Former CM Vaithilingam unanimously elected as Speaker

Puducherry:  Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader V Vaithilingam was today unanimously elected as Speaker of the 14th Puducherry Assembly.

As soon as the proceedings began, Pro Tem Speaker V P Sivakolundhu announced that Vaithilingam has been elected unanimously as Speaker as he was the only candidate who had filed papers when the deadline ended yesterday afternoon.

66-year-old Vaithilingam was escorted to the chair by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, his ministerial colleagues, DMK legislator R Siva and opposition AIADMK legislature wing leader A Anbalagan.

All eight legislators of the opposition AINRC, including former Chief Minister N    Rangasamy, were conspicuous by their absence throughout the day's sitting of the House today.

After assuming office Vaithilingam announced that Pro Tem Speaker Sivakolundhu was elected unanimously as Deputy Speaker as his was the only nomination filed for the post.

64-year-old Sivakolundhu was conducted to the seat by the Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues and the AIADMK Legislature wing leader.

The Chief Minister, ministers and all legislators, including first timers of both ruling and opposition blocks, complimented the new incumbents on assuming the posts.

First time legislator and Parliamentary Secretary to the CM A John Kumar sprang a surprise by singing a few lines of a Tamil movie song to point out that 'man becomes a God and his philanthropy would also elevate the man to greater heights.'

Another first timer V Vijayaveny (Congress) said she had become legislator from Nettapakkam reserved segment largely due to support and encouragement of the new Speaker.

Replying to the felicitations Vaithilingam said he would adopt a balanced approach for overall development of the Union Territory by measuring upto expectations of all members.

He said Puducherry now had a dynamic Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and it would be very easy for the UT to march ahead with her cooperation.

Vaithilingam also said training for first time members would help to know of the niceties of the job of legislator.

Earlier, the new Deputy Speaker also acknowledged the felicitations of the members.

After replying to the members' felicitations Vaithilingam adjourned the House sine die.

Source: http://newstodaynet.com/nation/former-cm-vaithilingam-unanimously-elected-speaker

Kabali audio launched: Rajini fans in celebration mode

Chennai: Though it was announced that the audio of Kabali would be out on 12 June, the makers chose to advance the same by a day. On Saturday, the first copy of the audio track was released at a private function in a theatre complex in Chennai.

Soundarya Rajinikanth, producer Kalaipuli S.Thanu, director Pa Ranjith, and music director Santhosh Narayanan and the film's unit were present at the function. 

'Rajinikanth (sir) is holidaying in the US and he won't be present in the country around the time of the launch. Hence, the makers decided to have a soft launch instead,' a source from the film's unit had said earlier.

The audio was released little later online for the public. 

Kabali stars Rajinikanth as an ageining international don. Also in the cast are Radhika Apte, Kalaiarasan, Winston Chao, Dinesh, Dhansikaa and Ritwika. The film is produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu. 

No sooner the audio was launched, fans went into celebration mode and posters and banners were out at several places across Tamilnadu hailing the actor and the music composer.

On Friday, a 30-second audio clip from the movie was leaked in the social media. The clip had a compilation of a few dialogues of Rajinikanth from the film

Santhosh Narayanan tweeted, 'Entire albums of the biggest artists have leaked before.It won't change the love we have for our favourites.#keepcalmandlovekabali :)'

Here is a quick review of the Kabali audio:

1) Ulagam Oruvanukka (Ananthu, Santhosh and Gana Bala) A woinderful harmony. The trio of Ananthu, Santhosh and Gana Bala rocks. Their voices blend in style. The Kabali swag and the rap verses by Roshan Jamrock elevates the song. A brisk one in typical Santosh Narayanan style.

2) Veera Thurandhara (Gana Bala, Lawrence and Pradeep Kumar) Distinctly different from regular Gana Bala songs. He adds more emotion to the lyrics rendering it in Western style. Good use of guitar and percussion instruments, the song is more peppy. The rap interlude is catchy. Back up vocals by Lawrence and Pradeep Kumar are good. 

3) Maya Nadhi (Ananthu, Pradeep Kumar & Swetha Mohan) Santosh Narayanan and his romance for guitar is well known. In Maya Nadhi, he brings a wonderful blend between guitar and strings to make it a lively number. Santosh's sweet rendition and Swetha Mohan's good support are the highligts. An unusual tune that keeps gaining strength with new sounds.

4) Vaanam Paarthen (Pradeep Kumar) A soft and a sombre number, it is a nice wedding between guitar and flute. A melodious chorus and Pradeep's soft rendition go hand-in-hand. Santosh Narayanan strikes it rich.

5) Neruppu Da (Arunraja Kamaraj) The best for the last. A super effort by Santosh Narayanan. A scorching theme song with the catchy vocals of Arunraja Kamaraj that completely rocks. Jhanu Chantar’s electric guitar and Tapass Naresh’s drums are mesmerising. A number that will be cherished and celebarted by Rajinikanth fans. And it couse comes with powerful dialogues by the actor himself in the interlude.

Source: http://newstodaynet.com/content/kabali-audio-launched-rajini-fans-celebration-mode

TN wins national awards in power sector

Chennai: Thanks to the efforts of the government led by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to boost power generation by adopting innovative methods and by following best practices, Tamilnadu has won two national awards in the sector.

At a recent function in New Delhi, organised by the Union government's New and Renewable Energy Ministry, the State won 'National Excellence Awards 2016 for Roof Top Solar Power Projects in the General Category States Award' and 'National Excellence Awards 2016 for Roof Top Solar Power Projects in the DISCOM - Own Installation Category'.

Today, Electricity and Prohibition Minister P Thangamani called on Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat here, showed the awards to her and sought her wishes.

Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Company (TANGEDCO) Chairman and Managing Director M Saikumar and Tamilnadu Energy Development Agency Chairman and Managing Director Mangat Ram Sharma were present.

Tamilnadu has not only transformed itself from a power deficit to surplus position but also emerged as the State with largest energy surplus of 11,649 million units in 2016-17 in the country.

As against the State’s estimated energy requirement of 1,03,808 million units for the year 2016-17, the availability is 1,15,455 MU and hence the surplus will be 11,649 MU, according to the annual Load Generation Balance Report for 2016-17 published by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) which estimates the anticipated power requirements and availability in the different States and also the demand and supply at peak load levels.

Also, power plants in Tamilnadu have been allowed to find customers outside the State, as the State has become power surplus.

Source: http://newstodaynet.com/tamil-nadu/tn-wins-national-awards-power-sector

Schaer goal seals Switzerland win at Euro 2016

Lens: Fabien Schaer's powerful header gave Switzerland a narrow 1-0 win over 10-man Albania on the second day of the European Championship finals on Saturday.

The Group A match, in the spotlight with brothers Granit and Taulant Xhaka playing for opposing sides, was decided by the sending off of Albania captain Lorik Cana.

The Albanian underdogs were continually scrambling to get back into the game while Switzerland, who now lead the group with France, never took firm control.

After just five minutes, Hoffenheim centre back Schaer rose above the Albanian defence to head in from a corner by Xherdan Shaqiri.

The 1.86 metre (6ft 2in) defender makes a habit of scoring for the national side, with five goals in 19 appearances now. He was also a rock in defence and was booked in the 12th minute for chopping down Emir Lenjani.

Albania had their chances. Taulant Xhaka, the elder of the Kosovo-origin brothers, was put clear in the 26th minute but shot well over the top.

Referee Carlos Velasco Carballo had a busy time dishing out six yellow cards and a red. He showed a first yellow card to Cana in the 13th minute for sliding in on Haris Seferovic.

Former Marseille player Cana was again in trouble in the 36th minute. Chasing Seferovic, Cana fell and headed the ball away on the edge of the penalty area and when it bounced flicked it away with his hands.

His protests had no effect. Carballo produced a second yellow and a red. Albania had several desperate moments, Ergys Kace nearly ripped the shorts off Valon Behrami and then tripped him. That meant another yellow.

Switzerland, who next play Romania on Wednesday, also had their chances but desperate defence and poor finishing meant there were no more goals.

Seferovic was put clear through but his shot went off keeper Berisha. The Swiss player kicked post in frustration and anger that summed up the match.

Source:http://newstodaynet.com/sports/schaer-goal-seals-switzerland-win-euro-2016

I had to go for a six, says Rahul after dream ODI debut

Harare: Lokesh Rahul, who became the first Indian to score a hundred on ODI debut, said he had made up his mind to hit a six to reach the three-figure mark in the first match against Zimbabwe here today.

"I wasn't thinking much, there was just one way to get to a century. I wanted to hold my shape and just hit it," said Rahul when asked about his mindset with the team needing two runs for victory and he being six runs short for a century.

His unbeaten helped India hammer the hosts by nine wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series.

Rahul said he enjoyed the challenge of batting on a difficult wicket.    

"It was a tough wicket so I could not be complacent. I wanted to play out the new ball, and then take it from there. I am really satisfied with the way I carried on and stayed not out in the end. Hope to do the same in the coming games," he added.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the bowlers set up the comprehensive win by dismissing Zimbabwe for 168.     

"It was a very good performance. The wicket was not easy to bat on. It was tough to rotate the strike," said Dhoni.

On the bowling performance, he said: "I felt the fast bowlers did well, and were backed by the spinners even though there wasn't much help for them.

"A win first up is important in a three-game series. The batsmen did a very good job, but the bowlers laid the ground work," said the skipper.

Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer expected a better show from his team.

"We didn't get enough runs. Maybe if we would have got to 220, it could have been a different story. We lost a couple of wickets to good balls, but few of the guys didn't kick on after getting 20s and 30s," said Cremer.

He praised the Indian batsmen for their application on a tricky surface.

"Indian batsmen showed how easy batting can get once you get in. Our seamers bowled well, but it just didn't go our way. We know we're much better than that, and we can hopefully win the next game to make the third ODI a final," he said.

Source: http://newstodaynet.com/sports/i-had-go-six-says-rahul-after-dream-odi-debut