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SASTRA
TO EXECUTE TIFAC PROJECT
Shelters, boats for tsunami-hit areas
The
Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TlFAC), an
autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology at the
Centre, is concentrating on providing shelters and boats in the
tsunami-hit areas, said Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of State for
Science and Technology, here on Sunday.
The
Minister addressing a function at Nambiyar Nagar coastal hamlet, here
after handing over the first set of five community utility shelters
and 15 composite catamarans presented by the TIFAC-CORE of Shanmugha
Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) Deemed
University, Thanjavur, said that the President, A.P.J.Abdul Kalam,
impressed by the TlFAC's success after the Gujarat earthquake
recommended the construction of similar sheds for benefit of tsunami
survivors also in Tamil Nadu.
Mr.
Sibal said that the TIFAC had proposed to construct 50 sheds for use
by the community mainly as classrooms, anganwadis, primary health
centers, panchayati raj consultative committee, etc. It was also
decided to donate 55 fibreglass boats to the fishermen.
The
Minister said that out of the 21 TIFAC-CORE (Centre of Relevance and
Excellence) centres in the country, SASTRA was chosen to carry out the
project conceived by the President.
The
SASTRA team immediately 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 in Nagapattinam district at Nambiyar Nagar, Akkaraipettai,
Pazhayar, Thoduvai, Tirumullaivasal, Pudukuppam, Vanagiri, Chinnangudi,
Tharangampadi and Chandrapadi for establishing common community
utility sheds.
The
Union Minister assured that the TIFAC-CORE would continue to implement
several projects for rehabilitating the people in the tsunami-affected
areas.
He
mentioned the formation of the National Disaster Management Authority
for tackling national calamities and pointed out that the tsunami
warning system would be established at a cost of Rs.125 crores.
Prof.
R. Sethuraman, Vice-Chancellor of SASTRA Deemed University, said that
the SASTRA engineering team developed some structural alignments
suiting to the local needs (shed with a size of 24 feet x 20 feet)
based on the design provided by the Department of Science and
Technology. The ceilings and the sidewalls are made of the composite
material using coil fibre and rubber with the structural support
provided by slotted angles.
Prof.
S. Ananthapadmanabhan, Dean,
School
of
Civil
Engineering
, SASTRA, said that the
beneficiaries would be provided community sheds and 55 composite
catamarans with outboard engine worth Rs. Two crores in Nagapattinam
district.
Prof.
V.S. Ramamurthy, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology,
Government of India, Mr. Sumitra Biswas, advisor and head, TIFAC
Advanced Composite Division, P. Umanath, Sub-Collector and others
attended the function.
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The Hindu dated on 08.03.2005
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