Soon, Tamil Nadu startup centres in Singapore, US
CHENNAI: At the launch of Startup Chennai - Innovate on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced that the Tamil Nadu government would soon establish Tamil Nadu Startup Global Coordination Centres in Singapore and US. These centres aim to support aspiring entrepreneurs by providing global opportunities. Udhayanidhi also said that Chief Minister MK Stalin plans to soon unveil financial assistance for persons with disabilities and members of the transgender community to ensure more inclusive entrepreneurial opportunities, reflecting the governments Everything for Everyone policy. During the event, Udhayanidhi inaugurated the Periyar Social Justice Venture Lab to support startups focused on social development, especially those run by entrepreneurs from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. He also launched Stratify - Entrepreneurship, a student-focused competition organised by StartupTN, EDII, and Anna University. To further support the startup ecosystem, an MoU was signed between IIM Bengaluru and StartupTN to offer specialised entrepreneurship training for women-led startups. Another MoU was signed with ARAI-AMTIF and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles to open new opportunities for Tamil Nadu-based startups. Udhayanidhi noted the significant increase in registered startups in the state. The number has risen from 2,300 to 9,600 in just three years under the current government. He also highlighted that 50% of these startups are led by women. Underlining the state governments commitment to encourage startups, Udhayanidhi stated that StartupTN has established regional hubs in Hosur, Salem, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Coimbatore, and Tiruchy.
Low pressure weakens, but heavy rain in Tamil Nadu may persist
CHENNAI: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said on Tuesday that the low-pressure area lying over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, off North Tamil Nadu and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts, is weak and unlikely to develop into a depression. However, heavy rains are expected in the north coastal districts, southern districts, and western ghats districts over the next four days. In the last 24 hours, heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated places in the state. Perungudi in Chennai recorded the highest rainfall of 8cm in 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday. Alandur, Meenambakkam, Adyar, Alandur and YMCA Nandanam in Chennai recorded 6cm each during the same period. From October 1 till date, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry region have received 256 cm of rainfall, which is 1% lower than the usual 259 cm. According to official forecast, heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar and Madurai districts on Wednesday and Thursday. Additionally, on Thursday, heavy rain is expected in Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, and Theni districts, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal areas. On Friday, heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Dindigul, Theni, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur districts and the Karaikal area. Following overnight rain in Chennai, waterlogging was reported at Perambur, Old Mahabalipuram Road and Teynampet on Tuesday morning. During clearing work, a corporation vehicle overturned after hitting a pothole on Chinna Porur Road in Valasaravakkam, causing traffic disruption. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected the Integrated Command and Control Centre to monitor the precautionary measures undertaken ahead of the northeast monsoon. A total of 1,194 motor pumps, 158 super sucker machines, and 524 jet rodding machines are ready, 21% more than what was used during October rains, he said. About 329 relief centres and 120 food preparation centers have also been set up, he said. Udhayanaidhi visited the 24-hour state emergency operation centre at Chepauk. Following this, the minister inspected the Okkiyam Maduvu channel in Sholinganallur. He said that to ensure that floodwaters flow smoothly from the Pallikaranai marshland to reach the Buckingham Canal, work is underway to widen the waterway. Once this is completed, the width of the path will increase from 80 metres to 130 metres. Officials explained that this expansion will allow water flow capacity to increase from 7,000 cubic feet to 12,000 cubic feet.
Tamil birders set up website to honour Salim Ali
COIMBATORE: To commemorate the birthday of renowned ornithologist Salim Ali, the Tamil Birders Network launched a new website ( tamilbirds.wordpress.com ) about birds in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday evening. The website has information related to the number of birds across Tamil Nadu and their various names, including Tamil names, along with the number of birds counted during the Pongal Bird Count (the annual bird monitoring programme for Tamil Nadu). So far, birders have been sharing information related to birds on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. There are multiple Tamil names for a bird, P Jeganathan, one of the Network coordinators, told TNIE. Each differs from one district to another. This website will give finalised names based on guidelines prepared by birdwatchers of Tamil Nadu. For instance, the yellow-billed babbler is called Tavitukuruvi. In other parts of Tamil Nadu, it is called Poonil Kuruvi. So all these names will be documented based on the guidelines. This guideline is also available on the website. The meeting also discussed guidelines for ethical birding. The website has clear instructions for birders to stop using recorded voices of birds to attract them for taking photos, and they should not approach near the bird's nest. These are a few guidelines for ethical birding, said a birder. The website has information related to the Tamil Birders Meet and guidelines for naming birds in Tamil. There are 546 species of birds and 8,565 eBirders in Tamil Nadu. Dr Santharam, K V Sudhagar, the Madras Naturalist Society, Asian Waterbird Census Tamil Nadu Coordinator Dr Badrinarayan, S V Ganeswar, and Angeline Mano worked together to bring this website into existence.
Corporation translocates trees obstructing Kovai development projects
COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC), with the help of environmentalists, social activists, and NGOs, uprooted trees from various locations and replanted them safely. As part of the initiative, over 25 trees were also removedfrom Semmozhi Park premises in Gandhipuram prison grounds. As per Chief Minister M K Stalins directives, various activities are being undertaken to protect natural resources and the environment. Moreover, to increase the green cover on the roadsides, public allotment lands, parks, and pond banks, the government planted saplings and continuously maintained, protected, and nurtured them. Also, when trees need to be cut or removed for development works like road widening or construction, they are rehabilitated by being safely replanted with their mother soil roots. As part of this project, the Coimbatore -Pollachi road widening project was started by shifting the trees. The Coimbatore District Green Committee in collaboration with the CCMC, and Coimbatore Green Care NGO carried out the tree rehabilitation project to save the trees life. Similarly, the trees in the Semmozhi Park premises were replanted elsewhere in the same complex so that the construct works are not disturbed. Trees have been replanted and maintained in various places including the Coimbatore Government Arts and Science College campus, Ukkadam Pullukkadu, Valankulam Smart City area, and Echanari water tank area and they are re-sprouting and growing in good condition as well. So far, over 500 trees have been uprooted and transplanted in different locations across the district and are maintained well.
Will break barriers, ensure equality in temples: CM Stalin
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday vowed to establish equality in temples by breaking barriers that prevent archakas of various castes from performing poojas. Expressing happiness over 115 students, including 11 women, successfully completing training for priests and Oodhuvars in HR and CE temples, Stalin, in a poetic post on X handle, said, They said dont enter the street where the temple is. We entered! They prevented us from stepping into the temple. We did! They excluded us from entering the sanctum sanctorum. We enacted laws to ensure all-caste archakas made this possible and started schools to train them as priests. Now, many people are passing out after training. Dravidam rejoices over this! We will thwart all the barriers to stop them and establish equality! In a letter written to party cadre, Stalin said following visits to Coimbatore and Virudhunagar districts, he will visit Perambalur and Ariyalur on November 14 and 15 to assess the progress of projects and review their implementation. Highlighting the governments commitment to welfare measures, Stalin noted that ministers, officials, and he himself are dedicated to ensuring that no one misses out on their rightful welfare benefits. He also said that during his Perambalur and Ariyalur visit, an international shoe company plans to establish a factory in the region. On behalf of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Stalin on Tuesday inaugurated newly constructed panchayat union offices in 17 districts, including Coimbatore, Erode, Kanyakumari, Pudukkottai, Tenkasi, Trichy and others, from the secretariat through videoconference facility. These buildings were constructed at the cost of Rs 64.53 crore.
Tamil Nadu seeks consultant for its first private transmission project
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board (TNIDB) has invited applications to appoint a Transaction Advisor (consultant) for executing the Rs 4,000-crore, 765/400 kV substation project in Coimbatore region, along with a power transmission line extending up to Ariyalur. This will be the first project to be implemented under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process under which the state government will hand over maintenance and operation of power transmission projects to private players. Once operational, the successful private bidder will have the sole authority to sell power from the substation through a power purchase agreement to any entity, with Tantransco holding the first right of refusal, officials told TNIE. The TNERC approved the TBCB system in February. Till now, Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation (Tantransco), established in 1957, has been the sole authority to manage power transmission facilities. Tantransco will act as the bid process coordinator for the project, sources said. The TNIDBs Request for Proposal document accessed by TNIE said, Coimbatore, being a major load center, will receive power from the North Chennai Pooling Station via Ariyalur 765 kV substation in Villupuram region. The substation will be set up in Uthukuli village in Tiruppur district, and 68 of the required 100 acres have already been acquired. The remaining land is under acquisition, the RFP said. A senior Tantransco official told TNIE, The consultant appointed by TNIDB will prepare a detailed project report covering financial and technical aspects, which will be submitted to the state government. After getting approval, a qualified private player will be selected to construct the 765/400 kV substation, a project that may take up to three years. Explaining the decision to involve private companies, another Tantransco official said, The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board is struggling with a debt of Rs 1.5 lakh crore for years, and Rs 15,000 crore is being spent on interest every year. To reduce this financial burden, we decided to introduce Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding for transmission projects worth Rs 200 crore and above. Private companies will manage everything from setting up power lines to supply and infrastructure. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 4,000 crore, which is too high for Tantransco to handle alone, he explained. Bids for the project will be accepted from November 19 to 29, with the bid opening scheduled for 6 pm on November 29. Cut interest rates for power loans: Balaji to union min Chennai: Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji met Union Power Minister Manohar Lal at the all India electricity ministers conference in New Delhi on Tuesday and sought a reduction in interest rates for power loans. He also urged Lal to push Rural Electrification Corporation and Power Finance Corporation to lower their interest rates to 8%. In a petition submitted, Balaji also requested that no new conditions be added for receiving grants under the revamped distribution sector scheme and opposed the unilateral setting of targets for PM Surya Ghar scheme.
Elephants stray out of reserve forest 3,500 times in Coimbatore division in nine months
Fate of Coimbatore new fish market hangs in balance
Ma Subramanian launches advanced radiation therapy machine in Coimbatore
Asias first postage stamp displayed at Kovaipex-2024 in Coimbatore
Three hospitals in Coimbatore receive hoax bomb threat emails
Coir cluster to be operational in Coimbatore in 2025
Development of Coimbatore North Station generates hopes for designation as originating terminal
Hospital in Coimbatore introduces machine for advanced radiation therapy
Coimbatore Corporation transplants over 500 trees in the past year to enhance green cover
CB-CID police in Coimbatore arrest notorious criminal elusive for the last 14 years
PIL against Chennai flyover scam withdrawn, court allows reclaim of deposit
CHENNAI: A public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking to reinstate the case concerning an alleged flyover construction scam in Chennai between 1996 and 2001, during the DMK regime, against the current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his Cabinet colleague K. Ponmudy, was withdrawn on Tuesday. The counsel for the petitioner, Manickam Athappa Goundar, a Coimbatore-based entrepreneur and activist, sought the courts permission to withdraw the petition, stating that Goundar was unwilling to continue with the case for personal reasons. The first bench, comprising Chief Justice K.R. Shriram and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, accepted the withdrawal and allowed Goundar to reclaim the Rs. 1 lakh deposit made per the court's direction to demonstrate his bona fide intention in filing the petition. The PIL, originally filed in April 2024, called for quashing the Assembly Speakers 2006 decision to revoke the 2005 sanction that permitted prosecution of the late former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, the late former Minister Ko Si Mani, Stalin, and Ponmudy in connection with the 2001 flyover scam. The petition also sought fresh prosecution against the accused. When the petition was heard, the bench questioned the justification for bringing the case to court after a 17-year delay. Senior advocate M.R. Venkatesh, representing the petitioner, argued that the passage of time should not prevent justice. He noted that the High Court has recently taken suo motu action to review past trial court decisions that discharged or acquitted certain sitting and former ministers. The petition contended that the Speaker, who issued the initial sanction in 2005 to prosecute Karunanidhi, Stalin, Ponmudy, and Ko Si Mani for alleged misconduct in the flyover construction, had overstepped his authority by withdrawing the sanction once it was granted, especially after the DMK returned to power. It may be recalled that in 2001, Karunanidhis night-time arrest by the police at his residence stirred widespread public outrage and condemnation. Stalin and other party leaders, implicated in the case, were also detained by the police.
Coimbatore hospitals receive bomb threat emails
Three hospitals in Coimbatore received bomb threat emails on Tuesday morning, prompting a response from bomb detection and disposal squads. Police, however, assured the hospitals that the threat appeared to be a hoax, part of a series of similar threats targeting various institutions over the past three months.
Coimbatore: Unit tests for students for better grades in Classes 10 and 12
COIMBATORE: To improve the grades of students not performing well in classes 10-12 in the district, the school education department has been conducting unit tests since the start of this month. The move aims to ensure students at least get passing marks in the upcoming board examinations. The tests will be conducted unit-wise in each subject and the paper will be prepared at the district level. For unit test concepts, two teachers have been deployed for each subject to prepare the common question paper at the district level. Teachers will frame the questions unit-wise in the subject for 25 marks and the question papers will be sent to all school mail IDs. The subject teachers will conduct the unit test for students in class as per schedule, an educational officer from Coimbatore told TNIE. Common question papers are usually given during mid-term tests, and quarterly, half-yearly and annual exams. Through this, teachers can assess students performance unit wise. If students are weak in any unit, teachers can help them improve, he said. A postgraduate teacher who handles chemistry in a government higher secondary school in the city told TNIE that they had conducted two unit tests last week using the common question paper. We conducted unit three (P Block- Elements -II) test for seven students in our school on Monday evening. Out of 25 marks, 10 were one mark questions, two were two mark questions, three were three mark questions, and one was a five mark question. It is useful for slow learners, he said, adding that unit four will be conducted next week. While welcoming the move, another teacher K Shanthi (name changed) told TNIE that there are practical difficulties in conducting the tests. Due to heavy syllabus, there is no adequate time to complete units in classes 11 and 12.
Why divert flights to Chennai, Hyderabad? Give HAL the nod: Experts
BENGALURU: With the onset of winter, fog and poor visibility forcing frequent diversions of flights to neighbouring cities for a few hours are set to be the norm in Bengaluru. Despite one of the runways of the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) being CAT-III compliant (permits landing in zero visibility conditions), six flights were diverted on Sunday. Aviation experts felt that in situations beyond human control like poor weather at KIA, the HAL Airport needs to be given the green signal to allow landing of flights instead of taking the aircraft to Chennai, Hyderabad or Coimbatore. Asked about the reason for the flight diversions despite the south runway at KIA declared CAT-III compliant in December 2020, an airport source said, One of our two runways has CAT-III compliancy. However, it is not the airport but the pilot who needs to be trained for landing at a CAT-III runway. Many airlines do not have enough pilots trained to land in such conditions. An industry professional told The New Indian Express , During any diversion, countless hours are lost for all passengers, the airline loses on precious fuel by heading to neighbouring cities and it is not environment friendly either. It makes much better sense to divert aircraft to HAL when it is not possible to land at KIA. An aviation expert added, This is a win-win situation for all the public, airlines and staff. Airport operator, Bangalore International Airport Ltd, can insist on the opening of a second airport in the city till 2033 as per its agreement, but this (HAL Airport) option needs to be pursued seriously in the interest of all. Bengaluru has the advantage of having different weather conditions in different areas, which needs to be exploited. Asked about the possibility, an Airports Authority of India official said, We have upgraded all our systems at HAL. Within a fortnight, the Instrument Landing System too will be fully upgraded. An average of 11 to 12 flights land at the airport daily presently. In addition to that, VIP/VVIP aircraft, a huge Boeing 747 of a private firm, training aircraft, aircraft arriving there for maintenance, repair and overhaul and a few military aircraft, too, land and take off at the airport daily. Since it is an operational airport already, this can be managed easily. The official added that HAL needed to get a licence from the aviation regulator, the Directorate of General of Civil Aviation. Since 2008 when regular commercial operations switched to KIA, HAL did not renew this licence. But it will not be a tough process since the airport is a functioning one, he added. Aviation professional and CAT-III pilot Captain Mohan Ranganathan was averse to the idea though. He felt it was a complicated affair as the step ladders and ground staff of different airlines needed to be put in place. This is an expensive proposition. I have flown from HAL and the ILS there needs to be upgraded and kept ready, he said. Responding to it, another aviation professional said, Passengers do not disembark at different airports the flights are diverted to and mostly sit inside the aircraft until they are flown back. The same can be done at HAL too. Alternatively, installing step ladders or posting staff by airlines will cost far less in the long run than flying an aircraft between cities.
No truck with BJP ever: AIADMK
CHENNAI: AIADMK Organising Secretary D Jayakumar on Monday asserted the AIADMK will never have any electoral alliance with the BJP. This is the partys firm decision and AIADMK will stand by it, he said. Speaking to reporters, Jayakumar explained that the remark made by the partys general secretary Edappadi K Palnaiswami in Tiruchy was given a twist and made a point of debate. When asked whether the AIADMK was ready to align with the BJP, Palaniswami had told reporters in Tiruchy on Sunday that the party wants to unite like-minded parties to bring down the DMK government and a decision on alliance will be taken closer to the poll in 2026. The comment had triggered speculation about whether the AIADMK is reconsidering its decision to stay off BJP and if EPS is hinting at the possibility of the Dravidian major joining hands with the saffron party. After reiterating the partys position on alliance, Jayakumar said there was no need for the AIADMK to have a tacit relationship with the BJP, but the ruling DMK is in fact in a clandestine relationship with the BJP. Meanwhile, on Monday, Palaniswami held discussions with the 10-member field inspection committee composed of senior leaders to assess the functioning of the grassroots-level units of the party. Sources said Palaniswami had given clear instructions on the issues to be covered by the committee and also asked the committee to give an impartial assessment of the functioning of the party units so that corrective measures and steps for improvement could be taken. The committee has been split into five teams and was asked to submit its report by December 7. The first team comprising KP Munusamy and B Valarmathi will visit 14 party districts in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Ranipet, Dharmapuri, Perambalur and Ariyalur revenue districts. The team comprising Dindigul C Sreenivasan and P Thangamani will cover 17 party districts in Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchy, Karur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai and Dindigul revenue districts. Similarly, the team comprising Natham R Viswanathan, and S Semmalai will visit 14 party districts in Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Theni, and Virudhunagar revenue districts. The team of SP Velumani and Varahur Arunachalam will meet the functionaries in 14 party districts in Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari revenue districts. The team comprising D Jayakumar and CVe Shanmugam will visit 14 party districts in Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Kallakurichi revenue districts. Govt deployed students instead of staff: EPS Chennai: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has criticised the state governments decision to deploy agriculture college students, instead of revenue officials, to gather data on farmers, crops and irrigation facilities for the digitalisation of information. He said the task is being carried out following the instructions of the union government and the centre has allocated Rs 1,940 crore for this.
Heavy rain likely in Chennai and delta districts till November 15
CHENNAI: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) on Monday said that heavy rain may lash Chennai, its surrounding districts and parts of delta districts till Friday. According to the RMC, under the influence of upper air cyclonic circulation over southwest Bay of Bengal, a low-pressure area has formed over the region on Monday afternoon. It is likely to move slowly westwards towards Tamil Nadu/Sri Lanka coasts. As per the forecast, heavy rain is possible in isolated places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram and Villupuram districts, and Puducherry and Karaikal regions till November 15. This apart, heavy rains are expected in isolated places in Ranipet, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sivaganga and Thoothukudi districts from Wednesday to Friday. A similar forecast has been issued for Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, and Dindigul districts for Thursday and Friday. In addition, The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and Tirupur districts are likely to receive heavy rain on Thursday, while Vellore is expected to experience heavy rainfall on Friday. In areas for which heavy rainfall is predicted, a yellow alert has been issued and the rainfall is expected to be around 7 to 11 cm. In a separate forecast for Chennai, the RMC said that the condition is likely to be partly cloudy. Moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur in some areas. Maximum temperature is likely to be 32-33C and minimum temperature is likely to be around 25C, it added. Meanwhile, independent weather bloggers said that northern TN districts and delta districts can expect to get good rainfall this week. They added that heaviest spell might be on Tuesday and it could rain up to 20 cm in four days. A low-pressure area is expected to form in the next 24 hours gradually from Monday night and rains are expected to return over north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh, including Chennai. This week promises to bring good rains as the northeast monsoon gets active, said independent weather blogger K Srikanth in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Tree destroyed with acid in Coimbatore
Coimbatore corporation organises Makkalai Thedi Maanagaraatchi special camp
Hostel warden accused of swindling 8 lakh, booked in Coimbatore
Coimbatore City Police intensify efforts to curb prescription drug peddling
CVC to host seminar on challenges in senior living communities in Coimbatore
Part-time teachers in Coimbatore urge authorities to make roles permanent
US cyber Security Firm Commvault Strengthens India Operations With Coimbatore Facility
The facility will be a key centre for research and development, focusing on the company's offerings like Cloud Rewind and Cleanroom Recovery.
Action sought as tree destroyed with acid near Coimbatore
Rally taken out in Coimbatore to create awareness on diabetic retinopathy
Mega food festival and wedding expo in Coimbatore on November 30
Watch: Coimbatores women cops are now maintaining weapons, driving heavy vehicles, and more
Policewomen in Coimbatore are challenging norms by taking on roles traditionally reserved for men
Watch: Coimbatores women cops are now maintaining weapons, driving heavy vehicles, and more The Hindu
Cybercrime Surge in Tamil Nadu: A Call for Vigilance
Tamil Nadu Police warns of a surge in cybercrimes, with Chennai and Coimbatore residents particularly affected. The police urge the public to report scams to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) within 24 hours.
WPP scales up investment in India with new Chennai campus
WPP announced a further investment in India, its fifth largest market, as it opened a new campus in Chennai. With over 11,000 people, India is a twin growth engine for WPP. Its Enterprise Technology team in India are the first to move into the new Chennai campus, with further teams joining at a later date. The new campus is its third in India after Mumbai and Gurgaon and forms part of the companys global strategy to provide inspiring, collaborative and flexible spaces for its people. The company plans to continue to scale its presence in India, one of its fastest growing markets, by adding campuses in Bangalore and Coimbatore over the next few years. The Chennai campus is located at RMZ One Paramount and has been designed to enhance the employee experience, featuring a dedicated marketplace of food and beverage options, EV charging, a day care centre, several permanent art installations by prominent artists and a wellness terrace that includes a futsal court, a running track and a yoga deck. Over 62,000 square feet in size, the campus has been designed to initially accommodate over 330 people in phase one, with an expansion to 650 people by mid-2025. In line with its net zero commitments, the circular-designed campus incorporates green building materials. RMZ One Paramount has also been LEED Platinum certified due to its sustainability credentials, including grey water recycling and roof collection, on-site electricity generation and regenerative architecture. CVL Srinivas , WPPs Country Manager for India, said, The scalability of our operations and expertise of our team in India makes it the prime location to power WPPs global support functions, including the WPP Enterprise Technology team. WPPs commitment to India through our investment in a new Chennai campus, with further campuses in Bangalore and Coimbatore on the near horizon, ensures the market will remain a significant growth driver for WPP. Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said, India continues to be one of our fastest-growing markets thanks to its technological innovation, creative output and specialist skillsets. WPP is committed to investing in India through our new campuses, creating spaces that foster collaboration, inspire creativity and enable career development. In doing so, we are opening up new opportunities for our people in India and supporting our clients growth ambitions, both domestically, in the worlds most populous nation, and abroad.
Heavy rain likely for Chennai and other TN districts until Friday
CHENNAI: The Regional Meteorological Centre on Monday said that heavy rains are likely to lash Chennai and its surrounding districts and parts of delta districts among others till Friday. RMC said that cyclonic circulation over southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to develop into a low pressure area within Tuesday causing the rains. As per the forecast, heavy rains are possible in isolated places in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram and Villuppuram districts, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal, until November 15. This apart, heavy rains are expected in isolated places in Ranipet, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sivaganga and Thoothukudi districts from Wednesday to Friday. The same forecast is given for Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, and Dindigul districts on Thursday and Friday. In addition, The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and Tiruppur districts are likely to receive heavy rain on Thursday, while Vellore is expected to experience heavy rainfall on Friday.
Coimbatore car blast: NIA interrogates three accused of raising funds for operation
The NIA sleuths will interrogate them in custody till November 14, said a source privy to the investigation
Crackdown intensifies on sale of illegal lotteries
COIMBATORE: Coimbatore city police have planned a joint operation with Coimbatore Rural police to curb the sale of illegal number lottery tickets under the Vadavalli and Thudiyalur police station limits, bordering rural Coimbatore. In connection with the same, the police have seized Rs 45.8 lakh, arrested 27 people and registered six cases in the last three months, said Coimbatore city commissioner V Balakrishnan. The police said the sale of such lottery tickets is at an all-time high in the two areas that were recently incorporated into the city limits. Despite the statewide ban on the sale of lottery tickets, number lottery tickets (one, three, and four-digit) are being sold illegally on the outskirts of Coimbatore city, especially in the suburban areas, they said. Number lottery tickets, using the last one, three or four digits of Kerala lottery tickets, are sold daily around noon and at 2 pm; those using Nagaland lottery tickets are sold four times a day at 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm, sources said. According to the city police, several lottery rackets share their lists of one, three or four-digit numbers over WhatsApp groups, from which the participants choose the numbers by paying for them. When the Kerala and Nagaland lottery results are announced, these gangs declare their own results and payouts, based on the actual winning lottery numbers, they said. The police also mentioned instances of fraudsters selling fake Kerala and Nagaland lottery tickets, resulting in many people losing their savings. There have been instances where some winners, who were promised prizes of Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000, did not receive their money. Often, these individuals are reluctant to report the incident to the police as both buying and selling of lottery tickets are illegal in Tamil Nadu, the police added. Commissioner V Balakrishnan said the police have recently arrested six individuals in connection with the sale number lottery tickets and confiscated their electronic gadgets. One of the six persons arrested -- a notorious rowdy -- has been detained under the Goondas Act, he said. Also, three cars, five motorbikes, 34 smartphones, 11 laptops and one electronic tablet were seized from them, he said. These individuals are conducting businesses based on the lottery numbers on the tickets from Kerala and Nagaland, selling separate tickets online and announcing prizes based on the actual results of these lotteries, he said, adding that Thudiyalur and Vadavalli police station limits are particularly witnessing an increase in illegal number lottery sales as they share borders with rural Coimbatore.
Tangedco releases Emerald dam water to generate power
COIMBATORE: As part of infrastructural works, generating power to Kundha hydro powerhouse at Kattukuppai, Tangedco officials have started releasing water stored at Emerald Dam from Sunday. Sources said that around 1,000 cubic feet of water was released from the dam and will reach the Kundha Bridge dam through Yedakkadu channel for the next 30 days. People living along the waterway have been instructed to follow guidelines carefully to remain safe. Currently, as the water level at Emerald Dam is 120 feet, officials have decided to release water until it reaches 70 feet. A Tangedco official said, We will be generating 500 megawatts of power from the proposed Kundha hydro powerhouse and we are planning to complete the work before December 2025. We will also start generating power and link it with the state grid. Nilgiris Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneru, said, Those living along the waterway should immediately relocate to elevated areas. Moreover, people and motorists should not go along the waterway. For any help, people can contact the toll-free numbers 1077 or 0423-2450034 and 0423-2450035.
43% of Western Ring Road projects phase one complete
COIMBATORE: The Special Projects wing of the State Highways Department in the Coimbatore Division has completed around 43% of phase 1 of the Western Ring Road Project works and has sent a proposal to the state government for Administrative Sanction (AS) of the second phase of the project works at a cost of Rs 330 crore. The Western Ring Road or the Western Bypass Road Project starts from Mylkal on the Salem-Cochin road (SHU 52) and ends at Narasimhanaickenpalayam on the Nagapattinam-Gudalur-Mysore Road (NH67) in the district. This bypass passes through 15 revenue villages of the district. The total length of the Western Ring Road is 32.43 km and it will have four lanes. The project is set to be carried out in three phases. The length of Phase 1 is 11.80 km, which passes through Madukkarai, Sundakkamuthur, Perur Chettipalayam, Theethipalayam and Madampatti. This phase was inaugurated in August 2023 by highways minister EV Velu. The length of phase 2 is planned at 12.10 km, passing through Perur, West Chithirai Chavadi, Kallikanaicken Palayam, Vadavalli and Somayampalayam. Similarly, the length of Phase 3 is planned at 8.52 km and passes through Pannimadai, Nanjundapuram, Kurudampalayam, Narasimhanaickenpalayam and Gudalur. Speaking to TNIE, a senior State Highways Department official said, The Western Ring Road Project works are being carried out in full swing and so far, weve completed around 43% of phase 1 works. Bridge works ongoing near Madampatti village. The first phase is expected to be complete by August or September 2025. Once complete, the stretch between Madampatti and Mylkal will be open to public. The official added that apart from this, they have finished over 80% of land acquisition (LA) works for the projects second phase. We have also sent a proposal to the state government for Administrative Sanction (AS) for the second phase of the project at Rs 330 crore. Before we receive the AS, we shall fully complete the LA works for the second phase of the project, the official further said.
Residents vexed over delay in road restoration after Suez pipeline work
COIMBATORE: Saibaba Colony and Bharathi Park Road residents have expressed their frustration to the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) over prolonged delays in restoring the roads following pipeline works. CCMC initiated the digging of interior roads several months ago as part of the 24x7 water supply project, which involved digging along both sides of various interior roads to lay pipelines. Though the CCMC completed the installation work at Saibaba Colony and its neighbouring area, Bharathi Park Road, it has yet to restore the roads. This situation has left commuters and residents dealing with uneven and pothole-ridden roads. G Ravi Kumar, a resident of Saibaba Colony, said, We were hopeful that this project would bring a solution to water shortage. However, the present condition of the road has become a serious issue. Children and elderly residents are vulnerable on these roads and we worry about their safety everyday. V Ramesh Rajan, a motorist, said, Driving through these roads is like navigating through a maze of potholes. My vehicles suspension has taken a beating due to the current situation of these roads and I am spending more on repairs than I normally would. It is high time the authorities restore these roads. A lack of a clear restoration timeline has further exacerbated concerns from residents. Although officials from CCMC acknowledge the delays, they are yet to provide a specific date for when the repair works will commence. Many people feel that the corporations response to their grievances has been inadequate, sparking calls for more accountability and transparency regarding public infrastructure projects. When inquired about it, an official from the CCMCs engineering section, told TNIE that once Suez, a private firm that is executing the project completes all the pending works in the area and gives an NOC, the civic body will immediately begin the road pacing works. On certain roads, Suez will be carrying out patchwork and we will instruct them to take up the restoration works immediately.
DVAC seizes Rs 11 lakh from Ooty municipal commissioner
COIMBATORE: DVAC seized a sum of Rs 11.7 lakh from Udhagamandalam Municipality Commissioner A Jahangir Basha on Saturday night and registered an FIR under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act on Sunday. He is yet to be arrested. According to sources, the team stopped a taxi in which Basha was going to Coimbatore railway station to board a train to his home town, and found an unaccounted sum of Rs 11.7 lakh in the vehicle. They seized the cash and took him to the municipality office for inquiry. During quizzing, Basha admitted to having received the cash as bribe to give approval to builders for constructing buildings illegally. Talking to TNIE, a DVAC said Basha would receive bribe and take it to his native place. The search was effected based on this tip-off. It may be noted that Basha assumed charge as municipal commissioner in August and had been working as municipal commissioner in Theni prior to that.
Coimbatore police search hostels, rooms of college students for drugs
Arjun Sampaths son picked up by cops for questioning in Coimbatore
WPP aims to double staff at Chennai centre by mid-2025
WPP is expanding its presence in India. The company will grow its Chennai tech hub to 2,000-3,000 employees. WPP is also considering new campuses in Coimbatore, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. India is WPP's fifth-largest market, with a talent pool of over 11,000 professionals. The expansion aims to tap into India's skilled workforce and support WPP's global growth.
Coimbatore District Police carry out surprise searches at college students residences
Ten-month-old child from Karur undergoes rare bone marrow transplantation in Coimbatore
Blocked stormwater drains continue to cause health and safety concerns in Coimbatore
Indu Makkal Katchi youth wing president Omkar Balaji questioned for remarks on Nakkheeran Gopal
The Coimbatore police question IMK youth wingleader for threatening to chop off editors tongue, sparking legal action and protests
Coimbatore police arrested Omkar Balaji, son of IMK founder Arjun Sampath, for threatening to cut off the tongue of journalist R Gopal. Balaji made the threat during a protest against Gopal's reporting on the Isha Yoga Centre. Although Balaji filed for anticipatory bail and was ordered to apologize, he was arrested following a complaint by a DMK member.
NH wing serves notices to remove building portions for flyover work in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: The National Highways wing of the State Highways Department has served notices to a couple of building owners on Mettupalayam Road seeking them to remove portions of their building that are protruding towards the road in view of the Saibaba Colony flyover works. The highways department began the Saibaba Colony flyover projects construction works on September 14, 2024. The flyover spanning 975 metres long and 16.61 metres wide is being constructed on the Mettupalayam Road starting from the Alagesan Road and ending at the MTP Road Bus Terminus near the Eru Company at an estimated cost of about Rs 75 crore. The flyover will have a total of 23 pillars and 22 decks. As part of the first phase of the flyover project, Mettupalayam Road in front of MGR Wholesale Vegetable Market and New Bus Terminus was dug for carrying out basement and pillar construction work by the highways department officials and they have finished constructing about five pillars on the stretch and are planning to move on to the next phase of the project. As the works are carried out at a brisk pace, the officials are all set to begin the approach ramp works for the flyover on the NH Road soon. For this, several buildings protruding near the road need to be razed for about three feet to make way for the service road near the flyovers ramp. Hence, the highways department served notices to the building owners in this regard and asked them to remove protruding elements at once. Speaking to TNIE, a senior official from the NH wing of the state highways department, said, We already intimated the concerns of building owners about the protruding problem a long time ago when we began the flyover works. An official notice was also served to them a few days ago to remove the structures that are protruding towards the road by themselves as they constructed buildings violating the rules by not leaving any setback area between the buildings front side and the road. Now, some of them have started removing the structures and demolishing a portion of the buildings by themselves.
Craters on service road below Coimbatore's GN Mills Flyover leave motorists worried
COIMBATORE: Motorists and residents have raised concerns that the service road below GN Mills Flyover on Mettupalayam Road has been slowly caving in. However, the TWAD (Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage) Board and the Highways Department officials have accused each other of the damages on that stretch. As part of the Pillur 3 project, the TWAD Board officials dug the service road for about 300 metres in February to install pipelines. However, after the work was completed, officials left the dilapidated road unattended for several months, which raised concerns and irked motorists and residents. TWAD board officials carried out patchwork on the NH road and repaired the damaged stretch from June to July. However, due to substandard and poor-quality patchwork on that stretch, the road was damaged again. The stretch where the repair works were carried out has started caving in slowly forming craters in the middle of the road. T Raghuram, a motorist from Subramaniyampalayam, said, This service road was already damaged to the core and was left unattended for several months. We, motorists, were able to breathe a sigh of relief only after the damaged stretch was finally repaired a couple of months ago. However, now, due to the shoddy works done by the officials, the road started caving in posing a huge threat to the motorists. J Vasanth Kumar, a college student from GN Mills told TNIE, With heavy vehicles commuting on the damaged stretch, it is caving in further. Already many students who ride their two-wheelers through this route have fallen and sustained injuries due to these damaged surfaces. The officials must act quickly and repair the dilapidated portions before any major mishaps. A senior official from the National Highways wing of the State Highways Department, said, We never gave the TWAD officials any permission to dig the road and carry out their works in the first place. However, they went ahead with their digging and pipeline works after the Collector gave them the nod. Despite finishing the work, the officials left the road unattended for a long time and then repaired it after complaints were filed. However, now owing to their poor repair works, the road has started caving in. Because of the damages caused by them, we are the ones facing a lot of criticism. We have taken the matter into the Collectors attention and have asked the TWAD officials to immediately rectify the issue. When inquired about it, a TWAD Board official from Coimbatore told TNIE, We have repaired that particular stretch around five times over the past few months. As the highways department did not construct proper stormwater drains on the road, during monsoon the rainwater stagnates the road, thereby damaging it. We shall inspect the place and take up repair works as soon as possible. Despite multiple efforts from TNIE to contact Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati, he could not be reached for comments.
Indian Students Won HackHarvard 2024
Hyderabad: A team of four third year engineering students, two hailing from Hyderabad, bagged the best hack award at HackHarvard. Competing with teams from institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, Stanford and the University of Toronto, the youngsters bagged the award with their sustainable AI-powered application, Sustainify. The winners, Chukka Navneet Krishna and Kottakki Srikar Vamsi from Hyderabad, Amrit Subramanian and Surya Santhosh Kumar are pursuing their BTech in artificial intelligence from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore. Amrit hails from Tamil Nadu and Santosh is from Kerala. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Krishna said We had serious competitors coming from the MIT, Stanford and Harvard Universities, but we stuck through. HackHarvard is a 36-hour hackathon hosted by Harvard University every year. With more than 1,000 hackers coming from 284 universities and 22 nations, the event is a sought-after coding competition for young aspirants in the field. Krishna said The tracks (areas of focus that participants choose to code) were not disclosed to us until the event began. As soon as they gave us the tracks, we distributed the work and began working. Explaining their project Sustainify, Krishna said, It is an application which helps people live a healthy life with sustainable methods. There are two main features of the app. With the first one, a user can scan any edible items cover, tin or bottle in the app, and learn about the ingredients used in the food. The app will show the fat, sugar, sodium levels and other details about the food. Users can also upload their medical reports to the app, and the app will show them whether the product is good for their health or not based on the medical reports. The second feature is when the user scans the product, the app will give tips to the user on how to reuse or recycle the product instead of throwing it away. For example, if a user scans a soda can, the app will show three reusing levels: easy, medium and hard, with easy being reusing the tin can as a pen stand, a standing flower pot with medium difficulty and a bird feeder with a hard one. The app will show the estimated time for each method and will give step-by-step procedures for every method, Krishna explained. He informed that although the deadline given for the project was 36 hours, they completed the project, from brainstorming to finalisation, within 13 hours. It was a dream come true for us. This win taught us how to work on detailed projects in a short span of time and will help us develop more innovative and sustainable ideas, Krishna said.
Coimbatore girl sets new record in 100m race at state-level competition
Health insurance firm to compensate customer for restricting claim in Coimbatore
100 cops get training in basic life support techniques in Coimbatore
Coimbatore policewomen take on new challenging roles
Coimbatores policewomen maintain weapons at the Armoury, handle sniffer dogs, drive heavy duty vehicles,andare a partofthe police commissioners striking force
A moon-themed restobar opens in Coimbatore
A moon-themed restobar opens in Coimbatore - The Hindu
A moon-themed restobar opens in Coimbatore The Hindu
Poor road conditions, slow pace of repairs irk Coimbatore residents
Coimbatore Vizha 2024 features art competition for government school students
Maruthi Gana Sabha inaugurated at Coimbatore - Afternoon News
Maruthi Gana Sabha inaugurated at Coimbatore Afternoon News
Madrassa teacher in Kerala held for branding student with iron box
Kannur (Kerala): A Madrassa teacher was arrested for allegedly branding a student with an iron box in this north Kerala district, police said on Saturday. Umair Ashrafi, hailing from Tanur in neighbouring Malappuram district, was also accused of smearing chilli powder on the private parts of the boy, alleging disobedience, they said. As the student lodged a complaint with the police recently, the accused fled from the state and was staying in hideouts in various places in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Based on a tip-off that he was coming to his home district from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, a police team reached Tanur and waited for his arrival on Thursday. Though Ashrafi tried to run away on seeing the police, he was later caught. Kannavam police arrested him and booked him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Ashrafi was produced before a local court here which remanded him to judicial custody on Friday, police added.
Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore realtor arrested for cheating investors of Rs 70 lakhs
Coimbatore police arrested a realtor, M Thangaraj, for allegedly defrauding over 35 investors of Rs 70 lakhs. Thangaraj, operating Gokulam Gardens, offered land purchase schemes but failed to register properties or return investments. Police seized a luxury car and are searching for his accomplice, Nagaraj.
KG classes to be conducted half-day in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: Following a request from temporary teachers, Samagra Shiksha in the district directed that headmasters of government schools should run the kindergarten sections only till the afternoon as per a government order. Teachers handling LKG and UKG classes in schools have welcomed this move. A kindergarten teacher, who did not wish to be named, told TNIE that around 120 Panchayat Union Middle Schools (PUMS) and corporation schools across the district have a kindergarten section functioning on campus of with about 1,000 children studying there. As per government order 164 released in 2022, working hours for the kindergarten section are only from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. Although there is a GO, most headmasters force us to be at school till 4.10 pm. As a result, teachers getting a salary of Rs 5,000 per month are unable to take up part-time teaching in the afternoon. We had raised this already, she said. They have urged the State Project Officer of Samagra Shiksha M Aarthi to ensure these working hours in the kindergarten section across the state by issuing a circular to Chief Educational Officers.
Request to change address in ration cards refused
COIMBATORE: People visiting the special grievance camps organised by the Civil Supplies Department once a month to make changes in their ration cards, claimed that the officials have been refusing to change their address when requested. P Munusamy, an applicant from Puliyakulam, said, In order to avail the services of the Public Distribution Scheme, special grievance camps are being held on the second Saturday of every month in the Taluk distribution offices of every district. In the camp, the public is informed to submit complaints related to name addition, deletion, address change, duplicate cards, changing phone numbers, and changing the photographs of the head of the family. However, officials did not address changes from one district to another. He added, When I went to the camp with a request to change my card address from Coimbatore to Thanjavur where my wife and son are residing, camp officials refused to make the changes. They asked me to go to Thanjavur and make the submission there. Now, though all the processes are done under online services, the special camp does not fulfil a cardholders requests. Another cardholder who visited the Coimbatore South Taluk office made the same claim that he was asked to make submissions at his native place in Madurai for making a change. R Jeevarekha, Coimbatore district supply officer, said, In concern to the change of address to another district, it would be difficult to scrutinise the address provided by applicants. Due to this, the officials sometimes refuse the request. However, the applicants can go to the concerned taluk and process their application.
Two youth arrested for brawl at private hotel in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: Peelamedu police have arrested two youth, who had recently reached Coimbatore city to attend the Indian Army recruitment, for allegedly fighting with the manager of a private hotel. The suspects were identified as G Baskar (19) and D Bharath (20) of Burgur in Krishnagiri district. The complainant, N Prakash (41) of AKG Nagar in Uppilipalayam, worked as manager of a hotel at Peelamedu. Police sources said Baskar and Bharath reached the hotel on Wednesday and paid Rs 3,500 as room advance. Around 3 pm, they went to the bar at the hotel and consumed liquor for Rs 5,798. After they were provided the bill, the duo showed the manager a UPI payment screenshot and said that their friends had transferred the money. As the bar managements bank account did not receive the money even after a while, Prakash went to the youths room and insisted on them paying for the liquor. However, the duo picked up a fight with Prakash and attempted to flee. When Prakash tried to prevent them, they assaulted him and also issued him threats. Based on a complaint, Peelamedu police arrested Baskar and Bharath under sections 296 (b), 126 (2), 115 (2), and 351 (3) of the BNS Act, and remanded them to judicial custody on Thursday night.
TNPSC delaying DEO preliminary exam results
COIMBATORE: Candidates charged that the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), is delaying the results of the preliminary District Educational Officers (DEO) examination and this has been hindering their ability to prepare for the DEO main examination. C Prasanth, a candidate from Coimbatore, told TNIE, TNPSC conducted this examination on July 12 for 300 marks under group I -C category to fill eight DEO posts at the school education department. Around 12,000 candidates took part in this computer-basedtest from across the state. The TNPSC at least gave a tentative result day for the DEO exam last year, this year that was not published as well. He added, Like the DEO exam, TNPSC conducted an exam to fill the assistant commissioners post in the Tamil Nadu Religious and Charitable Endowments (administration) service in July under group I -B and that result was published in September and those candidates have already started preparing for its main exams. Even if we contacted the TNPSC helpline, they do not say when the result will be published. As a result, the candidates are disappointed, he further said. Another candidate, S Sandhiya from Erode, told TNIE, Apart from the preliminary exam, candidates must prepare for DEO Main Examination I and II, as well as an interview. If TNPSC had released the results, candidates would have started preparing for the next exam. Due to the delay, we are losing our time. At least considering the welfare of candidates, the TNPSC should publish the results on time in the future. An official from TNPSC said that steps have been taken to release the exam results soon.
Goat killed in suspected wild animal attack at Chinna Thadagam in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: A goat was killed in a suspected wild animal attack at Chinna Thadagam in Coimbatore on Thursday. While farmers claimed that it was a leopard attack, forest department officials denied it. Duraisamy, a farmer who has a farm land at Chinna Thadagam, said that at around 8.30 pm, he heard a sound from the flock and when he checked, he found a goat killed. He claimed that it could be a leopard that attacked the goat and ran after it saw the torch light. M Mahalakshmi, coordinator of Thadam Coimbatore a group that works as coordinators between farmers and the forest department, said, We suspect that it was a leopard attack. This was the first time a leopard entered into are area. Before that, movements were witnessed in Somayampalayam, Somayanur, Kalaiyanur, and Thiruvalluvar Nagar in Thadagam Valley. Once the leopards get their prey, they will start entering our place frequently. The forest department should intensify their monitoring process to prevent the incident in the future. R Madhusudhanan, Range Officer (Coimbatore) said, It is not a leopard attack. During an inspection on Friday morning, the pug marks indicated the possibility of a wild dog attack. However, if a leopard attacked, it would not leave its prey once it attacked.
Will increase milk output in underperforming dists: Minister RS Rajakannappan
TIRUPPUR/ERODE: The state government is taking appropriate steps to increase milk production in districts where milk production is low in the state, said Milk and Dairy Development Minister RS Rajakannappan here on Friday. Speaking to reporters, after inspecting Aavin centres at Tiruppur, the minister said, As far as Tiruppur is concerned, every day, 1.8 lakh litres of milk is procured through Aavin. Currently, around 40,000 litres of Aavin milk is being sold each day. We have instructed officials to increase it to 50,000 litres. Apart from milk, we are also selling high quality ghee, alkova, desserts, paneer and ice creams. Aavin is also going to open an exclusive outlet for selling paneer in Coimbatore. All this is being done for public benefit. Aavin keeps the prices of private companies in check. Milk production is low in some large districts like Tirunelveli and the state government is taking appropriate steps to increase milk production in these districts, he added. After inspections in Erode, he said, In Erode, 1.74 lakh litres of milk is procured through Aavin out of which only 75,000 litres is being sold. We have asked officials to increase it. The state government has no intention of increasing prices of Aavin milk in public interest. During these inspections, Aavins Managing Director S Vineeth, Tiruppur District Collector T Chrituraj, Erode District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara and others were present.
Kovai cops crack inter-state drug racket, seize 7,800 pills
COIMBATORE: In a chain of crackdowns against drug smuggling rackets, the Coimbatore City police have arrested two persons and seized 7,800 sedative painkiller pills worth over Rs 25 lakh on Friday, which were prescribed as scheduled drugs. One of the arrested was working as an attendant at an AC coach of Hisar Express and smuggled the drug consignment from Rajasthan while another received the drug at Coimbatore Railway station. The drugs, Tydol and Tapentadol were sourced from Rajasthan to supply to Coimbatore city, police said. Based on information gathered from nine arrests made in a drug bust last week, a special team had been tracing and monitoring the supply chain which played a key part in the recent drug bust. Among the two held, the carrier Deepak alias Cikkandar (21) a Haryana native, who was working as an attendant in the AC coach of Hisar Express had smuggled the consignment by hiding it in the AC coach of the train. When the train reached Coimbatore junction at 2.10 pm, Pappu Ram (34) of Rajasthan, who has been residing in Coimbatore for around 15 years, received the parcel. Pappu Ram was working at a hardware shop in the city where he met his supplier from Rajasthan who had also worked in the city a few years ago, said police, adding that they are on the lookout for this supplier. The special team had already busted a racket from Haryana, operating the network through two online platforms including an e-commerce website. The managing directors of both firms were summoned for investigation, City Police Commissioner V Balakrishnan said. Likewise, last week, the special police team arrested four suspects who had smuggled sedative pills from Kerala using fake prescriptions. Further, they arrested a five-member gang on Sunday from Madukkarai Market Road in Coimbatore and seized 260 sedative tablets and 155 g of ganja, police alleged. After probing the gang, police came to know about the arrival of drugs via train from Rajasthan, propelling the recent bust. Anti-drug clubs and an SI rank police officer under the Police Bro project have been ensured for each college in the city to eradicate drug abuse. A team is monitoring the supply of synthetic drugs like LSD, MDMA and ganja from northern states. In fact, recently, we seized a parcel containing 4.5 kg of ganja from Shillong in Meghalaya through the parcel service of India Post. We are working to trace the network, added Balakrishnan. Since October 2024, the city police have arrested 31 suspects and seized 3.4 kg ganja, 29,562 tablets, 21 mobile phones, a laptop, 12 bikes and Rs 98,000 cash in drug-related incidents in Coimbatore city.
Chennai: The Election Commission of India appointed MSME Secretary Archana Patnaik as the Chief Electoral Officer for Tamil Nadu in the place of Satyabrata Sahoo. An IAS officer belonging to the 2002 batch, Archana Patnaik hails from the State of Odisha, to which her predecessor Sahoo, too, belonged. Patnaik had served as the district collector of Coimbatore.
Two arrested for assaulting bar manager in Coimbatore
SDPI stages protest against Amaran in Coimbatore, seeks ban
Man booked for impersonation, cheating in Coimbatore
Coimbatore City Police bust prescription drug peddling network
Reverse buyer-seller meet in Coimbatore brings export orders for MSMEs
Twenty-eight overseasbuyers and 231 MSMEs took part in the two-day meeting and orders were finalised for 115.35 crores, says MSMEs Minister T.M. Anbarasan
2 youths arrested for assaulting hotel manager over unpaid bar bill in Coimbatore
Two young men from Krishnagiri district, who traveled to Coimbatore for an army recruitment drive, were arrested for assaulting a hotel manager. The duo had incurred a bill of Rs 5,798 at the hotel's bar but the UPI payment they made didn't go through. When confronted about the unpaid bill, the youths physically attacked the manager, leading to their arrest.
Online trading scam: Three held for defrauding Madurai man of Rs 92 lakh
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu police cyber crime wing have arrested three people on charges of swindling a Madurai resident of Rs 92.2 lakh through an online trading scam. Apart from Tamil Nadu, the investigation revealed that the accused were involved in cyber offences in other states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Nagaland, and Odisha. Cops unearthed fraudulent transactions to the tune of approximately Rs 3 crore through the bank account they had created to launder the swindled amount, police said in an official statement. In July, the Madurai resident complained to the cyber crime wing about being defrauded of Rs 92.2 lakh after responding to a Facebook advertisement promoting a high-profit online trading scheme. Trusting the claims, the petitioner transferred funds across multiple bank accounts. He realised that he had been deceived when the promised returns were not provided and lodged a cyber complaint with the Madurai District Cyber Crime Police Station for legal action and recovery of the lost amount. To identify the culprits involved in the case a special team conducted an inquiry on the frozen amount of Rs 21.1 lakh found in various bank accounts associated with the suspects. When the victims transaction details were analysed, it was discovered that cyber criminals, identified as V Nithish Kumar and L Chandrasekaran from Namakkal and K Suresh from Sauripalayam in Coimbatore, used a Bandhan Bank account for their fraudulent activities. The investigation uncovered that these individuals had opened a current account named Murugan Traders under Nithish Kumars proprietorship and earned lakhs as commissions for each transaction amounting to Rs 1 crore. The special team went to Namakkal and Coimbatore and arrested the suspects. Items seized during the operation included laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards, bank passbooks, and ATM cards used in the crime. The accused were remanded in judicial custody. Further actions to apprehend the remaining individuals involved in the crime are underway. Citizens have been advised by cops to stay cautious of WhatsApp groups claiming to be from popular trading platforms, as testimonials posted in such groups are fabricated. If you have been added by someone, leave the group immediately, police added.
Four men threatened not to ply autos in Kaniyur; cops seize their vehicles
COIMBATORE: Owing to a dispute between autorickshaw drivers over the last few weeks regarding the use of an auto stand in Kaniyur, the Karumathampatti police have seized the vehicles of four auto drivers. The four men said the police had been threatening them not to operate from the stand. Along with AITUC union members, they subsequently met Superintendent of Police K Karthikeyan and urged him to allow them to ply autos in the locality. G Daniel, one of the affected auto drivers said, We belong to Scheduled Caste and hail from Arasur and Kaniyur areas. Earlier, the four of us used to operate autos owned by others, for a daily wage. Recently, we bought our own autos and stationed them near the Kaniyur Toll Plaza which is 100 metres away from the existing auto stand. However, the drivers in the existing stand have been threatening us for the last few weeks not to ply our vehicles in this locality. Making matters worse, the police seized our autos on Tuesday. They are also persuading us not to operate here. We bought the autos after taking loans. To make ends meet, we have been offering school trips. Now, with no vehicles, our livelihood has been taken away from us, he added. When contacted, Karumathampatti Police Station Inspector T Shanmugavelu said, There was a quarrel between the drivers in the existing stand and the new auto drivers. Objection was raised against the new drivers stationing their vehicles near the Kaniyur Toll Plaza. Despite warnings, the drivers did not listen to us. So, we seized their autos. Superintendent of Police Karthikeyan has promised to convene a peace meeting to resolve the issue. S Palanisamy, vice president of Coimbatore Auto Workers Union (AITUC affiliation), said, Even the existing auto stand was not created after securing proper permission. The four men had stationed their autos just 100 metres away from the stand. The police are also threatening them. How can police personnel order auto drivers to not operate in particular localities? On top of that, they have ruined the drivers livelihood by seizing the autos.
Village panchayat in Coimbatore unveils bus shelter made completely using plastic waste
COIMBATORE: In an innovative initiative, the Kittampalayam village panchayat has constructed a public bus shelter using just plastic sheets. Nearly two tonnes of plastic waste collected from households in the panchayat limits were used for the construction. Kittampalayam is the second village panchayat in Coimbatore district to introduce public facilities made from plastic waste, following the Kaniyur village panchayat. The bus shelter, located at the four-corner junction of Kittampalayam, was entirely created using plastic sheets. The roof, covering walls, flooring, and seating arrangements were built using 1,908 kg of waste collected from Kittampalayam, Vadugapalayam, Kulathupalayam, and Vinoba Nagar villages. With this initiative, we wish to prove to the public that proper segregation of wastes can have multiple benefits, said VMC Chandrasekar, president of Kittampalayam panchayat. The panchayat administration ensures door-to-door waste collection and segregation at the material recovery facility centre, where sanitary workers separate compostable and non-compostable waste. Biodegradable waste is used for manufacturing manure, which in turn is spread on the three acres of farmland owned by the village panchayat. The vegetables we cultivate here are sold to the residents at low prices, said Chandrasekar. The civic body also has plans to recycle plastic waste and has partnered with Recompose Recycling Private Ltd, a private firm with expertise in waste segregation that already operates in 12 village panchayats in the district. The firm had previously constructed a room using plastic waste at Kaniyur village panchayat office. The firms director, C Prashanth, said such constructions are the best way to recycle Multi-Layer Pack (MLP) plastics, which are low-value thin plastics used for packaging food products like biscuits, chocolates, and spices. These plastics are not preferred for recycling and end up in landfills. As we got hold of a massive volume of such plastics, we suggested using them to build the bus shelter. The waste was processed into sheets after being crushed and compressed. Notably, we produced the output in three different forms -- roofing sheets that look like asbestos sheets, paver block stones for the floor, and plain sheets for side walls and seats, he said. The Kittampalayam panchayat with around 6,000 residents, daily collects around 600 kg of waste, of which at least 200 kg is plastic. Approximately 20% of this waste is segregated as MLP. We now plan to construct more bus shelters using plastic, Chandrasekar added.
Modern steam kitchen unit at Valparai GH to be shifted to Pollachi
COIMBATORE: The district health department has decided to shift the modern kitchen facility that is in disuse at Valparai Government Hospital to the district headquarters hospital in Pollachi. The steam cooking facility was installed at Valparai Government Hospital four months ago under the National Health Mission scheme. However, the facility has not been in use allegedly due to manpower shortage. Meanwhile, the district headquarters hospital at Pollachi is in need of a such a facility for patients. Based on their request, the setup is being shifted to the Pollachi Government Hospital, sources said. An official said, The Pollachi government hospital has 460 beds and almost 400 beds are occupied. Preparing food for patients thrice a day is now managed manually. Hence, they demanded a modern steam cooking unit. The unit available at Valparai GH, established at a cost of Rs 15 lakh, is to be shifted to Pollachi GH as per an official order. Once they ensure basic arrangements, the unit will be shifted. Establishing the kitchen unit was discussed in the Patients Welfare Committee meeting held at the Pollachi GH on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Sub-Collector A Catherine Saranya. Other officials like the Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services NN Rajasekaran, Pollachi GH Medical Superintendent E Raja took part. In the meeting, the hospital administration also demanded road safety and speed control measures in front of the hospital premises as it is located on the Dindigul national highway. They also demanded for evicting encroachments around the campus, a mobile unit for blood bank, a battery operated car for patients among others. A special camp for registering Unique Disability Identity cards for differently abled people was also held at the hospital premises. Pollachi MP K Eswarasamy, Municipality chairperson and others participated. The camp was jointly organised by the hospital and the districts differently-abled welfare department. As many as 120 beneficiaries attended the camp. 43 people received the Unique Disability Identity cards.
Rs 6 cr allotted for holding MSME buyer-seller meets in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: The Minister for MSME and Rural Industries TM Anbarasan inaugurated the buyer-seller meeting, for products manufactured by MSMEs in the district on Thursday. Addressing the press after inaugurating the meeting, he said that the state is progressing towards first place in the industry as a result of the governments efforts. A total of Rs 164 crore has been allocated for 10 projects such as coir industry development scheme, food processing industries, start-up pre-incubation certification, raising awareness on intellectual property rights, and e-commerce guidance and facilitation under the Union governments RAMP scheme to improve capacity of MSMEs. To create a wider market opportunity for MSME products, buyer-seller meetings are being organised and Rs 5.94 crore has been allocated to conduct these meetings across the state he said. The minister said that 28 buyers from 14 foreign countries including Germany, Japan, USA, Malaysia, and over 250 MSME manufacturers from the state, participated in this meeting. The first buyer-seller meeting in the state was held at the Global Investors Conference in January. Here, an agreement was signed for purchases worth Rs 42.68 crore from 174 MSMEs. Of this, Rs 16.45 crore worth of purchases were made by 73 first-time exporters, he added. After this government came to power, MSMEs are being given financial assistance to showcase products at exhibitions in India and abroad. In the last two years, 250 MSMEs were given a financial assistance of `5 crore to participate in such exhibitions. The states contribution to Indias total exports is 9.25%. Exports have further increased this year, Anbarasan said.
CM Stalin will open automatic paneer plant set up at Rs 10 crore in Kovai: Dairy Min Rajakannappan
COIMBATORE: The Minister for Milk and Dairy Development RS Rajakannappan announced that an automatic paneer manufacturing plant, set up at a cost of Rs 10 crore in the district, will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister soon. Addressing reporters after inspecting the modern dairy at the District Cooperative Milk Producers Union in Pachapalayam, he said that at present 231 out of 323 primary milk producers cooperative societies under the union are providing instant acknowledgment to milk producers at the time of supply, by determining quality, quantity and price per litre of milk. He added that 191 automatic milk testing equipment worth Rs 1.07 crore has been provided to all societies and centres, at 60% subsidy through the National Dairy Development Programme, to provide 100% instant recognition of quality. An average of 1.3 lakh litres of milk is being procured each day by 7,524 members from 323 functioning societies under the Coimbatore District Cooperative Milk Producers Union. Milk producers are given a milk purchase incentive of Rs 3/litre from December 2023. To encourage milk producers, an additional incentive of Rs 1/litre is being given if they continuously supply milk with fat content of 4.3% and 8.2%, he said. The quality of milk procured from societies is checked and immediate approval is issued. Through Aavin, a litre of milk is provided to public at Rs 40. As many as 48 dairy products including ghee and palkova are produced and sold.
Youth dies as tractor plunges into under-construction well in Coimbatore
Coimbatore rural police to receive CPR and first aid training
When industrial unrest broke out in the textile mills of Coimbatore in 1948
Immediately after Independence, a major crisis gripped the textile sector in the city. Retrenchment notices were served on about 11,000 workers on a single day. The workers started a strike and the mills shut. The agitation, which went on for nearly five months, came to an end, thanks to the intervention of Kamaraj and government assurances
Aavin distributes milk testing machines to unions in Coimbatore
