Chennai News

No seat-sharing talks held in Chennai, says BJP State president

Tamil Nadu Startup Data Voucher Scheme draws 150 applications

The first tranche of reimbursements is expected to be released during Umagine TN 2026 in Chennai

Private capital reshapes Chennais public bus services in three years: World Bank

The government procured 1,025 electric buses and associated services awarded through competitive bidding

Tamil Nadu achieves new milestone in solar power generation and grid absorption

Study indicates need for integrated centres for assessment of breast cancer

The analysis by the Chennai Breast Centre revealed that when tests are conducted across multiple centres in a fragmented manner, a significant proportion of breast cancer diagnoses is missed or misdiagnosed

Rediscovering Roots: How Margazhiyil Makkal Isai Inspires a Cultural Renaissance

Margazhiyil Makkal Isai, a cultural movement to platform art that is entirely rooted in Tamil culture and its people, while celebrating music like gaana, rap, and political indigenous music is set to return for its sixth edition between December 26 and 28

Madras HCs list for new judges fundamentally flawed, says PIL

A public interest petition challenges the legality of the Madras High Court collegium's recent recommendation of 13 advocates for judgeship. The petitioner argues the collegium was flawed by excluding Justice J Nisha Banu, who was still technically part of the court when recommendations were made. The plea also alleges political interference in the selection process.

Phone left in SUV helps cop nab car-lifters in hours

CHENNAI: A phone accidentally left behind in a luxury car turned out to be the undoing of two vehicle lifters, helping the police track and recover the stolen car within hours on Wednesday. The car, belonging to a state-level Congress functionary, was intercepted near Puzhal following a high-speed chase. According to police, Melvin (36), a resident of Vyasarpadi and state secretary of the Congress partys human rights division, had stopped his car at a petrol bunk on Melpatti Ponnappan Street to refuel. When Melvin stepped out to settle the bill, leaving the engine idle and his mobile phone on the seat, two persons jumped into the car and quickly drove the away. Melvin immediately alerted the Vyasarpadi police. A team led by Inspector Rajinikanth utilised the GPS tracking feature on the stolen mobile phone to monitor the cars real-time movement. Finding themselves cornered, the suspects abandoned the vehicle which had a deflated tyre, and tried to flee. Following inquiry, police arrested Surya (25), a bike mechanic from Kodungaiyur, and his associate Bharath (28) of Manali in this connection. The duo has been booked for vehicle theft and remanded in judicial custody.

8,000 cops deployed for Christmas security in Chennai

CHENNAI: On the occasion of Christmas, a total of 8,000 police personnel have been deployed across Chennai to ensure a peaceful celebration. Special security arrangements will be in force from Wednesday night till Thursday, with intensified security across the city, particularly around churches expected to draw large congregations. The deployment is being carried out under the supervision of senior police officers, with Home Guards assisting field personnel. Around 350 churches will be covered through rotational patrolling, with additional law and order, crime and traffic police posted at high-footfall locations such as Santhome Basilica, Besant Nagar Velankanni Church, St Antonys Church at Parrys, St Georges Cathedral on Anna Salai and Chinnamalai Church. Public address systems will be used to issue safety advisories and prevent overcrowding. CCTV and drone surveillance, plainclothes policing, intensified patrols and special vehicle checks at key junctions are part of the plan. At Marina, Santhome, Besant Nagar and Neelankarai beaches, police will prevent people from entering the sea and monitor the area using all-terrain vehicles. Traffic police have made special arrangements for smooth flow of vehicles, parking and strict enforcement against drunk driving, speeding and other violations, aided by ANPR and CCTV cameras.

Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT probe extended to TN, Karnataka

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Still clueless over the fate of the gold that was stolen from Sabarimala artefacts, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the gold theft cases have fanned out its probe to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The sleuths visited various locations in Chennai in a bid to collect more evidence against Smart Creations CEO Pankaj Bhandari. Another team of officers conducted another round of search at Roddam Jewellers in Ballari in Karnataka. Roddam Jewellers is owned by Govardhan, who is in judicial custody along with Pankaj after the SIT arrested them for allegedly being part of the subterfuge. The sleuths had earlier recovered about 470g of gold from Roddam, but sources said investigators could not verify whether it was part of the missing gold from Sabarimala artefacts. The Chennai-based probe of the SIT has got another dimension as well. A businessman based abroad had allegedly testified before the SIT about the suspected involvement of international rackets engaged in antique trafficking.

Foot over bridge at Chromepet and Taramani to get escalators

The Highways Department has placed orders for five pairs of escalators at a cost of around 7.5 crore

Tamil Nadu highway crash: 9 dead, 10 injured as Chennai-bound bus rams 2 cars

A Chennai-bound bus in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district veered off the road and collided with two cars after a tyre burst, resulting in nine fatalities and at least 10 injuries. The accident occurred near Thittakudi, blocking traffic on the national highway. The Chief Minister announced compensation for the victims' families.

Breaking News Live Updates: Nine killed in road accident on Trichy-Chennai National Highway

Grand Christmas Ball today in Chennai

The soiree is organised by Anglo-Indians but by no means restricted to them. In these times of dwindling Anglo-Indian presence even in enclaves with a distinctive Anglo-Indian flavour, this event signifies an effort to preserve a cultural tradition that has enriched Chennai

The Dig: A deep dive into the past

A phone call regarding a long-form article she had written eight years ago sparked the beginning of this book, Sowmiya Ashok recalls. A writer said that it had a story to tell, a potential to be a book. For the Chennai-based journalist, the news of the Keeladi excavation sparked her fascination with Harappan sites in Pakistan, and it was thrilling to learn that an excavation was underway right next to Madurai, a place closer to her home. She thought the quest might answer questions like who we are. On December 21, this journey of discovery, in the form of a book, The Dig: Keeladi and The Politics of Indias Past , was launched by an eminent archaeologist V Vedachalam. An informative conversation filled with curiosity and humour, between writer Sowmiya and Shabbir Ahmed, senior news editor with The News Minute , was a walk through the process of creating the book. An evening with a coterie of book enthusiasts and well-wishers gathered at Ashvitas a small space reflecting coarseness and elegance with splashes of paintings around. Something so intentionally raw about the room made it the perfect space for a discussion on archaeology and the old remnants. Writing a book, for Sowmiya, was about preparations and frequent journeys. Her philosophy was to show up everywhere, be it an archeology conference, a talk of a script, meeting people, or visits to the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archeology or the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). She calls it the process of trial and error. The journalistic impulses nudged her to keep showing up. As Shabbir pointed out, Keeladi has become a political flash point. He alluded to the political scenario of biased interpretations and conflicting opinions while Sowmiya was writing the book. But the book, he remarked, is far from the political narratives that we have heard over time. Sowmiya said, I stuck to chronology. Its a difficult story to tell, and there were a lot of narratives; everybody had a stake in the game. Anybody who ventured into this, who is not an archaeologist or an epigraphist, sometimes had reasons to say the things they were saying. As someone who believes that archaeology is so politicised in our country, she didnt want to document this excavation site with political narratives. Sowmiya had a clear idea that she wanted to make the book about people who are working despite politics, despite the lack of funds. I spoke to people as wide as I could go. The voices and diversity are what I wanted to capture, she said. But she also shared that this made the story even more complicated, because our origins themselves were complicated. These excavations trace back to the past, where one can see more cultural exchanges and different parts of the subcontinent. There were comparisons made with Harappan sites and the Indus Valley Civilization. She reasoned, Ever since Independence, and we lost these big sites to Pakistan, theres been a quest to find parallels of the Indian sites. Sowmiyas work ethic echoes the words of Vedachalam, who said, An archaeologist should remain balanced. Every site is the same for an archaeologist. Her extensive research not only included conversations with archeologists and experts but also delved into literature. I needed to understand what the literature was if I was writing about a site that relied so much on the references in the literature. This meant digging up the Sangam literature, and the poems that described the physical aspects of the old Tamil region. With layers of excavation, some of the definitions of what constitutes urban is also what Sowmiya writes in her book. What is a marker of urban doesnt have a concrete answer they arent just remnants of structures and materials, she emphasised. More excavations lead to more understanding, and thats what I have tried to say in the book as well, she shared. For her, the process of writing was both exciting and transformative. It was a space for her to understand her own origins, which she says, is more complex than I thought. Every day was a learning experience be it lengthy conversations with experts or close interactions with the locals. Sowmiya recalled her long conversations with K Amarnath Ramakrishna, the then ASIs superintending archaeologist, who initiated the excavation at Keeladi. When asked about the people who are pushing the Archeology Department forward, Sowmiya said that, be it the Archeology Minister or the Commissioner of the Tamil Nadu State Department, there is a political push that stems from their personal passion for history and archaeology. The launch concluded with a reading session, where she presented excerpts from the book. With a tone so light and hearty, words swollen with keen observations, and humour, Sowmiya led the audience to the excavation site. True storytelling indeed.

Blending graphite art and 'kutcheri'

While Margazhi remains rooted in tradition, the way it is being experienced is evolving. Across the city, artists are responding to the season with interdisciplinary projects that integrate music, visual art, and performance, reflecting a growing desire to engage with classical forms beyond conventional concert formats. It is within this evolving Margazhi that Rag Rekha, a three-day art exhibition by Carnatic vocalist and artist Jayakrishnan Unni, finds its place. Featuring over 100 hand-drawn pencil portraits of Indian classical musicians and dancers, the exhibition is to be held from December 26 to 28 at CP Arts Centre, Alwarpet, offers a quieter counterpoint to the seasons sonic abundance. Presented by Faber-Castell along with Poorvi, and supported by ACHEVE Foundation (USA), Rag Rekha positions itself as an invitation to immerse rasikas into multidisciplinary art this season. The show is the culmination of Jayakrishnans works that he has been creating over the last five years. For him, the coming together of music and visual art feels natural rather than experimental. Although these are of different facets, ultimately it is from the same person, he says. Everything that we do will have some taste that unites it, although the other things might be quite diverse in nature. Painting, sketching, music and rhythm, inevitably intersect because they stem from the same artistic impulse. The portraits themselves are rendered either in graphite on white paper or white pencil on black. While the medium may appear minimal, the intent is anything but superficial. Each portrait is not just the face. Its about them (the artists) exploring a raga , exploring a line, exploring a swara , he says, adding that he attempts to capture the inner world of performance. Many of these works took shape during the pandemic when Jayakrishnan returned to pencil after years of working with acrylic and oil. Working in pencil gives me a sort of meditative feel, he says. What began as an occasional exercise soon became habitual, especially as he started drawing portraits to mark remembrance days or significant moments in musicians lives. As musicians, we are always grateful to the great masters who have given us so much. They are our heroes, he says. The decision to stage Rag Rekha during Margazhi was deliberate. This is the time when the air in Chennai is filled with music, he notes, adding that the exhibitions resonance is inseparable from the city. During Margazhi, musicians are like superheroes. Nobody is looking at you strangely if youre holding a tambura and walking down the street. Outside Chennai, he feels the works would still be appreciated as portraits, but the deeper musical recognition comes alive here. The gallery space is designed to reflect this confluence. Portraits line the walls, while live Carnatic concerts unfold at the centre. We are trying to bring a confluence of art and music, he says. Its not just about looking at the paintings, its also about feeling the music that is there. Visitors can move and view the works or sit through performances surrounded by faces of musicians who have shaped the art form. Concerts form a key part of the exhibition, with performances by Sooryagayathri, Kalyanapuram Aravind, Sriranjani Santhanagopalan, and Jayakrishnan, with an interaction with dancer Meera Srinivasan on the creative process, on December 27. Ultimately, Jayakrishnan sees Rag Rekha as an offering to rasikas as much as to artistes. Quoting his guru , he says, For a lamp to be seen, there should be eyes. Otherwise, however much light the lamp spreads, there is no use.

Cumta drafts a code for city streets, roads

Life imprisonment for Assam man accused in Arambakkam child rape case

IGP Asra Garg says close coordination between the investigation and prosecution teams brought justice to the survivor and her family within five months of the crime

Rehabilitation aid is capital, not taxable income, says HC

SHRC disposes of 12,608 cases in 3 yrs

1,000 nurses to be regularized; protest called off

Nagore Hanifa a symbol of communal harmony: CM

Now scanQR code to gain entry to Vedanthangal

7 IAS officers promoted to chief secretary rank

Stamp duty, regn: New order to curb double payment for homes

Students receive 35.70 lakh in sports participation incentives

A clue to history

Last week I took a fascinating trip through the temples of Salem and Namakkal. I spent my time happily documenting games etched on the floors of temples and monuments while my friends watched, amused. They did have a very pertinent question for me. If I already knew about a game, why did I photograph every instance of its appearance on these floors? The answer is simple. Most traditional games belong to the oral tradition, and there is very little evidence about their presence, popularity, or geographic spread, as they were often drawn on sand with a stick or with chalk on stone floors. These are the only tangible and physical evidence we have. As I have spent a couple of decades documenting them and visiting many temples, I see patterns emerge. This is not unlike the Pensieve in Harry Potter books, where Dumbledore remarks, I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from ones mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at ones leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand when they are in this form. While I do not have a Pensieve, I do examine the photographs at my leisure to notice links. For example, multiple boards of the same game in a single temple could give clues to its popularity. A game that has no local presence could indicate migrant craftsmen. Simple patterns repeated in numerous temples could be clues to forgotten games. The list goes on. Sometimes, games can provide deeper insights. One example of this was at the Tharamangalam temple. While most etchings of games are executed with lines, I saw a very interesting style in the temples of the Hoysala period. Many of the games were executed by a series of cup marks little depressions to indicate the points where game pieces could be placed or moved. As these are usually at the intersection of lines, one could visualise the board. I mentally started associating this style with the Hoysalas. Imagine my surprise when I encountered a game etched with cup marks on one of the platforms of the temple. While I am no history scholar, I was surprised to find this style in Salem and reached out to a historian. What I learned was fascinating. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Tharamangalams epigraphs is the presence of Hoysala dynasty inscriptions. Two records (dated 1254 CE and 1279 CE) cite Posala Mannan Veera Ramanatha Devar referring to Vira Ramanatha, a Hoysala prince-turned-king. These inscriptions provide evidence of the Hoysala empires incursion into the western Tamil country and their patronage of local temples. Vira Ramanatha was a Hoysala ruler who, after 1254 CE, governed the southern part of the kingdom. His father, King Vira Someshwara, split the empire between Ramanatha and his brother Narasimha III. Ramanathas dominion included the Tamil territories conquered by the Hoysalas. Essentially, from the 1250s to 1290s, there was a Hoysala presence in Tamil Nadu, in rivalry and conflict with the Pandya dynasty. Historical records note that Ramanathas inscriptions (1257-1294 CE) are all in Tamil and found across his Tamil territory. The Tharamangalam inscriptions are a perfect illustration of that: even though he was a Kannada monarch, the records here are composed in Tamil, the local tongue, to address the local population and priesthood. The use of the term Posala (Tamil for Hoysala) in the inscription underlines that identity. While it was documented history, one humble etching by a player hundreds of years ago gave us a clue to the history of the region. Such is the power of games.

GCC to re-tender waste privatization in two zones

Woman held for cheating man of 42L

Students among teens held for selling meth

Shopkeeper, 50, arrested for sexually abusing 13-year-old

Two dining halls inaugurated for sanitation workers in Saidapet

Man attempts suicide for third time, jumps off flyover, dies

Police crack down on bike racing; warn of seizure, fines

Post SC ban, GCC allots eight feeding spots for stray dogs

T.N. Police Hackathon 2025 heldin Chennai

DMK Allies Protest Against VBGRAMG Scheme

Congress functionaries share stage with TVK leaders at Christmas event

Light to moderate rain likely in parts of T.N. till December 28, says RMC

Department of Posts to host Dak Adalat for customer feedback

Unavu Thiruvizha extended till December 28

Webinar on Engineering Careers for Viksit Bharat on December 28

Aimed at engineering students and aspiring professionals, the webinar will explore emerging career opportunities, evolving industry expectations, and essential skill development

9 killed as government bus collides with SUVs at Ezhuthur on Tiruchi-Chennai National Highway

The deceased, all of whom were occupants of the two cars, were being identified, the police said.

Seven Killed In Road Accident In Tamil Nadu

A Chennai-bound state-run bus from Tiruchirappalli changed direction all of a sudden when a tyre burst and moved to the opposite direction after climbing onto the road median.

TN: 7 killed as govt bus tyre bursts, swerves and hits 2 vehicles

Cuddalore: At least seven persons were killed near here on Wednesday after a government bus swerved to the opposite side and collided with two vehicles, police said. The bus changed direction due to a tyre burst, they said. A Chennai-bound state-run bus from Tiruchirappalli, while proceeding on the national highway near here, changed direction all Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Puducherry DMK leaders hold talks with party leadership in Chennai

Chennais sixth reservoir project near Thiruporur to take off soon

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is likely to lay foundation stone for the 350 crore project in the Kovalam basin, marking a key step in augmenting the burgeoning citys water storage capacity

Woman held for defrauding man of 42 lakh under the guise of securing a veterinary seat

Rag Rekha by Jayakrishnan Unni brings the expressions of Indias classical masters, from the concert hall to the gallery wall

From Bhimsen Joshi and Bismillah Khan to CV Chandrasekhar and MS Subbulakshmi, the graphite sketches capture these icons not in posed stillness, but in performance, immersed in their art form

Lighting on NH 48 from Tambaram to Tindivanam set to improve

Sandeep Reddy Vangas Animal to release in Japan on February 13 next year

Chennai: The makers of director Sandeep Reddy Vangas immensely popular film Animal, featuring actors Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Bobby Deol in the lead, on Wednesday announced that the film would release in Japan on February 13 next year. Taking to its X timeline, Bhadrakali Pictures, the production house that made the film, wrote, Kono Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Road accident fatalities in Chennai drop by over 10% in 2025: GCTP

Chennai police make special security arrangements for Christmas celebrations

On Thursday (December 25, 2025), as large numbers of people are expected to visit churches, elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of women, children, and the general public, and to prevent overcrowding

Chennai women took to the pickleball court to celebrate world sari day

World Sari Day brought women of all ages together, blending tradition, sport and community on the pickleball court

Allu Arjun to reunite with Trivikram for grand mythological epic

Chennai: If rumours doing the rounds in the industry are to be believed, Icon Star Allu Arjun and acclaimed filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas are set to reunite for a spectacular mythological epic, marking their fourth collaboration together. This ambitious project, industry insiders say, will be based on a powerful script originally conceived for Allu Arjun. The Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

VELS Trade & Convention Centre Inaugurated in Chennai; Thangam Thennarasu and Dr. Kamal Haasan Grace the Grand Opening

The VELS Group of Institutions and Companies marked a major milestone with the grand inauguration of the VELS Trade & Convention Centre at Chembarambakkam, Chennai. Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh felicitating Dr. Kamal Haasan, MP (Rajya Sabha), in the presence of Thiru.Thangam Thennarasu, Honble Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu The VELS Trade & Convention Centre was formally inaugurated by Thiru Thangam Thennarasu and Dr. Kamal Haasan, and the event was presided over by Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Founder-Chancellor of VELS University and Chairman of VELS Group of Institutions and Companies. The dais also featured Dr. A. C. Shanmugam, Founder-Chancellor, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, alongside the chief dignitaries. A World-Class Convention Destination in Chennai The VELS Trade & Convention Centre, Chennai, is a world-class convention and event venue featuring four expansive convention halls with a total built-up area of 3.5 lakh square feet. Designed to host large-scale trade fairs, exhibitions, international conferences, corporate events, political meetings, award ceremonies, weddings, summits, and major cultural programmes, the facility stands among the largest convention centres in Tamil Nadu. Built with contemporary architecture and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the fully air-conditioned convention centre can accommodate up to 20,000 guests at a time and provides parking for nearly 6,000 vehicles, ensuring seamless access and convenience for large gatherings. The centre also offers a dedicated open-air event space with a capacity of 20,000 attendees, making it ideal for music concerts, live performances, festivals, and mega public events. Supporting facilities include luxury guest houses, multi-cuisine restaurants, 20 fully equipped indoor shooting studios, a 15,000 sq. ft. open dining space, 15 designated exhibition stall spaces, and advanced CCTV surveillance with a centralised monitoring system, ensuring safety, comfort, and operational efficiency. VELS Film City: Strengthening Chennais Entertainment Ecosystem Complementing this landmark facility is the VELS Film City, the only integrated film city in Tamil Nadu. Spread across a vast campus, it includes outdoor shooting locations, end-to-end production facilities, guest accommodations, and VELS Theatres, a six-screen multiplex with a dedicated food court. Together, these facilities reinforce the VELS Groups growing presence in the entertainment, arts and creative industries. Strategically located in Chennais growing business corridor, the VELS Trade & Convention Centre is poised to become a preferred destination for exhibitions, conferences, entertainment events, and film productions, contributing significantly to the citys event, tourism, and creative economy. In his address, Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh conveyed that the Honble Union Finance MinisterSmt.Nirmala Sitharaman and Honble Minister of State Shri L. Murugan were unable to attend due to prior commitments and had extended their warm wishes for the success of the event. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Honble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin, for deputing Thiru Thangam Thennarasu to grace the occasion. Addressing the gathering, Thiru Thangam Thennarasu highlighted Tamil Nadus strong economic momentum, noting that the state has achieved double-digit economic growth, driven by sustained infrastructure investment and active participation from private institutions such as the VELS Group. He emphasised that such initiatives play a vital role in job creation and long-term development. In his special address, Padma Bhushan Dr. Kamal Haasan observed that Chennai has emerged as a pan-India hub for film production. Encouraging the younger generation to take Tamil cinema to greater heights, he expressed confidence in the future of the industry. Referring to Ms. Kushmitha Ganesh, Vice President, Vels Group of Companies, he said that while there were earlier concerns about the fading glow of Tamil cinema, the leadership and creativity of the younger generation reassure him that the industry is poised for national and global recognition. Distinguished Guests The ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including former Minister Veeramani; Shri L. K. Sudheesh, Deputy General Secretary, DMDK; Shri Jaynthilal Chalani, President, Gold and Diamond Jewellery Association; actors R. Parthiban, Senthil and Sripriya; VGP Santhosham; leading academicians; and representatives from business, trade bodies and cultural organisations. Social Responsibility of VELS Reaffirming its commitment to social responsibility and inclusive growth, the VELS Group distributed welfare kits to 1,000 students from orphanages, along with lunch, during the inauguration. A special screening of an actor Rajinikanth film was also organised at VELS Theatres for these students, reflecting the institutions continued focus on community development and humanitarian service. velsgroup.in

Dental college staff booked for sexually harassing student in Chennai

CHENNAI: A 23-year-old first-year dental student at a private college in Kundrathur has accused a senior administrative officer of sexual harassment and the hostel-in-charge of criminal intimidation. Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections, including the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and launched a search for the accused. Police said the student alleged that the college administration had initially assured her of arranging a scholarship in an attempt to silence her, which she declined. On December 18, the hostel in-charge, Jhansi, allegedly asked her via text message to meet Ramamoorthy, the colleges administrative officer. When the student met him the next day, Ramamoorthy allegedly took her to a place without CCTV coverage, made inappropriate remarks and proposed a relationship, promising personal favours in return. He also threatened to reduce her internal assessment marks and fail her in examinations if she disclosed the incident, the complaint stated. The student further alleged that after she shared the incident with a friend, Jhansi confiscated her mobile phone, checked her call records, verbally abused her in front of male staff members, and forced her to write declarations that she was not subjected to harassment. Though the phone was later returned, the student deleted the text exchanges between her and Jhansi out of fear. Distressed, she informed her parents. When her mother attempted to meet the administrative officer the next day, she was denied permission. The student and her mother then approached the police. Police said cases have been registered for obscene acts, criminal intimidation, and harassment of women, and efforts are on to secure the accused.

Chennai man accused in assault case held in Mumbai

CHENNAI: A 41-year-old man accused in a sexual assault case reported from Adyar was arrested at the Mumbai International Airport on Sunday after returning from China. The accused, Gopal (41), a resident of Royapuram in Chennai, was detained by immigration officials on the basis of a Lookout Circular issued by the Chennai police. A police team travelled to Mumbai, secured his custody, produced him before a court in Chennai on Sunday. He was remanded in judicial custody. According to police, the case relates to a complaint filed by a 23-year-old woman from Puducherry, who was staying at a womens hostel in Thiruvanmiyur and working at a firm in Besant Nagar. In January, while she was walking to work, a man on a two wheeler allegedly followed her, blocked her path and offered her a ride. When she refused, he sexually assaulted her and fled. Based on her complaint, the Adyar all women police registered a case under relevant provisions of BNS and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

Couple who tied knot nine days ago found dead in Kundrathur

CHENNAI: A 25-year-old software engineer allegedly killed his wife before ending his own life at their rented residence at Moondram Kattalai in Kundrathur on Monday night. The deceased were identified as Vijay and Yuvasri (24), both employees at an IT firm in Ambattur. The couple had got married only nine days ago. According to police, the two were in a relationship before tying the knot on December 13, despite opposition from parents. According to police, the couple had an argument after Yuvasri found that Vijay had been in an extramarital affair with another woman. The matter came to light after the woman, whom he had been in a relationship with for four years, shared her chat history with Yuvasri. The woman also told he had sought money to initiate divorce proceedings against Yuvasri, police said. The incident was discovered when neighbours, concerned by the locked house and lack of response, alerted the Kundrathur police. On breaking open the door, police found Yuvasri dead on the bed with no external injuries except a bleeding nose, while Vijay was found in the same room with cut injuries on his wrist. The bodies were shifted to the Tambaram Government Hospital. We suspect a confrontation over infidelity which escalated. We are awaiting the autopsy report to confirm the exact cause of death, a police official said. The police have registered a case under Section 194 of BNSS (suspicious death).

Fresh claims regarding Panchaloha idol theft at Sabarimala before SIT

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With new revelations coming up in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case, the special investigation team probing the case has been met with fresh claims that could further complicate the investigation. A businessman, named earlier by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, has reportedly told the SIT that the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, had close links with D Mani, an antique collector based in Chennai. It is learnt that in his statement, the businessman alleged that apart from gold, two panchaloha idols believed to be from Sabarimala were sold to Mani by Potti. Sources said the claim, if found credible, could point to wider and possible international links in the case. The SIT will now be verifying the authenticity of the statement. The businessman has also reportedly claimed that the deal happened in Thiruvananthapuram in 2020 between Mani, Unnikrishnan Potti and a top official linked to Sabarimala. However, this version directly contradicts the statements earlier given by Govardhan, a jeweller and one of the accused, and by Potti himself. Both Govardhan and Potti had told SIT that the stolen gold was melted and did not remain in solid form. The SIT now faces the task of verifying these conflicting accounts, especially since it has already collected gold samples believed to be part of the stolen consignment.

Chennai businessman arrested for filming neighbour in bathroom

A businessman was arrested in Chennai for secretly filming his neighbour, a dentist, while she was bathing. The 57-year-old man was caught by the woman's mother on his terrace with a smartphone. Following a complaint and escalation, police registered an FIR and took him into custody.

Victoria hall gets back its lost glory, opened to public in Chennai

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin inaugurated the renovated Victoria Public Hall, located on EVR Periyar Salai, on Tuesday. He also laid the foundation stone for the construction of council hall on Ripon Buildings premises at an outlay of Rs 74.7 crore. Built in 1888 in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style, Victoria Public Hall was designed by renowned architect Robert Chisholm and constructed by Namberumal Chetty. The two-storey structure features a main roof at a height of 19m and a central tower standing at 34m. The hall, named after Queen Victoria, has for over a century served as a key venue for public gatherings, cultural programmes and civic activities. Corporation officials said that an online booking system will be introduced to enable visitors to register in advance. Beyond its architectural significance, the hall holds a special place in Tamil Nadus social and political history. It has been a major venue for social movement gatherings and political meetings, including those of the Justice Party, and is widely regarded as a cradle of the Dravidian movement, a corporation official told the TNIE . In May 2023, the Greater Chennai Corporation undertook a comprehensive conservation, revitalisation and seismic retrofitting project at a cost of Rs 32.6 crore under Singara Chennai 2.0. Though the work was given a 24-month deadline, it overshot by seven months. The official said the restoration was carried out to preserve the buildings original architectural character while enhancing its structural safety and functionality. The project included structural repairs, seismic strengthening, complete roof restoration, interior and exterior conservation works, upgrading of building services and architectural faade lighting. With a built-up area of around 2,200 sq m, the restored hall now meets modern safety standards while regaining its historic grandeur.

The story of a struggle to have a memorial after Ambedkar in Chennai

During then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhis stint as CM of the State, he got an arts and science college in Vyasarpadi in north Chennai named after Ambedkar

Holiday season 2025: Breaking generational trauma in dysfunctional families

They step into festivals with hearts already bruised, carrying silence instead of joy. From homes where love was conditional, chaotic or never available, they still learnt the art of holding themselves together, not because they are healed, but because someone else needs them to be. Old wounds almost always resurface during celebrations: laughter feels rehearsed, prayers feel heavy, and memories tend to haunt. Yet they stay. They choose not to unravel. They swallow the ache so the room can feel lighter for someone else. That someone is sometimes their child waiting for reassurance or a younger sibling looking for steadiness, and some other times, it is their own frightened reflection asking not to be abandoned. So, as the holiday seasons lights grow brighter, these they-s tell stories of choosing restraint where they were taught rage, of choosing tenderness where they inherited neglect. And in these stories, they admit how heavy it is to carry wounds they did not create, yet still refuse to pass on. Their stories revolve around boundaries gently held, new traditions carefully built, and festivals redefined. But above all, they speak of learning to steady their emotions before the season arrives, and giving grief the permission it needs to heal themselves, too. For Arulmozhi V, a domestic abuse survivor who raised her son alone, the nights leading up to the holidays posed the biggest challenge. I would feel so alone, and I would cry myself to sleep. My pillow was almost always soaking wet. I allowed myself to cry, hoping that there would be no tears left to shed when my son would wake up because I would have to put up a happy front for him, she says. Recalling the first holiday season after her violent husband abandoned her and her child, she speaks of how the excessive crying caused her vision to blur. The doctors said that since I cried a lot, a nerve in my eye had torn a little and was causing my vision to blur. I had to undergo treatment for it. Allowing space for grief also came with the pressure of making ends meet. She admits to the intense stress of figuring out how to afford a Christmas that felt enough, how to make the celebrations appear grand, and how to place a gift in her sons hands. Somewhere between budgets and heartbreak, she found herself wishing that small, material joys might compensate for the dysfunction he was growing up around. Meanwhile, for Deepika V*, a mother of two who lives with her in-laws, the days before festivities are all about regulating her emotions. All my in-laws want during festivals is compliance, and that should come without questions, suggestions, or any kind of resistance. If anyone breaks away from their routine, even when done unintentionally, they will start showing faces, arguing and so on, spoiling the mood for everyone in the family, she shares. So, Deepika and her spouse would prepare themselves mentally to comply, and oftentimes, even ignore and accept the elders whiplash of emotions. If we fight or argue, we will be making the celebrations worse for our kids, which we are totally against, she reasons. Wilson, a father of two, belonging to a conservative Catholic household, withdraws from the noise of the holidays and turns to his creative work, both as a refuge from past trauma and as a conscious choice to contain his emotions, so they do not spill over and become inherited wounds for his wife and children. While the world rushes with shopping and glitter, Wilson builds a crib the old-fashioned way. It is his labour of love: collecting haystacks, finding the right soil, and hunting for waste materials to repurpose. He would mix these into the earth, sow mustard seeds, and wait for them to sprout. Lately, he has also been experimenting with crafting entire Christmas villages from scratch. Redefining celebrations After regulating their emotions and moods comes the responsibility of taking on new weights. Wilson believes that breaking the cycle for his family comes with breaking the inherent societal bias. Raised in a patriarchal home where festive duties fell largely on the women, Wilson now maintains that roles and expectations should not be defined by gender. If there is a need, there will be sharing, he says. He emphasises more cooperation than hierarchy and how his partner, children, and relatives step up naturally. His celebrations at home are now shaped less by excess and more by adjusting. Deepika, on the other hand, confesses to trying to disrupt the rigid-celebrations by setting boundaries, even if they are not always stringent. She admits to choosing the homes of trusted family members or cousins during festivities, so her children grow up learning that festivals are about togetherness. I want my kids to look forward to festivals and celebrations. I dont want them to ignore, duck their heads, endure bad moods and arguments, and dread festivals in general, Deepika says, adding that she has been deliberately making excuses to ensure that her children dont spend a majority of their time during festivities with their paternal grandparents. She believes this is the first real disruption she is taking on deliberately, though it scares her, unsettles her, and leaves her uncomfortable. These boundaries, she says, are bringing with them new traditions. Since at home, the children are only used to watching food being made, and prayers commence at a set time, celebrations at her chosen familys houses involve more play, visits to places like the beach or the mall, presenting and receiving gifts and food, among other things. For Rhea Mathew too, building new traditions have been pivotal in breaking the cycle of holiday trauma she experienced while growing up in her parents catholic home. As a parent raising her child in an agnostic household with her spouse, Rhea consciously chooses to diverge from rigid customs, often agreeing with her partner to let celebrations unfold in new and spontaneous ways. Their on-the-go, flexible plans are not just for convenience but ways to heal. This heals me too, but more importantly, it ensures that my daughter experiences holidays not as templates bound by pain and tradition, but as open spaces for joy, presence, and togetherness, she says. As new traditions taking root is helping some, for others, keeping old traditions alive was essential to keep the holiday spirit alive. Arulmozhi explains that she needed to do all the things her son was used to doing during Easter, Christmas, and New Year, when the family stayed together, so he wouldnt feel any void. When we were a family, we spent Christmas mornings at the Church. After the mass, we would come home, and everyone would work around the house, essentially cooking and cleaning. Then we would eat kari soru and distribute cake to all our neighbours and family. Christmas evenings always entailed going for a movie, to the beach, or some touristy place, she says, adding that she continued these traditions with her son in the years she remained a single parent. While Deepika and Arulmozhi stay strong for their children, Namitha Rachel Sheri, a student who defines her family dynamics as maladaptive, does so for herself first. She calls herself a holiday toolkit full of reminders and routines. Breaking the cycle is a very internal process. More than the festivities themselves, for me, the challenge was building agency over celebrations. It is about realising that I am an active participant and not an observer, and that festivals are meant for me too. So, I celebrate everything first by myself. These celebrations look like treats to days I splurge on all my hobbies. After that come celebrations with my friends and family, she adds. Ultimately, breaking the cycle, they all agree, isnt easy. But they want to endure the process, even if they have to do so quietly, so that they all grow old knowing chaos and dissonance as stories that ended, and not as stories that continued. *Name changed

Man of the moment: K Gowtham speaks following his retirement announcement

The hall at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in the city briefly fell silent before it was filled with camera flashes and the sharp rhythm of shutter clicks. Standing under the lights, with KSCA president and former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad by his side, and in the presence of his close friends and family members on Monday, all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham announced his retirement from competitive cricket. As the noise of the press conference faded and the evening light settled, Gowtham, looking calmer and perhaps a little lighter than he was minutes before, sat down to reflect. Inside the hall, though emotions lingered, clarity began to take shape. Retirement does break hearts and it was emotional for me as well. But there are things Im genuinely looking forward to, especially spending a lot more time with my family, he says. As he looks back, theres one feeling that remains unshakable, the moment he wore Team India colours. Every cricketer dreams of playing for their country. I was fortunate to be one of those. At that moment, you just want to freeze time and hold on to it forever, he reflects with sparkle in his eyes. Even as he steps away from the pitch, Gowtham isnt stepping away from cricket. Instead, he will be staying within the system, mentoring, contributing and nudging the next generation forward. Cricket has given me everything. If there is an opportunity, I want to be around the game, he shares. Gowtham during his stint with CSK Starting with Rajasthan Royals, the 37-year-old ruled the Indian Premier League (IPL) and went on to be a part of league biggies, including Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kings XI Punjab. He became the most expensive uncapped player in the history of IPL back in 2021, when he was signed by CSK for a whopping `9.25 crore. CSK is also the one who instantly softens his tone. Choosing one is tough from the IPL teams. But, I would say CSK felt more like a family. Fun, surprises, ups and downs, just like a real family, he admits. Yet the format that leaves the deepest imprint on his heart is the long, quiet burn of red-ball cricket, which, he thinks, he has contributed towards quite decently and will also miss the most. Perhaps that explains the emotional resilience that shaped his journey, as he speaks about the low points and sporadic opportunities during his IPL appearances ,My life has been a lot more failure than success. But that made me mentally strong. It taught me to control only what I can. I lived by that, he reveals. The boy who walked into the academy at 13 never really left; he only grew up with the game. He smiles, remembering Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh as his childhood heroes, adding that he was nicknamed Bhajii for imitating Singhs style. I was a ball boy then. I was fortunate enough to bowl to Sachin during a series against Australia at Chinnaswamy. He was busy then, obviously. He is serious when he prepares and we would be fooling around. When I started bowling, he said, Arey Bhajji, tumhara competitor agaya! (Hey Bhajji, here comes your competitor!). With the retirement, Gowtham isnt saying goodbye, hes simply turning a page, toward family, mentorship and a quieter yet deeper connection with the game, with his future plan being to keep contributing to the game. And in that lies the grace of his next innings.

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Messy Christmas: How chaos and distance in dysfunctional families disrupt celebrations

Its Christmas Eve. A Italian-American family gathers for their traditional feast of the seven fishes. Carmy, the youngest son, who has been working as a chef abroad, comes home to find his mother, Donna, spiralling in the kitchen. Her mood swings wildly between tearful and explosive as she frantically prepares mountains of food. His older brother Mikey seems agitated, almost manic, picking a fight with his mothers boyfriend over something trivial that quickly turns vicious. The house fills with relatives, friends, and neighbours. Everyone talks over everyone. Pots slam, and the noise is overwhelming. When the sister makes a mistake and asks their mother if shes okay, the mother screams, Do I not look okay?. The room freezes. After a moment of pause, the mother drives her car into the dining room, smashing the feast through the wall. Dinner is over before it begins This is a fictional scene from the Emmy-winning series The Bear . But what it portrays is a reality in many families. Perhaps that is why it is one of the most disturbingly chaotic episodes in TV history. Festivals, apart from all the glitter and glory, are also a time for the concealment of wounds and their sudden ruptures. There is the quiet accumulation of past hurt. For some, Christmas arrives with a countdown for survival. Ray* stopped going home for Christmas five years ago. She experienced something unpleasant during the festival and has not celebrated since. Christmas feels like something to get through. Home doesnt feel emotionally safe when Im reliving that memory. So I prefer staying away, she says. For Kevin*, visiting his native place in Madurai was always about endurance. His uncle physically abused him and his sister when they were children. They were clueless. And then he would buy them ice cream and soup. They thought it was normal. They never told their father, knowing it would become a family issue. There were times when you felt so vulnerable, and your mother couldnt do anything. Everyone sees it, and its normalised. Even now, I dont have closure, Kevin says. The labour no one sees Gender roles are rigidly enforced during festivals, observes Ruchika*. As a child, she climbed lofts and fetched decorations. It even came with a sense of validation that she was physically capable. But after a certain age, I was strictly told not to involve myself in decorating. My younger brother had grown older. It became his territory. Suddenly, these tasks were no longer appropriate for women, she says. Asking for help, especially from Ruchika, was always difficult for her mother. Theres this belief that daughters are meant to be married off, that educating them doesnt benefit the household, she says. Observing a similarity, Kevin notes that at his native place, women did most of the household work cooking, serving, and cleaning. Men bought groceries, and women served men and children first, and ate later. Namitha recalls Easter lunches that were served at her fathers house. My female cousins and I would set tables and serve while my brother sat comfortably and opted out, she says. When she questioned it, she was told to stay quiet and not embarrass the family. I remember feeling unheard and isolated while everyone else laughed and ate, she says. At Ruchikas home, she often became the emotional buffer. If her parents fought, she mediated. Otherwise, their frustration was taken out on her. Maintaining the mood of the house became my responsibility. That labour is invisible. When my brother drives my parents somewhere, his act of taking them out is praised. My emotional labour just disappears into thin air, she shares. This is probably why some, like Komal K, associate festivals with exhaustion long before they begin. I have to go through an excruciating amount of physical labour of planning and (sometimes) preparing food that will be liked and approved by everyone, serving it according to each of their preferences, while also keeping kids engaged so that they dont create a mess in my home, or hurt themselves, she says, adding I become a person I dont recognise. I put up a fake smile and talk to relatives who have wronged me. The house fills with noise fights, tears, phone calls to distant relatives, even threats of ending relationships. Grief is repeatedly brought up, even after she has learned to live with it. Crying is not an option. If she tries to assert her boundaries and says no to not seeing relatives, elders ask her Why do you want to spoil everyones happy mood on an auspicious and happy day? No one asks about my happiness, she says. Once everyone leaves, Komal and her sister go to a nearby park and cry. Before they recover, another festival arrives. For many of us, like Komal, not every festival ends in togetherness. Some end simply in making it through. *Names changed How to get through the holidays Have a leave early plan: Decide how long youll stay and stick to it. No matter what, eat your food: Remember the Snickers ad? You do not want to be both hungry and emotionally overwhelmed. Perfect the long bathroom break: Phone in hand, with deep breaths, pretend youre replying to a work emergency and take breaks to protect your peace. Create a private ritual: Long showers, solo walks, journaling or doodling, headphones on and listening Rilke poems, Visions of Gideon or Idhuvum Kadandhu Pogum . Choose your screen comfort: A Charlie Brown Christmas for softness. Wednesday or Mean Girls when you need to activate be-a-bitch mode (politely, internally). Movies where other families are worse, also help. Mute social media for the day: Other peoples perfect tables, matching co-ords, and forced smiles do not need to sit next to your reality. Laugh wherever you can: Save all your favourite memes. Star those funny group chats. Internally, change everything bizarre in your house as dark comedy. Remember, humour is first aid. Cry and be there for yourself: Seek help and dont be afraid to do that. Remember: opting out is also a choice.

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