Tamil Nadu

Controversy

Two multiple-choice questions from the paper had caused a furore for promoting caste indifference and religious intolerance.

TNM Staff

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After receiving backlash and severe criticism for a question paper set for a class 6 exam which was alleged to be set by a Kendriya Vidyalaya from Tamil Nadu or Pondicherry on social media, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) issued an official statement to clarify. One page of the question paper and the respective portions from the syllabus went viral on Friday. प्रेस विज्ञप्ति/Press Release के.वि. से संबंधित नहीं है सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हो रहा प्रश्न पत्र Question Paper being shared on Social Media not related to any Kendriya Vidyalaya pic.twitter.com/ezg9TVzVGu — Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (@KVS_HQ) September 7, 2019 Two multiple-choice questions from the paper had caused a furore: Question 17: “What do you mean by Dalit?” and choices for answers were: (A) Foreigners (B) Untouchables (C) Middle Class (D) Upper class. and Question 18: “What is the common stereotype about Muslims?” and choices for answers were: (A) They don’t send their girls to school (B) They are pure vegetarian (C) They do not sleep at all at the time of Roza (D) All of them. These questions were said to be based from a class 6 social science textbook published in 2018-19 by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Both the questions were from Chapter 2, “Diversity and Discrimination” under two subhead - ‘On being discriminated against’ (page 18) and ‘Inequality and discrimination’ (page 19). What are our Children learning now ?? @sanjayuvacha . This is Class 6 Kendriya Vidyalaya Question Paper !!! Please read it !!! pic.twitter.com/ijdqKrmkvT — Augustine Varkey (@logicalindianz) September 6, 2019 Kendriya Vidyalaya question paper for class 6! What have we come to? Source: https://t.co/1cwm5nQ8FN pic.twitter.com/nZ4C1EfclY — Dr.B.Karthik Navayan (@Navayan) September 6, 2019 Kendriya Vidyalaya question paper for class 6! What have we come to? Don't have hope for the next generation either... India kya hoga re tera...Chinta ho raha hai mujhe #Chandrayaan2 tum kya kahoge jab Chand puchega " India Kaisa Hai ?" pic.twitter.com/Yo1kA73KSS— Mere Achhe Din Ayenge (@VotHardVotHard) September 7, 2019 In an official statement, KVS said that no evidence has been found to support the theory that the question paper was from any of their schools. “This question paper is said to be related with some school in Tamil Nadu or Puducherry. However, no evidence has so far been brought to the notice of KVS which may establish that the Question Paper belongs to a Kendriya Vidyalaya,” their statement read. It further added that the deputy commissioner of KVS RO said that "none of 49 Kendriya Vidyalayas of Chennai Region has prepared such questions/question paper. Moreover, the pattern of question paper in KVs is different from what is being circulated in media." DMK leader MK Stalin and MDMK chief Vaiko criticised the questions for promoting caste indifference and religious intolerance. சாதி பாகுபாட்டையும் வகுப்புவாதத்தையும் பரப்பும் கேள்விகள் கேந்தரிய வித்யாலயா 6ம் வகுப்புத் தேர்வில் இடம்பெற்றிருப்பதை கண்டு பெரும் அதிர்ச்சியடைந்தேன். இப்படிப்பட்ட கேள்விகளை இடம்பெறச் செய்தவர்கள் விசாரிக்கப்பட்டு உரிய சட்டங்கள் மூலம் கடுமையாக தண்டிக்கப்பட வேண்டும்.@HRDMinistry pic.twitter.com/TVPaYmOJOQ — M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 7, 2019

Body 2:

Traffic Advisory

The police have listed the roads that will experience severe traffic blockage between noon and 8.00 pm on Sunday and suggested alternate routes.

TNM Staff

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Ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi idol processions and immersion in Chennai on Sunday, special arrangements have been made by the Chennai City traffic police, according to a circular issued by them. According to TOI, 20,000 police personnel have been deployed to monitor the processions and avoid untoward incidents. The seashore near Foreshore Estate is expected to be crowded due to immersions and hence the police have pointed out the roads that are expected to be crowded and alternate routes that motorists can opt for. The circular states that the Srinivasapuram and Foreshore Estate beaches, roads from Labour Statue to Greenways Point, Loop Road near Santhome, South Canal Bank Road and Kutchery Road are expected to see heavy traffic around noon. EVR Periyar Salai, Harrington Road, 100 ft Road, Arcot Road, Valluvar Kottam High Road, Nungambakkam High Road, Kodambakkam High Road, Nelson Manickam Road, Anna Rotary, Cathedral Road, Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Kamarajar Salai, Santhome High Road, DGS Dinakaran Salai will experience excess traffic between noon and 8.00 pm and are best avoided. Vehicles coming from Wallajah Road, Barathi Road, Besant Road, Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Kutchery Road and South Canal Bank Road will have to avoid Kamarajar Salai and Santhome High Road. Vehicles heading from Adyar to Parrys Corner can take the Ramakrishna Mutt Road to Mandaveli, Luz Corner, Royapettah High Road, Royapettah Times Square, Whites Road, Smith Road, Anna Salai and then reach Parrys Corner. The TOI report also states that the police will book anyone using loudspeakers and digital banners in their processions. The Vinayaka Chaturthi festival was celebrated earlier this week, on September 2. The Madras High Court had held that a government order that lays down rules for the installation and immersion of Ganesha idols on Ganesh Chaturthi does not violate constitutional rights. The HC bench held that that the condition of immersing idols within five days of installing them cannot be breached. The Tamil Nadu government has laid down several rules for the installation of Ganesha idols. In August last year, the government banned the use of Plaster of Paris, stipulating that idols should only be made of pure clay. According to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, the idols must be painted using non-toxic, water-soluble paints.

Body 2:

Court

"The manner in which her transfer was decided and announced was very undemocratic," says a member of the advocates' association.

Priyanka Thirumurthy

The Madras High Court Advocates' Association, which consists of 18,000 lawyers, has announced a boycott over the transfer of Madras High Court Chief Justice Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani. Advocates from the Madras High Court and the Magistrate courts will not be appearing for their cases on Tuesday, September 10. On Saturday, Justice Tahilramani resigned over the Supreme Court collegium’s orders to transfer her to the Meghalaya High Court, “in the interest of better administration of justice.” The collegium had rejected her appeal asking for reconsideration of the transfer. Justice AK Mittal, Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, was recommended to take her place as the Madras High Court Chief Justice. The collegium’s decision has come under immense scrutiny because Justice Tahilramani was being moved from a court with a sanctioned strength of 75 judges to a smaller court with just three judges. Talking to TNM, G Mohanakrishnan, the President of the association, says, "The manner in which her transfer was decided and announced was very undemocratic. This will affect the independence of judges and their power to individually decide on cases." Also read: The Justice Tahilramani row: Former judge explains the process of judicial transfers The advocate insists that the Madras HC Chief Justice has been unfairly 'demoted'."No reason has been given for her transfer. And for the Chief Justice of Madras High Court to be sent to a smaller court like Meghalaya is like making a principal of a school, a teacher for kindergarten students," he says. "We will be abstaining from going to court in protest," he adds. Justice Tahilramani’s office has confirmed to TNM that the resignation was sent to President Ram Nath Kovind and a copy of the letter to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Both the President and CJI offices have acknowledged the letter, said Justice Tahilramani's office. On Friday, nearly a week after the decision on the transfer was made, Justice Tahilramani told senior counsel Indira Jaising that she had decided to resign. “I am no more part of the system and will be sending in my resignation to the President of India and Chief Justice of India,” she said. The advocates, meanwhile, have avoided directly communicating with Justice Tahilramani. "We don't want anyone to think this is a political move on our part," says advocate Mohanakrishnan . "This boycott is only to ensure that democratic ideals are not compromised."

Body 2:

Accident

Close to 25 people have been hurt in the incident and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

TNM Staff

A private bus plying from Tiruvarur to Tirunatiyathankudi, carrying close to 40 passengers, slid off the road and fell into a brook on Sunday morning. The accident took place at Tirunatiyathankudi in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvarur district. Close to 25 people have been hurt in the incident and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The bus that seems to have been over-speeding lost control when it neared a lorry that was parked on the side of the road. Speaking to TNM, Tirunatiyathankudi Senior Sub Inspector Umabalan says, “Road work was going on and the lorry carrying the gravel was parked on one side. When the bus neared, the driver has tried to swerve but he lost control and drove the bus into the brook instead.” The villagers who had gathered immediately at the site of accident helped to rescue those caught inside the bus, taking them to the hospital. Confirming that the bus driver is at fault for causing this accident, SSI Umabalan adds, “Of the 25 passengers who were taken to the hospital, we heard 10 of them have left after receiving treatment for minor injuries. The other 15 are still in the hospital. We will soon be filing an FIR and taking the driver into custody.” The accused has been identified as Bagath Singh of Vadapathimangalam in Tiruvarur District. The FIR will be filed under IPC sections 279 (Rash driving) and 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others). Private buses are known for rash driving, causing accidents due to over speeding and road safety rules negligence, endangering the lives of those inside. In most cases, drivers tend to flounder road rules mainly to get to the destination on time and to get more customers. A shocking video of a private bus over-speeding on the wrong side of the road in Pollachi went viral in 2017. A month before that another chilling video of two racing buses on the Coimbatore-Pollachi Highway went viral on social media.

Body 2:

One nation, one ration card

TN government had earlier asked the Centre to chip in to feed migrant ration card holders when the ‘one nation, one ration card’ scheme is implemented.

TNM Staff

Centre will provide more rice and wheat to Tamil Nadu based on the increase in the number of ration cards following the implementation of the ‘one nation, one ration card scheme’, TN food minister R Kamaraj told The Hindu. The increase in the number of cards would be as a result of inter-state migration. According to the food minister, the centre would be making the ration allocation in a quarterly basis. The Tamil Nadu government will act as the facilitator in making sure that the allocated grains reached the beneficiaries among inter state migrant workers, the minister stated, adding that the government will follow what the National Food Security Act stipulated. According to data on migrant inflow, Tamil Nadu is one among the leading the inflow states in the country with Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Assam among the outflow states. Between 2001-2011, around 10.13 lakh migrants between the 20-29 age group, according to the Economic Survey of the Union government in 2016-17. Another state government report from 2015 noted that in Chennai and neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, there were around 10.67 lakh mostly unskilled migrant workers from other states. The National Food Security Act states that priority household card holders (or PHH) are entitled to rice, wheat and coarse grains at Rs 3 per kilo, Rs 2 per kilo and Re 1 per kilo, respectively. However, in Tamil Nadu, the public distribution system does not discriminate between Priority Household card holders and Non-Priority Household Card Holders. The free rice scheme introduced in the state in 2011 ensures free rice to over 1.8 crore cardholders. For inter-state cardholders, only provisions of the National Food Security Act and not the Tamil Nadu government’s PDS schemes, would apply, the minister stated.

Body 2:

Civic Issues

Hanging bill-boards, hoardings and lights on roadside trees harms the trees and disrupts their functioning.

TNM Staff

Image for representation only

Defacing roadside trees in Chennai can now result in a heavy fine and a jail term which may extend up to three years. The Greater Chennai Corporation G Prakash announced on Sunday that hanging advertisement boards, banners, cables and putting up fairy or other decorative lights on roadside trees could land perpetrators. According to reports, the civic body also grants residents 10 days to remove these additions, failing which the action stipulated under the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919, will apply. Section 326 of the Act puts in place regulations and procedures on how a hoarding can be put up in a public place in the corporation limits, which requires a license from the District Collector. Sub-section I of Section 326 specifies a fine of Rs 10,000 and a jail term of up to 3 years for those who violate the terms and conditions of the act. The local body has now extended this Act to include roadside trees. Residents can even post complaints on the Namma Chennai app – the mobile application for the Greater Chennai Corporation – which allows residents to address public grievances, among other things. They can even call up 1913 and register complaints to take down these hoardings. Among the several complaints against putting up hoardings and lights on trees include risks of pathogen attacks on trees and disruption of their functioning. Speaking to TOI, a Chennai based botanist stated that drilling nails into trees to hang boards will make the tree vulnerable to pathogens, which enter through the hole. This can weaken the tree from inside even though it may look healthy from the outside. Hanging lights on trees may further confuse it into photosynthesis in the night and can even affect its reproductive capabilities. These lights and hoardings also pose as distractions to motorists who commute on the roads.

Body 2:

Take Diversion

Not willing to wait a few extra seconds at the traffic signal, two-wheelers regularly ride on footpaths, scaring and inconveniencing pedestrians.

Manasa Rao

Take Diversion is a series by TNM that closely tracks the plight of roads in Chennai city and suburbs. If you have a story to share, write to us email@thenewsminute.com. We will ensure that your story reaches the authorities. Gandhi Mandapam Road in Chennai’s Kotturpuram area serves as an important entry point that leads to the IT hub of the city at Tidel Park; the road itself is home to the Anna Centenary Library, one of the largest libraries on the Asian continent, the College of Engineering, Guindy, institutions of the Anna University, the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), and schools, residential quarters and restaurants. For a road as busy as this, not one policeman is in sight as we ride through at 8 pm on a weekday. As the incoming traffic towards Guindy, Adyar and OMR, converges to ultimately split towards either side, a heavy build-up is caused along the road. From the signal opposite IIT Madras and the Cancer Institute, all the way up to the South Gate of the Anna University Staff Quarters along the roughly 3-km stretch. However, as the rear-end of the congestion gets longer, unruly two-wheelers have found an ingenious way to save about 10 seconds in the traffic — at the risk of pedestrians, pillion riders and their own lives. In what has become a daily affair at the largely unmanned junction, bikes and scooters take to the footpath, riding with abandon until they join the traffic at the front of the line. These riders— comprising largely people returning from work— have scant regard for pedestrians on the footpath. On the footpath, meanwhile, women returning from domestic work in nearby residential areas, construction labourers and students point to the large gaping pocket that runs all along the wall adjoining the footpath. As a pedestrian here's what you have to go through: there is vehicular traffic on the road to your right, so you walk on the footpath meant for you. But rowdy two-wheelers are now brushing past you at high speeds to cut to the front of the line, so you move towards the left. But alas, you can’t get too close to the wall adjoining the footpath because there is a 3-feet-deep pit running alongside it. Your choice as a citizen is to either wait for the reckless bikers to zip past so you can find a quick moment to walk before the next traffic hold-up or brave the onslaught of bikes on the footpath. Bharathi, who is returning from work and walking towards the CLRI bus stop says that he has often been hit by these thoughtless riders. “This happens every day after 6 pm. They just run over us and go. I walk on this footpath every day. Not just me, they even crash into ladies and children. The children are not able to fight back. In the rainy season, even when there is water on the roads, they ride on the platform. The bike will skid because of the muck but this doesn’t stop them,” he says. Arulmozhi, a domestic worker who uses the footpath towards Chitra Nagar daily, says, “Nobody cares when we tell them not to go on the footpath. All of them are educated and employed but they don't understand. They are stubborn. This causes inconvenience to pedestrians; there is every chance of an accident taking place. They should understand that. It's not necessary that we must explain it to them. This is something they should know by themselves and act accordingly. But they don't care. The footpath itself is not proper. And they ride on it with their vehicles. There is a chance that they themselves may fall into the pit and meet with an accident. They take their children to schools like that in the morning.” A traffic police official told TNM, “It is a narrow road and is very busy during peak hours on working days. There are policemen standing there and blocking riders who use the footpath to come to the front of the traffic buildup. Many of them are even booked for that, but the menace is still there, especially during peak hours. The road is narrow and that point is a crucial junction. So this keeps happening.” Citizens suggest that better traffic management would help ease the congestion. Poor traffic management and avoidable snarls at every signal lead to bikers finding such brash means to skirt the traffic, they believe. Is Chennai traffic police listening? Also read: Why this five-road junction in Chennai’s Royapettah is a nightmare for motorists Chennai’s pothole-ridden PS Sivaswamy Salai road still a nightmare for residents 15-foot deep sinkhole appears on busy Shanthi Colony main road in Chennai

Body 2:

Controversy

The talk on social media turned communal as Aachi group founder and Tirunelveli born businessman - Padmasingh Isaac - is a Christian.

Priyanka Thirumurthy

Sreedevi Jayarajan

For the last few days, social media has been abuzz with a fresh controversy - on the quality standards maintained by Chennai-based Aachi Group, a company that produces masalas and spices. Debate first erupted when Tamil newspapers reported that Kerala had banned the sale and distribution of Aachi products due to high levels of pesticide content found in them. Soon enough, several users demanded a complete ban on Aachi masalas in Tamil Nadu while others nicknamed the brand ‘poochi’ masala, which translates to insects in Tamil. Quite a few users, however stood in staunch support of the brand tweeting ‘I stand with Aachi’. The controversy took on a communal tone as Aachi’s Group’s founder Pasmasingh Isaac - a Christian hailing from Nazareth in Tirunelveli - was specifically targeted in the discussions. “The founder of Aachi masala, Mr Isaac, is the main kingpin of the Tamil Nadu conversion mafia. Luckily Kerala government banned its products due to high amount of chemicals. #boycottaachimasala,” a tweet read. The Founder Director of AACHI Masala Mr Isaac is the main kin pin of Tamilnadu conversion Mafia. Luckily Kerala Govt banned it's products due to high amount of chemicals. #BOYCOTTAACHIMASALA.— My Name Is Kafir (@My_Name_Kafir) September 6, 2019 As the news spread, a few came out in support of the company. “Remember sanghis are always behind any Anti-Tamil misinformation campaign!,” one user tweeted. Another said, “Stop believing rumors spread by BJP and H Raja. Aachi's CEO has come up and gave an explanation on this issue.” The sustained mis-information against the 'Aachi Masala' a food product group owned by a Tamizh businessman by sanghi filth such as Echa Raja and SV Sekar is clearly at the behest of 'Patanjali group'! Remember sanghis are always behind any Anti-Tamil misinformation campaign!— Dusky Tamizhachi (@JoshiRatsaschi) September 8, 2019 Meanwhile, the company published a statement in a local newspaper claiming that the group’s products have not been banned in Kerala. "There is fake news being deliberately spread in news mediums and social media that our products were banned in Kerala by the Food Safety Department after excessive medicine. This is completely false. All Aachi Masala products do not compromise on quality and are made to uphold culture of Tamilians. We are ready to face tests on our products anywhere in India,” the statement said. However, TNM found that the truth lay somewhere in between. A June 2019 batch of Aachi’s chilli powder failed to pass the food safety test and was subsequently banned in Thrissur in September. The samples of the specific batch were tested in the Regional Analytical laboratory in Kakkad where it showed pesticide content to be above 1 gram per kg- exceeding the permissible limit. “The maximum limit for pesticide content is 0.01 mg per kilogram. In this specific batch - titled FDGMS and manufactured in June 2019, we found the content to be above 1 gram and hence banned in Thrissur. The company can appeal at the Central Food Laboratory in Bengaluru or other centres to challenge the ban,” Assistant Food Commissioner of Thrissur Janardhanan told TNM. While the ban applies to the specific batch, all of the brand’s other products and batches of chili powder continue to remain in circulation and available for sale in stores, the Assistant Commissioner clarified. Aachi masala’s representative told TNM that the group had re-tested the samples and alleged that the Thrissur ban was wrong. "Last week, a certain batch of our products was found to have excess pesticide content by local authorities in Thrissur. Following this, we have tested in a government approved laboratory in Pune which showed that the finding was wrong. We have the results to prove this as well," says Nagarajan, a representative of the brand. The Aachi group was founded in 1995 in Chennai by Dr Padmasingh Isaac, a businessman hailing from Tirunelveli. Over the years, the group’s masalas and other food products have gained massive popularity in Tamil Nadu and across India.

Body 2:

Custodial death

While relatives allege that Madan Kumar was murdered in custody over a burglary case, police claim that he died due to heart issues.

Priyanka Thirumurthy

Protests broke out on Monday in Krishnagiri district over the alleged custodial death of a 20-year-old Dalit man from Puliandipatty village. Madan Kumar, who hails from a family of daily wage labourers, was found dead by his parents at a hospital in Uthangarai on Sunday, two days after the police took him in for questioning in connection with a burglary case. According to his relatives, who spoke to TNM, the young man went missing on September 3. The family remained unaware of his whereabouts till September 5 when the police arrived at the doorstep of Madan's relative, Ganesh Kumar's house. The Masoor police had detained Madan Kumar over suspicions of his involvement in a case of missing jewellery and wanted to question Ganesh over the same case."When we went with Ganesh Kumar to the station, we found Madan beaten up inside the cell," alleges Suresh Kumar, the victim's cousin. "There was blood all over the back of his shirt, tufts of his hair was missing and his fingers were bleeding from what seemed like small puncture holes," he alleges. When the relatives arrived at the station, they were allegedly told that Madan had named Ganesh, when asked if he knew who else was involved in the theft."But he was beaten up so badly that he probably named someone just for the torture to stop," claims Suresh. "Once we got to the police station, they said the men will be let off only if we give the police the 5 sovereigns of gold that was missing. Ganesh's wife sold her thaali and somehow by Saturday morning (September 7), we gave the police the receipt for the jewellery so that they can go collect it from the store," he adds. However, while Ganesh was let off, the police allegedly detained Madan for further enquiries. But on Sunday morning, at around 1.15 am, police officers came to the village, to pick up Madan's relatives, alleges Suresh."His parents were afraid to go so late in the night. But another relative named Sekhar went with them and when he went to the hospital, he found Madan dead there," he adds. Police offer different version The Krishnagiri police, however, offer a radically different version of events preceding the death, with the timeline of when Madan was picked up differing from his family."Madan was caught red-handed by the public on September 6, as he was scaling the wall of a house after a burglary," says Krishnagiri SP Gangadhar. "A few other men who were with him are absconding currently. That is why he was brought in for questioning," he adds. The police claim that on the same evening, his parents took him from the police station to their homes."We have all the records to prove the same. He did not stay here because he was a local and we knew we could get him back for questioning at any point of time," says the SP. "He seems to have fallen ill and his family took him to the hospital," he adds. However, Sekhar, the relative who allegedly took him to the Uthangarai government hospital alleges that the police is lying. "I did not take him. In fact the police took me to see his body," he tells TNM. When asked about the protests over his death, the SP claims that it is political in nature."Some political outfits are trying to use this matter," he claims, referring to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi's involvement in the protests. "Madan was already diabetic and had heart ailments. The final post-mortem report is not ready but doctors have told us that he died due to the heart issues. He was not beaten up or tortured in custody," he adds. The postmortem was done at a government hospital in Dharmapuri as requested by the family. However, the postmortem report is yet to come out. Suresh Kumar, Madan's cousin alleges that a large cover-up is in play."They have beaten my brother to death and are now trying to hide this. I saw him injured with my own eyes," he alleges. "We have refused to take the body till a proper investigation is conducted into the death."

Body 2:

Renewable Energy

A workshop conducted in Chennai saw extensive discussions on the role of media in initiating conversation around cleaner energy alternatives.

Megha Kaveri

Image for Representation

Weeks after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister flagged off electric buses as a part of a brand new fleet for the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), some of the best minds in the renewable energy sector – former government officers, thought leaders, journalists and members from consumer groups – came together to discuss and deliberate the way forward when it came to adopting renewable energy in the state. The time is deemed right to start a conversation on renewable energy due to the amount of stress that the planet is being put under due to climate change and carbon emissions. From wondering if it was possible to shut down thermal power plants in the state immediately to analysing if enough buzz is created in the media for renewable energy, experts and stakeholders came together for a discussion that lasted around four hours in Chennai. Organised by the Press Institute of India (PII) and the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG), the event saw some of the best minds in the renewable energy industry ranging from think tanks, journalists and former government officers, offer their perspectives on the state of renewable energy in Tamil Nadu and how media can help in making the right noise about the topic. The discussions touched upon the quantum of media coverage on topics related to renewable energy like solar and wind power since 2009, the challenges faced by distribution companies (TANGEDCO) in aiding consumers leverage the potential of solar and wind power in Tamil Nadu, solar policy of Tamil Nadu which was released in 2019, TANGEDCO’s continuous string of losses and how it can bounce back from its bad financial condition etc. Former Chairperson of Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission Akshaya Kumar, AD Thirumoorthy, member of State Level Renewable Energy Committee, Deepak Krishnan and Sumedha Malaviya from the World Resources Institute (WRI), and many industrial and media experts were part of the workshop. While many stakeholders agreed that the government is a major force that is blocking the consumers from switching to solar power, they also agreed that the initial cost in setting up a basic solar power panel in a house is very expensive, which deters the common man from considering it as a financially viable option. Topics like electric vehicles were also touched upon in the workshop where representatives from the Institute of Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP) and AMS Electricity Mobility Limited spoke about the advantages and pain points of switching to electric vehicles in cities. As most of the participants in the workshop agreed that renewable energy was indeed the way to go to save the planet, they also suggested ways for TANGEDCO to recover from a position of financial stress.

Body 2:

Crime

The second-year student sustained severe burn injuries to her face and neck and is currently undergoing treatment.

TNM Staff

Image for Representation

In another incident of violence against women for rejecting a man’s advances, a second-year Annamalai University student sustained severe burn injuries after her classmate hurled acid on her in their college campus in Cuddalore on Monday evening. Suchitra, the victim, was returning to her hostel and was accosted near the Guest House by the accused at around 8.30 pm. She sustained severe burn injuries to her face and neck and is currently undergoing treatment at Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital in Chidambaram, according to TOI. The accused has been identified as 21-year-old Muthamizhan and was allegedly trying to woo Suchitra for the past five years, according to The Hindu. Both Suchitra and Muthamizhan are second-year students of Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) at the University. Reports state that when Suchitra began avoiding his advances, unable to take her rejection, Muthamizhan decided to resort to the extreme violent act. After the incident, passers-by and other students in the vicinity immediately rushed to Suchitra’s rescue and Muthamizhan, who allegedly attempted to flee, was caught and thrashed. Having sustained injuries, Muthamizhan too was taken to the same hospital for treatment. Further investigations are currently on. According to TNIE, a case has been registered against Muthamizhan. Violence against women for rejecting unwanted advances made by men has been a commonly reported crime. In October last year, a 34-year-old woman in Salem was attacked with acid while she was about to take her children to school, on a two-wheeler. Gayatri, a resident of Guhai in Salem, was attacked by 40-year-old Sreenivasan, an acquaintance who was allegedly angry because she had stopped speaking to him. In June this year, 27-year-old Surender attacked a woman in Chennai’s Chetpet MRTS station, on the platform, when she was on her way back from her workplace to her hostel. The two were reportedly talking when he suddenly attacked her, slashing her face and hand with a knife.

Body 2:

CJ transfer row

Madras High Court Advocates Association with a strength of 18,000 lawyers boycotted proceedings in the High Court and Magistrate courts.

TNM Staff

Around 18,000 lawyers belonging to the Madras High Court Advocates Association boycotted court proceedings on Tuesday protesting the transfer of Madras High Court Chief Justice Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani, who has subsequently resigned. The High Court that’s usually abuzz with activity during the day is a scene of quiet corridors. Almost the entire strength of Madras HC Advocates' Association has gone on boycott. Advocates from the Madras High Court and the Magistrate courts will not be appearing for their cases on Tuesday. Only Government advocates appear to be working at Madras HC on Tuesday. The advocates hope to appeal to the Supreme Court collegium, that passed the transfer order, to reconsider its decision along with a simultaneous appeal to Justice Tahilramani to withdraw her resignation. On Monday afternoon, Madras HC advocates held a lunch-hour demonstration inside the court premises, condemning her transfer. On Monday morning, Tamil Nadu Law Minister CVe Shanmugam met the Chief Justice at her residence and requested her to withdraw her resignation. On Saturday, Justice Tahilramani resigned over the Supreme Court collegium’s orders to transfer her to the Meghalaya High Court, “in the interest of better administration of justice.” The collegium had rejected her appeal asking for reconsideration of the transfer. Justice AK Mittal, Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, was recommended to take her place as the Madras High Court Chief Justice. Justice AK Mittal is two years her junior when it comes to seniority. The collegium’s decision has come under immense scrutiny because Justice Tahilramani was being moved from a court with a sanctioned strength of 75 judges to a smaller court with just three judges. G Mohanakrishnan, the President of the Madras HC Advocates Association, had previously told TNM, "The manner in which her transfer was decided and announced was very undemocratic. This will affect the independence of judges and their power to individually decide on cases." Also Read: The Justice Tahilramani row: Former judge explains the process of judicial transfers

Body 2:

Gender, Sexuality and Media

Kalki was speaking on media inclusion and representation of gender and sexuality at a state-level conference on Gender, Sexuality and Indian Media.

Anjana Shekar

The topic of media inclusion and representation of minorities in India is a much-debated subject. While the narratives have been focussing on major identities, minorities – be it based on religion or on gender – were either left out, misrepresented or received mere tokenism. A state-level conference on Gender, Sexuality and Indian Media was held on September 5 and 6 at The American College, Madurai, organised jointly by the college’s Social Work Department and the Transgender Resource Centre, Madurai to highlight the issues plaguing this topic. The two-day event saw participation from many students, academicians and journalists. “First of all, the very thought that those belonging to the LGBTQI+ community have greater sexual feelings is a stereotype. They don’t fall in love with anyone and everyone they meet,” began assistant professor Mahalakshmi Raghavan, sounding incredulous. A faculty at GTN Arts College, Dindigul, Mahalakshmi spoke about some of the stereotypes foisted upon the community at a panel discussion titled “Stereotypes on LGBTQI community in Indian Media,” moderated by Professor J Bala Subramaniyan at the conference. Other panellists in the session included Kalki Subramaniam, founder of the Coimbatore-based Sahodari Foundation, and Sreejith Sundaram, founder of the Kattiyakari theatre group. In news and media While representation in cinema was to be discussed in detail during the session, Mahalakshmi drew attention to the kind of reporting that was being done by news agencies on the trans community. Explaining that the phrases and words used in news reports mattered a lot to those from the community, Mahalakshmi said, “While reporting suicides, my request to all journalists is to write, “parents refused to understand” instead of “parents refused to accept”. Trans people do not need anyone’s acceptance. It is the failure on the part of the parents not to have understood their children,” she said, referring to the Tamil print media. Kalki, while answering questions later, also listed some of the alternate words the press can use. “The word ‘Tirunangai’ came into use only recently, earlier people used a slur. So mistakes can always be rectified. Reporters can use ‘Orupaal eerpu kondavargal’ instead of ‘orina chiyarkayalargal’, and also use ‘magizhvan’ and ‘magizhvi’ for gay and lesbians and ‘idailingainar’ for intersex people,” she said. ‘Directors owe us an apology’ Mahalakshmi also drew attention to the kind of dialogues and scenes shown in movies that are disrespectful to the community. “Take for instance Vadivelu’s ‘Avana nee’ line. What does it mean? How is it funny?” she asked adding, “What is shown on screen is far from reality. The jokes in Nayanthara-Sivakarthikeyan’s Mr Local with a trans man too were in bad taste.” While speaking on the topic, Kalki listed some of the most regressive depictions of trans people in cinema. “For long in cinema, portrayal of trans people has always been for the sake of comedy. All the directors owe us an apology but we never get it,” she said, listing films like Palabishegam, Paruthiveeran, Ninaithale Inikkum (2009), Sillunu Oru Kaadhal, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, Super Deluxe and Iru Mugan. “Directors like Shankar, Ameer, Gautham Menon, Thiyagarajan Kumararaja, Anand Shankar owe us an apology,” she said. “When I sit to watch a film together with my family, imagine how they’d feel when someone from the trans community is shown in such an insensitive manner?” she asked. Sreejith pointed out that when the trans community speaks up and protests against a particular portrayal, the film industry remains mute. “We did so even after Super Deluxe came out. Although I loved Ramya Krishnan’s role in the film, I was appalled by the way they portrayed Shilpa’s character. No trans person ever makes an entry into their house the way Vijay Sethupathi does. When we told him how wrong it was, as someone who had been very supportive of the community, he remained silent. That was disappointing,” he said. Pointing out that very few from the film industry have listened to the community, Sreejith said it was important to make those changes for future viewing. “When one Rajinikanth fan felt bad for an innocent joke in Comali, the director, producer put out a video apology. That scene was immediately modified. But in spite of the number of protests we’ve done, especially for Shankar’s I and Thiyagarajan’s Super Deluxe, no one even acknowledged our voices,” he said, the anger in his voice evident. Sreejith further shared an experience where the community expressed disappointment over a slur used in Mari Selvaraj’s acclaimed Pariyerum Perumal, and the team spent a lot of time and money to beep out those words. “Small changes like these matter the most to us,” he said. The past and the future Mahalakshmi drew the participants’ attention to the presence of trans women in Tamil history. “There are literary proofs to indicate that trans women were not just present in the harem but they were brigadiers, spies of spies and commander-in-chief during the Chola dynasty. It would make sense for researchers to explore more on this topic rather than just showing them as people with greater sexual feelings,” she explained. Mahalakshmi also added that activist Priya Babu, Founder of Transgender Resource Centre and organiser of this event, has been doing a long-term research on the topic and would know more on the topic. Mahalakshmi further pointed out that the media always tended to equate the Koovagam festival to fashion shows whereas there is a deeper, historical meaning to the festival. “It is culturally rich. The press should stop asking them irrelevant questions like ‘how are you feeling?’ at the Koovagam festival and instead try and show a little about the culture and history of the festival,” she said. Kalki asserted that only when trans people are given a chance to be a part of cinema, news rooms and publishing houses, can there be real justice in representation. “Right now, we are mostly the audience. Only when we become creators will things change,” she stressed. She also added that narratives should venture beyond just the trans community and explore other gender identities in the spectrum. When the session was opened up to the audience, some suggested how more artistic works written and made by trans people, from books to cinema, will make a huge difference in changing people’s perspectives.

Body 2:

Traffic

A decision will be taken after the revised penalties as per the new Motor Vehicles Act are reviewed by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

TNM Staff

Image for representation only

Even as neighbouring Karnataka and several other states have begun levying the revised spot fines for traffic offences, Tamil Nadu is yet to impose the new penalties. Sources say that a decision on the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Act amendments will soon be taken with the Chief Minister back in town. However, certain offences have been accorded exorbitant penalties which the Tamil Nadu government plans to revise. According to reports, 26 clauses in the Motor Vehicles Act which aim to regulate traffic offences and improve adherence to rules will be implemented in Tamil Nadu. The central government had amended as many as 63 clauses in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Penalties for all offences related to speeding, rash driving, racing, driving without helmets and safety belts will be imposed, as these violations are the major reasons for serious road accidents, sources told TNIE. However, discussions on other fines - some of which are exorbitant - are still being discussed before a government order implementing the changes is issued. "As of now, spot fines are being charged with old rates in Tamil Nadu. We are still waiting for the Tamil Nadu government to issue a government order implementing the new penalties. However, since the central government has amended the Motor Vehicles Act, courts can impose the new penalties. We have registered cases for drunken driving - for which the new penalty is Rs 16,000 - and taken the accused to mobile courts and magistrates to pay the fine. For spot fining alone, we have to wait for the government order," an official from the Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Planning office told TNM. The penalty amount for traffic violations in Tamil Nadu is currently being reviewed by the Chief Minister's Office and it is possible that penalties for certain offences may be reduced. Feedback from states that imposed the new fines from September 1 has also been included before arriving at a decision. The Central government in August amended 93 clauses in the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 - ranging from fines for traffic offences, vehicle fitness, vehicle registration and national transport policy. Of this, 63 clauses were extended to the whole country to be brought into effect from September 1. While several states began implementing fresh penalties from September 1, states such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Chhattisgarh etc. are yet to follow the revised rules.

Body 2:

Take diversion

The road going into the SIDCO industrial estate in Guindy is lined with potholes, protruding manholes, open sewers and stagnant water.

Priyanka Thirumurthy

Take Diversion is a series by TNM that closely tracks the plight of roads in Chennai city and suburbs. If you have a story to share, write to us at email@thenewsminute.com. We will ensure that your story reaches the authorities. Shiny logos of software companies reflect in the sun, perched high upon the Olympia Tech Park building in the SIDCO Industrial Estate in Chennai’s Guindy. As you look up, familiar and important names spring up at you - Verizon, Royal Bank of Scotland, Kochar Globe, BNP Paribas and more. All this, even as the Metro rail zooms across its tracks, behind you, 50 feet up from the ground. But this image of development shatters the minute you dare to look down at the road welcoming you into the industrial estate. The broad two-way, greets you with potholes on both sides and leads to a path where only about a fourth of the area would fit the traditional definition of a 'road'. The next 200 metres it is covered in large craters, protruding manholes, sludge, open sewers and stagnant water. With over 50 companies occupying just the one road which begins at Olympia Tech Park, it is a daily struggle for commuters to make their way to work. 30-year-old Sasibalan, who works with the Royal Bank of Scotland, travels to work by bike. "I have worked here for two-and-a-half years and the road has only gotten worse," he tells TNM. "The situation is very bad for two-wheelers especially. These potholes could make you fall or skid, especially during peak hours when there is a lot of traffic on the road," he adds. The dangers only multiply, when the monsoon begins, warn commuters."When it is raining I can't even see what is in front of me. It is it a part of the road, a ditch or a sewer," explains Sasibalan. Office-goers who walk through this road, claim they face worse dangers. "When it starts raining, the sewers overflow and water fills the streets and come up to our knees," says Niveditha, a 24-year-old who works with Royal Cyber Inc. "When it rains we all try to walk along the same line to make sure there are no open drains or potholes we could fall into. Even auto and cabs refuse to come here during the monsoons," she adds. When TNM spoke to drivers in an auto stand in SIDCO, they claimed that the roads within the SIDCO industrial estate have been damaged and neglected for over two decades."The drainage here is never cleaned, it is full of garbage and the water overflows to the road. What is the point of all these big companies here," asks Nagaraj, an auto driver who has his stand in the industrial estate. "I have been here for 20 years. I have seen them putting sand and covering the potholes but when it rains everything is gone. We have had to change our tyres as soon as even three months sometimes because of the wear and tear on this road," he claims. The roads are maintained by the civil department of the SIDCO Industrial Estate. The Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation Limited (SIDCO) is a state-agency established to promote small-scale industries. Sources aware of the contracts issued to fix the road say that constant development work in the area has delayed the maintenance process."The constant laying of storm water drains, electric cables and other work has caused frequent damage to the roads. They are trying to correct it but there are some government issues. There is a lot of difficulty and lot of approvals have to be sought," says the source. According to reports, SIDCO receives land for a nominal rate from the state government and is tasked with setting up necessary infrastructure before selling the property. They are responsible for coordinating with different departments to maintain the estate. Also read: Why this five-road junction in Chennai’s Royapettah is a nightmare for motorists Chennai’s pothole-ridden PS Sivaswamy Salai road still a nightmare for residents 15-foot deep sinkhole appears on busy Shanthi Colony main road in Chennai Riding on the footpath: A daily affair in Chennai’s Kotturpuram

Body 2:

Caste

A recent incident from Kavindapadi Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Erode shows just how controversial the issue is.

TNM Staff

When the PT teacher of Kavindapadi Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Erode made his students remove the caste threads around their wrists on Monday, he did not expect protestors to gather outside his school later that day. Members from the Hindu Munnani began protesting outside the school, demanding punishment against the teacher for making the boys remove the caste threads around their wrists. Just this August, a circular issued by Director of School Education against the use of caste indicative wrist-bands by students in schools led to strong debates when the Minister for School Education, KA Sengottaiyan, denied the existence of such practises. The Minister later announced strict action against complaints received from schools that practised such caste based discrimination. Speaking to TNM, an official from Kavindapadi police station says, “We detained 23 protestors from the venue, including 1 woman, for protesting outside the school. This group that had no connection to the school teachers or students was asking that the PT teacher be punished. They were released later that evening with a warning.” Adding that classes were not disrupted on Monday, the policeman said, “The school is meant to be a place where students are not to be discriminated against based on their caste or religion. Such biases are harmful for youngsters and needs to be checked in the beginning. What the teacher did is only right.” On August 2, the School Education Department issued a circular to all the District Education Officers directing them to take action against schools which permit students to wear caste markers like coloured threads, rings and tilaks on their foreheads. These caste markers tend to encourage students to form groups and get into petty fights. While teachers had told TNM that the practice of wearing caste markers has come into sharp focus only over the last decade, anti-caste activist Kathir from the NGO Evidence said that it dates back to half a century ago. "We can't point out the exact origin of this practice exactly but what we can infer is that it stems from the fact that every caste has its own flag, emblem, and common colour. For example, Vanniyars exceedingly use yellow, and Thevars red. Similarly they have different gods and icons for a caste and create symbols around this god," he had explained. Also read: Teachers allege rampant use of ‘caste threads’ in schools even as govt denies practice

Body 2:

Illegal adoption

Nageshwar and Sivagami's son was kidnapped from Pulianthope in Chennai by an autorickshaw driver in 1999 and given away to an orphanage that did illegal adoptions.

Geetika Mantri

From left: Nageshwar Rao, Avinash, Sivagami

September 8, 2019 – Nageshwar Rao and Sivagami will remember this day forever. This was the day that the Chennai based couple finally met their son, who was cruelly kidnapped in February 1999 and sent to the US for adoption. In a moment that was filled with joy, relief, and tears, Nageshwar and Sivagami, along with their two children Sarala and Lokesh, met Avinash, their son who was not over three when he was snatched away from them. Then called Subash, he was taken to Malaysian Social Service (MSS), an orphanage that facilitated the illegal adoptions of over 300 children from poor socio-economic backgrounds in Chennai. Many of these children were sent overseas to countries like the US, Australia, and Netherlands. “It was overwhelming,” Avinash tells TNM. “After all these years of planning and preparation, I couldn’t believe this was finally happening. I saw them, and I was speechless. I was scared, but the good kind of scared. And also happy,” the 22-year-old shares. "We were happy, and also sad thinking we had lost him for so many years,” Nageshwar Rao, now 47, tells TNM. “It was touching to know that he cared for us even now, without having met any of us for 20 years.” Avinash only speaks English, having been brought up by an American couple and his birth family only speaks Tamil. So, they could not communicate directly, and had to rely on translations from Mohanavadivelan Saravanan, the advocate who has been representing Nageshwar and Sivagami in their case against MSS, and his daughter. “But there was a sense of peace, comfort and familiarity. When my mother hugged me, she cried. I could feel their emotions, all that build up from waiting for this moment,” Avinash says. Avinash with his birth mother, Sivagami Years of waiting Nageshwar is a construction painter, and his wife Sivagami, a homemaker. Their son was kidnapped from Pulianthope in Chennai by an autorickshaw driver and sold to MSS in 1999. When a CBI investigation into the crimes of MSS finally traced Avinash to an American family years later, Nageshwar and Sivagami only wished to be in touch with their son. They understandood that it would be impractical to uproot Avinash from where he had grown up. However, despite a positive paternity test, the couple was unable to meet Avinash. That was until he turned 18, and Scott Carney, a journalist, who reported on Nageshwar Rao’s story in 2009 in Mother Jones, put him in touch with Mohanavadivelan. The advocate put Avinash in touch with Sarala, his sister. The siblings have been in touch over WhatsApp, and while the language barrier exists between them too, they have exchanged photos and gotten to know each other in the limited ways they could. “All these years, we tried our best to keep in touch with him. We sent emails and letters. When he wrote to our lawyer, it was completely unexpected,” Nageshwar Rao says. Avinash says that though he always knew that he was adopted, his desire to reconnect with his birth family has to do with where he was brought up. “The mid-west in the US is a very white area. I grew up having all white friends. I questioned why I was different.” “I was taught that I should never forget where I came from. But to do that, I needed to find out where that was; find out more about my people, my family, and my culture,” he adds. Sivagami, Avinash’s birth mother, reportedly went into depression when she lost Avinash overnight. Scott Carney reported that when he met her 10 years after Avinash was taken, she would still break down at the mention of his name. Now, at least, she has found some relief, her husband says. “My wife has cried for so many years. She was relieved to finally meet him,” Nageshwar Rao says. Avinash with his birth parents, and siblings Lokesh (far left) and Sarala (far right) Faith and patience MSS was convicted by a Chennai court earlier this year, and fined Rs 10,000 for their crime of separating scores of children from their families . However, activists who have been working against illegal overseas adoptions argued that the punishment came too late; even the main accused in the case, then MSS Chairperson PV Ravindranath, died a few years ago. Nageshwar Rao, Sivagami and Avinash’s story is an exception to the norm – many families have not been able to get in touch with their children who were snatched from them and are now adoptees in other countries. Others, like Fathima and Salia, whose daughter was also kidnapped by MSS in 1998, have been shut down by their now adult children, who want nothing to do with a birth family they have little to no recollection of, a culture and country they have no way to relate to. “Nageshwar and Sivagami were very patient. And it took time because this was a matter involving two countries. The investigation also happened properly. That worked in their favour,” Mohanavadivelan tells TNM. And for this, Nageshwar and his family express thanks to the advocate, who has been representing them pro bono, as well as Arun Dohle of Against Child Trafficking (ACT), who has been closely following cases of illegal overseas adoptions and helping Nageshwar Rao and other such famliies. Avinash meanwhile has already made plans to get to know his birth family better. He is in Chennai till Thursday and plans to visit their home, the hospital that he was born in. On Tuesday, they have plans to go to the beach, and to Mahabalipuram on Wednesday. “The next time I come here, I hope to have learnt some Tamil. I love to talk, and I want to tell them how I feel, understand how they feel without someone translating. Even though I am very grateful to Mohanavadivelan and his family for helping us talk, I want to connect with my family here more by being able to speak Tamil,” says Avinash, who recently graduated with a degree in finance. “I fly back to the US on Thursday. But this time, the goodbye is only temporary,” he says. Also read: 20 yrs later, Chennai court convicts orphanage that kidnapped kids and gave for adoption overseas

Body 2:

Terrorism

The Special Task Force of Kolkata police arrested the suspected terror operative of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh from a rented house in Neelankarai, Chennai.

TNM Staff

Photo courtesy: MyNation

A Special Task Force of the Kolkata police arrested a person suspected to be a terror operative of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh from Chennai on Tuesday. 35-year-old Asadullah SK, alias Raja, who is a native of West Bengal’s Purna Burdwan district, was arrested from Chennai’s Neelankarai, where had been allegedly hiding. The accused, who was living in a rented house in Neelankarai, was caught based on a tip-off. Following a joint police raid in the area, Raja’s hideout was exposed and he was arrested, reports state. The accused is suspected to be an active member of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh. JMB is a banned Islamist terrorist outfit operating from Bangladesh. It is recognised as a terror outfit by many countries, including the United Kingdom. The aim of the outfit is to replace the government of Bangladesh with Islamic rule based on the Sharia law. During the raid on Tuesday, the police seized several documents and Raja’s mobile phone as evidence. The police are also investigating if the suspect has been involved in plotting any terror activities in the city or the state. Raja has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and will be produced before a court in Chennai’s Alandur for his transit remand, reports add. On August 21, Coimbatore was under high alert after the police received an intelligence report that six Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants - including five Tamil Muslims and one suspected Pakistani national - had entered Tamil Nadu via Sri Lanka. Surveillance was increased in the entire district of Coimbatore, with the police undertaking random vehicle checks. There was an increase in the deployment of the police force in crowded and public places such as bus stands, railways stations etc. By August 27, the number of security and police officials was gradually relaxed in the district. The police, however, could not track down the suspected operatives indicated in the intelligence report.

Body 2:

Law

The kitchen of Murugan Idli Shop, whose license has been temporarily suspended, supplies food to over 20 outlets of the restaurant across Chennai.

TNM Staff

www.muruganidlishop.com

The Food Safety Department of Tamil Nadu has suspended the license of the central kitchen of Chennai’s popular restaurant chain Murugan Idli Shop for having an unhygienic kitchen. According to reports, the officials of Tiruvallur district suspended the license on Tuesday after the restaurant failed to rectify the issues pointed out to it by the food safety department in an earlier inspection. This kitchen, located inside Ambattur Industrial Estate, supplies food to around 23 branches in Chennai city. The officials from the department had reportedly visited the kitchen 50 days ago after a slew of complaints regarding worms in the food served in the restaurants belonging to the food chain. During the inspection, the officials had noted down some main defects in the hygiene standards, like kitchen flooring damages and washing area, the temperature in the refrigerator not being maintained properly, failure to vaccinate and provide clean caps and gloves to its staff, lack of pest control inside the kitchen etc. The officials had informed the restaurant and had given them time to rectify. Since the issues were not addressed, the department also reportedly issued a show cause notice to the restaurant after the time limit to address the issues expired. However, the restaurant neglected these notices and continued its operations in the same unhygienic conditions. This prompted the department to visit the premises on Tuesday and paste an announcement on the door, informing about the suspension of their license. The restaurant can rectify the violations and approach the food safety department for revoking the suspension. Meanwhile, the food safety department officials in Chennai district have issued a notice to an outlet of the restaurant chain Parrys after a customer complained about a worm in his food last week. The customer had alerted the manager of the outlet after he found the worm, however, the manager reportedly gave unsatisfactory reply to the customer. He hence filed a complaint with the officials of the food safety department through their WhatsApp complaint number.

Body 2:

Traffic

The stretch between LIC and Thousand Lights was made one-way nearly seven years ago due to the Chennai Metro Rail construction.

TNM Staff

File Image

Commuters in Chennai, who frequently use the stretch on Anna Salai between Thousand Lights and LIC can expect to heave a sigh of relief as the Chennai Traffic Police is contemplating opening that stretch to two-way traffic again. The trial run for the same will happen on Wednesday and Thursday, as per reports. The stretch was made one-way nearly seven years ago, in 2012, for the construction of Chennai Metro line underground. Though the trial run is only for two days, it will soon be made permanent soon after the construction of a road median is completed from Spencer Plaza to Tarapore towers. The traffic changes in the stretch for Wednesday and Thursday are: Vehicles from Teynampet shall proceed towards Tarapore Towers, while those coming in the opposite direction would be diverted through General Patters Road (GP Road) and Whites Road to reach Anand theatre. General Patters Road and Whites Road from Royapettah clock tower will also be made two-way on Wednesday and Thursday. Whites Road will be made two-way from Clock tower to Anna flyover. Vehicles coming from Bharathi Salai can reach Anna Salai via GP Road and Whites Road Vehicles coming from Binny Road can take right turn at Spencers Junction to go towards Anna flyover Vehicles coming from Binny Road can take right turn at Spencer’s Junction and pass through Pattullas road to reach Whites Road (or) Bharathi Salai Vehicle coming from Greams Road and Anna flyover can take a ‘U’ turn at Anna Salai-Whites Road junction Vehicles going from Whites Road to Smith Road may now take a right turn at Spencer Plaza. Smith Road, which connects Whites Road and Anna Salai continues to remain one way. Motorists from Royapettah and Mylapore can reach Anna Salai either through Whites Road or G P Road.

Body 2:

Viral question paper not from our schools, says Kendriya Vidyalaya after backlash

Traffic diversions for Vinayaka idol processions in Chennai: Routes to avoid

Madras HC lawyers declare one day boycott over Justice Tahilramani’s transfer

Private bus falls off-road, into a stream in Tiruvarur, cops allege overspeeding

Centre will allot more rice, wheat to Tamil Nadu for migrant workers: Food Minister

Defacing roadside trees in Chennai can now land you in jail for up to three years

Riding on the footpath: A daily affair in Chennai’s Kotturpuram

‘News’ on Aachi masala getting banned in Kerala: Here’s what really happened

20-year-old man's death in TN's Krishnagiri district a case of custodial torture?

Stakeholders in TN come together to discuss way forward in adopting renewable energy

Annamalai Univ student attacked with acid allegedly for rejecting classmate’s advances

Madras HC advocates boycott court protesting CJ Tahilramani transfer

How have cinema and media shown trans people? Activist Kalki speaks at Madurai meet

Tamil Nadu yet to implement changes in Motor Vehicles Act, impose revised penalties

Chennai's glitzy SIDCO industrial estate is a nightmare for commuters

TN teacher makes students remove caste threads, Hindu Munnani protests

Chennai couple reunite with son who was kidnapped 20 years ago and adopted in US

Man suspected to be member of Bangladesh terror outfit arrested from Chennai

Kitchen licence of Murugan Idli Shop in Chennai suspended over poor hygiene

Stretch near LIC in Chennai’s Anna Salai to see two-way traffic for two days