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The Hindu

Top News / The Hindu

Anti-conversion law: Maharashtra churches seek prayer consent forms from worshippers

These filled declaration forms, taken for self-safety, will be kept in the church offices to be shown to government or police authorities, if asked

25 Aug 2026 2:26 pm
Madras lingo on transportation

A traffic island becomes a roundtana, while Emden, the name of a German cruiser that bombed Madras in 1914, came to mean a bully or devious adversary. Tankuvar Arundudum meaning you lose control of a situation comes from tankuvaru, a Telugu term referring to a small piece of leather used to fasten the saddle to a horse. These are just some words and phrases used in and around Madras, which trace their origins to modes of transportation

25 Aug 2026 2:21 pm
When aircrafts took to the Madras skies on metal wings

DAngelis maiden flight in 1910 set in motion the aviation history of Madras. From a record-making 27-hour flight from London to Madras in a de-Havilland Dove and a night land that left the pilots trembling like a leaf to an air taxi that flew all the way to Burma and Alagappa Chettiars Jupiter Airways, the skies above Madras have surely never seen a dull moment

25 Aug 2026 2:21 pm
Getting around Madras on autorickshaws

From numbering around 200 in 1973 to around 1 lakh in 2026, autorickshaws in the city have come a long way, but so too has the love-hate relationship the residents share with this ubiquitous mode of transport. But if you are in a hurry, the autorickshaw is your best bet to reach your destination, traffic rule violations and all

25 Aug 2026 2:20 pm
How buses became the lifeline of Madras

Packed to the point of tipping over, driven rashly, and battered all over, is how one would describe the MTC buses that ply in the city. While buses were in use in Madras since the 1920s, they really took off only after the tram service met its demise in 1953. Since then, they have become an integral feature of the city and a lifeline for millions

25 Aug 2026 2:20 pm
How bicycles, motorcycles took over the roads of Madras

Bicycles first came to Madras sometime in the 1880s, and at the time, they had a modest start, with there even being demands for a separate lane for cyclists. And while cycles were riding onward, two-wheelers of the motor variety, not so quietly, took to the roads. Brands such as Royal Enfield even set up manufacturing units in the region. To this day, two-wheelers number among the most convenient ways for getting around in the city

25 Aug 2026 2:19 pm
Hauling about the Madras city on trains

Madras was the first place in India where trains were introduced. In 1856, Royapuram became the terminus for a line that ran to Walajah Road. On the suburban side, the ball began rolling in the 1900s, and while the network grew, it never quite rivalled those in places such as Mumbai. Then came the MRTS, which never realised its full potential. At present, Metro Rail is the citys latest attempt to get back on track

25 Aug 2026 2:19 pm
Supreme Court dismisses Tarun Tejpals plea, directs him to surrender within two weeks

The State of Goa, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, had insisted that Tarun Tejpal should surrender before his appeal is listed for hearing in the Supreme Court

25 Aug 2026 2:19 pm
When yellow-black taxis cruised the roads of Madras

In the 1960s and 1970s, yellow taxis were a force to contend with in Madras. While this mode of transport was never as prolific as its contemporaries, it nonetheless had a presence, with the prepaid taxis at the airport being the chief representative. The yellow-black cab was gradually sidelined by services such as taxis on call and aggregator apps. By 2023, it has been reported that only 304 of them still ride around the city

25 Aug 2026 2:19 pm
Udhayanidhi demands high-level judicial inquiry into killing of three Tamils by Karnataka forest officials

Udhayanidhi wanted to know whether the Tamil Nadu government had written to Karnataka, seeking an explanation about the incident

25 Aug 2026 2:18 pm
The four key roads of Madras that originate from Fort St. George

Madras traffic movement is by and large planned on a network created by four great roads. Today, we know them as Rajaji Salai, Kamaraj Salai, EVR Periyar Salai, and Anna Salai, and each retaining their distinct identities. However, their focal point to this day remains Fort Saint George

25 Aug 2026 2:18 pm
Onam reels by accused: Seven Museum Police personnel transferred to AR Camp

Accused did not take part in Onam celebrations nor were they invited by police: Commissioner

25 Aug 2026 2:18 pm
Insects in MCA kitchens: Did players know they were having 'non-veg tea'? HC; asks FDA to reinspect

The court permitted the MCA to install a vending machine to serve tea/coffee to the players

25 Aug 2026 2:18 pm
Around Madras city in hand-pulled rickshaws

Hand-pulled rickshaws arrived in Madras early in the 20th Century from Japan, and quickly became a convenience despite its very apparent issues. These were later banned in 1973. Their role was replaced by the marginally better cycle rickshaw, which received a helping hand from MGRs 1971 blockbuster Rickshawkaran

25 Aug 2026 2:17 pm
Aboard the tramway in Madras

When Madras first tramway took to the streets in the 1870s, it was horse-drawn. A little over two decades later, the city got its electric tramway system going, much before any other city in the country. Up until its demise in April 1953, the Madras Electric Tramways Company Limited was largely plagued by malfunctions, never once managing to turn a profit

25 Aug 2026 2:17 pm
Jolted about on carts drawn by oxen and horses in Madras

When animal-powered transportation was in its heyday in the Madras region, it came in multiple varieties. While businessmen preferred the fast-moving rekla, which were even used for races, the horse-drawn jhutkas, which became the first public transport of Madras, were in use as recent as 1969. At one point, these carts required a licence and were even exempt from taxes, at least the ones drawn by horses and bullocks

25 Aug 2026 2:17 pm
Masula boats and the fishermen who kept Madras afloat

Before the harbour came into being, arriving in Madras by ship meant making the last leg of the journey on masula boats. These boatmen, who were mostly fishermen from the coast along Madras, knew that they were a vital link in keeping the citys trade alive and made full use of the opportunity. But by the late 1890s, their era had all but come to an end

25 Aug 2026 2:16 pm
Of the time when people were carried in palanquins in Madras

Palanquins, the very word tracing its origins to the Sanskrit paryanka and the Tamil pallakku, were how the high and mighty got around Madras of the 17th and 18th Centuries. Even records of The East India Company contain details of hire charges of palanquin bearers, with rates higher than even hiring horses. Nowadays, this yesteryear means of transport is mainly consigned to museums

25 Aug 2026 2:16 pm
Geethanjali re-release: PC Sreeram revisits Mani Ratnams iconic love story

Ahead of its digitally restored 4K re-release, cinematographer PC Sreeram talks about filming Geethanjali in the hills of Ooty and how the mist became a silent third character

25 Aug 2026 2:16 pm
When Madras was walk-friendly

While it might not be the fastest mode of transport, it is one that most people can always rely on, not to mention the oldest mode known to humans. Then, there are some sights that can only be taken in when one is out and about on foot. While the citys recent track record with walkability hasnt been the greatest, thats not to say that was always the case

25 Aug 2026 2:14 pm
IND vs SL Day 3: Prasidh Krishna takes 3-35 as Sri Lanka reaches 130-4 at lunch

Pasindu Sooriyabandara posted an unbeaten half-century before Indias Prasidh Krishna ended a promising partnership to leave Sri Lanka at 130/4 at lunch on Day 3

25 Aug 2026 2:13 pm
The bygone movie theatres of Chennai: a compilation

This is a collection of stories by The Hindu on the popular single screens and theatre complexes that are etched in the memories of cinephiles of Chennai city even years after they ceased existing.

25 Aug 2026 2:06 pm
Madras High Court stops felling of rosewood trees on private lands

Justice N. Sathish Kumar and Justice K. Rajasekar said the reasons for recommending the repeal of the Tamil Nadu Rosewood Trees (Conservation) Act, 1994, defied logic

25 Aug 2026 2:06 pm
Students in Bihar break through barricades in bid to gherao CM residence, police use water cannons

The students, many of whom were carrying the tricolour in their hands, jostled with the police and broke through barricades at the Dak Bungalow crossing

25 Aug 2026 2:00 pm
25 Aug 2026 1:45 pm
Nuzivid veena maker Sheik Mabu, presents veena to Vice-President

Mr. Mabu, the veena artist and maker, presented the miniature model of the traditional stringed musical instrument designed by him, to Mr. Radhakrishnan

25 Aug 2026 1:39 pm
Government mulls drug tests for all commercial pilots

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the DGCA is holding discussions with stakeholders on further strengthening the drug-testing standards of pilots

25 Aug 2026 1:39 pm
CPI-CPI(M) battle over Keralam Dy LoP post intensifies as Sathyan Mokeri lambasts Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan

CPI Kerala assistant secretary Sathyan Mokeri, in an article in the party mouthpiece Janayugam, accuses Opposition Leader and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan of being 'discourteous to alliance partners

25 Aug 2026 1:38 pm
11 Telangana forts, one big experiment: Tourism Dept invites private investors to conserve and operate tourism facilities

The proposals have to cover conservation approach, proposed tourism experience, revenue model, community participation and other aspects

25 Aug 2026 1:38 pm
Andhra teachers body demands removal of objectionable scenes in Telugu film Irumudi

The APTF said the film portrays the character of a government school teacher in an extremely negative manner and that the portrayal cannot simply be dismissed as a fictional character

25 Aug 2026 1:34 pm
Andhra Pradesh special TET for in-service teachers from October 11, results on November 15

The special TET is being conducted for in-service teachers working in schools under various government managements

25 Aug 2026 1:28 pm
Rahul Gandhi, Kharge write letter to PM Modi; asks for current census questionnaire to be cancelled

Mallikarjun Kharge shared the letter on X, which says a new questionnaire should be prepared based on a verified list of castes

25 Aug 2026 1:27 pm
School bus overturns in Regidi mandal, 15 children injured

The school children who received injuries were admitted to government hospital of Rajam immediately

25 Aug 2026 1:25 pm
Webinar on screentime and eye health in children to be held on Sunday, August 30

The webinar will focus on the growing concern over myopia, and examine whether increasing screen exposure and reduced time spent outdoors are contributing to changes in childrens vision

25 Aug 2026 1:24 pm
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay flags off 250 new buses for MTC, TNSTC

CM Vijay also boarded a low-floor air-conditioned electric bus and inspected the facilities in the vehicle

25 Aug 2026 1:23 pm
Bhashini breaks language barriers at UP-Japan Investment Summit, giving AI-powered support to Yogi govts global investment vision

Real-time AI translation facilitates seamless communication between Indian and Japanese Delegates, strengthening investment partnerships

25 Aug 2026 1:23 pm
Keralam approves SOP for euthanasia of rabid, dangerous stray dogs

Standard operating procedure follows Supreme Court order permitting euthanasia of rabid, incurably ill or demonstrably dangerous stray dogs, with safeguards for the process

25 Aug 2026 1:22 pm
Xiaomi launches Mijia Smart air purifier 6 and 4 Compact in India

These new Mijia air purifiers will also be sold through quick commerce platform, Blinkit. Xiaomi will offer servicing through its premium service outlets across the country

25 Aug 2026 1:21 pm
Keralam Onam: Rain, early buying subdue Thiruvonam eve shopping rush in Kochi

Uthrada Pachil the lastminute shopping rush on Uthradam day, the eve of Thiruvonam has been somewhat subdued in Kochi city

25 Aug 2026 1:20 pm
Kit Harington replaces Nicholas Hoult as Gilderoy Lockhart in HBOs Harry Potter

Kit Harington has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of HBOs Harry Potter series, replacing Nicholas Hoult, who has exited the role because of scheduling conflicts

25 Aug 2026 1:17 pm