Reporter's diary

The Tuticorin district administration took efforts to launch pleasure boating facility at a lagoon opposite Roche Park on beach road for making it a tourism spot. Even some pedal boats were operated for some days. But people were much disappointed as the pedal boats were lying idle on the premises of the old guest house on beach road. Though Tuticorin has potential resources to promote tourism, they remain untapped.

As the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam faced criticism that it ‘remained silent’ when the Centre ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974, its leader M.K. Stalin tactfully avoided meeting the fishermen when he visited Rameswaram as part of his ‘Namakku Naame’ programme in Ramanathapuram last week.

The much hyped meeting with Rameswaram fishermen failed to take place as there were apprehensions in the party circles that the DMK leader might face the wrath of the fisher folk when the Lankan navy stepped up its belligerent act on the fishermen.

None of the 11 mechanised boats fishermen associations, representing more than 4,000 fishermen in the island, was informed about Mr Stalin’s visit, a fishermen association leader said.

The leader avoided meeting them as he should have sensed that the situation was not conducive, the leader said.

For record purpose, he had met a few people in Pamban, who were not active in fishing, the leader said. Mr. Stalin had spent ample time for interacting with the priests of Sri Ramanathaswamy temple but gave a raw deal to the fishermen, he lamented.

As Rameswaram figured in Mr. Stalin’s itinerary, a couple of fishermen leaders received a directive from Chennai not to give audience to him, well ahead of his visit, informed sources said.

With the provision of Hi-Tech LED publicity van, the Department of Public Relations has turned hi-tech from conventional system, providing better ambience and attractions to the public in Dindigul.

With the state-of-the-art technology and equipment, the mobile van has 360 degree rotatable LED display, blue ray DVD player, personal computer with wi-fi facility, high definition outdoor and indoor cameras, and DTH live video input.

A power generator was also commissioned to provide uninterrupted power supply and hydraulic system to ensure safety on stationary mode. Vehicle tracking system was also installed to monitor movement of vehicle, location and speed.

It will provide high resolution HD images and high quality audio weeding out shortcomings like lack of power supply, low resolutions and poor clarity in audio and video visual aids. With these facilities, the Public Relations Department is expected to give wider publicity of schemes.

At least 80 per cent of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease could be avoided, if four main risk factors — tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and use of alcohol — were controlled, said Chief Medical Officer A. Asaithambi while speaking about the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other heart-related issues on the World Heart Awareness Day function at the Government Hospital at Oddanchatram. Avoidance of junk food, regular exercise and diet control will solve major health problems, he advised.

(CONTRIBUTIONS FROM

J. PRAVEEN PAUL JOSEPH IN TUTICORIN,

D.J. WALTER SCOTT IN RAMANATHAPURAM AND

K. RAJU IN DINDIGUL)