girl-from-tamil-nadu-a-step-away-from-settling-down-on-mars

Girl from Tamil Nadu a step away from settling down on Mars

Coimbatore, Feb 18 (ANI): A nineteen-year-old college student, Shradha Prasad, from Coimbatore city in Tamil Nadu is ecstatic about inching closer to her dream of settling down on Mars after clearing the third round of the Mars One mission. Mars One is an ambitious initiative by a Netherlands based non-profit organisation by the same name, which hopes to send four people on a one-way trip to the red planet in 2024. Prasad is one of the three Indian candidates who have qualified for the fourth and the final round of the mission. The fourth round of selection will comprise of dividing the candidates into teams and test their endurance for settlement conditions on Mars. Feb 18, 2015
indian-citizens-to-get-e-passports-by-2016

Indian citizens to get e-passports by 2016

Coimbatore, Feb 17 (ANI): In a bid to rein in the number of fake passports, Indian government is working on to issue electronic passports or e-passports to the citizens by 2016, an official said in Coimbatore city. An e-passport will have a chip on its back cover with the holder's biometric details stored in it. In the initial phase which began in 2014, the government had issued 10 million e-passports, out of which majority were issued by Indian embassies abroad. From this year, the government is planning to introduce e-passport service across the country in 72 Passport Kendra Service (PSK). E-passports might be able to fully check the number of fake passports but it will certainly bring it down, said Swaminathan. Feb 17, 2015
it-happens-cattle-fair-in-tamil-nadu-draws-large-number-of-enthusiastic-farmers

It happens : Cattle fair in Tamil Nadu draws large number of enthusiastic farmers

Coimbatore, Feb 13 (ANI): A cattle fair held to spread awareness among people about the preservation of livestock drew enthusiastic response from villagers in Tamil Nadu. The fair, held at Samathur on the outskirts of Pollachi town in Coimbatore district, also drew animal lovers from abroad. Villagers dressed in traditional attire brought hundreds of cows and bulls of different breeds at the fair ground. A member of Vanavarayar Foundation, which organised the event, Shankar Vanavarayar said the idea was to create awareness about the importance of livestock in agriculture. A cattle specialist from New Zealand, Doctor John Henry Niezen said the fair offered opportunities to farmers to share their ideas and thoughts with each other about the health of animals. He said cattle shows are very common in western countries. Local bulls of Kangeyam region stole the limelight. The bulls are known all over the world for their superior strength and easy adaptability in any condition. The fair is the first of its kind being held in the region. Organisers were overwhelmed with the response. About 700 cattle of nine native breeds were on display. The animals were later judged on fitness. Prize money was also announced for the cattle in different categories. Feb 13, 2015
coimbatore-students-donate-hair-to-help-cancer-patients-get-wigs

Coimbatore students donate hair to help cancer patients get wigs

Coimbatore, Feb 11 (ANI): More than 300 students of a private college in Coimbatore city donated their hair to help cancer patients get free wigs. Cancer patients lose their hair when they undergo chemotherapy. While some people wear wigs, many patients cannot afford its cost. In a bid to help them, students donated their long locks and said more such donations will come. The students donated around eight to 10 inches of hair, which will be designed into wigs for the patients. The initiative is part of a campaign 'Tangled' and urges people to contribute for the noble cause by donating their hair in any of the 20 outlets across the city. The campaign concludes on February 14. Feb 11, 2015
cattle-fair-in-tamil-nadu-draws-large-number-of-enthusiastic-farmers

Cattle fair in Tamil Nadu draws large number of enthusiastic farmers

Pollachi, Feb 07 (ANI): A cattle fair held to spread awareness among people about the preservation of livestock drew enthusiastic response from villagers in Tamil Nadu. The fair, held at Samathur on the outskirts of Pollachi town in Coimbatore district, also drew animal lovers from abroad. Villagers dressed in traditional attire brought hundreds of cows and bulls of different breeds at the fair ground. A member of Vanavarayar Foundation, which organised the event, Shankar Vanavarayar said the idea was to create awareness about the importance of livestock in agriculture. A cattle specialist from New Zealand, Doctor John Henry Niezen said the fair offered opportunities to farmers to share their ideas and thoughts with each other about the health of animals. Feb 7, 2015
declare-election-of-candidate-concealing-criminal-antecedents-null-and-void-sc

Declare election of candidate concealing criminal antecedents null and void: SC

New Delhi, Feb 06 (ANI): The Supreme Court has said that the election of a candidate, who conceals his or her criminal antecedents during the nomination process, should be declared null and void. The apex court ruled that the suppression of criminal antecedents, especially relating to heinous crimes, by a candidate during nomination deprives voters to make an informed choice and creates impediments in the free exercise of electoral right. The judgment was delivered in a case relating to non-disclosure of full particulars of criminal cases pending against a candidate, Krishnamoorthy, who was elected as the President of Thekampatti Panchayat, Mettupalayam Taluk in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu in 2006. Krishnamoorthy's election was challenged on the sole ground that he had filed a false declaration suppressing details of the criminal cases pending against him, and therefore, his nomination ought to have been rejected. Feb 6, 2015