Madurai - Bengaluru Vande Bharat train via Tiruchi to run with 16 coaches from September 11
Police excess: SHRC recommends compensation to former Madurai Corporation councillor V.K. Gurusamy
It also recommended that the State government initiate disciplinary proceedings against the personnel involved in the police excess case
EPSs poll promise on Madurai airport name draws criticism from NDA allies
NEW DELHI: Questioning the Tamil Nadu government over the appointment of an acting DGP instead of a regular DGP, the SC on Monday directed the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)to expeditiously recommend names for making a regular appointment. A three-judge bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and Atul S Chandurkar,directed the TN State government to immediately proceed with the appointment of a regular DGP once the recommendations from the UPSC are received. Why do you have an acting DGP? the top court asked after hearing the plea. The top court's direction came after hearing a contempt petition filedby a lawyer from Madurai High Court, Henry Tiphagne,against the Government of Tamil Nadu for violating the Prakash Singh guidelines and appointing an in-charge DGP. The petitioner soughta contempt action against Tamil Nadu for appointing G Venkatraman as the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police on August 31. During the hearing on Monday, Senior Advocate and former Attorney General of India, Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for TN, argued that the delay was caused by litigation initiated by one of the IPS officers. The officer had approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) seeking inclusion of his name in the panel for consideration. After his plea was dismissed by the Tribunal and his review was rejected on April 30, he approached the Supreme Court. His petition before the top court was dismissed on August 22, paving the way for the appointment process to resume. After being heard these submissions from Rohatgi, the top court requested the UPSC to finalise its recommendations quickly and recorded that the State must act on them without delay. It is to be noted that in 2018, the top court passed the ruling in the Prakash Singh VS Union of India case, where it laid down certain guidelines in connection with the regular appointments of DGPs in a state. It had in the verdict directed all States to forward proposals to the UPSC at least three months before the retirement of the incumbent. The top court, after hearing Tiphagne's plea, stressed thatstrict adherence to the directions must be followed as ordered by this court in the Prakash Singh case verdict. The UPSC is required to prepare a panel of officers for the post, and the States were to choose from that list, the top court said. It clarified that the concept of an 'acting DGP' was impermissible, and that appointments should ensure stability of tenure -- consistent with merit and seniority. Tiphagne in his plea said that the top court therein had issued several direction by invoking Article 142 of the Constitution of India in the appointment process of DGPs. It is therein directed the states to select from amongst the three seniormost officers of the Department who have been empanelled for promotion to that rank by the Union Public Service Commission on the basis of their length of service, good record and range of experience for heading the police force. Once he has been selected, he should have a minimum tenure of at least two years irrespective of his date of superannuation, the contempt petition ofTiphagnesaid. He further added in his plea that the State of Tamil Nadu having the anticipation of the vacancy to arise on August 31, the superannuation of the incumbent DGP, Venkataraman, IPS, the state had not sent proposal 3 months in advance to the UPSC for empanelment as per the directions of this Court in the judgment in Prakash Singh's case. The State, having failed in its duty to comply with the order has appointed ad hoc / incharge post, Tiphagne pointed out.
Karur Vysya Bank strengthens footprint with new branches in Coimbatore, Madurai, Vizag
With these additions, KVB now operates 894 branches nationwide
Believe in yourself: How this Madurai teacher taught her students to be confident
You might not have heard of Sumathi teacher, but you would have definitely heard of Shivadharshini, Deepika, and the believe yourself trend that was all over your social media feeds
Meet Madurai-based V Seshakumar, who has travelled to 60 countries, welcoming his 70s with a 50-day international trip
Tamil Nadu: Heavy rains in Madurai leave roads waterlogged, cause inconvenience to passengers
Heavy rainfall in Madurai caused significant waterlogging, particularly on the Avaniyapuram road leading to the airport, disrupting travel. Clogged drains exacerbated the situation, leading to sewage mixing with rainwater and flooding the Avaniyapuram bus stand and municipal office. Earlier in the week, various parts of Tamil Nadu experienced light to moderate rainfall, with Namakkal district recording the highest amount.
Promote Madurai as a hub for spiritual tourism
Madurai Market curates numerous success stories
Postal dak adalat to be held in Madurai on October 6
Tamil Nadu minister urges Centre to allow Airbus aircraft on domestic routes
Ma Subramanian, Tamil Nadu Health Minister, has appealed to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry. He wants Airbus aircraft to operate on routes like Madurai and Tuticorin. Currently, ATR planes are used. He also seeks better passenger facilities at Chennai airport. Passengers often face issues with shuttle buses to distant parking bays.
T.N. Health Minister flags air travelers woes, seeks Airbus services on key routes
Mr.Subramanian highlighted that, in recent times, passengers flying to Madurai from Chennai airport have been experiencing severe mental stress due to inadequate seating in shuttle buses
HC grants bail to three persons accused in Madurai property tax scam
An Onam odyssey beyond borders
On the streets of Nagercoil, the days before Thiruvonam once meant hurried visits to crowded shops to buy Onakodi (Onam outfit). Writer Nanjil Nadan, who grew up in Nanjil Nadu, recalls that set- mundu or silk was beyond their means. We wore manja mundu (yellow dhoti). Most people were farmers, and we could not afford silk. Even getting three meals a day was a struggle, he says. Still, new clothes marked the festival, however modest. For us, Onam was always more important than Deepavali, he adds. That personal memory is reflective of how Onam travelled across borders and state lines. Nanjil Nadu, once part of Travancore, became part of Tamil Nadu only in 1956 after years of political struggle. Its people carried their Malayalam culture with them food, worship, language, and festivals. Onam endures as a marker of that history, still celebrated in border districts with a distinct flavour. Looking back into the history of Onam is a bit tedious, as there is no specific origin to this festival mentioned in history notes. Sociologist AM Kurup writes in The Sociology of Onam , The earliest known reference to Onam is found in Madurai Kanji, a Sangam poem from the 2nd century CE. It describes seven days of celebration in Madurai oblations to temples, duels and games, feasting, and a royal assembly where warriors, poets, and chieftains received gifts. Later inscriptions reveal how local assemblies institutionalised the festival. By the 16th century, travellers like Bartolommeo noted that Onam, celebrated over eight days, was dedicated to securing prosperity for the year, with people putting aside old pots, donning new clothes, and sharing food. Over time, power shifts transformed its religious landscape. Saivite sites gave way to Vaishnavite temples, and the presiding deity of Onam came to be identified with Vishnu. Kanniyakumari: A grandeur For Uma Sudhir, daughter of KT Sudhir who was once the president of Kanyakumari Malayali Samajam, Onam has become quieter with time. She recalls her childhood memories that involved gathering at her grandmothers house in Ernakulam, cousins laying pookalam together before the sadhya . Now, Onam is celebrated in individual homes. At the Samajam, we mark it on a convenient day, with competitions for schoolchildren, cultural programmes in Malayalam, and sometimes Pulikali on the streets. We also usually order in sadhya . Especially after Covid, things have become laid back. If there arent children at home, the pookalam is often skipped, she says. For Nanjil Nadan, Onams deep-rooted cultural connections remain strong through food. These days, everyone in Tamil Nadu just calls it payasam . But for us, its pradhaman . Ada Pradhaman, Paal Pradhaman theres always some kind of pradhaman . We dont make just any dessert for Onam. Also, we dont make non-veg for Onam, but we make it for Deepavali, he shares. Celebrations also spilled into the community. Under the tamarind trees, swings made of thick coir rope carried children and grandmothers alike. That marked the beginning of the festival. During Onam, theyd show some great Malayalam movies, he recalls. It was a rare chance for us. Thats how we got to see films like Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha . Music also filled the houses. We sang Maveli Naadu Vaanidum Kaalam , he adds. Today, the writer lives in Coimbatore. Ive lived here for 36 years. Onam is such a joyful festival. The citys diversity shapes its celebrations. About 35% of the people here are Malayalis, and the remaining are Telugu and Tamil speakers. So, its pretty cosmopolitan. Its not a distinctly Malayali festival. Basically, everyone celebrates it. Coimbatore: A porous border Artist Jitha Karthikeyan sees Onam in Coimbatore as inseparable from Kerala. From here, Valayar is just half an hour away. People go to Palakkad even for lunch, if they crave a Kerala meal, she says. The proximity keeps the culture alive in everyday life, not just during Onam. Now, she is struck by how porous the festival has become. I see Tamil and Telugu households making pookalam . Hotels are full with sadhya bookings from people who arent Malayalis. Festivals are no longer confined everyone celebrates what they find beautiful. Palakkad: A floral memory On the other side of the border, in Kalpathi, Palakkad, postmaster MN Lathadevi remembers the colours of the flowers that dominated houses. We used to put poochedi poovu , mukkutti poovu , thumbappoo , chembarathi , roses, and nithyakalyani . From Atham , we put pookalam for ten days. On Pooradam , we made matheru (small conical clay idols), on Uthradam three matherus , and on Thiruvonam we placed Maveli, she says. Each stage carried meaning. Pooradam is childrens Onam, Uthradam the elders, Thiruvonam everyones, and Avittam is for the married daughters who return to their homes. Today, marigolds from Tamil Nadu dominate, filling the absence of native blooms. Chennai: The many Onams In Chennai, Onam unfolds through associations and apartments. Pankajam Jayaram, who moved from Kannur 50 years ago, sees the contrast. We have to buy flowers and ingredients here. My mother made everything herself in Kerala, but in Chennai, we often order sadhya . Still, we share payasam with our neighbours. For businessman Manoharan Nambiar, the festival is a community stage. We celebrate in our apartment complex with about 50 Malayali families. Theres pookalam judged by celebrities, Mahabali goes around all the towers with chenda melam, and there are plays in English. We also serve free food to our housekeeping and security staff, he says. Meanwhile, Kudumbashree member Rejani Manohar recalls, Since ours is an all-women team, we made a woman Mahabali. In her household, Thalassery roots mean that the second days meal includes chicken biryani and date pickle served on banana leaves. Functionally, Onam plays a prominent role in the social integration of Keralites, irrespective of caste or creed. The rulers and the ruled, the employers and the employees, the landlords and the serfs, the high and the low all endeavour to achieve a common goal, share a common dream, and reflect the same aspirations, writes Kurup. Perhaps thats why Onam never sat still. It reappears in new places. For Jitha, what endures beyond geography or ritual is a shared ethos. Basically, it is about welcoming whether its a king in the legend, or simply a guest at the door. You may live in a tiny house, but you still clean the entrance, lay flowers, and serve food. That is our culture of hospitality. Let us take the spirit of oneness from it and celebrate, she concludes.
AIADMK will ensure that Madurai projects put on the back-burner will be completed
Dry day in Madurai on September 5
AprilJuly 2025 air travel up 4 per cent, South leads with over 10 per cent growth
NEW DELHI: Air passenger traffic during the four-month period from April to July 2025 recorded a 4 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year, according to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). International traffic grew by 6.6 per cent, while domestic traffic rose by 3.4 per cent. The Southern Region is driving the overall growth, registering a robust increase of over 10 per cent, the data indicated. The air traffic report released by AAI stated that the AprilJuly period of 2025 saw 13.72 crore passengers, compared to 13.2 crore in the same period last year. Airports in the Southern Region alone recorded a total of 4.62 crore passengers, up from 4.2 crore last year, reflecting a 10.2 per cent growth. A total of 2,62,68,697 Indians flew internationally during the four months, compared to 2,48,30,147 in the same period last year. Domestically, there were 11,08,21,774 passengers compared to 10,71,76,202 in the corresponding months of the previous year. Here are the airports in the South that recorded significant growth in passenger traffic during AprilJuly 2025 compared to AprilJuly 2024, Shivamogga 52,272 passengers (89.3% increase), Tiruchirapalli 2,90,775 (55% increase),Kozhikode 2,76,137 (15.8%), Tirupati 4,25,629 (52.1%), Hyderabad 87,28,640 (15.9%), Kannur 1,62,786 (34.1%), Madurai 4,17,325 (12.5%), Cuddapah 22,837 (52.8%), Hubballi 1,19,756 (22%), Rajahmundry 11,95,532 (36.3%), Tuticorin 1,04,010 (23.5%) and Kurnool 7,374 (35.7%) Only southern region records domestic growth in July Statistics released for July 2025 alone reveal a 1 per cent dip in total passenger traffic compared to the same month last year, primarily due to a slump in domestic travel. Interestingly, the Southern Region was the only region to record growth in the domestic market in July. While the Northern, Eastern, Western, and Northeastern regions showed negative growth, Southern airports collectively recorded 80 lakh passengers in July 2025, compared to the same month in 2024, reflecting a 2.8 per cent increase.
Government Of Misery: EPS Targets DMK With Corruption Charges In Madurai
AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi K Palaniswami sharpened his offensive against the ruling DMK on Monday.
Indian Railways rolls out biometric sign-on system for TTEs
NEW DELHI: In a first, Indian Railways has introduced a new biometric sign-on and sign-off system for its ticket checking staff, marking a significant step towards modernising railway operations and enhancing accountability. The first digital TTE lobby of Indian Railways also became operational at Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction under the East Central Railway on August 29 this year. According to the Railways, this innovative system has already been successfully implemented in the Banaras Division of Northern Railway, Sonpur Division in East Central Railway, Ratlam Division in Western Railway, and TTE lobbies at CSMT, Pune and Solapur in Central Railway. It is also operational in Malda Division in Eastern Railway, Mysore Division in South Western Railway, Bhopal in West Central Railway, and Madurai, Palghat, Trichy in Southern Railway, along with the Kota Lobby in West Central Railway. Additionally, it is being phased in across various divisions of the North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, and North Western Railway zones. The Jammu Division of Northern Railway is set to roll out the system shortly. ED I&P, Railways Ministry, Dileep Kumar said, The new system integrates biometric authentication with the Ticket Examiner (TTE) Lobby system, allowing staff to authenticate themselves using an Aadhaar-enabled biometric device. This ensures a tamper-proof, transparent, and privacy-compliant attendance process that accurately records working hours and duty status in real time. He outlined the objectives of the biometric system, stating that authentic attendance will ensure that attendance records are accurate and verifiable. He said that the system will also provide real-time data on staff availability and duty status, allowing for more efficient management. He further mentioned that the system also offers effective monitoring of working hours and lobby operations. He added that the system integrates with Hand Held Terminals (HHTs) and duty rosters for streamlined staff deployment. Detailing the initiative, Kumar said that the implementation of this system is a testament to Indian Railways commitment to improving efficiency and transparency. The biometric sign-on/off system will not only streamline staff deployment but also significantly enhance the overall efficiency, transparency, and accountability of the ticket checking staff, ultimately improving the experience for all passengers, he said.
Sanatan row: SC to hear Udhaya plea in 2026
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said it would hear in 2026 the plea of Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin seeking to club all FIRs and complaints over his contentious eradicate Sanatan Dharma remarks in 2023 and transfer them to one place. Stalins plea came up for hearing on Monday, before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Udhayanidhi, pointed out several FIRs and complaints were filed against him. Due to paucity of time, the court said it will hear the case in 2026. On March 6,SC had ordered that no further FIRs should be registered against Udhayanidhi for his alleged controversial Sanatana Dharma comments without its prior permission. The court has earlier passed the order, after being apprised that an application filed revealed that a new FIR had also been filed against him in Bihar. At an event in September 2023, Stalin allegedly said Sanatan Dharma was against social justice and equality and should be eradicated and compared it to coronavirus, malaria and dengue, asking it to be destroyed. Madurai lawyer moves apex court on DGP appointment New Delhi: A lawyer in the Madurai bench of Madras HC, Henry Tiphagne, has moved a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against TN for violating Prakash Singh guidelines and appointing an in-charge DGP. The matter is likely to come up for hearing within a week, sources said. Despite anticipating the vacancy to arise on August 31, TN had not sent the proposal three months in advance to the UPSC for empanelment as per the SC judgment in Prakash Singhs case, Tiphagne said in his petition.
DMK govt. trying to save Madurai Mayor in property tax scam, says Palaniswami
The IADMK general secretary says without the Mayors instruction, the irregularities in the Corporation could not have happened
Tasmac workers protest against liquor bottle buyback scheme; shut doors in Madurai
Two killed in road accident near Vadamadurai
Awareness campaign for Madurai book festival kicked off
Elathur lake in Erode notified as Tamil Nadus third Biodiversity Heritage Site
This follows the previous designations of Arittapatti in Madurai district in November 2022 and Kasampatty in Dindigul district in March 2025
Two married women end life in separate incidents in Madurai
Madurai Corporation to revise property tax for buildings changed from residential to commercial
Pakistan to visit India for Junior World Cup: Hockey India
Rajgir (Bihar), Aug 30: Pakistan will travel to India later this year to compete in the FIH Junior World Cup, Hockey India secretary general Bholanath Singh confirmed on Saturday. Pakistan opted out of the ongoing Asia Cup in Bihar following the military conflict between the two countries, citing security concerns. It had raised doubts if the team from the neighbouring country will compete in the Junior World Cup to be held in Southern Indian cities of Chennai and Madurai in [] The post Pakistan to visit India for Junior World Cup: Hockey India appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Official sources say that show-cause notices have been served on the committee members in respect of the approval granted. This is one of the four district-level authorisation committees functioning in Tamil Nadu
Councillors continue to blame officials for poor upkeep of Madurai city
AIADMK abstains from council meeting in Madurai Corporation demanding Mayors resignation
26 Vinayaka idols taken out in procession in Madurai
Vande Bharat trains to be upgraded with more coaches on 7 routes
These seven routes are Mangaluru Central-Thiruvananthapuram Central, Secunderabad-Tirupati, Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli, Madurai-Bengaluru Cantt, Deoghar-Varanasi, Howrah-Rourkela and Indore-Nagpur
TVK State conference: Case of assault on youth by bouncers transferred to Madurai district police
In his complaint, Sarathkumar, who had attended the second State conference of the TVK on August 21, alleged he was pushed down from the 10-foot-high ramp by bouncers who had provided security to actor and party founder Vijay
Tamil Nadu police book assault case against actor-turned-politican Vijay
Tamil Nadus Kunnampolice, on Wednesday, August 27, registered cases against actor-turned-politician Vijay and 10 of his bouncers for alleged assault during his partys massive state conference in Madurai on August 21. The Vijay Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief was booked based on a complaint by Sarath Kumar, who claimed he was manhandled when he tried Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
TVK Madurai conference: Case against Vijay after cadre complains of being pushed down by bouncers
The case was booked in connection with an incident at the TVKs recent conference in Madurai, where a party cadre, who climbed the ramp and went close to Mr. Vijay, was forcefully pushed down by a bouncer
Tamil actor Vijay booked after his bouncers push TVK worker at Madurai event
The complaint, lodged by party worker Sarathkumar, alleges that Vijay's bouncers pushed him while he was trying to climb the ramp, causing him to fall and suffer a chest injury.
Remembering Vijayakants grand political debut in Tamil Nadu
At a press conference in Chennai on June 1, 2005, the Tamil actor promised to unveil his partys name and ideology at the first State conference. On September 14, 2005, during the conference at Madurai, Vijayakant unveiled his party name Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and its flag.
Madurai Corpn. submits to HC action plan to verify property tax assessment
354 Vinayaka idols to be installed by various organisations in Madurai city
A temple where Siva was worshipped by Sage Rishyashringa
Thiruvur, in Thiruvallur District, is home to a Siva temple where this deity is worshipped as Singandishwarar (Shringandishwarar). It is an ancient village which was once called Turugur, as revealed by a 13th-century Chola inscription found in this temple. It was a part of a place called Perumulaiyur alias Ulagalanda Chola Chaturvedimangalam, a subdivision of Ikkattu Kottam. The name Ulagalanda Chola Chaturvedimangalam is after the title `Ulagalanda Chola, which, according to scholars, could have been a title of Rajadhiraja Chola I (1018-1054 CE) as perhaps a land-survey was undertaken in his reign. The Singandishwarar temple was, till recent times, in a dilapidated state as photographs inside the temple indicate. Due to the efforts of a few devotees, this temple has been rebuilt and regular worship is now conducted. According to the Sthala Puranam (traditional story associated with this temple), Sage Rishyashringa, who is mentioned in the Ramayanam of Maharishi Valmiki, worshipped God Siva here and hence the name Shringandishwarar (Singandishwarar). It is interesting to note that a 13th-century epigraph belonging to the reign of Vijaya Gandagopala, a chieftain of the Telugu Choda dynasty, mentions the name of the deity as Rishyashringishvaram Udaiya Nayanar, while a 16th-century Vijayanagara inscription refers to Siva here as Singishvaram Udaiya Nayinar. The stone base of the gopuram features a well-carved sculpture of Rishyashringa, with the face of a deer, while an image of this rishi is located in the mandapa near the main sanctum. The entrance to the Singandishwarar temple, with a majestic gopuram , is on the south and leads to a wide open prakaram (enclosure). Two mandapas with pillars featuring numerous sculptures in the Vijayanagara style are located in front of the south-facing sanctum of Goddess Parvati, known as Utphalamba. Close by is the principal shrine for Singandishwarar, with an inner prakaram running around it. This east-facing sanctum has devakoshtas (niches on the outer walls) for Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Lingodhbhavamurti, Brahma and Durga. The Nandi, dvajastambham , and bali-pitham are on the east in the outer prakaram . Sanctums for Ganesha, Subramnaya, Surya, Chandra, and other deities are also seen here. There are a few inscriptions in this temple, one among which, as mentioned earlier, belongs to Vijaya Gandagopala and is dated 1268 CE. There are several epigraphs of Jatavarman Sundara Pandya (1251-1268 CE), whose capital was Madurai and whose extensive empire extended from Kanyakumari to Nellore. A few Vijayanagara era epigraphs of the reigns of Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1529 CE), and Venkatapati Raya (1586-1614 CE) are also here. The Sthala Vriksham , as in many other Siva temples, is the Vivam. The temple tank is situated a few metres away from the temple. On the other side of the road is a shrine for Vishnu, which is in a very ruined condition. A Vijayanagara inscription in the Singandishwarar temple refers to this Vishnu as Kariya Manikka Perumal, the same name as it is called today. Know your city Thiruvur is approximately 40 km from Chennai and 8 km from Thiruvallur.
SC orders status quo on flagpole dispute raised by TN CPI leader
NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a status quo to be maintained regarding the issue of flagpoles, following a petition filed by P. Shanmugam, the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Tamil Nadu. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued the directive while hearing the petition. Issue notice, returnable within four weeks. Until further orders, the parties are to maintain status quo with respect to the subject flagpoles, as it exists today, the bench stated. This development comes in the wake of a dismissal of a Special Leave Petition (SLP) by the Supreme Court, which upheld a prior ruling of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. That ruling had directed all political parties and organisations to remove permanent flagpoles erected in public spaces, including national highways and government lands. Following the Supreme Courts dismissal of the SLP, another related application, pending before Justice G.R. Swaminathan, was disposed of, citing the apex courts order. In response, the matter was brought before the Supreme Court again, prompting Mondays status quo directive. Earlier, on 11 August, the Supreme Court had rejected an appeal and affirmed the High Courts order requiring the removal of unauthorised flagpoles in public areas. That appeal had been filed by Kathiravan, who had challenged the Madras High Courts judgment, after his application to erect a flagpole for the AIADMK in Palanganatham, Madurai was denied by the Assistant Divisional Engineer. Counsel for Kathiravan argued that the High Court had exceeded the scope of the original plea, issuing broader directions than the relief sought. The Supreme Court has now directed that the current status of the disputed flagpoles be maintained until further orders, with the matter expected to come up again after four weeks.
Actor Vijay's Hint At Contesting From Madurai East Stirs Mixed Reactions
Many women say they are ready to place their faith in Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay, after his hint on Thursday that he could contest from Madurai East in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Actor Vijay's Mega Rally In Madurai: High On Rhetoric, But Is It On Strategy?
Actor-turned-politician Vijay is at the peak of his popularity, and his star power rivals the pinnacle of such frenzy for the most powerful of superstars that Tamil cinema has seen.
Watch: Its official: Vijay declares TVK vs DMK fight in 2026
From Madurai, actor-turned-politician Vijay announced that the 2026 Assembly polls will be a direct contest between his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and the DMK. Declaring his candidature from Madurai East, he launched sharp attacks on both DMK and BJP while pledging people-centric governance.
Farmers in Madurai complain about irregularities in paddy procurement
TVKs first conference changed political climate of Tamil Nadu, says Vijay
The TVK chief says the second conference in Madurai is to declare with confidence that the State will definitely face change of guard after the 2026 Assembly election
HC grants bail to four persons involved in Madurai property tax scam
Madurai Corporation to hold two-day camp for remitting property tax
Ahobila Math Jeeyar to visit Madurai in September
Vijay Announces TVKs Solo Debut in 2026
At Madurai rally, actor-politician rules out alliances with DMK, BJP; vows people-centric agenda for 2026 polls
Lions roar in Madurai: Vijay vows statewide fight in 2026 Tamil Nadu polls
Actor-politician Vijay used his partys second state-level conference at Parapathi in Madurai district on Thursday to launch a sharp political offensive, positioning TVK as an alternative force while attacking all three major players in Tamil Nadu politics, the BJP, DMK and AIADMK. There will be no alliance, he reiterated, underscoring that the 2026 election in Tamil Nadu will be between the DMK and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The TVK leader framed the BJP as his partys ideological adversary, accusing it of neglecting Tamil Nadus interests and aligning with the RSS for appeasement. He invoked issues ranging from the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen and the demand for Katchatheevus return to opposition against NEET, suggesting that the Centre was indifferent to the states needs. He also alleged discrimination against minorities, warning that Tamils would not attach themselves to the BJP despite its calculations for the 2029 elections. Vijay also accused that the BJP is hiding the findings of Keezhadi. Vijay saved some of his sharpest words for the DMK government, accusing Chief Minister M K Stalin of betraying women, farmers and fishermen. He dismissed the states flagship cash transfer scheme as inadequate and accused Stalin of deceiving vulnerable sections. His repeated reference to the chief minister as uncle carried challenge, underscoring his intent to position himself against the ruling partys leadership. For the first time, he turned his criticism on the AIADMK, questioning its state after M G Ramachandrans death and hinting at compromises with the BJP whenever its leaders came under central scrutiny. This shift marked a clear break from his earlier avoidance of direct confrontation with the party founded by MGR. Throughout his address, Vijay leaned heavily on symbolism and imagery to project himself as a singular force in Tamil Nadu politics. Comparing himself to a lion whose roar resonates far and wide, he suggested that TVK was the unstoppable voice of the people, while dismissing critics and sceptics who doubted his political journey from cinema to public life. A lion is always a lion - the king of the jungle - though there are so many animals like jackals in the forest, he said and added this description was a clear declaration. He reminded supporters of the resistance he faced at every stage, from doubts about whether he would enter politics at all, to questions over his ability to launch a party, to criticism of his first manaadu . Yet, he portrayed each challenge as fuel for his resolve, presenting TVK as a movement that could not be subdued. Turning to Madurais cultural and political legacy, Vijay evoked the imagery of Jallikattu, the Meenakshi Amman temple and the Vaigai river, while drawing parallels with the late Vijaykanth, who also hailed from the region. Vijay hinted that political history was poised to repeat itself, predicting that the 2026 elections could mirror the landmark verdicts of 1967, when the DMK first came to power, and 1977, when M G Ramachandran led the AIADMK to a sweeping victory. Signalling his ambitions, he declared that TVK would contest all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu. By casting his candidacy across the entire state, he sought to underline that TVKs fight was not limited to a few pockets but aimed at statewide transformation.
Naan Aanai Itaal... Vijay Sings MGRs Iconic Song At TVks Mega Rally In Madurai | Tamil Nadu News
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Actor Vijay's Supporter Dies On Way To TVK's Mega Madurai Rally
A 33-year-old supporter of Tamil actor and politician Vijay died today while travelling to attend the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) mega state conference in Madurai.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay is scheduled to address thousands of cadres and supporters at the second State conference of the party at Parapathi, in Madurai
TVK state conference in Madurai LIVE: Thousands flock to venue ahead of Vijays speech
Mr. Vijay is scheduled to address the cadres walking up and down on a 300-metre-long ramp constructed in the middle of the venue
Thousands of TVK cadres flock to Parapathi in Madurai for partys State conference
Actor and party founder Vijay is scheduled to address the meeting at around 5 p.m.
All Set for TVK Conference in Madurai Today
Though the premises was bustling with visitors and media persons on Wednesday itself, the flag mast that came down crashing damaged only a parked car
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam all set for second State conference in Madurai
Tamil Nadus third government fine arts college comes up in Madurai
The iron pole he was carrying touched the overhead cable when he was trying to erect a hoarding in connection with the TVK meet, scheduled to be held in Madurai
New police outpost opened near Tirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai
Vijay's TVK Invokes CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran Ahead Of Party's Madurai Meet
As TVK gears up for its conference in Madurai on August 21, the party is making a pointed political statement by invoking the legacies of DMK founder CN Annadurai and AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran.
Madurai Ladies Circle holds district-level sports meet for persons with disabilities
The court directs the SIT to look into why there was undervaluation and who was responsible for it; matter to be head today; Corporation Commissioner asked to file a report on the constitution of special teams
Activist demands transparency in functioning of T.N. SC/ST Commission
Based on an reply to RTI queries, an activist based in Madurai says the functioning of the Commission should be transparent and its data should be placed in public domain
Vijay Rallies Cadre Ahead Of Madurai Meet, Predicts TVK Win In 2026 Polls
TVK Chief and actor Vijay issued a rallying call to cadre ahead of the party's state conference in Madurai on August 21, declaring that the 2026 Assembly polls will mark a turning point in Tamil Nadu's political history.
Save MKU Coalition urges government to release adequate funds to revive Madurai Kamaraj University
CII Madurais vision document 2035 opens up new vistas for the region
Madurai youths organs harvested, donated
Gokulashtami celebrated in Madurai
Non closure of railway gate; driver alerts gatekeeper on Rameswaram-Madurai stretch
Patriotic fervour and gaiety mark Independence Day celebrations in Madurai
Madurai Collector honours freedom fighters on Independence Day
Nagaland Governor La Ganesan passes away at 80
CHENNAI: Governor of Nagaland and former MP and State president of Tamil Nadu BJP La Ganesan passed away here at a private hospital on Friday evening. He was 80. Ganesan has been in the hospital since August 8 after he reportedly sustained a head injury at his residence in T Nagar. He was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state, following which he underwent a surgery as well. His mortal remains will be placed at his T Nagar residence for the political leaders and others to pay their last respects. Born on February 16, 1945, in Thanjavur, Ganesan was attracted at an early age by the ideologies of the Rashtriya Swayam Sangh (RSS) since his father and brothers were associated with the RSS. In 1970, Ganesan became a full-time Pracharak of the RSS, and for about 20 years, Ganesan served the Sangh in various capacities in Nagercoil, Madurai and other places. He joined the BJP in 1991 and became an organising secretary of the State unit. Through this position, he played a key role in shaping the affairs of the Tamil Nadu BJP. After 10 years, Ganesan was elevated as the national secretary of the BJP. Besides, he also served as one of the national vice presidents for two years. Between 2006 and 2009, Ganesan served as the president of the Tamil Nadu BJP. For nearly two decades, Ganesan has been heading Portramarai, a literary and cultural organisation which organises speeches by well-known personalities on literary topics. In 2016, Ganesan was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. He was appointed as the Governor of Manipur on August 27, 2021 and served in the post till February 19, 2023. He was also given an additional charge as the Governor of West Bengal between July 2022 and November 2022. From February 2023, Ganesan has been serving as the 21st Governor Governor of Nagaland. Although deeply rooted in the ideologies of the BJP and RSS, Ganesan was known for maintaining cordial and friendly relationships with leaders across the political spectrum, including both the Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu. Due to his literary leanings, he maintained a close relationship with late Chief Minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi in particular
Station Booking Agents to be appointed in 25 railway stations in Madurai division
Illegal betting app: ED freezes Rs 110 crore worth bank funds; seizes 1,200 credit cards
NEW DELHI: Funds worth Rs 110 crore kept in mule bank accounts have been frozen and 1,200 mule credit cards were seized following recent searches against the Indian operations of a Cyprus-based illegal online betting platform named Parimatch, the Enforcement Directorate said on Thursday. Parimatch app, as per the federal probe agency, gained visibility in the country through aggressive marketing, including sponsorship of sports tournaments and partnerships with well-known celebrities. It is alleged to have cheated investors luring them with high returns and generating more than Rs 3,000 crore in a year. They also set up Indian entities to run surrogate advertisements under the names 'Parimatch Sports' and 'Parimatch News'. Payments to these agencies were made via foreign inward remittances, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a statement. The agency had conducted searches at 17 locations in Mumbai, Noida, Jaipur, Surat, Madurai, Kanpur and Hyderabad on August 12 as part of a case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the operations of Parimatch. The ED case stems from an FIR filed by the cyber police station of Mumbai Police against parimatch.com for duping users through online betting. The agency said funds worth about Rs 110 crore kept in various bank accounts belonging to persons/entities used as mule accounts (bank accounts used for money laundering and similar criminal activities) and/or for layering purposes were frozen. More than 1,200 mule credit cards, found in a single premises during the searches, have also been seized, it said. Describing the alleged modus operandi deployed by the betting platform, the ED said it routed users' fund through mule accounts using different strategies across the country. In one case, it said, funds deposited by users into mule accounts were withdrawn in cash in a specific locality in Tamil Nadu. This cash was handed over to hawala operators, who used it to recharge virtual wallets of a UK-based company. These wallets were used to buy cryptocurrency in the name of mule crypto accounts, which were actually operated by Parimatch agents, it alleged. In western India, the ED said, Parimatch engaged services of domestic money transfer (DMT) agents. Funds collected in mule accounts controlled by these DMT agents were sent to Parimatch agents through payments made by mule credit cards. The ED said it found that payment companies whose application for payment aggregator licences were rejected by the RBI offered their services to Parimatch in garb of technology service providers (TSPs) and offered their API (application programming interface) to facilitate user fund collections. These TSPs offered the API to Parimatch agents who onboarded mule accounts opened in the name of e-commerce companies and payment solution provider companies for collection of funds from users, the ED probe found. The money so collected through UPI transfers was layered and transferred out in the garb of e-commerce refunds, chargebacks, vendor payments etc effectively concealing the actual flow and purpose of funds, it said.
Madurai Mayors husband Pon Vasanth remanded in judicial custody
Madurai Mayors husband arrested in property tax scam hospitalised
Rajinikanth gets a temple in TN: Exploring a shrine for the Superstar in Madurai
S Karthik, a diehard fan of Rajinikanth, has built a temple for the actor in his home in Thirumangalam near Madurai, complete with two stone sculptures, incense, aartis, and abishegams
After Supreme Court's Stray Dog Order For Delhi-NCR, Madras High Court's Big Hint | News18
| After SC's stray dog order for -NCR, Madras High Court's big hintA day after Supreme Court directed civic authorities to pick and house all stray dogs in Delhi and parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) in dedicated shelters within eight weeks, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court said it would consider directing the Tamil Nadu government to implement in the state the apex court's order on managing street dogs in Delhi n18oc_indiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
Property tax scam: SIT arrests husband of Madurai Mayor Indrani in Chennai
On Monday night, the SIT arrested a former Madurai Corporation Assistant Commissioner in Thoothukudi
After Top Court's Stray Dog Order For Delhi, Madras High Court's Big Hint
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday said it would consider directing the Tamil Nadu government to implement in the state the Supreme Court's order on managing street dogs in Delhi.
Minister hands over ration items to public under Thayumanavarscheme in Madurai
Pulling Woman's Hand Not Offence If Criminal Intent Not Proven: High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has acquitted a man convicted in 2018 for allegedly molesting a mentally challenged woman.
