Latest news with #Madurai-based
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Revive scheme to bring more adi dravidar, tribal students to IITs, NITs'
Madurai: A Madurai-based activist has called for reviving a skill development scheme announced under the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO) in 2013-2014 but was not implemented due to 'administrative reasons'. Based on a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) Act query, activist S Karthik told TOI that had the scheme been properly implemented, hundreds of adi dravidar and tribal students in Tamil Nadu would have got opportunities to study in IITs or NITs. "The scheme became defunct almost the same year citing administrative reasons. As per the scheme, 50 students would be selected by an exam each year and given special training for JEE and AIEEE exams by selected institutions at 1 lakh per student for two years in their Class XI and Class XII," he said. The RTI reply showed that a GO dated Oct 15, 2013, was issued by the adi dravidar and tribal welfare department, regarding implementation of the scheme under TAHDCO. However, the scheme was abandoned without a single beneficiary. He said it is baffling that the state government did not give a second thought to the scheme and urged it to immediately revive the scheme by allotting necessary funds and select at least 100 students for the following year. Notably, at present, the Naan Mudhalvan scheme of the Tamil Nadu govt provides support for students from underprivileged backgrounds for higher education.
India.com
16-06-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Star player from MS Dhoni's CSK accused of ball-tampering, his team says...
Ravichandran Ashwin played for MS Dhoni's CSK in IPL 2025 season. (Photo: BCCI/IPL) The IPL 2025 season might have come to an end earlier this month but the T20 league around India and the world are still very much underway. One such league is the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) featuring some of the top stars from this season's IPL like Varun Chakravarthy and Ravichandran Ashwin. MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammate Ashwin has been courting controversy throughout this season of TNPL 2025. He was earlier fined for showing dissent at a female umpire's decision and now there is a much more serious allegation of ball-tampering levelled against him. The Madurai Panthers team have filed a complaint to the TNPL that former India off-spinner Ashwin and his side Dindigul Dragons had tampered with the ball in their clash on June 14. The TNPL 2025 organisers in turn have asked the Panthers to furnish evidence against the same. R Ashwin has been accused of ball-tampering by Madurai Panthers after their loss to Dindigul Dragons on June 14. The TNPL has asked the franchise to submit proof, following allegations that Ashwin's team used chemical-treated towels to tamper with the ball. (IE) — Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) June 16, 2025 The Madurai-based franchise have alleged that the reigning TNPL champions used towels treated with chemicals that resulted in the ball getting 'heavier and produced metallic sound' when it came in contact with the bat. With such major allegations levelled against Ashwin and his team, the TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan has asked the franchise to show proof of the incidents. 'They have filed a complaint, which we have acknowledged. Though they have to lodge any complaints within 24 hours of the game, we have still accepted it and have asked them to furnish proof of their allegations. We will be forming an independent committee if we find there is any truth to their allegations. Without sufficient evidence, it is wrong to put forth such allegations against a player and another franchise. If they don't provide any evidence, then Madurai will face due sanctions,' Prasanna was quoted as saying by The Indian Express newspaper. In the letter to TNPL according to the newspaper, the Panthers COO S. Mahesh wrote: 'A serious case of ball tampering occurred during our recent match against Dindigul Dragons. Despite repeated warnings, the Dindigul team blatantly tampered with the ball, using towels that appeared to have been treated with chemicals.' With the tournament clashing with the monsoon season, the matches have been hampered by rain. The Panthers vs Dragons match had a delayed start following a short burst of rain in Salem, following which Madurai posted 150/8 in 20 overs after batting first. In reply, Ashwin's Dragons overhauled in 12.3 overs and 9 wickets to spare. Ashwin went wicketless with the ball but notched up 49 with the bat as an opener. Ashwin had a forgettable IPL 2025 season, claiming only 7 wickets as Dhoni's CSK ended in 10th and last position on the points table. The former India cricketer was bought or Rs 9.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction last year.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
NGO plants saplings in memory of plane crash victims
Madurai: As a tribute to the victims of the tragic Air India flight crash that occurred in Ahmedabad, Paravai Foundation, a Madurai-based NGO, planted 270 saplings around the Kodikulam tank near Surya Nagar on Sunday. The initiative aims to serve as a living memorial for the lives lost in the accident. "Each sapling symbolises a life, and the drive is our humble tribute to the memory of the victims," said Cholan Kubendran, the NGO's founder. The foundation has been involved in environmental initiatives, particularly tree planting drives across schools and public spaces in Madurai district. For this initiative, native species suitable for the tank ecosystem were selected to ensure long-term ecological sustainability. Volunteers, school students, and residents participated in the planting drive. The foundation also plans to ensure maintenance of the saplings including watering and fencing, in collaboration with the local community. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Minister, functionaries with no knowledge of archaeology cannot comment on expert's findings'
'When the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna has released a detailed report on the ancient civilization in Keezhadi based on the excavations from his official position, how can a Union Minister and party members who possess no knowledge about the subject can comment on the expert's knowledge and findings,' questioned Madurai-based archaeologist C. Santhalingam. He was speaking at a protest conducted by Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association here on Wednesday to demand the release of the excavation reports of Keezhadi. Mr. Santhalingam said that if the Union government was sceptical about the archaeologist's expertise, they should appoint a team to verify the facts of the report. Impugning the archaeologist's knowledge and accusing him of possessing a regional mindset was not something a government should do to impose its ideology and politics, he stated. The recent political developments staged by BJP were contrary to their own position when a senior ASI Director General released a book on Adichanallur excavation findings, he said. While Keezhadi excavations have unearthed the history 100 years after the Adichanallur findings, how could one accept Adichanallur and not accept something that happened after that period, he questioned. 'One of the oldest hero stones in Puliman Kombai with Brahmi script inscriptions dating back to 3rd to 4th century BCE proves the literary knowledge possessed by the Tamils, the politically motivated statements of the Union government and BJP leaders show their lack of scientific temper,' Mr. Santhalingam observed. The Indian people before the arrival of British believed that the Mahabharata and Ramayana were the only history of India, he said. 'If not for the British, who carried out an extensive research across the country and brought the history of Brahmi and languages evolved from that and showed the world a ruler named Ashoka, most of the truth would have been shadowed by the lies of rulers and politicians,' he added. Though the current protests might look like one between parties, it was actually the protest between Aryans and Dravidians which goes back to 2,000 years ago, he stated. Even in regions surrounding Madurai, the Jain beds in several hillocks were commonly known as Panja Pandava Padukaigal (a term linked to Mahabharata) to people, he said. 'Only because of the evidence-based research and study the places are being known as Jain beds which were used by Jains as rest place,' he stated. Madhukur Ramalingam also spoke during the protest.
The Hindu
08-06-2025
- The Hindu
‘Provide protection to activist under Witness Protection Scheme'
Principal District Judge S. Sivakadatcham has ordered protection to Madurai-based activist M. Gnanasekaran of Vadipatti who was facing threat from quarry operators. Gnanasekaran participated in protests against illegal quarry operations around Kachaikatti in Vadipatti. The PDJ ordered that protection be provided to the activist under the Witness Protection Scheme. He is a witness in the case. The judge ordered regular patrolling around the house of the witness and also installation of security devices, including CCTV cameras and alarm. The judge ordered that escort be provided to the witness to and from court and to either provide a government vehicle or State-funded conveyance for hearing. The judge instructed the witness to inform the police station concerned if he wants to go out of his village. The Judicial Magistrate, Vadipatti, was directed to dispose of the case as expeditiously as possible.
