On October 10th , Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, a member of the far-right Islamic group known as the Taliban, held a press conference in New Delhi at which no women journalists were present. A second press conference was held two days later, this time with women included, with their absence at the original event being labelled a technical glitch owing to short notice. The Taliban is infamous for its draconian practices, and Afghanistan under its control is a place where womens right

Close your eyes. Inhale. What do you smell? Not the grand, obvious things, but the whispers in the air, the ghosts of festivities from the past and the present. For a festival of lights, it is remarkable how deeply Deepavali is etched in our minds often as a potpourri of smells. CE set out to bottle this essence, asking Chennaiites to share the scents that define their Deepavali. The responses were not just a list of aromas, but a collection of core memories and personal histories from across cu

Deepavali and the crackling of fireworks have been inseparable for as long as we know. Court verdicts and green crackers have not been able to silence the din, despite environmental concerns from gasping cities like Delhi, one of the largest consumers of fireworks. Were celebrations in India always noisy and bright? Did gunpowder creep into only Hindu festivals like Deepavali? Art gives us ample pictorial evidence of how ancient is the joy of watching the night sky light up with a burst of hues.

CHENNAI: The Tambaram City Municipal Corporation (TCMC) has stepped up preparations to tackle the northeast monsoon, with 20 relief camps, 10,000 sandbags, and other equipment kept ready to manage possible flooding in low-lying areas. At a review meeting held at the Pallavaram zonal office, MSME minister TM Anbarasan directed officials to expedite ongoing flood prevention works and ensure completion before the onset of heavy rain. He expressed displeasure over the slow progress, noting only 14 o

CHENNAI: A tunnelling milestone was achieved on Friday as CMRL completed a breakthrough at Mandaveli station on Corridor 3 of the Phase II expansion. The upline tunnel boring machine (TBM) Vaigai broke through after a 610-day drive from Greenways station, completing a 775-metre stretch beneath one of the citys most densely built-up areas. The works form part of the 45.8-km Corridor 3, which will link Madhavaram to SIPCOT. T Archunan, director (projects), CMRL, along with officials from the agenc

CHENNAI: For over 10 days, residents of Pattalam and Pulianthope said they have been dealing with drinking water contaminated by sewage, leading to many residents falling sick. The residents said several parts of Pulianthope, including Munnuswamy Nagar, Parthasarathy Street, and Guruswamy Nagar, have been affected. The recent rain has also led to water getting stagnated, and mixing with sewage, particularly in the Pattalam area. According to GCCs ICCC data, within 24 hours since October 17 morni

CHENNAI: Over 15 lakh people have left Chennai over the past few days, travelling to various parts of Tamil Nadu and other states by train, government buses and private omni buses ahead of Deepavali on Monday. This includes a large number of guest workers heading home for both Deepavali and Chhath Puja, which will be celebrated between October 25 and 28. Around 97 trains departing from Chennai Central and 85 from Chennai Egmore and Tambaram together can accommodate approximately 3.75 lakh passen

CHENNAI: The usually bad weekend traffic turned worse on Friday as people leaving the city for their home towns brought vehicular movement almost to a standstill. The stretch between Mogappair and Ambattur was heavily congested after schools and offices wound up for the day. Commuters said a 5km stretch between Mogappair West and Ambattur Industrial Estate that normally takes an hour to cover took three hours on Friday, as they had to wait for about 45 minutes at every traffic signal. A resident

CHENNAI: With the northeast monsoon turning active over Tamil Nadu and a fresh low-pressure system brewing over the southeast Arabian Sea, Chennai is poised to receive multiple spells of rain, particularly during the night and early morning hours, just when Deepavali firecracker activity peaks. While the bursting of crackers generally leads to a sharp spike in PM2.5 and nitrogen oxide levels, meteorologists say the prevailing weather conditions may help suppress pollution buildup this festive we

CHENNAI: A 32-year-old trans woman was attacked with a sickle by a group outside a commercial complex near Kelambakkam on Wednesday night. The police said the victim, Mahalakshmi of Perumbakkam, was standing near a commercial complex in Ekattur when another trans woman, Suji from Kannagi Nagar along with her husband Prakash (30) and two others arrived at the spot in an autorickshaw, and attacked her with a sickle. The group allegedly had a long-standing dispute with Mahalakshmi. Mahalakshmi sust

CHENNAI: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Thursday said it has seized 320 kg of ganja worth Rs 2 crore from a truck near Karanodai toll plaza on the outskirts of Chennai and arrested two persons, including the driver. The suspects have been identified as Abdul Ebrahim (58) of Gerugambakkam in Chennai and M Madhan Babu (29) of Ambattur. The NCB officials said on October 12, based on specific information, the officers of Chennai Zonal Unit conducted an operation and intercepted a truck having

CHENNAI: Though the Greater Chennai Corporation invited tenders in September for the construction of new bus shelters across 24 locations in the city using councillors ward development funds, a ground visit by TNIE found at least five of these locations already have sufficient shelters in place. A few of the councillors that TNIE spoke to even said they were unaware of such proposals in their wards. During a visit to around 17 of these locations proposed for the new shelters, it was found that f

CHENNAI: The three-day International Trade Fair and Conference on Wind Energy will be held from October 29 to 31 at the Chennai Trade Centre. This will be the seventh edition of the global event. Union ministers Pralhad Joshi and Sripad Yesso Naik will inaugurate the trade fair, which aims to showcase the latest technologies and trends in the wind energy sector. Addressing reporters, Saravanan Manickam, vice chairman of Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA), said, With over 350 e

CHENNAI: At least 102 sanitary workers were detained in two separate places in Chennai on Thursday morning when they tried to submit petitions to officials and elected representatives. A total of 90 workers were detained by the Triplicane police who tried to enter the MLA hostel in Triplicane and give their petitions to the MLAs there. The group was detained at various marriage halls in the city, a police source said. At Periamet, when 12 workers tried to enter Ripon buildings to submit their pe

CHENNAI: Claiming that dogs are being killed and subjected to brutality on the Kilpauk police quarters compound, an animal activist has filed a complaint with the Kilpauk police on Wednesday. The activist, M Vignesh, president of Almighty Animal Care Trust, in his complaint, accused a resident and her husband of torturing stray dogs over several months. He also submitted a CCTV footage, showing multiple incidents of abuse. However, an FIR is yet to be registered. He said on Tuesday morning, the

CHENNAI: With the northeast monsoon expected to mark its onset on Thursday, the Water Resource Department has started releasing around 700 cusecs of surplus water from Poondi reservoir and 200 cusecs from Puzhal lake, in order to maintain the stipulated storage levels. The decision to release water was made as part of the usual precautionary measures taken up before the monsoon showers. The water let out from Poondi is stored temporarily at the Thamaraipakkam anicut, in order to maintain the lev

Colony Pandigai by The Sunshine House Two days before Deepavali, when you want to celebrate but the festival hasnt quite begun, The Sunshine House sets the mood with Colony Pandigai, a day-long community celebration at the Goethe-Institut in Nungambakkam. The idea is simple: to bring people together for a few carefree hours of nostalgia, connection, and colour. Essentially, the idea behind this event is that John (founder of The Sunshine House) used to live in a colony back in the day, and there

Fashion trend cycles often turn like the steady and familiar hands of a well-worn clock. But at the heart of this cycle is a quiet rhythm of nostalgia, for when the noise of fleeting trends grows too loud, there is always a natural pull toward the timeless. Often, this nostalgia draws fashion back to its roots, where it is shaped by cultural memory and not seasonal whims. Tradition here doesn't just resurface. It reclaims its place, reminding wearers that style can be both personal, and a thread

CHENNAI: The T Nagar All-Women Police on Tuesday arrested Sri Kandan, who heads the Akhil Bharathiya Hindu Mahasabha, on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl on multiple occasions. He was booked under the Pocso Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on a complaint filed by the victims mother. Police said the childs aunt allegedly facilitated the contact between the minor and Kandan, following which the girl was allegedly raped over a two-year period at his residence on East Coast

CHENNAI: Hundreds of sanitation workers were again detained by the police, at seven marriage and community halls across the city on Tuesday, marking 75 days since they began the protest demanding job regularisation under the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and opposing the privatisation of solid waste management operations. The workers had gathered in their respective wards to submit petitions to councillors reiterating their demands. Speaking to the media, K Bharathi of Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakk

A short stretch of ocean separates Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, but on the plate, the distance feels far wider. Every meal carries a rhythm, a story, and a sense of place that feels both familiar and startlingly new to Chennai palates. Yet beyond the aromas and textures lies a harsher reality: years of economic turmoil have left many Sri Lankan children hungry and malnourished, with households struggling to put together even three balanced meals a day. It is this intersection of bold flavours and

Deepavali, the festival of lights, is not just about illumination, joy, and sweets; it is also a time when traditional wisdom beautifully intertwines with celebration. One such age-old practice that reflects the blend of festivity and wellness is the consumption of Deepavali marundhu , also known as Deepavali lehyam or legiyam . In South Indian households, this herbal preparation holds a special place. Before the day begins with an oil bath and indulgence in a feast of sweets and savouries, a sp

When plates of homemade sweets would be arrayed on the table this Deepavali, keep your diet plan aside. While the aroma of ghee , the wafting scents of roasted nuts, and sizzling sounds of sweet syrup would fill the nook and corners of your home, just indulge in it, mindfully! Here are quick sweet recipes, curated with blobs of love and drizzle of creativity from the kitchens of food lovers. Bottle Gourd Sheera by Kumari G Ingredients Bottle gourd: 750 g Full-fat milk: 1.5 l Mixed dry fruits (al

CHENNAI: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin presented house site pattas to 1,600 people in the Maduravoyal area on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, Udhayanidhi said the pain of not having a house patta cannot be described. Without it, one cannot easily obtain an electricity connection or a water supply, nor is it easy to secure a bank loan. Above all, there is always the fear of being asked to vacate the land at any time. To relieve you from all such worries and hardships, we are here tod

CHENNAI: The Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital has successfully performed a cross-hand replantation, one of the rarest reconstructive microsurgical procedures in the world. This is the first-ever cross-hand replantation done in a government hospital and the second reported in India, said a release. The patient, a 28-year-old migrant labourer from Bihar, suffered injuries to both upper limbs in a train accident near Park railway station on September 26. He arrived at RGGGH with amputation

CHENNAI: Residents of Pallavaram are grappling with streets overflowing with sewage and waste water reversing into homes, even as the proposal to overhaul the crumbling underground drainage (UGD) system submitted three years back gathers dust. With the northeast monsoon round the corner, residents have renewed their demand for a permanent solution to the issue affecting the area for years. The UGD network, commissioned between 2006 and 2011 at a cost of `37 crore, was built using ductile iron (D

CHENNAI: The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on Monday inaugurated an urban test bed facility at Sathyabama University. M Ravichandran, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, inaugurated the state-of-the-art facility which is equipped with advanced atmospheric instruments such as a ceilometer, sound detection and ranging micro rain radar. These systems offer continuous high-resolution data on wind circulation, aerosol presence, cloud formation and rainfall, critical components for understandin

CHENNAI: The CGST Chennai North commissionerate on Monday said it busted a fake GST invoice racket operated to fraudulently pass on Input Tax Credit worth Rs 10.64 crore on bogus invoices valued at Rs 59 crore. Two key persons involved in the large-scale tax evasion racket of M/s MKN Enterprises were arrested, a release said. One of the arrested individuals is the proprietor of the firm engaged in availing and passing on fake ITC, while the other is his associate who was actively involved in the

The rental market has seen a boom in the past decade, with people preferring to rent rather than own. Most rental spaces come with neutral walls, builder-grade fittings, and a pile of landlord restrictions that are not usually for creative living. This forces the renter to settle in a space that does not inspire creativity or feel warm and inviting. But now, renting does not have to mean surrendering to boring spaces. The forever challenge of embracing that feeling of home in a rental space has

From the confines of his self-made prison, Saji gazed out. Behind the window panes, the caged man asked for help from his younger brother, a fracture appeared in the fortress of masculinity. Later, within the serenity of a therapists office, Saji seemed to identify the chains that caged him. As he was held in a strangers compassionate embrace, it was a toxic silence that was being shattered for an entire culture to hear. This scene from the Malayalam film Kumbalangi Nights was hailed by critics

Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan, and Haji Mastan are names that may not strike terror in the hearts of todays youth. But once, in Mumbai, they were enough to silence a room. To whisper them aloud was to invite unease, to feel the invisible chill of a city gripped by fear. They ran an empire built on blood, intimidation, and fear, including the fear of extortion, kidnapping, gunfire and more. It was an era when businessmen quietly shifted their fortunes to safer havens in Gujarat, when a family dinn

CHENNAI: Residents of Tansi Nagar Residents Welfare Association (TNRWA) staged a protest on Sunday, hoisting black flags atop around 120 houses, demanding the removal of encroachments along the six-vent culvert in Velachery. The residents alleged that both government bodies and private individuals had encroached on parts of the culvert, obstructing the free flow of rainwater. They cited a directive from the Madras HC in March 2025, which ordered the removal of alleged encroachments after a thoro

Women wearing what they feel like wearing, and being chastised or worse for the same, is a tired refrain in Indian society. In the not-at-all -distant past, asserting the right to dress as one wishes to (or needs to, because of factors like the weather, not factors like cultural conditioning) was itself regarded as a bold move. Fortunately, more and more of us publicly and privately make this assertion now and are more often, though not always, met with support. In the last fortnight, two such

A retrospective is a landmark event for an artiste, as it provides a comprehensive look back at their career. It explores the body of work, weaving it together with their life, experiences, and evolution. Padma Shri recipient Chitra Visweswarans retrospective included a series of events spread over a month that culminated on October 12, an important milestone for the veteran artiste, who turned 75 the same day. While the finale saw the revival of her iconic dance-theatre revival, Panchali at Bha

Chennai has long celebrated love and friendship with drama, music, and flair. From a simple Rs 20 chocolate that brought joy a decade ago to todays elaborate candles and flowers over the shore, the city has embraced the art of the well-planned surprise. Professional planners are now turning these inspirations into reality, orchestrating rooftop proposals, beachside candlelight dinners, flashmobs, and musical performances that blend creativity, emotion, and the citys signature flair for storytell

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has initiated a vigilance investigation following a factual inquiry report from the Department of Revenue (DoR) into allegations made by private firm Wintrack Inc regarding irregularities at Chennai Customs. The CBIC, in a post on X, said that the DoR enquiry has found prima facie evidence warranting a detailed vigilance probe. The investigation is expected to be completed within four to six weeks. To ensure the inquiry remains cr

CHENNAI: The Valasaravakkam police on Thursday arrested two persons, including a transwoman, for allegedly luring men through a dating app and extorting money from them. The accused were identified as Aswitha (30) from Valasaravakkam and Dineshkumar (28) of Thiruvarampur, Tiruchy district. A search is on to nab one more accused. According to police, Aswitha invited Udayakumar (21), a machine operator from Korattur, to her house in Muralikrishna Nagar on October 9 after getting acquainted on Grin

CHENNAI: The Red Hills police on Friday arrested six persons, including the owner of a private plastic chair manufacturing unit, for allegedly tying a 26-year-old ragpicker to a pole and beating him to death for allegedly attempting to steal scrap material from the factory premises late on Thursday night. Police said the victim, identified as Manimaran (26) of Nallur panchayat, had been living alone after separating from his wife. About ten days ago, he was allegedly caught stealing from the fac

CHENNAI: One postgraduate student of the Madras School of Economics died and one more went missing after three students were swept away by strong waves at the Elliots Beach in Besant Nagar on Saturday morning. According to police, a group of 14 first-year MA Economics students of MSE had gone to the beach from their hostel in Kotturpuram around 8 am. While bathing, three of them Kavi Prakash (21) of Dindigul, and Rohit Chandran (20) and Mohammed Adil (20) of Kerala were dragged deep into the w

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday inaugurated what is said to be Indias first international-standard ornamental fish trade centre at Kolathur, built at a cost of Rs 53 crore by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). Kolathur, long recognised as a hub for ornamental fish breeding and trade, is home to nearly 500 families dependent on this livelihood. Soon after assuming office, Stalin met local fish breeders on June 26, 2021, to discuss their challenges and explore wa

CHENNAI: A three-year-old boy sustained severe injuries to his legs and genitals after he was attacked by a stray dog at Nerkundram near Maduravoyal in Chennai on Thursday. The child underwent reconstructive surgery after part of his genitals was damaged in the attack and is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Institute of Child Health (ICH) in Egmore. His condition is said to be stable. The stray dog, suspected to be rabid, was captured immediately by the city corporation staff, an

CHENNAI: Hundreds of conservancy workers, who have been demanding regularisation of their employment under the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) for the past 71 days through various modes of protest, were detained when they tried to enter Ripon building on Friday to submit a petition in this regard to GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran. While police sources said around 550 were detained for unlawful assembly, the workers said nearly 800 were detained and taken to community halls in 11 different

CHENNAI: Motorists travelling towards Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Sirkazhi, and Nagapattinam along the East Coast Road (ECR) can look forward to smoother and faster travel with a saving of up to two hours in travel time as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the four-laning of the 38-km PuducherryPoondiyankuppam stretch, ending near Cuddalore. The works, executed at a cost of Rs 1,588 crore under Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I, mark another milestone in the ongoing ECR widen

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Mayor R Priya on Friday inaugurated the Regional Integrated Command and Control Centre (RICCC) for the central region at the regional deputy commissioners office in Shenoy Nagar. She also inaugurated similar centres for the North and South regions. Functioning as an extension of the main Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Kalaignar Maaligai in Ripon building campus, the RICCC will enable round-the-clock real-time monitoring and coordina

Khadi is perhaps Indias most profound metaphor a fabric that weaves not just cotton, but conscience. Each thread speaks of self-reliance, patience, and the quiet rhythm of human touch. At KAVERIs boutique in Chennai, that rhythm flows throughout. Mannequins dressed in hues of blues welcome visitors, standing poised at the entrance, their silhouettes light and fluid. To the left, neatly arranged racks hold the Songs of the Spindle collection, a blend of Gandhigrams authenticity and Kaveris easy,

CHENNAI: Sparking environmental and health concerns, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has confirmed high levels of toxic heavy metals in the bottom ash of the Greater Chennai Corporations 10-tonne-per-day municipal waste incinerator at Manali, revealing contamination levels as high as 360 times the permissible limit. In its report to the southern bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT), the TNPCB said the incinerators bottom ash contained heavy metals in concentrations exceeding the

CHENNAI: A man driving a car, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, created a series of accidents, killing one person and injuring three others. The suspect has been identified as Udhayakumar of Thiruvanmiyur who runs a biryani shop. Explaining the sequence of the accidents, the police told TNIE that it was at Muttukadu that Udhayakumar first met with an accident, hitting a two-wheeler, causing minor injuriews to the rider. He then proceeded to Nainarkuppam and fatally hit a cyclist Monish a

CHENNAI: Nearly seven months after the Chennai corporation carried out a third-party survey to identify homeless individuals, there has been no follow up action, a rapid assessment on the access to shelters and housing by the Information & Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities, said ahead of World Homeless Day on Friday. The report follows a survey of 212 individuals and 256 families living in streets in 18 locations in the city. Of them, 86% of those surveyed pointed out that they

CHENNAI: DG Vaishnav College celebrated International Teachers Day on Wednesday under the theme Acharya Devo Bhava. The event recognised the invaluable contribution of teachers in nurturing students potential and driving institutional growth. Former Anna University V-C E Balagurusamy, and commissioner (Land Reforms) S Vijayakumar were the chief guests at the event. Delivering the keynote address, Balagurusamy said teaching is not just about completing the curriculum but about building character,

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu aims to become the quality capital of the world, Industries Minister TRB Rajaa said on Wednesday, signalling a strategic push to strengthen ties with European partners in advanced manufacturing and clean technologies. Addressing the Tamil Nadu-EFTA Business Summit in Chennai, Rajaa said while the state has traditionally looked to Swiss precision engineering as a benchmark, it now intends to build its own quality leadership through targeted collaborations. He highlighted shipb