renewal of your favorite leather shoes & Bag

Ever thought of a make-over for the sandals you wear or the bag you flaunt? Here’s a place that washes, repairs and freshens up all kinds of branded footwear, suitcases and bags. This small attic in K.K.Nagar smells of leather and rubber. M.Pandi sits surrounded by torn shoes, mending a worn-out sole. Showing a burnt Reebok racing shoe, he says, “Repairing branded shoes is quite a task as I need to get an exact match.” Scrubbing a leather strap, he adds, “The job of a cobbler is no more a thing to look down upon. Shoes have become lifestyle products rather than simple necessities. And I am a cobbler transformed into a designer.”

Sparrow, a spa for shoes, is a service centre that offers resoling, stain removal, colouring and size adjustment. Thirukumaran, the proprietor, says, “This is one-of-its-kind in South Tamil Nadu. Next to Chennai, Madurai is the only city to have a service centre for footwear and bags. I wanted to do something different and plunged into shoe repairing business.” Started a year ago, Sparrow has got nearly 300 service orders so far. Thirukumaran says that finding the right craftsman was a big task. “I went to the Maapalayam area in town where there were many cobblers once, only to find that they all have branched into different professions,” he says. “Pandi is from Dindigul. He has experience of working in leather factories making bags and shoes for bus conductors.”

Apart from repair, Sparrow also stocks in-house products like diabetic footwear and slippers specially designed for orthopaedic patients. “Diabetic footwear is made of foam so that it gives a cushion effect on the heels, improving blood circulation to the legs and ankles. All our raw materials are purchased from wholesale markets in Chennai,” says Thirukumaran. “We get orders of orthopaedic adjustments even from nearby districts. Once repaired, the products are couriered to customers. These adjustments help to relieve pain caused due to wrongly designed footwear. The fit and height of the sole can also be adjusted according to the requirement.” The in-house Sparrow footwear costs Rs.150 to Rs.200.

The centre also offers exclusive shoe-cleaning services. Dirt and scars on shoes are removed using chemical solutions and the colours are enhanced to make them look brand new. “There are people who attach sentiments to footwear and are particular about a pair,” Thirukumaran points out. Most people like the fit and design of their sports shoes and are reluctant to throw them away.

On an average, Pandi mends four shoes a day. “The charge and time of delivery depends on the extent of damage. A shoe-laundry service may take four hours and complete resoling will take two days,” says Pandi. “We get more men customers than women. Middle-aged office-goers care more about their shoes than collegians.”

Thirukumaran says, “We take orders from nearly 15 footwear shops in town. We also do home pick-ups and delivery. The concept is to increase the life of shoes and discourage people from throwing away worn-out footwear.” A small patch work will cost Rs.25 while resoling will cost Rs.600. “It’s always a better and cheaper option than buying a new pair,” suggests Thirukumaran. Sparrow also provides three months’ warranty for all its work, within which time any re-work is undertaken for free. Next time the strap on your favourite pair snaps, just call 9677656586.

• #356, III Floor, 1st Cross Street,
• Nehru Nagar,
• (Next to Royal Enfield Store),
• Kottivakkam,
• Old Mahabalipuram Road,
• Chennai-600096.
• Toll free no: +1800-3000-9969
• Customer-Care: +91 9677656586
• Hotline number : +91 99946 22111
• Email : care@sparrowlaundry.com

also try veg footwear http://www.sensoveg.com/why_vegetarian
costliest & customized leather items in Chennai http://www.hnscraftsmanship.com/collections.html

clothes that need alteration, or to discard, etc

A guide to help you deal with an overflowing closet

Not just diets, your closet also needs some detoxing. Increasing buying temptations, especially with online shopping becoming a rage, most often gives way to an insane amount of clutter in the closet. All kinds crowd the wardrobe — clothes that need alteration, those that remain unused, some that you have outgrown and a few that you want to hang on to for the sake of nostalgia. So what to discard and what not to? Here are some tips that will help you decide.

Time to edit

Rearranging your wardrobe keeps you aware of your requirements and restricts from splurging. It gives you a chance to redefine your style. According to professional organiser Beth Levin, owner of Closet Queen, “It’s crucial to edit/organize your closet once or twice a year because new items are constantly coming in. We wear 20 per cent of our clothes 80 per cent of the time. That means that most of the clothing in your closet just sits there taking up space. Styles change and you may not even know what you have inside your closet unless you look at each piece and edit your wardrobe. With overflowing closets, finding items to wear becomes difficult, when it should be fun and easy.”

Inject fun

Don’t think of it as a chore. Turn on some fun music and enjoy trying stuff and sorting them. Feel good about trimming the fat in your wardrobe, just like you would for your body.

Pick a holiday, maybe a Sunday where you have a chunk of time to dedicate for uninterrupted cleaning. Take cue from Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and The City who calls over her girlfriends to purge her abundant closet. Invite a fashion-savvy friend to get her perspective and help you decide.

You can also tackle shoes one day, clothes another, and so on, if you lack time or think it is overwhelming.

To make your wardrobe overhaul easier, promise yourself a post-cleansing reward by treating yourself to a fancy meal or buying the pair of shoes you’ve been lusting for months.

Be honest

Ask yourself if a particular outfit has been used in the past one year or if you can see yourself using it anytime soon. It’s time to assess, which clothes still fit, in terms of size and style.

Check the condition of the garments. If they are worn out, have stains and are faded, get rid of them. If you aren’t sure of something put it in a ‘maybe’ pile and deal with it later. Once you clear the unwanted things, you can shop better.

Tips

Start by separating your clothes — category and colour wise. Abandon nostalgia. For sentimental reasons, keep photographs of what you wore on a special occasion.

Beth suggests to start by making decisions on what stays and goes. “Organise what remains by putting like-items together (pants with pants, tanks with tanks, etc.) I also like to colour coordinate each category.” She adds, “If you can’t decide what to get rid of, turn all your hangers around (with the opening facing you). Every time you wear an outfit, turn the hangar back. By the end of six months, you can see what you wore and didn’t. That’s a real eye opener!”

Mend and donate

After evaluating the clothes, make piles for alteration and donation.

There are plenty of websites and consignment stores that buy gently-used clothing/accessories.

If your friends are also into closet-cleansing, then a swap can be arranged, where a friend’s discard can be another’s treasure. The items in decent condition can also be donated to your favourite charity.

A wearable solution for releving backpain

The stinging pain in your back is a horrible reminder of the heavy thing you lifted without bending your knees or of the chubby baby you pick up every now and then. You pop in a few painkillers and even try to stretch. You set up a massage appointment to get some relief, albeit temporarily. But, it never goes away for good.

A new wearable in the market seems like a good solution to your chronic back pain. This device, known as Valedo, has two wireless sensors that stick to your lower back and chest with the help of special stickers that are included. You will have to wear them while you play a corresponding game on your iPhone or iPad. Your physical movements send your game character through an obstacle course, grabbing jewels as it progresses.

In fact, the gaming moves are exercises that are supposed to stretch and strengthen your back muscles and reduce pain.

When you use Valedo, it is easy to forget that you are exercising. It is a lot like being tricked into eating healthier food as a child, when our mothers swapped food with healthier alternatives.

You will have to download the accompanying app and stick the two sensors - one on the lower back and the other on your chest. The app has diagrams to help you through this and a series of tests to measure your range of motion.

The Valedo sensors connect to your iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth. The sensors have a battery charge of two weeks if you use them for 20 minutes a day, as recommended by the company. To charge them again, the whole package has a USB cord that plugs into a computer and charges both sensors up simultaneously in about 90 minutes.

The sensors are lightweight (each weighs just .63 ounces) and are easy to wear. They blink to tell you that they are connected to your device. However, sticking these on and pulling them off can be irritating, especially for those with hairy backs and chests.

The games that come with Valedo can be used while holding an iPhone or an iPad. You can also prop your device up on a shelf in front of you. If you want to play on a bigger screen, you can use a mirroring service like AirPlay on your Mac or TV.

The first few levels of the games are quite easy. However, the difficulty level keeps increasing as you keep playing. The sensors are extremely sensitive and pick up the smallest twists and bends as you go. Also, a representation of your body shows up in the lower right corner. This way, you will be able to see how your posture looks.

The only glitch is — Valedo is expensive ($299). But, the cost of visiting your physical therapist or your masseuse again and again can scale up over time. If your back pain is severe and you are desperately looking for a solution, then Valedo is well worth an investment.

http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/fitness/a-wearable-solution/article7028622.ece

solar lanten, charger, table lamp

http://www.chemtrolssolar.com/solar-products/solarway-range/homework-light

 http://www.chemtrolssolar.com/solar-products/solarway-range/solar-lantern-with-phone-charger

Up to 60 hours of bright light from a one full charge. The Homework Light is perfect for creating the right environment for studying. Using latest battery and LED technology it will give up to 60 hours of light from a single full charge. Super performing LED’s bring 40 lumens of light and the integrated stand and pivoting head allows the light to be used in a variety of positions.

The batteries can be charged over 1500 times; this means they will last for at least 5 years. This is truly a life changing light Price and availability at Chennai is not known. 

மொத்தமாக பால் வாங்க நந்தனத்தில் ஆவின் சேவை மையம்

திருமணம் போன்ற விசேஷங் களுக்கு ஆவின் பால் மற்றும் பால் சார்ந்த பொருட்களை மொத்தமாக ஆர்டர் கொடுக்க சென்னை நந்தனத்தில் புதிய சேவை மையம் தொடங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதுதொடர்பாக ஆவின் நிர்வாகம் வெளியிட்ட அறிவிப்பில் கூறியிருப்பதாவது:

திருமணம் போன்ற நிகழ்ச்சி களுக்கு ஆவின் பால் மற்றும் பால் சார்ந்த பொருட்களை சமையல் கலைஞர்கள் மொத்தமாக ஆர்டர் செய்துகொள்ளலாம். விருப்பப்படும் திருமண மண்டபங் கள் அல்லது அவர்களது இருப் பிடத்திலேயே அவை நேரடியாக சப்ளை செய்யப்படும். ஆர்டர் களை பெறுவதற்காக சென்னை நந்தனத்தில் உள்ள ஆவின் அலு வலகத்தில் புதிய சேவை மையம் தொடங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த மையத்தை 94455 30503 என்ற எண்ணில் தொடர்பு கொள்ளலாம்.

100 லிட்டருக்கு மேலான ஆர்டர் கள் மட்டும் இங்கு எடுத்துக் கொள்ளப்படும். அதற்கு குறை வான ஆர்டர்களை மண்டல அலு வலகங்களில் பதிவு செய்து அருகே உள்ள ஆவின் டிப்போக்களில் பெற்றுக்கொள்ளலாம். சமையல் கலைஞர்கள் வாங்கும் பாலுக்கு ஊக்கத் தொகையாக லிட்டருக்கு ரூ.1 வழங்கப்படும். தவிர, சில்லறை விற்பனை விலையைவிட ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட சதவீதம் குறைந்த விலைக்கு வழங்கப்படும். ஆவின் தொடர்பான புகார்களை 1800 425 3300 என்ற இலவச சேவை எண் ணில் தொடர்பு கொண்டு தெரி விக்கலாம். aavincomplaints@gmail.com என்ற இமெயில் முகவரிக்கும் அனுப்பலாம். இவ்வாறு ஆவின் நிர்வாகம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது. 

http://tamil.thehindu.com/tamilnadu/article7031147.ece

India 37th among 102 countries on transparency list; US ranked 11th

WHAT IS THE WJP OPEN GOVERNMENT INDEX?

The World Justice Project (WJP) Open Government Index™ 2015 is the first effort to measure government openness based on the general public’s experiences and perceptions worldwide. The Index presents aggregated scores and rankings as well as individual scores for each of the following dimensions of government openness: (a) publicized laws and government data, (b) right to information, (c) civic participation, and (d) complaint mechanisms.

The top three overall performers in the WJP Open Government Index 2015 are Sweden (1), New Zealand (2), and Norway (3); the bottoms three are Myanmar (100), Uzbekistan (101), and Zimbabwe (102). India 37th ; US ranked 11th

Regional leaders also included India (S. Asia), Georgia (E. Europe & Central Asia); South Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa); Chile (Latin America & Caribbean); and Tunisia (Middle East & North Africa).

http://worldjusticeproject.org/open-government-index/

Now, buy greens at a single click

Easypurchase.in,

With an eye on the growing online market for organic products, T. Jaiganesh, an IT engineer and weekend farmer, recently launched online sales for his small shop.

“I practise organic farming in Vellore. I also train farmers through Pasumai Organic Farmers Association and market their products. 

As of now, we cater to consumers in south Chennai without service charges. We offer at wholesale prices as our aim is to spread the benefits of organic farming,” said Mr. Jaiganesh.

Fresh vegetables and fruits, particularly organically-grown ones, are among the most commonly-purchased items                                     http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/now-buy-greens-at-a-single-click/article7029876.ece

Meet the Moms Who Can Teach You How to Parent Better

• Parenting Matters’ next workshop is titled ‘Ending the Food Fight, Getting the Attitude Right’
• Kesang throws us a curve ball. “With all the bribes to eat and the quantity determined by the parent, often the child is not given the independence to understand whether their stomach is empty or full,” she adds, “leading to a general disconnect with the body”. The workshop will also highlight the benefits of a family meal, which according to studies,  includes a rise in everything from confidence to academic performance.
• The workshop will be held between 10 am and 12.30 pm on Tuesday morning at Ashvita Nirvana in Besant Nagar. Contact 9791088189 or log on to parentingmatters.in

27 நட்சத்திரங்களுக்கும் தோஷங்கள் நீங்க

Osai Nayaki Amman Temple Sirkazhi Tirukollakka

அருள்மிகு ஒம் ஒசைநாயகி சமேத தாளபுரிஸ்வரர் திருகோவில் திருகோலக்கா சீர்காழி 

For details of temple call +91 9003092893

Iyer Mobile No - 9788437145,

ஐயர் தொலைபேசி எண் - 9788437145

தல சிறப்பு 

வாய் பேசமுடியாதவர்கள் இந்த தலத்தில் அபிஷேகத்தில் தேன் படைத்து அதை தினமும் அருந்தி வர பேசும் சக்திகிட்டு

சீர்காழியில் பிறந்து வளர்ந்த திருஞானசம்பந்தர் திருக்கோலக்கா அல்லது திருத்தாளமுடையார் கோவில் என்று வழங்கும் இத்தலத்தில் இருந்து தான் தன்னுடைய சிவஸ்தல யாத்திரையைத் தொடங்கினார். சுமார் மூன்று வயதுடைய சம்பந்தர் தனது சின்னஞ்சிறு கைகளால் தட்டி தாளம் போட்டுக்கொண்டு இறைவனைத்துதித்து பதிகம் பாடினார். கைகள் வலிக்குமே என்று சம்பந்தருக்காக இரக்கப்பட்ட இத்தலத்து இறைவன் சம்பந்தருக்கு இரண்டு பொற்றாளம் கொடுத்து அருளினார். இறைவி அதற்கு தெய்வீக ஓசையைத் தந்தருளினாள். ஆதலின் இத்தலத்து அம்பிகைக்கு ஓசை கொடுத்த நாயகி என்று பெயர். சம்பந்தருக்கு பொற்றாளம் தந்த இறைவனை சுந்தரர் தனது பதிகத்தில் குறிப்பிட்டுப் பாடியுள்ளார்.

பார்வதிதேவியால் ஞானப்பால் கொடுக்கப்பட்ட திருஞான சம்பந்தர், பல தலங்களுக்கு சென்று, தனது சிறு கைகளால் தாளம் போட்டு பாடுவதைப்பார்த்தார் சிவன். குழந்தையின் கைகள் வலிப்பது பொறாமல், அவருக்கு தங்கத்தால் ஆன இரண்டு தாளங்களை கொடுத்தார். தட்டிப்பார்த்தார் சம்பந்தர். ஆனால் அதிலிருந்து ஓசை வரவில்லை. உடனே அந்த தாளத்திற்கு ஓசை கொடுத்தாள் அம்மன். எனவே தான் இங்குள்ள மூலவர் தாளபுரீஸ்வரர் எனவும், அம்மன் ஓசைநாயகி எனவும் அழைக்கப்படுகிறார்கள்.

இசைக்கலையில் விருப்பமுள்ளவர்கள் இங்கு வந்து வழிபட்டு சென்றால் இசையில் வல்லவராகலாம். கோயிலின் நுழைவு வாயிலிலேயே ஞானசம்பந்தருக்கு தாளம் கொடுக்கும் ஈசனும், ஓசை கொடுக்கும் நாயகியும் அருள்பாலிக்கிறார்கள். இந்திரனும் சூரியனும் இத்தலம் வந்து பூஜை செய்து பலனடைந்துள்ளனர். இங்குள்ள மகாலட்சுமி மிகவும் சக்தி வாய்ந்தவள். எல்லா செல்வங்களும் அருளக்கூடியவள்.திருமகள் தவம் செய்து திருமாலுடன் இணைந்த தலம் என்பதால் இத்தலம் திருக்கோலக்கா எனப்பட்டது. ஓசை நாயகியின் சன்னதியில் சொற்பொழிவு நிகழ்த்துபவர்கள், இன்னிசை நிகழ்த்துபவர்கள் மாபெரும் புகழை அடைவார்கள் என்பது கண்கூடான உண்மை. தற்போது திருத்தாளமுடையார் கோவில் என அழைக்கப்படுகிறது.

வாய் பேச முடியாதவர்கள் இங்கு வந்து ஆனந்த தீர்த்தத்தில் நீராடி, ஓசை நாயகியிடம், ""ஜடப்பொருளான தாளத்திற்கு ஓசை கொடுத்த நாயகியே, பேசும் சக்தியைக்கொடு,' என வேண்டி, அம்மன் பாதத்தில் தேனை வைத்து அர்ச்சனை செய்து அதை எடுத்து சாப்பிட்டு வர வேண்டும்.  மகாலட்சுமி தவம் இருந்து மகாவிஷ்ணுவை திருமணம் செய்த தலம் என்பதால், திங்கள் மற்றும் வெள்ளி கிழமைகளில் பெண்கள் இங்குள்ள மகாலட்சுமிக்கு, தொடர்ந்து 6 வாரம் மஞ்சள் பொடியால் அர்ச்சனை செய்தால் விரைவில் திருமணம் நடக்கும் என்பது ஐதீகம்