38 companies have applied for the PLI scheme for white goods (air conditioners and LED lights) in the third round, with a net committed investment of ₹4,121 crore, boosting local manufacturing.
The third round of the online application window ended on October 12 after being open for 90 days from July 15. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, about 43 per cent of the new applicants are in the MSME sector which shows the confidence among MSMEs to become part of the value chain of manufacturing of components of ACs and LED lights.
The scheme is expected to bring in investment in the component manufacturing ecosystem of the ACs and LED lights industry to the tune of ₹11,083 crore and generate about 80,486 direct employment.
The scheme is expected to lead to a total production of components of ACs and LEDs in India of about ₹1,81,975 crore. The applicants include eight existing beneficiaries of the PLI scheme for white goods (PLIWG), committing a net incremental investment of ₹1,285 crore.
Thirty new applicants have committed an investment of ₹2,836 crore proposing to manufacture varieties of critical components of ACs and LED lights across the country. “Manufacturing clusters are coming up at Noida-Greater Noida in UP, Neemrana and Bhiwadi in Rajasthan, Aurangabad-Pune in Maharashtra, Sanad, Gujarat and Sri City in Andhra Pradesh,” said the ministry.
Six AC manufacturers and 12 component manufacturers are in Sri City. Five additional foreign companies are investing ₹245 crore, apart from 15 existing companies investing ₹2,287 crore.
According to the ministry, as regards to the bifurcation between two segments of the PLIWG scheme — ACs and LED lights — 21 applicants have applied for manufacturing components of ACs with a committed investment of ₹3,679 crore and 18 applicants for components of LED lights with a committed investment of ₹442 crore.
Several applicants are vendors for large manufacturers such as Daikin, Voltas, Blue Star and LG Electronics in the ACs sector. Similarly, several applicants are suppliers of LED components for large LED lights manufacturers like Surya, Orient, Crompton Greaves, Signify, and Halonix etc.
–IANS
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
Popular Malayalam industry actress Mala Parvathy was the latest target of a now increasing cybercrime tactic where numerous people have been coned by a criminal gang who call up people, under the guise of being Maharashtra Police, and accuse them of involvement in a crime.
Paravathy told IANS that while she was shooting a film in Tamil Nadu on Sunday morning when she got a call from a person who introduced himself as a Maharashtra Police official and informed her that her Aadhaar card was used to send a packet containing passports, ATM cards, and even a packet containing drug MDMA.
“He said the packet was sent by a courier to Taiwan in my name using my Aadhaar card. The way the person was speaking, you will never ever feel that it was a con call. He was saying that since my Aadhaar card was being used, it’s a serious thing and he was saying that a complaint can be raised and he also sent his identity card. Then he said he would connect me to another official. He was also speaking very politely and asked me to come to Mumbai. I said it was not possible and then I gave the mobile to my colleagues. I was really shocked when they sent me a ‘CBI notice’ too,” the actress said.
“I spoke to an official of the Kerala Police explaining what had happened. He said the call is being made from a foreign country and it’s not easy to track them down,” added Mala Parvathy, who is now a very busy actress both in Malayalam and Tamil.
As Parvathy’s incident became news, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in reply to a question in the Assembly on numerous similar incidents like what happened to her, where many lost money when they were threatened with dire action if they didn’t pay up, said the Kerala Police is conducting an extensive social media campaign to educate people not to fall victim to online frauds.
“To ensure that innocent people don’t become victims of online cyber crimes, the Fin Eco System should be in place and for this, there should be a combined effort on the part of the Centre and the Reserve Bank of India. Moreover, the Cyber Wing of the Kerala Police has been expanded and there are Cyber Police stations working in every district now. A toll-free number 1930 is now functional and www.cybercrime.gov.in website also is there for people to register their complaints immediately,” Vijayan said.
–IANS
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
In a bizarre situation in Chennai, a DMK councillor in Velachery sent away fire and rescue personnel who arrived with boats after a distress call by expressing concerns that using the boats in the area could go viral on social media and attract negative attention.
The troubling incident in Velachery, Chennai, an area notorious for water stagnation due to its location over a lake bed, the monsoon rains since 15 October 2024, have caused significant flooding there. Velachery alone received 15 cm of rain, disrupting public life and flooding several interior roads, with water entering homes in some places. In response, fire and rescue personnel, along with the NDRF, were deployed to assist those in distress and help evacuate them to safety.
During this crisis, it is alleged that an elderly man made a distress call for assistance, prompting the arrival of rescue personnel in boats as water levels continued to rise. However, they were met with opposition from a local DMK councillor named Anand. He argued with the rescuers, questioning why they were bringing boats to the area. Despite the personnel explaining that they were responding to a distress call, the councillor insisted that their presence would lead to negative social media coverage, which he feared would tarnish the area’s reputation and him as its councillor.
Ultimately, he then ordered the personnel to leave and brought the elderly man from the boat back into the stagnant, polluted water. The councillor then arranged for a tractor to transport him and others to safety. This clash of egos at such a critical time has drawn widespread criticism, with netizens calling for action against the councillor for his irresponsible behavior.
Even as Chennai grapples with heavy rains, leading to significant waterlogging and road closures, Dravidianist scribes like Arvind Gunasekar praise the DMK government’s management efforts, claiming they had a successful response to the deluge. As Gunasekar lauds the administration’s “preparation,” many wonder if the media is genuinely reporting the situation or merely supporting the government’s claims.
Chennai recently experienced heavy rainfall, with certain areas reportedly recording heavy rains within 24 hours. While such a downpour is significant, some Dravidianists masquerading as journalists are trying to set a narrative that the state administration has successfully managed the deluge. One among them was Arvind Gunasekar who has made it his goal to laud the government for its “preparation” and “seamless coordination”, despite evidence on the ground suggesting that much of the city is still struggling with waterlogging, road closures, and inundated homes. In a post on his X handle, he wrote,“Some places in Chennai have recorded 25-30 cm rainfall in 24 hours. That’s huge. Unlike the previous years, administration was well prepared to handle the deluge this time. No big loss of life or habitat. Less places inundated compared to previous years. Though more needs to be done for the future of the city, due credits for the political executives too for their efforts and seamless coordination between various departments. ‘Chennai flooded’ should soon become a thing of past! People should not be scared of NEM anymore.”
Some places in Chennai have recorded 25-30 cm rainfall in 24 hours. That’s huge. Unlike the previous years, administration was well prepared to handle the deluge this time. No big loss of life or habitat. Less places inundated compared to previous years. Though more needs to be… https://t.co/JhQYnWVmB4
The enthusiastic praise directed toward the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK),raises questions about his integrity and whether “journalists” like him are objectively assessing the situation or overly supporting the administration’s claims of success. While Gunasekar and others have highlighted that the city has fared better than in previous years in terms of loss of life and property, the reality for many residents tells a different story.
Flooded Streets And Inundated Homes: A Different Picture Emerges
Despite claims of improvement, many areas in Chennai continue to face significant disruptions due to waterlogged streets and flooded residential neighborhoods. Residents in various localities have expressed frustration over stagnant water and traffic snarls that have persisted despite the government’s assurances of better preparedness. Video footage and images circulating on social media depict vehicles struggling to navigate submerged roads, and some homes have seen rainwater seep in, causing inconvenience and damage to property.
For those dealing with the consequences of flooding, the portrayal of the situation as a “success” story seems premature and disconnected from reality. The challenges faced by daily commuters and families affected by waterlogging suggest that there is still much to be done to address Chennai’s flood management issues. The effort to frame the administration’s response as a significant achievement, despite these persisting problems, has drawn criticism from some quarters.
The Role of Media: Boosting Government Image Or Reporting Facts?
Arvind Gunasekar’s recent comments praising the government’s efforts and coordination come at a time when many are questioning whether the media is adequately holding the administration accountable. While it is important to acknowledge any improvements in flood management, the unreserved praise for the government appears to downplay the legitimate concerns of those still facing the consequences of inadequate infrastructure and water management.
Statements like“Chennai flooded should soon become a thing of the past“may seem optimistic but can also be seen as an attempt to shift the focus away from the ground realities of poor drainage and insufficient urban planning. While the government may have indeed taken some steps to mitigate the impact of the rains, the suggestion that people “should not be scared of NEM anymore” appears overly reassuring, especially given that many localities remain vulnerable to even moderate rainfall.
Has Enough Been Done?
The DMK government has been claiming that it spent 4000 crores in making the stormwater drain system in the city first class, but the reality is a lot different. CMStalin’s constituency Kolathurcontinues to face the brunt of the rains along with areas like Velachery, Pallikaranai, Sholinganallur, etc.
The portrayal of the DMK government’s response as a resounding success raises questions about the standards being used to evaluate the administration’s performance. The fact remains that while the impact of the rains may have been less severe compared to certain past instances, attributing this to extraordinary governmental efforts without addressing underlying systemic issues does little to advance meaningful solutions.
Much of Chennai’s flood-related problems stem from chronic issues such as inadequate stormwater drainage systems, encroachment on natural water bodies, and unplanned urbanization.
The Dravidianist Face Of Arvind Gunasekar
Pretending to be an unbiased journalist, Arvind Gunasekar has time and again exposed his Dravidianist leanings over the years.
In August 2024, when the Kolkata rape and murder was hitting the headlines, Gunasekar downplayed the brutal rape and murder of the trainee doctor, despite substantial evidence pointing to the crime. While autopsy reports confirmed sexual assault and violent death, Gunasekar used the term “alleged” to describe the incident, casting doubt over its severity. It is noteworthy that Tamil news media did not bother to report this incident on their news channels, nor did they talk about any of the other rape incidents that occurred in the state.
CBI takes over investigation into alleged rape and mruder of a Doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
As per usual reporting practice, a case until proven in court of law, is always prefixed with ‘alleged’. You can even check the press releases of CBI in previous cases (CBI yet to issue a statement on this case). Check attachment 4. https://t.co/EVZ0tnIZ7Zpic.twitter.com/IchyhAn3Rx
He also posted a misleading post on his handle regarding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill passed in Uttarakhand. He shared an image of Schedule I from the UCC, highlighting prohibited relationships, and stated that marriages with an “Aunt/Uncle’s Daughter” would be restricted, implying this was a nationwide rule. However, in reality, many listed relationships are already prohibited under the Hindu Marriage Act and he forgot to mention the fact that the UCC applies only to Uttarakhand.
பொது சிவில் சட்டத்தின் கீழ் ‘அத்தை / மாமன் மகளை’ திருமணம் செய்துகொள்ள முடியாது.
He even defended a Times of India article by Julie Mariappan, which claimed that the central government was discriminating against Tamil Nadu in allocating National Disaster Response Funds (NDRF). The article suggested that funds were being directed only to BJP-ruled states, despite Tamil Nadu’s requests for assistance. Arvind attempted to justify the claims by citing a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release. However, a PIB release indicated that additional assistance was allocated for natural disasters occurring between May and October 2021, while TamilNadu’s heavy rains occurred in November and December, making the article’s claims misleading.
Centre approved additional Central assistance of 3,063.21 crore to six states ( Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and West Bengal) from the NDRF.
During the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, he even endorsed DMK candidate Ganapathy Rajkumar, describing him as a “calm and composed person” with a “proven administrative record” and a “Doctorate in Journalism”. However, Rajkumar’s Ph.D. was actually on the topic of “Emergence of Jayalalithaa as a Mass Leader,” not journalism. The doctoral thesis focused on assessing the leadership qualities of Jayalalithaa, a former AIADMK leader, through surveys in Tamil Nadu. Arvind’s endorsement faced criticism and mockery for inaccurately portraying the nature of Rajkumar’s degree and for endorsing a candidate with apparent political bias.
Ganapathy Rajkumar is a calm and composed person, with proven administrative record. He was the fifth Mayor of Coimbatore.
He also has a Doctorate in Journalism.
Ground situation of Coimbatore is way different from what’s being projected by National Media. https://t.co/6EEy0bmVZg
He also weighed in on the controversy surrounding AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi’s “Jai Palestine” slogan during his Lok Sabha oath. In a post (that was also shared by alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair), Gunasekar claimed that members of the opposition alliance, I.N.D.I.A, had opposed a BJP member’s “Jai Hindu Rashtra” remark during the oath-taking, suggesting it went against the principles of the Indian Constitution. His post appeared to shift the narrative towards criticizing the BJP while subtly defending Owaisi’s statement.
MPs from United Opposition, INDIA oppose “Jai Hindu Rashtra” remarks of a BJP member while taking oath as a MP on the floor of the house in Lok Sabha, stating the same to be against the principles of Constitution of India.
Like a true Dravidianist, he questioned the statement made by Karnataka BJP MP and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje who mentioned individuals trained in Tamil Nadu (Krishnagiri) coming here (Bangalore) engaged in bomb planting. Many like him criticised her statement but these criticisms seemed to lack an understanding of the context of Karandlaje’s speech and appear to be primarily aimed at fostering an anti-BJP sentiment in Tamil Nadu.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje says “people from Tamil Nadu come here, get trained there and plant bombs here. Placed bomb in cafe”.
What evidence does she have to accuse Tamilians of planting bombs in Karnataka ? pic.twitter.com/KdWI3vby2I
Hindu Munnani, has issued a statement expressing concern over recent incidents involving Islamist groups in Tamil Nadu. The statement highlights what the organization perceives as growing law and order issues linked to protests and gatherings by members of the Muslim community in the state.
They pointed to an incident in Arcot, Ranipet district, where thousands of individuals, reportedly affiliated with various political parties, gathered on behalf of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind to demand action against a person accused of making derogatory remarks against their religious beliefs. The group allegedly besieged the local police station, seeking to pressurize authorities to file a case. Hindu Munnani stated that such incidents threaten the state’s law enforcement capabilities.
The statement also recalled past instances of unrest, such as the gathering in Ampur a few years ago following the death of a Muslim man due to personal reasons. According to Hindu Munnani, thousands of people assembled and engaged in clashes with the police, including attacking the District Superintendent of Police and other officers on duty.
Additionally, the organization cited the attempted murder of a police officer named Vijayakumar, who reportedly suffered over 90 stitches following a stabbing attack. Hindu Munnani used these incidents to underscore what it views as a pattern of threats and violence directed at law enforcement by members of the Muslim community.
Recent incidents were also mentioned, including a protest organized by the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) targeting tollgate operations. During the protest, some participants were alleged to have vandalized toll booths and attacked employees, further exacerbating tensions in the region.
In its statement, Hindu Munnani called for a firm response from law enforcement to prevent such incidents from recurring. It urged authorities to “crack down with an iron fist” on activities perceived as an effort to intimidate the general public and police personnel. The organization also demanded appropriate action against the Jamait Ulama group and others involved in the Arcot police station incident.
Hindu Munnani’s statement has added to ongoing discussions about law and order in Tamil Nadu, with various groups and political parties holding differing views on how best to address tensions arising from religious and communal issues in the state. Law enforcement agencies have not yet commented on the demands made by the organization.
Subscribe to our channels onTelegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
The Chennai rainfall of 2024 have starkly highlighted the inefficiencies of the Dravidian model in managing flooding and inundation in the capital city. In response, DMK spokespersons and their alliance partners are struggling to address media and public inquiries. Once again, the DMK and its leaders are deflecting criticism by questioning the actions of the previous administration, despite having been in power for three years and spending around five thousand crores on stormwater drainage and silt management in the city during 2023-24.
In a recent Tamil news media debate regarding whether Chennai will escape from the regular fate of rainfall flooding, the DMK and its ally Congress’s spokespersons had a very hard time as the host kept pressing them with the questions. The ruling DMK’s spokesperson deflected the question and resorted to angrily expressing his views while the Congress went one step ahead to buttress that it was the people’s fault to buy houses constructed on what used to be lakes.
The debate began with a panel member explaining the recent monsoon rains and data related to Chennai rainfall observations. It then shifted to a PMK member from the opposition, who criticized the DMK for failing to take meaningful action, accusing them of only making empty statements. The host then turned to DMK spokesperson Saravanan, who started off calmly but grew increasingly agitated as the host pressed him on what concrete steps the party had taken. In a slip of the tongue, he acknowledged that some work was still pending, leading him to respond angrily rather than directly addressing the question.
The host pointed out that the PMK panel member questioned why, if the DMK had taken appropriate steps, there was a need to visit affected areas and console the public. In response, the DMK spokesperson deflected it as if they had only recently formed the government and blamed the previous AIADMK regime, stating,“Yeah, that was a good question. To whom should all these questions have been asked means is their former ally, the AIADMK, Idon’t know now they are an ally or not. To whom should all these questions be asked means their erstwhile partner, Idon’t know if they are still allies or not. They should have asked the AIADMK. They were in power from 2011-2021, after2015 this is the trend, we know that this is how rain is going to fall, unprecedented rain, andclimate change. In 2015 they said they spent 6000 crore rupees, and 1000 crore rupees spent in Chennai alone EPS campaigned.”
The host intervened, pointing out that DMK spokesperson Saravanan was defending his party without logical support, stating, “Sir, you have spent 4,000 crores.“Despite this, Saravanan continued to defend his position, claiming that out of the 1,101 km recommended by the Thiruppugazh Committee for rainwater drainage, they had completed 836 km in two years. Hearing this absurd statement, the host challenged his logic, asking, “Sir, how many areas have been inundated? I acknowledge that you’ve completed the 800 km, and I won’t question those statistics and doubt it, but why is there still water stagnating?”
In response, Saravanan attributed his party’s inefficiencies to climate factors, explaining that the capital wasn’t flooded in 2022 due to regular monsoon rains but in 2023, there was 50 cm of rain within two days, Then he stated currently out of 44 km of rainwater drainage, 30 km had been completed, with only a few still pending. He also criticized the ongoing CMRL infrastructure works for contributing to the problem.
When Saravanan argued that CMRL was also a contributing factor, the host questioned whether the inundation in Palikaranai was due to CMRL’s work. Saravanan responded that the area is low-lying, to which the host countered, “We’ve been saying this for 10years, and even discussed it last year. Isn’t there a viable plan to address this?” A visibly angry Saravanan then asked the host if he expected the rain to disappear in a short time, emphasizing that it takes time to manage such issues.
When the DMK spokesperson blamed climate and nature in Chennai for the rainfall flooding, their ally, Congress spokesperson Trichy Velusamy, took it a step further by blaming the citizens for building houses on lakebeds. Velusamy began by stating that humans are the main reason for the flooding, as they have obstructed the natural pathways for water to flow to the sea. He asked,“You’ve questioned what residents of Chennai can do when rainwater enters their homes. I’m asking you, in Chennai’s Maduravoyil, there’s a place called Erikarai bus stand if you look for a lake there, you won’t find one. There’s Lake View Avenue, but you wouldn’t even know where the lake is, there is Kullakarai Salai buthas no pond, and Velachery is a lake right, you’ve constructed houses on the waterbeds...”
The host, frustrated by the Congress spokesperson’s unreasonable defense, questioned, “Who did the construction there? Did I build the house by myself? Didn’t the government grant permission? Did they not provide EB connections?” However, the Congress spokesperson continued unabatedly, saying,“There is no point in blaming the government if you don’t care about yourself.“then he asked, “Liquor shops are everywhere in the town will you drink it? but I won’t drink because I should protect my health right like that we should make a good decision.” He asserted that the people are the government, and until they make a change, nothing will improve.
(Thiruppugazh Committee recommended reforms to the regulatory framework, emphasizing the need for improved monitoring of climate change-induced flooding and a strengthened techno-legal regime to enhance flood management in Chennai)
Subscribe to our channels onTelegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
As though he has been appointed the official weatherman of the state, Sun News carried a news card carrying the information that self-proclaimed, freelance weather blogger TamilNadu Weatherman, Pradeep John, explaining the reason for rainwater stagnation in Chennai following heavy rains. The news card read, “The total rainfall that Chennai receives drains only through four channels (Ennore, Napier, Adyar, Okkyam via Kovalam). Chennai can withstand 15 cm of rain. If it rains 20 cm, water will accumulate for a day. If there is 30 cm of rain, the areas near water bodies like Pallikaranai, Pulianthoppu, andMudichur will definitely get stagnant. If it rains 40 cm, we are in an environment where water will remain for 4 days. Rainwater drains are laid for roads. Drainage cannot be constructed for rainfall of 40 cm. It is important to understand the context of our area and be proactive. -Pradeep John, private meteorologist”
This he had said in an interview with a YouTube channel. If we listen to the entire interview, it would sound as if he is justifying the stagnation and covering up the failures of the DMK government.
Justifying Flooding & Stagnation
In an interview with Galatta, he says, “We can withstand and manage rain up to 15cm. We can manage somewhat when we receive 20cm of rainfall. Yes, water will stagnate for a day, if we receive 30cm of rain, surely the localities like Pallikaranai marshlands, Pulianthope, Mudichur, Paruthipattu, Thiruverkadu, Mugalivakkam, will see stagnation – all these places have water bodies near them. If we receive 40cm of rain, we will surely see water stagnating for 4 days because we know we have those problems.”
Weatherman gives the best possible solution for Chennai Rains
— Indhavaainko (இந்தாவாய்ங்கோ) 👊 (@indhavaainko) October 15, 2024
He also said, “People are expecting rainwater to drain out immediately after it stops raining. It doesn’t happen even in developed countries. If you look at intense rains, about 50-60mm rains fall within 30-40 minutes. I have already mentioned that ours is a flat surface. We cannot compare with Delhi, Mumbai or Hyderabad.If you observe from the TNagar area to the beach, it is very flat. So it takes time for water to drain out. There will be 1-2 hours of stagnation. We cannot call it flooding by any definition. If we receive 150mm of rain, water will stagnate for 6 hours surely. And if we receive more than 200mm, the water will stagnate for a day. Stormwater drains are laid for roads. We cannot lay SWD for cyclones like Michaung where we received 400mm rain. In that case, we have to dig up the roads and make it a drain. That is not feasible. We cannot make SWDs for heavy rains that come once in 100 years.”
Had this been the case all along, the question arises as to why the government did not take appropriate measures to handle the situation better beforehand. It is also not clear as to what qualifications a “freelance weather blogger” watching rains for a hobby say such “facts” which is held up as “gospel truth” by DMK’s mouthpieces like Sun News.
It is noteworthy that Pradeep John has been giving interviews to media channels as well as YouTube channels over the past few days/weeks continuously as if he is building up his image profile.
In an interview with Karthigaichelvan of News18 Tamil in what seemed like a scripted interview, it was seen that whenever Pradeep John misspoke, Karthigaichelvan strategically intervened to change the topic or redirect attention to his team member, Srikanth. Dravidianist journalist Karthigaichelvan aimed to showcase Pradeep John and his team’s predictions as accurate. His questioning technique and hints at specific answers indicated a calculated approach throughout the discussion. For instance, he asked how they accessed their data, then paused briefly before emphasizing that their predictions had indeed been proven correct, so that they may answer to that accordingly.
Later establishing narrative for some time about their background as significant predictors, Karthigaichelvan shifted to direct accusations against the IMD. He questioned when the IMD could fail how Pradeep John and his team managed to make accurate predictions. Karthigaichelvan remarked, “As far as I can see there is a lot of negativity in the digital world but in that you all have relatively positive response and I think people like you to that extent.” He then questioned another weatherman, Srikanth, asking, “Everyone has a view that how can private weatherman predict exactly. How is that possible, when you are also taking the data from IMD and predict, when they (IMD) can’t?”
In response, Srikanth explained that when data is provided in a generic form, it can lead to inaccuracies. He stated that the IMD needs to offer comprehensive data for all of Tamil Nadu, rather than just general information. He emphasized that there are many factors to consider. He added that while he or Pradeep might rely on intuition, the government cannot afford to use intuition at an official level.
During the interview, Pradeep also echoed the DMK’s narrative regarding the recent tragedy at the IAF Marina Air Show, attributing the loss of lives to humidity. He seemed to blame the people for not taking enough water with them and not staying hydrated throught the event. This indirectly downplayed the acknowledged inefficiencies and mismanagement by the event organizers.
Later, Pradeep John addressed the perception that he was favoring the ruling government, clarifying that his focus was solely on serving the citizens, not supporting any political party. Karthigaichelvan reinforced this, stating that such branding is intended to undermine their work, urging Pradeep to disregard these claims and continue his efforts. Pradeep John said, “This has severe political sensitivity. If we post a comment like this, the branding that comes with it is very difficult. (They say) he is favoring them, for that government, but it is not like that. Our idea is whoever comes to power, we should work closely with them, benefit the people, and give as much as possible.”
When Pradeep attempted to clarify that they did not undermine the IMD, Karthigaichelvan quickly interrupted, complimenting his work as the testament will contradict their agenda, opined, “Generally, branding is an attempt to curtail your activities, so you don’t have to worry about it. There is big branding for you among people.”
For all the hype that is given to Pradeep John, what were his actual predictions like?
Weather Blogger Pradeep John’s Fudged Data During 2023 Floods
During the Michaung Cyclone that caused significant devastation to residents of Chennai, leading to widespread flooding across the city, the private weather blogger Pradeep John appeared at a press meeting with DMK ministers, where he manipulated the 36-hour rainfall data by comparing it to 24-hour data, claiming that the current administration is performing better. It’s important to note that Pradeep rose to prominence during the 2015 floods.
An evangelist rascal has been brought in to predict weather , the chap manipulated 36 hours rain with 24 hours rain and justifies that the present establishment is better. The fact is the rain that came in 2015 was much more than what has poured now in 2023 and the response…
In reality, the city was inundated like no other. Areas that had never been flooded even during the 2015 floods like Annanagar, Madambakkam etc which do not flood during the monsoon season, were all inundated and water had entered most of the ground floor homes by 4 December 2023. Kollywood actor Vishal who took to social media platform X shared his plight from his Annanagar home. He said, “During such rains, we all know what will happen and is happening. First, they switch off the power, then waterlogging starts on the streets and then it enters homes. I am in Annanagar and water has entered my home. If this is the state of Annanagar, then imagine how it will be in low-lying areas. In 2015, we were able to help others as much as possible, but after 8 years, the situation is even worse. They announced a stormwater drain project, I am not able to find anything related to that – when was it started, when did they finish it, I have no idea. This is a request as a voter in the state, all MLAs from Chennai, please come out of your homes and have a look at the city and do whatever your constituency needs. This is not a political remark, this is a remark against the waterlogging problem. Even for a small rain, water gets logged in T Nagar but this time the entire city is waterlogged, and it is a disgusting and embarrassing situation we are in. Please take immediate measures for resolving this.”
“2021 Rains Were Heaviest Since 2015”
In 2021, when the DMK government had just come to power, it was peddled that Chennai, along with 11 other districts, received more than 20 cm of rain. This stage was set by Pradeep John on his weather blog and the same narrative was carried out in 2023 floods as well.
Despite Pradeep John claiming that he worked equally with both the Dravidian governments over the years with respect to weather predictions, it is clearly seen that he buttresses the DMK unfailingly.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
DMK MP Kanimozhi launched a fierce criticism of the BJP and RSS, pledging to establish a “BJP and RSS-free Bharat” during an event organized by the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) on 14 October 2024. She condemned the BJP and its ideological counterpart, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for promoting “hate politics.”
Kanimozhi, the sister of DMK Chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, did not hold back in her remarks, accusing these organizations of fostering division and animosity across the nation. “We will create a BJP and RSS-free Bharat,” she declared to an enthusiastic crowd. She further stated, “I want to tell the BJP in Tamil Nadu that they have no place here, as demonstrated in the last elections,” referencing the substantial losses the BJP faced in both the 2021 state assembly elections and the 2024 general elections.
The gathering, attended by senior Congress leaders and allies, aimed to denounce the divisive strategies allegedly promoted by the BJP and RSS. Kanimozhi highlighted the opposition’s resolve to combat these forces, characterizing the BJP and RSS as entities fixated on power and willing to exploit religion for political ends. “They are planting the seeds of hatred every day, and we must work tirelessly to uproot them,” she stressed, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to challenge their ideology.
She heaped praise on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him the only “fearless person” who is standing up to the BJP and RSS. According to Kanimozhi, Gandhi’s “Bharat Jodo Yatra” exemplifies love-based politics as a counter to what she described as the “hate politics” of the BJP-RSS. “If there is a fearless person today, it is Rahul Gandhi. He is spreading love to counter the hate politics of both BJP and RSS in the country,” she stated.
During her address, Kanimozhi criticized the BJP’s approach to religious politics, claiming they are insincere in their representation of Hinduism. “Those on this stage advocate for harmony-based politics. The BJP and RSS lack genuine faith; it’s all about securing votes,” she asserted. She highlighted that the DMK, influenced by E.V. Ramasamy, honors all religions and stands for social justice. “We uphold Periyar’s principles of social justice and are prepared to defend them,” she said, portraying the DMK as a secular and egalitarian force.
Kanimozhi also targeted the BJP’s opposition to practices like beef consumption, calling it another instance of their “hollow” and “fake” politics. She criticized the party for leveraging religion for political advantage, stating, “They oppose beef eating, but their motivations are purely political.”
In a pointed challenge to the RSS and BJP, she questioned their contributions to Hinduism: “What have they done for Hindus over the years? Can they provide any evidence to support their claims?” This highlighted the disparity between the BJP’s religious rhetoric and their actions.
Kanimozhi recounted an incident involving Rahul Gandhi and former Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, who allegedly insulted Gandhi by calling him a “casteless person” after he called for a caste census. Initially perplexed by the remark, she later recognized it as an insult but praised Gandhi’s response, remarking, “When I heard Rahul say, ‘Yes, I am casteless,’ I was unsure whether I was hearing a Congressman or a follower of Periyar.”
The Thoothukudi MP also commented on last year’s controversy surrounding the G20 summit dinner invitations, which referred to the “President of Bharat” instead of the “President of India.” At that time, Kanimozhi questioned whether the RSS was behind the initiative to rename the country, criticizing it as politically motivated. “Is the RSS dictating the agenda for the entire nation? Why has the name ‘Bharat’ suddenly come into play? What is the underlying motive?” she inquired.
Her remarks come amid speculation that she may feel sidelined within the DMK’s internal power structure. There are rumors suggesting her discontent with her nephew, Udhayanidhi Stalin, being appointed as Deputy Chief Minister a role she might have desired. As she appears to be shifting her focus to national politics, some view her outspoken opposition to the BJP as a strategic move to garner support within the opposition alliance and enhance her political profile. However, critics argue that she lacks the clout to sway DMK legislators or challenge Udhayanidhi’s rising prominence in the party.
The DMK government’s Fact-Checking Unit found itself in an embarrassing place when Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin contradicted their rebuttal to PMK founder Dr. Ramadoss’ claim about rainfall in Chennai, highlighting discrepancies in reported data amid ongoing concerns over waterlogging in the city.
DMK Fact-Checking Claims
The DMK government’s fact-checking unit (FCU) seems to be proving every single day that they are a supreme waste of public money. In fact, in this instance, their own minister unknowingly fact-checked the fact-checking unit’s claims!
It all began when Pattali Makkal Katchi founder Dr S Ramadoss made a post on his X handle regarding the heavy rains and how the people had lost faith in the ruling DMK government. He wrote, “6 cm of rain causes waterlogging in many places: Government of Tamil Nadu against Chennai Corporation People of Chennai have lost faith! In the 24 hours that ended at 8.00 am today in Chennai, only 6 cm of rain fell, and the city of Chennai could not bear the same. In many parts of the city of Chennai, rain water is stagnant in addition to the height of one foot. Water has entered the houses in many places. The results of 6 cm of rain show that flood prevention works including rainwater drainage carried out by the Tamil Nadu government and the Chennai Municipal Corporation in Chennaiare not effective enough. So what will happen to Chennai if it rains 20 cm? The fear has increased. It is not enough to advertise in vain with the help of the media that the rainwater drainage works in Chennai are 90% complete and 95% complete. Actual acreage should be shown in fieldwork. If it had been shown in this way, 6 cm of rain would not have caused waterlogging in many places in Chennai. The people should have faith that the government that governs us will protect us, no matter what dangers or calamities come. The fact that the people of Chennai and its surrounding areas do not have that faith in the government shows that the people are stopping their merry-go-rounds at Velachery Bridge and Pallikaranai Bridge. Not a single one of the people who stopped drinking said that rainwater will not stagnate in their areas due to the measures taken by the Tamil Nadu government. It doesn’t matter if the police impose thousands of fines on the contrary; Their disbelief in the government has been shown by saying that they will stop our fun at the bridge. It is true that parking vehicles on bridges slows down traffic. However, no one objected to the stoppingof floats at Velachery and Pallikarana Bridges.It means that the people have understood the manipulativeness of the Tamil Nadu Government and the Chennai Corporation.In the beginning, the Chennai Metropolitan Police, who threatened to remove the rickshaws by threatening and fining them, fearing the public’s opposition, have now retorted that we have not fined the rickshaws parked on the bridges. Therefore, the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Chennai Corporation should avoid indulging in vain advertisements and do fieldwork to create a situation where flood water does not stagnate in Chennai, no matter how much rain it rains. We need to gain the trust of the people to believe that this is the government that will protect us.”
6 செ.மீ மழைக்கே பல இடங்களில் தண்ணீர் தேக்கம்: தமிழக அரசு, சென்னை மாநகராட்சி மீது சென்னை மக்கள் நம்பிக்கை இழந்து விட்டனர்!
சென்னையில் இன்று காலை 8.00 மணியுடன் முடிவடைந்த 24 மணி நேரத்தில் அதிகபட்சமாக 6 செ.மீ அளவுக்கு மட்டுமே மழை பொழிந்துள்ள நிலையில், அதையே சென்னை மாநகரத்தால்…
In response to this, the FCU claimed that Chennai did not receive only 6 cm of rainfall. They wrote an elaborate post stating, “Misinformation being spread that only 6 cm of rain has fallen in Chennai! “Chennai received a maximum of 6 cm of rain in the 24 hours that ended at 8:00 am today, and the city of Chennai could not bear it,” Ramadoss, the founder of PMK, posted on social media. What is the truth? This is incorrect information.
In Chennai from 8.30 AM yesterday (14.10.2024) to 8.30 am today (15.10.2024) maximum 10 cm rain in Ennoor, 9 cm rain in Manali, Tiruvik Nagar, Ponneri, Royapuram, Kolathur, District Collectorate, Kodambakkam, Ambattur, Sholinganallur and Teynampet areas have also received 8 cm of rain, according to the India Meteorological Department. Don’t spread false information!”
This was when Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin unknowingly fact-checked their own FCU. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Since yesterday, around 5cm average rainfall has been recorded in Chennai in the last 24 hours. Things are very much under control. Highest rainfall has been recorded at Sholinganallur and Teynampet areas – around 6cm and the lowest in Tondaiarpet – around 2.8cm—no power cut was encountered in any areas in Chennai. Tree falling has been reported in around 8 areas and the team is already on duty to clear it. All the trees will be cleared in approximately 1-1.5 hours after the rain has stopped. 26 teams from NDRF and SDRF have been readily positioned in Chennai and all the coastal areas. Out of 22 subways in Chennai, 2 subways have been floodedand traffic has been closed. The pumping motors are ready andthe draining will be done as soon as the rain settles for at least 30-45 minutes. Water stagnation has been reported in 300 locations and pumping work is in progress. Apart from all the above, calls received in the call centre are also being regularly attended by the GCC control centre. Around 1500 calls have been attended to andreceived since yesterday. Solution has been given for 600 of those calls by GCC. TN special health camp for rainy season has been started in 1000 locations all over TN and around 100 health camps have been started in Chennai alone by the concerned department.”
உங்க துணை முதல்வர் @Udhaystalin யும் சராசரியாக 5 செ.மீ , அதிகபட்சமாக கடந்த 24 மணி நேரத்தில் 6 செ.மீ என்று தான் சொல்கிறார்.
ஆனால் @tn_factcheck , ஏலம் விடுவது போல் 10 , 9, 8 செ. மீ என்று சொல்லி, @drramadoss அய்யா சொன்னது தப்பு னு சொல்லுது!
The claim made by the FCU did not match Udhayanidhi Stalin’s statement because they were focusing on the individual rainfall measurements instead of the average rainfall that Dr Ramadoss had mentioned.
Subscribe to our Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram channels and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
In a surprising turn of events, the Kanyakumari District All Minority Federation (KKMF) has commended the AIADMK and its General Secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, for removing MLA and senior member Thalavai N. Sundaram from all party positions. This action was taken due to Sundaram’s participation in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) rally, which he flagged off in Kanyakumari last week.
KKMF, led by General Secretary A Meeran Mydeen, expressed their support through a special appreciation letter, passing a resolution favoring the AIADMK decision to dismiss Sundaram from his roles as organizing secretary and Kanyakumari East district secretary on 12 October 2024.
The letter states that the participation of AIADMK’s Kanyakumari MLA and East District Secretary in the RSS rally, which he flagged off, has hurt the sentiments of the minority community. It praises General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for recognizing these sentiments and making the bold decision to remove Thalavai N. Sundaram from all party positions. The Kanyakumari District All Minority Federation welcomes this military-like discipline within the party and expresses heartfelt gratitude through a resolution and an appreciation letter sent to EPS to showcase their support.
Subscribe to our Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram channels and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
