Coimbatore sees increased sales of plots over the past six months

Chennai techie dies by suicide after being shamed online for 'not taking care' of her child

COIMBATORE: Less than a month after a Chennai techie was shamed by local people and some news channels after her child accidentally slipped from her hands and fell on the balcony of their apartment, she was found dead at her paternal home at Karamadai in Coimbatore on Sunday. Although, the eight-month-old child was miraculously rescued by residents of the apartment complex at Thirumullaivoyal in Chennai after the fall on April 28, the mother, V Ramya, was unable to overcome the humiliation she suffered following that incident and was crestfallen since then, say sources. Ramya worked in an IT firm in Chennai. Her husband Venkatesh is also an IT professional. Ramya and her husband with their child had come to her paternal home in Karamadai two weeks ago. On Sunday, her parents had gone to attend a function leaving Ramya alone at the house. However, upon their return, they found her lying unconscious. They rushed her to a nearby hospital but to no avail. According to sources, Ramya was heartbroken since her child accidentally slipped from her hands and fell from the fourth -floor balcony onto the roof on the first floor of their apartment. Following this, the residents of the apartment came together and managed to rescue the child. But, as the video of the incident went viral on social media, Ramya was severely shamed for her carelessness in taking care of the child. The media also accused her for 'letting the accident happen'. Residents of the apartment and other onlookers who gave bytes to news channels made thoughtless statements insinuating her 'failure as a mother.' This drove Ramya to depression and eventually death. The mother is already feeling extremely guilty for letting this happen... I was there with her when the incident happened, a neighbour of Ramya had said to one of the television channels covering the news requesting the media to be sensitive and not to add to the grief of the mother. Let's not exacerbate this further, she had pleaded. Meanwhile, the Karamadai police have registered a case and are investigating. (To overcome suicidal thoughts, contact the health department's helpline 104 or the Vidiyal helpline run by Coimbatore police at 0422-2300999)

Mother of baby rescued from sunshade of Chennai apartment dies in Coimbatore

Gaur dies after falling into elephant trench in Coimbatore

Coimbatore student with learning disability awaits admission to class 11

District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati and CEO R. Balamurali responded that the student is assured admission, with a seat expected to be finalised on Monday

Coimbatore student with learning disability awaits admission to class 11 - The Hindu

Coimbatore student with learning disability awaits admission to class 11 The Hindu

Three districts in Tamil Nadu likely to get very heavy rain on May 19

CHENNAI : The heat has paved way for rains in the state, with three districts Theni, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi likely to get isolated heavy to very heavy rain to extremely heavy rain on Sunday, Regional Metereological Centre (RMC) said. The centre has issued a heavy rainfall warning for some parts of the state in the coming week as well. Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Kanniyakumari, Virudhunagar, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Dindigul districts and heavy rain at isolated places over Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi and Pudukkottai districts. Coonoor and Mettupalayam received heavy rainfall of around 17 cm each in the 24 hours between 8.30 am on Friday until 8.30 am on Saturday, according to the rainfall data from RMC. Usilampatti in Madurai recorded 9 cm of rainfall while Sivagiri in Tenkasi, Kil Kotagiri Estate and Burliar in the Nilgiris along with Madathukulam in Tiruppur received 8 cm rainfall each. From 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on Saturday, the Ooty observatory recorded an average of 3.8 cm of rainfall and Coimbatore recorded 3 cm. Valparai, Dharmapuri and Kodaikanal recorded 1.9 cm, 1.2 cm and 1 cm on average during the period. Vellore, Yercaud, Kanniyakumari and Madurai received light rains. On Monday, isolated heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy rain is likely over Kanniyakumari, Theni, and Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts, and heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Virudhunagar, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Dindigul districts. Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Sivaganga, Thoothukudi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Perambalur and Tiruchirappalli districts and Karaikal areas are also likely to get heavy rain. For Chennai, light to moderate rain is on the cards for the next 48 hours ending Monday afternoon. Maximum temperature is likely to be 34-35C and minimum temperature is likely to be around 26C. Moderate rain on the cards for Chennai Light to moderate rain is on the cards In Chennai for the next 48 hours ending Monday afternoon. Maximum temperature is likely to be 34-35C and minimum is likely to be 26C

Landslip halts Niligiris rail service, ticket fare to be refunded

NILGIRIS/COIMBATORE: Rail services were disrupted on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as a landslide occurred between Kallar and Hillgrove station due to heavy rain on Friday. Trains between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam were cancelled. Mud and boulders fell over the railway line, obstructing traffic as heavy rain lashed the surroundings of Coonoor on Friday. The Nilgiris district received 1,099 millimetre rainfall of which Coonoor received 171 mm in the last 24 hours ending at 7 am on Saturday, said sources. The Mettupalayam to Udhagamandalam train (Train No 06136), which was scheduled to leave Mettupalayam at 7.10 am, and the Udhagamandalam to Mettupalayam train (Train No 06137), scheduled to leave Udhagamandalam at 2 pm, were cancelled on Saturday. We will refund the ticket fare to passengers. Workers are removing mud and boulders and the track would be restored at the earliest to resume train services, said a Salem Railway Division official. Although heavy rain was reported in Coonoor, there were no report of major landslides or falling of trees. According to fire and rescue service sources, only one tree fell over a parked car. Likewise, Kotagiri also received 64 mm and Kil-Kotagiri received 81 mm rainfall. Overall Nilgiris district recorded only 176.20 mm rainfall on Saturday as there was not much rain between 7 am and 4 pm. A wayside tree fell on the middle of the road at Idukarai at 11.15 am and within half an hour the tree was axed and cleared for vehicle movement. Likewise, another tree fell over a power line at Kannerimukku at 2.30 pm and within half an hour that tree was removed with the help of staff from the Tangedco. A fire station master told TNIE that based on district collector M Arunas order, one vehicle has been stationed at Burliar, Kunjappanai and Naadukani near Gudalur until May 20 to clear fallen trees and rescue people in case of emergencies around the clock. Heavy rain was also reported across the Coimbatore district since Saturday 3 pm leading to flooding in a few places. Heavy traffic congestion was witnessed at Gandhipuram, Uppilipalayam flyover, CMCH, railway station and Gandhipuram and RS Puram areas. The roof of a temporary two-wheeler parking shed collapsed on vehicles and a tree fell over a parked taxi cab at RS Puram. A 22-member team attached to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) camped at Mettupalayam police station to attend rain-related emergencies.

Tamil Nadu: Woman, parents among 7 arrested in husband's murder

COIMBATORE: Seven people, including a woman and her parents, were arrested on Saturday for the murder of her 30-year-old husband who went missing in August last year. The probe revealed the murder was hatched as the man tortured his wife. The arrested have been identified as V Divya (24), her mother D Mariyaal (48), father R Devaraj (50), M Balaji (48), P Muthu (32), R Pounraj (53), A Deivandran (31). The arrest followed a police complaint filed by Divya herself, the wife of the murdered man, S Vadivel, on August 31, 2023. Vadivel, who was a goods autorickshaw driver, had married V Divya eight years ago. The couple had frequent quarrels as Divya questioned Vadivel for consuming liquor. However, Divya lodged a complaint in Avinashipalayam police station seeking to trace his missing husband, said police sources. As there was no progress in the probe, Vadivel's relatives approached the office of the District Superintendent Of Police, Tiruppur, seeking to find him. Still, there was no clue about the fate of Vadivel. Thereafter, his kin filed a habeas corpus petition at the Madras High Court seeking to present him before the court. However, a breakthrough in the probe came as the police found that Divya's mother Mariyaal had an illicit affair with one Balaji, a financier based in Usilampatti. Balaji used to visit Mariyaal. She told him her son-in-law was torturing her daughter Divya. Thereafter, the duo planned to murder Vadivel. Subsequently, with the help of Divya, her father Devaraj and Balaji's friends Muthu, Pounraj and Deivandran gave pesticide tablets to Vadivel and murdered him on August 25, 2023 by assaulting him with wooden logs. He was thrown into a well at Kovilpalayam on the Tirupur-Dharampuram road after wrapping his body in a tarpaulin. Vadivel's decomposed body was taken out from the well by the fire and rescue service personnel on Friday, nearly nine months after the murder. The body was sent for postmortem at the Tirupur Government Hospital. Avinashi Palayam Inspector Vijaya told TNIE that Balaji and Mariyaal confessed that they decided to murder Vadivel since he tortured Divya. The seven suspects have been remanded in judicial custody.

Awareness booklets distributed to students in Coimbatore

Awareness booklets distributed to students in Coimbatore - The Hindu

Awareness booklets distributed to students in Coimbatore The Hindu

Pleasant Weather Draws Crowds to Hyderabads Scenic Spots

HYDERABAD: With the weather turning pleasant, thousands of people flock to popular spots such as Golconda fort, Gandipet, Shilparamam, Durgam Cheruvu, Shamirpet, Public Gardens, NTR Park, Lumbini Park, Sanjeevaiah Park, and around Hussainsagar lake. Families were seen relaxing and taking photographs across Tank Bund, while yachting activities added to the scenic beauty of the lake. Street vendors also reported increased sales on this day. Boating and other water activities experienced long queues due to the summer vacation, with out-of-town visitors turning up in droves. Sumathi and Karivaradarajan from Coimbatore admired the Golconda fort and the pleasant climate, describing the city as beautiful with numerous places to explore. A group of friends from the city, Domnic Savio, Vijay, Vishwanath, Sunil, Ambrose, and Samson, rented a farmhouse in Moinabad.

Water flow issues of Trichy Road flyover in Coimbatore hit vehicle movement

FSSAI warns fruit dealers against ripening mangoes with harmful calcium carbide

NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has alerted traders, fruit handlers and Food Business Operators (FBOs) to strictly ensure compliance with the prohibition on calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits, particularly during the mango season. Calcium carbide, commonly used for ripening fruits like mangoes, releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus. Recently, FSSAI seized 575 kg of mangoes worth Rs 72,000 from fruit stalls in Coimbatore after they were found to have been ripened using ethylene sachets in an unapproved way. These substances, also known as masala, can cause serious health issues such as dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcers, etc. Additionally, acetylene gas is equally hazardous to those handling it. There is a chance that calcium carbide may come in direct contact with fruits during application and leave residues of arsenic and phosphorus on them. FSSAI also advised states' food safety departments and Union Territories to remain vigilant, take serious action, and deal stringently against those indulging in such unlawful practices as per the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006 and Rules/Regulations. Officials said that considering the dangers, using calcium carbide for ripening fruits has been banned under Regulation 2.3.5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. Nepal latest to ban Indian spice brands over safety concerns This regulation explicitly states, No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for sale under any description, fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas. Considering the rampant use of banned calcium carbide, FSSAI has permitted ethylene gas as a safer alternative for fruit ripening in India. Ethylene gas can be used at concentrations up to 100 ppm (100 l/L), depending upon the crop, variety and maturity. Ethylene, a naturally occurring hormone in fruits, regulates ripening by initiating and controlling a series of chemical and biochemical activities. Officials said that treating unripe fruits with ethylene gas triggers the natural ripening process until the fruit itself starts producing ethylene in substantial quantities. Further, the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) have approved Ethephon 39% SL for the uniform ripening of mangoes and other fruits. FSSAI has published a comprehensive guidance document that suggests that food business operators follow the procedure for artificially ripening fruits. FSSAI begins drive against all baby food cos to check compliance with norms This document outlines a standard operating procedure (SOP) incorporating all aspects of the artificial ripening of fruits by ethylene gas, viz. Restrictions, Requirements for Ethylene Ripening System/Chamber, handling conditions, sources of Ethylene Gas, Protocol for application of Ethylene gas from various sources, post-treatment operations, safety guidelines, etc. Officials also said that in case the consumers notice any use of calcium carbide or any wrong practice of using ripening agents for artificial fruit ripening, the same may be brought to the notice of concerned State Commissioners of Food Safety for taking action against such violators.

Coimbatore rain: SDRF team stationed, city areas inundated

Telangana: Karimnagar mans live-in partner decamps with Rs 16 lakh

Hyderabad: A businessman from Telangana was cheated of Rs. 16 lakhs by his live-in partner in Karimnagar. Nagaraj Yugi, a resident of Thimmapur village and mandal in Karimnagar district, is the victim who was living with his partner Priyanka in Coimbatore. The woman reportedly took-off with the money to Australia for a job, said the 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 .

Telangana: Live-in partner dupes man of Rs 16 lakh in Karimnagar

Hyderabad: A businessman was conned of Rs 16 lakh by his live-in partner in Karimnagar recently. Nagaraj Yugi, a resident of Thimmapur village and mandal in Karimnagar district of Telangana, went to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu a year ago for studies. He met Kamala Sandhya Priyanka, a native of Visakhapatnam. Both of them were in a 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 .

Sugar rush from Alangadu in Kerala

KOCHI: A sweet revolution is taking place on the banks of Periyar the revival of a once-forgotten crop. To rejuvenate sugarcane farming in the Periyar river basin and restore the prominence of Alangadan sharkara, the Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has established a jaggery production unit in Alangad. Till around 60 years ago, Alangad was known for its homegrown sugarcane and jaggery, which was even served in the feasts of royal families, says Shinoj Subrahmanian, principal scientist and head of KVK, Ernakulam. Due to high labour costs and lack of technological developments in farming, sugarcane disappeared from the regions agri-map, he adds. Today, most jaggeries available in Kerala come from outside the state. However, there is a high demand for homegrown, traditional varieties. For example, Marayoor sharkara. But Marayoor alone cannot meet the states demand, says Shinoj. This was what invariably led KVK to reintroduce and popularise Alangadan sharkara. Its primary goal is to produce chemical-free, high-quality jaggery and establish a branded marketing channel for jaggery from Alangad, potentially earning it a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in the future. The first set of sugarcane was planted in the 2022 November-December period and it was ready for harvest next December. KVK sourced CO86032, a high-yielding and disease-resistant sugarcane strain from ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore. Initially, farmers were reluctant. But as we presented the idea of a jaggery production unit, 11 farmers joined. More joined thereafter, Shinoj says. The team had also visited Marayoor to understand how to make jaggery the traditional way. The harvest started stage by stage during March-April. Its continuing even now. The unit, set up in February this year, with support from Alangad Co-operative Bank, has a capacity of 80kg per day. Currently, 25kg of jaggery is being made daily, he adds. With harvest and production in full swing, more farmers are keen to join the drive. The homegrown jaggery is now available for `180 per kg from the Alangad Co-op Bank.

Devotee loses gold ornaments at temple in TN, scammer on the run

COIMBATORE: The Anaimalai police in Coimbatore district on Thursday registered a case against a woman who befriended a woman devotee and stole about 13 sovereigns of gold ornaments from the latter at the Arulmigu Masaniamman Temple at Anaimalai. The case has been filed against Shanthi of Salem. The devotee who lost the valuables is Nagammal (67), wife of Thirupathi of Gandhi Nagar at Achampathu in Madurai. Police said Nagammal, a daily wage labourer, visited a temple at Kanakkanpatti on May 8 morning. Shanthi befriended Nagammal and another devotee, Seetha, at the temple and invited them to visit a private yoga centre in Coimbatore district. Believing her words, Nagammal and Seetha visited the centre along with Shanthi. Later, they visited Masaniamman temple at Anaimalai in Coimbatore district around 5 pm on the same day. After offering prayers at the temple, they slept near the second gate of the temple around 9 pm. Before that Shanthi asked Nagammal to remove her gold jewels and put it in her bag for safety. Nagammal kept the bag under her head and slept. The next day around 9 am, Nagammal and Seetha woke up and found the bag containing five sovereigns of gold chain, six sovereigns of gold bangles and two sovereigns of gold rings missing. Shanthi was not to be seen. Nagammal and Seetha launched a search at the temple and surrounding areas in Anaimalai and they couldnot trace the woman. Nagammal complained to Anaimalai police who registered a case against the suspect under Section 379 of IPC on Thursday night. Police said they have collected CCTV footage of the suspected woman and formed a special team to nab her.

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.

40 rescued in Kovai escort services crackdown

COIMBATORE: A police crackdown on escort services is on in Coimbatore city. More than 40 women have been rescued from the cartel running the racket in the last one month. Based on their statements, the Coimbatore city police in the last fortnight arrested a dozen middlemen who allegedly brought them to the illegal activity. Most of the rescued women are aged between 18 and 25. They are either students or employees. The city police have formed special teams and have intensified investigation following complaints on an increase in escort services from spas and massage centres. They are monitoring unauthorised accommodations including service apartments. The investigation revealed many young women were lured into it with promises of financial gain, said a senior officer. The middlemen involved in sex rackets in the city are now under police scrutiny. They attract customers through social media and websites and take various steps to avoid police surveillance. We could detect them through decoy operations in many places. Serviced apartments have proliferated without any restrictions, facilitating their anti-social activities. We are working to frame some guidelines for service apartments and unregistered stay areas from the perspective of crime prevention and plan to bring them under regular surveillance, said R Stalin, deputy commissioner, Coimbatore City (North). He added that as a few rescued victims faced bad experiences, steps are being taken to guide the rescued women to lead normal life through proper counselling. City police commissioner V Balakrishnan said some brokers have been targeting economically weak young women. During the investigation, we learned they even had lists of students who could not pay their fees. We have intensified surveillance for the safety of women, he asserted.

Felix arrested, remanded in Coimbatore jail till May 31

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore city cyber crime police produced YouTuber G Felix Gerald of RedPix before the Coimbatore court from Tiruchy and on Friday lodged him in the Coimbatore central prison. Gerald was arrested by the Tiruchy district cyber crime police from Noida on May 10 and remanded in the Tiruchy central prison on Monday. Geralds arrest came in connection with an interview on his channel with YouTuber Savukku Shankar in which the latter spoke in an objectionable manner about senior police officers and women police personnel. On May 3, the Coimbatore cyber crime police booked a case against Shankar and RedPix channel. It was the first case against them and police subsequently arrested Shankar on May 4. On Wednesday, police formally arrested Gerald in the first case registered by the Coimbatore cyber crime police. After submitting a prisoner transit warrant at the Tiruchy central prison, he was brought to Coimbatore and produced before the Judicial Magistrate court, sources said. Following the hearing, Judge VL Santhosh sent him to judicial remand till May 31. Women police personnel escorted Gerald from Tiruchy, said sources.

Kovai colleges disregard rules, bar NIOS students

COIMBATORE: Students who have completed their class 12 education through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), which is an autonomous institution under Ministry of Education, face immense difficulties in securing admission to private arts and science colleges affiliated to Bharathiar University in Coimbatore. Students alleged that colleges refused admission citing lack of equivalence certificates and other reasons. A student, C Murali at Selvapuram in the city, told TNIE, After completing an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) course in Chennai, I studied for class 12 at a tutorial centre in the city through the NIOS mode. I secured 459 marks out of 600 in the Science group in the class 12 exam last year. But I was denied admission to a private arts and science college on Pollachi Road when I applied for the BSc Computer Science course because I had studied through NIOS. Subsequently, I tried in another college, where the administrative officials told me that an equivalence certificate must be provided by the school education department. When I visited the Chief Education Office seeking an equivalence certificate, officers said that they do not have the power to issue this certificate. I appealed to the Bharathiar University regarding the matter, but university officers did not respond to it.Many NIOS students like me are struggling to get seat in colleges, Murali added. Another student, S Kabeer (name changed) in Coimbatore city, told TNIE, The managing authorities of a college located at Kovaipudur asked for an equivalence certificate for admission. I looked for information on this certificate on the official website of NIOS, Chennai, but to my shock there were no important Government Orders on the site. Recently, I went to Palakkad in Kerala and got a seat at a private college, he said. An officer from an NIOS Coaching Academy in Coimbatore told TNIE, As per the norm, colleges should give seats to students who studied in NIOS for higher studies. There is no need to submit an equivalence certificate. However, a few top colleges in Coimbatore refuse admission to NIOS students citing various reasons. To remedy this, the higher education department should release a fresh circular regarding admission of NIOS students, the officer added. When asked about it, Bharathiar University registrar (in-charge) Rupa Gunasekaran told TNIE that colleges should have given them seats and that denying admission is discrimination. We will issue an official circular to all the affiliated colleges soon ordering that they should admit NIOS students as per the G.O. Students who are struggling to get seats in colleges can contact the registrars office, she said.

Former Coimbatore mayor dies at 74

Savukku Shankar taken back to Coimbatore central prison

Savukku Shankar taken back to Coimbatore central prison - The Hindu

Savukku Shankar taken back to Coimbatore central prison The Hindu

Extreme poverty in rural areas largely conquered: Dr Arvind Panagariya at CII Summit

Extreme poverty in rural areas largely conquered: Dr Arvind Panagariya at CII Summit Dr Arvind Panagariya, chairman of the 16th Finance Commission of India, delivered an address at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit 2024 on Friday, highlighting significant strides in overcoming extreme poverty concentrated in rural areas. Extreme poverty concentrated in the rural areas has been largely conquered and the growth prospects are excellent, said Panagariya, during the plenary session on Future of Economic Transformation: Integrating Rural and Urban Economies at the CII Summit. The summit, themed 'Co-creating the Future Responsibly: Role of Business,' brought together leaders and experts to discuss the future of India's economic landscape. Panagariya emphasized the importance of creating pathways to integrate the rural workforce into larger enterprises and urban economies. It is important to create pathways for the movement of rural workforce into larger enterprises and connect them to the urban space. To transform rural economies, it is important to enhance the productivity of rural workforce by reallocation of rural labour into other sectors, urbanise rural habitats and create enterprises which are employment intensive in rural India, he stated. The summit also featured insights from Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General of the African Asian Rural Development Organization. Dr Nardeosingh highlighted the increasing interest of African nations in India's development model, particularly following the successful G20 summit. He expressed a keen desire for Indian industries to invest in technology transfer to bolster rural economies across Africa. Nardeosingh, All countries in the African continent are looking towards India especially after the success of G20 summit. African nations are keen to invite the Indian industry to investment in technology transfer in rural areas which comprise a large part of their economies. Dr Nandini Rangaswamy, Chairperson and Founder Trustee of GRG Institutions, Coimbatore, and Managing Director of Chandra Group of Companies, Coimbatore, underscored the critical role of education in rural transformation. She stressed the need for robust infrastructure and policy frameworks, alongside essential services such as healthcare, clean water, and technology, to improve the overall quality of life in rural areas. Surabhi Yadav, Co-Founder of Sajhe Sapne, advocated for the ruralization of businesses. She emphasized fostering a sense of partnership between rural and urban economies to create sustainable growth. The session focused on how India can stimulate its rural economy, making it a vibrant and dynamic contributor to national growth through innovative strategies, collaborative models, and supportive policy frameworks. Setting the context for the summit, Sanjiv Puri, President Designate of CII, highlighted the significance of the rural economy. He pointed out that rural areas are crucial as sources of raw materials for food production and provide a young, dynamic workforce. The rural and urban economies need to grow synergistically for people to actualize their potential within the rural economy, he stated, emphasizing the potential for growth across agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors. (ANI)

Drug-peddlers arrested in Coimbatore district

Rain provides respite from heat in Tiruppur, Coimbatore

Bus drivers subjected to breath-analyser tests at Gandhipuram bus stand in Coimbatore

Tangedco resumes maintenance works ahead of monsoon in Coimbatore

Certus Capital Pledges Rs 125 Cr for Chennai's Next Big Residential Venture

Certus Capital Pledges Rs 125 Cr for Chennai's Next Big Residential Venture Institutional real estate investment firm Certus Capital would invest Rs 125 crore for an upcoming residential project in Chennai undertaken by realty developer Casagrand through secure bonds platform Earnnest.me, the company said on Friday. The investment of Rs 125 crore by Certus Capital, is part of its vision to invest Rs 1,000 crore in secured credit in the real estate sector by FY25. Realty developer Casagrand has delivered more than 19 million sq ft across 100 plus projects in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Coimbatore. The investment, in the form of secured debentures, offers 15 per cent fixed return with significant principal cover through underlying cash flows, a company statement said here. ''Our investment with Casagrand is aligned with our goal to create an alternative capital channel for the real estate industry while providing attractive investment opportunities for investors in real estate projects backed by developers with proven track records.'' Certus Capital Founder Ashish Khandella said. ''At Earnnest.me, we will continue to offer carefully selected and diligenced investment opportunities. Our larger vision is to play the role of a dominant market maker in developing real estate debt capital markets,'' he added.

Zoomcar Plans to Add 20,000 Additional Cars by 2025

Zoomcar Plans to Add 20,000 Additional Cars by 2025 BusinessWire India Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 17: Zoomcar Holdings, Inc. (oomcar or the Company) (Nasdaq: ZCAR), the NASDAQ-listed leading marketplace for self-drive car sharing, has pumped up their efforts to help local car Hosts add more cars to grow their micro businesses on Zoomcar. Through synergistic partnerships with industry leaders such as CARS24, ACKO Drive, Spinny, and Droom, Zoomcar is making car sharing more convenient and cost-effective with customised offers on car buying and financing. Zoomcar's car-sharing business model has opened up opportunities for micro-entrepreneurship to car owners where they can Host their car to earn instant income by sharing it on Zoomcar where more than 10M verified guests book their cars for their travel needs. On average Zoomcar Hosts earn up to Rs 7L per year with one car, which varies by car models and car quality. As of Q3 2023, Zoomcar Hosts earned approximately USD 4 million, marking a significant milestone in providing financial stability to individuals from diverse backgrounds. In the past few months, Zoomcar announced partnerships with industry leaders to boost car buying for new and existing Hosts. With CARS24, Zoomcar Hosts get an exclusive offer of up to Rs 1,00,000 off along with special benefits of Rs 20,000 on certified pre-owned car purchases. ACKO Drive is facilitating savings of up to Rs 85,000 exclusively on buying new cars coupled with enticing incentives on car financing, featuring instant loan approval and expedited car delivery, among other perks. Building on this success, Zoomcar extended these unique offers to their community of over 25,000 Hosts, with 2000+ Hosts showing immediate interest in purchasing additional vehicles within the next 1-2 months. The overwhelming response from Zoomcar Hosts underscores the resonance of these collaborations within the community. While the guest community is growing at a fast pace with over 85 per cent of users giving a 4.5+ star rating for their bookings, Zoomcar is poised to further expand its platform, targeting an addition of over 5000 cars by the end of FY24, and over 20,000 cars by the end of FY2025 to aid the growing demand. Naveen Jain, a multicar Host on Zoomcar from Ahmedabad, added 1 more car to the platform from CARS24 said, My Zoomcar experience has been fantastic. After listing my Baleno six months ago, I quickly earned nearly 1.5 lakh with numerous bookings. This success encouraged me to expand my fleet and when I heard about Zoomcar's partnership with CARS24 along with the extra discounts & benefits, I wasted no time. Upon test driving, I immediately fell for a premium car, swiftly purchasing it in a day. Dharmaraj from Coimbatore, another multicar Host on Zoomcar adds, It's been over a year now since I started Hosting cars, and during this time, I discovered a simple way to double my earnings: by Hosting more cars. Adding another car through CARS24 was hassle-free and straightforward and became a no-brainer when I found out about the Zero down payment offer. With this in mind, I've decided to expand my listings to include a Baleno as well, thereby increasing my potential income. Commenting on the success of the partnerships, Greg Moran, Co-founder & CEO at Zoomcar, said We want to make Hosting a car on Zoomcar as popular as booking a car on Zoomcar. Our strategic partnerships with industry players have been instrumental in driving growth and success for our Hosts. We are committed to providing them with the best opportunities to expand their business and increase earnings while aiming to add over 20,000 cars to our platform by fiscal year 2025. Zoomcar's partnership tie-ups are enhancing earnings for Hosts and also offering avenues for expanding their fleets, promoting economic stability, and fostering entrepreneurial spirit within communities. They not only address the Hosts' need for affordable and reliable vehicles but also pave the way for sustainable car-sharing solutions. By joining Zoomcar as a Host, individuals embrace a future characterised by growth, innovation, and prosperity. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Zoomcar is a leading marketplace for car sharing focused on emerging markets. The Zoomcar community connects Hosts with guests who choose from a selection of cars for use at affordable prices, promoting sustainable, smart transportation solutions in growing markets. Forward Looking Statement: This press release may contain forward-looking statements about our plans, efforts, projections, goals, assumptions, commitments, expectations, or prospects arising out of the listed alliances. These forward-looking statements reflect our management's current expectations from these partnerships and these statements entail significant risk and uncertainty. To identify these forward-looking statements, we use terms such as may, will, aim, extend, increase, estimate, intend, arget, continue, expand, grow, elieve, elevate, uild , driving or enhance, encourage or the negatives thereof, as well as other variations or comparable terminology. We ask that you read statements that contain these terms carefully because we believe this information is important for our investors and customers. Any forward-looking statement in this press release refers solely to what is accurate as of the day it is issued or based on assumptions that Zoomcar believes to be reasonable. The actual results and outcomes may materially differ due to various factors or events beyond our control which may not be foreseeable at all times. We cannot guarantee or assure any plan, initiative, projection, goal, assumption, commitment, expectation, or prospect set forth in this press release can or will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to alter or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, save and except as required by law. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

Coimbatores Boxed by Butterquenelle has upscale fusion food and a lively vibe

Coimbatore's Boxed by Butterquenelle has upscale fusion food and a lively vibe - The Hindu

Coimbatore's Boxed by Butterquenelle has upscale fusion food and a lively vibe The Hindu

Coimbatore gets a taste of the beach at The Living Rooms summer party

The Living Rooms party has tropical music, cocktails and Sunda Kanji you wont forget

This DIY Vetiver Cooling Fan in Coimbatore promises to reduce your carbon footprint

Arun Rajeevs commitment to sustainable living has led to the creation of an eco-friendly cooling solution - the Vetiver Cooler Fan

Tamil Nadu: Mystery drug bust keeps police guessing

Thondamuthur police on Wednesday arrested a gang of six Assam native workers, including two women, for allegedly smuggling and selling a narcotic substance which is yet to be identified. This is the third such drug bust in the locality in the last nine months, yet police have not been able to find out what type of drug it is. Workers from Assam and other north eastern states work in betel nut processing industries in Thondamuthur. Police arrested Ashma Kha Tun (40) wife of Noorjahan Ismail. Along with her, Jahura Kha Tun (29), her husband E Idrish Ali (29), A Khudija Kha Tun (37), her husband M Ali Hussain (48) and her younger brother K Rafibul Islam (24). They were natives of Rubali in the Nagaon district of Assam who stay on Valayankuttai Road. They were booked under sections 8(c), 22(b), 25 and 29 (i) of the Narcotic-Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and remanded to the prison. Police said the men smuggled the substance to Coimbatore by train but the women packed and sold it. The prime suspect Ashma was arrested in September 2023, but she secured bail within a month and continued the drug trade in the locality but police failed to sense it. Only after their sources alerted them police arrested the gang on Wednesday. Around 10 grams of the drug filled in 70 vials were seized. Since police did not know the narcotic type, the substance was mentioned as 'high-grade drug' in the statement, and put its value as Rs 2.10 lakh, based on the suspect's statement. Police said the pink and white powder that can be diluted is filled in vials and sold for Rs 250 -300 per 12 mg. As the original powder has a mild brown colour, they called it brown powder. Post the first bust in 2023, we sent samples for analysis to a lab in Chennai. The test results are yet to be received, said a officer in the district police. The officer added that as per the unofficial declaration given by the forensic science experts, the drug was mix of opium and third-grade brown sugar. We do not have any information about the drug, or its effects. Once we find out what it is we cam take strong action against the peddlers. We cannot lead the legal proceedings without knowing the drug's name, the officer added.

Run spl train to Tiruchendur for Vaikasi Visakam festival: Vanathi Srinivasan

COIMBATORE: The Southern Railways has been urged to introduce Coimbatore-Tiruchendur special train in view of the Vaikasi Visakam festival on which Lord Murugan's birthday is marked. In a letter to the Southern Railway General Manager RN Singh, Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan requested a special train on May 22 to facilitate smooth travel for devotees. The festival is being celebrated with great fervour in the Tiruchendur region, attracting a large number of devotees from across the state including Coimbatore. The existing train services are inadequate to accommodate the surge in passengers during this period, but the operation of a special train to Tiruchendur is necessary. Pollachi MLA V Jayaraman said Introducing the train to Tiruchendur via Kinathukkadavu and Pollachi railway stations would greatly benefit the people of my constituency as a large number of people would be attending the festival at the temple. The special train should be operated from May 17 to May 25 and it would be helpful to reduce the burden of the existing trains and provide additional travel options for passengers. Welfare Association of Rail Passengers (Coimbatore-Pollachi-Palani-Dindigul) President S Devadass wanted the special train to be operated on May 22.

Madras HC bins anticipatory bail petition of Gerald

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed an anticipatory bail application filed by YouTuber G Felix Gerald of RedPix as infructuous in view of the fact that he was already arrested in connection with the cases on telecasting the controversial interview of Savukku Shankar, who allegedly made derogatory statements against women police personnel. When the application came up for hearing before Justice R Sakthivel, Additional Public Prosecutor R Muniapparaj submitted the police had registered cases against Gerald at Tiruchy and Coimbatore. He was arrested by the Tiruchy police on May 10 at Noida in Delhi and brought him back before remanding him in judicial custody. Subsequently, the Coimbatore police made the formal arrest by serving him the warrant at the prison. Recording the submission, the judge dismissed the pre-arrest bail application as infructuous. Appeal to CM Meanwhile, Jane Austin, Geralds wife, on Thursday, appealed to Chief Minister MK Stalin to withdraw the cases filed against Gerald and do the needful for his release from prison. In a representation submitted to the Chief Ministers Special Cell at the secretariat, Austin pointed out that Gerald did not record the interview of Sankar with any ulterior motive and that he had no intention to insult officials of the police department or women personnel. Further, she highlighted that the video concerned has been removed from the public domain and on behalf of RedPix channel.

Shankar in Tiruchy cyber cops custody for a day

TIRUCHY: The additional mahila court on Thursday granted the district cyber crime police one days custody of YouTuber Savukku Shankar, who is in judicial remand, for inquiries in connection with a case on his alleged derogatory remarks against women police personnel. Shankar, who was already arrested by the Coimbatore police and lodged in a jail over his alleged slander, was booked separately by the Tiruchy district cyber crime police and produced before the Tiruchy court on Wednesday. The court then ordered for his judicial custody till May 28 and also adjourned to Thursday the hearing on a petition filed by the police seeking his custody for interrogation. On Thursday, Shankar, who was lodged in the Lalgudi sub-jail, was produced before additional mahila court magistrate D Jeyapradha. After hearing both sides, the magistrate granted the Tiruchy district cyber crime police one days custody of Shankar and ordered them to produce him in court at 4 pm on Friday. Meanwhile, the principal special court for EC and NDPS Act Cases in Madurai adjourned a bail petition moved by Shankar to May 20. When he was produced before the court on May 8 in connection with a ganja case booked against him by police in Theni district, he was remanded in judicial custody by the court till May 22. In this circumstance, Shankars counsel had moved a bail petition, which has been adjourned.

Coimbatore: Police to up surveillance in two-wheeler theft hotspots

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore city police have identified two-wheeler theft hotspots that witnessed several such cases in the last five months. These hotspots will be geo-tagged for the analysis of theft patterns and to strengthen police surveillance. To help the victims of bike theft cases, the city police have been issuing Non-Traceable Certificates (NTC) to vehicle owners as soon as possible if their stolen vehicles are not recovered within six months. This enables owners to proceed with insurance claims. R Stalin, Deputy Commissioner of the Police (Coimbatore North) said, We have registered more than 200 bike-theft cases this year and most of the cases were reported at a few places in the city such as Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) area and a few places on Avinashi Road - a stretch between Peelamedu and Hope College. A few more places are yet to be added to the list, he said. These hotspots have been geo-tagged. We frequently feed the details of the crime reported in a particular area to analyse the crime pattern and intensify CCTV monitoring of such places. Usually, the crime patterns help police to trace the offenders easily. So far we did not have any specified group of bike-lifters in the city and most of them were arrested. Some outsiders from the Southern districts continued to lift bikes and escape from the city. As locating them is a challenge, we took these measures, he said. Also, the police sources said they have decided to place dummy bikes with GPS trackers to locate and catch the miscreants involved in the bike thefts.

Elephant corridor draft includes 57 villages, unacceptable: Tamil Nadu Farmers Association

COIMBATORE: The Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam has opposed the draft elephant corridor plan released by the forest department recently. It demanded the withdrawal of the report and threatened protests otherwise. Addressing media persons on Thursday, associations president S Palanisamy urged the state government to withdraw the report saying it would affect farmers living along the western ghats. The TN government and the forest department has published a 161-page report in English to identify the elephant routes and establish a migration path. The report could be published in Tamil when the CM had passed a resolution in the Assembly to publish advertisements in Tamil, he said. He said the report identifies 42 elephant routes in Coimbatore and said it was unacceptable as 57 villages fall in the corridor. Further, he said the forest department was acting unilaterally without consulting farmers and plans to acquire more than 520 acres of farm lands in Mettupalayam, Sirumugai, Karamadai, Boluvampatti, Periyanaickenpalayam in Coimbatore for the elephant route. In Madukkarai, more than 40 wild elephants have been hit by trains and died. The forest department has not removed luxury hotels, educational institutes, etc., he said.

Bengaluru: No pre-paid facility at Cantonment railway station, auto drivers loot pax

BENGALURU: With the pre-paid auto and taxi facility at Cantonment Railway Station closed to facilitate massive redevelopment work, passengers alighting here are completely at the mercy of auto drivers. The old cubicle near the main entry (PF-1) for pre-paid service stands partially demolished due to construction work. Its been a month since a small temporary room was built, but is yet to start operations. The back entry (PF-2) does not have pre-paid facility. An average of 55 pairs of trains, including long-distance ones, pass through the station each day, with close to 30,000 passengers using it. Autodrivers appear to have formed a cartel, with a fixed starting rate of Rs 200 for any destination, and have done away with the meter. A family of four from Coimbatore alighted at the station from the Lokamanya Tilak Express and wanted to reach Shivajinagar, just about 1km away. The driver demanded Rs 300. Satish, a businessman, told TNIE, We have always paid only Rs 80. We argued with him and he finally relented and agreed for Rs 150. But for our luggage, we could have walked. They tried booking an Ola cab which would cost them Rs 170, but the cab driver cancelled the ride, and they decided to walk till the main road to hail a regular auto. Mohammed Arif, a painter, had to rush to Gowripalya urgently, and was checking the auto rates. Everyone was demanding Rs 200. Normally, I walk to Shivajinagar and pay Rs 15 for a bus to Gowripalya. I was in real hurry and tried to get an auto, but Rs 200 is a huge amount for me, he said. Navya and her mother, who arrived by the Jolarpettai Passenger, agreed to dole out Rs 200 to go to Vinayaknagar. The actual rate is Rs 120, Navya fretted. Many passengers, on hearing the rates, tried to hurriedly book a trip through any cab aggregator but only some were successful. A Government Railway Police (GRP) cop said, The pre-paid system was closed three months ago. I have been hearing for some time that a new counter will open. I am also waiting for it. Neither Railway Protection Force nor GRP cops showed any interest in helping passengers in the face of such extortion. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Bengaluru Division, Krishna Chaitanya told TNIE, The pre-paid system will be ready in a week. A senior RPF official, too, said steps are being taken to start a new system soon.

Bengaluru: Air Concourse, UG parking at Cantonment railway station

BENGALURU: Two levels of underground parking that can house 500 cars, a novel lengthy concourse that will run above the railway tracks, separate Arrival and Departure zones on the lines of an airport, are among the unique features that will find place in the redevelopment of the Bengaluru Cantonment railway station. The Constructions Division of South Western Railway (SWR) is carrying out the redevelopment work at cost of Rs 480 crore. The fully redone front and back entries and the air-conditioned station building are scheduled to open by October 2025. Chief Engineer, Constructions, SWR, Ramesh Kambli told, For the past few months, we were busy shifting and relocating existing structures. The actual work has commenced recently, and we have completed upto 15% of the stations civil work. Excavation work in connection with the parking lot is presently on at the stations main entry (Coles Road side). There will be two levels of underground parking, as well as ground level parking lot for vehicles at both the entries. A total of 500 four wheelers and 500 two-wheelers can be parked in these parking lots. Utility shifting of electricity wires and water supply lines are in progress now, he said. Another unique feature is that the entire station covering both the sides, will be fully roofed, and will present an appearance as one structure, Kambli said. To better utilise the prime area where the Cantonment railway station is located, 136 metre-long concourse that is at least 30 metre-wide, will also be built. We call it as an Air Concourse, as gives an illusion of is standing in the air. This will be the first time it is being attempted in the SWR. The concourse will be above the railway track that runs along the station premises. A waiting area with amenities and an entertainment centre, will also come up in the future, he explained. As of now, the new platforms 1B,1C, 1D and 1E have been opened, and some DEMU/MEMU services that run to the suburban parts of the city as well as the Vande Bharat Express to Coimbatore have been shifted here. Two new FOBs will come up, which will be accessibly by lifts, escalator and stairs. The FOBs will run as wide as 12 metres, and will be spaced along the length of the platform. The present FOB running 2 metres wide will be demolished and rebuilt, added the chief engineer. One end of the newly built platforms will have a Foot Over Bridge that will connect it along the Bamboo Bazaar side. This is being built by the BMRCL. The BBMP FOB in front of the main entry, needs to be shifted elsewhere as it is presently obstructing the work being undertaken here, and the Constructions Division has written to the BBMP Chief Engineer, Roads, to shift the FOB immediately.

Tamil Nadu: Colleges deny admission to trans woman, want her to dress up as man

COIMBATORE: D Ajitha (20), a trans woman, faced rejection from about a dozen colleges during admission when she refused to heed to their demand to dress like a man. Undeterred, she finally got accepted into one without having to compromise on her principles. I approached 10 private colleges through phone calls, and also directly went to four colleges on Avinashi Road, seeking admission. But they bluntly said they cannot take me in. In fact, two colleges offered me hope but reneged later. All the colleges listed several reasons for denying me admission. One of the main reasons cited was that they cannot afford to create special infrastructure like toilets for trans persons, Ajitha told TNIE . A resident of Singanallur, Ajitha studied in the corporation school at Vadakovai and secured 373 marks in Class XII. Her father Durai, who worked as revenue inspector in Pollachi, died before she was born. Her mother Jayakodi works as a sanitation labourer in the armed reserve police unit camp in the city. Even as other institutions closed the doors on her, the Kongunadu Arts and Science College gave her admission in BSc psychology. The college will bear the expenses of her education till the duration of the course. Whats more, the college management is constructing a separate toilet for trans persons. The work will be completed in two days. R Saravanamoorthy, academic coordinator of Kongunadu Arts & Science College said, Since the transgender community is neglected in many ways, our secretary A Vasuki wanted to give admission to students from the community. She has instructed us to provide free admission to them if they approach us. Along with Ajitha, we have given free admission to another trans woman from Bengaluru in BBA (CA) this year. Four trans persons are working in the institution in various posts. Kongunadu College offered me admission before I went to other colleges. But I hesitated because of the distance I have to travel from my house to the college every day, Ajitha said. I wish no other transgender person is treated in this manner by higher education institutions in future in Coimbatore, which is popular for its standards of education, she added. Ajitha said she spotted several transgender people studying in the colleges she had approached, but they identified themselves as men. Many trans persons were studying in the other co-education colleges wearing male attire. They were accepted indirectly. But they saw my girl attire, and refused. I did not compromise on it as dressing is my right. After seeing news on social media that I was given admission by Kongunadu College, three colleges approached me saying they were ready to give me admission. But I rejected their offers, Ajitha said. She wants to pursue UPSC and become an IPS officer. Ajitha hopes her struggle would open the doors of higher education to people like her. Speaking to TNIE, the principal of a college on Avinashi Road that denied Ajitha admission said, Our college has no trans gender students nor do we have facilities like separate toilets for trans persons. So far, no trans person has approached us for admission. If anyone approaches, it will be taken into consideration after talking to the management. The public relations officer of a womens college in Vadakovai said, We are ready to provide admission to trans persons based on their merit if they approach us. This particular student had approached us and we told her to wait for a few days since we needed to check her marks. But she did not turn up. He added there were no transgender students in the institution, neither was a separate toilet built for them so far.

Coimbatore man gets five years rigorous imprisonment for sexual assault on minor girl - The Hindu

Coimbatore man gets five years rigorous imprisonment for sexual assault on minor girl The Hindu

Coimbatore City Police inspector dies of cardiac arrest in Theni

Police bust drug trade in Coimbatore city, Thondamuthur; seize methamphetamine, prescription tablets

32,300 metric tonnes of copra procurement target set for Coimbatore district

Dead fish float near Coimbatores Madukkarai check dam

A TNPCB official cited the sudden influx of water as a possible cause for the decrease in oxygen levels, which can adversely impact aquatic life

Pilgrims continue to discard clothes in stream in Vellingiri hills near Coimbatore

Heavy to very heavy rain likely to pour in several districts of Tamil Nadu till May 20

CHENNAI: The regional meteorological centre on Thursday said that heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts till May 19. It also gave the same forecast for Thoothukudi and Theni on Friday; Theni, Coimbatore and The Nilgiris on Saturday and Sunday, and Dindigul on Sunday. The centre also added that isolated heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy rain at one or two places is likely to occur over the Ghat areas of Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Dindigul, and Theni, districts. Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi on May 20. According to the forecast, heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Virudhunagar, Madurai, Pudukkottai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruppur, and Erode districts and Karaikal area. It is also likely to rain in Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul, Coimbatore, the Nilgiris on Friday, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Namakkal, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Dindigul on Saturday and Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal and Karur on Sunday. A father-daughter duo holds an umbrella while travelling on two-wheeler in Pondicherry on Thursday. As far as the general forecast, it said that light to moderate rain at many places with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph at one or two places is likely to occur over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal area till May 20. The maximum temperature is likely to fall gradually by 3-4C at many places for the next five days and it will be below normal to normal in most parts. In Chennai, the maximum temperature is likely to be around 29C and the minimum temperature is likely to be 26-27C on Friday. While sky conditions will be cloudy, moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur in some areas. In the 24 hours ending on Thursday morning, Pattukkottai in Thanjavur district registered the highest of 16 cm of rain, Singampunari in Sivagangai district 14 cm and Mannargudi in Thiruvarur 13 cm. Chennai and suburban areas also received widespread rains on Thursday.

Leaders call for accountability and reform after Ghatkopar hoarding collapse

On May 13, a 120x120-foot hoarding collapsed on a petrol pump at Chheda Nagar in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, due to a dust storm and unseasonal rains. As per reports , the hoarding allegedly weighed 250 tonnes and killed at least 16 people while 75 others were injured. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai's civic body, the hoarding was erected by Ego Media without its permission and stood on the Government Railway Police's (GRP) land. As per a report by CNBC-TV18 , the body has initiated an audit of all billboards across Mumbai, with the removal of illegal structures underway. Sudhakar Shinde, Additional Commissioner, BMC, told the news channel that neither the police nor the advertising agency sought permission from the BMC. Following the collapse, the BMC has also issued notices to the Central Railway and the Western Railway administrations to remove oversized hoardings erected on their land. As per a release , the notices have been issued under Section 30 (2) (V) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, for the removal of hoardings above 40 x 40 feet in size. Additionally, Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of Ego Media, is facing charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Moreover, Bhinde already has more than 20 cases against him, as per police records. This is not the first time an illegal hoarding has caused tragedies in various cities across India. In June 2019, a pedestrian was seriously injured and later succumbed to injuries after being hit by a cement hoarding sheet outside Churchgate station in Mumbai amid a cyclone formation. The same day, a heavy acrylic hoarding collapsed from a skywalk, injuring three women pedestrians in Bandra West. Similarly, Coimbatore witnessed the death of three workers as a massive hoarding collapsed during erection due to sudden gusts of wind and rain in June 2023. There have been similar cases of hoardings crashing during weather disruptions in Bengaluru and Pune. Amid this, leaders in the advertising and marketing (A&M) industry believe this unfortunate incident should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to dismantle illegal structures and conduct thorough structural audits of existing hoardings. Onus on authorities & media owners Atul Shrivastava , Group CEO, Laqshya Media Group emphasizes the need to curb illegal media proliferation by enforcing authorities' guidelines. He continues, Being short-term players, illegal media owners dont take adequate precautions. Each and every unit must adhere to local regulations and safety norms with the provision of regular audits. While OOH has much larger elements than just billboards, Shrivastava mentions that it is the responsibility of the media-owning company to adhere to safety standards to ensure the safety of structures. He highlights the rigorous process of ensuring safety in outdoor advertising. There is the complete process of Soil testing, structural engineer-approved drawing and design, material specification, proper maintenance, and structural audits at regular intervals. Digital billboards are definitely a different cult. They require much bigger investments so short-term players or illegal media owners dont enter this space. Ashish Bhasin , Founder, The Bhasin Consulting Group holds the vendor of the hoarding as well as the authorities responsible for the structure. In Mumbai city, you cannot put up hoardings unless they have all the requisite approvals, sanctions and regular check-ups from the authorities. Thus, the onus to ensure stability of structures and legality would rest with the vendor or the license holder and the relevant authorities from the Municipal bodies to railway authorities or private landowners, according to him. What should happen now? Prabhakar Mundkur, Brand & Leadership Consultant mentions three parties who are responsible for the incident. The owner of the property on which the hoarding stands, the media company that has erected the hoarding and the BMC which has jurisdiction over all properties in the city. The BMC must give a stability certificate for every hoarding. This is how the BMC owns the responsibility for every hoarding, Mundkur states and continues, I feel that if there is injury or death because of illegal construction of a hoarding all three parties are responsible. Mundkur also asserts that it is their job to lay down guidelines and ensure the safety of citizens and that hoardings are in consonance with the development plan of the city and are safe for the citizens of our city. The only way to ensure discipline in the country is to make sure that the penalties for breaking the law are so high that no one would dare to break the law. Naresh Gupta , Co- Founder & CSO, Bang In The Middle if of the opinion that the media owner takes full responsibility of legality of the outdoor site. Not only a hazard to the citizens of the country, illegal hoardings could cause trouble for brands advertising on the medium. With regard to this, Gupta states, The brands often ask about compliances, and it is expected that the media owner has all the clearances. This is also important as there is GST payable on the rental. Additionally, he suggests that brands should hold media owners accountable. I would think that all brands force the media owners to certain terms that binds them to pay damages to brands in case of mishaps or discovery of wrong doings. This is something that outdoor agencies should take up on an urgent basis. Consolidation of OOH sector & better investments The out-of-home advertising sector has typically been an unorganised sector in India. While this issue may not directly involve brands or out-of-home (OOH) agencies, Bhasin says that it is a wake-up call for authorities to dismantle illegal structures and conduct thorough structural audits of existing hoardings. Bhasin comments, Some of the biggest offenders often turn out to be political parties, particularly due to elections where they put up holdings and banners anywhere, that needs to stop. With better coordination between various authorities to maintain accountability, he hopes that over a period of time, consolidation will takes place with investments in good-quality structures since the medium has a huge potential. Bhasin also mentions, This incident could prompt positive change, where clear licensing processes and streamlined regulations could attract international companies, leading to greater transparency, consolidation, and higher quality standards in the industry. Following the incident, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has promised INR 5 lakh to the families of each deceased victim and free treatment to all the injured provided by the government and has instructed the Mumbai Municipal Corporation to audit and remove all unauthorised and dangerous hoardings as soon as possible. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also asserted that there will be an investigation regarding the permissions involved and that strict action will be taken against them. The recent tragedy emphasises the urgent need for authorities to crack down on illegal hoardings and conduct thorough safety audits, as all the authorities involved share responsibility for the trouble caused to the citizens.

Pricol Reports Strong Q4 Financials with Consolidated Net Profit of Rs 41.50 Crore

Pricol Reports Strong Q4 Financials with Consolidated Net Profit of Rs 41.50 Crore Pricol Ltd has reported a consolidated profit after tax for the January-March 2024 quarter at Rs 41.50 crore, the company said on Thursday. The Coimbatore-based auto component manufacturer had registered a net profit of Rs 29.80 crore, during the corresponding period of last year. For the financial year ending March 31, 2024 the net profit stood at Rs 140.61 crore, as compared to Rs 124.68 crore registered a year ago. The consolidated total income during the quarter under review grew to Rs 588.51 crore, from Rs 525.37 crore registered in the same period last year. For the financial year ending March 31, 2024 the consolidated total income went up to Rs 2,284.94 crore, from Rs 1,963.14 crore registered last fiscal. Commenting on the financial performance, Pricol Ltd Managing Director Vikram Mohan said, ''our results for FY24 are in line with our strategic objectives and commitment. This success highlights the persistent efforts and strong dedication of our team, who diligently pursue our objectives. As we move into next financial year, we are encouraged to continue this upward trend in our business.'' ''The evolving mobility market in India presents both obstacles and prospects. With a rising demand for the cutting-edge solutions we offer, we are strategically positioned to address these changing needs of the market. Our priority remains fostering growth and providing value to our stakeholders in this rapidly changing market landscape,'' he added.

Malayalam film producer Johny Thomas detained in cheating case

Johny Sagariga, a well-known Malayalam film producer also known as Johny Thomas, was taken into custody by the Coimbatore Police on Wednesday.

Madras High Court dismisses as infructuous, YouTuber Felix Geralds anticipatory bail plea

The additional public prosecutor informed the court that the Coimbatore police had made a formal arrest inside the prison on May 15, after the petitioner was arrested by the Tiruchi police in Noida on May 10

Biometric system to be set up in Tangedco offices

COIMBATORE: Tangedco will be implementing the Aadhaar-Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) for all its officers and employees soon. The Senior Personnel Officer (Labour) on Tuesday sent a letter to all Chief Engineers (CEs) that they should submit the consolidated particulars such as sanctioned post, all office addresses, and availability of computers and networks at offices, email addresses etc. Further, she stated that even after several reminders and frequent reminders over phone calls to the administrative officers, they have not furnished the report to date. Those details are essentially needed for the implementation of the Aadhaar-Enabled Biometric Attendance System for all officers and employees of Tangedco, said the release. Officers in the Tangedco Coimbatore region are preparing the details to be submitted to the top officers and this work will be completed by next week, stated official sources. There is a high chance the biometric attendance system will be implemented in Tangedco within two or three months, sources added. Secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Voice N Logu told TNIE , I have filed a petition at the Madras High Court seeking implementation of the bio-metric attendance system in Tangedco as some staff do not follow the office timings. Last December, Tangedco assured the court that it has been taking steps to implement it. However, officers are delaying the implementation of the bio-metric attendance system in Tangedco, he alleged. When asked about it, TangedcoCMD Rajesh Lakhani told TNIE that this work is under way.

Tamil Nadu: 13 lakh more pay electricity bills online compared to 2023

CHENNAI: Year on year, the state is marking a sharp increase in the number of consumers making their electricity bill payment online, according to the data accessed by TNIE from Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation. In April 2023, 57.25 lakh consumers opted for online payments and the number surged to 70.20 lakh by April 2024. Consequently, the collection from digital payments increased from Rs 1,550 crore to Rs 2,010 crore during the same period. A senior Tangedco official told TNIE , Out of the total 3.5 crore consumers, which include domestic users, commercial establishments, and industries, Tangedco collects payment from nearly one crore of them every month (as per their billing cycle). Of these, over 70% are now using online payment methods. Another official said major cities like Chennai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, and Madurai have seen a significant increase in online payments. However, we still need to focus on improving digital payments in rural areas and hill stations. K Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said, Though the increasing trend in online payment is welcoming, it is essential to introduce an Electronic Clearing System (ECS), for the ease of senior citizens. ECS is a method of automatic fund deduction from bank accounts, once the owner authenticates the billers details. Responding to this, a senior official said, We have received the same demand from several consumers and are currently analysing it. Biometric system to be set up in Tangedco offices Coimbatore: Tangedco will soon be implementing the Aadhaar-Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) in all its offices. The senior personnel officer (Labour) on Tuesday sent a letter to all chief engineers to submit the consolidated particulars such as sanctioned post, all office addresses, availability of computers and networks at offices, email ID etc. There is a high chance for the system to come into force in two or three months, said sources.

Savukku Shankars judicial custody extended till May 28, lodged in Lalgudi prison

TIRUCHY: The mahila court of Tiruchy on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of YouTuber A Shankar alias Savukku Shankar till May 28 and he has been lodged in Lalgudi sub-jail. Shankar was taken to the Mahila court from Coimbatore Central Prison in the morning. The case was heard by additional magistrate D Jayapradha after a complaint was lodged by Musiri DSP MA Yasmin over his derogatory remarks against women police personnel in an online interview. The police petition seeking Shankars custody is expected to be heard on Thursday, as his lawyers wanted to cross-examine the officers. Shankars lawyers argued against the police custody, citing he is already in the Coimbatore polices custody under the same case. When Shankar was produced in the court in the morning, he levelled allegations that the women personnel attacked him by twisting his arms. Thus, the judge ordered a medical examination. Women staging protest against the YouTuber outside court. Later, when Shankar was brought into the court by noon after the medical check-up, he said the women cops who beat him up in the van had no name badge. He later identified the cops an inspector, sub inspector, and other personnel and their names were recorded by the court. Meanwhile, the cops alleged that Shankar threatened them in the van. When Shankar entered the court, a group of women with placards raised slogans condemning his derogatory remarks. While he was taken out of the court in the evening, a group of women with brooms and slippers went running behind the van and raised slogans against him. A team of policewomen escorted him, the photos of which were widely circulated on social media.

Man arrested for immolating lover; woman admitted to hospital with 40% burns

TIRUPPUR: A 29-year-old man was arrested for attempting to immolate a woman by pouring kerosene on her on Wednesday evening. The woman, Sundari (35), suffered 40 per cent burn injuries and was admitted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. She was reportedly having an affair with the assailant, Manikandan, police said. Sundari is a resident of Vallimalai in Tirunelveli. She developed an intimate relationship with Manikandan who was her neighbour. As the relationship caused problems, she moved out of her home leaving her children and husband behind. She joined a garment unit in Tiruppur city for work, while Manikandan earned a living as a daily wager at an automobile unit in Coimbatore. The couple fought with each other over several issues. Manikandan confronted Sundari when she was returning home on the evening of May 13. In a fit of rage, Manikandan poured kerosene and lit fire and escaped from the spot. Sundari was shifted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. Three special teams were formed for probing the case. Mankandan was arrested and brought to Tiruppur city and later remanded to custody on Wednesday.

Coimbatore police arrest Malayalam film producer Johny Sagariga in cheating case

KOCHI: Malayalam film producer Johny Thomas known as Johny Sagariga was arrested by police from Coimbatore on Wednesday in connection with a cheating case. He was arrested by the City Crime Branch (CCB) of the Coimbatore City Police following a complaint by a native of Vadavalli in Coimbatore, Dwaraka Uthayashankar, who resides in Canada now. Johny was first detained by Bureau of Immigration (BoI) when he arrived at Nedumbassery airport to board a flight to Dubai on Tuesday night. He was detained by the BoI following a look-out notice issued by the Coimbatore Police in the cheating case. Johny was later handed over to the police team from Coimbatore who reached the airport by Wednesday morning. He was later shifted to Coimbatore, where the arrest was recorded. Coimbatore police had registered a case against Johny and his son Ron Thomas in March following a complaint that they took Rs 2.75 crores from Uthayashankar as an investment to produce the movie Nonsense in 2018. The transactions took place between 2016 and 2017. However, when the complainant asked Johny and his son to return the amount, only a part of it was returned. Johny Sagariga production house has produced numerous blockbuster movies. Earlier, it has also brought out audio cassettes and CDs of Malayalam film songs.

Coimbatore City Police book YouTubers Savukku Shankar, Felix Jerald for derogatory remarks on Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar

Coimbatore crime

Highways Department repairs damages in Trichy Road flyover in Coimbatore

Man from Nilgiris crushed to death between two private buses in Coimbatores Gandhipuram bus stand

Coimbatore round-up

Applications invited for courses at the Government Industrial Training Institute for Women in Coimbatore

Waste collection vehicle trial begins at Ukkadam Smart City tank in Coimbatore

Coimbatore City Crime Branch arrest Malayalam film producer Johny Sagariga in cheating case

More than 15,000 college students in Coimbatore district get financial support from T.N. government

Confusion over ward, bad roads among concerns raised by residents in Ashok Nagar in Coimbatore

Only shows their desperation...: Annamalai hits back at Cong leader over Karkare claim

Only shows their desperation...: Annamalai hits back at Cong leader over Karkare claim In a hard-hitting counter to Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar's claim that former Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare was killed by a police officer with RSS links and not by Lashkar terrorist Ajmal Kasab, the BJP's Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai on Wednesday said people were 'smart' enough to see the 'political duplicity' of the party he represents. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, the BJP's Tamil Nadu chief said the 'desperation' of the Opposition leaders making such claims was for all to see. On the Congress leader's claims that top lawyer and 26/11 prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam was in cahoots with the BJP and making false claims, Annamalai, who is seeking a maiden term in the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore, said, You will have noted that such allegations against Ujjwal Nikam have been flying thick and fast since he was declared as our candidate (for the Lok Sabha elections) and started campaigning. We have to understand that not just Ujjwal Nikam, who was the special public prosecutor (in the 26/11 case) but the entire team of prosecutors did a very good job (in bringing the perpetrators of the attacks to justice). One has to respect our judicial process. The prosecution also uncovered and established beyond any reasonable doubt the larger conspiracy (behind the 26/11 attacks) that came out during the investigation. They brought us clarity on what happened and who were behind it. For the Opposition to now bring such groundless allegations (against Nikam) shows their desperation. Ujjwal Nikam is a very decorated public servant and worked to not just bring closure to the kin of the 26/11 victims but also to make sure the city was safer post the attacks. So why open up old wounds with such baseless claims when he has already been declared as our candidate (from Mumbai North Central)? The people of Mumbai are smart enough to see through this political duplicity of the Congress. Wadettiwar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra assembly, stoked a major controversy claiming that the former Mumbai ATS chief was ot killed by terrorists during the 26/11 attack but by a police official close to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Earlier, Nikam hit back at Wadettiwar over his remarks in connection with the 26/11 attacks, calling them 'baseless' and alleging that the latter was indulging in a 'Goebbels-like propaganda', comparing him with Hitler's aide and the chief propagandist of the Nazis. In the face of brickbats, the Congress leader issued a clarification saying that those were not his words but were mentioned in the book authored by SM Mushrif, a former inspector general of Police in Maharashtra. Those were not my words, I just said what was written in the book by SM Mushrif. The book has all the information on the bullet that killed Hemant Karkare. It wasn't a bullet fired by terrorists, the Congress leader said. The ruling Shiv Sena also condemned Wadettiwar's remarks saying the Congress leader made a 'disrespectful' comment about a valiant and decorated police officer, who laid down his life in the line of duty during the 26/11 attacks. Karkare was killed in action in the wake of the horrific terror attacks of 2008. He was posthumously honoured with the Ashoka Chakra the following year, in 2009. (ANI)

Whats special this summer at Coimbatores new ice cream parlours?

Several new outlets serving up ice cream in true 90s style have come up in the city

This 300ft mural in Coimbatore celebrates women and community spirit

The 300ft mural adorning the Tamil Nadu Institute of Urban Studies compound wall in Saibaba Colony, Coimbatore, symbolises feminine strength

This 300ft mural in Coimbatore celebrates women and community spirit - The Hindu

This 300ft mural in Coimbatore celebrates women and community spirit The Hindu

Tamil Nadu: Cars go up in flames, advisory issued against fuel conversion kits

CHENNAI: In the wake of recent incidents where stationary and moving cars went up in flames across the state, the transport department has cautioned against converting the fuel intake of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) or LPG at unapproved centres. In an advisory issued on Tuesday, transport and road safety commissioner A Shanmuga Sundaram urged motorists to get the conversion done only at government-approved facilities. An analysis of vehicle fire accidents revealed that unauthorised fitting of CNG/LPG kits by third party or non-accredited institutions emerged as one of the key causes of the incidents, said Sundaram. Officials from the transport department emphasised that such kits should be installed only after undergoing mandatory tests by ARAI. Additionally, the compatibility of the kit with the vehicle must be assessed. The fire and rescue services department had recently alerted the transport department to incidents where light motor vehicles caught fire while parked or in transit. Subsequent inquiries revealed that many of these vehicles had recently undergone CNG conversion. The state government has ceased granting permits for diesel-powered auto rickshaws since January 1, 2015, leading to a significant number of them being converted to CNG to obtain permits. These conversions are carried out only at authorised centres and are recorded in their registration certificates (RC) at the respective RTOs. However, vehicles like cars and bikes are also being converted and often go unrecorded in the RC. In the Coimbatore fire accident incident, the vehicle owner can claim damages only if the conversion is updated in the RC. Similarly, in cases of collision accidents, insurance companies may decline to pay compensation if the fuel type differed from what is mentioned in the RC, although it may not be a contributing factor to the accident, advocate Suresh Souli said.

Western TN gets top three spots in class 11 boards

COIMBATORE: Western districts performed well in class 11 board exams, results of which were released on Tuesday. Coimbatore, Erode and Tiruppur districts grabbed the first 3 places in the state. The board exams for class 11 students were held from March 4 to 25. A total of 35,628 students including 16,484 boys and 19,144 girls had written the examination from the Coimbatore district. Of them, 34,210 students including 15,546 boys and 18,664 girls have passed the exams. Last year, Coimbatore secured the third position with a pass percentage of 95.73. This year, with a pass percentage of 96.02%, Coimbatore bagged first place out of the 38 districts in the state. Erode district came in second with 95.56%, followed by the Tiruppur district in the third place with a pass percentage of 95.23%. As far as the government school performances are concerned, Erode district topped the list with 92.86%, followed by Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts in the third and fourth positions respectively with 92.06% & 91.64%. Krishnagiri was placed in the 31 st spot with 87. 82 pass percentage. This is a slight improvement from last years 36th rank with pass percentage of 86.12 %. A total of 45 schools in Krishnagiri secured 100% pass, including 41 private schools, two government schools and two aided schools. Dharmapuri secured the 23rd spot recording 90.49 pass percentage. A total of 30 schools secured 100% pass, of which two are government schools at Chellamudi and Dharmapuri model school and rest are private schools.

26 spotted deer from Coimbatore corporation zoo released in Siruvani hills

COIMBATORE: A total of 26 spotted deer, including five fawns, were relocated from the Coimbatore corporation zoo and released inside the forest at filter house in Siruvani hills on Monday morning. Forest department officials started feeding the deer with fodder that was sourced from the surroundings of Siruvani hills since March and stopped providing concentrated feed. This was done for the welfare of the spotted deers to acclimatize the animals to the new food ahead of the relocation. Coimbatore forest division officials started shifting the animals that are listed under the various category of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, following an order from Principal Chief Conservator of forest (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) Srinivas R Reddy since the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation-maintained zoo lacks approval from the central government for running it after January 2022 when it was closed to tourists. We collected faecal pellets of a few spotted deer in the zoo and sent them for analysis to the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) at Vandalur, Chennai. We received a report that the spotted deer do not have tuberculosis infection. We carried out this test to ensure that the animals are free from TB since the infection can spread to other wild animals easily, said the official. A team led by Conservator of forests and field director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) S Ramasubramaniam and DFO N Jayaraj along with range officers and Coimbatore forest veterinarian started loading the animals in specially designed vehicles from the zoo from 6am and released them at 9.20 am in Siruvani hills. To load the spotted deer, a cage was set up inside the corporation-owned vehicle. Ten adult males, 11 adult females, two male fawns and three female fawns were shifted. A team has been formed to monitor if the deer get water and consume fodder at the new place, said the official. Further, officials are training 20 Sambar deer in the zoo by placing in a vehicle fodder collected from the Siruvani hills. The spotted deer were trained like this for over a month, because of which they entered the vehicle easily, said the official. A few varieties of birds and reptiles were shifted to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur in Chennai, and Amirthi Zoological Park in Vellore district in November 2023.

Intense rain likely in TN till May 18

CHENNAI: The maximum temperature in most parts of the state has remained below normal due to ongoing wet spell which has been bringing heavy rain. The regional meteorological centre has extended heavy rainfall warning in several districts till May 18. In the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Tuesday, Makkinampatti in Coimbatore received highest rainfall of 8 cm followed by Pollachi and Thoothukudi port weather stations at 7 cm. Several other weather stations in Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Theni, Nilgiris, Kanniyakumari and Tiruppur received heavy to moderate rainfall. The met office said there will be rainfall till May 20, but heavy showers are forecasted till May 18. Around 15 to 20 districts will receive heavy rain from May 16 to 18. The Nilgiris, ghat areas of Coimbatore, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Dindigul, Namakkal, Karur, Tiruchy, Madurai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Theni,Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts and Karaikal area. In Chennai, sky will be partly cloudy with the possibility of light rain. Maximum temperature will be 36-37 C and the night time temperature will be around 28-29 for the next two days.

Synchronised elephant census to be held across south India from May 23

COIMBATORE: Four southern states would be joining hands for the synchronised population estimation of wild elephants for three days starting from May 23. Earlier, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh decided to conduct the field assessment starting from May 17. Based on a request from Kerala forest department, the other states agreed to postpone the census. The forest department heads of the four states convened an online meeting on Tuesday to discuss the methodology for conducting the census. Kerala officials requested one more weeks time saying they have to make preparations and the other officials accepted it. In Tamil Nadu, the estimation would be conducted in Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Erode, Dharmapuri, Hosur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Megamalai, Srivilliputhur, Tirunelveli and Kanniya-kumari. Mudumalai field director and conservator of forests D Venkatesh has been appointed as nodal officer in Tamil Nadu. The methodology used last year will be continued now also and the number of forest staff and volunteers who will take part will be decided in the coming days, the officer said. On day one of the census, a team comprising four to five members would be deputed to a forest beat which is spread over 500 hectares or five square km. The members would walk for at least 15 km from 6 am to 6pm and assess the age and sex of the elephants directly and the data will be filled in the sheet. A volunteer who participated in the last estimation told TNIE The team would assess whether the elephant is makhna, has any external injuries and approximate size of the tusks etc. On day two, the team would assess the elephant dung through which they can be differentiated. On day 3, the team would sit near the water hole and grass land and observe elephant behaviour. Sources said the four states have decided to release the results together. A total of 2,961 elephants were identified in the census carried out from May 17 to 19 last year. This is an increase from the 2,761, elephants that were recorded during the 2017 census.

29 villages and 43 colleges in Kovai receive tobacco-free certificates

COIMBATORE: A total of 29 villages, 1,300 schools and 43 colleges in Coimbatore district have been declared tobacco-free recently. There is no sale or consumption of tobacco products in these places thanks to the coordinated efforts taken by stakeholder departments along with the health department. Similar to the measures taken by police department to prevent sale of ganja, the health department has been carrying out various awareness and prevention activities in every village to wean away people from tobacco products. Officials said continuous efforts taken in the past year resulted in 29 villages becoming tobacco-free. Dr M Saranya Devi, district consultant of tobacco control cell, said they started the movement in 2023 after consulting with the elected representatives of local bodies. The made the people take a pledge against the sale and use of any form of tobacco products. After ensuring there is no sale of tobacco products (banned and non-banned) and the usage of them curtailed inside the village, we declared them as tobacco-free. We stick a banner at the entrance of the village and it gives credit to them. The elected representatives are responsible for monitoring the village further, she said. Further, the cell reached out to educational institutions with a similar campaign and declared that 1,343 institutions including schools and colleges are tobacco-free. There are more than 2,050 schools and around 135 colleges in Coimbatore district. As part of preventing the sale of tobacco products within 100 metres of the institutions, we started the initiative in 2023 and it continued till February this year. It resulted in declaring 1,300 schools and 43 colleges as tobacco-free campuses. Before handing over the certificate we ensure some criteria like banning the sale of contraband within 100 metres, separate committees including the parents, and teachers to be formed for monitoring, and placing awareness boards across the campus, are fulfilled. Tobacco-free certificates are a must to get sanitary certificates to the institutions, she said.

At 96.02, Coimbatore district tops TN in Class XI pass percentage

Minor boy accused of child sexual assault attempts to end life in Coimbatore - The Hindu

Minor boy accused of child sexual assault attempts to end life in Coimbatore The Hindu

The boy who brought Gandhi to a village near Coimbatore, instilled patriotic fervour in people

Srinivasa Thiyagi (1923-2002), known as Bettaiyan, convinced Tiruppur Subrahmanya Avinashilingam Chettiar, a freedom fighter and former Education Minister of the Madras Presidency, to give consent for his joining a delegation travelling to Madras. While in Madras, he met Gandhi and pleaded with him to visit his native place

Minor boy accused of child sexual assault attempts to end life in Coimbatore

Coimbatore court extends Savukku Shankars judicial remand till May 28

Coimbatore POCSO Court awards life term to 51-year-old man for sexual assault on minor girl

Two arrested for sexual assault on minors near Coimbatore

Summer showers: Health Dept. intensifies vigil against dengue in Coimbatore district

Mass cleaning activities have been launched in village, panchayat, town panchayat, municipality and corporation levels, as the Department is expecting high breeding potential of the dengue-spreading mosquitoes in the next two weeks

Summer showers trigger vigil against dengue in Coimbatore district - The Hindu

Summer showers trigger vigil against dengue in Coimbatore district The Hindu