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Rama Of The Axe: A Book That Tells The Epic Saga Of Parashurama

By
The Commune
-

Westland Books has announced ‘Rama of the Axe’, a book by debut writer Ranjith Radhakrishnan. The book is the author’s attempt to convey Parashurama’s magnificence in words for the modern reader. It is an insight into the great sage’s mind and heart, his trials and triumphs, and the incredible weapon he created.

The book will be formally launched by actor Kichcha Sudeep in Bangalore on a yet to be decided date. The actor said, ‘Ranjith Radhakrishnan weaves a fantastic tale, bringing so many dimensions to it. The book takes a grip on you from the start and never lets go. You feel that you are inside the story, seeing things happen around you, and it all leads up to an incredible climax.’

Ranjith Radhakrishnan is a Bengaluru-based entrepreneur. His first published story is ‘Shakuni: The Dice of Death’ in the anthology Unsung Valour. He also has a narrative poem ‘Tushara Swayamvara’, published in the anthology Aryaa. This present book is his first published novel. He is currently writing part two of the story.

Ranjith Radhakrishnan said, ‘Parashurama is a fascinating avatar, and there is more to his story than meets the eye. He is the only avatar to meet other subsequent avatars. He is an immortal—a Chiranjeevi, and a future Saptarishi—the seven great rishis who protect and teach Dharma. Parashurama (named as Jamadagneya, the son of Jamadagni) has a hymn credited to him in the Rig Veda corpus. For someone so versatile, who spans the worlds of Veda and Tantra, whose story connects the four corners of Bharata, we unfortunately know of him only as the angry sixth avatar of Mahavishnu.’

Commenting on the announcement of the book Sanghamitra Biswas, Executive Editor, Westland Books said, ‘Ranjith Radhakrishnan is a fabulous storyteller, and we are so excited to publish his audacious and fierce debut, Rama of the Axe. This retelling of the legend of Parashurama is packed with action and drama and makes for a superbly engrossing read.’

The book is about the youngest son of Saptarishi Jamadagni, Ramabhadra who has the weight of an immense prophecy on his shoulders. For not only is he the gifted son of a supremely revered rishi and his wife, he is also being quietly trained to fulfil his destiny as an avatar of Lord Vishnu. But the path to divinity is not one without trials. When his father and guru is suddenly snatched away from him, Ramabhadra knows he has to avenge his death, come what may. But before that he must master himself. A tale of revenge, love and duty Rama of the Axe is the story of Ramabhadra’s journey to becoming Parashurama.

The book has been published by Westland Books, an award-winning Indian publisher with a diverse and exciting range of books from popular and literary fiction to business, politics, biography, spirituality, popular science, health and self-help.

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K’taka Congress Min Priyank Kharge Threatens To Ban RSS & Bajrang Dal, Asks BJP To Go To Pakistan

By
The Commune
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Priyank Kharge, the son of alleged Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and a Minister in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet has threatened to ban one of the world’s largest voluntary service organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of Hindu organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

The Minister said that the Congress government in Karnataka will ban the RSS and Bajrang Dal “if peace of the state is disturbed”, which many consider it to be a broad and vague condition that virtually gives a free pass for the Congress government to ban the organization at its whims.

He also said that if the BJP has any problem with this diktat, they can go to Pakistan.

“We have promised to turn Karnataka into a paradise. If peace is disturbed we won’t even consider if it is Bajrang Dal or RSS. Whenever law is taken into the hands, a ban will be imposed. As per the promise given in the manifesto, we will ban any organisation, including Bajrang Dal and RSS,” Kharge was quoted saying in a report by The News Minute.

“Some elements are roaming freely without fear of law and police in society. The trend has been happening for three years,” he was quoted saying referring to Hindu groups.

However, Priyank Kharge made no mention of radical Islamic terror organization Popular Front of India (PFI) while talking about disturbance of peace.

Kharge also declared that the Congress government in the state would withdraw the ban on hijab and cow slaughter laws.

Earlier, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar warned the state police officials saying that he won’t allow saffronization of police department. He even pulled up officers for wearing saffron clothes.

“Are you going to saffronize the police department? This is not allowed in our government. I know how you insulted the department by wearing saffron clothes in Mangalore, Bijapur, Bagalkot. If you have respect for the country, you should work with the national flag,” DK Shivakumar said.

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Dravidian Model: Yes To Amul Sponsoring DMK Family-Owned SRH, No To Amul Procuring From TN Farmers

By
The Commune
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Taking a leaf out of their ally Congress’s playbook, the DMK in Tamil Nadu is now trying to pit state-owned Aavin issue with Amul.

On 25 May 2023, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah asking Amul to desist from procuring milk from Tamil Nadu dairy farmers.

Amul has reportedly set up chilling centres and processing plant Krishnagiri district with plans to procure milk from cooperatives in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Vellore, Ranipet, and Thirupathur, areas.

Opposing this move of MK Stalin alleged that Amul procuring from Tamil Nadu dairy farmers will promote “unhealthy competition” with Aavin.

However, it must be noted that Tamil Nadu state-owned Aavin procures only a small share of 35 LLPD (Lakh Litres Per Day), of the state’s total production of 244 LLPD. This too is done at ₹32-34 per litre while Amul is offering a better procurement rate of ₹34-38 per litre.

Be that as it may, a blatant instance of DMK government’s hypocrisy has now come to the forefront. Amul is one of the sponsors of SunRisers Hyderabad IPL team which is owned by Kalanithi Maran, brother of DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran and a member of Stalin’s family.

Amul Organic, a part of Anand Milk Union Limited (Amul), joined hands with the SunRisers as their Official Organic Partner for the 2023 IPL season.

The official Twitter handle of DMK family-owned Sunrisers Hyderabad had even tweeted about the same on 19 May 2023.

Many on social media have asked if Dravidian Model means one rule for Stalin’s family and another for Tamil Nadu people.

While the DMK-family has made money from Amul by having the company sponsor their team, the DMK government is denying Tamil Nadu farmers to make money from Amul.

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After Congress, DMK Does Politics Over Amul; Doesn’t Want Amul To Operate In TN

By
The Commune
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In the run up to the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, the Congress party had pitted Karnataka’s state-owned Nandini against Amul which had announced its plans to commence door delivery of Amul’s Taaza milk.

Congress leaders argued that in Karnataka only Nandini should be sold and the entry of Amul will threaten the local brand.

Taking a leaf out of their ally’s playbook, the DMK in Tamil Nadu is now trying to milk a similar issue by pitting state-owned Aavin with Amul.

Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday sought the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in requesting Gujarat-based milk cooperative Amul to stop procuring from the milk shed area of Tamil Nadu’s cooperative Aavin, citing unhealthy competition.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin explained the implications of milk collection by the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, commonly known as Amul, in Tamil Nadu’s dairy-producing regions.

According to MK Stalin, it has long been the practice in India to allow cooperatives to thrive without interfering with each other’s milk-shed area. “The act of Amul infringes on Tamil Nadu Aavin’s milk shed area, which has been nurtured in true cooperative spirit over decades,” he said.

“Such cross-procurement goes against the spirit of ‘Operation White Flood’ and will exacerbate problems for the consumers given the prevailing milk shortage scenario in the country,” CM Stalin said in his letter.

MK Stalin attempted to explain the importance of Aavin in Tamil Nadu saying, “Aavin is our apex cooperative marketing federation. Under the ambit of Aavin co-operative, 9,673 Milk Producers Co-operative Societies are functioning in rural areas. They procure 35 LLPD of milk from about 4.5 lakh pouring members. Under this current arrangement, milk producers are assured of remunerative and uniform prices throughout the year by the cooperative societies.”

“Regional cooperatives have been the bedrock of dairy development in the states and they are better placed to engage and nurture producers and to cushion consumers from arbitrary price hikes.

Therefore, I request your urgent intervention to direct Amul to desist from milk procurement from the milk shed area of Aavin in Tamil Nadu with immediate effect,” the Chief Minister said.

However, Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai refuted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s arguments with facts, claiming that the CM is using diversionary tactics and theatrics to incite the Amul vs Aavin narrative in Tamil Nadu.

Annamalai stated in his tweet that Aavin’s daily procurement of milk from farmers is a small share, 35 LLPD (Lakh Litres Per Day), compared to the state’s total production of 244 LLPD, and that Aavin’s average milk procurement from farmers has dropped to 32LLPD since May 2021, when the DMK took power in the state.

“Is the Tamil Nadu CM wary of the fact that Aavin’s milk procurement in TN on the overall milk produced in the state is only 14%?” Annamalai asked.

Annamalai also cited incidents in the past in which former DMK minister ‘Avadi’ Nasser attempted to award Diwali sweet contracts to a private firm while ignoring Aavin, and how Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanium failed to include Aavin milk powder in the Nutrition kit tender for lactating mothers despite Aavin’s offer to manufacture it.

Annamalai said, “Thiru MK Stalin avl needs to consider increasing daily milk procurement & improving the livelihood of the hardworking farmers in the state and focus on making Aavin the number one Milk cooperative society in the country instead of engaging in his usual theatrics!”

Netizens also questioned MK Stalin on why he is insisting on Amul not being operated in Tamil Nadu when his family can own an Indian Premier League team in Hyderabad. It is worth noting that Aavin purchases milk from farmers at a rate of Rs 32-34 per litre, whereas Amul purchases at a rate of Rs 34-38 per liter, which benefits milk farmers. This raises the logical question of whether MK Stalin is speaking on behalf of private dairy companies in Tamil Nadu who are concerned that Amul will reduce their market share.

PM Modi Flags Off Vande Bharat Express From Dehradun To Delhi

By
The Commune
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the inaugural run of Vande Bharat Express from Dehradun to Delhi via video conferencing today. He also dedicated to the nation, newly electrified rail sections and declared Uttarakhand a 100% electric traction state.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister congratulated everyone from Uttarakhand for the inaugural Vande Bharat  Express between Dehradun and Delhi and said the train will connect the nation’s capital to the Dev Bhoomi of Uttrakhand. He informed that the travel time between the two cities will be further reduced and the onboard facilities will make for a pleasant travel experience.

Throwing light on his three-nation tour to Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia, the Prime Minister underlined that the world is looking at India with high hopes. “India has become a ray of hope for the world when it comes to strengthening the economy and fighting poverty”, the Prime Minister said. He also touched upon India’s tackling of the Coronavirus pandemic and the world’s largest vaccination campaign carried out in the country. The Prime Minister emphasized that beautiful states like Uttarakhand should make the most of today’s situation when people from around the world want to come to India. PM Modi underlined that the Vande Bharat train is also going to help Uttarakhand in taking full advantage of this opportunity.

The Prime Minister recalled his visit to Kedarnath and remembered his spontaneous statement that ‘This decade is going to be the decade of Uttarakhand’. He praised the development push of the state while keeping the law and order situation strong. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that ‘Devbhoomi will be the center of the spiritual consciousness of the world.’ He said that we will have to work to realize this potential. He mentioned that the number of pilgrims for the  Char Dham Yatra keeps on breaking old records. He also talked about the devotees coming for the darshan of Baba Kedar, Kumbh/Ardh Kumbh at Haridwar and Kanwar Yatra. He said that not many states have this number of devotees arriving and it is a gift as well as a monumental task. “Double engine government is working with double power and double speed to make this ‘Bhagirath’ task easy”, he added.

The Prime Minister said that the government’s emphasis is on the ‘Navratna’, 9 gems of development. First Ratna, he said, is ₹1300 crore rejuvenation work at Kedarnath-Badrinath Dham. Second, ₹2500 crore Ropeway project at Gaurikund-Kedarnath and Gobind Ghat- Hemkunt Sahib. Third, the renovation of ancient temples of Kumaon under Manas Khand Mandir Mala programme. Fourth, the promotion of Homestay in the entire state where more than 4000 homestays have been registered in the state. Fifth, the development of 16 ecotourism destinations. Sixth, expansion of health services in Uttarakhand. AIIMS satellite center is coming up in Udham Singh Nagar. Seventh, ₹2000 cr Tehri Lake Development Project. Eighth, the development of Haridwar Rishikesh as the capital of Yoga and adventure tourism and finally, the Tanakpur Bageshwar Rail Line.

He said these Navratnas are being consolidated with a new push to infrastructure development in the state. Work is going on at a rapid pace on ₹12,000 cr Char Dham Mahapariyojana, he informed. Delhi Dehradun Expressway will make the journey faster and easier. He also talked about the Ropeway connectivity in Uttarakhand. “Parvat Mala Project is going to change the state’s fortune in the coming days”, he said. He remarked that the ₹16,000 cr Rishikesh-Karanprayag Rail Project will be completed in 2-3 years. The Project will make a big part of Uttarakhand accessible and will push investment, industry and employment.

The Prime Minister remarked that with the assistance of the Central Government, Uttarakhand is emerging as the hub of tourism, adventure tourism, film shooting destination and wedding destination. He said that the tourist spots of the state are attracting visitors from all across the globe and the Vande Bharat Express will be greatly beneficial to them. The Prime Minister observed that traveling by train remains the first choice for those who are accompanied by their family members and the Vande Bharat is gradually becoming the go-to means of transportation.

“The India of the 21st century can scale further heights of development by maximizing the potential of infrastructure”, the Prime Minister remarked as he pointed out that the governments of the past could not understand the importance of infrastructure while they were preoccupied with corruption and dynastic politics. Even though huge promises were made by the previous governments regarding high-speed trains in India, the Prime Minister observed that they even failed to get rid of unmanned gates from the rail network, while the state of electrification of rail lines was even worse. The Prime Minister informed that only one-third of the country’s rail network had been electrified by 2014 making it impossible to think of a fast-running train. “The all-around work to transform the railways began after 2014”, the Prime Minister said.  He underlined that the work to implement the dream of the country’s first high-speed train began in full swing while also preparing the whole network for semi-high-speed trains. The Prime Minister informed that 600 km of rail lines were electrified every year on an average before 2014 whereas 6 thousand kilometers of railway lines are being electrified every year today. “Today, more than 90 percent of the country’s railway network has been electrified. In Uttarakhand, 100 percent electrification of the entire rail network has been achieved”, the Prime Minister informed.

The Prime Minister credited the development work to the right intention, policy and dedication. Underlining that the boost in the railway budget in comparison to 2014 has directly benefited Uttarakhand, the Prime Minister informed that 5 years before 2014, the average budget for the state was less than ₹200 crore whereas today the rail budget is 5 thousand crore rupees, a 25 fold increase. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of connectivity in a hilly state where people from the villages migrated due to a lack of connectivity and underlined that the Government wants to prevent that suffering for the coming generations. He also noted that modern connectivity will also be of great use in easy access to our borders and the soldiers defending the nation should not be inconvenienced in any way.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that the double-engine government is committed to the development of Uttarakhand where the rapid development of Uttarakhand will also help in the rapid development of India. “The country is not going to stop now, the country has now caught its pace. The whole country is moving ahead at the speed of Vande Bharat and will continue to move ahead”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Background

This will be the first Vande Bharat to be introduced in Uttarakhand. With world-class amenities, it will herald a new era of comfortable travel experiences, especially for tourists traveling to the state. The train has been indigenously and is equipped with advanced safety features including the Kavach technology. The new Vande Bharat Express will cover the distance between Dehradun to Delhi in 4.5 hours.

Guided by the vision of the Prime Minister of providing cleaner means of public transport, Indian Railways is on a quest to completely electrify rail routes in the country. Moving ahead in this direction, the Prime Minster dedicated the newly electrified rail line sections in Uttarakhand. With this, the state will have its entire rail route 100% electrified. Trains run by electric traction on the electrified sections will result in an increase in the speed of trains and enhance haulage capacity.

(Published from PIB)

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Did You Know? The Historic Sacred Sengol Was Belittled As Nehru’s “Golden Walking Stick” All These Years

By
The Commune
-

As India celebrates its independence, a forgotten symbol of the nation’s sovereignty, the sacred Sengol, is finally restored to its rightful place of honour. Originally handed over to Jawaharlal Nehru by Mountbatten as a sign of power transfer, this historic sceptre was long misrepresented as Nehru’s “golden walking stick” and languished in obscurity for decades.

After years of neglect, the Sengol will be installed prominently in the new Parliament building, reclaiming its status as a symbol of justice and authority.

Sengol For India’s 1st PM Nehru By Sanyasis

As India awakened to freedom, an event marked the transfer of power from the British to the Indians. At the symbolic event, the last Viceroy, Mountbatten, handed over a Sengol (sceptre) to the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

This historic Sengol, made of gold, was crafted to be approximately 5 feet long with intricate details and rich symbolism. A Nandi (Lord Shiva’s bull vehicle) was positioned on top of the Sengol, representing the concept of “Nyaya,” which signifies justice and fairness. It also has Goddess Lakshmi, representing wealth, and the Indian flag on the orb.

Chennai-based Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers made the Sengol under the auspices of Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, one of the oldest Saivite Hindu Mutts in the country.

The Sengol was specially flown to Delhi on the eve of India’s independence, with the deputy pontiff of the mutt, Kumaraswamy Thambiran Swamigal, initiating the power transfer.

Moments minutes before the clock struck 00:00, the Sengol was sanctified with holy water and verses from Kolaru Padhigam of the Thirumurais (compilation of verses hailing Hindu God Siva) were chanted. As the last line, “அடியார்கள் வானில் அரசாள்வர் ஆணை நமதே” meaning (Those who chant this set of songs will rule the heavens) was recited, the Swamigal gave the Sengol to Nehru, completing the transfer of power.

Thanks to the Nehruvian establishment, this high-profile historic event was kept low-key and slowly forgotten over time.

Worse, the sacred totemic Sengol, representing power and justice, came to be regarded as Nehru’s “golden walking stick”.

Source: India Today

The Sengol, testimony to India’s rebirth as a sovereign nation, languished in a nondescript museum in Prayagraj for over seven decades. The description tag in the display box for Sengol read, “Golden walking stick gifted to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.”

Today, this Sengol has a new lease of life and will be installed majestically near the Speaker’s chair at India’s new temple of democracy.

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DMK To Boycott New Parliament Inauguration Which Will Feature Tamil Chozha Tradition Of Sengol

By
The Commune
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In a joint statement, the Congress, DMK, and 17 other parties announced that they will boycott the inauguration of the newly constructed parliament building on May 28. They have stated that they were boycotting the inauguration to protest Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the new parliament instead of the country’s “first Adivasi President” Droupadi Murmu. 

Amit Shah, the union’s minister of home, stated that a historical Sengol, signifying the handover of power from the British, will be prominently installed at the new Parliament Building. Home Minister Amit Shah said, “This Sengol has a huge significance. At around 10.45 PM on August 14, 1947, late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru received this Sengol from Tamil Nadu, and in the presence of several senior leaders, he accepted this as a symbol of achieving independence. It is a sign of a shift of power from Britishers to The people of this country.”

During his announcement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the significance of Sengol in Indian culture, particularly Tamil culture. He emphasized its historical significance, which dates back to the Chola dynasty. The Minister revealed that the revered Sengol would be housed in the New Parliament Building, representing a transfer of power. Before the official inauguration of the Parliament Building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would receive the Sengol from Tamil Nadu, which would be prominently displayed near the speaker’s seat.

The Sengol was extremely important in the king’s coronation ceremonies during the Chola period. It was a ceremonial spear or flagstaff with intricate carvings and decorative elements. The Sengol was revered as a sacred symbol of authority and justice. Its change of hands mean the transfer of power from one ruler to the next. A detailed story on how a Hindu Mutt in Tamil Nadu initiated the transfer of power from the British to India can be read here.

In this background, the DMK government draws flak for boycotting the inauguration of the new parliament building, which will house Sengol, that was handed over to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru by Lord Mountbatten in the presence of Tamil Hindu priests.

It is worth noting that the DMK, as an organization, did not want any other identity other than EV Ramasamy Naicker to be associated with Tamil’s glory, and they have claimed in the past that every progressive step happened in Tamil Nadu after EVR. DMK’s friendly organizations such as Dravidar Kazhagam, Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam, and a few others, they have in the past peddled a lie to defame Raja Raja Chozhan, claiming that he is a slave of Brahmins, in order to denigrate Chozha and elevate EVR’s image. In one of the public meetings, Pa Ranjith claimed that Raja Raja Chozhan took Dalit lands and gave them to Brahmins.

In this context, the DMK government’s boycott of the inauguration of the new parliament building, during which Tamil pride is celebrated, has drawn criticism from the Tamil Nadu public.

https://twitter.com/ikkmurugan/status/1661303827574968321?s=20

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Kalakshetra Case: Students Report No Sexual Harassment Charges Against Hari Padman During Police Investigation

By
The Commune
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In a development that has largely gone unreported, many students of Kalakshetra Foundation who were investigated by the police have not made any sexual harassment charges against the institution’s teacher Haripadman who is now behind bars in Puzhal jail.

Following a complaint from one of his former students, Hari Padman, a Kalakshetra alumnus and teacher at the institute since 2002, was arrested on 3 April 2023, on charges of alleged sexual harassment and criminal intimidation. Hari Padman was apprehended from Madhavaram, north Chennai, and remains in judicial custody.

The Kalakshetra Foundation’s board of directors had formed an independent inquiry committee to look into allegations of sexual harassment leveled against several teachers. In addition to suspending Padman pending the outcome of the investigation, the board had also terminated the services of three other teaching faculty members: Sanjith Lal, Sai Krishnan, and Sreenath.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) which had taken cognizance of the case found no evidence to support the allegations.

The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women had also began to look into the allegations and obtained statements from students. AS Kumari, the head of Tamil Nadu State Women’s Commission had given an interview to a YouTube channel in which she alleges that she got more than 100 complaints of sexual harassment, casteism etc.

Accordingly, the State Women’s Commission submitted a report to the police and recommended that 162 girl students from Kalashetra be investigated.

Around 15 female students were investigated by police from the Adyar All Women Police Station in the last two weeks but most of the students did not make any accusations of sexual harassment against Hari Padman, other teachers or the institution. Each student was reportedly investigated in person or at their homes. A few students reportedly told the police that they had nothing to do with the complaint and said that they did not make any sexual harassment charges against Hari Padman. They told the police that the teachers at Kalakshetra are kind and share good respect. The rest of the 162 complaints will be investigated in the coming days.

Earlier, a group of alumnae of Kalakshetra Foundation, had come out in support of Hari Padman, claiming that his conduct was good when they studied under him and that the case against him was fabricated.

However, leftist media outlets like The News Minute which had gone on a tirade against Kalakshetra Foundation accusing the institution of trying to silence voices and shielding the accused has gone silent now and has not even reported about this development.

Insiders from Kalakshetra who do not find themselves quoted in the mainstream media, say that this entire episode has been because of three teachers namely – Nirmala Nagarajan, Nandini Nagarajan and Indhu Nideesh – who harbour professional rivalry against Haripadman.

Divya Hari Padman, in her complaint to the Chennai Police Commissioner, had said that the students had lodged a false complaint against her husband at the instigation of Kalashetra professors Nirmala Nagarajan and Nandini Nagarajan.

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Sengol Story: How A Hindu Mutt In Tamil Nadu Initiated Transfer Of Power From British To India

By
S Kaushik
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The date was 3 June 1947. Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India proposed a plan which was finalized and India was to be reborn as a sovereign independent nation on 15 August 1947.

History was being created and it needed to be symbolized by a historic event. So, Lord Mountbatten asked Jawaharlal Nehru what plans he has to mark the occasion.

Nehru immediately turned to his trusted aide C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), a doyen of knowledge, to seek advice, who shared with him the ancient Tamil tradition of transfer of power.

During the Chozha era, the transfer of power was done by the Rajaguru (court high priest) who handed over the Sengol symbolizing power and justice, from the old king to the new king. The Chozhas held the Sengol and took oath to uphold justice by swearing in the name of Lord Siva.

Rajaji shared about thus tradition to Nehru and suggested that a Sengol (scepter) be made which the British can hand it over to the new Prime Minister through one of the Hindu priests. Nehru agreed and tasked Rajaji with the job of executing it.

Rajaji was an ardent follower of Thiruvavduthurai Adheenam, one of the oldest Hindu Saivite Mutt founded in the 16th century. It is situated in Mayiladuthurai, 82 kms away from Thanjavur the erstwhile capital of the Chozhas.

Rajaji immediately reached out to the 20th pontiff of the Mutt, Gurumahasannidanam Srilasri Ambalavana Desikar Swamigal.

Swamigal graciously accepted the responsibility and the making of the Sengol was entrusted to Chennai-based Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers.

The Sengol was crafted to be approximately 5 feet in length with intricate details and rich symbolism. The Nandi (bull) was positioned on top of the Sengol representing the concept of “Nyaya,” which signifies justice and fairness.

Vummidi Ethirajulu (96) and Vummidi Sudhakar (88), who are part of the Vummidi family, who were involved in the making of the Sengol are still alive today and recollect that the crafting was constantly monitored by the Adheenam.

The website of Vummidi Bangaru Jeweller says thus:

The Historic Event That Was Forgotten

On the historic day of 14 August 1947, one of the deputy pontiff of the mutt Kumaraswamy Thambiran Swamigal, the mutt’s odhuvar (singer) Manikka Odhuvar and Nadaswaram player TN Rajarathinam Pillai who was also the Adheenam’s Nadaswaram player were specially flown to Delhi carrying the golden Sengol with them.

Fifteen minutes before the clock struck 00:00, the Sengol was sanctified with holy water and verses from Kolaru Padhigam of the Thirumurais (compilation of verses hailing Hindu God Siva) were chanted. As the last line “அடியார்கள் வானில் அரசாள்வர் ஆணை நமதே” meaning (Those who chant this padhigam (set of songs) will rule the heavens) was recited, the Swamigal gave the sceptre to Pandit Nehru, completing the transfer of power.

The photos of the event was widely published in Indian and international media and is displayed prominently at the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam.

As Tamil Labs puts it, at the stroke of midnight, when the whole world slept, India awoke to life and freedom, with the sounds of the holy Thevaaram.

However, this high-profile historic event was kept low-key and slowly forgotten over a period of time thanks to the Nehruvian establishment.

The Sengol was kept at the nondescript Anand Bhavan Museum in Prayagraj (then Allahabad).

Sengol At The Centre Of Power

The historic event which awakened India to freedom and the Sengol which was suppressed for 7 decades has got a new lease of life.

History is now going to repeat itself marking the arrival of a New India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the New Parliament House. To mark the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would receive the Sengol from the Hindu priests of Tamil Nadu. The Sengol will be placed majestically near the chair of the Speaker.

With the Sengol at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple of democracy, it will symbolize the collective will and aspirations of Indians.

(Kaushik is a political consultant and columnist.)

 

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Tiruppur Lingeshwarar Temple Vandalised, Police Say Accused Is “Mentally Challenged”, Devotees Allege Foul Play

By
The Commune
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On Tuesday, a man who the police claim is mentally challenged vandalized Nayanmar idols at Avinashi Lingeshwarar Temple in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district. According to local police, the incident began as a theft attempt, and when the accused was unable to find any valuables inside the temples, he became enraged and attacked the idols.

Sri Karunambikai Udanamar Avinasi Lingeswarar Temple in Avinasi, Tirupur District, is one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest temples. It is the first of the seven Lord Shiva temples in the Kongu region, and it is a historical site where Sundarar sang Pathikam to bring a child back to life after being swallowed by a crocodile.

A theft attempt was made last night (May 22) on this auspicious temple. During this incident, the Nayanmar idols at the temple were vandalized, and a copper ‘vel’ (a weapon) was stolen.

The incident was first noticed by temple priests, who noticed that the temple’s main deity Lingeswarar’s dress had been desecrated. Sivacharyaas, Shivanadiyars, and other temple priests who were shocked to see this reported the incident to the police. Subsequently, the police headed by Avinasi DSP Paulraj rushed to the Avinasi temple and investigated the matter.

During the investigation, police and devotees heard a noise coming from the temple tower. When the police got there, they discovered a young man in his early thirties trying to hide himself. The individual was apprehended, and based on CCTV footage, it turned out that it was the same person who desecrated the statues. Based on the investigation, the accused was identified as Saravanabharathi, 32, of Savakkatupalayam, near Avinasi in Tirupur district. According to the police, Saravanabharathi moved to Savakkatupalayam 10 years ago and worked as a driver before moving on to other jobs at juice shops and textile companies. The police also revealed that the person who desecrated the statues was mentally challenged. This raised several concerns that the police were attempting to downplay the incident, as in previous incidents where important political figures’ statues and temple idols were desecrated, the police labeled the accused as mentally challenged.

Devotees and netizens raised several doubts about the accused, claiming that the police were once again peddling their usual ‘mentally challenged’ narrative.

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai slammed the MK Stalin-led DMK government and demanded appropriate action against the accused. Annamalai said, “After DMK came to power, temples are being attacked and people’s beliefs are being hurt. But, none of the real culprits seem to be arrested. It seems that the attempt to dilute the crime by claiming that those arrested are mentally ill continues. If the safety of the temples cannot be ensured, then what is the purpose of the Hindu religious endowment department and the minister?”

He further added, “I urge the Tamil Nadu Police to immediately arrest the real culprits and take appropriate action. People’s patience has a limit. I would like to inform you that the DMK government will be responsible for the consequences if temples continue to be attacked like this.”

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