Kovai Kutralam :

Kovai Kutralam is a water fall at Siruvani located 37 kms from Coimbatore. This fall is quite and charming amidst of thick forest. So visiting is restricted after 5 pm.

Siruvani :
Siruvani is the source of drinking water for the Coimbatoreans. This Waterfalls and the Dam are about an hour's drive from Coimbatore. This water is known to be the second tastiest water in the world. Its also known for its mineral properties. The view of this fall is encharming. Siruvani is also home to certain tribals like the Mudugars and Irulars.

Bethesda:

Dr.D.G.S.Dhinakaran is the founder of the Jesus Calls Ministry.
Bethesda Prayer Centre is set amidst the scenic splendor of the Siruvani Hills, 25 kms. away from the industrial city of Coimbatore. The landscape surrounding the Prayer Centre is beautiful with hills, waterfalls, green pastures and rivulets, providing the most peaceful atmosphere for prayer and meditation.

Silent Valley:
Best Time to visit : September to March

Silent Valley National Park can be accessed by air, rail and road. Peelamamedu Airport, at Coimbatore is the nearest airport, at a distance of 155 km from Silent Valley National Park. The Silent Valley National Park, with an area of 90 sq.kms, is situated in the north eastern corner of the district. It rises abruptly to the Nilgiri Plateau in the north and overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad in the south.
The Silent Valley National Park, is probably one of the most magnificent gift of nature to mankind, a unique preserve of tropical rain forests in all its pristine glory with an almost unbroken ecological history. Thanks largely to its difficult terrain and remoteness the extent of degradation is minimum comparison with other sanctuaries. There is a huge wild tree of Kattualying variety. It is hollow within and can hide at least 12 people in it.
Olavakkode Railway Station at Palakkad, 75 km away, is the nearest railway station and is connected to Silent Valley National Park by road.

Kundhi river:

The river Kundhi descends from the Nilgiri hills above, a altitude of 2000 meters traverses the entire length of the valleys and rushes down to the plains through a deep gorge. River Kunthi never turns brown, it is crystal clear, perennial and wild.

Kanjirapuzha Dam
Kanjirapuzha Dam is situated in Palakkad District of Kerala. This fascinating dam is surrounded by hills. It is about 38 km from Palakkad and 13 Km away from Mannarghat. The water spread of the dam lies in a single stretch. Siruvani is situated 80 Km away from Palghat. The dam is constructed across the river Siruvani and the park is a good picnic spot.

A friend most true

I need to know if you’re my true friend,
will you be by my side until the end?

Can I tell you my secrets deep,
and trust them in your heart you’ll keep?

We are neither of us without our flaws,
can you accept mine as I will yours?

I’ll be a shoulder to cry on when you’re blue,
will you be there for me when I need you?

No matter how busy I will make time for you,
if you are busy will you make time for me too?

I will take your hand and comfort your tears,
will you hold me and soothe my fears?

I will give you joy and many warm smiles,
can we share that even across many miles?

I will not forget what’s important to you,
will you remember what’s important to me too?

With you my most favourite things I’ll share,
If only I know do you truly care?

If you can accept me as I do you,
then I will know you are a friend most true.
----Wendy Hinson

Coimbatore Bomb blast- Feb 14 '98 - Aug 6 '07

The serial bomb blast in Coimbatore that occured on Feb 14, 1998 (Saturday) came after 4 years and 11 months of serial blasts in Bombay which killed over 300 people. The Coimbatore blast claimed lives of 58 people - and left more than 250 injured in a series of 19 bomb blasts, causing a damage of 17.5 crore worth of properties.
when the bomb blast occured Advani, who was supposed to be present at the rally site case was not there due to the delay in the flight from Thiruvanathapuram by 3 hours. The serial blasts occured in Govt. Hospital, R.S.Puram, Sivanantha colony, Railway station, Central Bus Stand and Medical College Hospital.
The Tamil Nadu government deployed the army -- reportedly for the first time in the state's history -- to control the situation. Tight security was also evident at Marakkadai, the rally site.
Regarding this serial bomb blast case about 168 people including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Abdul Nazar Mahdani, leaders of the banned Al Umma Syed Ahmed Basha and his deputy Mohammed Ansari. were arrested. These arrests took place in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, one of the accused was held in Kolkata.
According to the SIT’s the Coimbatore bombing which had 17,000-page chargesheet, was codenamed ‘Operation Allah-u-Akbar’ and executed to avenge the killing of 18 Muslims in the communal riots and police firing triggered by the murder of a traffic police constable Selvaraj in November 1997.

The case

• February 14, 1998 : 19 bomb blasts across Coimbatore, 58 dead

• April 7, 2000 : Special Court constituted to try cases

• October 23, 2000 : Charges framed

• March 7, 2002 : Trial commences, 1,300 witnesses examined

• June 2006 : Prosecution and defence arguments begin

• April 10, 2007 : Arguments end

The trial began in March 2002. A sessions court, headed by Judge K. Uthirapathi, heard the testimony of 1,300 witnesses and cross-examined them. Today(Wednesday) Aug, 1 the court has started pronouncing its verdicts against 168 of the accused. It will first hear what the defence has to say for the next three-four days. The sentences are likely to be announced from Aug 6.

Tight security was given all the way starting from vehicles coming from Kerala, and some places like Ukkadam, Kotaimedu, N.H.Road, Majith colony, karumbukadai, Athupalam, Podhanur, Kembati Colony, Poomarket, Selvapuram, Sivanantha Colony, Rathnapuri, Kuniamuthur, sunthurapuram which were identified as 'sensitive' areas.

Among the 167 accused 153 were arrested and 14 were released. 8 members including Abdul Nazar Mahdani were released today. Among the reamining 7 one of them has already been an approver and another person has died due to illness in the jail itself. For the remaining 5 the judgment will be passed on by Aug 6th.
Pictures: K. Ananthan and Times now.tv

Sugarcane breeding Institute (SBI) , Coimbatore was established in the year 1932. It was originally called as Sugarcane Breeding Station in 1912. The Institute has one Regional Station and five Research Centres.

The Research centre at Kannur is one of the two World repositories (the other being at Miami, Florida state, USA) of sugarcane germplasm. Coimbatore bred vareities are popularly known as "Co canes".

Cunoor

Coonoor, a beautiful and serene hill station of Tamil Nadu, lies in the Nilgiri Hills. Surrounded by the tea plantations, and at an altitude of 1850 m.

Best time to visit: October to March

Places to visit:
Pasteur Institute
Pasteur Institute is just opposite to the Sim's Park, established in 1907. This is famous Institute for the research on Rabies. It is also famous for the manufacture of POLIO VACCINE.

Sim's Park

This beautiful park is situated in a deep ravine on the Northern side of Coonoor Railway Station. The park is a botanical garden, spread over 12 hectares and has a collection of over 1,000 plant species

Lamb's Rock
It is 8 Kms from Coonoor on the way to Dolphin's Nose.

Laws Falls
The Place is a beautiful picnic spot, situated at Coonoor-Mettupalayam road at a distance of 7 Kms from Coonoor. The height of the falls is about 180 feets.

Dolphin's Nose
The view point is 10 Kms from the town.

Valparai

Valparai is located above 3500 feet, mean sea level, dwelling on the Anamallai mountain range. The 64 km drive from Pollachi to Valparai has 40 hairpin bends. Its a small town in the midst of some 40 Tea estates with a few Coffee, Cincona trees and Cardamom plantations. Being situated in the Anamallai hills, it can be reached either via Pollachi (TN) 64 kms or Chalakudi (Kerala) .
Best time to visit : September - November and January - June.
Places to Visit:
View Point
Its on the way to Valparai. On the 9th bend there is a view point from which the Aliar dam and the surrounding western ghats are seen fully.
Sholayar dam
It is the second deepest dam of Asia.
Nirrar dam
It is situated at a distance of 15 kms from Valparai.
Chinakallar
It is the second highest rainfall receiving area in India. It is situated 15 kms from Valparai.
Karamalai Annai Vellangani Church
Situated at a distance of 10 kms from Valparai. Every year on september 8th there is a festival in that church.
Balaji Temple
It is situated in karamalai. It is 10 kms away from Valparai. The temple is owned by Peria Karamalai tea Industries.
Chitti Vinayagar Temple
The temple is owned by Jayshree tea industries. Situated 5kms away from Valparai.
Number Parai
Its the border of Tamilnadu and Kerala.
Nallamudi poonjolai
This is a beautiful view point. Its near to sangiliroad near Valparai.
UPASI
The United PlantersAssociation of Southern India (UPASI). It is located near Nirar Dam. Situated in an altitude of 1050 m above MSL