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Carnatic music soothes and energises, says Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti
At 86, the industrialist and music patron still attends as many concerts as he can during the Music Season in Chennai.
Orange message for TN coast as cyclone Ditwah spotted 540 km south of Chennai
Cyclone is closest to Tamil Nadu coast at 440 km south-southeast on Puducherry on Friday morning
OPS explores DMK alliance if AIADMK unification fails for 2026 assembly polls
O Panneerselvam is reportedly considering an alliance with the DMK for the 2026 assembly elections if unification efforts with AIADMK fail. His supporters believe aligning with the DMK aligns with Dravidian ideology and could counter Edappadi K Palaniswami's stance. Several former AIADMK leaders currently hold positions within the DMK-led government.
The department has performed among the highest volumes of ASD device closures in the government sector in Tamil Nadu
Cyclone Ditwah may hit Tamil Nadu in 2 days; IMD upgrades alerts to red
Cyclone Ditwah is poised to bring heavy rainfall to north Tamil Nadu, with red alerts issued for delta and coastal districts on November 28-29. Chennai and neighboring areas face orange alerts for heavy to very heavy rain on November 29-30. Wind speeds are expected to reach 60-80kmph, with potential for extremely heavy downpours in specific locations.
Madras High Court modifies stalkers death sentence to life imprisonment
Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman order that he would not be entitled for any remission until he completes 20 years of incarceration
Today weather update: Cyclone Ditwah is tracking towards the North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra coasts, with landfall expected by early morning on November 30. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh, with red alerts issued for several districts. Cyclone Ditwah is about 480 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 580 km south-southeast of Chennai.
Madras HC commutes death sentence of man who pushed Chennai student before train to life term
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has commuted the death sentence awarded by a trial court to a stalker, who had killed 20-year-old M Sathya by pushing her in front of a moving train in Chennai in 2022, to life imprisonment with riders of no statutory remission for 20 years. A division bench of justices N Sathish Kumar and M Jothiraman passed the order on Thursday on the referred trial of the judgment of the Mahila Court dated December 27, 2024 and the appeal filed by the convict D Sathish, now aged 33. The bench commuted the sentence by considering the reports of the probation officer and the superintendent of prisons, and the age of the accused. It took note of the fact that the accused has no bad antecedents prior to the occurrence and said the possibility of the accused persons reformation is higher and the accused has better chance of being reformed. The very sentencing policy itself is only for reformative justice and not retributive justice, the court said. We are of the view that the death sentence is not warranted and if life imprisonment is awarded, that will meet the ends of justice, it said. The bench modified the judgment pronounced by Mahila Court judge J Sridevi awarding death sentence to Sathish by considering the gravity of the offence and nature of the heinous crime which occurred on October 13, 2022, at the St Thomas Mount railway station. The trial court also punished him for harassing the deceased under Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Women Act, 1988. However, the high court set aside the conviction and sentence awarded under section 4 of the Act, but did not touch the trial courts order to pay `10 lakh compensation to the younger sisters of the deceased. The bench noted that the courts have to consider the possibility of reintegration of the accused offender into society, particularly when the possibility of reformation is high considering the age, absence of previous criminal history and genuine remorse indicating a significant change in mindset of the accused. The court should see the individual criminal not as an irrevocable criminal, but as capable of reformation when provided with sufficient rehabilitative opportunities, the bench said. Stating that a balancing judicial approach is necessary while awarding punishment, it said the case at hand would not fall in the category of rarest of rare cases. After Sathyas murder, her grief-stricken father Manickam ended his life and her mother Ramalakshmi died four months later of cancer, leaving two younger daughters orphaned.
Kerala youth, 23, electrocuted in Puzhal while drying clothes as line hits low-hanging cable
CHENNAI: A 23-year-old man was electrocuted when he accidentally came in contact with a low-hanging electricity cable while drying clothes on the terrace of his house at Puzhal on Monday. The police suspect the clothesline must have accidentally brushed against the power line over the terrace. The deceased has been identified as Atul Krishnan, a native of Kozhikode in Kerala, working at a private company near Puzhal for the past few months. He was staying in the rented house along with seven other men, the police said. Atul was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Upon information, the Puzhal police registered a case and sent the body for postmortem at Government Stanley Hospital. We have not registered a case of death due to negligence as of now. We will submit a report to the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL), and based on their departmental inquiry further action will be decided, a police source said.
Three held in Rajasthan for Elephant Gate gold workshop robbery; Rs 60 lakh loot recovered
CHENNAI: In connection with the robbery at a gold workshop in Elephant Gate, a special team arrested three men from Karmawas Patta village in Rajasthans Pali district in the early hours of Thursday. The team from the Elephant Gate police had flown to Rajasthan on Monday, recovered 414.8 grams of gold coins, 36 grams of silver coins, and 295 grams of copper plates, part of the stolen property worth nearly Rs 60 lakh, the police said. According to the police, the investigation began after Jegatheesh (34), who runs a small workshop on Venkatrayan Street, reported that two men, posing as customers, entered his shop on Monday evening and fled with 750 grams of the gold coins, silver coins and copper plates after knocking him down. Based on his complaint, the police formed a special team and traced the suspects, Vardharam alias Vinoth (33), Sarwan Gurjar (19) and Omprakash (23), to Pali district. With the help of the local police, suspects were picked up, produced before the local court and are being brought back to Chennai by train for further procedures.
Class IX boy critical after self-immolation at Kalpakkam ground
CHENNAI: A 14-year-old Class IX student from Chengalpattu district sustained serious burn injuries after he set himself ablaze at an an open ground inside the Kalpakkam Atomic Energy Township on Tuesday night. His condition is said to be critical, and is undergoing treatment at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. The police said the boy walked to the ground around 8 pm with a plastic can of petrol, and about half an hour later, set himself ablaze. The teenager, who suffered nearly 90% burns, was first taken to the Kalpakkam Nuclear Power Hospital before being shifted to the Chengalpattu Government Medical College Hospital, and later moved to the Kilpauk hospital. Kalpakkam police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel have seized the petrol can, matchbox and other materials from the spot. sources said the boy was scolded by his mother earlier in the evening for not studying properly. An FIR has been registered, and further investigation is under way. (Assistance for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts is available via Tamil Nadus health helpline 104 and the Sneha suicide-prevention helpline: 044-24640050)
Inter-state buses remain off road, continue strike over unfair taxes
KOCHI: The inter-state private bus sector continues to reel from a major crisis, with a significant number of services, especially those connecting Kerala, remaining off the road, making the lives of hundreds of commuters difficult. Operators are now demanding that the governments of Kerala and Karnataka follow the example of Tamil Nadu by offering a tax exemption to make operations financially viable. Tamil Nadu has provided a glimmer of hope by verbally instructing border officials to exempt tax for buses from neighbouring states like Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, prompting a slow resumption of services to destinations like Chennai and Coimbatore. The services to these destinations are being conducted without any issues for the last four to five days. Kerala and Karnataka too should adopt a relief stance similar to that of Tamil Nadu, Rijas A J, vice-president of Intercity Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India and owner of Sona Travels, told TNIE. A significant number of interstate luxury private buses conducting services to Bengaluru and Hyderabad from various points in Kerala remain off the road. Only a small section of operators who were forced to pay the quarterly tax until December are plying buses now, but they warn that a failure by the governments to act swiftly would force a complete industry shutdown. The issue is yet to be solved. Many, who have not yet paid the quarterly taxes, are not operating, he stated. Highlighting the impact on the key Kochi-Bengaluru route, Rijas said that a number of operators including big players like FlixBus and Shyamoli Paribahan continue to suspend all their trips to Kerala. Industry sources confirm the severity, pointing out that out of 152 night services in the Ernakulam-Bengaluru sector, 72 are non-operational. The core of the crisis is the unfair taxes levied by the state governments. Operators argue that the financial burden is immense and unsustainable. An operator needs to pay Rs 12 lakh tax for running a single service (two buses) for a 90-day period, an operator explained. This crippling cost is pushing bus owners toward a financial cliff, with fears of asset seizure by lending institutions looming early next year. The demand for tax relief is amplified by competitive pressures. Operators cannot increase ticket prices for fear of driving away passengers, especially with the introduction of new alternatives like the Vande Bharat train service on the Kochi-Bengaluru sector. The services cant be operated with the huge tax being levied, another operator stressed. The protest was initially triggered by Tamil Nadu bus operators opposing what they termed illegal tax and levying of fine by Kerala authorities. Now, the focus has shifted to urging Kerala and Karnataka to adopt a similar relief stance to that of Tamil Nadu. ] The disruption is causing major inconvenience, as these luxury buses normally transport an estimated 4,000 people daily to major hubs like Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Madurai. As private bus travel remains largely unavailable, travellers are increasingly dependent on KSRTC and rail alternatives. A senior KSRTC official confirmed they are operating additional services to Bengaluru to manage the surging demand. Swift action urged Operators are demanding the governments of Kerala and Karnataka to follow the example of Tamil Nadu by offering a tax exemption Warn that a failure by the governments to act would force a complete shutdown They argue that the financial burden is immense
TN picks 3 alignments for MahabalipuramGST Road link to ease crippling congestion
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC) has identified three alignments to connect Mahabalipuram on the East Coast Road (ECR) with Madhuranthagam on GST Road. The proposed 32 km link road is expected to be a four or six-lane access-controlled highway with service roads. The State Highways Department has proposed developing a new link road from GST Road at Madhuranthagam (Karunguzhi) to Poonjeri near Mahabalipuram to divert vehicles coming from Tindivanam towards Chennai before they reach Chengalpattu. The purpose of the road is to ease congestion on the GST stretch between Madhuranthagam and Tambaram by diverting a significant volume of traffic towards ECR and OMR. During festival seasons, weekends and extended holidays, the GST corridor from Tindivanam to Tambaram regularly experiences bumper-to-bumper congestion. A few months ago, TNRDC engaged a consultant to conduct a feasibility study. According to official sources, three alignments have now been identified. The first option involves widening the existing 10-metre road from Mahabalipuram to Kakkilapettai near Madhuranthagam, which passes through the densely populated Thirukazhukundram region. The second option is a full greenfield alignment north of Poonjeri, covering the entire 32-km stretch. The third option is another greenfield corridor south of Poonjeri. The road may begin either at Karunguzhi or 500 metres before Karunguzhi and terminate at Poonjeri. Another variation under consideration is an alignment from Karunguzhi that connects directly to the upcoming Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (Ennore Port-Mahabalipuram) at Poonjeri. The final option is widening the existing 10-metre road along its current path, an official said. The alignment will be finalised based on factors such as social impact, land acquisition requirements, environmental concerns and overall project cost. Greenfield alignments involve higher project costs but cause minimal social disruption. Conversely, widening the existing road is cheaper but has a high social impact, as many houses and buildings will have to be demolished, the official explained. Once the feasibility report is completed, it will be submitted to the government for a final decision. The proposed road will be either four or six lanes. Given local opposition to widening the existing route, the government is more likely to opt for a greenfield alignment. Land acquisition will begin after administrative approval, the official added. Quick look Around 1 lakh passenger car units use the Tambaram-Tindivanam GST corridor daily Proposal aims to divert traffic from Tindivanam towards OMR/ECR at Karunguzhi near Madhuranthagam A 10-metre-wide existing road runs from Mahabalipuram to Kakkilapettai near Madhuranthagam This route passes through densely populated residential zones for 10-15 km TNRDC has identified three alignments for the proposed 32-km four/six-lane link road A greenfield alignment is likely to be chosen to avoid large-scale demolition Land acquisition will begin after administrative approval
HC quashes all cases related to court campus violence in 2009
Freshworks Chennai Marathon to be held on January 5
Devotees demand urgent restoration of neglected Thiruneermalai temple tank
The tank is covered with thick layers of weeds and thorny shrubs line the steps leading to the water. Though the temple is a listed institution with an annual revenue exceeding 1 crore, the tank has not been restored. Devotees want the tank rejuvenated before Vaikunta Ekadasi
More than 16,000 migratory ducks spotted at Nemmeli waterbody, regions biggest
Madras univ to pay 95cr for retirals from corpus fund
Metro rails sharpest swerve yet: 413m span glides over Kathipara
AIADMK Veteran K A Sengottaiyan Joins Vijay's TVK, Shifting Political Landscape
Veteran AIADMK leader K A Sengottaiyan has joined Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), signaling a clear intent to tap into the MGR legacy and its cadre. This move sets the stage for a four-cornered contest in 2026, potentially splitting opposition votes and weakening the AIADMK's alliance arithmetic.
Tamil Nadu Exceeds Adult Literacy Targets: New India Literacy Programme Success
Tamil Nadu's non-formal education department is exceeding its literacy targets, with 30 lakh learners aimed for by the New India Literacy Programme. Districts like Salem are leading the way, with volunteers and teachers providing basic Tamil and numeracy skills door-to-door. The program empowers adults, particularly women and daily-wage earners, to gain independence through improved literacy and life skills.
Youth held for robbing man of cash at ATM
3 men who robbed jewellery unit in city arrested in Rajasthan
Man held in investment fraud case at Neelankarai
Kerala wants to mine beach sand in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin to extract ilmenite
Lancor launches senior citizens apartments in Sriperumbudur
Veterans move wont impact NDAs prospects: Nainar
EPS wont comment on Sengottaiyan
Four years on, BDO warned for dishing out inconsistent RTI info
Death penalty of Chennai stalker commuted to life
Aarudrha gold investment scam: ED seizes Rs 22 lakh in cash, property documents
The ED says the fraudsters had named dummy individuals, who perform menial jobs in the firm, as directors of Aarudhra Gold Trading Pvt Ltd
Fake Currency, Ganja Racket Busted; Rs 37.5 Lakh Counterfeit Notes, 22.4 kg Ganja Seized
On 26 November, prime accused Sheikh Hasan attempted to flee towards Chennai on spotting police but was apprehended after a brief chase.
Value of RBIs House Price Index declined Q2FY26
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the index registered a decline of 0.6 per cent, contributed largely by Kolkata, Chennai and Lucknow
Cyclone 'Ditwah': What Does Name Given By Yemen Mean? All About Storm's Path, Impact On South India
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai said 'Ditwah' is currently classified as a cyclonic storm and is not expected to become a severe cyclone at this time
Housing prices trend: HPI growth slows to 2.2% in Q2; key metros pull index down
India's housing prices saw a significant slowdown in Q2 FY26, with the All-India House Price Index growing 2.2% year-on-year, a sharp decrease from 7% a year prior. This dip was influenced by softer prices in major cities like Kolkata and Chennai, despite contributions from Nagpur, Ghaziabad, and Chandigarh to the annual rise.
Fintech Tower, part of Chennais upcoming Fintech City, likely to be inaugurated in two months
Axis Commercial Real Estate Fund and Tishman Speyer break ground for The Cube, another commercial development part of the Fintech City
Future educators lead fight against drugs
The Anti-Drug Club of Stella Matutina College of Education recently bagged the third prize in the Chennai District Awards; students at the teachers training college in Ashok Nagar are engaged with 45 schools across Chennai to educate children about drug addiction and its ramifications
Cyclonic Storm Ditwah has intensified over the Bay of Bengal. The storm is moving north-northwest. It is expected to reach the waters off North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by early November 30. Coastal areas should stay alert for the approaching weather system.
After 50 years with AIADMK, KA Sengottaiyan joins Vijay's TVK
Expelled AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan, along with former MP Sathyabama and supporters, joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Thursday. Actor Vijay welcomed Sengottaiyan, highlighting his five decades of political experience and fieldwork, which he believes will significantly benefit TVK's future endeavors.
Kearney expands its South India footprint with a new office in Chennai
As TN continues to grow above 11% and widens its lead as Indias second-largest economy, we need to be closer to clients: Siddharth Jain, Managing Partner and Country Head, Kearney India
Once it becomes a cyclonic storm, it may be named as cyclone Ditwah, a name contributed by Yemen
Is Vijay Sethupathi a part of Rajinikanths Jailer 2?
Chennai: If rumours doing the rounds in the industry are to be believed, one of Tamil cinemas most loved actors Vijay Sethupathi will be seen in a pivotal role in Superstar Rajinikanths eagerly awaited upcoming film Jailer 2. Sources in the industry say that Vijay Sethupathi has joined the sets of the film, which is 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 .
Avadi police nab murder suspect on the run for 22 years taking SIR cover
CHENNAI: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls might be carrying with it a fair share of political outcry, but the exercise has come in handy for the Avadi police as they managed to nab a murder suspect, on the run for nearly 22 years. The case dates back to May 24, 2004, when Mariyam Beevi informed the Ennore police that her relative, Rajendran alias Rafiq, had confessed to killing his friend Tajuddin during a drunken brawl at his house. After the police found Tajuddin dead with his throat slit, they registered a case, but Rafiq went into hiding, remaining untraceable for more than two decades. Sources said during a recent review of pending files, Avadi police commissioner K Shankar instructed the officials to prioritise the case. Two special teams under Ennore assistant commissioner Veerakumar shortlisted possible matches from online voter rolls and visited multiple villages posing as SIR data collectors, allowing them to conduct discreet inquiries. The exercise led them to the suspects native Aakkanur village in Cuddalore district. The police learned Rafiq, who converted to Islam after marrying Rasool Beevi, had been living a transient life across Ariyalur, Jayankondam, Tiruchi, Perambalur, and Bengaluru, selling incense sticks and avoiding mobile phones in a bid to evade detection. Further intelligence suggested he often stayed near bus stands. Officers camped at these spots and later shifted their search to Bengaluru following a tip-off. After a week of monitoring incense-stick sellers, the police located him at Madiwala Market in Bengaluru. Though he initially gave a fake name, a verification of the Aadhaar card in his bag confirmed his identity. It was only time that he confessed to the crime, after which, he has been remanded in judicial custody.
TVK extends support to sanitary staff on hunder protest in Chennai
CHENNAI: Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) has extended its support for the sanitary workers, who are on an indefinite hunger strike in Ambattur for the last 10 days. TVK general secretary Bussy Anand, general secretary (election campaign management) Aadhav Arjuna, and deputy general secretary Rajmohan met the four women sanitary workers on Wednesday and extended support for their cause. Meanwhile, hundreds of conservancy workers from the Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar zones, where solid waste management has been privatised, submitted petitions to their respective zonal officers, reiterating their demand for reinstatement of their jobs directly under the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). Noting that their protest since August 1 has been continuing in various forms for 118 days now, they asked authorities to address their demands at the earliest. Speaking to reporters, Aadhav Arjuna questioned how MK Stalin, who was against the privatisation in 2021 when he was in the opposition, could change his stance after becoming the chief minister . He said the workers on hunger strike are too weak to even speak. Yet neither the CM, nor the deputy CM or any other ministers met them, he said, urging DMKs alliance parties VCK and CPIM to express solidarity with protesters by visiting the protest site.
Wedding banner exposes alleged stock market fraudster; investors confront him in Pallavaram
CHENNAI: The banner of a wedding reception has helped a group of investors zero in on the alleged fraudster, whom they allege, cheated them of several crores of rupees through fake stock market investments. The group confronted and assaulted the fraudster, Clinton (30), at the reception venue, a private hall on Pallavaram Radial Road on Tuesday night. The police said Clinton had projected himself as a stock market expert and had even appeared on YouTube channels offering trading advice. Taking advantage of this reputation, he allegedly collected large sums of money from relatives, neighbours and acquaintances, promising high returns. Among the complainants is Mohanapriya of Pallavaram, who said Clinton befriended her through trading lessons and persuaded her to hand over Rs 75 lakh. When no profit came, Clinton allegedly claimed the money was lost and pressured her for more. She later sold her Audi car and gave him another Rs 12 lakh, which he again said he lost. He also borrowed Rs 40 lakh after pledging her familys property documents, which he did not return. Though multiple complaints were lodged earlier at the Pallavaram police station, no case was registered, the victims alleged. The word on his wedding spread after a banner was spotted in the area, prompting several cheated investors to gather at the reception venue and confront him. Clinton sustained facial injuries and was admitted to Chromepet Government Hospital. Following the assault, Clinton filed a complaint at the Chitlapakkam police station, where a case was registered against three people. Meanwhile, the person who were cheated have submitted fresh complaints at the Tambaram police commissionerate seeking action against Clinton for allegedly swindling them out of several crores of rupees. Cheating under the guise of stock market expert The police said Clinton had projected himself as a stock market expert and had even appeared on YouTube channels offering trading advice. Taking advantage of this reputation, he allegedly collected large sums of money from relatives, neighbours and acquaintances, promising high returns.
CMRL wins Global Sustainable Urban Mobility Project of the Year 2025 award
CHENNAI: Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has secured the Global Sustainable Urban Mobility Project of the Year 2025, reinforcing the citys emergence as one of Indias more progressive mass-transit builders. The award, presented by the Global Energy and Environment Foundation at its sustainability summit in New Delhi on November 20, recognises CMRLs continued push to embed environmental standards into project design and execution. The citation was formally handed to CMRL managing director MA Siddique at a ceremony in Chennai, where senior project and environment officials highlighted the utilitys efforts to reduce the ecological footprint of its ongoing network expansion. CMRL has adopted scientifically planned compensatory plantation, strict dust-control systems, real-time noise and vibration monitoring, and the use of low-impact construction materials across its sites. This is the second consecutive year CMRL has been recognised at Global Sustainability Awards, underscoring a longer-term shift toward greener construction norms and safer urban-mobility infrastructure in Chennai.
Anime enters prime-time space, family dramas take centrestage in Tamil television
Cyclone Senyar: Chennai, Puducherry under IMD's warning as cyclone likely to intensify
Tamil Nadu experienced heavy rainfall as Cyclone Senyar looms, with the IMD predicting heavy to very heavy showers over the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. A low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify and move towards the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts within 48 hours.
India, UAE move forward on easing visa rules
New Delhi: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday, June 26, made progress in liberaling visa policies for travel between the two countries. The issue figured prominently at a meeting of the India-UAE Joint Committee on Consular Affairs (JCCA) that was held in Abu Dhabi. Also ReadDubai Duty Free draw: Chennai man takes 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 .
Zohran Mamdani. The name is everywhere. For all those who are fortunately content with the drama of local politics, this is not any railway station platform announcement. Mamdani isnt a Rajdhani Express sequel. He is the newly elected Mayor of New York. True that its a world away from our regular panchayat elections, but his campaign is worth mentioning in a writing on art, primarily because of the visual identity that contributed to his success. Mamdani was clever enough to understand the power of design and colours in communicating his core message in an instant. At the outset of his political campaign, he enlisted Aneesh Bhoopathy, a visual artist, to help him build voters trust with the right branding. Bhoopathy, along with inputs from his team and Mamdanis wife, decided to use colours that people encountered every day, on the streets of New York. And thus, taxicab yellow, bodega awnings and Mamdanis name written in a hand-lettered style were employed to bring on the nostalgia; a yearning for what was supposedly lost. The campaign poster that was widely circulated also relied on the human touch, with its bold and clear visual messages. And it worked! Long before technology could create grand identities with computer graphics, there were artists who sketched out logos that defined the nations destiny with their pen and paper. After Indias independence, when a democratic way of governance came into being, the major challenge to the Election Commission was the illiteracy of a majority of the Indian population. It was understood then that the candidates would have to heavily rely on symbols to successfully pull off this massive exercise. So from the beginning of the 1950s, officials of the Election Commission on whom this task fell, relied, in turn, on the skills of one man, MS Sethi, who, with his HB pencils, drew out party symbols. Hired by the ballot committee in 1950, Sethi drew out the symbols after discussions with the officials, with care being taken to ensure that they would be easily recognised by the average voter. The obvious choices in the early years were illustrations of rural India, like the ox and the plough. In the 60s, tractors appeared alongside the cattle. Over the years, objects of daily use like the broom, the gas cylinder, and the pressure cooker joined the list. For more than 40 years, Sethis logos for Indian political parties stood as testimony to the evolution of daily life in an Indian household. There are always around 100 free symbols with the Election Commission at any given time, for parties and independent candidates to choose from, and most of them originated from pencils in the hands of Sethi. Rickshaws and harmoniums co-existing with air conditioners and dish antennas is what constitutes the spirit of our nation. The man who understood the pulse of the country and gave us the symbols that spell hope every time we vote for a glorious tomorrow, maybe no more. He may have bid his final farewell unsung and unrecognised, but his unsigned art will continue to seal the destinies of every politician in India for generations to come.
Chennai weather today: Rain expected, AQI concerns remain
Chennai expects a mild, rainy day today with temperatures around 28C. While yesterday's air quality was poor, rain might offer some relief, though masks are still recommended in traffic. The week ahead promises significant rainfall, peaking on November 29th, bringing cooler temperatures. Plan for showers and enjoy the pleasant evenings, but stay prepared for changing conditions.
Celebrating Thanksgiving in a foreign land
The characters and cultures we grow up watching in films and series often become our teachers of celebrations that arent quite our own. From the chaotic, yet value-adding, Thanksgiving episodes of the sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S , we learn American pop culture has long offered a window into traditions shaped by gratitude, food, and togetherness. Thousands of miles away in Chennai, those rituals are now being reimagined by American scholars, part of The United States-India Educational Foundation, who are building a sense of home. Ajay Nadan, who has always celebrated the festival with his loved ones, says, Thanksgiving to me is a holiday of showing gratitude and building community. In the US, Ajays Thanksgiving celebration was dinners with immediate family, and friends. Celebrating Thanksgiving away from his homeland, looks a little different. Here, it means connecting more with people that Ive met recently. So, my meaning of Thanksgiving has evolved, he adds. His words echo the sentiment of the F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode where five of them come together to pool in money, so that Rachel could keep up with her Thanksgiving tradition of skiing with her family, but in the end, celebrates with her friends. Ajay says, It is a bittersweet experience of celebrating away from parents and missing the comfort of familiar dishes. But its more of a matter of scope and also kind of finding family across the world. Food, Ajay says, is only a catalyst. Id love to have biryani on the table, too. But ultimately, Thanksgiving is about coming together and reflecting. This year, he plans to gather and cook with other Fulbright Scholars. For Siddarth Seenivasa, who has studied and worked in different cities, the holiday has shifted with geography. [Previously], Id take time off from work to go back home, see my family and old friends, he says. And with time, the definition of celebration also evolved. He shares, As kids, we often dont understand the meaning of Thanksgiving. We think its when we get a week off from school, and stay at home. But as I grow older, Im understanding the history behind the festival. The first commonly known Thanksgiving meal began as a three-day harvest feast in 1621 in Massachusetts, shared by English colonists and the Wampanoag people (Native Americans). The first national holiday was declared by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, and it became a rich tradition when President Franklin D Roosevelt officially set the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in 1941. Ajay's Thanksgiving celebration This year, Thanksgiving falls on November 27. While Ajay plans to cook his meal with his friends, Siddarth is thinking about having dinner with people hes grown close to during his time in the city. For him, food remains an emotional anchor. Im a mac and cheese fan. So if theres any way I could go get a box of mac and cheese here, Im going to buy that, he shares. Last year, he hosted a dinner, inviting new co-workers and friends that I had just met in the past couple of months. People from other cultures, when invited, know that Im willing to form a new connection with anyone. They leave knowing that Thanksgiving is inclusive, and mainly meant to thank and to foster new connections or to grow existing connections, regardless of your background, he points out. If he could bring Chennai to his American table, he would like to take Kollywood and introduce that his friends. I would start with the 2001 Vijay and Suriya movie, Friends . As these scholars gather around improvised tables, their celebrations shaped by memories and new connections, they show how Thanksgiving, much like a good sitcom, evolves with every season of life.
TNRDC floats tenders for last 30km stretch of Peripheral Ring Road project
Damaged main road in Balaji Nagar puts residents to hardship
Residents attribute the poor condition of the road to a leak in the water pipeline at the junction of the 37th and 36th streets, with overflowing water damaging the road badly.
Cyclone Senyar | T.N. braces for intense rainfall; Bay weather system may deepen
Expectations run high that the wet spell could help wipe out rain deficits in districts such as Perambalur, Chengalpattu, Chennai, and Kancheepuram.
TVK Shifts Outreach to Puducherry After refusal of nod in Salem
Kamarajar Port all set to starting handling large windmill components
The port will create storage yards for windmill components, modification of internal roads, strengthen the existing yards in case of additional storage to handle long windmill blades
AIADMK has always stood by the people, says EPS
Investors crash event, thrash bridegroom
Stray cattle now join hawkers to mess up T Nagar pedestrian plaza
Public toilets to get No Fee Zone tag soon
Two men arrested for possession of narcotics
Apollo Homecare completes 10 years
Murder suspect, who was on the run for 21 years, apprehended in Bengaluru
BIS organises meeting for revised Indian Standard
Ramadoss discusses with party colleagues about floating new party
Residents want CMDA to lift halt on building permissions around Pallikaranai marsh
G. Prakash, Member-Secretary of the CMDA, apologised for not issuing a public clarification about the circular and that the halt on permissions is only temporary.
Nemilichery lake slips back into neglect after brief revival
City may have to wait for heavy rain as system brews over Bay
Police nab murder suspect after 21 years
Vyjayanthimala Bali receives Dr. Mrs YGP Award for Cultural Excellence
Food carts flout HC order, encroach road
Man, 31, dies by suicide while on video call
Motorist run over by speeding truck near Thirumukkudal
Twins who shared a common placenta delivered safely at MGM Healthcare
New two-wheeler multi-level parking proposed at T. Nagar MLA office campus
Ennore power plant to be expanded
Teynampet traffic gridlock continues
Thiruma cautions vijay about right wing infiltration in TVK
ED begins searches in Aarudhra gold investment scam
Passengers fume as Indigo flights face long delays, airline cites 'operational reasons'
NEW DELHI: Indigo flights across the country suffered extensive delays from Wednesday evening into the night, with the airline repeatedly citing operational reasons. While Indigo also mentioned air-traffic congestion at Mumbai and Delhi, officials at Delhi airport completely denied any such congestion. Passengers, meanwhile, alleged that the non-availability of pilots for certain flights was among the key causes. Multiple attempts to obtain an official response from Indigo yielded no result. However, the airlines official handle on X kept replying to passengers that every delay was due to operational reasons. The worst affected routes included the DelhiChandigarh sector, where flights were delayed in both directions. Deepak Dhiman, a passenger, posted, Indigo flight 6E 2195 from Chandigarh to Delhi is delayed by 6 hours. Pilot is not available to fire the engine. Passengers are forced to wait for the pilot. No one knows when this flight will take off. An hour later, he updated that the pilot had arrived and the plane was being refuelled. Rajeev Chawla, another irate passenger, questioned the airline, Do you have a sense of responsibility? Flight from Delhi to Chandigarh (6E 2196) was to depart at 2.55 pm. Now it will depart at 8 pm. Is it fair to harass customers for a 45-min flight for five hours? Passenger Anandika Khajuria appealed to the aviation regulator DGCA and the Civil Aviation Minister to look into what operational issues were causing such lengthy delays. Although Indigo attributed the delays to congestion at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport, multiple airport sources, including the official spokesperson, denied any such congestion. In the south, the Bengaluru to Coimbatore service (6E 914) departed at 8.20 pm instead of 4.45 pm. Passenger Mayank Jha posted, Flight 6E 914 was supposed to take off at 4.45 pm. Delayed to 7.15 pm and delayed further because the First Officer hasnt even arrived. Who is accountable for this level of mismanagement? The Chennai to Jaipur flight (6E 6381), scheduled to depart at 8.50 pm, was postponed repeatedly before finally being rescheduled to 1 am on 27 November. Flyer Vijay Mathur listed four different delay announcements: from 8.50 pm to 9.20 pm; then to 10.50 pm; then to 12.50 am; and finally to 1 am. The Chandigarh to Mumbai flight (6E 5019) was delayed by nearly seven hours. Scheduled to take off at 3.55 pm, it was eventually slated for departure at 10.45 pm. Passenger Apurva Parekh wrote, Delays of 6 hours and no clarity. These guys have no clue how to handle passengers. Very bad customer service and support. Indigo responded that the delay was due to operational reasons and said the team was doing its best to get the aircraft airborne. Another flyer on the same service, Kumar Gaurav, demanded clarity on the delay. The Mumbai to Bengaluru flight (6E 5074) was delayed thrice, contributing to nearly two hours of waiting time. The delay was attributed to the late arrival of the incoming aircraft (6E 5073). Passenger Pramod Modi posted, 6E 5073 delayed by almost three hours but still such poor gate management that no one in ground staff is able to decide the boarding gate Indigo did not issue any official statement on the disruptions. One user even defended the airline, arguing that the delayed flights formed only a small portion of its total operations. A day earlier, on Tuesday, more than 100 passengers on the Pune to Delhi flight (6E 2285) were delayed by over three hours after one of the pilots refused to fly, stating his duty hours had ended, according to reports from Pune. Violation of Flight Duty Time Limitations is taken seriously by the aviation regulator. If you want, I can also polish the headline further or give 23 alternate options.
Sengottaiyan quits as MLA, meets Vijay
Finance Commission's Formula: Is It Short-Changing Southern States?
Southern states fear the 16th Finance Commission's report will short-change them, arguing current formulas favour population and lower incomes over performance and tax collection. They highlight declining fiscal capacity despite strong socio-economic indicators and advocate for a rebalanced approach to tax revenue sharing, including cesses and surcharges, to foster true cooperative federalism.
NDRF, SDRF teams deputed to Chennai in view of weather advisory
PMK founder Ramadoss discusses floating a new party
Dubai Duty Free draw: Chennai man takes home Rs 8 cr after 15 years of trying
Dubai:In a remarkable stroke of luck,a 50-year-old Indian national from Chennai won a staggering one million dollars (Rs 8,92,15,900) in the latest Dubai Duty-Free (DDF) Millennium Millionaire draw held on Wednesday, November 26. The winner, Selvaraj Vijayananth, a senior engineering manager at a software firm in Chennai, struck gold with ticket number 1346, which he 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 .
Tamil Nadus deceased donor count reaches 240
Official data show a total of 1,128 deceased donors were recorded in the country in 2024, of which 80% came from five States - Tamil Nadu (268), Telangana (188), Maharashtra (172), Karnataka (162) and Gujarat (119)
Tamil Nadus first village startup community launched in Coimbatore district
The Pillaiappampalayam Startup Community has been launched in association with Rural Women Technology Park and PSGR Krishnammal College for Women.
Has Vijay Sethupathi joined Rajinikanth`s Jailer 2 team in Goa?
Rumours suggest Vijay Sethupathi has joined Rajinikanths Jailer 2, though no official confirmation has been given. The sequel, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, is creating massive buzz as shooting progresses across Goa and Chennai
