Monthly Archives: July 2016
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Mar James Pazhayattil laid to rest
Body of former Irinjalakuda Bishop Mar James Pazhayattil was laid to rest at Irinjalakuda Cathedral in the presence of thousands of devotees.
The fist bishop of the Irinjalakuda diocese died at 10.30 p.m. on Sunday following liver diseases.
Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry and Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath led the funeral functions.
Special prayers were also held.
“Mar Pazhayattil led a simple life. His life was a role model for everybody,” said Cardinal Alencherry.
Bishops of various dioceses, hundreds of priests and sisters participated in the function along with thousands of devotees.
The body was taken in a funeral procession through Irinjalakuda town before it was laid to rest at the special tomb inside the cupola in Irinjalakuda Cathedral.
A remembrance meeting was held in the evening.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Thrissur – July 14th, 2016
Tributes paid to Kavalam
The Moozhikkulam Sala paid rich tributes to the departed doyen of indigenous folk theatre, Kavalam Narayana Panicker, with a music night in which musicians of varying age groups took part.
Nearly 30 singers belonging to three generations took part in the event organised by ‘SwanthamGanam’, a Whatsapp group, at Moozhikkulam near here.
Among the songs rendered were those written by Kavalam, ONV Kurup and Sreekumaran Thampi.
Beginning with the hugely popular ‘Karukare Karmukil…’ and the effervescent ‘Aalayaal thara venam…’ penned by Kavalam, the singers also crooned the lullaby ‘Pattupadi Urakkam Njan…’
‘Hrudayasarasile…’, ‘Thamara Kumbilallo Mama Hrudayam…’, ‘Tharum thalirum…’, ‘Odakkuzhal vili…’, ‘Ariyathe ariyathe…’, and ‘Avidunnen ganam kelkkan…’ were rendered by singers with commendable dexterity and ease.
The rendering of ‘Pushkara vilochana…’ from Kuchelavrutham Kathakali provided an altogether different experience.
Singers Latha, Indu, Sheeba, Harish, Jinesh and Sreeraj led the musical night.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – July 02nd, 2016
NIIST’s novel technology to check acidic pollutants in TiO2 production by PSUs
Thiruvananthapuram :
Cancer causing Acidic effluent flow from public sector undertakings (PSUs) in Kerala involved in the production of titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment could be minimised if it opts for a novel technology. This innovative technology developed by CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) would help reduce 75 percent acidic pollutant discharge in the production of TiO2 from ilmenite ore extracted from the black sands of Kerala.
Now, this new technology developed at NIIST proved successful in the production of titanium feedstock with more than 90% TiO2 in laboratory and semi pilot plant scale. The process is most environment friendly with more than 70% reduction in acid consumption and bulk of the iron is removed in the form of oxides, free of excess acidity and chloride contamination, CSIR- NIIST director A Ajayaghosh told TOI.
“This new technology assures to reduce 75 percent acidic effluent discharge by removing iron from ilmenite” NIIST senior scientist Harikrishna Bhat told TOI. Further he said, Ilmenite mineral from coastal sands of Kerala contains 58 percent titanium dioxide (TiO2), iron and iron oxide. The technology involves removing iron from ilmenite through metallisation and rusting process to separate 80 to 85 percent TiO2. This rutile grade TiO2 is further enriched to produce 90 per cent Ti02, which is high rutile grade titanium dioxide, a white pigment used as paints for aerospace components. The titanium alloy developed from high grade TiO2 is resistant to high temperatures and corrosion and is used for aircraft, armour plating, naval ships, spacecraft’s, he said.
As part of technology transfer, NIIST has partnered with a Tamilnadu based company VV Minerals which is keen to demonstrate the technology at its 100 Tonnes per day capacity plant facility. The company in the presence of its director V Subramanian has already signed an agreement with NIIST to implement the technology.
The PSUs involved in TiO2 production include Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) at Chavara and Travancore Titanium Products (TTP) at Veli. TTP’s mode of production of TiO2 pigment is through the sulphate process using sulphuric acid to produce anatase grade TiO2. It is considered lesser grade TiO2 used for interior paints and electronic components, compared to KMML’s rutile grade TiO2 produced from chloride route using hydrochloric acid. Both these PSUs indicate that they have sewerage treatment facilities, yet the acidic discharge could be minimised further, if it opts for change.
While, Kerala PSUs are yet to opt for the technology. “I had appraised about this technology process to KMML and it could be inducted with minimum investment. I will also write to the concerned Ministry to take it forward for such state PSUs,” Ajayaghosh said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / by Laxmi Prasanna / July 12th, 2016