ChennaiPlus

The Armenians flourished in Madras during the 17th and 18th centuries, when they had trade links with Europe and the East. The Armenians settled permanently at Madras in 1666. The English had settled in 1640.

The first Armenian Church at Madras was erected as far back as in 1712. It was one of the few magnificent edifices in the Esplanade area of the city. The present Armenian Church situated at No.60, Armenian Street, Parrys, Chennai-1, opposite Madras High Court, was erected in 1772 and is dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary.

The Armenians are an Indo-Aryan race and Christians by religion. The Armenian alphabet consists of 39 letters.

The Armenians who settled in Madras were excellent traders in textiles, precious stones, silk and spices. Khojah Petrus Woskan, the most eminent Armenian merchant at Madras in the early half of the 18th century, was the son of Khojah Woskan and grandson of the famous Khojah Pogose of Julfa, Iran. He was a true philanthropist and an earnest patriot in helping and giving succour to his countrymen.

Rev. Haruthium Shmavonian, the Venerable Father of Armenian journalism, died on Feb.9, 1824 aged 74 years and was buried on the Armenian Church premises where he had officiated as the vicar for 40 years.

Mr.T.Alexander, the church caretaker, speaking to ‘Chennai Plus’ reporter said that an Armenian named George Gregarian who lived on the church premises for the past 50 years and died in 2001 at the age of 89 has done beautiful pencil drawings of the church which have been put on display for public view.

For more details contact Mr.T.Alexander, caretaker of the Armenian Church of Holy Virgin Mary in Chennai, on 25386223.

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is all set to go in for an upgradation to ready its factory in Perambur to meet the increased yearly production target of 1500 coaches by 2009.
These include upgrading production units by adding additional work sheds, more laser cutting and welding equipment and installing fume extractors to improve work environment at a cost of Rs.300 crore.

As the current eight sheds are inadequate to work on the hiked target, the factory has borrowed 6750 square metres of land from the Southern Railway, which would be used to build additional sheds. ICF is planning to lay more focus on modernizing welding because that is the core process in the making of an integral coach. Hence, plans are on for installing more laser cutting and welding machines. One such machine and experimental robot was introduced in 2006-07.

As there were suggestions to improve the aesthetics of the coaches produced, the factory was also planning to invest Rs.35 crore for the painting unit.

A new painting berth has been installed and works are being carried out there on an experimental basis. If that is found suitable, more such berths may be introduced.

Two statues of a 20-feet tall giraffe and a 10-feet baby giraffe, painted in bright yellow and brown spots, have been recently installed in the renovated ICF golden jubilee park, enhancing its ambience.

The Minister of State for Railways Mr.Velu visited the park on March 24 during a function at the ICF office.

The office of the joint transport commissioner, Cheannai Zone, plans to issue fresh autorickshaw meter mechanic licences to unemployed youth in the city, according to a statement from Mr.K.Yogarajan, joint transport commissioner, Chennai Zone.

With the recent drive to recalibrate all autorickshaw meters in the city being strictly enforced by the Road Transport Office authorities, a huge demand has arisen for meter recalibration mechanics. A total of only 32 licensed meter mechanics are available in the city where 45,441 autorickshaws ply every day. On an average, these mechanics can recalibrate only 300 autorickshaw meters. Mr.Yogarajan pointed out that till date only 8727 digital meters and 11520 mechanical meters have been recalibrated.

“Action is being taken to suspend the permit and the driving license of the permit holders and drivers concerned who do not recalibrate their meters by the deadline. We will continue with the recalibration of all the meters”, he said.

The foot overbridge at the Park railway station which is used by thousands of commuters daily including ladies and elders to cross the railway BG tracks from Poonamallee High Road, opp the Ripon Building, has been without a roof for a long time.

The train passengers said that they find it very inconvenient to use the overbridge as there is no proper roof to protect them from the sun or rain. Will the railway authorities take steps to provide a roof for the benefit of the railway passengers?

Lioness Club of Green Park celebrates the International Women’s Day on April 7 at Dee Cee Manor, G.N.Chetty Road, T.Nagar, Chennai-17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The chief guests will be Dr.Nalli Kuppusamy and Kalaimani Sree Kavee and the guests of honour is Mrs. Latha Kumaraswamy of Tanker Foundation, and Mr.Prabhu, solicitor-Mayor Brown, Rowe and Maw, London.

For further information, contact: Mrs.S.Mahalakshmi, Ph: 28152533, 9840053289.

The residents of Nandambakkam and St.Thomas Mount request the MTC authorities to resume the operation of bus route number 9A which was earlier plying between Parrys and Nandambakkam via Guindy, T.Nagar, K.K.Nagar, Chetpet, Nungambakkam, Egmore and Central Railway Station.

Passengers say that due to the stoppage of this route, students and office goers are put to great hardship. Will the MTC restore 9A route for the benefit of the traveling public?

Ayanavaram Exnora Innovators club conducts “Citizens’ voice” an open house meeting with officials representing various Government departments. Agencies etc including its elected representatives, at the Corporation Higher Secondary School Palavayal Salai (Market Street) Ayanavaram on April 18 at 10 a.m. The chief guest will be Mr.Ma.Subramaniyan Mayor of Chennai Corporation and the guests of honour will be Mr.V.S.Babu, MLA, Mr.Rajesh Lakhoni, IAS, Mr.M.B.Nirmal, Mr.S.Sivakumaran, Mr.R.Govindaraj. The meeting is organised by Mr.M.K.Ramadoss, President North Chennai district Exnora and Mr.A.Dhanasekaran, general secretary, Ayanavaram Exnora Innovators Club.

The Metropolitian Transport Corporation has introduced a new bus route No.166 plying between Poonamallee and Tambaram via Porur, Nandambakkam, Butt Road, airport and Pallavaram. The route is getting a good response from the public as it is very beneficial for the residents of Ramapuram and Butt Road to reach Tambaram easily and quickly.

In Chennai city roads one can see a number of hanging bill boards nailed on to tree trunks and branches carrying all types of advertisements.

The billboards not only disfigure the trees but also make them wither and die due to nailing of the boards.

Residents say the Chennai Corporation should enforce a strict rule to remove and ban such billboards hangings along avenue trees in the city.