the world.

The store will soon have an in-house café, which will offer wine and cheese platters with local flavours, among other things, the company said.

Founded by Dilip Kapur in 1978, Hidesign is a lifestyle group. Recently, the group extended its concept of lifestyle by opening two luxury boutique hotels – Le Dupleix and Promenade – in Pondicherry.

Auroville an embodiment of spirit of unity: Sibal

Lauding the concept of Auroville, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal said “it is larger than life and it is much more than India is.”

“We all live in an imperfect world and perfection is one we strive to achieve,” he said adding Auroville has shown the world the importance of spirit of unity and humanness. “It symbolises what we ought to have done across the world,” he said addressing the Aurovillians after launching Passage, an educational magazine.

Touching upon educational scenario in the country, Mr Sibal said “education as we understand over the years was a formal structure for a child to start his career. It has never taught to understand the self.” However, taking into account the present “imperfect world” dominated by market economy, the country cannot afford to do away with formal education.

The option before the government was to allow the child to choose what he or she could find joy in learning, Mr Sibal said.

Later in an informal talk with journalists at Auroville, the Union Minister said talks are on with insurance companies to provide health insurance coverage to teachers and group housing coverage. The aim was to attract more number of people to teaching profession, he added.

Union Minister of State for Planning, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture V. Narayanasamy also attended the function.

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17th International yoga festival opened on Jan05

The annual yoga festival has entered into a position of importance in the national calendar of tourism events, Lieutenant Governor Iqbal Singh has said.

Declaring open the 17th international yoga festival here on Tuesday, Mr. Singh said that the festival has become synonymous with Puducherry.

Complementing the Tourism Department for devising the concept of yoga festival and popularising the event, the Lieutenant Governor said performance by experts in yoga would help attract more people, especially youngsters to practice yoga.

“I am confident that apart from being a grand event, it would achieve the desired objective of promoting Puducherry as an ideal tourist destination on the map of national and international tourists,” he said.

Pointing out that yoga is “not a religion,” he said it is a way of living that aims at developing a healthy mind in a healthy body.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam said the government was keen on promoting Puducherry on the international tourism map. Responding to a suggestion made by Rajya Sabha Member P. Kannan that yoga should be made compulsory in school curriculum, he said it could be made optional.

Others who attended the inaugural function included Members of the Legislative Assembly K. Lakshminarayan, S.P. Sivakumar and Chairperson of Puducherry Municipality B. Sridevi.

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