The Hindu Business Line : All-round praise for TIFAC's community sheds built in tsunami-hit coastal hamlets of Nagapattinam dt.

Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Monday, Dec 26, 2005

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All-round praise for TIFAC's community sheds built in tsunami-hit coastal hamlets of Nagapattinam dt.

K. Subramanian

Right from the President to the lower-rung people, all are impressed by the project

CONSTRUCTIVE: The community sheds built by SASTRA at Pazhayar in Nagapattinam district.

President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam interacting with polio-affected children at a special camp at the community shed at Akkaraipettai during his recent visit to the district.

Nagapattinam

The 39 community sheds, built in the seven tsunami-hit coastal hamlets in Nagapattinam district by the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology of the Union Government, have won the praise of one and all.

The projected was executed through the TIFAC-CORE (Centre of Relevance and Excellence) of Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) - Deemed University, Thanjavur.

Right from President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam to the lower-rung people, all sections of the society including the tsunami-affected people in the district have appreciated the construction of the community sheds which are now being well utilised as computer training centre, tailoring centre for women, balwadi, fair price shops, fishermen's panchayat office, panchayat middle school, boat repairing centre, for conducting classes and health check-up camps, etc.

A. Sivathanu Pillai, scientist and Chief Controller of Research and Development, Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), who came here recently, said that that Mr. Kalam impressed by the TIFAC's success in the construction of community utility centres after the Gujarat earthquake, had recommended the construction of similar sheds for the benefit of the tsunami-affected people in Tamil Nadu.

The TIFAC-CORE at Thanjavur was chosen among the 21 TIFAC-CORE centres in the country and entrusted with the task of carrying out the project conceived by the President.

Prof. R. Sethuraman, Vice-Chancellor, SASTRA Deemed University, told The Hindu that a team of experts from the School of Civil Engineering in SASTRA swung into action immediately and completed the entire construction of 39 community sheds in a record period of six to eight months in the seven coastal hamlets of Nambiar Nagar, Akkaraipettai, Tharangampadi, Chandrapadi, Vanagiri, Chinnngudi and Pazhayar.

The Vice-Chancellor said that the TIFAC had also donated 50 composite motorised fibreglass boats, each costing about Rs.1.30 lakhs, to the fishermen in coastal villages in the district. The district administration, members of panchayats and women self-help groups extended co-operation for constructing the sheds, he said.

Prof. Sethuraman pointed out the SASTRA engineering team had developed some structural alignments suiting the local needs with a size of 24 feet x 20 feet based on the design approved by the Department of Science and Technology. Each shed has been built at a cost of Rs.1.30 lakh and will last for a minimum period of about 10 years. The ceiling and the sidewalls were made of the composite material using jute-coir and rubber with structural support provided by slotted angles, he added.

Prof. S. Ananthapadmanabhan, Dean, School of Civil Engineering, SASTRA, who led the engineering team, explained the salient features of the community sheds.

He said the TIFAC had also sent a letter of appreciation to the faculty members and staff of the team recognising their services.