Summer in India brings the sweet, golden delight millions look forward to every year: mangoes. Often hailed as the king of fruits, Mangifera indica, or mango, is more than just a seasonal indulgence; its a nutritional powerhouse and a symbol of cultural pride national fruit of India and the Philippines, and the national tree of Bangladesh, highlighting its deep-rooted significance across the tropics. But beyond the aroma and taste, theres a lot to understand about mangoes, especially when it co

Its easy to miss The Old Curiosity Shop, tucked away in a noisy corner on Mount Road. But it has stood silently for almost 80 years, as the citys skyline continued to rise high. Its faded red faade, arches, and sun-kissed stained glass windows whisper tales from a bygone era. The building is a curiosity in itself, wearing its age proudly. The Old Curiosity Shop is like a time machine. As you step inside, the tinkling of a chime instantly transports you to a world that is far beyond the traffic s

Often called the biggest night in fashion, the Met Gala brings the whos who of the fashion world to New York to raise money for The Metropolitan Museum of Arts (MOMA) Costume Institute. With tickets rumoured to cost around $75,000 and payment not ensuring an invite, it is one of the most exclusive events. After all, where else can designers unleash their outrageous levels of creativity and have a rapt audience ready to praise (or tear down) their looks but the (now) blue carpet? Manish Malhotra

CHENNAI: GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran has issued orders to all 15 zones to establish Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 at the zonal level. The decision comes in response to a TNIE report exposing alleged sexual harassment of sanitary workers in Ward 84 of the Ambattur zone. Currently, ICCs function only at the head office and regional-level offices in the north, central, and south region

CHENNAI: The Supreme Court has granted permission with conditions to Hiranandani Realtors Private Limited to go ahead with construction of two residential towers in phase-II block 36 in its Egattur township. By modifying an interim order of status quo passed on December 2, 2024, a bench of justices BV Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol recently passed the order on an interlocutory application to permit the construction to be carried on. The two towers are coming up on plot 36 where a club house was ori

CHENNAI: A 28-year-old person employed as a ward boy on contract basis at the National Centre for Ageing in Guindy was arrested for allegedly verbally abusing a staff nurse under the influence of alcohol on Sunday night. According to police, the accused, Johnson, had been working at the hospital for the past few months. On Sunday night, nurse Kavitha found Johnson asleep during duty. She clicked a picture of him and sent it to higher officials, who immediately cancelled Johnsons contract and ask

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Police on Saturday arrested an African national, T Abouf (39) and his local associate J Rahul (19) in a drug trafficking case in Delhi. A total of 15 gms of cocaine, 7 gms of heroin, 3 gms of methamphetamine and a sum of Rs 50,000 were seized from them. Police had, in March and April, arrested 11 people in Chennai for the possession of narcotics, and Abouf is the alleged kingpin of the drug smuggling network. Abouf and Rahul were produced before a Delhi court, and th

What are some of the most unexpected settings or shared experiences that can spark a lasting friendship? It could be the magic of a themed party, the thrill of exploring a new country together, or the comfort of frequenting the same cosy caf. Sometimes, bonds are built while taking the same route home or commuting on the same bus. The seeding of a friendship is endless but to maintain it takes constant effort thoughtful messages on tough days, silences that nudges you to question closed boxes,

Once every few years, EA publishes a game so great that I forgive them for making the mistake of creating FIFA. This year, we have been blessed with Split Fiction. Its a game about an unlikely friendship between two writers with entirely different stories to tell. At the beginning of the game, Zoe and Mio are unpublished authors entering a shady lab in a swanky office building for what they believe is their big break. Unfortunately, for them, huge orb machines await them. They suck their brain j

At a time when the season has not gone well for Chennai Super Kings who are eliminated from this season of the Indian Premier League, Ayush Mhatre comes like a whiff of fresh air to an ageing side. Drafted as a replacement for injured skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush has shown lot of promise and has a bright future in CSK. The 17-year-old showed his true potential while scoring 94 off 48 balls against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday at the M Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru. After the li

Music is a language for feelings beyond words. The smile that spreads when someone hums your favourite song, the wandering of eyes when you listen to your favourite singer playing in the vicinity, the lip-sync videos you make for the gram, tapping your hands and feet when the chorus hits just right. Music, without asking, enters and inhabits you. For Senthil Raj, a musician, music is a vibration. Everything (sound) is a vibration. Its all atoms. So music is also a vibration certain kinds of vib

CHENNAI: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued a heavy rain alert for isolated areas located in the ghat regions of Coimbatore, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Karur, Tiruchy, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kancheepuram and Nilgiris districts, for Monday. On Tuesday, heavy rain may be likely over isolated areas in the ghat regions of Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Theni and Dindigul districts. Meanwhile, Chennai received an unexpected spell of rain, accompanied by lightning and thunder, on Sunday

CHENNAI: A 17-year-old girl who was supposed to appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam later in the day died by suicide at her house near Melmaruvathur in Chengalpattu district early on Sunday. Police said there was no suicide note found in the house. Preliminary investigation suggests that the girls mother had reprimanded her recently for not studying properly for the upcoming exam, they added. According to the Melmaruvathur police, the girl had completed her Class 12

CHENNAI: Following TNIEs April 28 report titled Female sanitary workers in Ambattur allege harassment, overwork by supervisors; seek better protection, which shed light on the daily struggles and sexual harassment faced by women sanitary workers from their supervisors in Ward 84 of the Ambattur Zone, a preliminary inquiry was conducted by zonal officials on April 30. However, the inquiry process has left the victims, who allege it was biased and intimidating, afraid of losing their jobs for spea

Spotted: A girl hunched over a mocha frappuccino in a noisy Chennai caf, whispering life-altering secrets between sips. In a city where everyone knows everyone else and their second cousins gossip isnt inevitable. Its essential. Its survival of the chicest. Half the heartbreaks, career crashes, and fashion disasters Ive dodged were thanks to someone whispering, Psst, you need to know this. Sure, the popular series Gossip Girl made it look like sabotage wrapped in sequins. But here in the real

In a city where temple bells echo through traffic and vendors announce breakfast, musicians and bands are reimagining these sounds. One such ensemble that brings out streaks of contemporary and traditional mix is A Carnatic Quartet (ACQ), which debuted their album on Sunday. For Praveen Sparsh, co-curator of ACQ, the quartet represents a interpretation of how Carnatic music can be experienced. A Carnatic Quartet is an ensemble of violin, nagaswaram, mridangam and thavil. We have been playing mus

CHENNAI: The lack of any user authentication on the Greater Chennai Corporations (GCC) online portal for downloading birth and death certificates, which practically permits anyone to download the certificates of anyone else, has raised concerns about data privacy, misuse and vulnerability for targeted cyber attacks. The online system, ever since its introduction in 2008, has allowed unrestricted access to birth and death certificates by simply entering the date and gender, without requiring a na

CHENNAI: With summer heat on the rise, the Information and Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities (IRCDUC) has urged GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran to roll out a summer action plan to protect the homeless, especially the elderly, children and those with mental illness. Vanessa Peter, founder of IRCDUC, said in a petition, Lack of access to safe drinking water, toilets and shade has resulted in increased cases of dehydration, sleeplessness, restlessness and despair among persons l

CHENNAI: The Alliance Company, a pillar of excellence and tradition in the Tamil publishing industry, announces its milestone achievement of completing 125 remarkable years of publishing quality books in Tamil. This is no mean feat for any organisation, and they have been pioneers in publishing books of literary and other diverse values. Their authorship includes popular writers like Devan, Cho S Ramaswamy, Vaali, actor Sivakumar, actor Suriya, and more. Since its inception, its forte has been p

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has granted in-principle approval to a Rs 9,928-crore 21.76-km metro rail corridor linking Koyambedu and Pattabiram, as the state moves to expand urban transport infrastructure in tune with the rapid suburbanisation of Chennais western periphery. The project includes three highway flyovers coming up at a cost of Rs 464 crore and is intended to reduce congestion along Outer Ring Road. The plan has been forwarded to the centre for clearance under an equity-sharing framework, wi

CHENNAI: Chennai International Airport briefly became an unscheduled hub on Friday evening after inclement weather forced at least four flights bound for Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru to be diverted mid-air. According to sources, three domestic passenger flights and one international cargo service were rerouted to Chennai between 6:25 pm and 7:10 pm. The diversions included two IndiGo flights-6E6014 from Dehradun and 6E6508 from Rajkots Hirasar Airport (HSR) as well as an Air Ind

CHENNAI: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday inaugurated the construction of a six-lane, access-controlled highway, from Tiruvallur Bypass to Sriperumbudur. The stretch is part of the 132.87 km Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR) project. This third phase of the road works will cover a 30.1 km stretch and include two-lane service roads on either side, with a total project cost of Rs 2,689.74 crore. Highways Minister EV Velu and other officials were present during the function he

CHENNAI: Netgear, a California-based networking equipment company, has expanded its footprint in India with the opening of a new software development centre in Chennai, a move it says will accelerate its push into AI-powered and cloud-based solutions for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The announcement follows Netgears acquisition of local software firm VAAG Systems, whose engineers and intellectual property will form the foundation of the new centre. The company plans to more than tr

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Police (GCP) inaugurated a pilot Virtual Witness Room with video conference facility at the office of the Joint Commissioner of Police (East Zone) on Thursday. The facility was formally inaugurated by Vijayendra Bidari, Additional Commissioner of Police (Headquarters). The facility, equipped with high-definition video conferencing systems, audio-video recording and archiving tools, a document visualiser, soundproofing to ensure privacy, enables investigating officers

CHENNAI: On the occasion of May Day, Chennai Mayor R Priya distributed welfare kits worth Rs 7.41 lakh to 400 sanitation and malaria workers at an event held at the Ripon Building. The mayor also took part in a feast organised for the workers. Currently, 3,959 permanent sanitation workers, 420 Non Muster Roll (NMR) workers and 4,990 workers from SHGs are employed in Chennai corporation. The welfare kits, which include two uniforms, towels, a cap, tiffin box, water bottle and a bag, will be distr

The power of the working class is the hope of the nation. Van Jones International Labour Day or May Day is a celebration of the sweat and toil of the millions of workers who shaped the world. What began as a peaceful protest by workers at Haymarket Square in Chicago in 1886, demanding an eight-hour work day, soon turned violent resulting in the death of police officers as well as striking workers. The day is now recognised as an important point in the history of labour movements. No workers pro

CHENNAI: The citys residential property market saw a sharp recovery in the first quarter of 2025, with unit registrations rising 88% quarter-on-quarter to 8,042, according to data released by Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (CREDAI) Chennai. The figure also represented an 11% year-on-year increase, signalling sustained momentum in buyer activity. The members of CREDAI were responsible for 92% of total registrations in the quarter. The group registered 7,412 units in

CHENNAI: The corporation Council has approved the notification of 150 vending zones and 188 non-vending zones, totalling 338, spread across the 15 administrative zones of the city. Royapuram Zone has the highest number of vending zones at 26, followed by Manali (Zone 2) with 19 zones and Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar (Zone 6) with 18 zones. Thiru Vi Ka Nagar also leads in the number of non-vending zones, with a total of 45. In contrast, Sholinganallur (Zone 15) and Perungudi (Zone 14) have relatively few

CHENNAI: The city corporation council, on Wednesday, passed a resolution to appoint an agency for creating the IT infrastructure required to deliver services through WhatsApp platform. This includes the development of a WhatsApp-based communication system and integration of GCCs online services at a total estimated cost of Rs 4.45 crores per year. According to the resolution, a section of city residents face difficulties in using traditional online platforms like the website and dedicated mobile

CHENNAI: With an aim to curb air pollution in the city, the Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to impose penalties of up to Rs 5 lakh on construction sites that fail to comply with the newly approved Clean Construction Guidelines. The fines will vary based on project size, Rs 5 lakh for projects over 20,000 sqm, Rs 50,000 for those between 500 sqm and 20,000 sqm, and Rs 30,000 for plots between 300-500 sqm. In addition to the penalties, construction activities will be stopped if high-signif

CHENNAI: Congress Councillor J Dillibabu of Ward 37 has reiterated concerns over the Greater Chennai Corporations (GCC) proposal to set up a waste-to-energy (WTE) plant near Kodungaiyur landfill, urging civic officials to reconsider its location due to potential toxic emissions in the densely populated area. The councillor was among those who were taken on a tour to Hyderabad to observe a similar plant. Speaking at the council meeting on Wednesday, Dillibabu welcomed the ongoing biomining effort

Cowrie shells are a popular element of play across the country. Many games are played with them, and I have learned many rules. Recently, however, I was reading about the game Haaran Gindun an old Kashmiri game played with cowries or haar as they are called in Kashmir. Haar or cowries are molluscan seashells that have found many uses. They are used in ornamentation and can often be seen adorning the edges of bags or scarves.It was said that in the old days these shells were used as currency, so

The other night, I stomped on a massive cockroach, thought it was dead, and went to get a tissue to toss it out. As I leaned down, what I thought was a corpse began scampering at full speed. Something primal comes over me when it comes to cockroaches. I leapt, and killed it properly the second time, ensuring its body was ripped apart by the force of my bare foot. I do not fear cockroaches but I loathe them, having lived with someone who enforced squalor upon the household. They are rare creature

It all started with a laddoo . Not just any laddoo , but the sort that appears in puja trays, lovingly prepared by mothers with a no-touch-until-offering rule. The kind that calls to you across the room when no ones looking. And for Parvathy Venkatachalam, it also became the gateway to a story. A question sparked the beginning of what would become Laddoo Mysteries: The Wrath of Krishna a 30,000-word novel she began at age 12, and self-published with the support of her family two years later. I

CHENNAI: Three people were injured when a CNG gas cylinder exploded when a worker was trying to break it open at a scrap shop in Villivakkam on Monday afternoon. The worker, shop owner, and another man, who rushed to save them, sustained injuries, the police said. According to the Villivakkam police, Mohan (50), one of the injured, ran a scrap shop in Villivakkam where Arshad Moideen (30) was also working. A few days back, an auto rickshaw driver had sold Mohan a used gas cylinder that he used i

CHENNAI: In the custodial torture incident in 2022 where a law student was assaulted by cops, the victim has decided to request the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to include two more police officials in the case, and also enhance the compensation. The state government had announced Rs 1 lakh as compensation and instructed the DGP to initiate departmental action against nine police personnel. The victim, A Abdul Rahim (25) of Korukkupet, (who was 21 years old back then) now a lawyer at the

CHENNAI: Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) is looking to integrate air cargo movement with metro rail services in an effort to bring down light commercial vehicles on city roads and ease congestion. The plan forms a key part of the citys forthcoming logistics roadmap, which is likely to be released soon. The initiative will integrate metro services and parcel collection centres to reduce emissions and promote sustainable movement of goods. Speaking at a logistics policy se

CHENNAI: Mohammed Parvez (29) was arrested by the cyber crime wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Chennai on charges of running a fake Korean visa website. The man, who was arrested in Mumbai, used fake credentials to create a portal and duped multiple victims, the police said. The fraud came to light when an Indian national approached the Korean Consulate in Chennai on January 27 for verification. Officials found the document fake, with a QR code linking to a fake website. Deputy Consul G

Mahatma Gandhi marched the streets from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal town of Dandi to protest against the British Governments salt tax. Damdami Taksal, an educational and religious organisation, held processions on the streets of the Malwa region of Punjab to defy the rules of emergency declared by the then Congress government. People protested on the streets leading to Shaheen Bagh, opposing the immediate implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). When the people come to the stre

Friends, Hatred and arrogance are detrimental to religion and freedom. Currently, we have the prevalence of both hatred and repression in our country echoes the words of retired IIT professor VK Tripathi on a piece of paper. Through the streets of cities and lanes of educational institutions, the 77-year-old has been walking around for over three decades, distributing flyers to lend an ear just for a minute. This has been his way of protesting the blindfold that each government ties around the

Buildings may be constructed on concrete, but changes in the industry have often been anything but solid. Fragmented supply chains, underrepresented voices, and outdated modes of operation have long defined the landscape. Enter MaiStree Indias first exclusive digital platform for the construction sector bridging half a century of industrial legacy with the urgency of a tech-driven future. With over 15 years of hands-on experience in scaffolding and construction equipment, M Kamala Kumari, the

In the pursuit of a stronger, leaner, and more muscular body, many individuals are turning to resistance or strength training. While lifting weights and working out at the gym play a critical role in achieving fitness goals, it is nutrition that lays the real foundation for muscle growth, performance, and recovery. Understanding strength training Strength training involves challenging specific muscle groups by exercising against external resistance. This can be done using various tools such as d

CHENNAI: Chennai Metro Rail has commenced trial operations along the 9.1km stretch from Poonamallee to Porur, part of its Rs 63,246 crore ($7.6bn) Phase II expansion, on Monday evening. The launch of the testing on the entire stretch follows initial trials conducted in March on a shorter segment between Poonamallee and Mullaithottam. Speaking after the latest tests, MA Siddique, managing director of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), hailed the development as a major breakthrough. CMRL officials

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Police on Monday announced the Red Button Robotic Cop, a new feature utilising advanced robotic systems, CCTV cameras and audio/video playback to improve safety and aid law enforcement in the city. To be inaugurated at 200 spots in the city starting from June, the robotic cop will be placed at important crowded locations in the city including parks, railway stations, bus stands, near IT parks, places of worship, etc. Available 24x7 and equipped with 360-degree survei

CHENNAI: Health Minister Ma Subramanian along with Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister PK Sekarbabu inaugurated an upgraded centre of excellence Institute of Diabetology along with other facilities at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital on Monday. The ministers also inaugurated a Teen Clinic for those in the 10 to 18 age group and a temporal bone dissection skill laboratory, a facility where surgeons could be trained on the intricate anatomy and surgical techniques involved i

Did you know: the lone word ending in mt in English is Dreamt. English is the only language where you drive in parkways and park in driveways. Illegible handwriting has a name it is termed griffonage. The English language is full of surprises, has a mix of borrowed words and is constantly evolving. If you love learning and playing with new words and want to expand your command over the language, then take up the Scribble Challenge. For example: If you could say anything to a fictional character

Winning three senior division titles on the trot didnt come easy for Jolly Rovers Cricket Club. As they edged past Vijay CC to clinch the Raja of Palayampatti Shield recently, based on the 12-run first innings lead, Jolly Rovers achieved just that. This victory and consistency is a result of a culture that revolves around work ethic and self improvement. In fact, it has played a crucial role in producing elite athletes like B Sai Sudarshan, Sandeep Warrier, Manimaran Siddarth, Baba Aparajith and

Colour psychology is the scientific effect each hue has on the human brain. Each colour makes you feel differently, so, the wise use of colours in spaces is important. Although the effect of the colours may seem similar, every individual reacts to colours differently. Hence, they are a very personal choice while building ones spaces. Colour schemes are the basis of every space and can easily make or break it. The colour of walls, furniture, furnishings, and light plays a role in the essence of t

Hey, whats that purple plant? Youve probably walked past this plant thinking, Is that some weed growing? It almost looks like a weed, right? But hold on that humble little purple-leafed beauty is actually a total rockstar in disguise. Meet Roheo, the low-maintenance plant that doesnt get enough credit! Its the kind of plant that forgives you for forgetting it exists. Doesnt throw a fit in the sun, wont sulk if you skip watering, and if you travel a lot, itll still be alive and thriving when you

CHENNAI: Many colleges which launched several commerce courses and in multiple shifts, riding the wave of popularity of BCom (bachelor in commerce), are now struggling to fill seats and drifting away to keep their head above water. With few takers, they are on course for a change. According to the data from the University of Madras (UoM), at least 26 arts and science-affiliated colleges have sought permission to suspend various courses from 2025 due to poor or zero enrolment. Of the 26 colleges,