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Level 2 Flood Warning Issued For Residents Living Along Banks Of Puzhal Lake

By
The Commune
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Level 2 Flood Warning Issued For Residents Living Along Banks Of Puzhal Lake

The Tamil Nadu government has issued a Level 2 flood warning for residents living along the banks of Puzhal Lake following the release of 1,000 cubic feet of water per second from the reservoir.

According to state officials, the water release rate was increased from 500 to 1,000 cubic feet per second. However, as of Saturday, water levels in the Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs had decreased due to reduced inflow.

It may be recalled that the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued an orange alert for Saturday for the Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Tirunelveli districts.

A yellow alert has also been issued for 11 other districts across the state. On Saturday, light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is expected in Chennai and its suburbs.

Skies are likely to remain partly cloudy, with maximum and minimum temperatures forecast at 30-31 degrees C and 24-25 degrees C, respectively.

Heavy rainfall is expected in the coastal and delta regions of Tamil Nadu starting December 16. The RMC has forecast the formation of another low-pressure area within two days, which may trigger intense rainfall. S. Balachandran, Additional Director-General of Meteorology, Chennai, stated that the active Northeast Monsoon is driving the formation of successive weather systems, emphasising the need for improved disaster management preparedness.

Rains continued across several parts of Tamil Nadu, with Virudhunagar recording 12 cm of rain and Thoothukudi receiving 10 cm by 5:30 a.m. After a brief break, the RMC predicted that fairly widespread rainfall would resume on Monday.

An upper-air cyclonic circulation is expected to develop over the South Andaman Sea on Saturday, potentially forming a fresh low-pressure area over the southern Bay of Bengal.

This system will likely move west-northwestward towards the Tamil Nadu coast by Monday. The Tamil Nadu government reported five rain-related deaths on Friday and early Saturday.

Three persons died in wall collapses in Ariyalur and Ramanathapuram districts, while two others were electrocuted in Sivaganga and Ranipet districts. Over 2,000 people have been relocated to 50 relief camps in rain-affected districts. Additionally, more than 100 cattle have perished across 10 districts, including Mayiladuthurai and Ramanathapuram.

The rain caused significant property damage, with over 400 houses affected in 20 districts, including Ariyalur and Chengalpattu. Due to heavy rainfall in surrounding areas, the Thamiraparani River’s flow has risen to 50,000 cusecs. Residents near riverbanks and in low-lying areas have been moved to relief camps. Warning messages have been sent to over 11.75 lakh mobile phones to ensure public safety.

–IANS

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What’s Next For South Korea After President’s Impeachment?

By
The Commune
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What's Next For South Korea After President's Impeachment?

With 204 in favour and 85 against, South Korea’s parliament on Saturday passed the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, after the first impeachment motion was dropped a week earlier as the ruling party lawmakers boycotted it.

After the motion was passed, an impeachment resolution has been delivered to the President’s Office and the Constitutional Court, suspending Yoon’s duties immediately. Yoon’s duties will be immediately suspended as soon as the impeachment resolution is delivered to his office.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will be the acting president until the Constitutional Court makes a final decision. The court said it will hold a meeting on the president’s impeachment on Monday morning.

Moon Hyung-bae, acting head of the court, said the court will conduct a speedy and fair trial. If the court upholds the impeachment, a snap presidential election will be held within 60 days in South Korea.

If the impeachment is rejected, Yoon will be reinstated as president and resume his duties. Han said Saturday that he will make every effort for the stable running of state affairs, Xinhua news agency reported. However, the Prime Minister, along with several key members of the cabinet, were accused of involving in Yoon’s alleged insurrection.

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, told reporters after the vote that Yoon’s impeachment is “only the first step” toward solving the aftermath of his December 3 martial law declaration, vowing to push for a thorough investigation into Yoon and other “accomplices of the insurrection.”

It is the third presidential impeachment in the Asian country’s modern history. Former conservative President Park Geun-hye was removed from office by the Constitutional Court in 2017.

Late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, however, was restored to power after impeachment in 2004. The court has up to 180 days to deliberate such cases, but it used 63 days to reach a final decision on Park’s impeachment, and 91 days on Roh’s.

Under South Korea’s constitution, approvals from six of the nine judges of the Constitutional Court are required to oust an impeached president. Currently, the court has only six judges, which means they would have to vote unanimously to remove Yoon.

The Democratic Party, with a majority in parliament, has said it is seeking to fill the vacancies, and expects the parliament to name new judges soon. Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on insurrection charge and became the first sitting president to be banned from leaving the country, raising a possibility for his detention.

Yoon said in a televised address after the motion was passed that he would do his best for South Korea, vowing, “I will not give up.” In his speech on Thursday, Yoon said his martial law imposition was an act of governance to protect against the “legislative dictatorship” of the majority opposition. Experts said it might be his defence strategy, arguing that declaring martial law was within his constitutional powers and did not constitute an illegal act or an insurrection.

He also claimed that deploying troops to the national assembly was designed to maintain order, not dissolve or paralyze it. According to a Gallup Korea poll, Yoon’s approval rating dived 5 percentage points from a week earlier to 11 per cent this week, marking the lowest since his inauguration.

–IANS

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“Garibi Hatao” Is The ‘Biggest Jumla’ Of Four Decades: PM Modi Slams Gandhi Family

By
The Commune
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"Garibi Hatao" Is The ‘Biggest Jumla’ Of Four Decades: PM Modi Slams Gandhi Family

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, replying to the Constitution debate in Lok Sabha on Saturday, launched a no-holds-barred attack on the Congress as well as the Gandhi family, saying that ‘Garibi hatao’ is the biggest jumla of all time.

Addressing the House, PM Modi said, “The Congress has a strong liking for a word, which it often subscribes to. Today, I want to take this name. It is gari bi hatao; it is the longest-running jumla of Congress governments.”

PM Modi said that Congress members and their families have resorted to ‘Garibi hatao’ rhetoric for 40 long years but have done nothing to turn this slogan into reality.

The slogan only served the party and hence is the longest-running jumla of Congress parivaar. Notably, ‘Garibi hatao’ was the hallmark of Indira Gandhi’s election campaign and yielded unprecedented results for her.

On the other hand, Congress coined ‘jumla’ to counter the PM Modi-led government’s poll pledges, accusing it of ‘befooling’ the public with false promises. PM Modi, turning the tables on Congress over its ‘jumla’ jibe during the Constitution debate, drew a parallel between his government’s developmental initiatives and those of the ‘hollow model’ under Congress governments.

“Despite 75 years of Independence, the countrymen have remained bereft of toilets, sanitation and clean drinking water. Till 2014, women could go for nature’s call only at night. For seven decades, they continued to live in helplessness,” PM Modi said.

“For seven decades, people didn’t have access to drinking water, LPG cylinders or banking accounts. Today, the poor and marginalised have been brought into the mainstream. Poor and marginalised populations who were stopped at the bank’s doors now have access to bank accounts. Today, there are over 50 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts,” he pointed out.

“Those who are not heard upon by anyone, they are worshipped by Modi,” the Prime Minister said, eliciting cheers from the Treasury benches. Further highlighting the steps for Divyangs, street vendors and Vishwakarmas, PM Modi said: “Divyang (specially-abled) people have remained ignored and neglected for seven decades after Independence. Earlier, there was a braille system, but it differed in every state.

We bought a common language for their upliftment. Today, they are highly relieved. “PM SVANidhi Yojana has benefitted the street vendors a lot. Today, they are not at the mercy of money-lenders, rather living a life of dignity,” PM Modi said.

–IANS

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DMK & VCK Seek To Intervene In Supreme Court Challenging Places Of Worship Act, 1991

By
The Commune
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DMK & VCK Seek To Intervene In Supreme Court Challenging Places Of Worship Act, 1991

The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, along with its ally, the VCK, has submitted an application to the Supreme Court to intervene in a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. This Act mandates maintaining the status quo of religious sites as they existed on 15 August 1947.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan is currently hearing a series of petitions both challenging and supporting the Act. The legislation has become a central issue in disputes over the ownership of religious sites, including cases involving the Gyanvapi Masjid and Sambhal Mosque.

The lead petition, filed by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, contests certain provisions of the Act. The petitioner argues that these sections violate constitutional principles, undermine secularism, and deny judicial remedies for alleged historical injustices.

In response, the DMK, represented by Senior Advocate P. Wilson, has sought to support the Act, presenting its case before the bench led by the Chief Justice.

During 12 December’s hearing, the Supreme Court issued a significant directive, restraining courts across the country from entertaining or passing orders on lawsuits seeking relief under the 1991 Act, including requests for surveys of religious sites. The court emphasized, “We are examining the vires, contours, and ambit of the 1991 Act,” and instructed other courts to refrain from intervening until further notice. Additionally, the bench ordered that no new suits related to the Act be filed or registered until further instructions are issued.

(With Inputs From India Today)

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Telangana: Tahsildar Letter To Collector Reveals Former Congress MLA Sampath Kumar’s Interference In Illegal Church Construction & Caste Certificate Misuse

By
The Commune
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Telangana: Tahsildar Letter To Collector Reveals Former Congress MLA Sampath Kumar's Interference In Illegal Church Construction & Caste Certificate Misuse

A startling revelation has come to light through a communication from the Tahsildar to the District Collector, exposing that former Congress MLA from Alampur, Sampath Kumar, interfered with authorities to halt the investigation into the illegal construction of churches and questioned the validity of caste certificates issued to converted Christians.

According to the report, the MLA instructed officials to refrain from taking action against unauthorized church buildings and the alleged misuse of caste certificates by individuals who had converted from Hinduism to Christianity but continued to hold Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The Tahsildar’s report, submitted to Jogulamba Gadwal District Collector, provides details of a complaint from local residents regarding illegal church construction in Manopad town. The complaint, lodged on 13 May 2024, raised concerns about churches being built without proper permits. It specifically highlighted that members of the Hindu community obstructed a church constructed on Sy No 294/1A/1, but construction had resumed despite the lack of approval from the authorities. The petitioners also pointed out that one Sri Gudem Yejra Samuel, a pastor from Jallapuram Village, had obtained an SC (Madiga) caste certificate despite converting to Christianity.

In response, the Tahsildar had referred the matter to the Mandal Girdawar for an inquiry. The Revenue Inspector’s report confirmed that an individual named Sri Mathaiah, a Christian preacher, was building a church without the necessary permissions, with only the foundation stage of construction completed.

The Tahsildar report states, “I invite kind attention to the references cited wherein Additional Collector, (Revenue) has instructed to submit a detail report in the above subject matter on 14.09.2024 an the representation of Sri Vadla Raghy and others. In this regard I submit that Sri Vadla Raghu and others have represented in their petition on 13.05.2024 that in Manopad town some illegal churches are being constructed without obtaining any permission from the concerned authorities and further it is represented that in Sy. No. 294/1A/1 a church has been constructed, which was obstructed my Hindu Community people, again the same church is being constructed and requested to take action to stop the construction of the church which is being constructed without any permission from the concerned authorities.”

“Further the applicants in the representation requested that one Sri Gudem Yejra Samuel, Pastor belongs to Jallapuram Village having two children G. Arpitha and G. Stephen Paul has been issued S.C. (Madiga) caste certificate and requested to take action. In this regard the matter was referred to Mandal Girdawar for inquiring into the matter and to report. Accordingly the Revenue Inspector has submitted his report which reveals that from Manopad village to Chennipadu Village road one Sri Mathaiah, Christian religion preacher is constructing church which is in starting stage, foundation work and the church construction has no permission from the concerned authorities. Further it is requested that Sri Gudem Yejra Samuel who is staying Manopad village since (20) years working as Pastor in Christian Sangam Church since (25) years. He has taken Baptism in 2014 and even took Baptism for his children also.” He explained

The controversial part of the report states that notices were issued to both Sri Mathaiah for building a church without authorization and to Sri Yejra Samuel for obtaining an SC (Madiga) caste certificate despite his conversion to Christianity. They were given until 7 October 2024, to respond, but no explanations were received. Instead, the Tahsildar reports that former MLA Sampath Kumar instructed them not to take any further action in the matter.

“In this regard a notice has been issued to Sri Mathaiah for constructing Church in Manopad village without taking any permission from concern authorities and another notice was issued to Sri Yejra Samuel for obtaining caste certificate of SC (Madiga) even ofter taking Baptism and even after Convertinig from Hindu Religion to Christianity and instructed them to submit their explanation, given date for submitting explanation was 07.10.2024 but so for no explanation was received from them, instead I have been instructed not to take any further action in the matter by the former MLA, Alampur Constituency Sri Sampath Kumar. This is submitted for favour of kind information.” the report states.

The report concludes by highlighting that the MLA’s intervention prevented any further action from being taken, and the issue remains unresolved despite clear instructions from the authorities to investigate the matter further.

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DMK Govt Agrees To Kerala Govt’s Conditions For Mullaiperiyar Dam Maintenance

By
The Commune
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DMK Govt Agrees To Kerala Govt's Conditions For Mullaiperiyar Dam Maintenance

In a move sparking political and legal debate, the DMK government has agreed to Kerala’s conditions for Mullaiperiyar Dam maintenance, raising concerns over Tamil Nadu’s rights and compliance with Supreme Court rulings.

The DMK government, which frequently advocates for protecting Tamil Nadu’s rights from the Central Government, now appears to have conceded some of those rights to Kerala. Amid escalating political tensions over claims that Kerala is obstructing Tamil Nadu’s maintenance work at the Mullaiperiyar Dam, K. Manivasan, Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu’s Water Resources Department (WRD), announced on December 13, 2024, that Tamil Nadu will proceed with the maintenance under conditions set by Kerala.

One key condition requires that Kerala’s Executive Engineer from the Minor Irrigation Department oversee the maintenance operations. “Our main priority is to complete the dam’s maintenance work. However, we will consult legal experts before deciding on our next course of action,” Manivasan stated in a report.

Earlier in the day, Theni Collector R.V. Shajeevana confirmed that the Kerala Forest Department had granted permission for Tamil Nadu’s Public Works Department (PWD) vehicles to transport materials and equipment for the dam’s maintenance work.

In the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan had earlier disclosed that discussions would be held with Kerala regarding the dam’s upkeep.

Back on 7 May, Tamil Nadu’s PWD submitted a comprehensive proposal outlining 13 types of maintenance work for both the Mullaiperiyar main dam and the baby dam. Engineers from Tamil Nadu had written to Kerala and also met with their counterparts to emphasize the importance of the planned work. Additionally, engineers from Kerala had visited the site six months ago. The maintenance was initially slated for completion before the onset of the northeast monsoon but was delayed due to the lack of approval from Kerala.

On 4 December, the Kerala Forest Department blocked two Tamil Nadu PWD trucks carrying sand at the Vallakadavu check post in the Periyar Tiger Reserve area. After being stalled for four days without the required clearance, the trucks were forced to return to Tamil Nadu.

Sources revealed that on 14 December 2024, Levins Babu Cottur, Kerala’s Executive Engineer for Mullaiperiyar, sent a letter to the Deputy Director of the Periyar Tiger Reserve outlining the conditions under which Tamil Nadu could proceed with the work. This letter was also forwarded to Tamil Nadu officials.

Ranjithkumar, a Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association representative, strongly criticized Kerala’s actions, calling the conditions “unprecedented.” He argued that it was improper for Kerala’s Minor Irrigation Department to impose restrictions on Tamil Nadu’s PWD, claiming this was contrary to a Supreme Court ruling. “Kerala is gradually undermining Tamil Nadu’s authority over the maintenance of the Mullaiperiyar Dam,” he said. “If Tamil Nadu accepts these conditions, Kerala could use this as a legal precedent to approach the Supreme Court and secure a favorable decision.”

(With Inputs From TNIE)

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Madras High Court Allows ₹1 Lakh Award In MS Subbulakshmi’s Name To Woke Leftist Musician TM Krishna Despite His Hitjob Article On Her Legacy

By
The Commune
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Madras High Court Allows ₹1 Lakh Award In MS Subbulakshmi's Name To Woke Leftist Musician TM Krishna Despite His Hitjob Article On Her Legacy

On 13 December 2024, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court overturned an interim injunction issued by a single judge that had prevented the Music Academy and ‘The Hindu’ from awarding a cash prize of ₹1 lakh under the title “Sangita Kalanidhi MS Subbulakshmi Award” to leftist musician TM Krishna.

The Bench, comprising Justices S.S. Sundar and P. Dhanabal, allowed an appeal by ‘The Hindu’, which challenged the single judge’s order prohibiting the use of M.S. Subbulakshmi’s name for the award. The Music Academy has given this award since 2005, honouring recipients of the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi title.

In their ruling, the judges emphasized that awarding a prize in the name of a legendary figure, such as M.S. Subbulakshmi, to recognize an individual’s accomplishments is not illegal. “The conferment of an award by an organization or trust in memory of a legend is a form of acknowledgement, not prohibited by law,” the court noted. The Bench questioned how such an award could be considered a violation of Subbulakshmi’s wishes if it was intended as a tribute rather than an exploitation of her legacy.

The musician’s grandson, V. Shrinivasan, filed the lawsuit and argued that Subbulakshmi had left a will specifying that no memorial, trust, or foundation should be created in her name. The single judge had interpreted the term “memorial” to include awards and cash prizes, concluding that they should not be named after her. However, the Division Bench disagreed with this interpretation. “Had it been the intention of the testatrix that no award should bear her name, it would have been stated explicitly. A contrary interpretation is not legally tenable,” the Bench observed.

In delivering the judgment, Justice Sundar explained that the will’s language suggested Subbulakshmi was concerned about misusing her name for fundraising or creating memorials, not honouring her legacy through awards. The court also noted that several institutions had already established awards and even auditoriums in her name without Shrinivasan’s objection, raising questions about the genuineness of his claim.

The Bench remarked that the ongoing litigation appeared motivated by personal reasons against T.M. Krishna, and they expressed concern that such legal actions might undermine the cultural respect accorded to Subbulakshmi. They concluded, “This case is likely to be shocking to many musicians and artists who revere her. The plaintiff seems to lack bona fide grounds for this litigation.”

Although the Division Bench declined to dismiss the lawsuit outright, it found that Shrinivasan had failed to establish a prima facie case for an interim injunction, allowing the Music Academy and ‘The Hindu’ to proceed with the award. The court also remarked that while family members of M.S. Subbulakshmi might hold her legacy in esteem, it was unlikely that all would share Shrinivasan’s position.

Minutes after the Division Bench’s ruling, senior counsel N. Venkataraman, also Additional Solicitor General in the Supreme Court, sought an urgent hearing before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) for an appeal. The CJI declined, suggesting that the matter could only be addressed the following Monday, and noted that the award could be rescinded if the appellant’s case was upheld.

Meanwhile, senior counsel R. Sankaranarayanan requested that the Division Bench stay its order until the Supreme Court heard the matter. However, senior counsels representing ‘The Hindu’ and the Music Academy opposed this, arguing that the plaintiff could not simultaneously pursue appeals in both courts. Justice Sundar clarified that the order would stand, and the plaintiff could take the necessary legal steps as per the law.

(With Inputs From The Hindu)

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How Tamil Nadu Became India’s Chess Powerhouse

By
Raja Baradwaj
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Tamil Nadu, India’s chess capital, has produced legends like Anand, Gukesh, and 29 GMs, powered by strong mentors, schools, and initiatives.

Tamil Nadu has always been a chess-conscious state. Not many know that the great son of Bharata Mata, Maharishi V V S Aiyer, was a big chess player. He was so prominent that the chess problems he solved were published in chess magazines in England and Holland. It is said that the earliest chess club in Chennai was the Mylapore Solar Chess Club, established around 1920 by K S Subramanya Aiyer. Manuel Aaron became the first Indian FIDE International Master (1961).

He did his best in various capacities for the Tamil Nadu Chess Association and the Indian Chess Federation; he was also a journalist. Not many know that one of the first corporates to support chess in India was also from Tamil Nadu. It was the great philanthropic industrialist from Pollachi, Dr N. Mahalingam of the Sakthi Group. A chance meeting with Aaron in 1966 pushed Dr. N. Mahalingam into the chess scene. He later became the president of the Tamil Nadu Chess Association and partnered with Aaron to promote chess.

Tamil Nadu – The Chess Master Factory

The second FIDE IM, V. Ravikumar (1978), was also from Tamil Nadu. The third IM, Raja Ravi Sekhar (1981), was also from Tamil Nadu. India had to wait for its first Grandmaster until 1988, when Viswanathan Anand stormed into the scene. The Russian Culture Center in Kasuri Rangan Salai was home to the Tal Chess Club, the sanctuary of the chess-crazed Tamil Nadu. There is this very famous story about when Vishy Anand was introduced to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in May 2012. This was before his World Championship match against Boris Gelfand of Israel at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow in 2012. Anand is said to have told President Putin that he learnt his ropes at the Tal Chess Club at the Russian Culture Center in Chennai. The president is supposed to have quipped, “So we brought this upon ourselves.”

1988, the year Vishwanathan Anand became a FIDE Grandmaster, proved to be a watershed moment. His success further galvanised the Tamil Nadu Chess scene, with many, like GM R. B. Ramesh, crediting their taking up competitive chess after Anand. Today, Tamil Nadu boasts 29 out of the 83 FIDE Grandmasters. We are also home to eight Women Grandmasters. If we take a leaf from the Canadian writer Malcolm Gladwell, Vishwanathan Anand was The Tipping Point of not just the Tamil Nadu chess scene but for the whole of India.

Post Tal Chess Club

Tal Chess Club folded with the breakup of the USSR. GM R. B. Ramesh and many other able hands have since filled the vacuum. Ramesh needs a special mention, as he retired as a player very early when he was only 32. Another story is that he became a coach when he was 22, taking charge of the Indian Junior Chess Team that attended the Asian Junior Chess Championships (1998) in Iran. He struck gold right from his first assignment as a coach, returning with winners in both the boy’s and girls’ categories – Tejas Bakre and Vijayalakshmi Subburaman, respectively. 1999 saw Ramesh coaching Aarthie Ramaswamy to a World U-18 Championship. It is another story that Aarthie and Ramesh are married now, and together, they successfully run Chess Gurukul, the academy in Chennai that nurtures and mentors most of the top chess talents from India.

Vishy Anand – The Father Of Indian Chess Boom

Vishy Anand’s role as a mentor and a pillar of support for chess in India cannot be downplayed. Every Indian chess player looks forward to the fabled visit to Vishy Anand’s trophy room when they become a GM, where Anand spends time with the new GM discussing his/ her game. Many have rightly called Anand, the father of the Indian chess boom. His Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) has been at the forefront of making many champions, including the reigning World Chess Champion, D. Gukesh. Gukesh had this to say after his win, “Vishy Sir was never officially a part of the team but we all know he was supporting me. He attended one of the days during the training camp and also helped remotely for a few sessions”.

The other Chennai institution that deserves credit for promoting chess in a big way is Velammal Vidhyalaya. This school nurtures many precious chess talents from India, including Grandmasters, D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, S. P. Sethuraman, Leon Mendonca, K. Priyadharshan, B. Adhiban, Vishnu Prasanna and R. Vaishali and Women Grandmaster, V. Varshini and Women International Master, R. Rakshitta. This school has been the powerhouse of Indian chess since 2005. They have won the World School Chess Championships five times, with D. Gukesh and R. Praggnanandhaa being part of the winning team in 2021.

Former TN CM J Jayalalithaa’s Contribution

Amma J Jayalalitha is another person who did her bit to promote chess in Tamil Nadu. Some of us remember Amma using Assembly Rule 110 to announce a series of welfare schemes and policies during her term as the Chief Minister. One of her famous announcements was the school reforms in August 2011. Part of that was a plan called the “7 to 17 program” to take chess to all the government schools in Tamil Nadu among children aged 7 to 17. She also brought the World Chess Championships 2013 to Chennai, where Magnus Carlsen defeated Vishwanathan Anand to win the title.

Amma’s fondness and support for sports in Tamil Nadu is well known. Therefore, her championing of the cause of chess shouldn’t come as a surprise. Then came the 44th Chess Olympiad, which happened in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, in 2022, opened by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India 2, coached by GM R. B. Ramesh, included D. Gukesh, Nihal Sarin, R. Praggnanandhaa, B. Adhiban, and Raunak Sadhwani won the bronze medal in the team championship. D. Gukesh made his mark here winning the gold medal for Board 1. The Indian women, Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, R. Vaishali, Tania Sachdev and Bhakti Kulkarni also won the bronze.

Tamil Nadu has always been the chess capital of India. With D. Gukesh winning the World Chess Championships 2024 and great mentors and ambassadors of the game like Vishwanathan Anand, R. B. Ramesh, Aarthie Ramaswamy, etc. propelling the game, we are going to see many champions from the state in the coming years. The following Thirukkural fits the chess scene in Tamil Nadu perfectly.

நிலவரை நீள்புகழ் ஆற்றின் புலவரைப்
போற்றாது புத்தேள் உலகு. (Fame, 234)

“Behold the man that hath won a lasting, worldwide fame: the Gods on high prefer him even before saints.” – The Kural Or The Maxims Of Tiruvalluvar – V V S Aiyar.

Raja Baradwaj is a marketing communications professional who works with a leading technology multinational company. He is an avid reader, history buff, cricket player, writer, and Sanskrit and Dharma Sastra student.

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Rao Saheb M. C. Madurai Pillai: A Forgotten Hero Of Social Reform And Sanatana Dharma

By
Raja Baradwaj
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Rao Saheb M. C. Madurai Pillai: A Forgotten Hero Of Social Reform And Sanatana Dharma

A select few and their cabal traditionally controlled the narrative of India’s history. All these years, they decided who should be spoken about and who would be pushed to obscurity, as well as the quantity and quality of what would be spoken. Great people who wouldn’t fit their definition went into the footnote, or if they were lucky, as an obscure statue in a nondescript corner. One of these forgotten heroes is Sri. M. C. Madurai Pillai (not to be mistaken with another great son of Bharata Mata, Sri. P. M. Madurai Pillai).

We know little about Sri. M. C. Madurai Pillai’s childhood. He was born into a Dalit Paraiyar-Valluvar family. He worked in the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka. In those days, many workers there belonged to the Scheduled Caste community from Tamil Nadu, especially from the northern districts. Even Swami Sahajananda’s family from Arani moved to Kolar and found work in the KGF.

A Public Face In Madras And Kolar

Sri M. C. Madurai Pillai grew with the KGF and became a key leader and businessman. By his twenties, he was one of the KGF’s leading contractors. Kolar and Madras were home to him, and he shuttled between these two places. Soon, he was among the few successful businessmen in Madras and Kolar. His philanthropic bent of mind pushed him into public service at an early age.

He served as a member of the Madras Municipality (much before the Madras Corporation days) and the Saidapet Taluka Board and later became a Chengalpet Zilla Council Board member. The government feted him with the Rao Saheb award and title. He was also appointed an Honorary Magistrate of Madras City.

He understood the value of education in elevating lives, which led the government to appoint him to the province’s Education Council. In 1919, he was instrumental in starting Sri Namperumal Primary School in both Robertsonpet and Andersonpet in Kolar. These two schools were later elevated as Middle Schools. Later, he became a Member of the Madras Presidency Legislative Council in 1925.

A Devout Vaishnava

He was a devout Vaishnava and a staunch Sanatani. Once, while on a visit to Sri Ranganatha temple in Srirangam, he chanced a Kata Kalaksheba (discourse) on Srimad Bhagavata Purana by Sri Ubhaya Vedhaantha Pravarthaga Srimath Arulmaari Thiruvengada Varayogi Swamigal. Mesmerised, he wanted to become a disciple of the Swami and take the Pancha Samskara ritual to formally enter the Sri Vaishnavism portals. The Swami’s disciples enquired about his antecedents, and knowing he was from the Pariyar community, they refused him access to the Swami. Unperturbed, he started a fast until the Swami gave him Pancha Samskara.

The Swamiji, pleased with Sri Madurai Pillai’s focus and dedication, initiated him into Sri Vaishnavism, giving him the Pancha Samskara and the name “Madurakavi Ramanujadasar.” The Guru also visited his Shishya’s abode in Kolar, which started a new chapter in the district’s history, reeling under Christian missionaries’ influence. Sri. Madurai Pillai established “Sri Udayavar Sabhai” in Andersonpet in Kolar, making it the fulcrum of Sanatana Dharma in the region. Many people from across all communities were initiated with Pancha Samskara. Sri Madurai Pillai also built a splendid Nam Perumal Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Kolar.

Worked For Marginalised And Oppressed

He acted as the voice of the marginalised and oppressed. He established Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha to work for the oppressed community. It is said that Sri Madurai Pillai coined the word Adi Dravida to refer to the marginalised community. He published a magazine, Dravidian. Sri. Veeraiyan, designated Vaduganambi Dasar during his Pancha Samskara, was Dravidian’s Editor. He was a great scholar of the Sri Vaishnava philosophy and was called “Sri Hari Katha Prasanga Vedantha Rathnakara”. Sri. Madurai Pillai was also passionate about worker health and welfare. He did many Silicosis awareness campaigns and medical camps. Silicosis is a deadly respiratory disease that affects the lungs, which was prevalent among the miners.

In 1921, the Buckingham and Carnatic Mills workers went on strike. This strike soon became a class issue between two sets of workers, resulting in the infamous “Pulianthope riots,” which resulted in significant loss of lives and property for both sides. Sri. Pillai worked for the relief and rehabilitation of both sides without any fear or favour. His neutral stand and his great work are unparalleled. He was a pillar of support for “Thatha” Rettaimalai Srinivasan, who went as a delegate to the first roundtable conference in London. He telegrammed Babasaheb Ambedkar, wishing him success at the roundtable.

The Legacy Of Sri. M. C. Madurai Pillai

Sri. M. C. Madurai Pillai passed away on December 14, 1934. He had done more for the community, culture, and Sanatana Dharma than anyone would have done in a century. His descendants, now the hereditary Dharmakarta (trustees) of the Nam Perumal Ranganatha Swamy Temple Trust in Kolar, are carrying forward his great work.

Let us remember and pay our respects to Sri. M. C. Madurai Pillai, another great son of Bharata Mata and a savant of Sanatana Dharma, today.
பிறப்பொக்கும் எல்லா உயிர்க்கும் சிறப்பொவ்வா
செய்தொழில் வேற்றுமை யான்.
(Greatness, Kural 972)

The manner of birth is the same for all men, but their reputations vary because they differ in their lives – The Kural or The Maxims of Thiruvalluvar by VVS Aiyar.

Raja Baradwaj is a marketing communications professional who is currently working with a leading technology multi-national company. He is an avid reader, a history buff, cricket player, writer, Sanskrit & Dharma Sastra student.

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“Is Deceiving People The Dravidian Model?” Asks PMK Leader Anbumani Ramadoss, Criticizing Aavin’s Green Magic Plus Launch Over Alleged Deceptive Pricing And Reduced Quantity

By
The Commune
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PMK Leader Anbumani Ramadoss, Criticizing Aavin's 'Green Magic Plus' Launch Over Alleged Deceptive Pricing And Reduced Quantity

Under the DMK government, the state-owned cooperative Aavin has again been scrutinised after launching a new milk variant, “Green Magic Plus.” The product’s announcement lacked transparency regarding its quality and pricing, only mentioning the addition of Vitamins A and D, which has drawn widespread criticism.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss strongly criticized the DMK government, claiming that alarming details emerged when Aavin officials were questioned about the new product. According to Ramadoss, aside from a smaller pack size and a higher price, Green Magic Plus offers no significant difference from the existing Green Magic milk.

Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss pointed out that the original Green Magic milk priced at ₹22 for 500 ml, containing 4.5% fat and 9% non-fat solids. However, the newly introduced Green Magic Plus, priced at ₹50 for 900 ml, contains the same nutritional content but is sold at ₹55 per liter, which is ₹11 more than the original product.

Ramadoss described the price hike as “daylight robbery,” accusing Aavin of misleading consumers by simply adding the word “Plus” and increasing the price. He pointed out that Aavin has reduced the original Green Magic milk distribution by 80% in Tamil Nadu, pushing consumers towards the higher-priced Green Magic Plus.

Furthermore, Ramadoss expressed concern over Aavin’s marketing strategy, which raises prices while reducing the quantity, calling it a clear case of fraud. He demanded that the government and Aavin explain the changes and why no public opinion was sought before launching the new product. In his statement, Ramadoss urged the government to abandon plans to discontinue the original Green Magic milk and continue selling it at its current price, stressing that innovations should not come at the expense of deceiving the public.

Criticizing the DMK through his official X account, PMK chief Anbumani Ramadoss said, “Aavin has announced the launch of a new green packet milk called “Green Magic” in the districts of Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Coimbatore, and Salem in Tamil Nadu starting from the 18th. However, the press release issued by Aavin does not contain any details about the quality or price of the milk; instead, it only states that vitamins A and D have been added. When Aavin officials were questioned about the features of the new milk, shocking facts were revealed. Apart from the reduction in quantity and increase in price, there is nothing new in the new milk.”

“Currently, Aavin Green Magic Milk is sold at ₹22 per 500 ml. It contains 4.5% fat and 9% non-fat solids. The newly introduced milk also contains the same nutrients in the same amount and is said to have added vitamins A and D. The benefits and costs to Aavin are not significant. However, while Green Magic is sold at ₹44 per liter, it has been announced that Green Magic Plus 900 ml will be sold at a price of ₹50. While Green Magic milk 500 ml is sold at ₹22, Green Magic Plus 450 ml will be sold at ₹25. If we look at it that way, the price of Green Magic Plus milk is ₹55 per liter. This is ₹11 more per liter than the price of Green Magic milk. Charging ₹11 more just to add the word Plus to Aavin Green Magic milk is daylight robbery.” He added.

“If Aavin Green Magic Plus milk had been introduced as an additional type, it could have been ignored, with only those who wanted to buy it actually purchasing it. However, the distribution of Aavin Green Magic milk has been reduced by 80% across Tamil Nadu. While Green Magic Plus milk has been introduced in the districts of Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Coimbatore, and Salem in the first phase, Aavin plans to expand it across the state at a lower price and discontinue Green Magic milk, which is currently sold at ₹44 per liter. This move will force consumers to buy Aavin green milk under a different name at a higher price. Raising the price of a packet by ₹3 and reducing the quantity of milk by 50 ml to cover up the increase in milk prices is a blatant fraud.” He further added.

Aavin, a public sector company, cannot be allowed to indulge in such frauds. It is welcome that the government and public sector companies introduce innovations to benefit the people. However, such innovations should not be introduced to deceive the people. The government and Aavin should explain whether deceiving the people by changing the name is the Dravidian model?” He slammed.

“Last October, it was reported that Aavin Green Magic Plus milk had been introduced in the Trichy region. I issued a statement on October 18th opposing that, and Aavin, in response, said, ‘Only a study is being conducted to introduce a new type of milk in the market that is enriched with Vitamin A and D, and slightly increased in other fat content, which everyone wants. The public will be asked for their opinions.’ On the contrary, no public opinion was asked; fat content was also not increased. How is it fair to reduce the quantity and increase the price? Aavin did not release any information about the quality of the milk and the price in the press release about the introduction of the new milk in order to hide this fraud. What should we call this behavior? The government should abandon the plan to introduce the high-priced Aavin Green Magic Plus milk. Aavin Green Magic milk, which is sold at a price of ₹44 per liter, should not be discontinued and should continue to be sold as it is now.” He urged.

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