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PM Modi Gets A Rapturous Welcome At Trichy, Leaves Audience Spellbound With Details Of Development Projects As Stalin Uses Stage For Centre Vs State Politics

By
The Commune
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth more than ₹20,000 crores in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu on 2 January 2024. He also hit back at Chief Minister Stalin, albeit subtly by listing down various efforts taken by the Centre in developing the state.

Chief Minister Stalin who spoke earlier used the stage of the government function to peddle politics of Centre Vs State. He had said “The Prime Minister is aware of the fact that last month in Chennai and Southern districts, due to floods following heavy rainfall, public infrastructure in those districts has been extensively damaged. People’s livelihoods have also been badly affected. Therefore, on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I again request to declare them as “severe natural calamities” and provide adequate relief funds to Tamil Nadu from the National Disaster Relief Fund. Don’t expect us to keep on asking! It is the responsibility of the state governments to provide education, medicine and necessary assistance to millions of people in the vast land of India. Demands for statehood and assertion of state rights are not political slogans, but living demands themselves. I believe that the Prime Minister will definitely fulfill the demand of the Tamil Nadu government in that regard.“

During his address, PM Modi extended New Year wishes and expressed his pleasure in holding his first public program of 2024 in Tamil Nadu.

He said that today’s projects worth more than ₹20,000 crores will strengthen Tamil Nadu’s progress as he congratulated the people of the state for projects spanning sectors of roadways, railways, ports, airports, energy and petroleum pipelines. He said that many of these projects would boost travel and also create thousands of employment opportunities in the state.

PM Modi also offered condolences for the recent heavy rains in Tamil Nadu and assured that the central government is providing support to the state.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences and also said that the central government stands with the people of Tamil Nadu. “We are providing all possible help to the State government”, he said.

Paying tribute to the late DMDK founder Vijaykanth who passed away recently, PM Modi said “he was a ‘Captain’ not only in the field of cinema but also in politics. He won the hearts of the people through his work and films and kept the national interest above everything.”

He also remembered the contributions of Dr M S Swaminathan who played an important role in food security for the country and paid tribute to the departed soul.

Highlighting the significance of the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal in India’s development, PM Modi underlined the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and its contributions to science and technology. He praised Tamil Nadu’s historical governance models and its role in promoting Indian culture abroad.

“Tamil Nadu is home to the ancient language of Tamil and it is a treasure trove of cultural heritage”, the Prime Minister said as he mentioned Sage Thiruvalluvar and Subramania Bharati among others who created magnificent literature. He also mentioned that Tamil Nadu is home to scientific and technological brains like C V Raman and other scientists who instil new energy in him whenever he visits the state.

Referring to the rich heritage of Tiruchirappalli, PM Modi said that here we find the remnants of good governance models of dynasties like Pallava, Chola, Pandyas and Nayak dynasties. He said that he mentions Tamil Culture at any given opportunity during his travels abroad.

“I believe in the continuous expansion of the contribution of Tamil cultural inspiration in the development and heritage of the country”, he said. He mentioned the establishment of sacred Sengol in the New Parliament, Kashi Tamil and Kashi Saurashtra Sangamam as efforts that have led to increased enthusiasm for Tamil Culture throughout the country.

The Prime Minister informed about India’s huge investments in sectors such as roadways, railways, ports, airports, homes for the poor and hospitals in the last 10 years as he underlined the government’s emphasis on physical infrastructure. He also mentioned India breaking into the top 5 economies of the world where it has become a ray of hope for the world. Referring to the huge incoming investments in India from across the globe, the Prime Minister said that its direct benefits are being availed by Tamil Nadu and its people as the state has become a prime brand ambassador for Make in India.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s approach where the development of the state reflects in the development of the nation. He informed that more than 40 Union Ministers from the Central Government have toured Tamil Nadu more than 400 times in the past year. “India will progress with the progress of Tamil Nadu”, Shri Modi said as he referred to connectivity being the medium of development which gives a boost to businesses and also makes people’s lives easier. Referring to the projects of today, the Prime Minister mentioned the New Terminal Building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport which will increase the capacity by three times and strengthen connectivity towards East Asia, Middle East and other parts of the world. He noted that the inauguration of the new terminal building will create new opportunities for investments, businesses, education, health and tourism. He also mentioned the increased connectivity of the airport to national highways through an elevated road. He expressed satisfaction that the Trichy Airport with its infrastructure will introduce the world to Tamil culture and heritage

Referring to the five new railway projects, PM Modi said that they will promote industry and electricity generation. The new road projects will connect important centers of faith and tourism like Srirangam, Chidambaram, Rameshwaram and Vellore.

Dwelling upon the port-led development focus of the central government during the last 10 years, the Prime Minister mentioned projects to transform the coastal areas and the lives of the fishermen. He listed a separate ministry and budget for fisheries, Kisan Credit Card for fishermen, assistance for boat modernization for deep sea fishing and PM Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Referring to the Sagarmala Yojna, the Prime Minister informed that ports in the country are being connected with better roads. He informed that the port capacity and turn-around time of the ships have improved significantly as he mentioned Kamrajar Port whose capacity has been doubled. He also mentioned the inauguration of General Cargo Berth-II of Kamarajar Port which will strengthen Tamil Nadu’s import and export, especially the automobile sector. He also touched upon nuclear reactor and gas pipelines which will give rise to employment opportunities.

The Prime Minister informed about record expenditure on Tamil Nadu by the Central Government. He said that in the decade before 2014 states were given 30 lakh crore rupees whereas in the last 10 years states were given 120 lakh crore rupees. Tamil Nadu too got 2.5 times more money in this period as compared to the 10 years preceding 2014. For national highway construction, more than three times expenditure was done in the state and 2.5 times more money was spent in the railways sector in the state, he informed. Lakhs of families in the state are getting free ration, medical treatment and facilities like pucca houses, toilets and piped water.

Concluding the address, the  Prime Minister underlined the need for Sabka Prayas or everyone’s effort to accomplish the goals of Viksit Bharat. He expressed confidence in the capability of the youth and the people of Tamil Nadu. “I can witness the rise of a new hope in the youth of Tamil Nadu. This hope will become the energy of Viksit Bharat”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri R N Ravi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M K Stalin, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Shri L Murugan were among others were present on the occasion.

At the public programme in Tiruchirappalli, the Prime Minister inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport. Developed at a cost of more than 1100 crore, the two-level new international terminal building can serve more than 44 lakh passengers annually and about 3500 passengers during peak hours. The new terminal hosts state-of-the-art amenities and features for passenger convenience.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation multiple railway projects. These include the project for doubling of 41.4 Km Salem–Magnesite Junction–Omalur–Mettur Dam section; project for doubling of rail line section of 160 Km from Madurai – Tuticorin; and three projects for rail line electrification viz Tiruchchirappalli- Manamadurai- Virudhunagar; Virudhunagar – Tenkasi Junction; Sengottai – Tenkasi Junction – Tirunelveli- Tiruchendur. The rail projects will help improve the rail capacity to carry freight and passengers and contribute to economic development and employment generation in Tamil Nadu.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation five road sector projects. The projects include 39 km four-lane road for Trichy – Kallagam section of NH-81; 60 km long 4/2-laning of Kallagam – Meensurutti section of NH-81; 29 km four-lane road of Chettikulam – Natham section of NH-785; 80 km long two lane with paved shoulder of Karaikudi – Ramanathapuram section of NH-536; and 44 km long four laning of section of NH-179A Salem – Tirupathur – Vaniyambadi Road. The road projects will facilitate safe and faster travel of people of the region and improve connectivity of industrial and commercial centres like Trichy, Srirangam, Chidambaram, Rameshwaram, Dhanushkodi, Uthirakosamangai, Devipattinam, Erwadi, Madurai, among others.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for important road development projects during the programme. These include the construction of 31 km long stretch four-lane road from Mugaiyur to Marakkanam of NH 332A. The road will connect ports on the East Coast of Tamil Nadu, enhance road connectivity to the world heritage site – Mamallapuram and provide better connectivity to Kalpakkam Atomic Power Plant.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the General Cargo Berth-II (Automobile Export/Import Terminal-II & Capital Dredging Phase-V) of Kamarajar Port.  The inauguration of General Cargo Berth-II will be a step towards strengthening the country’s trade which will help boost economic growth and employment generation.

During the programme, the Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of important Petroleum and Natural Gas projects worth more than Rs 9000 crore. The two projects dedicated to the Nation include Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL)’s 488 km long natural gas pipeline from IP101 (Chengalpet) to IP 105 (Sayalkudi) section of Ennore – Thiruvallur – Bengaluru – Puducherry – Nagapattinam – Madurai – Tuticorin Pipeline; and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)’s 697 km long Vijayawada-Dharmapuri Multiproduct (POL) Petroleum Pipeline (VDPL).

Further, the projects whose foundation stone were laid include the development of 323 Km of natural gas pipeline from Krishnagiri to Coimbatore section of Kochi-Koottanad-Bangalore-Mangalore Gas pipeline II (KKBMPL II) by Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL); and laying of POL pipelines in Common Corridor for proposed grass root terminal at Vallur, Chennai. These projects of the petroleum and natural gas sector will be a step towards fulfilling the industrial, domestic and commercial requirements of the energy in the region. These will also lead to employment generation in the region and contribute to employment generation.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam.  The DFRP, developed at a cost of Rs. 400 crore, is equipped with a unique design, which is the only of its kind in the world and is capable of reprocessing both carbide and oxide fuels discharged from the fast reactors.  It is entirely designed by Indian scientists and signifies a crucial step towards building large commercial-scale fast reactor fuel reprocessing plants.

Among other projects, the Prime Minister inaugurated the 500 bedded Boys’ Hostel ‘AMETHYST’ of National Institute of Technology (NIT) – Tiruchirappalli.

(With inputs from PIB)

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#MeToo Accused Vairamuthu Who Questioned Lord Ram’s Birth Praised By I.N.D.I. Ally MK Stalin, Congress MP Chidambaram, Bigg Boss Host Kamal Haasan, Ex-ISRO Scientist Mylswamy Annadurai Share Stage

By
The Commune
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On Monday (1 January 2024), Chief Minister MK Stalin unveiled ‘Maha Kavithai,’ a composition by Dravidianist poet Vairamuthu that delves into a wide array of subjects, including the origin of the universe, the Earth’s formation, the functions of the five elements, climate change and its repercussions, the urgent need to combat rising global temperatures, and the threats posed to humanity due to environmental degradation.

The inaugural copy was presented to Congress former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the presence of former ISRO scientist and Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology Vice President Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, and Bigg Boss host Kamal Haasan, who has been accused of kissing an under-age actress without her consent and making women uncomfortable by not wearing pants during his younger days.

During the event, Stalin requested Vairamuthu to create a poetic work depicting the life of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, akin to his portrayal of Mahakavi Bharathi’s life in ‘Kavirajan Kathai.’ Vairamuthu agreed to the request, citing the ample content available in Karunanidhi’s autobiography, ‘Nenjukku Neethi.’ He also noted that any additional information could be obtained through interaction with Stalin himself.

Stalin heaped praises on Vairamuthu’s ability to convey modern scientific concepts in Tamil and underscored the significance of the poet’s latest work, especially in the face of ongoing climate change. The Chief Minister drew attention to recent heavy rains in Tamil Nadu and highlighted how Vairamuthu elucidated the reasons behind nature’s fury while issuing a warning about the consequences if humans fail to address the situation.

About Vairamuthu

Vairamuthu is a Dravidianist poet who shares close ties with the DMK. He has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women during the #MeToo movement. Around 17 women have levelled sexual harassment charges against the lyricist.

In 2021, he had penned a song that romanticizes pedophilia. The song is about a school-going girl in love with a grey-haired old ‘poet’ and was filmed with actor Anika Surendran who was 16 years old at that time.

In 2018, Vairamuthu had called the woman Azhwar Andal by a ‘dasi’ (prostitute) who served at the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple. “Andal herself is a Devadasi who lived and died in the Sri Rangam Temple.”, Vairamuthu had said quoting a book by one Subhash Chandra Malik.

Vairamuthu had also ridiculed Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and also raised questions about his birth.

In the video, speaking in an unknown and undated function, Vairamuthu says he wrote a poem about Ram Mandir in which he asks whether Ram is a human or an Avatar (of God). He further says,

Avatar means to descend from above, one who is not tainted by pregnancy. He does not need tools like indriyam (sense organs), pregnancy, and he descends directly from above. So, if (Lord Rama) is an Avatar, then he was never born, and why does he need a birthplace? Or, if he was born to Dasharatha and Kaushalya, then he is a human. If he is a human, then why does he need a temple? Nobody has answered these two questions. As a secular person, a person who respects all religions and as a humanist, I have said this and there has been no answer to this opinion.

He then proceeds to heap praises on fellow poet Kavikko S. Abdul Rahman, who was also the ex-chairman of Waqf board in Tamil Nadu, and quotes a poem of his in which he questioned which religion asks humans to kill fellow humans in the name of God. Vairamuthu then goes on to say, ‘forget that he is a Muslim, forget Hinduism and Christianity, all that he (Abdul Rahman) asks is to awaken the humanism inside the humans’. He then goes on to say as age increases, his wisdom has also increased, and he wishes to live until he is 110 years old not to enjoy but to understand the people and the world. He then adds, 80 years is not the beginning of the old age but the fruition of youth.

The Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) and its associated organisations have historically been up in arms against Lord Rama’s worship, especially in Tamil Nadu.

As the nation is gearing up for the grand inauguration and consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Temple, the I.N.D.I. Allies have been sharing stage with those who questioned the existence of Lord Ram.

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Karnataka Congress Govt Cracksdown On Ram Mandir Activists By Reopening 30-Year-Old Cases, TNM Tries To Trivialize And Justify

By
The Commune
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As the much-anticipated inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya approaches, set for 22 January 2024, the Congress government in Karnataka has taken a controversial step by initiating investigations against activists associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement from thirty years ago in 1992.

These activists are alleged to have been involved in property damage and other offenses during the movement, and they are now being treated as suspects in an investigation that has placed them under court supervision.

A report by IANS reveals that the Karnataka police department has assembled a specialized team to compile a list of individuals linked to incidents during the 1992 Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

In a notable development, Srikanth Poojari has been taken into custody by the Hubballi police for his alleged involvement in the torching of a store owned by a member of the minority community on December 5, 1992.

Poojari, the third defendant in the case, is now under court custody, while the police actively seek eight more defendants related to the incident.

Furthermore, the police have identified 300 additional suspects allegedly connected to communal conflicts between 1992 and 1996. These individuals, now in their early or late 70s, with some reportedly having left the city, are under scrutiny.

Notably, several of these suspects hold prominent positions, prompting the police to weigh the potential consequences of filing lawsuits against them. It is believed that the Congress government has directed the police department to conduct a thorough investigation into these case.

Many members of the Ram Janma Bhoomi movement have transitioned into well-known BJP politicians, and reports suggest that cases against them were dismissed during the BJP’s rule.

The reopening of these cases raising questions about the timing of such actions the move and also coincides with the crucial stage of the Modi government’s announcement of the inauguration on January 22, 2024.

The BJP accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of singling out Hindu activists following the arrest of an individual allegedly involved in the 1992 post-Babri Masjid demolition riots. The BJP described the arrest as a “persecution of Hindus.”

In a statement posted on X, the BJP stated, “The Congress government in Karnataka is disgracefully targeting Hindu activists, apprehending elderly Karsevak Shri Shrikanth Poojari in a 31-year-old fabricated case. While Hindus commemorate the Ram Mandir, the Congress’s actions indicate their reluctance to acknowledge the reality of the Ram Mandir. This persecution of Hindus is strongly condemned.”

On the other hand, The News Minute (TNM), a leftist-Dravidainist propaganda outlet has trivialized the arrest and targeting of Ram Janmabhoomi activists with an article titled “Ram Mandir activists not being targeted, arrested in Karnataka says state govt”. The outlet has only carried the government’s claims in what is seen as an attempt to buttress them.

Citing “sources” in the Chief Minister’s office, TNM said “It was a routine round-up in an attempt to close long pending cases”.

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Mamata, The Latest Contender For PM Candidate In I.N.D.I. Alliance; Launches Website And Campaign

By
The Commune
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There is no dearth of PM candidates in the I.N.D.I. Alliance. However, no PM candidate has been announced by the alliance yet.

The most recent PM candidate to be announced from the bloc is the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

Previously, the Trinamool Congress chief and the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee allegedly proposed the Congress president Maillikarjun Kharge as the PM candidate during the fourth meeting of the bloc a week ago.

This was promptly turned down by the Congress president himself, suggesting that the bloc should ‘win the elections first, then the PM can be discussed later’.

But today, a website run by Trinamool has appeared aptly named as https://indiawantsmamatadi.com/ abbreviated as IWM.

The IWM website, which sports an Islamic ‘green’ background with white letters logo, says that the community was first formed on 1st June 2021 and goes on to describe CM Mamata as the ‘Tigress of Bengal’ and a woman with a ‘healing touch’ who guided Bengal through the difficult time of COVID-19 which the IWM calls as ‘a disaster second only to partition’. Going by the content posted on the website, there is an IWM summit planned as well.

Apparently, there is an ‘India Wants Mamata Summit 2024’ to be held on 20 January 2024.

Coming downsouth Tamil Nadu, the TN CM MK Stalin himself has been proposed as PM long before the West Bengal CM. In fact, a book entitled ‘Why do we need MKS as PM of India?‘ was published even before CM Stalin assumed office. The book has been well received on Amazon Kindle with glowing reviews, which speaks volumes about the prowess of CM MK Stalin and his cadre. Recently, the former Jammu & Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah had also spoken supporting CM MK Stalin as the PM during the Chief Minister’s 70th birthday celebrations.

If this wasn’t enough, four days ago, Bahujan Samaj Party MP from Bijnor Malook Nagar said that the BSP will consider joining the I.N.D.I. Alliance if the party chief Mayawati was projected as the PM candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. These comments came after the UP Congress president Ajay Rai suggested that BSP should consider joining the I.N.D.I. Alliance.

As the countdown towards the Lok Sabha elections starts, the number of PM candidates from the I.N.D.I. Alliance keeps going up.

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“Jobless Barbers Shave Cat’s Fur”: DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran Lands In Soup Again, BJP TN Head Annamalai Hits Back

By
The Commune
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DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran who is known for his loose tongue, has once again found himself mired in controversy while trying to attack the BJP for circulating old videos of him slandering Hindi speakers and north Indians. 

On Sunday (1 January 2023) when he was participating at an event distributing relief measures for people affected in Michuang cyclone in his constituency, one of reporters asked him “Old videos of important DMK leaders are being trended. Even one of your videos is trending” to which the DMK MP replies “There is a saying –  Jobless barbers catch hold of cats to shave its furs. Likewise they want to create some ruckus, particularly national BJP IT wing, they want to make the issue national level for political mileage which will not materialize”.

Slamming these remarks of DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai wrote on X “Degrading someone by profession or language seems to be the only thing DMK MP Thiru Dayanidhi Maran excels in. Instead of apologising, Thiru Dayanidhi Maran calls those spreading & reacting to his rants on our North Indian Brothers and Sisters the work of a “Jobless Barber”. With this constant degrading, it is only evident that even the continuous taste of electoral defeat doesn’t seem to shake the resolve of the leaders in the I.N.D.I. Alliance”.

This is not the first instance time Dayanidhi Maran had found himself in controversy for something he said.

During a public address in 2019, the DMK MP stated that people who learn Hindi end up as construction workers and toilet cleaners in Tamil Nadu, while Tamilians who are not proficient in Hindi occupy high-ranking positions in the IT sector.

He said, “We asked you to study Tamil and English. You studied. Look at Sundar Pichai, he is now the CEO of Google. He would have been a construction worker if he had studied Hindi. Our children hold high-level positions in IT firms and earn a good living. Look at those who studied Hindi. They work as construction workers and clean toilets.”

He also made derogatory casteist remarks during his visit to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary’s office in 2020 where he met reporters and said “They are treating us like third grade citizens! What are we Depressed class people?”

During the campaign for 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, the DMK MP made distasteful innuendo while taking a jibe at AIADMK leader Rajenthira Balaji equating “Modi as daddy” and the late AIADMK supremo as their “Amma”.

He had said “Minister Rajenthira Balaji says Jayalalithaa is their ‘Amma’ (mother) and Modi is their ‘daddy’. Look at the kind of relationship they have. If we say this, they will it is wrong.”

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How The Modi Govt Is Empowering Students From Marginalized Communities

By
Symbianian
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The BJP is often accused of being a ‘Brahmin-Bania’ party with scant regard for social justice. However, the BJP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as a torch-bearer of social justice with its approach towards the marginalised communities in the country.

For comparison, there have been accusations of the alleged misuse of funds allocated for SC welfare even in a state like Tamil Nadu where the government claims that social justice thrives and prevails. However, the Modi government has been consistently spending for the welfare of the SC community, especially towards the SC student community.

Under the NDA government, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is actively working to significantly enhance the Gross Enrolment Ratio of Scheduled Caste (SC) students in higher education, particularly those from economically underprivileged backgrounds. To achieve this goal, they have implemented the Centrally Sponsored Scheme known as “Post-Matric Scholarships for SC Students for Studies in India.”

Additionally, the Department has introduced the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Pre-Matric Scholarships for SC students and others. This scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to parents belonging to Scheduled Castes and other disadvantaged categories, supporting the education of their children at the pre-matric stage.

The achievements under these schemes include releasing scholarships to a total of 34,58,538 SC beneficiaries, amounting to ₹3546.34 Cr under the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme, and 18,32,628 beneficiaries receiving scholarships amounting to ₹369.03 Cr under the Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme, from the year 2023 until 22.12.2023. The Aadhaar-based payment system is being employed to ensure direct disbursement of scholarship funds to students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into their Aadhaar-seeded accounts.

Notably, seven States/UTs, namely Assam, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Odisha, have exceeded their annual targets under the Post-Matric SC scheme for the year 2022-23. Moreover, under Component-II of the Pre-Matric Scheme, which addresses children with parents engaged in cleaning and hazardous occupations, the number of participating States has increased from one in 2022 to nine in 2023, aiming to provide scholarships to disadvantaged students.

The Department has conceived the ‘Scholarship for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS)’ as an umbrella scheme to facilitate the convergence of resources from four smaller Central Sector Schemes catering to SC/OBC students interested in pursuing higher education (both in India and abroad) and seeking employment in Group A/Group B services of central or state governments. The scheme comprises the following components:

Top Class Education For SCs:

  • The Department has revised the scheme guidelines, adding 44 new institutes to the empanelled list, bringing the total count to 266. Scholarships have been extended to 3999 beneficiaries.

Free Coaching Scheme For SCs And OBCs:

  • The Department has updated the scheme guidelines, and starting from the financial year 2023-24, the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) will administer the scheme through empanelled Central Universities. Scholarships have been granted to 483 beneficiaries from January 2023 onwards.

National Overseas Scholarship For SCs

  • The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme provides financial assistance to selected students from SCs (115 slots), De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (6 slots), and other specified categories (4 slots) for pursuing master’s and Ph.D. level courses abroad. Currently, 125 slots are allocated under the scheme, and 107 students have received scholarships for the academic year 2023-24.

National Fellowship For SCs

  • This scheme offers financial fellowships to students from the Scheduled Caste category pursuing higher studies leading to M. Phil. And Ph.D. in Science, Humanities, and Social Science streams in Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
  • Implemented by the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, the scheme provides 2000 new slots annually for candidates who have qualified the National Eligibility Test-Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC and Junior Research Fellows for the Science stream qualifying UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) Joint Test. The revised rates under the scheme are ₹37,000/- p.m. for JRF and ₹42,000/- p.m. for SRF, effective from 1st January 2023.

DoSJE has actively implemented the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) with the aim of extending the government’s development interventions and addressing service gaps in education within SC-dominant areas. This initiative involves collaboration with grant-in-aid institutions, mainly run by NGOs, and residential high schools that provide high-quality education. The primary objective is to create an environment conducive to the socio-economic upliftment and overall development of Scheduled Castes (SCs).

Achievements under the scheme include the admission of a total of 2564 students in 142 Private Residential Schools affiliated with CBSE/State Boards for the academic session 2023-24. The department has reimbursed school fees amounting to ₹30.55 Crore for these students.

These initiatives and achievements reflect the commitment of the Modi government to uplift marginalized communities and empower them for a brighter future.

(With inputs from PIB)

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Lord Rama’s Connection To The Chola Dynasty: Unraveling The Mystery Of Hanging Walls Of Lanka

By
Jayasree Saranathan
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This article was first published in Vijayvaani and has been republished here with permission.

There is literary evidence that the Cholas were the descendants of Rama. There are hymns in the Tamil Sangam texts that refer to Rama as the ancestor of the Chola clan. However, in tune with the practice of not mentioning the name of the king but indicating the name by the special deed done by them, the poets have often written about just two ancient kings as ancestors of the Cholas by mentioning the feats done by them. One saved a pigeon by offering his own flesh, whose identity can be easily found out as Sibi. Another was a valiant king who destroyed the hanging walls of the enemy. Until now no one had been able to identify either the city of hanging walls or the ancestral king who destroyed it. Analysis shows that it was Rama!

Let us begin with the hanging walls. Which city had the hanging walls? How could the walls be hanging? In the stories that have been handed down to us so far, there are two cities that are said to have had walls hanging from the sky.

Hanging Cities

One was the city of Amaravati, the capital of Indra. It was said to be in the sky. The Chola genealogy says that Muchukunda who came in the Chola lineage was a friend of Indra, thereby giving the impression that Indra was not a mythical figure. Muchukunda’s name appears after Mandhata of the Ikshvaku lineage. Up to Mandhata, the Ikshvaku lineage and the Chola lineage have the same names. After Mandhata a diversion is seen with the name Muchukunda appearing as the son of Mandhata but not ascending the Ikshvaku throne. His name gets related to the Chola lineage in the Chola inscriptions.

Muchukunda once helped Indra to protect the city of Amaravati when he went to fight with the Asuras. This information given in Silappadhikaram further states that pleased with Muchukunda’s help in protecting Amaravati in his absence, Indra gifted him a deity by name “Naalangaadi Bhootha”. This deity was installed at the centre of the marketplace in Poompukar by Muchukunda. The worship of this deity continued till Silappadhikaram times (2000 years ago). Muchukunda’s name is also associated with the seven temples of Shiva known as Sapta Vidanga Sthalas in Thanjavur, giving further evidence of the existence of Muchukunda and his presence in south Tamilnadu long ago. What is of importance is that Amaravati was said to be in the sky.

Similarly, another city said to be in the sky was Lanka ruled by Ravana. Ravana told Sita that Lanka was situated on a mountain (Va- Ra: 3-47-29). On the hilltop, the city looked like a ‘hanging city’ through the clouds. Lanka was a walled city. As the clouds surround the mountain, those looking at it from below can only see the clouds on top of the mountain. The walls of the city partially concealed by the clouds gave an appearance as though the walls were hanging from the sky. Thus, the city of Lanka was praised as a city in the sky.

Ravana also said that his city was like Indra’s city of Amaravati (Va-Ra: 3-48-10) by which it is known that Amaravati must also have been a city situated on a hill. People called Devas might have lived there. It should be pointed out here that the region encompassing Thailand, Burma and Vietnam was named as Indra Dweepa. This region, in close proximity to Bharat, gives ample scope for movement and interaction between these two places.

Indra’s charioteer Matali gave his chariot to Rama and charioteered him in the war with Ravana, proving that Indra lived during Rama’s times. Matali sought an alliance for his daughter from human beings, indicating that Indra and the so-called Devas were also human beings, but could have been of a different human species. Ravana’s son was named Indrajit because he defeated Indra. All these show that there was nothing mythical about Devas and that Indra could have been a titular name of kings of Indra Dweepa. During the period of Rama, Amaravati and Lanka were hilltop cities, surpassing each other in beauty and structure.

The King Who Destroyed Hanging Walls

The account of the destruction of hanging walls is found in the 39th verse of the Purananuru. The poetess Marokatthu Nappasalaiyar congratulates Chola King Kulamurrathu Thunjiya Killi Valavan as one who was compassionate towards living beings like his ancestor who gave his body to save the dove. He is praised again as one who conquers the enemy like his ancestor who destroyed the hanging walls of the enemy’s city.

Another poet, Nallur Naththathanar, in the Sangam text called Sirupaanaarru padai, recalled the king who gave his flesh to save the dove and the king who destroyed the hanging walls.

In Tamil there is a compilation of proverbs written as poems by Munururai Araiyanar by citing an example to explain each proverb. In this compilation having 400 such poems, one of them refers to the one who destroyed hanging walls. In the context of expressing a proverb on the importance of hard work to be taken by one, the poet recalls the efforts put forth by the one for breaking the hanging walls.

In Manimegalai, in the story about the Chola king who celebrated Indra Festival, the author refers to “the king who destroyed the hanging walls”. This was written 2000 years ago.

In the Kalingatthu Bharani written in the eleventh century, the author Jayamkondar also refers to “the one who demolished the hanging walls” while recounting the greatness of the Chola lineage.

Solving The Puzzle Of Hanging Walls

The repeated reference to the hanging walls and the king who managed to break them was not given serious thought by scholars. While we are clueless about the city of hanging walls and the king who destroyed it, the first hint at solving this puzzle appears in Silappadhikaram. The context was the camp of the Chera king Senkuttuvan on the banks of the Ganga. After procuring the stone from the Himalayas to make the image of Kannagi, he was camping at the Ganga to conduct the abhisheka for the stone with the water of Ganga.

It had been thirty-two months since the king left his country (Vanji) on his northern expedition. While he was staying on the banks of the river Ganga, an ascetic by name of Maadalan from the Chera country came to the Ganga on a pilgrimage. He met the King and explained the happenings back home after the king left the country. While describing the events in the Chola country to which the queen belonged, Maadalan praised the Chola lineage by mentioning the king who destroyed the hanging walls. Herein he made a notable mention that the walls were three in number!

His specific mention of three-sided walls destroyed by an ancestral Chola king gives the first qualifying hint on the appearance of the fort wall. (Silappadhikaram: Ch- 27: lines 164-168)

This clue makes our search easier because such a city surrounded by three walls is mentioned by an Alwar in his composition. Tirumangai Alwar in his work called ‘Thiruvezhu koorrirukkai” refers to “Mummadhil ilangai” – Lanka of three walls! He goes on to say that Lanka’s three walls were destroyed by Vishnu (Rama)

So, Ravana’s Lanka which was situated on a hilltop was surrounded on three sides by walls. It looked as though it was hanging from the sky. It was destroyed by Rama. The ultimate hint comes from the religious literature of Alwars, but all along the Sangam Age poets were thrilled to mention the deed and not the name of the king. Perhaps the common man was aware of the name of the king, i.e., Rama in olden days. The information about the destruction of the hanging walls appearing until the 11th-century literary works, we can assume that it was common knowledge until then, but forgotten later. Without the verse of Alwar, we could not have established that it was Ravana’s Lanka.

The Cholas of the 10th and 11th century explicitly mentioned Rama as their ancestor. In the text called “Vikramacholan Ula” sung by Odda Koothar in praise of Vikrama Chola, the son of Kulottunga I, the poet refers to this king (Rama) who destroyed the hanging walls (line 17).

The same poet in another work called “Rajarajacholan Ula” refers to King Dasharatha as an ancestor of the Cholas. He also describes how Dasharatha got that name by having destroyed ten chariots with a single chariot he was riding. He further says that Rama was born in that lineage. Rama constructed a bridge across the sea with huge bounders to reach Lanka, and destroyed the hanging walls of Lanka (lines 19-25).

The riddle about the hanging walls is thus solved by the olden Tamil poets themselves who have made it known that Rama had done that feat. They also linked Rama with Chola-s ancestry which should put at rest the mischievous propaganda that Rama was alien to Tamil people. These details also open a new revelation in identifying the location of Lanka situated on top of a hill. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to say that Rama, who gave the Chola heritage, was the son of the Tamil land?

Jayasree Saranathan is a researcher, writer and astrologer with a Ph.D. in Astrology. Her research areas include Indology, Hindu Epics, Tamil Sangam literature and Astrometeorology. She is the author of “Mahabharata 3136 BCE: Validation of the Traditional Date”.

Who Is Honestly Working For The Success Of I.N.D.I. Alliance?

By
M Ananth Narayan
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2024 will not be a very happy year for the I.N.D.I Alliance, especially if you take it as one single united Opposition which was what the constituent parties envisioned it to be. In this piece, I will try to dig into which party in this alliance is actually working for its success wholeheartedly.

With only around three months to go for the Lok Sabha elections, the dot dot alliance seems to be still waiting for the green signal in a railway platform with several of its bogies not fully ready for the journey while the Vande Bharat of BJP is speeding ahead comfortably nearing its destination. The Congress holds a “Hain Tayyar Hum” (We’re ready) rally but they don’t look as tayyar as they should be with the dotted alliance still debating on seat sharing.

The TMC feels that they are the only party that can give a fight to BJP on West Bengal. There is a fight going on between Congress and BJP in that state. On one hand Congress publicly says that TMC is working like BJP and on the other side one TMC leader says Congress is behaving like a Dalal (broker) of BJP. The TMC hurriedly put forward Mallikarjun Kharge’s name for PM candidature which seemed to surprise Congress who was trying to position Rahul Gandhi against Narendra Modi. The grand old party chose to keep mum. Mamata Banerjee probably didn’t want Nitish Kumar to lead as she herself wanted to lead this alliance. Arvind Kejriwal is silently having side conversations with didi. Therefore, it is very clear that the TMC is not helping the dot dot alliance much for its success.

In Maharashtra, there is a fight going on between two Sanjays, one in Congress and one in Udhav Shiv Sena. Both are claiming to be the best party to defeat BJP in Maharashtra. On the other hand, the Senior Pawar has kept his legs on both the boats. He stands with the dot dot alliance while his disciples stand with BJP. That is a smart move. Eventually, he will go with the winner. If BJP wins, I will not be surprised if all NCP factions again merge and become one happy family. By creating all this confusion NCP, Udhav Shiv Sena and Congress are tried hard to help BJP sweep the state in 2024 and therefore are not honestly working to see their alliance succeed.

Down south, DMK is issuing controversial statements after statements which are impacting the prospects of success of the alliance, especially the Congress, in other parts of India. They don’t seem to care even after the recent Hindi Heartland state results and are continuing to play the politics that will benefit them in Tamil Nadu. The jibes at Hindi speaking people are proving to be a big embarrassment to the dot dot alliance with Nitish Kumar having to react to them angrily during an alliance meet. Even RJD party had to issue a statement. DMK themselves are in troubled waters with two of their Ministers caught in the corruption net ending up losing their seats. The recent public ire on their shabby handling of the flood situation has forced them to just focus on saving their fort instead of the alliance interests.

In Bihar, Nitish Kumar just avoided a coup and stopped his party from breaking and Tejaswi becoming the CM. It looks like he has started feeling that his priority now is to save his position in his state before caring for the alliance in which he is anyways not getting any importance and didn’t even get the Convenor role that he aspired for leave alone the PM candidature.

In Punjab, AAP is not going to let Congress in although they might be a little considerate with sharing some Delhi seats as they are anyways losing popularity there. It is a fact that their immediate goal is to capture the Congress space in the states in order to expand as they cannot clearly beat the BJP. Given these circumstances, how can one expect them to sacrifice for the dot dot alliance’s success?

The Left parties, although being irrelevant, would also not do lot of sacrifices in Kerala as that is the only state where they have presence and they have to save their identity which they have lost totally in West Bengal too.

Finally, the Loksabha elections will be a big test for Congress to prove that they are still relevant as a national party. They don’t have any other go but to fight with their friendly parties for more seats in their states which they will not give. They will also not be able to sacrifice a lot as that will be counterproductive for them which makes them an unwanted elephant in the room for the regional parties who want to go pan-India however ludicrous that might be but having a dream is not a bad thing. Therefore, Congress cannot also wholeheartedly do what is in the best interest of the alliance.

Based on all of the above issues, I conclude that the only parties that are honestly working for the success of the I.N.D.I Alliance are the other parties lead by Vaiko, Thirumavalavan who don’t have too much influence unfortunately. Goes without saying that it is going to be a very happy new year for BJP and NDA. Some DMK spokesperson in some national TV debate in their usual abusive boring style said that even if Bhagawan Ram contests in Tamil Nadu people will not vote for him. I am not sure about that as after seeing their work during the floods, their popularity amongst the public is diminishing.

The I.N.D.I. Allies have yet another big political decision to make, more important than seat sharing – whether they should attend the consecration of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024 or not. Any decision that they take is bound to corner them one way or the other. Although Lord Ram might not be contesting elections himself, he will be elemental in this Lok Sabha election. Let us see on whom Bhagawan Shri Ram showers his blessings!

Ananth Mahadevan is a political commentator based in Bengaluru.

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PM Narendra Modi To Unveil Mega Development Projects In Tamil Nadu And Lakshadweep

By
The Commune
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Modi

In a significant stride towards fostering development and connectivity in South India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a visit to Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep on 2 & 3 January 2024. The Prime Minister’s itinerary includes the inauguration, dedication to the nation, and laying the foundation stone for various projects with a cumulative value exceeding ₹19,850 crore in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Highlights

On 2 January 2024, the Prime Minister will grace the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli, where he is expected to confer awards upon outstanding students and deliver an address. Following this, a public program in Tiruchirappalli will witness the inauguration of the new Terminal Building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport, designed at a cost exceeding ₹1100 crore. This state-of-the-art facility is capable of serving over 44 lakh passengers annually.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate several railway projects, including the doubling of the Salem–Magnesite Junction–Omalur–Mettur Dam section, the electrification of various rail lines, and crucial road sector projects aimed at enhancing connectivity in the region.

Furthermore, he will lay the foundation stone for vital road development projects, such as the construction of a 31 km four-lane road from Mugaiyur to Marakkanam (NH 332A) that will connect ports on the East Coast of Tamil Nadu, enhancing connectivity to the world heritage site – Mamallapuram.

PM Modi will also dedicate the General Cargo Berth-II at Kamarajar Port, marking a significant step toward fortifying the nation’s trade and boosting economic growth and employment.

In the energy sector, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate two major projects: the 488 km long natural gas pipeline by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and the 697 km long Vijayawada-Dharmapuri Multiproduct (POL) Petroleum Pipeline by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

 

The pinnacle of the Tamil Nadu visit will be the dedication of the Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. This unique facility, developed at a cost of ₹400 crore, signifies a significant step toward establishing large-scale commercial fast reactor fuel reprocessing plants.

Lakshadweep Highlights:

Upon reaching Lakshadweep on 2 January 2024, Prime Minister Modi will unveil development projects exceeding ₹1150 crore. A transformative move includes the inauguration of the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI – SOFC) project, significantly improving internet speed in the region.

For the first time since independence, Lakshadweep will be connected through Submarine Optic Fibre Cable, facilitating faster and more reliable internet services, telemedicine, e-governance, educational initiatives, digital banking, digital currency usage, and digital literacy.

The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kadmat, producing 1.5 lakh litres of clean drinking water daily. Additionally, Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) in all households of Agatti and Minicoy islands will be dedicated, addressing the longstanding challenge of potable water scarcity in the coral islands.

Other projects include the solar power plant at Kavaratti, the new administrative block and 80 Men barrack in India Reserve Battalion (IRBn) Complex at Kavaratti, and the foundation stone laying for the renovation of the Primary Health Care facility in Kalpeni and the construction of five model Anganwadi Centres (Nand Ghars) in various islands.

The Prime Minister’s visit is poised to usher in a new era of development, connectivity, and progress in Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep, setting the stage for a brighter future in the region.

(with inputs from PIB)

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‘Raja Virundhu’ For The Unsung Rajas & Ranis: BJP’s SG Suryah Organizes Extravagant Dinner To Honour Hygiene Workers

By
The Commune
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In a heartwarming gesture, Dr. SG Suryah, the BJP Tamil Nadu State Secretary, hosted an extravagant dinner for hygiene workers of Velachery and surrounding regions, as a mark of respect for their relentless service particularly commending their remarkable contributions in the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung.

This noble initiative was organized by the NaMo Foundation, under the leadership of SG Suryah, in collaboration with the non-profit organization “Aram Seya Virumbu” on 30 December 2023 at the Kabali marriage hall in Velachery, Chennai.

Apart from a grand dinner, over 150 of the hygiene workers who had come were felicitated and given food kits comprising of essentials like rice, pulses, oil, sugar, etc.

The highlight of the evening was the way in which the delectable feast organized and the royal treatment extended to the hygiene workers. Over 70 throne-like seats were elegantly arranged, with the hygiene workers seated like kings and queens. Food was served in a nice embollished plate resting on a holder shaped like a peacock, adding an extra touch of grandeur to the occasion.

The dinner comprised of an array of dishes – Dry Gulab Jamun, Paruppu Payasam, Chappathi, Cauliflower 65, Paneer Butter Masala, Vegetable Biryani, Onion-Curd Raita, and a variety of traditional South Indian delicacies like Sambar, Rasam, Vathakozhambu, Bean-Carrot Poriyal, Potato-Peas Sabji, pickle and Appalam with buttermilk to wash it all down and a delightful serving of ice cream for dessert.

The hygiene workers were overwhelmed with gratitude for this extraordinary gesture. Ranganayaki, a hygiene worker residing in Kannagi Nagar, expressed her emotions, saying, “Either we are looked at with sympathy or we’re just ignored. For the first time, we’ve had someone treat us so royally with so much dignity and respect.”

Speaking to The Commune, Dr. Suryah emphasized the invaluable contribution of hygiene workers, who often go unrecognized. He highlighted their pivotal role in restoring normalcy to Chennai in the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung.

“Providing relief materials through cash and kind is one thing. Many of them struggle to make ends meet, yet they were out on the streets serving us so that we could get on with our lives. That sacrifice cannot be compensated by providing cash or relief materials. The least one can do is be thankful to them, and what better way than to treat them like emperors with sumptuous food.”, Suryah said.

The spirit of the occasion can be encapsulated in a Tamil saying: “Vayirara Saptu, Manadhaara Vazhthinar,” which translates to “They ate to their full bellies and blessed heartily”. This sentiment was unmistakably visible in the eyes of the hygiene workers as they relished the food.

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