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CICT to launch free online course to learn Tamil through Hindi
The Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai, introduce similar courses for learning Tamil through other languages, including Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and even English
Cyclone Ditwah: Chennai Schools, Colleges To Remain Shut On Wednesday Amid Heavy Rain
Schools and colleges in Chennai to remain closed tomorrow as heavy rain from a depression, the remnant of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, hits Tamil Nadu, with IMD predicting more showers.
Chennai district collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts on Wednesday due to heavy rains. Waterlogging was reported in several areas following Tuesdays downpours. The Meteorological Department forecasts very heavy rain in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram districts, with light to moderate rain and thunderstorms expected in neighbouring regions. Students and parents are advised to check with local authorities for closures tomorrow.
Chennai residents recount harrowing experience after being stranded in Sri Lanka
When Cyclone Ditwah swept through the island nation and became one of the worst disasters to strike it, 24 people from the city were stranded when they were heading to Nuwara Eliya
Cyclone Ditvaah has caused widespread disruption, leading to school closures in several southern regions. Meanwhile, local holidays have been declared in Tiruvannamalai and Kanyakumari districts on December 3 for religious festivals. Tamil Nadu remains on high alert for further intense rainfall.
Registrations open for The Hindu Deepa Kolam 2025
The Karthigai Dheepam special contest will select the best lamp arrangements among contestants from Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchi, and Coimbatore
Railways operating 7 special trains from TN to Varanasi for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0: Ministry
Indian Railways is running seven special trains connecting Kanyakumari, Chennai, and Coimbatore to Varanasi. These services facilitate participation in Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0. The initiative strengthens cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. Special return services from Varanasi are also arranged. The event promotes linguistic and cultural exchanges.
From hatchbacks to EVs, Chennais resale market reflects tradition and cautious change
Chennais second-hand car market highlights commuter practicality and lifestyle aspirations. Hatchbacks dominate daily use, SUVs reflect rising comfort and status, and EVs show cautious traction. Buyer choices balance affordability, convenience, and sustainability, supported by Cars24s verified quality and ownership protection.
Theenmura returns to KCK Chennai, loaded with duck mappas, Kerala plum cake and nostalgia
Chef Regi Mathew revives the traditional Christian wedding spread with a six-course feast that features 18 classic dishes. We get into the Christmas spirit at Kappa Chaka Kandhari with lacy appams, grilled King prawns and black halwa
Chennai police arrest two history-sheeters for youths murder
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across Indian cities on December 2
Amid heavy rains in Chennai, the metro train between High Court Station and Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro Station stopped mid-way due to a technical glitch, early in the morning. However, close to 20 stranded passengers were immediately evacuated, and the train was withdrawn from the line. Usual metro rail services resumed operations at 06.20 AM. CMRL is constantly updating about the metro services in its official X account. As of 1.00 PM update, CMRL stated that the metro services are presently provided as per week day timetable schedule. It noted that the escalators E03, E33, E34, and E36 (Subway - 03 Street Level) are temporarily not working at Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G.Ramachandran Central Metro Station. It also noted that a few escalators in Pachaiyappas College Metro Station, Government Estate Metro Station, and Kilpauk Metro Station are switched off for safety purposes. It also advised the passengers to take caution while using the staircase at all Metro Stations. Passengers walk through tunnel as Chennai Metro train stalls between stations due to glitch 02-Dec-2025, 01.00 PM: 1. Metro Services are presently running as per week day Time table schedule. 2. The Escalator E03, E33, E34, and E36 (Subway - 03 Street Level) are temporarily not working at Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.Ramachandran Central Metro Station. 3. The Escalator Chennai Metro Rail (@cmrlofficial) December 2, 2025 In a series of updates, CMRL stated that water stagnation has been observed at Sembiam. It also noted that water stagnation at Kaliamman Koil Street and Bharathidasan Road Metro Station has been cleared. Dewatering at Bharathidasan Road Metro Station has been completed and there is no waterlogging. Cyclone Ditwah: Rain continues in TN coastline, experts call for robust weather forecast systems Dewatering is currently in progress at the Kodambakkam Ramp in the excavation area beneath the decking. Moderate water stagnation has been noted at Madhavaram Milk Colony Road, and dewatering is in progress using 50 HP pumps continuously, it stated. Road cleaning work is underway at Kandanchavadi. CMRL reported that no water stagnation has been reported at Keelkattalai, Semmozhi Salai in Perumbakkam, Otteri Metro Station, Mettukuppam Station LH, Nungambakkam Metro Station, and Iyyapanthangal Metro Station. It also informed that their teams remain on high alert across all phase 2 sites, continuously monitoring heavy rains and managing flood-like conditions to ensure public safety. If there is any further development, the next update will be issued at 03:00 PM. Stalled Ditwah upends forecasts, drenches Chennai; schools & colleges to remain closed on Tuesday
T.N. CM Stalin inaugurates new housing complex in Chennai
Bhasyam Developers buys Standard Chartereds Chennai plot for Rs 1,200 crore
Baashyaam Group has acquired the iconic Standard Chartered Bank property in Nungambakkam, Chennai, for an estimated Rs 1,200 crore, marking the city's largest land deal. The 5.5-acre site, formerly ANZ Grindlays Bank, will be redeveloped into a luxury residential and retail project, reflecting strong demand and limited prime land availability in core Chennai micro-markets.
Letting Faf Go Was Tough, But It's Time To Move To Younger Players: DC Head Coach Hemang Badani
Pakistan Super League: Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani explained the difficult decision behind releasing Faf du Plessis, stating that it was not easy to part ways with the South African, who has been a star performer in the IPL, but it was time to focus on the younger players. Faf, who has participated in 12 IPL seasons and only missed the 2013 edition since beginning his career in 2012, was one of the seven players DC released ahead of the mini auction. The 41-year-old batter later opted out of the 19th edition of the league, announcing that hell take on a new challenge and compete in the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Its never easy to release a player of Faf du Plessis calibre. Letting him go was a really tough decision because he has been a stellar performer in the IPL for many years. But we felt it was time to move towards a younger option, someone who could bring a more aggressive style that fits the brand of cricket we want to play, Badani said on JioStar. Faf has scored 4,773 runs at an average of 35.09 for four franchises: Chennai Super Kings (2012 to 2015 and 2018-2021), Rising Pune Supergiant (2016-2017), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2022-2024), and Delhi Capitals (2025), and has won the tournament twice with CSK. The other most high-profile release from the DC squad was Australian international Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was signed in 2024 as a player for the future. His intent-driven batting, which scored 222 runs off just 81 deliveries, was DC's highlight at the end of the season. Faf has scored 4,773 runs at an average of 35.09 for four franchises: Chennai Super Kings (2012 to 2015 and 2018-2021), Rising Pune Supergiant (2016-2017), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2022-2024), and Delhi Capitals (2025), and has won the tournament twice with CSK. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Reflecting on the decision to release the young Aussie, Badani added, We backed him based on how he performed last season, but at nine crore, we didnt feel we got enough value from that investment. So, we felt it was best to let him go as well. Overall, we are quite pleased with the squad we have right now. Article Source: IANS
Deep Depression Likley to Recurve Towards Chennai, 4 Districts to Receive Heavy Spells
The deep depression over west-central and adjoining areas of southwest Bay of Bengal and North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts remained practically stationary about 35 km from the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts
As the weather system is weakening gradually and is positioned close to the north T.N. coast, the RMC has issued a yellow alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram districts
Heavy rains to persist to continue in Chennai and neighbouring districts; system to weaken tonight
As the weather system is weakening gradually and is positioned close to the north T.N. coast, the RMC has issued a yellow alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram districts
Red alert issued as heavy rains lash Chennai and Tiruvallur
CHENNAI: The deep depression, the remnant of cyclonic storm Ditwah, weakened into a depression at around 5.30 am on Tuesday. By then, it had already brought very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to parts of Chennai and Tiruvallur, with areas in North Chennai recording as much as 2026 cm of rain following near-continuous showers on Monday night. A red alert warning of extremely heavy rainfall was issued for Chennai and Tiruvallur for Tuesday. Weather bloggers noted that the city would continue to receive moderate to heavy spells of rain over the next 24 hours. With the city recording an average of 13.45 cm of rainfall within 24 hours between 5.30 am on Monday and Tuesday morning, several neighbourhoods experienced inundation even as the Greater Chennai Corporation deployed high-capacity pumps to clear water from the streets. Residents reported sustained waterlogging, with roads flooding again soon after water had been drained by authorities. Stalled Ditwah upends forecasts, drenches Chennai; schools & colleges to remain closed on Tuesday According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), the depression is likely to move slowly southwestwards towards the North Tamil NaduPuducherry coasts and maintain its intensity for the next 12 hours before weakening into a well-marked low-pressure area. Data from the GCCs Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) showed that several parts of the city received extremely heavy rainfall during this period, with at least five locations crossing the 20 cm mark. Parrys recorded the highest rainfall at 26.52 cm, followed by Ennore at 26.43 cm. Other areas that saw very heavy rainfall included Ice House (23.13 cm), Basin Bridge (20.76 cm), and New Manali Town (20.66 cm). Water stagnation persisted in Pulianthope, RK Mutt Road, Pattalam, Vyasarpadi, and Manali. In Mullai Nagar, Vyasarpadi, residents said that despite severe water stagnation every year due to the localitys proximity to the Captain Cotton Canal, construction of a new stormwater drain had only just begun. Fearing inundation, residents of Velachery, Royapuram, and Kodambakkam began parking their vehicles on flyovers as a precautionary measure.
Heavy Rains Continue To Lash Chennai Amid Cyclone Ditwah; Red Alert Issued
Chennai and nearby districts remain on red alert as the remnants of Cyclone Ditwah continue to lash the city with heavy rain.
Chennai pummelled as deep depression weakens, heads back to coast
More rain expected to wash over Even more rain of various amounts forecast for Tamil Nadu, Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the week
Around 25 commuters were stranded in a Chennai metro train for nearly 30 minutes in an underground tunnel early Tuesday. The train stopped due to a dual battery failure in its controlling units, forcing passengers to walk to the High Court station. Normal operations resumed shortly after.
Chennai Metro Glitch: Train Stops Underground, Passengers Walk 500m Through Tunnel (VIDEO)
A Chennai Metro train halted underground due to a technical glitch, forcing passengers to walk 500 metres through a tunnel to High Court station. CMRL resumed services after evacuation.
So far, 334 people have been confirmed dead across Sri Lanka as authorities continue to battle rising floodwaters in parts of the capital, Colombo.
A deep depression, a remnant of Cyclone Ditwah, has turned back towards the east coast, prompting a red alert for Chennai and neighboring districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is expected in northern Tamil Nadu. The system is currently very close to the coast and is forecast to weaken before making landfall south of Chennai.
Cyclone Ditwah brought Chennai to a standstill on Monday with relentless rain and severe waterlogging. Floodwaters rose to nearly two feet in many areas, submerging key roads and forcing thousands to halt their journeys. Emergency services were slowed, and residents were urged to stay indoors as the city grappled with the storm's impact.
Six flights cancelled at Chennai airport citing operational reasons
Flights to destinations including Guwahati, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Kochi andMumbai, were cancelled by the airlines due to operational reasons, AAI said
The train halted inside the tunnel between Chennai Central station and High Court station few minutes after departing the station at 5.45 a.m.
Passengers walk through tunnel as Chennai Metro train stalls between stations due to glitch
CHENNAI: A technical fault on Chennai Metros underground corridor briefly disrupted early-morning services on Tuesday, after a train stalled between High Court and Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central stations. Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) said passengers were safely evacuated from the halted train in the tunnel section, and the rake was withdrawn from service. Due to a technical issue, the Metro train halted between the High Court station and Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M G Ramachandran Central Metro Station. Immediate evacuation was done, and the train was promptly withdrawn from the line, the Chennai Metro Rail said in a release. The disruption occurred before the morning rush and normal operations on the underground stretch were restored by 6.20am, a release stated. Videos from the scene show commuters gripping handrails and peering out to figure out what had happened. After about 10 minutes of being stranded, an announcement instructed passengers to walk roughly 500 meters to the nearby High Court station. In another clip, people are seen forming a queue and making their way through the tunnel.
Chennai Metro train halts midway due to glitch, 20 passengers rescued
Normal operations resumed at 6.20 am, it said and regretted the inconvenience caused to the passengers.
Cyclone Ditwah: Rain floods parts of Chennai with worries
CHENNAI: As the weakened cyclonic storm Ditwah brought incessant and widespread rain across Chennai since Sunday night and Monday, many parts of the city faced inundation. GCCs Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) recorded an average of 10 cm rainfall between 8.30 am and 7 pm on Monday. While the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, said the highest rainfall in Chennai on Monday was between 8.30 am 7.30 pm 13.2 cm GCC said its rain gauge in Ennore recorded 15.69 cm between 8.30 am and 7 pm. The impact was felt more in the northern parts of the city. Pattalam in Pulianthope, which faced flooding ever year, was inundated on Monday as well. Residents described the situation as a never-ending problem, with knee-deep water submerging the streets on Monday. A sanitary worker who had just completed her shift was seen wading cautiously near the Anjaneyar Koil on Demellows Road. Are there any potholes or open drains under this water? she asked anxiously. She continued her walk home to Mullai Nagar in Vyasarpadi, which also faced flooding. Later in the day, residents of KM Garden in Pulianthope said water began entering their houses. The officials attributed the persistent issue in the area to its low-lying terrain. Meanwhile, corporation staff deployed high-capacity pumps to clear the waterlogged stretch. Stalled Ditwah upends forecasts, drenches Chennai; schools & colleges to remain closed on Tuesday Police stand gaurd at Kasimedu harbour | Shiba Prasad Sahu / P JAWAHAR/ P RAVIKUMAR Similarly, in Vyasarpadi, localities such as Mullai Nagar, Thendral Nagar and the Vyasarpadi SIPCOT Industrial Estate also experienced water stagnation. In Perambur, residents alleged flooding on Venkatraman street has persisted and even worsened compared to last year, complaining that their stormwater drains have not been desilted for long. In AGS Colony, Velachery, residents reported stagnation on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th main roads as well as the 3rd and 4th cross streets. The locality also faced power outage along the 5th main road and adjoining streets after a tree branch fell on a transformer, a resident said. Several other neighbourhoods including OMR, K K Nagar, MMDA Mathur, Madhavaram, T Nagar and Tondiarpet also reported waterlogging on interior roads. Residents of Anna Nagar also reported stagnation on the 1st and 2nd main roads and the 6th street of J Block. Traffic hit KP Anand, a commuter in T Nagar, said, Traffic is heavily disrupted due to water stagnation near North Usman road, close to the Jos Alukkas showroom, and on Chakrapani Street and its surrounding areas. Udhayanidhi inspects Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin reviewed traffic movement across all 22 subways from the ICCC. GCC Mayor R Priya also inspected rescue and relief operations in several areras. (With inputs from Gautham Selvarajan @ Chennai)
Two women staff of private firm die as van, government bus collide near TN's Chengalpattu
CHENNAI: Two women, working at a private firm at an industrial estate in Alathur in Chengalpattu, were killed on the spot when a TNSTC bus collided head on with the minivan in which they were travelling near Kunnathur early on Monday morning. The deceased have been identified as M Uma (40) and S Banu (24) of Keelarkollai village in Thirukazhukundram taluk of Chengalpattu district. The ill-fated van, engaged by their company for transporting the workers, was carrying around 15 workers of the firm at the time. The other persons in the van sustained injuries, but their condition is stable, the police said. The accident occurred around 6 am when the TNSTC bus operating on the Chennai-Puducherry route with nearly 50 passengers on board crashed into the minivan coming from the opposite direction. Chief Minister MK Stalin condoled the deaths and announced a solatium of Rs 3 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He also announced assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to those who sustained severe injuries and Rs 50,000 to those who suffered minor injuries. He instructed officials to release the amount swiftly. The police said the bus allegedly took a sudden turn that led to the collision. Those injured were taken to Chengalpattu Government General Hospital, the government hospital in Pooncheri and a private hospital, a release from the government said. A case has been registered against the TNSTC bus driver, Alex (37), for negligent driving. Further investigation is under way. 15 sustain injuries as bus overturns near Mahabalipuram CHENNAI: Fifteen passengers were injured after a PuducherryChennai AC bus overturned in Manamai village near Mahabalipuram on Monday amid heavy rain and strong winds. The police said the driver lost control of the vehicle due to slippery road, causing it to skid and topple on the roadside. Eight passengers, four women and four men, suffered injuries and were admitted to the Chengalpet District Government Medical College Hospital. The Mamallapuram police are probing whether overspeeding and poor visibility led to the accident. They said all the 15 passengers were admitted with injuries and are currently stable.
Tamil Nadu polls: BJP reaches out to TTV, asks to pause drift towards TVK; seeks AMMKs return to NDA
The BJP has reportedly urged T.T.V. Dhinakaran to pause his potential alliance with Vijay's TVK, seeking direct talks to resolve his demands. Dhinakaran remains firm on replacing Edappadi K. Palaniswami as AIADMK's chief ministerial candidate, while the BJP views AMMK as a crucial asset for the 2026 elections.
All four GCC sanitary staff on hunger strike hospitalised; new team takes over
CHENNAI: All four sanitary workers on indefinite hunger strike were hospitalised on Monday, the 15th day of their protest, due to deteriorating health, including giddiness and stomach pain. Replacing them, another four workers - M Saraswathi, K Kalpana, V Velankanni, and E Saraswathi from Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar zones - have joined the strike, pressing for reinstatement of jobs directly under the GCC. On November 14, the Madras HC had permitted four protesters at a time, allowing replacements if health issues arise. Despite over 120 days of protest since August, and now 15 days of hunger strike, no official has come forward to hold talks, said the workers. One more sanitary staff on indefinite hunger strike admitted to government hospital in Chennai
Plea against constructions on OSR land at TAISHA-II in Chennai
CHENNAI: Justice V Lakshminarayanan of the Madras High Court on Monday issued notices to the respondents including the Tamil Nadu All India Service Housing Association-II to file reply to a petition seeking to restore the OSR land in the residential complex at Natesan Nagar West in Virugambakkam, Chennai, by removing the constructions made on an area measuring 2743.17 sq m. The judge granted three weeks for them to file the reply. The petition was filed by V Jaishankar of Chennai who owns a flat in the complex. He prayed for the court to issue a direction to the CMDA and the commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation to demolish the constructions put up on the OSR land in the TAISHA-II residential complex, with 570 multi-storied flats. The petitioner said the project, as per original approved plan and scheme of development and construction, disclosed the basic common amenities only and did not include any additional amenities like clubhouse, swimming pool, gymnasium, shuttle court and squash court. He said that such illegal construction on OSR land is liable to be demolished as per the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.
Chennai schools reject GBAs dog survey order
BENGALURU: Following Bengaluru South City Corporations official order that schools must conduct a survey of stray dogs on their premises, private schools have strongly opposed the order and written to GBA Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao, saying they have better responsibilities to fulfil. Shashi Kumar, president of Associated Management of English Medium Schools in Karnataka, said, This is too ridiculous for GBA to direct schools to survey a dog count. Schools were not even a party when the case regarding stray dogs went to the Supreme Court. They cant make it mandatory for schools to conduct a survey. Therefore, I have written a letter to the GBA commissioner, objecting to directions of surveying dog count. Kumar has stated that schools have the responsibility of teaching and learning, and to provide quality learning outcomes. However, various diversified work has already harmed learning outcomes which violate the RTE Act and rules. Shashi Kumar added, We are ready to cooperate, support the lawful control of stray dogs. We are ready to cooperate with the department by maintaining cleanliness and restricting access to stray dogs within our campus. But we cannot undertake external surveys to provide stray dog census data which lies outside our functional domain. Therefore, I have requested the GBA commissioner to withdraw or amend directions requiring educational institutions to perform stray dog enumeration. As per the GBA order, schools are asked to submit the report on the number of dogs within three business days, ensure adequate fencing and a gate of 10 feet within four weeks, maintain proper disposal for food waste, conduct routine inspections to eliminate possibility of dogs entering the premises, conduct responsible behaviour around animals, first aid for dog bites and immediate reporting procedures.
Chennai Metro train halts inside tunnel, commuters forced to walk on track
Chennai: A Chennai Metro train on the Blue Line was stranded inside a tunnel near Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro early Tuesday morning, forcing passengers to walk nearly 500 metres to safety after services came to an abrupt halt due to a technical snag. According to passengers, the train was heading from Chennai 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 .
Madras HC cites public interest, air pollution to allow work on 160-acre MRC land
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has permitted the state government to carry out its development works for the strengthening of ponds to store excess rainwater and the development of Eco Park on the land that was earlier leased out to the Madras Race Club (MRC). The government had taken possession of the 160-acre land, leased out to the MRC, a few months ago. Modifying a single judges order that had directed maintenance of status quo on the creation of waterbodies and an eco-park on the sprawling MRC premises, a division bench of justices S M Subramaniam and Mohamed Shaffiq held that the eco-park is intended to serve multiple purposes, including mitigation of the risk of flooding, which Chennai faces during each passing monsoon; addressing grave concerns over rising AQI levels, promoting tourism, and providing a natural habitat for several species of flora and fauna. Stating that the project for creating ponds and eco-park already commenced and is firmly rooted in larger public interest, the bench said these projects are the need of the hour for Chennai because the topography of the city has altered drastically due to unplanned/unauthorised construction of residential and commercial units over and close to waterbodies even as the city suffers from flooding during monsoon resulting in large-scale damage and at times, catastrophe. The bench said it found prima facie that there is overarching public interest in ensuring the proposed project is proceeded with unhindered. We are thus inclined to modify the order of status quo and permit the state to carry out all the works for strengthening/developing ponds to store excess rainwater while permitting development of the eco-park, it said. Air pollution today is not merely an environmental issue; it has become a public health emergency, the bench further said in the order. It noted that the experience of the citizens of New Delhi in the recent past is a stark reminder, where escalating AQI levels have led to lockdowns, closure of schools, disruption of public life and severe health impacts, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. The appeal petitions were filed by the principal secretary of the revenue department and Chennai district collector to set aside the status quo order passed by the single judge on July 4, 2025. Senior counsel P Wilson appeared for the appellants.
Chennai Metro commuters experienced significant disruption Tuesday morning as a train stalled between High Court and Central Metro stations due to a technical fault, suspected to be a power failure. Passengers were left stranded for a period before normal services were restored by 6:20 am, easing the flow on the affected route.
On Camera, Chennai Metro Train Stalls In Tunnel Amid Rain, Passengers Evacuated
A Chennai Metro train stalled inside the tunnel between Central and High Court stations early Tuesday, forcing an emergency evacuation of passengers.
Waste disposal via 33 packages, will not bow to garbage mafia: DK Shivakumar
BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said garbage disposal contracts in Bengaluru will be given out through 33 packages without bowing to any pressure. After laying the foundation stone for the 1st phase of the integrated solid waste segregation unit at Kannahalli on Magadi Main Road, he said, The court has approved these 33 packages. They will be implemented in a few days. They (garbage mafia) used to go to court at every stage and bring in injunctions and blackmail the government. They had an attitude that the government should listen to what they said. It has been curbed now, he said. Shivakumar said people are throwing garbage and creating eyesores everywhere in the city. CCTV cameras have been installed and fines being imposed to control the menace. The police have issued notices to vehicles dumping garbage, he added. My goal, intention, thought and commitment is to set up four units to produce gas from garbage, he said. But only two units have been given permission because of space constraints and tenders have been floated, he added. In the past, 10-12 companies failed to generate electricity from garbage. I have heard that 24 MW of electricity can be generated with the right technology. I have also seen this in Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad, he added. On Saatarem Alternative Fuel and Energy Pvt Ltd (SAAFE), which is already producing 350 tonnes of compost from wet waste per day, is gearing up for processing another 300 tonnes of organic waste to produce 10 tonnes of biogas, and taking refuse-derived fuel to produce 1 MW of electricity, he said, SAAFE will initially invest Rs 100 crore and scale it up to Rs 300 crore. The government will extend them all assistance. If this experiment succeeds, similar facilities will be set up in some more places across the state, he said. On rewarding individuals making videos of those dumping garbage on streets, he said, We have taken all necessary steps. We are installing cameras to monitor those dumping garbage on roads. The traffic department is imposing fines on those people. Peoples cooperation is necessary to keep the city clean, he said.
A deep depression, a remnant of Cyclone Ditwah, is inching closer to the East Coast, prompting a red alert for four northern Tamil Nadu districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Chennai and surrounding areas until Tuesday morning. The weather system is forecast to weaken and make landfall south of Chennai later today or tonight.
Weather update: Chennai, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry are on high rainfall alert due to the impact of cyclone Ditwah. Schools in Chennai will remain closed today due to heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, the IMD has said central and parts of northwest and peninsular India might experience for a colder winter with below-normal day and night temperatures expected from December to February.
Chennai metro faces morning disruption as train stops inside tunnel; Passengers safely evacuated
Chennai Metro services experienced a brief disruption Tuesday morning when a train halted inside a tunnel between Central and High Court stations due to a technical issue. Passengers were safely evacuated, and normal operations resumed by 6:20 AM after the train was withdrawn.
School holiday Chennai: Schools in Chennai and other districts of Tamil Nadu are closed on December 2 in view of the heavy rainfall caused by cyclone Ditwah. Schools and colleges in Chennai will remain closed on December 2, announced district collector Rashmi Siddharth Jagade on Monday. The IMD has warned of heavy rainfall in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu.
Chennai Metro Train Stuck In Subway, Commuters Forced To Walk Through Tunnel
The train got stuck in a subway between the Central Metro and High Court station. Passengers on board complained of no electricity.
Haripad Soman: Dubbing artist and actor passes away at 80
Veteran dubbing artist and actor Haripad Soman has passed away in Chennai at 80 after a prolonged illness. Known for his memorable roles in films like 'Manushyaputhran' and 'Guruvayoor Kesavan', Soman also lent his voice to numerous Malayalam movies between 1980 and 1995. His career spanned acting, dubbing, and theatre, leaving a significant mark on performing arts.
Cyclone Ditwah: Chennai, suburbs wake to seasons wettest morning; schools, colleges closed
Cyclone Ditwah, after weakening, surprised Chennai with a deluge on Monday morning, causing widespread flooding and traffic disruptions. The India Meteorological Department issued orange and red alerts for the city and Tiruvallur respectively. Weathermen predict continued heavy rain for the region as the system lingers offshore.
Dispatch: 'My favourite TV show this year is actually a video game'
When Robert Robertson the IIIrd loses the spark that made him Mechaman, he becomes an emergency dispatcher for superheroes at a Los Angeles-based superhero company. I immediately felt sympathetic to his very sad story, and was rooting for him to be good at his new job. It should have been a piece of cake for him. He can hack into systems and cameras to help out the superheroes that are dispatched to locations, and has the sense and understanding to send out the right hero for the situation. But hes been assigned to manage the worst possible team of heroes. Theyre a group of rehabilitated minor villains who were lumped together for being bottom-of-the-table performers. They dont want to listen to Robert. In fact, they actively want Robert to fail. They arent concerned about LAs suffering citizens, and the last thing on their mind is doing a good days work. All of this is about Dispatch, an episodic videogame about Roberts life post Mechaman. Dispatch is a dialogue and story-centric game, very reminiscent of TellTale games before the studio closed. If you arent familiar with those games, the easiest way to explain Dispatch is by saying that you could easily confuse this for being a slightly more interactive version of a TV show. But theres far more that this does that a show wouldnt bother with. For starters, it allows a deeper exploration of relationships in the game. I loved how the game navigated Roberts approach towards gaining the respect and loyalty of his team. I also liked how much it allowed Robert to get closer to certain characters, a level of autonomy which isnt very typical of dialogue-based games. I also found the tiny story arc with Waterboy quite interesting. While technically having competent hero skills (i.e., he can vomit water at will), Waterboy is uncharismatic and is a kind of loser through the first few episodes. Eventually, through Robert, I made the decision to hire Waterboy into the team, to give him a shot at success. You see, decisions and relationships play a huge role in this story. Every single conversation with a character influences the plot. Its insane to think of how many micro choices and different outcomes have been coded and animated into these eight short episodes. It makes you overthink the smallest decisions to make in the game, like choosing whether or not to fist-bump a person. But remember theres very little time to make these decisions. The infinite number of outcomes also makes the game super fresh even on a replay. Obviously, thats nothing like Baldurs Gate, but it does well within the constraints of being an episodic game. Also, not to mention that this game is not just about its timed and important dialogue choices, because theres also actual dispatching involved. As someone who works at her desk, Ive often wondered about the most fabulous behind-the-desk jobs. Like air traffic controllers and emergency service dispatchers. I think the work they do is important and cool. I also think hackers are cool. The unfortunate fact is that almost everything I know about these jobs is from movies. Dispatch is nowhere close to reality, but its still a step nearer to opening a very small window into their lives. Robert is assigned a fragile old computer and headphones on his first day at the job. It gives him access to the locations and a skill tree for each of the heroes on the roster. The day brings with it multiple calls from citizens who need a helping hand. It could be as basic as an old lady asking for help to cross the road, a request for the presence of a superhero to do an inauguration of an event, to something more convoluted like breaking up and fighting with the Red Ring a supervillain group thats out to destroy the city. Calls are frequent and never-ending. Heres where the game turns into a management simulator. Assigning heroes to tasks and ensuring frequent skill upgrades are critical to doing a good job through the episodes. Even if you arent replaying the game to get to different possible endings, its almost worth replaying it just to get perfect dispatch scores every day. All 8 episodes of Dispatch Season 1 are now out. The game is currently available for the PC and PlayStation. Highly recommended if youre a fan of grounded superhero stories and love a good management simulator.
Science and spirituality: In the world of Anand Neelakantans Mahishasura
Every year, during Navaratri the story of Mahishasura is rendered in households, reminding us of the Devis power and her abolishing evil. In Anand Neelakantans Mahishasura: The Legend of Kumarikandam (Penguin, `499), we see the creation of the demon, a Shakti who does not know her powers, and a reality which is just a simulation. He weaves science and mythology in the first book of The Devi series . Set 70,000 years ago in the now submerged land of Kumarikandam, Anands book is a reimagination of popular puranas, and Tamil texts. The gods are playing a game, the asuras are showing the prowess in science and technology, and the humans live their life carefree until a force threatens to upend their lives. And contrary to popular stories, it is not an evil force alonea much larger plan is afoot. Hence, Devi, in the form of Meenakshi, steps in. The world-building in this book is far more complex than the Bahubali universe Anand created and far tougher than the Asura or Ajaya series, which were retellings. He explores a new genre that marries scientific fiction and mythology. Excerpts follow: Tell us about your vision for The Devi Series. The Devi has always fascinated me because she is the only force in Indian mythology that unites creation and destruction without an apology. In the Devi Mahatmyam and Devi Purana , the goddess is not born; she manifests when the universe cannot protect itself. That idea of a force beyond gods and demons, beyond good and evil stayed with me for years. When I began conceptualising The Devi Series , I realised that every civilisation has its own memory of a mother goddess who rises from ruins. The Tamil traditions speak of the ancient land of Kumarikandam, a vast civilisation believed to have stretched across the Indian Ocean, flourishing with art, philosophy, agriculture and early science. The legends say it sank after a cataclysmic event, taking with it the collective memory of a people. Similarly, the Sanskrit puranas, especially the Matsya Purana , speak of a great flood that destroyed earlier worlds, leaving behind only those saved by Manu. What attracted me was the possibility that these are not separate stories at all, but two cultural memories of the same calamity. The Devi Series is my attempt to explore this forgotten intersection where the feminine divine becomes the memory-keeper of a lost world. Through the Legend of Kumarikandam , I am trying to fuse these two fascinating worlds together. Why did you decide to weave sci-fi and mythology? The fusion of science fiction and mythology came naturally when I began reading the Matsya Purana alongside Tamil legends of Kumarikandam. The story speaks of Manu, a Dravida king, who is warned of an impending cosmic flood and is guided by the Matsya, and finds a new land and the Vedic civilisation. We can see parallels to this flood myth in the Bible as the legend of Noahs ark, and almost all major mythologies across the world have some version of this legend. Tamil lore speaks of a landmass that housed early Sangam culture, now lost beneath the sea. When two entirely different traditions describe a similar disaster, a storytellers mind begins to ask whether these memories are fragments of a much older human drama. And what if the flood myth prevalent across the world is a collective memory of this ancient trauma? The moment I imagined devas and asuras as technologically advanced beings in a prehistoric world a world that might itself be a simulation the story found its own momentum. It was not an attempt to mix genres; it was simply following the trail our ancestors left behind, and asking what happens if we interpret their metaphors through the lens of modern science. There are traces of AI and several technologies in the narrative. What was your research like? The challenge was to place Artificial Intelligence in a world set in 70,000 BC without turning it into fantasy. To do that, I had to research not only current AI systems but also the philosophical questions they raise about autonomy, creation, ethics and the possibility that intelligence can emerge in layers, whether biological or digital. Simultaneously, I delved deeply into ancient Indian cosmology. The Upanishads speak of the self observing itself through layers of reality. The purana s describe universes created and dissolved in cycles, like simulations, re-run endlessly. When I studied simulation theorists and quantum physicists, I found an uncanny resonance with these ancient ideas. Researching Kumarikandam was equally important. While not accepted as historical fact, it survives vividly in Tamil folklore, in Sangam literature, and in the collective consciousness of south Indian coastal communities. These sources describe an advanced maritime culture, a sophisticated society of scholars, astronomers, and seafarers. This gave me a framework within which advanced technologies could exist not as anachronisms, but as the remnants of a forgotten age. By merging these research threads, the AI in my novel becomes neither magic nor science fiction in the Western sense. Instead, it becomes a continuity of our cultural imagination, where technology, myth, and philosophy are different names for the same human longing to understand creation. This book was five years in the making and one of your toughest. Could you walk us through the journey of writing it? This book demanded a level of synthesis I had never attempted before. On one hand, I had vast mythological material Devi traditions, the flood narratives in the Matsya Purana , and the multi-layered world of devas and asuras . On the other, I had folkloric memories of Kumarikandam, the archaic rhythms of Sangam poetry, and the haunting idea of a continent swallowed by the sea. To bring these together, I had to travel not physically but imaginatively. I spent years reading about prehistoric migrations, sea-level changes, archaeo-genetics, and the evolution of early human societies. At the same time, I immersed myself in philosophical debates about the nature of reality, Artificial Intelligence, and the possibility that consciousness might be the fundamental currency of the universe. There were days the task felt overwhelming. How does one write a story that spans cosmic timelines and intimate human emotions? How does one keep the reader rooted in characters while discussing worlds within worlds? And how to write it in an engaging way that would appeal to the modern reader without bombarding them with research material? How to tell an interesting story simple enough to make the reader grasp the complexity of what I was attempting to say? All these made this project the toughest and riskiest one I have done so far. The breakthrough came when I realised that if I treated the entire universe as a simulation as the Upanishads hinted and as modern science proposes everything could coexist naturally. After that, the novel took shape as the story of a civilisation struggling not only against physical destruction but against the collapse of meaning itself. That emotional core is what carried me through five long years. You touch upon the sensitive subject of varnas , Manuneeti , and the caste system. Why? No retelling of ancient India can avoid confronting its moral anxieties. The varna system, in its original fluid form, might have been a way to organise society, but over time it hardened into a structure that caused immense suffering. The story of Manuneeti is both revered and criticised, depending on which version one encounters. Setting my narrative in 70,000 BC allowed me to explore these themes without pointing at any modern community. In my book, varna is not a rigid hierarchy but an allegory for how civilisations classify people, justify power, and define purity. The devas and asuras are not races but symbolic expressions of political and cultural dominance. Addressing caste and Manuneeti was a deliberate choice because mythology must engage with uncomfortable truths. If it cannot question the past, it becomes propaganda. My aim was not to rewrite history but to echo the many folk traditions where villains become heroes, where justice is contested, and where the oppressed speak through forgotten stories. By embedding these themes within the ancient world of Kumarikandam, I hoped to show that humanity has always struggled between order and compassion, between law and fairness, between justice and survival. The book deals with the dilemma of science versus spirituality. What would you like readers to take away from this? I believe science and spirituality are two attempts to decode the same mystery. When a physicist speaks about a universe that may be a mathematical structure, and a sage speaks about maya , both are grappling with a reality that refuses to reveal itself fully. Our civilisation never separated knowledge into silos the rishis were both philosophers and scientists in their own way. The conflict between science and spirituality arises only when each side assumes its language is superior. But if we look deeper, we see that both are describing a universe where consciousness plays a central role. The ancient stories of the Devi, the notions of cosmic cycles, the idea that the universe is created from sound or vibration all these align in fascinating ways with modern theories of energy, information and simulation. What I want readers to take away is not a definitive answer but a sense of wonder. The universe is greater than any single explanation we can offer. If we approach it with humility and curiosity, science and spirituality cease to be rivals and become partners in the human search for meaning. How do you see the old debate of good versus evil, devas versus asuras? My reading of mythology has taught me that good and evil are rarely absolutes. Most epics, when examined closely, do not present simple moral binaries. Ravana is a villain in one telling and a tragic hero in another. Bali is a tyrant according to one community and a beloved king to another. Similarly, the asuras are scholars, warriors, law-givers and inventors in many lesser-known traditions. When I humanise a suras or rakshasas , I am not subverting mythology; I am returning to its original plurality. Our stories were never meant to be monologues. They were dialogues between cultures, constantly rewritten to reflect shifting power. Devas and asuras represent competing worldviews, not fixed identities. One values order, the other values freedom. One protects tradition, the other challenges it. In the world I have created, their powers appear divine only because their technologies surpass human understanding. The debate between them is not about morality but about who gets to define truth. By exploring these tensions in the submerged world of Kumarikandam, I wanted readers to see that history is always a negotiation between perspectives, and that understanding the other side is the first step to understanding ourselves. Whats next in the series? The Devi Series will continue to expand the universe I have begun building in this book and will continue to the world of Karthikeya and Shiva purana , albeit based on the Tamil puranic traditions rather than the Sanskrit ones. However, I consider The Devi Series as the gateway into a vast story universe. It leaves me enough space to explore the origins of the devas, the forgotten rebellions of the asuras, and the hidden architecture of the simulated cosmos they inhabit. The genre will remain the same, but the scope will grow larger. Readers can expect journeys into the deepest layers of creation, confrontations between artificial and organic intelligence, explorations of pre-human civilisations and the secrets that lie beneath the ocean floors. The ancient world described in the puranas will be reimagined not as fantasy but as coded memory data that survived cataclysm and evolved into stories. This series is my attempt to bring together mythology, speculative science, philosophy and human drama into one narrative. And I expect all of them to be global films, sooner rather than later. I envisage a massive cinematic universe too, as Indias answer to the world that Hollywood created through the Marvel universe. I dream of taking Indian stories global on a scale that rivals anything Hollywood has done. We have the potential, talent and stories to create a hundred Avatar kind of stories. The novel series is just laying the foundation for something far bigger. Read the full interview on www.newindianexpress.com
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Rains Lash Chennai, Disrupt Normal Life
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