Jean Francois Mutzig, a photo journalist from France.
| Photo Credit: R. ASHOK

For foreign tourists, it was a whole new experience at Alanganallur in Madurai district, as they were there to witness the famous jallikattu event.

Tourists from the US, the UK, Australia, France, Belgium, Austria, Brazil and other countries had registered to watch the event as part of Pongal celebrations organised by Tamil Nadu Tourism. For a couple of the tourists, it was their second time at Alanganallur. Captivated by the bull taming sport, they were back to witness it once again. The tourists enthusiastically clicked pictures of the event from the gallery.

French Photojournalist Jean Francois Mutzig said that he was fascinated by jallikattu and the valour on display at the event. The bond between man and animal was a subject he was interested in and he has captured the relationship shared between man and animals, particularly elephants.

He was so captivated by jallikattu, he said that he would return to Alanganallur in the future to study, research and document the event and the relationship between man and bulls like he did with man and elephants. He was there at the event with his team Les Cliches De L’aventure.

French couple Adrien and Elodie, who were into farming back home, said they were at Alanganallur as part of Pongal celebrations. They had learnt that Pongal was the festival of harvest. A devotee dressed as Karuppanasamy applied vibhuti on the forehead of the tourists as enquired about the deity near the temple at Alanganallur.

Tourist Officer S.M. Sribalamurugan of Tamil Nadu Tourism said that around 150 foreign tourists registered for the event. However, more than 200 foreign tourists watched the jallikattu event.

On January 15, the foreign tourists were presented with a slice of Tamil culture and tradition at Kalaignar Centenary Jallikattu Arena in Keezhakarai near Alanganallur. They were accorded a warm welcome at the venue. They watched the artistes perform traditional art forms, prepared pongal and relished it. The foreign tourists also drew colourful kolams with the local residents.

A man who allegedly bludgeoned his father over an argument in inebriated condition at their residence in Shamirpet was arrested on Thursday.

The accused Alakunta Narsimha, 28, was living with his parents in a rented house in Peddamma Colony of Shamirpet. On the afternoon of January 14, an argument broke out between Narsimha and his mother Peddamma during which he hit her with a wooden pestle in an inebriated condition. When Narsimha’s father, A. Hanmanthu, 50, intervened, he was also attacked.

“Narsimha struck Hanmanthu on the head and forehead with the wooden pestle. As Hanmanthu tried to escape, Narsimha threw a brick at him, causing severe bleeding injuries,” the police said.

Hanmanthu was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

The Shamirpet police booked a case while the body was shifted to Gandhi Hospital for post mortem.

It is designed to provide comprehensive resources, mentorship, and strategic guidance to existing incubators. 
| Photo Credit: naum

On National Start-up Day, the SBI Foundation and NSRCEL IIM Bangalore announced the launch of the ‘Incubating Incubators Initiative (i-Cube)’, an initiative designed to foster entrepreneurial ecosystems in India’s underserved regions. The initiative is housed under the ‘Innovators for Bharat’ programme at SBI Foundation and the ‘Ecosystem Capacity Building Initiative’ at NSRCEL.  

The initiative aims to establish and enhance incubation centres in historically underrepresented regions, including the northeast and hill states, delivering localised and capacity-building expertise, and resources. According to a release from NSRCEL and SBI Foundation, it is designed to provide comprehensive resources, mentorship, and strategic guidance to existing incubators and accelerators, helping them scale, refine their services, and strengthen their impact on the startup ecosystem. 

“By collaborating with state missions, educational institutions, knowledge partners, business veterans, and government bodies, the initiative will empower entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on women and youth, in areas where opportunities have historically been limited,” read the release.

i-Cube will initially focus on establishing and strengthening incubation centres in underserved regions like the northeast, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and others. 

Speaking on the thought behind the initiative, Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director, SBI Foundation said, “SBI Foundation set up the Innovators for Bharat initiative primarily to provide support to high-impact incubators providing incubation/acceleration support to start-ups working to address the most pressing development challenges in the country. Over time, we recognized the need to nurture incubators, particularly in smaller cities and rural centres. We are proud to be partners with NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore in this mission to foster localized innovation.”

Anand Sri Ganesh, CEO of NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, commented that the initiative represented a pivotal step towards bridging the gap in entrepreneurial infrastructure in underserved regions of India. “By empowering incubators and supporting entrepreneurs, NSRCEL with SBI Foundation’s support envisions a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that fosters innovation, job creation, and economic growth” he said.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on January 15, 2025. Photo: Sri Lankan President’s office via PTI

Sri Lanka has secured “one of its largest FDIs”, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced on Thursday, after signing a $3.7 billion-agreement with Sinopec during his ongoing state visit to China.

Following bilateral discussions, President Dissanayake and Chinese President Xi Jinping, pledged to usher in a “new era” of development in bilateral ties, deepen traditional friendship, and advance Belt and Road cooperation, official statements said.

“During my state visit to China, we secured one of our largest foreign direct investments — a $3.7B agreement with @SinopecNews to build an advanced oil refinery in Hambantota. This will boost exports, create jobs, and fuel economic growth,” Mr. Dissanayake posted on social media platform X. The investment entails, “a state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels” in the southern Hambantota district, the Presidential Media Division said in a statement. The refinery is planned adjacent to the Hambantota port that China Merchant Port Holdings controls, on a 99-year lease.

Mr. Dissanayake is on his second state visit abroad — from January 14 to 17 — following his visit to India in December 2024. Both India and China have expressed their desire to closely work with the leader, who has vowed to pursue a non-aligned foreign policy that will put Sri Lanka’s interests first.

Sri Lanka’s deal with the state-run Sinopec signals continuity in China’s investment strategy in the island nation, after Mr. Dissanayake and his National People’s Power captured power in 2024. It also reflects Sri Lanka’s preference for investments over loans after its devastating economic crash and sovereign default in 2022.

The Sinopec investment was cleared in November 2023, during the term of Mr. Dissanayake’s predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe. The project appears to have come in place of an earlier investment proposal linked to a Singapore-based company, in which the family of Member of Parliament S. Jagathrakshakan, of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu, held stakes. The project ran into a controversy — after Oman, said to be another investor, denied having a role — and was eventually scrapped.

Mr. Dissanayake held discussions with Mr. Xi on Wednesday, at the Great Hall of the People, where he was accorded a red-carpet welcome. “The welcoming ceremony was conducted with great honour, including a ceremonial gun salute,” Mr. Dissanayake’s office said in a statement. Mr. Xi emphasised China’s “readiness to work closely with Sri Lanka in ushering in a new era of development”, the statement said. Several MoUs aimed at strengthening collaboration in areas such as economy, social development, and industry were inked.

Sri Lanka and China “set a fine example of friendly interactions and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes”, stated a joint statement issued by the two governments. “The two sides agreed to advance all major signature projects including the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port integrated development, fully utilize such platforms as the Silk Road Workshop…The two sides were pleased to sign a Belt and Road cooperation plan to upgrade China-Sri Lanka high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.”

While Colombo thanked China for its assistance in restructuring its loans to Sri Lanka, China said it would continue to play a positive role in the IMF and maintain friendly communication with other creditors to help Sri Lanka ease its financial difficulties and achieve debt sustainability, the statement said. “The two sides agreed to work toward the early conclusion of a comprehensive free trade agreement in one package in line with the principles of equality, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes,” the joint statement said.

Three writ petitions have been filed in the Madras High Court accusing the Puzhal central prison personnel of having thrashed some of the inmates after seizing mobile phones and ganja (cannabis) from their cells during a surprise inspection on January 10, 2025.

The petitions have been listed for hearing before a Pongal vacation Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and V. Lakshminarayanan on Friday. They had been filed by P. Shameem Banu, S. Mumtaj and P. Prakash, the wife, mother and brother of prisoners Panna Ismail, S. Bilal Malik and P. Yokesh respectively.

In an affidavit filed through her counsel P. Pugalendhi, Ms. Mumtaj (74) of Nelpettai in Madurai city said, her son was an undertrial prisoner incarcerated since October 5, 2013. Eight cases against him were pending before a special court for bomb blast cases at Poonamallee.

He and his co-accused Ismail had been lodged in the sensitive block of the Puzhal central prison in Chennai. The petitioner said that a surprise raid was conducted across the prison complex on January 10 when two mobile phones were reportedly seized from the sensitive block.

Suspecting that the phones belonged to Ismail and Malik, the prison officials bet them up brutally and imposed the punishment of denial of interviews with relatives for a month, the petitioner complained and sought a direction to shift her son to Apollo Hospitals for treatment at her cost.

A similar plea was made by the other two petitioners too.

Tamers trying to stop a raging bull at the Alanganallur jallikattu in Madurai district.
| Photo Credit: ASHOK R

A 55-year-old spectator at the Alanganallur jallikattu in Madurai district was gored to death by a raging bull on Thursday.

The event was flagged off by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.

According to the police, P. Periyasamy of Vadipatti was attacked by a bull when he was standing near the bull collection point.

He sustained severe injuries and was admitted to a government hospital.

Doctors at the hospital said they performed a tracheotomy on him. Even as his breathing turned normal, he experienced a cardiac arrest and died.

Earlier, following morning prayers to the local gods and three temple bulls on the arena, the event was flagged off by Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin. As a custom, the temple bulls were released first from the vaadivasal to mark the commencement of the event.

The organisers said that around 1,000 bulls were released from the vaadivasal for only the second time in the history of Alanganallur jallikattu.

Touting this as a significant achievement in giving representation to all those eligible for participation, the organisers said that almost all the registered bulls were released into the field.

Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P. Moorthy distributed prizes to the winners.

The first prize went to Abi Sithar of Poovanthi in Sivaganga, who tamed 20 bulls. He was awarded a car, a cow and a calf.

The second and third prize were bagged by Sridhar of Pothumbu, who tamed 13 bulls, and Vignesh of Madapuram in Sivaganga, who tamed 10 bulls, respectively.

While Mr. Sridhar was awarded an autorickshaw, Mr. Vignesh was given an electric bike.

In the ‘best bulls’ list, the first prize was awarded to ‘Bahubali’ from Salem district. The owner was awarded a tractor, a cow and a calf.

Bulls owned by Parthasarathy and Kannan won the second and third prize, respectively. A bike and a rotavator were given for the second place, and an electric bike for the third place.

Health officials said that of the 525 tamers who underwent tests for entry into the field, 33 were rejected for various reasons.

A total of 65 persons sustained injuries. Of them, 17 cases were major, and were referred to the Government Rajaji Hospital.

“Of the 17 referrals, two are in a critical condition. The two critical patients were not bull owners or tamers, but spectators who stood near the bull collection point,” an official said.

Due to relatively light security arrangements at the collection point, many locals enter the area where the owners keep their bulls, an official said.

Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Theni MP Thanga Tamil Selvan, and Collector M.S. Sangeetha were present during the event.

Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar inaugurating the Kerala Management Association’s annual management convention in Kochi on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: R.K. Nithin

The 42^nd annual management convention of the Kerala Management Association (KMA) began here on Thursday.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former Union Minister, inaugurated the two-day event. Speaking on the occasion, he said the success of individuals, organisations, and governments would be determined by the ability to embrace innovation.

He stressed the importance of skills and talent in shaping the next generation, enabling nations to attract investments and achieve enduring success, according to a release issued here.

Angelo George, chief executive officer of Bisleri International, delivered the keynote address. Ibrahim AlBlooshi, executive director of the Dubai Port Authority, was the guest of honour. The theme of this year’s convention was ‘Innovate to Elevate’.

Shashank Subramanyam
| Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ B

The 16th edition of Bharat Gandharva Yatra, organised by the Bharatiya Samagana Sabha, is set to be held from February 19 to February 23, 2025, at Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Vyalikaval, Bengaluru. 

This event will showcase a week-long celebration of Indian classical music, featuring some of the most renowned artistes in the industry. This year’s festival promises a diverse and rich lineup of performances, with celebrated musicians from various genres taking the stage.

Ranjani and Gayatri
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

Among the performers are stalwarts such as Ranjani-Gayatri, Sandeep Narayan, the Trishur Brothers, Sai Vignesh, Arya Ambekar, Sooryagayathri, Lakshmi Nagaraj, Indu Nagaraj, Sumanth Manjunath, Shadaj Godkhindi, Ganga Sasidaran, and Arya Banik. 

These artistes will deliver an array of classical music performances, captivating audiences with their mastery and artistry. 

In addition to the musical performances, the Sabha will honour the legendary flautist Shashank Subramanyam with 13th Samagana Mathanga National Award on February 23, 2025. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the world of Indian classical music.

Israel carried out fresh air strikes on Gaza on Thursday and accused Hamas of backtracking on parts of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal ahead of an expected vote by its cabinet.

The truce, announced by mediators Qatar and the United States on Wednesday, would take effect on Sunday and involve the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, after which the terms of a permanent end to the war would be finalised.

Israel-Hamas ceasefire Updates

But the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Hamas had “reneged on parts of the agreement reached… in an effort to extort last-minute concessions”.

It also said that the Israeli cabinet, which has yet to approve the agreement, “will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement”.

Hamas political bureau member Sami Abu Zuhri said there was “no basis” for Israel’s accusations.

In Gaza, the civil defence agency said Israel pounded several areas of the territory after the deal was announced, killing at least 75 people and wounding hundreds more.

The agreement followed months of fruitless negotiations to end the deadliest war in Gaza’s history and, if finalised, would pause hostilities one day before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

Netanyahu spoke with both US President Joe Biden and Trump on Wednesday, the Israeli leader’s office said, thanking them for their help securing the agreement but also cautioning that “final details” were still being worked on.

The war was triggered by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

During the attack, the deadliest in Israeli history, Palestinian militants also took 251 people hostage, 94 of whom are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel’s ensuing campaign has destroyed much of Gaza, killing 46,788 people, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry that the UN considers reliable.

Mixed feelings

In Israel and Gaza, there were celebrations welcoming the truce deal, but also anguish.

Saeed Alloush, who lives in north Gaza, said he and his loved ones were “waiting for the truce and were happy”, until overnight strikes killed his relatives.

“It was the happiest night since October 7” until “we received the news of the martyrdom of 40 people from the Alloush family”, he said.

In Tel Aviv, pensioner Simon Patya said he felt “great joy” that some hostages would return alive, but also “great sorrow for those who are returning in bags, and that will be a very strong blow, morally”.

Two far-right party leaders in Netanyahu’s cabinet have publicly opposed the agreement.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said it was a “dangerous deal”, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called it “disastrous”.

Israeli media said the government’s ratification of the agreement may be delayed, in part, by disagreements within the ruling coalition.

The deal followed intensified efforts from mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani announced on Wednesday that the “two belligerents in the Gaza Strip have reached a deal”.

“We hope that all parties will commit to implementing all the terms of this agreement,” he said, adding that the three mediators would monitor its implementation.

During an initial 42-day ceasefire, 33 hostages would be released, the Qatari prime minister said, including women, “children, elderly people, as well as civilian ill people and wounded”.

Also in the first phase, Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza’s densely populated areas and allow displaced Palestinians to return “to their residences”, he said.

Aid needed

Announcing the deal from the White House, Mr. Biden said he was “deeply satisfied this day has come”, calling the negotiations some of the “toughest” of his career.

He added that the second phase of the agreement, if finalised, would bring a “permanent end to the war”.

Envoys from both Trump’s incoming administration and Biden’s outgoing one had been present at the latest negotiations, with a senior Biden official saying the unlikely pairing had been a decisive factor in reaching the deal.

Mr. Trump on social media hailed the “EPIC ceasefire agreement”.

Biden said the deal would “surge much needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families”.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also underscored the “importance of accelerating the entry of urgent humanitarian aid” into Gaza.

Egypt’s state-linked Al-Qahera News cited a security source as saying coordination was “underway” to reopen the Rafah crossing on Gaza’s border with Egypt to allow in aid.

The UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, facing an Israeli ban on its activities set to take effect later this month, welcomed the ceasefire deal.

“What’s needed is rapid, unhindered and uninterrupted humanitarian access and supplies to respond to the tremendous suffering caused by this war,” UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X.