Three car passengers booked for dragging man on Tiruchi Road in Coimbatore
Changes in Coimbatore - Bengaluru train service on October 12
Car catches fire at Avinashi Road old flyovers underpass in Coimbatore
Coimbatore Corporation to conduct special tax collection camps on October 11 and 12
Residents urge Coimbatore Corporation to clear drains and canals ahead of northeast monsoon
Interstate luxury bus services hit as Karnataka operators halt services to Kerala
KOCHI/BENGALURU : Scores of passengers travelling between Kerala and major South Indian cities like Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad were left stranded after several private luxury bus operators cancelled trips, citing safety concerns following alleged assaults on drivers. According to operators, a section of drivers resorted to a token strike, demanding adequate protection after one of their colleagues was reportedly attacked by anti-social elements near the Kerala border. The drivers handed over a letter about their protest only last night. We had to cancel several trips and block charts for the day. Services are expected to return to normal from Friday, said Rijas A J, who oversees inter-state operations for Sona Travels. Sources said the drivers of buses operating via Walayar and Coimbatore suspended services following the incident. One of us was assaulted by a Coimbatore-based private bus owner and his gang. Another bus was stopped in Chennai on Wednesday. We want authorities to take strict action and ensure our safety on these routes, said a driver, requesting anonymity. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, the State Private Bus Owners Association confirmed that most Karnataka-owned private buses had suspended services to Kerala over the past week, alleging repeated instances of physical assault and harassment. Our drivers are scared to operate in Kerala after being stopped and attacked. Until the issue is addressed by the departments concerned, many have chosen to stay off the road, said association president S Nataraj Sharma. He added that while around 20 Kerala-owned buses continue to operate normally, nearly all Karnataka-owned services remain halted. The association has taken up the issue with Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Transport Commissioner Yogeesh A M, sharing video evidence of the incidents. If the operators provide proof, we will pursue the matter, the Transport Commissioner told TNIE.
Does Coimbatores G D Naidu flyover not have a caste name, Seeman asks DMK govt
T.N. CM Stalin lays foundation stone for 126-crore Jewellery park in Coimbatore
Coastal bird Great Crested Tern finds a stopover at Coimbatores Singanallur tank
Kerala luxury cars smuggling: ED finds links with ex-Bhutan Army man; Coimbatore duo under scanner
Enforcement Directorate's probe into luxury vehicle smuggling to high-net-worth individuals, including actors, revealed two Coimbatore operatives sourced vehicles from Bhutan via a former army personnel. These vehicles were allegedly smuggled without import duty and sold as spare parts, with payments routed through unauthorized channels.
ED tracks down Coimbatore-based network in alleged smuggling of vehicles from across the border
Two partners at Shine Motors allegedly procured used vehicles from Bhutan by forging NoCs and routed payments through unauthorised channels, according to the ED.
Chief Minister Stalin administers road safety pledge in Coimbatore
MSMEs, start-ups critical to Tamil Nadus $1 trillion economy goal: MK Stalin
At the Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit in Coimbatore, CM Stalin highlighted the Dravidian model of growth which has roots in inclusive growth and surge in women-led enterprises
Beyond Silicon Valley: Global corporations expand GCC footprint in India
Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Pune are the top GCC hubs in the country, while cities like Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, and Thiruvananthapuram are emerging destinations.
Wire baskets: Handled with flair
Earlier this year, news of renowned fashion brands monetising on Indian handmade products made headlines. Among them was the humble wire koodai (basket), which has been a household craft for decades, albeit an overlooked one. Often seen hung at the doorsteps of rural homes, they are now stepping into the spotlight as a fashionable, functional, and fiercely sustainable accessory. This fusion of tradition and luxury not only shines a light on the artisanal skill behind each piece but also sparks a broader conversation about authenticity, cultural heritage, and the future of sustainable fashion. As these baskets move from village doorsteps to global runways, the craftsmen find new hope and recognition, proving that age-old, rooted traditions can thrive in todays fast-evolving marketplace. Ahead of Handbag Day (October 10) that honours this accessory as an essential item, CE explores the comeback of koodai and explores the life of wire basket weavers and their take on this adaptation of globalisation by high-end brands. Silver lining along the wires Ruth Patricia, founder of Chennai-based online business Handmade Knots recounts how the lockdown in 2020 unintentionally set her on this creative path. I had just finished my MBA and was looking for jobs, but the pandemic paused everything. Around the house, there were these wires my sister had bought, and I thought, why not try making baskets? she shares. Ruth turned to YouTube tutorials and soon found herself immersed in the craft. It became a stress buster and then an obsession. Initially, I made baskets just for family, but when lockdown restrictions eased, people started noticing them on me and asking where to get one. Despite the baskets practicality and beauty, many still viewed them as just a koodai . To shift this mindset, she reinvented the product. I started making handbags, clutches, tote bags, and I coined the tagline Where tradition meets modernity. I wanted these baskets to be a style statement for young people, not just a market staple. For Ruth, handbags are deeply personal: You carry them every day, they reflect who you are, she says, adding that a koodai handbag can do the same while celebrating tradition. Over the past few years, Ruth has built a boutique-like brand, offering custom designs in vibrant colours and unique shapes. Interestingly, she notes, Foreign buyers are showing more enthusiasm than many Indians. Its a new product for them, and they appreciate the craftsmanship. Her approach also embraces sustainability alongside modernity waste wires from basket-making become tassels or keychains, giving new life to scraps, resulting in minimal waste. In March 2025, she launched a free YouTube course to teach this craft, hoping to empower enthusiasts across India and preserve a tradition. A hobby turned business In Periyanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore, resides Bhuvaneswari, a 47-year-old who seized the opportunity to learn the art of basket weaving at a young age. She leads Koodai Kalanjiyam, a family-supported enterprise that transformed her childhood curiosity into a thriving business. I started weaving baskets at 13, inspired by my neighbours, she says. Back then, it was a hobby, making gifts for family functions. My family motivated me to turn it into a business and take it online. Now, orders flow steadily, especially for return gifts. The ban on plastic covers has also boosted demand. Bhuvaneswaris operation employs around 20 women mostly uneducated homemakers aged between 35 and 55 who balance household responsibilities and weaving. I visit those interested in learning within a five-kilometre radius and train them for ten days. They quickly pick it up and become independent, she says. For these women, Its more than a business; it offers peace of mind and empowerment for them, which in turn provides us job satisfaction. Her favourite product, the Amla knot koodai, remains a bestseller, appreciated for its sturdiness and traditional charm. Yet, Bhuvaneswari is mindful of evolving modernity. Teachers usually request handbag-style baskets rather than traditional ones. Were innovating to meet these demands. She adds that this is a small sign of how the koodai has found a new place on peoples arms, not just in their homes. A passion project A beacon of perseverance, Rekha Shivashankar from Erode established her business, Rekhas Wire Bags, in 2018. Having learned wire weaving from her mother, Rekha reignited her interest during the pandemic, recognising a rising need for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic covers. Operating online for five years, Rekha has expanded her reach by putting up stalls in Goa, Gurgaon, and Coimbatore. She employs women outside her hometown, encouraging their individuality. I have directly employed ten women across Tamil Nadu who further work with a few other women in their neighbourhood to complete the tasks. Her products range from affordable return gifts priced around `100 to larger baskets costing up to `2,500. While demand varies, Rekha notes consistent interest from individual customers and bulk buyers alike. I source materials from a small business in Madurai that has been travelling with me since my businesss inception. I stick to their materials as they are easy to weave and readily available in the colours I require, she says. Emphasising that this craft has to be taught to children as a hobby for them to know about its existence, she says, These skills arent taught in schools or passed down enough. If children learn early in summer camps or as a hobby, the tradition can continue. Weaving futures As high-end brands embrace wire basket bags, for Ruth, this signals growing acceptance: People are finally seeing that these baskets can be stylish, durable, and environmentally friendly. But she cautions, Authenticity depends on the artisans. Mass production cant replicate the skill, patience, and love woven into each piece. Bhuvaneswari concurs, saying that valuing the craft not just as a product but as a livelihood, empowering women often sidelined in the workforce. Still, she voices frustration over consumer attitudes: People dont respect the craft when we make it, but theyre willing to pay high prices for the same products sold by luxury brands. Why not buy directly from us? Were accessible on social media and offer fair prices. Rekha acknowledges that such commercialisation comes with higher marketing and operational costs but stresses the importance of keeping prices accessible. My concept is affordability. I can also quote a higher price, but I would rather everyone be able to buy my products. She also expresses concern about the authenticity of the big brand products: Mass-produced items may lack the unique knots and craftsmanship of handmade products. As we celebrate Handbag Day, these women remind us that what we carry can carry meaning too culture, community, and care. In an age dominated by disposable bags and synthetic alternatives, the distinctive craft of koodai is quietly reclaiming its place. Once seen merely as a humble market bag or a grannys handiwork, these wire baskets have evolved into versatile, stylish accessories that marry durability with tradition. This craft is no longer just a basket; its a statement woven with skill, history, and hope.
Coimbatore Corporation plans bio-mining to reclaim land at Kavundampalayam compost yard
Smuggling Of High-End Luxury Vehicles: ED Raids 17 Places In Kerala, Tamil Nadu Under FEMA
Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Oct 8: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, at 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu in connection with the ongoing probe into alleged smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles and unauthorised foreign exchange dealings, officials said. The searches are underway based on inputs exposing a syndicate engaged in illegal import and registration of luxury cars such as Land Cruiser, Defender, and Maserati through India-Bhutan and India-Nepal routes. [] The post Smuggling Of High-End Luxury Vehicles: ED Raids 17 Places In Kerala, Tamil Nadu Under FEMA appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
ED Raids Premises of Actors Dulquer Salman, Prithviraj
The searches by ED also covered certain vehicle owners, auto workshops, and traders in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kottayam and Coimbatore
ED raids Malayalam film stars in luxury car smuggling probe
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted raids at 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, targeting a suspected luxury car smuggling racket linked to violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Prominent Malayalam actors Prithviraj Sukumaran, Dulquer Salmaan, and Amit Chakkalackal are among those whose premises were searched. The raids, spanning Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kottayam, and Coimbatore, also targeted vehicle owners, auto workshops, and dealers allegedly involved in importing high-end cars like Land Cruisers, Defenders, and Maseratis through illegal channels from Bhutan and Nepal. According to officials, a Coimbatore-based network forged documents purportedly from the Indian Army, US Embassy, and Ministry of External Affairs to fraudulently register vehicles in states such as Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. These cars were then sold at undervalued rates to high-net-worth individuals, including film personalities. North Keralas love affair with luxury, vintage cars faces harsh reality check The ED suspects prima facie violations of FEMA Sections 3, 4, and 8, involving illegal foreign exchange transactions and hawala payments. The case stems from a recent Customs investigation, which also uncovered possible links to gold and drug smuggling. On September 23, as part of Operation Numkhor, Customs officials seized 36 luxury vehicles from around 30 locations, including the residences of the three actors. In a related development, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday allowed Dulquer Salmaan to apply for the provisional release of his seized vehicle. In his plea, Salmaan claimed he purchased the car in good faith, with documents indicating it was shipped by the International Committee of the Red Cross to New Delhi. He alleged Customs officials seized the vehicle without properly reviewing its documentation. (With inputs from PTI)
ED raids prominent actors, agents in Kerala luxury cars smuggling case
KOCHI: The ED on Wednesday raided premises linked to actors Prithviraj, Dulquer Salman and Amit Chakkalackal and some others across Kerala as part of its investigation into a recent Customs case related to alleged smuggling of luxury vehicles from Bhutan to India, official sources said. The searches by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also covered certain vehicle owners, auto workshops, and traders in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kottayam and Coimbatore. A total of 17 premises are being covered, the sources said. The action is being taken under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in a recent case unearthed by the Customs related to alleged smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles and unauthorised foreign exchange dealings. North Keralas love affair with luxury, vintage cars faces harsh reality check The searches are based on inputs exposing a syndicate engaged in illegal import and registration of luxury cars such as Land Cruiser, Defender, and Maserati through the India-Bhutan/Nepal routes, they said. Preliminary findings, according to the officials, point at a Coimbatore-based network using forged documents (purporting to be from Indian Army, US Embassy, and MEA) and fraudulent RTO registrations in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and other states. The vehicles were later sold to high-net worth (HNI) individuals, including film personalities, at undervalued prices, they said.
CM Stalin names Avinashi Road flyover in Coimbatore after G.D. Naidu
Tamil Nadu records 3,170 elephants in latest synchronised survey
The estimation exercise was carried out across 26 forest divisions. Together, the Nilgiri and Coimbatore reserves support nearly 7080% of Tamil Nadus wild elephants.
Coimbatore city police announce traffic diversion on October 9 in view of CM Stalins visit
GEM Hospital opens cancer centre in Coimbatore
EPFO organises awareness programme in Coimbatore on PMVBRY
CM Stalin virtually inaugurates welfare projects in Coimbatore
Coimbatore Corporation begins plantation drive on road medians to enhance urban landscape
ESIC to hold Suvidha Samagam in Coimbatore on October 8
Coimbatores Kovai Delivery Boys team launches an app to ring in 10 year celebrations
AsKovaishomegrowndeliverylifeline completes 10 years, its founder reflects upon the journey and the launch ofKovaiDeliveryBoysapp
A display of animatronic dinosaurs in Coimbatore
Step into a pre-historic world where dinosaurs come alive in a display of animatronics and sound effects
Coimbatore Corporation targets 521 crore in property tax for 202526
Over 5,000 attend run and walk event for accident-free week in Coimbatore
KTR to inaugurate student motorsports event in Coimbatore
Coimbatore Corporation seeks 45 crore from State government for road restoration
Chennai Kalai Theruvizhas Porombokkiyal is about making new conversations and gaining knowledge that one can probably find inside the walls of classrooms. The learning Community at Quest geared up on Sunday, September 28, with its spirits high rare artefacts and tools from the rural pockets of Tamil Nadu arrayed near the entrance, photographs paraded with pride on the walls, with caption My happy place, the stairs and chairs filled with curious audience. Porombokkiyal 2025 consisted of four conversations and a play. From the grit of palm tree climbers, the persistence of fisherfolks, the unapologetic lives of forest dwellers, the diligence behind percussions, and the young voices of North Chennai, the event was about learning and unlearning, about perspectives. The Palmyra: Tapping the Tree of Plenty (D Pandian and Pa Harris Karishma, in conversation with J Prasanth) After 2015s drought, when D Pandian was surrounded only by parched lands and dried up wells, he turned to palm trees, which not only were a repository of medicinal properties, but became his source of his livelihood. He started making small products out of the trees and brought them from his village in Villupuram district to Chennai. While he started to climb palms when he was 37, his daughter Pa Harris Karishma started it early when she was in class 7. I got used to it, I found my ways to grab the tree the right way. We believe that trees react to our touch, talk, and presence. The father-daughter duo knows the trees in and out. They explained that toddy, karupatti (palm jaggery), palm sugar, padhaneer (palm nectar), pana kizhangu maavu (palm sprout powder), are some of the main produces from the tree. They also make knives from the palm stalk. More than a strong body, we need a strong heart to climb a palm tree, Pandian said. While the conversation was filled with humour and folklore, and the stories they grew up hearing, they also spoke about navigating their way. Palm toddy can be extracted only for six months a year. January is when the male trees blossom and then we begin tapping and go on for four months. By April, we get nungu (ice apple), and by July, we get tubers; and we make thread out of palm tubers. We then harvest palm tubers and sell them. So the cycle of life revolves around the palm tree for all of us, he said. While toddy production is seen as a sin, post the ban since 1986, panaiyeris (climbers) were seen as criminals; they were often jailed upon false charges. More than the physical toil, the greatest oppression is this, Pandian said. Answering if temples dont use palm sugar intentionally, he explained that until the 14th century, palm sugar was used in temples, and there is evidence on stone inscriptions. But it was excluded after the Vijayanagara Empire came to power. The reason could be them associating other palm products with toddy. They consider palm as theetu (a ritualistic pollution). The history has ruthless records of vilification and marginalisation, and many were forced to leave this work, but Pandian asserted that he wanted to revive this dying trade. Whatte Karuvaadu: Women, Labour and the Sea (S Saratha and V Thangamani, in conversation with K Saravanan and Dhaarani) My husband goes at 3 am to fish, and if the waters are choppy, he stays in there for some time to avoid the coastal waves, leaving us anxious, said S Saratha. Quite often, the fish tumbles and slips off, and he has to heave it up. But after all the toil, he brings the days catch to Saratha. And then the process of karuvaadu making begins. Karuvaadu trade is not as yielding as the fresh fish, but needs a lot of care. Sarathas day begins by feeding the dogs and crows, she then has her morning tea and then starts cleaning the dry fish. The fish is thoroughly cleansed, and stringed through the eyes, and stretched them on poles on the beach. Till they are wilted and crispy, they take care of the fish from crows. This is their sole livelihood. She said, If my husband doesnt go, I buy from others on auction and resell them. I have faced losses too, but somehow make up for it on other days. I take loans to keep it going, and when auction-bought fish dont sell, I turn them into dry fish. For V Thangamani, the challenge is the high input cost. The cleaning process takes her almost six hours. We auction fish and then buy what we need. If unsold, we add ice and sell; if it doesnt, we make dry fish. While she has to prepare food at home, she keeps someone else to watch over the fish kept for drying on the beach. They say, Our lives are tied to Urur-Olcott Kuppam; we live and work in poromboke land, and thats our only land. The wide stretch of beach is the only place they dry the fish, and fellow karuvaadu sellers fight for the limited space. That is another challenge they encounter during the making. Saravanan added to the experiences, My aunts make karuvaadu for living. The dry fish basket is so heavy to carry around that it bleeds ones fingers. The karuvaadu makers said that the government is building new harbours, and other developments affect them. As years go by, coastal poromboke lands are taken away by advancing coastlines, eroding beaches, constructions, etc. Offering settlements is never a solution for their problems. They [the government] dont understand that our livelihoods are tied to this very coastal land, and we are nothing when displaced forcefully. They have lived through atrocities like the Tsunami, but what they say is, The coast is our life. Sacred Poromboke: Irula Gatherers and Divine Rituals (Kannamal Soriyan and Pappal Jikkan, in conversation with Uma Maheshwari) Far from the reach of the so-called development, Irulas dwell on the lush green hills of Maruthamalai. Reaping the gifts of the forests, Kannamal Soriyan and Pappal Jikkan from the community gave glimpses from their everyday lives. In 2003, they fought for their rights to pick grass from the Coimbatore range, stopping others from taking tenders to exploit the resources. With grit and pride, this duo said that they will fight if someone tries to usurp their land. They say that there is a risk of them being cheated by forging and coercing signatures. But we will never give our lands. When asked why they didnt want to live in the lower terrain, they said that they have a cleaner terrain and a unique life there. They have their own way to communicate with wild animals, and even to keep themselves safe. They eke out a living by harvesting seeemar pul (which they say is in high demand), kadukkai , and nellikkai . The hills have several species of long grass like vaalam pul , beecham pul , too. Kannamal and Pappal answered every question with humorous stories and songs very close to nature, as if they were conveying information integral to the forest. Unbothered by the fast-paced consumerist life, as they braided the long leaves to make a broom, and showed it to the audience, they sang songs in a language, crude mix of Kannada and Tamil. These songs were passed onto them by their ancestors they were also a way to understand the life around them. They concluded, When the next generation doesnt sing them up, the folklore and the stories behind them are all lost forever. Dead Beat: How to Make Leather Sing! (Antony Sowriyar,in conversation with TM Krishna and Praveen Sparsh) The audience was in for a musical treat not a performance, but an in-depth journey into the making of the traditional musical instrument of south India itself. Antony Sowriyar, a third-generation mridangam maker from Thanjavur, took the stage in conversation with singer and festival organiser TM Krishna, assisted by mridangam artiste Praveen Sparsh. Together, they offered a rare glimpse into a craft where tradition meets meticulous artistry. Sowriyar led the audience through the delicate process of crafting a mridangam, beginning with jackfruit wood from Panruti, mainly chosen for its density and resonance. Every measurement mattered: the thickness of the wood, the dimensions of the thoppi (left side) and valanthalai (right side), and the layering of cow, buffalo, and goat hides. The black paste made from pulverised Thanjavur stones mixed with cooked rice, applied carefully to the thoppi , gives the mridangam its signature pitch and depth. Throughout the session, Krishna helped bridge the gap between craft and the audience, breaking down technical jargon into simple, vivid explanations so that one could follow every detail. I watch the mridangist closely. Veteran artistes can describe exactly what they want, which makes it easier for our workers to create it. But young musicians often dont know how to explain. With my experience, I can sense what suits them best just by seeing them play, Sowriyar said. He also noted that the close connection between makers and musicians is gradually fading. The session also traced the crafts deep roots in Thanjavur. Art was born there (Thanjavur), he said. Raja Serfoji fostered music and all forms of art; before that, artistes were mostly playing what they had learned, without that structured support. As Sowriyar demonstrated tuning the instrument with vaar pudi adjusting leather tension and explaining subtle choices that shape pitch and bass, the audience was drawn into a dialogue between craft and performance. The mridangam emerged not merely as an instrument but as a testament to legacy, innovation, and collaboration, carrying the echoes of Thanjavur. Oru Ooru La Oru Aaru: Childrens Play (By the children of Arunodhaya) The percussion beats did not conclude with Dead Beat but rolled into the epilogue play in the festival. This time, it wasnt the resonant mridangam but the parai the mother of all percussion instruments that announced the finale. Keeping with the classical tradition of Tamil theatre, ten children from Arunodhaya began with a spirited five-minute parai showcase. What followed was not merely performance, but a plunge into their dreamscape one rooted firmly in reality. The play, Oru Ooru La Oru Aaru (Once There Was a River), reimagined the idea of a good city from the perspective of North Chennais young residents. For decades, their neighbourhoods have borne the brunt of rapid industrialisation declining fisheries, polluted wetlands, and toxic air. Yet through song, dance, and storytelling, the children transformed these struggles into a vibrant peoples narrative. The play began with an interactive exchange: the performers asked the audience what made their own areas special. The question lingered, expanding into a larger provocation - what truly makes a city a good city? With this, the stage opened into a retelling of Chennais past, its troubled present, and the possibilities of its future. What made the performance remarkable was not just the content but the commitment. The children had rehearsed for only two days, yet carried the play with astonishing confidence. Even when power cuts threatened to disrupt the flow, they continued seamlessly, their energy unshaken, their voices steady. It was as though their stories demanded to be heard, no matter the obstacles. The play concluded with a poignant question that cut to the heart of belonging and inequality: Will the other parts of Chennai accept us if we move and come there to escape the deprivation? It was less a closing line and more an open challenge one that left the audience reflecting on the fractured dreams and shared futures of the city.
Three Iranians arrested for cheating goldsmithery worker in Coimbatore
Protest in Coimbatore condemns Israels genocide in Palestine
Around 3,500 saplings planted in Coimbatore under CSR initiative
SankalpTaru & NTT DATA launch Phase II of Community Barren Land Restoration Programme in Coimbatore, planting 3,500 trees
Coimbatore Collector launches special sale of khadi products
Coimbatore City Police Commissioners office to become child-friendly with a park
Wild elephants damage 30 coconut trees near Coimbatore
Nanjundapuram Road in Coimbatore city dug for drinking water project yet to be restored
Sri Ramakrishna Hospital in Coimbatore releases awareness videos on breast cancer
ENT care in Coimbatore .
NDA MPs to probe Karur stampede, says BJP MP Hema Malini
COIMBATORE: BJP MP Hema Malini, leading an eight-member NDA delegation, stated on Tuesday that the team of MPs would investigate the circumstances that led to the tragic stampede in Karur on 27 September, which claimed 41 lives and left nearly 60 injured. Anurag Thakur, MP, said the delegation would meet local residents and officials to gather information about what transpired during the rally held by TVK chief Vijay, which allegedly triggered the stampede. The findings will be compiled into a report for BJP national president J.P. Nadda. Speaking to reporters at the airport here before proceeding to Karur, Hema Malini and others expressed their condolences and said the panel would visit the families who had lost their loved ones in the incident. TVK rally stampede: Most victims died of compressive asphyxia, says TN medical director Thakur added: We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and those still hospitalised.There is no rush on our part, we are here to meet everyone.We want to speak to those who have lost their loved ones.We do not want such an incident to happen again in the future. It is important to understand what went wrong, who is at fault, and what lessons must be learnt. We are here for a serious purpose. The Himachal Pradesh MP noted that the decision to form a panel of NDA MPs to visit Karur and assess the situation was taken only on the afternoon of 29 September, and the MPs had travelled to Tamil Nadu from across the country, including Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. We all stand together with those who have lost their family members, he added. Tamil Nadu BJPs former President K. Annamalai is accompanying the NDA MPs. State BJP chief Nainar Nagendran said the MPs would be visiting the site of the stampede, the hospital where the injured are being treated, and the families of all 41 victims who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Probe Agency NIA Court Finds 2 Guilty In 2018 Coimbatore ISIS Case
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) court here on Saturday found two Coimbatore residents guilty of recruiting and propagating the ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), police said.
CPI(M) stages protest demanding widening of Kamarajar Road in Coimbatore
NIA court awards eight years imprisonment for two in 2017 Kerala-Tamil Nadu ISIS module case
KOCHI: The Ernakulam NIA Special Court on Monday awarded eight years imprisonment to Mohammed Azarudeen H, the mastermind of the ISIS Tamil Nadu module, and Shiek Hidayathullah Y of Coimbatorein the Kerala-Tamil NaduISIS case. The court found them guilty of the offence under Section 120B (Criminal Conspiracy) of the IPC, read with Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court awarded eight years' imprisonment for each of the offences. While awarding imprisonment, the court made it clear that the sentence shall run concurrently. The counsel for the accused persons stated that they will file an appeal challenging the order before the High Court. The NIA had found that the accused persons are active members of the proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS/Daesh from 2017 onwards and conspired to further its activities by forming a group/module comprising themselves along with three other accused persons. They conducted several secret classes in Coimbatore to motivate associates with the violent extremist ideology of the organisation. They knowingly and intentionally propagated the ideology of ISIS in Tamil Nadu and Kerala from 2017 onwards, through social media as well as in person, recruiting vulnerable youth into the organisation and thereby committing the said offences. Investigations revealed that Mohammed Azarudeen of Coimbatore had been associated with Wahadath-e-Islami, a frontal organisation of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, and delivered speeches (bayans) on the organisations religious ideology and other Islamic topics at various places, including Rayan Mosque in Coimbatore, from 2013 onwards. He was in contact with several Sri Lankan individuals through Facebook and other encrypted social media platforms, where they exchanged violent jihadi ideology, including that espoused by ISIS. Forensic examination recovered speeches and other materials of Sri Lankan ISIS leader Zahran Hashim from the digital devices and social media accounts of the two accused. The NIA stated that both accused became radicalised by extreme Salafi Islamic ideology through online material from 2016 onwards. They regularly watched speeches of radical preachers such as Anwar al-Awlaki, Abu Bara, Moosa Cerantonio, Zahran Hashim of Sri Lanka, among others. They downloaded such content to their devices, which they disseminated among associates.
NIA court awards eight-years rigorous imprisonment to two men in 2019 ISIS case
A NIA court sentenced two Coimbatore residents, Muhammad Azharudeen and Shiek Hidayathulla, to eight years of rigorous imprisonment for propagating ISIS ideology and recruiting vulnerable youth. Convicted under IPC and UAPA sections, their activities in South India were investigated following the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter attack. Digital evidence linked them to radical speakers and ISIS leader Zahran Hashim.
Coimbatore airport receives bomb threat
The email threat claimed that explosive materials were planted at the airport and people had to be evacuated
Deepavali discount sale begins at Co-optex showroom in Villupuram
According to a press release, Co-optex will offer a rebate of 30% on silk and cotton saris sourced from weavers in Coimbatore, Kancheepuram, Salem, Arani, and Tirubhuvanam, among other places.
Govt. school teacher held for sexual assault in Coimbatore
Collector orders fire safety audit of buildings in old market areas in Coimbatore before Deepavali
Terrace warehouse of commercial building in Coimbatores busy Big Bazaar Street catches fire
Karur stampede: DMK MP submits petition seeking compensationfor four TVK cadres in Namakkal
The four people are currently receiving medical treatment at private hospitals in Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, and Namakkal Government Medical College Hospital
Suicide pact: Third sibling succumbs in Coimbatore hospital
RPF arrests seven for stealing railway materials from Coimbatore yard
Coimbatore Corporation says 20,319 stray dogs vaccinated in five months
NIA court finds two guilty in Coimbatore IS module case
Delhi HC suspends IAF officer's 10-year sentence in rape case, asks AFT to expeditiously hear appeal
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has suspended the 10-year jail sentence of an Indian Air Force officer for the alleged offence of raping a woman colleague in 2021. The high court set aside a March 2024 order of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), which had refused to suspend the officer's sentence, and granted him bail on furnishing two sureties of Rs 5 lakh each. It asked the AFT to expeditiously take up the officer's appeal, which is pending since 2023, and dispose it of at an early date. In the present case, the petitioner does not have any antecedents and has already undergone 4 years out of a 10-year sentence. Given that his appeal was preferred in 2023 and is not likely to be disposed of in the near future, there exists a real and pertinent risk of completion of a substantial portion or the entirety of the sentence in detention while awaiting conclusion of the appeal, a bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla said in a September 25 judgment. In these circumstances, the court said it was inclined to exercise discretionary power conferred upon it in favour of granting suspension of sentence to the petitioner. The court's verdict came while allowing a plea by the officer challenging the March 2024 order of the AFT by which the tribunal had refused to suspend the sentence of rigorous imprisonment for ten years and release him on bail pending appeal. According to facts of the case, the petitioner was posted at the Air Force Administrative College at Coimbatore in 2021 and was undertaking a course when the incident took place. In September 2021, a party took place in the mess which was attended by the petitioner, prosecutrix along with other coursemates. Earlier that evening, the woman had suffered an injury and was given some medicines. It was the prosecution's case that the woman consumed alcohol along with the medication, rendering her in an incomprehensible state. As she was not feeling well, she was escorted back to her room by two coursemates. Later that night, she was allegedly sexually assaulted but having been passed out, she could not recollect the events. The man had claimed that the alleged incident was consensual in nature and the alleged confessions in the video were involuntary, made under duress and tailored to safeguard the reputation of the woman. The high court said it was mindful that while conviction can be lawfully based on the sole testimony of the prosecutrix, however, in this case, the woman does not have personal knowledge of the alleged incident. Her knowledge primarily came from the alleged video confession recorded by one prosecution witness along with the accounts of another witness it said. Both the prosecution witnesses were also IAF officers. The reliability of these witnesses is disputed, inter alia, on the ground that prosecution witness 2 initially denied the video recording before COI but subsequently furnished it, and that prosecution witness 1, though present at the relevant time and having witnessed the petitioner and prosecutrix together, did not raise any alarm and only voiced her concerns the next day, allegedly as an afterthought, the court said. It further said that the purported extra-judicial confessions are vehemently disputed by the petitioner, who asserted that they were made under duress and false statements were given to protect the reputation of the prosecutrix. In these circumstances, the credibility and veracity of the extra-judicial confessions, witness testimonies and other evidence on record, has to be believed with a pinch of salt, while considering the application for suspension of execution of sentence, the court said.
Cruelty clip causes cancellation of Coimbatore childrens homes licence
NIA court finds two guilty in 2019 Coimbatore ISIS case
An NIA court convicted Coimbatore residents Muhammad Azharudeen and Shiek Hidayathulla for recruiting and propagating ISIS ideology. They were found guilty under IPC and UAPA sections, having been radicalised online and furthering ISIS activities in South India since 2017. The court will pronounce their sentence on September 29.
International travel picks pace in August, up by 7%
NEW DELHI: Airports across the country recorded 3.3 crore passengers in August 2025, marking a one percent increase from the 3.27 crore passengers who flew during the same period last year. Despite a negative growth domestically, international traffic has driven air passenger growth across the country, reveals the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The Air Traffic Report, made public by AAI on Thursday, reveals that 66,73,252 flyers opted to travel abroad last month, marking a 7.7% increase over the 61,93,449 flyers recorded during the same month in 2024. A total of 2,64,06,660 passengers travelled domestically in August 2025 as compared to 2,65,48,845 in the corresponding period last year, marking a slight dip of 0.5% (zero point 5). The Air Traffic Movements (Arrival and Departures) reveal a 1.5% dip with 2,54,440 ATMs in August 2025 versus 2,58,310 in August 2024. A similar comparison of the patronage registered in the first five months of the ongoing financial year reveals a 3.4% increase in overall passenger count over the previous year-- 17.03 crore flyers versus 16.47 crore flyers. Yet again, international patronage has seen an increase of 6.8% while domestic passengers have gone up by 2.6% in April August this year versus same period last year. Max growth in international flyers in Aug 25 Pune airport has recorded the maxiumum growth of 80.7% in international passengers in August 2025 (24,303 flyers) over August 2024. The other airports which have registered commendable growth in international traffic are Coimbatore with a 48% increase (28,990 passangers), Surat with 41% increase (15,442) Mangaluru 40.2% (72,849) and Bagdogra 37.5% increase (1877 flyers). Guwahati and Chandigarh airports have dropped more than 20% of their passenger recorded during the compared period last year. Domestically, the airports that have recorded a substantial increase in August this year over the figures recorded in the same month in 2024 are: Kishangarh 93.1% (11,277 psgrs), Jaisalmer 91.2% (64), Dharbanga 87.4% (66,826), Agatti 66.3% (8725), Guwahati 63.1% 727500), Tiruchirappali 56% increase, Cudappah 55.6% (426), Tuticorin 54.8% (29788) and Agra 43.5% (17496). AAI & ICAO sign project to review height restrictions The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have signed a significant Project Document to review Indias national regulations on height restrictions around aerodromes, marking a key step in strengthening the countrys aviation safety framework. NHAI revises guidelines for signboards on highways The NHAI has updated its signboard guidelines, making roadside boards more informative and user-friendly. These boards will display details of at least 20 essential services and include QR codes for digital access to the most up-to-date information.
Meet the young siblings building an aesthetic beauty brand in Kerala
KOCHI: With their trademark smiles and patented childish enthusiasm, two young siblings are giving beauty a new brand. Hailing from Thrissur, Kanishka and Akanshka are making a mark in the world of entrepreneurship with their skincare and fragrance business Aesthetic. Specialising in natural and solid perfumes and lip balms, the brand currently generates a monthly revenue of around Rs 35,000. It all started as a way to help seven-year-old Akanshka, who dropped out of school after an accident, beat boredom. Akanshka met with an accident when she was in first grade. She ended up losing an organ. She couldnt continue her schooling due to treatment. Once she recovered, I found her looking for ways to combat ennui. I was then running a company that made lip balm in Coimbatore. I taught her to make and diversify the product. Kanishka, her elder sister, joined her to launch Aesthetic in January, says Sari Changaramkumarath, their mother. It helped that 12-year-old Kanishka was a busy bee. During her vacation, she took an online course in making solid perfumes. Though the course extended beyond the summer break, I persisted with it. Akanshka and I developed a keen interest in making beauty products, and we started taking it seriously. Our parents supported us by sourcing materials and taking orders, as well as with packaging and transportation, says Kanishka, a student of Peramangalam Sree Durga Vilasam HSS. With their CR7, sandalwood, bubble blue, Onam mood, forest vanilla, and candy mist perfume varieties; beetroot, cherry, and beetroot-orange lip balms; and, red sandalwood, charcoal, and shea butter soaps, the siblings have crafted a solid product line. The packaging and posting are done on weekends. Kanishka and Akanshka actively participate in product design, packaging, and marketing. Initially, we sold the products to relatives and friends. Later, they started receiving orders from corporates. Recently, UAE-based company approached us. This has inspired us to initiate the process of getting an export licence, Sari adds. The sisters also have an Instagram page to sell their products. Around 120 to 150 units of perfumes and lip balms are sold every month. Products are priced in the range of Rs 120 to Rs 399. Minister for Industries P Rajeeve recently met the sisters. I am happy that Kanishka and Akanshka have inspired other youngsters to start small-scale businesses. Their efforts have been well-received. Personally, the initiative has helped enhance their productivity and skill in entrepreneurship, Sari said.
Coimbatore home closed, officer-in-charge arrested, says Minister
ESIC, EPFO outreach programme in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode and Nilgiris districts on September 29
Nagore Nagapattinam rail users association submits its list of long-pending demands to top official
The association says there is no direct train to Madurai, Coimbatore, or Tirunelveli either from Karaikal or Velankanni; the association has requested the authorities to extend the Tiruchi-Tiruvarur-Tiruchi passenger train (56805/56806) up to Karaikal or Thirunallar
Inspector dies in accident in Coimbatore
The deceased has been identified as R. Banumathi, 52, who had been working as Inspector and station house officer of the All Women Police Station, Coimbatore South.
Man succumbs to injuries after elephant attack near Coimbatore
Man injured in wild elephant attack near Coimbatore
17 women workers of KPR Mills in Coimbatore receive medals at Tamil Nadu Open University convocation
Private coach held for sexual assault on four students near Coimbatore
MSME Minister launches TNGSS mobile application at stakeholders meet in Coimbatore
Inquiry launched as videos of man beating boy with a belt at Coimbatore childrens home emerge
Two videos, which were widely circulated, showed a man beating a child with a belt in the presence of other inmates and a few caretakers
Sky is the limit for Coimbatore with right connectivity, capacity
Six held for placing wooden log on railway track in Coimbatore
Entries invited for The Hindu Kolu Kondattam contest in Coimbatore
Law student allegedly insulted for wearing sleeveless outfit to flower market in Coimbatore
Coimbatore city to get a new four-acre Bamboo Park
Woman Alleges Moral Policing By Coimbatore Flower Vendors Over Sleeveless Top
A woman in Coimbatore has alleged that she was subjected to moral policing by flower vendors at a local market after being criticised for wearing a sleeveless outfit.
Tamil Nadu Law Student Calls Out Shopkeeper For Commenting On Her Sleeveless Outfit
A law student in Coimbatore's Flower Market confronted a shopkeeper over derogatory comments on her sleeveless top, sparking debate on women's clothing rights in public spaces.
Customs seizes 36 vehicles suspected to have been smuggled in from Bhutan
The operation, codenamed Numkhor (meaning vehicle in Bhutanese language), saw Customs teams fan out across the State based on a list of 150 to 200 vehicles flagged for irregularities in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways database and suspected to have been smuggled into Kerala through a Coimbatore-based smuggling network
