Page 4 - Tamil Nadu

Pongal a global festival, cherished by Tamil community world over: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said Pongal, which gave the message of maintaining harmonious balance with nature, has emerged as a global festival, cherished by Tamilians world over. Participating in Pongal celebrations at the residence of Union Minister L Murugan, the prime minister said this festival celebrates the hard work of the farmers and expresses gratitude to the land and the Sun. "The festival of Pongal reminds us that gratitude should go beyond mere words and become an integral part of our daily lives. When the Earth provides us with so much, it is our responsibility to cherish and protect it," Modi said at the celebrations that had Union Ministers, bureaucrats, and people from a cross-section of society in attendance. The prime minister said that around the world, the Tamil community and those who cherish Tamil culture celebrate Pongal with great enthusiasm, and he was proud to be among them. Modi said Tamil culture was one of the oldest living civilisations

Tamil Nadu to set up India's first sovereign AI park for ₹10K crore

'Digital Sangam': State partners Sarvam AI to build India's first full-stack, government-led AI ecosystem

I&B Ministry's attempt to block Jana Nayagan attack on Tamil culture: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that the Centre's "attempt to block" Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan' is an attack on Tamil culture, and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never succeed in "suppressing the voice of the Tamil people". His remarks come a day after the producer of the Tamil film Jana Nayagan approached the Supreme Court, challenging an interim order of the Madras High Court that stayed a single-judge direction to grant the CBFC clearance to the movie. On January 9, the Madras High Court stayed a single judge's order directing the CBFC to immediately grant a censor certificate to Jana Nayagan, leaving the fate of actor-turned-politician Vijay's film, which has drawn attention for its political overtones, in limbo. In a post on X, Gandhi said, "The I&B Ministry's attempt to block 'Jana Nayagan' is an attack on Tamil culture." "Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha ...

TVK chief Vijay appears before CBI for questioning in Karur stampede case

TVK chief and actor Vijay appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday for questioning in connection with the Karur stampede case, officials said. The Tamil superstar reached the CBI headquarters here and was taken to the team investigating the stampede, which occurred during a rally he addressed on September 27 last year in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The incident left 41 people dead and more than 60 injured. The CBI has questioned several office bearers of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in connection with the case, the officials said. The agency may take a call on filing a chargesheet in the matter after examining Vijay's responses during Monday's questioning, they said. The CBI took over the case from an SIT following a Supreme Court order, and the investigating agency has been gathering evidence in the matter.

Tamil Nadu to put quantum computers in hands of students, startups

Tamil Nadu will give students and startups direct access to real quantum computers through a state-backed programme, aiming to build practical deep-tech skills

'Jana Nayagan' delay deliberate; CBFC appeal will anger TN, says TVK

Describing the censor certification delay for Vijay starrer Jana Nayagan' as "deliberate", TVK state legal wing joint coordinator R Chakravarthi on Friday said any appeal will only anger the people of Tamil Nadu. "If CBFC appeals again, it confirms political intent to stall; this will only anger Tamil Nadu people against the Union government," he said. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) A R L Sundaresan made a mention before the Chief Justice M M Shrivastava earlier to permit the central government to file an appeal against the single-judge order. Speaking to reporters here after the order was pronounced, Chakravarthi alleged that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)'s move was aimed at blocking TVK supremo and top star Vijay's success and the movie's release fixed for January 9. The central government's certificate-issuing body was deliberately withholding the certificate even after they had already finished watching the film If they file an appeal, it will be deliberate

Palaniswami meets Shah, discusses prevailing political situation in TN

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday said he had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss the prevailing political situation in Tamil Nadu, and that they did not deliberate on alliance-related matters. The AIADMK top leader also categorically ruled out any scope for taking back expelled leaders V K Sasikala and O Panneerselvam into the party and said he was presently engaged in efforts to strengthen the NDA ahead of ths year's Assembly polls, likely in March-April. The former Chief Minister said he called on Shah at the latter's residence in the national capital on January 7 night since he could not meet the senior BJP leader during his visit to Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu on Sunday. "I had prior engagements at Salem and Kallakurichi, hence I couldn't meet him. So, I came to Delhi and met him," he told reporters at the New Delhi airport. Incidentally, the meeting happened on a day when the Dr Anbumani Ramadoss faction of the PMK joined the ...

'Jana Nayagan' row: Thalapathy Vijay's final act faces a last-minute twist

Jana Nayagan stalls at the censor board while politics takes the spotlight off-screen

Madras HC upholds order on lighting lamps at Tirupparankundram temple

Petitioner Rajesh called the court's order remarkable, stating that the lamp should be lit on a Deepathoon and the temple administration should make the necessary arrangements for it

Deepam row: Madras HC upholds order allowing lamp lighting on hilltop

The bench directed that the lamp can be lit after consulting ASI, and the number of people allowed on the hilltop can also be decided in line with it

Tamil Nadu, West Bengal will join NDA's list of victories: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday expressed confidence that the NDA would emerge victorious in the Assembly polls due this year in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Addressing a mega BJP rally here, Shah listed out BJP-NDA's wins since 2024, including a third consecutive win in Haryana and said it was now the turn of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Slamming the ruling DMK over alleged corruption, he asked if the state can progress with an "army of corrupt ministers." He targeted the DMK for dynasty rule and said a dream to perpetuate it would not come true and the time has come to put an end to family politics in Tamil Nadu. BJP's key alliance partner AIADMK's chief Edappadi K Palaniswami addressed a rally in Salem district almost coinciding with Shah's public meeting time.

TN CM Stalin launches new assured pension scheme for govt employees

Fulfilling the over 2-decade-old demand of government employees and teachers, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday announced a new plan, the "Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme," and said it would provide the benefits of the Old Pension Scheme. Fifty per cent of the last drawn salary of government employees would be the assured pension, the chief minister announced. For this purpose, the state government would provide, alongside the 10 per cent contribution of the employees, the required entire additional funding to the Pension Fund. Pensioners receiving 50 per cent assured pension would be granted Dearness Allowance hike every six months on a par with government employees. In case of the death of pensioners, 60 per cent of the pension amount would be granted as family pension to the nominee of the deceased. If an employee dies in harness, or in case of death at the time of retirement, upto a maximum of Rs 25 lakh (Death gratuity) would be provided in keeping with the length of ..

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin launches DMK manifesto portal ahead of 2026 polls

The portal will enable people from all sectors of society to submit ideas and suggestions for the party's election manifesto

65% of ECMS proposals from TN show strong policy execution: TRB Rajaa

Tamil Nadu accounts for 65 per cent of investment approved in the latest ECMS tranche, driven by projects from Foxconn, Tata Electronics and Motherson, Industries Minister TRB Rajaa said

Tamil Nadu received investment commitments of ₹2.07 trn in 2025: Minister

Tamil Nadu has signed a total of 270 MoUs with several corporates committing investments to the tune of Rs 2.07 lakh crore in 2025, Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa said. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed were expected to generate over 4 lakh job opportunities in the State, he added. Detailing about the significant achievements made in 2025, Rajaa said, "It (2025) was another fantastic year of the Dravidian Model in focused execution. Over 270 MoUs worth a total of Rs 2.07 lakh crore of committed investments were signed in 2025 alone and these MoUs have opened up over 4 lakh new job opportunities." The growth was distributed across Tamil Nadu as investment conclaves were held beyond Chennai and the regional spread of investments improved in 2025, he said, in a social media post late on January 1. Many new TIDEL Neo parks (mini IT Parks) took Information Technology closer to the homes of aspiring youths, while the first-ever State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tami

Tamil Nadu deploys AI tools to prevent human-animal conflicts: Official

Tamil Nadu has successfully deployed AI tools to prevent human-animal conflicts, a move that has significantly reduced incidents involving wild elephants, the state's Additional Chief Secretary (Climate Change and Forests) Supriya Sahu said. In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos, Sahu said the state is embedding technology and community participation to address issues ranging from wildlife protection to climate change and waste management. In Madukkarai, to prevent accidental deaths of wild elephants on railway tracks, we have deployed artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. Cameras equipped with AI and thermal sensors have been installed along vulnerable stretches, she said. The initiative, she said, has helped achieve near-zero elephant deaths in the area as automated alerts generated by the system are shared in real time with local communities, train drivers, and forest teams. The project is being expanded to other regions, including the Nilgiris

Vehicle tax exemption for EVs to continue till Dec 2027 in TN: Minister

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister TRB Rajaa has said that the motor vehicle tax exemption for battery-operated vehicles in the state is to continue until December 2027, under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974. Sharing the government notification in this regard, Rajaa said the decision taken by the Chief Minister M K Stalin reinforces the commitment to support EV adoption, affordability and manufacturing at scale. "This shows how pro-industry our government is," he said. "Tamil Nadu has extended 100 per cent motor vehicle tax exemption for all electric vehicles till December 31, 2027, aligning with our deep-rooted sustainability focus," he said in a social media post late on Tuesday. Observing that the adoption of battery-operated vehicles in Tamil Nadu touched 7.8 per cent in 2025, he said there is still a long way to go, especially in expanding charging infrastructure and making the entire supply greener. "This policy reduces cost for consumers while giving manufactur

Datanomics: Quality lens changes HDI story, puts J&K and Tamil Nadu on top

Adjusting HDI for quality reshapes state rankings, with J&K and Tamil Nadu overtaking Kerala in the quality-adjusted human development index

TN under grip of alcohol; violent crimes against women on rise: BJP

Violent crimes against women and girls were increasing by the day as Tamil Nadu has come under the grip of alcohol, BJP state chief Nainar Nagenthran alleged on Monday. Expressing shock over an alleged sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl by an intoxicated youth near Kulithalai in Karur district, he said women and girls were falling victims to youngsters who were coming under the influence of alcohol. The news that a youth, in a drunken state, sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl who was playing, is heartbreaking. As a father, I cannot digest this incident. I pray to God that the affected child recovers with full mental and physical health, Nagenthran said in a post on the social media platform X'. Tamil Nadu is caught in the grip of intoxication under this TASMAC model government, and violent crimes against women are increasing day by day, the BJP president said, ridiculing Chief Minister M K Stalin's often quoted Dravidian model government remark. Criticising the Chief Minister on

Tamil Nadu in 2025: Double-digit growth and steady industrial progress

Known for its vibrant industrial ecosystem, Tamil Nadu continued to make steady strides in the sector in 2025, witnessing record IT exports, besides focusing on aerospace with new investment proposals and marching into 2026 with a double digit growth. Ford's re-entry in to the state brought cheers, even as fears have emerged in the hosiery hub Tirupur following the revised US tariffs aimed at Indian imports into that country. Touching an all time high, the state clocked a 11.19 per cent growth rate, which Chief Minister M K Stalin attributed to the sustained economic policies of the DMK government that assumed office in 2021. According to industry department officials, TN had previously recorded its highest growth rate of 9.69 per cent during the 2010-11 financial year when the late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi was the CM. "We are not saying this. As per the Union ministry of statistics and programme implementation's revised estimates, during 2024-25, Tamil Nadu has achieved 11.19 p