PM contradicts his own slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas': Farooq Abdullah

PM contradicts his own slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas': Farooq Abdullah National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday of dividing the people of the country on the basis of religion, saying his recent statements have even contradicted his own slogan of ''Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas''. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister claimed that the hatred for Muslims has gone up ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power at the Centre in 2014, while people are suffering due to inflation and growing unemployment. ''I have heard the (election) speeches of almost all prime ministers from Jawaharlal Nehru and except Modi, everyone always talked about uniting people as that is the guarantee for our success as a country. ''His (Modi's) recent statements where he is talking about Muslims as outsiders, giving birth to more children, frightening Hindus by claiming that their properties, including the mangalsutras of their women, will be taken and distributed among the minority community have no parallel. We Muslims only want our rights and have no intention to usurp the rights of others,'' Abdullah said, addressing a Lok Sabha poll rally in the Surankote area of Poonch district. The rally was jointly organised by the NC and the Congress in support of Mian Altaf, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) candidate from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency that is scheduled to go to polls on May 25. ''The NC and the Congress have come together to protect the country so that we can live with honour and die respectfully. Our country is still poverty-ridden and we can only overcome our problems when we are united,'' Abdullah said. He claimed that the winds of change are sweeping the country and the BJP is finding its government dangling, which is evident from the statements of the party's top leaders. ''They are talking about 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas', but the prime minister's speeches contradict his oft-repeated slogan. The home minister (Amit Shah) meets specially-invited people in the presence of those close to the BJP with an aim to divide us. ''They are doing it in the darkness of night so that nobody can see them in the daytime,'' the former Union minister said, asking people to pray that the ''divisive'' government falls and the hatred that was spread after 2014 is replaced with love, brotherhood and respect for each other. He said Islam teaches Muslims to respect other religions and ''we do not believe in hatred''. ''(Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi took out the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to snow-bound Kashmir and later, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Assam to Maharashtra. His only purpose was to unite the country in the face of growing hatred and understand the pain of the public,'' Abdullah said. He said Jammu and Kashmir acceded to Mahatma Gandhi's India but the BJP has created a trust deficit between the people of the region and New Delhi. ''I am being dubbed by them as Pakistani, Khalistani, an American agent because I am talking straight. I am asking them that if they can talk to China, which has taken our land, why are they not talking to the neighbouring country (Pakistan) to pull us out of the turmoil? We are also citizens of the country,'' the NC leader said. Referring to his meeting with Modi as part of a delegation in June 2021, Abdullah said the prime minister had talked about ending ''Dilli ki doori aur dil ki doori'' and ''we had suggested releasing the innocent people from Jammu and Kashmir languishing in jails in other states as a move to bridge the trust deficit''. ''They promised that all of them will be released after their cases are reviewed by a committee. Neither the committee was formed nor anyone released,'' he said. Abdullah said hundreds of NC leaders and workers were killed by terrorists because ''we were standing with India''. Praying for the success of the INDIA opposition bloc in the ongoing polls, he said he will request the Centre for the release of all innocent Kashmiris and a separate Lok Sabha constituency for the Rajouri-Poonch region that remains cut-off from south Kashmir's Anantnag owing to the six-month closure of the Mughal road due to heavy snowfall. Abdullah urged people to remain cautious and united, and said they should be prepared for the Assembly polls that are likely to be held after the culmination of the annual Amarnath Yatra in August.

Orange alert issued in five TN districts for May 18,19

CHENNAI: Several places across Tamil Nadu received widespread rains on Thursday and Friday. Mylaudy in Kanniyakumari district registered the highest rainfall of 7 cm in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Friday. Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi, Valparai in Coimbatore, and Nannilam in Tiruvarur received 6 cm each; Cuddalore and Kottaram in Kanniyakumari received 5 cm each; and Kayalpattinam in Thoothukudi received 4 cm during the same period. Karur Paramathi received 4.5 cm of rain from 8.30 am to 7.30 on Friday. Coimbatore, Tiruchy, and Dharmapuri received 3.5 cm, 3.3 cm and 3.2 cm, respectively in the same period. The regional meteorological centre said that the Southwest monsoon is very likely to advance into the South Andaman Sea, some parts of the Southeast Bay of Bengal and Nicobar Islands around May 19. However, the monsoon will set in the mainland around May 31. TN usually receives 35-37% of annual total rainfall during this period. The moisture level in the interior districts will increase during this period. The rain the state is getting now is due to cyclonic circulation, said an official from the RMC. RMCs forecast said light to moderate rain at many places with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speed of 30-40 kmph at one or two places is likely to continue till May 21. It also added that moderate rainfall is likely in Chennai city. It also gave orange alerts to several districts over the next few days including Theni, Dindigul and Tenkasi for Saturday and Sunday. The alert also extends to Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli on Sunday. Meanwhile, heavy rain is likely over The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi and Madurai districts on Saturday. On Friday, the maximum temperature of various districts was below normal. Meenambakkam in Chennai registered a maximum temperature of 31.6C, which was 6.8C below normal; Madurai 30.8C (6.7C below normal); and Palayamkottai 31C (6.3C below normal). On Thursday, Meenambakkam registered 10.3C below normal temperature.

Indian Railway: Travel to South India on EMI of Rs 1089, know fare and booking details

Indian Railway: During this trip to South India, tourists will be taken to visit Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, Tirupati Balaji Temple, Tirupati Meenakshi Temple, Madurai Ramanatha Swamy Temple, Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari. Besides, a tour of local tourist places will also be organized. If you are planning to visit South India during summer holidays, then IRCTC is launching [] The post Indian Railway: Travel to South India on EMI of Rs 1089, know fare and booking details first appeared on informalnewz .

This Video of H Vasanthakumar Campaiging For His Son is a Deepfake

Kanyakumari Congress candidate Vijay Vasanth used his late father's deepfake video for election campaigning.

Cong adopts multi-pronged media strategy in polls, 20,000 volunteers spread message

Cong adopts multi-pronged media strategy in polls, 20,000 volunteers spread message The Congress has adopted a multi-pronged social media strategy with Rahul Gandhi directly reaching out to people via the 'speak to the camera' mode on various issues and deploying of 20,000 volunteers spreading the party's messages on WhatsApp platform, party sources said on Thursday. The core theme of the outreach is direct connect with people and get a feedback about their problems, aspirations and come up with solutions in form of party's much talked about Nyay Patra manifesto, they said. According to the sources, more than 88 lakh people have downloaded its manifesto from Congress website so far. Apart from his letter to party workers, rallies and press conferences, Gandhi is connecting directly with people through his interactive sessions such as Yuva Nyay Manch, lectures on Samajik Nyay and his outreach to farmers and women in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. The former Congress president's YouTube channel has 5.6 million subscribers and had about 350 million views in last one month, the sources said, adding his Instagram account has over 190 million views and 7.9 million subscribers. He also has 25.5 million followers on Twitter, 6.3 million followers on his WhatsApp channel and 70 lakh on Facebook. Gandhi had walked more than 4,000 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in the Bharat Jodo Yatra and then undertaken the 6,000-km-long hybrid Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Mumbai. Through these two yatras, Gandhi engaged with millions of farmers, youngsters, women, labourers, traders, SCs/STs/OBCs, and made a direct outreach to them. This also helped the party to understand the pulse of the ground and shape the campaign keep that genuine feedback from ground, the sources said. Gandhi has been using the 'speak to the camera' mode to reach out to people on various issues. ''There are 20,000 committed volunteers who are directly in touch with more than 5 lakh people via WhatsApp. These volunteers then shared the posts/video messages/You Tube Links instantly with people through WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms,'' a party source said. ''These volunteers are in direct touch with Mr Rahul Gandhi's office. And they regularly provide feedback on each and every content that is being shared/released on social media platforms of his,'' the source said.

Localised weather info can save fishers lives: Study

KOCHI: Localised marine weather information can complement forecasts to make traditional fishing safer, a new study by the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat), India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the University of Sussex, UK, shows. Small-grid forecasts allow fishers to launch and land boats at secure spots, fish close to the shore, avoid high-wind ocean areas and quickly return when the weather turns foul, said Prof Abhilash S, director of Cusats Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR), a co-author of the paper and doctoral supervisor of lead author Prabhat Kurup. Further, the availability of such forecasts can limit the number of fishing days lost due to blanket warnings that may not be relevant to local areas where the fishers go, he added. IMD senior scientist Dr V K Mini, ACARR researcher Dr M Sarang, Sussex climate researcher Dr Netsanet Alamirew and Sussex visiting research fellow and faculty at the life sciences department, Christ University, Bengaluru, Prof Max Martin are the other co-authors of the paper. In Thiruvananthapuram coastal areas, around 50,000 fishermen have witnessed 145 deaths while on the job between 2016 and 2021, and another 146 have been caught in the very severe cyclonic storm Ockhi in November 2017. Fishers have been demanding better forecasts. Ocean basins, especially the eastern Arabian Sea, are warming rapidly due to climate change. This affects the lives and livelihoods of traditional artisan fishers and the coastal communities, Abhilash said. According to him, weather systems such as cyclones and deep depressions are becoming more intense. So, the fishers have to take more risks. The most effective solution is to include them in a localised, community-oriented, impact-based forecasting system and co-produce weather information, he said. Weather derivatives: A new dawn in risk management The study highlighted the diverse wind conditions prevalent on Indias southwestern coast. The wind regime along this coast is diverse, with the speed increasing towards the south in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. That would call for localised, sub-regional, and cross-state-border wind forecasts that are highly relevant for artisanal fishers, the paper noted. The paper is an outcome of the Sussex-led safe-fishing research Forecasting with Fishers in Thiruvananthapuram district of southwestern India. The research was supported by UK Research and Innovation, the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme and the Royal Geographical Society. The study used a numerical weather prediction system called the Weather Research Forecasting model downscaled at a 5x5km resolution with 1-3 days lead. Test forecasts issued for south, north and central parts of Thiruvananthapuram were much sought after by traditional fishermen who collaborated in the study. Along with IMD, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, peoples tech firm Gram Vaani, and Radio Monsoon community weather service collaborated with local fishers in the research. We hope our work can lead to more localised weather services by the national forecaster, Abhilash said. Small-grid forecasts A new study by Cusat, IMD and University of Sussex, UK, shows that small-grid forecasts can limit the number of fishing days lost due to blanket warnings that may not be relevant to local areas where the fishers go

I chose Rae Bareli as its karmabhoomi of both my mothers: Rahul

Rahul Gandhi emotionally justifies Rae Bareli selection honoring Soniaji and Indiraji. Criticizes BJP-RSS, promises financial aid, attacks Modi, vows farmer loan waiver, youth apprenticeship. Priyanka supports, highlighting Rahul's truthfulness, justice pursuit, and Kashmir to Kanyakumari walk.

Major gold seizure at Keralas airports; 2.3kg gold seized in Kochi, 2.5kg in Kozhikode

KOCHI/MALAPPURAM: The customs team at the Kochi airport on Saturday intercepted a passenger who attempted to smuggle in 2.30kg of gold worth Rs 1.74 crore. The police arrested Khader Mytheen, of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, who arrived on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai in the morning. As many as 20 gold bars were found concealed inside a specially stitched cavity around the waistline of the jeans he was wearing. Khader confessed to the customs personnel that he was hired by a person in Dubai to smuggle the gold. He was promised a commission from the sale of the contraband in Kerala. The customs have started a probe regarding the people who hired Khader and the people who were supposed to receive the consignment in Kerala. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. Meanwhile, at the Kozhikode airport, the customs seized 2.5kg of gold worth Rs 1.76 crore in three different cases last week. In the first incident, the officers seized 1.35kg of gold worth Rs 95.74 lakh from a man who arrived at the airport from Dubai. The Anakkayam native attempted to smuggle the gold in compound form by concealing the contraband in two pouches taped under his feet. In the second case, the officers seized 646g of gold valued at Rs 45.32 lakh from a native of Thazhekode in Malappuram. He attempted to smuggle in the contraband in compound form by concealing it inside his body. In the third incident, 494g of gold worth Rs 34.94 lakh was seized from a native of Mankada in Malappuram. He attempted to smuggle in the gold in compound form by pasting it on the jeans he was wearing. The officers also foiled attempts to smuggle foreign cigarettes through the airport. Two attempts to smuggle 10,000 sticks of Gold Flake brand cigarettes were foiled by the customs. One bundle of 10,000 cigarette sticks is valued at Rs 1.20 lakh. The passengers who tried to smuggle in the sticks were natives of Kannur and Malappuram. Another attempt to smuggle 5,000 sticks of Essay brand cigarettes valued at Rs 0.60 lakh by a passenger, a native of Koodathai in Kozhikode, was also defeated by the customs officers.

CPI(M) in Kerala justifies CM Vijayan's foreign trip, draws parallel to God taking rest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala on Friday likened Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's foreign trip to God's rest after creating the universe in six days, drawing a parallel to the Biblical narrative. Responding to controversies surrounding Vijayan and his family's nearly three-week-long foreign tour, CPI(M) central committee member A K Balan said the Chief Minister did not go to space; he simply took a break in Indonesia, which, according to the veteran leader, is only 60 km away from Pygmalion point (Indira point) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He said Vijayan went abroad to relax after enduring unimaginable strain due to administrative and organisational activities. What's the problem for you in allowing him a rest? He went to a place within calling distance. Everything being spread about this is a myth, Balan told reporters. He said the Chief Minister conducted the Nava Kerala Sadas programme, travelling across the state for 30 days, and later addressed election rallies for at least four hours a day for one month. Even God rested for one day after creating the universe in six days. That day is Sunday. Are you saying that the Chief Minister can't even do that? Balan said, drawing from the theological narration in the Old Testament of the Bible where it is written that after creating the universe in six days, God rested on the seventh day. He further clarified that the Chief Minister did not go to outer space. Pinarayi Vijayan's foreign trip is approved by union government, party: Govindan Isn't this a country within a reachable distance where one can answer our call? Campbell Bay, the southern village of India in Andaman Nicobar, is three degrees of longitude farther than Kanyakumari. It is only 60 km from its southern tip, Pygmalion point (Indira point), to Indonesia, Balan said. According to the National Maritime Foundation, the distance between Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Banda Aceh in Indonesia is just 80 nautical miles. If you call Pinarayi Vijayan, it is a place where he can be heard, Balan said, questioning the doubts being repeatedly raised about the CM's foreign tour despite clarifications. Responding to a query about the reported allegations by KPCC chief K Sudhakaran regarding Vijayan and his family's foreign visit being an extravaganza, Balan said the Chief Minister himself has clarified that it was a private trip. Balan stated that the Chief Minister has a monthly income of Rs 92,000. Sudhakaran had criticised the CM over the trip and sought to know why he was taking his family members along. I suspect that it is a sponsored trip. Even if it is a sponsored trip, why is Vijayan keeping everything a secret? Why is he evading responsibility, Sudhakaran had asked. CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan on Wednesday said Vijayan embarked on his overseas trip at his own expense after getting requisite permissions from the party and the Central government. Vijayan actually took a break after the intense Lok Sabha poll campaigning in Kerala and decided to travel abroad with his family, he had said. The CM and his close family members left for various foreign destinations on May 6.

Kannur youth wheelies out against drug abuse

KOCHI: Close on the heels of his all-Kerala trip to spread awareness against drug abuse, Kannur native Saneed P P is already midway into his next mission an all-India trip to sow the same message even further. What distinguishes this journey is that the cycle he rides has no front wheel. A stunt rider, Saneed does a wheelie the entire stretch of the journey. The peculiarity of the trip turns eyes and in turn, to the message. Drug abuse is the greatest menace in our society today, he says. The journey, which began in Kanyakumari in December, traversed the length of Kerala, before hugging the road along the western coast to Mumbai. Saneed hopes to make it to the highest motorable road in the Himalayas before November. Despite not knowing much Hindi, I have had no trouble finding routes or camping at night. People are keen to help, says the 23-year-old. This ride has been my dream for the past few years. Now, with each whirl of the pedal, Im slowly realising it. Saneeds ride starts at 6am and he aims to cover 30-40km a day. At night, he sets up a tent near fuel stations or dhabas. Wherever there is a toilet facility, he chuckles.The journey is not just confined to roads as Saneed also makes it a point to explore various tourist locations along the route. His constant companions on this journey are a stiff neck and persistent back pain. Saneed parents had warned him about this, and how this may create difficulties later on in life. There are many who are addicts of cigarettes, alcohol, or worse, drugs. Using these can lead to complications later. I am willing to suffer a little to help my friends escape from these vices, says the aspiring interior designer. One of his friends has already given up on cigarettes after learning about his journey. I receive many emails from those who are inspired by my journey. This is my fuel, says Saneed, whose finesse on the bike has also earned him a role as a stunt double for Kalyani Priyadarshan in Thallumala. However, the youngster is not yearning for more such distractions. My focus is on this journey, Saneed says.

Budget tourism project a hit, KSRTC now eyeing expansion to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka

KOCHI: KSRTCs budget tourism project is going great guns. Things are so rosy that the state-run carrier is now planning to expand its list of destinations in its tour packages by including popular spots in neighbouring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. We have placed two proposals each before the RTCs of both the states, said Sunil Kumar, state coordinator, KSRTC (budget tourism). One proposal is that KSRTC applies for temporary permits for its buses to conduct destination tours to these states. The second proposes a collaboration, under which we will take tourists to the Kerala-TN or Kerala-Karnataka borders. From there, they will proceed to the destinations in buses arranged by the respective RTCs, Sunil said. Hill stations Ooty and Kodaikanal, besides Rameshwaram, Vellankanni and Kanyakumari, in TN, are the destinations shortlisted, said Sunil. As for the rates, he said, Since the proposals are mooted under our budget tourism project, the charges will be commensurate to the rates charged for present tours. KSRTC is expecting a very good response to its proposed tours to the neighbouring states once they are rolled out. As of now, KSRTCs budget tourism has been a huge success. From its inception in November 2021 to March this year, we have generated Rs 39 crore in revenue from 10,500 trips. A total 5.95 lakh people availed the trips, Sunil said. Meanwhile, KSRTC is also exploring a tourism collaboration with the IRCTC that covers inbound and outbound travellers, said Sunil. In the case of inbound travellers, KSRTC has proposed picking up tourists from railway stations and taking them to destinations listed in their tour packages. For outbound tourists, KSRTC will provide them the facility to book IRCTCs tour packages, he said. On the city tour programme started in Thiruvananthapuram, Sunil said the project, which employs a double-decker electric bus, has received wide acceptance in the two months of its launch. We are monitoring the progress of the project, but as of now, things are looking very good, Sunil said. Considering the programme's initial success, KSRTC is studying the viability of launching similar projects in Ernakulam and Kozhikode, he said. Studies are on to determine the most viable routes for the tours. In Ernakulam, it has been observed that people are more into visiting coastal areas. There is the question of getting buses though. The Thiruvananthapuram city tour bus was launched with the help of Smart City Mission. We are looking into something similar in Ernakulam and Kozhikode as the buses are very costly. Converting our old double-decker buses into electric vehicles and using them for the project is another possibility being explored, Sunil said. Like many things, KSRTCs budget tourism project also faced some setbacks in the past few months, Sunil said. Closure of tourist destinations in Wayanad and the heatwave did affect our operations to some extent, he said. KSRTC budget tourism Started: November 2021Revenue Rs 39 crore (Till March 2024) Trips conducted - 10,500 Passengers served - 5.95 lakh

Tamil Nadu's first BJP MLA Velayutham dies at 73

CHENNAI: C Velayutham, the BJPs first MLA from Tamil Nadu, who represented Padnamabhapuram constituency in Kanyakumari district from 1996-2001 passed away on Wednesday morning at his home near Nagercoil. He was 73. He had contested from Padmanabhapuram assembly constituency, which continues to have a significant vote bank for the party, five times since 1989, and won it once in 1996 when BJP contested without any alliance. His victory came as a surprise to the Dravidian majors at that time. Velayutham, however, lost the 2001 assembly election even though his party formed an alliance with the DMK and bagged four seats. He retired from active politics after he lost the seat in 2006 by securing third spot. He is survived by his two daughters and a son. Party sources said his mortal remains have been kept at his house at Karuppukodu in Nagercoil and his last rites will be perfoemed on Thursday at 10 am. BJPs national president JP Nadda and state president K Annamalai condoled his demise. In his message, Nadda expressed deep sorrow and highlighted Velayuthams unwavering commitment to both the party and the society. He further expressed his condolences to his family members and supporters. Annamalai said the departed MLA sowed the seeds of hope for BJPs growth in Tamil Nadu. Surprise winner Though Velayutham contested for the Assembly five times since 1989, he won only once in 1996 when BJP contested alone. His victory came as a surprise to the Dravidian majors. He, however, lost the 2001 poll despite BJP formed ties DMK and bagged four seats

Man arrested for smoking on Muscat-Mumbai flight

Balakrishna Rajayan,a passenger from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, was seen smoking a cigarette in the Mumbai-Muscat aircraft`s back lavatory.

'We too are Indians': Northeast states' CMs hit out at Sam Pitroda's 'racist' remarks

GUWAHATI: Four chief ministers of the Northeastern states slammed Sam Pitroda, chief of the Indian Overseas Congress, on Wednesday for his alleged racist remarks. Pitroda while describing Indias diversity stated that people in different regions of the country look like Africans, Chinese, Arab and whites. Criticizing the Congress leader, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X, Sam bhai, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country - we may look different but we are all one. Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo! While Sarmas Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K Sangma condemned Pitrodas remarks calling the people of the Northeast Chinese. Manipur CM N Biren Singh, too reacting to the remarks, demanded an apology. I condemn Congress leader, Sam Pitrodas racist comment against the people of Northeast. The Congress has always tried to divide India with their Divide and Rule policy. But they must know that Northeast has been a part of India and will always be. Such a mockery in the India's diversity is highly unacceptable @INCIndia and @sampitroda must publicly apologize, Singh wrote on X. Sam Pitroda resigns from Indian Overseas Congress post after 'racist remark' row Condemning the disgusting mentality, Tripura CM Manik Saha said the idea of unity in the midst of diversity is the main mantra of the Indian spirit. Although we live in the North East, our thinking is completely Indian. Similarly, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Ahmedabad to Arunachal, all the citizens of the country have one identity as Indian. But blinded by the greed of power, Congress leader Rahul Gandhis mentor Sam Pitroda and the discriminatory INDI Alliance mentality has gone so low that they are now judging the people of India by their skin color and face, Saha wrote on the microblogging site.

CBI Arrested 4 Persons for Trafficking of Indian Nationals for Combat Role in Russian Army

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two accused persons Arun and Yesudas Junior alias Priyan, both resident of Trivandrum, Kerala in case related to trafficking of Indian nationals for combat role in Russian army. On April 24, 2024, two other accused persons - Nijil Jobi Bensam of Kanyakumari and Anthony Michael Elangovan of Mumbai were arrested in this case and sent to Judicial Custody. The CBI, on March 6, 2024, had busted a major human trafficking network running across the country targeting gullible youths on the promise of offering lucrative jobs abroad. These traffickers have been operating as an organized network and were luring Indian nationals through social media channels like Youtube etc. and also through their local contacts or agents for highly paid jobs in Russia. Thereafter, the trafficked Indian Nationals were trained in combat roles and deployed at front bases in Russia - Ukraine War Zone against their wishes, thus, putting their lives in grave danger. It has been ascertained that some of the victims also got grievously injured in the war zone. A case of human trafficking was registered against private visa consultancy firms and agents who were involved in trafficking of Indian nationals to Russia under the guise of better employment and high paying jobs. The human trafficking network of these agents is spread over several States across the country and beyond. Accused Nijil Jobi Bensam was working in Russia on contract basis as translator and was one of the key members of the network operating in Russia for facilitating recruitment of Indian nationals in Russian army. Accused Michael Anthony was facilitating his coaccused Faisal Baba based in Dubai and others based in Russia in getting the visa processing done in Chennai and booking the air tickets for victims to go to Russia. Arun and Yesudas Junior were the main recruiters of Indian nationals belonging to Kerala and Tamil Nadu for Russian Army. Investigation is continuing against other accused persons who are part of this international network of human traffickers.

Killer surge: Swell waves are formed, not by local winds, but by strong distant winds

Swell waves, distinct from local wind-driven waves, travel thousands of kilometers due to distant storms and gales. Recent waves led to House Surgeons drowning in Kanyakumari despite IMD warnings. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services forecasts wave heights.

Iranian vessel with six Indian crew detained

NEW DELHI: The Indian Coast Guard intercepted and detained a foreign fishing vessel of Iranian nationality off the Kerala coast, west of Beypore, on Monday. Operated by an Indian crew, the boat was apprehended in a multi-domain operation involving sea and air coordination, with Coast Guard ships and aircraft committing to the mission. Maintaining a heightened security level, The boat was boarded by CG boarding team, stated the ICG in a release. The ICG stated, Initial investigations found that the boat is owned by an Iranian sponsor named Syed Saud Ansari, who had contracted 06 Indian fishermen (from the Kanyakumari region in Tamil Nadu) by issuing them Iranian Visas for fishing off the Iranian Coast in his boat since 26 Mar 23. The crew alleged that the sponsor had been ill-treating them and had not provided them with basic living conditions. Further, they also alleged that the sponsor has confiscated their passports. The crew subsequently decided to escape from Iran to India using the same boat, where they were working as fishermen, added the ICG. The boat has been brought to Kochi, Kerala, for further investigations and legal proceedings, underscoring the Indian Coast Guards commitment to adhere to due process. This incident serves as a reminder of the constant vigil required to safeguard Indias maritime border, said the ICG in the release.

Swell surge in sea off Kanyakumari leaves five medical students dead

Five students drowned in Kanyakumari due to swell waves. Three rescued, warnings issued by IMD. Tragedies due to swell surges in the region. Fishermen's rescue efforts noted. One student from Andhra Pradesh.

Rahul Gandhi Urges Party Workers to Match His Dedication in Electoral Battle

Rahul Gandhi Urges Party Workers to Match His Dedication in Electoral Battle Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged the party workers to go door to door with the 'Nyay' guarantees and underline the threat posed by the BJP's ideology and its ''agenda of hate''. In an appeal to the Congress workers a day before the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls, Gandhi said he is giving his all in this fight and wants them to do the same. He asserted that this election is not an ordinary election or a fight between political parties, but one to save democracy and the Constitution. ''On one side is the Congress' ideology of love and justice and on the other side is the ideology of fear, hatred and division of the Modi government, the BJP and the RSS,'' Gandhi said in his message to the workers posted on X. ''The biggest strength of the Congress Party in this fight is dedicated to workers like you. You are fierce and fearless, because the ideology of Congress is in your hearts, in your thoughts and in your actions. You are the backbone of the party and we cannot win without you,'' the former Congress chief said. He thanked the Congress workers and said it is because of them that the party was able to prepare a revolutionary manifesto by listening to the people of India. ''We have fought well in the first two phases of the elections. We have been able to oppose the lies and distractions of the BJP and forced them to answer us,'' Gandhi said. ''Now is the time for another month of hard work to ensure that our guarantees reaches every Indian, and to ensure that everyone turns out to vote. Let us all together take the message of the Congress and our guarantee to every village, locality, street and every house. Now the time has come for us to go door to door. We have to reach every youth, woman, labourer, farmer and deprived family,'' he said. Gandhi urged the workers to make the people aware of the ''threat'' posed by the BJP's ideology and their agenda of ''hate''. He said he knows that as long as even a single Congress worker stands for the truth, hatred cannot win in India. ''And we are not one but millions. We all will fight together, win and change the situation of the country,'' he said. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, ''After walking 4,000 kms from Kanyakumari to Kashmir on the Bharat Jodo Yatra, after travelling 6,600 km from Manipur to Mumbai on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi has now embarked on the 'Samvidhan Bachao Yatra'.'' He asserted that the Congress is the party of Indian constitutionalism and Indian nationalism. ''We will protect its principles, its values and its basic structure till our dying breath,'' he said. Voting will be held in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls, with stakes being high for the BJP which had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election. Over 1,300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. Among the bigwigs are Union ministers Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and S P Singh Baghel (Agra).

'I'm giving my all in this fight, want you to do the same': Rahul issues appeal to party workers

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged the party workers to go door to door with the 'Nyay' guarantees and underline the threat posed by the BJP's ideology and its agenda of hate. In an appeal to the Congress workers a day before the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls, Gandhi said he is giving his all in this fight and wants them to do the same. He asserted that this election is not an ordinary election or a fight between political parties, but one to save democracy and the Constitution. On one side is the Congress' ideology of love and justice and on the other side is the ideology of fear, hatred and division of the Modi government, the BJP and the RSS, Gandhi said in his message to the workers posted on X. The biggest strength of the Congress Party in this fight is dedicated to workers like you. You are fierce and fearless, because the ideology of Congress is in your hearts, in your thoughts and in your actions. You are the backbone of the party and we cannot win without you, the former Congress chief said. , - , - , , pic.twitter.com/2zjgYmhLEW Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 6, 2024 He thanked the Congress workers and said it is because of them that the party was able to prepare a revolutionary manifesto by listening to the people of India. We have fought well in the first two phases of the elections. We have been able to oppose the lies and distractions of the BJP and forced them to answer us, Gandhi said. Now is the time for another month of hard work to ensure that our guarantees reaches every Indian, and to ensure that everyone turns out to vote. Let us all together take the message of the Congress and our guarantee to every village, locality, street and every house. Now the time has come for us to go door to door. We have to reach every youth, woman, labourer, farmer and deprived family, he said. Gandhi urged the workers to make the people aware of the hreat posed by the BJP's ideology and their agenda of hate. He said he knows that as long as even a single Congress worker stands for the truth, hatred cannot win in India. And we are not one but millions. We all will fight together, win and change the situation of the country, he said. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, After walking 4,000 kms from Kanyakumari to Kashmir on the Bharat Jodo Yatra, after travelling 6,600 km from Manipur to Mumbai on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi has now embarked on the 'Samvidhan Bachao Yatra'. He asserted that the Congress is the party of Indian constitutionalism and Indian nationalism. We will protect its principles, its values and its basic structure till our dying breath, he said. Voting will be held in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls, with stakes being high for the BJP which had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election. Over 1,300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. Among the bigwigs are Union ministers Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and S P Singh Baghel (Agra).

Swell Surge in Sea off Kanyakumari Beach Kills Five Medical Students

Madurai: Five medical college students and interns from SRM Medical College Hospital and Trichy Government Medical College Hospital drowned in the sea off Lemur Beach in Kanyakumari on Monday due to a swell surge. The deceased has been identified as P. Sarvadarshith (23) of Parakkai in Kanyakumari district, M. Praveen Sam (23) of Oddanchatram in [] The post Swell Surge in Sea off Kanyakumari Beach Kills Five Medical Students appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Tamil Nadu: Five SRM Medical college students drown in sea off Kanyakumari Coast - Mint

Tamil Nadu: Five SRM Medical college students drown in sea off Kanyakumari Coast Mint

Surge swell in sea off Kanyakumari kills five medicos - The Times of India

Surge swell in sea off Kanyakumari kills five medicos The Times of India

Indian Coast Guard Seizes Iranian Boat off Koyilandy

Kozhikode: The vigilant efforts of the Indian Coast Guard led to the interception of an Iranian boat off the picturesque coast of Koyilandy on Sunday. Six fishermen indigenous to the serene shores of Kanyakumari were promptly taken into custody from the vessel. Sources indicate that the boat encountered an unfortunate depletion of fuel reserves rendering it immobile along the shores of Koyilandy. These fishermen were part of a larger expedition that embarked on a fishing venture from the distant shores of Iran. Initial reports suggest that their motivation to navigate away from Iranian waters stemmed from a distressing situation the non payment of their hard earned wages.

Kerala: Six Indians flee from Iran on boat, detained off Beypore

KOCHI: In a swift sea-air coordinated operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Sunday intercepted and detained a Iranian fishing vessel off Beypore while it was heading towards the Kerala coast with six Indians on board. Initial investigation revealed that the boat is owned by an Iranian sponsor, who had contracted the six fishermenfrom Kanyakumari by issuing them visas for fishing off Iran coast in his boat since March 26 last year. According to officials, the crew said the sponsor had been ill-treating them since the day they were hired and had not provided them with basic living conditions. They also accused the sponsor named Syed Saud Ansari of having confiscated their passports. The crew subsequently decided to escape from Iran to India using the same boat, the officials said. Indian Coast Guard ship Abhinav C-404 and an Advanced Light Helicopter were used in the operation. The apprehended boat is being brought to Kochi for further investigation and legal proceedings. The apprehension of a foreign fishing boat by the ICG with Indian crew on board once again highlights the complexities of maritime security and the challenges being faced by any maritime law enforcement agency in preventing illegal activities at sea, said an official. The boat was thoroughly examined by the Coast Guard team for any anti-national activity.

We will end 50 per cent cap on reservation, says Rahul

Hyderabad, Adilabad: Stressing the importance of holding a nationwide caste census to get data on the financial status of members of the OBC, SC, and ST communities, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday promised that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc would pass a Bill to remove the 50 per cent cap for the reservations and provide more welfare schemes if it came to power at the Centre. Against this, Rahul Gandhi said, The BJP and RSS leaders are telling the country that they will change the Constitution. They would end reservations, he said a election meetings at Alampur, Gadwal, in support of party candidate Mallu Ravi and Nirmal for Atram Suguna. He also promised the Pehli Naukri Pakki scheme, which he said was the first one of its kind in the world to provide job rights to the unemployed. We will provide job opportunities to all graduates, diploma holders, and postgraduates thousands of jobs have fallen vacant over the past few years, Gandhi said. The Congress-led government would deposit Rs 1 lakh into the bank accounts of these job holders at a monthly salary of Rs 8,500. He said their services would be regularised based on their performance for a year. Gandhi said that he had embarked on the 4,000-km Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to meet the people. Thousands of students and youths complained that they lacked job opportunities due to the negligence of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. He said the Congress government in the state had implemented a number of welfare schemes. If the Congress comes to power at the Centre, the I.N.D.I.A bloc would waive loans for farmers and provide Rythu Bandhu. The BJP government neglected the agriculture sector. The Congress party would implement MSP for all crops, the AICC leader said. A woman from every poor family, identified during the caste census, would get Rs 1 lakh per year from the government. The amount would be deposited directly into their bank accounts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his NDA-led BJP government worked only to make 22 families in India rich. If the Congress comes to power, we will provide welfare schemes for OBCs, SCs and STs, Rahul Gandhi said. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi participated in the Jana Jathara Sabha held at Nirmal and said that the Congress government formed in Telangana state had implemented five schemes of Six Guarantees. Gandhi said elections were a fight between two ideologies, one trying to protect the Constitution and the other side to scrap it. Gandhi said privatisation was nothing but removing the reservations and it was high time for the people to protect the Constitution and bring in a people's government. He said whatever rights the poor got, such as jal, jangal, jameen, reservations, public sector employment, and MGNREGS, was because of the Constitution. The BJP will snatch them away, he said. He said the media had criticised the MNREGA as a scheme that would make the poor lazy. But the media saw development in the Modi government waiving Rs 16 lakh crores for industrialists. This sum would have paid for MNREGA for 24 years. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy criticised BRS working president K.T Rama Rao and its leaders for spreading false propaganda that the Congress government had failed to implement its guarantees. He asked Rama Rao to wear a sari and travel on a bus to find out if the guarantees were being implemented or not. He reiterated that the government would complete payment of Rythu Bandu on May 9 and waive crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh by August 15.

Coast Guard Intercepts Iranian Boat off Keralas Koyilandy, Six Indian Fishermen Held

New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard intercepted an Iranian fishing boat off the coast of Koyilandy of Kerala on Sunday, taking six fishermen into custody. The fishermen, originally from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, had reportedly been in Iran custody for around one and a half years for fishing, said the coastal police. The boat went [] The post Coast Guard Intercepts Iranian Boat off Keralas Koyilandy, Six Indian Fishermen Held appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Iranian Boat Intercepted off Koyilandy Coast, Six Indian Fishermen Held

Six fishermen, hailing from Kanyakumari in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, were taken into custody from on board the vessel

Iranian boat intercepted off Kerala coast, 6 Indian fishermen held

The Indian Coast Guard intercepted an Iranian fishing vessel off the coast of Koyilandy in Kerala on Sunday, six fishermen from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, were taken into custody from the boat, as per coastal police. All those who were taken into custody were fishermen who had gone to Iran from Kanyakumari for fishing around one and half years ago, a police officer said.

Kerala Coast Hit by Sea Surge; Orange Alert Extended

Kerala Coast Hit by Sea Surge; Orange Alert Extended Amidst warning of a 'Kallakkadal' phenomenon in coastal areas of the state, several places in Kerala have been witnessing high tidal waves and intense sea incursion since Saturday night. ''Kallakkadal' is a phenomenon of sudden sea swells causing rough waves in coastal areas. A number of houses were damaged and roads were flooded as massive waves hit the shores in many coastal hamlets. Sea water gushed into houses forcing residents to shift to safer places in Anchuthengu and Poonthura areas of Thiruvananthapuram. At several places, local people had to pay extra vigil to protect their fishing equipment, kept on the shores, from the high tidal waves. Besides Anchuthengu, Poonthura and Muthalapozhi hamlets in Thiruvananthapuram, sea incursion was reported in Mundakkal and Alappadu areas in Kollam district, Purakkad in Alappuzha and Kodungallur and Perinjanam in Thrissur district and so on, local people said. Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) on Sunday continued to place the southern coasts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu under Orange Alert warning as part of the ''Kallakkadal'' phenomenon. In its latest alert, the agency warned that the southern coasts of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu comprising Kanyakumari and Tuticorin regions are likely to experience rough seas and sea surge due to extremely strong waves of 0.5 metres to 1.5 metres till 11.30 pm tonight as part of the phenomenon. INCOIS, the Central agency that issues weather warnings for fishermen in the country, advised people to safely moor their fishing vessels in the harbour. It also warned fishermen not to venture into the sea in small boats and vessels after 8 pm on Sunday. Authorities advised people to continue their caution and avoid trips to the beach and completely stay away from activities at sea. The term 'Kallakkadal' literally means a sea that comes suddenly like a thief. INCOIS has earlier said that the swells result from strong winds in the southern part of the Indian Ocean at certain times, and that they occur suddenly without any particular indications or warning which is why it is named 'Kallakkadal'.

Shiv Sena condemns Congress' Wadettiwar remarks on 26/11 and Mumbai Police

Shiv Sena condemns Congress' Wadettiwar remarks on 26/11 and Mumbai Police Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) Secretary and Spokesperson, Kiran Pawaskar on Saturday criticized state opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar for allegedly making disparaging comments regarding the candidacy of advocate Ujjwal Nikam. Shiv Sena alleged that in the video, Wadettiwar was making disrespectful remarks about the valiant policemen who sacrificed their lives during the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai. Pawaskar strongly rebuked Wadettiwar's statements, emphasizing that the track record of the Congress suggests the promotion of terrorism rather than its prevention. The Congress is not a party that prevents terrorism, but promotes it, he said. He further lamented the silence of Uddhav Thackeray, former Maharashtra Chief Minister, on this matter, insinuating a reluctance to address the issue for fear of upsetting certain communities. Vijay Wadettiwar should be detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and a thorough investigation should be conducted as to why he is defending terrorist Ajmal Kasab, he added. Furthermore, Kiran Pawaskar highlighted the history of alleged terrorist incidents that occurred across India during the Congress regime, underscoring the compromise of national security during that period. Terrorist attacks took place from Kashmir to Kanyakumari during the Congress period. The internal security of the country was compromised. During the tenure of the UPA government for 10 years, there were major terrorist attacks in every metropolis of India. During this period, there were bomb blasts in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Malegaon. What's more, the Congress government was in power at the time of the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, Pawaskar said. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is a nationalist organization. But Congress considers RSS as terrorists, while organizations like PFI are dear to Congress, he added. The Shiv Sena leader also demanded a public apology from Vijay Wadettiwar to the martyrs of the 26/11 attack and the entire police force for his derogatory remarks. (ANI)

PM Modi 'Aloof' From People's Concerns, Says Priyanka Gandhi Countering 'Shehzada' Jibe

PM Modi 'Aloof' From People's Concerns, Says Priyanka Gandhi Countering 'Shehzada' Jibe Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a shahanshaah (king of king) who lives in a palace but is cut off from the public, responding to the PMs shehzada jibe for her brother Rahul Gandhi. The Congress general secretary was addressing a public rally at Lakhani in Gujarats Banaskantha Lok Sabha constituency to canvass for her party candidate Geniben Thakor. He calls my brother shehzada. I would like to tell him that this shehzada walked for 4,000 kilometres from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to listen to your (people's) problems, met my brothers and sisters, farmers and labourers and asked how we can resolve their problems, she said. Addressing a rally in Gujarat on Thursday, PM Modi had targeted Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, saying Pakistan was eager to make the shehzada of the grand old party Indias next PM as the countrys enemies want a weak government at the helm. On the other hand is your shahanshah, Narendra Modiji. He lives in a palace. Have you ever seen him on TV? Clean clothes with not a single speck of dust, not a single stray hair strand. How will he ever understand your hard work, your farming? How will he understand your problems, that you are overburdened with inflation? she said. The Congress leader also said that the BJP wants to change the Constitution, and reduce and weaken the rights given to the people through the statute book. If you understand politics today, the biggest thing that Modi has done in the last 10 years is to weaken the rights of the public, she said. In Banaskantha, which will go to polls in the third phase on May 7, the BJP has nominated Rekha Chaudhary, an engineering college professor and first-timer, against Congress Thakor.

Politics Not a Quick Fix, Requires Patience: Pawan Kalyan

Politics Not a Quick Fix, Requires Patience: Pawan Kalyan Politics is not a five-minute noodles and one can not expect quick results as leaders have to earn the trust of people by withstanding turbulence and setbacks, Janasena founder and actor Pawan Kalyan has said. Janasena, TDP and BJP are NDA partners in Andhra Pradesh for the May 13 polls. Comparing the vision of the National Democratic Alliance for Andhra Pradesh, and that of the ruling YSR Congress party in the state, he said the former has got more credible leadership, people with commitment and experience. He appealed to the people to vote for the alliance, alleging that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy completely damaged and messed up the state during the last five years. ''You have to understand. We all think that politics is a fast food (and expect) fast food results. You want to make it immediately. You want results immediately. It is not a five-minute Maggi noodles. When I look at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash, when I look at Ramana Lohia, all the elders, even Mr Kanshi Ram, they lost and they gained. So it is like a political journey that goes on,'' the actor-politician told PTI Videos. He further said one has to be trusted by the people to believe that their leader can withstand the political odds, hurdles and turbulence. ''I think I have achieved that part now. The result would be seen evidently in the coming elections,'' the Janasena leader said. On the issue of ''Special Category Status'' for Andhra Pradesh promised by Congress and BJP, during the bifurcation of the southern state, Kalyan said it is ''spilled milk'' and has taken a different form. Replying to a query about the Congress party, he said though he personally admired Rahul Gandhi for his marathon walk from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, the grand old party which was once the backbone to Andhra Pradesh, made a colossal mistake for the state. ''Congress has really made a big mistake. In fact, Andhra Pradesh was a backbone for Congress and they have cut off their own supporting system. Again, they are trying to rebuild it, and people have moved away. Personally, people might like him (Rahul Gandhi), but as a party, still, it doesnt resonate with people,'' he opined. On his ''good'' relations with BJP, Kalyan said he will use them for the betterment of the state. Attacking YSR Congress, he appealed to people to choose and vote carefully this time. ''I want people to decide very cautiously and carefully. One mistake of yours is taking away five years of your time. You have voted for Jagan once and you lost everything,'' he said. As part of a seat sharing deal among NDA partners, the TDP was allocated 144 Assembly and 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, while the BJP will contest from six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats. Janasena will contest two Lok Sabha and 21 Assembly seats. Elections for the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled to be held on May 13.

Heavy rush in Chennai airport

Chennai: The hustle and bustle at the Chennai airports domestic terminal has increased of late as more and more people are taking flight from the city in view of the broiling heat with various airlines operating a plethora of special summer services to different destinations like Thoothukudi, Madurai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. Those leaving for destinations within the State like Madurai and Coimbatore are mostly headed to salubrious hill stations like Kodiakanal and Ooty and the others, too, are travelling with families with different places to take a break from the sultry weather that is becoming unbearable day after day. According to airport sources about 40 special flights are being operated from Chennai over and above the regular services, leading to the heavy rush since morning hours at the airport. Apart from the heat, many politicians are also leaving the city with families in the aftermath of the Lok Sabha elections, sources said. Also many families are visiting the hometowns across the State in view of the summer vacation for schools and colleges, adding to the crowds at the airport and prompting the airlines to cash in on the increased demand for tickets. Hitherto, only three onward and three return flights were operated to Thoothukudi, the airport that caters to the people in the southern districts of Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. But now four plus four flights are being operated. Similarly the demand for seats in the flights to Trichy, the city in the central part of the State that connects many towns and villages in several districts, has gone up and six flights are taking off from Chennai every day as against the four before the onset of the summer. To Coimbatore, too, the number of daily flights have been increased from 6 to 8 and for Madurai it is 7 now as against the earlier 5 and many of those passengers are leaving for destinations in the hill stations near them. Similarly, many people are also taking holidays in Bengaluru and Hyderabad in the States of Karnataka and Telangana, impelling the flight operators to raise the number of services. So Bengaluru now has 11 flights as against the earlier 8 and Hyderabad has presently 14 services one way while it used to be 10 plus 10 otherwise. Even people travelling to faraway destinations in the country and abroad has increased phenomenally with a thrice a week direct flights being introduced for Durgapur from mid-May. Similarly, even international airlines like Air France have increased their weekly flights between Paris and Chennai from 3 to 5. Indigo Airlines has also announced the introduction of a direct flight from Chennai to Bangkok, a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world, from May 15 and Air Mauritius has reintroduced its direct flight from Mauritius to Chennai after a gap of four years. Since flights to Singapore, Malaysia, London and other international tourist spots have also increased from Chennai that saw an introduction of about 40 additional or new flights, this May will see an additional 400 flights taking off from Chennai, airport sources said. The increase in number of flights had come as a boon for travelers as they were able to get seats to their favoured destinations and also did not have to cough up huge amounts as premium charges.

Rahul's Strategic Chess Move: Amethi to Rae Bareli Shift in Lok Sabha Election

Rahul's Strategic Chess Move: Amethi to Rae Bareli Shift in Lok Sabha Election Rahul Gandhi describes himself as the best chess player among Indian politicians, and his latest gambit appears to be his decision to contest from Rae Bareli instead of his home ground Amethi. Gandhi obviously hopes that the move will checkmate opponents but the BJP sees it as a cowardly retreat from the battleground. ''He is an experienced player of politics and chess. The party leadership takes its decisions after much discussion, and as part of a larger strategy. This single decision has befuddled the BJP, its supporters, and its sycophants,'' Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on the much-anticipated decision. ''The BJP's self-proclaimed Chanakya, who used to talk about 'paramparagat seat' is now not sure how to respond,'' he said. The chess reference by Ramesh comes days after the Congress put out a video of Gandhi talking about his interest in the board game and its similarities with politics. In the video, when Gandhi is asked who is the best chess player among Indian politicians, he said, ''Me''. Gandhi filed his papers from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli constituency in the afternoon, barely an hour before nominations closed for the Lok Sabha seat on Friday. He was accompanied by Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as he filed his papers around 2 pm. Gandhi had made his poll debut from Amethi in 2004 and saw relative smooth sailing in the first 10 years with the UPA being in power, while the last 10 years have been challenging. He won the 2014 polls against the BJP's Smriti Irani by over a lakh votes but she had run a spirited campaign and made inroads into the Congress citadel of Amethi. She finally breached the fortress in 2019, beating the Gandhi family scion by over 55,000 votes. However, Gandhi's 'Plan B' seemed to have worked as he contested the polls from two constituencies and won from Kerala's Wayanad, ensuring that his stint in Parliament continued. Some of the earlier electoral gambles of Gandhi such as pitching the 2019 polls campaign of the Congress on the Rafale issue have not paid off but Gandhi has always stuck to his convictions and maintained his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including on the Adani issue. He has been at the receiving end of criticism from various quarters and often been dubbed a ''reluctant politician'' or ''part-time politician'', but he has remained unfazed by such criticism. At a press briefing in Ghaziabad a couple of weeks ago, Gandhi had taken a swipe at the media for dubbing him a ''non-serious'' politician. He had cited his involvement with the MGNREGA scheme, the Land Acquisition Bill, the Bhatta Parsaul movement, Niyamgiri Hills matter, and had said for the media all this was ''non-serious while talking about Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Virat Kohli was serious''. In 2004, Gandhi announced his entry into Indian politics, contesting his first election from Amethi, the same seat that was represented by his mother Sonia Gandhi (1999-2004) and his late father Rajiv Gandhi between 1981-91. Rahul Gandhi won by an overwhelming margin of almost three lakh votes. He again won in 2009 but his margin was reduced in 2014 and was defeated by Irani in 2019. He had been criticised for not spending enough time in the constituency, allowing the BJP to make inroads into the Congress fortress. Gandhi was appointed vice president of the Congress in 2013 and took over the reins of the party on December 16, 2017. He stepped down as its president in May 2019 after the drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls. Since then, he has taken out to yatras -- a cross country Kanyakumari to Kashmir march on foot and a hybrid Manipur to Mumbai yatra, initiatives which were hailed by Congress leaders for galvanising cadres and enthusing supporters. Gandhi had recently said it is now his life mission to ensure justice for the SCs, STs, OBCs and the deprived people. He has pitched the Congress campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha on five Nyays -- Yuva Nyay, Nari Nyay, Kisan Nyay, Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay. Born on June 19, 1970 to Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi, he is the elder of the two siblings and spent his formative years in New Delhi, studying at St. Columba's School and then went on to study at the Doon School in Dehradun. His father Rajiv Gandhi then entered politics and became prime minister after the assassination of Rahul's grandmother and then prime minister Indira Gandhi. Due to constant security threats, Rahul and his sister Priyanka were home-schooled. A year after attending St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, for his undergraduate studies, he moved to the US to attend Harvard University. Following the assassination of his father and the security concerns that surfaced, Rahul Gandhi shifted to Rollins College in Florida. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1994. Thereafter, he went on to pursue and complete his M.Phil. in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge (Trinity College) in 1995. Upon graduation, Rahul started his professional journey at the Monitor Group, a management consulting firm in London. He later returned to India and eventually joined politics. Gandhi is a certified scuba diver and is known for his fitness. He also holds a black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art.

Manjummel Boys Finally on This OTT

India's leading streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar will stream one of the biggest blockbusters of the year, director Chidambaram's exceptional survival thriller 'Manjummel Boys' from 5th May. The story which captivated audiences across languages and regions is based on a real life incident that happened in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.The gritty survival thriller had set cash registers ringing around the world, raking in a whopping Rs 200 + crores worldwide. The perfect screenplay, strong friendship Manjummel Boys won the hearts of the Tamil audience to become the biggest Malayalam release in Tamil till date. Several celebrities including Superstar Rajinikanth, Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the movie. 'Thala' M S Dhoni with CSK players were seen watching amidst the fans. Manjummel Boys is about a group of young men from Kerala who, during a holiday trip to the Guna Caves in Tamil Nadu, encounter and overcome a challenging situation to save one of their own. Apart from showcasing human grit, endurance and determination, the film also showcases undying and loyal friendship between simple individuals, who refuse to give up on one another. The film, which stars Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathy and Jean Paul Lal among others, has music by Sushin Shyam and cinematography by Shyju Khalidh. Produced by Babu Shahir, Soubin Shahir and Shawn Antony, the film has editing by Vivek Harshan.

Vote for Congress in LS Elections for Protect Democracy: Bhatti Asks People

Khammam: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday asked the people to vote for the Congress in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections for the protection of democracy and the Constitution. Speaking at a meeting with Congress party leaders. Bhatti said that the BJP government was trying to weaken the democratic system and conspiracing to create division among the people in the name of religion. He accused the Narendra Modi government of giving free hand to the Adani and Ambani groups to loot the wealth of the nation. Rahul Gandhi walked from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to explain the failures of the Modi government to the people, he said. Referring indirectly to the comments made by BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao during his road show at Khammam, the Congress leader said that the construction of pucca houses for poor and permanent measures to avoid the closure of hostels of the universities would be taken up by the state government after the completion of the code of conduct of Lok Sabha elections. Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said that Khammam has been a stronghold of the Congress for the last 10 years due to the commitment of the party workers in the district. The wave of the Congress would continue in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, he said. He asked the Congress rank and file to strive to make the party candidate for Khammam Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy win in the Lok Sabha elections with the highest majority. Addressing party leaders and workers, Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy said he would spend more time serving the people of Khammam in the next five years, if he was voted to victory by the people of the Lok Sabha constituency in the elections. Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Rajya Sabha member Renuka Chowdary and District Congress Committee (DCC) president P. Durga Prasad also attended the meeting.

Travel tips: IRCTC brings tour package to take parents on pilgrimage, will not be a burden on the pocket

Shravan Kumar took the burden of his blind parents on his shoulders and took them on a trip. However, now if parents have to be taken on a pilgrimage, the burden may not fall on their shoulders but on their pockets. There are many pilgrimage sites in the country, which extend from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. It is easy to go on a trip to these pilgrimage sites but due to the possibility of high expenses, the plan keeps getting postponed. IRCTC comes up with many tour packages from time to time, which let you tour the country and the world on a budget. IRCTC also takes you on temple tours. During this summer holidays, you can take your parents to visit the seven Jyotirlingas. IRCTC is coming up with the best tour packages to visit the seven Jyotirlingas. Let us know the complete information about the tour package to visit Jyotirlingas. Where will the journey start Jyotirlinga darshan by IRCTC will start from Yoganagari Rishikesh railway station. Bharat Gaurav will be taken to visit 7 Jyotirlingas on a tourist train. Passengers can join the yatra from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Orai, Veerangana Laxmibai, Lalitpur. Which Jyotirlingas will we get darshan of? During the yatra, Omkareshwar, Mahakaleshwar, Somnath, Bhent Dwarka, Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar, Trimbakeshwar, Ghrishneshwar and Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga will be visited. Facility This tour package includes 2 AC, 3 AC, and Sleeper class travel, breakfast and vegetarian lunch and dinner, and AC/non-AC buses to local places. When does the journey start? The tour package will commence from 22nd May 2024 to 2nd June 2024. The tour package will be of 11 nights and 12 days, in which you will be taken from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra to visit the Jyotirlingas. Pilgrimage expenses The ticket price for sleeper class during the journey will cost Rs 22150 per person and a child (5 to 11 years) staying with one/two or three persons will cost Rs 20800. For 3 AC passengers, you may have to spend Rs 36700 per person and for 2 AC passengers, you may have to spend Rs 48600 per person. If you want, you can pay the ticket expense of the tour package in EMI. EMI facility of Rs 1074 per month is also available. (PC: ISTOCK)

This Elections is to Save Democracy, Says Rahul

New Delhi : A day before the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged people to support his party and asserted this is an election to save democracy and the Constitution which he alleged the BJP-RSS are trying to destroy. Gandhi, who is seeking a second-straight term from Wayanad in Kerala, in a video appeal said this election is to save democracy and the Constitution. On one hand there is the BJP and the RSS that are trying to finish democracy and destroying the Constitution and on the other hand there is the Congress and the INDIA alliance that is saving democracy and the Constitution, the former Congress chief said. We walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir for over 4,000 km, we traversed from Manipur to Maharashtra and after speaking with you and listening to your issues we prepared our revolutionary manifesto. This is your manifesto. It is prepared by the Congress but this is your voice, Gandhi said in his appeal to the people. Support the Congress, save the Constitution and press the hand button, he said in the appeal. In a post on X in Hindi along with the video appeal, Gandhi said, In this election to protect the Constitution and democracy, to form the government of Indians, coming.

Karnataka: Congress leader part of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, joins BJP

In a surprising political development, Dr Shushrutha Gowda, who recently walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir alongside Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, announced his departure from the Congress party.

'Women of My Billion': Priyanka Chopra Jonas-Produced Series to Premiere on Prime Video in May

'Women of My Billion': Priyanka Chopra Jonas-Produced Series to Premiere on Prime Video in May Women of My Billion, an upcoming documentary from actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas, will premiere on Prime Video on May 3, the streaming service announced on Thursday. Directed by Ajitesh Sharma, the documentary narrates the true story of Srishti Bakshi, who embarked on a walking pilgrimage from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, spanning 3,800 kms over 240 days, with a mission to find and share stories about women, their struggles, dreams, rights, and their wins, against all odds, a press release said. Chopra Jonas has produced through her banner Purple Pebble Pictures in collaboration with Apoorva Bakshis Awedacious Originals. Women have borne the brunt of gender bias for far too long, enduring a silent struggle against entrenched social injustices that seek to suppress their voices. With 'WOMB', the aim is to transcend these struggles - to be a beacon of hope, the 41-year-old actor said. 'WOMB' is not merely a depiction of pain and suffering, but a rallying cry and call for solidarity and action. We hope this film takes us a step closer to a world where every woman is appreciated, honoured, and empowered to soar,'' she added. According to Prime Video, ''Women of My Billion'' sheds light on the on-ground realities of the many trials encountered by women in India. Manish Menghani, director and head of content licensing, at Prime Video India, said the streaming service is committed towards elevating narratives that are inspiring and can be catalysts of change. Srishti Bakshis endeavour to shed light on these critical aspects and taking vital steps towards preventing violence against women and empowering them is a courageous initiative that needs to be taken to a wider audience. It is an honour for us to collaborate with Purple Pebble Pictures and Awedacious Originals to bring this incredibly important documentary to our customers in India and across the world,'' he added.

Voter Turnout App figures are right: CEO

Chennai: Amidst persistent criticism over the repeated changes in the voting percentage put out by the Election Commission of India, the States Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sathyabrata Sahoo clarified the reason behind the faux pas and said that Voter Turnout App gave the right figures. Since the media was always in a hurry to publish the voting percentage and the details were obtained over telephone in haste from the various Returning Officers (RO) and Assistant Returning Officers (ARO) in the field and passed on there was bound to be some error in the immediate tabulation, Sahoo told media persons in Chennai on Monday. However, only when the details were submitted in writing by the ROs and AROs they became the final figure and that too was passed on to themedia, he said. The Voter Turnout App figures were accurate, he said. Asked about the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct after the completion of polls in the State on Friday, Sahoo said that it would be in force in 12 districts that shared a border with other States where polling had not been completed. So, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Salem, Erode, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi ad Tirupattur districts would continue to enforce the MCC till the elections in the neighbouring States were completed, he said. He said the polled EVMs hadbeen stored in the strong rooms of 39 Counting Centres (43 buildings) for the 39 Parliamentary Constituencies after the conclusion of poll on Friday. The ECI had allotted 190 companies of CAPF/SAP toTamil Nadu for elections and 15 companies had been retained after the polling process was over, for guarding the strong rooms. Adequate security was being provided to all the counting centers as per ECI guidelines. The strong roomswere secured with a double lock system and three layers of security cover were being provided to each of the counting centers, he said. The inner perimeter of the counting center is under the direct control of CAPF personnel, the second security layer is manned by State Armed Police Force. The third layer of security is provided by the State Police. The entire Counting centre is under CCTV surveillance andthe ROs visit the strong rooms daily to check the security of the strong room, he said. As per the direction of ECI, Flying SquadTeams and Static Surveillance Teams were being deployed at the districtssharing borders with neighbouring States and at strategic locations till the counting day, he added.

BJP puts up an extraordinary fight this election

Chennai : For the first time in its electoral history, Tamil Nadu witnessed the BJP putting up an aggressive fight in the present Lok Sabha elections by going for the jugular of the ruling DMK and trying to win over the people of the State by bringing in all the top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for campaign. While the BJP had been fighting elections in the State since its inception, it had managed to win a seat in Lok Sabha on its own only once when Pon Radhakrishnan won the 2014 polls from his Kanyakumari constituency. All the other electoral victories of the BJP had come only in league with one of the Dravidian majors. So, it was a surprise that the party had been hitherto content with the also ran tag by giving the major slice of the triumphs in both Assembly and Parliamentary elections to its domineering allies, wanting to lead an alliance in the State. Though it faced the problem of finding allies, the PMK finally latched onto it, enabling it to head the third alliance in the State. But more than that, what distinguished its campaign this time was the scathing direct attack on the States ruling party, the DMK, which has found a major role to play in the national INDIA coalition that is projecting itself as the potential alternative to the BJP at the all-India level. By engaging the DMK in a direct fight, the BJP also raked up a wide range of issues that had a distinct Tamil sentimental flavour. For example by bringing out facts from old records to prove that the late M Karunanidhi was privy to the decision of the Congress government in the handing over of the Katchatheevu islet to Sri Lanka way back in 1974, it tried to portray the DMK as a party that had betrayed the interests of Tamil people. The narrative that it tried to set was that one of the present day problems of fishermen from Tamil Nadu, the regular arrests on the high seas by the Sri Lankan Navy that also seized their fishing boats, was all because of the DMK governments apathy. It was also driven home by the Prime Minister, who made about 10 visits to the State just ahead of the April 19 election. It was also the first time that a Prime Minister held roadshows in the State to whip up support for the BJP that had no base in most parts of the State and tried to impress upon the people through his quintessential Tamil attire and praise of Tamil language and cuisine. That his practice of delivering speeches in Hindi might not go well with the people of the State who are used to listening to past Prime Ministers speaking in English when they visit the State was never a deterrent to the BJPs bid to win at least a couple of seats. Even other BJP leaders took a strident stand against the DMKs campaign for State Rights that included exemption for the State from NEET. State President K Annamalai, a candidate from Coimbatore constituency, openly supported NEET even at the height of the campaign. To put it otherwise, the BJP, without compromising on its principles, made an effective attempt to capture the imagination of the Tamil people by offering it as an alternative to the DMK. Whether the BJP succeeds in the game plan or not, it fought the good fight, finishing the race.

Lok Sabha Elections: Coastal politics heat up in India's 'unique' southern tip - Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari, a unique constituency in Tamil Nadu, boasts a diverse demographic composition with Christians, Hindus, and Muslims coexisting. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections witness a heated battle between incumbent MP Vijay Vasanth and BJP's Pon Radhakrishnan, with critical issues like infrastructure projects and fisher community concerns taking center stage. The electoral landscape further evolves with other candidates entering the fray, promising to address pressing issues and secure support from the coastal community. As the electorate eagerly awaits the outcome, the future trajectory of Kanyakumari hangs in the balance.

6.23 crore voters set to vote in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: In the first phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections on Friday, 6.23 crore voters - 3.06 crore men, 3.17 crore women and 8,467 members of the third gender - will exercise their franchise to elect 39 MPs from Tamil Nadu from among the 950 contestants, 76 of them women, in the fray with about 1.3 lakh police personnel, including 190 companies of the Central Armed Police Force, keeping a close watch on the entire electoral proceedings. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo said on Thursday that the Election Commission was fully prepared to conduct the polls in a free and fair manner. For the first time free transport would be provided to people with disabilities (PwD) and those aged above 85 if they booked for the facility through Saksham App or call 1950. While PwD comprises 4.61 lakh of the total electorate, 6.14 lakh are aged 85 years and above, the CEO said, adding that first time voters (18 -19 years) alone account for 10.92 lakh. Polling will start at 7 am and go on till 6 pm in 68,321 polling stations. Tokens would be issued from the last voter standing in the queue at 6 pm and facilitate them to exercise their franchise, Sahoo said. The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4 at 39 counting centres in the State. Arrangements have been to webcast polling from 44,801 (65 percent) stations. A total of 3.32 lakh polling personnel have been involved in the exercise and 15 companies of CRPF would be deployed at counting centres in addition to the local police personnel, Sahoo said. About 8,050 vulnerable polling stations and 181 critical polling stations have been identified and an additional 3,500 personnel from the Andhra Pradesh Armed Police force and 4,500 persons from the Home Guards of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana would be deployed in those booths. On the number of the EVMs used for the polls, he said the Election Commission had moved 1,58,568 Ballot Units, 81,157 Control Units and 86,858 VVPATs. Of them about 325 Ballot Units, 326 Control Units and 346 VVPATs would be used for the by-election in the Vilavancode assembly constituency in Kanyakumari district. Voters could locate their polling stations on https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/pollingstation All eligible voters whose names figure in the electoral rolls should carry any one of the following documents: Voter ID Card, Aadhaar Card, Pan Card, Unique Disability ID, Service Identity Card, Passbook Issued by Bank, MGNREGA Job Card, Health Insurance, Driving Licence, Passport, Smart Card, Pension Document and Official Identity Card. Till Thursday,election officials had seized cash worth Rs 173.85 crore, liquor valued at Rs 6.67 crore, drugs/narcotics worth Rs 1.13 crore, precious metal: Rs 1,083.77 crore and other items/freebies for Rs 35.78 crore, thus totally to Rs 1,301.22 crore, he said. A total of 3,32,233 polling personnel had already been given three levels of training for the job and 39 general observers, 20 police observers and 58 expenditure observers had been deployed, he said. Through C-Vigil the facility started to enable citizens lodge complaints of Model Code of Conduct violations, 4,861 complaints were received and 3,855 of them were found to be valid. Talking about MCC violations, he said 3,71,129 cases had been recorded and 3,41,711 defacement public walls had been removed. Defacements of private walls that were removed amounted to 1,29,005. Sahoo hoped that the polling percentage on Friday would go up as a sustained campaign was carried out by the Election Commission. Sahoo himself sang a song for a video, urging the youth to cast their votes.

Tamil Nadu All Set to Vote Today

Chennai: All the 39 constituencies of the State, along with the lone seat in neighbouring Puducherry, are going to polls on Friday in the first phase of the nation-wide Lok Sabha elections that for the first time saw the ruling DMK in the State, particularly Chief Minister M K Stalin, spearheading a campaign to bring about a change at the national level, thus lending an acrimonious hue to it in its last stages. In a break from the electoral traditions of the State, the BJP headed a third front to fight the usual alliances headed by the DMK and AIADMK, turning the three week campaign into an acerbic exchange of words, ideas and ideologies and displaying an unusual desperation to find a toe hold in the State, where it had won seats in the past only by riding piggyback on either of the Dravidian majors other than in 2014 when Pon Radhakrishnan romped home in Kanyakumari. The BJPs highly charged campaign brought the top brass of the party - Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone made nine visits to campaign for candidates of its alliance and launched a strident attack on the DMK and its leaders, both past and present to the State. Modi also made a bid to appropriate the legacy of AIADMK icons M G Ramchandran and J Jayalalithaa by showering praises on their memory. While the DMK managed to retain almost all its allies of the coalition that won 38 of the 39 seats in 2019 and also became a part of the national opposition coalition, INDIA, and ensured that its campaigners reached every nook and cranny of the State with Stalin himself visiting all the constituencies apart from his son and State Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, the main rival AIADMK was struggling to find allies. The AIADMK that broke its ties with the BJP in September, 2023, finally could get only the DMDK, founded by the late Vijayakanth, as a major ally, though its general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami went on a whirlwind tour of the State as perhaps the lone star campaigner of the party. The Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK), the only major party to field candidates in all the constituencies 50 per cent of them women also made its presence felt on the campaign scene, with its chief coordinator Seeman addressing meetings all over the State in support of his candidates. The NTK overcame an initial setback that came in the form of his old symbol being allotted to some other party. Then it was give the microphone symbol, over which too there were minor issues. Otherwise, 950 candidates are in the fray and the over 6.23 crore voters would exercise their franchise at nearly 68,000 polling stations from 7 am on Friday though the counting of votes would happen only on June 4 after all the seven phases of polling were completed. Among the constituencies that gained some significance in the run up to the polls were Coimbatore, from where BJP State President is contesting. It also came into limelight following Rahul Gandhi visit to the constituency that saw him jump over a median to buy sweets for his brother Stalin from a shop. With the DMKs IT wing publicizing the video that went viral, Rahul Gandhis singular visit to the State earned more prominence than all the campaigns undertaken by a slew of national leaders of the BJP, Modi, Amit Shah, J P Nadda, Rajnath Singh and Nirmala Sitharaman. The campaign in general saw the raking up of ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974, parties like BJP, AIADMK, PMK and NTK taking about a rise in drug usage in the State with a vow to eliminate it if they were voted in. The PMK is focusing on Dharmapuri, where Sowmiya Anbumani is in the fray, while the DMK, AIADMK and Congress have fielded many old hands DMK's Dayanidhi Maran (Central Chennai), A Raja (Nilgiris), Kanimozhi (Thoothukudi), BJP's L Murugan (Nilgiris), Tamilisai Soundararajan (South Chennai), former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (Ramanathapuram), Congress party's Karti Chidambaram (Sivaganga) and AIADMK's J Jayavardhan (South Chennai) and AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran are among the popular faces in the fray. While the crux of BJPs campaign was aimed at unseating the DMK by accusing it of corruption and practicing dynasty, the DMK had said that the election was about not who should win but about who should not by pointing to the alleged corruption and failures of the BJP government in the past 10 years. Stalin had also been repeatedly highlighting the BJPs neglect of Tamil Nadu and winning over the States rights.

Tamil Nadu gears up for LS polls as BJP campaigns intensify

Tamil Nadu gears up for LS polls as BJP campaigns intensify Tamil Nadu is all set to vote on April 19 for the Lok Sabha polls, that was marked by fierce campaigns and acrimonious debates, and a never seen before kind of spirited fight put up by the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to gain a foothold in the Dravidian land in 2024 was a striking feature. Elections to 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held on Friday and the fate of 950 candidates will be decided by about 6.23 crore voters who are set to exercise their franchise in nearly 68,000 polling stations. The election mood set in pretty early in the state, in January, with the commencement of repeated visits by Modi who combined development and honour for Tamil language and culture as his main election plank that also had the key element of denouncing DMK-Congress over alleged corruption and 'parivarvad' politics. The state witnessed intense campaigning for nearly a month starting from March. Coimbatore, the hub of western Tamil Nadu is the most keenly watched constituency in the state and BJP's K Annamalai is slogging to emerge victorious battling against Dravidian giants the DMK and AIADMK. He also faces challenge from the Tamil nationalist, Naam Tamilar Katchi in the four-way contest with anti-DMK-Congress votes split into three. In his electoral parting shot Annamalai asserted ''Dravidian politics'' is not needed anymore in Tamil Nadu and described himself as a son and younger brother of people. The lone joint rally of Congress' Rahul Gandhi and DMK President M K Stalin in Coimbatore is a pointer to the focus on the constituency. Arguably, the 2024 LS polls is the only one in recent history in which the BJP set the tone for campaign discourse by mounting attacks rather than being in defence by coming up with disclosures on Katchatheevu issue besides vehemently taking up other matters. Katchatheevu issue led to a slanging match between the Saffron party, led by a fierce Annamalai and the DMK-Congress combine. While the BJP alleged betrayal by the DMK-Congress, the Dravidian and grand old party posed questions on ''Chinese incursions.'' Modi's campaign also saw Katchatheevu issue getting prominence to a great degree and he sought to pin down the DMK-Congress saying fishermen now pay the price for their betrayal. The PM also dwelt on the drug menace, following the arrest of expelled office-bearer of the DMK, Jaffer Sadiq by the NCB and the threat to ''eradicate Sanatana Dharma.'' In effect, Modi's campaign was exhaustive in Tamil Nadu and he has addressed rallies in constituencies including Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore and Tirunelveli. A PM visiting TN nine times before a LS election is undoubtedly a first in the state's history. It demonstrated the BJP's resolve to break the electoral jinx it faces in the Dravidian land, almost on its own, with the support of only fewer allies, whose influence is confined to select regions. The Pattali Makkal Katchi, the BJP's key ally has focused its energies in Dharmapuri, where Sowmiya Anbumani is in the fray. DMK's Dayanidhi Maran (Central Chennai), A Raja (Nilgiris), Kanimozhi (Thoothukudi), BJP's L Murugan (Nilgiris), Tamilisai Soundararajan (South Chennai), former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (Ramanathapuram), Congress party's Karti Chidambaram (Sivaganga) and AIADMK's J Jayavardhan (South Chennai) and AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran are among the prominent candidates. Barring the 2014 victory of BJP veteran Pon Radhakrishnan from Kanyakumari segment, the Saffron party won in Tamil Nadu, since 1998, only when it aligned with either the AIADMK or DMK, the Dravidian twins. South Chennai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Vellore are the seats where the BJP nominees have gone the extra mile to convince voters. DMK president and Chief Minister Stalin, the star campaigner of his party, led the campaign on the themes of social justice, his regime's welfare measures and ''dangers'' the nation faced due to the BJP, which has wrecked fiscal federalism. He often described the polls as the second independence movement to free the nation from the BJP's ''divisive politics'' and repeated the ''electoral bond scam'' to claim that it has unmasked the corrupt face of the BJP. The Saffron party will do away with reservation and change the Constitution and it is allergic to social justice were among the allegations he made in his campaigns. A key focus of the DMK's campaign was on its ''battle'' to get funds from Centre including for flood relief. Stalin and his party leaders said not a rupee was given by the Centre and Nirmala Sitharaman's claim of Rs 5,000 crore central assistance to tackle the situation arising out of floods was actually the state's own borrowing from banks merely channelled through the Union government. Stalin throughout his campaign did not spare the main opposition AIADMK. Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of CM Stalin and a Minister crisscrossed the state, held roadshows and targeted the BJP on a slew of issues including the ''Madurai AIIMS being a non-starter.'' When Udhayanidhi repeatedly attacked PM as ''29 paisa Modi'' as the Centre returned only ''29 paisa out of every one rupee paid as tax'' to the Union government by the state, Annamalai countered saying no other state received as much funds as Tamil Nadu from the Centre and if he did not stop the 29 paisa jibe, his party will refer to him as 'Ganja Udhayanidhi'' as the contraband is ''available widely'' in the state. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was among the early birds on poll landscape and he addressed a rally of ally SDPI in January and said there is no need to project a 'PM face' to seek votes. The main opposition party's campaign was steered by Palaniswami, former CM and leader of opposition who took on the ruling DMK over every single issue that mattered, including alleged collapse of law and order and drug menace. Towards the end of the campaign, he fiercely attacked the BJP for being discriminatory on the basis of ''caste and religion.'' When Annamalai claimed AIADMK would disappear following polls, without losing cool, Palaniswami in a repartee said voters will teach them a lesson and no force could touch the party that has stormed several struggles.

Kishan Reddy asserts Modis widespread popularity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari

Hyderabad: Union Minister and Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy emphasized that discussions about Prime Minister Modis re-election are resonating across the nation, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Addressing the media on the occasion of Uppal BRS former MLA Beti Subhash Reddy and his wife, former corporator Beti Swapna, joining the BJP, Reddy highlighted the receipt []

Tamil Nadu gearing up for LS polls, with BJP working hard to secure victory

Tamil Nadu gearing up for LS polls, with BJP working hard to secure victory Tamil Nadu is all set to vote on April 19 for the Lok Sabha polls, that was marked by fierce campaigns and acrimonious debates, and a never seen before kind of spirited fight put up by the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to gain a foothold in the Dravidian land in 2024 was a striking feature. Elections to 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held on Friday and the fate of 950 candidates will be decided by about 6.23 crore voters who are set to exercise their franchise in nearly 68,000 polling stations. The election mood set in pretty early in the state, in January, with the commencement of repeated visits by Modi who combined development and honour for Tamil language and culture as his main election plank that also had the key element of denouncing DMK-Congress over alleged corruption and 'parivarvad' politics. The state witnessed intense campaigning for nearly a month starting from March. Coimbatore, the hub of western Tamil Nadu is the most keenly watched constituency in the state and BJP's K Annamalai is slogging to emerge victorious battling against Dravidian giants the DMK and AIADMK. He also faces challenge from the Tamil nationalist, Naam Tamilar Katchi in the four-way contest with anti-DMK-Congress votes split into three. In his electoral parting shot Annamalai asserted ''Dravidian politics'' is not needed anymore in Tamil Nadu and described himself as a son and younger brother of people. Arguably, the 2024 LS polls is the only one in recent history in which the BJP set the tone for campaign discourse by mounting attacks rather than being in defence by coming up with disclosures on Katchatheevu issue besides vehemently taking up other matters. Katchatheevu issue led to a slanging match between the Saffron party, led by a fierce Annamalai and the DMK-Congress combine. While the BJP alleged betrayal by the DMK-Congress, the Dravidian and grand old party posed questions on ''Chinese incursions.'' Modi's campaign also saw Katchatheevu issue getting prominence to a great degree and he sought to pin down the DMK-Congress saying fishermen now pay the price for their betrayal. The PM also dwelt on the drug menace, following the arrest of expelled office-bearer of the DMK, Jaffer Sadiq by the NCB and the threat to ''eradicate Sanatana Dharma.'' In effect, Modi's campaign was exhaustive in Tamil Nadu and he has addressed rallies in constituencies including Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore and Tirunelveli. A PM visiting TN nine times before a LS election is undoubtedly a first in the state's history. It demonstrated the BJP's resolve to break the electoral jinx it faces in the Dravidian land, almost on its own, with the support of only fewer allies, whose influence is confined to select regions. The Pattali Makkal Katchi, the BJP's key ally has focused its energies in Dharmapuri, where Sowmiya Anbumani is in the fray. DMK's Dayanidhi Maran (Central Chennai), A Raja (Nilgiris), Kanimozhi (Thoothukudi), BJP's L Murugan (Nilgiris), Tamilisai Soundararajan (South Chennai), former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (Ramanathapuram), Congress party's Karti Chidambaram (Sivaganga) and AIADMK's J Jayavardhan (South Chennai) and AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran are among the prominent candidates. Barring the 2014 victory of BJP veteran Pon Radhakrishnan from Kanyakumari segment, the Saffron party won in Tamil Nadu, since 1998, only when it aligned with either the AIADMK or DMK, the Dravidian twins. South Chennai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Vellore are the seats where the BJP nominees have gone the extra mile to convince voters. DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin, the star campaigner of his party, led the campaign on the themes of social justice, his regime's welfare measures and ''dangers'' the nation faced due to the BJP, which has wrecked fiscal federalism. He often described the polls as the second independence movement to free the nation from the BJP's ''divisive politics'' and repeated the ''electoral bond scam'' to claim that it has unmasked the corrupt face of the BJP. The Saffron party will do away with reservation and change the Constitution and it is allergic to social justice were among the allegations he made in his campaigns. A key focus of the DMK's campaign was on its ''battle'' to get funds from Centre including for flood relief. Stalin and his party leaders said not a rupee was given by the Centre and Nirmala Sitharaman's claim of Rs 5,000 crore central assistance to tackle the situation arising out of floods was actually the state's own borrowing from banks merely channelled through the Union government. Stalin throughout his campaign did not spare the main opposition AIADMK. Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of CM Stalin and a Minister crisscrossed the state, held roadshows and targeted the BJP on a slew of issues including the ''Madurai AIIMS being a non-starter.'' When Udhayanidhi repeatedly attacked PM as ''29 paisa Modi'' as the Centre returned only ''29 paisa out of every one rupee paid as tax'' to the Union government by the state, Annamalai countered saying no other state received as much funds as Tamil Nadu from the Centre and if he did not stop the 29 paisa jibe, his party will refer to him as 'Ganja Udhayanidhi'' as the contraband is ''available widely'' in the state. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was among the early birds on poll landscape and he addressed a rally of ally SDPI in January and said there is no need to project a 'PM face' to seek votes. The main opposition party's campaign was steered by Palaniswami, former CM and leader of opposition who took on the ruling DMK over every single issue that mattered, including alleged collapse of law and order and drug menace. Towards the end of the campaign, he fiercely attacked the BJP for being discriminatory on the basis of ''caste and religion.'' When Annamalai claimed AIADMK would disappear following polls, without losing cool, Palaniswami in a repartee said voters will teach them a lesson and no force could touch the party that has stormed several struggles.

Nainar Nagenthran has an edge over opponents in Tirunelveli

In southern TN, it is eyeing Lok Sabha constituencies such as Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi Virudhunagar, Theni and Ramanathapuram

Southern Railway Rolls Out Special Trains For Voters Heading Home Ahead Of LS Elections

Kanyakumari superfast special is scheduled to depart from Tambaram at 4:45 PM on April 18 and 20.

In southern Tamil Nadu, Congress & ADMK on guard against BJP's caste mix

Parts of southern Tamil Nadu, which host Congress' sitting constituencies such as Kanyakumari, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar, besides Tirunelveli where it is in the fray, are witnessing interesting contests with the Congress leaning a lot on the DMK, while its traditional rival here, the AIADMK, banking on the hope of its core vote base remaining intact in the absence of a charismatic leader even as the BJP is trying to make inroads by attempting a caste concoction.

Kanyakumari. Tehri Garhwal. Mithila. Seemanchal.

A Day On The Campaign Trail With BJP's Pon Radhakrishnan In Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari

DMK has hurt people's sentiments by insulting Sanatan Dharma, says Amit Shah

Senior BJP leader Amit Shah accused the DMK of insulting 'Sanatan Dharma' and called for the people to reject the Dravidian party in the April 19 Lok Sabha election. Shah urged people to vote for the BJP candidate Pon Radhakrishnan in the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency, chanting Modi again, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, and Ponnar again.

LS polls: Amit Shah holds mega roadshow in TNs Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), Apr 13 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday held a mega roadshow here in support of the BJP candidate and former Union Minister Pon.Radhakrishnan , who is contesting from Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency and also partys Vilavancode Assembly by-election candidate VS.Nandhini. Shah, accompanied by senior BJP leaders and Pon Radhakrishnan... The post LS polls: Amit Shah holds mega roadshow in TNs Kanyakumari first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Amit Shah holds mega road show in Kanyakumari, seek votes for partys candidate, Pon Radhakrishnan

The News Mill

Amit Shah holds mega road show in Kanyakumari, seek votes for party's candidate, Pon Radhakrishnan

Home Minister Amit Shah holds roadshow in Kanyakumari

NAGARKOVIL: Senior BJP leader Amit Shah held a roadshow in Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday in support of the party candidate Pon Radhakrishnan for the April 19 parliamentary election. Hundreds of party cadres, invigorated by his visit, joined Shah in the road show from Mettukadai Junction, Thuckalay, to the Old Bus Stand in Kanyakumari. Shah greeted the cadres from his specially-designed vehicle and flashed the party's Lotus symbol throughout the stretch, as party members chanted Modi again, Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Ponnar again. Senior BJP leader Amit Shah held a roadshow in Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency. Radhakrishnan, a former union minister, is fondly addressed as Ponnar by supporters. In his address, Shah said Modi was taking the country on the path of progress. People in Tamil Nadu were chanting the chaar sau par (over 400 seats), he said, alluding to the BJP's target of achieving the said number of constituencies. Shah also sought the people to vote for the party's candidate for the Vilavankode bypoll, V S Nandini, and ensure her victory.

Rahul Gandhi not swayed from decisions by any adversity: A K Antony

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rahul Gandhi is a determined and courageous leader who is not swayed from his decisions by any adversity that comes his way, veteran Congress leader A K Antony said here on Friday. Antony said Rahul Gandhi, who had no interest in politics just like his father Rajiv Gandhi, was now fighting against the BJP not to become the PM, but to safeguard the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. He is turning into the most trustworthy and credible leader in India, he said. The Congress stalwart was speaking at the release of a book on Rahul Gandhi by veteran mediaperson N Asokan. Speaking at the event, which was held at Indira Bhavan here, Antony fondly recalled the initial days of his political life, how he became close to the Nehru family and his memories about a young Rahul Gandhi whom he first saw at 'Shakti Sthal' memorial at Raj Ghat in Delhi paying respects to Indira Gandhi after her assassination. Antony said the Nehru family is known for sacrificing their lives for the nation and both Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv were examples of it. He said Indira Gandhi refused to remove her Sikh bodyguards despite being told that they posed a threat to her life. She gambled with her life to protect the secularism of our nation, Antony said. He further said Rajiv Gandhi was repeatedly asked by his wife Sonia Gandhi not to enter political life and take up the mantle of Congress leadership, but he did and later he too died tragically. I was AICC general secretary when I saw Rahul and Priyanka for the first time when they were paying respects at their grandmother's memorial. I saw them again, slightly more grown up, when they were paying respects to their father at his memorial, Antony said. He said that from a child, who lived like a bird in a cage surrounded by security personnel and experienced the grief of the untimely deaths of his grandmother and father, Rahul has grown into the man he is now -- determined and courageous. Antony said Rahul's determination was evident from how he took moral responsibility for the party's loss in 2019 and resigned as Congress president, refusing to return to that position despite entreaties from everyone including his mother. It was also seen when he walked over 3,000 km from Kanyakumari to Srinagar as part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and when he refused to return from Manipur without meeting the affected people and visiting violence-hit areas, the Congress stalwart said. Whatever be the adversity, once he takes a decision, he is not swayed from it. It is his determination that brought together 28 parties under the INDIA bloc. The Congress decided to contest only from 300 seats in the LS polls as he was of the view that it was more important to defeat BJP than winning more seats, Antony added. He urged everyone to buy the book and read it.

NIA Court Sentences 4 Maoists to RI for Assaulting and Threatening Kerala Police

New Delhi: The NIA Special Court, Ernakulam, on Friday sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) the four cadres of CPI (Maoist), who were convicted on April 9, 2024, in connection with a 2014 case relating to assault, threat and arson etc. against a Senior Civil Police Officer of Kerala Police. Accused Roopesh has been sentenced to 10 years RI, along with Rs. 2.35 lakh in fine, while accused Kanyakumari has been sent to six years of RI with Rs. 1.05 lakh fine. Both of them were convicted under various Sections of IPC and UA(P) Act. The accused Anoop, who was convicted only under UA(P) Act will undergo eight years of RI, with fine of Rs. 60,000, and accused Ibrahim has also been punished for offences under UA(P) Act to six years of RI besides fine of Rs. 40,000. The case was originally registered by Vellamunda police, and re-registered by NIA on January 2, 2016 as RC-01/2016/NIA/KOC ((Vellamunda Maoist case). Eight accused were identified, of whom one, Ajitha alias Anu, was subsequently killed in an exchange of fire, while two others, Mahesh alias Jayanna and Sundari, are absconding. A reward of Rs. 10 lakh has been declared against each of the absconders. The incident had occurred on April 24, 2014, at about 10.30 PM, when, in pursuance of the conspiracy hatched by eight persons, including five activists of CPI (Maoist), had formed an unlawful assembly with deadly weapons, including AK-47 rifle. They had trespassed into the house of A. B. Pramod, Senior Civil Police Officer of Kerala Police. They trained guns at him, threatened to kill him if he helped police in anti-Maoist operations and asked him to resign from his job. They committed mischief by setting his motorcycle on fire and also pasted pamphlets of proscribed terrorist organisation CPI (Maoist) in his house, calling for armed revolution against the Government of India. The first charge sheet was filed against three accused, including Roopesh who had led the assailants. They were charged under various sections of IPC and UA(P) Act besides the Arms Act. On January 30, 2018, a supplementary charge sheet was filed against the trio, in addition to other co accused, under relevant sections of IPC and UA(P) Act.

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Names and locations of 52 Shaktipeeths, which one is closest for darshan

Chaitra Navratri has started from 9th April. You can visit goddess temples during the nine-day holy festival of Navratri. There are many ancient and miraculous Goddess Mata temples in India. Apart from this, there are 52 Shaktipeeths. According to the legend, Mother Sati had reached the yagya organized by her father King Prajapati Daksh without invitation. There her husband Lord Shiva was ridiculed and abused. Saddened by the insult she and her husband faced at home, Mother Sati sacrificed her life by jumping into the fire pit. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he picked up the mortal remains of Goddess Sati and started wandering here and there. Due to his anger, destruction started coming into the world. Lord Vishnu cut the body of Mata Sati with Sudarshan Chakra to prevent the cataclysm. When 52 pieces of Mata Sati's body and jewelry fell at various places, they were called 52 Shaktipeeths. Let us know what are the names of the 52 Shaktipeeths and in which cities they are located. Mother's Shaktipeeth Shaktipeeth in Uttar Pradesh 1. Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Manikarnika of Mata Sati had fallen here. Here Vishalakshi and Manikarni forms of Mother are worshipped. 2. Mata Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth, Prayagraj - The finger of Mata Sati's hand had fallen at this place in Allahabad. Here the mother is known as Lalita. 3. The right breast of Mata Sati had fallen in Ramgiri, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. At this place, she is revered as Mother Shivani. 4. Uma Shaktipeeth is located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Katyayani Shaktipeeth. Mother's hair bunch and Chudamani had fallen here. 5. Mata's left shoulder had fallen in Devi Patan Temple, Balrampur. In this Shaktipeeth, Mata is present in the form of Mateshwari. Shaktipeeth of Madhya Pradesh 6. Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths of Goddess in Madhya Pradesh. One of these is Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth, where the elbow of Mata Sati had fallen. It is situated on the western bank of Rudra Sagar Pond. 7. Shondev Narmata Shaktipeeth- Mother's Daya Nitamp had fallen in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Due to the origin of the Narmada river here, Mother Goddess is worshiped here in the form of Narmada. Shaktipeeth of North India 8. Naina Devi Temple- The eye of Goddess Sati had fallen on Shivalik mountain in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Her mother goddess is called Mahisha Mardini. 9. Jwala Ji Shaktipeeth- The tongue of the goddess had fallen in Kangra, Himachal, hence it was named Siddhida or Ambika. 10. Mahamaya Shaktipeeth, Pahalgaon of Amarnath, where the neck of Mata Sati had fallen, Mahamaya is worshiped here. Punjab and Haryana Shaktipeeth 11. Tripuramalini Mata Shaktipeeth- The left level of Mata had fallen near Cantonment Station in Jalandhar, Punjab. 12. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri, the heel of Mata's feet had fallen in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri is situated here. 13. Mother Bhadrakali's right ankle had fallen in Devikup Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana. Here the form of Mother Bhadrakali is worshipped. Shaktipeeth of Rajasthan 14. Manibandh Shaktipeeth- Two anklets of Mata Sati had fallen on Gayatri mountain in Pushkar, Ajmer. Here the Gayatri form of Mother is worshipped. 15. Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambika- There is a temple of Mata Ambika in Birat, Rajasthan. The toes of Mata Sati's left foot had fallen here. 16. Matabadi mountain peak Shaktipeeth- is in Radhakishorpur village of Udarpur in Tripura. Mother's right foot had fallen at this place. Here the mother goddess is called Tripura Sundari. Shaktipeeth in Gujarat 17. Ambaji Temple Shaktipeeth- There is a temple of Mata Ambaji in Gujarat. It is believed that the mother's heart had fallen here. 18. Mother Chandrabhaga Shaktipeeth, Junagadh, The stomach of Goddess Sati had fallen in Junagadh, Gujarat. Here the mother is known as Chandrabhaga. Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra 19. Mata's chin had fallen at the Shaktipeeth of Bhramari form of Mata, Janasthan in Maharashtra. After that, the Bhramari form of the goddess started being worshiped here. Shaktipeeth in Bengal 20. Temple of Goddess Kapalini- Bengal has the highest number of Shaktipeeths of Mata. There is a temple of Goddess Kapalini in Vibhash located in Tamluk of Purba Medinipur district. Mother's left heel had fallen here. 21. Mata Devi Kumari Shaktipeeth- The right shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen in Ratnavali in Hooghly, Bengal. In this temple, the mother is called by the name Devi Kumari. 22. Shaktipeeth of Mata Vimala The crown of Goddess Sati had fallen in Kiritkon village of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Here there is Shaktipeeth of Mata and the Vimala form of Mata is worshipped. 23. Bhramari Devi Shaktipeeth- Mata's left leg had fallen in Salbarhi village in Boda mandal of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The form of Mother Goddess Bhramari Devi is worshiped at this place. 24. Bahula Devi Shaktipeeth- Vardhaman The left hand of Mata Sati had fallen in the Ketugram area of the district. 25. Mangal Chandrika Mata Shaktipeeth - Mata's Shaktipeeth is in Ujjani of Vardhaman district. Mother's right wrist had fallen here. 26. Shaktipeeth of Maa Mahishmardini Goddess Sati's eyebrow had fallen in Vakreshwar, West Bengal. At this place, the mother is called Mahishamardini. 27. Nalhati Shaktipeeth- The bone of the mother's leg had fallen in Nalhati, Birbhum. 28. Phullara Devi Shaktipeeth- The lips of Mata Sati had fallen in Attahas, West Bengal. Here the mother is called Fullara Devi. 29. Nandipur Shaktipeeth- The necklace of Mata Sati had fallen in West Bengal. Mother Nandani is worshiped here. 30. Yugadha Shaktipeeth- The thumb of Mata's right hand fell in Ksheergram of Vardhaman district. Shaktipeeth of Mata was built at this place, where she is called Goddess Jugadya. 31. Kalika Devi Shaktipeeth- According to beliefs, the toe of the right foot of the mother had fallen in Kalighat. She is known here by the name of Maa Kalika. 32. Kanchi Devgarbha Shaktipeeth- The bones of the goddess had fallen in Kanchi, West Bengal. Here Mata Dev is established in the form of Garbha. Shaktipeeth in South India 33. Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth- Now if we talk about the Shaktipeeths located in South India, then Mata's back had fallen in Tamil Nadu. Mata's Kanyashram, Bhadrakali Temple, and Kumari Temple are situated in this place. She is called by the name Shravani. 34. Shuchi Shaktipeeth- Shuchi Theertham Shiva temple is located near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Here also there is Shaktipeeth of Mata, where her upper molar had fallen. Mother has got the name Narayani here. 35. Vimala Devi Shaktipeeth- The navel of the goddess had fallen in Utkal, Orissa. Here Mata is known by the name Vimala. 36. Sarvasail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths in Andhra Pradesh. A Sarvashail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth, where the mother's cheeks had fallen. At this place, devotees worship Rakini and Vishweshwari forms of Mother Goddess. 37. Srisailam Shaktipeeth- The second Shaktipeeth in Andhra is in Coornoor district. The anklet of the right foot of Mata Sati had fallen in Srisailam Shaktipeeth. Here, it is installed in the nose of Mata Shri Sundari. 38. Karnataka Shaktipeeth- Both the ears of Goddess Sati had fallen in Karnataka. Jai Durga form of Mother is worshiped at this place. 39. Kamakhya Shaktipeeth- Among the famous Shaktipeeths is Kamakhya ji situated on Neelantal mountain in Guwahati. Mother's vagina had fallen in Kamakhya. Here the Kamakhya form of Mother is worshipped. Shaktipeeth in foreign countries 40. Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth- Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth is on Chandranath mountain in the Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Here the right arm of Mata Sati had fallen. 41. Sugandha Shaktipeeth- Mata's nose had fallen 20 km away from Shikarpur, Bangladesh. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is called Sugandha. Another name for this Shaktipeeth is Ugratara Shaktipeeth. 42. Jayanti Shaktipeeth- Mata's left thigh fell in Jayantiya Pargana in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mata Devi is established here by the name Jayanti. 43. Srishail Mahalakshmi- Mother Sati was strangled in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mahalakshmi form is worshiped in this Shaktipeeth. 44. Yashoreshwari Mata Shaktipeeth- There is a place named Yashore in the Khulna district of Bangladesh, where the left palm of Mother Sati fell. 45. Indrakshi Shaktipeeth- The anklets of the goddess fell in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This Shaktipeeth is called Indrakshi. 46. Guheshwari Shaktipeeth- This Shaktipeeth is on the banks of the Bagmati river, at some distance from Pashupatinath temple in Nepal. Here both the knees of Mother Sati had fallen. Mahamaya or Mahashira form of Shakti is worshiped here. 47. Aadya Shaktipeeth- There is Aadya Shaktipeeth near Gandak river in Nepal. It is believed that the left cheek of Mother Sati had fallen at this place. Here the Gandaki Chandi form of Mata is worshipped. 48. Dantakali Shaktipeeth- Teeth of Mother Sati had fallen in Bijayapur village of Nepal. For this reason, this Shaktipeeth is known as Dantkali Shaktipeeth. 49. Mansa Shaktipeeth- The right palm of Mata Sati had fallen near the Mansarovar river in Tibet. Here she is called Mata Dakshayani. Mata is established here in the form of a rock. 50. Mithila Shaktipeeth- The left shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen on the India-Nepal border. Her mother is called Devi Um. 51. Hingula Shaktipeeth- Hingula Shaktipeeth of Goddess is in Balochistan, Pakistan. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is known as Hinglaj Devi. There is a religious belief that the head of Mother Sati had fallen here. (PC: PTI, Social media)

Travel tips: Names and locations of 52 Shaktipeeths, which one is closest for darshan

Chaitra Navratri is starting from 9th April. You can visit goddess temples during the nine-day holy festival of Navratri. There are many ancient and miraculous Goddess Mata temples in India. Apart from this there are 52 Shaktipeeths. According to the legend, Mother Sati had reached the yagya organized by her father King Prajapati Daksh without invitation. There her husband Lord Shiva was ridiculed and abused. Saddened by the insult she and her husband faced at home, Mother Sati sacrificed her life by jumping into the fire pit. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he picked up the mortal remains of Goddess Sati and started wandering here and there. Due to his anger, destruction started coming in the world. Lord Vishnu cut the body of Mata Sati with Sudarshan Chakra to prevent the cataclysm. When 52 pieces of Mata Sati's body and jewelery fell at various places, they were called 52 Shaktipeeths. Let us know what are the names of 52 Shaktipeeths and in which cities they are located. Mother's Shaktipeeth Shaktipeeth in Uttar Pradesh 1. Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Manikarnika of Mata Sati had fallen here. Here Vishalakshi and Manikarni forms of Mother are worshipped. 2. Mata Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth, Prayagraj - The finger of Mata Sati's hand had fallen at this place in Allahabad. Here the mother is known as Lalita. 3. The right breast of Mata Sati had fallen in Ramgiri, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. At this place, she is revered as Mother Shivani. 4. Uma Shaktipeeth is located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Katyayani Shaktipeeth. Mother's hair bunch and Chudamani had fallen here. 5. Mata's left shoulder had fallen in Devi Patan Temple, Balrampur. In this Shaktipeeth, Mata is present in the form of Mateshwari. Shaktipeeth of Madhya Pradesh 6. Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths of Goddess in Madhya Pradesh. One of these is Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth, where the elbow of Mata Sati had fallen. It is situated on the western bank of Rudra Sagar pond. 7. Shondev Narmata Shaktipeeth- Mother's Daya Nitamp had fallen in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Due to the origin of Narmada river here, Mother Goddess is worshiped here in the form of Narmata. Shaktipeeth of North India 8. Naina Devi Temple- The eye of Goddess Sati had fallen on Shivalik mountain in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Here mother goddess is called Mahisha Mardini. 9. Jwala Ji Shaktipeeth- The tongue of the goddess had fallen in Kangra, Himachal, hence it was named Siddhida or Ambika. 10. Mahamaya Shaktipeeth, Pahalgaon of Amarnath, where the neck of Mata Sati had fallen, Mahamaya is worshiped here. Punjab and Haryana Shaktipeeth 11. Tripuramalini Mata Shaktipeeth- The left level of Mata had fallen near Cantonment Station in Jalandhar, Punjab. 12. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri, the heel of Mata's feet had fallen in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri is situated here. 13. Mother Bhadrakali's right ankle had fallen in Devikup Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana. Here the form of Mother Bhadrakali is worshipped. Shaktipeeth of Rajasthan 14. Manibandh Shaktipeeth- Two anklets of Mata Sati had fallen on Gayatri mountain in Pushkar, Ajmer. Here the Gayatri form of Mother is worshipped. 15. Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambika- There is a temple of Mata Ambika in Birat, Rajasthan. The toes of Mata Sati's left foot had fallen here. 16. Matabadi mountain peak Shaktipeeth- is in Radhakishorpur village of Udarpur in Tripura. Mother's right foot had fallen at this place. Here the mother goddess is called Tripura Sundari. Shaktipeeth in Gujarat 17. Ambaji Temple Shaktipeeth- There is a temple of Mata Ambaji in Gujarat. It is believed that the mother's heart had fallen here. 18. Mother Chandrabhaga Shaktipeeth, Junagadh, The stomach of Goddess Sati had fallen in Junagadh, Gujarat. Here the mother is known as Chandrabhaga. Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra 19. Mata's chin had fallen at the Shaktipeeth of Bhramari form of Mata, Janasthan in Maharashtra. After that the Bhramari form of the goddess started being worshiped here. Shaktipeeth in Bengal 20. Temple of Goddess Kapalini- Bengal has the highest number of Shaktipeeths of Mata. There is a temple of Goddess Kapalini in Vibhash located in Tamluk of Purba Medinipur district. Mother's left heel had fallen here. 21. Mata Devi Kumari Shaktipeeth- The right shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen in Ratnavali in Hooghly, Bengal. In this temple the mother is called by the name Devi Kumari. 22. Shaktipeeth of Mata Vimala The crown of Goddess Sati had fallen in Kiritkon village of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Here there is Shaktipeeth of Mata and Vimala form of Mata is worshipped. 23. Bhramari Devi Shaktipeeth- Mata's left leg had fallen in Salbarhi village in Boda mandal of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The form of Mother Goddess Bhramari Devi is worshiped at this place. 24. Bahula Devi Shaktipeeth- Ket of Bardhaman district The left hand of Mata Sati had fallen in Ugram area. 25. Mangal Chandrika Mata Shaktipeeth - Mata's Shaktipeeth is in Ujjani of Vardhaman district. Mother's right wrist had fallen here. 26. Shaktipeeth of Maa Mahishmardini Goddess Sati's eyebrow had fallen in Vakreshwar, West Bengal. At this place the mother is called Mahishamardini. 27. Nalhati Shaktipeeth- The bone of the mother's leg had fallen in Nalhati, Birbhum. 28. Phullara Devi Shaktipeeth- The lips of Mata Sati had fallen in Attahas, West Bengal. Here the mother is called Fullara Devi. 29. Nandipur Shaktipeeth- The necklace of Mata Sati had fallen in West Bengal. Mother Nandani is worshiped here. 30. Yugadha Shaktipeeth- The thumb of Mata's right hand fell in Ksheergram of Vardhaman district. Shaktipeeth of Mata was built at this place, where she is called as Goddess Jugadya. 31. Kalika Devi Shaktipeeth- According to beliefs, the toe of the right foot of the mother had fallen in Kalighat. She is known here by the name of Maa Kalika. 32. Kanchi Devgarbha Shaktipeeth- The bones of the goddess had fallen in Kanchi, West Bengal. Here Mata Dev is established in the form of Garbha. Shaktipeeth in South India 33. Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth- Now if we talk about the Shaktipeeths located in South India, then Mata's back had fallen in Tamil Nadu. Mata's Kanyashram, Bhadrakali Temple and Kumari Temple are situated at this place. She is called by the name Shravani. 34. Shuchi Shaktipeeth- Shuchi Theertham Shiva temple is located near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Here also there is Shaktipeeth of Mata, where her upper molar had fallen. Mother has got the name Narayani here. 35. Vimala Devi Shaktipeeth- The navel of the goddess had fallen in Utkal, Orissa. Here Mata is known by the name Vimala. 36. Sarvasail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths in Andhra Pradesh. A Sarvashail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth, where the mother's cheeks had fallen. At this place devotees worship Rakini and Vishweshwari forms of Mother Goddess. 37. Srisailam Shaktipeeth- The second Shaktipeeth in Andhra is in Coornoor district. The anklet of the right foot of Mata Sati had fallen in Srisailam Shaktipeeth. Here, it is installed in the nose of Mata Shri Sundari. 38. Karnataka Shaktipeeth- Both the ears of Goddess Sati had fallen in Karnataka. Jai Durga form of Mother is worshiped at this place. 39. Kamakhya Shaktipeeth- Among the famous Shaktipeeths is Kamakhya ji situated on Neelantal mountain of Guwahati. Mother's vagina had fallen in Kamakhya. Here the Kamakhya form of Mother is worshipped. Shaktipeeth in foreign countries 40. Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth- Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth is on Chandranath mountain in Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Here the right arm of Mata Sati had fallen. 41. Sugandha Shaktipeeth- Mata's nose had fallen 20 km away from Shikarpur, Bangladesh. In this Shaktipeeth, mother is called Sugandha. Another name of this Shaktipeeth is Ugratara Shaktipeeth. 42. Jayanti Shaktipeeth- Mata's left thigh had fallen in Jayantiya Pargana in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mata Devi is established here by the name Jayanti. 43. Srishail Mahalakshmi- Mother Sati was strangled in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mahalakshmi form is worshiped in this Shaktipeeth. 44. Yashoreshwari Mata Shaktipeeth- There is a place named Yashore in Khulna district of Bangladesh, where the left palm of Mother Sati had fallen. 45. Indrakshi Shaktipeeth- The anklets of the goddess fell in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This Shaktipeeth is called Indrakshi. 46. Guheshwari Shaktipeeth- This Shaktipeeth is on the banks of Bagmati river, at some distance from Pashupatinath temple in Nepal. Here both the knees of Mother Sati had fallen. Mahamaya or Mahashira form of Shakti is worshiped here. 47. Aadya Shaktipeeth- There is Aadya Shaktipeeth near Gandak river in Nepal. It is believed that the left cheek of Mother Sati had fallen at this place. Here the Gandaki Chandi form of Mata is worshipped. 48. Dantakali Shaktipeeth- Teeth of Mother Sati had fallen in Bijayapur village of Nepal. For this reason this Shaktipeeth is known as Dantkali Shaktipeeth. 49. Mansa Shaktipeeth- The right palm of Mata Sati had fallen near the Mansarovar river in Tibet. Here she is called Mata Dakshayani. Mata is established here in the form of a rock. 50. Mithila Shaktipeeth- The left shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen on the India-Nepal border. Here mother is called Devi Um. 51. Hingula Shaktipeeth- Hingula Shaktipeeth of Goddess is in Balochistan, Pakistan. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is known as Hinglaj Devi. There is a religious belief that the head of Mother Sati had fallen here. (PC: Soical media)

the-catch-in-katchatheevu

Would we like to get Katchatheevu back? Ill bet half the fish in the Gulf of Mannar that every leader who wants a vote in Tamil Nadu would say yes. Narendra Modi, who is seeking a seat or two in the Tamil country for his BJP, says the Congress callously gave away the islet to Sri Lanka in 1974. In 2022, M.K. Stalin advised Modi, who was visiting Lanka, that this is the right time to retrieve Katchatheevu. The AIADMK moved the Supreme Court in 2008 seeking to get the 1974 treaty nullified. Naturally, all three, as also most other parties in the Dravida land, would like to preside over St Antonys annual feast in Katchatheevu. Now comes the real question. Has anyone done anything to get the islet back? The leaders would scream yes, and cite a thousand statements they have made in courts (more than 30 petitions), in Parliament, in the public and in cyberspace. But as any schoolboy from the heights of Ladakh to the coast of Rameswaram would know, and as the Lankans have been scoffing from across the Palk Strait, the writ of the Supreme Court of India does not run beyond lands end in Kanyakumari. Then which door should they knock at? Simplethe diplomatic doors in Colombo. Strange as it may sound, in the last 50 years since the Congress callously gave away the islet, nobody has asked the Lankans to renegotiate the boundary! The BJP has been in power at the Centre for 16 of these 50 years, the DMK shared power at the Centre for 17 years, and the AIADMK had good ties with several Union governments. Those regimes had illustrious foreign ministers like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I.K. Gujral, Jaswant Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Tamil-speaking S. Jaishankar, yet none has asked Colombo to reopen the 1974 treaty. Let alone a diplomatic channel, none of them has opened a backchannel or even thrown a bottled message across the Palk Strait. They know it will be futile. After all, it was Jaishankars office that put up a stiff diplomatic lip and told an RTI activist in 2015 that the 1974 agreement did not involve either acquiring or ceding of territory belonging to India since the area in question had never been demarcated. Under the agreements, the island of Katchatheevu lies on the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line. Period. One may say, the boundary line was based on an understanding reached in 1921-22 when Lord Chelmsford was ruling India and William Henry Manning in Ceylon and both were reporting to the same office of Lord Montagu in London. In the 1970s, Indira Gandhi, alarmed by the sight of the Lankans refuelling Pak war planes during her Bangladesh war and American jets playing war games in Diego Garcia, thought Katchatheevu was a small price she could pay to keep the Lankans on Indias side in her South Asian power play. She simply formalised an understanding that had been there since Chelmsford and Manning, but got Sirimavo Bandaranaike to let Indian fishers to dry their nets on the islet. Now, would we like to renegotiate the boundaries set by the colonialists and recognised by our own rulers? Two problems. One, expect the Lankans to say, go take a walk across the sea to the isle of St Antony. Two, that walk will land us in the Chinese trap. They are the ones who say that boundaries drawn by colonial rulers need to be renegotiated. Gentlemen, there is a diplomatic minefield on that little isle. Keep off as far as possible, but join the Lankan fishers at the annual feast of St Antony. And, as Jesus said, love thy neighbour. prasannan@theweek.in

Video: Man Travels From Manali To Kanyakumari On Skateboard, Internet Amazed

Professional skateboarder Ritik Kratzel was on a mission with his skateboard and one tiny backpack in India. He began his journey on his skateboard from Manali and went all the way to Kanyakumari.

TN: Rahul, CM Stalin to frontline INDIA rally in Coimbatore on April 12

TN: Rahul, CM Stalin to frontline INDIA rally in Coimbatore on April 12 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will headline an INDIA bloc rally in Coimbatore, the prized Lok Sabha seat that is to be contested by BJP heavyweight and the party's state president K Annamalai, on April 12. The DMK, which is the senior partner in the ruling alliance in the state, which also features the Congress and other parties, confirmed the date for the joint rally featuring the two heavyweights. According to an official release from the DMK, Rahul and CM Stalin will be at the forefront of the rally where they will seek electoral support for candidates representing the Opposition bloc in the battle for the Lok Sabha. The public meeting will be held in Coimbatore's Chettypalayam area, according to the DMK release. Tamil Nadu will poll for the Lower House in a single phase, on April 19, in the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections. Aiming to make deeper electoral inroads south of the Vindhyas, which has remained a virtually impregnable fortress for the Opposition, barring Karnataka, where the BJP been the ruling party, and Kanyakumari in 2014, the ruling party at the Centre unleashed top gun in the Lok Sabha battle this time, fielding state chief Annamalai from Coimbatore. However, the DMK, which remains a preeminent force in the state, is expected to profit from the split in the principal opposition player in the state--the AIADMK. In 2019, the DMK-led secular alliance swept the Lok Sabha polls in the state, winning 38 of the 39 seats in the state. The DMK, which is contesting 22 seats, leads an eight-party alliance that includes the Congress, which is contesting 9 seats; the CPI(M) and the CPI that are contesting 2 seats each; the Indian Muslim League, which has fielded a lone candidate; the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which is contesting 2 seats, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which has fielded a lone candidate; and the Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (KMDK), whose candidate will contest on the DMK symbol. The AIADMK, which is leading an alliance of four parties in the Lok Sabha, will contest 34 seats while itrs partners Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam will contest 5, the Puthiya Tamilagam and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) one each. However, the latter two parties will contest the polls on the AIADMK symbol. The BJP, which is contesting 23 seats, will go into the polls with nine other partners; including the Pattali Makkal Katchi on 10 seats), the Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) on 3 seats, former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK leader O Pannerselvam, who is contesting as an Independent; Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMU), headed by TTV Dhinakaran, on 2 seats, and the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi, Puthiya Needhi Katchi and Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam on one seat each. However, the latter three parties are contesting on the BJP's 'lotus' symbol. The DMK last won the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat in 1980 and 1996. The party lost the seat in the 1998 and 2014 general elections. While the CPM won the prized seat in 2019, the DMK kept Coimbatore to itself this time, fielding Ganapathi P. Rajkumar. In 2014, the AIADMK won Coimbatore by a margin of 42,016 votes while the DMK dropped to third in the tally behind CP Radhakrishnan of the BJP. The BJP now boasts of a sizeable vote bank in the constituency, which it had been cultivating since 1996. (ANI)

'No ground' for Indian request for return of Kachchatheevu: Lanka Minister

'No ground' for Indian request for return of Kachchatheevu: Lanka Minister The statements coming out of India on ''reclaiming'' Kachchatheevu island from Sri Lanka have ''no ground'', the Sri Lankan Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda has said. The senior Sri Lankan Tamil politician's comments came days after the Narendra Modi government targeted the Congress Party and its ally the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu accusing them of overlooking national interests in the ceding of Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974. The BJP has also been targeting the two parties for not ensuring the rights of the fishermen wanting to fish in waters around the Katchatheevu island. It is the election time in India, it is not unusual to hear such noises of claims and counterclaims about Kachchatheevu,'' Devananda told reporters in Jaffna on Thursday. I think India is acting on its interests to secure this place to ensure Sri Lankan fishermen would not have any access to that area and that Sri Lanka should not claim any rights in that resourceful area, Devananda said. The statements on ''reclaiming'' Kachchatheevu from Sri Lankas hold has ''no ground,'' Devananda has said. The Sri Lankan minister said according to the 1974 agreement fishermen from both sides could do fishing in the territorial waters of both countries. But it was later reviewed and amended in 1976. Accordingly, fishermen from both countries were banned from fishing in neighbouring waters. Devananda stressed, There claims to be a place called West Bank which is located below Kanyakumari - it is a much bigger area with extensive sea resources - it is 80 times bigger than Kachchatheevu, India secured it at the 1976 review agreement.'' Devananda as the fisheries minister has faced pressure from the local fishermen in recent months. The local fishermen have led widespread protests to stop illegal fishing by their Indian counterparts in the Sri Lankan waters. They say the bottom trawling by the Indians is harmful to Sri Lankan fishing community interests. So far this year, at least 178 Indian fishermen and 23 trawlers have been arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy. Devananda, an ex-Tamil militant who now leads the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party, was named a proclaimed offender by a court in Chennai in 1994. On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) steered clear of the row surrounding Katchatheevu island. To a volley of questions on the Katchatheevu issue, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal referred to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's recent comments on the matter. ''I would like to tell you that on the issues that have been raised, the external affairs minister has spoken to the press here in Delhi and also in Gujarat clarifying all the issues,'' he said. ''I would refer that you please look at his press engagements. You will get your answers there,'' Jaiswal said in New Delhi.

Election Commission Shifts to Overdrive

Chennai : with just two weeks left for polling in the State for the Lok Sabha elections, officials involved in the conduct of the elections are leaving no stone unturned to make the process incident free and have identified 181 critical polling stations all over the State that might need the deployment of more security forces. Besides the 181 polling stations identified as critical, the election commission has also found 8050 polling stations to be vulnerable and have initiated measures to prevent any untoward incidents in those places, too. Those constituencies that have no critical booth are South Chennai, Central Chennai, Sriperumbudur, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Namakkal, Erode, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Trichy, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Theni, Virudhunagar and Kanyakumari, while Dindigul tops the list with 39 booths. The highest number of vulnerable booths are in Madurai constituency (511) and the least number of vulnerable booths are in Perambalur (55). Already 39 general observers, 20 police observers, and 58 expenditure observers are in the field, monitoring the campaigns and other work carried out by the political parties, while the State would have 190 companies of the Central Armed Police Force in total. Complaints on Model Code of Conduct violations, received through the C Vigil app are processed immediately and appropriate action taken. Till April 3, the number of complaints received stood at 2337. Of them only 11 are pending as 219 were dropped and 1827 of them were disposed of by the officials. Meanwhile, the government declared a holiday on April 19, the day of polling in the State, under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Already the government has urged the private sector to declare a holiday on that day to enable their employees to exercise their franchise.

Lok Sabha elections: BJP chief Nadda attends Vijay Sankalp Rally in Uttarakhand's Almora

Lok Sabha elections: BJP chief Nadda attends Vijay Sankalp Rally in Uttarakhand's Almora Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the 'Vijay Sankalp Rally' organized at Pithoragarh of Almora Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday. During the public meeting held at Dev Singh Maidan, BJP National President JP Nadda said that he got the privilege of coming to Devbhoomi and Veerbhoomi Uttarakhand. In this land, we worship the gods, every person here is like a god. This land has always been ready to protect the country. Justice has been done by the Prime Minister by implementing One Rank One Pension with the heroes and soldiers. The Prime Minister has called the third decade of the century the decade of Uttarakhand. As per his words, today it is visible on the ground and a new Ganga of development is flowing from Uttarakhand, Nadda said. The BJP chief said that on one hand there is our government which understood the pain of Uttarakhand, left no stone unturned in the development of the state, fulfilled the aspirations of the youth and empowered women, and worked to bring the state into the mainstream. On the other hand, there is the opposition party which betrayed Uttarakhand for decades. Scams were done, and the state was destroyed instead of being developed. He said that Congress has done a coal scam, Bofors scam, submarine scam, Agusta Westland scam, 2G, 3G scam, and Commonwealth Games scam. Nadda said that in 2014 and 2019, Uttarakhand state gave all five Lok Sabha seats to BJP, as a result of which India has become the fifth largest economy in the world by defeating Britain even after a pandemic like Coronavirus, Ukraine-Russia war. He said that if Ajay Tamta and BJP candidates are elected from all five seats for the third time, then India will become the third-largest economy in 2028. He said that India has progressed 6 times in the expertise of electronic goods. Today, the mobile in everyone's hand will have Made in India written on it, this is an example of self-reliant India. 97 per cent of mobiles are being manufactured in India. Nadda further said that today India is second in the world in steel production. India has left Japan behind in the manufacturing and marketing of vehicles. India has become the third-largest market in the world for automobiles. Today, Indian industrialists are making the cheapest and most effective medicines. He said that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 4 crore houses have been given to the poor. Out of which, about one lakh houses have been given in Uttarakhand and 11 thousand houses have been built in Pithoragarh district. Under the Ujjwala Yojana, 11 crore gas connections have been given in the country and 1 lakh connections in Uttarakhand. Tap water has been supplied to every household of 11 crore 30 lakh people in the country. Tap water has been supplied to every household in 12 lakh houses in Uttarakhand and 2 lakh 40 thousand houses in Pithoragarh. 11 crore Izzat Ghar has been built in the country. Out of which 5 lakh 30 thousand Izzat Ghar have been built in Uttarakhand. Today, under the Ayushman Yojana, 55 crore poor people in the country are being provided health insurance of Rs 5 lakh per year. Every poor person is getting treatment. The budget of the health sector has increased from 250 crores to 500 crores. Medical colleges are being opened in Pithoragarh, Almora. 1200 crores is being spent on drinking water. Chief Minister Dhami welcomed JP Nadda on his arrival in Pithoragarh on behalf of the entire people of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and said that under the leadership of Nadda, BJP has expanded its reach and organization from Attock to Cuttack and Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Indian politics cannot be imagined without the BJP. He said that the bugle for the Lok Sabha elections has been blown. The Prime Minister and Party President Nadda have given the slogan of reaching 400 plus on June 4 to prove the resolve of developed Uttarakhand and developed India. He said that this slogan of 400 plus is Modi ji's guarantee and the key to development. The Chief Minister said that the target of crossing 400 is to make a developed India, the third largest economic superpower of the world. With the blessings of the people, we will work to prove the resolution of the respected Prime Minister by ensuring a landslide victory for the BJP in the Almora-Pithoragarh Lok Sabha seat as well as in all the five seats of Uttarakhand. He said that other parties are nowhere to be seen in the fray. The opposition is well aware of the results that come with the blessings of the people. Therefore, the opposition parties are not even able to find anyone to take the ticket this time. The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister and the BJP National President have a special relationship with Uttarakhand, so now it is the responsibility of all the people of Uttarakhand to ensure victory for Ajay Tamta from Almora Lok Sabha and the BJP candidates from all the Lok Sabha seats of the state with a huge margin. (ANI)

Campaign Picks Momentum, PM to be in Tamil Nadu for 4 Days

Chennai: With just a fortnight left for the April 19 Lok Sabha elections in the State, campaign picks up momentum with candidates going around their constituencies despite the blazing summer heat Chennai recorded a maximum temperature of 36 degrees Celsius on Wednesday even as the State units of national parties like the BJP and Congress geared up to host major events with their top leaders in various places. The revised schedule of Prime Minister Narendra Modis events reveal a plan for an aggressive continued four day campaign packed with back to back public meetings, introduction of candidates to voters and road shows on April 9, 10, 13 and 14 in diverse places like Vellore, Chennai, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Perambalur and Virudhunagar, covering the entire State. Ahead of Modis visit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be in the State from Thursday for two days before going to Kerala for campaigning. Shah will land in Madurai and go to Theni to campaign for the BJPs alliance candidate T T V Dinakaran of AMMK. He would return to Madurai worship at the Meenakshi Amman temple to start his campaign the next day, visiting Sivaganga, Tenkasi and Kanyakumari constituencies. Since the BJP is desperate to prove its popularity in the State by ensuring that candidates of its coalition fared well in the polls, Modi will concentrate more on the State that is going to polls on the first phase of the elections. So he will be arriving at 4 pm on April 9 to hold a road show at Vellore, where he will also address a public meeting to introduce candidates of Vellore (A C Shanmugham), Dharmapuri (Sowmiya Ramadoss), Krishnagiri, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Chidambaram and Cuddalore (Thangar Bacchan). Later on, he will be at T Nagar for the roadshow and meeting, where he would introduce candidates of Chennai and its surroundings like Tamilisai Soundararajan (South Chennai), Vinoj P Selvam (Central Chennai), R C Paul Kanagaraj (North Chennai), Pon Balaganapathy (Tiruvallur), Venugopal (Sriperumbudur), Jothi Venkatraman (Kanchipuram) and K Balu (Arakonnam). The next day, on April 10, Modi will be at the Nilgiris, canvassing for L Murugan and taking part in a roadshow at 11 am before reaching Coimbatore at 1 pm for addressing a public meeting and introducing the candidates of Coimbatore ( K Annamalai), Pollachi, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem and Namakkal. Again he will be at Perambalur for a public meeting on April 13. Candidates of Trichy, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Villupuram will be introduced then. The next day, on April 14, he will be introducing Radhika Sarathkumar, the BJP candidate from Virudhunagar, and those fielded by the coalition from Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi. The public meetings assume importance in the backdrop of the BJP adopting a strategy to vociferously attack the ruling DMK and its ally the Congress by raking in issues like the ceding of the Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974. By blaming the DMK and the Congress for handing over the islet in the Palk Straits, the BJP hopes to win over the hearts of the people of the State and might hence turn aggressive on it. Launching a strident counter to the BJPs claims, the TNCC president K Selvaperunthogai on Wednesday accused Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman of putting the livelihood of 35 lakh Tamil people in Sri Lanka in jeopardy by making irresponsible statements on the Katchatheevu issue. Selvaperunthogai referred to the editorial in a Sri Lankan newspaper suggesting that such irresponsible statements of people in power and authority could push the nation into the hands of other countries like China. As part of the BJP's intense campaign in the State, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth is also expected to campaign in the State. As per the tentative programme, Adityantha will visit Tiruvannamalai and canvass votes for the BJP candidate, Yaswathraman.

Modi Coming Again to TN

Chennai : The BJP, as part of its election campaign, has decided to organize a massive roadshow in Chennai with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the centre of attraction on April 9 when the candidates of the three constituencies in the city Chennai North, Chennai Central and Chennai South would be formally introduced to the people. Planned in a grand manner, the BJP feels that the road show would be a historic occasion and is desperate to hold it in Pondy Bazaar in T Nagar. In the event of the police denying permission for the road show that would be held during day time when the locality would see heavy movement of vehicular traffic, the BJP has decided to take the matter to court. With courts permission the show would go on in the heart of Chennai, after which Modi would fly down to Trichy and then visit Vellore and Perambalur, addressing election meetings, BJP sources said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah would also visit the State on April 4, 5 and 6 addressing meetings in Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari and making stopovers in between to meet voters and seek their votes for the BJP candidates. When Modi lands in Chennai for the roadshow that would be his sixth visit to the State after the Palladam meeting, marking the conclusion of State President K Aannamalais En Mann, En Makkal yatra in February end. Since then Modi has addressed meetings in Madurai, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Salem and so on. It was at the Palladam meeting that Modi spoke in praise of AIADMK icons M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, hoping to win over the support of the cadre of AIADMK that had broken away from the NDA in September, 2023. The BJP that has fielded 23 of its own candidates in various constituencies across the State has allotted the rest of the seats to its various allies for the April 19 elections to the Lok Sabha. The party has taken the elections seriously by campaigning vigorously. Targeting the ruling DMK in the State, the BJP has been raking up several issues, the latest one being the controversy over the ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lankan in 1974 by the Congress government. In a bid to change the enduring narrative that the DMK, which was in power in the State at that time, was not taken into confidence before handing over the islet in Palk Straits to the neighbouring country, the BJP came out with evidence, obtained through RTI, that the then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi did know about it. Since the BJPs bid is to at least come second the elections and emerge as the main opposition party in the State that has been consistently cold shouldering it whenever it went to the polls on its own without an alliance with the AIADMK or the DMK, it is leaving no stone unturned in giving a good fight. Even on Tuesday, the BJP State headquarters saw a mass defection to its ranks from many other parties. The BJP functionaries are also active on social media and in television debates popularizing the partys views and ideologies in the run up to the elections, besides holding campaign meetings.

1976 pact with Lanka gave India sovereign rights in Wadge Bank

The India-Sri Lanka maritime boundary agreements impacted fishing rights in Katchatheevu. India secured sovereign rights in Wadge Bank near Kanyakumari. Recent oil and gas exploration bids triggered protests in Tamil Nadu.

Travel tips: These are the most expensive hotels in India, you can get a house and a car in the price of one night.

India is a famous republic for tourism, which is famous for its diversity, historical heritage, cultural heritage, natural beauty, and religious places. Tourism in India is famous for various natural attractions, historical sites, religious tours, cultural festivals, and diversity. From the Himalayas to Kanyakumari, India has various natural beauty spots and national parks, such as Gulmarg in Kashmir, Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Nainital in Uttarakhand and Munnar in Kerala. Indian historical sites such as the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Khajuraho Temples, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, and Humayun's Tomb also attract tourists from all over the world. Religious pilgrimages such as Char Dham Yatra, Vaishno Devi, Kumbh Mela on the banks of river Ganga, and festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi inspire tourists to visit India. Holi, Diwali, Navratri, and Pushkar Fair are particularly popular among Indian cultural festivals and fairs. India provides comfortable and safe stays to its tourists through tourism organizations, good hotels, and special schemes. For this, India's tourism industry is famous all over the world and attracts millions of tourists every year. Some of the most expensive hotels in India are: Raj Palace, Jaipur: Raj Palace is a luxurious hotel in Jaipur which was earlier the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. The hotel has 394 rooms and suites, as well as several restaurants, bars, and a spa. A night's stay can cost up to 14 lakh. Oberoi Amarvilla, Agra: Oberoi Amarvilla is a luxury hotel in Agra that offers spectacular views of the Taj Mahal. The hotel has 102 rooms and suites, as well as several restaurants, bars, and a spa. A night's stay can cost up to 80,000. The Oberoi, Mumbai: The Oberoi is a luxurious hotel in Mumbai located on Marine Drive. The hotel has 287 rooms and suites, as well as several restaurants, bars, and a spa. A night's stay can cost up to 70,000. The Leela Palace, New Delhi: The Leela Palace is a luxury hotel in New Delhi located in Chanakyapuri. The hotel has 254 rooms and suites, as well as several restaurants, bars and a spa. A night's stay can cost up to 60,000. Taj Falknum Palace, Hyderabad: Taj Falknum Palace is a luxurious hotel in Hyderabad which was earlier the residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The hotel has 60 rooms and suites, as well as several restaurants, bars, and a spa. A night's stay can cost up to 50,000. These are some of the many expensive hotels in India. These hotels offer superb facilities and services and are perfect for guests looking for a unique and memorable experience. (PC: Google)

LS polls: With factors in favor, BJP eyes TNs Tirunelveli

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP has zeroed in on four Lok Sabha seats which it feels it can win, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, and Madurai. In Tirunelveli, the party has fielded the sitting MLA from the Tirunelveli Assembly constituency, Nainar Nagendran, whos a name to reckon with in the region. Nagendran is presently 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 .

DMKs T R Baalu has assets worth Rs 17.40 cr

Chennai, Mar 26 (PTI) DMK treasurer and Parliamentarian T R Baalu, the senior most among the candidates entering the fray for the April 19 Lok Sabha poll has declared total assets at Rs 17.40 crore, according to his election affidavit. The Dravidian majors political warhorse stated that his source of income was salary as MP besides interest on income and agriculture lands. Baalu, 82, seeking re-election from the Sriperumbudur constituency near here, has Rs 1,20,000 cash in hand. His movable assets are worth Rs 1,08,79,989.19 while the market value of his immovable property is worth Rs 16,31,36,000. He has a net liability of Rs 1,46,00,000, his affidavit said. Former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan contesting from the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency, south of Tamil Nadu, has Rs 55,000 cash in hand and has movable assets worth Rs 64,03,778.36 while his immovable assets, including inherited property, accounts to Rs 6,99,40,155. The 72-year-old leader, an advocate by profession, has no liabilities, Radhakrishnan declared in his affidavit. Union Minister of State for Fisheries L Murugan contesting from the Nilgiris (SC) constituency stated that he has 23 criminal cases and a defamation case pending against him, mostly related to violations of the laws during public protests. However, no chargesheet has been filed and that he was not convicted for any criminal offence. His assets are worth Rs 1,72,45,396 including immovable property valued at Rs 69,50,000. Murugan (46) has Rs 50,000 cash in hand and his total liabilities are Rs. 20,00,000, his affidavit stated. Former Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan, 62, who has filed her nomination for the Chennai South constituency has Rs 50,000 cash in hand, and Rs 2.17 crore worth assets including Rs 1,57,40,286 movable assets. A medical doctor by profession, Tamilisai has a net liability of Rs 58,54,789. PTI JSP COR ROH

Election Fever Catches Up in TN

Chennai: With just two more days left to file nominations for the Lok Sabha elections, Monday saw a mad scramble for presenting the papers at the designated offices that witnessed scuffles and scenes of bonhomie between rivals though the Congress party alone could not name its nominees for the Mayiladuthurai and Tirunelveli constituencies and for the by-election to Vilavancode Assembly seat till closing time. In the announcement that came later, the Congress high command nominated C Robert Bruce for Tirunelveli and Tharahai Cuthbert for Vilavancode but was unable to decide on the candidate for Mayiladuthurai, over which there was reportedly a tug of war between Praveen Chakravorthy and S Thiurnavukarasar. Even the Tirunelveli candidate was named because Chief Minister M K Stalin was addressing a campaign meeting at Nanguneri to introduce the coalitions nominees for Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari constituencies in the evening. Since it would be pointless to seek votes for an unknown candidate of the Congress by the Chief Minister, the announcement for Tirunelveli was made in a hurry, party sources said. Earlier in the day, three other Congress nominees, M K Vishnu Prasad, Jothimani and Sasikanth Senthil, called on Stalin at his residence, along with TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai, while two of the three DMK candidates for the Chennai constituencies filed their nominations. The visit of North Chennai DMK candidate Kalanidhi Veerasamy, along with an entourage, to the polling office in Royapuram created a flutter. The AIADMK candidate Royapuram Mano had arrived at the office ahead of the DMK members and had obtained token number 7. Though the DMK workers came late, the leader of the group, Minister S K Sekarbabu, barged in and took a seat opposite the officer, prompting the AIADMK members, led by former Minister D Jayakumar, to raise an objection, triggering an angry exchange of words. Even as the argument was on, with the police personnel keeping a close watch, BJP candidate for the constituency R C Paul Kanagaraj landed at the spot but had to wait for the two parties to sort out the difference and also filed their nominations. With the presiding officer making it clear that Token No 7 will be given precedence over Token 8, the dispute was sorted out. DMK candidate for South Chennai, Tamilachi Thangapandian, was just completing the formalities before the presiding officer when BJP candidate Tamilisai Sounararajan arrived at the office. Both the candidates hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries, besides greeting each other. AIADMK nominee Jayavardhan. For Chennai constituency, the DMK candidate Dayanidhi Maran did not file the nominations while AIADMK alliance candidate Parthasarathy of DMDK and BJPs Vinoj P Selvam presented their papers. Maran is expected to file nomination on Wednesday, the last day. In the neighbouring Sriperumbudur constituency, DMK candidate T R Baalu also filed his papers. More than 75 per cent of the candidates all over the State chose Monday to file nominations as it was considered an auspicious day. Once the filing was done, the candidates and their followers started their campaign work by calling party cadre and booth committee members for introductory meeting and kick starting the electioneering for the April 19 polling. The States polling machinery was also activated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as officials and flying squads buzzed past the roads, keeping a vigil. At the MTH Road, near the Padi over bridge in Chennai, officials stopped a container trucker after it was found to be carrying sacks of BJP flags, caps and such material. The truck was coming from Haryana and was supposed to deliver the goods at the BJP office. But the officials wanted the way bills and such papers to be produced and drove it out to a police station as huge crowds gathered on the roads, suspecting the goods carried by it to be cash bundles. The Chief Electoral Officer Sathyabrata Sahoo, who met media persons, said that it had received 3,05,000 complaints of defacement of public walls and 1,00,800 complaints of unauthorized painting on private walls. He said 1,403 complaints of Model Code of Conduct violations and 178 FIRs had been filed.

BJP Names Annamalai, Murugan for Lok Sabha Polls from TN

Chennai: Former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, BJP State President K Annamalai, and Union Minister of State L Murugan were among the nine candidates for Tamil Nadu announced by the BJP on Thursday when the AIADMK also came out with its second list of 17 nominees that included Shimla Muthuchozhan, who joined the party just recently after a long association with DMK that saw her pitted against J Jayalalithaa in Kolathur Assembly constituency once. A meeting of BJP leaders was held at the State headquarters in Chennai to finalize the list of 20 BJP members and four leaders of friendly parties contesting on the Lotus symbol for the Lok Sabha polls on April 19 before Annamalai and other leaders left for Delhi, from where the latest list was released in the evening. Tamilisai Soundararjan is fielded against DMKs sitting MP Tamilachi Thangapandian in South Chennai while Murugan, who was very recently nominated for the Rajya Sabha, will face DMK MP A Raja and AIADMK nominee D Logesh Tamilselvan in Nilgiris and K Annamalai has been pitted against Ganapathy P Rajkumar of DMK and Singai G Ramachandran of AIADMK in Coimbatore. Sitting BJP MLA Nainar Nagendran will be fighting Shimla Muthuchozan in Tirunelveli, which has been allotted to the Congress by the DMK-led alliance, while former BJP Minister of State Pon Radhakrishnan has been fielded in his traditional constituency of Kanyakumari that has also been allotted to the Congress. AIADMK general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami, who announced the names of 16 candidates of his party on Wednesday, named 17 more candidates on Thursday. The party has allocated five seats to DMDK, the party founded by Vijayakanth, and Palaniswami also visited their office to firm up the alliance. The others in the BJP's first list for the State are Vinoj P Selvam (Central Chennai), A C Shanmugham (Vellore), C Narasimhan (Krishnagiri), and T R Paarivendhar (Perambalur). The BJP has to come up with the names of 15 more candidates, both its members and those allies contesting under the Lotus symbol. Annamalai had already signed an agreement with AMMK founder T T V Dinakaran for the latter to contest from two seats, while the BJP agreed for three seats to Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC, led by G K Vasan, while O Panneerselvam, leading a splinter group of the AIADMK, is expected to extend support to the NDA from outside without fielding any candidates. In the AIADMK camp, the final picture of the alliance has emerged with the DMDK, the SDPI, and Puthiya Tamilagam joining hands, and Palaniswami is all set to embark on a whirlwind campaign from Trichy on Sunday when DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth is expected to share the stage with him. The first phase of the tour will conclude on March 31 at Tiruvarur after going through Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Sivakasi, Virudhunagar, Kanchipuram, Sriperumbudur, Puducherry and Cuddalore. The second phase of the tour will start on April 1 at Arakkonam and end on April 15 in Chennai. In between he will be campaigning at various places that include Vellore, Karur, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai, Madurai, Dindigul, Pollachi, Tiruppur, Salem, Erode, Chidambaram and Perambalur. The AIADMK also announced U Rani as its candidate for the Vilavancode Assembly seat, where byelections are to be held along with the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress, whose constituency it was, and the BJP are yet to name their candidates.

PCJ introduces Women of My Billion

Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas has unveiled Women of My Billion, a documentary on a womans journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, which her Purple Pebble Pictures is producing. The story includes narratives of women who have faced violence. The movie directed by Ajitesh Sharma will be released on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run. I have had a long relationship with Prime Video. Our association has been almost four years long. They have always championed the work that I have done. And this movie is one of them, said Priyanka, who also introduced the director and cast. The actors mother, Madhu Chopra, speaking to DC, said, I had an opportunity through Priyanka to learn production, though she took care of everything. We have made two successful films, and now Purple Pebbles has gone international. We have been co-producing films through studios, but we are trying to make our own products. Presently, Priyanka is planning international stuff.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas visits Ayodhya along with husband Nick Jonas and daughter Maltie

Priyanka Chopra Jonas also unveiled Women of My Billion, a documentary chronicling Srishti Bakshi's 3,800 km journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, shedding light on women's resilience amid adversity. Produced by Purple Pebble Pictures, the film features real-life tales of survivors, including Pragya Prasun. Set for release on Prime Video post-theatrical run, the documentary aims to inspire with stories of courage and empowerment across India.

Baar-Baar launch karna padta hai PM Modi takes veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi at Startup Mahakumbh

Baar-Baar launch karna padta hai PM Modi takes veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi at Startup Mahakumbh Though veiled but seemingly targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew a parallel between startups and politics. Addressing the Startup Mahakumbh, one of thhe first large congregation of startups, the Prime Minister said many people try to launch political startups but the difference between them and the original startups is the latter's thrust for new ideas. Many people try to 'launch' startups, especially in politics, sometimes multiple times... The difference between you and them is that you're experimental. You try new ideas after the failure of one launch, the prime minister said, in his initial remarks. Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 2023 and the latest Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Imphal to Mumbai which culminated this week are seen as a rebranding of the Congress leader and to portray him as the face of the principal Opposition party ahead of the General elections. Rahul Gandhi is again contesting from his current Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. The Prime Minister also spoke on the pace of innovation and development saying that India had made the right decisions at the right time. Today, the energy & vibe is amazing! Strolling along the stalls and watching your inventions, I could feel the vibe that India's future holds many Unicorns and Decacorns. For promoting startups, India made the right decisions at the right time he said. Over the past decades, we have seen how India has made huge strides in the software and IT sector. Now, we can see the pace of development of innovation and startup culture in India, he added. PM Modi also highlighted the government's role in creating an effective startup ecosystem. India has attempted to bring together startup ecosystems from around the world under Startup-20. In the same Bharat Mandapam, startups were not only included for the first time in the Delhi Declaration of G-20, but were also considered as natural engines of growth he said. India is the world's 3rd largest startup ecosystem. There are over 1.25 lakh registered startups which generate employment for over 12 lakh people. India has over 110 unicorns... Our startups have registered over 12,000 patents he added. Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be held in seven phases beginning from April 19 till June 1, and results slated to be release on June 4. A total of 96.8 crore voters will be eligible to cast their vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)

Modi Calls Congress, DMK Two Sides of the Same Coin

Salem: Accusing the constituents of the INDIA coalition of continuously insulting Hinduism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said more crimes were committed against women in Tamil Nadu and that the DMK and Congress were like two sides of the same coin. On one side of the coin was corruption and the other side was family rule, Modi said, addressing an election meeting in Salem on Tuesday, adding that the DMK regime was equipped with 5G technology. That meant that the 5th generation of their family would come back to power, he said. BJP was eager to provide lakhs of crores of rupees for the development of Tamil Nadu but the DMK was waiting to look for ways to loot it, he said, accusing the INDIA coalition of treating women shabbily. Tamil Nadu was a witness to the way they treated women like J Jayalalithaa and the way they opposed the Womens Reservation Bill. Bowing to Goddess Mariamman, the local deity, before starting his speech, Modi said that at the rally of the INDIA coalition in Mumbai, they said that they wanted to destroy Shakti, the power that Hindus believed in, and warned that they would be destroyed in the process. People of Tamil Nadu worship Maha Mariamman as Om Shakti and there were Shakti Peethas like Kanchi Kamatshi, Madurai Meenakshi, Kanyakumariamman, Samayapuram Mariamman as they worshipped Shakti in female form, he said and wanted the people of the State to ensure, on April 19, that those who wanted to destroy the symbol of Shakti were severely punished. He said he had been a protective shield for women having a solution to every problem they faced. To prevent women from suffering in the kitchen, he came up with schemes like cooking gas connection in the Ujjwala scheme, to protect their health, the Ayushman scheme and Jal Jeevan to solve the problem of drinking water. A large number of women had benefited from the Mudra scheme in Tamil Nadu and in the next five years women would get more facilities, he said. The BJP would win more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections as people had decided to vote for Modi again to see India becoming self-sufficient and strong and for Tamil Nadu to progress. For farmers to benefit, for the infrastructure of the country to develop, and for India to grow as the 3rd largest economy in the world, the BJP needed to win more than 400 seats, he said. He welcomed the PMK into the NDA fold and said the experience of PMK founder S Ramadoss and the talent of Anbumani Ramadoss would help the development of Tamil Nadu. The NDA had set big goals for the development of the country like the setting up of more than 20 AIIMS hospitals, dozens of medical colleges, IITs, and new industries. Of the 2 Military Logistics Industrial Corridors being set up, one of them was in Tamil Nadu so is one of the 7 textile industrial parks.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas unveils new production venture Women of My Billion

Priyanka Chopra Jonas unveils new production venture Women of My Billion Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas on Tuesday introduced Women of My Billion, an upcoming documentary narrating the true story of a woman's journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to meet women who have faced violence. Chopra Jonas and production banner Purple Pebble Pictures have produced the movie, which will be released on Prime Video after its theatrical run. The documentary is directed by Ajitesh Sharma. ''I've had a really long relationship with Prime Video, now almost going on for four years, and they have always been champions of the work that I have done. And this movie was one of them, Chopra Jonas said at the Prime Video Presents event as she introduced the film's director and cast. ''Women of My Billion'' or ''WOMB'' is about Srishti Bakshi, the UN Women Champion of Change, who embarks on a monumental journey, walking 3,800 km over 240 days, from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, along the way meeting and learning first hand about the experiences of women from all corners of India. The film also features Pragya Prasun, who has spent her life rehabilitating women who have dealt with violence in various forms, Chopra Jonas said. ''As a company, we Purple Pebble Pictures, stand for being a springboard for filmmakers who want to tell stories that they are passionate about, she added. Women of My Billion is produced by Awedacious Originals in association with Purple Pebble Pictures. It is produced by Apoorva Bakshi and Chopra Jonas.

Income Tax Raids Target Hyderabad Restaurant Linked to YS Sharmila's Relative

Hyderabad: The Income Tax Department recently conducted raids on a well-known restaurant located in Hyderabad, stirring considerable attention due to its ownership by a relative of Andhra Pradesh Congress Chief, YS Sharmila Reddy. The targeted establishment, Chutneys, renowned for its breakfast offerings, is owned by Atluri Padma, whose daughter is married to Raja Reddy, the son of YS Sharmila. This series of raids has caused a stir within business circles, largely because of Chutneys' widespread popularity as a dining destination and the political affiliations of its proprietor. Despite the significant interest generated by these events, neither the management of Chutneys nor officials from the Income Tax Department have issued an official statement regarding the purpose or outcome of the raids. These developments are occurring in the context of the impending Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Scheduled for May 13, the Lok Sabha polls will coincide with elections for the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly, with the subsequent vote counting set for June 4. Interestingly, while the Congress and BJP have yet to disclose their respective candidate lists for Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena Partyboth allies of the National Democratic Alliancefinalized their seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming elections on March 11. This timing adds an extra layer of political intrigue to the situation, given the proximity of the raids to the electoral process. Facebook's Inaction on Abusive Content Targeting Hindu Deities KKR Welcome Shreyas Iyer Back to Training Camp After Spine Specialist Consultation Tragic Accident Claims Life of Student in Kanyakumari District

Taranjit Singh Sandhu Joins BJP After Tenure as Ambassador to US

New Delhi: Former Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party's headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday.Expressing his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Sandhu highlighted his decade-long collaboration, particularly in strengthening relations with the United States and Sri Lanka. Emphasizing the importance of development, Sandhu underscored the need for progress, especially in his hometown of Amritsar. He expressed gratitude towards the party president, Prime Minister, and Home Minister for encouraging him to embark on a new journey of national service. Sandhu, a native of Amritsar, is speculated to be a potential candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the constituency.Addressing the media after joining the BJP, Sandhu indicated his focus on Amritsar, stating that his decision to join the party aligns with his goal of contributing to the development of his hometown. He expressed willingness to contest elections if the party believes his candidacy would aid in Amritsar's progress.Sandhu concluded his tenure as India's Ambassador to the US in January of this year, after serving in the position since February 3, 2020, succeeding Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Prior to his role in the US, Sandhu served as the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka. With over three decades of distinguished service in the Indian Foreign Service, Sandhu held various significant positions, including postings in the former Soviet Union and the establishment of a new Embassy in Ukraine after the USSR's dissolution. He also served at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York and held roles at the Ministry of External Affairs, including Joint Secretary positions and serving as Consul General of India in Frankfurt.Sandhu's diplomatic career also saw him as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington D.C. from July 2013 to January 2017. Facebook's Inaction on Abusive Content Targeting Hindu Deities KKR Welcome Shreyas Iyer Back to Training Camp After Spine Specialist Consultation Tragic Accident Claims Life of Student in Kanyakumari District

DMK Completes Seat Allocation to Allies

Chennai: Ahead of the rival coalitions, the DMK-led front completed the seat allocation process on Monday with TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai visiting the DMK headquarters and signing an agreement with DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin on a day the electoral scene took a curious turn with BJP leader Tamilisai Soundarajan resigning her posts as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, possibly to contest from one of the constituencies in the State. While the Congress agreed to keep seven of the constituencies that it contested in 2019, giving up Arani, Trichy and Theni (where it lost last time) and taking Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai and Tirunelveli in lieu of them, speculation was rife on the potential candidates for the new constituencies and possible changes for the other constituencies though the party has not yet started even the candidates selection process. The Congress called for applications from aspirants for the 10 Lok Sabha seats on Monday, saying they would have to pay a donation of Rs 30,000 for general constituencies, while women and those applying for reserved constituencies would have to pay Rs 15,000. The party also invited applications from aspirants for the Vilavancode Assembly constituency, which fell vacant following the resignation of the sitting MLA Vijayadharani after her defection to the BJP and is also going to polls on April 19. The political grapevine has it that the Congress might field its former TNCC president K S Alagiri from Cuddalore, Praveen Chakravarty from Mayiladuthurai and Peter Alphonse from Tirunelveli. Also there was a speculation that Sasikanth Senthil, who headed the Congress war room in Karnataka, might be fielded from Thiruvallur constituency. The seven constituencies that the Congress is contesting from again are Thiruvallur (Reserved), Sivagangai, Krishagiri, Karur, Virudhunagar, Kanyakumari and Puducherry. V Vaithilingam, former Chief Minister of Puducherry, is expected to be renominated by the Congress. Trichy was handed over the MDMK, which immediately nominated Durai Vaiko, principal secretary of the party, as candidate. Also the Kongunadu Makkal Katchi that was allotted the same Namakkal constituency that it won in 2019 named Sooryamoorthy as the candidate. The names of the DMK candidates would be announced on Wednesday, Stalin said. Since the party had already interviewed aspirants and had shortlisted the candidates, not many changes from the list of 2019 could be expected, party insiders said. Stalin will be starting his campaign from Trichy on March 22 and then visit Tiruvarur the next day. The AIADMK, which has already finalized its alliance with the Puthiya Tamizhagam Katchi and the SDPI, was in the process of clinching a deal with the DMDK on Monday after several rounds of negotiations. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was expected to launch a whirlwind campaign on March 24 and visit several constituencies till March 31. The BJP list that will be released by the party high command in New Delhi is expected in a day or two and Tamilisai Soundarajans name will figure in it, party sources said. Of the 25 seats that the BJP proposes to contest from in Tamil Nadu, names of many more prominent personalities of the party are expected. The partys alliance with the PMK was confirmed on Monday. The PMK that decided to go with the BJP at a meeting said that the number of seats would be announced later.

IRCTC Tour packages list: - If you are planning to travel with family from Delhi, then these 3 packages are best.

Many packages have been brought from Delhi by Indian Railways. Through these packages, you can plan a trip with your entire family. In these packages, you will not need to take a separate bus or cab to travel to different states. Because all kinds of facilities are provided in the package to take you around. You don't even need to look for a good hotel to travel. This facility has also been included in the package of Indian Railways. In today's article, we will tell you about some cheap packages. South India Tour Package This package is starting from March 15. In the package, you will be able to visit Chennai, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Thiruvananthapuram and Tirupati. This package is for 6 nights and 7 days. The package includes the cost of your hotel, flight tickets and food. Package Fee If travelling with two people, you will have to pay Rs 53,980 per person. If three people are travelling together, the package fee per person is Rs 51,820. If you do not want to take a separate bed while travelling with children, then you will have to pay Rs 41,440. Through this fee, you can enjoy all kinds of facilities in a 7-day tour. Jammu/Katra Tour Package This package is starting from Delhi on 19th March. This is a tour package of 3 nights and 4 days, in which Indian Railways is responsible for your accommodation and food. You will be able to travel in 3AC coach. Package Fee If travelling with two people, you will have to pay Rs 7855 per person. If travelling with three people, you will have to pay Rs 6795 per person. If you travel with children, you will have to pay Rs 5145. Travelling through this 4-day tour package is quite beneficial. Ladakh/Leh Tour Package You are going to get a chance to see beautiful views through this package. Plan a trip with friends through these packages. This is a tour package of 6 nights and 7 days. Which is starting from 27th April. You will be able to complete this journey through flight. If travelling with two people, you will have to pay Rs 52,400 per person. If three people are travelling together, the package fee per person is Rs 50,900. If you travel with children, you will have to pay Rs 29,500 separately. This package for just Rs 52,400 for 7 days includes hotel, flight and food facilities. Image Credit- Freepik

Tragic Accident Claims Life of Student in Kanyakumari District

Chennai: In the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, a tragic incident unfolded, claiming the life of a student and leaving two others injured. The event occurred on a Sunday evening, around 8:30 pm, near Mekkamandapam. What transpired was captured by a CCTV camera, providing a stark account of the accident. The victim, identified as Jijumon, was accompanied by his friend Dhanish as they embarked on a journey to Mulchal. However, their plans took a devastating turn when their bike collided head-on with another bike, helmed by John Jagan. The CCTV footage depicted Jijumon and Dhanish's bike hurtling down the road at considerable speed before the collision ensued. The impact of the crash was profound, propelling all three individuals into the air and causing significant harm. Swift action from bystanders ensued as they rushed to the scene to render aid. The injured were promptly transported to Thakkalai Government Hospital for medical attention. Tragically, Jijumon succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at the hospital. Meanwhile, Dhanish and Jagan are currently undergoing treatment, grappling with the aftermath of the collision. In response to the incident, authorities from the Thakalai Police station have launched an investigation, registering a case to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the accident. This event serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and underscores the importance of adhering to road safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. Water Ban Controversy: Fifth Grade Students Restricted During Ramadan by Teachers Supreme Court Dismisses Petition of AgustaWestland Scam Accused Christian Michel Hardik Pandya Ready to Lead Mumbai Indians alongside Rohit Sharma

2024 LS polls: Congress to contest 9 seats in Tamil Nadu, one in Puducherry under DMK-led alliance

CHENNAI: After prolonged deliberations and lobbying at different levels, the constituencies in which the Congress will contest under the DMK-led alliance was finalised on Monday. Out of 39 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress will contest 9 in Tamil Nadu and 1 in Puducherry. As per the pact signed between Chief Minister MK Stalin and TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai at the DMK headquarters today, the Congress got back six of the nine constituencies it contested from in Tamil Nadu in 2019. The party will contest again in Tiruvallur (SC), Sivaganga, Krishnagiri, Karur, Virudhunagar, and Kanyakumari. Three new seats were also given to the party including Puducherry constituency which it won in 2019. The Congress will contest from Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Tirunelveli in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In 2019, it had contested from Tiruchy, Theni, and Arani. They had won Tiruchy and Arani but lost Theni in 2019. The DMK has also allotted Cuddalore and Tirunelveli, which it won last time, to Congress. It can be recalled that incumbent DMK MP of Cuddalore TRVS Ramesh was facing a murder case. DMKs MP from Tirunelveli S. Gnanathiraviam also faced several allegations. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the DMK-led alliance had secured a landslide victory by winning 38 out of 39 seats. The Congress, which was also a part of the alliance, had bagged 8 seats out of the nine contested. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, had won only one seat. Soon after allocating constituencies to the Congress, MDMK was allotted Tiruchy constituency under the DMK-led alliance. The allocation to MDMK could not be decided earlier because of the delays in finalising constituencies for the Congress. The IUML and KMDK (DMK Symbol) have been given one seat each while VCK, CPM, CPI get two seats each in the Lok Sabha polls. Meanwhile, the ruling DMK will contest on 21 seats. The Congress and the DMK are part of the INDIA opposition alliance bloc, cobbled together to defeat the BJP. Makkal Needhi Maiam president and actor Kamal Hassan has also announced his decision to support the DMK led alliance in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal told media today that they would win all ten seats. The Congress and the DMK will not get separated, he asserted. On Sunday, TN CM and DMK Chief MK Stalin had attended the closing day of the Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra in Mumbai. Stalin applauded former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and plegded his support to the INDIA bloc. My dear brother Rahul Gandhi has completed the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, traversing the length and breadth of India to unite us all. With a heart filled with compassion and a vision for justice, he stands as a guiding light, countering divisive forces with the strength of unity and inclusivity, CM Stalin had posted on X. (With Online Desk inputs)

Budding athletes receive scholarships at India Cements-TNSJA event

Budding athletes receive scholarships at India Cements-TNSJA event Emerging sportspersons in the state were honoured at an event here on Sunday to present the India Cements-Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists Association Annual Awards and Scholarships 2023-2024. Ten emerging athletes received the awards at an event attended by the who's who in Tamil Nadu sport. Each scholarship awardee received a cheque for Rs 30,000, along with a trophy. Eight-year-old chess prodigy from Ariyalur - AS Sharvaanica, M Anslin and M Akslin, Kanyakumari's twin sisters who excelled in the Khelo India Youth Games and para-athlete J Keerthika were among the scholarship recipients. Chennai Super Kings bowler Deepak Chahar was the chief guest along with CSK CEO KS Viswanathan and India Cements marketing and channel growth head Shashank Singh. Former India cricketer W V Raman, men's cricket team selection committee member S Sharath, former India women's cricket team captain Sudha Shah, MRF Pace Foundation head coach M Senthilnathan, hockey Olympian Mohammed Riaz, former India athlete Shiny Wilson and former India swimmer Wilson Cherian were those to distribute the trophies. Tamil Nadu Cricket Association honorary secretary RI Palani and honorary assistant secretary Dr R N Baba were also present. Addressing the gathering, Chahar complimented TNSJA's initiative to support deserving young athletes. ''Obviously, I like it. I urge all the media (across the rest of India) to do the same. When you're young, support is crucial. It's excellent when the media provides that support. ''There's nothing better than receiving a scholarship at an early stage. Congratulations to all the athletes here, said Chahar, as he prepares for IPL 2024, getting underway from Friday. Meanwhile, Shashank guaranteed that India Cements will continue supporting young talents and sponsor scholarships in the coming years. ''At India Cements, we are always scouting for the next generation of athletes. We have the top 10 here. There are other athletes who were not able to make it to the elite list. ''Kudos to them and their families as well. What better than getting the award from Chahar, whose story in itself is inspirational,'' he added. Viswanathan said, ''India Cements is a company that has been supporting athletes for the past five decades. Knowing India Cements and N Srinivasan (managing director), we will live up to the expectations of the sports journalists. ''It is a great cause which you have taken up. I would like to congratulate all the winners and wish them the very best. Winners of the India Cements-TNSJA Scholarships 2023-24: AS Sharvaanica (Chess), M Anslin (Athletics), M Akslin (Athletics), RS Rethin Pranav (Tennis), Barathkumar Karthi (Volleyball), Deeksha Sivakumar (Swimming), J Hemchudeshan (Cricket), G Kamalini (Cricket), Pooja Arthi (Squash) and J Keerthika (Para-Athletics).

Unlocking Indias Beauty: Exploring the Scenic Route from Kanyakumari to Kashmir by Rail

Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link Update: Fulfilling the Dream of 140 Crore Indians for Kashmir to Kanyakumari Railway Connectivity In recent times, the progress on the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link project has sparked hope for millions across the nation. This ambitious project, once completed, will connect Kashmir to the rest of India, enabling seamless ...