Justice C. Saravanan, Judge, Madras High Court, honoured to N. Ravi, Former Editor-in-Chief , The Hindu, and Juri of Rajasthan-Tamil Seva Awards at Inauguration of Rajasthan – Tamil Seva Awards at Arumbakkam on Saturday. Praveen Kumar Tatia , Rajasthan Association, Narendra Srisrimal, Chairman of the Rajasthan-Tamil Seva Awards Committee, also present.
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ

The Rajasthani Association Tamilnadu on Saturday announced the launch of Rajasthani-Tamil Seva Awards, to honour exeptional persons who have contributed to agriculture and rural development, public services, education, healthcare, environment and sustainability, entrepreneurship and industry, social welfare, media and communication. Each award carries a cash prize of Rs.2 lakh, a trophy, and a citation.

Inaugurating the event on Saturday, Madras High Court Justice C. Saravanan, said the Rajasthani-Tamil Seva Awards were a powerful symbol of the unity between two vibrant communities, Rajasthanis and Tamilians. “These awards not only celebrate individual excellence but also highlight the collective impact of service on the state’s development. By recognising selfless contributions to Tamil Nadu’s welfare, these awards inspire others to follow the path of service, fostering unity, progress, and meaningful change,” he said.

The jury, chaired by S. Gurumurthy, editor of Tughlaq magazine, included distinguished individuals such as E. Balagurusamy, former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, N. Ravi, former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, N. Sugalchand Jain, founder, Bhagwan Mahaveer Awards, and Padma Subrahmanyam, Bharatanatyam scholar.

Shantilal Jain, MD and CEO of Indian Bank, said the awards were a commendable step forward in recognising the efforts of individuals and organisations who have gone above and beyond in making a tangible difference in the lives of Tamilnadu’s people. Praveen Kumar Tatia, president of the Association, and Narendra Srisrimal, Chairman of the Rajasthani-Tamil Seva Awards Committee, also spoke.

Scheduled to commence annually from March 2025, the Rajasthani-Tamil Seva Awards represent a landmark achievement in the Association’s long-standing legacy of social service. Nominations are now open, with detailed guidelines available through the Association’s official platforms. Link for access details of Rajasthani Tamil Seva Awards: https://rajasthanitamil.org/

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) plans to float tenders in January for laying, relaying, and restoring over 5,500 roads to expedite work timelines. “These include interior roads and bus route roads. Tenders are typically issued in June or July, but to increase work speed, the tender process would be done sooner. Cost increase under schemes like Nagarpura Salai Membattu Thittam (NSMT), Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Fund (TURIF), and Singara Chennai etc., are under review, with vetting currently underway. So far, the overall cost has not been decided yet,” stated a higher authority in the Works department. The State has earlier cited certain financial constraints, hence that is also being looked into, he said.

According to the official, earlier projects tendered in August for ₹250 crore have seen approximately 52% completion i.e. over 1,200 roads were relaid so far, and the remaining are set to be done from next year.

Meanwhile, road-cut restoration work continues across multiple zones, focusing on added areas. In Adyar Zone (XIII), repairs progressed despite rain. “On LDG Road, a pipe leak was repaired, and the road was restored to ensure public safety,” an engineer in the Zone said. Notably, road cuts were banned by the GCC in November owing to safety concerns amid rains.

In Sholinganallur Zone (XV), engineers began restoration work on December 19 after rains subsided.

In Sholinganallur Zone (XV), No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were received for 237 roads, with four completed and five in progress. Another 161 are set to begin, 26 await administrative sanction, and tenders are pending for the remaining 41 roads.

Tenders were also issued for restoring road cuts made for Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB) projects, with NOCs obtained for 18 roads, as of December 21. Restoration works are to be taken up on a portion of VGP Nagar Main, Brindavan Garden Main Road in Madhavaram Zone (III); and VOC Street Extension, Harichandra Main Road, and Rajendra Garden in Sholinganallur Zone (ZV).

To this, the higher authority noted that damp sub-surfaces could erode under anticipated heavy rains on December 27, but critical restorations where necessary are being undertaken by respective zonal officials for public convenience.

Kancheepuram District Police has arrested a 60-year-old man and his relative for allegedly murdering the former’s alcoholic son who was a trouble maker. They then threw his body in a pond after tying a hollow block around the waist.

On Wednesday, police received a message from the villagers of Pudupakkam near Kancheepuram that an unidentified body was floating in the pond with wound marks on his forehead. The body was in a decomposed stage and a concrete hollow block was tied around his waist. On investigation, police identified the deceased as Munusamy, 40 of Pudupakkam village who was addicted to alcohol as his wife was estranged from him.

Police enquired his father Kathavarayan who gave evasive replies. Police arrested Kathavarayan, 60 on charges of murdering his son and his relative Rajesh, 50 for abetting him to dump the body in the pond. Police sources said he had come under the influence of alcohol to his parents’ house and had frequent quarrels. He attacked his father and mother on the day of occurrence. In retaliation, Kathavarayan beat him using wooden logs and it resulted in the death of Munusamy. Later with the help of his relative Rajesh, he disposed of the body with the block tied around the waist, said police.

As part of Lit For Life festival, Tales and Talks reading and author Nandini Krishnan interaction session, at Besant Nagar Beach, in Chennai on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: R. Ravindran

With the ocean waves and dogs for company, people gathered near the Karl Schmidt Memorial in Edward Elliot’s Beach silently read on the seashore as part of the Tales and Talks event on Saturday.

The event organised by The Hindu in association with Bessy Reads is an effort to promote the reading habit among people.

“The event combines my two favourite things: the beach and reading, I wouldn’t be missing it. The time spent reading with the sea in the background was great,” said Vaishali Roopesh, who attended the session.

Speaking about the event, founder of Bessy Reads Kruthika Kumar, said, “We had been wanting to hold an author interaction for the longest time and didn’t have the right platform. This is a great opportunity as listening to an author also opens new perspectives for a reader which could motivate them to read more.”

As the sun set with a light breeze blowing in the air, the speaker of the day author Nandini Krishnan took the seat to interact with the audience on seeing society through the lens of literature.

Replying to question on finding a niche in writing she said, “Its an artificial approach. One of my friends was saying that a novel is not a manual for living, it’s not an agenda or activism. It’s about the human condition. You’re just writing about the human condition and people will take what they will from that. Whether it’s novel or nonfiction I think it should portray the human condition or the condition of whatever. I don’t think you need to find a niche.”

The Hindu Lit For Life is done in association with Christ University, associate partners: Blue Star, Uttarakhand Tourism and Bookstore partner: Crossword. To register for The Hindu Lit For Life, visit https://newsth.live/LFL2025ED or scan the QR code.

A man was arrested by the Madipakkam police after being found in possession of 5 grams of methamphetamine and a phone. Acting on a tip-off, a special police team from the Madipakkam Police Station conducted surveillance near the Moovarasampettai lake road in Madipakkam on December 20. During the operation, they stopped a suspicious individual, later identified as Saddam Hussein (31) from Amman Nagar, Tirusulam, Chennai. Upon questioning, he gave inconsistent responses, prompting a search that revealed the possession of drugs and an iPhone.

The authorities also seized a weighing machine from him. The police are continuing their search for two other individuals involved in the case, who remain at large.

नई दिल्ली. परिणीति चोपड़ा ने साल 2012 में आई फिल्म ‘इशकजादे’ से बॉलीवुड में डेब्यू किया था. फिल्म ने बॉक्स ऑफिस पर धमाल मचाने के साथ फिल्म फेयर अवॉर्ड भी अपने नाम किए थे. आज एक्ट्रेस की गिनती टॉप एक्ट्रेस में होती हैं. एक्ट्रेस ने अपने करियर में 600 करोड़ी फिल्म का ऑफर ठुकरा दिया था. इस फिल्म को ठुकराने के बाद ही उन्हें अपना हमसफर मिला था.

बॉलीवुड एक्ट्रेस परिणीति चोपड़ा ने आप सांसद राघव चड्ढा संग शादी रचाई है. एक्ट्रेस ने अपने एक हालिया इंटरव्यू में खुलासा किया था कि एक ब्लॉकबस्टर फिल्म को रिजेक्ट करना उनके लिए कितना फायदेमंद साबित हुई था. एक्ट्रेस ने इस दौरान अपने और अपनी पति की शादी से पहले की मुलाकातों का भी जिक्र किया कि वह कैसे राघव से पहली बार मिली थीं.

कभी स्कूल की फीस भरने के नहीं थे पैसे, बिस्किट खाकर भी गुजारी रातें, फिर दे डाली 850 करोड़ कमाने वाली फिल्म

ओटीटी के लिए ठुकरा दी थी 900 करोड़ी
परिणीति चोपड़ा हाल ही में अपने पति राघव संग इंडिया टीवी के सुपरहिट शो ‘आप की अदालत’ में नजर आई थीं. इस दौरान उन्होंने अपनी लव स्टोरी का खुलासा किया. उन्होंने बताया कि एक ओटीटी फिल्म के लिए 900 करोड़ी फिल्म ठुकराई थी. एक्ट्रेस ने बताया कि, ‘परिणीति चोपड़ा फिल्म ‘एनिमल’ की पहली पसंद थीं. इस फिल्म में रणबीर कपूर के साथ रश्मिका मंदाना नजर आईं थीं. लेकिन रश्मिका का किरदार के लिए पहले परिणीति चोपड़ा को चुना गया था. लेकिन उन्होंने चमकीला के लिए इस फिल्म का ऑफर ठुकरा दिया था.

यूं शुरू हुई थी प्रेम कहानी
परिणीति ने अपनी बात आगे रखते हुए बताया, ‘मैं लंदन में थी एंटरटेनमेंट में आउटस्टैंडिंग अचीवर अवॉर्ड लेने पहुंची थी. वहां राघव पॉलिटिक्स एंड गवर्नेंस में पुरस्कार लेने आए थे. मेरे भाई उन्हें बहुत पसंद करते हैं और उनके बहुत बड़े फैन थे. भाई के कहने के बाद ही मैं उनसे मिलने गई. लेकिन वहां ज्यादा बात नहीं हो सकी और फिर मुंबई में मिलने की बात हुई. लेकिन उन्होंने कहा यही कल ही मिल लेते हैं. दूसरी मुलाकात में हम करीबन दस लोग एक साथ थे. इतने लोगों में वह अचानक उठे और प्लेट लेकर आए और खाना शुरू किया. मैं उसे देख रही थी, यार कितना सिंपल बंदा है. मैंने सोचा, ‘मैं इसी शख्स से शादी करूंगी’.

बता दें कि बॉबी देओल और रणबीर कपूर की एनिमल ने ताबड़तोड़ कमाई की थी, वहीं चमकीला कुछ खास प्रदर्शन नहीं कर पाई थी. लेकिन बावजूद इसके एक्ट्रेस को फिल्म छोड़ने का कोई मलाल नहीं हैं, उन्होंने कहना है इस फिल्म से जो सुकून और जो हमसफर मुझे मिला. उसे बड़ी और कोई सफलता नहीं हो सकती.

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A 28-year-old man was found dead at his house in Little Mount, Saidapet. Police said it is a case of suicide.

The victim has been identified as Devaraj, 28, a resident of Arokia Madha Nagar, Little Mount and he completed a catering course. His father was no more and he was living with his mother who has been battling cancer. He was addicted to online gambling, police said. Taking Rs.30,000 kept for the treatment of her mother, he spent it all on online gambling and lost the money. His mother scolded him and frustrated over this, he took the extreme decision, said police sources.

Kotturpuram Police recovered his body and sent it to post-mortem.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416. and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)

A 30-year-old police constable died after accidentally falling from the second floor of an apartment under the influence of alcohol in K.K. Nagar on Friday. 

The victim has been identified as P.Selvakumar, 30, a native of Villupuram and 2017-batch grade-II constable. He was serving as a law and order constable at Sembium police station. He was staying with the family of his brother and his wife in K.K.Nagar. On Friday night, he was under the influence of alcohol and had a heated quarrel with his brother over his choice in a marriage proposal. He pushed and locked his brother in a room and created a ruckus. His brother called police for assistance over the phone and as the patrolling team reached the spot.  He himself went to another and locked inside. 

While police team rescued his brother, Selvakumar opened the rear door of his room and attempted to climb down a tree adjacent. He accidentally fell from the second floor and slid on to the iron fencing on the compound wall. He was rescued by the police and rushed to a government hospital where the doctors declared him dead. K.K.Nagar police registered a case for accidental fall and further investigation is on. EOM 

The city police arrested two men on Friday for snatching a silver chain and a mobile phone from a man. The incident occurred while K.Sridhar, 33, was walking towards a TASMAC outlet in New Washermanpet on Thursday.

Following an investigation based on the victim’s complaint, the police arrested the suspects B. Akash, 21, and D. Manikandan, 23, of Tondiarpet. The stolen items were recovered.

Police said that Manikandan has a previous criminal record. Both were remanded to judicial custody.

CMBT Police on Saturday arrested four persons including a woman for allegedly abducting a financier and assaulting him over a business rivalry. 

Police said the complainant Durai Ragupathi, 30, a native of Thoothukudi is a financier for cars and he is running an office in Saligramam. He posted an advertisement for the sale of a car and on seeing the post, Gautham contacted him and asked him to bring the car to a particular location in Koyambedu. Ragupathi also took his car to the place mentioned by Gautham. On reaching the spot, Gautham and three others pushed him into the car and abducted him. However, after sometime, they abandoned him after assaulting and snatching the car and his mobile phone. He lodged a complaint with the police in this regard. 

After conducting an investigation, a team of police personnel arrested the four suspects who have been identified as K.Gautham, 27, of Kundrathur, his friend R.Swetha, 23, of Triplicane, R.Nagarajan, 32, of Koyambedu and Kishore Balaji, 23, of Anna Nagar. The car and mobile phone were recovered from them. The investigation revealed that the said Gautham and Durai Ragupathy had rivarly over business transactions. EOM