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TN set to ink investment MoUs with global and domestic shipbuilding firms in TN Rising Madurai
SCHEDULE FOR WEB MORNING 630 AM TOMORROWThe shipping industry investment commitments come at a time when TN is in the process of formalising a Maritime and Shipbuilding Policy to incentivise new shipyards and attract global companies
TN to sign 91 MoUs worth 36,660 crore on Sunday at TN Rising Conclave, Madurai
The MoUs will generate 56,766 new jobs, according to a government press release
Melamadai flyover in Madurai to be named after freedom fighter Velu Nachiyar
The flyover is scheduled to be inaugurated on Sunday (December 7)
DMK faces off with BJP in LS on Deepam row
NEW DELHI: Even as the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Friday said it would hear all appeals in the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam case on December 12, the issue triggered an acrimonious exchange between BJP and DMK members in the Lok Sabha. The ruckus began during the Zero Hour after senior DMK leader TR Baalu raised concerns over the verdict by the high court. The HC judge had allowed petitioners to light the lamp on a stone pillar, Deepathoon, on the Thiruparankundram hill against the century-old custom followed by Tamil Nadus HR&CE department. The state government had defied the December 1 order of Justice GR Swaminathan, apprehending communal tensions in the state. The SC on Friday agreed to hear the states appeal challenging the HCs order. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Baalu accused the BJP of trying to ignite communal tension in Tamil Nadu and claimed that the judge belongs to a particular ideology. Who should light the deepam on the hill? Whether the Hindu Religious Endowment Board representative or some miscreants who have got a judgment from a Madras HC judge? he asked. Taking exception to Baalus reference to the judges ideology, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the DMK leader cannot cast aspersions on the judiciary and urged the chair to expunge the remarks. In the history of our Parliamentary democracy, we have upheld the discipline of avoiding disparaging remarks, Rijiju said. Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam row: Madras HC to hear appeals on December 12 TN targeting a particular community: Union minister We are not opposed to what he wants to express, but he cannot use unparliamentary language. This will lead to unnecessary trouble not only for you, but for your party as well, Rijiju added. While Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was in the chair, allowed Union Minister L Murugan from the treasury benches to intervene and reply, opposition members rose in protest against the decision. Murugan accused the state government of denying devotees the right to worship at the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple. The state government is targeting a particular community and law and order of that region is being vitiated, he alleged. He claimed TN police had arrested devotees, who were proceeding to the temple to light the deepam as per the HC orders. The TN BJP president too has been arrested, he said. As he was speaking, some DMK members walked up to Rijijus seat, prompting the chair to ask the protesting members to confine themselves to the Well. Although the chair said Baalus remark would be removed from the record, the latter argued that the judge had himself acknowledged an association with the organisation. SC to consider TNs plea against HC order on lamp lighting at Thiruparankundram DMKs parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi, who spoke to the media later, condemned Rijiju for the intimidating tone he had used against Baalu. Blaming Murugan for providing false information on the issue during the Zero Hour, she said unnecessary problems were being created by the BJP in Thiruparankundram to infuse communal hatred among the people when people have offered prayers at the temple in the hill in harmony for long. She said that manufacturing such issues will not help the BJP since the Tamil people know who is working in their interests and who is creating differences. Meanwhile, normalcy began to return to Thiruparankundram on Friday even as heavy police deployment continued across the foothills and the hilltop, restricting access to the summit. Police are expected to continue high-alert deployment until clarity emerges on the issue.
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)
Stalin says people of Madurai want development projects
International documentary and short film festival in Madurai
DMK is resorting to minority appeasement, says BJP leader Annamalai
He criticises the government for defying the orders of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that allowed 10 persons to climb the Thirupparankundram hill and light the lamp on dheepathoon
DMK, BJP Members Face-Off in LS Over 'Karthigai Deepam' at Madurai Temple
DMK members stormed the Well of the Lok Sabha and tried to raise the issue of the lighting of the 'Karthigai Deepam' at the stone lamp pillar on the Tirrupparankundram hillock near Madurai
In a social media post, Mr. Rajaa contended CM M.K. Stalin was working day and night to bring investments, jobs, and prosperity to the State but the BJP and its allies are doing everything they can to incite riots and destroy the peace and tranquility of our State.
DMK, BJP members face-off in Lok Sabha over 'Karthigai Deepam' at Thirupparankundram temple
DMK members stormed the Well of the Lok Sabha and tried to raise the issue of the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the stone lamp pillar on the Thirupparankundram hillock near Madurai
Lok Sabha Chaos: DMK, BJP clash over Karthigai Deepam lighting at Madurai temple
Lok Sabha witnessed a heated exchange over the lighting of a traditional lamp at a hilltop temple near Madurai. DMK accused BJP of inciting communal tensions, while Union Minister L Murugan criticized the Tamil Nadu government for denying worship rights.
People of Madurai want development politics, not other kinds of politics: T.N. CM Stalin
In light of the Tirpparankundram row in Madurai, the CM asked in a social media post whether the city needed development politics or some other kind of politics
Constitutional Crisis: Are Court Orders And Hindu Rights Now Optional In Tamil Nadu?
Yesterday was a sad day for Hindus in Tamil Nadu, and for the rule of law. In two separate matters at the hoary Thiruparankundram on the outskirts of Madurai and the Mandu Kovil site at Perumal Kovilpatti in Dindigul, the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) unambiguously allowed Hindus to light the Karthigai Deepam lamp. In Continue reading Constitutional Crisis: Are Court Orders And Hindu Rights Now Optional In Tamil Nadu? The post Constitutional Crisis: Are Court Orders And Hindu Rights Now Optional In Tamil Nadu? appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .
Created almost 90 years ago, kari dosa bridges generations through spice and nostalgia. We trace the origin of Madurais signature dish
Enduring symbol of a lasting bond between great music and fine food
Madurai ManiIyerlived in a house for 10 years inMayiladuthuraiafter leaving Madras in 1939following the evacuation during the Second World War. After returning to Madras in 1955, he sold the house toAgoramIyer, a celebrated cook, rejecting a higher bid
NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court's order quashing the prohibitory order issued by the Madurai District Collector in the Thiruparankundram region. The prohibitory order had been issued following clashes that erupted during the implementation of a court order passed on Wednesday, which allowed devotees to visit the temple and light lamps at the stone pillar. Tamil Nadu government sources told The New Indian Express that they will seek an urgent hearing on Friday. However, as per the Supreme Court's causelist available until 10:50 pm on Thursday, the matter is not scheduled for hearing on Friday. A lawyer connected to the case, who requested anonymity, said the issue is highly sensitive and further details could not be provided at this time. Please wait until Friday at 10:30 am, the lawyer said. Earlier on Thursday, Justice G.R. Swaminathan quashed the Tamil Nadu government order, observing that it had been issued solely to circumvent the implementation of the court directive. The High Court also directed the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, to provide police protection to devotees lighting lamps at the Deepathoon (stone pillar) located on the lower hilltop of the Thiruparankundram hills. The Tamil Nadu government has filed the appeal in the apex court through a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the final judgment and order dated December 4, 2025, passed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. Madras HC flays government, tells petitioner to light deepam under CISF security at Thiruparankundram
35-year-old man dies in road accident on Madurai-Tiruchi National Highway
'Ulterior Motive': HC Rejects Plea Against Devotees Lighting Lamps Near Thiruparankundram Dargah
Madras HC dismissed the appeal by Madurai officials, allowing Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple devotees to light Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon atop Thiruparankundram hills.
Trouble began on Wednesday when activists from right-wing groups clashed with police after state government officials failed to light the sacred lamp at the hilltop stone lamp pillar. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had earlier directed that the lamp must be lit at the hilltop temple itself.
Section 144 Imposed As Clashes Erupt Over Temple Lighting At Thirupurankundram Hill In Madurai
Tension at Thirupurankundram hill in Madurai as Hindu activists clashed with police over Karthigai Deepam lighting. BJP leaders condemned DMK government actions.
Scuffle at Thiruparankundram in Madurai; prohibitory orders imposed; 2 cops injured
Cocking A Snook: Court Raps Tamil Nadu For Disobeying Temple Lamp Order
In a late-evening development today, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court pulled up the Tamil Nadu government for wilful disobedience after the Karthigai Deepam (holy lamp) was not lit on the ancient Deepathoon pillar at Thirupparankundram.
Madurai witnesses heavy downpour in evening
Registrations open for The Hindu Deepa Kolam 2025
The Karthigai Dheepam special contest will select the best lamp arrangements among contestants from Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchi, and Coimbatore
Transport workers seek regulation of minibus service in Madurai
INTERVIEW | 1 extra week not enough, BLOs scramble to meet deadline
They want to remove people who they believe will not vote for them, DMK MP Kanimozhi tells TNIE , interpreting the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah the SIR exercise is to purify electoral rolls. Excerpts: The Election Commission has extended the deadline for submitting SIR forms by a week. Is it enough? It is not sufficient. We need more time. Many people travel, and not everyone lives in their birthplace; they often return home to vote. With such short notice, they may not be able to return on time, and in states like Tamil Nadu, the administration and the government are also battling the monsoons. TN was among the first to approach the Supreme Court seeking a halt to the SIR process. Why? We are challenging the constitutionality of the entire process. This exercise effectively strips people of their voting rightsa fundamental constitutional right. Another major concern is the rushed timeline. The previous SIR exercise took more than six months. If the government were serious, it could have announced it earlier, properly trained officials, and allowed sufficient time to verify and rectify. It doesnt end with losing voting rights. This will lead to mass disenfranchisement. If people are excluded from the rolls now, will they later be treated as non-citizens? What are the consequences of that? There is also the issue of delimitation. Once rolls shrink, the number of seats allocated to states will be affected. If lakhs of names are removed from the rolls, states stand to lose even more representation. What are the concerns youre hearing from the ground in TN? There is inhuman pressure on the BLOs. Weve already seen SIR-related BLO deaths reported across states. BLOs are overworked. They have been given this additional burden without adequate time for training. Has the state government taken steps to mitigate the woes of the BLOs? We are doing everything possible, including bringing in volunteers and providing additional help, wherever necessary. There is only so much pressure we can alleviate. In many households, especially in rural areas, no one is at home during the day. Even in cities, both adults often work. Reaching people under these conditions is not easy. Another problem is that 2002 to 2004 was used as the baseline year for the voter rolls. Most people would not have those documents readily available. How can we expect everyone to produce them? Amit Shah says the SIR is to purify voter rolls and remove illegal immigrants. This is exactly what they want. They want to remove people who they believe will not vote for them, people they do not want included in their idea of this country. Anyone they consider not eligible, according to their own standards, is being targeted. In their view, this becomes another form of cleansing. But this notion of cleansing itself is deeply troubling and difficult to comprehend. TN is heading to elections shortly. Do you think the SIR process will have an impact on the results? We are being extremely vigilant. Our party leadership is on the ground, working to ensure that things proceed correctly. We have learnt lessons from the Bihar elections. Minority communities are even more vigilant, and we are trying to ensure that no one is left out. But anything happening beyond our control is outside our scope. The CJI has raised a key question: If an intruder obtains an Aadhaar card, should that person automatically be allowed to vote? How will state governments tackle such concerns? They say Aadhaar is no proof of citizenship. The EC needs additional proof. States have no say in determining citizenship, the onus lies with the MHA. The Bihar election went ahead though the SC was still hearing the SIR case. So, apart from pursuing legal remedies, what other avenues are you mulling? Our party leaders and cadres are on the ground as registered agents, doing everything to ensure nothing goes wrong, and no one is denied voting rights. But the onus is entirely on the EC to ensure that the process is fair and transparent. The AIADMK has gone to the SC in favour of the SIR. Will it impact the case? They are behaving like a B-team, echoing their masters voice. In this case, the master is BJP, and AIADMK is not just reflecting that voice, it is also amplifying it even louder. How do you see the SCs reply to the presidential reference on timelines for the president and governor? Is it a setback to TN and other opposition states? We have repeatedly said that the BJP uses governors as political tools. Although the President appoints the governors, they dont act as impartial constitutional authorities. Instead, they often behave like opposition leaders, creating obstacles for non-BJP governments in various states. This is something we must seriously examine. The DMK has consistently maintained that we do not need governors, and it is high time we reconsider this position. People need to understand why a governor who acts against the will of the people is unnecessary. As Chief Minister M K Stalin has clarified, the SC opinion in response to the presidential reference will not affect the April 8, 2025 verdict in the case of State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu. Do you think the INDIA bloc needs to be strengthened after the Bihar results? There have been many voices coming out criticising Congress. The opposition must remain strong, and it is our duty to safeguard democracy and uphold its secular character. The DMK is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting Indias secular democracy. CM Stalin wrote a letter to PM Modi expressing anguish over the rejection of the proposals for Metro Rail systems in Coimbatore and Madurai. Yes. We have similar projects in other cities, such as Agra and Patna. But in our case, they claim that there isnt enough population to justify certain measures. Both Coimbatore and Madurai have large floating populations. People come there from across the country for business, education, and to visit temples. This clearly would have warranted different considerations. Its unfair to apply two different yardsticks in this way.
Karthigai Deepam To Be Lit At Ancient Pillar In Madurai's Thirupparankundram: High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered that, apart from the customary lighting of the festival lamp near the Uchi Pillaiyar Temple, the Deepam must also be lit at the Deepathoon, an ancient stone lamp pillar.
Global summit of Tamil entrepreneurs and professionals to be held in Madurai in January
Inspectors posted in Madurai city
FIH Junior WC: Netherlands, Spain continue winning run
Madurai, Nov 30: World No. 4 Spain placed themselves on course for a quarterfinal spot, beating Belgium 2-0 to register their second consecutive win in a Pool D match of the FIH Junior Mens Hockey World Cup here on Sunday. Spain scored through Juan Prados (20th minute) field strike and a penalty corner conversion by []
From Jasmine to Kanakambaram: How flowers in Chennai reveal caste, class divides
As the morning light filters through the doorway of Sujathas puja room in central Chennai, she kneels before the altar, arranging fresh malli buds and tulsi leaves with practised hands. Saraswati receives the first strand, followed by Kubera, Mahalakshmi, Vinayagar, and Perumal. Each deity has its place and preference. After gods are pleased, the remnant flowers go in her own hair. She favours the white flowers. But there are flowers she will never wear. The bold orange kanakambaram, for instance, vivid against dark hair, lasting longer than the expensive whites that fade by afternoon. She has never worn it. Not once. They say some flowers suit decent girls and some make you look local, Sujatha says. If you wear white jasmine or mullai, you are seen as respectable. If you wear kanakambaram, you are labelled lower class. A lesson taught since her childhood. In another part of the city, writer Shalin Maria Lawrence wears her flowers differently. Three mozham minimum, long, fragrant, and abundant. I cannot wear just one or two mozham. I need three or more, very long. She recalls her jasmine varieties like long-lost friends. Madurai malli is one of the best, you can see the quality, completely different from other mallis. Next to that, Velankanni malli is my favourite. Its almost greenish, like moonlight. But the flowers of North Madras carry different names and different histories. Working-class women from my area preferred kanakambaram and December poo. The latter is a light violet shade available only during Margazhi. Then there was kadhambam, the cheapest option, a mixture of leftover flowers. A bit of green tulsi, malli, and kanakambaram, like the Indian flag colours. Vendors and working-class women wore it, Shalin explains. She maps the flowers onto communities. Kanakambaram is usually worn by Dalit-Bahujan-Adivasi (DBA) women. I have never seen upper-caste women wear kanakambaram; they do but mostly only for Instagram. They wont wear any flower other than malli because malli is considered pure. Shalin admits to choosing kanakambaram deliberately for the cover of her upcoming book Pombala Panchayat because it reflects DBA working-class politics. People even call kanakambaram velakaran gappu, the flower of vegetable sellers, associated with working women selling groceries on the streets. The economics of flowers is clear. Malli, for North Madras people, always denoted a higher class. Theatre artiste A Mangai confirms this reading. Flowers are not merely decorative. There is a deeper politics behind who wears what. Dominant caste people dont wear kanakambaram because they think it belongs to a lower community. My mother never let me wear too much kanakambaram, Mangai recalls. Maybe because of this social perception. Religious identities layer onto the choices too. Shalin informs, For festivals, we use lily, but lily is seen as a Christian flower, offered to St Joseph. Now my daughter likes lotus for Buddha Purnima. In North Madras, during full moon, Buddhist communities buy all the lotuses. You wont find even one. The visual language of flowers too speaks volumes according to photographer Poongodi Mathiarasu. He says, Kanakambaram is mostly worn by working-class women, often paired with a rose, creating a perfect colour wheel combination that complements the skin tone of marginalised women. Colourism also influences the choice of flowers. The formula When Shalin worked in an IT company where many employees were Brahmins, she observed a different aesthetic. Married Brahmin women wore just a tiny thundu of flowers, never long strands. They said long flowers are only for weddings. Every day, they must put a little, for god and for identity. The formula became upper-caste identity equals small, controlled, cultured flower. Long, fragrant flowers equal immoral or seductive. If I wear a lot of mallipoo with sari, some men say I look like an item. In malls, if I wear kanakambaram, people stare. They think its ugly. But its a beautiful colour! Cinema has long reinforced these codes, casting flowers especially jasmine as tokens of seduction. Film critic Ranjani Krishnakumar, who has been examining floral adornment in Tamil cinema has found this to be true in her decade-old research paper too, but now sees the narratives shifting. In the context of marriageability, she notes the shifts in recent films. Take Veera Dheera Sooran, for instance. The wedding scene places pre-marital sex (non-chaste) and remarriage (immodest) squarely within the bounds of nativity, almost casually, without special drama around it. Youll see the female lead dressed as the traditional bride, wearing copious mallipoo, even as she isnt, by traditional standards, the ideal bride. Meanwhile, Nila, of Kudumbasthan, doesnt bother with any of that no sari, no flowers at her registrar office wedding. In another class, in Vidaamuyarchi, we see Kayal wear flowers at her wedding, but she is surely modern in that shes unlikely to be caught wearing flowers outside of social situations that especially demand it. Neither would Shriya of Kadhalikka Neramillai. Ranjani observes that in each of these stories, flowers are almost incidental. It is perhaps coincidental that each of these women then go on to break the boundaries of what marriage itself is. Flowers as signals In thousands of garment factories across Tamil Nadu, flowers carry additional weight. Writers Nandita Shivakumar and Nikita Joseph have documented how women workers endure punishing shifts racing to complete targets as high as 1,000 pieces daily, but with flowers in their hair. In their research, they observed that these flowers come at minimal cost. Temple offerings, children picking blooms before school, home gardens grown in repurposed paint tins. One worker, Lakshmi from Erode, told them: The jasmine flower scent helps with the headaches from the factory chemicals and heat. Its better than medicine, and we cant afford medicine anyway. The Tamil Nadu Textile and Common Labour Union has observed another dimension, the researchers note. Union organiser Muthumari explained to them: When a woman who regularly wears flowers to the factory suddenly stops, we know to check on her. Its often a silent signal that shes facing violence at home. Mangai confirms this extends beyond factories. In rural Tamil Nadu, certain flowers have even been used as a sign of domestic abuse, placed outside the house as a signal. What remains Mangai maintains her relationship with flowers on her own terms. I love flowers. They bring joy to the moment. They may wither quickly, but they are full of life right now. When she travels outside Tamil Nadu, the teasing begins, she says. Cinema stereotypes South Indians. Jasmine in the hair becomes a caricature. But I like wearing flowers, even if people tease me for looking too Madrasi. In Delhi and Bombay, friends would laugh. But I still do wear them. Shalins therapist recently gave her specific advice: restart buying mallipoo. She recalls how her uncle, who worked at Simpsons, where gardens grew thick with flowers, would bring her malli. He would bring mallipoo for me in the evenings, she says, adding how she would then string it with the neighbourhood akkas and paatis, using banana fibre. Its a whole mindfulness process, she says. Mangai also frames it anthropologically. Anthropologically, flowers were the first human adornment. The desire to be beautiful is an evolved human idea. Shalin, meanwhile, frames it politically. Flowers are used as weapons of seduction, which affects how women are treated. But they should only be used for our individual happiness. However, people also note that flowers are fast disappearing. Last year in Nagarcoil, I bought kanakambaram, but now in Chennai, its rare. Women who used to wear it have stopped. Even their daughters dont wear it. You wont see kanakambaram in Anna Nagar or the posh areas, you only see them near temples or local streets, Shalin notes. Sujatha has also noticed this shift. Back then, mothers wore flowers proudly. Todays kids arent wearing them like the way we used to do. They only do it for special occasions. Despite flowers disappearing on many fronts, one might wonder if something as small and seemingly simple as flowers could carry the weight of caste and class. But as Shalin correctly puts it, Hierarchy is in the eyes of the people who view them.
T.N. Forest Dept. to conduct tree census and green space survey in six major cities
Besides Chennai, the survey will cover Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Madurai, Tiruchi, and Salem
Drunk youth hurls petrol bomb at Guindy apartment, arrested
CHENNAI: A 25-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly hurling a crude petrol bomb into an apartment complex in Guindy during the early hours of the day. The accused was identified as R Vijaya Prabhakaran of Guindy, who installs false ceilings for a living. According to police, Vijaya Prabhakaran entered the apartment premises allegedly under the influence of alcohol, carrying a liquor bottle filled with petrol and hurled it before fleeing. The bottle landed on a car belonging to Ram Nithish, an engineer from Madurai employed in the city. The Molotov cocktail exploded near the right rear-view mirror, sending flames across the sides of the vehicle. The right wheel was completely gutted in the fire, which was soon put out by security staff and residents. Following a complaint from Nithish, Guindy police examined CCTV footage and traced the suspect. Police said Vijaya Prabhakaran, who lives alone, is addicted to alcohol and drugs and had also thrown stones into the same apartment complex last Saturday. However, no complaint was lodged at that time. He was arrested, produced before a magistrate, and remanded in judicial custody.
Air service cancelled in Madurai, Thoothukudi
Two from Madurai killed in a road accident near Thuvarankurichi
Air India, IndiGo Issue Advisories As Cyclone Ditwah Batters Southern Routes
Cyclone Ditwah disrupts flights in Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Puducherry, and Sri Lanka. Air India and IndiGo issue advisories as IMD warns of heavy rain.
A Madurai scented by the malli and music
Over centuries, the temple town of Madurai has nurtured culture, with many musicians and composers tracing their roots to Tamil Nadus thoonga nagaram
Over 50 flights from Chennai cancelled as Cyclone Ditwah approaches TN coast
CHENNAI: The flights connecting Chennai with southern districts and parts of Kerala and Karnataka are likely to face major disruption as Cyclone Ditwah approaches the state coast on Saturday. According to airport sources in Chennai, more than 50 flight services have already been affected. Airlines cancelled a large number of services linking Chennai with Madurai, Tiruchi, Thoothukudi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Puducherry and the Andaman Islands as the weather system intensified over the Bay of Bengal. Operational data reviewed by The New Indian Express shows around 54 scheduled flights were cancelled, cutting across early-morning departures, peak-hour movements and late-evening rotations. Routes connecting Bengaluru with Tiruchi, Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai were also affected, forcing airlines to pull several rotations through the day.
Heavy winds over Pamban bridge disrupt train services to and from Rameswaram
Services heading towards Rameswaram from Ayodhya, Chennai, Tambaram, Tirupati, Trichy, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhubaneswar and Madurai will terminate short of their destination.
Inter-state buses remain off road, continue strike over unfair taxes
KOCHI: The inter-state private bus sector continues to reel from a major crisis, with a significant number of services, especially those connecting Kerala, remaining off the road, making the lives of hundreds of commuters difficult. Operators are now demanding that the governments of Kerala and Karnataka follow the example of Tamil Nadu by offering a tax exemption to make operations financially viable. Tamil Nadu has provided a glimmer of hope by verbally instructing border officials to exempt tax for buses from neighbouring states like Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, prompting a slow resumption of services to destinations like Chennai and Coimbatore. The services to these destinations are being conducted without any issues for the last four to five days. Kerala and Karnataka too should adopt a relief stance similar to that of Tamil Nadu, Rijas A J, vice-president of Intercity Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India and owner of Sona Travels, told TNIE. A significant number of interstate luxury private buses conducting services to Bengaluru and Hyderabad from various points in Kerala remain off the road. Only a small section of operators who were forced to pay the quarterly tax until December are plying buses now, but they warn that a failure by the governments to act swiftly would force a complete industry shutdown. The issue is yet to be solved. Many, who have not yet paid the quarterly taxes, are not operating, he stated. Highlighting the impact on the key Kochi-Bengaluru route, Rijas said that a number of operators including big players like FlixBus and Shyamoli Paribahan continue to suspend all their trips to Kerala. Industry sources confirm the severity, pointing out that out of 152 night services in the Ernakulam-Bengaluru sector, 72 are non-operational. The core of the crisis is the unfair taxes levied by the state governments. Operators argue that the financial burden is immense and unsustainable. An operator needs to pay Rs 12 lakh tax for running a single service (two buses) for a 90-day period, an operator explained. This crippling cost is pushing bus owners toward a financial cliff, with fears of asset seizure by lending institutions looming early next year. The demand for tax relief is amplified by competitive pressures. Operators cannot increase ticket prices for fear of driving away passengers, especially with the introduction of new alternatives like the Vande Bharat train service on the Kochi-Bengaluru sector. The services cant be operated with the huge tax being levied, another operator stressed. The protest was initially triggered by Tamil Nadu bus operators opposing what they termed illegal tax and levying of fine by Kerala authorities. Now, the focus has shifted to urging Kerala and Karnataka to adopt a similar relief stance to that of Tamil Nadu. ] The disruption is causing major inconvenience, as these luxury buses normally transport an estimated 4,000 people daily to major hubs like Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Madurai. As private bus travel remains largely unavailable, travellers are increasingly dependent on KSRTC and rail alternatives. A senior KSRTC official confirmed they are operating additional services to Bengaluru to manage the surging demand. Swift action urged Operators are demanding the governments of Kerala and Karnataka to follow the example of Tamil Nadu by offering a tax exemption Warn that a failure by the governments to act would force a complete shutdown They argue that the financial burden is immense
Karnataka Tourism Society holds destination promotion roadshow in Madurai
Court Relief For Actor-Politician Seeman In IPS Officer's Defamation Case
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has set aside the summons issued to Naam Tamilar Katchi Chief Coordinator and actor Seeman in a defamation case filed by senior IPS officer Varun Kumar, ruling that the Magistrate in Tiruchirappalli violated
Police constable ends life at Madurai Bench of Madras High Court
HCorders notice to Centre, State onPILplea to revise, resubmitMaduraiMetroDPR
Petitioner says Madurai has transformed into a major urban centre in the past two decades, and the public mobility infrastructure has become severely inadequate, warranting large-scale intervention
CM accuses Palaniswami, Centre of betraying Tamil Nadu
Stalin says Palaniswami has done nothing for the western region despite projecting himself as its representative; criticises Centre for denying nod to Coimbatore and Madurai Metro projects
'Sadly, It's Working In...': Google Meet Outage Triggers Meme Storm Among Office-Goers On X
Google Meet suffered a major outage, with users in Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Madurai, Bengaluru, and Chennai reporting access and server issues.
Spain, Japan confident ahead of Junior Hockey World Cup
Madurai, Nov 25: Two-time bronze-medal winners Spain exuded confidence ahead of the Junior World Cup here with their coach saying the team was well prepared and highly motivated for the competition beginning on Friday. We are very excited and proud to be part of such a prestigious tournament. Our preparations have gone well, and I []
Madurai rains expose poor road reality
Though the city corporation claimed to have repaired roads in key locations, water inundation was still observed in many places
Tamil Nadu Bus Accident: 6 dead, 50 injured after buses collide head-on in Tenkasi, probe underway
As per reports, a private bus travelling from Madurai to Senkottai and another heading from Tenkasi towards Kovilpatti collided and following the shocking collision, the locals and firefighters sprung into action to save the passengers.
Coming Home To Myself book launched in Madurai
New flyovers in Madurai city promise permanent respite from congestion
Entry to all FIH Men's Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 matches to be free, says Hockey India
Hockey India has announced free entry for all matches of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, aiming to boost fan participation. The tournament, featuring a record 24 teams, will be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. Spectators can secure virtual tickets via Ticketgenie.in or the Hockey India app for paperless entry.
Light to moderate rain may lash Chennai today
CHENNAI: The regional meteorological centre (RMC) said a low-pressure area has formed over the Strait of Malacca and the adjoining south Andaman sea on Saturday morning and it is likely to intensify into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal around November 24. The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and strengthen further over the southwest Bay of Bengal during the subsequent 48 hours. A separate upper-air circulation also persists over the Comorin area and the southeast Arabian Sea. Under the influence of these systems, Chennai is likely to receive light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning on Sunday. Heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram districts till Tuesday. A similar forecast has been issued for Tenkas i , Virudhunagar, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal on Sunday and Monday. Madurai, Sivaganga, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi districts and Puducherry are likely to receive heavy rain only on Sunday. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 31-32C and the minimum around 25C. Erode recorded the highest maximum temperature of 34.2C in the state, while Karur Paramathi logged the lowest minimum temperature of 19C in the plains.
Private donors gift Corporation with a pledge to improve Madurais upkeep
Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurates new hockey stadium in Madurai
Stalin writes to PM Modi, says rejection of Metro Rail projects by Centre has caused resentment
In a passionate appeal, Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M K Stalin has called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to re-evaluate the dismissal of Metro Rail initiatives for the cities of Coimbatore and Madurai. Emphasizing widespread public discontent, Stalin argued for the vital role of efficient public transport in facilitating urban expansion.
Stalin Urges Modi to Reconsider Coimbatore, Madurai Metro Projects
The rejection, he said, has caused deep resentment among people of both cities.
The rejection of the request has taken us by complete surprise, writes Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
INDIA bloc flays Centre for returning proposal for Metro Rail project for Madurai, Coimbatore
Submit revised project proposals for Coimbatore, Madurai Metro Rail projects: Nainar Nagenthran
He alleges that the ruling party and its allies are playing up the Metro Rail issue to overshadow Prime Minister Narendra Modis handing over of assistance worth 18,000 crore to the farmers at a function held in Coimbatore
Chief Minister Stalin will bring Metro Rail to Coimbatore, Madurai, says Senthilbalaji
Mr. Senthilbalaji alleged that the Centre had not initially sanctioned funds for the Chennai Metro Rail project either, but the DMK government implemented it
Garbage clearance comes to a halt as conservancy workers strike in Madurai
NDA will bring Metro Rail to Coimbatore when it comes to power in T.N. next year, says Vanathi
She alleges that the ruling DMK and its allies are trying to create an impression that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is against Tamil Nadu and the Centre rejected the Metro Rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai with a motive
Watch: Coimbatore and Madurai Metro rail: what went wrong?
A major controversy is brewing in Tamil Nadu. The Union Government has sent back the Detailed Project Reports or DPRs for the Coimbatore and Madurai Metro Rail projects. Chief Minister MK Stalin has lashed out at the Centre, calling the move biased and unjustified. With Assembly elections just months away, this decision is no longer just about transport its turning into a full-blown political flashpoint. Why were the DPRs returned? Is the Centres reasoning valid? And what does this mean for the future of urban mobility in Tamil Nadu?
Madurai flavours, Nizami flair: Inside Mazzo, Hyderabads new rooftop dining spot
It would have adverse impact on BJP, AIADMK in ensuing Assembly polls, says TN Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Stalin Calls Centre's 'No Metro' Decision for Madurai, Coimbatore an 'Act of Revenge'
The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry recently reportedly returned Tamil Nadu's Detailed Project Reports for the two Tier-II cities, citing the Metro Rail Policy, 2017
Against Tamil Culture: BJP Slams Stalin Over Allegations Of Central Bias On Metro Projects
Stalin said while BJP-ruled states received Metro Rail projects for Tier-II cities, Tamil Nadus proposals for Madurai and Coimbatore continued to be dismissed on flimsy grounds.
CM Stalin accuses Centre of denying Metro Rail projects for Coimbatore, Madurai on flimsy grounds
Mr. Stalin said pushing such a political custom, in which BJP-ruled States get Metros for smaller Tier II cities while opposition-ruled States are deprived, is a disgraceful approach
17 vehicles seized for ganja smuggling to be auctioned in Madurai on November 27
Government employees, teachers observe one-day strike in Madurai
Union government rejects Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore, Madurai
In a communication dated November 14, 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs cited the two cities lack the mandated two million population according to the 2011 census
Man dies in road accident caused by stray dog near Madurai
His wife, Padmavathi (54), who was critically injured, was admitted to Government Rajaji hospital
Tamil Nadu Boy Gets Trapped In Car While Playing. Body Found 2 Days Later
A seven-year-old boy who went missing during a temple festival in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district was found dead inside a parked SUV on Saturday, two days after he disappeared.
TVK holds protest against SIR across Tamil Nadu
Chennai: Actor-Politician Vijay-led Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam on Sunday held a statewide demonstration against the SIR of electoral rolls exercise being carried out across Tamil Nadu. TVK state general secretary N Anand and senior leader Adhav Arjuna led the protests in Chennai, while others including joint general secretary CTR Nirmalkumar took part in Madurai and propaganda 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 .
Madurai district police to auction 14 condemned vehicles at Armed Reserve Ground on November 18
7-year-old boy dies after getting trapped inside parked car near Madurai
Police suspect that the boy, who could have got into the parked car, did not know how to open the door and got trapped inside
Advocate sentenced to 8-year rigorous imprisonment for ramming car into restaurant in Madurai
Madurai district police stand out in restoring lost mobile phones to owners
Victory trophy for Hockey Mens Junior World Cup arrives in Madurai
Round Table builds classrooms under Namakku Naame Thittam for panchayat union school in Madurai
Ninety-seven per cent of the work of the bridge has been completed, and the balance work of painting, junction improvement and lighting works will be completed by December 1, says Highways Minister E.V. Velu
WE to organise entrepreneurship conference in Madurai on November 21
Income Tax officials plant 2,500 saplings in Madurai district
INDIA constituent parties stage protest against SIR in Madurai
The parties are not protesting against the SIR as such. But, they all are opposed only to the hurried manner in which it is being implemented for completion in one month, says Pon. Muthuramalingam
