Archive for category games
Queen’s Baton Relay enters Madurai on Tuesday
Posted by ganesh in Information, Railway, Sports, competition, function, games, programme on August 26th, 2010
The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) Torch for the XIXth Commonwealth Games entered Madurai on Tuesday. The torch, brought from Ramanathapuram, was received by Collector C. Kamaraj at around 1.p.m.from Wing Commander V.N.Singh, the relay commander.
The 66.4 cm-high baton, weighing 1.9 kg, carried Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s message for the athletes, engraved on a miniature 18-carat gold leaf, representative of the ancient Indian ‘patras.’
The relay run started from Teppakulam at around 4.30 p.m.
The Collector handed over the torch to weightlifter Balamuruganandam, an Arjuna Awardee and sprinter Natarajan, a national record holder.
The run passed through PTR Bridge, Anna Nagar and KK Nagar before it reached MGR Stadium in Race Course.
Meanwhile, over 19,000 people had visited the Commonwealth Express stationed at Madurai railway station on Monday and Tuesday,
Queen Baton Relay for Common Wealth Games reaches TN
Posted by ganesh in Chennai, Sports, competition, games, government, programme on August 21st, 2010
The Queen’s Baton Relay for the Delhi Commonwealth Games commenced its Tamil Nadu leg with World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand and Olympian Jayalakshmi running the first lap here today.
The state leg of the relay, depicting the unanimity and mutual ethics of Commonwealth of nations, was formally launched by Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin.
Anand and Sydney Olympic 4 X 100m relay team member Jayalakshmi covered about half a KM and then it wounded up at the Nehru Indoor Stadium after covering 4.6 KM by about 50 other international athletes.
The baton would leave Nehru Stadium tomorrow for Puducherry on its way to Thanjavur, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Kanyakumari and Udhagamandalm.
Former IOA President B.Sivanthi Adityan received the baton and handed over it to Stalin, who in turn offered it to Anand and Vijayalakshmi.
Tamil Nadu Sports Minister, T.P. Mohideen Khan and Chief Secretary Sripathy participated in the function.
International athletes to carry the Baton in Chennai included, Ramesh Krishnan, Bhaskaran, V J Philips, Gnanasekaran, Sebastian Xavier, Riyaz Khan, Sridharan, Joshna Chinnappa, Dipika Pallikal, Sarath Kamal, Shiny Wilson and Wilson Cherian.
The QBR began its journey to 70 Commonwealth nations on October 29, 2009 after Queen Elizabeth II handed it over to President Prathibha Patil.
It is estimated that the QBR would have covered a distance of 190,000 KMS over 430 days. The QBR team comprises 85 personnel, including 31 officers and 54 support staff. They travel in a convoy of 29 vehicles.
The baton reached Delhi on June 25 last and would cover 28 states and seven Union Territories covering a distance of almost 20,000 KMs in 100 days.
International Specialty chess training camp organized by Chess Gurukul campus
Posted by ganesh in Chennai, Communication, Entertainment, Information, Other, Public, Sports, competition, function, games on April 30th, 2010
Chennaionline CEO and Managing Director, Mr L Ravichandran visited the International Specialty chess training camp organized by Chess Gurukul (www.chessgurkul.com) at their campus in T Nagar, Chennai. The Chief trainer of this camp is Grandmaster Alon Greenfeld of Israel.
A keen Chess enthusiast, Mr. Ravichandran due to his sheer interest in the game, managed to sneak a quick visit to the CG campus despite his busy schedules. Ravichandan & Chennaionline have been known for their steadfast support for the game of chess, through the portal “Chathurangam” since long.
This International camp is being specially organized by CG for its budding young stars who have shown promise over recent times and are getting geared up for the international events. The participants include International Masters – Shyam Nikhil (recently titled) & Shyam Sundar (12th grade student from Velammal Educational Trust, Chennai, TN), Debashis Das (Orissa) and IM Norm holders- Vishnu Prasanna (Loyola College) 2 norms, Ramnath Bhuvnesh (SBOA Matric, Chennai, TN) 1 norm and Tejas Ravichandran (PS Senior Secondary School) 2 norms.
CG, as Chess Gurukul is commonly known in the Chess fraternity is a Professional training Academy for the game of Chess. Aimed at nurturing upcoming talent and producing new stars, this GrandMasters’ training Academy is a ‘one stop for all chess needs’. Their strong Trainers panel consists of over 10 professional trained coaches including GM RB Ramesh, Fide Master & Trainer K Visweswaran, WGM Aarthie Ramesh, IM Roktim Bandopadhyay, IM Suvrajit Saha, FM KV Shantaram and other Fide Instructors & National Instructors to cater to the needs of students across all levels of chess play- beginners to GrandMasters under one roof. The Expert Advisory board, consists of International Trainers GM Elizbar Ubilava of Spain, GM Alon Greenfeld of Israel, International Arbiter V Kameswaran and Sports Psychologist Dr. Krishna Prasad.
This International Specialty Camp organized by ChessGurukul inaugurated on April 26, 2010 by its Directors Grandmaster RB Ramesh and Fide Master & Trainer K Visweswaran would span over 10 days and would conclude on May 5, 2010.
The Chief Trainer of this camp GrandMaster Alon Greenfeld from Israel is a Trainer of International Repute, More recently, Alon has concentrated in the fields of chess coaching. He travels regularly to India, and works with a number of promising young Indian players. His most famous pupil has been Emil Sutovsky (ironically, Emil himself is now [2008] working as a second for Gata Kamsky). As of April 2007, his Elo rating was 2557, making him the # 12 player in Israel and the 286th-highest rated player in the world. His peak rating was 2610 in 1994. Alon was the coach Israel men’s team that clinched the silver medal in the 2008 Chess Olympiad at Dresden, Germany.
This is Alon’s second camp for CG students. His previous camp in 2008 turned out to be big success, with Arun Prasad and Adhiban Baskaran going up the ladder and making continuous waves in Indian and International Chess.
When asked about his opinion on the participants of the camp, he said that it was too early to give an impression but clarified that each of them is different in his own way.
When asked about the kind of training he proposes to give the participants in other words about Alon’s specialty, he responded with a smile that he intends to show them different thought process and expose them to insights into the various styles of playing the game.
About different schools of chess, Alon explained that people in various cultures have different modes, however, a good chess player needs to be open minded and be able to pick inputs from all the Chess cultures. He also opinioned, that the Soviet culture was a bit dogmatic and had set patterns. However, they have the strong support of the government to get the required results. And in India, players played by calculation.
There are many trainers including Lev Psakhis (currently from Israel) from across the Soviet who have been training Indian players. However, it is to be noted that, Alon is the first non Soviet trainer to train chess players from India.
When asked about his thoughts on CG, Alon said that ChessGurukul is packed with kids and has lots of intense activity in progress across various age groups and levels and that this wouldn’t be possible without efficient teamwork of the CG team ably headed by GM RB Ramesh. He wished the kids all the very best and hoped that they could go a long way with CG’s support.
CM Karunanidhi will inaugurate ‘Kodai Thiruvizha’ later
Posted by ganesh in Chennai, Communication, Departments, Entertainment, Information, Other, Public, businesses, function, games, government, modification on April 30th, 2010
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi will inaugurate ‘Kodai Thiruvizha’ later today, a summer festival of food and fun organised by the Department of Tourism on Island Grounds in Chennai.
From picturesque settings to exciting water sports, the event promises a host of entertainment options. Highlights are a replica of Taj Mahal and an artificial waterfall ‘Ayyan Aruvi’, where visitors can take a shower and oil massages are also on offer.
Speaking to reporters, Tourism Secretary V Irai Anbu said the festival also promises a medley of cuisines at affordable rates. A total of 15 stalls have been allotted for hotels and other eateries, which would enable 20,000 people to enjoy the fare at the same time.
And there are water games too to give that chill impact this hot summer. And what more? Children can look forward to mammoth dolls and colourful balloons peppered all over the 21 acres of land. Cultural shows will also be part of the fest.
Chennai Super Kings crush Deccans Chargers to reach IPL final
Posted by ganesh in Cricket, Entertainment, Information, Sports, competition, games, tamilnadu on April 23rd, 2010
Doug Bollinger led Deccan Chargers’ rout as a ruthless Chennai Super Kings crushed the defending champions by 38 runs in the second semifinal of the Indian Premier League yesterday to set up a summit clash with Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
Opting to bat first, the Super Kings looked in trouble before a 52-run partnership between skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (30) and S Badrinath (37) guided them to a competitive 142 for seven.
For the Chargers, Ryan Harris bowled a fine initial spell to get rid off openers Murali Vijay and Mathew Hayden cheaply and finished with excellent figures of three for 29.
The Super Kings, however, returned to defend the total with all their might and resource, skittling out their opponents for 104 in 19.2 overs and dashing Deccan Chargers’ hopes of a successful title defence.
For Chennai, Bollinger (4/13) stood out, having rocked the Deccan top order and then dropping curtains on the opponent’s innings with his tidy four overs.
Left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati also chipped in with two crucial wickets to hasten Deccan’s fall. Chasing a modest target, the Chargers were never in the game as they lost wickets at regular intervals and their listless batting could be gauged from the fact that Andrew Symonds topscored them with a 22-ball 23.
The Chargers will now return to the same DY Patil Stadium on Saturday where they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore for the third place playoff, which will decide which one of them would join Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the Champions League Twenty20 later this year.
The Chargers’ chase got off to a poor start and skipper Adam Gilchrist’s (15) dismissal in the sixth over was not only the continuation of his personal bad patch but also a bad omen as the Chargers never got any partnership going.
Herschelle Gibbs (18), Symonds and B Sumanth (16) got the starts but could not capitalise on it. Earlier the Chargers bowlers stuck to their task brilliantly and even though there were spilled chances early on, managed to apply the brakes effectively to give their batsmen a golden chance to overhaul the modest Super Kings total.
Super Kings made a shock start by losing their top three batsmen, including in-form Suresh Raina, inside five overs with only 29 runs on board and never recovered.
Black Thunder, a water theme park on awarded IAAPI’s National Award
Posted by ganesh in Award, Communication, Entertainment, Information, Ooty(Udhagamandalam), Public, businesses, games, programme on April 22nd, 2010
Black Thunder, a water theme park on Ooty Main Road, Mettupalayam, has been awarded IAAPI’s National Award for Excellence 2009-2010 for ‘Most Innovative Ride’ and ‘Total Number and Variety of Rides’.
According to a press release, the award was received by the theme park managing director Vincent Adaikalaraj at a function organised by IAAPI in Mumbai.
The theme park is a great attraction for people from the age of 6 to 60. Besides the rides and other activities at the park, what strikes one most is its setting. The park is nestled in the lap of Nilgiris hills.
The park spread over 63-acres has more than 60 variety of games. The major attractions are the wild river, the canon ball and boating.
The park has also received awards such as ‘Environmental Friendly’ and ‘Safety Practices Award’ from IAAPI for the year 2002.
The theme park is located 41 km from Coimbatore and 40 km from Ooty The nearest railway station is Mettupalayalam and the nearest airport is Coimbatore.
TTDC first kind Hercules Mountain Bike Park in Ooty
Posted by ganesh in Communication, Entertainment, Information, Ooty(Udhagamandalam), Public, competition, function, games, programme on April 13th, 2010
TI Cycles of India in association with Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) inaugurated the first of its kind Hercules Mountain Bike Park in the city of Ooty, Tamil Nadu. This is a second Hercules Mountain Bike Park built by TI Cycles.
District Collector- Nilgiris District, Mrs. Archana Patnaik, IAS, inaugurated the Hercules Mountain Bike Park in the presence of Mr. Arun Alagappan, Sr. Vice President, TI Cycles, Mr. Rajesh Mani- GM Marketing and Mr. K C Ramamorthy- GM Retail, TI cycles.
The Hercules Mountain Bike Park has three difficulty levels- beginner, intermediate & experts. It is built on the hilly turf of the region, which gives it its natural bumps and curves and simulates real mountainous conditions. The Hercules Mountain Bike Park will be maintained and controlled by TI Cycles and will be open for tourists, schools kids and others in the region to come and experience the sport.
Mr. Arun Alagappan, Sr. Vice President, Retail & BSA Motors TI Cycles, on the occasion of the inauguration said, “Hercules Mountain Bike Park” is an initiative undertaken by TI Cycles with a strong aim to create excitement with cycling. We are thankful to TTDC for extending their continuous support in Tamil Nadu to help us in our efforts to promote cycling as a sport and a way of life in the region.”
Urged the Sports Ministry to focus on national games like Hockey
Posted by ganesh in Communication, Departments, Information, Madurai, games, government, meeting, programme on March 31st, 2010
An Indian Hockey player today urged the Sports Ministry to focus on national games like Hockey and fund the players, lamenting that there was none to promote the country’s traditional game.
“While cricket is being promoted through IPL,spending several thousand crores (of rupeees),there is no one to promote the national game of Hockey.The corporate sector also is not doing anything to promote the game.They should support the game and bring it to its original glory in the country,” Indian Hockey team player and Hockey Development Captain V.Raja said.
He also stressed the need for more Hockey Grounds for developing the game in India in a big way.
Talking to newsmen after participating at a local College function at Tiruparankunram near here, he said “compared to other countries we don’t have enough number of hockey grounds.The state governments also should play a major role in promoting hockey.Every district should have a hockey ground and an academy and frequent competitions should be held to promote the game.”
He said rural schools should have hockey grounds and also train students in the game.Only then the country’s traditional game could be saved from perishing,
Today Madurai Exclusive News
Posted by ganesh in Communication, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Health, Information, Madurai Today, Other, Temples, businesses, competition, function, games, meeting, programme on March 20th, 2010
RELIGION
Selva Vinayagar Temple: Karthigai puja, Railway Colony, 7.30 p.m.
Koodal Alagar Temple: Discourse on ‘Koorathu Alwar’ by R. Rangarajan, 6.30 p.m.
Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Devasthanam: Panguni festival, procession of deities, Sourashtra Krishnan Temple Street, 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Pralayanathaswamy Temple: Mahaganapathi homam, 5.30 a.m.; deeparadana, 11.30 a.m.; Ganga puja, 5 p.m.; Vigneswara puja, 6.30 p.m.; yagasala puja, Sholavandan, 7.15 p.m.
Saiva Siddhantha Sabha: 53 {+r} {+d} anniversary celebration; discourse on ‘Moothapillaiyar Vazhipadu’ by Iraikuruvanar, Tiruvalluvar Kazhagam, North Adi Street, Meenakshi Sundraeswarar Temple, 6 p.m.
Tiruvalluvar Mandram: Discourse on ‘Tiruvasagam’ by Raja. Umarani, S. S. Colony, 5 p.m.
Ramakrishna Mutt: Discourse on ‘Bhagavad Gita’ by N. Hariharan, 5.45 p.m.; bhajan, New Natham Road, 6.30 p.m.
Gita Bhavanam: Sundarakanda parayanam, 6.20 p.m.; discourse on ‘Ramayanam’ by T. K. Subramanian, 3 East Gate, 6.30 p.m.
Swami Tatwananda Ashram: Discourse on ‘Bhagavad Gita’ by Samananda, P and T Nagar, 6.45 p.m.
Hindu Baktha Jana Sabha: Abishekam, Ayyappan shrine, Siddhi Vinayagar Temple, Tirunagar, 6 p.m.
CULTURE
Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya: Free Rajayoga meditation classes, 36 Meenakshi Nagar, P and T Nagar; 40 Sambandamoorthy Street, 211/95 East Veli Street and 357 Anna Nagar, 6.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.
Gandhi Memorial Museum: T. Ravichandran conducts yoga, meditation and pranayama classes, 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Aanmeega Kalvi Nilayam: Free meditation class, Madurai Arivu Tirukoil, 24 Besant Road, Chokkikulam, 6 a.m.
International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre: Meditation and bhajan, 23 Dr. Sathar Road, Anna Nagar, 5.30 p.m.
Indian Institute of Yoga: V. Srinivasan conducts yoga therapy and pranayama classes, 5 Subramania Siva Street, Marudupandiar Nagar, 6 a.m., 6.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.
Sathguru Sangeetha Samajam: Veena concert by Mudikondan S. K. Ramesh, Lakshmi Sundaram Hall, 6.30 p.m.
Ragapriya: Vocal concert by S. Sowmya, Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, 6 p.m.
Philatelic Bureau: Exhibition of Meghadoot cards, Head Post Office, North Veli Street, 10 a.m.
GENERAL
Madurai Kamaraj University: Orientation programme for Youth Red Cross volunteers and programme officers, K. P. T. Ganesan, chairman, Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board, inaugurates, P. Chellathurai, Director, Department of Youth Welfare, MKU, presides, Faculty Guest House, 10 a.m.
Lady Doak College: 62 {+n} {+d} Academic Day celebration; G. Srinivas, Joint Secretary, University Grants Commission, addresses, Golden Jubilee Auditorium, 9.30 a.m.
Arul Anandar College: 40 {+t} {+h} College Day celebration, V. K. Subburaj, Health Secretary, addresses, Diraviam Arangam, 10 a.m.
Thiagarajar School of Management: ‘Yukti ‘10,’ management and IT meet, Murugavel Janakiraman, CEO, Consim Info, addresses, Pamban Swamy Nagar, Tirupparankundram, 2.30 p.m.
Nadar Mahajana Sangam S. Vellaichamy Nadar College: Case study presentation by MBA students on ‘Marketing of health insurance,’ S. Asokan, Principal, presides, Audio Visual Hall, 9 a.m.
Sethu Institute of Technology: S. Thalapathy of Hyundai Motors speaks on ‘HR perspectives in placement,’ Pulloor, 10 a.m.
Michael Institute of Management: KR. Gnanasambandan, vice-president, Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association, speaks on ‘Tips on leadership,’ H. Bernardshaw, Director, presides, Conference Hall, 11 a.m.
Gokula Vidyalaya: Annual Day, M. Shanthi of Madurai Medical College addresses, K. K. Balasubramanian presides, 498 Anna Nagar, 6 p.m.
Motherland Nursery and Primary School: Annual Day, V. K. Sanjeevi, General Manager, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, addresses, Nicholas Francis presides, Viswanathapuram, 6 p.m.
Kids Park: Annual Day, Star Park, Anna Nagar, 6.30 p.m.
Able Kids Special School: G. Thenmozhi, Mayor, declares open new building, S. M. R. Arunkumar presides, Corporation School, Arapalayam, 10.30 a.m.
TOPKIDS: Sudha Dheep speaks on ‘Physical, emotional and social changes in teen age,’ 1.30 p.m.; Dheep on ‘Understanding teen age child,’ Velammal Memorial School, Tiruppalai, 3 p.m.
Vidiyal: Science Forum meeting, AA Road, Rathinapuram, 6.30 p.m.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India: G. Ramanujam, Regional Manager, State Bank of India, inaugurates bank audit seminar, P. V. Rajarajeswaran, Regional Council member, addresses, Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, 9.30 a.m.
Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council: Texpo 2010, buyer-seller meet-cum-powerloom products mela, P. T. Rajan Hall, Chokkikulam, 10 a.m.
Federation of Farmers and Workers: Annual conference; Qudsia Gandhi, Managing Director, Overseas Manpower Corporation, and Padmavathi, MLA, address; M. Chinnammal presides, Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary, Arasaradi, 2 p.m.
Evidence: Public hearing of atrocities against Dalit and tribal women, P. Vallal Peruman addresses, Hotel Chentoor, West Perumal Maistry Street, 9.30 a.m.
Saya Federation: Discussion on registration of marriages, Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer Community Hall, Lake View Road, K. K. Nagar, 10 a.m.
Rotary Club of Madurai South: E. James Rajasekaran speaks, Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, 5.30 p.m.
Guru Cancer Centre: Free medical camp, Community Hall, Alanganallur, 9 p.m.
Neelavaanam Volleyball Club: All-India volleyball tournament, Iyer Bungalow, 6 p.m.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Meeting, Trishul Hospital, Anna Bus Stand, 7 p.m.
Kumble challenge of playing in the third IPL and hoped his team would better their last season’s
Former India skipper and current Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Anil Kumble said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing in the third IPL and hoped his team would better their last season’s second place finish this year.
Royal Challengers finished runners-up when they lost the finals against Deccan Chargers in the second edition of the twenty20 event last year in South Africa.
‘It’s all about individual motivation. In terms of skills, yes it will take sometime to get back into the groove. I am looking forward to the challenge. I am practising for couple of weeks now and training more than a month. I am sure I will be perform my role,’ Kumble said.
Kumble, who was appointed as captain of the Royals after foreign recruit Kevin Pietersen of England left for home midway, said it was nice to start as captain in this edition.
‘It’s nice to start as the captain. Obviously there will be a lot of expectation. I am really looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully, we will be able to do better than what we did last time.’
‘No matter what you plan, Twenty20 is such a format that you have to think on the field. You can do whatever planning and strategies, things can change. Like what happened in the KKR’s win over Deccan Chargers,’ said Kumble.
Kumble said the feeling that he has quit cricket didn’t struck him much as he played in the IPL II and Champions League last year.
‘It’s nice to come back into cricket. I don’t think I have left the game. IPL is once a year but it happened too quickly. For me Champions League was there and in between these two IPLs. It feels, as if I have not stopped playing. I really enjoy to come back and play 45 days of cricket,’ Kumble said.
The ace leg-spinner said IPL was not much tiring for someone who has bowled in Tests. ‘Feels nice to know that you just have to play 45 days of cricket. If you get to the final, you just have to bowl 64 overs. It’s not a bad task for someone who would probably bowl 64 overs in a game.’
His three-year contract with the Bangalore side is coming to an end this season but Kumble said he had not given thoughts about next season.
‘I don’t know. I have not even played the first game. It’s a long tournament. Maybe you should ask this question later in the tournament,’ he said.
Kumble said the basic in cricket remains the same whether it’s one-day, Test or the shortest version of the game. ‘At the end of it, we are all playing cricket. That’s what I would like to approach. Whether it’s a T20, one-day or Test format, it’s no different.’
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