Video clip criticising Periyar, Anna played at Murugan devotees conference in Madurai kicks up row
The clipping reportedly showed leaders of Dravidian politics Periyar, Anna, and Karunanidhi in poor light
TheAll India Institute of Medical Sciences Madurai (AIIMS Madurai) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 03 Medical Superintendent, Executive Engineer and More posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official AIIMS Madurai website. The last date to submit the application form is 05-08-2025.
Justice P. Velmurugan directs the BJP leader to appear before the Inspector of Subramaniapuram police in Madurai city and cooperate with the investigation
Annamalai calls for unity, cultural protection at Madurai conference
Annamalai stated that no one should be allowed to destroy cultural symbols or promote religious conversions away from Hinduism
Pawan Kalyan reaches Madurai to attend Murugan Devotees conference as chief guest
Minor boy inflicts bleeding injury on man over petty quarrel near Madurai
One-way special train service to Madurai from Ernakulam on June 22
Education institutions in Madurai observe 11th International Yoga Day
The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of nearly 500 NCC cadets from various units.
Visible policing measures have helped reduce crime cases in Madurai city till May 2025
SC stays demolition of temple built by residents association in Madurai
Chennai company to run Bharat Gaurav train Adi Amavasya Special Shakthi Peeth Yatra
The train will leave Madurai on July 14
Madurai Kullappa Mess brings the flavours of southern Tamil Nadu to your plate
Madurai Kullappa Mess brings the bold, unfiltered flavours of southern Tamil Nadu to Chennai. Try the slow-cooked uppu kari, mutton kulambu and seeraga samba biryani
Ahmedabad plane crash: 223 DNA matches confirmed, 204 bodies handed over to families
AHMEDABAD: DNA samples of 223 victims of the Air India plane crash have been successfully matched, and 204 bodies have been handed over to families as of 11:50 am on June 20, according to Civil Hospital Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi. The Civil Hospital authorities have intensified the efforts to identify and return the remaining bodies. Meanwhile, two patients under treatment at the Civil Hospital succumbed to their injuries. Their bodies have been handed over to their families, bringing the total count of bodies handed over to 204 from the Civil Hospital alone. Breaking down the identification further, Dr Joshi confirmed that the 223 matched victims comprise 168 Indian nationals, 7 Portuguese, 36 British citizens, 1 Canadian, and 11 non-passengers - local residents who were tragically caught in the crash zone. Several international, domestic Air India flights cancelled due to operational reasons Logistics have played a critical role in the aftermath, with 15 bodies airlifted and 189 transported by road, according to Dr Joshi. The mortal remains have been sent to various Indian states and several foreign countries. Ahmedabad received the highest number, with 58 bodies, followed by Vadodara (21), Surat (11), Udaipur (7), Mumbai (9), Diu (14), and Kheda (11). Others were sent to Mehsana (6), Gandhinagar (6), Rajkot (3), Jamnagar (2), Patan (2), Dwarka (2), Aravalli (2), and London (2). Single bodies were transported to locations including Botad, Jodhpur, Anand, Palanpur, Maharashtra, Junagadh, Amreli, Gir Somnath, Mahisagar, Bhavnagar, Patna, Nadiad, Sabarkantha, Nagaland, and Modasa. Madurai-bound Indigo flight returns after mid-air 'snag,' say officials
Major mishap averted as rear axle detaches from TNSTC bus in Tenkasi; four injured
TENKASI: A major mishap was narrowly avoided near Idaikal in Tenkasi district after the rear axle of a government TNSTC bus detached while it was in motion on the Thirumangalam-Kollam National Highway on Friday. Of the 87 passengers on board, four sustained minor injuries. The bus, operated by TNSTCs Srivilliputhur depot in Virudhunagar district, was being driven by 52-year-old Sankaran of Vathirayiruppu. The vehicle was travelling from Madurai to Courtallam when the incident occurred. Sources reported that the entire rear axle, including the paired tyres, suddenly came off at high speed, causing panic among passengers. However, Sankaran, who detected unusual vibrations and noises, managed to slow the bus down just in time. His quick presence of mind reportedly prevented a major catastrophe. While four passengers suffered minor injuries, the rest escaped unharmed. Traffic on the busy Thirumangalam-Kollam National Highway was briefly disrupted following the incident.
Madurai-bound Indigo flight returns after mid-air 'snag,' say officials
CHENNAI: A Madurai-bound private carrier suffered a technical snag mid-air on Friday and returned here, airport officials said. After flying for about half an hour, the pilot of the Indigo Airlines flight detected the snag, and sought permission to fly back to Chennai and land, they said. The plane, carrying about 68 passengers, later landed safely here and all the passengers were deplaned, they added. There was no immediate response from Indigo on the matter.
IndiGo's Madhurai-bound flight returns back to Chennai after mid-air 'snag'
An Indigo Airlines flight bound for Madurai experienced a technical issue mid-air on Friday, prompting its return to Chennai with 68 passengers. The pilot detected the problem roughly half an hour into the flight and safely landed back at the origin airport.
Hockey India confident Pakistan will be part of Jr hockey World Cup
The Pakistan junior hockey team is anticipated to compete in the upcoming World Cup in Chennai and Madurai, despite political tensions. Hockey India has requested government clearance for their participation, expressing optimism for approval, especially considering India's potential Olympic bid. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 65 crore for the junior meet.
Cracker blast death: HC hikes aid, asks Tamil Nadu to create rehab protocol
MADURAI: Observing that repeated accidents in firecracker manufacturing units denote the failure of regulatory bodies in discharging their duties, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court gave a series of directions and suggestions to the state government and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) on enhancement of compensation, scrutinisation of licensing practices, cause-based investigation into accidents, and structured rehabilitation framework for victims families, among others. Justice B Pugalendhi gave the directions recently while enhancing the compensation awarded to four women from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh over death of their husbands in a fire accident at a cracker manufacturing unit at Ettakkapatti village in Sivakasi in 2014. The judge observed the accident is not an isolated case of mismanagement but is a part of a pattern of regulatory failure. The repeated pattern of accidents 131 deaths and 146 serious injuries between 2019 and 2023 in the region suggests a chronic absence of inspection, enforcement, and accountability. Despite the tiered licensing mechanism, district revenue officers, who are only authorised to grant licence when the explosive substances stored or processed are below 15kg, issue licences beyond their jurisdiction by permitting multiple sheds or use of explosives above limit, the judge noted. The Industrial Safety and Health Department, which bears statutory responsibility to oversee factory safety, is critically understaffed and the District Level Safety Committee constituted by the state labour department has not ensured meaningful oversight, he added. The criminal cases registered in connection with accidents are also investigated by police in a mechanical manner, the judge said. The cumulative effect of all this pointed to a breach of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Thus, the award of compensation is not penal but declaratory of the breach, and Rs 10 lakh per family is a fair, just, and proportionate recognition, the judge added and directed the state to disburse the balance amount of Rs 9 lakh to each of the four women within two months. The judge also asked the director of industrial safety and health to ensure strict enforcement of safety norms under Explosives Act, 1884, and Factories Act, 1948, and relevant rules. The chief controller of explosives, PESO, Nagpur, was directed to scrutinise the licensing practices in Sivakasi and other firework clusters and take appropriate action wherever licenses are found to be issued in excess of the legal limit. Further directions were issued to the DGP to ensure that investigations into cracker unit accidents are done by police personnel with technical knowledge. Whenever it is identified that the accident occurred due to the fault of the employer, the licence of the cracker unit has to be cancelled, the judge said. The state may evolve a structured rehabilitation framework for victims families, including education support for children, widow pension and housing security, so as to address the long-term impact of such industrial tragedies, he further said. The order was passed while allowing a batch of petitions filed by Scheduled Caste women seeking adequate compensation and government job. The women claimed that though the collector had recommended payment of Rs 5 lakh compensation to them, only Rs 1 lakh was paid. The government counsel argued that the compensation was more than usual and three of the four petitioners had been provided jobs as anganwadi helpers. But the court said this cannot be treated as compensation for permanent loss of a breadwinner. There is no indication of group insurance, ESI coverage, or any enforceable liability fixed on the factory owners, the judge pointed out.
BJP trying to bury Tamil culture: CM Stalin
CHENNAI: DMK president and Chief Minister MK Stalin accused the BJP-led union government of attempting to suppress and bury the pride of Tamil culture that emerged through the Keezhadi excavations. Praising the DMK student wing for organising an agitation - Keezhadi Engal Thaimadi - in Madurai on June 18, Stalin wrote a detailed letter in Murasoli , the DMKs mouthpiece, emphasising the importance of the excavation findings. The protest was held to condemn the union government for not approving the archaeological report on the Keezhadi findings. In 2013, during the UPA government, the ASI identified, through its inspections along the Vaigai river bank, that Keezhadi was an important settlement. The BJP government continued the excavations, but after three phases in 2015, the work was halted. The remaining seven phases were carried out by the state archaeology department, Stalin said in the letter. He also recalled how officer Amarnath Ramakrishna was transferred from the project and later returned after a legal battle to continue his work. The artefacts found at the excavation sites were sent to renowned laboratories across the world for testing. Based on the results, Ramakrishna submitted a scientifically grounded 982-page report in 2023. However, even after two years, the BJP government has not approved the report and has instead sent it back, seeking additional proof, he added. Referring to the scientific findings that iron was used in the Tamil region over 5,300 years ago, Stalin said, BJP leaders, including PM Narendra Modi, did not even acknowledge it on social media, even though Tamil Nadu is part of India and Tamils are Indian citizens. BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu are betraying Tamils for positions.
People of Tamil Nadu will defeat Sangh Parivar politics, says VCK chief Thirumavalavan
MADURAI: People of Tamil Nadu will defeat the politics of religion which is practised by Sangh Parivar in northern states, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said. Speaking after taking part in a human chain protest organised by the Madurai Federation for Religious Harmony on Thursday to oppose the Murugan Maanadu, Thirumavalvan said through the protest, people of TN are conveying to the world that they are against religious politics. In northern states Sangh Parivar used religious politics to divide people. They are testing the same in Tamil Nadu. Since 1992, after the Babri Masjid issue, Sangh Parivar has been trying to rake up a controversy in Thiruparankundram and spread hatred against Muslims, he said. BJP leaders like H Raja have made statements that they will convert Tamil Nadu into Ayodhya. But people of Tamil Nadu will never allow it, Thiruma said. He added Now they are making another attempt to woo Mukulathur community by organising the Murugan Maanadu. They will not succeed. We are not against the programme but are worried it will be used by Sangh outfits to unleash violence and destroy brotherhood among people.
Attempt being made to disturb Madurais tradition of social harmony
Madurai women staged the first recorded strike in the cotton mills of South India - The Hindu
Madurai women staged the first recorded strike in the cotton mills of South India The Hindu
Madurai City Police to auction six condemned four-wheelers on June 30
TEVAR procedure performed by cardiologists saves elderly man in Madurai hospital
Chennai, Madurai to host Men Jr WC Hockey in Nov-Dec, TN Govt signs MoU with HI UNITED NEWS OF INDIA
At Manapatty, a village in Tamil Nadu, almost everyone is a wedding cook
Manapatty near Madurai is home to some of the most skilled wedding caterers in Tamil Nadu. We visit the quaint village to taste its fragrant biryani and meet its masters who travel across the State to whip up mammoth feasts
Centre has unleashed cultural war on TN in Keezhadi issue, says DMK MP
MADURAI: DMK deputy general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Tiruchi N Siva on Wednesday said the BJP-led union government could not take on the DMK politically, and has unleashed a cultural and ideological war against Tamil people by refusing to accept the facts of Keezhadi despite it being presented with scientific evidence. Speaking at a protest organised by the DMK student wing in Madurai to urge the Union government to accept the Keezhadi report filed by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, Siva said, Apart from scientific evidence, we have literature that can be correlated with Keezhadi findings, whereas the Harappan Civilization (Indus Valley Civilization) has no such proof. We proved that the Iron Age began in Tamil Nadu with Keezhadi evidence. Further, he said, The union government believes that by transferring Amarnath, they could put an end to the matter, but MPs from Tamil Nadu will not let that happen. Theni MP Thanga Tamilselvan, DMK student wing secretary Rajiv Gandhi, also took part in the protest. DMK student wing members staging a protest against the union government for delaying the release of the report on Keezhadi findings in Madurai. BJP trying to bury Tamil heritage: TVK Chennai: TVK on Wednesday strongly condemned the union government for the inordinate delay in releasing the report of the first two phases of excavations at Keezhadi and for the recent transfer of archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, who led the excavations and submitted the report. In a statement, Dr KG Arunraj, propaganda secretary of TVK and a former IRS officer who recently took voluntary retirement to join the party, said the centres move appeared to be a deliberate attempt to suppress findings that could challenge mainstream historical narratives upheld by the BJP. He claimed that the report, submitted by Amarnath to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in January 2023, contained scientifically-backed evidence pointing to a sophisticated Tamil urban civilisation dating back over 2,600 years. Arunraj further accused the BJP of attempting to bury Tamil cultural heritage under a Sanskrit-Hindi narrative. He also criticised the DMK for allegedly enacting a drama of resistance while covertly aligning with the BJP to protect its interests. ASI transfers officer, DMK and Tamil Nadu parties cry foul
Madras HC bins plea for panel on Tiruchendur temple repairs
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Wednesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which sought a direction to constitute an expert committee to finalise the renovation and repair works in Subramaniya Swamy temple at Tiruchendur. A bench of justices S M Subramaniam and A D Maria Clete observed that such a committee had been already formed by the state government, based on a direction issued by the court on April 24. If at all, the petitioner is of the opinion that any customary practices were being violated, he can approach the competent authority under HR & CE Act. The litigant Ramkumar Adityan, an advocate from Thoothukudi, alleged in his petition that the temple administration has begun constructing additional amenities building for the temple in a coastal regulation zone without obtaining prior clearance. The construction plan for the parking facility also revealed a possibility of traffic congestion in Kamarajar Salai, North, South, East and West car streets, among others, he claimed. He requested the court to direct the government to appoint a committee with members who have expertise in Thantra Samuchiyam, Kerala Sambrathaya Agamam and Kumara Thantram Agamam, to inspect and identify violations, if any, in the renovation and repair works.
As an actor, Poovai Dhayanidhi feels accomplished. When this contentment took over him fully, Dhaya, as he is fondly known, felt that he had a lot to contribute as a writer. The writing bug had already bitten him when he used to assist his father, Poovai Senguttuvan, who had penned scores of books in all forms, besides being a movie lyricist, known for his catchy lines in scores of MGR hits. Around 700 stage shows in Tamil theatre are an apt reflection of the sway Dhaya had on his admirers as an actor. I had a strong penchant for comedy, and interspersing that in serious plays, gave a different sheen to the end product. In the 80s, serious plays had a strong audience. I was happy to play my part in any troupe, which ensured a range of characters with little restriction on the age limit. Matured roles invariably brought the best out of me. That was an era where women characters had a lot of respect in the way they were depicted. That was a strong reason for me to branch out as a writer with any number of opportunities coming my way, he shares. Dhaya fondly remembers En Nenjam Unakkaga, his first social play as a writer, where the late cine actor SS Chandran played the lead role with telling perfection. To this day, Dhaya believes that it was Chandrans dialogue delivery that was the clinching factor for the play to draw a repeat audience. Handling the story and dialogues gave me an impetus to try out my brand of storytelling. Gauging the audience response helped in getting skin deep into the characters in future plays, he adds. Besides social dramas, Dhaya had his fill with historical plays, all of which were produced by Madurai Kannan. Acceding that it was a tough call to handle historic subjects, which had been given a new coating by two of the veterans of Tamil Stage RS Manohar and Heron Ramasamy. What stood in his favour was the range of inputs from his father and like-minded friends, urging him to leave his stamp in the style the audience desired. The floodgates opened in Raja Yogam, which had an incredible 20 shows on a trot. I kept my lines simple in a strong theme where a good section of the people craved for the rule of the common man, following the inept ruling of the king. As a common man in the audience, I could gauge their pulse. That was the best way, as inputs were needed to send across strong messages in tune with the scripts meriting the audiences attention, he shares. Then came Vanjagama Nee Vazhga, which had an average run, as the love story and family sentiment did not cut much ice with the audience. After that, Veerapandia Kattabomman brought him instant fame. Dhaya believes he had a winner at hand in the famous dialogue exchanged between Kattabomman and Jackson Durai. To lure the audience, I had to try something different, as right from a child to a nonagenarian, every scene (from his work) had been poignant in the audiences mindset. I tried my brand of comedy, and a foreigner mouthing a slice of slang Tamil caught the fancy of the motley crowd. In a strong story, the job of a writer is to ensure that the facts are not tampered with. Some liberties could be taken in the dialogues, which the audience simply love and the appreciation reflects in the thunderous applause, he explains. Dhayas personal favourite is a play for all seasons, Karaikal Ammaiyar, which drew a repeat audience. Dhaya playing with the dialogues brought the house down. Strongly believing that even historical scripts could do with a bit of fine-tuning, Dhaya brought to light a few qualities of Karaikal Ammaiyar, not told before. One among the three Nayanmar, the eldest one, had walked with the support of her hands on Kayilai Hill, which prompted Lord Siva to deem her as Ammaiye. That she wasborn in Karaikal resulted in her being called as the title signifies, giving an insight into the character which not many were aware of, he narrates. Meanwhile, Veera Mangai Velu Nachiar was another audience favourite. In Dhayas esteem, it was a script much ahead of its time. People had only heard of the exploits of Jhansi Rani, with very few pages depicting the towering persona of Nachiar. Here was a warrior who fought a lonely battle to exact revenge on the murderer of her husband. Nachaiars confrontations with her daughter Vellachi were the life and soul of the plot, each having a different view on how to get even with the perpetrators. The exchanges were lively, where the dialogues had to ring in the prevalent mood of the actors. Chaste Tamil had a special place in an era where even a small fumble brought in a long frown from the die-hard historic fans, he notes. In devotional plays, Dhayas way of portraying Lord Shiva, which had many layers and dimensions in scores of plays involving Shiva and Parvathi, was always a win. It boiled down to letting the mind go overboard, shaping the characters of a Shiva devotee. One such play, Kannappa Nayanar, brought to light the feelings of a young devotee wondering at the dearth of talent in the kingdom ruled by incompetent heads, he says. Now, Dhaya is still game to mix social plays with the historic ones. Talking about this, he recalls the 80s when his play James Bond 007 had a massive following. Bhairavan was the name I had coined for the Bond, and the opening line went in the same fashion as all of Bond movies The name is Bhairavan, struck an instant chord with the viewers. Some of my well-wishers fondly call me by that name even today, which should be seen as a victory for the character and not for the writer, he notes. Presently working on Manimegalai and Desa Bakthargal for two production houses, Dhaya says he always desired that his hands are full. That one script is based on Silapadigaram, and the other one on the five greats of Tamil history Kodikatha Kumaran, Vanjinathan, VO Chidambaram, Mahakavi Bharathiar, and Jhansi Rani has only added to his excitement. At 68, Dhaya feels he still has miles to traverse as a writer. New scripts still excite him. Every dive is a new experience and the feel is beyond words to comprehend, he signs off.
TheGoverment Rajaji Hospital Madurai has released an official notification for the recruitment of 04 Audiologist, Lab Technician and Other posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official Goverment Rajaji Hospital Madurai website. The last date to submit the application form is 25-06-2025.
Keeladi (also spelt Keezhadi), located about 12 km southeast of Madurai, drew national attention after over 7,500 ancient artifacts believed to be from Sangam Age were unearthed. In 2014, Amarnath Ramakrishna, then the ASIs Superintending Archaeologist, initiated excavations at the site, which was originally a coconut grove.
Semma!: How James Beard-winning chef Vijay Kumar is making Tamil cuisine international
This chef from Madurais Natham has just won the prestigious James Beard Awards for best chef in New York State. His unapologetically rural cooking, from Dindigul biriyani to snail pirattal, is changing how the world sees Indian food
No political comments will be made at Muruga conference, says TN BJP president Nainar
CHENNAI: BJP State president Nainar Nagenthran on Tuesday assured that the Muruga devotees conference, scheduled for 22 June in Madurai, will remain entirely apolitical. Speaking at a press conference at the BJP headquarters, he said, Contrary to the DMKs expectations, no political comments or views will be made during the conference. Devotees of Lord Muruga from all political backgrounds, including DMK and Congress, are welcome to attend. Responding to DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhis remark that the conference is a tool for the weak to gain strength, Nagenthran countered, The reality is different. The BJP alliance is strong, which is why we are being criticised. The media frequently questions seat allocation in our alliance but does not ask similar questions to DMK president MK Stalin or his allies. He confirmed that Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan will attend the conference, while Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanaths participation is yet to be confirmed. Devotees from Malaysia, Singapore, and Colombo will also take part. Nagenthran released an audio cassette about the event. One of the organisers said massive arrangements are under way, including an exhibition featuring portraits and brief histories of saints who worshipped Lord Muruga, and a mass recital of Skanda Shasti Kavacham by over five lakh devotees.
Shun old divisions: Madras HC to Vadakalai, Thenkalai sects
CHENNAI: Stating that Vadakalai and Thenkalai are like two petals on one stem, the Madras High Court has called for an end to divisions and urged both the sects to walk together in unity. Justice N Anand Venkatesh, while dismissing pleas challenging the decision of a temple authority on the recital of Prabhandham, said both sects seek the same deity - Lord Venkateswara Perumal - and belong to Him. In the name of Acharyas, the quarrels still ignite, yet those wise souls now bask in the Lords pure light. Their journeys ended at His lotus feet so grant, while we, their children, still draw lines in the sand. Let us honour their path, let old divisions cease and walk together united in faith and peace, the judge observed in a poetic note. The petitions were filed by TAP Srirangachari and KB Srinivasan, seeking to quash a May 28, 2024, communication from the executive officer of Vilakoli Perumal Sri Vedantha Desikar Temple in Little Kancheepuram, which barred Thenkalai followers from reciting the Prabhandham even outside the temple during a procession. They also wanted the authorities concerned to go by the order and decree passed in the early 1900s. The judge, however, said the high court cannot function as an executing court and advised the petitioners to approach the civil court to enforce the decree. Noting that disputes between the sects have often turned volatile, the judge said the temple executive officer wanted to avoid such a volatile situation. Notice on petition to remove pellets along Kumari coast Madurai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the union and state governments on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition which had sought a series of directions, including the removal of plastic pellets and other hazardous materials from the sea along the Kanniyakumari coastline. The hazardous materials were part of the cargo onboard the vessel MSC ELSA 3 of Liberia, which sank in the Arabian Sea near Kochi, Kerala, on May 24. The petitioners -- office bearers of the CPI (ML) -- demanded that the authorities declare the incident a state disaster. The petitioners sought a direction to the authorities to declare the contents of the 643 containers of the vessel. A bench of justices S M Subramaniam and A D Maria Clete issued notice to the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, state disaster management and fisheries departments, among others, and adjourned the case.
ASI transfers officer, DMK and Tamil Nadu parties cry foul
CHENNAI: Archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna, who first excavated Keezhadi in Madurai and whose findings triggered a war of words between the BJP-led centre and the Tamil Nadu government, faced his 12th transfer in his 21 years of service as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) relieved him from his post of Director (Antiquity) on Tuesday. Ramakrishna, who was serving as the Director (Antiquity) and as Director of the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), will henceforth be the director of only the NMMA. While TN parties have been asserting that the Keezhadi report provides evidence to indicate that the Sangam Age which shows the antiquity of Tamil could be pushed back to 800 BCE, making it around 300-500 years older than what was earlier thought, the union government had demanded more data, evidence and proof to acknowledge that claim. Reacting to Ramakrishnas transfer on Tuesday, the ruling DMK has alleged that it is a ploy to withdraw the (Keezhadi) report and dilute the findings. The senior archaeologist, who is facing his third transfer since being promoted to the rank of a director, will have to shift from his office at the ASIs headquarters in New Delhi to the office of NMMA located in Greater Noida, sources said. Interestingly, H A Naik, the officer who had directed Ramakrishna to rework his report on the first two phases of excavation in Keezhadi (located in Sivaganga district near Madurai) with additional information regarding the dating, has been given additional charge as director (Antiquity). It was Naiks letter that kicked up a controversy last month as the DMK and other TN parties opposed to BJP had alleged this letter, which was sent around two-and-a-half years after Ramakrishna submitted his report, is a delaying tactic by the centre from bringing out the excavation results to the public domain. The role of director (Antiquity) involved more responsibilities, including identification, registration, protection and preservation of antiquities and retrieval of any antique material located in a foreign country. In contrast, sources in the ASI said the scope and role of the NMMAs director is limited. The NMMA, which was launched first in 2007 by the then United Progressive Alliance government with the aim of documenting and creating a database of built heritage and sites in India, has made slow progress in completing its objectives. Though the initial timeframe set was five years, the project is still under way due to budgetary constraints and other limitations in the intervening period. Established Tamil races antiquity with help of science The budgetary allocation for NMMA in 2024-25 was `20 lakh. Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who was in Chennai recently, had remarked that Ramakrishnas report was not scientific and further evidence was required, while dismissing allegations that the central government was intentionally trying to prevent Keezhadis findings getting published. DMKs youth wing has already announced a protest in Madurai on Wednesday, against the union ministers remarks and demanding the immediate release of the report. Before the news of Ramakrishnas transfer broke out, Chief Minister M K Stalin, in a post on X on Tuesday, defended the archaeologists report, albeit not naming him, and said that the report did not require any correction. Appealing to the people to take part in large numbers in the demonstration on Wednesday, he said, We have been establishing the antiquity of the Tamil race with the help of science and by fighting against all obstacles for thousands of years, he said. It is not the excavation reports that are to be corrected, but those minds that refuse to accept the reports, he added. DMK MP P Wilson described the transfer as outrageous and authoritarian. It is well- known how the BJP government exerted pressure on all fronts on him to change his findings. As the pressure to officially release the report was building, the BJP is attempting to bring in a yes-man in his place who will withdraw the report and dilute the findings to suit their xenophobic narrative, he alleged. CPM MP Su Venkatesan said Ramakrishna, who has been firm on bringing out the antiquity of the Tamil language and the truth about Keezhadi excavations, has been hunted relentlessly for discovering the truth. VCKs D Ravikumar described the transfer as sudden and unwarranted. This move reflects the BJP governments vindictive attitude towards Tamils, Ravikumar said.
When clash erupted between T.N. government and Governor on appointing a Vice-Chancellor 40 years ago
In 1985, during M.G. Ramachandrans (MGR) tenure as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, tensions simmered over Governor S.L. Khuranas use of his authority to appoint Vice-Chancellors to State-run universities. A conflict arose in October when the Governor appointed S. Krishnaswamy as Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University.
AIIMS Madurai releases video on key facilities to come up on campus
Final location survey for doubling of Tiruchi-Manamadurai BG section to be conducted
The section is an important route to Rameswaram through which several inter-State express trains pass; work relating to civil, signal, and telecommunication also form part of the survey
Tamil race faces one challenge after another: CM Stalin
DMKs student wing has announced a demonstration at Viraganur in Madurai district on June 18 to condemn the Centre
Keeladi excavation report needs no correction: Stalin slams Centre's anti-Tamil stance
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday stated that the Keeladi excavation report submitted by archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna does not require correction as requested by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and subsequently by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The CM said this in his post on the X handle, calling upon the people to take part in large numbers in the demonstration to be staged by the DMK student wing in Viraganur in Madurai district. However, the CM did not mention the name of archaeologist Ramakrishna in his tweet. We have been establishing the antiquity of the Tamil race with the help of science and by fighting against all obstacles for thousands of years. Despite these efforts, certain people are not accepting it (the antiquity of the Tamil race). So, it is not the excavation reports that are to be corrected, but those minds who refuse to accept the reports, Stalin highlighted the obstacles that the Tamil race is facing. ? , ! . ; ! , https://t.co/PGCKawE5Q8 M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 17, 2025 The CM said this, referring to a post by the DMK Student Wing about the demonstration to be staged in Madurai condemning the anti-Tamil attitude of the BJP-led union government in refusing to publish the results of the Keeladi excavations. The students' wing post said there is a possibility that the first human being might have originated from Tamil Nadu. Let the BJP government's plan to erase the antiquity of Tamil, as revealed by Keeladi, be defeated!. The Keeladi issue has been gaining momentum ever since Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the report of Amarnath Ramakrishna is not scientific and further evidence is required. Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu stoutly opposed the statement of Shekhawat. Responding, Shekhawat stood by his ground. Later, speaking at a meeting in Salem, Chief Minister MK Stalin sounded his support for the Keeladi report. Tamil Nadu's Keeladi gets the pride of place Work commences for on-site museum at Keeladi in Sivaganga district
Ashwin Cleared of Ball-Tampering Charges in TNPL
The Madurai franchise had accused Ashwin and his side Dindigul Dragons of tampering with the ball by using towels treated with chemicals during their game in Salem in the ongoing TNPL on June 14.
Ashwin accused of ball tampering by chemical-treated towels in Tamil Nadu Permier League
The murky ball tampering charges has surfaced in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Permier League (TNPL) with one of the franchisees Siechem Madurai Panthers (SMP) levelling the allegations against former Indian cricketer R.Ashwin led Dindigul Dragons in the ...
MADURAI: The city corporation has floated a tender to construct a special dog shelter in Ward 31 for Rs 34 lakh to bring down the stray dog population. Officials from the city corporation stated that following the recent stray dog census, there are nearly 38,000 stray dogs in the city. As part of this, the corporation has planned to renovate the extension room at Dr Thangaraj Road in Ward 31 into a dog shelter facility, and the renovation works will be carried out at nearly Rs 34 lakh. Officials from the city health department stated that there are already temporary shelters at Sellur and Vellakkal areas; notably, dogs that are taken for the ABC process would be kept in the shelters. Considering the number of dogs, the corporation has been planning to build an additional shelter in Ward 31, with separate kennels. Activists have urged the corporation to take action towards promoting adoption and proper monitoring to prevent the straying of puppies to bring down the increasing stray dog population. Dont dump waste into open drains: Corpn commissioner As residents have raised complaints over clogged sewage from open drains overflowing into areas like Villapuram, Avaniyapuram, Meenakshinagar, and several other places, corporation officials have stated that the dumping of solid waste into open drains causes such issues. M Selvakumar, a resident of Ward 100, said, Earlier, the open drains would overflow only during the rainy season. However, recently, small drains have gotten clogged, and that has led to sewage overflowing into our area. Such a situation was reported on Sunday night, which was cleared by the corporation on Monday. Similar situation prevails in other areas as well. A senior corporation official said that on Monday, workers were deputed to seek out the drain issue, and upon cleaning, workers found a large amount of cow dung dumped into the canal, which led to the clogging. Corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan, she said awareness is being given to residents on not dumping solid waste or cow dung in open drains. The corporation has also started UGD works, and proper maintenance is being done to open drains to address the issue.
Sewage from blocked channel floods Madurai school; students shifted to community hall
MADURAI: Around 100 students of Thiruparankundram Panchayat Union Middle School in Chinthamani were forced to attend classes at a nearby community hall on Monday, after sewage water from the Kiruthumal river inundated their school campus. The incident occurred due to the negligence of Water Resources Department (WRD) officials, who had blocked a sewage channel as part of ongoing bridge construction work near the school. As a result, sewage water overflowed and entered the school premises on Friday evening. Despite residents alerting civic authorities over the weekend, no action was taken, leaving the campus waterlogged when students arrived for classes on Monday. Teachers initially made students sit in front of a nearby temple, before corporation officials arranged for the community hall to be cleaned and made available for classes. When contacted, a WRD official admitted that the sewage flow was temporarily blocked for bridge construction, which led to the flooding. We have now drained the water from the school campus and will ensure such incidents do not recur, the official added.
Undervoltage hits water supply in Madurai villages despite nearby substation
MADURAI: Residents from several villages whose power supply falls under the operational limits of Thiruvathavur substation have alleged that frequent issues with undervoltage have severely affected the water supply to households, as a majority of them rely on borewells. The power issue persists in villages such as Arasanampatti, Thiruvadhavur, Poonjuthi, Puthupatti, Meenakshipuram, Uluthuvanpatti, G Vellalapatti. M Murugeswari, former Arasampatti panchayat president said, The 910-odd families in the panchayat rely on borewells, with 3HP and 5HP capacity. These must be operated for 10-12 hours every day for water supply and storage. But, these high-capacity pumps cannot be operated at low voltage, leading to water shortage. When operated at low voltage, the coils of the pumps get damaged. Former Thiruvadavur panchayat president, M Elavarasu, said water supply is the primary issue faced by over 1,500 families. Alleging official apathy, he said, Many farmers are unable to irrigate crops due to the low voltage issue, despite the presence of a 110-KV sub-station in our panchayat. A Tangedco official told TNIE, Unstable power supply from feeder lines has been causing problems at the substation. Besides, we are also planning to bifurcate supply from the main lines at the substation by installing more transformers. The issue will be resolved soon after an inspection by a Tangedco technical team from Melur.
Groundwater crisis deepens in TN's Dindigul; farmers voice concern
DINDIGUL: Farmers in Dindigul district are growing increasingly anxious as groundwater levels continue to fall steadily over the past five months, mainly due to the harsh summer and over-dependence on borewells. According to Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) board officials, the water table has dropped from a depth of 4.6 metres in January to 6.66 metres in May. Officials said the intense heat has led to heavy extraction of groundwater for both irrigation and domestic purposes. With the summer showing no signs of relenting, most households and farmlands are relying on borewells for their water needs. Hot weather has a deep effect on farmlands and the general public. There is a natural tendency to use more water during summer, whether its for drinking or irrigation. Since most farmers depend on borewells, the usage has been excessive, which reflects in our observation wells, said a TWAD official from Madurai. Farmers say the growing dependence on deep borewells has worsened the situation. Earlier, open wells were enough, and water was found within 400 feet. Many still use open wells in places like Palani. But nowadays, most farmers dig borewells that go as deep as 900 to 1,200 feet, said M Chinnasamy, President of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association (Dindigul). He added that Palani taluk alone has around 3,000 borewells. This level of extraction is far more intense than what panchayat borewells use to supply drinking water, which are only 300 to 400 feet deep. Because of the heat, farmers are using more water to save their crops, and that is directly affecting the water table, Chinnasamy said. Officials also noted that many panchayats without nearby water bodies like ponds, rivers, or streams are left with no choice but to drill borewells and store the extracted water in tanks for redistribution.
Tiruchendur temple consecration row: Madras HC seeks HR&CE reply on review plea against expert panel
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Monday sought counter affidavit from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) department on a review application filed against the courts order appointing a five-member committee to decide the timing for the consecration of Subramaniya Swamy temple in Tiruchendur, which is scheduled to take place on July 7. The vacation bench of justices S Srimathy and R Vijayakumar passed the order on May 21, on petitions filed by two people objecting to the date and time ( July 7, 9 to 10.30 am) for the consecration stating it was not auspicious. Petitioners Sri Subramaniya Swamy Thirukoil Swathanthiru Sthalathargal Sabha and Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthrigal claimed if the temple is consecreted in Abhijith Muhurtham (between 12.05 pm to 12.45 pm) on the said date, it would neutralise the inauspicious effects. The judges disposed of the petitions by directing formation of a five-member expert committee consisting of the chief priest of the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, Pitchai Gurukkal of Pillaiyarpatti, SK Raja Pattar of Thirupparankundram, Thanthri of Thiruchendur temple K Subramaniaru and petitioner Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthrigal. Aggrieved by this, Subramaniya Sasthrigal moved Supreme Court, which granted him liberty to file a review application before HC. Subramaniya Sasthrigal said three of the five members had already supported the timing chosen by the authorities and hence should not have been included in the committee. Hearing the review applications, the judges directed the HR and CE authorities to file a counter affidavit on Thursday.
Constitute student safety panels in schools within two months, Madras HC tells TN government
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has directed the school education department to ensure formation of Student Safeguarding Advisory Committees (SSAC) in schools across the state, within two months. A bench of justices SM Subramaniam and AD Maria Clete gave the direction recently on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by an advocate G Shabna of Theni, seeking formation of the committees. According to Shabna, the state school education department had passed a G.O. on June 17, 2021, introducing safety guidelines to protect students from sexual harassment. One of the measures mandated through the above G.O. included the formation of SSCAs. The committees should consist of the school principal, two teachers, two parents, a management representative, non-teaching staff, and optionally, an external person, as members. The principal should be a permanent member and half the committee members must be replaced annually, Shabna said. In case of any sexual abuse complaint, the committee should immediately inform the state-level Central Complaint Centre (CCC) set up by the school education department, she added. But these advisory committees are not reconstituted regularly and are mostly non-functional, Shabna alleged. The judges noted that the committee has not been constituted in some areas. They directed the authorities to collect data on districts where the committee is yet to be constituted and initiate necessary action to constitute them within two months. G.O. issued in 2021 The state school education department had passed a G.O. on June 17, 2021, introducing safety guidelines to protect students from sexual harassment. One of the measures mandated through the above G.O. included the formation of SSCAs
Panthers level ball-tampering charges against Ashwin-led Dragons
CHENNAI, June 16: Allegations of ball-tampering have been levelled against R Ashwin-led Dindigul Dragons in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League by Seicham Madurai Panthers, who have been directed to present evidence for the post-facto and speculative charges by the events organisers. The Panthers accused Dragons of tampering with the ball by using towels treated [] The post Panthers level ball-tampering charges against Ashwin-led Dragons appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Arupadai Veedu expo opened at Muruga Bhaktargal conference venue in Madurai
Madurai City police personnel get coolers
No waste disposal system, trash burnt in rural Madurai
MADURAI: Burning waste in the open, including plastic and non-biodegradable waste, along the roadside has become a routine in several rural areas in the district, especially Othakadai, Karuppayurani, Thirumangalam and Nagamalai Pudukottai, primarily due to the alleged lack of an adequate system in place for waste disposal. The public have alleged spotting sanitary workers burning waste, often on the roadside and in vacant plots of land over several years, leading to motorists, pedestrians and residents suffering breathing difficulties, besides contributing to pollution. A Kannan, a resident of Othakadai, told TNIE that though garbage is collected regularly, its disposal poses a significant challenge in the area. Earlier, the panchayat used to dump waste on the sides of national highway roads, which later created an issue. Now, the waste is dumped in a crematorium, as there is no dumpyard; sometimes, the Periyar canal is littered with waste, he said. A sanitary worker from Othakadai. on condition of anonymity, said though waste is segregated, there is no dedicated space for landfills in Othakadai area. Burning the waste is the only solution, he said. Speaking to TNIE , S Sumathi of Nagamalai Pudukottai alleged that sanitary workers were indifferent to the residents complaints of open burning of plastic and non-biodegradable waste. I had fainted twice after inhaling toxic fumes, she said. M Sowmiya, a teacher, whose commute passes through Karuppayurani area, claimed she had spotted open burning of waste, including plastic items and coated paper. It leads to the release of toxic substances and pollutants, including carbon monoxide, particulate pollution, ash, and dioxins, into the atmosphere. It poses serious health hazards to people who are continuously exposed to the toxins, including respiratory issues. The open burning also affects soil, groundwater and crops, she said, alleging official apathy on the issue. Assistant director (panchayats) M Arvind acknowledged the issue and said, Finding a suitable site of 400 sq ft for waste disposal is a huge challenge in rural areas, as each panchayat receives several metric tonnes of waste every week. Also, one worker per 150 households was appointed in 2019, but now each worker is forced to look after waste disposed of from 350 households. He said that as part of the waste management, panchayats are engaged in shredding plastic and using it for laying roads. We have a compost pit and shed for waste segregation at different points in the area, he added.
Trauma care unit in Government Hospital in Madurai closed after ceiling collapses
MADURAI: The trauma and emergency care unit functioning in the Thirumangalam Government Hospital has been closed after a portion of the ceiling fell down, recently, posing threat to the lives of patients. The unit was closed after PWD officials who inspected the building, which was built in 2001, declared it as unsafe. Patients have been accommodated in male ward in the hospital. K Ramalingam, a resident of Thirumangalam, said, The trauma and emergency care unit was constructed in 2001. But, after a period of time, the entire structure started to go weak. First, cracks developed in the ceiling. Though temporary measures such as plastering was done in a few sections, small pieces started to fall down. A few weeks ago, ceiling concrete broken and fell on the beds, but fortunately no patients were in the room. Lakshmikanth, another resident, said, We feel unsafe in the trauma unit. Since the government hospital is located near National Highway and the town is located between Kappalur and Thoppur, a lot of road accident victims are brought here for treatment. We are worried that patients might injured by falling of ceiling when they are admitted. According to sources, 104 road accident cases were admitted in the trauma care unit in Thirumangalam Government Hospital till May this year. Of this, 54 patients were referred to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) Madurai. Speaking to TNIE , a top official from Thirumangalam Government Hospital said, We informed higher authorities about the ceiling crash and a team of PWD officers inspected the facility. They have declared the entire building unsafe and unfit for use. We have closed the room and patients have been moved to male ward, which has 40 beds. We have taken twenty beds for trauma cases. We have sent a Rs 3-crore proposal to build a new trauma care unit with all facilities. We are waiting for the governments response.
Constables captor ends up with broken limbs after bid to flee from Madurai cops
MADURAI: One of the two suspects arrested for vandalising the V Chatrapatti police station and locking up a head constable on Friday night, suffered fractures on his leg and hand allegedly while trying to escape from police on Sunday. According to police, two suspects, M Prabakaran (29) alias Porali Prabakaran, a history-sheeter from V Chatrapatti and his friend P Murugan (19) alias Ayyanar of V Chatrapatti-- damaged the properties of the police station, threatened head constable V Palpandi before locking him in a room around 1 am on Saturday. Madurai Superintendent of Police P BK Arvind formed special teams to nab the suspects and they traced them in T Kallupatti. When they tried to secure them, Prabakaran allegedly tried to escape and jumped from a bridge. In the impact, he suffered fracture in his left leg and right hand, police said. He has been admitted in Government Rajaji Hospital. Meanwhile, Murugan was arrested by the police. Murugan is a co-accused in the 2024 murder of M Alagendran in Chatrapatti police station limits. He would be produced before the court, police said.
Hold periodic inspections at recreation clubs: Madras High Court
MADURAI: Observing that there is a common grievance among the public that the registration department was not conducting periodic inspections to identify and cancel licence of societies, including recreation clubs, which indulge in illegal activities, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has recommended the registration department to inspect such societies or clubs, verify their records and cancel their registration if any illegalities are found. A bench of justices SM Subramaniam and AD Maria Clete said the head of the department should issue instructions to officials to ensure the same. The bench further pointed out a circular issued by the Director General of Police, based on a 2021 HC order, and said, if any criminal case is registered against such clubs or societies, the police should communicate the same to the jurisdictional district registrar for appropriate action. The police are also duty bound to monitor the activities of such clubs and register criminal cases against those causing public nuisance, the judges added. The bench made the observations on a petition filed by S Shafiq Yasir seeking a direction to close a recreation club functioning on Pattukottai Road in Pudukkottai district, alleging public nuisance. Stating that public complaints of this nature should be addressed without any delay, the judges suo motu impleaded the Pudukkottai Superintendent of Police and directed the authority to verify the allegations and take necessary action within a month.
Hindu Munnani prints 50 lakh flyers for event in Tamil Nadu
TIRUCHY: Framed as a spiritual gathering, the Muruga Bhakthargalin Aanmeega Maanaadu scheduled in Madurai on June 22 is positioned by right-wing groups, including the RSS, Hindu Munnani, VHP, and BJP as one of the largest religious mobilisations in Tamil Nadu in recent times. The event, which centres on the collective chanting of Kanda Sashti Kavasam, is also seen by saffron groups as an exercise to invoke Hindu identity and reinforce cultural consolidation. Unlike the earlier Vel Yatra, this time, the mobilisation is done by approaching devotional gatherings in temples, meeting pilgrimage groups and inviting seers of mutts, Hindu sects, dominant OBC-caste groups. Organisers have roped in not just Murugan devotees but also followers of Sai Baba, Aadhiparasakthi, Mariamman, and over a dozen caste-based outfits. According to Hindu Munnani general Secretary M. Muruganandham, over 50 lakh invitation pamphlets, featuring image of Lord Muruga, have been printed and they are being distributed across the state. B Prakash, zonal secretary (public outreach) for RSS (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry), said the aim of the conference is spiritual awakening, not political gain. This is for Hindus spritual unity to safeguard their rights. Many temple committee members, regardless of political affiliation, are supporting this. We are not asking for votes. Actor Rajinikanth and television stars have been approached, and invitations extended to AIADMK leaders including Edappadi K Palaniswami. Organisers said they are also planning to invite CM Stalin and all others who are ideologically opposed to this conference.
Madras HC relaxes curbs for Murugan meet; advises organisers to ensure harmony
MADURAI: After Hindu Munnani raised objections to six of the 52 conditions imposed by Madurai city police for its Muruga Bhakthargalin Aanmeega Maanaadu which is scheduled to be held on June 22, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has relaxed some conditions and advised the organisers to ensure communal harmony is maintained during the event. The six conditions which were objected to included obtaining vehicle pass for participants, ban on taking out vehicle rallies, submitting in advance details of participants, getting permission from HR and CE department and Madurai City Corporation, ban on using drones. Justice B Pugalendhi upheld the condition of obtaining vehicle pass from the jurisdictional police, and directed police to dispose of applications within 24 hours and also pass a speaking order in case of rejection. As police would be issuing vehicle passes, they would have details of participants, the judge pointed out and struck down the condition which required the organisers to submit in advance the list of participants. With regard to vehicle procession, the outfits counsel assured that they do not plan to take out any rally. The judge further relaxed conditions of getting permission from HR and CE department and city corporation, saying they were irrelevant. Also, he modified the condition banning use of drones by permitting the outfit to use two drones to cover the event, after the organisers assured that the drones would be used only within event premises. Both the state as well as impleading petitioners (who opposed the event) apprehended that the organisation might trigger communal clash by making hate speeches. Hearing this, the judge cited the Religious Institution (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988, and advised the organisation to ensure communal harmony and not to add political colour to the event. Since the event is taking place near the highway, necessary police personnel may be deployed to ensure free flow of traffic, the judge added. The judge allowed the petition filed against the rejection order passed by the police for the installation and worship of miniatures of Lord Murugans six abodes. The other one filed by the outfit over the six restrictions was disposed of with the above modifications. The order was passed on Friday but the detailed order copy was released on Saturday night.
Court directs organisers of Lord Murugan conference to ensure communal harmony
The Madurai Bench of Madras HC also modified certain conditions imposed by the police for the conduct of Muruga Bakthargalin Aanmeega Maanadu on June 22 and its pre-event in Madurai
160 kg of ganja seized near Madurai
BJP functionary expelled from party after arrest in criminal case in Chennai
CHENNAI: A day after the arrest of BJPs state OBC wing secretary KR Venkatesan, aka Milagaipodi Venkatesan, for alleged extortion, state president of the party Nainar Nagenthran, on Saturday, expelled him from the partys primary membership, citing anti-party activities and bringing disrepute to the party. Venkatesan was arrested by the Red Hills police on Friday for allegedly conducting kangaroo courts, extorting businessmen, and blackmailing. He was later remanded in judicial custody following an inquiry. According to the police, Venkatesan is facing over 40 criminal cases in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, including charges of smuggling red sanders and land-related fraud. The arrest and the subsequent expulsion from the party came after social media went abuzz for a few days after a photo of him welcoming Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the latters visit to Madurai was widely circulated. Responding to criticisms that a person with many criminal cases was made a functionary and allowed to meet with the home minister, Venkatesan had said that he did not face any grievous charges like murder or anti-national activities. Claiming that cases filed against him were politically motivated, he said he was facing them legally.
Angered over probe, history-sheeter locks up Madurai cop in police station
MADURAI: Movies have their impact, and at times, they instill a false sense of courage and bravado. Just like a scene out from a Kollywood flick, a history-sheeter, along with his friend, locked a head constable in a room inside the V Chatrapatti police station and damaged the stations properties, as the police were allegedly targeting him, his family and friends. The head constable had to languish hours inside the room, until Saturday morning when his colleagues turned up for duty. The district police have formed special teams to nab the suspect who is on the run. The police said the incident happened around 1 am on Saturday at the police station under the Peraiyur sub-division when head constable V Palpandi was on night duty. He was alone at the station. Two persons including the history-sheeter, M Prabakaran, alias Porali Prabakaran from V Chatrapatti assumed that the personnel from the station had taken Prabakarans father, Muthuvel, for inquiry and had a heated argument with Palpandi. However, Muthuvel was, in fact, picked up by the Dindigul police and was released later. As the argument took an ugly turn, Palpandi, in order to escape from them, entered a room and locked himself from inside. At the time, Prabakaran locked the room from the outside and damaged the stations property, including the computer, before fleeing the spot. The identity of the second person who accompanied Prabakaran is yet to be confirmed, the police said. Prabakaran (28) is one of the accused in the murder case of M Alagendran from Kovilangulam in the V Chatrapatti police station limits in 2024. Madurai SP B K Arvind told TNIE Palpandi did not sustain any injury but was threatened. The stations property was damaged. Prabakaran was upset as he was arrested in a 2024 murder case and later detained under the Goondas Act. His friends were recently arrested for their involvement in criminal cases. In the latest incident, he felt that his father was also arrested in a case. Feeling that the police were targeting him, his family and friends, he indulged in a heated argument, which ended in the incident. A senior police officer from Dindigul said Muthuvel had no case pending against him in the district but was taken into custody for inquiry and released as he had no involvement in their suspected case. Former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, on X platform, urged authorities to take stringent action against those involved in the incident. He also blamed the state government for not being able to safeguard even the policemen and the station, and questioned how the government could ensure the safety of people in the state. Thirumangalam constituency MLA RB Udhayakumar from AIADMK visited the station and staged a protest condemning the incident. BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran blamed the state government for not being able to control the criminals. Union Minister of State L Murugan, in a post on X, said theres no safety even for policemen in the state. The V Chatrapatti police have registered a case and launched an inquiry.
14,850 accident cases treated at Madurai GRH under NK-48 scheme
MADURAI: As many as 14,850 road accident victims have benefitted through the 'Innuyir Kappom Nammai Kakkum 48' (NK-48) scheme at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai, since its launch in December 2021 till April 2025, according to records from the GRH Emergency Department. The hospital has so far provided treatment worth Rs 15.01-crore free of cost for patients under the scheme, said Dr S Thanappan, HOD (Emergency Medicine), GRH. For the four years till 2024, the hospital has performed a total of 11,869 surgeries under the scheme -- 4,122 neurosurgeries, 3,056 orthopaedic surgeries, 4,247 general surgeries, and 444 major surgeries. In 2025, till April, the emergency department of the hospital has carried out 523 neurosurgeries, 557 orthopaedic surgeries, and 921 general surgeries. Speaking to TNIE , Dr Thanappan said, The primary task of the scheme is to treat and save the victims within 48 hours of the accident. Thus, all kinds of road accident cases are included in the scheme, and only these cases are eligible. A majority of the cases are related to neurology and neurosurgery, fractures (ortho) and severe vascular injuries. Often, cases from Theni, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Dindigul are referred to the GRH, as victims might require advanced procedures, especially neurosurgeries. Many district hospitals and medical college hospitals do not have specialists in neurology, posing difficulties in treating head injuries at those facilities. At the GRH Emergency Department, a dedicated four-member team has been working around the clock for the NK-48 scheme. Sources said the documentation process and claims under the scheme are faster compared to the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). An official from the Emergency Department said, Under the scheme, the patients are photographed twice -- once immediately after admission and the second during treatment for documentation purposes. The claim is raised by producing the CT scan report, along with the accident registry, and the Aadhaar card. More importantly, victims need not produce any kind of identification or health insurance card -- such as the CMCHIS card, which is needed for treatment. However, there are several instances of claim rejection under the NK-48 scheme at the GRH -- two in 2021, 234 in 2022, 99 in 2023, 154 in 2024, and 82 in 2025 (till April). Explaining the issue, Dr Thanappan said, Many a time, issues with determining patients' identities could lead to claim rejection. Sometimes, after receiving treatment for 24 hours, patients choose to shift to a private hospital, which is against medical advice. Though claims are rejected, patients receive emergency treatment under our experts. Beneficiaries under NK-48 scheme at GRH, Madurai Year || Number of beneficiaries 2021 || 10 2022 || 4,605 2023 || 1,920 2024 || 6,154 2025 (till April) || 2,163
EPS will decide on seats for allianceparties in T.N., says BJP State vice-president
He met Mr. Palaniswami at the latters residence in Nedunchalai Nagar in Salem and invited him to the Lord Murugan conference, which is scheduled to be held in Madurai on June 22
AIADMK MLA R.B. Udayakumar detained for visiting ransacked police station in Madurai district
He said the police had no right to stop him as he represented the Assembly constituency wherein the damaged police station was located
State Contributes More For Schemes With PM Prefix
He was forced to speak in that fashion because of the Union Home Minister Amit Shahs remarks at Madurai: Stalin
TNPL 2025: Dindigul thrashes Madurai by 9 wickets - dtnext
TNPL 2025: Dindigul thrashes Madurai by 9 wickets dtnext
ATS issues warrant of appearance to 1997 train blast case suspect
COIMBATORE: The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) sleuths investigating the three bomb blast cases from 1997 have issued a proclamation order seeking the court appearance of a suspect who has been at large for around 27 years. The proclamation order in this regard was stuck at the Kallamedu area near Selvapuram where the suspect was residing before 1997. Police sources say one of the suspects, M Ayub alias Ashraf Ali, aged around 50, was from Kallamedu and was booked in three different bomb blast cases reported on December 6, 1997. The bombs exploded in trains stationed at railway stations in Erode, Tiruchy and Thrissur and claimed the lives of 10 people and left 72 injured. The case is being heard at Judicial Magistrate Court VI at Tiruchy. Ayub has been absconding since 1997. Despite a warrant being issued by the court, the suspect is still at large. The court has ordered the suspect to appear before the court on July 17, failing which he will be declared as a proclaimed offender. Based on the court order, a team of police from Madurai unit of the ATS issued a notice about the court order to his family residing in Selvapuram, on Thursday. A proclamation order is often referred to as a proclamation of appearance or a warrant of appearance. It is a formal public announcement issued by a court to force an individual to appear before it when the person is absconding or hiding to evade arrest or trial.
Tamil Nadu: Excess sewage in Panthalkudi to be sent to another STP
MADURAI: The city corporation has started work to establish a pumping station and divert sewage from the Panthalkudi canal to Sakkimangalam treatment plant. The STP in Panthalkudi can handle only 2 MLD, whereas the other plant can process 45 MLD. M Raja, president of Vaigai Makkal Iyakkam, said, The existing sewage treatment plant at Panthalkudi canal can treat only 2 MLD, while over eight MLD sewage flows through the canal. Owing to its lower capacity, apart from the 2 MLD, the remaining sewage was released into the Vaigai river. This has been polluting the Vaigai river. Hence, the city corporation has to increase the capacity of the sewage treatment plant (STP) at the canal to prevent sewage flow into the Vaigai river. Chithra Vijayan, corporation commissioner, told TNIE that after a brief stoppage due to Goripalayam flyover works, the 2-MLD STP situated in the canal has started to operate. Addressing the excess sewage issues, the corporation plans to install a pumping station on the other side of the canal to pump out sewage from the canal through the pipeline to the Sakkimangalam treatment plant for treatment. At present, pipeline works are being carried out by the corporation, through which about 6 MLD sewage would be pumped out of the canal to the Sakkimangalam treatment plant, while the remaining would be processed by the existing 2-MLD STP situated near Meenakshi College. Activists have also alleged that a large amount of garbage is dumped into the canal in several parts, and the city corporation should take action to properly clean the canal.
Hindu Munnani to Madras HC: Muruga Bakthargal meeting got police nod
MADURAI: Four days after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court granted the police time till Thursday to decide on allowing the Muruga Bakthargalin Aanmeega Maanadu scheduled for June 22, the Hindu Munnani, which is organising the event, informed the court that permission had been granted, albeit with 52 conditions. However, the outfit raised objections to six of the conditions including a ban on processions, the requirement of vehicle passes to enter the venue, and the need for separate approvals from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department and the Madurai City Corporation. The organisation filed a separate petition seeking exemption from these six conditions. Justice B Pugalendhi, recording the submissions, said a detailed order would be issued soon. Additional Advocate General R Baskaran, representing the Madurai police, stated that the restrictions were imposed solely to prevent any untoward incidents during the spiritual event. He also asserted that the organisers must take full responsibility to ensure peace and order. Accepting the states submission, the judge instructed the organisers not to allow any political activities during the conference. Hindu Munnani state secretary S Muthukumar had originally moved the court after police denied permission to install miniature replicas of the six abodes of Lord Murugan and conduct pujas to them between June 10 and 22. The court had earlier noted that even the main application for the conference was pending and directed the police to take a decision before June 12. During Fridays hearing, Muthukumars counsel informed the court that hundreds of volunteers had been arranged to facilitate the smooth conduct of the event. Meanwhile, V Aranganathan, president of the Tamil Nadu Government Trained Archagar Association, filed an impleading petition opposing the event, arguing that it violates Agamic principles and suggesting it had political undertones. The judge advised Hindu Munnani to refrain from giving the event a political colour.
Four court staff die, judge injured as car rams truck in Tamil Nadu
THOOTHUKUDI: Four court staffers died and the principal district judge of Thanjavur and another staff member sustained severe injuries after the car they were travelling in rammed a truck from behind at Melakaranthai on the Thoothukudi-Madurai National Highways on Friday morning. The accident occurred when the car, in a suspected attempt to overtake another vehicle, rear-ended a gypsum truck en route to Ariyalur, sources said. While advocate S Dhananjeya Ramachandran (55) of Pudukottai, personal security officer D Navin Kumar (28) of Tiruchy, and record clerk K Vasu Ramanathan (33) of Pudukottai were crushed to death on the spot, junior bailiff CA Sridhar Kumar died on the way to Aruppukottai Government Hospital. Thanjavur principal district judge K Poorana Jeya Anand (56) and staff K Udhayasuriyan (34) of Thanjavur, who sustained grievous injuries, were initially rushed to Aruppukottai GH, and later referred to Meenakshi Mission Hospital in Madurai. The tragedy struck when the group was on their way back to Thanjavur after visiting the Tiruchendur Murugan temple, sources said. Thoothukudi SP Albert John, Thoothukudi district munsif cum judicial magistrate P Gnana Jeritha Flower and other officials inspected the accident spot. Preliminary investigation revealed that Vasu Ramanathan was behind the wheel and the accident happened while overtaking a truck at Melakaranthai. Poor maintenance of the NH road could also have led to the tragedy, sources added. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased were shifted to Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital, and Aruppukottai GH. The postmortem procedures of Dhananjeya Ramachandran, Navin Kumar, and Vasu Ramanathan were conducted at Aruppukottai GH, while that of Sridhar Kumar was held at Thoothukudi MCH. Subsequently, the bodies were handed over to the relatives. The Masarpatti police have registered a case and probe is under way. It may be noted that the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had recently ordered to halt toll collection at Pudur Pandiyapuram and Eliyarpathy toll plazas due to the poor maintenance of Thoothukudi-Madurai NH. However, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) later obtained a stay order from the Supreme Court, and continues to collect toll without completing the maintenance work.
Report: Elders, youth share loneliness fear
BENGALURU: Studies show that loneliness is no longer limited to the elderly, but that youngsters also feel isolated and lack empathy from others. According to a report by HelpAge India released ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, both generations, youth and elders, share the common fear of loneliness in old age. The report stated that 69% of youth fear loneliness, while 88% expect to live with their families as they grow old. Similarly, 68% of elders reported a fear of loneliness, and 83% highlighted the importance of continuing family-based living arrangements. Additionally, 67% of youngsters fear poor health in old age, while 62% expressed concerns about financial insecurity. The study was conducted in 10 metropolitan and non-metropolitan cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kanpur, Nagpur, and Madurai. A total of 5,798 individuals were surveyed, 70% aged 1830 and 30% aged 60 and above. The study aimed to explore the emotional, relational, and psychological dimensions of intergenerational ties in urban India. According to the report, 56% of youth associate elders with loneliness, while others see them as dependent (48%), wise (51%), and respected (43%). The report also suggested introducing school-based interventions, such as age-sensitisation programmes or curricula, and recommended the creation of a National Intergenerational Engagement Mission. It also advocated for youth-led community care initiatives and the development of elder care systems involving youth volunteers. Highlights of the report The Value and Respect score among youth is 63.59/100, with non-metros scoring 65.18 and metros 62.52. 49% of youth interact with grandparents, 45% with parents. Elders engage with sons (50%) and grandsons (40%). Face-to-face remains the primary mode of inter-generational communication (88%), with the digital divide evident, 71% of elders use basic phones, only 13% use the internet, and 5% access online services. 14% of elders use no digital tools 66% elders find technology confusing and 51% fear errors. Youth serve as key enablers, with 54% of children and 52% of grandchildren acting as digital guides.
Rasam: A concoction for your soul
During monsoon, the weather naturally calls for comfort something warm and nourishing for the soul. Be it hot chai with crispy pazhampori, a plate of golden pakoras, or a bowl of hearty soup, food becomes an experience while watching the pitter-patter of rain. No matter how much one cherishes the cosiness the rain offers, the season often brings the risk of sniffles and fever. This is when we crave something that not only comforts but also heals. Enter Rasam. This humble, tangy yet soothing spiced broth is the perfect concoction for the season. In addition to the fact that it is flavourful, its simplicity in preparation likely made it a staple on lunch tables in many Malayali homes. Though rasam is common in many parts of southern India, where is it originally from? The origin story Well, history dates back to the 16th century in Madurai. Following the decline of the Vijayanagar empire, the Saurashtra empires rule was established. Though originally not from southern India, the community settled into the heart of the Tamil landscape. As immigrants adapting to a new land, they began incorporating local ingredients into their cooking. Tamarind and black pepper, both plentiful in South India, became central to the soup they prepared. The name coined at first was pulichaar, but how the word evolved to what we call rasam is not known. The term rasam in Tamil means extract, and in Sanskrit, rasa refers to juice. With respect to places, the name also changes. In Karnataka, it is known as saaru, whereas chaaru is in Andhra Pradesh and saar is in Maharashtra, and even the term pulusu is also popular in South India. In the book Historical Dictionary of Indian Food, author and historian K T Achaya mentions that the British referred to rasam as mulligatwany, a combination of two Tamil words: milagu (pepper) and thanni (water). There also exists another story of how rasam came about. Here, the credit for inventing it goes to a chef in Madurai called Karunas. It is believed that the Kings son was ill and refused to eat anything. So, he declared a prize for anyone who could come up with a dish that his son would eat. Responding to this challenge, Karunas made rasam to cope with illness. Since then, rasam has earned the reputation as the go-to comfort food when sick. Over 200 varieties There are over 200 known rasam varieties, and just like how its name changes according to the region, differences are also felt in its flavour and texture. For example, unlike the rasam made in Kerala style, the saaru and chaaru varieties have a thick consistency and also have a hint of Saarina podi, and in Tamil Nadu, rasam is also made with tuvar dal, often infused with ingredients like pepper, tamarind, lime, tomato, and curry leaves. Typically, poured over rice and served as the first course of the meal. With time, from being the classic tomato-pepper rasam, this super soup comes with other vegetables and even fruits. For a healthy gut, we now have rasams in gooseberry, lemon, pineapple, strawberry, watermelon, raw mango, moringa, veldt grape and even chettinad famous chicken rasam, cooked using chicken bone pieces along with spices. Medicinal properties Packed with antioxidants, its known to offer relief from colds and coughs while also supporting digestive and circulatory health. In 2020, when the world was hit by coronavirus, rasam became viral in the USA as a new immunity booster. Traditional ingredients like ginger, garlic, asafoetida, fenugreek, and mustard give rasam its reputation as a go-to remedy during bouts of illness. Coriander seeds, often used in the mix, have anti-inflammatory properties, while turmeric, ginger, and black pepper help soothe a sore throat and ease cold symptoms. Raw garlic, when added, is believed to support heart health and improve circulation. Mustard and fenugreek contribute additional antioxidant benefits. For those dealing with digestive issues, rasam is an effective option. Cumin, asafoetida, and ginger aid in digestion and help prevent bloating. Tamarind supports healthy bowel movements. Beyond its medicinal properties, rasam is also nutrient-dense. Depending on the variation, it can provide essential minerals like zinc, calcium, potassium, niacin, and magnesium, along with a healthy dose of vitamins A and C. RECIPES Kozhirasam Ingredients * Chicken (with bone ): 500g * Water: 3 ltr * Salt: to taste * Peppercorns: 20g * Whole coriander: 15g * Whole red chilli: 10g * Garlic: 20g * Sliced Tomatoes: 50g * Chopped coriander: 10g * Asafotida powder: 3g * Cumin seeds: 5g * Curry leaves: 2 sprigs * Turmeric powder: 4g * Tamarind water: 15 ml Method Crush the garlic, cumin, black pepper and red chilli. Keep it aside. Boil the ingredients except chopped coriander and tamarind pulp with the prepared masala. Allow to boil for 30 minutes in slow heat. Strain therasamafter 30 minutes. Finish with tamarind pulp, boiled chicken pieces and chopped coriander. Pineapple Rasam Ingredients * Toor dal: 1/4 cup * Turmeric powder: 1 tsp * Tomatoes: 3 (roughly chopped) * Pineapple: 1 cup (chopped) * Green chillies: 2 (slit) * Cumin powder: 1/2 tsp * Coriander powder: 1/2 tsp * Red chilli powder: 1/4 tsp * Lemon juice: 2 tsp * Salt: to taste * Coriander leaves: 2 sprig * Ghee: 1 tbsp * Mustard seeds: 1/4 tsp * Cumin seeds: 1/4 tsp * Garlic: 3 cloves * Asafotida: A pinch * Curry leaves: 2 sprig Method Boil the dal and set aside. Puree tomatoes and set aside. Add pineapple cubes, green chillies, freshly made tomato puree, salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder and cumin powder into a cooker. Add 1 cup of water, mix well and cook until 4-5 whistles. Blend the mix together and add it to a pot. Add dal and water into it and bring to a boil. Add coriander leaves and the freshly squeezed lemon juice into the rasam. In a small pan, heat ghee on medium flame, and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Allow them to crackle and add hing and curry leaves. Add the tadka to rasam. Gooseberry rasam Ingredients * Toor dal: 1 tbsp * Cumin seeds: 1 tsp * Peppercorns: 1 tsp * Dry chillies: 2 * Curry leaves: 5-6 * Gooseberry: 4 * Tomatoes: 2 * Ginger: 1-inch long piece * Turmeric powder: 1 tsp * Chilli powder: 1 tsp(optional) * Asafoetida: 1.5 tsp * Salt: to taste * Mustard seeds: 1 tsp * Garlic: 6 cloves * Oil: 2 tbsp (or ghee) Method In a pan, pour 1 tbsp oil and roast the ingredients in step 1 (first the spices and dal and then the gooseberry and tomato pieces). Grind this to a paste and boil it with 3 cups of water and the ingredients in step 2. Temper the rasam with ingredients under step 3. Njandu Rasam Ingredients (serves five) * Tomato: 100g * Sambar dal: 50g * Chilli powder: 5g * Coriander powder: 5g * Turmeric powder: 3g * Shallots: 15g * Garlic and ginger: 20g * Asafotida: 3g * Crab: 200g * Salt: 10g * Lemon juice: 30 ml For garnish * Curry leaves: 10g * Coriander leaves: 5g * Jeera: 5g Method In a cooking pan, pourenough water. Add the fresh crab pieces and set it to boil in low heat for20 minutes. In a pan, saute shallots, garlic and ginger for 10 minutestill it turns golden brown.Then, add the fresh tomatoes, curry leaves, and all masala powders. Slowly mix the mushy cooked sambar dal. Mix well. Then add fresh crab stock and salt. Mix well and serve hot.
Madurai district police introduce additional patrolling to curb crime
Educational aid distributed to children of women impacted by suicide loss in Madurai
Endoscopic cardiac surgery meet under way in Madurai
Excavations at Keeladi in Madurai reveal a 6th-century BCE urban settlement, contemporary with the Gangetic plains, showcasing a sophisticated society with rich material culture and literacy. Artefacts like inscribed potsherds and dice link the site to Sangam literature, confirming it as a lived experience of ancient Tamils.
Dy CM Pawan Kalyan invited to Murugan Devotees Conference to be held in Madurai
VIJAYAWADA: Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Thursday extended an invitation to Jana Sena Party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to attend Muruga Bhakthargal Maanadu (Murugan Devotees Conference) scheduled to be held at Madurai on June 22. Pawan Kalyan has been invited to attend the spiritual gathering as a chief guest. Nagendran, along with a delegation of BJP leaders, met Pawan Kalyan at the JSP headquarters in Mangalagiri on Thursday to personally hand over the invitation. They described the conclave as a significant spiritual event aimed at reinforcing Sanatana Dharma, and said devotees from across Tamil Nadu, especially from the six prominent Shanmukha Kshetras will participate in it. The BJP leaders also informed that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also been invited as the chief guest for the conclave. BJP Tamil Nadu in-charge Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, leaders M Chakravarthy, S Amaraprasad Reddy, and KS Radhakrishnan were part of the delegation.
Tejas, Kollam Express trains to start from Tambaram from June 20: Southern Railway
CHENNAI: To facilitate platform upgrading works at Chennai Egmore as part of the railway station redevelopment plan, Southern Railway on Thursday announced that Chennai Egmore -Madurai Tejas Express, Kollam Express and a few other trains will depart/ terminate from Tambaram. The Charminar Express bound to Hyderabad will run from Chennai Beach instead of Tambaram. The revised terminal points for these trains will be in force from June 20 to August 18. An official note said Chennai Egmore - Kollam Express, Chennai Egmore - Madurai Tejas Express, Chennai Egmore - Mannargudi Mannai Express, Chennai Egmore - Tiruchendur Express and Chennai Egmore - Guruvayur Express will originate and terminate at Tambaram. Similarly, Tambaram - Hyderabad Charminar daily Express will originate and terminate from Chennai Beach between June 20 and August 18, added the statement.
Wont allow Tamil Nadu to be ruled from Delhi: CM Stalin
COIMBATORE: Tamils have self-respect and we will never allow Tamil Nadu to be ruled from Delhi, said Chief Minister MK Stalin during a government programme in Salem on Thursday. The chief minister released water from the Mettur Dam for irrigation in delta districts, and announced an increase in the procurement price of paddy to Rs 2,500 per quintal. Farmers will now get Rs 2,500 per quintal. Accordingly, the procurement price of paddy will be increased to Rs 131 for the normal variety and Rs 156 for the short variety. The normal variety will be purchased at Rs 2,500 and the short variety at Rs 2,545. Taking a dig at Union Home Minister Amit Shahs speech in Madurai, Stalin said, Some people cannot bear the functioning of the Dravidian model of governance. A few days ago, Amit Shah came to Madurai. He criticised the DMK government saying we only make announcements and do nothing. He claimed that the DMK government is reversing the schemes provided by the BJP-led government at the centre. The truth is that the state government is providing additional funds because these schemes cannot be implemented using the funds allocated by the union government. The state government is allocating over 50% of the funds for schemes that bear Prime Minister Narendra Modis name. Referring to a scene from the Rajinikanth-starrer film Padayappa, he said, There is a dialogue he is the groom, but the shirt he is wearing is mine. Similarly, the schemes may be launched by the union government, but we are providing the funds. The BJP government is the only government that has not provided any special scheme for Tamil Nadu, and the money allocated for the projects are not being released entirely, the chief minister charged. Has Amit Shah seen the condition of AIIMS Madurai, which the union government announced ten years ago? In four years of governance, we have completed a host of projects in Madurai region. This is the difference between the BJP model and the Dravidian model. Had adequate funds been allocated, the AIIMS project could have been completed in two years, Stalin added. Further, he said, Another union minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, has spoken like he is rejecting the antiquity of Madurai. He said the Keezhadi report, written on the basis of scientific research, should be revised. We were the first to publish the results on the antiquity of iron in Tamil Nadu after testing it in laboratories all over the world. Did they praise them then? They did not even acknowledge the results or say a word on the findings. The union government is constantly trying to downplay and destroy the antiquity of Tamils, he said, adding, The people of Tamil Nadu are ignoring, and will continue to ignore the BJP- AIADMK alliance as they are ignoring the state. In a veiled dig at Edappadi K Palaniswami, Stalin said he formed an alliance to save his position, and questioned the latter if he raised his voice when Tamil Nadus rights were taken away. The people are clear. They will not accept you again. Tamils have self-respect. We will never allow Tamil Nadu to be ruled from Delhi. Stalin participated in the government programme in Salem, distributed welfare assistance and inaugurated 507 scheme works and 225 completed projects worth Rs 1,649.18 crore for Salem district. Later, he also visited Periyar University and paid floral tributes to Periyar. Discharge from Mettur stepped up Water was released from the Mettur Dam for the 92nd year. In the first phase, 3,000 cubic feet of water was released and increased to 7,000 cubic feet at 4 pm. 17.10 lakh acres of land in delta districts will use this water for cultivation of kuruvai and samba crops CM Stalin to hold one-on-one interactions with DMK functionaries from June 13
CM Stalin to hold one-on-one interactions with DMK functionaries from June 13
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin will begin one-on-one interactions with party functionaries from each Assembly constituency at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai from Friday as part of preparations for the 2026 Assembly election. The initiative has been named Udanpirappe Vaa.At the DMKs general council meeting held in Madurai on June 1, Stalin had announced that he would personally meet functionaries from all ranks across the 234 constituencies in the state. Accordingly, he is scheduled to interact with functionaries from Villupuram, Chidambaram and Usilampatti on Friday. Functionaries from the district level down to union and town secretary levels have been invited. The meetings will begin at 10 am and continue until the afternoon. According to sources, Stalin is expected to listen to the grievances and views of party cadre to gain a deeper understanding of local dynamics, both within the party and in their constituencies. The interactions will also give him feedback on the performance of local MLAs and ministers. These meetings will offer Stalin an early indication of potential candidates for the 2026 elections, sources said. During the interactions, Stalin will emphasise on strengthening the partys grassroots presence by pushing the membership drive, with a target of enrolling 30% of the electorate in each booth as DMK members, sources added. If these interactions are held in the presence of district secretaries, many may not feel comfortable expressing their thoughts freely. Even if it is just for a minute, the CM should hold individual meetings with each functionary. Only then will he get a true picture of the ground realities, a functionary from Cuddalore told TNIE . He also warned that some district secretaries might brief or influence the cadre ahead of the meeting, discouraging them from raising contentious issues or voicing complaints.
Madurai Bench of Madras High Court gets battery operated cars
HC directs Madurai Corporation to demolish temple constructed unauthorisedly on OSR land
718 roads in Madurai city to be re-laid at a cost of 65.53 crore
CBI, Madurai, registers corruption case against its own staff
He had demanded 7 lakh from an accused to remove his name from a chargesheet in 2023
History-sheeter murdered in Madurai
Madurai Kamaraj University Field Investigators Recruitment 2025 - Apply Online
The Madurai Kamaraj University has released an official notification for the recruitment of 02 Field Investigators posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official Madurai Kamaraj University website. The last date to submit the application form is 18-06-2025.
