In a detailed submission to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, the Tamil Nadu government revealed that 237 foreign nationals have been deported from the state between 2022 and 25 May 2025.
The information was part of a counter-affidavit filed by N. Stephen Jesubatham, Superintendent of Police, Security Branch CID, Chennai, on behalf of the Director-General of Police. According to the affidavit, 66 cases were registered during this period involving 188 foreigners who were found overstaying in Tamil Nadu. In addition, 14 cases involving 31 African nationals were related to drug trafficking, while 65 more cases were filed against 280 foreign nationals for various other criminal offenses.
The Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs reported that, as of 25 May 2025, a total of 17,770 foreign nationals have overstayed in Tamil Nadu since 2011. Many of them have since moved to other states, and both the Bureau and Tamil Nadu Police are actively working to locate and monitor them.
Following the recent terror incident in Pahalgam, the Ministry of Home Affairs has revoked all valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals excluding those for medical, diplomatic, long-term, and official purposes. Medical visas remained valid only until 29 April 2025. Currently, 40 Pakistani nationals are residing in Tamil Nadu, with 16 on long-term visas and 24 having applied for extensions. All of them are lawfully present, as per the Home Ministry’s orders.
In terms of Rohingya migrants, the state has recorded 95 Myanmar nationals residing within its borders. The Centre has recently revised its procedures for identifying and deporting undocumented Bangladeshi and Rohingya individuals.
To better manage the situation, a special detention facility is operational in Tiruchirappalli, currently housing 151 foreign nationals. In anticipation of overcrowding, the government has re-designated the Cheyyar Special Camp in Tiruvannamalai district to hold such individuals until legal proceedings conclude, and deportation is carried out, as per the Foreigners Act.
Several undocumented Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended across the state and are currently held in Puzhal Central Prison. If they are released on bail, they will be transferred to special camps pending deportation.
Police Commissioners and District Superintendents, who serve as Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs), have been instructed to routinely trace and verify the identities of overstaying foreigners. These officials are responsible for updating records, initiating legal action when necessary, and regularizing stays where applicable. Additionally, each FRO office has designated a Deputy Superintendent of Police as a nodal officer to oversee operations related to the Foreigners Identification Portal (FIP).
When a foreigner is arrested, FROs initiate deportation procedures under the Foreigners Act. The State government coordinates with the Ministries of External and Home Affairs to secure travel documents and carry out deportations when necessary. Monitoring remains ongoing, and any illegal activity involving foreign nationals will prompt immediate legal action, including expulsion.
The court, presided over by Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete, directed the Central government to respond within three weeks and scheduled the next hearing accordingly. The matter stems from a public interest litigation filed by K.K. Ramesh of Madurai, urging swift action against foreigners who continue to reside in India after their visas have expired.
New York City mayoral candidate Islamist jihadi Zohran Mamdani is facing fierce backlash after doubling down on his proposal to impose higher property taxes on what he describes as “richer and whiter neighborhoods” of New York City, effectively proposing a race-coded redistribution policy that critics say resembles a modern-day jizya.
In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Mamdani refused to back down, reportedly claiming that the proposal was “not driven by race,” even though his own campaign materials specifically and repeatedly target white homeowners by name.
“That is just a description of what we see right now. It’s not driven by race. It’s more of an assessment of what neighborhoods are being under-taxed versus over-taxed,“he claimed.
🚨BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani DOUBLES DOWN on taxing white neighborhoods.
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) June 29, 2025
Dubbed“the Fidel Castro of New York“by billionaire critic John Catsimatidis, Mamdani argued that New York’s current property tax system is inherently unfair. He pointed to Mayor Eric Adams’ unfulfilled campaign promise to reform the system within his first 100 days as evidence of its inequities.
“Billionaires Shouldn’t Exist”
Mamdani went further, declaring that billionaires themselves should not exist. “Idon’t think that we should have billionaires, frankly,“he said, despite New York City being home to 123 billionaires, more than any other city in the world.
When pressed on whether he would need the support of wealthy business leaders like supermarket magnate John Catsimatidis to govern effectively, Mamdani dismissed the idea. “Idon’t know if I need his support specifically,“he said, before claiming that his tax hikes would ultimately benefit businesses by making the city more affordable for workers.
Catsimatidis, who owns the Gristedes chain and WABC radio, fired back, comparing Mamdani’s policies to those of communist Cuba. “Zohran is trying to be the Fidel Castro of New York,” Catsimatidis told The New York Post. “If he’s elected mayor, he’ll make New York City the next Detroit.”
Mamdani is proposing a sweeping socialist overhaul of the city, including free buses, universal childcare, a $30 minimum wage, rent freezes, and city-run supermarkets, with the entire bill footed by the city’s top 1% of earners. But while Mamdani boasts about taxing billionaires, critics point out that his proposed policies will suffocate the middle class, destroy small businesses, and accelerate New York’s economic collapse.
If elected, Mamdani would be the first Muslim and Indian American to lead New York City, but his campaign has been marred by repeated controversies. In the interview (mentioned above), Mamdani refused three times to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” a slogan widely seen as antisemitic and threatening. Instead of denouncing it, Mamdani reportedly said, “That’s not language that I use,” and dodged further questions by arguing that it was not the mayor’s job to “police speech.”
Even House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries distanced himself, reportedly stating that “globalize the intifada” was unacceptable and that Mamdani would need to clarify his position.
Mamdani is currently the presumptive Democratic nominee and leads the polls heading into the November general election. He faces a divided opposition: incumbent Eric Adams running as an independent, Republican Curtis Sliwa, ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo, and lawyer Jim Walden.
Critics warn that Mamdani’s platform represents a calculated assault on property owners, taxpayers, and religious minorities, and is laced with class envy, racial guilt politics, and dangerous ideological extremism. While masquerading as “equity,” his agenda, they argue, is nothing more than coerced redistribution by racial targeting, designed to reshape New York in the image of failed socialist experiments.
Once again, Sun News, the media outlet owned by the ruling DMK’s family, finds itself at the center of controversy after being caught disseminating misleading information. On 27 June 2025, the channel published a post falsely claiming that the Union government had decided to impose a tax on the water used by farmers.
The news card shared by the channel read, “Union government to tax agricultural water. The Union government has decided to tax the water used by farmers. ‘We are coming up with a new scheme to prevent water wastage. Through this, farmers will get the water they need. They will be taxed according to their usage.'”
This assertion was swiftly debunked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which categorically dismissed the report as false and misleading.
According to the official statement, no such tax is being imposed on farmers. The clarification from the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, stated that the claim misrepresents the Centre’s ongoing pilot under the Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM), part of the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY).
This initiative, the Ministry clarified, is aimed at improving irrigation efficiency and ensuring fair distribution of water using advanced technologies such as pressurized pipelines, IoT systems, and SCADA tools. At no point does the scheme mandate levying water charges on farmers. This was clearly reiterated during a recent press conference by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.
The Ministry also reminded that ‘agriculture’ and ‘water’ are State subjects under the Indian Constitution. Therefore, any decision regarding user charges if considered falls under the jurisdiction of individual State governments, not the Centre.
Calling for responsible journalism, the Ministry urged media outlets to verify facts before publishing stories that could incite unwarranted concern among farmers and the general public. This official clarification was issued to maintain transparency and counter the spread of false information.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
The Madras High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the appointment of a teacher in a minority educational institution and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on the state. The court directed that the fine amount be paid to the concerned school within four weeks and allowed the government to recover the amount from the official responsible for denying the appointment.
The case pertains to a vacancy in the Urdu department at Madrasa-e-Azam, a government-aided primary school in Tirupattur district. Hajira was appointed to the post in 2022, and the school administration had requested government approval for the appointment. However, the District Elementary Education Officer refused approval in 2023, citing the teacher’s lack of qualification under the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).
In March 2024, the High Court ruled in favour of Hajira, stating that TET requirements do not apply to minority institutions. Despite this, the Director of Elementary Education and others filed an appeal. A division bench comprising Justices R. Subramanian and K. Surender dismissed the appeal, observing that the issue had already been settled by the court.
The bench also noted that the appeal amounted to a waste of judicial time and public resources and held that the fine could be recovered from the official who issued the original denial order.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
A summer children’s camp organised at a local church in Ambala, Haryana, has come under scrutiny after Bajrang Dal activists confronted the organisers over alleged religious indoctrination of minors. A video of the altercation, which has since surfaced online, purportedly shows members of the organisation questioning the church staff about religious content being imparted to children under the guise of a vacation camp.
Activists alleged that children attending the camp were being taught Christian doctrines and urged to accept the faith, raising concerns about violation of constitutional and child protection norms. Police have yet to confirm if a formal complaint has been filed in the matter.
New Missionary Conversion Tactic:
A so-called summer camp was organised in a Church for students in Ambala, Haryana. In the name of the camp the children were given religious teachings. The following video contains an altercation between Bajrang Dal activists and the… pic.twitter.com/iZuzau5Dus
The incident has drawn comparisons to a case in Chaubara Jagir village of Sonkutch Tehsil, Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh, where a similar alleged conversion operation involving tribal minors was reported earlier this month. On 20 June 2025, police at Sonkutch Police Station registered FIR No. 409/2025 under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021.
According to the complaint filed by local resident and Hindu activist Gajraj Singh Sendhav, a group was conducting what was presented as a free coaching class for tribal children. However, the complainant alleged that the initiative was a front for religious conversion, involving inducements such as money, education, and other material benefits.
The FIR stated that five individuals, identified as Manju, Kiran, Mahida, Sachin, and Mithun, were found conducting a religious session at the residence of one Bhagnu Jiyaji, where Christian posters were displayed and sermons were delivered that allegedly disparaged Hindu deities. The complainant reported that the accused told those gathered that their gods could not protect them and promised blessings upon converting to Christianity.
The accused reportedly offered ₹50,000, free school admissions, and other incentives in exchange for religious conversion. Following a confrontation with local residents, police arrived at the scene and detained the group. They were subsequently booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, which prohibit conversion by allurement or coercion, particularly when involving minors or Scheduled Tribes. Convictions under these sections carry penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment.
Videos from the site allegedly showed children seated on mats in a house repurposed as a classroom, with religious posters prominently displayed. One of the posters read, “Jesus says, allow children to come to me. Only they will go to heaven who send their kids to me.”
Gajraj Singh told Organiser that he and others had been monitoring the group’s activities and claimed that children were being asked to pray to Jesus. One of the accused reportedly fled with a bag believed to contain religious literature.
This incident in Dewas is the latest in a string of reported cases in tribal-dominated areas of Madhya Pradesh, such as Jhabua, where activist groups have alleged systematic proselytisation efforts. Reports from Jhabua have highlighted covert religious meetings in forested areas and the use of inducements to convert vulnerable communities.
As regards the Dewas case, the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, requires prior approval from the district magistrate for any religious conversion and includes provisions to nullify conversions made solely for the purpose of marriage. The law places the burden of proof on the accused and imposes enhanced penalties when victims are minors, women, or members of Scheduled Castes or Tribes.
Residents of Maraimalai Nagar have voiced serious concerns over the public nuisance caused by open consumption of alcohol in public spaces. They alleged that the presence of TASMAC liquor shops near residential areas, temples, and schools has created unsafe conditions, especially for women and schoolchildren.
Local residents reported that people were purchasing alcohol from TASMAC outlets in Anna Salai and Pavendar Salai and consuming it openly on pavements, near Ninnakarai Lake, and in parks. They stated that the absence of bar facilities at these outlets was forcing drinkers into public areas, creating an atmosphere of fear and discomfort for passersby.
They further claimed that the shops were located on busy roads frequented by schoolchildren and women commuters. According to residents, despite repeated protests and court orders mandating the removal of liquor shops near sensitive zones, authorities had taken no action to relocate them.
Some residents said that the illegal sale of alcohol was thriving in areas such as Singaperumal Temple and Maraimalai Nagar. They alleged that liquor was being sold 24 hours a day at inflated prices and that it was commonly divided and sold as ‘cutting’ portions for ₹100.
They also expressed concern that intoxicated individuals were often found lying unconscious on the roads and questioned whether law enforcement officials were turning a blind eye to the illicit trade.
Residents urged the district administration to take immediate steps to remove the TASMAC outlets from residential and school zones and to crack down on the illegal liquor trade operating in the area.
The AIADMK IT wing has taken a direct swipe at pro-Dravidianist DMK-sympathizing Kollywood actors, mocking their selective outrage and performative activism. During the AIADMK regime, several Kollywood celebrities like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Suriya, Vetrimaaran and others were vocally critical of the government, especially during the tragic custodial death of P. Jeyaraj and his son Bennix in Sathankulam. Even though the then-government was handling the case with caution due to its sensitive nature and COVID-19 restrictions, these stars acted as de facto mouthpieces for the opposition DMK, amplifying its narrative and portraying the administration in a negative light.
Now, under the DMK’s rule, a similar tragedy has occurred yet again with a 27-year-old Ajithkumar, a temple security guard, died in police custody in Sivaganga after allegedly being assaulted during interrogation over a theft case. Initially released after questioning, he was detained again the next day by a special team and reportedly beaten following conflicting statements. His guilt or innocence remains unconfirmed, but what’s clear is the conspicuous silence from the same celebrities who once rallied against state violence.
This glaring double standard hasn’t gone unnoticed. The AIADMK IT wing took to its official X account to call out the hypocrisy with biting sarcasm, posting, “Which celebrity do you miss the most at this time, who only spoke out during the AIADMK rule? Tell us in the comments.”
அஇஅதிமுக ஆட்சியின் போது மட்டும் பொங்கி எழுந்த எந்த Celebrity-யை இந்த நேரத்தில் ரொம்ப Miss பண்றீங்க?
— AIADMK IT WING – SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@AIADMKITWINGOFL) June 29, 2025
The post has sparked a wave of online reactions, with many netizens echoing the sentiment that the so-called social justice warriors of Kollywood seem to have lost their voice when the spotlight turned toward a government they ideologically support.
அதிமுக ஆட்சியில் எத்தனை நடிகர்கள் போராளியாக இருந்துள்ளார்கள்
இந்த போராளிகள் எல்லாம் இப்போது எந்த பதுங்கு குழியில் பதுங்கியுள்ளார்கள்..!!!
— SR Aravinth Admk SayYesToWomenSafety& AIADMK (@SRAravinth_admk) June 29, 2025
சூர்யா -Mixer சாப்பிட்டுக்கொண்டு இருகார் சத்யராஜ் – உமாயக இருக்கர் சித்தார்த் – காணாமல் போய்விட்டார் பூவுலகில் நண்பர்கள் – ஆராய்ச்சி செய்து கொண்டு இருக்கிறார்கள் கோவன் – டாஸ்மாக் கடைகளை எண்ணி கொண்டு இருக்கிறார் இன்னும் பல ஜீவன்கள் நவ துவரதையும் மூடி கொண்டு இருக்கிறார்கள்
— C.N.R செல்வக்குமார் -SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@selvajaii) June 29, 2025
Stoic Silence Of Kollywood Virtue Signallers
‘Superstar’ Rajinikanth, who relased a picture of his ‘angry face’ expressing shock over the incident and calling for all the officials to be severely punished, has gone on mute to shoot for his next film with Sun Pictures.
Full-time actor and part-time politician Kamal Haasan who demanded action against the police, judiciary, doctors involved in the Sathankulam incident is today missing in action.
Director Vetrimaaran who had made a film on custodial torture and had tweeted supporting justice for Jeyaraj and Bennix hasn’t uttered a word on any of the above deaths.
The last tweet of his was in support of Jai Bhim, a controversial film starring and produced by ‘actor’ Suriya on police torture. He went on to say, “This entire incident as a result of an organised crime.”
Many other Kollywood personalities like ‘Jayam’ Ravi, directors Vetrimaaran, Karthik Subbaraj, Pa. Ranjith and others have resorted to looking the other way.
Pa. Ranjith’s is an interesting case where he has played safe by retweeting a tweet from another handle about the recent Thiruvannamalai incident. Just like a soft slap on the cheek. Maybe he is having some trouble in his spine (probably lacks one), to give a hard-hitting statement.
This dead silence now and selective outrage from these celebrities tells a lot about their opportunism and how they stand in mercy at the gates of Gopalapuram.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
In yet another glaring instance of selective quoting and narrative distortion, The Wire has published a misleading article titled “IAF Lost Fighter Jets to Pak Because of Political Leadership’s Constraints”, falsely attributing a statement to India’s Defence Attache to Indonesia, Captain (IN) Shiv Kumar. The report is not just factually inaccurate—it is a textbook case of twisting a nuanced military briefing into a politically loaded attack on the Indian government and armed forces.
What Was Actually Said
Captain Shiv Kumar, during a 35-minute academic seminar in Jakarta on 10 June 2025, clearly praised the Indian Armed Forces’ calibrated, precise, and non-escalatory response to Pakistani aggression during the May 2025 Operation Sindoor. Far from criticising the political leadership, he highlighted the disciplined restraint shown by India, which targeted only terror infrastructure, in line with India’s doctrine of avoiding unnecessary escalation in a nuclear neighbourhood.
Yes, he did refer to “constraints given by the political leadership”, but in the specific context of the initial targeting directive not to hit enemy military or air defence installations. This decision was framed as a strategic restraint, not a failure. He explicitly stated that once losses were registered, Indian forces swiftly adapted, achieving complete air superiority by May 10 through targeted strikes using BrahMos missiles. His full statement was, “So India’s counter-response was again swift, precise and non-escalatory, there is one point that there was the issue of separation of enemy air defense and destruction of enemy air defense which was not undertaken earlier because the constraints given by the political leadership was to only target the terrorist camp. However still it went on and so what news we know, I may not agree with Tommy when he says that India lost so many aircrafts and all that but we all can agree that whatever losses was mentioned, it only speaks about the 7th of May, but this skirmish went on till 10th of May. So what happened on 8th of May, 9th of May, and 10th of May is, this is what happened. so there was complete air superiority and there was separation of enemy air defense undertaken and then one could hit with impunity.”
What The Wire Did Instead
The Wire, in its typical fashion, cherry-picked fragments and twisted them into a fabricated narrative that India’s jets were lost “because of political leadership’s constraints.” That quote does not exist in the presentation. It is an invention, designed to undermine both the civilian leadership and military operations. Their report overlooks the full timeline, ignores the Defence Attaché’s full speech and praise for India’s professionalism, and strategically omits the shift in tactics that turned the tide in India’s favour. Moreover, it sidelines the fact that India refrained from targeting Pakistani military assets as a matter of deliberate, sovereign policy, not compulsion.
Unlike Pakistan, which escalated indiscriminately, India adhered to its policy of proportionate response. And when the battlefield situation evolved, so did the strategy. By May 10, India had successfully neutralised Pakistani air defences and established clear superiority.
As expected, The Wire is back to doing what it does best—spreading fake narratives.
In a 35-minute presentation, Col. Shiv Kumar clearly showcased India’s military and political will to defend our borders and keep them terror-free. He emphasised India’s calibrated,… pic.twitter.com/283lLqcgZg
This is not The Wire’s first attempt to distort defence matters. From surgical strikes to Balakote to now Operation Sindoor, their reporting consistently seeks to erode public trust in India’s armed forces by misrepresenting official statements and military achievements.
It is noteworthy that after the controversy created by The Wire’s false reporting, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta released a statement clarifying that, “We have seen media reports regarding a presentation made by the Defence Attache at a Seminar. His remarks have been quoted out of context and the media reports are a misrepresentation of the intention and thrust of the presentation made by the speaker. The presentation conveyed that the Indian Armed Forces serve under civilian political leadership, unlike some other countries in our neighbourhood. It was also explained that the objective of Operation Sindoor was to target terrorist infrastructure and the Indian response was non-escalatory.”
We have seen media reports regarding a presentation made by the Defence Attache at a Seminar.
His remarks have been quoted out of context and the media reports are a mis-representation of the intention and thrust of the presentation made by the speaker.
Although The Wire updated this information in its article, it did not make any amends to the title or the content.
Selective quoting, invented headlines, and deliberate omission of context are tools of propaganda that the likes of The Wire employ to set anti-India narratives. Captain Shiv Kumar’s presentation was a clear exposition of India’s doctrine of strategic restraint, effective escalation control, and military professionalism. By turning that into a fabricated indictment of the political leadership, The Wire has misled its readers as well as disrespected the very ethos of our Armed Forces.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
In a significant blow to the Dravidian narrative that sought to propagate the Aryan-Dravidian racial divide, recent findings have disrupted the foundations of that theory. A UK-based lab, in collaboration with Indian researchers, conducted facial reconstructions of two individuals from the Kondagai burial site. The results revealed that these ancient individuals were of South Indian origin, carrying ancestral links to West Eurasian (Iranian) hunter-gatherers and Austro-Asiatic populations. This discovery directly challenges the divisive Nazi style race-based narrative, as the latest report clearly states, “South Indian with traces of ancestral West Eurasian (Iranian) hunter-gatherers and ancestral Austro-Asiatic people.” With these findings, the attempt to sustain the Aryan-Dravidian binary appears to have hit a dead end.
Excavations at Keezhadi, located about 12 kilometers from Madurai, have revealed evidence of a thriving civilization dating back allegedly to the 6th century BCE. Now, for the first time, researchers have been able to put a human face to these ancient people. The facial reconstructions were carried out by experts at Liverpool John Moores University in collaboration with Madurai Kamaraj University.
Professor Caroline Wilkinson, head of the Face Lab at Liverpool, explained that a computer-assisted 3D technique was used to reconstruct the facial muscles and features of the skulls. While the upper halves of the skulls were largely intact and allowed for more accurate reconstructions, the missing lower jaws required researchers to estimate the shapes based on orthodontic standards and cranial measurements.
Using CT scans of the Kondagai skulls and anatomical data from modern South Indian populations, the team applied forensic and anthropological methods to estimate soft tissue depth and facial characteristics. The reconstructed appearances were finalized using digital modeling, with skin tone, hair texture, and eye color selected from a photographic database.
According to Professor G Kumaresan of Madurai Kamaraj University, the process involves a mix of science and interpretation about 80% based on scientific data and 20% on artistic estimation. These reconstructions, paired with DNA analysis, are expected to provide deeper insights into the ancestry and migratory patterns of people from the Sangam period.
Keezhadi has become a focal point of academic and political debates regarding the region’s historical timeline. Although the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently suggested revising earlier dating of the site to the 3rd century BCE, Tamil Nadu’s state archaeology department maintains that radiocarbon analysis confirms human activity at Keezhadi from the 6th century BCE to the 2nd century CE.
In collaboration with Harvard University’s genetics department, researchers are conducting extensive DNA analysis of the skeletal remains from Kondagai to trace patterns of migration and admixture. Preliminary studies suggest that most individuals buried at Kondagai were around 50 years old at the time of death.
Anthropologist Veena Mushrif Tripathy from Deccan College examined the bones and confirmed that age estimations were based on features such as dental wear, joint conditions, and bone size. Of the remains, 11 skeletons allowed for stature estimates: the average male height was about 170.82 cm (5’7″), and the average female height was 157.74 cm (5’2″). These findings are consistent with data from Kodumanal, another archaeological site.
Sex determination was primarily done by analyzing pelvic and cranial features. Archaeologist K Rajan, who advises the Tamil Nadu archaeology department, noted that this project marks the first facial reconstruction of ancient individuals from South India a significant step forward in understanding the region’s historical identity.
Why Is This A Major Blow For The Dravidian Ecosystem?
Like the Nazis, Dravidianists believe in the racial purity of Dravidian race.
These findings directly challenges the core foundation of the Aryan-Dravidian theory also known as the Aryan migration or invasion theory, which claims that Indo-European (Aryan) groups migrated into India, subjugating or assimilating the native Dravidian-speaking populations. This narrative has long been used to assert that Dravidians were the original inhabitants, dispossessed of power, land, and legacy. Some proponents even went as far as to claim that the Dravidian race was the ancestor of all civilizations, including the Harappans, asserting a singular racial and cultural continuity through history.
With the Keezhadi excavations, there was a concerted effort to shift historical timelines and reinforce this theory through selective peer-reviewed interpretations. However, a single, scientifically grounded facial reconstruction of two skulls from the Kondagai burial site has undercut this narrative. The study revealed that these ancient individuals were South Indian, with genetic influences from ancestral West Eurasian (Iranian) hunter-gatherers and Austro-Asiatic populations effectively dismantling the idea of a racially pure or isolated Dravidian lineage. The evidence speaks for itself and strikes at the heart of an ideological construct that had long evaded scrutiny under hard science.
The taste of victory is all the sweeter because of the relentless struggle that preceded it. And this is true in the case of AV Ayyappan. Hailing from a small village in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, Ayyappan has emerged as a shining example of perseverance. After 14 failed attempts, he was finally recommended on his 15th attempt for the Indian Navy. His story is one of self-discovery, discipline, and unshakable determination.
Ayyappan, tell us a little about yourself and how your defence journey began.
Ayyappan: I’m from Cuddalore. My parents were schoolteachers and are now full-time farmers. While in college, I was part of the NCC, which really laid the foundation for my interest in the armed forces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I helped organize the Swarnim Vijay Run, a marathon commemorating the 50th anniversary of India’s victory in the 1971 war. That event gave me a glimpse into military discipline, leadership, and motivation. After that, I was certain that I wanted to join the armed forces. I attempted the SSB interviews but faced multiple failures: 2 screen outs and then 12 conference outs. Finally, in my 15th attempt at Bhopal, I was recommended for the Indian Navy.
Q: Fourteen missed attempts is no small number. How did you stay motivated through it all?
Ayyappan: It wasn’t easy. Initially, I prepared with friends, we discussed strategies and tried to reflect them in our responses. But I realised I wasn’t showing my true self. I was imitating. After repeated failures, I sat down and created a flowchart of my achievements and experiences. That helped me understand myself better. Once I started projecting my authentic personality in the SSB, I saw results.
Q: What should engineering students keep in mind when applying for defence services?
Ayyappan: Engineering students can apply in their final year via the official portals — joinindianarmy, joinindiannavy, etc. Once shortlisted based on marks, they’re called for the SSB interview, which has two stages:
Stage 1:
OIR (Officers Intelligence Rating) test
PPDT (Picture Perception and Discussion Test) – candidates view a picture, create a story, and then discuss it in a group.
Out of 200–300 candidates, only 20-30 are usually shortlisted to proceed.
Stage 2:
Psychological Tests
GTO (Group Tasks) to assess leadership and teamwork
Personal Interview
Sometimes no one is selected from a batch. Even among those who pass, some get medically unfit or merit out.
Q: You were once declared medically unfit. Can you talk about that?
Ayyappan: Yes, I was declared medically unfit for two reasons: bowlegs and overweight. I worked on my weight and got fit. For the bowlegs, after review, it was found to be muscle build-up from running, not an actual deformity. I appealed and was cleared.
Q: Did you ever feel like giving up?
Ayyappan: Honestly, no. I always believed I would be recommended. My NCC commanding officer and others had faith in me, and I held onto that. I gave myself a time frame – until I completed my ME. Even if I didn’t succeed then, I would have continued to try while taking up a job.
Q: What kind of support did you receive from your friends and family?
Ayyappan: My friends, mostly NCC cadets, knew how tough the process was. They watched me grow. I was weak in English earlier, but by the end, I could speak confidently and dress well. They appreciated that even though I wasn’t getting recommended, I was improving in life.
At home, my parents were extremely supportive. We had never seen even a jawan in uniform in our village, but they never discouraged me. After every failure, they stood by me.
Q: How did your association with Dream of Defence help you?
Ayyappan: Before joining Dream of Defence, I didn’t know what SSB was. The daily online sessions, the feedback from you and Col Swamy, were game changers. You pointed out my weaknesses in communication and soft skills – I worked on those areas, and it helped immensely.
Q: Tell us about Dream of Defence group.
Ayyappan: The Dream of Defence comprises Major Madhan Kumar, Lt Commander Thiagarajan, and Colonel Swamy – retired army officers who have been guiding the defence aspirants for about 5 years now. It was this group and the guidance of the core members – the veterans that helped quite a few of us participants achieve success – realise our dream of entering the armed forces.
Initially, we were a group of students who began preparing for the exams. Two of them have already become officers (Captain Thirukumaran and Lt Agnivesh) and now me – I am following their footsteps now to become an officer soon. We prepared for the exams together.
Today there are over 100 members in the group comprising of mentors and aspirants.
Q: How did Major Madhan’s guidance impact you?
Ayyappan: I began interacting with Major Madhan after we met while organizing a marathon (as mentioned earlier). I had near-zero idea about the defence related exams and no specific idea about the armed forces to be honest. He helped me with how to begin my preparations and how to go about it. He even helped me analyze my weaknesses – communication was my weak point and guided me to get over it by pointing me to resources and mentors. Every time we discussed my performance, he would analyse everything and tell me how to correct it. He also introduced me to Lt Cdr Thiagarajan, and he conducted many SSB sessions initially. Over time, Col Swamy started guiding us and he is guiding the aspirants now. He is a great mentor.
With Major Madhan Kumar
Q: You’ve been selected for the Navy. What is your branch and role?
Ayyappan: I’ve been selected for the Naval Armament Inspection Cadre (NAIC). The role involves quality assurance, safety inspection, and auditing of naval weapons. With the Navy’s focus on indigenization, NAIC also contributes to R&D and weapon warehouse management.
Q: Was the Navy your first choice?
Ayyappan: Actually, my dream was to join the Indian Army, especially the Special Forces. I was drawn to their combat role and leadership. But I’m honoured to serve the nation in the Navy too, and I will give it my all.
Q: You’re coaching others now, many of whom don’t know English or Hindi. What advice do you give them?
Ayyappan:
Confidence is key – Never underestimate yourself.
English is important, especially in a multilingual nation like India.
Stay aware of your environment, yourself, and keep up with current affairs.
Q: How many hours should aspirants study per day for CDS exams?
Ayyappan: The CDS exam is as competitive as the UPSC prelims now. Aspirants should study for at least 4 hours a day, focusing on the syllabus and previous years’ question trends. Coaching isn’t mandatory, but guidance is crucial, past candidates and online resources help a lot.
Q: You’ve come a long way from being shy and hesitant in English. How did you overcome that?
Ayyappan: I practiced speaking to myself. I’d stand in front of the mirror and pretend to be a newsreader. I recorded myself, listened back, and improved slowly. I made grammar mistakes, but the confidence I built was more important than perfection.
Q: How important is physical fitness in SSB? How did you prepare?
Ayyappan: Physical fitness is essential. In the SSB, there are both individual and group obstacle tasks. I didn’t do any special training — just ran 3 km daily, did pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups — the basics. That was enough.
Q: How did your family react to the final recommendation?
Ayyappan: My parents and younger brother were overjoyed. For all of us, it was a long wait and an emotional moment.
Q: What’s your next goal?
Ayyappan: My next goal is to convert my Short Service Commission (SSC) to a Permanent Commission. I want to excel in my training and clear all requirements in the first attempt.
Ayyappan’s journey proves that with clarity, consistency, and courage, no dream is too far. From a village boy unsure of his English to a confident young officer headed to the Navy, his story continues to inspire defence aspirants across the country.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
