The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Reporter's Diary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 10, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Reporter's Diary

There was a mad scramble at most of the party election booths in various parts of the city. It being Sunday today, the residents thronged the booths to verify their names in the electoral roll.

For many, it was disappointment, as their names were missing. Some of them even picked a quarrel with the cadres manning the booths. Many put it down to the `negligence' on the part of officials. They found solace from those who suffered the same fate. At K.K. Nagar, many were dumb-founded when a middle-aged man asked them what they were doing all these days when the draft list was put up in the Revenue department offices for verification, and the officials conducted special camps. However, no one could explain how so many names were deleted, when the officials "went around for door-to-door verification".

* * *

The Collectorate, the nerve centre of the administration, is often the scene of hectic activity. It a place where the top officials work, and is frequented by the people to get their grievances redressed. But of late, it has become a habitat for snakes, and this has sent shivers down the spine of the people and the employees alike. But this is one habitat that is most resented by all and sundry. Whenever a snake is found on the premises, it is caught and killed. More than that, the news of the presence of snakes often sends jitters among the people. According to sources, a large number of snakes, including poisonous ones, have taken shelter in the dilapidated toilet in the Collectorate, and they come out searching for food. It is high time the authorities renovated the toilet and landscaped the premises to avoid any untoward incident, feel the people.

* * *

Come elections, there will be much talk about the stand taken by Rajnikant. Likewise, the characters donned by him in various films take the centre stage during campaigning.

The next project of the matinee idol, `Jaggubhai', has come in handy for the fans, who are rooting for a particular alliance.

Many fans canvassed support, sporting the attire of `Jaggubhai', as published in the dailies.

They have also pasted posters in many parts of the city that reads: "Mathiyil Vajpayee Aatchi, Maanilathil Jaggubhai Aatchi" (Mr. Vajpayee's Government at the Centre, Jaggubhai's rule in the State).

* * *

Technology has grown fast. But it is only a matter of time before any technological advancement has found the desired result. In communication too, the technology has advanced in geometrical proportions.

It is true that the world has shrunk.

The encouraging factor is that the interest the educational institutions have shown.

The Thiagarajar College (Arts) has caught up with many engineering colleges and universities that have used the Internet to reach out to students, by providing the facility of downloading applications through their web sites.

It is the latest college to join the net bandwagon, as it has made arrangements to issue application forms for admission to various undergraduate and post-graduate courses through its web site, www.tc-arts.org. The aspiring students can download the application forms.

* * *

(Contributions from

S. Sundar,

J.V. Siva Prasanna Kumar,

M.R. Aravindan

and T. Saravanan.)

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