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After Residents, NGOs Come Out In Support Of Dharavi Redevelopment Survey

After the massive support of Dharavi residents for an ongoing state government survey for the $3 billion redevelopment project, several NGOs working in the world’s largest slum have also pledged their support.

At least eight NGOs and citizen welfare associations met Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) CEO S.V.R. Srinivas and extended their support to the state-government-led survey conducted in the area.

The NGOs also wrote to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA), overseeing the redevelopment project being executed by the Adani Group, extending their support for the survey.

In their letters, NGOs like Global Giving Foundation and All India Police Jan Seva Sangathna asked questions like the period of free flat maintenance to rehabilitate the Dharavi citizens.

The Enlighten Foundation said in its letter that the residents and the commercial premises owners are not against the project or the survey, which is “opposed only by a handful of people who are against redevelopment and have vested interests“.

The survey aims to collect data from lakhs of residents to help the state government determine their eligibility criteria to aid rehabilitation under the proposed redevelopment project.

The survey began on March 18 and has completed over 11,000 tenements via door-to-door visits.

The Thevar Samajam, which represents the largest Tamil community in Dharavi, said: “We reiterate our support to you and DRP and would like to state that we are a part of the project and redevelopment and would like to be part of the history.

The survey is being spearheaded by the DRP/SRA of the state government along with the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between the Government of Maharashtra and the Adani Group. Dharavi’s geographical area is just over 2.39 square km in size.

According to the Adani Group, the redevelopment project in Dharavi will provide dignity of living to over one million residents and build an unmatched ecosystem of sustainable living and innovation in the heart of Mumbai.

The government launched the redevelopment of Asia’s largest slum to help improve its residents’ standard of living. Under the redevelopment project, the tenement holders will be provided with 350 square feet of housing, which is 17 percent more than any other SRA scheme in Mumbai.

This story is based on an IANS-syndicated feed.

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YouTuber Promoted By US Embassy Makes Sexist Remarks Against Woman BJP MP Kangana Ranaut

Amidst the ongoing threats of rape and violence directed at actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over her comments regarding rapes during the farmers’ protest, YouTuber Akash Banerjee, known for his left-leaning commentary on his YouTube channel ‘DeshBhakt,’ resorted to sharing sexist remarks in his attacks on her.

His only claim to fame is peddling false narratives and disseminating fake news to his followers.

On August 28th, Banerjee, who was recently promoted by the US Embassy in India for their ‘Influence to Impact’ event, posted an old video on X showing Kangana Ranaut dancing at a party. However, instead of making a relevant critique, he revealed his misogynistic views by asking, “What is the name of the dance that #KanganaRanaut is performing?”

In another instance of his sexist outlook, The YouTuber shared a different old video of Kangana Ranaut from an advertising event, making a derogatory comment about the actress, who appeared to be in a playful mood in the clip.

He drew an inappropriate comparison between the BJP reprimanding Kangana for her remarks and getting ‘whipped,’ stating, “From being whipped for fun in parties, To being whipped seriously from her own Party. #KanganaRanaut has had an exciting journey.”

Rather than addressing the serious issue raised by Kangana, Banerjee and his ilk engage in character assassination strategy. It is a common tactic in the left-liberal ecosystem, where personal or irrelevant aspects of an individual’s life are used to discredit them. Sharing old videos of the BJP MP is a blatant attempt to diminish her as an individual and undermine her message.

As previously reported, Kangana has been receiving threats of violence and sexual assault. By mocking her and attacking her character, individuals like Banerjee are indirectly inciting the severe online harassment she is subjected to. Following Banerjee’s post, numerous social media users have shared the same videos accompanied by sexist remarks.

Ironically, the US Embassy in India chose Banerjee, who has demonstrated misogynistic behaviour, as a change-maker to teach Indian youth how to ‘harness the power of social media’ and become active citizens. Figures like Banerjee are more likely to promote misogyny as a tool against women who voice uncomfortable truths than to inspire meaningful change or active citizenship.

It is, however, not surprising that the YouTuber made sexist and derogatory comments targeting Kangana Ranaut, given that he previously trivialized the horrific experiences of rape victim Nirbhaya to make a political point against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

In 2021, in an attempt to use ‘eminent intellectual’ Pratap Bhanu Mehta’s resignation as a means to criticize the Modi Government, Banerjee compared the event to the brutal rape of Nirbhaya, calling it academia’s ‘Nirbhaya moment.’ This comparison effectively downplayed the severity of Nirbhaya’s suffering.

Despite the backlash on social media for his remarks against Kangana, Banerjee unapologetically defended his posts, sarcastically claiming that he would seek coaching from the BJP IT Cell, Kangana, and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh on how not to be misogynistic and how to ensure women’s workplace safety. Cleverly, Banerjee diverted the issue into a debate between the BJP IT Cell and his supporters, ignoring the fact that it centers on the character assassination of a woman by her ideological opponents.

 

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Malayalam Actor Jayasurya Rejects Sexual Abuse Allegations, To Take Legal Action

Rejecting the sexual abuse allegations against him, famous Malayalam actor Jayasurya on Sunday said that he would take legal action on the issue.

In a statement released to the media from the US, the actor said that the allegations have shattered him and his family. The actor in the statement said, “Due to my commitments, I have been in the US for the past month, and during this time, two false allegations on the grounds of sexual harassment were made against me. Quite naturally, it has shattered me, my family and everyone who has held me close.

He also said that false allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience. Jayasurya said, “I only hope one realises that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself.

The actor added that a lie always spreads faster than the truth but that truth would always prevail. The actor said he would be back in Kerala as soon as his commitments in the US were over and that his legal team would take up the matter to prove his innocence. He also said that he had complete faith in the judicial system.

After the report of the Hema committee that studied the sexual allegations against women in the Malayalam movie industry came out, many women actors have alleged sexual assault by actors and directors of Malayalam cinema. FIRs were registered against Malayalam actor and CPI(M) legislator Mukesh, Siddik, Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu and Jayasurya.

The Police have registered two FIRs against director Ranjith, one on a complaint by a popular Bengali woman actor that the director made sexual advances towards her and another FIR on a complaint by a young man that he was subjected to unnatural sex by Ranjith in a five-star hotel at Bengaluru. Police also registered an FIR against popular Malayalam director and ad filmmaker VK Prakash.

In a startling revelation, Tamil actor and BJP leader Raadhika Sarathkumar has charged that hidden cameras were installed in caravans on movie sets where women actors changed their clothes. Speaking to a Malayalam news channel, Raadhika said that men, including actors and technicians, watched these recordings on movie sets in groups.

–IANS

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49 Minority Teachers Forced To Resign In Bangladesh Reveals Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad

Leaked Telegram Messages Reveal Islamist Agenda Against Bangladeshi Hindus.

In the weeks following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, at least 49 teachers from minority communities were forced to resign, according to local media reports.

The Bangladesh Chhatra Oikya Parishad, the student wing of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, disclosed this information during a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday, as reported by The Daily Star.

Sajib Sarkar, the coordinator of the organisation, stated that since the fall of the Hasina-led government, religious and ethnic minorities have been subjected to a wave of violence.

This has included attacks, looting, assaults on women, the vandalism of temples, arson attacks on homes and businesses, and even killings, he said.

Sarkar further revealed that minority teachers across Bangladesh have faced physical assaults, leading to the forced resignation of at least 49 teachers by August 30.

However, 19 of those teachers have since been reinstated, he added. Sheikh Hasina’s government was forced to step down last month after violent student-led anti-quota protests resulted in the deaths of over 400 people.

On 5 August 2024, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council published a report. This report details a series of attacks on Hindu temples, homes, and businesses across the country amid ongoing political unrest.

On the other hand, the Dhaka Tribune, Editor Zafar Sobhan downplayed the persecution faced by the Hindu community in Bangladesh since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Sobhan’s piece paints a picture of a peaceful, democratic movement in Bangladesh, emphasising the role of “committed, conscientious patriots” who are supposedly far from being Islamists or militants. 

Far-left British propaganda media outlet British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) seems to be downplaying the severity of attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus through selective fact-checking and shifting blame onto India’s pro-Hindu voices. It accused Indian netizens of fear-mongering while justifying the violence in Bangladesh as a consequence of political tensions rather than religious animosity.

Last month, while Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh, after taking the oath, said that he would “uphold, support and protect the constitution and will perform duties sincerely”, there was a massive outbreak of violence in the country after Hasina left Dhaka with goons creating huge unrest and targetting Hindus, their homes and places of worship.

The Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajot (BJHM), a grand national alliance of 23 religious organisations in the country, said that Hindu families have faced violence and vandalism at as many as 278 locations across 48 districts of the nation since August 5.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reiterated India’s support for Bangladesh’s stability and development. He said, “In the coming days, we will always wish well for Bangladesh’s ‘Vikas Yatra’ (journey of development) because we are the well-wishers of humankind.”

This story is based on an IANS-syndicated feed.

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Dravidian Model “Formula 4” Race: Traffic Chase, Drivers In A Daze, Journos In A Maze, FIA License Haze

The DMK scion’s much-publicized pet project, the “Formula 4” night race event in the state capital, appears to be falling apart; all the carefully constructed narrative begins to unravel. Despite the Dravidian stocks ‘vrooming’ on social media that this was Asia’s first night race, the event has been plagued by issues. At the scheduled time, ticket holders arrived at the venue, and media personnel were present, but no racers were in sight. The situation in the city has left many wondering what’s going on.

With the event in disarray, the vroomers can’t blame the BJP for the situation and are scrambling to explain the delay. It appears that everything associated with the race is turning out to be bogus.

No Recognition From FIA

The Madras High Court has agreed to hold a special session on 31 August 2024 to review a request from Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL) seeking an extension of the 12-noon deadline set by the court the day before. This extension is requested to obtain the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) homologation certificate required for the F4 night street car race event scheduled in Chennai for 1 September 2024.

Acting Chief Justice D. Krishnakumar has directed that a special Division Bench, consisting of Justices R. Sureshkumar and P.B. Balaji, be constituted to address the plea. RPPL, represented by senior counsel P.R. Raman, is asking for the deadline to be extended to 6 p.m. to complete necessary adjustments to a specific corner of the race track, as recommended by the FIA.

The RPPL has indicated that the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) will issue the FIA certificate for the race by 6 p.m. It attributed the delay to the novelty of hosting such an event in Chennai and unexpected rainfall on 30 August 2024. Still, there is no news from the FMSCI.

Sportstar said the practice session was delayed because the track was unprepared. In an official statement, the organizers announced, “We regret to inform our fans that due to technical issues, there will be a delay in today’s activities at the Indian Racing Festival in Chennai. We understand the anticipation and excitement, and we are working diligently to resolve the issues. We appreciate your patience and will provide an updated schedule by 5 p.m.”

Sources suggest that officials are currently addressing issues with turns 10 and 19, which have not yet been cleared by the FIA, causing a delay in issuing the necessary certification to the organizers.

The judges emphasized that the Formula 4 race should not proceed if the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), the event’s license holders, do not secure the FIA certificate within the court’s specified timeframe. This ruling jeopardizes the DMK’s ambitious project.

For now, a provisional license has been issued for hosting the race event and the qualifying sessions have been pushed to 1 September 2024.

Track Not Prepared For Race Event

DT Next reported that top drivers, including Nikhil Bohra, Jon Lancaster, and Sai Sanjay, along with their teams and crews, were left waiting in the middle of the exit area for transportation due to delays in practice sessions. Sources indicate that the track is still not ready, leading the drivers to return to their hotels as the session was postponed.

Unfortunately, the DMK’s racing event on 31 August 2024 turned into a practice session due to the failure to secure the necessary license, and the schedule was adjusted accordingly.

However, the DMK IT wing and the SDAT’s flyers promoted that qualifiers would happen on Saturday from 19:00 to 19:55 hours. This could be a misleading attempt to sell tickets or a last-minute effort to salvage the event. It remains to be seen whether the court will permit them to proceed with the show as planned.

Traffic Congestion & Roads Dug For Race Event

The traffic situation in Chennai is currently chaotic, with significant congestion and frustration among citizens. Vehicles traveling from the south on Kamarajar Salai towards the War Memorial are being redirected at the Labour Statue. They must reroute via Walajah Road, Anna Salai, Periyar Statue, Central Light Point (Central Station), MMC, and Parrys.

On Mount Road, vehicles heading towards Walajah Point are diverted at Pallavan Salai towards Central Light Point, while Sivanandha Salai and Flag Staff Road are closed.

Traffic coming from the north is not being redirected from Kamarajar Salai towards Santhome. As usual, vehicles travelling from Central Light towards Anna Statue can continue up to the Pallavan Salai junction.

At Pallavan Salai junction, traffic from the south will use the opposite track to proceed to the Periyar Statue and resume regular routes. Vehicles cannot proceed from Muthusamy Point towards Flag Staff Road or Anna Salai; instead, they will be redirected towards Central Light Point, Pallavan Salai, or PLC Point.

The situation in Chennai has worsened as road edges are being dug up haphazardly to display banners and flags for the DMK’s event, adding to public frustration. Usually, it’s challenging for the corporation to address citizen complaints and maintain road quality, but now they are recklessly tearing up well-maintained roads for promotional purposes. Once the event is over, the corporation will likely delay repairing the roads, or else allocate substantial funds for temporary fixes, which anti-corruption NGOs argue is merely a way to waste taxpayers money.

Ticket Mess Up

When ticket sales began, prices ranged from ₹1,000 to ₹20,000, but many families found themselves stranded as their tickets could not be verified despite purchasing them officially. Outside the Kalaignar Memorial, a father with two young children (ages 5 and 11) was denied entry to the venue despite having paid ₹20,000 for three tickets. There were no clear instructions from Paytm, the financial partner, or the event organizers, leaving ticket holders confused and frustrated.

Journalists Left In Lurch

Photojournalists and reporters were left waiting hours on the road, enduring harsh conditions without even a drop of water. The situation was marked by absolute chaos, with no entry allowed for over four hours. When they finally returned to the media point, they found no food or water available. The event was poorly organized, leaving many frustrated and exhausted.

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Democracy Hypocrisy: Sanjeev Sanyal Questions V-Dem Institute Over Sweden Deputy PM’s Remarks On Islam, Gets Blocked By Them On Social Media

On 31 August 2024, Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Economic Advisory Council (PM-EAC), criticized the Sweden-based independent research institute Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem). Sanyal’s critique was triggered by a statement from Ebba Busch, Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister, who claimed that Islam must align with Swedish values and that Sharia law has no place in the country.

Through a witty post on his official X account, Sanyal tagged V-Dem and questioned, Would be interested to know if @vdeminstitute’s supercomputer adds or deducts points for these statements from the Deputy PM of its home country.”

Instead of addressing the issue or leaving it alone, the institute—rather than engage with Sanjeev Sanyal’s critique—chose to block him. Yet, this institute continues to influence how sovereign governments are perceived through its biased research and indices, such as The Regimes of the World (RoW). This framework categorizes political systems into four types: closed autocracies, electoral autocracies, electoral democracies, and liberal democracies, based on V-Dem’s Democracy Core indices.

In a subsequent post, Sanjeev Sanyal revealed that the V-Dem Institute had blocked him, and he included a screenshot to confirm the action. Sanjeev mocked, “So, @vdeminstitute has now blocked me!! So much for freedom and dialogue. This after I asked them a very common sense question about their home country.”

Earlier this year, the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute released a report labeling India as one of the “worst autocratisers” globally in recent times. According to the institute, India remained classified as an “electoral autocracy” in 2023. V-Dem assesses nations through a four-phase process, ranging from democratization to autocratization. Their report highlighted that 42 countries, including India, are experiencing a trend toward autocratization. The institute noted that India, home to 18% of the world’s population, represents about half of the people living in autocratizing countries. The report also claimed that the government under Narendra Modi has used laws on sedition, defamation, and counterterrorism to suppress dissent.

When the institution faces similar scrutiny and criticism, it avoids the issue and blocks critics from its social media platforms.

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West Bengal Police Allegedly Blocks Journalist Abhijit Majumder’s Phone Number Amid Criticism Of Mamata Govt Over RG Kar College Rape-Murder Case

In a shocking development from West Bengal, the police have allegedly targeted and blocked the mobile number of journalist Abhijit Majumder in an apparent effort to stifle criticism of the ruling Mamata Banerjee’s TMC government. Majumder, known for his outspoken commentary, has been vocal about the state’s handling of the brutal rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of repressive measures by the West Bengal government, which has included filing numerous cases against citizens protesting for justice, deploying water cannons against peaceful demonstrators, and transferring faculty members from the college.

Abhijit Majumder Questions Legality Of Number Blocking

Abhijit Majumder, a journalist and a frequent contributor to various media outlets, has been particularly critical of the Mamata Banerjee government. His sharp social media commentary and his questioning of the administration on issues like post-poll violence, the Sandeshkhali incident, and the recent doctor’s rape and murder have drawn attention.

On 30 August 2024, Majumder remarked on X that the TMC-led state government blocked his phone number. He stated, “My phone has been blocked. Called Airtel. It has been blocked by apparently cyber police, West Bengal. How is this even legal?”

Airtel Confirms Blocking

The journalist substantiated his claim against the West Bengal government by sharing an audio clip of his conversation with an Airtel customer service representative. In the recorded call, the customer service executive explained that his phone number was blocked due to a complaint filed by the state police, not Airtel. The police flagged it for association with fraudulent activities.

Despite Majumder’s repeated inquiries about how a state government could impose such a measure without central oversight, the executive maintained that it was beyond Airtel’s control.

Abhijit Majumder shared the clip in his X account and said,“So, the police of #MamataBanerjee have blocked my phone number. I was talking too much about #KolkataDoctorDeath. They think they will silence me 🙂 Called Airtel, this is what they said.”

This incident is part of a broader crackdown that began on August 15, when the Kolkata Police intensified their efforts against individuals discussing the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. To combat what they term “misinformation,” the police have filed 10 FIRs, initiated cases against 35 people, and issued notices to over 300 others. The charges include criminal conspiracy, violations of the IT Act, and other cognizable offences. Those targeted include journalists, politicians, doctors, and social media users accused of spreading false information, misleading videos, and voice notes.

Among those affected is author and activist Shefali Vaidya, who received a notice for criticizing the police’s inaction and the perceived lawlessness under the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

What happened in Kolkata

On 9 August 2024, the lifeless and partially unclothed body of a female medical intern was discovered in the lecture hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a government-operated institution in Kolkata. Her father alleged that she had been sexually assaulted and murdered in the hospital. He said there were attempts to hide the truth.

On the night of the incident, the doctor had a late-night meal with four colleagues at 2:30 am after watching Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event at the Paris Olympics. Subsequently, she went to the lecture hall to unwind.

The primary suspect, Sanjay Roy, had unrestricted access to all hospital sections since working at the police outpost. Though he was not associated with the institution, he frequented the premises. Surveillance footage captured his entry into the area where the doctor’s body was found, leading to his arrest on the 10th of August. After the dreadful deed, Roy returned home and slept in. He also cleaned his clothes to eliminate any evidence, with the police discovering his bloodstained shoes during a search.

Post-Mortem Report

The post-mortem report revealed that the doctor had been subjected to brutal torture before being asphyxiated. The report, spanning four pages, indicated that she was strangled, resulting in severe injuries in her private regions.

Moreover, the doctor’s thyroid cartilage was fractured. Sources indicated that the assault occurred, along with the rape, most likely between 3 and 5 am on 9 August 2024. Her lips, fingers, left leg, and abdomen bore marks of injuries. It was reported that the doctor’s head was slammed against a wall or floor, causing extensive injuries, and her airflow was obstructed by closing her mouth and nose to prevent vocalization.

Allegations were made that the accused physically assaulted her when she resisted. Subsequently, he carried out the assault, leading to her demise. As per the autopsy findings, the doctor had cuts on her hands and face. The impact of a severe blow caused the fragments of her broken spectacles to enter her eyes. The initial post-mortem report ruled out suicide, confirming that the trainee doctor was sexually violated before being killed.

Calcutta HC criticises WB Govt

On the 13th of August, the Calcutta High Court criticized the West Bengal government for trying to shield the Hospital’s principal. On the same day, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the doctor’s rape and murder.

NHRC issued directives to the director general of police (DGP) and chief secretary of West Bengal, seeking a comprehensive report within a fortnight. It said the report should detail the progress of the police probe, actions against the perpetrators, specifics of compensation, and steps implemented to prevent similar occurrences.

(With Inputs From Organiser)

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TN NEET Results Disprove DMK’s Anti-NEET Claims: Government School Students Secure Top Medical College Spots, Debunking ‘Social Justice’ Myths

In yet another heartwarming result that counters the DMK’s anti-NEET rhetoric, two government school students from humble backgrounds in Tamil Nadu have defied the odds to secure coveted spots in a government medical college due to their NEET results. One of these students comes from a Karur family that runs a small tea shop, while the other, from Erode, is supported by his aunt, who works as a tailor. Their achievements highlight the potential for success for Tamil Nadu students in NEET examination results despite challenging circumstances.

With a cheerful demeanour, the student Hari Haran introduced himself by first mentioning his parents and their humble background of owning a small tea shop. He shared, “I have been studying in Tamil medium schools since the beginning and have been an average student. I recently passed my exams with the ambition of becoming a doctor. I took the NEET exam for the first time, but I didn’t achieve the marks I hoped for. My parents encouraged me to continue studying, so I joined a private coaching institute. Despite that, I still didn’t clear the exam. However, on my next attempt, I scored 627 marks and secured the 15th rank among the 7.5% reservation quota in Tamil Nadu.” He concluded by expressing his deep gratitude to his parents and teachers who supported him throughout his journey.

Hari Haran has secured a seat at Madras Medical College in Chennai, inspiring many who dream of becoming doctors.

Another student from Sathyamangalam, with his calm demeanor, emphasizes the importance of striving hard to achieve big goals.

He shared, “I studied from 6th to 12th grade at Satyamangalam Model School. I scored 524 marks in the 12th grade. Since I had dreamed of pursuing medical studies, I took the MBBS entrance exam NEET and scored 545 marks. I have been selected for Thoothukudi Medical College through the Tamil Nadu medical counselling process, with a 7.5% government student reservation.”

Satyamangalam urged others who benefit from the quota to serve the community with dedication and debunked the myth that the NEET exam is exceedingly challenging, saying, “Many students think that the NEET exam is tough and are not even trying. Even if they try, they give up after the first or second attempt, but what we desire is so great that we must strive accordingly. No matter how difficult the NEET exam is, the burden will be lightened when we work with determination to win. So, no one need to be afraid of thinking that it is tough; everyone can do it. I am an example of it try, and you can win.”

Another student, Sholai Malar Kodi, after successfully navigating counselling and securing a spot in a government college, told reporters, “NEET isn’t a tough exam; it becomes easy if you study.” She explained how she only studied in government schools. Her hard work paid off in her NEET results, earning her a seat at Virudhunagar Medical College.

She advised other students, “Many people believe the NEET exam is tough, but it wasn’t as they said. Initially, I didn’t even know what NEET was, and after 12th grade, everyone warned me about its difficulty. However, I decided to give it a try. I believed that with effort, success would follow. So, I focused on my studies, put aside the thoughts that the exam was daunting, and concentrated on clearing it. So, focus on the exam, and everything will turn out well.”

As each year progresses, parents and pupils increasingly recognize the exam’s benefits. Many students are encouraged by their families to score well in the NEET exams.

Despite the DMK’s claims that the exam undermines social justice, the NEET results paint a different picture. Many candidates from marginalized backgrounds have secured placements in prestigious government colleges, achieving their educational aspirations. This year, 43,063 students applied for NEET UG counselling. Notably, 90 students scored over 700 marks, a significant increase from the 29 students who achieved this in 2023.

Additionally, the number of students scoring between 600 and 697 marks has tripled, rising from 1,508 in 2023 to 4,639 in 2024. For government school quotas, 622 seats have been allocated this year.

Countering the DMK’s fear-mongering rhetoric, Tamil Nadu has significantly improved NEET UG 2024 results. The pass percentage increased to 58.4%, up from last year’s 54.4%, and surpassed the national average of 56.4%. Many students from Tamil Nadu achieved top ranks in NEET results, with eight securing the coveted All India Rank 1.

This year’s results underscore Tamil Nadu students’ exceptional academic performance. Last year, Prabanjan J from Tamil Nadu was a national joint topper, achieving a remarkable 99.99 percentile, alongside Bora Varun Chakravarthi from Andhra Pradesh. This year, eight Tamil Nadu students Syed Aarifin Yusuf M, Shailaja S, Aditya Kumar Panda, Sriram P, Rajaneesh P, Jayathi Poorvaja M, Rohith R, and Sabareesan S—achieved a flawless 99.99 percentile, securing top ranks. Syed Aarifin Yusuf M led among male candidates, while Shailaja S was the top performer among female candidates.

The number of NEET candidates rose notably this year to 1,52,920, an increase of 8,404 from the previous year. Of these, 89,426 candidates qualified, marking an increase of 10,000 from last year. Additionally, 36,333 students took the exam in Tamil, highlighting the language’s popularity as an examination medium.

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Sweeping Police Raid At SRM Engg College, Potheri; Ganja & Other Prohibited Drugs Seized; 30 Students Arrested

The widespread circulation of ganja and other narcotic substances has become a serious issue among the youth in Tamil Nadu. Recently, a prominent private engineering college near Chennai has come under the scrutiny of the Tamil Nadu police. Reports of ganja being supplied within the college hostels prompted a surprise raid and coordinated searches on the college’s hostel facilities and its nearby student accommodations.

There was a significant commotion at SRM Engineering College in Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu district, following reports of an uptick in narcotic substances being circulated. The police seized various drugs, including ganja, and arrested 30 students from the college. At around 3AM, over 500 police officers converged in the area after receiving reports of ganja being distributed in the college’s hostels and nearby student accommodations.

Police raided and took control of the men’s and women’s hostels within the college and those nearby. The presence of such a large police force on campus and in the surrounding hostels caused a considerable uproar.

The arrested students were found to be in possession of prohibited drugs, including narcotic pills and ganja, and are currently under investigation. The college, which attracts students from across Tamil Nadu and other states, had previously been the site of violence in 2022 when a clash occurred between students from northern states on a highway, resulting in injuries from stone-throwing. The Guduvancheri police, who investigated the incident, discovered that the altercation was linked to competition over drug sales, including ganja.

In response, the police conducted further raids on rented properties associated with the students. The crackdown on drug activity is part of a broader effort in Tamil Nadu to combat drug circulation, which has also seen increased inspections at bus stations, railway stations, and airports. Opposition parties are calling for Tamil Nadu to become a drug-free state, criticizing the current drug problem for negatively impacting youth and leading to harmful behaviors among students.

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Viral Video Exposes Rampant Illegal Liquor Sale Near Police Station In Namakkal District

Viral Video Exposes Illegal Liquor Sale Near Police Station

Despite the recent Kallakurichi hooch tragedy that claimed 66 lives just two months ago, new concerns have arisen with the illegal sale of alcohol in a butcher shop near Rasipuram in Namakkal district. This is particularly alarming because the sale is happening very close to a police station.

Residents report that a chicken butcher shop near the Namagiripettai police station begins selling illegal alcohol as early as 6 a.m. A tea shop on the Rasipuram-Senthamangalam road is also involved in the illicit liquor trade, providing tables and chairs for customers to drink on-site.

In a viral video, a woman is seen selling illegal liquor and stating the variety available. She says, “There is Veeran brand, you tell me what brand you want and I will tell you if I have it… there is Diamond rum.”  The man who captured the video asked for diamond rum, and the woman was seen taking the rum from a mini freezer on the table before her. During this transaction, the woman warns another customer, “You cannot consume it here; come out fast,” and instructs the person filming to pay via GPay, pricing the bottle at 200 rupees.

A follow-up video from a tea shop on the Rasipuram-Senthamangalam road shows people openly consuming illegal liquor in broad daylight, with the establishment equipped with tables and chairs for patrons. Residents have called for immediate action to address these violations and curb the illegal alcohol trade in their area.

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