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IndiaLand Group plans data centre near Chennai
Investment in the centre could be between 500 crore and 2,000 crore depending upon market conditions
Top Meteorologist Says Chennai Done With Heavy Rain For Now, But Watch Out For These 2 Days
Tamil Nadus skies may still hold a few surprises, yet the feared storm appears to be fading. With a fresh update, Pradeep John offers clarity as the state awaits the next spell
90% of eco park work at Raman Thangal Lake completed
The project involves the removal of water hyacinth and terrestrial weed species across the lake
Three months after launch, work at Wall Tax road tenement shoddy, incomplete in Chennai
CHENNAI: Nearly three months after Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) tenements at Meenambal Shivaraj Nagar along Wall Tax Road, the 90 families who have moved in so far said that they have been facing drinking water troubles. Residents also said that the overhead water tanks are exposed without lids, sparking health concerns. Residents said that while two water pumps have been installed, they frequently break down, reducing the per-day water supply drastically. Since each tank is shared by multiple households, the supply is insufficient for daily needs, they added. Even when the motors function, water is pumped to the overhead tanks only once a day, one resident said. The tenement comprises 308 housing units (stilt + 11 floors) constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 40.14 crore by the TNUHDB. According to the residents, though the complex has two sumps with a combined storage capacity of 1.5 lakh litres, they said that only four metro water tanks each with a capacity of 9,000 litres worth are being filled. They added that while one sump is clean, the other, located at the edge of the premises, is unclean and open to contamination risks. The sump is covered only with a metal sheet and remains partially exposed amid overgrown bushes. Dilip Kumar, a resident, said, Only 90 families have moved in so far, while others are yet to occupy their units. Even now water is insufficient, it is unclear what will happen once all the flats are occupied. Earlier, before the building was reconstructed, we had access to hand pumps and never faced such issues. Similar hand pumps need to be installed here, and it is also necessary to ensure that the sump is cleaned, properly covered and that the motors are repaired and well-maintained. When TNIE visited the tenements, it was observed that nearly all overhead water storage areas on the terrace remain uncovered. Residents said that despite nearly three months since inauguration, many essential works remain incomplete. Unfinished windows without shutters allow rainwater to enter homes, unlocked houses that are yet to be occupied have also led to animals wandering in and soiling the interiors. Compound walls are still under construction, and the lifts require constant repairs. Multiple attempts to reach TNUHDB officials for a comment were unsuccessful.
Ambattur workers stir: GCC deploys staff from other zones to fill gap
CHENNAI: With the sanitary workers of Ambattur zone continuing their protest for the second day on Sunday after the city corporation mandated the workers to wear uniform during duty hours, the civic body has deployed hundreds of workers from the nearby zones to ensure waste collection remains unaffected. Speaking to TNIE, H R Koushik, regional deputy commissioner (central), said, The uniform is part of mandated safety measures. The reflective straps improve visibility while the workers are on roads, which can help prevent accidents. It is, however, unclear why the workers are resisting uniforms. Another corporation official said, around 56 NULM workers who were originally hired as sanitary workers had taken on an informal supervisory role exempting themselves from working on the ground to clear waste. The GCC commissioner reportedly instructed these supervisors to engage in sanitation jobs. A circular was also reportedly issued last week reiterating that workers are to wear uniforms. However, the protest began as the NULM supervisors refused to engage in sanitary work while other protesting workers said that the uniform was uncomfortable. They alleged that GCC was also attempting to outsource solid waste management in the Ambattur zone. Meanwhile, E Saraswathi, a sanitary worker, who had been engaged in an indefinite hunger strike for the past six days demanding reinstatement of their jobs directly under GCC in Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar zones, fell sick and was taken to hospital. Three others are continuing the hunger strike, with one already on IV drip.
29-year-old dies after lorry runs her over in Madhavaram
CHENNAI: A 29-year-old woman driving a two-wheeler died on Saturday evening allegedly after a tanker lorry rammed into her vehicle and ran her over. Onlookers caught the driver and thrashed him before handing him over to the police. According to the Red Hills Traffic Investigation Wing (TIW), the woman was identified as J Sivaranjani of Manali. She was working at an electronic appliance showroom in Madhavaram. The accident occurred after work on Saturday evening when she was returning home, they said. Police said that Sivaranjani had turned along the Manjambakkam junction near Madhavaram when she stopped before crossing. A lorry that was coming behind her allegedly rammed into her, killing her on the spot. The driver did not see the woman as several trees blocked his view, police said. Upon information, police sent the womans body to a government hospital for autopsy. A case has been registered and a probe is under way. The driver who was detained by police is under treatment for his injuries.
MS Subbulakshmi's bhajans under the spotlight at ACJ
For many, MS Subbulakshmis music is a cultural memory, not only in south India but her voice has echoed across the North and around the world. Her songs have been a rite of passage for generations of Carnatic singers. Yet her artistic identity was never confined to Carnatic music alone; Subbulakshmi was equally celebrated for her bhajans , which became a defining part of her repertoire and legacy. Praveen Sparsh The most iconic bhajan associated with her, however, was not one she grew up knowing. She learned Hari Tum Haro overnight, tuned hurriedly with composer R Vaidyanathan, for Mahatma Gandhi at his personal request. As Gandhi famously told her, [He] would rather hear her speak the words than hear someone else sing it. Almost eighty years later, in commemoration of Subbulakshmis death anniversary, Soulfest 2025 - Hari Tum Haro revives the historic bhajans of the MS Subbulakshmi-R Vaidyanathan duo live on stage. Shreya Devnath The concert, curated, designed and narrated by Gowri Ramnarayan, will feature performances by Nisha Rajagopalan, Shreya Devnath, Sujith S Naik, and Praveen Sparsh on December 11 at M.S. Subbulakshmi Arangam, Asian College of Journalism, Taramani. Reflecting on Subbulakshmis musical journey, Gowri says, I think MS Subbulakshmi is perhaps the only classical Carnatic musician who is equally famous for her bhajans . The legacy, she explains, began with the film Meera, released in Tamil in 1944 and in Hindi in 1947. Since she sang so many bhajans in the film Meera, they became part of her repertoire. Nisha Rajagopalan The concert, along with many of her famous Hindi bhajans , will also showcase rare pieces preserved in intimate family spaces. There were three or four songs that she never sang on stage. They were in her notebook, written in her own handwriting in Hindi with the meaning in Tamil. I just learned them because they were in the notebook, and I thought, why not revive those songs? And so I shared these songs with Nisha Rajagopalan, and we are presenting them at the concert. Sujith S Naik What makes the experience truly unique is its mic-less format, using the halls rare architectural acoustics. Having curated and experienced many mic-less concerts, Gowri says, The natural sound of the voice and instruments is something we have forgotten because there are microphones everywhere. I want people to reclaim their right to enjoy natural sound in music concerts. She notes that the MS Subbulakshmi Arangam has been built with acoustics that retain the natural purity of sound, making the upcoming performance truly special. M.S. Subbulakshmi Arangam in Taramani will open its doors for Hari Tum Haro on December 11 at 6.30 pm. Entry is free, but registration is mandatory. Register at www.theticket9.com
On December 8, 2025, gold prices in India range from Rs 12,965 per 1 gram for 24K gold and Rs 11,884 per 1 gram for 22K gold. Silver is priced at Rs 1,90,900 per kilogram. Check city-wise rates here.
A game, a journey, and a realisation
On a recent visit to a museum, I saw a small placard advertising the sale of a board of Parama Padam. It is the traditional version of Snakes and Ladders, and contrary to popular belief, it is not merely an Indian name for the game. The traditional game had virtues associated with the ladders and names of characters from mythology and folklore for the snakes who in turn represented vices. The game itself was a representation of our journey to self-development, our internal struggle to overcome vices, acquire virtues, and ascend to Parama Padam or the highest place. The game was known by many similar names such as Moksha Path, Gyan Path and Vaikunta Pali. The origins of the game are hazy, with some ascribing it to Saint Gyandev of the Bhakthi movement and many others to the Jains, who perhaps developed it as a way to teach Jain philosophy. The essence of the game though, is common across all versions of the game the good is within us, the evil is within us, and the struggle is within us. This game, over the years, has become a metaphor for learning in a number of variations. From versions on healthy eating, to environment consciousness, to executive development, I have seen dozens of versions created by using this game. I picked up the Parama Padam at the museum, hoping to see an original board, but I was disappointed. What was being sold was not a very faithful rendering of the game. Virtues and vices sprinkled the board, and the graphics gave it a sense of authenticity. However, where this board, like many others, failed, is to understand the nuance of the game. The beauty of the traditional board was that vices were not merely listed but inferred through characters from mythology and folklore, with many old boards having localised characters. What this essentially did was create a sense of the human the sense that vices are inherently present in humans and not on their own. These humans are sometimes good people who do good deeds and are deeply loved and respected, yet they have within them a fatal flaw that keeps them short of achieving Parama Padam or the highest place. There is a Greek word hamartia first used by Aristotle in his Poetics and now, in dramatic literature to refer to the protagonists error that leads to a chain of actions which culminate in a reversal of events leading to his downfall. Shakespeare made very effective use of these in his tragic plays from Hamlets indecisiveness to Macbeths ambition, and Othellos jealousy among the others. What this does is change the narrative. The characters from mythology portrayed in Parama Padam cease to be merely good or evil and become flawed human beings, thus accepting and reinforcing the shades of grey. It teaches us to see people not in black and white but to accept them with their flaws because we, too are deeply flawed, as are all human beings. The journey to Parama Padam now becomes not merely a journey of self-development, but also one of acceptance and tolerance and forgiveness. Sadly, modern boards miss this nuance and thus the very essence of the game a learning that is critical to us in todays day and age, where we are quick to fault and make it almost a mission to spot flaws in everything around us. To further explain this, quote the words of Stephen Hawking, Without imperfection, you or I would not exist.
Holistic wellness through all ages
What does holistic healthcare truly mean for a woman? From her birth to the complex hormonal and emotional shifts of adolescence, motherhood, menopause and beyond, a womans body undergoes a series of changes that are often misunderstood, overlooked or reduced to isolated medical conversations. I Am Woman a book by family physician and preconception consultant Dr Mahalakshmi Sivaraman, steps in as a smart guide to womans lifelong wellness. Published after two years of writing and research, the book was launched on Friday at MOP Vaishnav College for Women by Pegasus, the colleges student-led book club. The event was graced by notable medical professionals, including Dr Ranjini Manian, founder of Global Adjustments and founder chair of Champion Woman, Dr Sujatha Mohan, executive medical director at Rajan Eye Care Hospital and president of Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association, and Dr S Hemalatha, the authors mother and retired district project coordinator of the Greater Chennai Corporation. Dr Mohan Rajan, chairman and managing director of Rajan Eye Care, also joined the occasion. The proceedings began with a welcome address by Principal Archna Prasad, who set the tone for an afternoon dedicated to womens wellness. TNIE was the media partner. Speaking about the books design and accessibility, Dr Ranjini, the guest of honour, highlighted its easy-to-use format filled with tables, charts and quick illustrations. She noted that the three icons medical facts, warning signs, and practical tips make it a convenient guide even for those short on time. Its a wonderful book because you can just get bite-sized nugget information if thats all you have the time to do, she said. Dr Sujatha, who penned the foreword, echoed the authors effort of including researched references and not only focusing on personal experiences. Taking the stage, Dr Mahalakshmi spoke about her motivation behind writing the book and the necessity of reliable health information for women. Womens health is not a single chapter; it is a journey. One that begins before birth and continues through every age and stage of her life. She explained that the book explores topics ranging from menstrual health and reproductive care to mental well-being, post-menopausal challenges and ageing. It also addresses issues such as nutrition, body image, lifestyle habits, and the growing influence of unverified information on social media. In an era where contradictory health trends circulate rapidly online, she hopes the book will serve as an authentic and dependable reference. The launch closed on a note by the author, Stay committed towards your health, listen to your body and make conscious choices. Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.
Musician blends Carnatic and Western in new album
Born into a family that breathes Carnatic music, the melodious cadences of ragas seeped into USA-based Indian-American composer Shanker Krishnans system quite early in life. His guru, Brindamma, left an indelible impact on him, and his inclination towards Western classical music added even more layers of potential to his field of experimentation. He says, Brindammas music was a major influence on me, with the subtle gamakas and jewel-box intricacy of her style. It was when he went to Berkeley for graduate study in applied mathematics that he first encountered Western classical music. I was captivated by the music of JS Bach, with its lines layered vertically over one another in counterpoint. From the beginning, I wondered what would happen if the intricacy of raga met the intricacy of counterpoint, Shanker says. After years of learning and experimentation, the seeds of his debut album Confluence: Raga and Counterpoint were sown. It was released in September by IndianRaga and co-produced by Geetha Raja, a prominent musician, and his sister. The long duration of creating this masterpiece reflects how each formation was chiselled to perfection. The intention was to draw musical contours to his emotions. My aim was to bring together the architecture of Baroque counterpoint with the emotional impact of the ragas and gamakas of Carnatic melodic lines and to integrate them at the deepest level, he says. Blending in the Gita For Shanker, the purpose of music is expression and reflection, and the structure is how the emotion unfolds. In this album, the Fugue-Kriti traces an emotional arc from tranquillity to foreboding, and Field of Dharma explores the emotional landscape of the Bhagavad Gita , he says. Shankers inclination towards the philosophies and teachings of the Gita, and the emotional perplexities Arjuna encounters at each point of time during the Kurukshetra war, exude in the album. He believes that Arjunas dilemma and the lessons of the Gita are both timeless and timely. The themes used in the album have a universal appeal. The Gita remains very relevant in todays world. In moments of stress and anxiety, I still turn to its teaching of nishkama karma non-attachment to the fruits of ones actions, he says. Ragas , too, are a way of conveying the innate emotions that sway between the performer and the audience. He has used ragas like Shanmukhapriya and Charukesi for the Field of Dharma because both have a high level of emotional intensity yet can convey multiple moods. In the Fugue-Kriti , a shift from raga Hemavathi to Vachaspathi involves only the change in the gandharam , but the resulting change in mood is substantial from contemplation to luminosity and uplift. The modulations in emotions and moods were also brought through the changes in instrumentation and harmonic progressions. The album features instruments like violin, veena, venu, mridangam, cello, harp, trumpet, and oboe. Quite diverse in their functionality, these Western and Indian instruments meld into each other as effortlessly as a flowing river. Shanker believes that despite the deemed differences between the instruments created by the geography and other evolutionary differences, they share secrets in the quietest ways. These instruments can speak to each other more naturally than we assume, he adds. Instrumental integration Orchestrating the instruments was another way of articulating the rising and falling emotions. In the Field of Dharma , the plucked notes and resonance of the harp echo those of the veena, and the lines of the oboe and solo trumpet intertwine with the Carnatic violin and veena. By varying the instruments, I could shift the emotional register brass creating a more martial atmosphere, and the delicacy of the harp for Arjunas introspection. He expresses his gratitude towards the Carnatic soloists Shraddha Ravindran (violin), R Thiagarajan (flute), KR Shrievats (veena) and Mannarkoil J Balaji (mridangam), who defined the synchronization of the notes with depth and intricacies. After pursuing a career in poverty reduction at the World Bank for 25 years, he steered his path to follow his heart. An expert in traditional music and a passionate Western music enthusiast, he closely studied composers like Debussy and Bartk, and has been influenced by other forms of music, even rock. Confluence: Raga and Counterpoint is an offshoot of his deep exploration in the ocean of music, both traditional and Western. The album, consisting of two multi-movement pieces, is available on Apple Music Classical, Spotify, and on Shankers and IndianRagas YouTube channels.
CMRL likely to open Poonamallee-Porur stretch in January after missing Dec. deadline
An official said that Metro Rail has mobiliseda large number of workers to complete the construction before the end of December
How pumping iron gave this college-goer a sense of purpose
Classes VI-IX students to receive training in robotics laboratories
Seven persons get awards from Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Trust
Artistes honoured at inauguration of Margazhi Matram
Travel chaos continues as Indigos flight cancellations mount
Poondi and other city lakes fill up naturally, boosting water security
ED writes to TN DGP, accuses min Nehru of corruption again
Stalin: It was in Madurai that Kannagi questioned king over flawed judgment
Vadaperumbakkam bridge in N Chennai to open next week
P Wilson to Centre: Allocate BEd exam centres in state
No mention about Mango symbol in Delhi HC verdict
Metrowater hikes price for tanker supply
Sri Lankan Tamil held for overstaying in India
Fire breaks out at GST commissioners office Chennai
GCC to re-issue tenders for waste management
HC: Probe 93cr paid by CMRL to landowners
CRZ nod for 6th reservoir at Kovalam to supply water to city
Three more held in ongoing drug smuggling case
EPS flays law & order in TN, lists violent incidents
Cops refuse permission for TVKs Dec 16 rally in Erode
Worst of IndiGo crisis may be over, full ops a week away
Parking complex at Egmore rly station to be ready by Dec-end
Chennai traffic cop pulls out kidnapped man from van
TTV: Nothing wrong with BJP trying to reunite AIADMK
Thiruparankundram Deepam: Will Dialogue or Division Prevail in Religious Dispute?
The Thiruparankundram dispute over lighting the karthigai deepam highlights the state's need to act as a neutral facilitator. The controversy, rooted in faith and administrative discretion, underscores the importance of community mediation over protracted courtroom battles to resolve inter-community sensitivities and ensure harmony.
91 IndiGo flights cancelled at Chennai airport on Sunday
MGM Healthcare launches mobile ECMO ambulance for advanced cardiac and respiratory care
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-support system that temporarily takes over heart and lung function when conventional treatment fails, used in severe cardiac and respiratory emergencies
World Disability Day: SRIHER highlights inclusion
NLC India: Reinvention via clean energy, mining, storage push
Shakib Al Hasan: Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has revealed that he had been bowling with an illegal bowling action intentionally during his stint with Surrey in 2024 after which he was reported for a suspect actionand subsequently getting suspended. After his actions were deemed unlawful at an independent testing at Loughborough University in December of last year, Shakib was banned from bowling in all ECB-organized contests. In international cricket, his suspension was automatically imposed in accordance with ICC standards. I think I was doing it a little bit intentionally because I bowled more than 70 overs [in one match], Shakib told the Beard Before Wicket podcast. I never bowled 70 overs in my career in a Test match. I was playing that four-day match for Surrey against Somerset in Taunton. I was so tired. I played back-to-back Test matches in Pakistan. We won that series and then I went to play those four-day matches. The only thing I was thinking the umpire could have done was just warn me first, at least. But it is in the rules, so they had the right. I didn't complain. In his lone Surrey game of the previous season, Shakib bowled 63.2 overs, divided into two innings of 33.5 and 29.3 overs. After taking his third bowling assessment test at Loughborough University in the UK earlier this year, he was later given the all-clear to bowl. I played back-to-back Test matches in Pakistan. We won that series and then I went to play those four-day matches. The only thing I was thinking the umpire could have done was just warn me first, at least. But it is in the rules, so they had the right. I didn't complain. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The BCB selectors did not choose him for the Champions Trophy when he failed a second bowling test in Chennai, despite the board's clarification that he was available to play as a batter in all domestic and international cricket. Article Source: IANS
30-year-old woman knocked down and killed by a speeding truck near Madhavaram
Adding more merry to the festive season, the countdown to the countrys biggest art carnival has begun. The sixth edition of the 110-day Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), titled For the Time Being, will open on December 12. TNIE walked the Biennale route in the Fort Kochi - Mattancherry area to get a sense of how preparations are shaping up for the mega festival. There is indeed an air of excitement and suspense around the venues. Artists, officials, contractors, architects, and workers are racing to ready all venues for the opening day. Tourists, meanwhile, pause to enquire about the goings-on. Hearing hammering and welding sounds from the heritage structure of Arthshila Kochi, a German tourist asks whether a renovation was under way. No, its the Kochi Biennale, replies a young volunteer, who goes on to explain the nitty gritty. Though initially disappointed that he would miss the event because of his holiday schedule, the tourist brightens up upon learning the Biennale runs until March. Oh, so I will plan another trip I will be back here, he beams. This years Biennale will showcase 66 artist projects from more than 25 countries, under the curatorial direction of Nikhil Chopra with HH Art Space, Goa. Eight venues will host the highlight exhibitions. A highlight is the display of works at St Andrew Parish Hall (Students Biennale), Fort Kochi, by young artists from the northeast, curated by the Anga Art Collective. St Andrew Parish Hall (Students Biennale), Fort Kochi This heritage hall will host budding artists from across India, transforming its corners, walls, and floors with their creations. A key highlight is the display of works by young artists from the northeast, curated by the Anga Art Collective. Introducing two young women artists from Arunachal Pradeshs Adi tribe in Upper Siang district, the curator notes that their project addresses menstrual issues. Overall, there will be 10 projects from the northeast. Another standout is an interactive project on Naturalism by Mahalakshmi, an MFA student from Chennai. Additional Students Biennale venues include BMS Warehouse, SPACE, Arthshila, and VKL Warehouse. The hall will also feature invitation projects. Arthshila Kochi (Students Biennale), Fort Kochi This revitalised heritage structure on Parade Road will house installations, new media works, documentary projects, and site-responsive pieces. Students Biennale projects here explore material ecologies, migration, digital identities, and climate anxieties concerns resonating strongly with emerging artists across the subcontinent. David Hall, Fort Kochi Built around 1695 by the Dutch East India Company as the residence of Governor Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein, David Hall will soon feature artwork by an artist from Nairobi. The project is curated by the Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI). The building later took its name from Jewish businessman David Koder. Other invitation venues include Space, Simi Warehouse, Oottupura, Jail of Freedom Struggle, and Devassy Jose & Sons, which will also host residencies. Arthshila Kochi (Students Biennale), Fort Kochi, where Students' Bienale projects will be shown. Anand Warehouse Pepper House, Fort Kochi A central courtyard installation by Utsa Hazarika an artist and writer based in New York will anchor the space. Her research-driven practice spans video, installation, and sculpture. Anand Warehouse, Mattancherry A major draw here will be Parliament of Ghosts by Ibrahim Mahama, known for large-scale collaborative installations, drawings, and sculptures. The project is being realised with the labour of Mattancherry women and materials sourced from local furniture shops. It is supported by the Sandeep and Gitanjali Maini Foundation. Nine artists will exhibit at this venue. Simi Warehouse, Mattancherry Alice Yard, a contemporary art collective from Trinidad and Tobago, will present An Instigators Handbook for Play, Friendship, Generosity and Autonomy. Devassy Jose Building. SPACE, Mattancherry Artists Jyoti Bhatt and Sujith S N will feature as part of the KMB exhibition here, alongside invitation and Students Biennale projects. Cube Art Space, Mattancherry This venue will host the final work by celebrated artist Vivan Sundaram, who passed away in 2023 Six Stations of a Life Pursued, a photography-based installation. It is structured as a journey marked by six stations, each a pause to release pain, witness beauty, confront horror, relinquish memory, and reclaim life. Aspinwall House & Directors Bungalow, Fort Kochi The Biennales most prestigious venue is nearing completion and promises to impress visitors. Installations and projects are being set up in the coir godown and the directors bungalow, while the garden will feature three outdoor installations, each presenting distinct concepts and visions. Twenty-five artists will exhibit here. Srishti Hall. The Pavilion, Bastion Bungalow, Fort Kochi Expected to be one of the liveliest venues, this Pavilion will host performances, sessions, and talks, and can accommodate around 250 people. Adjacent to it is a dedicated space for the Art by Children (ABC) project, which will also run near the Fort Kochi Water Metro terminal. New additions Other noteworthy venues include Willingdon Island Warehouse, hosting 12 artists including Marina Abramovi and Sabitha Kadannappally, and Durbar Hall, where works by Gulam Mohammed Sheikh will be shown, curated by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.
Identifying stressors and acting on them early can prevent binge eating, say specialists
Why do people resort to binge eating? Can it be controlled? Can it be reversed? What kind of medical treatment are available and what are the modalities?
Chennai, here we come a-carolling
A tragic incident unfolded in Kumbakonam where a Class 12 student succumbed to injuries sustained from an alleged attack by 14 Class 11 students. The assault, reportedly stemming from a class dispute, involved a wooden stick to the head, leading to critical brain injury. The accused have been apprehended and are in juvenile custody.
Man loses Rs 12 lakh in stock trading scheme; three held in Chennai
CHENNAI: The Western Zone Cyber Crime Police arrested three persons, including a woman, for cheating a Nolambur resident of Rs 12 lakh through a fake online stock-trading scheme. Police said Soundarajan (70) saw a Facebook advertisement on August 20 for Nuvama Wealth Group 605 promising high returns. After clicking the link, he was added to a WhatsApp group where the administrators posted trading advice and urged members to invest. Believing the scheme, Soundarajan transferred a sum of Rs 12 lakh in six instalments between September 30 and October 22 into bank accounts provided by the group. When he received neither profits nor refund, he filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and later approached the Western Zone Cyber Crime Police on November 22. A special team analysed the bank accounts and, and arrested Valavan (49) of Vadapalani, Sumi (43) of Saligramam and Karthikeyan (29) of Krishnagiri from Tiruvannamalai and Ranipet on December 5. Police seized two mobile phones, four passbooks, two cheque books and flight tickets indicating foreign travel. Investigation showed that Valavan and Sumi opened bank accounts under the name Charitable Spiritual Foundation and allowed cybercriminals to use them to move money across states. The accounts used in the fraud have 138 complaints nationwide. Karthikeyan is also wanted in seven theft cases. All three have been remanded.
Sanitary staff hold protest over GCCs uniform rule
CHENNAI: Around 200 sanitary workers from the Ambattur zone staged a protest outside the Ambattur office on Saturday, refusing to wear the uniforms mandated by the city corporation, claiming them to be uncomfortable. The protest escalated when the workers blocked the vehicle of Regional Deputy Commissioner (Central) H R Koushik around 8:30 pm, demanding the withdrawal of the uniform rule. Several police officials were deployed at the site from the afternoon and remained until 9 pm, after which the protesters dispersed. One of the protesters reported having sustained injury while police attempted to disperse them. TNIEs attempt to contact the corporation officials for a comment did not yield any response. Meanwhile, on the death anniversary of BR Ambedkar, sanitary workers from the Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar zones, who have been protesting for over 125 days demanding reinstatement of their jobs directly under the GCC, visited the Ambedkar statue at Periamet along with the petition. They were later called to the Ripon Building, where they met corporation joint commissioner K Karpagam. The pertitions would be forwarded to mayor R Priya, he said.
Two more foreign nationals held in drug case in Chennai
CHENNAI: The Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) on Saturday arrested a Sudanese man and a Nigerian national in connection with an expanding methamphetamine supply network operating across Tamil Nadu. With this, the number of foreign nationals arrested in narcotics cases in the city since August 2024 has risen to 29. ANIU and Vanagaram police picked up Mohant Movia Abdul Rahman, a native of Atbara, Sudan, currently residing in Bengaluru, and Nazi Lota Chukwu Emmanuel (27) of Nigeria. Police seized three mobile phones and a sum of Rs 1.41 lakh from them. Investigators said the duo was linked to a cartel supplying methamphetamine to local peddlers. Both were remanded after interrogation. The arrests are part of a sustained crackdown in which city police have so far detained 26 Nigerians, a Cameroonian and two Sudanese nationals. The enforcement drive traces back to a September 18 surveillance operation at Porur tollgate, where ANIU arrested Saranraj (36), Rekshit Regginmon (23) and Jamuna Kumar (27) with 13 g of methamphetamine, 150 g of ganja, two phones and a two-wheeler. Their interrogation led to the arrest of four absconding suspects on September 21 -- Pawankumar (38), Hasik Pasha (30), Arumugam (42) and Prabhakaran (35) from whom police recovered 5 g of methamphetamine, 12 MDMA tablets, two phones and a digital scale. Officials said efforts are underway to track the remaining members of the network and map the cartels supply routes.
Shakespeare Millennium Club conducts free health camp at Annai Velankanni Church
Metrowater hikes tanker tariffs; removes daily cap on complexes
Officials say price has been revised after six years to offset growing production costand higher rates quoted by tankers that operate on contract; large-capacity lorries will cater to the suburbs; residents seek expansion of piped network
To cut delay, TN to roll out new portal for PhD scholars from next academic yr
Poor drainage network raises a stink at Tambaram
Every year on December 10th, Chennai's close-knit Tibetan community comes together to celebrate the Dalai Lama's Nobel Peace Prize with vibrant festivities. This year, the event, curated by Friends of Tibet, showcases delicious vegetarian momos alongside captivating folk dances.
Margazhi Matram shines with its vibrant sign language choir, fostering community spirit, while cozy caf performances such as 'Kaapi Ragam' and 'A Carnatic Shot' enchant listeners with their unique flair. Kalakshetra proudly revives its signature 14-year dance drama, with a heartfelt event honoring the legendary Muthuswami Dikshitar.
Players of Malaysia and Switzerland vie for the ball during the FIH Hockey Mens Junior World Cup 2025, at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai, on Saturday. Malaysia won the 1316th place semifinals match 7-3. (PTI)
Oz varsity to start India ops next year
The University of Western Australia is establishing two Indian campuses in Chennai and Mumbai, aiming to launch its first academic program from Chennai by August 2026. These campuses will operate as a single UWA entity, awarding Australian degrees. Chennai will initially focus on technology, while Mumbai will be business-oriented, with undergraduate programs leading to postgraduate offerings.
The Banyan launches Keshav Desiraju Lived Experience Repository
Two foreign nationals arrested by Chennai police in drugs case
GCC to expand railway pond on Old Goodshed Road to 7.13 acre
BJP wont enter TN as long as DMK cadres exist: Dy CM
Nanjil Sampath appointed as TVKs campaign secretary
Field trips to citys urban farms help schoolchildren to learn from nature
Size of these farms vary from 30 cents to a few acres, with crops such as paddy being grown on them; students are taught to do farm work and given farm fresh food, while introduced to a nature-centric lifestyle; some offer programmes and syllabuses focusing on practical aspects of farming
Ambedkar-Kalaignar fellowship launched by SOAS, London
Son forged docs, says Ramadoss in plaint
Unaware of Cong leader meeting Vijay: TNCC chief
Mrs. YGP Centenary Annual Festival of Music and Dance inaugurated at PSBB
Meet Raghavasimhan Sankaranarayanans robotic violinist Hathaani
The Chennai-born engineer-musicians robotic violinist blends the soul of South Indian music with cutting-edge technology. Raghavasimhan Sankaranarayanans robotic violinist Hathaani blends the soul of South Indian music with cutting-edge technology
SOAS launches Ambedkar-Kalaignar Fellowship for social justice and federalism
Ramadoss lodges complaint against his son for 'forging' documents
TGSRTC to run buses from RGIA to Bluru, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada
Railways announces 84 special trains following IndiGo flight cancellations
The Indian Railways on Saturday announced 84 special trains, set to make 104 trips, to help people facing travel disruptions due to the mass flight cancellations by IndiGo. According to the Railway Ministry, the trains were arranged in the shortest possible time after assessing passenger traffic in major hubs including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Patna and Howrah. Officials said the number of special services may increase depending on demand. All zones have been instructed to utilise every available resource, rolling stock and manpower to safely operate these trains for the convenience of passengers hit by the cancellations, said Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (Information & Publicity), Railway Board. Railway divisions have also begun circulating information at airports to assist stranded flyers. The South Eastern Railway has coordinated with the Airport Authority to publicise the special services, while other zones have issued similar notifications. The Western Railway will operate seven special trains on special fares, covering routes such as Mumbai CentralNew Delhi, Mumbai CentralBhiwani, Mumbai CentralShakur Basti, Bandra TerminusDurgapura, ValsadBilaspur, SabarmatiDelhi, and SabarmatiDelhi Sarai Rohilla. The South Central Railway announced four special trains to handle the spike in last-minute travellers, while the Central and Northern Railways have planned 14 and 10 services respectively, with more under consideration. For at least five days in a row, IndiGo flight operations have significantly disrupted, with a large number of cancellations and delays causing hardships to thousands of passengers. (With inputs from PTI) 'Two days at airport and no one to help': Passengers vent after IndiGo cancels all flights from Delhi
Additional chair cars and sleeper class coaches have been deployed on high-demand routes.
Russian Couple, Man Who Lost Mother: Passengers Stranded Amid IndiGo Chaos
IndiGo's disruptions were reduced at the Chennai airport on Saturday after the Centre relaxed some Flight Duty Time Limitations, but several passengers remained stranded following cancellations,
Global Alumni MeetofVivekanandaCollege on December 20
Refund ultimatum: Government orders IndiGo to pay back passengers by Sunday
CHENNAI: IndiGos massive operational breakdown, marked by widespread cancellations and delays across major Indian airports, has triggered a strong intervention by the government. In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has ordered IndiGo to clear all pending passenger refunds by 8:00 PM on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The directive comes with a stern warning: failure to comply will result in immediate regulatory action. Passengers whose flights were cancelled or disrupted are now guaranteed full refunds automatically to their original mode of payment, and the airline is prohibited from charging any fee for rescheduling. The order aims to protect travellers from being penalised for an operational failure that was entirely out of their control. IndiGo, which has apologised for the chaos, had earlier pledged refunds for all bookings between December 5 and December 15, along with waivers on cancellation or rescheduling, and additional support like accommodation, meals and assistance for stranded passengers. But the governments fresh order tightens the deadline and sets a hard end date for the refund process, putting the airlines commitment under close regulatory watch. For thousands of passengers stranded or left uncertain by the cancellation spree, the governments move restores a measure of hope and ensures that affected travellers are not left bearing the cost of disruption. The coming days will show whether IndiGo manages to meet the deadline or faces the consequences of non-compliance.
SCR Operates Special Trains to Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata to Clear Extra Rush
The SCR is operating special trains to clear extra rush
No basis for communal tension claims at Thirupparankundram: T.N. BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Mr. Nagenthran said: The dargah administrators had not objected to lighting the lamp on the deepathoon and therefore, there was no reason to suggest that communal unrest would occur in Thirupparankundram.
Southern Railway announces special trains to clear rush amid flight disruptions
Amid the ongoing flight disruptions across the country, Southern Railway announced special trains between Chennai Egmore and Hyderabads Charlapalli station and from Secunderabad to Chennai Egmore
Chennai law student arrested for attempted kidnapping of woman after harassing her
Webinar examining binge behaviours and addictive patterns to be held on December 7
The session will explore the causes of addictive patterns, especially around food, including cravings, emotional triggers, and hard-to-break habits. It will also offer practical tools for everyday life and guidance for families to provide support
Some IndiGo flights depart from Chennai airport, but spate of cancellations continues
Delays persisted, but from 3 a.m. onwards, flights to cities including Pune, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Coimbatore, and Kochi departed from the city airport
Kamal Haasan visits AVM Saravana's home upon returning to Chennai
Actor Kamal Haasan visited the residence of late producer AVM Saravanan upon his return to Chennai, extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Haasan, who was abroad during Saravanan's funeral, had previously expressed his deep respect for the producer, calling him a father figure who shaped his cinematic journey. The visit underscored their enduring bond beyond their film collaborations.
IndiGo meltdown throws KIA into chaos
BENGALURU: Thousands of passengers were stranded at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Friday as Terminal 1, known for its iconic design, descended into chaos, overcrowding and exhaustion, resembling a refugee camp. As 292 IndiGo flights were cancelled and abrupt disruptions continued for the fourth day on Friday, there was little clarity and passengers frustration only grew. Arguments broke out between passengers, airline staff and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel. Fares on other airlines skyrocketed to Rs 1 lakh for routes to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. With limited seating available, families and solo travellers stretched out on the floors, some sleeping on jackets, while others leaning against luggage, turning the terminal into a crowded waiting hall. A family enroute to Haridwar for asthi visarjan was stranded, even as the daughter of the deceased held a urn that had the remains of her father. They had no option other than paying exorbitant sums for an alternative ticket. Even as passengers struggled, no food or alternative flight arrangements were made. Hyderabad-bound passenger Jayesh Menon told TNIE that flyers were initially informed about one-hour delays, that repeated multiple times before the flights were cancelled. But even a bigger crisis awaited flyers as many were unable to retrieve their checked-in baggage for four to five hours. People are angry, sad, every emotion you can think of, he added. Several stranded passengers continued waiting for their luggage late into the evening, while others scrambled to find alternative travel arrangements amid disruptions, he added. Airfares surge tenfold on certain routes on Saturday as IndiGo cancels 1,000 flights on Friday RANCHI TO BLURU: A 36-HR ORDEAL What should have taken a routine 2.5-hour journey from Ranchi to Bengaluru turned out to be a 36-hour ordeal for Sanjay Choraria and his wife. They started on Thursday at 7 am to reach the airport early for their 8.50 am IndiGo flight, only to face repeated one-hour delays that stretched endlessly until the airline abruptly cancelled the flight at 4 pm. The only alternative offered was a punishing detour - Ranchi to Kolkata to Chennai to Bengaluru. But a bigger nightmare awaited them on the Kolkata to Chennai with the 9.40 pm departure repeatedly pushed past midnight and to 2.30 am. It finally took off at 4 am after tensions boiled over. In Chennai, passengers were dealt another blow when the final flight to Bengaluru was cancelled. Exhausted and out of options, the couple hired a private cab and reached Bengaluru at 7 pm on Friday. HUBBALLI BRIDE, GROOM ATTEND RECEPTION ONLINE Hubballi: It was a full house at a marriage hall in Hubballi. There were close to 700 guests who arrived to bless the couple for their reception. But there were no bride and groom. They came on live on screen from Bhubaneshwar. Following countrywide delays in air traffic involving Indigo Airlines, the bride and groom could not make it. However, the brides parents were at the venue to complete the rituals. The parents of the bride, Medha, at the last minute decided to host the party and ensured the bride and groom got ready and came online at the marriage hall. Medha and Sangam Das were married on December 23 in Odisha and the reception was scheduled on December 3 in Hubballi. They were to fly to Mumbai on December 2 and then to Hubballi. -- Amit S Upadhye IndiGo pilots and crew say management failures left staff to face public ire amid mass cancellations
Indigo crisis: cancellations leave passengers high and Dry
CHENNAI: Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Chennai International Airport on Friday after IndiGo cancelled all its flights departing from the T1 terminal, triggering confusion, frayed tempers and soaring travel costs. Crowds, many sleepless, hungry and dehydrated, gathered outside IndiGos counters. According to officials, all services to Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad scheduled before 6 pm were cancelled. With seats scarce on other carriers, fares surged dramatically, in some cases more than fivefold, leaving many stranded both physically and financially. The prices are astronomical between Rs 35,000 and Rs 50,000 for a ticket to Mumbai, said Prabhans, a traveller from Delhi who had flown to Chennai for a US visa interview. Travelling without luggage as per consulate rules, he found his return flight cancelled. I tried to book other airlines, but dynamic pricing pushed fares beyond Rs 35,000, he added. Fares on competing carriers climbed steadily. A SpiceJet ticket to Mumbai crossed Rs 50,000, while Bengaluru-bound trips touched Rs 25,000. Hyderabad-bound fares approached Rs 50,000. Several airline counters were closed early, displaying full signs. For some, the disruption had more severe consequences. Acharya (70), travelling with his family, lost his flight to Bengaluru, and missed his connecting Qantas service to Sydney. Now we have to wait four days before we can even think of travelling, he said. Nearby, Shirundu Mazumdar and his wife, Seema, sat huddled against a wall after a medical trip to Chennai. Their flight to Bagdogra was cancelled after their bags had been checked in. We left home at 6 am and only found out here. There are no arrangements, not even water, Seema said. Among those affected was Reeta Kumari (55) from Varanasi, returning from a pilgrimage to Madurai. She discovered her onward flights to Bengaluru and Varanasi had been cancelled only after landing. A group of 50 students from a Hyderabad on a field trip to Puducherry sat on the floor under the supervision of a teacher. We were not informed that the flight was cancelled, their teacher said. (With inputs from B Anbuselvan @ Chennai)
Ayurvedic doc arrested for prescribing allopathy meds
CHENNAI: A 42-year-old man, a Class 10 fail, has been arrested for allegedly posing as an ayurvedic doctor and prescribing allopathic medicines for the last 15 years. Police identified the suspect as R Venkatesan, running SRS Ayurvedic Clinic on Second Main Road, Anna Nagar, for the past two years. The action follows a tip-off from the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services claiming that he was treating patients without a medical degree or licence. A joint team of health officials and the police inspected the clinic and found Venkatesan did not possess any valid documents or qualifications. Investigators also said he had been offering treatment in parts of north Chennai for nearly 15 years. When a patient tells him about his medical issues, Venkatesan asks them to return the next day, and in the meantime, visits a nearby allopathy doctor pretending as a patient. After getting the the required medicine from the doctor, he gives it to the patient who approached him, Venkatesan was remanded in Puzhal prison on Friday. The issue came to light following a complaint filed by Ravi (46), a resident of Thirumangalam. He said he had visited the clinic in August for back pain. After takin Venkatesans allopathic medicines, Ravi developed stomach problems. When Ravi questioned him, Venkatesan was unable to provide a proper explanation.
Ponds vital, SWDs alone cant tackle flood: GCC
CHENNAI: With the public raising questions on the reliance of pumps to clear water stagnation even after constructing stormwater drains (SWDs) by spending thousands of crores across the city, a senior Greater Chennai Corporation official on Friday emphasised that SWDs are just one among the many solutions, and are not the only way to prevent inundation. Speaking to reporters, GCC deputy commissioner (Works) V Sivakrishnamurthy said with more than 60 to 65% of the city lying below the sea level, SWDs alone cannot tackle the situation. That is why the civic body is also focussing on canal desilting and upgrades, and creation and rejuvenation of ponds, he said. On the deployment of 1,446 pumps across the city with many being high capacity of 100 HP, he said they were brought in only as an additional measure to drain out water. He said with Chennai receiving three phases of rains so far this year, a total of 243 spots faced stagnation, and only in 61 spots it persisted even after the rains. However, even in those spots inundation was cleared within two to three hours, he contended. He said GCCs interventions are yielding better results since 87 locations faced such inundation last year. Out of 246 ponds across the city, for the past four years, the city corporation worked on 231 ponds, which are mostly upgraded and created. This year alone, 31 new ponds were dug and 47 ponds rejuvenated. In addition, last year, bonly 32 sponge parks existed, it has now been increased to 108 parks within eight to nine months, he said. As a result, the earlier water holding capacity of 1.05TMC via ponds has been increased to 1.1TMC, which is a difference of around 1.42 billion litres.
