NAGAPATTINAM: : The TIFAC (Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council), an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology at the Centre, is constructing 50 common community utility centres in 10 coastal hamlets affected by the tsunami in Nagapattinam district. The project is being implemented through TIFAC-CORE (Centre of relevance and Excellence) of the Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA), Thanjavur.

A. Sivathanu Pillai, scientist and Chief Controller of Research and Development, Defence Research Development Organisation, inaugurated one such centre at Chandrapadi near Porayar on Sunday.

Dr.Sivathanu Pillai said President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, impressed by TIFAC's success in the construction of community utility centres after the Gujarat earthquake, had recommended construction of similar sheds for the tsunami-affected in Tamil Nadu. He appealed to the people to make use of the community utility centres for conducting classes, anganwadis, panchayat raj meeting, primary health centres etc.

R. Sethuraman, Vice-Chancellor, SASTRA, who presided over the function, said 23 community utility sheds had already been constructed. He said the SASTRA team swung into action with the coordination of Nagapattinam district administration, panchayat members, members of women self-help groups and local people and identified 10 coastal hamlets for construction of the 50 sheds.

S. Ananthapadmanabhan, Dean, School of Civil Engineering, SASTRA, explained the salient features of the community utility sheds.

Free medical camp

Earlier, Dr. Sivathanu Pillai inaugurated a free medical camp for the polio-affected at the common community utility shed in Chandrapadi, organised by the DRDO and SASTRA.

Prof. Sethuraman said tests were conducted for about 400 polio-affected persons at Chandrapadi and Nambiyar Nagar and said free callipers, designed by President Kalam, would be given to the needy.

A team of doctors from New Delhi and Tamil Nadu conducted the tests at medical camps in Chandrapadi and Nambiyar Nagar.

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