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“He Always Put National Interest Above Everything”: PM Modi Heaps Praises On Late DMDK Founder Vijayakanth

By
The Commune
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As a part of his Tamil Nadu trip, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the new terminal building of the Tiruchirapalli airport and participated and addressed the convocation ceremony at Bharathidasan University. He also inaugurated, dedicated various development projects, and laid the foundation stone for initiatives exceeding ₹20,000 crores in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to the people, Prime Minister Modi said a few words on Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder and actor Vijayakanth. He said, “Just a few days ago, we lost Thiru Vijayakanthji. He was a Captain not only in the world of cinema but also in politics. He won the hearts of the people through his work in films. As a politician, he always put national interest above everything. I pay my tributes to him. I also express my condolences to his family and admirers.”

It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Modi and Vijayakanth shared a special friendship that was evident from their chemistry. Vijayakanth was the only alliance member to campaign extensively for the NDA alliance in 2014 in all constituencies in the state during the 2014 Parliamentary polls.

Their camaraderie was pretty much evident and Vijayakanth endorsed Modi as the force capable of eradicating corruption.

Despite not winning any of the 14 seats they contested, the DMDK was the only party in the seven-party alliance to campaign in all 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu. Premalatha was instrumental in the party’s decision to align with the BJP-led NDA, a move that contributed to the BJP’s victory in Kanyakumari. PM Modi’s praise for Premalatha and his rapport with Vijayakant at the NDA rallies are testimony to the friendly relations they shared.

Prime Minister Modi also shared a condolence note on the day of Vijayakanth’s passing on his X handle describing the friendship the two shared.

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Case Booked Against DMK Functionary For Slapping Female Police Officer At Thiruvannamalai Temple, Annamalai Slams DMK Govt

By
The Commune
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In a recent incident unfolding within the sacred premises of Thiruvannamalai temple, an assault on a female inspector has instilled fear among the common public.

The unsettling incident took place during the ‘Arudra darshan’ ceremony at the Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleshwarar Temple on December 27, attracting a multitude of devotees seeking the divine darshan of Lord Shiva. Among the worshippers was I. Sreedharan, a prominent DMK functionary from the area, accompanied by his wife, Sivasankari, and their family.

Following the worship of principal deity, Sreedharan and his family proceeded to worship at the shrine of Unnammulaiyamman and stood stood for an extended period.

Highly disturbed by this few devotees standing in the long queue have raised complaint to the female inspector Gandhimathi who was engaged in guard duty.

Subsequently, Inspector Gandhimathi had requested Sreedharan and his wife Sivashankari to step aside without causing disturbance to other devotees.

Agitated by this, Sreedharan said, “Do you know who I am? … I’m a prominent figure of DMK. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Annamalaiyar Temple Jeevanandam is my brother. We own the temple management. Are you telling us to step aside?”.

He threatened her in a disrespecting manner asserted his political prominence within the DMK and his familial connection. Sreedharan’s wife also glared angrily and jumped at the inspector.

Undeterred, Inspector Gandhimathi firmly responded, stating “Whoever you are, speak respectfully and give way to waiting devotees”.

In a shocking turn of events, enraged Sreedharan slapped Inspector Gandhimathi’s cheek in full view of the devotees. The devotees who stood there were shocked by this incident.

Inspector Gandhimathi registered a formal complaint regarding the incident with the Thiruvannamalai city police and an investigation is been initiated against Sreedharan, a member of DMK’s executive committee, his wife Sivasankari and the temple employee Ramesh who was an accomplice in their act. It has been reported that a case has been registered under four sections including preventing work, assault and violence.

Adding to the controversy, there are allegations that certain high-ranking police officers intentionally destroyed CCTV footage capturing the incident, purportedly to favor DMK leader Sreedharan.

Furthermore, at the time of the incident, some devotees recorded videos on their mobile phones, but they faced threats from temple dignitaries who seized their phones and deleted the recorded videos allegedly. This unfolding incident has left the community in dismay.

Regarding the issue, Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai has also strongly condemned, tweeted on X “Ever since the DMK came to power, law and order has broken down across Tamil Nadu and criminal activities have been going on continuously. Government officials are being killed by sand robbers, police officers are being threatened by DMK and policewomen are being sexually harassed, the machinery of the government has completely broken down.“

He further said “In this situation, the news that DMK state executive committee member Sreedharan has slapped a woman police inspector on the cheek who was on security duty in Thiruvannamalai temple, shows how low the dignity of the police has been under the DMK regime. If a woman police officer can be assaulted in front of the public with the arrogance of being a DMK party member, what is the position of the common people?“

Slamming the DMK, Annamalai said “Has the DMK forgotten that it was unable to come to power for ten consecutive years due to the atrocities committed during its 2006-2011 regime? Public patience has a limit. Don’t forget that DMK will have no place even on the streets if the common people take the law into their hands like the DMK thugs. I urge Chief Minister Stalin to immediately arrest and take strict action against a DMK person named Sreedharan who assaulted a female police officer and to immediately sack his brother Jeevanandham who is the chairman of the Tiruvannamalai Temple Trustee Committee“

(With inputs from Asianet Tamil)

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Book Review: ‘Tales Of The Past: The Odisha Saga’ By Sibashis Mahapatra

By
Shivaprasad P
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Tales of the past: The Odisha saga
Image credit: twitter.com/@gpshots1

Tales Of The Past: The Odisha Saga – Sibashis Mahapatra – Notion Press – 136 pages (Paperback) / 62 pages (Kindle version)

There are several gaps in Indian history-writing and the history of medieval Odisha is one such obvious lacuna that is present in how we modern Indians view our history. Not many of us are aware of how the erstwhile kingdoms of the medieval era that ruled over the region of modern-day Odisha fought against the forces of the Delhi Sultans and the Mughals. Many today do not know of the valour and sacrifices made by successive kings and generals in Odisha to keep the invaders at bay.

When the northern parts of India were besieged by innumerable foes from the outside, Odisha was that rare land which managed to preserve its culture and civilizational heritage. In the days when one Hindu kingdom after another were hammered by the Muslim hordes, it was no mean feat that the Hindu kings of Odisha were able to repel them. While it is but natural that the Muslim historians and chroniclers would make little reference to the Odia kings who defeated them (so as to not shed light on the failures of their patrons), why are history books in modern India making the same folly by relegating this glorious period in the history of Odisha to the footnotes?

This book is thus a meaningful step in the right direction to shine the spotlight on this unknown chapter of Odisha’s history.

In this collection of essays, Sibashis Mahapatra takes us through the lives of lesser-known historical figures of medieval Odisha and the significant events that moulded the land and its culture.

The author explores – in a simple, easy-to-read and brief fashion – the historical events that shaped medieval Odisha (and in turn, modern Odisha) and presents the reader with a hitherto understated and largely unknown aspect of Indian history.

The book takes the reader on a fascinating journey across Odisha’s vast historical landscape.

The reader is told, among other Odia rulers, about the forgotten king Devendravarman of the Ganga dynasty.

The book informs the reader about the short but eventful reign of Anantavarman Chodaganga, including the construction of the massive temple at Puri during his rule and how he dedicated his kingdom to God Jagannath, thereafter ruling the kingdom only as the deity’s representative or steward, a practice which was followed by his successors up until India’s independence.

The book also gives the readers a window into the wars between the Chola emperors of the Tamil lands in the south and their neighbours to the north, the kings of Kalinga.

Another chapter in the book tells the reader about the bravery of Langula Narasimha Deva, how he defeated the Muslim hordes attacking his kingdom and how Narasimha Deva constructed the world-famous Konark temple to commemorate his victories.

The book also speaks of Raja Jainarayan’s attempts at exacting revenge for the loss of a kingdom and Raja Trilochanadeva’s resistance against the famed Maratha armies.

The penultimate chapter of the book weaves together a personal travelogue to two decrepit temples on the outskirts of Bhubhaneshwar along with the history of the Brahmin generals who built them. The sorry state in which these two temples find themselves in today, is in sharp and jarring contrast with the might of the fearless generals and the victories won by them in the days of yore.

In the final chapter, the author even tries his hand at historical fiction with a short story set in the era of the illustrious emperor Gajapati Kapilendra Deva.

Reading the book makes it clear that the topic of Odisha’s history is close to the author’s heart – making this collection of essays a labour of love.

At the end of the book, Sibashis Mahapatra also meticulously lists a bibliography, just in case the reader wanted to acquaint himself a bit more with these forgotten chapters of Indian history.

The book is only 136 pages long (the Kindle version is just 62 pages) – and can be finished within a couple of hours. So, in this regard, if I were asked to highlight a drawback in this book, it would be that it is a tad too short. Including more details about the colourful lives led by the conquerors Nissanka Malla and Kalinga Magha, in the larger backdrop of the politics & war between the kingdoms of Kalinga and Lanka, would have been a nice addition to this amazing book.

All that an average Indian knows about Odisha’s history is the Mauryan emperor Ashoka’s invasion of Kalinga. The rest of the 2,000 years (and more) of Odisha’s history is virtually unknown. So, this book is indeed a commendable effort in highlighting those portions of Odisha’s history (and consequently the history of India) which have so far not found their way into the popular narratives or discourses surrounding Indian history-writing.

All in all, the book is a short survey into the history of medieval Odisha, making it a worthwhile read for both the young and the old who are interested in knowing the forgotten history of our ancient nation.

You can buy the book from Amazon, Flipkart or from the Notion Press website.

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“If I Were To Return, I Will Send Everyone In HR&CE Dept To Jail”, Says Fmr Idol-Wing Officer Ponn Manickavel

By
The Commune
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Fmr Idol Wing IG Ponn Manickavel's Anticipatory Bail Postponed. Varadharajan defends him. tamil nadu madurai bench

In a significant development, a Vel Yatra organised by the Hindu Munnani commenced its journey from the Chennimalai Subramania Swamy Temple to the Panimalai Temple in Tamil Nadu. The procession witnessed participation from Aadheenams across different regions of the state, notable film actors, and retired former Inspector General (IG) Pon Manikavel. The procession commenced with special pujas dedicated to Lord Murugan’s vel (spear) in front of the flag tree at the Subramanya Swami Temple, accompanied by the chanting of Thiruvasakam. The Yatra then proceeded from the Chennimalai temple to the Panimalai temple, marking a sacred pilgrimage.

Addressing the media during the event, former IG & Idol Wing Officer Pon Manikavel raised pertinent concerns regarding the management of temple finances by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. When asked about the allegations by HR&CE department minister PK Sekar Babu, Pon Manickavel replied, “I will reply to it but will Tamil Nadu get better? He is a stranger. We both will bite the dust one day. We are like tops, we will rotate as long as there is momentum. To talk about such unnecessary and ineffectual people in a temple is Adharma.” 

He also added about the Chief Minister, “They have 38,688 temples in their hands but if they will not enter any temple, it is the height of immorality, the height of Adharma. They should not come, we don’t want you to come. We despise him. Don’t come. But you are controlling the temples. Now, all these temples have been built by Cheras, Cholas, and Pandya kings. They were the ones who donated wealth to these temples. Do you know how much money they have extracted from the temple in December 2023? It is ₹28,49,00,000 (28 crores and 49 lakh rupees) This is the truth, I swear on God. I am saying this in front of a temple. ₹28 crores! This is injustice! I am controlling my tongue now. Who are you taking this money from? Bring this out to the public, the public is totally not aware of all this, they are just watching TV.”

He continued, “This amount of ₹28,49,00,000 in a month is taken from the temple fund and showcased as administration expenses – to run the department. But the reality is this money is being used for education expenses of the JCO’s child, to buy their clothes, to pay their rent, for their personal expenditure – everything is God’s money. But the revenue and police departments are not like that. They get paid using the taxes paid by the people, these people are using people’s money! Please understand this. The money they are using is not taxpayer’s money but temple money.”

Manikavel criticised the HR&CE Department for its alleged mishandling of rent arrears, stating that ₹151 crores in rent arrears from temple properties had accumulated in the past eight months alone. He said, “There is 22600 (units unsure) ground vacant land in the state belonging to temples. CM Stalin claimed he has done quite a bit to retrieve the rental arrears for these lands. Did you know that only 8 months of the rental arrears amount to about ₹151 crores? They have said this, their signature is there in the document. Can the minister say he did not understand English and just signed unknowingly? He cannot. Last month, they received ₹150 crore rupees as revenue – arrears from vacant land. Apart from this, there are buildings, 4,28,000 area of landed property out of this 1,30,000 odd area is missing.” 

He also added, “If I was working now, I would send the entire HR&CE department to jail. God willing, if I get the chance but I will not take it. I am just venting out my emotions. So much atrocity is going on. Whatever we say, they claim they only did it. First, say that you are a hireling, and then say anything else. Who is a hireling, who are you taking your wages from? From Eashwaran (from God), from His funds. Except Chief Minister who receives his pay from public money (tax) (₹2,05,000), whereas the minister and his PA, they have hired 2 commissioners, how unjust is this? Each gets ₹2 lakhs as a salary. Just because there is no one to ask questions, they are enjoying and behaving like dictators.”

He also questioned the disparity in salaries, noting that officers who may not be actively involved in temple affairs receive higher pay compared to the priests who perform essential duties for a meagre amount of ₹4500. Furthermore, Manikavel pointed out the potential threat to the antiquity of temples due to the department’s involvement in temple Thiruppani (renovation). He suggested that the State Department of Archaeology should oversee temple restoration to preserve the historical significance of these sites. Expressing concern about the recovery of idols, Manikavel disclosed that in 2012 alone, 2662 statues were recovered from New York City, estimated to be worth ₹1,020 crore. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to collaborate with the central government to recover the remaining idols and stressed the importance of a vigilant Anti-Idol Trafficking Unit.

Manikavel asserted that the Hindu Charities Department needs a revamp, he emphasised that his intentions were not driven by a desire for publicity and expressed commitment to the cause of preserving the sanctity of temples in Tamil Nadu.

(with inputs from News7 & ETVBharat)

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PM Modi Gets A Rapturous Welcome At Trichy, Leaves Audience Spellbound With Details Of Development Projects As Stalin Uses Stage For Centre Vs State Politics

By
The Commune
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth more than ₹20,000 crores in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu on 2 January 2024. He also hit back at Chief Minister Stalin, albeit subtly by listing down various efforts taken by the Centre in developing the state.

Chief Minister Stalin who spoke earlier used the stage of the government function to peddle politics of Centre Vs State. He had said “The Prime Minister is aware of the fact that last month in Chennai and Southern districts, due to floods following heavy rainfall, public infrastructure in those districts has been extensively damaged. People’s livelihoods have also been badly affected. Therefore, on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I again request to declare them as “severe natural calamities” and provide adequate relief funds to Tamil Nadu from the National Disaster Relief Fund. Don’t expect us to keep on asking! It is the responsibility of the state governments to provide education, medicine and necessary assistance to millions of people in the vast land of India. Demands for statehood and assertion of state rights are not political slogans, but living demands themselves. I believe that the Prime Minister will definitely fulfill the demand of the Tamil Nadu government in that regard.“

During his address, PM Modi extended New Year wishes and expressed his pleasure in holding his first public program of 2024 in Tamil Nadu.

He said that today’s projects worth more than ₹20,000 crores will strengthen Tamil Nadu’s progress as he congratulated the people of the state for projects spanning sectors of roadways, railways, ports, airports, energy and petroleum pipelines. He said that many of these projects would boost travel and also create thousands of employment opportunities in the state.

PM Modi also offered condolences for the recent heavy rains in Tamil Nadu and assured that the central government is providing support to the state.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences and also said that the central government stands with the people of Tamil Nadu. “We are providing all possible help to the State government”, he said.

Paying tribute to the late DMDK founder Vijaykanth who passed away recently, PM Modi said “he was a ‘Captain’ not only in the field of cinema but also in politics. He won the hearts of the people through his work and films and kept the national interest above everything.”

He also remembered the contributions of Dr M S Swaminathan who played an important role in food security for the country and paid tribute to the departed soul.

Highlighting the significance of the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal in India’s development, PM Modi underlined the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and its contributions to science and technology. He praised Tamil Nadu’s historical governance models and its role in promoting Indian culture abroad.

“Tamil Nadu is home to the ancient language of Tamil and it is a treasure trove of cultural heritage”, the Prime Minister said as he mentioned Sage Thiruvalluvar and Subramania Bharati among others who created magnificent literature. He also mentioned that Tamil Nadu is home to scientific and technological brains like C V Raman and other scientists who instil new energy in him whenever he visits the state.

Referring to the rich heritage of Tiruchirappalli, PM Modi said that here we find the remnants of good governance models of dynasties like Pallava, Chola, Pandyas and Nayak dynasties. He said that he mentions Tamil Culture at any given opportunity during his travels abroad.

“I believe in the continuous expansion of the contribution of Tamil cultural inspiration in the development and heritage of the country”, he said. He mentioned the establishment of sacred Sengol in the New Parliament, Kashi Tamil and Kashi Saurashtra Sangamam as efforts that have led to increased enthusiasm for Tamil Culture throughout the country.

The Prime Minister informed about India’s huge investments in sectors such as roadways, railways, ports, airports, homes for the poor and hospitals in the last 10 years as he underlined the government’s emphasis on physical infrastructure. He also mentioned India breaking into the top 5 economies of the world where it has become a ray of hope for the world. Referring to the huge incoming investments in India from across the globe, the Prime Minister said that its direct benefits are being availed by Tamil Nadu and its people as the state has become a prime brand ambassador for Make in India.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s approach where the development of the state reflects in the development of the nation. He informed that more than 40 Union Ministers from the Central Government have toured Tamil Nadu more than 400 times in the past year. “India will progress with the progress of Tamil Nadu”, Shri Modi said as he referred to connectivity being the medium of development which gives a boost to businesses and also makes people’s lives easier. Referring to the projects of today, the Prime Minister mentioned the New Terminal Building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport which will increase the capacity by three times and strengthen connectivity towards East Asia, Middle East and other parts of the world. He noted that the inauguration of the new terminal building will create new opportunities for investments, businesses, education, health and tourism. He also mentioned the increased connectivity of the airport to national highways through an elevated road. He expressed satisfaction that the Trichy Airport with its infrastructure will introduce the world to Tamil culture and heritage

Referring to the five new railway projects, PM Modi said that they will promote industry and electricity generation. The new road projects will connect important centers of faith and tourism like Srirangam, Chidambaram, Rameshwaram and Vellore.

Dwelling upon the port-led development focus of the central government during the last 10 years, the Prime Minister mentioned projects to transform the coastal areas and the lives of the fishermen. He listed a separate ministry and budget for fisheries, Kisan Credit Card for fishermen, assistance for boat modernization for deep sea fishing and PM Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Referring to the Sagarmala Yojna, the Prime Minister informed that ports in the country are being connected with better roads. He informed that the port capacity and turn-around time of the ships have improved significantly as he mentioned Kamrajar Port whose capacity has been doubled. He also mentioned the inauguration of General Cargo Berth-II of Kamarajar Port which will strengthen Tamil Nadu’s import and export, especially the automobile sector. He also touched upon nuclear reactor and gas pipelines which will give rise to employment opportunities.

The Prime Minister informed about record expenditure on Tamil Nadu by the Central Government. He said that in the decade before 2014 states were given 30 lakh crore rupees whereas in the last 10 years states were given 120 lakh crore rupees. Tamil Nadu too got 2.5 times more money in this period as compared to the 10 years preceding 2014. For national highway construction, more than three times expenditure was done in the state and 2.5 times more money was spent in the railways sector in the state, he informed. Lakhs of families in the state are getting free ration, medical treatment and facilities like pucca houses, toilets and piped water.

Concluding the address, the  Prime Minister underlined the need for Sabka Prayas or everyone’s effort to accomplish the goals of Viksit Bharat. He expressed confidence in the capability of the youth and the people of Tamil Nadu. “I can witness the rise of a new hope in the youth of Tamil Nadu. This hope will become the energy of Viksit Bharat”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri R N Ravi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M K Stalin, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Shri L Murugan were among others were present on the occasion.

At the public programme in Tiruchirappalli, the Prime Minister inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport. Developed at a cost of more than 1100 crore, the two-level new international terminal building can serve more than 44 lakh passengers annually and about 3500 passengers during peak hours. The new terminal hosts state-of-the-art amenities and features for passenger convenience.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation multiple railway projects. These include the project for doubling of 41.4 Km Salem–Magnesite Junction–Omalur–Mettur Dam section; project for doubling of rail line section of 160 Km from Madurai – Tuticorin; and three projects for rail line electrification viz Tiruchchirappalli- Manamadurai- Virudhunagar; Virudhunagar – Tenkasi Junction; Sengottai – Tenkasi Junction – Tirunelveli- Tiruchendur. The rail projects will help improve the rail capacity to carry freight and passengers and contribute to economic development and employment generation in Tamil Nadu.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation five road sector projects. The projects include 39 km four-lane road for Trichy – Kallagam section of NH-81; 60 km long 4/2-laning of Kallagam – Meensurutti section of NH-81; 29 km four-lane road of Chettikulam – Natham section of NH-785; 80 km long two lane with paved shoulder of Karaikudi – Ramanathapuram section of NH-536; and 44 km long four laning of section of NH-179A Salem – Tirupathur – Vaniyambadi Road. The road projects will facilitate safe and faster travel of people of the region and improve connectivity of industrial and commercial centres like Trichy, Srirangam, Chidambaram, Rameshwaram, Dhanushkodi, Uthirakosamangai, Devipattinam, Erwadi, Madurai, among others.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for important road development projects during the programme. These include the construction of 31 km long stretch four-lane road from Mugaiyur to Marakkanam of NH 332A. The road will connect ports on the East Coast of Tamil Nadu, enhance road connectivity to the world heritage site – Mamallapuram and provide better connectivity to Kalpakkam Atomic Power Plant.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the General Cargo Berth-II (Automobile Export/Import Terminal-II & Capital Dredging Phase-V) of Kamarajar Port.  The inauguration of General Cargo Berth-II will be a step towards strengthening the country’s trade which will help boost economic growth and employment generation.

During the programme, the Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of important Petroleum and Natural Gas projects worth more than Rs 9000 crore. The two projects dedicated to the Nation include Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL)’s 488 km long natural gas pipeline from IP101 (Chengalpet) to IP 105 (Sayalkudi) section of Ennore – Thiruvallur – Bengaluru – Puducherry – Nagapattinam – Madurai – Tuticorin Pipeline; and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)’s 697 km long Vijayawada-Dharmapuri Multiproduct (POL) Petroleum Pipeline (VDPL).

Further, the projects whose foundation stone were laid include the development of 323 Km of natural gas pipeline from Krishnagiri to Coimbatore section of Kochi-Koottanad-Bangalore-Mangalore Gas pipeline II (KKBMPL II) by Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL); and laying of POL pipelines in Common Corridor for proposed grass root terminal at Vallur, Chennai. These projects of the petroleum and natural gas sector will be a step towards fulfilling the industrial, domestic and commercial requirements of the energy in the region. These will also lead to employment generation in the region and contribute to employment generation.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam.  The DFRP, developed at a cost of Rs. 400 crore, is equipped with a unique design, which is the only of its kind in the world and is capable of reprocessing both carbide and oxide fuels discharged from the fast reactors.  It is entirely designed by Indian scientists and signifies a crucial step towards building large commercial-scale fast reactor fuel reprocessing plants.

Among other projects, the Prime Minister inaugurated the 500 bedded Boys’ Hostel ‘AMETHYST’ of National Institute of Technology (NIT) – Tiruchirappalli.

(With inputs from PIB)

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#MeToo Accused Vairamuthu Who Questioned Lord Ram’s Birth Praised By I.N.D.I. Ally MK Stalin, Congress MP Chidambaram, Bigg Boss Host Kamal Haasan, Ex-ISRO Scientist Mylswamy Annadurai Share Stage

By
The Commune
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On Monday (1 January 2024), Chief Minister MK Stalin unveiled ‘Maha Kavithai,’ a composition by Dravidianist poet Vairamuthu that delves into a wide array of subjects, including the origin of the universe, the Earth’s formation, the functions of the five elements, climate change and its repercussions, the urgent need to combat rising global temperatures, and the threats posed to humanity due to environmental degradation.

The inaugural copy was presented to Congress former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the presence of former ISRO scientist and Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology Vice President Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, and Bigg Boss host Kamal Haasan, who has been accused of kissing an under-age actress without her consent and making women uncomfortable by not wearing pants during his younger days.

During the event, Stalin requested Vairamuthu to create a poetic work depicting the life of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, akin to his portrayal of Mahakavi Bharathi’s life in ‘Kavirajan Kathai.’ Vairamuthu agreed to the request, citing the ample content available in Karunanidhi’s autobiography, ‘Nenjukku Neethi.’ He also noted that any additional information could be obtained through interaction with Stalin himself.

Stalin heaped praises on Vairamuthu’s ability to convey modern scientific concepts in Tamil and underscored the significance of the poet’s latest work, especially in the face of ongoing climate change. The Chief Minister drew attention to recent heavy rains in Tamil Nadu and highlighted how Vairamuthu elucidated the reasons behind nature’s fury while issuing a warning about the consequences if humans fail to address the situation.

About Vairamuthu

Vairamuthu is a Dravidianist poet who shares close ties with the DMK. He has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women during the #MeToo movement. Around 17 women have levelled sexual harassment charges against the lyricist.

In 2021, he had penned a song that romanticizes pedophilia. The song is about a school-going girl in love with a grey-haired old ‘poet’ and was filmed with actor Anika Surendran who was 16 years old at that time.

In 2018, Vairamuthu had called the woman Azhwar Andal by a ‘dasi’ (prostitute) who served at the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple. “Andal herself is a Devadasi who lived and died in the Sri Rangam Temple.”, Vairamuthu had said quoting a book by one Subhash Chandra Malik.

Vairamuthu had also ridiculed Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and also raised questions about his birth.

In the video, speaking in an unknown and undated function, Vairamuthu says he wrote a poem about Ram Mandir in which he asks whether Ram is a human or an Avatar (of God). He further says,

Avatar means to descend from above, one who is not tainted by pregnancy. He does not need tools like indriyam (sense organs), pregnancy, and he descends directly from above. So, if (Lord Rama) is an Avatar, then he was never born, and why does he need a birthplace? Or, if he was born to Dasharatha and Kaushalya, then he is a human. If he is a human, then why does he need a temple? Nobody has answered these two questions. As a secular person, a person who respects all religions and as a humanist, I have said this and there has been no answer to this opinion.

He then proceeds to heap praises on fellow poet Kavikko S. Abdul Rahman, who was also the ex-chairman of Waqf board in Tamil Nadu, and quotes a poem of his in which he questioned which religion asks humans to kill fellow humans in the name of God. Vairamuthu then goes on to say, ‘forget that he is a Muslim, forget Hinduism and Christianity, all that he (Abdul Rahman) asks is to awaken the humanism inside the humans’. He then goes on to say as age increases, his wisdom has also increased, and he wishes to live until he is 110 years old not to enjoy but to understand the people and the world. He then adds, 80 years is not the beginning of the old age but the fruition of youth.

The Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) and its associated organisations have historically been up in arms against Lord Rama’s worship, especially in Tamil Nadu.

As the nation is gearing up for the grand inauguration and consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Temple, the I.N.D.I. Allies have been sharing stage with those who questioned the existence of Lord Ram.

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Karnataka Congress Govt Cracksdown On Ram Mandir Activists By Reopening 30-Year-Old Cases, TNM Tries To Trivialize And Justify

By
The Commune
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As the much-anticipated inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya approaches, set for 22 January 2024, the Congress government in Karnataka has taken a controversial step by initiating investigations against activists associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement from thirty years ago in 1992.

These activists are alleged to have been involved in property damage and other offenses during the movement, and they are now being treated as suspects in an investigation that has placed them under court supervision.

A report by IANS reveals that the Karnataka police department has assembled a specialized team to compile a list of individuals linked to incidents during the 1992 Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

In a notable development, Srikanth Poojari has been taken into custody by the Hubballi police for his alleged involvement in the torching of a store owned by a member of the minority community on December 5, 1992.

Poojari, the third defendant in the case, is now under court custody, while the police actively seek eight more defendants related to the incident.

Furthermore, the police have identified 300 additional suspects allegedly connected to communal conflicts between 1992 and 1996. These individuals, now in their early or late 70s, with some reportedly having left the city, are under scrutiny.

Notably, several of these suspects hold prominent positions, prompting the police to weigh the potential consequences of filing lawsuits against them. It is believed that the Congress government has directed the police department to conduct a thorough investigation into these case.

Many members of the Ram Janma Bhoomi movement have transitioned into well-known BJP politicians, and reports suggest that cases against them were dismissed during the BJP’s rule.

The reopening of these cases raising questions about the timing of such actions the move and also coincides with the crucial stage of the Modi government’s announcement of the inauguration on January 22, 2024.

The BJP accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of singling out Hindu activists following the arrest of an individual allegedly involved in the 1992 post-Babri Masjid demolition riots. The BJP described the arrest as a “persecution of Hindus.”

In a statement posted on X, the BJP stated, “The Congress government in Karnataka is disgracefully targeting Hindu activists, apprehending elderly Karsevak Shri Shrikanth Poojari in a 31-year-old fabricated case. While Hindus commemorate the Ram Mandir, the Congress’s actions indicate their reluctance to acknowledge the reality of the Ram Mandir. This persecution of Hindus is strongly condemned.”

On the other hand, The News Minute (TNM), a leftist-Dravidainist propaganda outlet has trivialized the arrest and targeting of Ram Janmabhoomi activists with an article titled “Ram Mandir activists not being targeted, arrested in Karnataka says state govt”. The outlet has only carried the government’s claims in what is seen as an attempt to buttress them.

Citing “sources” in the Chief Minister’s office, TNM said “It was a routine round-up in an attempt to close long pending cases”.

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Mamata, The Latest Contender For PM Candidate In I.N.D.I. Alliance; Launches Website And Campaign

By
The Commune
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There is no dearth of PM candidates in the I.N.D.I. Alliance. However, no PM candidate has been announced by the alliance yet.

The most recent PM candidate to be announced from the bloc is the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

Previously, the Trinamool Congress chief and the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee allegedly proposed the Congress president Maillikarjun Kharge as the PM candidate during the fourth meeting of the bloc a week ago.

This was promptly turned down by the Congress president himself, suggesting that the bloc should ‘win the elections first, then the PM can be discussed later’.

But today, a website run by Trinamool has appeared aptly named as https://indiawantsmamatadi.com/ abbreviated as IWM.

The IWM website, which sports an Islamic ‘green’ background with white letters logo, says that the community was first formed on 1st June 2021 and goes on to describe CM Mamata as the ‘Tigress of Bengal’ and a woman with a ‘healing touch’ who guided Bengal through the difficult time of COVID-19 which the IWM calls as ‘a disaster second only to partition’. Going by the content posted on the website, there is an IWM summit planned as well.

Apparently, there is an ‘India Wants Mamata Summit 2024’ to be held on 20 January 2024.

Coming downsouth Tamil Nadu, the TN CM MK Stalin himself has been proposed as PM long before the West Bengal CM. In fact, a book entitled ‘Why do we need MKS as PM of India?‘ was published even before CM Stalin assumed office. The book has been well received on Amazon Kindle with glowing reviews, which speaks volumes about the prowess of CM MK Stalin and his cadre. Recently, the former Jammu & Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah had also spoken supporting CM MK Stalin as the PM during the Chief Minister’s 70th birthday celebrations.

If this wasn’t enough, four days ago, Bahujan Samaj Party MP from Bijnor Malook Nagar said that the BSP will consider joining the I.N.D.I. Alliance if the party chief Mayawati was projected as the PM candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. These comments came after the UP Congress president Ajay Rai suggested that BSP should consider joining the I.N.D.I. Alliance.

As the countdown towards the Lok Sabha elections starts, the number of PM candidates from the I.N.D.I. Alliance keeps going up.

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“Jobless Barbers Shave Cat’s Fur”: DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran Lands In Soup Again, BJP TN Head Annamalai Hits Back

By
The Commune
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DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran who is known for his loose tongue, has once again found himself mired in controversy while trying to attack the BJP for circulating old videos of him slandering Hindi speakers and north Indians. 

On Sunday (1 January 2023) when he was participating at an event distributing relief measures for people affected in Michuang cyclone in his constituency, one of reporters asked him “Old videos of important DMK leaders are being trended. Even one of your videos is trending” to which the DMK MP replies “There is a saying –  Jobless barbers catch hold of cats to shave its furs. Likewise they want to create some ruckus, particularly national BJP IT wing, they want to make the issue national level for political mileage which will not materialize”.

Slamming these remarks of DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai wrote on X “Degrading someone by profession or language seems to be the only thing DMK MP Thiru Dayanidhi Maran excels in. Instead of apologising, Thiru Dayanidhi Maran calls those spreading & reacting to his rants on our North Indian Brothers and Sisters the work of a “Jobless Barber”. With this constant degrading, it is only evident that even the continuous taste of electoral defeat doesn’t seem to shake the resolve of the leaders in the I.N.D.I. Alliance”.

This is not the first instance time Dayanidhi Maran had found himself in controversy for something he said.

During a public address in 2019, the DMK MP stated that people who learn Hindi end up as construction workers and toilet cleaners in Tamil Nadu, while Tamilians who are not proficient in Hindi occupy high-ranking positions in the IT sector.

He said, “We asked you to study Tamil and English. You studied. Look at Sundar Pichai, he is now the CEO of Google. He would have been a construction worker if he had studied Hindi. Our children hold high-level positions in IT firms and earn a good living. Look at those who studied Hindi. They work as construction workers and clean toilets.”

He also made derogatory casteist remarks during his visit to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary’s office in 2020 where he met reporters and said “They are treating us like third grade citizens! What are we Depressed class people?”

During the campaign for 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, the DMK MP made distasteful innuendo while taking a jibe at AIADMK leader Rajenthira Balaji equating “Modi as daddy” and the late AIADMK supremo as their “Amma”.

He had said “Minister Rajenthira Balaji says Jayalalithaa is their ‘Amma’ (mother) and Modi is their ‘daddy’. Look at the kind of relationship they have. If we say this, they will it is wrong.”

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How The Modi Govt Is Empowering Students From Marginalized Communities

By
Symbianian
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The BJP is often accused of being a ‘Brahmin-Bania’ party with scant regard for social justice. However, the BJP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as a torch-bearer of social justice with its approach towards the marginalised communities in the country.

For comparison, there have been accusations of the alleged misuse of funds allocated for SC welfare even in a state like Tamil Nadu where the government claims that social justice thrives and prevails. However, the Modi government has been consistently spending for the welfare of the SC community, especially towards the SC student community.

Under the NDA government, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is actively working to significantly enhance the Gross Enrolment Ratio of Scheduled Caste (SC) students in higher education, particularly those from economically underprivileged backgrounds. To achieve this goal, they have implemented the Centrally Sponsored Scheme known as “Post-Matric Scholarships for SC Students for Studies in India.”

Additionally, the Department has introduced the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Pre-Matric Scholarships for SC students and others. This scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to parents belonging to Scheduled Castes and other disadvantaged categories, supporting the education of their children at the pre-matric stage.

The achievements under these schemes include releasing scholarships to a total of 34,58,538 SC beneficiaries, amounting to ₹3546.34 Cr under the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme, and 18,32,628 beneficiaries receiving scholarships amounting to ₹369.03 Cr under the Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme, from the year 2023 until 22.12.2023. The Aadhaar-based payment system is being employed to ensure direct disbursement of scholarship funds to students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into their Aadhaar-seeded accounts.

Notably, seven States/UTs, namely Assam, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Odisha, have exceeded their annual targets under the Post-Matric SC scheme for the year 2022-23. Moreover, under Component-II of the Pre-Matric Scheme, which addresses children with parents engaged in cleaning and hazardous occupations, the number of participating States has increased from one in 2022 to nine in 2023, aiming to provide scholarships to disadvantaged students.

The Department has conceived the ‘Scholarship for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS)’ as an umbrella scheme to facilitate the convergence of resources from four smaller Central Sector Schemes catering to SC/OBC students interested in pursuing higher education (both in India and abroad) and seeking employment in Group A/Group B services of central or state governments. The scheme comprises the following components:

Top Class Education For SCs:

  • The Department has revised the scheme guidelines, adding 44 new institutes to the empanelled list, bringing the total count to 266. Scholarships have been extended to 3999 beneficiaries.

Free Coaching Scheme For SCs And OBCs:

  • The Department has updated the scheme guidelines, and starting from the financial year 2023-24, the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) will administer the scheme through empanelled Central Universities. Scholarships have been granted to 483 beneficiaries from January 2023 onwards.

National Overseas Scholarship For SCs

  • The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme provides financial assistance to selected students from SCs (115 slots), De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (6 slots), and other specified categories (4 slots) for pursuing master’s and Ph.D. level courses abroad. Currently, 125 slots are allocated under the scheme, and 107 students have received scholarships for the academic year 2023-24.

National Fellowship For SCs

  • This scheme offers financial fellowships to students from the Scheduled Caste category pursuing higher studies leading to M. Phil. And Ph.D. in Science, Humanities, and Social Science streams in Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
  • Implemented by the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, the scheme provides 2000 new slots annually for candidates who have qualified the National Eligibility Test-Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC and Junior Research Fellows for the Science stream qualifying UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) Joint Test. The revised rates under the scheme are ₹37,000/- p.m. for JRF and ₹42,000/- p.m. for SRF, effective from 1st January 2023.

DoSJE has actively implemented the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) with the aim of extending the government’s development interventions and addressing service gaps in education within SC-dominant areas. This initiative involves collaboration with grant-in-aid institutions, mainly run by NGOs, and residential high schools that provide high-quality education. The primary objective is to create an environment conducive to the socio-economic upliftment and overall development of Scheduled Castes (SCs).

Achievements under the scheme include the admission of a total of 2564 students in 142 Private Residential Schools affiliated with CBSE/State Boards for the academic session 2023-24. The department has reimbursed school fees amounting to ₹30.55 Crore for these students.

These initiatives and achievements reflect the commitment of the Modi government to uplift marginalized communities and empower them for a brighter future.

(With inputs from PIB)

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