Latest news with #P.Akash
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Nagapattinam Collector initiates kuruvai direct paddy sowing in the district
District Collector P. Akash on Friday participated in the direct sowing of paddy seeds marking the commencement of the kuruvai season in the district. He joined farmers and students from the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Kilvelur, to sow the seeds in a field at Pattamangalam village in Kilvelur taluk. The direct seeding method used at the event is part of efforts to promote sustainable and traditional farming techniques. Mr. Akash said all preparatory measures for kuruvai cultivation are in place across the district. An estimated 45,000 acres are targeted for kuruvai paddy cultivation this year and farmers are actively preparing their fields. Kuruvai cultivation in the district has seen consistent support through the Kuruvai Special Package Scheme. Over the past four years, the scheme has covered thousands of hectares: 5,809.71 hectares in 2021–22, 8,656.94 hectares in 2022–23, 7,012.8 hectares in 2023–24, and 1,737 hectares so far in 2024–25, with financial allocations ranging from ₹29 lakh to over ₹637 lakh.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Nearly ₹50-crore worth bank linkage support extended to 608 women SHGs in Nagapattinam
As part of a State-level initiative to strengthen women self-help groups (SHGs) through financial inclusion, a total of ₹49.93 crore in bank linkage support and welfare assistance was distributed to 608 SHGs here on Tuesday. The event took place at the auditorium of the Government Medical College in Orathur and was presided over by Collector P. Akash, and Kizhvelur MLA V.P. Nagai Mali. In Nagapattinam, rural SHGs received ₹38.28 crore benefiting 417 beneficiaries. Additionally, ₹0.56 crore was distributed to 47 rural women entrepreneurs, and ₹10.09 crore was allocated to 90 urban SHGs. Furthermore, ₹0.19 crore was provided to 45 beneficiaries under the District Commercial Complex Scheme, and ₹0.81 crore to 9 beneficiaries under the Vazhnthu Kattuvom project. The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women has been facilitating such initiatives to enhance the financial participation of women in SHGs and promote timely, low-interest bank loans to meet their economic and livelihood needs. Among those present were R. Sarojini, Dean of the Government Medical College and Hospital, K. Divyaprabha, District Social Welfare Officer,S. Chitra, Project Director (Magalir Thittam), SHG members, and members of the public.
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Scholarship camp for higher education evokes good response in Nagapattinam
In a move to bridge the accessibility gap in higher education, the Nagapattinam district administration conducted a first-of-its-kind Scholarship Awareness Camp under the District Education Empowerment Programme (DEEP). The initiative brought together over 250 government school students and several NGOs offering educational sponsorships. The camp, held earlier this week, had 253 targeted students from economically and socially vulnerable backgrounds — first-generation learners, orphans, children of single parents, and students with disabilities — many of whom were unaware that higher education could be a viable option. The event prompted reflection among NGOs. 'We have already paid college fees for 11 students here. This was an eye-opener,' said S. Rajinikanth, who represented M.N. Gayathri Charities, VRCF, and SEEDS. 'We usually get polished online applications from urban areas. But here, students struggled with forms, some using basic phones. It reminded us who really needs support.' He said the district-level coordination made the process more efficient. 'Normally, we verify applications door to door. This time, the administration itself brought us verified students —saving time and ensuring trust. If every district did this, thousands more could benefit.' Some NGOs said the experience pushed them to consider more inclusive practices such as making their scholarship portals Tamil-friendly or introducing offline applications. The day saw 483 applications submitted by 200 students, with guidance from 42 trained volunteers from Talent Quest India and TNAU Kilvelur. Each NGO had 10 minutes to present its eligibility criteria. Speaking to The Hindu, District Collector P. Akash said: 'Most NGOs focus their efforts in urban centres like Chennai and Coimbatore. Districts like Nagapattinam are often overlooked because students don't apply online. So we reversed the model — we brought the NGOs to the students.' 'We didn't just inform them about scholarships — they applied on the spot,' he said and added that many NGOs had promised continued support, including assistance with admissions, tuition, and hostel fees.
