Successful 1025th article of Madurai247.com - Madurai Improvement, News and Updates

This is the successful 1025th article of Madurai247.com and we are very thankful to all the visitors of Madurai247.com. In fact, considering the visitor statistics it has progressively increased in terms of unique visitor hits. It is all because of your help! Thank You Visitors!!!

We would like to talk about some key improvements in Madurai at this point -

Anna University Madurai:
In education sector, there is a possible Anna University for Technical Education to be opened sometime in this year. This is the fifth location in tamil nadu state. Hope this complements the arts, science, engineering and management fields provided by Madurai Kamaraj University.

High Court in Madurai:
This has been a great step in Madurai for all the legal needs from Madurai and southern districts of tamil nadu. People from Madurai and southern part of Tamil Nadu do not have to go all the way to Chennai for any legal cases. Things can be solved just in Madurai High Court.

Madurai Airport New Terminal:
The opening of the newly constructed terminal building at Madurai Airport is awaiting green signal from the Airports Authority of India.

It will become functional within two to three months of getting the approval, according to Mr Sankiah Pandian, Airport Controller, Madurai.

The new terminal building, with an area of 17,000 sq m, has 16 check-in and independent security holds for international and domestic passengers, he said, speaking at the executive committee meeting of the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.

The new building has been provided with six escalators and six lifts with separate enclosure for immigration and customs. As it becomes functional, seven flights can be accommodated during peak hour capacity. There are provisions for three aero bridges to take the passengers directly to flights and two of them will become operational within six months.

The car parking area at the airport can accommodate 350 cars, from the present limit of 100 cars. He expressed confidence that with the airport being modernised and maintained on par with international standards, there will be substantial additional flights.

The Senior President of the Chamber, Mr S. Rethinavelu, said that the Chamber, in association with Confederation of Indian Industry, will have parleys with international and domestic airways companies, provide them with details of modern facilities available at the Madurai Airport and induce them to operate new flights to and from Madurai.

International connectivity for Madurai will materialize and be operational by December.

Madurai Passport Office:
Though it is a good thing to have Madurai Passport Office to serve the southern part of tamil nadu, still it looks like the service is not great and there is lot of complaints from all around. It would be great, if the concerned authorities consider this and improve the operations of Madurai Passport office.

AIIMS Hospital in Madurai
There is a 150 crore facility planned and in progress in Thoppur, Madurai. This is going to be a huge step for Madurai and this is a great facility in terms of Hospital and Medical Tourism!

IT Park in Madurai
We have discussed in detail in a previous Madurai IT Park article.

Real Estate Boom again:
We have discussed in details in a previous article in Madurai247.com for real estate boom again in madurai.

Migration out of Madurai:
There is an increasing migration from Madurai, for career needs. Given the jobs are outside Madurai, all the students studying in Madurai are moving out of Madurai and settling down outside Madurai. This can change only when there are opportunities in Madurai created like the AIIMS hospital, New International Airport Terminal and IT Park in Madurai!!

Some of the past key articles to know -

200th Article
400th Article
500th Article
600th Article
800th Article
900th Article
Madurai in 2008
Madurai in 2009
Madurai Future Plans
Madurai Times' Vision
Madurai Times Pledge
Problems in Madurai - I
Problems in Madurai - II

Thanks K o o d a l for the photo.
Thank you all once again for visiting Madurai247.com!!

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Madurai in 2009

MADURAI IN 2009 - News, Happennings, Potential, Updates, Happennings, Improvements

Sponsored by OruAcre.com



Madurai - the big village is always a village. There is progress in development and growth, but it is not as normal or as expected. The progress is very slow.

Given an example and a pity situation of Madurai -
An article in Hindu dated April 28, 2008 about the New Airport terminal in Madurai that - New airport terminal at Madurai to be ready by next March that is March 2009. Hello!! Today's date is nearing Jan 2010.

Will we achieve improvements in Madurai? What is lagging in Madurai? What is stopping the progress? Isn't there enough funding or resources for the project? Is it because of corruption among officials and contractors?

I am going to cover lot of topics and happenings in this article for Madurai in 2009 including - Health, Society, Business, Politics, IT, BPO, Entertainment - Movies, Passport office, Happennings, Improvements, Changes and Status of people.

Madurai Business:

To begin with - due to market slump across the globe, there is a dip in Madurai businesses especially Information Technology (IT and ITeS) and real estate. Last year (i.e.,2008) in Madurai, there were steep prices of lands and houses. Even agricultural lands in villages around Madurai were very expensive. But, this year 2009, Madurai's real estate has fallen down drastically. Lands prepared as plots are just waiting just like that. Very few buyers, so real estate agents are starving for sales of their lands. Hoping to see some improvements in the coming year 2010.

Madurai Slums:

Speaking about businesses and richness in Madurai, there are still slums in Madurai. Though there are many SHGs and NGOs cropping up, we are not in a situation of completely getting rid of slums and improve. However, there is increasing awareness among people in Madurai slums. Credit goes to NGOs and communication/media technologies like Cell phones and TVs etc.,.

Madurai Politics:

In Political grounds, there had been significant contribution to Tamil Nadu and India. There was Thirumangalam elections in early part of the year and changed tamil nadu politics significantly. It was a sweeping victory for DMK, though it is just a small constituency. It was a prestige issue for DMK in regards to this election and DMK did it. Tirumangalam constituency got benefited to a great extent. In fact, there were many common citizens who spent a lot due to a "stimulus" money contribution from all the parties in this constituency. Mr.MK Azhagiri became Southern Districts Seyalaalar - the one man having control over all the southern districts. Mr.MK Azhagiri becoming a Cabinet Minister from Madurai. Also, the fertizers minister has promised that he would change Madurai to a Model city. Also, Mr.Azhagiri promised steps to establish major industries in southern districts. It is a great belief that there would be great improvements in the city, considering Mr.Azhagiri's new positions in the political arena. As you can imagine, it is not one day task, so we are hoping things will materialize in the coming days.

Madurai Movies and Entertainment:

In the entertainment section, too many movies based in Madurai has been out in the theatres. Madurai has been heavily untapped market for the movies and lately that was discovered. Subramaniapuram (end of 2008), Madurai Sambhavam, Madurai to Theni Vazhi Andipatti, Nadodigall are few of them. Usually, there has been movies based on Coimbatore and Chennai. People were bored I believe and now it is time for Madurai also. Now, people are bored of movies based in Madurai. I think it is beaten to the core by now.

Madurai Infrastructure:

Infrastructural improvements are just on the same status. Even if there has been progress, it has been minimal or slow. Madurai's airport terminal is still in progress. Madurai's AIIMS plan has been just stopped after the foundation ceremony. When dinamalar complained about why AIIMS is not progressed, State government claims that it is a central government project and it is not in our control. Central government is in the process of starting back the project - hopefully!

IT Park was started and ELCOT is progressing on that - but there is no success story yet. Hopefully next year there will be a better status and I am hoping I don't write the same status again in 'Madurai in 2010'.

I remember, a CPI Leader even proposed for for Anna University in Madurai, which did not materialize. Aeropark in Madurai was proposed by someone, but that also did not materialize. Only AIIMS, IT Park and Airport Terminal is in next steps to proposals.

Madurai Education:

Madurai Library to go hitech with some computers. Currently it has 1 lakh books for lending and 56000 books for references.

Madurai Tourism:

Many Hotels, Theatres have come up. Heritance hotels has been opened in Madurai. Many cinema theatres are renovated and bought by biggies and improved. Good for Madurai people, who do not have any entertainment.

Chithrai Thiruvizha was celebrated happily.

Madurai Information Technology - IT Companies:

Big Software companies have reached out to Madurai and planned to start their centers. Even Google has come to Madurai with a Google Bus. Google was collaborating with Aravind Hospital on behalf of Google Foundation. Yahoo was setting up a research center. As usual, Honeywell is already there in Madurai Tirunagar area.

Satyam bought land in Madurai for their centre, but due to Ramalinga Raju's bad karma, he had to step away to jail. I am not sure what happenned to the land bought by Satyam. Infosys was eyeing Tier-II cities including Madurai for expansion - similar way of thinking like Satyam! Oracle had plans to start a center in Madurai.

CII Madurai Chapter and MADITSSIA proposing Madurai for new projects. CII Madurai Chapter had been announcing that Madurai is the next destination for BPOs. There were many BPOs started and closed due to lack of business acumen, projects or resources. Some of the solid BPOs are still around.

Madurai Passport Office:

Madurai Passport Office is fully functional in Madurai, but still there are lot of complaints regarding the functioning of Madurai Passport office. See our post about Madurai Passport Office in the maduraitimes blog.

Madurai Events and Tourism:

Sivaji statue to be unveiled in Madurai by Mr.Azhagiri.

If you don't have time to go to Madurai, you can have a virtual tour in Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple - Madurai Temple Virtual Tour. Still, you can visit Madurai, after viewing this virtual tour.

Madurai Marathon, FinExe 2009 (Micro small and medium enterprises finance market place initiative) etc., were some of the events in Madurai.

(TMS) TM Soundarajan was appreciated for lifetime in Madurai by Mr.Azhagiri.

Madurai Miscellaneous:

Here is a list for eating spots in Madurai - Places to eat in Madurai.

here is a list of hotels for staying in Madurai - Hotels in Madurai - Place to Stay

There are n number of websites for Madurai - here is one of them: maduraione.com

Madurai Health:

Chikunguniya has affected Madurai a lot in terms of health and in turn had affected the productivity of the Madurai city itself. It is advised we stay healthy and hygiene and do not catch up all these diseases. Stay away from mosquitoes - they are the main causes for this disease.

Madurai Poverty - Law and Order - Crime rate:

Still poverty and crime rate is more than average. There is robbing of chains, robbing of houses, when residents have gone out of station. Even nights are not safe for anybody carrying cash and jewels. In this 'thoonganagaram' Madurai - Women folks do not have complete safety in the streets in nights and sometimes in day time in empty streets! What a pity!?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Having mentioned everything about happennings in Madurai for 2009 - Madurai Times Publication wishes everyone a very very very HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone for 2010.

Ippadikku ungall nanban
- Madurai Machan!

Article Note: If any errors or data mistakes, please do post a comment OR if any additions/updates - feel free to add a comment below. Thank you!

Photo Note: I always choose MS Subbulakshmi for a photo for the respect and her origin from Madurai. She exactly signifies Madurai - for its beauty, mangalagaramaana mugam and singing art/ability. She is elderly and similar to that of Madurai. Vanakkam MS Subbulakshmi annaiye.

Successful 900th article in Madurai Times Blog/Publication - From Editor's Desk

Successful 900th article in Madurai Times Blog/Publication - From Editor's Desk

Thank You Note:
Thank you for everyone's support for helping us reach this stage.
We are proud to announce that we are able to serve the visitors from all around the world addressing their questions about Madurai and get to know the views, culture and new news/updates about Madurai. New ideas for improvements of Madurai, discuss the problems in Madurai and solutions of Madurai!

About the Blog:
This blog was started to kill the Home sickness of an NRI, but today this blog
"Madurai Times(Made In Madurai)" serves lot of NRIs and NRMs from different parts of the world with latest views, culture, experiences, vision, mission and updates of Madurai.

Though most of our actions today are online, we wish we will reach a stage when we will act offline as well for the improvement of Madurai. Please see New Madurai Foundation.

We wish Madurai Times Blog would soon become Madurai Times Publication, to revolutionize much more folks of Madurai in the world.

Madurai Improvement Thoughts:

Theme of problems:
For detailed problems in Madurai, see Problems list 1 and Problems list 2. Read further here...

What is Madurai today? Madurai is still a historic place, like india it is a developing city - but never developed. Madurai is filled with gangsters and survival of the fittest proves physically only. Madurai's talents are moving out of Madurai for employment and career improvement to other cities, due to under-industrialization and under-IT ecosystem.

Madurai's potential relies on Tourism for ages together - but not tapped to the full extent - at least not to my satisfaction. Madurai is great for IT and ITeS operations, but not completely used. Madurai is great for an export oriented facilities. Madurai is under-infrastructured in terms of air and road.

There is a great talent pool which is still connected to Madurai, but lives outside Madurai. Whoever is living in Madurai are speechless and helpless under the clutches of the political and physical powers.

Solution snapshot:

If there is a strong force of NRIs and NRMs coming and settling in Madurai, that would change a lot of Madurai to Great Madurai. Do you understand what I am saying?

If there is a strong self-driven REVERSE-BRAIN-DRAIN happens in Madurai, then no one can stop Madurai's improvement!

Here is how I am thinking reverse brain drain to Madurai will help Madurai become GREAT MADURAI.

1) All the NRIs and NRMs(Non-Resident Maduraiites - say b'lore/hyd/chennai living) would start businesses.

2) Lot of legal money would pool into Madurai.

3) Great Teachers with new(international) perspectives would mould children to a great future.

4) There will be lot of Non-Profit Organizations(Non-Governmental Organizations - NGOs) started, noticing/realizing the unacceptable behaviour of Madurai.

5) New employment opportunities would happen, due to new businesses and industries.

6) World class Medical facilities and medical professionals would be available for help in health.

7) There would be a strong need to make Madurai like Singapore or any other country.

This would change MADURAI TO GREAT MADURAI AND NEW MADURAI

Would you agree with my thinking? Thank you for listening and visiting Madurai Times Blog!!!

- Madurai Times Editor!
email:maduraitimes@gmail.com

Significance of the photo - MS Subbulakshmi is similar to Madurai. She is elderly but a great person. She is a legend from Madurai and the photo shows she is lighting us the light to kick-start for Madurai's Improvement and road towards Great Madurai!!