OBAMA INSPIRED BY MAHATMA GANDHI

The Domocratic Party's Presidential Elect, Barack Obama, says he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. Obama has a portrait of apostle of humanity and peace in his office to remind Mahatma that everyone can do phenomenal and extraordinary things. He wrote in an article that he has always looked to Gandhi as an inspiration, because he incarnates the way of transformational change that could be done when ordinary persons come together to do special and phenomenal things. This article is going to be published in 'India Abroad', an ethnic Indian newspaper in North America. "The portrait of Gandhi hanging in my office reminds me that the results will not only come from Washington but also from the people and i am very lucky and proud to have the long-lasting support of many Indian Americans during my campaigns", he said.

Soundarya to host a TV Show

Soundarya, the daughter of Super star Rajnikanth and MD of Ocher Studios is busy in the production of the 3D movie titled 'Sultan the Warrior'. Besides she is interested to host a TV programme of international standards. The preliminary works for that programme had been done by her and it is said to be produced by a leading production company. The programme is going to be telecasted by either Kalaignar TV or its rival Sun TV. Earlier she had done the graphics work of Anbe Aaruyire, Sivaji, Baba, Sivakasi and Chandramukhi.

Dhanush in Vallavanukku Vallavan

Balasekaran, the director of the movie 'Love Today' starring Vijay which was a super hit in 1997, comes up with his new venture entitled 'Vallavanukku Vallavan'. It is expected that actor Dhanush will play the lead role in this movie since he will be the correct choice for 'Vallavanukku Vallavan' to counter Vallavan. But this is not confirmed as Dhanush is now having handful of movies. Anyway if Dhanush act in the movie, it will be a great treat to his fans.

Direct flights between Hong kong and Chennai shortly

Hong kong Airport

The long pending air traffic issue between India and Hong kong came to an end with both sides agreed to add new air services on the India-Hong kong route. According to this new agreement, the Indian carriers can be able to connect Hong kong with any city in India while those of Hong kong can be able to connect Hong kong with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata directly. Chennai had been newly added on this list of cities. This agreement allows the Indian carriers to operate flights from Indian cities to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver through Hong kong. And the Hong kong carrier can operate flights to European cities through India. Hence the Indian passengers can fly directly to Hong kong without transiting Singapore or Bangkok.

Chennai Metro Rail project to get approval soon

The Union minster for Urban Development, Jaipal Reddy said that central government will give its final approval for the Rs 13,000 crore Chennai Metro Rail project next year. Apart from that, the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) get registered recently and its corporate office will be in the Ascendas Tech Park, Taramani. Since the TN government is not interested in Public-Private-Partnership model, it wants the project's cost to be shared with central government's aid and the remaining amount will be borrowed from the Japan Bank as loan. The project consists of two corridors of totally 50 km with 40 stations and most of the elevated track will be along the Anna salai. The project will be complemented in 4 years.

DLF BUILDS IT PARK 'TIDEL II' IN CHENNAI

The TN government has cleared the construction major DLF's bid to build the TIDEL Park II near the existing TIDEL Park in Taramani. In a tender put up by the TIDCO (Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation) for the leasing of 26.63 acre land to set up an IT & ITES SEZ, DLF emerged as the highest bidder. It had bid for Rs 26.07 crore, an acre and totally Rs 660 crore for the entire land on a 99-year lease. DLF will develop this 2.5 million sq. ft. facility in joint venture with TIDCO. This will be the second IT park developed by DLF in Chennai, the first one is at Ambattur.

Will Chennai adopt the CNG fuel System?

A CNG propelled Auto rickshaw plying on New Delhi road

The Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel system which was implemented strictly in the National Capital Region (NCR) in 2004 after the Supreme Court's order was a great success. The implemented CNG Fuel system helps greatly in decreasing the pollution level in the NCR region. All the public transport vehicles like buses, auto rickshaws etc... plying in NCR roads had adopted the CNG system. Due to this success, the CNG system has become a role model for other cities which are struggling to control air pollution. Now a question arises that when will other Indian metros will shift to CNG system. Especially Chennai which is facing high air pollution problems mainly due to motor vehicles.Though the cost required for the shifting is higher, CNG costs RS.25 per kg when compared to petrol of Rs.50 per kg.