Alagianallur is a village in Kariapatti taluk of Virudhunagar district. There was an Agriculture Primary Co-operative Bank functioning for 42 years, till it was liquidated on June 30, 2004, owing to some irregularities for which a case is pending in the court. There were 2,200 members of the bank from the entire Alagianallur Revenue village consisting of four hamlets. Ever since the bank liquidation, they are unable to avail any financial assistance. All members are almost under poverty line. Their primary occupation is only agriculture. They are also unable to get not only financial assistance announced by the State and Central governments — received only through banks — but also benefits such as fertilizers, seeds, tools, and implements. This situation has resulted in people not in a position to improve their income through about 3,000 acres of lift irrigated lands and rain-fed lands.
The people could not get any assistance from concerned department officials. They are helpless. The government also is not taking any action to mitigate the sufferings of people. The government should help in taking steps to revive the cooperative bank and ensure all assistance reached people. The people cannot go to nearby towns to get assistance through banks — particularly labourers working under the employment guarantee scheme. In these circumstances, the State government should take necessary action and help Alagianallur people.
A. Pandithurai,
Alagianallur
Temple ‘prasadams'
It has been a common belief that ‘prasadams' are offered first to the gods and goddesses and then to the priests and finally to the devotees at all temples. Such ‘prasadams' should be prepared tastefully, hygienically, and with quality ingredients at the temple kitchens (madappalli). Such ‘prasadams' are considered as the most sacred. People from far and wide throng temples with an unshakable faith that Gods and Goddesses will mitigate their sufferings, mental worries, and physical ailments, provide shelter, give solace and bless them with health and wealth and finally they will attain ‘moksha' (eternal bliss). After worshipping the deities, devotees receive ‘prasadams' of various kinds at the temples. By having the ‘prasadam,; it is believed that evil spirits will be driven away by the will and grace of god and good conduct and character infused to help purify body, mind and soul.
But, nowadays, all ‘prasadams' are prepared and offered commercially and sold in black market. For example, the famous ‘Tirupathi laddu' is not upto the desired level. There is disparity in prices and taste. Once cannot get a ‘laddu' of right size, shape and quality. If one happens to go to Tirumala, he /she should get at least one or two laddus as ‘prasadam,' as otherwise the pilgrimage is deemed incomplete. Hence it is earnestly requested that all kinds of ‘prasadams' in temples are prepared and offered to the deities and the devotees with purity and in all genuineness.
G. Jayaraman,
Sengamala Nachiar Puram
Expand bus stand
The space available at the Ramanathapuram new bus stand is not sufficient to handle the number of buses plying from there. The weekly shandy adjacent to it, which is also a municipal property, could be annexed with the bus stand thus, thus making it an integrated bus terminus with modern facilities as Ramanathapuram is not only a district headquarters, but also a place surrounded by several pilgrim centres such as Sethukarai, Tiruppullani, Devipattinam, Kilakarai and Uthirakosamangai. As the entire old bus stand area is left unused after the commissioning of the new bus stand, it could very well be converted as a weekly shandy as it serves as a den for antisocial elements owing to prolonged disuse. Will the municipal and district administration look into this suggestion and take efforts in that direction?
Asmabagh Anvardeen,
Ramanathapuram
Stop train at
Chettinad station
Chettinad railway station is one of the oldest and an important station on the Tiruchi -Karaikudi-Manamadurai-Rameswaram railway sector. There are many places in and around Chettinad with a sizable business and trading community that has links not only in India but also in other countries. It is also a major tourist spot in the map of Indian tourism, besides having major Chettinad heritage hotels.
Although there are two daily trains bound for Chennai, passing through Chettinad station, only Chennai Express (16702 and 16701) halt at the station in both directions while another train (16714 and 16713) does not stop in both directions.
It may be mentioned that public, including tourists, prefer travelling by train because of the cheap fare, after bus fare was increased recently. As such, it will be a great boon and a fitting service to the travelling public if the train train nos. 16714 and 16713 also halt at Chettinad in both directions. Will the Southern Railway look into this and do the needful?
C.A.C. Murugappan,
Kothamangalam
