132 works planned under Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme in Chennai

The works are planned at a combined cost of 561.50 crore, covering 230.68 km of roads across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts

Madras HC suspends order appointing commission to probe police excess during conservancy workers protest in Chennai

Justices J. Nisha Banu and S. Sounthar keep the interim order in abeyance pursuant to a petition filed by Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police to vacate the order

Sundaram Home enters Karnataka; eyes Rs 60 cr disbursements under EB segment

CHENNAI, Sept 9:Sundaram Home Finance has made its foray into Karnataka market and aims to make disbursements of Rs 60 crore during the first year of its operations, under the Emerging Business segment in the state. During the first phase of expansion, the Chennai-based company plans to set up 8-10 emerging business branches in Tier II and III towns in Karnataka, a press release said here on Tuesday. Sundaram Home Finance is a subsidiary of the non-banking finance company Sundaram [] The post Sundaram Home enters Karnataka; eyes Rs 60 cr disbursements under EB segment appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Arctic Ice To Martian Dreams: 13-Year-Old Aspires To Fly To The Moon, Mars

At just 13 years old, Iniya Pragati from Chennai is charting a course that few dare to dream.

Gold Extends Rally To Hit Record High Check Rates In Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Other Cities

Gold Price: The rally is driven by a possible rate cut from the Fed, weakening in the dollar and the escalating tensions on the global scale.

INTERVIEW | Cant control weather extremes, but can reduce our vulnerability

Dr Ashwini Ranade , Senior Scientist at the Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, cautions in an interview with Harpreet Bajwa that the Himalayas are now also prone to occurrences of Compound Extremes. Region-specific early warning systems and strong adaptation and mitigation policies are the only answer, she asserts. Excerpts: Do the extreme weather events across the hill states constitute a climate emergency? I would not call it a climate emergency, but yes, climate change is the main driver. Clear changes in rainfall patterns and intensities are evident. However, the real emergency is to strengthen adaptation and mitigation policies. Since we cannot control the occurrences of extremes, we need these policies to reduce our vulnerability. Have past events spurred climate change? Extreme events themselves do not accelerate climate change, but they are strong indicators of the climate change we are currently experiencing. Not only are natural factors involved, but anthropogenic factors are also playing a major role. For example, recent instances of urban flooding in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai show the issue is not limited to the Himalayas. The major reason for urban flooding is also the lack of proper drainage systems, secondary emergency drainage channels, and permissible land use. Is the tragedy unfolding in the hill states man-made? Are growing encroachments weakening river embankments in Punjab? Climate change is intensifying extreme events, but the disastrous situation is worsening due to human errors such as encroachments and unplanned development in floodplain zones. The public also needs to be educated; if people continue to live in unsafe zones without relocation, they will remain highly vulnerable. We need to understand that the Himalayas are a very fragile system. Not all slopes in the Himalayas are suitable for infrastructure, and in unstable areas, development should be completely restricted. In Punjab, the flood situation also occurs because of the release of excess water from upstream dams. To control this water, various embankments are constructed. However, many of them are breached, and numerous dry channels are encroached upon. List the specific reasons for the climate calamities. In the Himalayan region, the primary reason for climate change is global warming. A rise of about one degree in temperature leads to nearly a 7 percent increase in atmospheric moisture, and this increased moisture results in heavier rainfall. Another reason is the alteration in monsoon patterns due to global climate change. Now, the Himalayas are also prone to occurrences of Compound Extremes. In Punjab, there are three major reasons. First, persistent rainfall often occurs since the second week of August. Second, heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh increases inflows in the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, which flow downstream into Punjab. Third, encroachments on dry channels and the weakening and breaching of embankments worsen flooding by obstructing natural drainage. Do we need a national plan for climate change? The government is already developing a national adaptation plan for climate change, as well as plans for various sectors, including agriculture, water, health, and energy. Our institute is also contributing to these efforts. Is it a collective failure on the part of scientists, weather and agriculture experts, state governments, and the Centre? I would not call it a collective failure, because everyone is working in their own domainscientists are identifying causes and solutions, and governments are investing significant resources in planning and policies. The real issue is the lack of coordination among these different agencies. What immediate and long-term measures would you suggest? We need to develop early warning systems, define the roles of the public and private sectors, build resilient water supply systems and energy infrastructure and convince people to relocate from unsafe zones.

Drawing attention to toilet troubles

Why does one lack remorse when vandalising public toilets? Damaged facilities broken pipes, cigarette butts strewn around, and suggestive graffiti on the walls may be an indication that a matter is deeper than an infrastructure issue but more of a sociological issue, says WASHLabs. At a Madras Day event, A Dialogue with the Public Toilets of Chennai, held recently, WASHLabs, which works alongside the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Recycle Bin, opened up difficult conversations of a basic humanneed urination and defecation. Earlier, in a toilet walk organised by WASHLabs, vandalism in a community toilet near Sunambu canal and Kannappa Ram Nagar was observed. A few participants felt that the lack of ownership or responsibility gives a space for identities to turn anonymous and bring out a space to express repressed imaginations and wildest fantasies, ones tucked away in public spheres but expressed in the four walls of a dirty toilet, where you lack accountability, and have no remorse for the sanitation workers. Often, the cleaners of toilets are a mysterious, invisible layer. Who are they? Where are they from? This makes the user out of touch, and civic responsibility diffuses, said Ganga Dileep, founder of WASHLabs and CEO of the Thoomai Mission, which has been piloting sanitation literacy and recycling models with the Greater Chennai Corporation. One can also observe a gender disparity in vandalism; most graffiti depicts crude drawings of the female body, or even scrawled numbers you can quickly dial up for some fun. Many underlying social and psychological factors come to light here, where thoughts that are taboo to express may reveal themselves in the shadows of an unlit public toilet, a few other participants pointed out. The team has mapped over 1,400 toilets in 2022, to research why, in Chennai, where public toilets are an essential need, most toilets are in a dilapidated state. Moreover, the quality of the existing disabled-friendly toilets needs to be drastically improved. Toilets are underfunded, and there is a stark difference in the salaries earned by janitors and those employed by the government. Maintenance is nearly always outsourced with no clear system of monitoring, says Shebin, director of WASHLabs. In a Pee Point Mapping programme conducted by WASHLabs, it was observed that that among the open urination spots, some were, in fact, right outside or opposite to these public toilets. That the people would rather urinate a few metres away from a public toilet, even if it is clean, rather than walk in through these two doors makes one question the deeper underlying sociological issue. A form of self-expression seen in a democracy wall near Kannappa Ram Nagar Toilet premises A fact most ignored while constructing a toilet is the typology, cultural context, and site planning, Shebin noted. Toilet maintenance is a wicked problem, which means it has no ready-made solution, he added. A point to reconsider is the failed typology of toilets. In 2016, Chennai became the first city in India to deploy 183 self-cleaning, unmanned eToilets. However, none of these toilets is functioning now as most of the electrical equipment was either stolen or has stopped working. Hence, the focus now is to remove all electrical equipment from public toilets and bring back the basic toilets, said Shebin Contextual solutions are also a way forward. For instance, the team noticed that in a certain public toilet near pumping stations in Chennai, a survey revealed an alarming number of UTI infections. Here, the toilet building enters the sphere of womens health-related issues. Since UTI is more water-borne, removal of all open water-collecting facilities and replacing them with overhead water tanks could be a way forward. Hence, every issue has a certain context and requires a particular kind of solution, Shebin added. Although toilets should ideally be open 24/7, in some areas, it does more harm than good, as the toilets are built in an inaccessible spot, compromising on womens safety and even the janitors safety. So, what would an ideal toilet look like? Not just a new building, but a functioning ecosystem. One that treats janitors as integral workers with fair wages and protective gear. One that recognises the toilet as a community space, adopting models under CSR or neighbourhood ownership. One that incorporates sanitation literacy in schools so future generations see toilets, not as shameful, but as vital. Building new toilets alone is not the solution, but rather, repairing and utilising our existing facilities to the best is the right way forward, Shebin emphasised. Toilets are intimate spaces, but also public ones. They are where the citys most hidden truths surface about class, gender, health, and responsibility. Until policy, design and society acknowledge this, vandalism will not be the problem but the symptom of a deeper neglect.

The Chola Tigers and their storyteller Amish Tripathi

Author Amish Tripathi is in utter awe of Rajendra Chola the man he was, the conquests he made, and the beautiful temples and city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram he built. What a man he was! he exclaims. This sheer awe of one of the mightiest emperors of India comes across in Amishs latest book The Chola Tigers: Avengers of Somnath, which is a part of his Indic Chronicles. The first in this series was Legend of Suheldev, released in 2020, which recounted the role of a King from Shravasti who mobilised Indians to fight the Turkic army after the destruction of the Somnath temple. The book mentions the Chola general Narasimhan telling King Suheldev that they got vengeance from Mahumd as well. The King then asks to hear that story too to which, General Narasimhan hints that perhaps an author will write about it. Im here. The author is here, laughs Amish. Along with Narasimhan, the other passengers in this journey of revenge sought against Mahumd is a Chalukya king whose father was a rival of the Cholas, a Gujarati merchant, a member of the Vavar community of Kerala whose sole duty is to protect Lord Ayyappa, and a Chola officer. Their story, told in The Chola Tigers is a celebration of a dynasty and a piece of history that hasnt gotten its due. Excerpts follow: Why did you plan on the Indic Chronicle series? The Indic Chronicles is a relook at the narrative of the last 1,300 years. There are various problems in the way history is taught to us. Even if the facts are still the same, the way they are presented to us has a very biased approach. Our history has an excessive focus on Delhi. Most other regions are ignored. If you notice, Eastern India is ignored, Central India, King Bhoj is ignored; Western India is ignored. Most of the history of the last 1,300 years essentially focusses on the region between Khyber and Agra. Delhi is an important area but it is not the only important area of India. This entire story of the last 1,300 years is presented as one of repeated defeats. The subtle or, in fact, not so subtle message given to us was, our ancestors were either cowardly or disunited because they kept losing battles. In summary, they were looking towards Khyber Pass for the next invader to come, and then there would be a battle at Panipat, which we would obviously lose. And then there would be the next oppressor oppressing us. The only difference between the British and the Turks was that the British came from the sea. Why did the British Raj come up with a historical narrative like this? Basically, to tell all of us Indians, It is your job to be slaves. My understanding of it is completely different. The same invaders who came here Arabs, Turks, Persians, Europeans, British, Portuguese went to every other ancient culture in the world. All those other ancient cultures are dead. The Aztecs, the Inca, Central America, Zoroastrianism in Persiaso many across the world, all dead. India is still standing. My interpretation of it is that the last 1,300 years is not a story of repeated defeats, but it is a story of the greatest resistance in human history. No indigenous culture anywhere in the world has fought so hard, and so long, to protect its culture. Only our ancestors did. If there is an interpretation like this, we would feel proud of our ancestors. They werent cowards; they werent disunited, they were actually the toughest people around. That is the real story of the last 1,300 years. Indic Chronicles aims to give that part of the story. Cholas and their contribution are well-known, at least in the south Why are our great ancestors reduced to regional history? Why is Chhatrapati Shivaji reduced just to Maharashtra history? Why are Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola reduced just to Tamil history? Why is Emperor Bhoj reduced just to Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarhs history? Why are the Gurjar Pratiharas reduced just to Western India, Gujarat, and Maharashtra? The Rashtrakuta is reduced to only Karnataka. Why? Emperor Rajendra Chola conquered much of Southeast Asia as well. The Bay of Bengal was essentially Emperor Rajendra Cholas pond. His empire was as big as Akbars. Thats not the impression we get from our history books. In the last 1,300 years, the only national history is our invaders. Why is that? And this needs to be rebalanced. Emperor Rajendra Chola, Rajaraja Chola were not just Tamil kings, they were Indian kings. They were our ancestors too. When Emperor Rajendra Chola conquered up to Eastern India, up to the Ganga, he changed his title. He took the title Gangaikondan. It was clearly an emotional moment for him. He renamed his capital as Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Our nationalism was much more liberal and relaxed. We must celebrate that. Is there an unusual amount of spotlight on the Cholas, and are they being used as a political tool? The spotlight is going on many ignored heroes, not just the Cholas across India. The Marathas, for example. They were ignored for so many decades. The Peshwas, the Rashtrakutas, the Parmars. This is all, I think, a cultural reclaiming of our ancestors. I think its a good thing. Is there some politics with it? Yes. But there is a cultural reawakening. Lachit Borphukans memory is being revived in Assam. So many of our great heroes have been forgotten. Culturally, I think its very good. Isnt it nice if North Indians know about the Cholas, or South Indians get to know King Bhoj? King Bhoj and Emperor Rajendra Chola were allies. But this will be a shock to many. King Bhoj was also a scholar emperor. Hed written 70-80 books. These things arent spoken of in our history books. Where do you draw the line for fiction when you write historical fiction? The reality of writing historical fiction is that therell always be basic facts, and then you have to try and put a story together for two reasons. One, real life usually actually does not make sense. But a story that youre reading, you expect it to make sense. Secondly, real life is usually boring, which is why many pure history books are boring. You have to add the storytelling style to it. Thats the very nature of historical fiction. Some facts are so obviously wrong that you cant use them. But you have to update the story of it. Braveheart or Ponniyin Selvan, a lot of it is fiction. It has to be done that way. Besides your research for your books, what are you reading currently? I read more non-fiction. I just finished a long read, The Singularity is Near, and The Singularity is Nearer by Ray Kurzweil. AI is going to impact everything. If you want to understand AI and how new tech is going to impact our world, you cant do better than Ray Kurzweils books. I am also going through a series of books now by a British historian called David Starkey, who has written magisterial books on how England and the UK were created from King Alfred onwards. Of course, he is a lover of the British Empire. Your mind expands when you are willing to read someone who has a different point of view. These days, we dont do that enough. We want to be in our echo chambers. Its only when you interact with someone who disagrees with you that your mind gets exercised. I always believed that if you want to read someone who has an opposing point of view, there can be two strategies: One, read the idiot, which will make you feel superior, or go to the best thinker on the opposite side, read them and then you are actually forced to think and expand your mind. You canwatch the interview on YouTube @thenewindianxpress

Of Partition and the mental toll

The mental trauma caused by the partition of India in 1947 remains one of the least-discussed yet most tragic consequences of the subcontinents division, said psychiatrist and author Dr Anirudh Kala. Delivering the keynote address at the third edition of Keshav Desiraju Memorial Lecture Series, Dr Anirudh talked about his acclaimed book The Unsafe Asylum . He highlighted the untold stories of thousands who lost not only their homes but their sanity in the chaos that followed Partition. The lecture series was organised by The Banyan and Cognizant Foundation at the Asian college of Journalism on Friday. He spoke at length about impact of Partition on mental health of the people of both the countries. He also highlighted the painful stories of repatriation of mental patients of both the countries who had been stranded in institutions like Lahores mental hospital when the borders were hastily drawn. In 1947, there were 615 Indian patients in Lahores mental hospital. By 1950, only 317 remained. That means nearly half perished in just three years, largely due to neglect, lack of family support, and the trauma of dislocation, Dr Anirudh said. He described the plight of these patients as a reflection of the broader mental toll that Partition had on millions across India and Pakistan. As both India and Pakistan continue to grapple with the legacies of Partition, Dr Anirudhs work sheds light on a population who were locked in wards of mental institutions. The division not only separated families and communities but also adversely impacted mental health of millions. Dr Anirudh highlighted that some families even carried the trauma for generations. He highlighted how institutionalised patients were the worst sufferers. These were people who couldnt even comprehend what Partition meant, yet they suffered some of its worst consequences. Like others they were never given a choice to choose whether they wanted to stay in India or Pakistan, he noted. Sharing his own experience, Dr Anirudh said he was one of the thousands who were conceived in what later became Pakistan but were born in Independent India. I was born in December 1947. In my growing years no one spoke about the Partition then. However, during my junior resident in psychiatry, I saw many patients who presented with psychiatric symptoms related to the Partition, he shared. During the talk, he urged governments and policy makers to give adequate importance to mental health and create necessary infrastructure to support the patients. He cited how mental illness also runs in families, generation after generation, just like genetic diseases, however, not much is being done about it. Many chronically mentally ill patients never recover in their life. These people have nowhere to go. Governments should think about their shelter. The talk was followed by a conversation with Sujatha Rao, former union health secretary.

TANSACS to outsource recruitment of counsellors, lab technicians; employees protest

Chennai conservancy workers protest | 200 NULM workers detained during hunger strike

Human chain organised to promote eye donation

Two youth held for possessing high-grade ganja

Metro Corridor And Three Flyovers To Transform Transit In Chennais Western Suburbs By 2030

Governor sets aside suspension of former Anna univ V-C Velraj

EPSs poll promise on Madurai airport name draws criticism from NDA allies

Nainar questions TTVs shiftfrom NDA

Stalin calls his European trip a success

MDMK chief Vaiko expels Mallai Sathya

SHRC orders relief for harassed ex-councillor

1.5cr saplings to be planted to boost green cover in TN

City receives series of hoax bomb threats

Centre identifies areas in Tamil Nadu for digital pre-test census in Nov-Dec

Only 2% students allotted seats in govt medical colleges retained

Virugambakkams 30cr flood-proofing project inaugurated

Madras is home, Madras is heart, Madras is me: Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli

Chennai Corporation to permit ragpickers to collect waste from residents homes and sell them to private recyclers

Each of them will be provided a battery-operated vehicle for this

Teen, female friend run over by car after stray cow hits their two-wheeler near Chennai

TRB defers deadline to Sept 10 as 47K apply for TET on last day

Order asking magazine to pay 25L to Baalu stayed

Salary of special educators under Welfare of the Differently-Abled Department raised to 25,000

State to set up waste management control room

Consumers eager for price cuts to GST-exempt milk-based products

While many hope the reduction in cost will make the products affordable for everyone, there has been no information in this regard from Aavin and the private brands so far

Kancheepuram DSP remanded in custody for failing to take action in SC/ST Act case

High drama unfolded as theDSP did not board his official car to go to the sub-jail, as ordered by the Principal District and Sessions Judge. Instead, accompanied by a few police personnel, he was seen sprinting towards another vehicle. However, half-an-hour later, he emerged in a police vehicle and proceeded to the sub-jail

Bullet sized eggs supplied for midday noon programme in some TN schools

Poovai Senguttuvan: The Life and Legacy of a True Poet in Tamil Cinema

Poovai Senguttuvan, a staunch believer in Dravidian ideology, passed away at 90, leaving behind a legacy of impactful lyrics. Despite his initial reluctance towards devotional songs, he penned numerous hits, including 'Tiruparankundrathil nee sirithaal'. His life was marked by integrity, writing for prominent figures without seeking personal favors, and remaining true to his principles even when faced with adversity.

Tamil Nadu: Stalin Explains Why He Goes Abroad To Lure Investors

Addressing media persons at the Chennai airport on Monday on his return from a week-long tour to Germany and United Kingdom that saw the signing of 33 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to bring in investments worthRs 15,516 crore to the State and generate 17,613 jobs, he said his visit was a massive success.

Chennai Students Lead Statewide Tree Plantation Drive, Planting Over 338,000 Saplings

Tamil Nadu schools are actively promoting environmental awareness. Students are participating in a statewide tree plantation drive. They plant trees at homes, schools, and public places. They upload photos to a government portal. Chennai schools have planted over 5,500 saplings. The goal is 75,000 trees in Chennai. Schools face space constraints, but the initiative progresses.

Remove 5% GST on assistive devices for the disabled, NGO urges PM Modi

It also asks him to relax the age criteria under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

Chennai Metro Rail to look for domestic funding options for procuring more trains

The reason is due to the delay in signing agreement with a multilateral bank

An octogenarian revisits her childhood at The Hindu Made of Chennai archival photo exhibit

As a child, Ms. Jayalakshmi was a bharatanatyam dancer who performed in many State-level shows. She came across a photograph of one such performance among the 78 that are on display as part of the exhibition

Two persons killed in road accident near Padappai

They were run over by a speeding car after colliding with a stray cow and falling on the road

Veena Murthy Vijay unravels the many layers of Kuchipudi

Veena Murthy Vijay and her disciples presented the diverse facets of the Kuchipudi repertoire at Kalakshetra in Chennai.

He is just 22 but Anand Mahindra inspired by Indias fastest man ever, Animesh Kujur.

Anand Mahindra lauded Animesh Kujur, a 22-year-old sprinter from Chhattisgarh, for his historic win at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Chennai. Kujur's gold in the 200m event made him the first Indian male sprinter to qualify for the World Athletics Championships. Read on to know more about it!

Juvenile held for issuing bomb threat to Chennai Metro Rail

'I am going to Ram temple': MLA K A Sengottaiyan heads to Haridwar as AIADMK rift widens; seeks peace of mind

AIADMK veteran K.A. Sengottaiyan, recently sacked from party posts, claims his trip to Haridwar is for spiritual reasons amidst political turmoil. This follows his demand to reinstate expelled leaders like Sasikala and O. Panneerselvam. Edappadi K.

Vaiko expels Mallai Sathya from MDMK

MDMK had already suspended Mallai Sathya, and he has now been removed from the organisation. He had differences with Vaikos son Durai Vaiko

Mastering AI: The New Language for India's Future Economy

India recognizes AI fluency as crucial for future economic success, akin to English proficiency. The nation is investing heavily in AI infrastructure and skill-building, with Tamil Nadu taking an early lead. Equipping citizens with AI literacy, alongside human skills, is essential for India to thrive in the digital age, ensuring equitable access and ethical implementation.

Springs of sewage onroads leading to OMR inNavalur

Post office in Sholinganallur should improve its services

ROKAs two-daywaste collection drive

Four men held for two separate house break-ins

CHENNAI: Four men, who operated in separate two-member gangs, were arrested in separate house break-ins in Perungudi. The Thoraipakkam police recovered about four sovereigns of gold ornaments and three pairs of silver anklets. In the first case, the police nabbed Ashwin (19) of Thiruvalluvar Nagar and Ayyanar (20) of Perungudi for a burglary at Kamatchis house in Perungudi. Kamatchi (38), a domestic help, returned from work on February 24 to find the door broken and three sovereigns of jewellery and a pair of silver anklets stolen, the police said. The duo were arrested with part of the loot -- one sovereign and one pair of silver anklets. The police said Ashwin already faces two cases, while Ayyanar has one. In the second case, the police arrested Prakash (19) of Perungudi and Manikandan (35) of Thiruvalluvar Nagar for breaking into painter Devanathans house on August 8 and stealing five sovereigns. Three sovereigns and two pairs of silver anklets were recovered. Manikandan is a known history-sheeter, the police said.

Teen boy held for making bomb threat to CMRL

CHENNAI: The Koyambedu police have arrested a 17-year-old boy in Villupuram for allegedly issuing a bomb threat to a Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) train in Chennai on Friday. The threat was found to be a hoax. The boy has been secured by the police and will be produced before the magistrate on Sunday. According to the police, the boy, who has completed his class XII, had playfully dialled the customer feedback number of the CMRL, on Friday evening. It was answered by an employee at the Koyambedu office to whom he said that a bomb had been placed in one of the trains. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) was alerted and all the CMRL trains were checked before concluding it was a hoax. Since he is a first-time offender, the magistrate will decide whether to send him to a juvenile home and let him go after getting a written undertaking, a police source told TNIE.

After road roller death, firms work orders cancelled

CHENNAI: Following the death of a 54-year-old man who was crushed by a road roller at Vadakku Mada Veethi in Koyambedu on Saturday, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has issued a notice to contractor A Balaji, terminating all 37 road works awarded to him under the contract dated May 20. The corporation has reiterated that contractors will be held responsible for public safety. Contract clause 11.1 states that from the starting date until the defects correction certificate has been issued, the risks of personal injury, death and loss of or damage to property are not the authoritys risks but the contractors risk, the notice stated. Referring to clause 51 of the agreement, which requires contractors to ensure no damage or harm to the public during road works, the notice issued by the corporation said the incident not only brought disrepute to the civic body but also resulted in a loss of life. The civic body also said that further action would be taken against the contractor for the incident. Asked if they were planning to issue a compensation to the victims family, corporation officials said that it has not been finalised yet. On September 6, after road-laying was completed at Vadakku Mada Veethi, when the driver attempted to move the parked road roller, he allegedly lost control and fatally ran over Baskar, who was standing about 20ft away. Following this, GCC suspended the assistant engineer of division 127, under whose supervision the road work was being carried out. Speaking to TNIE, a corporation official said, Usually, all civic body contractual agreements, especially for road works, include clause 11.1 to hold the contractor responsible and ensure public safety. However, though the clause says it is not the authoritys risk, it is mandatory for the city corporations assistant engineers to oversee the work, ensuring proper monitoring for safety and quality. Since this failed in this case, the assistant engineer of division 127, Veera Ragavan, was suspended.

Arappor Iyakkam launches campaign urging citizens not to accept money for votes

Founded in 2015 to fight corruption and bring accountability and transparency in governance, Arappor completed its tenth year in August 2025.

High demand for diabetes drug for weight loss leads to shortage: Lancet

NEW DELHI: High demand for semaglutide, a medicine primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, but became a blockbuster drug to reduce weight, led to severe shortages for patients who relied on it for managing and maintaining blood sugar levels, a recent Lancet article said. Published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, the editorial said that GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medications used to treat adult type 2 diabetes and obesity, are now widely used for weight loss, both through prescriptions and off-label use. Their success is also changing the public perception of metabolic disease, helping to reframe it as a complex treatable condition rather than a personal failure, it said. However, the growing reliance on expensive therapies raises concerns about sustainability and equity, especially in Low- or Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), it added. These drugs are now available in India, too. US-based Eli Lilly has launched an easy-to-use injector pen of its weight-loss drug Mounjaro after its competitor, Danish drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk, launched Wegovy, a once-weekly injectable, in a device. Dr V Mohan, Padma Shree awardee and Chairman of Chennai-based Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), said the public response to the drug was unexpected and unprecedented. He, however, said that the cost of these drugs is still a barrier for many, as it costs over `15,000 a month and has to be taken continuously. This means that unless the drug is provided free of cost by the government or paid for by insurance, a large number of people in India will not be able to afford these drugs. Dr Mohan further added that if made cheaper, these drugs can be life-changing for some people, especially from LMICs. The MDRF, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had found that an estimated 101 million people in India were suffering from diabetes, and 136 million were prediabetes in 2021. However, studies show that when the drug is stopped, the weight comes back. Although no serious side effects have been reported, stomach paralysis and loss of vision due to a form of optic neuritis have been reported in a few cases. The Lancet article highlighted that globally, countries are facing an alarming rise in metabolic diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes and obesity, and related complications. It added that the answer is to find a balance where prevention through lifestyle modifications remains central to care for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Chennais transformative logistics growth

The capital city of Tamil Nadu is poised to leverage upcoming projects such as enhanced port connectivity, new industrial corridors and a new airport.

Chennai weather: Patchy rain expected today, AQI remains moderate

Chennai residents can expect patchy rain and moderate temperatures today, with highs around 33.9C. Air quality remains moderate, prompting advice for masks in heavy traffic. The week ahead forecasts increasing rainfall and rising temperatures, peaking mid-week before a slight weekend cool-down. Prepare for scattered showers and stay hydrated amidst these changing conditions.

Literacy access: Limited to first-gen learners

In todays illusory, abundant world, the label first-generation learner comes with new hope and added weight. It speaks of aspiration visibly twinkling in the eyes but also of the invisible pain the strings of responsibilities attached that follows with stepping into unfamiliar, knowledge-abundant terrains. Classrooms, libraries, and institutions with career guidance may be open for all, yet the routes to reach them are often tangled with confusion for many. Nelson Mandela once said, Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another. As we celebrate International Literacy Day today, these tensions feel sharp. Most of us live in a concrete jungle, placed inside a protective layer. We know which lanes to take, how to circle the buildings, and whom to look out for and call when the need arises. There is comfort in knowing that a web of support exists and that the control, more or less, rests in our hands. But for some, the protective layer simply does not exist. No network of assets, no safety net, no idea on routes to navigate through. They are often met with a dead-end. The guidance dilemma Reporting the ground reality is Sarath Kumar G, an advocate and volunteer with Vyasai Thozhargal. He stresses how systemic the problem is: Career guidance is not available. They [students] dont know what they want, what job they should get into, or how they can achieve their aim. They dont know. While this is just the first difficulty, there is a train of problems. The second, a very major one, is the financial problem. Third, they dont have an interest in subjects. Now, many students are just going through the motions. They somehow manage to attend school and finish up without really engaging. This is the case in many schools. That is a block, he adds. Behind the scenes of these closing walls is the absence of family support, leading children to follow the path repeatedly taken by their parents. Marisamy E, who, with the help of Irai Anbu, former chief secretary of Tamil Nadu, runs Mudhal Thalaimurai Arakattalai in Kannagi Nagar, says, In this settlement, there are over 23,704 families, mostly from marginalised backgrounds. Many parents work as daily-wage labourers plumbing, carpenting, masonry earning around `1,000-`1,500 on the days of demand, but without a steady monthly income. Because of this, children dont see education as essential; they believe working immediately is the only way to survive. Parents are often unable to guide them due to their own hardships. This is also the lived experience of Nivetha N, now a third-year BE ECE student, in her higher secondary years. She says, I was worried about my future which college, which course, how much money we have to spend, and whether it will get me a job later. The parents who hold their childs fingers and teach them to walk, fall behind when the walk is in the corridors of educational buildings. Sarath sums up, They put the child into a school. But then, when it comes to making the childs ambitions a reality, they hit a block. Families end up placing restrictions. Instead, parents should encourage and allow the children to go further. Not just stop with, We sent them to school. That is not enough. The parents hit the great wall of uncertainty as they lack awareness. Yet, being passionate about the degree that follows names is a dream for many. Like Joy, founder of Ambedkar Reading Circle (ARC), even reaching college was fraught with compromises. When I first went to college, I had no direction. In our community, whatever was accessible, we would just take that. I did not know about IIT. I did not know about NIT. We just went along, he says. But for Nivetha, it was the digital community that answered her growing mountain of worry and questions. She explains, My parents didnt know much about admissions, so I searched on YouTube and found a channel (@Dinesh Prabhu) that clearly explained the counselling and cut-off ranges. Luckily, I got a 198 cut-off and was very happy. Then, I came to know from one of my school seniors that government seats are available in Anna University, which was affordable. Many families, and even students, consider educational institutions run and aided by the government, as they ease the financial load that comes with higher education. My mother, alone, could not have managed to get me into a private college. If I had to go through a private quota, the fees would be very high. But she wished for me to study. She pushed me. Because she herself had not studied, she wanted me to, says Lokeshwari S, a CA aspirant. On the contrary, Amudha Priya, a volunteer with the Mudhal Thalaimurai Trust, had to wait a year for her college admissions. After completing 12th, I applied for a paramedical degree. I hadnt applied for anything else because I only wanted to enrol in a paramedical course, for which, counselling starts late, in June-July. I couldnt get in because of the minimum cut-off. A year passed, she recalls, as she did not know which door to knock on next. Financial struggles Beyond the confusion, financial stress often proves to be the heaviest burden. Many first-generation learners find their ambitions curtailed by urgent family needs. As Sarath explains, By the time college finishes, being first-generation graduates, they are already tied to household responsibilities. So, though they complete their degree, for women particularly, the family situation is such that the father says, If you go to work, only then the family runs. So even if they decide to pursue further, their aim gets blocked. Debt and family obligations mean that the promise of education often remains incomplete. Joy recalls the burden vividly. Regarding fees, they somehow arranged the maximum that everyone could manage. People would even borrow to study. For Lokeshwari, financial stress was eased only through the Trusts support. Through the guidance I got, I managed to enter Queen Marys College, she says. Adding to the list are some distractions. Marisamy says, When the student sees a man in authority always surrounded by four others, and notices the number of rings on each finger, and the polished chains around the neck, they get disturbed. They want to become one of them. Then, we have to, again, teach them the importance of education how people who hold positions move around the city in official vehicles, have separate cabins and their chairs that could change many similar and other lives. Emotional hurdles Even when financial and academic hurdles are managed, emotional struggles persist. Nivetha remembers the overwhelming anxiety of her first semester. I overthought that I wont be able to pass. The English spoken in class made me feel very small, she says. Joy echoes this, describing the imposter syndrome of sitting in classrooms alongside students who seemed confident and prepared. There were a few people in the class who were very knowledgeable. Some came with clarity about why they were there, what they wanted. But we went into whatever private college we got, not even knowing if it was the subject we liked. For many, helplessness comes not from lack of ability but from the absence of institutional hand-holding. Sarath sees this lack of belonging as one reason for high dropout rates. Suddenly, the atmosphere is new, its challenging, and they cant adapt Some drop out. Even among the students studying in our division, even though we are here with them, still their level of frustration we dont fully realise it. Layered over these difficulties are social barriers. Joy recalls how caste and class divisions marked his hostel experience. In hostels, there were exclusions. It was unacknowledged, but caste and class distinctions were deeply felt. Sarath adds, Behind this system of certain people being first-generation learners, still, there is politics class politics, caste politics. Even if they are capable, the caste mindset blocks them. Unless those obstructions are removed, they cannot progress. Yet, for all their struggles, the students and mentors who spoke carry not just exhaustion but determination. Sarath, meanwhile, continues to push for structural change. Only when career guidance is formalised and not left to chance or volunteers can we stop young people from drifting without direction. For Joy, the struggle is not just about his own community but about reimagining education as truly universal. There should not be kids struggling as first-generation learners in the next generation or the one after that. Everyone should learn immediately. That is when we can say society has moved forward, he concludes.

In pursuit of wiser laws

The concept of a legally-permitted age of sexual consent arrived in India in 1860, when sex with (or more accurately, rape of) a girl under 10 years was outlawed. Since then, the age of consent has been raised a number of times, most recently in 2013, from 16 to 18. This year, senior advocate Indira Jaising argued that it be lowered to 16 again, so as to not proscribe consensual relationships among teenagers of a reasonable age. The Supreme Court has rejected this. However, the close-in-age exception to protect the relationships of older teenagers that was proposed has much merit, which activists and lawyers may continue to support. It is necessary to protect minors from sexual exploitation. But in a country where the autonomy of grown adults themselves isnt honoured, and minors rights are even less valued, there are unique challenges in designing laws which work well on the ground but dont infringe on autonomy. For example: there must be cognizance of the fact that within a culture that does not respect peoples personal liberties at any age, the freedom to learn from ones own mistakes will have heavier long-term repercussions than otherwise. Progressive activism works towards liberalising the culture itself, preventing it from calcifying or regressing into further oppression. But youth need not become sacrificial lambs towards this goal through a lowered age of consent. This is where a deeply nuanced conversation about informed consent, emotional maturity, and supportive ecosystems has to occur, conjointly with legal protection from predators. Lowering the age of consent presents an illusion of empowerment within a system devoid of freedom, and enables greater exploitation than already exists. A close-in-age exception, however, offers something much more sensible and workable. Safeguards from predators are constructive only when there is a clear understanding, both in practice and in the letter of the law, that teenage sexuality and sexual expression are normal and healthy. Laws must provide a safe scaffolding for these without curbing them. Last month, actor Gautami Kapoor shocked many Indian netizens by sharing in an interview that she had wanted to buy her daughter, now aged 19, a vibrator for the latters 16th birthday. They had a conversation about it, and while she declined the gift at the time, Kapoor says her daughter later came to appreciate the thought. The thought itself may be novel to many, but it is not wrong of Kapoor to have wanted her daughter to become aware of and self-reliant about her own pleasure. It is a right that has been denied to many and to women in particular. The fact is that sexual desire begins at puberty, and taboos around self-pleasure are harmful, even if taboos around early sexual activity may have some rational basis in the extent to which a very young person can make a truly informed choice. Both occur in spite of taboos, and normalising what is already normal can help prevent harm to oneself or others. Teenage sex is normal, and introducing a close-in-age exception without lowering the age of consent and alongside better school-level sex education programmes will protect young adults while also safeguarding their fundamental right to joy.

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India thrash South Korea 4-1 to clinch men's Asia Cup hockey title after eight years

RAJGIR: Dilpreet Singh scored a brace as a dominant India defeated defending champions South Korea 4-1 to win the men's Asia Cup hockey tournament after a hiatus of eight years and qualify for next year's FIH World Cup, here on Sunday. With four titles in their bag, India have become the second-most successful team in the Asia Cup behind five-time champions Korea. India had last won the title in 2017 in Dhaka following successes in the 2003 (Kuala Lumpur) and 2007 (Chennai) editions of the continental tournament. The title ensured India's direct entry into next year's FIH World Cup to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30. Dilpreet (28th, 45th minutes) and Sukhjeet Singh (1st) scored fine field goals while Amit Rohidas (50th) converted a penalty corner in front of a packed stadium at the Rajgir Sports Complex. Korea's lone goal was scored by Dain Son in the 51st minute. India were on the ball from the start and looked determined. The co-ordination between the defence, midfield and forward line was a treat to watch as they penetrated the rival circle frequently. The Koreans, on the other hand, preferred to defend, which was not the best of idea against an attacking home side. The Koreans hardly created any real scoring chances in the first two quarters as the Indian defence stood tall. Asia Cup? Tick. Now, eyes on World Cup in 2026 India opened the scoring inside the first 30 seconds of the game through Sukhjeet. It was skipper Harmanpreet Singh's brilliant stick-work from the left flank that set it up for Sukhjeet, who found the top-left corner of the Korean goal with a reverse hit. Dilpreet Singh came close to scoring in the eighth minute but his deflection off Vivek Sagar Prasad's pass was saved by Korean goalkeeper Jaehan Kim. On the very next move, India earned a penalty stroke but Jugraj Singh's try was saved by Kim. The Indians were relentless in their attacking forays as they kept the Korean defence under tremendous pressure. An inch-perfect aerial ball from Harmanpreet found Sanjay on the left corner, and he passed it to Dilpreet inside the circle, who did the job by putting the ball into the goal as India went into half-time leading 2-0. Korea's first real chance came in the 40th minute in the form of back-to-back penalty corners but the Indian defence stood rock solid. India finally secured their first penalty corner in the 44th minute but Harmanpreet's try was blocked by the first rusher. But just at the stroke of the third quarter, India made the scoreline 3-0 through Dilpreet. It was Harmanpreet, whose free hit from 23 yards found Raj Kumar Pal, who guided the ball towards Dilpreet and the striker made no mistake in finding the net with a neat deflection. Five minutes later, India secured their second penalty corner and Rohidas found the net with a fierce grounded hit to hand the hosts a comfortable 4-0 lead. A minute later Korea pulled a goal back through a penalty-corner conversion from Son. In the 56th minute, Korea got their fourth penalty corner but failed to breach the resolute Indian defence. Malaysia finish third Malaysia, ranked 12th in the world, defeated China 3-0 in a classification match to finish third in the tournament. Malaysia were by far the better side on display than world No. 22 China as they dominated the proceedings and created plenty of scoring chances throughout the match. Malaysia were on the offensive from the word go and continued in the same vein throughout the match, while China were content sitting behind and defending, a move that backfired. Akhimullah Anuar (36th, 50th minutes), the tournament's highest scorer with 12 goals, slotted a brace for Malaysia while Norsyafiq Sumantri and Syed Cholan (58th) were the other goal getters. Jiesheng Gao (54th) was the lone goal getter for China. Japan beat Bangladesh to finish 5th World No. 18 Japan registered a convincing 6-1 win over Bangladesh to finish fifth. For Japan, Ryosuke Shinohara (15th, 38th, 56th minutes) scored a hat-trick while Koji Yamasaki (9th), Ken Nagayoshi (36th) and Seren Tanaka (50th) found the net once each. World No. 28 Bangladesh's lone goal was scored by Amirul Islam in the 55th minute.

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