Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s much-anticipated visit to Coimbatore on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, witnessed a disappointing conclusion as his roadshow failed to draw crowds, with less than 100 people gathering to greet him despite the high-profile inauguration of the ₹208.5 crore Semmozhi Poonga.

Grand Park Inauguration…

The Chief Minister had earlier inaugurated the 45-acre botanical park at the Central Prison grounds in Gandhipuram, fulfilling a 15-year-old proposal first made during the 2010 World Tamil Literature Conference by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The park features over 2,000 plant species, 23 themed gardens, a digital plant information system, co-working spaces, an all-access gym, and barrier-free infrastructure.

During the formal event, Mr. Stalin unveiled the park’s identity plaque, inspected installations portraying Kadai Ezhu Vallalgal (the seven celebrated patrons of the Sangam age), and interacted with industrialists and civic representatives at the park’s 500-seat amphitheatre. He also inaugurated a housing project for persons with disabilities at Orattukuppai in Chettipalayam panchayat, handing over keys to 86 beneficiaries of houses built through a ₹5.67 crore CSR contribution.

…But Roadshow After Event Sees A Barely Any Crowd

However, the celebratory mood turned sour during the subsequent roadshow. The poor public turnout of less than 100 people stood in stark contrast to the grandeur of the development projects inaugurated earlier in the day. The sparse gathering raised questions about the Chief Minister’s connect with the people of Coimbatore, despite this being his 16th official visit to the industrial city since assuming office in 2021.

முக ஸ்டாலினை புறக்கணித்த கோவை மக்கள்.

மொத்தமாக 100 பேர் கூட இல்லாமல் ஃபிளாப் ஆன முதல்வரின் ரோட் ஷோ. pic.twitter.com/cuOZf6PYRG

— Krishna Kumar Murugan (@ikkmurugan) November 25, 2025

The visibly thin crowds during the roadshow procession indicated either public apathy or possible boycott of the Chief Minister’s visit, casting a shadow over what was intended to be a showcase event of the DMK government’s developmental achievements in the region.

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A major controversy erupted on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, after the Tamizh Thai Vazhthu was reportedly not sung at the inauguration of the newly built Semmozhi Poonga in Coimbatore – an event presided over by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and advertised as a grand celebration of Tamil classical heritage.

The omission triggered sharp criticism from BJP leader K Annamalai, who alleged that the DMK government had “insulted Tamil identity” at an event meant to honour Tamil civilisation.

“How can a Classical Tamil Park be opened without Tamil Thai Vazhthu?”: Annamalai

In a strongly worded statement, Annamalai wrote on X:

“At the inauguration ceremony of the Coimbatore Classical Language Garden, held under the leadership of Chief Minister Thiru @mkstalin, the event took place without singing the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK claims that these classical language gardens are established to honor the Tamil language, which is the irony in this matter. The DMK continues to exploit the passion for Tamil, which should be alive and heartfelt, for their divisive politics and their exploitative business of survival. That is why, for Chief Minister Thiru @mkstalin, who pretends to care about the Tamil language, the Tamil Nadu government did not even mention that the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu should be sung at the beginning of the event. At least now, instead of merely paying lip service to Tamil passion, we urge the Chief Minister to truly demonstrate care for the Tamil language.”

முதலமைச்சர் திரு @mkstalin அவர்கள் தலைமையில் நடைபெற்ற கோயம்புத்தூர் செம்மொழி பூங்கா திறப்பு விழாவில், தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்து பாடாமல், திறப்பு விழா நடைபெற்றிருக்கிறது. தமிழகத்தில், இந்த செம்மொழிப் பூங்காக்கள், தமிழ் மொழியைப் போற்றுவதற்காக அமைக்கப்படுகின்றன என்று திமுக கூறுவதுதான்…

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) November 25, 2025

Event Celebrated Tamil Classical Heritage — But Reportedly Skipped the Foundational Invocation

The irony was not lost on observers: The Semmozhi Poonga was launched during the 2010 Classical Tamil Conference and is now showcased as a large-scale cultural landmark featuring Sangam-era botanical species, sculptures of the Seven Vallals, and inscriptions from ancient Tamil texts.

Yet at a function centred on Tamil classical identity, the very song that opens all Tamil cultural, educational, and state functions was reportedly inexplicably absent.

Despite the criticism, the Tamil Nadu government has not issued any explanation – No clarification from the Chief Minister’s Office, no comment from the HR&CE Minister or Culture Department, no statement from the Coimbatore administration.

As per a News18 Tamil Nadu video, the reporting seemed to point at this – that the event began directly with plaque unveilings and walk-throughs and not with the invocation.

In Tamil Nadu, Tamil Thai Vazhthu holds the status of a State Song and is traditionally sung at the start of all official events. A 2021 Madras High Court ruling emphasised that the song must be accorded the same respect as ‘Jana Gana Mana’ at functions.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, inaugurated the three-day South India Natural Farming Summit 2025 at Codissia Hall in Coimbatore, reinforcing India’s commitment to becoming a global hub for natural farming. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from farming communities across the southern states, with a strong show of support from Tamil Nadu’s agricultural leadership.

Addressing the summit, All Farmers’ Association Coordination Committee President PR Pandian praised the Prime Minister for his role in resolving several long-standing issues affecting Tamil Nadu’s farmers.

“All credit goes to the Prime Minister,” Pandian said, as he highlighted Modi’s contribution in settling the Kaveri river dispute and overturning the Supreme Court’s ban on Jallikattu.

“The long-standing Cauvery issue has been resolved by setting up the Cauvery Management Commission. The Supreme Court banned the Jallikattu competition. A permanent solution was found by bringing an emergency law. All that credit goes to Prime Minister Modi,” Pandian said.

Showcasing Natural Farming and Farmer Recognition

The Prime Minister’s presence at the summit was seen as a major morale booster for farmers, particularly those practicing traditional and natural methods of cultivation.

“The summit officially started with the Prime Minister of India, and he inaugurated the 21st PM-Kisan scheme on this stage among farmers. This made the summit grand and, more importantly, instilled confidence among all South Indian farmers by the Prime Minister’s presence during difficult times. We are grateful for the Prime Minister’s visit and the faith he’s given to the farmers,” Pandian said.

He also extended gratitude to other dignitaries present, including Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, BJP State President Nainar Nagendran, and former Vice Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Dr. K. Ramasamy.

Praising PM Modi for Cultural and Agricultural Interventions

Recalling the cultural significance of Jallikattu, Pandian noted the central government’s legal intervention to preserve the tradition.

“Jallikattu is part of Tamil Nadu’s culture – a brave sport not just for youth, but to raise awareness about livestock. The Supreme Court imposed a permanent ban on Jallikattu, but respecting the emotions of youth and farmers, an emergency law was introduced and, through this law, the SC’s order was overridden and special permission was obtained for Jallikattu in TN by the Hon. Prime Minister. I express my gratitude for that here.”

Calling for Broader Policy Interventions

Pandian also appealed to the Prime Minister for new national policies focused on soil regeneration, wildlife-farmer conflict mitigation, and protection of ecologically sensitive zones like the Western Ghats.

“We urge the PM to create a national policy to protect soil, people, and farmers. The Western Ghats start in Kerala and run through several states. Changes in this range drive climate change. We need policies to protect the Western Ghats, which are crucial. Wildlife is destroying farmlands and even attacking farmers. Forests and farmers both need protection. Only the PM can bring comprehensive law for this.”

He also criticized the Tamil Nadu Land Integration Act 2023, warning of its consequences for agricultural and water ecosystems.

“The TN Land Integration Act 2023 has risked not only lands but also wetlands, lakes, ponds, and water pathways by reclassification, benefiting developers. We need unified law to stop this crisis. Farmers are not opposed to industry but want growth that does not come at the cost of agriculture and food security.”

Appeal to Honor Nammazhwar

Pandian concluded his address with an emotional plea for national recognition of Nammazhwar, the late eco-farming pioneer of Tamil Nadu.

“We request, in memory of Nammazhwar, that during your tenure, you award him the Bharat Ratna. The BJP has already supported this resolution. Please make this summit’s resolution a reality. You declared publicly, even during COVID, that small farmers revived the Indian economy.”

“During the global food shortages in COVID, Indian farmers supplied food to many countries, as you acknowledged. Farmers need adequate crop insurance coverage, and the PM-Kisan scheme must benefit all farming families, especially those practicing natural farming on 60% of TN lands.”

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A shocking incident of abduction has been reported from the Irugur area near Coimbatore, where CCTV footage captured a woman being forcibly taken into a car by unidentified individuals on Thursday evening. The video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows a car abruptly pulling over and the occupants dragging a young woman into the vehicle before speeding away.

According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred around 7 PM when three female students were walking along the roadside. One of them was allegedly targeted by the assailants, attacked, and pushed into the car. The victim’s screams can be heard in the footage, adding to the public alarm.

Police teams from Peelamedu and Singanallur stations immediately rushed to the spot after receiving information about the abduction. Officers have begun a full-scale investigation, collecting CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to trace the vehicle’s route and identify the suspects. Eyewitnesses in the locality have been questioned, and a search operation has been launched.

The incident has triggered widespread concern, coming just days after a gang rape case near the Coimbatore airport shocked the state. The back-to-back incidents have intensified public anxiety about women’s safety in the region.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran strongly condemned the incident, accusing the DMK government of presiding over a collapse of law and order in Coimbatore. In a post on X, he wrote: “Turning the Manchester of the South into a region prowled by monsters who prey on women is DMK’s only achievement! It is shocking that, just three days after the gang rape of a student in Coimbatore, CCTV footage has now emerged from Irugur showing a woman being abducted. I urge the Tamil Nadu police not to act as the DMK’s henchmen but to immediately intervene and rescue the abducted woman.”

Nagendran further stated that incidents like the gang sexual assault near the airport and the Irugur abduction highlight the total breakdown of women’s safety under DMK rule. He also questioned the state government’s law enforcement approach, saying,

“With such incompetent administration and deteriorating law and order, how many criminals do you plan to shoot down in encounters to protect women, Hon. Chief Minister Thiru. M.K. Stalin?”

He added that a government “which sacrifices women to predatory vultures while merely making empty promises” cannot be described as one delivering good governance.

தென்னகத்தின் Manchester-ஐ பெண்களை சூறையாடும் Monster-கள் உலவும் பகுதியாக மாற்றியது தான் திமுக-வின் சாதனை!

தேசத்தையே உலுக்கச் செய்த கோவை மாணவி கூட்டு பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை நடந்து மூன்று நாட்களுக்கு உள்ளாகவே கோவை இருகூரில் அலறல் சத்தத்துடன் ஒரு பெண் கடத்தப்படும் சிசிடிவி பதிவு… pic.twitter.com/iwNqDlcPoo

— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) November 7, 2025

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In a shocking incident, a young woman was allegedly gang-raped by three men near the Coimbatore International Airport on Sunday (2 November 2025) night. The victim, an MBA student at a private college near Peelamedu, was abducted after the assailants first attacked her male friend who was with her.

According to police, the horrific crime unfolded around 11 PM on Sunday. The student was speaking with her friend inside a car near the airport when the three-member gang, who had arrived on a stolen motorbike, noticed them.

The men allegedly assaulted the woman’s boyfriend, forced him out of the car, and then kidnapped her. They fled the spot with the victim, taking her to a secluded area behind a private college located about a kilometer from the airport.

There, the trio sexually assaulted her. In a further act of brutality, they abandoned her at the isolated spot without her clothes.

The injured friend immediately alerted the police, who launched a massive search operation. After hours of searching, the woman was found unconscious in the isolated area around 4 AM on Monday. She was rushed to a private hospital near Sitra for medical treatment and care. Her injured friend was admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for his injuries.

Police sources revealed that the accused had earlier stolen a motorbike from the Kovilpalayam area on Sunday, 2 November 2025, before traveling to Airport Road and committing the crime.

In response to the heinous crime, the Coimbatore police have constituted seven special teams to trace and apprehend the culprits. The investigation is ongoing.

This case is the latest in a series of serious crimes against women in the state that have raised concerns. In a separate incident from February this year, seven college students were arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Kuniyamuthur.

In that case, the students, from a private college, had befriended the minor through a social media app. The girl’s family filed a missing complaint after she failed to return home following a meeting with one of the accused. She was later found and told authorities she had been assaulted by the group. All seven students were arrested and placed in judicial custody.

(Source: Times of India)

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The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has ordered the removal of all caste-based names from streets, localities, and water bodies by 19 November 2025. These must be replaced with neutral names such as Tamil literary figures, eminent leaders, or flowers. The directive, issued on October 6 by Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, includes 16 suggested names such as Tiruvalluvar, Avvaiyar, Kabilar, Bharathiyar, ‘Periyar’, and former Chief Ministers C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi.

For water bodies, the state suggests adopting one of 15 flower names like Roja, Malli, Sembarathi, or Suryagandhi. This move builds on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s earlier announcement (on April 29) to eliminate the term “colony” from official records and public usage.

Names such as Adi Dravidar Colony, Harijan Colony, Vannankulam, Paraiyar Theru, and Sakkiliyar Salai are to be rescinded and replaced by caste-neutral alternatives.

Former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa have been omitted which is seen as political vengeance.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday announced that the state’s longest flyover, the Avinashi Road Elevated Corridor in Coimbatore, will be named after inventor and industrialist G.D. Naidu, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions, particularly in light of the DMK’s repeated claims of working to eliminate caste identities from public life.

Stalin, in a post on X, said his government had completed 95% of the project’s work after assuming office, noting that only 5% had been finished when the DMK came to power. He said the 10.10 km-long flyover, built at a cost of ₹1,791 crore, reflects the government’s commitment to infrastructure and progress under the “Dravidian model.”

The Chief Minister added that the structure was being named after G.D. Naidu, hailed as the “Edison of India”, describing him as a close ideological associate of Periyar (original name – EV Ramasamy Naicker) and a symbol of innovation and scientific spirit.

The Avinashi Road Elevated Corridor, executed by the Special Projects Wing of the State Highways Department, stretches from Uppilipalayam to Goldwins and is expected to ease traffic congestion along one of Coimbatore’s busiest routes. The inauguration is set to take place on 9 October 2025.

2020-இல் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டு, 2021 மே மாதம் வரையில் 5% பணிகள் மட்டுமே நடைபெற்றிருந்த #AvinashiRoadFlyover-ஐ, நமது #DravidianModel அரசு பொறுப்பேற்று, ரூ.1,791 கோடி செலவில் 10.10 கி.மீ நீளமுள்ள இந்தப் பாலத்தின் மீதமிருந்த 95% பணிகளையும் விரைந்து முடித்துள்ளது.

கோவை மக்களின் நீண்டநாள்… pic.twitter.com/TObKnJx5zK

— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) October 7, 2025

While many industrialists and civic groups welcomed the naming, the inclusion of “Naidu” in the official title has prompted questions about the DMK’s consistency on caste-related issues. Critics noted that the ruling party has frequently advocated removing caste-based titles and surnames from public and official usage.

Local industry representatives, however, praised the gesture. J. Sathish, director of the Kongu Global Forum, said G.D. Naidu’s contributions to entrepreneurship, technical education, and social upliftment were “woven into the fabric of Coimbatore.” Rajesh B. Lund, president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, said the naming was a “fitting tribute” to a visionary who embodied the city’s industrious spirit.

The irony couldn’t be starker — while the DMK government orders the removal of caste names from streets and villages, it proudly names a major flyover after G.D. Naidu. In Tamil Nadu, it seems caste names are objectionable only when politically inconvenient.

(With inputs from The New Indian Express)

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The police on 25 September 2025 arrested the officer in charge of a children’s home near Coimbatore after videos surfaced showing him beating an inmate with a belt.

The accused, S. Selvaraj (60) of Sakthi Nagar, Kottaipalayam, was arrested by Kovilpalayam police. Selvaraj and his wife, S. Nirmala (58), have been running Grace Happy Home Trust in Kottaipalayam for several years, with Nirmala serving as managing trustee.

According to officials of the Social Welfare Department, the facility is a recognised children’s home in the district, housing children entrusted by the Child Welfare Committee. As of Thursday, the home was sheltering nine boys.

District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar ordered an inquiry after two videos emerged showing Selvaraj assaulting a boy in front of other inmates. In one of the clips, the child is seen pleading with him not to inflict further harm. The visuals are believed to have been recorded by another inmate.

Officials from the Revenue Department and the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) conducted an inspection at the home and the government school attended by the children. The inquiry found that Selvaraj had beaten an eight-year-old boy on August 8 as punishment for pushing another child of the same age.

District Child Protection Officer M. Hafsa submitted a report to the Collector confirming that the boy had been ill-treated. Based on the findings, DCPU Protection Officer Parimala Gandhi lodged a police complaint.

Police said a case was registered against Selvaraj and Nirmala under Sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 75 (punishment for cruelty to child) and 82 (corporal punishment) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. Selvaraj was remanded to judicial custody.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

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Hindu Munnani State President, Kadeshwara C. Subramaniam, has strongly opposed the restriction on playing traditional musical instruments in temples governed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. He emphasized that this move, which undermines the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Tamil people, must be reversed immediately.

In his statement, Subramaniam referred to the historic Virundeeswarar Temple in North Madurai, a significant religious site in Coimbatore. Known as a sacred place where Lord Shiva is believed to have delighted his followers, this temple has a long-standing tradition of incorporating musical instruments such as the Shiva vadyam and Kailaya vadyam into its rituals.

However, a new notice has been displayed at the temple banning instruments such as the horn, urumi, conch, drums, jamab, and others typically associated with Shiva worship. This decision has stirred outrage among devotees, who view music as an integral part of their spiritual practice — from waking the deity with devotional sounds to offering music during night rituals.

Subramaniam criticized the HR&CE Department, accusing it of failing in its duty to uphold and promote the cultural traditions it is meant to protect. He expressed concern that a systematic erosion of Tamil Nadu’s traditional arts is underway. Forms like Silambam, Karagattam, Oyilattam, Nadaswaram concerts, and ancient temple music traditions are slowly vanishing, replaced by influences from Western culture with the HR&CE Department allegedly playing a part in this decline.

Historically, temples served not only as places of worship but also as cultural hubs where the arts were nurtured. Many temples were equipped with special halls for devotional music, dance, and singing, such as those still visible in places like Srirangam, Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Rameswaram, and Tiruchendur. These spaces were created by the kings and ancestors of Tamil Nadu to preserve and promote the arts.

Unfortunately, under HR&CE management, these structures have become inactive and neglected, no longer serving their intended purpose. At the same time, despite drawing revenue from temple activities, the Department reportedly fails to address the basic needs and facilities required for temple operations, while also interfering with religious traditions and rituals.

Subramaniam recalled previous instances of such interference, two years ago, musical instruments were banned at the Palani hill temple, and last year, the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya” in unison was halted at the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai. These actions, he noted, have deeply disturbed spiritual communities.

He also raised concerns over the double standards questioning whether similar intrusions would be tolerated in the worship practices of minority religions, and whether the so-called “Dravidian model” government has the right to alter longstanding Hindu temple customs.

Traditional Tamil devotional singers, who once recited the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam hymns in temples, are now rarely seen, and no support is extended to them by the authorities. Subramaniam accused the Tamil Nadu government of systematically dismantling the cultural fabric of Hindu temples and urged a reversal of this approach.

He concluded by stating that Tamil Nadu, a land rich with musical devotion and temple traditions, must not allow ancient musical practices to be silenced. On behalf of the Hindu Munnani, he demanded that the HR&CE Department not only revoke the instrument ban at the Virundeeswarar Temple in Coimbatore but also uphold and respect these sacred traditions across all temples under its administration.

His full statement read, “Ban on musical instruments in temples under the HR&CE Department! The action, which seeks to destroy the traditional music and arts of Tamils, must be stopped immediately. 

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In the quiet hills of Anaikatti, along the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border, lives a man who once chased molecular perfection in global laboratories. Today, at 67, Dr Soundararajan is chasing something infinitely more human: dignity, self-reliance, and hope for the tribal women of these hills.

“I am broke, but not broken,” he says, “What I do here gives me love. Sometimes, I wonder if I am helping them, or if they are helping me. Doing seva is not optional, it is the duty of the intellectuals, the intellectuals have failed this country.”

From Chennai To The World – And Back

Born in Tiruvannamalai, Dr Soundararajan’s life began like many others from middle-class Tamil Brahmin families with a strong emphasis on studies. His father was the sole breadwinner for a large family of five children. “We had several ‘one meal’ days,” he recalls. “But we always gave importance to learning.”

His brilliance carried him from first grade through PhD entirely within Chennai, specializing in metallic chemistry. In 1987, he boarded a flight to the U.S. for postdoctoral research at the University of Oklahoma, later moving to Washington State University. He published in top journals like the Journal of the American Chemical Society and even discovered a reaction deemed superior to one that had won a Nobel Prize.

He built a respected career, got his green card, married, welcomed two children, but then chose something rare. In 1996, he walked away. “I wanted my children to grow up knowing our people, our culture. I missed my relatives. I was feeling distanced from my roots.”

It was a costly choice. A corporate U.S. salary of $70,000 a year became ₹7,000 a month in Chennai. “I couldn’t even support the family,” he says. He took tuitions for school students, slowly working his way into industry again, heading R&D departments and working for global pharma companies in India. But something deeper was stirring within him.

The Spiritual Turning Point

Coming from a family deeply rooted in spirituality, his interest in Vedanta grew with time. The shift began in 1985, at a lecture that led him to his guru, Dayananda Saraswati – a connection that would anchor him through decades of corporate life. “Every year in the U.S., I would visit him in Pennsylvania,” he says. “By 2012, I had had enough of corporate life. I told him I wanted to do something more meaningful.”

Swami Dayananda Saraswati offered him land near his ashram and told him: You do something here for the people. That became the seed.

Dr Soundararajan started small – making yoga mats and fabrics out of banana fibre, eco-friendly plates from areca palm, paper from banana pulp. At one point, he employed 20–25 adivasis, men and women. But businesses faltered, partners left, and losses mounted. He persisted.

While all this happened, COVID-19 also affected him and the progress. But he persevered. It was his guru’s aagna. 

“My guru has said, “Aa sethu himachala vanagiri jana samrakshanaya kurusevamtwam, meaning from Rameswaram to the Himalayan mountains, we should serve the forest, mountain dwellers. I want everyone to think of have-nots more.”

Learning to Lead with Love

Working with tribal women at his Adivasi Penmanigal Vazhvadhara Maiyyam was unlike anything his corporate career had prepared him for. “They were too shy to even talk to me, face to face. They worked only for the money. My logical methods – log sheets, timing, accountability, these didn’t work.”

The breakthrough came when he stopped managing like an executive and started relating like a friend. “I had to understand them out of love and care. Then it worked miracles.” Women began opening up, taking on responsibility, and trusting him. Some of them who work with him have been there from the time he started in 2012. He says, “I primarily work with the adivasi women because the men are always indulging in alcohol, as you know how big a problem it is in Tamil Nadu. Some of them are widows, their husbands – victims of alcoholism. It is a male-dominated society here and since I employ only women, they feel safe working at our setup.” 

Some stories still choke him up. One young woman, abused daily by her paternal uncle, was so withdrawn she wouldn’t look anyone in the eye. Dr Soundararajan helped her open a bank account, encouraged her to lead small tasks. When her family tried to bargain her away for land, he intervened, rescued her, and gave her work. Today she is married, saving money, and living with hope.

Another inspiring story is of women who barely knew to ride the cycle are today driving electric autos. Those who had refused to drive them started making a beeline for it seeing the other women taking it up. These women in the picture were trained and now drop off their colleagues and soon they will accept external passengers.

Why The Tribal “Infantry” Matters

Dr Soundararajan often uses a striking metaphor: “In a war, you may have air force and navy, but without infantry, you can’t win. Similarly in Ramayana also you can see the Vanaras, they play a crucial role. These people are at the bottom of the pyramid and they have national, cultural, societal integrity as well as their credentials are unique in those. We have left all that and moved into concrete buildings, they stayed back and are preservers of Indian culture. In society, the tribal communities are that infantry – the base. Without them, we are like a body without legs, without them we are motionless. We will sink without them.”

For him, helping the tribal people isn’t just charity; it’s civilization-preservation. “They keep alive old stories, old songs, and ways of living with nature. Even today, they will climb hills, live in stone homes, light fires the way our ancestors did. They may be poor in money, but they are rich in heritage.”

But their lives are hard: alcoholism is rampant, often both men and older women drink. Nutrition is poor; many don’t know how to cook a decent breakfast or read a thermometer. Government schemes often fail to reach them, siphoned off by middlemen. Many girls become mothers before 18.

He has seen entire villages with barely four men left because the rest drank themselves to death. “Sometimes, all they want is for me to come and sit with them for 10 minutes. That’s enough for them to feel cared for.”

He continues, “I have adopted three villages. By ‘adopted,’ I mean I give them moral, emotional, and intellectual support – more than just monetary help. I celebrate the Pongal festival with them. Whenever I visit, I take vethala paaku (betel leaves and nuts) for all the elderly women, and chocolates for the children. Over the past three years, these small gestures have made a difference. I can see the change in them.”

This year for Pongal, he gifted them a bunch of vegetables. Generally one ton of veggies are bought for distribution during Pongal at the adopted tribal villages.

Here are some videos of him giving gifts to the women and children during various festivals such as Karthigai deepam, Deepavali etc.

Explaining why people from cities need to build relationships with the indigenous people, he said, “They want, they need, yet they lack emotional connection with the mainstream. They still see themselves as separate from it—even the children. Society has not helped. People donate money and walk away, without building any real relationship. Even when funding is available, there is no genuine engagement. In many cases, middlemen siphon off most of the funds. That is why I am here—to bridge the gap and ensure real integration, not just token gestures.”

He further said, “By saying all this, I want to stress that any society becomes a true society—woven into a proper fabric—only when emotional and intellectual well-being are nurtured. Without that, it becomes a societal problem. In earlier times, kings took care of all aspects of their people’s well-being. Today, in our hurried society, emotional well-being is neglected. People themselves often lack it, so they cannot give it to others. How many of us pause to talk to a stranger on the road, in the park, or in the lift? Very few. Unless we interact, people—especially these communities—will never know they belong.”

Taking pride in his team, he said, “In July 2025, they achieved their highest sales of Rs 1,30,000 all by themselves – without my support. 

Some of the other gestures that Dr Soundararajan has indulged in include taking the tribal children to the airport, taking them for lunch in a city restaurant,

Practical Interventions, Cultural Preservation

Over the years, he has started cafeterias run by tribal women, trained them to make and sell herbal products, and introduced moringa soup to schoolchildren to fight anemia. He celebrates Pongal with sweets for the children and firewood for the elderly. He has taken tribal women on airplanes for the first time, changing how they see themselves forever.

He also urges them: Change your clothes, your house, your income… but don’t change the form of your heart, don’t change your ancestral feeling.

At weddings, he delights in their tradition: the groom in a hunter’s costume, bow and arrow in hand, facing east to shoot before being garlanded by the bride. “How many of us in cities remember such rituals?” he asks. Despite being in abject poverty, at one particular village he went to, the people asked him for a harmonium, dholak, ganjira so they could perform Harishchandra Katha. 

An Invitation to All of Us

Dr Soundararajan’s vision extends far beyond Anaikatti. He dreams of 52 families — from India and abroad — each “adopting” a set of villages, spending a week a year there, living with the people, building real relationships. “It’s not the money alone,” he insists. “It’s the presence.”

His plea is heartfelt: “Please spend at least one week with a tribal village. The knowledge you gain will never come from books.”

Speaking about how all humans on this land are interwoven, he said, “Everyone should look at society as a fabric. A fabric is made of fibres, and its sheen, shine, strength, design, and beauty all depend on the weaving. The weaving is important. In society, we too must be interwoven for the societal fabric to be strong and sustainable. We cannot leave out or isolate any part of society. Nature shows us this truth; it accommodates everything. There is value in everything: from piglets to mosquitoes, from honeybees to rockets, from trees to anything else you can think of. Everything has a meaning and a purpose. The world today is in a hurry. People may call it speed, but speed without control is just haste. Speed with control – that is true speed.”

Living Simply, Giving Fully

Dr Soundararajan lives by example. He has given his eight-bedroom home in Chennai to his family, sleeps on the floor in a small room, owns only a veshti and shirt for daily use, and keeps no health insurance. “I submit everything to the Lord. My needs are minimal.”

His work costs him — over ₹1.5 lakh a month in salaries, electricity, welfare and food for those he supports.  — but brings him immense returns in human affection. “They think of me more than I think of myself,” he says quietly. 

Today, the venture My Tapas sells everything organic, from jams to herbal soup mixes to organic pickles, organic honey, spices, and terracotta kitchenware. The most recent offering is herbal teas. (insert pic) Marketing is almost non-existent; products sell only if someone chooses to support.

This venture and the women working there was mentioned by PM Modi in his Mann Ki Baat episode in October 2022. PM Modi praised how the women do all the work in the terracotta factory – handling every step from processing to final packaging themselves.

The Hindu Civilizational Connect

He also pointed at how the indigenous people are truly rooted to our Hindu culture. He says, “In the setup, I placed a picture of Perumal (Vishnu), and they now perform all the pujas themselves. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is Rama Nama chanting—not mandatory, but it creates a sense of connection. If we consider our epics, even hunters and boatmen were brought into society through such traditions. Society and leadership are vital. Rama himself can be seen in many ways – as a king, as God, and more. But here, these tribal people lack basic skills; they don’t know how to cook on a gas stove, only on traditional stoves, and often won’t use a gas stove even if given one. We have failed them as a society and must buck up.”

He further says, “In one place, the villagers have a small temple. When I first went there, it was completely dark. Inside, bricks were stacked one on top of another without even a little cement or coating. Within stood a stone, a Nandi, and a Ganesha. When asked what they want, they said they want a light for that temple. Imagine, in that poverty, I thought of how they longed for just one light in the temple. Despite their poverty, their torn clothes, their leaking houses, and having no clean place to sleep during the rains, they still felt bad that there was no light in the temple. How can my devotion ever match theirs? Their faith is so deep, and it makes me reflect on myself and how much these people truly value what matters. People should understand and relate to this.”

Why You Should Care

Dr Soundarajan wants his team, the tribal women, to be self-dependent or rather atmanirbhar – self-reliant like PM Modi advocates. When asked how relevant it is to the country and the peoples, in his own words, he says, “Country is nothing but people. People’s vision makes the country. Without values and care for others, it’s just landmass.”

Meeting Dr Soundararajan is to be reminded that one life — lived simply, given fully — can restore hope in many others. His work in Anaikatti is not just about rescuing individuals from poverty’s grip; it’s about weaving them back into the fabric of a society that has too long overlooked them. He also adds, “I was able to change the perspective and empower a village, if I could do that, many more able people can do wonders and reach a lot of these indigenous people. All they need is someone to listen to them, talk to them, and show that we care. Only if you celebrate the relationship, it’s a relationship. Otherwise, it’s just a formal relationship.”

And that is why this story ends not with applause, but with an ask. If you are moved, help him. Visit, mentor, fund a project, or spend a week in a village. Buy their products, spread word and stand with the women of Anaikatti as they reclaim their dignity and dreams – because in lifting them, we lift ourselves. 

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The post Atmanirbhar In Action: This Scientist Left A High Paying Lucrative US Job To Empower Tribal Women In Anaikatti And Restore Their Dignity appeared first on The Commune.

Alarming revelations have emerged regarding several colleges in Tamil Nadu allegedly operating without proper university affiliations. These institutions are reportedly offering unapproved courses, effectively jeopardizing students’ futures by wasting their time, money, and effort. Shockingly, despite clear violations, little to no action appears to have been taken.

One such case is that of Maharaja Health Institute, located in Kempatty Colony near Kinathukadavu, Coimbatore district. Reports indicate that the college lacks proper recognition, yet continues to offer courses such as Ayurveda and surgery across four departments, with over 300 students currently enrolled.

Students raised concerns about various irregularities at the institution. Although a government medical team inspected the college two weeks after the complaints, the matter has been kept under wraps. Notably, no major Dravidianist media outlets have reported on this issue, raising further suspicion of a possible cover-up.

The college allegedly claims affiliation with Sunrise University and Singhania University, both based in Rajasthan. However, when students directly contacted Sunrise University, officials there categorically denied having granted any affiliation to institutions in Tamil Nadu, stating they operate only within Rajasthan.

Disturbed by this response, students submitted a petition to the Coimbatore District Collector, demanding clarification on the college’s accreditation status and calling for a thorough investigation.

The students said, “We have come to the Coimbatore District Collector’s office with over 60 students from Maharaja Institution of Medical Science, operating in Kinathukadavu, Coimbatore district. The reason for our visit is that in 2023, students approached Maharaja Institution College to join Allied Health Science courses. When they approached, the college claimed to be affiliated with Singhania University, Rajasthan. Students joined this college because its fees were lower compared to other colleges.

However, within just four months of joining, the college administration stated that they were no longer affiliated with Singhania University, Rajasthan, and had now become affiliated with Sunrise University, Rajasthan. This raised suspicions among the students. The students immediately asked the college administration to show them the approval and recognition documents, but the college firmly refused to show any such documents to the students. This further deepened the students’ suspicions.

Immediately, the students realized that while the college’s name is Maharaja Institution of Medical Science, the ID cards issued to these students stated ‘Sunrise University, Rajasthan’. Due to this, the students contacted Sunrise University, Rajasthan, to inquire, and that university firmly stated that they do not have any branch in South India. Following this, the students contacted the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC unequivocally stated that they have not granted recognition to this college. After this, the students discovered that this is a fraudulent college. When students raised questions about this, most of the students present were those who had completed their second year and were about to enter their third year. However, they still have not received the results for the second semester of their first year. In their first semester, they had a total of eight subjects, but the college only conducted exams for just three subjects. Yet, the mark sheets they received fraudulently printed marks for all eight subjects. The future of these students is now uncertain. In addition to these students, over 300 more students are still studying at that college. We do not know with what audacity this college is conducting admissions for the 2025-26 academic year. On behalf of ASF, the demands being put forth to the Government of Tamil Nadu are:

• The college fees paid by the over 300 affected students over these years should be refunded.
• The students should be transferred to recognized colleges.
• To prevent more students from joining such colleges and jeopardizing their lives, the ongoing admissions for this year should be immediately stopped. “

தமிழ்நாட்டில் இப்படி ஒரு போலி கல்லூரி

கல்வி அமைச்சருக்கு தெரியவே தெரியாது

திமுக தொடர்பு இல்லை

இது என்ன எடுத்துக்கொண்டு ஓட லேகிய கடையா, இது மருத்துவ கல்லூரிடா

என்ன ஒரு அருமையான திராவிட விடியல்.
திருடி ஊழல் செய்து சம்பாதித்து அதை வைத்து பணம் கொடுத்து ஓட்டு வாங்கி மக்களை ஏமாற்றி… pic.twitter.com/SiT6jhJnUJ

— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) August 14, 2025

Following the complaint, a team led by Dean Nirmala from Coimbatore Government Hospital conducted an inspection of the Maharaja Health Institute. Dean Nirmala confirmed the visit and stated that a report would be submitted to the District Collector.

As the legitimacy of the Maharaja Health Institute remains in question, so does the academic future of the 300+ students enrolled there, who now find themselves in an uncertain and distressing situation.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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The post Coimbatore: Medical Students Allegedly Duped By Unaffiliated Maharaja Health Institute, 300+ Futures At Risk appeared first on The Commune.