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Dravidian Model Sycophancy: How DMK Leaders Outshine The Other To Sing Paeans For DMK Scion Udhayanidhi Stalin

By
The Commune
-
Dravidian Model Sycophancy: How DMK Leaders Outshine The Other To Sing Paeans For DMK Scion Udhayanidhi Stalin

In Tamil Nadu, it appears there is an unspoken practice among ministers to lavish praise on DMK scion and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to maintain their standing within the cabinet. It has become a norm for DMK ministers to commend Udhayanidhi whenever they address a gathering. From his time as an MLA to his current role as Deputy Chief Minister, every leader in the DMK, from the founding figures to the second-generation leaders, has consistently praised him at every opportunity, eager to stay in his good graces. This reflects the state of political dynamics in Tamil Nadu.

Singing praises seems to be a very important skill if one needs to be noticed by the party heads in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. In the list of many who sang praises, below is a compilation of ministers, MLAs, and even MPs offering their praise for DMK scion and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.

DMK Minister for Minorities S. M. Nasar

In a recent DMK meeting, Avadi MLA and Minister for Minorities and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare, S. M. Nasar, lauded Udhayanidhi Stalin for his contributions to Tamil cinema and highlighted his significant efforts for the party, likening his dedication to that of previous DMK leaders, from Annadurai to M. K. Stalin.

Speaking at a DMK event, S. M. Nasar remarked, “This is the Honorable Deputy Chief Minister’s birthday celebration. as far as he is concerned, if Kalaignar leaped 8 feet, his son, our Honorable Chief Minister Stalin, leaps 16 feet. And if he leaps 16 feet, our Deputy Chief Minister surpasses that by leaping 32 feet. He is such a compassionate individual you cannot find other than a smile on his face. Even our leader might show anger or reprimand us, but whatever the problem is, he (Udhayanidhi) has the ability to resolve issues with a smile.”

Drawing a parallel between M. K. Stalin’s efforts to revive the DMK and bring it back to power during the MGR era through the formation of the party’s youth wing, S. M. Nasar likened Stalin’s dedication to that of his son, Udhayanidhi, and remarked, “After leaders like Anna, Kalaignar, and Stalin, the only leader capable of mobilizing party cadres for events such as meetings, protests, or demonstrations is our Honorable Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin. I sincerely thank the Chief Minister for appointing such a capable individual as the Deputy Chief Minister, recognizing his potential not only as the Organizing Secretary but also as a guiding force for the next generation.”

Praising Udhayanidhi Stalin’s efforts in the NEET abolition campaign, S. M. Nasar remarked, “I don’t know what’s the connection between him and stone. If you see, many renowned filmmakers have made numerous movies—some flopped, and others generated great revenue—but he produced a movie ‘Oru Kal Oru Kannadi,’ which sparked a revolution. Even in that, there’s a stone. Similarly, when Union Prime Minister Modi laid a foundation stone for AIIMS in Madurai, Udhayanidhi used it as a metaphorically challenged the decade old government and pushed back. That pride belongs to Udhayanidhi and he did that with one stone. Just as how Kannagi brought down the autocratic Pandya reign with a single anklet, Udhayanidhi, with one stone, has driven away the darkness of tyrant government. That remarkable achievement belongs to Udhayanidhi Stalin.”

DMK HR &CE Minister PK Sekar Babu

In an undated video of an event that seems to have taken place in the backdrop of the cyclone, Sekar Babu is seen saying, “There is no person who does not know Raja Raja Cholan. He created structural wonders. Yes, if Raja Raja Cholan is our dearest Thalapathi, Rajendra Chola, his brother, our brother Udhayanidhi. In our Puranas, there is a story. When it rained, Lord Gopalakrishna held Govardhana Mountain as an umbrella. If it is raining today, it won’t be wrong to say that our dearest Thalaivar Thalapathi gives his hard work as an umbrella and shelters the people.

The weather department failed to detect the path of the cyclone this time. Even when thunder and lightning came together, our leader, brother Udhayanidhi, stood on the field as a leader who protected the thunder and lightning.”

DMK IT Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan

Ahead of DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin’s birthday, DMK IT Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan went above and beyond to express his admiration. While other ministers opted for modest one-page advertisements or even a celebratory song, PTR took it a step further with an elaborate two-page spread. His grand gesture of loyalty stands out even in a party renowned for its public displays of allegiance. The advertisement creatively uses each vowel in the Tamil language as a framework to convey his tribute, making a distinct statement for each.

“November 27 is the day of the dawn of the vowel (uyir ezhuthu)

The one who was born to rule Mother Tamil Nadu!

The illustrious Dravidian son who won against Aryanism

The icon of youth uprising/rebellion!

An unparalleled success story!

The life painting of siblings!

A hero of policy that the town admires!

He is one for everyone!

He is an uplifting hero!

Five-letter mantra! (Udhayanidhi)

Hope for all Tamils!

The Dravidian generation of restless hard work!

You are full of authority!

May you live for many years….“

The advertisement is signed as follows:

P.T.R. Palanivel Thiagarajan

Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services

In your path as long as I am alive…

Even during the contentious PTR audio leak, he sought support from the entire DMK family, particularly emphasizing Udhayanidhi Stalin’s importance, through his praises, saying, “Our Hon’ble Chief Minister is not only the guiding light of Tamil Nadu but the hope of our country. Hon’ble Sports Minister Udhayanidhi is our hope for the next generation, who has received a great reception from the Tamil people. Of the many who urged his elevation to the state cabinet, based on his appeal as a youth icon, I was the foremost. His outstanding performance as the minister has surpassed all our expectations. He is also a hands-on and grassroots-level administrator, very much keeping up with the style of the Hon Chief Minister. He is making Tamil Nadu the center of attention of the international sports world. how is it possible that I could say anything negative about this outstanding performer.”

DMK MP Took Oath In Parliament Hailing DMK Scion Udhayanidhi Stalin

When all other newly elected MPs took their oaths in Parliament in various languages like Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, etc. In previous oath-taking ceremonies, each MP would battle it out for saying the best slogan of them all – praising the motherland or their favourite deity.

Standing out from the rest in 2024 were the 24 DMK MPs from Tamil Nadu. Most of them ended their vows with praises and uttered slogans in praise of DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Coimbatore MP Ganapathy Rajkumar who won against TN BJP chief Annamalai concluded his oath by saying, “Long live our future Udayanidhi Stalin.”

Central Chennai MP Dayanidhi Maran ended his oath with “Long live Tamil, Long live Kalaignar, Long live Periyar, Long live Anna, Long live Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, Long live Udhayanidhi”

Kanchipuram MP Selvam ended with “Sing praises of Periyar, Anna, Kalaignar, Long live Thalaivar Thalapathy, Long live youth leader Udhayanidhi Stalin“

Arakkonam MP S Jagath Rakshakan said, “Long live Tamil, long live leader Kalaignar, Long live Thalapathy”

Salem MP TM Selvaganapathy, Kallakurichi MP Malaiyarasan Arani MP Tharaniventhan, and Tiruvannamalai MP CN Annadurai ended their oaths similarly with, “Long live Kalaignar, our CM, our future Udhayanidhi” while also thanking a few DMK ministers.

Thanjavur MP Murasoli, Perumbalur MP Arun Nehru, Pollachi MP Easwarasamy, Erode MP KE Prakash, Vellore MP Kathir Anand said, “Long live Tamil Nadu, may DMK win, long live Thalapathy, our future Udhayanidhi“

Dharmapuri DMK MP A Mani, North Chennai MP Kalanidhi Veerasamy, South Chennai MP T Sumathi alias Tamizhachi Thangapandian ended her oaths with praises to Karunanidhi, MK Stalin and Tamil.

Tenkasi MP Rani Srikumar had a list of names she said slogans for – these included Karunanidhi, Periyar, MK Stalin, Kanimozhi, KKSSR, as well as DMK scion Udhyanidhi Stalin!

Senior DMK Leader Duraimurugan

In 2021, the DMK’s most senior leader and current Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister and DMK General Secretary Duraimurugan, who has witnessed the party’s leadership since its inception, made a notable statement during a public event in Chennai ahead of the April 2021 Assembly elections. He remarked, “I was part of Karunanidhi’s Cabinet, I will be part of Stalin’s Cabinet, and I wouldn’t mind being part of Udhayanidhi’s Cabinet as well.”

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TN BJP Chief Annamalai Calls For De-escalation Between NTK Leader Seeman And Trichy SP Varun Kumar

By
The Commune
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TN BJP Chief Annamalai Calls For De-escalation Between NTK Leader Seeman And Trichy SP Varun Kumar

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has urged Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) Party leader Seeman to avoid inflating the ongoing conflict between him and Trichy Superintendent of Police Varun Kumar. This appeal comes amidst a growing altercation, with NTK cadres allegedly targeting the IPS officer’s family and cyberbullying through social media posts. In response, Varun Kumar recently labelled the NTK as a secessionist group.

Speaking to reporters in Palladam, Tiruppur district, Annamalai stated, “I trained with IPS officer Varun Kumar. Seeman is a significant political figure in Tamil Nadu, and IPS officers often express personal opinions during meetings. I have attended many such discussions myself. His views may reflect his personal stance, but they do not represent the opinion of the state police.”

Annamalai emphasized that Seeman, as a political leader, is entitled to his views, but stressed, “Brother Seeman is an important political party leader. I would not call them a separatist movement. They are presenting their ideology to the public, and it’s up to the people to decide whether to recognize it or not. The Election Commission has recognized them, there are no court cases against them. As far as Naam Tamilar Katchi is concerned, they have adopted a ideological approach to politics. I see this as a unique, emerging issue in Tamil Nadu. Political parties usually stay out of police matters and refrain from naming police officers, because whoever maybe they hold a position. Brother Varun is on one side being a police officer, and let he do his job, while Brother Seeman is a great leader and an important figure. So, Seeman need not exaggerate this matter. In police department someone simply expressing his opinion, that’s all.”

Annamalai further added, “Hence, this issue not being turned into police department versus political parties. Let the police carry out their duties, while we, as a political party, be their fortress and guardians.”

Recently, Trichy SP Varun Kumar, speaking at the 5th IPS Officers’ Conference in Chandigarh, described the ‘Naam Tamilar party’ as a secessionist movement that requires monitoring. He further stated, “I and my family have been severely affected by that party,” which sparked a political uproar.

In response to Varun Kumar’s remarks, Seeman fired back, “What does Varun Kumar mean by calling us separatists? Are Tamils and Tamil Nadu separatists? When the National Intelligence Agency conducted a raid, were they unaware it was a separatist movement? How long will you stay in the khaki uniform? Eventually, you’ll come down, but we’ll remain here. It’s just a matter of time. You want a fight. Come, let’s fight.”

(With inputs from Kamadenu)

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Karnataka BJP Slams Siddaramaiah Govt For Double Standards, Questions Action Against Vokkaliga Seer But Not Muslim Leader Disrespecting Judiciary

By
The Commune
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Karnataka BJP Slams Siddaramaiah Govt For Double Standards, Questions Action Against Vokkaliga Seer But Not Muslim Leader Disrespecting Judiciary

Opposition leader in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, on 6 December 2024, criticised the state government, questioning why action was taken against a Vokkaliga seer who demanded disenfranchisement of Muslims while no action was taken against a Muslim leader who disrespected the judiciary.

Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, he said, “The government quickly took action against Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swami, the pontiff of the Vishwa Vokkaligara Mahasamsthana Math, for expressing his anguish over Waqf land encroachment. However, despite Maulana Abu Talib Rahmani of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board openly stating that he disrespects Parliament and the judiciary, no action has been taken against him.”

Rahmani had stated during a meeting in Bengaluru, organised to challenge the central government’s proposed Waqf Bill, “We will not beg before courts. If the Parliament is yours, the streets are ours?” Referring to Shivakumar’s statement issued after the cooker blast incident in 2022 in Mangaluru city, Ashoka claimed, “This shows Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s bias in favour of the ‘cooker brothers,’ as he refuses to act against them.”

Ashoka stressed that his support for the Vokkaliga seer is unwavering. “Dy CM Shivakumar swings between favouring Muslims and Vokkaligas as per his convenience. Home Minister G. Parameshwara is reportedly upset over Dy CM Shivakumar’s comments on the Chief Minister’s position and power sharing,” he remarked.

Vokkaliga seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swami had proposed the disenfranchisement of Muslims and later regretted his statement. The Karnataka government has filed an FIR against the seer and issued a notice summoning him for questioning. The BJP had warned that the government will face consequences if the seer is troubled. Ashoka also criticised the state government and accused it of showing double standards.

He claimed, “The person who vandalised the statue of the revered seer late Shivakumara Swamiji in Bengaluru could also be considered a ‘brother’ by the Congress. If this is the state of affairs, one wonders about the plight of Hindus. While Muslim leaders say they don’t trust the judiciary, Congress leaders hold up Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Constitution as a show. Law and order in the state have completely deteriorated,” he alleged.

Ashoka also lashed out at the state of Bengaluru’s infrastructure, calling it the “city of potholes.” “There is not a single road in the city without potholes. BBMP commissioners claim they have filled lakhs of potholes, only to later report a different count again. Congress should disclose how much funding BBMP has received under the Brand Bengaluru project, instead of just harping on ‘our taxes, our rights’ slogan and targeting the central government. Each Assembly constituency in Bengaluru should receive Rs 100 crore in funding,” he demanded.

-IANS

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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Highlights Northeast’s Transformation, Lauds Modi For 300% Budget Boost In A Decade

By
The Commune
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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Highlights Northeast's Transformation, Lauds Modi For 300% Budget Boost In A Decade

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on 6 December 2024, asserted that the entire northeastern region has undergone a transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the budget of the northeast has increased by 300 per cent in the last one decade.

Highlighting some major developments in the region, Sarbananda Sonowal said: “The Northeast has remained a priority for the NDA government led by PM Narendra Modi. Since 2014, the region has received an increase of more than 300 per cent in the budget outlay. From ₹36,108 crore in 2014, the budget outlay for the region has reached ₹94,680 crore in FY 2023-24. In terms of infrastructure, a remarkable rise of 28 per cent in expansion of National Highways has been registered. Till 2014, the region had 80 National Highways (NHs) which jumped to 103 NHs by 2023. A whopping 26 times increase in infra development scheme outlays from a meager ₹94 crore to ₹2,491 crore.”

“Railways also expanded within the region improving communications with more than 193 km of rail lines being commissioned every year. The railway budget for the region has increased by 370 per cent. We have also achieved 100 per cent electrification of broad gauge in the region,” he added.

Targeting the Congress, Sarbananda Sonowal said that in 60 years of governance under the grand old party, the region had only 9 operational airports. In less than a decade under PM Narendra Modi, the region now boasts of 17 operational airports. He said: “As a result, the people from the region have boosted the aviation sector with 113 per cent increase in flights per week. In terms of delivery of welfare schemes to the people from the remotest corners of the region, more than 7,000 villages have access to piped drinking water. In this decade, the region has also witnessed a 39 per cent increase in the number of universities.”

The Union Minister said: “Our beautiful region of the Northeast has been blessed by Mother Nature but was ignored for far too long by the successive governments at the Centre, until the NDA came to power. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the region has undergone a major transformation in the last one decade, when compared to decades of inertia by governments stuck in inaction, corruption, and ignorance. This decade of transformation has sparked new energy in the Northeast.”

The genius strategy to rejuvenate the Northeast as the Growth Engine of India employed by PM Modi centres around good governance and developmental politics. These twin approaches with a penchant for success with clear intention and hard work have paid off as people, from the remotest corners of the region, enjoy the delivery of welfare services at their doorstep. This was unthinkable for most people of the Northeast before 2014. With a view to promote organic farming, more than 1.55 lakh hectare land utilised for organic farming. More than 4,016 km of road projects are ongoing while 4G connectivity has reached almost all parts of the Northeast.

-IANS

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Ashwini Vaishnaw Highlights PM Modi’s Four-Pillar Strategy As Key To India’s Growth Amid Global Uncertainty

By
The Commune
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Ashwini Vaishnaw Highlights PM Modi’s Four-Pillar Strategy As Key To India’s Growth Amid Global Uncertainty

Amid global turmoil and geopolitical tensions, the world hopes India will be a bright spot. One key reason for this is the country’s growth story, which is being driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s four-pillar strategy, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on 6 December 2024.

Delivering the keynote address at the NDTV Indian of The Year, Ashwini Vaishnaw, who holds the Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology portfolios, said: “It is not a coincidence that we are growing at a sustained rate of 6-8 per cent.” “PM Modi’s considered thought process and a clearly laid out plan, which rests on four pillars, are behind India’s consistent growth and moderate inflation,” Union Minister Vaishnaw said as he explained PM Modi’s four-pillar strategy.

Elaborating on the first pillar of investments, the Minister said India’s capital expenditure has grown from roughly ₹3.5 lakh crore 10 years ago to ₹11 lakh crore in the current fiscal, which is “humongous and unheard of in Independent India”. “This is leading to productivity improvement and employment growth in practically every sector. Airports have doubled and 31,000 km of railway lines have been constructed, which is more than Germany’s entire network. In the last year alone, 5,300 km of railway lines have been built, more than the network of Switzerland. AIIMS and IITs have also been doubled in the past ten years,” Ashwini Vaishnaw pointed out.

Speaking about the democratisation of e-payments and how even street vendors use them, the Union Minister cited an example, and said he was asked by a man from “one of the richest countries” at an international forum since India has moved so far ahead, when does it plan to do something for other nations that have been left behind. “So, the feeling now is that India is a leader in several fields of technology, unlike the past, when it used to be a follower,” Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

On innovation and manufacturing, the Union Minister said India has 1.2 lakh startups, up from 300-400 ten years ago, and over 100 unicorns, which make the country one of the world’s top three startup ecosystems. The ‘Make In India’ scheme, he said, has impacted everything from the engineering goods sector to the defence sector. The third pillar of inclusive growth, Vaishnaw, said it was very important to address the economic inequality that arose because of the policies which were followed for 50-60 years. He said PM Modi made inclusive growth an integral part of every policy and this benefited everyone, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid.

“As many as 54 crore bank accounts were opened, half of which are held by women. The number is significant because the entire population of Europe is 45 crore. So, bringing a population that is higher than the population of Europe into the banking system was an unimaginable task but it was made possible,” the Minister pointed out.

“Nearly 4 crore people have got new houses and the cooking habits of 11 crore people have changed to gas — the entire population of Japan is 11 crore, Germany’s population is 8 crore. The Prime Minister’s inclusive policies have benefited more people than the population of many countries,” he said. Simplification, the Railways Minister said, was brought about by policies like getting rid of colonial laws that have no relevance now.

“India’s telecom sector was regulated using a law from 1885 – the Telegraph Act. As many as 1,500 laws have been removed from the statute books. New laws have been made. Steps were also taken towards compliance reduction – for instance, getting permission for a telecom tower earlier took 217 days on average, which has been reduced to seven days because of a reform brought in by PM Modi in 2021. Even among these, 89 per cent are such that you get the permissions the moment you press the ‘Enter’ button,” he said.

Ashwini Vaishnaw said the scale and scope of work has expanded and PM Modi is focused on the poor and the middle class. “Because of all this, we can say with a high degree of confidence that India will continue to grow at 6-8 per cent real growth, 10-14 per cent nominal growth and a very moderate inflation for the coming five years. That’s the reason why when there is anti-incumbency across the world, a vibrant and vocal democracy like India has elected a government and a Prime Minister for three consecutive terms for the first time. This is because people have seen a change and transformation in their lives,” he added.

-IANS

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TTD Seals Shop In Tirumala Tirupati For Selling Bracelets With Christian Symbols

By
The Commune
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TTD Seals Shop In Tirumala Tirupati For Selling Bracelets With Christian Symbols

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) vigilance team has sealed a shop within the premises of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. The action was taken after it was found that the store was selling fancy items, such as bracelets and chains, featuring symbols from religions other than Hinduism. The TTD has enforced a strict policy prohibiting the display or use of religious symbols not associated with Hinduism at the Tirumala temple complex.

The store was inspected following a complaint alleging that it was selling bracelets engraved with the ‘Jesus’ name and cross on them. These cross-shaped bracelets were indeed found.

https://twitter.com/sunnewstamil/status/1864903888996020291

This follows a similar incident on 27 June 2023, when it was reported that a teacup at a shop on Tirupati Hill was printed with a symbol resembling a Christian cross. Devotees raised concerns about this shop, prompting TTD officials to investigate. The inspection revealed that cups with cross-shaped patterns were being used at a tea shop near the BSNL office, leading to the confiscation of the cups and the shop’s closure. Temple authorities also warned that no religious symbols other than Hindu ones should be used or displayed on Tirupati Hill.

After a year without similar incidents, this recent issue has resurfaced. The temple authorities have reiterated their warnings to all shops in the area to comply with the guidelines.

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Loyola College Administrator Serves Legal Notice To YouTuber Maridhas

By
The Commune
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Loyola College Administrator Serves Legal Notice To YouTuber Maridhas

The controversy surrounding Loyola College deepened when its administrator issued a legal notice in response to YouTuber Maridhas’ allegations. Maridhas claims that the college’s syndicate, under the “Society of Jesus,” has been involved in fraudulent activities, including embezzlement and links to actor Vijay’s family. The allegations point to financial misconduct and a web of corruption benefiting Vijay’s relatives. The situation has escalated with multiple defamation notices and further revelations about the college’s questionable financial dealings.

Maridhas Accusations Against The Loyola Syndicate

YouTuber and political commentator Maridhas recently disclosed a series of allegations, supported by documents, claiming that the Loyola syndicate, under the banner of the “Society of Jesus,” has taken control and heavily influenced internal decisions. These allegations include involvement in benami transactions, fraudulent activities, and a deeper web of corruption to benefit Vijay’s family. In response, on 8 November 2024, Vijay’s uncle, Xavier Britto, issued a legal notice on his behalf.

https://twitter.com/MaridhasAnswers/status/1859970505501270393

The Loyola College controversy escalated when the college administrator issued a second defamation notice.

https://twitter.com/MaridhasAnswers/status/1864926729099419878

Maridhas took to his X handle to announce that he was prepared to unveil the next phase of his findings. He wrote that he would expose the UGC-Loyola scam, shedding light on hidden aspects of the institution’s 100-crore income. He stated that the investigation would reveal that Loyola College allegedly collected over 150 crores annually through questionable means.

Loyola Syndicate – Vijay Links

Maridhas traced these allegations back to the early days of Vijay’s acting career, starting with films like Naalaiya Theerpu (1992), Senthoorapandi (1993), Rasigan (1994), and Deva (1995), except for his first film, produced by Vijay’s father, Chandrasekhar, under VV Creations, all the others were made by XB Film Creators, owned by Xavier Britto, Vijay’s uncle. Britto has not mentioned this relationship in his PR despite producing these films.

This raised suspicions that led to further investigation, which led to another of Vijay’s uncles, Xavier Alphonse, who served as principal of Loyola College from 1992 to 1995. It is alleged that he embezzled or misappropriated society funds amounting to ₹ two crores, which were then allegedly funnelled into movie studios to kickstart their ventures. All of this supposedly occurred with the knowledge of SA Chandrasekhar, Vijay’s father.

All these allegations emerged in the context of an RTI request made by Mary Rajasekaran regarding the committee inquiry report that led to the dismissal of Vijay’s uncle, Xavier Alphonse, from Loyola College. She sought access to the related documents, but there has been no response—only a simple denial.

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Sathanur Dam’s Sudden Water Release: Tiruvannamalai Residents Slam Govt’s Inadequate Flood Warnings

By
The Commune
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Sathanur Dam's Sudden Water Release: Tiruvannamalai Residents Slam Govt's Inadequate Flood Warnings

The sudden release of 1.8 lakh cusecs of water from the Sathanur Dam in Tiruvannamalai district late Sunday night caused severe flooding in villages along the Thenpennai river in Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts. While the Tamil Nadu government maintains that it followed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and issued timely alerts, on-ground reports highlight significant lapses in communication, leaving residents to fend for themselves in many cases.

https://twitter.com/Rajalakshmi2398/status/1864858741004439561

Residents of several affected villages, including Puthur Chekkadi, Rayandapuram, Thiruvathanur, and Kolamajanur, reported receiving either insufficient warnings or no alerts at all. Villagers told The New Indian Express (TNIE) that the lack of clear instructions and specific details about the potential flood levels caused chaos and preventable losses.

A resident of Puthur Chekkadi told TNIE that only a few villagers received SMS alerts from the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority, and those messages arrived late on Monday morning—after the flooding had already begun. The alert simply stated, “Water is being released from Sathanur Dam. People living on the banks of Thenpennai river are advised to move to safer places.”

The warnings that were issued often lacked critical details, such as the expected flood levels or specific instructions about evacuation to relief shelters.  

In certain areas, residents relied on personal networks and local announcements to understand the urgency of the situation, as official communication failed to reach them in time. The absence of clear instructions resulted in delayed evacuations, leaving people scrambling to protect their families and possessions during the worst of the flooding.  

The sudden flooding caused extensive damage to property and significant losses of livestock, which forms a primary source of livelihood for many families. Residents expressed frustration that earlier and clearer warnings could have helped them mitigate some of these losses, particularly the loss of cattle.  

Residents of Rayandapuram echoed similar grievances, stating that while warnings were issued between 25 November 2024 and 30 November 2024, they lacked specific details about the extent of flooding or instructions to move to designated relief shelters. Another resident added that despite experiencing heavy rains on Sunday, 1 December 2024, no one anticipated the release of such a massive quantity of water early Monday morning (2 December 2024).

In Thiruvathanur, residents relied on loudspeaker announcements from a local mosque to evacuate. Kolamajanur Panchayat residents and villagers in Arakandanallur, Devanur, and Thirukovilur in Villupuram district similarly complained of inadequate communication. In Thirukovilur, flood warnings were issued through vans equipped with loudspeakers that passed along main roads. Villages further from main roads reported missing out on mobile alerts and announcements made by vehicles equipped with loudspeakers. In some areas, warnings were issued several days before the release but were treated as routine during the monsoon season, leading to complacency among residents. Others received alerts on the day of the water release but without enough time to prepare or evacuate safely.  

Officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD) defended their actions, stating that alerts were issued as early as 25 November 2024. Regarding the massive water release on Monday, an Assistant Engineer at Sathanur Dam said the revenue department was informed by 2:30 AM on Monday, 2 December 2024.

Government officials followed all necessary protocols, including issuing early alerts to the revenue department. However, there were acknowledged gaps in ensuring this information reached every affected community.

Forest Minister K. Ponmudy attributed the damage to unprecedented rainfall, stating that the government took all possible precautions. Tiruvannamalai Collector D. Baskarapandian highlighted that timely evacuation efforts avoided loss of life, though material losses were substantial.

Residents noted that this was the worst flooding they had ever experienced, with elderly villagers comparing it to a similar disaster in the early 1970s.

The flooding has sparked political criticism, with questions about the adequacy of the state’s disaster management protocols and the effectiveness of communication systems.

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Nandini’s Whey-Based Idli-Dosa Batter Launch Postponed Indefinitely; Congress’ Favouritism Towards Minority-Owned Brands?

By
The Commune
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Nandini's Whey-Based Idli-Dosa Batter Launch Postponed Indefinitely; Congress' Favouritism Towards Minority-Owned Brands?

The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF)’s launch of idli and dosa batter under its flagship Nandini brand has been indefinitely delayed, fueling allegations of political interference and favouritism. Initially set to debut in Bengaluru—a market dominated by private players like iD Fresh Foods, Asal, and MTR—the product was intended to cater to the city’s demand for convenient breakfast options.

The unexpected transfer of KMF Managing Director MK Jagadish, who spearheaded the batter’s development, has raised questions about the project’s future. Known for his innovative strategies, Jagadish expanded Nandini’s footprint to Delhi, Dubai, and international markets while securing high-profile sponsorships for major sporting events like the Indian Super League and Pro Kabaddi tournaments. Under his leadership, the brand also resumed its ghee supply to Tirupati for the iconic Tirupati laddus.

Critics allege that the Congress-led Karnataka government, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, prioritized private interests over Nandini’s. They claim the delay benefits iD Fresh Foods, a Bengaluru-based company founded by P.C. Mustafa, a Forbes India-recognized entrepreneur. Allegations suggest this move is aimed at shielding established private brands owned by minorities from competition, raising concerns about political motives.

The whey-based idli-dosa batter, designed to appeal to Bengaluru’s working population, was set to launch in October 2024, later rescheduled to 26 November 2024, and is now postponed indefinitely. Packaged in a 900-gram pouch, it promised to make up to 18 idlis or 12–14 dosas, with plans for broader distribution based on its initial reception.

The delay has sparked a political storm, with opposition voices accusing the government of undermining the state-run cooperative. The sudden transfer of Jagadish has been cited as evidence of internal disagreements and deliberate efforts to derail the project, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters.

(With inputs from MoneyControl)

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Demographic Shift Revealed In UK Birth Certificates – Muhammad Tops UK’s Baby Name Charts

By
The Commune
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Demographic Shift Revealed In UK Birth Certificates - Muhammad Tops UK's Baby Name Charts

Muhammad claimed the top spot as the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales in 2023, overtaking Noah, who had previously held the position with over 4,600 registrations. The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed the trend, noting that Muhammad has consistently featured in the top 10 baby boys’ names since 2016.

The ONS treats different spellings of the same name as distinct entries, and alternative spellings like Mohammed and Mohammad also ranked within the top 100, further demonstrating the widespread popularity of the name. This indicates the dramatic shift in demography in the region. As of 2021, Muslims comprised 6.5% of the United Kingdom’s total population, amounting to near about four million individuals. London hosts the largest concentration of Muslims in the country, with 15% of the city’s residents identifying with the faith.

For baby girls, Olivia remained the most chosen name, followed by Amelia and Isla. These three names have dominated the top rankings since 2022.

Several names made their first appearance in the top 100 list for 2023. For girls, Lilah, Raya, and Hazel were among the newcomers, while boys’ names Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi debuted on the list.

Pop culture continued to influence baby naming trends, with names inspired by celebrities such as Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, and the Kardashian-Jenner family, including their children Reign and Saint. Influences from Hollywood also played a role, with names like Margot and Cillian gaining traction, likely linked to stars Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy.

Music was another significant influence, with names like Miley, Rihanna, Kendrick, and Elton becoming increasingly popular, possibly tied to recent album releases and prominent performances.

Seasonal names such as Autumn and Summer gained ground in 2023, with Autumn ranking 96th and Summer climbing to 86th, a notable rise compared to 2022 but still well below its peak in 2013. Names inspired by days of the week, including Sunday and Wednesday, also saw a boost.

The appeal of royal names continued to wane, with fewer parents choosing names like George, Archie, Harry, Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Charles. This decline reflects a broader trend observed in recent years.

The ONS report highlights how cultural and societal shifts influence naming preferences, with pop culture, seasons, and even weekdays playing a significant role in shaping the choices parents make for their children.

(With inputs from News18)

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