<p>Villagers stumbled upon "ancient gold" during the renovation of a temple in Tamil Nadu and it was seized by authorities and deposited with the government treasury on Sunday despite the locals protesting against it, officials said.</p>

<p>During the renovation of a temple of Lord Shiva taken up by the villagers themselves, "gold items", said to be weighing over half a kilogram, were found beneath the steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum a few days ago.</p>

<p>Officials, on receiving information about the treasure, reached the temple, wanting to hand over the gold to the government.</p>

<p>While devotees and local people declined to part with it as they wanted to place the gold again at the very same spot after completion of the renovation, authorities were firm on taking it, the officials said.</p>

<p>After talks failed, officials deployed an adequate number of police personnel at the village and amid protests, they seized the find, packed it in a box and sealed it before taking it away.</p>

<p>According to the villagers, the temple is believed to belong to the Chola era.</p>

<p>"Placing some gold beneath the temple steps is considered auspicious and this practice dates back to times immemorial," a local people said.</p>

<p>Since the gold belonged to the temple, authorities had no right to seize or retain it, local contended, and blocked policemen and officials from taking it away.</p>

<p>Asked whether they have verified the find, Revenue Divisional Officer Vidya said "it looked like gold".</p>

<p>About the gold's weight and form, she told news agency PTI that a complete assessment could not be carried out in view of protests by the people.</p>

<p>"We only have a count," she said, adding the gold was an "assortment", including one that appeared to be a kind of a "waist chain", she said.</p>

<p>"The gold has been deposited with the treasury," she said.</p>

<p>Answering a question and on the demand of the people, she said they wanted it to be placed again at the temple.</p>

<p>A police official said the gold weighed about "565 gram as per information" and the government revenue authorities would take a decision on whether to return the gold to the temple or not.</p>


Villagers stumbled upon "ancient gold" during the renovation of a temple in Tamil Nadu and it was seized by authorities and deposited with the government treasury on Sunday despite the locals protesting against it, officials said.

Villagers stumbled upon "ancient gold" during the renovation of a temple in Tamil Nadu and it was seized by authorities and deposited with the government treasury on Sunday despite the locals protesting against it, officials said. During the renovation of a temple of Lord Shiva taken up by the villagers themselves, "gold items", said to be weighing over half a kilogram, were found beneath the steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum a few days ago. Officials, on receiving information about the treasure, reached the temple, wanting to hand over the gold to the government. While devotees and local people declined to part with it as they wanted to place the gold again at the very same spot after completion of the renovation, authorities were firm on taking it, the officials said. After talks failed, officials deployed an adequate number of police personnel at the village and amid protests, they seized the find, packed it in a box and sealed it before taking it away. According to the villagers, the temple is believed to belong to the Chola era. "Placing some gold beneath the temple steps is considered auspicious and this practice dates back to times immemorial," a local people said. Since the gold belonged to the temple, authorities had no right to seize or retain it, local contended, and blocked policemen and officials from taking it away. Asked whether they have verified the find, Revenue Divisional Officer Vidya said "it looked like gold". About the gold's weight and form, she told news agency PTI that a complete assessment could not be carried out in view of protests by the people. "We only have a count," she said, adding the gold was an "assortment", including one that appeared to be a kind of a "waist chain", she said. "The gold has been deposited with the treasury," she said. Answering a question and on the demand of the people, she said they wanted it to be placed again at the temple. A police official said the gold weighed about "565 gram as per information" and the government revenue authorities would take a decision on whether to return the gold to the temple or not.

Villagers discover ‘ancient gold’ during temple renovation in Tamil Nadu

<p>Forty-two bonded labourers, including children, were rescued from two wood cutting units on the same day from Kancheepuram and Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu. After a tip-off from an NGO, sub collectors of Kancheepuram and Vellore visited the spots and were shocked to see the reality.</p>

<p>Twenty-eight people including nineteen children from eight families were rescued from Kancheepuram after the bonded labourers association informed the district authorities.</p>

<p>Among the pictures and videos that were in circulation from rescue, the most moving was that of a frail-looking senior citizen falling on the feet of the officials, ostensibly for having rescued the labourers and their families.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The families were subjected to bonded labour for allegedly two to 15 years after they borrowed amounts in cash ranging from Rs 9,000 to Rs 25,000 rupees.</p>

<p>The families accused the owner of starving them and their children and fell on the authorities legs to save them.</p>

<p>In one the videos, a rescued woman recounted&nbsp;the inhuman treatment meted out and saying&nbsp;to the officials, "The torture was such that they didn't even provide us food before going for work in the morning. We had to often appease our hunger by drinking water. Our kids aspired to study in schools but they were not allowed to.. the person who is responsible for this inhuman treatment meted out to us is Nataraj. He has his meals on time and takes rest, while we toil hard without food. Few others who were bonded labourers here ran away unable to tolerate the ill-treatment. He barely pays us Rs 100 or 200."&nbsp;</p>

<p>In another video, a lady official is seen questioning the alleged perpetrator of the crime. On being questioned by the district officials the man who held the labourers captive said:&nbsp;"I am taking care of them,&nbsp;they have been working here only for a week or so."</p>

<p>When asked about whose land it is, he declared the&nbsp;"the land belongs to a person in Chennai and we have been asked to take care and cut the wood, the wood is later sold to rice mills and other factories".</p>

<p>All have been rescued and an investigation has been initiated against the owner.</p>


Forty-two bonded labourers, including children, were rescued from two wood cutting units on the same day from Kancheepuram and Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu. After a tip-off from an NGO, sub collectors of Kancheepuram and Vellore visited the spots and were shocked to see the reality.

Forty-two bonded labourers, including children, were rescued from two wood cutting units on the same day from Kancheepuram and Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu. After a tip-off from an NGO, sub collectors of Kancheepuram and Vellore visited the spots and were shocked to see the reality. Twenty-eight people including nineteen children from eight families were rescued from Kancheepuram after the bonded labourers association informed the district authorities. Among the pictures and videos that were in circulation from rescue, the most moving was that of a frail-looking senior citizen falling on the feet of the officials, ostensibly for having rescued the labourers and their families. The families were subjected to bonded labour for allegedly two to 15 years after they borrowed amounts in cash ranging from Rs 9,000 to Rs 25,000 rupees. The families accused the owner of starving them and their children and fell on the authorities legs to save them. In one the videos, a rescued woman recounted the inhuman treatment meted out and saying to the officials, "The torture was such that they didn't even provide us food before going for work in the morning. We had to often appease our hunger by drinking water. Our kids aspired to study in schools but they were not allowed to.. the person who is responsible for this inhuman treatment meted out to us is Nataraj. He has his meals on time and takes rest, while we toil hard without food. Few others who were bonded labourers here ran away unable to tolerate the ill-treatment. He barely pays us Rs 100 or 200." In another video, a lady official is seen questioning the alleged perpetrator of the crime. On being questioned by the district officials the man who held the labourers captive said: "I am taking care of them, they have been working here only for a week or so." When asked about whose land it is, he declared the "the land belongs to a person in Chennai and we have been asked to take care and cut the wood, the wood is later sold to rice mills and other factories". All have been rescued and an investigation has been initiated against the owner.

Bonded labourers rescued from two Tamil Nadu districts; families complain of inhuman treatment, torture

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the top politicians leading tributes to Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati who passed away on Wednesday morning in a private hospital at Kancheepuram. He was 82.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya was at the forefront of innumerable community service initiatives. He nurtured institutions which transformed the lives of the poor and downtrodden. <a href="https://t.co/s1vTpSxbbl">pic.twitter.com/s1vTpSxbbl</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/968721909633507329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The PM tweeted he was deeply anguished by the passing away of Acharya of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kanchi-shankaracharya-jayendra-saraswathi-passes-away-at-82-34290">Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Pujyashri</a> Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya. He will live on in the hearts and minds of lakhs of devotees due to his exemplary service and noblest thoughts. Om Shanti to the departed soul.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I&rsquo;m saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.<br />
<br />
He was revered by lakhs of believers all over the world for his teachings.<br />
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May his soul rest in peace.</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/968741529530585091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The PM also posted a picture of him interacting with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-was-kanchi-shankaracharya-jayendra-saraswathi-of-kanchi-kamakoti-peetham-kanchipuram-life-biography-34309">chief pontiff of Kanchi Mutt</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter to pay his respects to the departed soul.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deeply anguished by the passing away of Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya. He will live on in the hearts and minds of lakhs of devotees due to his exemplary service and noblest thoughts. Om Shanti to the departed soul. <a href="https://t.co/pXqDPxS1Ki">pic.twitter.com/pXqDPxS1Ki</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/968721674286895104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a Twitter post from his official Twitter handle, Rahul Gandhi said that he was saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;I&rsquo;m saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.&#39;&#39; &nbsp;</p>

<p>He was revered by lakhs of believers all over the world for his teachings, he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I pay my respects to Kanchi peethadhipathi Shri Jayendra Saraswati who attained moksha. His contribution for the welfare of mankind and in promoting spirituality will always be an inspiration for others. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JayendraSaraswathi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JayendraSaraswathi</a> <a href="https://t.co/2gcjDFgJmV">pic.twitter.com/2gcjDFgJmV</a></p>
&mdash; VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) <a href="https://twitter.com/VPSecretariat/status/968710033872695296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My respectful Pranaam to the pious soul of Acharya Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JayendraSaraswathi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JayendraSaraswathi</a> Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. His contributions towards enriching the Hindu spiritual traditions and service for poorer sections of society shall always be remembered. Om Shanti!</p>
&mdash; Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/rsprasad/status/968724241989488640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deeply saddened by the demise of Jayendra Saraswati ji, the Shankaracharya of the Kanchipuram Kamakoti Peetam math. With his demise we have lost a great saint of present times, who has been a guiding force for the millions. My prayers for the liberated soul.</p>
&mdash; Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/968708254292471808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Paying tributes to Jagadguru <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JayendraSaraswathi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JayendraSaraswathi</a>, the seer of Kanchi Mutt. Pujya Swami ji will be remembered for his immeasurable contribution to the society. A great loss to the Spiritual World. <a href="https://t.co/6abIngrqK2">pic.twitter.com/6abIngrqK2</a></p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal/status/968735500914880512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The PM tweeted he was deeply anguished by the passing away of Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the top politicians leading tributes to Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati who passed away on Wednesday morning in a private hospital at Kancheepuram. He was 82. Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya was at the forefront of innumerable community service initiatives. He nurtured institutions which transformed the lives of the poor and downtrodden. pic.twitter.com/s1vTpSxbbl — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 28, 2018 × The PM tweeted he was deeply anguished by the passing away of Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya. He will live on in the hearts and minds of lakhs of devotees due to his exemplary service and noblest thoughts. Om Shanti to the departed soul. I’m saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. He was revered by lakhs of believers all over the world for his teachings. May his soul rest in peace. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 28, 2018 × The PM also posted a picture of him interacting with the chief pontiff of Kanchi Mutt. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter to pay his respects to the departed soul. Deeply anguished by the passing away of Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya. He will live on in the hearts and minds of lakhs of devotees due to his exemplary service and noblest thoughts. Om Shanti to the departed soul. pic.twitter.com/pXqDPxS1Ki — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 28, 2018 × In a Twitter post from his official Twitter handle, Rahul Gandhi said that he was saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. ''I’m saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.'' He was revered by lakhs of believers all over the world for his teachings, he added. I pay my respects to Kanchi peethadhipathi Shri Jayendra Saraswati who attained moksha. His contribution for the welfare of mankind and in promoting spirituality will always be an inspiration for others. #JayendraSaraswathi pic.twitter.com/2gcjDFgJmV — VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) February 28, 2018 × My respectful Pranaam to the pious soul of Acharya Shri #JayendraSaraswathi Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. His contributions towards enriching the Hindu spiritual traditions and service for poorer sections of society shall always be remembered. Om Shanti! — Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) February 28, 2018 × Deeply saddened by the demise of Jayendra Saraswati ji, the Shankaracharya of the Kanchipuram Kamakoti Peetam math. With his demise we have lost a great saint of present times, who has been a guiding force for the millions. My prayers for the liberated soul. — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 28, 2018 × Paying tributes to Jagadguru #JayendraSaraswathi, the seer of Kanchi Mutt. Pujya Swami ji will be remembered for his immeasurable contribution to the society. A great loss to the Spiritual World. pic.twitter.com/6abIngrqK2 — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 28, 2018 ×

Prime Minister Modi leads tributes to Kanchi Shankaracharya

<p>Torrential overnight rains for about ten hours brought this metropolis and neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to a grinding halt, paralysing normal life completely.</p>

<p>Schools and colleges, which are closed since 31 October due to rains, have been shut today as well in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Incessant rains continue to disrupt normal life in Chennai, visuals of water-logged streets from Boat Club area. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChennaiRains?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChennaiRains</a> <a href="https://t.co/pnhDw3oDZs">pic.twitter.com/pnhDw3oDZs</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/926333245272104960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Met department forecast heavy to very heavy showers in north coastal Tamil Nadu till tomorrow.</p>

<p>It said yesterday&#39;s low pressure area over Sri Lanka and adjoining south West Bay of Bengal now lies over South West Bay of Bengal off the Lankan and Tamil Nadu coast.</p>

<p>&quot;Rainfall activity will continue over north coastal Tamil Nadu with heavy to very heavy rain over Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chennai districts during the next 24 hours,&quot; a special bulletin issued at 8.30 am said today.</p>

<p>The mild, intermittent showers post noon yesterday became moderate and then heavy in some pockets last night inundating several more neighbourhoods including West Mambalam and the Guindy Industrial Estate.</p>

<p>As a result, bus, taxi, auto and suburban train services were affected.</p>

<p>While heavy waterlogging hindered free movement of vehicles, a &quot;signalling snag,&quot; hit train services between the St Thomas Mount and Kodambakkam suburban section since 9.30 pm. Services were restored at 3.20 am today, Railway officials said.</p>

<p>Heavy traffic congestion and serpentine queue of vehicles were seen at the arterial Kathipara grade separator, Guindy intersection, Saidapet and all along till Velachery through the Raj Bhavan point.</p>

<p>Flight operations at the city airport were normal, airport officials said.</p>

<p>Chennai and Nungambakkam registered 18 cm rain and Meenambakkam in the southern suburb recorded 14 cm, till 8.30 am today, according to the Met department.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Schools and colleges will remain shut in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts

Torrential overnight rains for about ten hours brought this metropolis and neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to a grinding halt, paralysing normal life completely. Schools and colleges, which are closed since 31 October due to rains, have been shut today as well in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. Incessant rains continue to disrupt normal life in Chennai, visuals of water-logged streets from Boat Club area. #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/pnhDw3oDZs — ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2017 × The Met department forecast heavy to very heavy showers in north coastal Tamil Nadu till tomorrow. It said yesterday's low pressure area over Sri Lanka and adjoining south West Bay of Bengal now lies over South West Bay of Bengal off the Lankan and Tamil Nadu coast. "Rainfall activity will continue over north coastal Tamil Nadu with heavy to very heavy rain over Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chennai districts during the next 24 hours," a special bulletin issued at 8.30 am said today. The mild, intermittent showers post noon yesterday became moderate and then heavy in some pockets last night inundating several more neighbourhoods including West Mambalam and the Guindy Industrial Estate. As a result, bus, taxi, auto and suburban train services were affected. While heavy waterlogging hindered free movement of vehicles, a "signalling snag," hit train services between the St Thomas Mount and Kodambakkam suburban section since 9.30 pm. Services were restored at 3.20 am today, Railway officials said. Heavy traffic congestion and serpentine queue of vehicles were seen at the arterial Kathipara grade separator, Guindy intersection, Saidapet and all along till Velachery through the Raj Bhavan point. Flight operations at the city airport were normal, airport officials said. Chennai and Nungambakkam registered 18 cm rain and Meenambakkam in the southern suburb recorded 14 cm, till 8.30 am today, according to the Met department.

Torrential overnight rains bring Chennai, neighbouring districts to halt

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