After Rs 18 crore trade to CSK, Sanju Samson drops massive MS Dhoni remark: 'Want to support him'
Sanju Samson sparked massive buzz after joining CSK with a sensational remark on MS Dhoni, saying he wants to support him in every way possible. His statement instantly went viral, igniting excitement among Chennai fans as anticipation grows for the duo's on-field partnership.
15-year-old boy apprehended for sexually harassing woman in Chennai
The boy was released after being produced before the Juvenile Justice Board
Chennai Corporation extends deadline for licensing of pet dogs and cats by two weeks
After demands from residents to extend the deadline, the civic body on Friday (November 21) announced the extension until December 7.
Have studied Islam and Hinduism. I am a fan of: AR Rahman
Mumbai: Renowned music composer and singer AR Rahman, globally known as the Mozart of Madras, has once again sparked meaningful conversations about faith and humanity. Born as Dileep Kumar in Chennai in 1967, Rahman embraced Islam along with his family after the death of his father, music composer RK Shekhar. His conversion happened just before 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 .
Space startup Agnikul raises Rs 150 crore to fund reusable rockets
NEW DELHI, Nov 22: Space startup Agnikul Cosmos on Saturday said it has raised Rs 150 crore in a fresh funding round at over half-a-billion dollar valuation, which would be used to build resusable launch vehicles. IIT-Chennai incubated Agnikul demonstrated a sub-orbital rocket launch last year and is planning to place small satellites into the low earth orbit using its 3D printed Agnibaan rocket next year. The startup is also working on the recovery of the lower stage of [] The post Space startup Agnikul raises Rs 150 crore to fund reusable rockets appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kamal Haasan condoles death of IAF pilot Namansh Syal killed in crash at Dubai Air Show
Chennai: Well known actor, producer and politician Kamal Haasan on Saturday said he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who died after his fighter jet crashed during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show. Taking to his X timeline to pen a post of condolence, actor Kamal Haasan wrote, 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 .
Nine-month-old baby girl abandonedin express train rescued at Chennai Central
Despite a thorough search of all coaches, the parents could not be traced; further efforts to identify them are under way
Nine-month-old baby girl abandonedon express train rescued at Chennai Central
Despite a thorough search of all coaches, the parents could not be traced; further efforts to identify them are under way
Chennai police arrest murder suspect after shooting him in the leg near Indira Nagar MRTS station
The suspect, Vijayakumar, 21, was tracked down by a special team while they were searching for suspects involved in the murder of Mouli, another history-sheeter
Established under a strategic collaboration between Starbucks Coffee Company & Tata Starbucks, the FSP aims to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030 Starbucks will open its 500th coffeehouse in India this week in Delhi NCR a Starbucks Reserve location offering a premium and immersive coffee experience Reaffirming its long-term commitment to India, and its plans to deepen its coffee leadership in the market, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the establishment of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, the FSP will connect local agronomists and farmers to global farming best practices through open-source agronomy. Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks re-affirm coffee leadership and announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to strengthen the coffee value chain from Bean to Cup Strengthening Indias coffee value chain from bean to cup Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), Starbucks global procurement and trading subsidiary, will collaborate closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030. The FSP based in Karnataka will combine Tata Starbucks deep local knowledge, Indias coffee-growing heritage, and decades of Starbucks global agronomy expertise. It will support farmers from Indias key coffee growing states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to strengthen connections with Starbucks global network, drive innovation, and share best practices in farming and sustainability to ensure a sustainable future for India coffee. The FSP will set up technical model farms in partnership with farmers in India, incorporating global learnings, to embed best practices in coffee agronomy and test sustainable solutions. The FSP in India will serve as a hub for testing new varietals, provide knowledge on innovative farming techniques aligned to Indian practices and conditions, and share insights about other agroforestry initiatives to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resiliency. The goal is to build upon traditional methods to help farmers improve both the quality of their crops and their profitability. The FSP will work closely with existing centers of excellence within the Starbucks global network. This includes partnering with Farmer Support Centers (FSC) in coffee-growing regions around the world, where agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research, and learning from existing model farms within Starbucks supply chain. This network includes FSCs in the APAC region in North Sumatra, Indonesia and Yunnan, China and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center and Starbucks Global Research and Development team. Through the FSP, Indian farmers will also benefit from Starbucks 2026 global digital training tools, which will offer detailed online modules on agronomy, coffee quality, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices to foster ethical sourcing and ultimately enhance productivity and sustainability. It will also educate farmers about Regen-Ag (regenerative agriculture) practices and methods to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints, and contribute to agroforestry and social development initiatives. The FSP will develop projects across the key Starbucks commitments of unlocking coffee productivity, increasing farm profitability and building climate resiliency over the next 5 years. To build capability and strengthen Indias entire coffee value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield variety Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years. During his visit to India this week, Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, India is one of our fastest-growing markets. Were partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers. Its a long-term commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable coffee ecosystem that benefits everyone, from bean to cup . Sunil D'Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, Through the past decade, together, Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, have helped shape Indias thriving coffee culture and industry. With this new initiative, we are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tatas footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India . Re-affirming Starbucks coffee leadership through differentiated and elevated experiences Since its inception in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has been dedicated to delivering the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in India. This has set the stage for Indias ever evolving and dynamic coffee culture. This week, Tata Starbucks will celebrate the opening of its 500th coffeehouse in India, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. As one of Starbucks fastest-growing international markets, India remains central to the companys plans for strategic and sustainable expansion, with continued focus on job creation and meaningful development opportunities for its partners (employees). The 500th coffeehouse will be the second location to offer a Starbucks Reserve coffee experience in Delhi NCR, engaging coffee enthusiasts with an immersive experience that showcases Starbucks coffee craft, heritage, and storytelling. The coffeehouse and its Starbucks Reserve experience underscore Tata Starbucks commitment to elevating Indias coffee craftsmanship through elevated store design, handcrafted beverages, and locally inspired innovations. As part of the global strategy to make Starbucks a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather to enjoy the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, Tata Starbucks will continue to focus on creating a differentiated and elevated coffee forward experience in India. It invites customers to experience the full flavor profile it offers - serving the worlds finest coffee and elevated offerings in a welcoming coffeehouse environment that has made it a beloved part of Indias coffee landscape. Sushant Dash, chief executive officer of Tata Starbucks said, As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership in collaboration with SCTC, a meaningful step toward strengthening Indias coffee-growing community and securing the future of high-quality Arabica. Our commitment to India extends beyond growth, to investing in farmers, partners (employees) and customers to continue building a vibrant coffee culture. We will continue to serve the finest Arabica coffee from India and around the world, brought to life through the warm, welcoming third place experience that defines Starbucks . About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or starbucks.com . About Tata Starbucks Private Limited Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,437 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance.
MBA graduate, two others held in drug case; cash, SUV confiscated
CHENNAI: Three men, including a London-educated MBA graduate, were arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) and the Thirumangalam police on Thursday in a drug case. The police seized Rs. 27.5 lakh in cash, a car, OG ganja, and multiple mobile phones during the operation. According to the police, the arrests came after ANIU teams tracked down the absconding suspects based on earlier intelligence. The accused have been identified as Sarath (30), the MBA graduate and the Managing Director of a furniture firm in Vanagaram; Srinivasan (27), a B.Com, LL.B graduate who was allegedly carrying around 10 grams of OG ganja; and Sarbudheen Mohammad Masthan (44), from whose vehicle the cash, phones and SUV were recovered. Sarbudheen worked as a manager for a popular actor many years ago, the police said. The probe began on Wednesday when police detained Dhyaneshwaran (26) at Park Road in Thirumangalam with four LSD stamps. His interrogation reportedly revealed a wider network of distribution, leading to Thursdays arrests. On Thursday evening, the police detained two other men from the social media management company who were let go after an inquiry. AIADMK on Thursday night had alleged that the two men were illegally taken into custody by plainclothes policemen.
MTC launches drive to promote bus use in Chennai
CHENNAI: The MTC on Friday launched Bus First, an initiative aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of public transport by giving priority to buses in city. The campaign was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin at Anna Square in the presence of Transport Minister SS Sivasankar, Transport Secretary Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru, MTC MD T Prabhushankar and officials. The initiative is being supported by the GCC, the Commissionerate of Transport and Road Safety, the Greater Chennai Traffic Police, and ITDP India. According to Prabhushankar, the initiative seeks to establish buses as the backbone of urban mobility, promote greater respect for public transport among all road users, and ensure buses receive priority on the roads. The goal is to reduce delays caused by traffic congestion and encourage more people to use public transport by improving its reliability. MTC buses remain the lifeline of Chennais transport system, carrying around 35 lakh passengers daily.
Chennai court convicts three Bawaria gang members in 2005 MLA murder case
CHENNAI: A Chennai City Sessions Court on Friday convicted three members of the notorious Bawaria gang for the brazen murder of the then Gummidipoondi MLA from AIADMK K Sudarsanam at his Thanakulam house in Tiruvallur over twenty years ago on January 8, 2005. The three Jagadish alias Gunna and Rakesh alias Guddu of Haryana and Ashok alias Laxman of Rajasthan were convicted for dacoity and murder. The sentencing for the three and the verdict on the fourth accused standing trial Jaildar Singh alias Lalimaster will be pronounced on Monday. Two more men accused in the case had died earlier in prison. Sudarsanam, aged 57, who had also served as the Minister for Backward Classes Welfare in 2002, was killed in his house in the armed gang attacked with guns before daybreak on January 8. The gang managed to escape with jewels. Some of the MLAs kin were also injured. A special team of police, headed by IPS officer SR Jangid (now retired), was tasked with nabbing the accused involved in the case. The team discovered that the Bawaria gang was involved in a series of robberies and dacoities along the highways in Tamil Nadu and even neighbouring states between 1995 and 2005.
Low-pressure over Bay of Bengal may bring heavy rain to Tamil Nadu from today
CHENNAI: A developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to influence Tamil Nadus rainfall pattern over the coming week, even as the northeast monsoon continues to underperform this November. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said an upper air cyclonic circulation over the Strait of Malacca is expected to develop into a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay later on Saturday. The system may intensify into a depression over the central south Bay by November 24 and could strengthen further while moving west-northwest. Heavy rainfall is likely across coastal and southern districts till November 24. The IMD has issued rain alerts for Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Pudukkottai and Karaikal on different days. Weather bloggers, however, warn that the impact depends heavily on the systems point of genesis. Blogger K Srikanth said the narrow 200-km stretch near Sumatra often determines whether a system curves towards TN or not. Blogger Pradeep John said that November may end as one of the driest in recent years. Chennai is expected to see partly cloudy skies with light to moderate rain.
Sanitation workers fasting in Chennai say no representatives has come for talks
CHENNAI: The indefinite hunger strike by four sanitary workers entered its fifth day on Friday, with the protesters again demanding the direct intervention of CM MK Stalin to ensure their reinstatement of jobs directly under the GCC. Despite their fast continuing since November 17, the workers allege no representative from the government or the civic body has met them or their association for talks. Geetha J (39), one of the protesters, said they have begun experiencing frequent giddiness but have refused the tablets suggested by doctors. All we want is someone from the government to come and address our demands. Without jobs, we have no money, and our children are going hungry. We have worked with the GCC for 10-15 years. How can they just ignore us like this? she said.
A book influencer's journey through pages and stories
From a balcony in Assagao, the morning air carries the mingled scents of wet leaves and coastal sunblock. Scooters pause at the bend below, their riders drifting in and out of view as if they were characters stepping on and off a stage. On the railing, a pale paperback lies open, The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine, its pages ruffling every time a breeze pushes through. This is where we find Ananthi Iyappan, one of Tamil Nadus most recognisable book voices, reading with one eye on the text and the other on the quiet theatre of people loitering around in their own world, as she puts it. I have always been fascinated with how our brain shapes or shades the world, she says. Ananthis journey began long before her YouTube numbers rose. She started out as a radio jockey, talking into a mic with that unmistakable expressive energy shes known for. I love to talk, sing, dance, she says. But radio also made her aware of what drained her. Talking about things that didnt excite her started feeling like using the wrong fuel. A shift arrived through a morning infotainment show where she interviewed experts from across fields. Those conversations stretched her curiosity. The experience significantly broadened my interests, she says. It aligned her toward the person she would become someone driven by deeper, wider subjects. The Book Show, her YouTube channel, grew in the way real communities do. The growth has been super organic, she says. The defining moments werent the viral videos or the brand recognitions, though becoming Amazons Popular Choice Book Influencer for 2025 sits prominently on her list. What truly moved her were private exchanges followers who wrote to say her videos had accompanied them through hard weeks, shifted their perspective, or simply added company to lonely commutes. The one-on-one conversations with my followers truly sustain this journey with the necessary zest, she says. It begins with a book Her earliest milestone is a night of doubt before releasing her review of Kamasutra . She had always been accepting of celebrated works, but something changed. She read the book closely, felt disturbed by many parts, and chose honesty over popularity. Once it was out, I found my tribe. Later came my reviews of even some award-winning books that are still celebrated in the literary circle, but again, I dared to call them out on their misogynistic writings and objectifications of women. All the milestones that are close to my heart are those when I had shut down the voice of the world and strengthened my own, she says. Ananthi wasnt a child reader but a storyteller. Her mother read school stories aloud to her, friends read textbooks while she absorbed concepts through listening. She revised by teaching imaginary audiences. The instinct stayed dormant until college, when she picked up books to keep her storytelling alive. The image of her studying by speaking to lifeless chairs makes perfect sense now. The impulse to communicate shaped her entire reading life. Her present-day reading routine has the texture of everyday domesticity. She tries to read at least two hours a day, but without self-punishment. Cats wander around her, offering the kind of interruptions that soften the mind. They calm me down, she says. Sunlight is essential she prefers it over electrical lights so her books often sit open next to windows, curtains shifting, fur drifting in the air. On busy weeks, she switches to audiobooks, listening while painting or doing needlework. Movement, she has learned, keeps her attention steady. That kind of balance gets harder when reading for review collides with personal taste. Ananthi enjoys unpopular books, but her audience gravitates to the trending ones. Some popular books she reads quickly just to keep pace, others she reads slowly to deliver something thoughtful. Fiction is another story; she loves it, even though it doesnt perform well on her channel. I still continue to read fiction for my own pleasure, she says. She hopes her audience will see more of who she is through those videos. A journey in genres When asked about Tamil books for beginners, she reaches immediately for short story collections texts that offer completeness within a chapter. She recommends Vedikkai Parpavan and Aniladum Mundril by Na Muthukumar for their poetic simplicity, Aram by Jeyamohan for its portraits of inspiring people, Marakkave Ninaikiren by Maari Selvaraj for its empathy-driven narratives, and Vattiyum Mudhalum by Raju Murugan for its sketches of everyday lives. She emphasises pacing; beginners can enter these books gently, feeling accomplished with each finished story. Feminism is inevitably woven into her reading. Being a woman, feminist themes are unavoidable, she says. She recommends Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies We Should All Be Feminists as a clear entry point, and Tara Kaushals Why Men Rape as a stark exploration of patriarchal conditioning. Ananthi believes awareness is essential not only for resisting exploitation but for understanding how acceptance and social conditioning uphold patriarchal structures. In an era of algorithms and isolated reading, she organises reading retreats that allow people to meet others who have read the same book or hold different interpretations. Ananthi struggles to choose one unforgettable moment, but offers an image instead a night under a star-lit sky, backwaters flirting with mangroves, people discussing characters who have stayed with them. It usually feels like a different world altogether. In-person reading and discussion shall help understand people have healthy and conflicting opinions. Also, it is a great opportunity to get book recommendations not driven by trends or algorithms, she says. Her favourite quotes reveal the philosophy behind her work. Quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh keep her grounded reminders to walk lightly, to see everyday existence as miraculous. She also quotes Fredrik Backmans A Man Called Ove where he writes about how imperfections are personal and how we fall in love with the idiosyncrasies of the people we live with. To love someone is like moving into a house. At first you fall in love with everything new, you wonder every morning that this is one's own, as if they are afraid that someone will suddenly come tumbling through the door and say that there has been a serious mistake and that it simply was not meant to live so fine. But as the years go by, the facade worn, the wood cracks here and there, and you start to love this house not so much for all the ways it is perfect in that for all the ways it is not. You become familiar with all its nooks and crannies. How to avoid that the key gets stuck in the lock if it is cold outside. Which floorboards have some give when you step on them, and exactly how to open the doors for them not to creak. That's it, all the little secrets that make it your home. Her favourite lines stay with her, reminding her to be mindful and find meaning in the imperfect edges of life. Maybe that's the message she leaves us with too. Building a habit of reading isnt a mark of superiority, but an exercise that makes you more creative and mindful. Ananthi, through her social media accounts, is simply reminding us to pick up a book, to flip through the pages and find quotes that resonate with you. She encourages us not to perform reading for the world, but to break the limitations that we have set upon ourselves.
Rs 7 cr ATM cash van heist: Bengaluru police crack case, recover over 5 cr, arrest cop
BENGALURU: The South division police investigating the Rs 7.11 crore broad daylight heist have reportedly made a breakthrough by recovering more than Rs 5 crore in cash of the Rs 7.11 crore robbed. The police recovered the money from Chennai and also Andhra Pradesh. A police constable attached to the citys East division, who is said to be the mastermind, and a former employee of the Cash Management Services (CMS) from Kerala have reportedly been arrested. Both close friends, they had been hatching the plot for the last six months after the latter quit CMS. The police are said to have also arrested three others for providing logistical support. The police have also zeroed in on two brothers, said to be kingpins in the incident. The brothers, sons of an ex-serviceman, are from Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, and were working in the city. The police, based on the CCTV footage, have identified five robbers who are said to be habitual offenders involved in similar cases. The police are also questioning over 30 suspects. Cop made route map, friend gave inside info The role of the constable and his friend came to light when the police officers started checking the mobile phone details of past employees of CMS. Both had exchanged several calls during the robbery. The former CMS staff was interrogated and he reportedly spilled the beans about their involvement in the heist. The police, who knew the criminal past of the constable, took him in for questioning on Thursday evening. The constable reportedly made the route map, while his friend provided inside information of CMS and the safety features of a Cash-In-Transit-Vehicle (CITV). The constable picked a few youth from Banaswadi to carry out the heist. The constable, who was on patrolling duty, had seen a Swift car parked inside a house and used its registration number for the Innova SUV used in the heist. The constable had a criminal past and had been arrested in one of the crimes committed on the citys outskirts earlier. During his custody, he had spoken to a few criminals inside the prison and became friends with them. The police suspect the involvement of some criminals who are in jail. A team of police officers visited the Bengaluru Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara. The two brothers are from Gudipala in Chittoor, the same place the SUV was found. They had kept in touch with the cop, while they were working in Bengaluru. Home Minister G Parameshwara said the police have got vital information, but he did not want to reveal it in public as it would alert the criminals. He said a time limit cannot be fixed in such cases.
Former TDB chief Padmakumar conspired in Sabarimala gold theft, says SIT report
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president and senior CPM leader A Padmakumar played a direct role in the alleged gold theft at Sabarimala by conspiring with the co-accused, the police remand report filed before the Kollam vigilance court says. Padmakumar, who was TDB president when the alleged offence took place, was arrested on Thursday after hours-long interrogation. The remand report, details of which were accessed by the TNIE , said Padmakumar ignored guidelines, which barred the displacement of temple wealth, and connived with the co-accused to move the gold-clad sheets to Chennai on the pretext of repair. He also identified gold-clad copper sheets as copper sheets in the agenda notice of the board meeting held in March 2019. This, the report said, was done deliberately to ensure first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti got hold of the gold sheets without hindrance to carry out the pilferage. SIT searches Padmakumars house, to seek custody today The report added it was on Padmakumars insistence that then TDB secretary S Jayashree issued an order sanctioning Potti to receive the gold-clad sheets. When the sheets were brought back from Chennai, Padmakumar did not examine the artefacts to ascertain their condition, which was a lapse on his part, it said. Meanwhile, the SIT probing the case searched Padmakumars ancestral home in Aranmula on Friday afternoon. The seven-member team aimed at recovering crucial documents linked to the crime. The team will seek Padmakumars custody on Monday. The co-accused in the case had told the SIT that Padmakumar took the final call on moving the artefacts from the temple to Chennai. He had denied the allegations and told the probe team that the subterfuge was the handiwork of TDB staff. The SIT had earlier arrested former TDB president N Vasu, former Sabarimala administrative officer Murari Babu, former Sabarimala executive officer Sudheesh Kumar, middleman Unnikrishnan Potti and former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K S Biju in connection with the case.
Movement Is Medicine: How Gentle Exercise Keeps Arthritic Joints Young
Arthritis, which is the wear and tear of the joints, is a condition that affects millions, especially the elderly. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the typical signs of this condition, and it slowly affects daily activities. However, within this chronic condition lies an often-overlooked treatment approach focussed on movement. Contemporary medicine highlights that habitual, gentle exercise is not only a lifestyle for people with arthritis but a natural therapy. It supports the idea of movement as medicine, which notes that joints should be active. When arthritis affects people, they slow down since they fear that any action will cause more pain or worsen joint degeneration. But, immobility can speed up stiffness and muscle weakening. Joints are meant to be moved, and movement encourages better blood circulation, nourishes the cartilage, and lubricates the spaces with synovial fluid. Staying active at a low intensity increases circulation of this fluid, acting like oil in a machine to keep joints lubricated and reduce pain due to friction. Physiotherapy is the key in this science-based treatment of arthritis. Under the guidance of prescribed exercises, customised rehabilitation protocols are designed for neighbouring muscles that stabilise the targeted joints. Strong muscles behave like shock absorbers, redistributing load and decreasing direct pressure on the joint surfaces. Not only does this decrease pain, but it also prevents further degeneration. Basic range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and resistance training with professional supervision can greatly improve flexibility and restore lost mobility. Physiotherapy also focusses on the correction of posture and gait, which is critical in avoiding uneven stress on weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees. Exercise is a holistic adjunct to medical treatment of arthritis. With controlled breathing, mindfulness, and gentle stretching, yoga provides both physical and psychological relief. Yoga also tones the muscles. Low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, and fast walking are equally essential for arthritis care. Therapies like hydrotherapy, for example, enable patients to exercise freely with little strain since water buoyancy carries body weight, lessening joint pressure. Cycling also encourages the smooth movement of joints and builds leg muscle without the jarring impact of running. Even ordinary daily walks can preserve bone density, enhance circulation, and ward off stiffness if done on a routine basis and at a leisurely pace. Gentle and regular exercise keeps the joints young by maintaining their health and avoiding further harm. Under the direction of physiotherapists and by incorporating yoga and low-impact exercises into daily life, patients suffering from arthritis can regain mobility. Ultimately, movement is medicine for arthritic joints. It transforms pain into possibility, stiffness into strength, and immobility into motion. By doing gentle exercise as part of daily life, people living with arthritis can improve their condition. by Dr S Sundar, tumour, joint replacement and pelvic acetabular surgeon, VS Hospitals, Chennai.
Monsoon Gut Crisis: Children at Higher Risk of Infection This Season
With the arrival of the monsoon, paediatric healthcare centres are witnessing a noticeable rise in gastrointestinal infections among children. The season brings heavy rains, waterlogging, and warm, humid conditions that allow harmful bacteria to thrive. Children, particularly those with nutritional deficiencies or low immunity, are at higher risk. Poor nutrition weakens the guts natural defence system, making infections more severe and recovery slower, which is why nutritional vulnerability plays a significant role in the spike of illnesses. During the monsoon, parents need to be alert because the symptoms of gastrointestinal infections often resemble routine stomach upsets that children commonly experience. Mild loose stools, reduced appetite, or a bit of vomiting can appear harmless at first, but they can worsen quickly due to a faster spread of infections and the childs limited ability to compensate for fluid loss. Symptoms such as stomach cramps, fever, dehydration, or the presence of blood or mucus in stools should not be ignored. Young childrens health deteriorates faster because their bodies lose fluids rapidly, so early warning signs like dry lips, sunken eyes, excessive sleepiness, or reduced urination must prompt immediate medical attention to prevent complications. One of the major reasons for the rise in infections during this season is the contamination of drinking water. Heavy rainfall and flooding often cause sewage, animal waste, and runoff to mix with water supplies through damaged or low-pressure pipelines. This introduces harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Vibrio into the water. The warm and humid monsoon weather also encourages rapid bacterial growth on food kept at room temperature, making even seemingly hygienic street food or canteen snacks unsafe. Vendors may maintain cleanliness, but the climate speeds up spoilage, allowing bacteria to multiply within hours. Cut fruits, salads, and leftovers spoil even faster, raising the risk of food-borne infections. Additionally, intermittent water supply, burst pipes, flooded toilets, and disruptions in municipal water treatment plants increase the likelihood of contamination across communities. Flooding can also lead to displacement and overcrowding in temporary shelters, exposing children to a wider range of enteric infections. Seasonal peaks of bacterial pathogens during the rainy months further contribute to the rise. Preventing these infections is simple, and just a few consistent habits can go a long way in reducing a childs risk. Ensuring access to safe drinking water is crucial, especially after heavy rains; children should consume only boiled, filtered, or properly treated water, and all water stored at home must be kept in clean, tightly-covered containers. Regular hand washing with soap before eating and after using the toilet remains one of the most effective yet often overlooked precautions. Parents should avoid giving children street food during the monsoon, as warm, humid conditions allow germs to multiply rapidly even before food is served. Home-cooked meals must be freshly prepared, reheated thoroughly, and leftovers discarded if kept out for too long. It is important to seek timely medical care if a child develops persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, or fever, to prevent dehydration and complications. Strengthening a childs immunity through a balanced diet rich in proteins, fruits, vegetables, and essential micronutrients further enhances their resilience during the monsoon months. by Dr Keerthivasan S, consultant in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Rainbow Childrens Hospital, Chennai.
GCC extends deadline for microchipping, but ordeals continue
At 7.50 am on Friday, peoples patience outside the ABC centre in Pulianthope was as thin as the two-foot-wide sidewalk where they had been standing for over an hour. Pet parents held their dogs close, some lifted in their arms, others kept on short, tense leashes. The previous nights showers had left the pavement damp, and every dog on the sidewalk carried a muddy imprint on its hind legs and back, picked up as they shifted about at the sight of onlookers and other pets. Nearly 60 people queued up, some with one, others with as many as four pets, waiting for the mandatory microchipping ordered by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). Around 8.10 am, the crowd and their pets spilled onto the road outside the closed gates of the centre. With heavy vehicles rumbling past, some dogs even risked darting into traffic as they nervously backed away from the crowd. Their owners could be heard consoling and reassuring their frightened companions as they pulled them away from the road, back to the crowded sidewalk. As of Friday morning, the deadline for micro-chipping pets was two days away, and each hour became a struggle marked by long queues at the limited number of ABC centres in the city. But by the evening, the GCC issued an announcement extending the deadline to December 7. While this has come as a relief for several pet parents, the ordeals over the past few days cannot be brushed away. Overcoming troubles Radha from Vyasarpadi was among the first ten people in line on Friday, with her indie pet dog. I came yesterday around 11 am, and they sent me back saying that the tokens were over. So I came by 6 am today, but there were already a few people standing in line, she said. Another pet parent, Ranganayagi, rued, I have come here for the third day in a row. On the first day, I came at around 10 am, and they said the tokens were over. The next day, around 9 am, it was very crowded. Today I came at 7 am, and hopefully, I will get my Rukku [a brown indie] micro-chipped. For many women like Ranganayagi, getting to the centre so early is difficult, for they shoulder the responsibility of packing lunch for their family and even dropping the kids off at schools. On Friday, Ranganayagi requested her neighbour to help send the children to school so she could make it in time. All for our Rukku madam, she smiled. For working women like Vashwini, an assistant professor from Thiruvottiyur who is a first-generation graduate, the problems are no less. With four rescued indies, she said, I cant afford to get the process done in private. They are charging Rs 1,500 per dog. But now I am struggling at ABC centres too because my senior dogs cant manage in these crowds. I just got Lakshmi and Rocky [both aged seven] today after taking a sick leave at work. I have to somehow bring Pooja and Brownie [aged 14 and 16 respectively] tomorrow. She noted that slapping a Rs 5,000 fine after allowing very little time isnt fair to the large pet-parent community in the city. Soon, raised voices emerged from the gate, which was now opening for only one person at a time, and their pet, as tokens were distributed. Over the next hour, the crowd slowly organised itself into a snaking, twisted queue inside the ABC centre. Some who arrived after 8.45 am, seeing the length of the queue, chose to leave resolute in getting their pets microchipped at private clinics instead while the others waited as the private clinic fees were too steep for them to manage. Among the latter was a woman with disability carrying a Pomeranian on her waist. Private clinics across the city are charging anywhere between Rs 800 and Rs 3,000 to microchip a pet, a price that also includes the veterinarians fee. However, an importer of these microchips told CE that the actual cost of a single microchip is only Rs 150-Rs 200, plus 18% GST. Since it has become mandatory, demand has shot up, and some vets are simply taking advantage of the situation, the supplier said, under the condition of anonymity, adding that charging Rs 500 just for an existing microchip reading is equally unjust. As microchipping is a Greater Chennai Corporation mandate, the local body is offering it free of cost, with only a Rs 50 registration fee. However, the core issue lies in the poor execution of the process, including the short deadline provided earlier. With the deadline extended, animal activist Antony Rubin also suggests increasing the number of centres to ease the crowds. GCC makes a move A senior GCC official told CE that since the civic body began offering free microchipping for pet dogs on October 8, a total of 65,422 registrations have been completed by pet owners on the GCC portal as of Friday, whereas the estimated population of pet dogs in the city is around one lakh. Of these registrations, the official said GCC has so far issued 24,477 pet licences. As per the procedure, once a pet is registered, the owner must ensure Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) and microchipping are administered, following which the licence is granted based on verification. The official added that, though the registered number is more, delays in issuing the new license are due to the processes involved. The owners select the specific hospital and veterinarian either government or private from an updated statewide list from which they got the ARV for their pets. The designated veterinarian must then verify the breed and vaccination details using their login credentials before forwarding the application to the GCC. This verification step is causing some delays as it is in the hands of respective veterinarians, the official said. Acknowledging that the crowd remained heavy even on weekdays, with nearly 300 visitors per day at each of the seven ABC centres of GCC, the officer added that doctors from slaughterhouses are also being deployed after their shifts. On special drive days, four doctors are assigned to each pet clinic, while three are posted on regular weekdays. Yet, the lack of clarity continues, especially for those with pets. Although cats can also be microchipped, the current drive is largely focused on dogs, even while mandating pet licences for cats. The online portal has only added to the confusion. Many said that they are unable to reset passwords for their existing accounts, while others reported that the required fields do not accommodate indie cats. Some even claimed that the portal doesnt function properly on mobile phones, forcing them to use a laptop or computer. When too many people apply through the portal, automatically the system will be overwhelmed, and it tends to crash, Antony added, hoping such technical difficulties, too, will be addressed soon. What is a microchip? A microchip is a tiny electronic ID placed under a pets skin that stores a unique number linked to the owners details. These ICAR-approved chips follow international standards to ensure they can be read by scanners everywhere. Why is it necessary? It provides a reliable, tamper-proof way to identify pets, especially if they get lost, are stolen, or are abandoned. It enables faster reunification with owners through centralised databases. It also helps authorities track vaccination records, ownership, and population control, supporting safer and accountable pet management. Visit here Pet parents can visit ABC centres at Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Pulianthope, Lloyds Colony, Nungambakkam, Kannammapet, Sholinganallur, and Meenambakkam for microchipping and anti-rabies vaccination between 8 am and 3 pm, every day.
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