Sivakasi gets another ‘a’ to ward-off evil eye

Madurai, Nov. 20: Sivakasi, the little Japan of south India, is likely to go for a spelling change — SIVAKAASI.

To ward off the evil spell believed to cause frequent fire accidents and loss of lives, the municipal council, on request from the town’s elite, has passed a strange resolution to add another ‘a’ to its commonly used English spelling.

Given its volume of business in north India and overseas, the fireworks hub wants to make the change in English officially. There is no alteration in Tamil whatsoever.

The 33-member council had its way on Friday when the councillors, including nine from the DMK, passed the resolution without any objection. “The public believes there will be no untoward incidents like fire explosions if the spelling is changed. It is their wish and we go with it. After all, it is for a common cause,” says municipal vice-chairman and chairman of Arasan Group of Industries A.M.S.G. Ashokan of the Congress.

According to Mr Ashokan, the numerological strength of SIVAKAASI is nine and No 9 brings luck and prosperity.

Over 100 industrialists are believed to carry business cards with the new spelling and their companies are going great guns after the change, says Mr Ashokan, who is planning to follow suit. However, municipal commissioner S. Vijayaraghavan said, “The municipality will refer the council's resolution to authorities concerned for ratification.”