Special Edition

January 3-7, 2011 The campus newspaper of SRM University

Private Circulation only January 5, 2011 Volume IV Number III Directed research is not a substitute for self-directed basic research, says Chidambaram

A Spectrum Reporter

“If you want to create wealth for , you have to enhance development,” remarked Dr. R Chidambaram, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. The top scientist of the country was chairing a high powered panel at a Plenary Session on Academia-Industry interaction at SRM University under the aegis of the 98th Indian Science Congress. Dr. Chidambaram sharing his views on research Dr. Chidambaram argued that in India academic institutions are good in research, companies good in development, but both the sectors need some Quality education needs to boning up as far as delivery was concerned. Against a backdrop of globalisation and increased competitiveness, Indian industries would like spread further and be cheaper to interact with the academia, he added. A person who played a crucial role in both Pokhran I and II (nuclear tests of 1974 and 1998) A Spectrum Reporter government, government-aided capacity addition to a greater extent, and private has created many concerns on quality and later in 2008 with the United States-India Although higher education in India institutions of and equity” he adds going on to list Civilian Nuclear Agreement, Dr. Chidambaram has spread over even undeveloped which nearly several challenges of higher education, took the position that “we are doing much better and underdeveloped areas to an 40 per cent are particularly its accessibility and equity. academia-industry interaction than we think”. government appreciable extent since independence, First, the projected population The important aspect, however, is in looking and the rest are issues of access, equity, and quality in the age group of 18-23 years for at the future road map. The academia-industry private-owned. still continue to cause concern with 2011-12 is 144.287 million making interaction should not only be confined to the The highest the untrammelled population putting access to higher education for all larger industries but also involve small and investment in tremendous pressure on the educational eligible a major issue before the medium enterprises, Dr. Chidambaram maintained. higher education system especially with regard to its policy makers. Second, in terms of is by the private institutions, amounting The former Chairman of the Atomic Energy quality at an affordable price. the Gross Enrollment Ration (GER) to 92%, while the investment from Commission of India and a member of the there are large variations among the Only if this necessity is fulfilled the Government accounts for just Commission of Eminent Scientists of the various categories of population based a host of factors such as improving eight per cent,” Dr. Ponnavaiko has International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. on gender, urban or rural habitation literacy, access, equity and quality can said in an abstract of his paper on Chidambaram maintained that the self-directed and rich and poor. “Due to regional Challenges in Maintaining Quality basic research that the academic institutions be addressed, says Dr. M Ponnavaiko, disparity in economic development Education. are known for should be backed up by directed Provost and Chief Academic Officer and uneven distribution of institutions research focused on specific technologies. But of SRM University. “Emergence of private institutions

“Higher education in India comprises in large numbers, while making A P2 A P2 • How to reduce waste - P 2 • M.S.Swaminathan - P 3 • Purandeswari - P 7 2 2010 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III

Lighting up life of Limbless Importance of machine tools stressed Mandakini Ayapilla & Karishma Lodaya Ashish George with high quality machine quality and reliability tools. of current machines. The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of Dr. P Radhakrishnan, “ M a n u f a c t u r i n g “Higher the quality India (ALIMCO), a Government organization under Director, PSG Institute of industries have to be of machine tools used, Advance Studies, talked upgraded,” he added. the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment higher will be growth of about the importance of Prof. P Rama Rao talked prepare artificial limbs, participated in the 98th industry,” he said. Indian Science Congress Science Exhibition. It machine tools industry about the academia- prepares items with stainless steel and aluminum in the industrial growth He suggested taking industry cooperation in alloy and has a record of catering for the needs of of India. He pointed out projects under Public Private the automotive sector 40,000 people annually. the technological flaws Partnership (PPP) mode, with and how Collaborative in the fields of defence international collaborations. Automotive Research The Government of India provides Rs. 42 crores and strategy sectors, He emphasised on the (CAR) programme is as aid to manufacture device whose cost of a piece precision engineering, need of innovation and contributing in the ranges from Rs 3,600 to Rs 4,700 and the cost automotive and sensors, research & development development of R&D for limbs of hands is estimated around Rs 3,800 which can be eliminated support for improving the laboratories.

Hectic efforts on to make common man learn... systems. The provost, Dr. Ponnavaiko stressed on the need to re use the waste from one process How to reduce waste for another. He exemplified the case of Anandwan in Warora, Maharashtra Ratnika Sharma and ‘lypholization’ in tanneries, Paryavaran Darshan in 19 Dr. Gautam. where plastic waste was shredded R Krishnan on site bio-remediation for languages for every person to Prof. R.Ramamurthi, ISRO and used as pillow and mattress sewage treatment and use of become aware of. Scientist and chairperson for fillings and for strengthening “Of the total waste that bacteriophages for removal of the session on Environmental bricks and cement. comes out of various materials harmful faecal bacteria. “Establishment of National we use in India, around 27.5 Green Tribunal (Apex court) by Technology: Issues Relating precent goes untreated” said The other measures include the Ministry of Environment and to Waste Minimization and Waste is worthy... Dr. S.P.Gautam, Chairman, setting up of Common Chemical Forest, setting up of National Management, suggested a plan Central Pollution Control Board Recovery Plants (CCRP) in the Environment Monitoring Agency of action to improve the waste W- Worthy (CPCB), New Delhi. paper and pulp industries and and introduction of Third Party management systems in place. A- Augmented usage of waste from distilleries S- System for He enlisted new technological Inspection and Assessment This involves implementing eco in cement kilns, sponge iron T- Transfer of measures initiated by CPCB in System as part of legislative friendly technology, generation furnaces. E- Energy the area of waste management and administrative reforms, of bio gas from medical waste like salt-less preservation of The CPCB has also started a is expected to help manage and setting up of comprehensive Prof. S.P. Gautam hides/skins by a process called weekly TV programme called and minimize waste,” added waste management and recycling Quality education... Academia – Industries A P1 of higher education, this boon has not reached all sections of society,” the senior SRM academic official has maintained. must work in unison “To overcome the deep-rooted problem of social inequity, Rahul Preeth He maintained that in US makes their products a liability successive governments have introduced caste-based reservation and UK, the University system than an asset to industries and in higher education. The caste-based reservation has not only “Indian academics and industry has been practical in leading to industries thus lose faith in deprived better talent coming from non-reserved category of admission in good institutions but also causes brain drain and have been the North Pole and the countries’ sound economic academia, added Mr.Bhargava. performance because of the enduring divisions at heart,” Dr. Ponnavaiko said. South Pole rather than being the To afford pursuit of knowledge, interaction between the players two sides of the same coin”, said there has to be industries in the of industry and the academia. Mr.Subodh Bhargava, Chairman, background taking care of the Besides that, the top league Tata telecommunications, while more mundane practical aspects universities in those countries Directed research ... taking the audience through the of wealth creation. On the other are private universities that private sector perspectives of hand knowledge created as a A P1 indicate a healthy interaction academic Industrial Interaction. practice of academic programme between the two. he quickly cautioned, “Directed research is not a substitute for has produced people who have self-directed basic research.” He touched upon the need for But the institutions in India technical competence and enhancing academic industrial are starved of scholars who more can also find solutions. This In his brief opening remarks he spoke of the importance of interactions. He said that Academia often find careers in industry aspect has benefited industries University Research Parks. “This is an important aspect of and industries are two sides more lucrative. Certificates enhancing academia-industry interactions,” he said. significantly, enabling it to re- of a coin; the coin being the being doled out for money by engineer itself, to more efficient Introducing the Chair of the session and the topic the Director economy. “unscrupulous” institutions and great wealth creation. of Research at SRM University, Dr. Narayana Rao said that this meeting was conceptualised by Dr. Chidambaram. “We are fully Edited and Published by : The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Faculty of Science and Humanities, aware that there is a great need and scope for academia-industry SRM University, Kattankulathur, Kancheepuram Dist., . Ph : 044-27452270. Printed at : SRM Publications (P) Ltd., interactions,” Dr. Rao said. 9, V.V. Kovil Street, Chinmaya Nagar, Chennai. 2010 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III 3 Scientific facts must deal with societal concerns: Swaminathan

Haripriya Madhavan and Prof. M. Vijayan, President, a society to evolve positively. journals and recommendations Maheswari.M.D Indian National Science Academy on bio-fuels, energy research The Indian Academy of (INSA) said, “The primary and stem-cell research. The Sciences (IASc), Indian National The second day of the 98th role of a science academy is to session which focussed on Science Academy and National Indian Science Congress hosted identify and promote excellence”. attracting young minds put Academy of Sciences of India the rare gathering of the heads The INSA had recently set up down the fact that there is a (NASI) have been offering of seven science academies, at a science policy study cell, need for engineers who can summer research fellowships the plenary session on “Science and produced various studies solve national problems with Academies Summit”. Putting forth on nutrition security, heavy under their joint education a global outlook. The speakers the role of science academies metal pollution and impact of programme. Dr.N.Mukunda suggested that public opinion in policy-making and public migration’. Speaking on the from IASc said that science should be taken into account education, the speakers highlighted challenges faced, “We need academies had contributed while academies decide what their institutions’ national and to learn much more than what significantly to science education to do research on. international initiatives to in past 15 years. we know now, on how to deal In his concluding remarks, Dr. promote science and research. with media, how to deal with Dr. Med Martin Lohse, Vice Swaminathan said academies political interests and how to Dr. Swaminathan Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, President, German Academy of should lay more emphasis deal with commercial interests” MSSRF, the chairman of the inspire young people to take up Sciences (GAS) highlighted that on young people and women he added. session presented his views science as a career and also in they conducted national and scientists. He appealed to the on welding scientific facts into The National Academy of developing relations between international symposia, scientific science academies to set up a public policy and addressing Sciences of India (NASI), which science and society. Prof.Asis events and interact with other think tank or an inter-academy societal concerns by bringing was established in 1930, has Datta, President, NAS told that national science academies. panel to tackle the challenges of all academies together. been launching programmes to creative ideas are essential for The GAS was also publishing science and society effectively. Varsity research parks vital in growth of nation

Komal J. latter also put together unlike minds as in the former school The need of the hour is the where an individual graduated, founding of as many university- discipline(R&D), attitude to Dr. Saraswat (Right) with Mr. B.Prasada Rao based research parks as possible research parks mattered. with in Indian Institute of technology 11.5 acres infrastructure that has (IITs) and Indian Institute of approach road the IIT Madras’s Defence Sector cited to stress Science (IISc), Bangalore, said objective is to generate ideas, Dr.M.S. Ananth, Professor, IIT, earn support for resource, making academia-industry tie – up Chennai. He was speaking at India a design house, offer higher the T.P. Ganesan auditorium, education opportunities etc. Anuj Srivas benefit to all parties involved. on the second day of the 98th There are about 27 companies, For example, universities Indian science congress being “The defence sector, being seven incubates, seven could implement customised held at the SRM University, one of the oldest industries has laboratories in the IIT campus. DRDO approved courses which Chennai. only survived this long due to Big, reputed companies such as inputs from both academic and make cooperating with students There was considerable Dr. Ananth the BHEL, TATA, hotels and industry communities,” said easier, Dr Saraswat added. difference between India and many food courts are occupying Dr. V.K Saraswat, Defence was important to remember Next, Mr Shri B. Prasada other countries in harnessing one floor each in the campus. Research and Development Rao, Chairman and Managing creativity and making it grow. that higher the publication The research park, to be Organisation (DRDO) Director Director of BHEL, New Delhi If a university had some healthy rate, more successful was the built in three phases will entail at the plenary session of the added his views from a public money making venture near it patenting. This also attracted Rs.350 crores expense of this 98th Indian Science Congress. sector perspective. Rao talked that would sustain the university eminent scientists or garners Rs75 crores with bank loan about the various advantages of till it could stand its feet. The larger grants. There was a The theme of the session and Rs100 crores will be soft Academia – Industry interaction university parks must be thrown notable shift in curriculum and was Academia – Industry loan. Tamil Nadu Government and how this interaction is a to people who should extend their improved student placements. Interactions: Status, Issues, has given away the land and whole hearted support. The parks and Future Roadmap. resource of creative and new He said the scenario in India expected to offer more bank must focus on commercialization. ideas. was incomparable with other loan, concessions. Saraswat talked about how Dr.M.S. Ananth said regional in the 1980s, the DRDO started “Public Sector Units like the countries. For example china There were a few recommen technology-led economic consolidating its Research BHEL have always been at invested lot more than India. -dations for India that he said, development and universities, and Development sector and the front of these interactions, might be useful. With 25 URPs capability to devise new tools, Managing creativity has the started the development of a we have many tie ups with seven new IITs, Eight new IISCs, encouragement of competitiveness most important points as it has a system where universities and recognized universities involved five IISCRs, CUs can start. and entrepreneurships that set of rules such as the “Magic industries could collaborate with in Research and Development,” worked multiple benefits to Garden” approach and “the The government of India the DRDO. According to the said, Mr Rao. The need for a a particular university were idea factory” approach. The gives initial grant of Rs 25 director, different mechanisms holistic approach to a new age the welcome off-shoots of the former brought unlike minds crores park. The growth of such as assigning projects to interaction which addresses park. The university should do together, created the right these parks is friendly policy universities and increasing the issues like Intellectual Property well patent what is produced atmosphere, and gave freedom environment, that is supportive industrial standard to a higher rights (IPR) is necessary Mr and what it brought out. It but structured interactions. the and patient. level would ensure mutual Rao added. 4 2011 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III 4 2010 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III Photo Feature ... 2011 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III 5 2010 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III 5 Photo Feature ... 6 2010 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III Science, Industry must become two sides of the same coin: Maira

Ashish George, R Krishnan human resource said Mr B P and Prashanti Ganesh Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharath Heavy Electricals The consciousness of universal Ltd. (BHEL).He emphasized human rights and awareness on the need for technological of what others possess have innovation in manufacturing made people impatient with and defence sectors. the crumbs they have to be satisfied with alongside their He proposed increased existing says material status, investment in the Research Mr. Arun Maira, Member, and Development coupled with Planning Commission, in a partnership with the industry Prof. C.N.R. Rao Speaking at a plenary session his presentation on Science as the agenda for the coming Policy—Agenda for the next years. The protection and five years. The role of the wheel recognition of the intellectual New avenues of chemistry expanded of progress in sustainable and property of the country is vital, inclusive economic growth has Mr.Rao said. Sahana and Komal The scope of chemistry is vast, biology, physics and engineering become imperative for raising Following up on this theme, Dr. full of surprises, and integrates sciences. He said that gold innovative edifices. The first day of the 98th Indian material sciences backgrounds. nano-particles could be used to P. Rama Rao of the International Science Congress held here at Speaking on modern chemistry, detect Alzheimers at an early “At the hub of innovation Advanced Research Centre the SRM University witnessed he described new computing stage. Nano particles can also is science,” Maira maintained. for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) spoke the celebrations and declaration methods, large scale simulations be used to remove pesticides Innovation, according to of the Japanese leader Saburo of 2011 as ‘The International in theories and experiments and from drinking water. him is to produce affordable Year of Chemistry’, with experts new algorithms. He said that products for the people, by the Okita by way of a stress on the Dr. Uday Maitra, IISc Bangalore and scientists discussing novel energy storage and generation people and of the people. “This importance of education. spoke on “Chemistry of future, applications of chemistry in the can be made through chemical way, growth is socialistic, but Rao argued that statistics highlighting organic chemistry”. present world and in future. approaches. “With the help of productive socialism, is coupled showed the correlation between He elucidated on highly efficacious The plenary session on the nanotechnology in fuel cells, with democratic capitalism”. Gross Domestic Products of drugs for cancer, diagnosis of topic recognized chemistry as cars could run on water as fuel, She stressed the fact that there different nations being directly tuberculosis and other diseases. a subject that has flourished for by separating hydrogen from is an inevitable interdependence proportional to the number of water”, he added. centuries and introduced new The session enumerated between science and industrial research scholars. Rao went avenues for exploration. Throwing light on the nuances new ideas such as creation of policies. on to discuss the private sector, CNR RAO, Research Professor of nanochemistry, Dr. T. Pradeep, natural products from marine “A science or an industrial which has emerged as a major at JNCASR & IISc BANGALORE, IIT Madras spoke about the wealth, effective ways to build policy, by itself, will not produce force in imparting technical India briefed the audience about new possibilities in day-to- material sciences, eco friendly the innovation necessary for education in India, as a response day life, like preservation of the history of chemistry, scope chemistry, bio compatibility, the country’s growth; they to market demand. tomatoes for a longer duration of chemical science, beginnings artificial photosynthesis. Nobel need to be nurtured together” Earlier, Mr M S Valiathan, and developing super strong of chemistry, chemical synthesis, laureates in chemistry and Maira said. National Research Professor, hairs carrying a tone. and super molecular bonds. many veteran Indian scientists There are flaws in the Indian Manipal Univarsity, discussed Chemistry has blossomed since He remarked that nanochemistry were also remembered by the manufacturing sector and in the various trends of scientific then, over the last 100 years. is unified as it merges with speakers during the occasion. the lack of a skilful pool of instrumentation in India. Padma Subramanyan sets the stage alight

Karishma Lodaya and Mercy John

With a whole day devoted to serious science - related discussion at the 98th Indian Science Congress, the cultural event at the T P Ganesan Auditorium on January 3,2011 came as a source of relaxation. The cultural event began with a Bharatnatyam dance performance by Dr Padma Subrahmanyan of world-wide repute and her troupe. Dr Padma Subrahmanyan and her associates performed to a Tamil Saint Appar’s devotional song. Their Varnam performance to a Hindi Bhajan, to which the music was played by the maestro herself brought alive Meera’s longing for Lord Krishna and delicately dealt with the emotions involved in it. The team performed two dances on the compositions of Utkaada Sri Venkata Subbayya. They rounded off with the depiction of the lives of Yashoda and the milkmaids. A Sanskrit poetry recital also took place. The performance included violins, tabla, flute, and vocals. 2010 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III 7 Purandeswari seeks private partnership to boost quality in education

Haripriya Madhavan and proposed a 10-point programme Maheswari MD that focussed on issues like enhancing curriculum flexibility Stating that the private sector in order to allow a student to accounted for 85 per cent of the design his course, introducing institutions in technical education international internships for in India, Minister of State for students to gain global exposure Human Resource Development and incentivising research for Ms Daggupati Purandeswari the teaching community. called for a partnership with the Lamenting that universities sector. “In this connection, the in India spend less than 1 per central government formulated cent of the nation’s GDP on a scheme to establish central research, Prof. M. S. Sodha of universities under the public- Lucknow University appealed private partnership,” she said. to the institutions to identify She was addressing the good researchers, provide funds plenary session on Challenges and consistently monitor their of maintaining quality education progress. of the 98th Indian Science Ms. Purandeswari (Right) at a plenary session Stating that several institutions Congress. in India are flourishing without Stating that the central agreement on common entrance Later speaking during the adequate infrastructure and While explaining that the government was making an examination for professional session, Prof. Bopaya Bidanna elementary education and sub-standard education, Dr. effort to build consensus on courses. of the University of Pittsburgh Ponnaivaikko, Provost of SRM higher education supplement suggested that students in India issues that concerned education, The minister also sought University, recommended, “A each other, Ms Purandeswari should develop the habit of said, “The greatest challenge of the minister stressed on the cooperation from the state good control mechanism be put asking questions. in place to check this practice.” maintaining quality education need for,”. . . consensus among governments in the implementation lies in preparing our children the stakeholders to carry out of the system of continuous and Speaking on the need to Prof. S.S. Katiyar, Former not just to be national citizens reforms in education”. However, comprehensive evaluation of improve teaching and learning General President ISCA, chaired but to be global citizens.” she regretted that there was no students in schools. skills in the country, Prof Bidanna the session. Dr Yonath throws light on the protein creation process Anuj Srivas

Stating that protein is basically “When I was in college it took me created with the help of cells a day to make a peptide bond in known as ‘ribosomes’, Nobel Prize winner Dr. Ada Yonath the lab, but ribosomes can make Dr. Bhan (Left) with Dr. K.Brahmachari said, “Ribosomes serve two main functions, one is to create 15 bonds in one second.” protein, and the other is to form Dr Bhan invites private firms peptide bonds between amino a peptide bond in the lab, but form of mRNA (messenger RNA) for collaborative research acids.” ribosomes can make 15 bonds and tRNA (transfer RNA) pass in one second.” through the ribosome and churn Aravind T S medium companies that take Delivering a Public Lecture out protein in a process known up high-risk pre-proof-of- Explaining the protein creation on the sidelines of the 98th as ‘translation of protein’. Inviting the industrial houses concept research and late stage process, Dr Yonath focused on Indian Science Congress, Dr and educational institutions to development. The basic idea is Yonath said, “When I was in the Ribosome Factory Theory: She then moved on to the work she had been doing over participate in sharing knowledge, to support private industries college it took me a day to make RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) in the research resources and information, and to get them involved in the last 10 years that culminated Dr M K Bhan, Secretary, development of such products in her Nobel Prize. Department of Biotechnology, and processes which have high Throwing light on the Government of India, asked societal relevance.” concept of a protein tunnel them to follow ethical practices Stating that scientists and good governance while in the ribosome that helps in participating in such collaborative collaborating in the development interactive participation of research developed three vaccines of affordable technologies and the stretching and creation of in a short span of 18 months clinical trials. protein, Dr Yonath said, “The and stress tolerant rice, he said, study of this ribosomal tunnel Programmes like Biotechnology “These vaccines were meant could not be possible without Industry Research Assistance to cure ailments like H1N1 the crystallisation of these Programme (BIRAP) and influenza virus.” ribosomes with a technique Small Business Innovation Speaking of the Rotaviral that I developed in my lab.” Research Initiative (SBIRI) have Diarrhoea vaccine, he said, “Several been initiated to assist in such This new technique of public-private organizations public-private collaborations, crystallisation known as cryo- are collaborating to develop said Dr Bhan. bio crystallography along with the vaccine, which is a pure ribosomal tunnel study gained He explained that, “SBIRI Indian development and it is Dr. Yonath her worldwide recognition. basically funds small and in its third phase of trial.” 8 2010 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III Tamil Nadu in a nutshell A. Thirugnanasambanda Moorthy

The Greek Civilisation was supreme in having produced great philosopher – thinkers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. It had given birth it famous orators like Cicero, Demosthenes. And of course the ‘first great’ in history, Alexander who conquered the world though he died young, belonged to Greece. Sparta that taught the world the essentials of simple living and high thinking was a part of Greece. And Greece has age-old architectures of exquisiteness and beauty. So also is the Tamil civilization that had given birth to a Thiruvalluvar, Kamban, Avvaiyar, Nakeerar, Great Saivaite and Vaishnavaite saints who have produced immortal works that stressed truth and justice. I have citied one ancient and chequered civilisation to illustrate more or less the same is the instance of what Tamil Nadu is since 1968. The British who had bought the city in mid 17th Century had named it Madras. As was the case of principalities in Europe till the advent of the 19th century so were divisions of quite large areas in Tamil Nadu. Chera (from Coimbatore to Ooty), Pandiya (Madurai and adjoining districts), Chola (Thanjavur, Tiruchi and adjoining areas) and Pallava (Kancheepuram, Chengalpet and other areas) were dynasties each of which ruled Tamil Nadu for several centuries. Though there were frequent wars between these so called empires their rules who were devant had birth memorable temples. In my heart and mind the first temple that looms large is the ‘Brahadeswara’ temple that was built exactly 1,000 years ago in Thanjavur. Soon after one enters the precincts the person is awed by the giant ball carved of a single piece of stone. The presiding deity of the temple ‘Brahannayagi. The temple was built by Raja Raja Chozha of the late line of the clan. Another unique feature is the shadow of main ‘qopuram’ never falls on the ground. Raja Raja’s son Rajendra chozha had built a similar temple in Gangai Konda Cholapuram to commemorate a victory of his in North India. In Srirangam, about three miles before Tiruchi there is the famous temple for Lord Ranganatha (Narayana). His new 26-tier high Raja gopuram was consecrated in 1986. As Lord Siva has told Goddess Parvati they are equals so A scion of the Chera family ‘Ilango Adigal’ are Lord Narayana and Lakshmi and Brahma and Saraswati. who renounced wordly life wrote immortal ‘Silapathikaram’ But strangely temples are scarce for the last named duo. (story of the anklet). It was the first epic that was devoted to a woman patience, valour and chastity. In Tiruchi the most notable temple is that Vinayagar’s that requires the devotee to climb up a few hundred steps. In In Kanchipuram, the capital of Pallavas there is Varadaperumal Tiruvanaikkoil there is an imposing temple for Akilandeswari temple, Kamatchi Amman temple and Ekambareswar temple. Kind and Jambukeswarar. Mahendravarman who ruled in the VII century, a great connoisseur of architecture had left behind his imprint in chitanavasal ruler near Pudukottai. For Lord Muruga all the praiseworthy temples except the one situated near the seashore in Tiruchendur are situated atop hills. His son Narasimhavarman II had five rathas and seven pagodas (temple) sculptures Tiruttani, Swami Malai, Pazhamuthirsolai, Tirupparankundram, in Mahabalipuram 18 miles from Chengalpattu. Of the seven temples, six have submerged by Mailam etc., are things of beauty on top of hills. the sea. In long rock he had got sculpted Arjuna’s penance and so on and a huge butter ball that stands on a rock slantingly is a thing of marvel. Andal who with her devotion married Lord Ranganatha has a temple dedicated to her in Srivilliputtur in Tirunelveli district. All the kings of the dynasties were great philanthropists and showed no favoritism to any There three-tier temples for Lord Narayana in Uthiramerur in particular faith. Kanchipuram district and in Tirukostiyur in Ramnad district. Madras state produced Veera Pandiya Kattabomman who defied the British and was hanged in In Kanyakumari where the three seas merge – Bay of Bengal, 18th century in panchalamkurichi, in Tirunelveli district. It has produced great freedom fighters Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean there is a monument Swami ‘V. O. Chidambaram pillai’, who saw ‘Swadeshi’ steamship, underwent untold suffering in Vivekananda who meditated on a rock for three days before detention, gave his all for freedom struggle, national poet , their compatriot he embarked upon his trip to the United States to take part Subramania Siva and Kumaran. Chakravarthi C. Rajagopalachary who became the in the world Parliament of Religious in 1893. And to denote first Indian Governor general of India and Kamaraja Nadar who introduced noon meal scheme ‘Tirukkural’ economists 133 chapters (each chapter containing for children and was known for his incorruptibility luminous stars in Madras State’s political 10 carpets) there is 133 – high Tiruvalluvar statue. firmament. In Madurai, capital of the Pandiyas is the Meenakshi – The tourist resorts are Courtrallam falls in Tirunelveli district, Hogenekkal in Dharmapuri Sundareswar temple and Tirumalai Naiker Mahal. The first, district and Kodaikanal in Madurai district where the weather is balmy throughout and Ooty second and third Tamizh Sangam flourished in Madurai. (Uthagamandalam) district that is called the ‘Queen of hill stations’.