Chennais residential market recorded 10% year on year growth
According to Knight Frank India, 4,357 units were sold during the first quarter of 2025.New launches also saw an uptick, with 4,576 units introduced, reflecting a 5% year-on-year growth
Wagguv, Shikara among 8 more Kashmir crafts secure GI certification
Srinagar: In a landmark achievement securing the unique craftsmanship of artisans, 8 more traditional products of Kashmir have been granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) certificates by GI Registry, Chennai, based on their sources of origin. GI registration provides legal protection against counterfeit products, prevents unauthorized use, boosts exports, and promotes economic prosperity for producers []
Bengalurus Namma Metro: Indias priciest transit
After the fare revision, commuting by Bengalurus Namma Metro has become the most expensive service in the country, with the ticket cost surpassing those in Delhi, Chennai, and other major cities. The Hindu Darshan Devaiah B.P. compares metro fares and other parameters across the country and explains how Bengaluru Metro became the costliest transit service
One killed, three injured as car rams into tea shop in Teynampet
Mayor Priya launches distribution of identity cards for sanitation workers
Chennai Corporation helpline 1913 will start assisting sanitation workers in the implementation of welfare measures
Young woman murdered near Sriperumbudur
Initiative for screening of disorders launched
CMDA must extend its Local Area Plan up to Siruseri, say residents
15,270 crore spent for disaster relief, mitigation in last four years: Tamil Nadu govt
Tamil Nadu moves Madras high court to lift e-pass system in Ooty, Kodaikanal
Encroachments on waterbodies not eligible for patta under Tamil Nadu governments special scheme
The Hindu EducationPlus Career Counselling Fair 2025 to commence on April 5
The two-day fair, which will be held at the Chennai Trade Centre, is a great chance for students and parents to explore different career paths, learn about college admissions, and gain insights into various fields of study
Bar colleges with fake faculty: NGO
5K fine announced for illegal dumping of construction debris in Chennai
Only five of 65 Madras HC judges have declared assets
Tamil Nadu government warns colleges against misleading advertisements on campus placements
Chennai port, its subsidiary Kamarajar Port record collective revenue of 2,219 crore
Water supply in areas of south Chennai hit for four days due pipeline burst
Areas including R.A. Puram, Nungambakkam, and T. Nagar have been hit. Officials say repair work is on, and the supply is expected to resume on Friday
Review Indo-Lankan pact: Tamil Nadu chief minister Stalin writes to Prime Minister Modi
Chennai airport falls from 56th to 63rd rank in global survey
Man dead as speeding car crashes into tea shop near Teynampet, Chennai
Murder: Man stages accident, kills partner days before engagement in Chennai
Sumeeth eager to share hard-earned wisdom to youngsters
CHENNAI: B Sumeeth Reddy recently made one of the biggest decisions of his life. Having dedicated his life to badminton for over two decades, he called time on his professional career. His playing days might have ended but it's also the beginning of a new chapter, a chapter he hopes will bring wealth of success. Brimming with hard-earned wisdom, Sumeeth, having donned the hat of a coach, is now eager to pass on the knowledge to youngsters in the days to come. I only wanted to do it (retire) when I felt like I couldn't improve any further than whatever I was during my peak. Lately, I could feel that my body wasn't able to keep up. I had lost a lot of power due to a back issue. Despite that, I used to manage because of my experience. Even last week, I was World No 25. However, I couldn't get myself into the top-10, something that was always in my mind. Maybe, I could have pushed a little more but that would not fulfill my goal, he said. Once recommended by the doctors to quit playing the sport (due to a back injury), the man from Telangana had overlooked their suggestion to soldier on and carve out a respectable career for himself. Against all odds, Sumeeth, alongside partner Manu Attri, had made history in 2016 by becoming the first men's pair from the country to qualify for the Olympics. Manu and Sumeeth climbed as high as World No 17 at their peak. That might pale in comparison to what Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty has produced, but it was a significant push for Indian badminton then. It was not just his personal injury that Sumeeth was battling, the Indian doubles department, for various reasons including the results, did not use to get the attention required to thrive at the elite level. He has played alongside other notable players like Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy, with whom he tied the knot in 2019, in the mixed doubles category as well. Being part of the Olympics is something that will remain in his heart forever. Getting selected for the Olympics was special. Only 13 spots (three others would be part of continental quota) were there and to be part of that number was always special. I had to wait 12 or 16 years to get the Commonwealth medal. I had always missed it by a whisker. That was special. We also had some big scalps against top-ranked players. That was special too. All those Grand Prix wins were also quite special, he recalled. Despite the injury that ended his aspirations to become a singles star (he was former India junior No 1 in singles) and despite the challenges that tested players from doubles category then, Sumeeth is filled with gratitude. We were lucky that we were at one of the top centres in the country, the Gopichand Academy. The atmosphere was always positive, looking to win big titles. Apart from that, my dad has always been a source of strength and motivation. He was also a national athlete. Obviously, he couldn't get any support from my grandparents and he wanted me and my brother to pursue sports. He always supported me. I could see him day in and day out and that pushed me to achieve bigger things in life. The 33-year-old is encouraged by the talent in store, especially Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand apart from Satwik and Chirag. But he also felt that doubles players, especially the youngsters, still have a lot of learning to do. When I started, I had helped them (Treesa and Gayatri) for a month before China. They have done pretty well. Recently, they won against a Korean pair (Kong Hee Yong/Kim Hye Jeong) and that was really good. The pair from Korea had been winning all the top tournaments. Winning against them was also special. I'm also taking care of the mixed doubles pairs and upcoming players. A few juniors have shifted from singles to doubles and I can see some potential in them. It is obviously a tougher task as they are still learning the basics of the sport but I'm obviously enjoying my role. If I say right away, it looks tough (doubles). Satwik and Chirag have won almost everything. Treesa and Gayatri have shown a lot of potential. Apart from that, there's a sizeable gap and that's a big concern which needs to be addressed. The other pairs are also trying. I think it's a lot about confidence and tactical things that we Indians have to look into. We need to focus a lot more on our tactical game. We think we can be ahead if we do that. I would say that it always helped me. I never had a big smash but I was not very skillful. The reason how we could pull off some good matches is by employing this tactical side of the game, he assessed. With his passion and hunger for the sport intact, Sumeeth will be hoping to take India to new heights with his freshly-acquired role.
City catches a break from heat
Statue for Marx in Chennai - Deccan Chronicle
Statue for Marx in Chennai Deccan Chronicle
Talking about Mookiah Thevar, he said that he was making the announcement on the eve of his 103rd birth anniversary and added that he was the one who raised a vociferous opposition to the move to hand over Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.
DMRC secures 12-year contract for operation and maintenance of Chennai Metro phase-II
New headquarters building of Tambaram Corporation is set to be completed by this year
From Olympic heartbreak to winning bagful of medals: Rower Tyagi's story
CHENNAI: As New Year 2024 dawned, rower Ajay Tyagi was in a happy space and dreaming of qualification for the Paris Olympics. And why not? He was already in the national camp and the next few months were going to present him ample opportunities to make it to his maiden Games. Things, however, went downhill from there as he was excluded from the camp and went out of contention to qualify for the marquee event. It was a difficult period for Tyagi, a Havildar in the Indian Army, who even thought of quitting the sport and communicated the same to his coaches. Had they not convinced me, I would have left the sport last year, 25-year-old Tyagi told this daily following his return from Tasmania, Australia where he won two gold and a silver at the 2025 Australian Rowing Championships. He then made a return to the sport during the Indoor Nationals in Moga, Punjab in July 2024 and won gold in the lightweight pair event. Representing the country in the Olympics is every athlete's dream and I was no different. I don't know why I was excluded from the camp ahead of the 2024 Games. I didn't compete at the 2024 National Championships as I was told to focus on my preparations. Later, they picked only gold medallists from the nationals for the camp. Tyagi's return coincided with the Indian Army hiring services of Australian coach Antony Patterson and it changed his outlook towards the sport completely. He brought his training methods. We were made to take tests every month and our progress was gauged from our performances there. I saw huge improvements in my timings both in water and on ergometer. My timings have improved by 6-7 seconds outdoors while the timings on ergometer saw an improvement by four seconds. Earlier, we used to work on ergometer for 30 minutes but the foreign coach made us work there for an hour. It improved our stamina, noted the rower, who hails from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. An improved Tyagi was ready for his second stint and the hard miles he had done started to bear fruit as he went on a medal-winning streak. It all started with his first maiden gold of the National Games in February in Uttarakhand. He finished on the top of the podium at the lightweight men's double sculls along with his partner Ujjwal Kumar Singh. Afraid of water once, rower Ajay Tyagi bags nationals gold on debut Rowers Ajay Tyagi (L) and Ujjwal Kumar Nigam after winning medals in Australia It was his non-participation in the national championships that led to his ouster from the all-important camp and he more than made up for it when the 2025 edition began in Bhopal last month. We won two gold medals in the nationals. Ujjwal and I continued from where we left in the National Games and pocketed the lightweight men's double sculls gold with a timing of 6:59.1. Then we won the men's quadruple sculls gold. I along with Karamjit Singh, Ujjwal and Arvind Singh clocked 6:12.9 to finish on the top. It was very special as this was the event which I missed last year and was not included in the camp for Olympic qualification. Making a winning return boosted my confidence a lot. The next target is Asian Championship and World Military Championships, which India may host either at the Army Rowing Node in Pune or Bhopal. We have been given a few days break but we will soon gather at the ARN in Pune to prepare for the continental event. The bigger target is the Asian Games scheduled next year. It will be the first step towards my Olympic dream. I might have missed out on a chance to compete in Paris but will leave no stone unturned to qualify for the 2028 Games, signed off the rower. Only time will tell what lies ahead for Tyagi but the army rower looks determined to make the next three years memorable for him by fulfilling his Olympic dream.
Revenue dept reclaims Rs 20,325cr worth encroached land
Ajith Kumar goes go-karting with wife Shalini, son Aadvik in Chennai
Ajith Kumar goes go-karting with wife Shalini, son Aadvik in Chennai
Rs 15,270 crore spent for disaster relief and mitigation in last four years: TN govt
Efforts to split DMK-Left tie-up wont succeed, says Stalin at CPM party congress in Madurai
GI Registry Recognises Eight More Kashmir Products
SRINAGAR: Eight more traditional products of Kashmir have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) certificates by the GI Registry, Chennai, based on their origin. GI registration provides legal protection against counterfeit products, prevents unauthorised use, boosts exports, and supports economic growth for producers linked to a specific geographical area. Providing details, a spokesman from the Handicrafts [] The post GI Registry Recognises Eight More Kashmir Products appeared first on Kashmir Life .
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin writes to PM Modi on Katchatheevu retrieval
CM Stalin urges PM Modi to take immediate steps to review the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement so that the island is retrieved and traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen are permanently protected
Chennai and Kamarajar ports cross 100 million tonnes of cargo handling
They record a combined operating income of 2,200 crore; chairman says infrastructure is being continuously upgraded
Germanys ebm-papst to invest 340 cr in new Chennai factory, targets doubling India revenue by FY28
The company will break ground for the new facility on Friday at Sunguvarchatram, about 50 km west of Chennai
CSK has only won one out of three matches in the IPL 2025 season. They are looking to improve their performance by giving Mhatre an opportunity at their training camp.
Samsung union threatens strike a month after ending protests
Statue of Karl Marx To Be Installed In Chennai, Says MK Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday announced that a statue of German philosopher and socialist leader Karl Marx will be installed in Chennai - a city that has served as a hub for the labour movement for over a century.
Katchatheevu: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin urges PM Modi to review Indo-Lankan pact
Four-month-old baby undergoes liver transplant at hospital in Chennai
The baby from Coimbatore was suffering from congenital liver failure
Deputy Chief Minister inaugurates facilities at Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School
The facilities were constructed at a total cost of 3.65 crore
Pet parks to be set up in Chennai, Coimbatore
The animal birth control programme for community dogs will be expanded, Minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan said
Red Bull Moto Jam Set to Kick Off In Chennai On April 12 - News18
Red Bull Moto Jam Set to Kick Off In Chennai On April 12 News18
Ajith Returns to Chennai After Racing Triumphs - Good Bad Ugly Gears Up for Release! - IndiaGlitz
Ajith Returns to Chennai After Racing Triumphs - Good Bad Ugly Gears Up for Release! IndiaGlitz
For the first time, Chennai and Kamarajar ports exceed 100 mt throughput milestone
For the current fiscal, Paliwal expects the combined cargo volume to grow at around 7 per cent
Public speaker Dushyanth Sridhar sues temple activist Rangarajan Narasimhan in Madras HC
Seeks the leave of the court to institute a defamation suit seeking damages of 1 crore for abusive and derogatory remarks
8 more Kashmir Crafts carve their way to GI Glory
Srinagar: In a landmark achievement securing the unique craftsmanship of artisans, 8 more traditional products of Kashmir have been granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) certificates by GI Registry, Chennai, based on their sources of origin. GI registration provides legal protection against counterfeit products, prevents unauthorized use, boosts exports, and promotes economic prosperity for []
Tamil actor Vijays TVK to hold anti-Waqf Bill protest tomorrow
Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Tamil superstar Vijay, has announced a statewide protest Friday, demanding the repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025. The announcement comes in the wake of growing opposition to the controversial Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha during the early hours of Thursday after a 12-hour debate. []
Anna University opens admissions for industry, other State categories
Cathay Pacific resumes non-stop service from RGIA to Hong Kong and beyond
Cathay Pacific is operating across five cities Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad
Fishermen stage protest on Chennais Marina Loop Road demanding protected traditional fishing zone
A fishing community leader, Kosu Mani, said the sands, the sea, and the seafront belonged only to traditional fishermen
Samsung union issues strike notice demanding reinstatement of 23 suspended workers
The move comes less than a month after the SIWU withdrew their month-long protest on March 7, 2025
Robber posing as courier man attacks woman in Chennai apartment, nabbed within hours
A robber posed as a courier delivery man and attempted to steal a gold chain from a woman in a Chennai residential apartment. The suspect, identified as Sachin, was apprehended within hours, thanks to CCTV footage, and has been linked to over 10 crime cases in the city.
Chennai wakes up to summer showers, IMD issues yellow alert for select districts - MSN
Chennai wakes up to summer showers, IMD issues yellow alert for select districts MSN
Artist Akkitham Narayanans world of geometric abstraction is on display in Chennai
Akkitham Narayanans geometric abstraction takes over the walls of Lalit Kala Akademi in a first-time solo show in Chennai
Chennai wakes up to summer showers, IMD issues yellow alert for select districts - Hindustan Times
Chennai wakes up to summer showers, IMD issues yellow alert for select districts Hindustan Times
'Avoid sporting Kumkum and using wrist thread': DMK leader A Raja tells party workers
CHENNAI: Senior DMK leader A Raja has 'advised' his party cadres to avoid sporting 'kumkum' and using wrist thread when they wear the party dhoti and said a political party without ideology will only face destruction and an example was the AIADMK. Addressing a party event, Raja said he was not averse to belief in God, and party founder CN Annadurai had himself said that God could be seen in the smile of the poor people. But, when you sport pottu (kumkum) and wear kayiru (thread, worn over wrist) and when the Sanghis (RSS members) too do it, it becomes difficult to differentiate, Raja said days ago addressing the event in the Nilgiris district and a video clip of his purported address has gone viral in the social media. Further, the DMK deputy general secretary said that at least those belonging to the student's wing should please remove the pottu. Raja made it clear that he was not asking them to not worship God and added that if their parents were to apply 'Vibuthi' (sacred ash) on their forehead, they may accept it. (Traditionally, vibuthi is applied on the forehead of young people by elders as a mark of blessings.) However, once they wear the party dhoti they should remove symbols such as the kumkum, Raja said and underscored that ideology is very important for a political party and a political party without ideology will only face destruction and an example was the AIADMK. Asked on Raja asking cadres to avoid sporting kumum, DMK leader and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu, who sports kumkum all the time, asserted that his party president MK Stalin has not said anything like that and it was Raja's personal view. A Raja had in the past stoked controversy by likening Sanatana dharma with HIV/AIDS. Condemning Raja's remarks, the Tamil Nadu BJP asked when the DMK will stop hurting religious beliefs. Accusing Raja of continuously trivialising Hindu religion, the BJP said the DMK leader has now gone one step forward and asked the student's wing to not sport tilak/kumkum. The Saffron party wondered why the DMK, which projects itself as champions of communal harmony, vulgarized Hindu beliefs. The Tamil Nadu's ruling party does not have locus standi to lecture on harmony and unity while continuously hurting the religious sentiments of the people, BJP said.
Mild Showers Bring Relief to Chennai and Other Districts - LiveChennai
Mild Showers Bring Relief to Chennai and Other Districts LiveChennai
After withdrawing protests, Samsung India employees union issues fresh strike notice in Tamil Nadu
Samsung India employees union has issued a notice to strike at the companys consumer durables facility. The union demands the end of discriminatory wage agreements and the revocation of the suspension of 23 employees. They allege the company offers selective salary hikes to weaken the trade union.
VGN Launches Gated Community Plots VGN PARADISE at Thiruvottiyur, Central Chennai
www.vgnhomes.org .
6 more Geographical Indication (GI) take Tamil Nadu's kitty to 69
Six new products from Tamil Nadu have been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, bringing the state's total to 69. These products, renowned for their unique qualities, include Panruti Jackfruit, Panruti Cashew, Puliyankudi Acid Lime, Virudhunagar Samba Vathal, Chettikulam Small Onion, and Ramanadu Chithiraikar Rice.
DMK to move Supreme Court on Waqf Bill passed in Lok Sabha; Stalin wears black badge in protest
CHENNAI: Taking strong exception to the passage of the Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha , Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Thursday said his party would file a case in the Supreme Court against the Bill. Members of the DMK and its coalition parties participated in the assembly proceedings on Thursday wearing black badges to protest the passing of the bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Recalling a resolution adopted in the assembly last week, Stalin said, The assembly adopted a resolution urging the union government to completely withdraw the Waqf Bill on 27th March 2025. Except for the BJP, all other members supported it. Underscoring that the bill may disturb religious harmony in the country and affect the Muslim community, Stalin said, Although we passed the resolution and the majority of political parties opposed it, the bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha. This is highly condemnable. Waqf Bill puts question of country's secularism to test: DMK Pointing to the 232 votes against the bill in the Lok Sabha and 288 votes supporting it, the CM said that although more people voted in favor of the bill, 232 members opposing it is no ordinary number. Our stand is that this bill should not merely be opposed but completely withdrawn, he said. He further alleged that the passing of the bill at 2 a.m., despite opposition from the majority of parties and with the support of only a few coalition parties (of the BJP), was an attack on the Constitution. This action will disturb communal harmony, he added, explaining that this was the reason he and other members were wearing black badges. Charging that the bill would destroy the autonomy of the Waqf Board and threaten the Muslim community, he declared that Tamil Nadu would fight against it and that Tamil Nadu would win. We will prevent the bill through legal measures, he said.. Sparks fly thick and fast during waqf bill debate
DMK to move Supreme Court on Waqf Bill passed in Lok Sabha: Stalin
Chennai, Apr 3: Taking strong exception to the passage of the Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Thursday said his party would file a case in the Supreme Court against the Bill. The CM, who came to the Assembly wearing a black badge to protest against the passing of the Bill, said adopting the amendment at 2 am at the behest of a few allies despite the opposition of [] The post DMK to move Supreme Court on Waqf Bill passed in Lok Sabha: Stalin appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Sweet Karam Coffee bags $8M from Peak XV Partners
Chennai-based Sweet Karam Coffee plans to double down on its omnichannel presence and product development with the latest capital infusion.
After medical university warning, private caterer cleans up its act
CHENNAI: Following a report on the unhygienic condition of the canteen at the TamilNadu Dr MGR Medical University published in TNIE, the university officials gave strict instructions to the private caterer to run the canteen in a hygienic manner or shut it down. After the warning, the caterers fixed the clogged wash basin, cleaned the premises and re-painted the walls. TNIE article titled Apathy dogs med univ canteen appeared on March 29. Speaking to TNIE, Dr K Narayanasamy, V-C of the university, said the caterer cannot run the canteen in such an unhygienic condition. The sewage leak was also fixed and wash basin replaced. We have given one week time to rectify all the defects. The PWD has been instructed to close down the canteen, if the defects are not rectified in a week, he added.
20 fall sick after eating food at Triplicane restaurant
CHENNAI: The food safety department officials locked a restaurant Bilal Biryani on Triplicane High Road on Wednesday after around 20 people, who ate food from the restaurant, were hospitalised with complaints of vomiting and diarrhoea. The officials inspected the restaurant after receiving a complaint from the Greater Chennai Corporation and also from a couple of affected people. Speaking to TNIE, P Satheesh Kumar, designated food safety officer, Chennai, said the affected were admitted to the Communicable Disease Hospital (CDH) and various other private hospitals. The corporation officials complained after Communicable Disease Hospital started receiving patients from Monday evening onwards. Satheesh Kumar said the restaurant was locked when the officials went to the place, and they couldnt trace the owner as his phone was switched off. They should not open the hotel without our knowledge, he said, adding the people ate shawarma and biryani and other food items from the hotel, after which they fell ill. Satheeh Kumar further clarified the hotel is not a part of Bilal chain of restaurants.
Three of family die as bike collides with car on OMR; five-year-old boy critical
CHENNAI: A couple and their elder son were killed after the bike on which they were riding collided with a car late on Tuesday night on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) near Kelambakkam. The accident left the younger son of the couple battling for life in a hospital, the police said. The passengers of the car that was involved in the accident are under medical observation, the police said, adding they are out of danger. The deceased have been identified as Haridas (34), his wife Suganthi (33) and son Leo Daniel (10), residents of Kayar in Chengalpattu district. Haridass younger son Jo Daniel (5) who was shifted to Chengalpattu government hospital is critical, the police said. The family of four were on their way back home after attending a family function at Suganthis mothers house nearby when the bike collided head on with the car, causing significant damage to both vehicles. While Suganthi died on the spot, Haridas and Leo died at a private hospital nearby before getting medical care. A policeman said the passengers of the car M Ashwinkumar (43), his wife A Bindu (34) and son Abinesh (6), sustained grievous injuries but were out of danger.
India is home to a nation of hardworking and dedicated individuals. From bustling cities to rural landscapes, its people are known for their dedication across various fields, driving the nations progress and development. As per an analysis of data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, residents of Delhi spent almost two extra hours []
Chennai Weather: City To Experience Moderate To Heavy Rainfall On April 3; IMD Issues A Yellow Alert Free Press Journal
Delhi Metro to operate CMRL phase II at Rs 6K crore
CHENNAI: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has secured the operation and maintenance contract for Chennai Metro Rail Limiteds (CMRL) Phase II network. The contract, valued at Rs 5,870 crore, covers an extensive 118.9-km network spanning three key corridors: Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri SIPCOT II, Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass, and Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur. Additionally, DMRC will oversee maintenance depots at Madhavaram, Poonamallee, and Semmancheri. Chennai Metro Rail managing director MA Siddique told TNIE that Deutsche Bahn and DMRC participated in the tender process, with DMRC winning as the lowest bidder. It is industry practice worldwide to outsource operations to specialised operators. In India, Hyderabad and Mumbai have already adopted this approach, Siddique said. The official Letter of Acceptance (LoA) was handed over on Tuesday by Siddique to DMRC managing director Dr Vikas Kumar. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials, including S Krishnamoorthy, director (Finance) of CMRL, and Dr Amit Kumar Jain, director (Operations & Services) of DMRC. Siddique noted the contract was awarded with the hope that Chennais metro network will expand to 400 km in the next 10 years, up from the current 54 km and the additional 116 km under Phase II. CMRL is also tasked with developing metro rail networks in other cities across Tamil Nadu, including Coimbatore, Madurai, Hosur, Salem, and Trichy. Long-term operation and maintenance contracts were tendered out so that CMRL can focus on metro expansion, he said. DMRC is widely recognised for its expertise in metro operations, having successfully developed an extensive metro network across the National Capital Region (NCR), including Delhi, New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Greater Noida. This network spans 395.24 km with 289 stations. Beyond NCR, DMRC has extended its role to consultancy services and project implementation, including serving as the implementation agency for Mumbai Metro Line 2B. Siddique said DMRC will hire most of its staff from Tamil Nadu, ensuring they have a working knowledge of Tamil, except for senior management positions. Additionally, labour-intensive roles, including housekeeping, security, and ticketing, will be managed under a cost-plus model, with Tamil proficiency being mandatory for these positions. Most of the recruitment will take place in Tamil Nadu, primarily through colleges, ITIs, and polytechnics, he added. As part of the agreement, DMRC will be responsible for maintaining high service standards and efficient asset management across Chennai Metros Phase II network. The contract is initially set for 12 years from the Commercial Operation Date of the final stage of Phase II, with the possibility of a three-year extension based on performance. Notably, the existing Phase I of Chennai Metro continues to be operated and maintained by CMRL. We will continue to do so to retain the capability to maintain and operate metro rail, Siddique added.
DMRC Secures Rs 5,870 Crore Contract For Operation And Maintenance of Chennai Metro Phase II Network
Tamil Nadu, centre failed to eliminate whitefly menace: AIADMK MLA
CHENNAI: Pollachi V Jayaraman (AIADMK) on Wednesday lamented that the scientists with the state and central governments have failed to invent pesticides to eliminate the whiteflies that destroy coconut trees. Participating in the Assembly discussion on the demands for grants for the agriculture department on Wednesday, Jayaraman said the coconut growers have been advised to adopt unusual techniques such as applying maida, salt and neem cake mixture to coconut trees to control whiteflies. Is this the way to protect coconut cultivation, he asked. Intervening, Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam said research is currently going on to find a pesticide to eliminate whiteflies. Research, in such cases, will take three to four years. The 10-year AIADMK rule failed to conduct this research. Scientists from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, officials from the Horticulture department and agriculture students have conducted field inspections in Pollachi and Tiruppur where the whitefly attacks are widespread, and are implementing a solution for this, he said. To this, Pollachi Jayaraman said the government has made financial allocation for old methods to eliminate whiteflies. When the disease is new, a new medicine should be invented, he said. If the government fails to eliminate whiteflies now, coconut cultivation will be ruined totally. It is a now-or-never situation since coconut cultivation is being carried out across 16 lakh acres, he added. Agri S S Krishnamurthy (AIADMK) said the agriculture budget for 2021-22 stated that the cultivation area in Tamil Nadu would be increased from 60% to 75%. But contrary to this, the cultivation area which stood at 47.2% in 2020-21 came down to 46.90% in 2023-24, he said. Similarly, the paddy yield which stood at 79.06 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 came down to 70.48 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24. He also pointed out that the number of farmers receiving the PM Kisan assistance in Tamil Nadu has been very low compared to the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Kerala. He said the government should study why eligible farmers are still unable to get this fund. C Saraswathi (BJP) urged the state government to release a white paper on how many water resource desilting works have been carried out. She urged the government to provide free inputs on organic farming to farmers. V P Nagai Maali (CPM) said at present Rs 2,430 per quintal is being given for paddy and since the DMKs electoral promise was to give Rs 2,500 per quintal, just by increasing the procurement price by Rs 70, the ruling party could fulfil its poll promise. Similarly, the DMK promised `4,000 per metric tonne of sugarcane and at present Rs 3,500 is being given. By hiking this by Rs 500 per MT, the DMK could fulfil this promise also, he said. Poondi S Kalaivanan and K P Shankar (DMK) and Rama Karumanickam (Congress) also took part.
Robbers loot passengers after tampering with railway signal
NELLORE: Unidentified miscreants looted passengers aboard Train No. 20494 (ChandigarhMadurai Express) after halting the train by tampering with railway signals between Allur Road and Padugupadu stations on Wednesday. The robbers placed rupee coins on the track junction, turning the signal red and forcing the train to stop. Two assailants entered the S4 and S5 coaches between 12 am and 12.20 am, while two others stood guard outside. They snatched gold chains weighing 12g and 10g from two women and stole Rs 4,000 from another passengers bag. Railway DSP G Muralidhar said a severed wire at a signal junction box suggests an organised gangs involvement, possibly linked to Bihar or Chennai gangs. The estimated loss is Rs 1 lakh.
HC faults Madras university for not regularising job of research associate
CHENNAI: Holding that appointments on contract basis cannot be made to permanent posts, the Madras High Court has upheld an order of a single judge over regularisation of the services of a research associate employed with the Agro Economic Research Centre (AERC) attached to the University of Madras. A division bench comprising Justices R Subramanian and G Arul Murugan passed the orders recently while dismissing the appeal filed by the university challenging the single judges order. The method of contractual appointment can be resorted to only when there is no permanent vacancy. Appointment of a contractual worker for a permanent sanctioned post itself is a dubious method, the bench stated. It termed the action of the university wholly unjustified in refusing to regularise the services of the respondent, T Priya, serving as research associate at the AERC since 2011. The university sent her a communication on April 19, 2023, asking her to employ herself through the university-approved outsourcing agency after a service break of seven days to continue in service. She approached the HC against this communication. The university contended that her appointment was not permanent but extended from time to time; as per policy decision of the university, she has to get employed through the outsourcing agency. On July 30, 2024, the single judge ordered the university to regularise her services. Against this, the university preferred the appeal. The division bench, while stating that no additional financial burden would be incurred to the university if it regularises the services of Priya as the Ministry of Agriculture is funding the project, said it finds the action of the university to be wholly unreasonable. It said the universitys 2023 order denying regularisation was made for extraneous reasons and noted that use of outsourcing as a shield to deny regularisation has been decried by the Supreme Court. The contention of the university that regularisation is not provided in the statutes of the university cannot be a ground, the bench reasoned. Stating that the bench does not find any reason to interfere with the single judges order, it dismissed the appeal.
Two arrested in 45-year-old Virugambakkam lawyers murder
CHENNAI: Greater Chennai Police on Wednesday said they have made a breakthrough in the case of murder of a lawyer M Venkatesan in Virugambakkam and arrested a history-sheeter and his accomplice. The case pertains to the murder of Venkatesan ( 45), a functionary of actor Karunass political party Mukkulathor Puli Padai sometime between March 29 and 30 in an apartment in Virugambakkam. His body was found in the locked house. A machete with blood stains was found near his body. The house was leased by Karthik, a driver. Virugambakkam police also found out that Venkatesans car was missing. On Wednesday, the police arrested M Karthik, and S Ravi near Maduravoyal bypass. Karthik murdered Venkatesan after a brawl at the apartment while discussing a legal case. The police found that Karthik is a history-sheeter with 27 cases including 10 attempt to murder cases registered against him in Nanguneri police station.
Manali waste incinerator may be shut down
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) is likely to shut down the waste incinerator unit in Manali and issued strict directives citing multiple environmental and regulatory violations. The facility will be able to re-commission the operation only after revamping the existing air pollution control measures and providing suitable heat/energy recovery system, said S Vasuki, district environmental engineer (Ambattur), TNPCB, in a communication addressed to the member secretary of the board. The 10-tonne-per-day incinerator, operated by Triad Intratech for the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), has been running without a valid consent to operate since March 31, 2020. An inspection was conducted on Wednesday during which several serious lapses, including deteriorated pollution control systems, improper waste disposal, and non-compliance with environmental regulations were found. Officials found the incinerators air pollution control measures were in a dilapidated condition. The venturi and wet scrubbers, which are crucial for filtering toxic emissions, were not functioning effectively. The plant, which incinerates non-biodegradable municipal solid waste such as plastic, napkins, diapers, and footwear, was found operating without a heat or energy recovery system, violating the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. As a result, the TNPCB mandated that the unit cannot resume operations until it revamps its air pollution control measures and installs a suitable heat or energy recovery system. Another major concern was the handling of incinerated ash. Although the facility had claimed to process the ash into paver blocks, the inspection found no such infrastructure in place. Instead, about 500 kg of incinerated ash was found stored in plastic sacks and left on open ground. The ash was reportedly being transported to the Kodungaiyur dump yard, sources told TNIE. TNPCB has collected samples of the ash for laboratory analysis to assess its toxicity. The board has also directed the unit to ensure proper ash disposal methods in compliance with environmental norms. As the plant has been operating without a valid consent to operate, the TNPCB has instructed the unit to immediately apply for and obtain a renewal before recommencing its operations. The board had previously issued multiple show-cause notices, but the unit failed to take corrective action. Residents have repeatedly raised complaints about air pollution, black soot deposits, and health problems such as respiratory ailments caused by the incinerator. A fact-finding report by civil society organisations, which contained soil samples collected near the plant showed cadmium levels 16 times higher than permissible limits, along with high concentrations of lead and chromium.
NIFT trains Irular women from Tiruvallur to weave their own success
CHENNAI: In a first, the tribal welfare department has partnered with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to train 50 Irular tribal women from Tiruvallur in pattern making and garment construction. Following the training, the department plans to establish a textile unit in Tiruvallur to aid them build their own brand, with NIFT providing support in marketing. The women, hailing from Ponneri, Ellapuram and Kadambathur in Tiruvallur district, have already received tailoring training under the Mahalir Thittam scheme. While some have worked as daily wage labourers in garment factories, others remain unemployed. As the garment industry is irregular, they only get jobs when there is high demand, said officials. While the department has been offering skill training for tribals through partnerships with various companies under the Tholkudi Thoduvanam scheme, this is the first time we are providing entrepreneurship training. With NIFTs expertise, we aim to create a sustainable brand that ensures regular employment for these women, along with a share in the profits, said an official from the tribal welfare department. During the 10-day training which began on Wednesday, NIFT will train the women on latest technologies in machines and designing templates for clothes. We had approached the tribal welfare department to provide us with tailoring machines. But the department encouraged us to get skill training to help us run a large textile unit. Most people in our community work as daily wage labourers. This unit will help us to earn a stable income, said Valliammal, one of the women attending the training.
Rs 753 crore sanctioned for Vellore city bypass
CHENNAI: The long-pending demand of the Vellore residents is set to get fulfilled soon with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently approving the proposal to construct a 20.4-km western ring road (bypass) for Vellore city. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on X that Rs 753 crore has been sanctioned for the four-lane bypass, which aims to ease congestion. The proposed road will enable the motorists travelling from Chittoor, Katpadi, V Kota, Latteri, and Vaniyambadi to have access to the medical college hospital at Adukkamparai, as well as to Arani and Tiruvannamalai, without requiring to pass through Vellore city. The new bypass will also improve connectivity for vehicles travelling from Villupuram, Kalasapakkam, and Arani to Bengaluru, Chittoor, and Gudiyatham, bypassing Vellore city entirely. The Vellore-Tiruvannamalai highway receives a high volume of traffic from Chittoor, especially during Girivalam and other religious occasions. The bypass may reduce the travel time by 30 to 45 minutes. Gadkari stated that land acquisition process will be carried out with a right-of-way of 50 metres, instead of the usual 30 metres, allowing for future expansion into a six-lane carriageway with two-lane service roads, in line with IRC (Indian Road Congress) guidelines. He also assured that adequate cross-drainage systems and bridge structures would be integrated, addressing concerns about the regions history of severe flooding. As per the proposal, the ring road will begin at Vandranthangal on NH75 (formerly NH 234) in the Katpadi-Latteri-Gudiyatham section and end at Sathumadhurai on NH 75 in northern Vellore, connecting to the Vellore-Tiruvannamalai-Villupuram highway. It will also intersect the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) at Poigai. The new road will not only provide faster access to Tiruvannamalai but also help ambulances from Gudiyatham, Katpadi, Latteri, and Pallikonda reach the Adukkumbarai GMCH more quickly, said an official from the state highways department (NH). Currently, the road from Katpadi to Adukkumbarai is a two-lane stretch (24 km) that narrows to a single lane due to encroachments as it passes through old Vellore city. Additionally, an official mentioned that the state highways is already constructing a 3-km bypass from Kangeyanallur (near VIT) to Sathuvachari.
UoMs distant education institute suspends 15 courses due to poor enrolment
CHENNAI: The University of Madrass Institute of Distance Education (IDE) decided to suspend 15 diploma and certificate courses owing to poor enrolment in the academic year 2024-25. The admissions to these courses were made in June last year. Since these courses had single-digit admissions, the IDE proposed in the recent senate meeting of the varsity to suspend the economically unviable courses. Certificate courses such as online teaching, spoken Tamil, and voice training, and diploma courses in functional Arabic, marketing management and systems management managed to get only one student each. Conducting theory and practical classes, carrying out examination and printing study materials for a handful of students will be an unproductive commitment for the IDE. It was proposed to suspend the courses this year, and the senate approved it, said an official. IDE is the cash cow of the financially tight Madras University. IDE, on average, generates over Rs 120 crore annually through admissions and examination fees. To boost its revenue, IDE continuously introduces new courses as per market needs to attract students. According to officials, some of the new courses fail to attract enrolment immediately; however, over a period of time popularity of these courses will rise. Courses like spoken Tamil and online teaching are promising, but many students have not opted for these due to lack of awareness. Next academic year, we will definitely get better admission figures, said an official of the university. IDE director S Aravindhan said the students enrolled in these courses need not worry as they will be given the opportunity to complete their courses in the next academic session. The admission session for academic year 2025-26 will begin from June and during that period we will get more students for these courses. Current students will be included in those batches, said Aravindhan.
Unanimous resolution passed in Assembly to retrieve Katchatheevu
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution moved by Chief Minister M K Stalin, urging the Union government to initiate all possible steps to retrieve Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka by reviewing the pact signed between India and the island nation in 1974. This is the fourth time the Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed such a resolution, with earlier ones moved by former CMs J Jayalalithaa (1991, 2013) and O Panneerselvam (2014). Retrieval of Katchatheevu can be the only permanent solution to safeguard the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen and avert all the troubles faced by them from the Sri Lankan Navy, the resolution stated. The resolution comes just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Sri Lanka on April 4 (Friday) and to Rameswaram on April 6 (Sunday) to inaugurate the new Pamban Rail Bridge. The resolution urged Modi to use the Sri Lankan visit to engage with the government there and secure the release of Indian fishermen lodged in prisons and boats seized by Sri Lanka as a goodwill measure. Though opposition parties AIADMK and BJP questioned the DMKs renewed interest in the issue, they extended their full support to the resolution. 97 Indian fishers still in SL jail: CM In his speech before moving the resolution, Stalin expressed concern over the continued arrests, boat seizures, and fines imposed on TN fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities, despite repeated appeals to the Union government. Citing External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars recent statement in the Rajya Sabha, Stalin said that 97 Indian fishermen are currently imprisoned in Sri Lanka, with 530 arrests recorded in 2024 alone. Questioning whether similar treatment of fishermen from other states would be tolerated, Stalin criticised the BJP-led centre for its inaction. Addressing criticisms of the DMK for allegedly allowing the ceding of Katchatheevu under the 1974 agreement, Stalin accused the centre of spreading misinformation. CM said the then DMK MPs opposed the move in Parliament before the agreement was signed, with the then CM Karunanidhi convening an all-party meeting the very next day after the pact was signed and sending a letter to the then PM Indira Gandhi, condemning the move. The CM said he had written 74 letters to the PM and EAM on the issue. LS seats: CM seeks PMs appointment Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday reiterated his request for an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present a memorandum on the demand for fair delimitation by an all-party team of MPs, who were part of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on delimitation
Exclusive: Sweet Karam Coffee Bags $8 Mn From Peak XV, Fireside Ventures
Chennai-based D2C snacking brand Sweet Karam Coffee has raised $8 Mn in its Series A funding round led by Peak
Gold price in India also rose to Rs 89,350 per 10 grams as of 7:39 a.m. on April 3, according to the India Bullion Association.
Crowd chasing art or AI's mockery?
Last week, social media platforms were avalanched under instantly-generated images shared by people using the Artificial Intelligence programme ChatGPT to turn their photographs into mock illustrations in Japanese animator Hayao Miyazakis signature Studio Ghibli style. All over the world, celebrities and institutions also jumped on the trend. One Kollywood star shared a photoshoot of generated images. The Israel Defense Forces, presently committing war crimes in Palestine, posted cutesy images of its military. The White House shared one of a weeping person being arrested by an anti-immigration taskforce. Less sinisterly but no less problematically, the Bengaluru Traffic Police used the aesthetic in a new campaign against bike stunts. There are two serious problems with this trend, no matter who is using it. One is about the environment: AI has a proven detrimental effect, due to the huge quantities of water, minerals and electricity needed for it, as well as the waste it produces. The other is about art: it disrespects Miyazakis work and ethical standpoint (anti-fascist, anti-war, pro-nature) both in form and in feeling. By generating in seconds what takes days, weeks or months of execution and years of practice for a human being to put together, the value of art and art-making are themselves cheapened. An incredibly hollow argument that is making the rounds is that AI makes art accessible. Two things are meant by this: creating it, and owning it. Lets be clear that desire as well as physical and cognitive ability are enough to make art, for anyone. Committing to art-making professionally, whether or not one can make a living from it (one usually cannot) is different. Without denying systemic limitations such as, for instance Brahminical gatekeeping of classical dance or music, higher education requirements where applicable, funding constraints on mediums like filmmaking, or location-bound access to certain scenes and industries in principle, artmaking as personal expression with or without external validation has always been accessible, throughout human civilisation, using rudimentary or modern tools or ones own body or mind. With AI, we have an extremely sophisticated tool: but it is one with immense costs. As for the subject of owning art, it may seem like a quaint thought, but only the maker of a piece should actually own it. The rest of us can only care for it, perhaps in the form of merchandise for which the creator is compensated fairly. The concept of ownership beyond that is flawed. Similar to how personal artistic expression cannot be curtailed, neither can art appreciation. The truth is that objects of beauty are also in the quotidian: in curtains, for example, or in mugs. If you care about art, no matter what your level of privilege, it will show in your aesthetic, in your appreciation of pots and the plants in them, of sunrises and moonglow, of music, of anything that stirs your soul. It will be evident in all the small things you surround yourself with, and what you choose to consume ordinary cinemas and government museums offer easy ways to imbibe art, for instance. Disdain for Nature and her keepers and for art and its makers are intertwined. This Ghiblification debacle exemplifies this.
Faces and frames of resistance
There is a rhythm to resistance it echoes in the fiery speeches of Malcolm X, the soul-stirring hymns of Martin Luther King Jr., and the defiant piano keys of Nina Simone. It is the same rhythm that inspired Dr BR Ambedkar as he drafted a constitution for a nation that had long denied its peoples dignity. Oppression wears many faces, so does rebellion. Sometimes, rebellion is not just clenched fists and raised voices it is art, literature, and the unrelenting act of remembering. For the past four years, the Vaanam Art Festival has been carving out space for that remembrance. As Vasugi Bhaskar, editor of Neelam Publications, explains, the festival draws direct inspiration from the Black communitys celebration of February as Black History Month. Worldwide, all the politics have been against supremacy, says Vasugi. In India, Dalits connect with that politics because it is essential for them. The parallels are striking, just as The Black Panther Party emerged in the US, the Dalit Panther Movement rose in India. Both were rebellions against systems that sought to erase them. Why a Dalit History Month? Progressive societies often pay lip service to Dalit upliftment economically, socially but rarely acknowledge their role in shaping history. A lot of Dalits are responsible for the social change today. But because they had an unavoidable power in history, the measures taken to suppress them were ineffective, shares Vasugi. Ambedkar understood this erasure intimately and intuitively. He framed Dalit struggle as a war between Brahminism and Buddhism, a cultural battle as much as a political one. The festival is not just about reclaiming history it is about asserting that Dalit art is art. We have to showcase our art and say that it is no less than any other art form, Vasugi says. The dream is to build something permanent a Dalit museum, much like the institutions preserving Black history in the US. Director Pa Ranjith has championed this vision. But its a big job, Vasugi admits. In a movement like Neelam Cultural Centre, we start with festivals. Maybe one day, a museum. or now, the festival is an act of archival. Dalit records are scarce; the stories, systematically omitted be it from the history textbooks, or mainstream cinema. Whatever we can do by ourselves, we are doing. Re-registering this into history that is the whole months agenda, says Vasugi. Who gets to tell the story? Must artistes be born Dalit? Vasugis answer is nuanced. Dalit art should come from a consciousness, he explains. Solidarity is not just saying, I am with you it is understanding the politics, the perspective. The festival, while centring Dalit voices, also stands against all oppression: Gazas suffering, gender inequality, caste discrimination. There is no criteria that artistes should be born Dalits, he clarifies. This festival is against any form of discrimination worldwide. Self-interrogation is key. What did we do? Vasugi asks, anticipating criticism. Womens contributions are less. Women directors are less. These questions will come. But the festival does not dodge them. Instead, it sits with the discomfort, letting it shape the journey. We arent viewing this as a counteract to satisfy people asking questions, Vasugi says. We place ourselves in their voice. When you think like that, art forms multiply, regions get covered, democratic forces grow. The festivals programming is as expansive as its vision. Historian Ramachandra Guha will speak on Ambedkar and Gandhis contested legacies. Literary panels span five languages; discussions range from gender discrimination to science fiction. There are poetry readings, childrens literature debates, and the Verchol Dalit Literary Award for Sivagami IAS, whose documentary and analytical panel will examine why she is being honoured. Resistance is not always blood-stained protest. It is also the quiet labour of answering the questions within, of insisting on joy amid the struggle. The Vaanam Art Festival is both fight and feast: a refusal to let history forget, and a celebration of all the ways Dalits have shaped it. Oppression spreads like wildfire, so doea the power of creation. As Vasugi puts it, We go on and on about all kinds of oppression. And in that going on, there is power. Event schedule Till April 6: PK Rosy Film Festival Where: Prasad Lab, Saligramam April 4-6: PK Rosy Documentary and Short Film Festival Where: Goethe-Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan, Nungambakkam April 12 & 13: Verchol Literary Festival Where: Muthamizh Peravai April 18: Dhamma Theatre Festival Where: Egmore Museum April 23-29: Curve Dalit Art and Aesthetics Exhibition Where: Lalit Kala Academy, 1st Floor April 23-29: Nitham Photo Exhibition Where: Lalit Kala Academy, 2nd Floor For more details, visit @vaanam_art_festival on Instagram. Entry is free. Registration is available online and at the venues.
In a world that does not need a valid reason anymore to divide and separate, it is puzzling to see acts of unity bringing uniformity within all the chaos. A scroll through social media or your WhatsApp chats would leave you with a sense of oneness. Pause for a minute to look at the profile pictures of those who converse/debate/bombard you with morning quotes and goodnight wisdom. Miraculously, the good, the bad, and the ugly have all been transformed into one singular facade the anime look! Everyone now has cute, round eyes, oozing with innocence and a charm that is so endearing. Technology has managed to tame even the nastiest scowl! For those endangered species among us who do not use a smartphone, this is about the latest trend that has caught on like wildfire The Ghibli trend! Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio, renowned for its incredible hand-drawn animation. Established in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, the studio went on to make some of the highest-grossing anime films in cinematic history, even winning two Academy Awards for Spirited Away in 2003 and The Boy and the Heron in 2024. Drawing viewers into magical universes with fantastical landscapes and lovable characters that captivate a wide audience, including adults, Studio Ghibli films have enchanted the world for decades. What makes them unique in todays world of computer-generated imagery is their commitment to hand-drawn animation. Animator Miyazaki has spent an entire lifetime painstakingly drawing out every single detail, no matter how intricate, to make these stunning movies. The Boy and the Heron took seven years to be completed, and a team of 60 animators worked on the drawings by hand. And along comes OpenAIs ChatGPT with its Ghibli-style generator, which allows users to mimic the studios signature style. All one needs to do is upload a photograph and, with the click of a button, watch it being transformed into something straight out of a Ghibli film. This trend has taken the world by storm because, unlike any other animation, this style has a nostalgic, hand-drawn feel to it. Ever since, debates have been raging about the ethicality of it all. Can a mans vision, his hours of work, and his breathtaking skill that created such spectacular visuals be replaced by technology? Does it not infringe on creative ownership? For many artistes worldwide, these developments have raised concerns and fears about authenticity and its impact on their livelihoods. Miyazaki himself had openly declared his strong disapproval a few years ago, calling it an insult to life itself. He had never allowed computer graphics to be integrated into his films. Digital innovation may be unavoidable. Tools like these certainly make the process of creativity accessible and simple to all. It may also be true that the sacred act of creation has been laid out there for all and sundry, but perhaps, this craze is the perfect tribute to Studio Ghiblis brilliance. Trends are fleeting, and ultimately, no viral moment can ever create an eternal masterpiece. For without human emotions, art can never carry the soul of life in it.
