&nbsp;At least seven persons including three children and two women were killed when the van in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary lorry at Thuvarankurichi, some 50 km from here, police said today.

The occupants of the van were proceeding to Tiruchirappali en route to Tirupati from Kanyakumari when the accident took place late last night, they said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a>: At least seven people killed after a tempo traveller hit a stationary vehicle in Agaram near Thuvarankurichi in Mannapparai <a href="https://t.co/maeJ9UEnF3">pic.twitter.com/maeJ9UEnF3</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938609290796871680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Four persons, who were injured in the mishap, have been admitted to the government hospital here, police said.&nbsp;

However, PTI reports quoting official sources said nine people died in the accident.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The occupants of the van were proceeding to Tiruchirappali en route to Tirupati from Kanyakumari when the accident took place late last night, they said.

At least seven persons including three children and two women were killed when the van in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary lorry at Thuvarankurichi, some 50 km from here, police said today. The occupants of the van were proceeding to Tiruchirappali en route to Tirupati from Kanyakumari when the accident took place late last night, they said. #TamilNadu: At least seven people killed after a tempo traveller hit a stationary vehicle in Agaram near Thuvarankurichi in Mannapparai pic.twitter.com/maeJ9UEnF3 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Four persons, who were injured in the mishap, have been admitted to the government hospital here, police said. However, PTI reports quoting official sources said nine people died in the accident.

Seven killed in road accident in Tamil Nadu

Schools and colleges will remain shut in Mumbai metropolitan region, Sindhudurga, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts due to cyclone Ockhi warnings.

Maharashtra&#39;s Education and Sports minister Vinod Tawde announced the news on Twitter

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Precautionary holiday declared for schools in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Sindhudurga, Ratnagiri, Thane, Raigad and Palghar Districts for the safety of the students due to the serious weather predictions on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiRains?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiRains</a>
&mdash; Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) <a href="https://twitter.com/TawdeVinod/status/937692404320051200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Areas near the metropolis and the Mumbai-Pune highway witnessed a hailstorm today.

The traffic on Eastern and Western Express Highways in Mumbai has slowed down after rain in some parts of Mumbai throughout last night.

A high tide alert has&nbsp;been issued for Tuesday and the disaster management unit of Brihanmumbai Municipal&nbsp;Corporation (BMC) also advised not to visit beaches.

As per the BMC, tides of more than 5 meters height are expected on Tuesday.

People residing in the area of Dadar Chowpatty have been given special instructions to avoid the beach area as a&nbsp;huge&nbsp;crowd is expected ahead of the Babasaheb Ambedkar Anniversary on November 6.&nbsp;

The weather department has forecast intermittent rains in Mumbai and suburbs in the next 24 hours.

&quot;Intermittent rain/thundershowers very likely to occur in Mumbai and suburbs in next 24 hours,&quot; a report of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai stated at 8 am.

&quot;Heavy rainfall is likely at a few places with squally wind speed reaching 50 to 60 km per hour gusting to 70 km per hour very likely along coastal area in next 24 hours.&quot; 
 
The Central Railway Mumbai division has&nbsp;updated all the emergency numbers and has also have opened an emergency cell at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kalyan. (Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">Cyclone </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">Ockhi</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">,&nbsp;357 fishermen rescued so far, says defence minister</a>)

250 railways police force and Maharashtra State Security Force Personnel on crowd management and other related activities, have also been deployed at stations by Central Railway Mumbai Division.

Cyclone Okchi, which originated from Kanyakumari has so far wreaked havoc in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep, Goa&nbsp;and Sri Lanka.

On Monday, a warning of Ockhi&nbsp;hitting&nbsp;<a href="http://Cyclone Ockhi expected to make landfall in Gujarat, Maharashtra">Maharashtra and South Gujarat</a> in the next 24 hours, were issued by the Indian Metrological Department (IMD). (Also read : <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">Cyclone </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">Ockhi</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">,&nbsp;Indian Navy finds 9 Kochi fishermen missing for 15 days</a>)

Thane and Navi Mumbai were lashed by heavy rains on Monday night.

According to reports, 19 people have been killed and several are still missing in the sea.

(With inputs from news agencies)

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On Monday, warnings of Ockhi to hit Maharashtra and South Gujarat in next 24 hours, were issued by?Indian Metrological Department(IMD)

Schools and colleges will remain shut in Mumbai metropolitan region, Sindhudurga, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts due to cyclone Ockhi warnings. Maharashtra's Education and Sports minister Vinod Tawde announced the news on Twitter Precautionary holiday declared for schools in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Sindhudurga, Ratnagiri, Thane, Raigad and Palghar Districts for the safety of the students due to the serious weather predictions on #CycloneOckhi #MumbaiRains — Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) December 4, 2017 × Areas near the metropolis and the Mumbai-Pune highway witnessed a hailstorm today. The traffic on Eastern and Western Express Highways in Mumbai has slowed down after rain in some parts of Mumbai throughout last night. A high tide alert has been issued for Tuesday and the disaster management unit of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also advised not to visit beaches. As per the BMC, tides of more than 5 meters height are expected on Tuesday. People residing in the area of Dadar Chowpatty have been given special instructions to avoid the beach area as a huge crowd is expected ahead of the Babasaheb Ambedkar Anniversary on November 6. The weather department has forecast intermittent rains in Mumbai and suburbs in the next 24 hours. "Intermittent rain/thundershowers very likely to occur in Mumbai and suburbs in next 24 hours," a report of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai stated at 8 am. "Heavy rainfall is likely at a few places with squally wind speed reaching 50 to 60 km per hour gusting to 70 km per hour very likely along coastal area in next 24 hours." The Central Railway Mumbai division has updated all the emergency numbers and has also have opened an emergency cell at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kalyan. (Also read: Cyclone Ockhi, 357 fishermen rescued so far, says defence minister) 250 railways police force and Maharashtra State Security Force Personnel on crowd management and other related activities, have also been deployed at stations by Central Railway Mumbai Division. Cyclone Okchi, which originated from Kanyakumari has so far wreaked havoc in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep, Goa and Sri Lanka. On Monday, a warning of Ockhi hitting Maharashtra and South Gujarat in the next 24 hours, were issued by the Indian Metrological Department (IMD). (Also read : Cyclone Ockhi, Indian Navy finds 9 Kochi fishermen missing for 15 days) Thane and Navi Mumbai were lashed by heavy rains on Monday night. According to reports, 19 people have been killed and several are still missing in the sea. (With inputs from news agencies)

Cyclone Okchi: Hailstorm near Mumbai, schools colleges shut today

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa&#39;s niece Deepa Jayakumar has filed nomination for&nbsp;Chennai&#39;s RK Nagar by-election.

RK Nagar has been the constituency of J.Jayalalitha for two terms.

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank">&nbsp;in the constituency </a>will be held on December 21.

The counting will take place on December 24.

Also&nbsp;read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ttv-dinakaran-to-contest-rk-nagar-by-polls-25463" target="_blank"> TTV Dinakaran to contest RK Nagar by-polls, with Sasikala&#39;s consent</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-actor-vishal-to-enter-fray-in-rk-nagar-bypoll-25698" target="_blank">Tamil actor Vishal to enter fray in RK Nagar </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-actor-vishal-to-enter-fray-in-rk-nagar-bypoll-25698" target="_blank">bypoll</a>

The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai&#39;s RK Nagar constituency earlier this year.

The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-election-commission-cancels-rk-nagar-bypolls-in-chennai-14360" target="_blank">elections were cancelled after allegations&nbsp;</a>of cash against votes had surfaced.&nbsp;

The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides.&nbsp;

It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections.&nbsp;

The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.

&nbsp;

The?bypoll?for the constituency from where the late AIADMK supremo will be held on December 21

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar has filed nomination for Chennai's RK Nagar by-election. RK Nagar has been the constituency of J.Jayalalitha for two terms. The bypoll in the constituency will be held on December 21. The counting will take place on December 24. Also read: TTV Dinakaran to contest RK Nagar by-polls, with Sasikala's consent Also read: Tamil actor Vishal to enter fray in RK Nagar bypoll The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai's RK Nagar constituency earlier this year. The elections were cancelled after allegations of cash against votes had surfaced. The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides. It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections. The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.

Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar files nomination for RK Nagar polls

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday that, so far, 357 fishermen who had been stranded at sea due to Cyclone Ockhi&nbsp;had been rescued.

Sitharaman had reached Kanyakumari on Sunday to take stock of the situation.

Ockhi has ravaged the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Lakshadweep Islands.&nbsp;

It had also been expected to hit the coast of Gujarat.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ockhicyclone-may-now-hit-gujarat-coast-25758">Also read: Cyclone Ockhi may now hit Gujarat coast</a>

&quot;Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are still engaged in rescue operations to save the lives of fishermen affected by Cyclone Ockhi,&quot; ANI reported Sitharaman as saying.&nbsp;

&quot;Information has also been passed to an international safety network and foreign ships to help rescue our fishermen. Meanwhile, 68 boats have reached Maharashtra coast out of which two boats were from Tamil Nadu and others from Kerala,&quot; she added.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/30-died-due-to-cyclone-ockhi-report-25771">30 die&nbsp;due to Cyclone Ockhi </a>

Sitharaman added that the search area was being widened since a number of coastal villages were reporting that fishermen who had ventured out to sea as much as 15 days ago had not yet returned.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-likely-to-weaken-indian-meteorological-department-25709">Cyclone Ockhi likely to weaken, says Indian Meteorological Department</a>

&nbsp;

Nirmala SItharaman had reached Kanyakumari on Sunday to take stock of the situation

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday that, so far, 357 fishermen who had been stranded at sea due to Cyclone Ockhi had been rescued. Sitharaman had reached Kanyakumari on Sunday to take stock of the situation. Ockhi has ravaged the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Lakshadweep Islands. It had also been expected to hit the coast of Gujarat. Also read: Cyclone Ockhi may now hit Gujarat coast "Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are still engaged in rescue operations to save the lives of fishermen affected by Cyclone Ockhi," ANI reported Sitharaman as saying. "Information has also been passed to an international safety network and foreign ships to help rescue our fishermen. Meanwhile, 68 boats have reached Maharashtra coast out of which two boats were from Tamil Nadu and others from Kerala," she added. Also read: 30 die due to Cyclone Ockhi Sitharaman added that the search area was being widened since a number of coastal villages were reporting that fishermen who had ventured out to sea as much as 15 days ago had not yet returned. Also read: Cyclone Ockhi likely to weaken, says Indian Meteorological Department

Cyclone Ockhi: 357 fishermen rescued so far, says defence minister

The cyclone Ockhi&nbsp;is likely to lose its intensity gradually from Sunday, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

&quot;The very severe cyclonic storm &#39;Ockhi&#39; over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea further moved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of December 2, 2017 over the southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 11.1&ordm; N and Longitude 69.7&ordm; E, about 330 km west of Amini Divi. The system is very likely to weaken gradually from today the December 3, 2017, morning,&quot; said IMD.

Moderate rain is also expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu &amp; Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu &amp; South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, India Meteorological Department

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Moderate rain is expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu &amp; Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu &amp; South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, MET department <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/n06CR1giuC">pic.twitter.com/n06CR1giuC</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937222597896372224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The storm has so far claimed 18 lives&nbsp;and has affected&nbsp;Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep and neighbouring Sri Lanka.

Kerala and Tamil Nadu have declared compensation to the families of those who died in the storm.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also decided to ask the Centre to declare the Ockhi cyclone as a &#39;national calamity&#39;.

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Kerala govt has decided to ask the Union government to declare <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OckhiCyclone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OckhiCyclone</a> a national calamity. The Chief Secretary has been entrusted to prepare the memorandum in this regard: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan <a href="https://t.co/pyCrT3dkva">pic.twitter.com/pyCrT3dkva</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937006103254130688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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On Saturday, several stranded fishermen were rescued during the massive search operations carried out by INS ships.

Along with air effort, six warships and two coast guard ships were deployed for the rescue operation, confirmed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.&nbsp;

Sitharaman further added that, 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from Tamil Nadu have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon.

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Claims of thousand fishermen stranded is false. Correct figures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936977995469791232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The cyclone, which originated from Kanyakumari, made its way to Lakshadweep islands on Saturday morning causing massive destruction and claiming 14 lives.

It has intensified into &quot;severe cyclonic storm&quot;&nbsp;with wind reaching up to the speed of 60 to 70 km.

The deadly storm had also killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.

The storm has so far claimed 18 lives and has affected?Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep and neighbouring Sri Lanka.

The cyclone Ockhi is likely to lose its intensity gradually from Sunday, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). "The very severe cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea further moved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of December 2, 2017 over the southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 11.1º N and Longitude 69.7º E, about 330 km west of Amini Divi. The system is very likely to weaken gradually from today the December 3, 2017, morning," said IMD. Moderate rain is also expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu & South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, India Meteorological Department Moderate rain is expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu & South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, MET department #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/n06CR1giuC — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × The storm has so far claimed 18 lives and has affected Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep and neighbouring Sri Lanka. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have declared compensation to the families of those who died in the storm. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also decided to ask the Centre to declare the Ockhi cyclone as a 'national calamity'. Kerala govt has decided to ask the Union government to declare #OckhiCyclone a national calamity. The Chief Secretary has been entrusted to prepare the memorandum in this regard: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan pic.twitter.com/pyCrT3dkva — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × On Saturday, several stranded fishermen were rescued during the massive search operations carried out by INS ships. Along with air effort, six warships and two coast guard ships were deployed for the rescue operation, confirmed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Sitharaman further added that, 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from Tamil Nadu have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon. Claims of thousand fishermen stranded is false. Correct figures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman #CycloneOckhi — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × The cyclone, which originated from Kanyakumari, made its way to Lakshadweep islands on Saturday morning causing massive destruction and claiming 14 lives. It has intensified into "severe cyclonic storm" with wind reaching up to the speed of 60 to 70 km. The deadly storm had also killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.

Cyclone Ockhi likely to weaken: Indian Meteorological Department

According to a report released by the State Revenue Control Room, about 690 people have been rescued so far from the Ockhi&nbsp;cyclone in Tamil Nadu while 197 from Kerala.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The total number of people that died due to the natural disaster was reported to be 19 in Tamil Nadu while 11 in Kerala.

Further, the report indicated 96 missing and 63 hospitalised&nbsp;in Tamil Nadu.

About 74 houses were completely damaged while 1122 were partially damaged due to the Ockhi&nbsp;cyclone that hit the Indian states- Tamil Nadu and Kerala on November 30.&nbsp;

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A total of 690 people have been rescued so far. Total number of deaths 19, 96 missing, 63 hospitalised, 74 houses fully damaged, 1122 housed partially damaged.: State state Revenue control room <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937314492358078464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Kerala: Rescue operation underway in Trivandrum. A total of 197 people have been rescued and 11 deaths have been reported so far in the city. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/7XAN1QGsc4">pic.twitter.com/7XAN1QGsc4</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937320273346420736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Torrential rain pounded the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into &#39;Cyclone Ockhi&#39; on November 30.

Subsequently, the cyclone became a severe cyclonic storm on the next day, moving to the Arabian Sea.

The total number of people that died due to the natural disaster was reported to be 19 in Tamil Nadu while 11 in Kerala

According to a report released by the State Revenue Control Room, about 690 people have been rescued so far from the Ockhi cyclone in Tamil Nadu while 197 from Kerala. The total number of people that died due to the natural disaster was reported to be 19 in Tamil Nadu while 11 in Kerala. Further, the report indicated 96 missing and 63 hospitalised in Tamil Nadu. About 74 houses were completely damaged while 1122 were partially damaged due to the Ockhi cyclone that hit the Indian states- Tamil Nadu and Kerala on November 30. A total of 690 people have been rescued so far. Total number of deaths 19, 96 missing, 63 hospitalised, 74 houses fully damaged, 1122 housed partially damaged.: State state Revenue control room #TamilNadu #CycloneOckhi — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Kerala: Rescue operation underway in Trivandrum. A total of 197 people have been rescued and 11 deaths have been reported so far in the city. #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/7XAN1QGsc4 — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Torrential rain pounded the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into 'Cyclone Ockhi' on November 30. Subsequently, the cyclone became a severe cyclonic storm on the next day, moving to the Arabian Sea.

30 died due to Cyclone Ockhi : Report

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asked the Tamil Nadu and Kerala state governments to step-up relief measures even as protests continued in coastal areas over the tardy response of government agencies.

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??????? ??????????????? ????? ??????? ????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ???????????? ??????????. ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??????????????????.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/936944013306822656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Expressing his condolences to those who died due to Cyclone Ockhi, Rahul Gandhi tweeted &quot;I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their dear ones due to Cyclone Ockhi,&#39;&#39; he wrote on his official Twitter handle.&nbsp;

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??? ?????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????? ??????????? ????? ????? ?????????????. ??? ????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????????????? ??????????? ??????? ???? ??????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ?????????????????. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/936940064340242432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Congress leader wrote the same message in Tamil and Malayalam in an indication of two southern states hit by the cyclone.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

"I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their dear ones due to Cyclone Ockhi,'' Rahul Gandhi wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asked the Tamil Nadu and Kerala state governments to step-up relief measures even as protests continued in coastal areas over the tardy response of government agencies. ??????? ??????????????? ????? ??????? ????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ???????????? ??????????. ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??????????????????.#TamilNadu #CycloneOckhi — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 2, 2017 × Expressing his condolences to those who died due to Cyclone Ockhi, Rahul Gandhi tweeted "I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their dear ones due to Cyclone Ockhi,'' he wrote on his official Twitter handle. ??? ?????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????? ??????????? ????? ????? ?????????????. ??? ????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????????????? ??????????? ??????? ???? ??????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ?????????????????. #Kerala#CycloneOckhi — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 2, 2017 × The Congress leader wrote the same message in Tamil and Malayalam in an indication of two southern states hit by the cyclone.

Cyclone Ockhi: Rahul Gandhi asks state governments to step-up rescue efforts

A powerful cyclone has killed at least 16 people across India and Sri Lanka, uprooting trees and cutting power for millions amid warnings on Friday that the storm would intensify.

Disaster officials said nine people were killed in India and seven in neighbouring Sri Lanka, most crushed by trees ripped up by destructive winds raging at 130 kilometres (80 miles) per hour.

Weather forecaster Skymet has issued warning for Lakshadweep and Kerala.

Here is the possible route the cyclone will take over the weekend:

<img alt="" src="https://www.skymetweather.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Cyclone-Ockhi-Path1.gif" />

A powerful cyclone has killed at least 16 people across India and Sri Lanka.

A powerful cyclone has killed at least 16 people across India and Sri Lanka, uprooting trees and cutting power for millions amid warnings on Friday that the storm would intensify. Disaster officials said nine people were killed in India and seven in neighbouring Sri Lanka, most crushed by trees ripped up by destructive winds raging at 130 kilometres (80 miles) per hour. Weather forecaster Skymet has issued warning for Lakshadweep and Kerala. Here is the possible route the cyclone will take over the weekend:

Possible track of Cyclone Ockhi

This high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. Years before, Janaki Ramachandran, wife of MGR the founder of the party, was estranged like Sasikala. After reading this history it is evident that the recent days experienced the resurgence of Janaki Ramachandran.

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<h5>After grieving over Amma&#39;s death Sasikala Natrajan, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa became interim general secretary of AIADMK.</h5>
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5 December 2016 was a turning point in Tamil Nadu&#39;s politics as AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa passed away. Paneerselvam, a trusted lieutenant of Amma who already served as the chief minister twice for a short time, was sworn in as the chief minister again. After grieving over Amma&#39;s death, Sasikala Natrajan, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa, became interim general secretary of AIADMK on 5 February 2016.

Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao accepted the resignation of OPS on the very next day, thus, paving the way for Chinamma (Sasikala) to put her foot in Amma&#39;s boot. High potential political drama commenced as soon as OPS claimed he was forced to resign and Jayalalithaa&#39;s soul asked him to speak the truth.

Sasikala still seemed to hold the grip over her party until she was convicted by Honourable Supreme Court on the 21-year long Disproportionate Asset case. Before her way to prison, Sasikala was able to make her loyalist Edapaddi K Palaniswamy the chief minister and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran as the deputy general secretary of AIADMK. RK Nagar by-poll was necessary since the seat was vacated due to Amma&#39;s death. Meanwhile, OPS was able to garner some support amongst the veterans of the party.

Thus, the Dravidian party was divided into two parts - OPS lead AIADMK (Puratchi Thalivi Amma) with E. Madhusudanan as a candidate and electric pole its election symbol. Another camp was rather powerful which was headed by Sasikala and her rubber stamp Chief Minister EK Palaniswamy with TTV Dhinakaran as a candidate and a hat as election symbol. But TTV Dhinakaran was charged with bribing the people which made the election commission to delay the by-poll.

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<h5>EPS and OPS factions announced their merger by sealing a deal with EPS as Chief Minister and OPS as his deputy and Sasikala and her family members to be removed from the party.</h5>
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21 August was perhaps a day of surprise as far as Tamil Nadu politics is concerned because EPS and OPS factions announced their merger by sealing a deal with EPS as chief minister and OPS as his deputy. With the merger, Sasikala and her family members were removed from the party.

Jayalalithaa will be their eternal general secretary and there will be more political responsibilities given to OPS and administrative responsibility will be shouldered by EPS. By mid-September, Sasikala was officially sacked and all postings made by her, including elevation of her nephew as party&#39;s deputy general secretary, were squashed.

Although the stars were not in favour of Sasikala, there was still a silver lining for her political career. The first silver lining was that her nephew had the support&nbsp;of odd 19 MLAs. Those MLAs submitted letters to TN Governor expressing their lack of confidence in CM Palaniswamy. But this silver lining soon darkened as the speaker disqualified 18 MLAs under Anti-Defection rules of TN Legislative Assembly.

The high court is also analysing this move, but&nbsp;anyway, this move of speaker lowered the halfway mark in the assembly. Another silver lining to Sasikala was the frozen &#39;two leaves&#39; symbol of AIADMK. The two leaf symbol is necessary for any of the faction to win the match.

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<h5>The high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK.</h5>
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But this silver lining also darkened as Election Commission bestowed this two leaf symbol to EPS-OPS faction keeping Sasikala and her family at a bay. The position of Sasikala faction will be more visible in coming days as re-election for RK Nagar constituency will take place on 21 December of this year.

This high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. Years before Janaki Ramachandran, wife of MGR the founder of the party was estranged like Sasikala in these days. MG Ramachandran formed ADMK owing to ideological differences between him and M. Karunanidhi.

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<h5>Election Commission froze the two leaves symbol (retai ellai) symbol giving a cock symbol to Jayalalithaa and a pair of pigeon to Janaki.</h5>
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MGR served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu twice. After his death in December 1987, the party was divided into two factions one under MGR&#39;s widow Janaki Ramachandran and another under Jayalalithaa. Janaki was sworn in as CM for 24 days but lost the trust vote on the house floor.

Election Commission froze the two leaves symbol (retai ellai) symbol, giving a cock symbol to Jayalalithaa and a pair of pigeon to Janaki. But both the faction suffered&nbsp;defeat as M Karunanidhi-led DMK swept the assembly elections. After that Janaki Ramachandran tendered her resignation and the two factions were unified under Jayalalithaa.

After reading this history, it is evident that the recent days experienced the resurgence of Janaki Ramachandran. Thing is that we are not learning from history. The reason for learning history is to avoid old mistakes and learn from them.

I think Sasikala didn&#39;t take a lesson from her party&#39;s history. Another point is that the 21st century India still believe in rhetorics like Amma, Chinamma, Behenji, Netaji, Kalingar, etc. The habit of Indians to vote for such rhetorics paved the way for people like Sasikala and Janaki to rule over us. I hope other parties and our dear voters would learn from it.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

21st century India still believe in rhetorics like Amma, Chinamma, Behenji, Netaji, Kalingar, etc. The habit of Indians to vote for such rhetorics paved the way for people like Sasikala and Janaki to rule over us.

This high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. Years before, Janaki Ramachandran, wife of MGR the founder of the party, was estranged like Sasikala. After reading this history it is evident that the recent days experienced the resurgence of Janaki Ramachandran. After grieving over Amma's death Sasikala Natrajan, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa became interim general secretary of AIADMK. × 5 December 2016 was a turning point in Tamil Nadu's politics as AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa passed away. Paneerselvam, a trusted lieutenant of Amma who already served as the chief minister twice for a short time, was sworn in as the chief minister again. After grieving over Amma's death, Sasikala Natrajan, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa, became interim general secretary of AIADMK on 5 February 2016. Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao accepted the resignation of OPS on the very next day, thus, paving the way for Chinamma (Sasikala) to put her foot in Amma's boot. High potential political drama commenced as soon as OPS claimed he was forced to resign and Jayalalithaa's soul asked him to speak the truth. Sasikala still seemed to hold the grip over her party until she was convicted by Honourable Supreme Court on the 21-year long Disproportionate Asset case. Before her way to prison, Sasikala was able to make her loyalist Edapaddi K Palaniswamy the chief minister and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran as the deputy general secretary of AIADMK. RK Nagar by-poll was necessary since the seat was vacated due to Amma's death. Meanwhile, OPS was able to garner some support amongst the veterans of the party. Thus, the Dravidian party was divided into two parts - OPS lead AIADMK (Puratchi Thalivi Amma) with E. Madhusudanan as a candidate and electric pole its election symbol. Another camp was rather powerful which was headed by Sasikala and her rubber stamp Chief Minister EK Palaniswamy with TTV Dhinakaran as a candidate and a hat as election symbol. But TTV Dhinakaran was charged with bribing the people which made the election commission to delay the by-poll. EPS and OPS factions announced their merger by sealing a deal with EPS as Chief Minister and OPS as his deputy and Sasikala and her family members to be removed from the party. × 21 August was perhaps a day of surprise as far as Tamil Nadu politics is concerned because EPS and OPS factions announced their merger by sealing a deal with EPS as chief minister and OPS as his deputy. With the merger, Sasikala and her family members were removed from the party. Jayalalithaa will be their eternal general secretary and there will be more political responsibilities given to OPS and administrative responsibility will be shouldered by EPS. By mid-September, Sasikala was officially sacked and all postings made by her, including elevation of her nephew as party's deputy general secretary, were squashed. Although the stars were not in favour of Sasikala, there was still a silver lining for her political career. The first silver lining was that her nephew had the support of odd 19 MLAs. Those MLAs submitted letters to TN Governor expressing their lack of confidence in CM Palaniswamy. But this silver lining soon darkened as the speaker disqualified 18 MLAs under Anti-Defection rules of TN Legislative Assembly. The high court is also analysing this move, but anyway, this move of speaker lowered the halfway mark in the assembly. Another silver lining to Sasikala was the frozen 'two leaves' symbol of AIADMK. The two leaf symbol is necessary for any of the faction to win the match. The high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. × But this silver lining also darkened as Election Commission bestowed this two leaf symbol to EPS-OPS faction keeping Sasikala and her family at a bay. The position of Sasikala faction will be more visible in coming days as re-election for RK Nagar constituency will take place on 21 December of this year. This high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. Years before Janaki Ramachandran, wife of MGR the founder of the party was estranged like Sasikala in these days. MG Ramachandran formed ADMK owing to ideological differences between him and M. Karunanidhi. Election Commission froze the two leaves symbol (retai ellai) symbol giving a cock symbol to Jayalalithaa and a pair of pigeon to Janaki. × MGR served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu twice. After his death in December 1987, the party was divided into two factions one under MGR's widow Janaki Ramachandran and another under Jayalalithaa. Janaki was sworn in as CM for 24 days but lost the trust vote on the house floor. Election Commission froze the two leaves symbol (retai ellai) symbol, giving a cock symbol to Jayalalithaa and a pair of pigeon to Janaki. But both the faction suffered defeat as M Karunanidhi-led DMK swept the assembly elections. After that Janaki Ramachandran tendered her resignation and the two factions were unified under Jayalalithaa. After reading this history, it is evident that the recent days experienced the resurgence of Janaki Ramachandran. Thing is that we are not learning from history. The reason for learning history is to avoid old mistakes and learn from them. I think Sasikala didn't take a lesson from her party's history. Another point is that the 21st century India still believe in rhetorics like Amma, Chinamma, Behenji, Netaji, Kalingar, etc. The habit of Indians to vote for such rhetorics paved the way for people like Sasikala and Janaki to rule over us. I hope other parties and our dear voters would learn from it. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Sasikala's fate strangely resembles Janaki Ramachandran

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor has begun international arbitration against India to seek more than $770 million in a dispute over unpaid state incentives, according to a person familiar with the matter and documents reviewed by Reuters.

In a legal notice sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Nissan sought payment of incentives due from the Tamil Nadu government as part of a 2008 agreement to set up a car manufacturing plant in the southern state.

According to the notice, Nissan said repeated requests to state officials for the payment, due in 2015, were overlooked and even a plea by the company&rsquo;s chairman, Carlos Ghosn, to Modi in March of last year seeking federal assistance did not yield any results.

The notice, sent by Nissan&rsquo;s lawyers in July 2016, was followed by more than a dozen meetings between federal and state officials and Nissan executives, said the person familiar with the matter, who did not want to be named as it is not public.

The federal officials, from several ministries, assured Nissan the payment would be made, and it should not bring a legal case. But, in August, Nissan gave India an ultimatum to appoint an arbitrator, the person said, adding the first arbitration hearing will be in mid-December.

A Nissan spokesman said the company was &ldquo;committed to working with the government of India toward a resolution,&rdquo; but did not elaborate.

A senior Tamil Nadu state official said the government hoped to resolve the dispute without having to go to international arbitration. &ldquo;There is no discrepancy with regard to the amount due, and we are trying hard to resolve the issue,&rdquo; the official told Reuters.

Modi&rsquo;s office did not respond to an email seeking comment.

The case, brought against India for alleged violations of its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, is the latest in a string of international arbitration proceedings against the country by investors concerned about issues ranging from retrospective taxation to payments disputes.

There are over 20 cases pending against India, among the highest against any single nation.

The dispute between Nissan and the Tamil Nadu government also shows the challenges companies face in India and how local disputes could undermine the Modi government&rsquo;s efforts to attract foreign investment and create new jobs.

Growing losses

Several automakers, including Ford and Hyundai Motor, have set up production hubs in Tamil Nadu, giving state capital Chennai the nickname; the &lsquo;Detroit of South Asia&rsquo;.

In 2008, when Nissan and its global alliance partner, French carmaker Renault, agreed to invest in setting up a car plant in Chennai, the state government promised several incentives including some tax refunds.

Over seven years, Nissan and Renault invested 61 billion rupees ($946 million) and set up a plant with annual production capacity of 480,000 vehicles, which entitled them to receive the incentives in 2015, according to the legal notice.

In that notice, Nissan&rsquo;s lawyers said the state government&rsquo;s decision to not pay was &ldquo;arbitrary&rdquo;, and Nissan has &ldquo;incurred significant and increasing losses&rdquo;.

Nissan did not specify the business impact in the 8-page notice, but said in 2008 that state incentives were critical to the project&rsquo;s viability and sustainability.

The carmaker, in its notice, is claiming 29 billion rupees in unpaid incentives and 21 billion rupees in damages, plus interest and other costs.

Nissan, which has less than a 2 percent share of India&rsquo;s passenger car market, builds and sells the Micra hatchback, Sunny sedan and Terrano sport-utility vehicle. It also sells low-cost cars under its Datsun brand.

The company spokesman said Nissan has created more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in India.

In a legal notice sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Nissan sought payment of incentives due from the Tamil Nadu government as part of a 2008 agreement to set up a car manufacturing plant in the southern state

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor has begun international arbitration against India to seek more than $770 million in a dispute over unpaid state incentives, according to a person familiar with the matter and documents reviewed by Reuters. In a legal notice sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Nissan sought payment of incentives due from the Tamil Nadu government as part of a 2008 agreement to set up a car manufacturing plant in the southern state. According to the notice, Nissan said repeated requests to state officials for the payment, due in 2015, were overlooked and even a plea by the company’s chairman, Carlos Ghosn, to Modi in March of last year seeking federal assistance did not yield any results. The notice, sent by Nissan’s lawyers in July 2016, was followed by more than a dozen meetings between federal and state officials and Nissan executives, said the person familiar with the matter, who did not want to be named as it is not public. The federal officials, from several ministries, assured Nissan the payment would be made, and it should not bring a legal case. But, in August, Nissan gave India an ultimatum to appoint an arbitrator, the person said, adding the first arbitration hearing will be in mid-December. A Nissan spokesman said the company was “committed to working with the government of India toward a resolution,” but did not elaborate. A senior Tamil Nadu state official said the government hoped to resolve the dispute without having to go to international arbitration. “There is no discrepancy with regard to the amount due, and we are trying hard to resolve the issue,” the official told Reuters. Modi’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment. The case, brought against India for alleged violations of its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, is the latest in a string of international arbitration proceedings against the country by investors concerned about issues ranging from retrospective taxation to payments disputes. There are over 20 cases pending against India, among the highest against any single nation. The dispute between Nissan and the Tamil Nadu government also shows the challenges companies face in India and how local disputes could undermine the Modi government’s efforts to attract foreign investment and create new jobs. Growing losses Several automakers, including Ford and Hyundai Motor, have set up production hubs in Tamil Nadu, giving state capital Chennai the nickname; the ‘Detroit of South Asia’. In 2008, when Nissan and its global alliance partner, French carmaker Renault, agreed to invest in setting up a car plant in Chennai, the state government promised several incentives including some tax refunds. Over seven years, Nissan and Renault invested 61 billion rupees ($946 million) and set up a plant with annual production capacity of 480,000 vehicles, which entitled them to receive the incentives in 2015, according to the legal notice. In that notice, Nissan’s lawyers said the state government’s decision to not pay was “arbitrary”, and Nissan has “incurred significant and increasing losses”. Nissan did not specify the business impact in the 8-page notice, but said in 2008 that state incentives were critical to the project’s viability and sustainability. The carmaker, in its notice, is claiming 29 billion rupees in unpaid incentives and 21 billion rupees in damages, plus interest and other costs. Nissan, which has less than a 2 percent share of India’s passenger car market, builds and sells the Micra hatchback, Sunny sedan and Terrano sport-utility vehicle. It also sells low-cost cars under its Datsun brand. The company spokesman said Nissan has created more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in India.

Nissan sues India over outstanding dues; seeks over $770 million

As many as 14 people were killed - 10 in Tamil Nadu and four in Kerala - as torrential rain pounded the southern districts of both the States after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into &#39;Cyclone Ockhi&#39; on Thursday and became a severe cyclonic storm on Friday, moving to the Arabian Sea.

Even though the sea continued to be rough, rescue operations are going on in full swing. The Navy is putting in &quot;maximum effort&quot; to rescue fishermen from the sea which is very rough under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi.

Tamil Nadu government today said over 1,200 persons affected by Ockhi cyclone in Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts have been lodged in relief camps, as Chief Minister K Palaniswami took stock of the situation.

At a review meeting here, the Chief Minister asked officials to expedite all works undertaken in the affected areas, even as scores of personnel have been deployed to address various issues, including restoring the power network.

Following the torrential downpour, many water bodies in the aforesaid districts were brimming and therefore the Chief Minister has asked all flood-prevention measures be in place. These included monitoring lakes and shutters of water bodies.

Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore, the Chief Minister said senior IAS officials and Ministers have been deputed to Kanniyakumari to oversee rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

He also denied any laxity in the rescue works.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in Lakshadweep, orders have been issued to evacuate people from low-lying areas.

Even though the sea continued to be rough, rescue operations are going on in full swing

As many as 14 people were killed - 10 in Tamil Nadu and four in Kerala - as torrential rain pounded the southern districts of both the States after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into 'Cyclone Ockhi' on Thursday and became a severe cyclonic storm on Friday, moving to the Arabian Sea. Even though the sea continued to be rough, rescue operations are going on in full swing. The Navy is putting in "maximum effort" to rescue fishermen from the sea which is very rough under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi. Tamil Nadu government today said over 1,200 persons affected by Ockhi cyclone in Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts have been lodged in relief camps, as Chief Minister K Palaniswami took stock of the situation. At a review meeting here, the Chief Minister asked officials to expedite all works undertaken in the affected areas, even as scores of personnel have been deployed to address various issues, including restoring the power network. Following the torrential downpour, many water bodies in the aforesaid districts were brimming and therefore the Chief Minister has asked all flood-prevention measures be in place. These included monitoring lakes and shutters of water bodies. Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore, the Chief Minister said senior IAS officials and Ministers have been deputed to Kanniyakumari to oversee rescue and rehabilitation efforts. He also denied any laxity in the rescue works. Meanwhile, in Lakshadweep, orders have been issued to evacuate people from low-lying areas.

Cyclone Ockhi: 14 killed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala as heavy downpour continues

The ruling AIADMK today announced E Madhusudhanan as its candidate for the December 21 Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly by-poll.

His name was finalised from a list of aspirants, who had applied expressing willingness to contest the by-poll, a party release here said.

Madhusudhanan, the party&#39;s Presidium Chairman, was the AIADMK&#39;s &quot;unanimous&quot; choice, the release from party coordinator and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami said.

DMK&#39;s M Maruthu Ganesh and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran are also in the fray.

The by-poll was earlier scheduled to be held on April 12. However, the polls were rescinded by the Election Commission following complaints of money distribution.

Madhusudhanan was then the candidate of the Panneerselvam-led rival AIADMK faction, while Dhinakaran was contesting on the then AIADMK (Amma) camp.

The factions led by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami later merged in August even as the Election Commission awarded the &#39;Two Leaves&#39; symbol to the unified AIADMK.

The RK Nagar seat fell vacant last December following the death of local MLA and then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016.

Madhusudhanan, the party's Presidium Chairman, was the AIADMK's 'unanimous' choice, said Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami

The ruling AIADMK today announced E Madhusudhanan as its candidate for the December 21 Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly by-poll. His name was finalised from a list of aspirants, who had applied expressing willingness to contest the by-poll, a party release here said. Madhusudhanan, the party's Presidium Chairman, was the AIADMK's "unanimous" choice, the release from party coordinator and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami said. DMK's M Maruthu Ganesh and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran are also in the fray. The by-poll was earlier scheduled to be held on April 12. However, the polls were rescinded by the Election Commission following complaints of money distribution. Madhusudhanan was then the candidate of the Panneerselvam-led rival AIADMK faction, while Dhinakaran was contesting on the then AIADMK (Amma) camp. The factions led by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami later merged in August even as the Election Commission awarded the 'Two Leaves' symbol to the unified AIADMK. The RK Nagar seat fell vacant last December following the death of local MLA and then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016.

AIAMDK names Madhusudhanan as candidate for RK Nagar by-poll

Torrential rains pounded southern districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala crippling life and claiming eight lives -- four each in the two states -- as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm &#39;Ockhi&#39; on Thursday.

Both the state governments put the official machinery on high alert as the cyclone, lying 60 kms south of Kanyakumari, was forecast to dump more rains in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the next 24 hours.

The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2.

A bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department said gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph was very likely along and off South Kerala during next 48 hours and along and off south Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours.

Fishermen in coastal regions in southern parts of the two states were advised not to venture into sea for the next 24 hours, it said.

Madhavan Rajeevan, Secretary in the Earth Sciences ministry, said in New Delhi that Lakshadweep in the southern part of the Arabian Sea will start experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds from tomorrow. &quot;It will hit the islands on December 2,&quot; Rajeevan said.

Tamil Nadu government deployed state and national disaster response force teams in Kanyakumari district, which bore the brunt of the rain fury.

It asked officials to shelter people living in low lying areas in the southern districts in multi-purpose evacuation centres.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who reviewed the situation, said in Chennai state Ministers and senior IAS officials have been assigned to affected districts to monitor relief work.

Also, electricity personnel with necessary equipment have been rushed to restore power distribution that was affected due to trees falling over electric poles, Palaniswami said.

Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R B Udhaya Kumar, deputed to Kanyakumari to take up relief work on a war footing, said people in the affected areas have been shifted to safer places.

He said nearly 3,000 electric poles have been uprooted in the district, affecting power supply.

Besides Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts were among those battered by the rains.

Educational institutions remained closed in southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Viruthunagar and Thanjavur.

Three men and a woman were killed when trees fell on them in different areas in Kanyakumari district, officials said.

In Kerala, the state government put the official machinery on a high alert and ordered the evacuation of people living within 100 metres from the coast and also sought help from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Air Force to assist people in distress.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions through video conferencing with the Collectors of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha, Pathnamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam districts and gave them necessary directions to take steps by coordinating various government agencies.

The state reported four rain-related deaths, including an elderly couple who were electrocuted when they came into contact with a snapped live wire in front of their house at Kattakada near Thiruvananthapuram.

The rains accompanied by gusty winds left a trail of destruction in Kanyakumari district, in the southernmost tip of the country, uprooting more than 500 trees, State Disaster Management Agency said.

&quot;Do not come out of homes in Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, and Tirunelveli stay safe indoors and take precautions do not panic,&quot; it said in a tweet.

Southern Railway said it has partially cancelled some trains in Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram sector.

Due to bad weather, a scheduled two-day programme of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, which was to begin tomorrow in Kerala, has been cancelled, party sources said. Thiruvananthapuram and its coastal stretch were witnessing heavy rains accompanied by strong winds since this morning. In several places, electric posts got uprooted.

Vizhinjam coastal police said they received information that at least 57 fishermen, who had put out to sea from Thumba to Pozhiyur since yesterday, were yet to return.

Twentynine traditional boats which had set out from Poonthura were also out in the sea, police said. &nbsp;

A Kochi report said Navy deployed four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue of fishermen onboard six boats and a marine Engineering vessel reported to be missing in the sea near Vizhinjam.

The Southern Naval Command was also gearing up for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that may be required in view of the cyclone in the southern parts of Kerala, a Defence release said.&nbsp;

The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2

Torrential rains pounded southern districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala crippling life and claiming eight lives -- four each in the two states -- as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' on Thursday. Both the state governments put the official machinery on high alert as the cyclone, lying 60 kms south of Kanyakumari, was forecast to dump more rains in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the next 24 hours. The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2. A bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department said gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph was very likely along and off South Kerala during next 48 hours and along and off south Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours. Fishermen in coastal regions in southern parts of the two states were advised not to venture into sea for the next 24 hours, it said. Madhavan Rajeevan, Secretary in the Earth Sciences ministry, said in New Delhi that Lakshadweep in the southern part of the Arabian Sea will start experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds from tomorrow. "It will hit the islands on December 2," Rajeevan said. Tamil Nadu government deployed state and national disaster response force teams in Kanyakumari district, which bore the brunt of the rain fury. It asked officials to shelter people living in low lying areas in the southern districts in multi-purpose evacuation centres. Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who reviewed the situation, said in Chennai state Ministers and senior IAS officials have been assigned to affected districts to monitor relief work. Also, electricity personnel with necessary equipment have been rushed to restore power distribution that was affected due to trees falling over electric poles, Palaniswami said. Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R B Udhaya Kumar, deputed to Kanyakumari to take up relief work on a war footing, said people in the affected areas have been shifted to safer places. He said nearly 3,000 electric poles have been uprooted in the district, affecting power supply. Besides Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts were among those battered by the rains. Educational institutions remained closed in southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Viruthunagar and Thanjavur. Three men and a woman were killed when trees fell on them in different areas in Kanyakumari district, officials said. In Kerala, the state government put the official machinery on a high alert and ordered the evacuation of people living within 100 metres from the coast and also sought help from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Air Force to assist people in distress. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions through video conferencing with the Collectors of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha, Pathnamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam districts and gave them necessary directions to take steps by coordinating various government agencies. The state reported four rain-related deaths, including an elderly couple who were electrocuted when they came into contact with a snapped live wire in front of their house at Kattakada near Thiruvananthapuram. The rains accompanied by gusty winds left a trail of destruction in Kanyakumari district, in the southernmost tip of the country, uprooting more than 500 trees, State Disaster Management Agency said. "Do not come out of homes in Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, and Tirunelveli stay safe indoors and take precautions do not panic," it said in a tweet. Southern Railway said it has partially cancelled some trains in Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram sector. Due to bad weather, a scheduled two-day programme of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, which was to begin tomorrow in Kerala, has been cancelled, party sources said. Thiruvananthapuram and its coastal stretch were witnessing heavy rains accompanied by strong winds since this morning. In several places, electric posts got uprooted. Vizhinjam coastal police said they received information that at least 57 fishermen, who had put out to sea from Thumba to Pozhiyur since yesterday, were yet to return. Twentynine traditional boats which had set out from Poonthura were also out in the sea, police said. A Kochi report said Navy deployed four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue of fishermen onboard six boats and a marine Engineering vessel reported to be missing in the sea near Vizhinjam. The Southern Naval Command was also gearing up for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that may be required in view of the cyclone in the southern parts of Kerala, a Defence release said.

Cyclone Ockhi: Rain pounds Tamil Nadu, Kerala, 8 dead

A depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal will bring heavy rains to south Tamil Nadu, the regional weather office said on Thursday (November 29).

The system lay centered at around 500 km south-south east of Kanniyakumari, the Regional Meteorological Centre said in a release here.

It was likely to move northwestwards in the next two days and under its influence, heavy to very heavy rains were likely in one or two places in South Tamil Nadu such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Viruthunagar, it said.

Heavy rains were also likely in parts of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, it added.

Further, squally winds reaching 45-55 kmph was very likely along and off South Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours, and the sea would be rough, it said.

&quot;Fishermen are advised not to venture&quot; into the sea for their vocation, it added.

According to RMC weather data at 1730 hrs of today, Pamban in Ramanathapuram district recorded 2.9 cm of rainfall, followed by Karaikal at 2.6 cm.

Heavy to very heavy rains were likely in one or two places in South Tamil Nadu such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Viruthunagar

A depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal will bring heavy rains to south Tamil Nadu, the regional weather office said on Thursday (November 29). The system lay centered at around 500 km south-south east of Kanniyakumari, the Regional Meteorological Centre said in a release here. It was likely to move northwestwards in the next two days and under its influence, heavy to very heavy rains were likely in one or two places in South Tamil Nadu such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Viruthunagar, it said. Heavy rains were also likely in parts of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, it added. Further, squally winds reaching 45-55 kmph was very likely along and off South Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours, and the sea would be rough, it said. "Fishermen are advised not to venture" into the sea for their vocation, it added. According to RMC weather data at 1730 hrs of today, Pamban in Ramanathapuram district recorded 2.9 cm of rainfall, followed by Karaikal at 2.6 cm.

Tamil Nadu to get heavy rain from Bay of Bengal depression

&nbsp;TTV Dinakaran will contest the upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar, Chennai on behalf of the TTV-led AIADMK faction.

The decision was reportedly made with the consent of VK Sasikala who is in jail.&nbsp;

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With the consent of VK Sasikala, TTV Dinakaran will be our candidate for upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar(Chennai): Anbalagan,TTV faction <a href="https://t.co/dNYKpZUBsY">pic.twitter.com/dNYKpZUBsY</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935846273877393408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank"> for the constituency from where the late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa was elected twice</a> to the Assembly will be held on December 21.

The counting will take place on December 24.

The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai&#39;s RK Nagar constituency earlier this year.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-election-commission-cancels-rk-nagar-bypolls-in-chennai-14360" target="_blank">elections were cancelled after allegations </a>of cash against votes had surfaced.&nbsp;

The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides.&nbsp;

It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections.&nbsp;

The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.

&nbsp;

The decision has come with the consent of VK Sasikala

TTV Dinakaran will contest the upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar, Chennai on behalf of the TTV-led AIADMK faction. The decision was reportedly made with the consent of VK Sasikala who is in jail. With the consent of VK Sasikala, TTV Dinakaran will be our candidate for upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar(Chennai): Anbalagan,TTV faction pic.twitter.com/dNYKpZUBsY — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 × The bypoll for the constituency from where the late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa was elected twice to the Assembly will be held on December 21. The counting will take place on December 24. The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai's RK Nagar constituency earlier this year. The elections were cancelled after allegations of cash against votes had surfaced. The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides. It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections. The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.

TTV Dinakaran to contest RK Nagar by-polls, with Sasikala's consent

A woman claiming to be the biological daughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa&nbsp;has filed a written petition seeking a direction to exhume Jayalalitha&#39;s body to conduct the DNA test.

The woman identified as Amrutha and is represented by Lawyer Indira Jaising who has claimed that Amrutha was born in 1980 and also she has some fond memories of Jayalalitha.

The petition is filed under Article 32 of the Constitution and it asks the court to permit the family members of&nbsp;Jayalalitha to cremate her body as per the rites, rituals, and customs of Vaishnava Iyengar-Brahim community to which Jayalalitha and her family members belong.

The petition says &ldquo;Under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, every citizen is entitled to the right to live with dignity and it includes the right to know...the petitioner wants to know her identity through her natural/biological mother.&rdquo;&nbsp;

However, Supreme Court refused to take this petition forward but it allowed the woman, the liberty to pursue other remedies in law.

The bench was headed by Justice Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta.

The petition has also sought urgency because these rituals have to be done before the expiry of one year from Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s death on December 5.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

A woman claiming to be the biological daughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa?has filed a written petition seeking a direction to exhume Jayalalitha's body to conduct the DNA test.

A woman claiming to be the biological daughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has filed a written petition seeking a direction to exhume Jayalalitha's body to conduct the DNA test. The woman identified as Amrutha and is represented by Lawyer Indira Jaising who has claimed that Amrutha was born in 1980 and also she has some fond memories of Jayalalitha. The petition is filed under Article 32 of the Constitution and it asks the court to permit the family members of Jayalalitha to cremate her body as per the rites, rituals, and customs of Vaishnava Iyengar-Brahim community to which Jayalalitha and her family members belong. The petition says “Under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, every citizen is entitled to the right to live with dignity and it includes the right to know...the petitioner wants to know her identity through her natural/biological mother.” However, Supreme Court refused to take this petition forward but it allowed the woman, the liberty to pursue other remedies in law. The bench was headed by Justice Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta. The petition has also sought urgency because these rituals have to be done before the expiry of one year from Jayalalithaa’s death on December 5.

Supreme Court rejects petition of woman claiming to be Jayalalitha's daughter

V Maitreyan, AIADMK MP from<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/aiadmk-poll-symbol-impasse-sasikala-gets-hat-ops-gets-electricity-pole-13696"> E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam faction</a>(EPS-OPS) said today the Election Commission has &quot;orally informed&quot;&nbsp;the party that &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol has been granted to it.

Maitreyan said he waiting for the &quot;hard copy&quot; from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/neither-sasikala-nor-panneerselvam-can-claim-aiadmk-symbol-election-commission-13649">the&nbsp;Election Commission</a>.

&quot;Election Commission has given judgement in our favour, we are very happy,&quot; Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami said.

Both factions of AIADMK, E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran had earlier filed a written submission in Election Commission in the &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol case.

&quot;We had facts on our side and the majority of MLAs, MPs and party workers were with us. All this was taken into consideration,&quot; Palaniswami added.

The faction, led by party leader TTV Dhinakaran had filed 111-page written submission while the group led by Tamil Nadu chief minister E K Palaniswami and Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam had filed 82-page submission to plead their case to the Election Commission.

After former chief minister&nbsp;J.Jayalalithaa&#39;s death last year both factions in the AIADMK had approached the Election Commission to grant them the party symbol.

Maitreyan said he waiting for the "hard copy" from the ?Election Commission.

V Maitreyan, AIADMK MP from E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam faction(EPS-OPS) said today the Election Commission has "orally informed" the party that "two leaves" symbol has been granted to it. Maitreyan said he waiting for the "hard copy" from the Election Commission. "Election Commission has given judgement in our favour, we are very happy," Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami said. Both factions of AIADMK, E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran had earlier filed a written submission in Election Commission in the "two leaves" symbol case. "We had facts on our side and the majority of MLAs, MPs and party workers were with us. All this was taken into consideration," Palaniswami added. The faction, led by party leader TTV Dhinakaran had filed 111-page written submission while the group led by Tamil Nadu chief minister E K Palaniswami and Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam had filed 82-page submission to plead their case to the Election Commission. After former chief minister J.Jayalalithaa's death last year both factions in the AIADMK had approached the Election Commission to grant them the party symbol.

Election Commission has informed 'two leaves' symbol belongs to EPS-OPS faction: AIADMK MP

A 55-year old man succumbed to burns at a hospital two days after he attempted self-immolation in front of the house of a local AIADMK leader here accusing her of cheating him of Rs 11 lakh.

Thangaraj died at the Government Hospital in Erode, about 50 km from here, where he was admitted after he set himself ablaze on November 18, police said.

A case has been registered against the AIADMK Namakkal women&#39;s wing secretary Kalyani for allegedly abetting the suicide after the victim gave a dying declaration before an Erode Magistrate, they said.

Police said the woman was absconding and further investigation was on.

According to the FIR, Kalyani had taken Rs.11 lakh from Thangaraj in July last year promising to get a government job for his nephew but did not honour her assurance.

Upset over this, Thangaraj allegedly doused himself with kerosene in front of Kalyani&#39;s house and set himself ablaze.

Thangaraj died at the Government Hospital in Erode, about 50 km from here, where he was admitted after he set himself ablaze on November 18, police said

A 55-year old man succumbed to burns at a hospital two days after he attempted self-immolation in front of the house of a local AIADMK leader here accusing her of cheating him of Rs 11 lakh. Thangaraj died at the Government Hospital in Erode, about 50 km from here, where he was admitted after he set himself ablaze on November 18, police said. A case has been registered against the AIADMK Namakkal women's wing secretary Kalyani for allegedly abetting the suicide after the victim gave a dying declaration before an Erode Magistrate, they said. Police said the woman was absconding and further investigation was on. According to the FIR, Kalyani had taken Rs.11 lakh from Thangaraj in July last year promising to get a government job for his nephew but did not honour her assurance. Upset over this, Thangaraj allegedly doused himself with kerosene in front of Kalyani's house and set himself ablaze.

Man who attempted self-immolation over 'cheating' by local AIADMK leader succumbs

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday held Sasikala and members of her family responsible for the Income Tax raids at Poes Garden. &nbsp;

Speaking to reporters in Madurai, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said Sasikala and her family members have brought &#39;bad name to the party&#39;.

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It is the wrong doing of a family (Sasikala) which has brought bad name for the party and that is why IT raids are happening.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai <a href="https://t.co/vfRY9TFCAe">pic.twitter.com/vfRY9TFCAe</a>
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&quot;During I-T raids in Poes Garden, Amma&#39;s room was not searched. There is no connection between the IT raids in Poes Garden &amp; state government. Raids are conducted by the IT dept which is under Centre,&quot; the reports said quoting Palaniswami.&nbsp;

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During IT raids in Poes Garden, Amma&#39;s room was not searched. There is no connection between the IT raids in Poes Garden &amp; state govt. Raids are conducted by the IT dept which is under Centre.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai <a href="https://t.co/Kt4sqHq0te">pic.twitter.com/Kt4sqHq0te</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931910657196228608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Responding to TTV Dhinakaran&#39;s charge that he did not express his opposition to the IT raids, the CM asked&nbsp;&quot;Who is TTV Dhinakaran? He was not in the party for past 10 yrs, only after Amma&#39;s death, he has to come to the fore. He did not make me CM. It is my step by step contribution to the party that I became CM, all MLAs elected me,&quot; he added.

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Who is TTV Dhinakaran? He was not in party for past 10 yrs, only after Amma&#39;s death he has to come to the fore. He did not make me CM. It is my step by step contribution to the party that I became CM, all MLAs elected me.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai <a href="https://t.co/uB3wpHWvDU">pic.twitter.com/uB3wpHWvDU</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931911306268966912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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A few days after conducting raids for almost a week at different&nbsp;places owned by&nbsp;jailed AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala and her relatives, the IT department officials arrived at former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa&#39;s Poes Garden house in Chennai and conducted a search. During the search, the Income Tax officials said to have seized two pen drives and two laptops.&nbsp;

The officials conducted a thorough search in the two rooms used by Sasikala and a room used by her personal secretary S Poongundran.&nbsp;

The Madras High Court on Friday upheld the CBI court order convicting son-in-law and daughter of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala&#39;s sister in a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-raid-on-sasikala-and-kins-reveals-rs-1430-crore-unaccounted-for-investments-24174">Rs.1400 crore</a>&nbsp;disproportionate assets (DA) case registered two decades ago.

The Madras High Court on Friday upheld a CBI court order convicting son-in-law and daughter of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala's sister in a Rs.1400 crore disproportionate assets (DA) case registered two decades ago.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday held Sasikala and members of her family responsible for the Income Tax raids at Poes Garden. Speaking to reporters in Madurai, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said Sasikala and her family members have brought 'bad name to the party'. It is the wrong doing of a family (Sasikala) which has brought bad name for the party and that is why IT raids are happening.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai pic.twitter.com/vfRY9TFCAe — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × "During I-T raids in Poes Garden, Amma's room was not searched. There is no connection between the IT raids in Poes Garden & state government. Raids are conducted by the IT dept which is under Centre," the reports said quoting Palaniswami. During IT raids in Poes Garden, Amma's room was not searched. There is no connection between the IT raids in Poes Garden & state govt. Raids are conducted by the IT dept which is under Centre.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai pic.twitter.com/Kt4sqHq0te — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × Responding to TTV Dhinakaran's charge that he did not express his opposition to the IT raids, the CM asked "Who is TTV Dhinakaran? He was not in the party for past 10 yrs, only after Amma's death, he has to come to the fore. He did not make me CM. It is my step by step contribution to the party that I became CM, all MLAs elected me," he added. Who is TTV Dhinakaran? He was not in party for past 10 yrs, only after Amma's death he has to come to the fore. He did not make me CM. It is my step by step contribution to the party that I became CM, all MLAs elected me.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai pic.twitter.com/uB3wpHWvDU — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × A few days after conducting raids for almost a week at different places owned by jailed AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala and her relatives, the IT department officials arrived at former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden house in Chennai and conducted a search. During the search, the Income Tax officials said to have seized two pen drives and two laptops. The officials conducted a thorough search in the two rooms used by Sasikala and a room used by her personal secretary S Poongundran. The Madras High Court on Friday upheld the CBI court order convicting son-in-law and daughter of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala's sister in a Rs.1400 crore disproportionate assets (DA) case registered two decades ago.

Sasikala has brought 'bad name to the party', says Tamil Nadu CM

After an investigation of five&nbsp;days by the Income Tax department officials on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/income-tax-raids-on-jaya-tv-continue-bank-accounts-of-sasikalas-nephew-frozen-report-24023" target="_blank">multiple premises of VK Sasikala and her relatives</a>, the IT department has seized&nbsp;papers that reveal over 1400 crore worth of &quot;unaccounted-for&quot; investments in real estate.&nbsp;

Besides this cash amounting to Rs 7.14 crore and jewellery valuing Rs 5 crore was also found.&nbsp;

An IT official also said that a considerable amount of diamond&nbsp;jewellery&nbsp;was also found, which is yet to be valued.&nbsp;

About 16 bank lockers had been frozen so far, said an IT official.

A major part of property related documents were seized from the properties of Sasikala&#39;s nephew and Jaya TV CEO Vivek Jayaraman, his sister Krishna Priya and their auditor.&nbsp;

Documents relating to the import of fleet of foreign cars were seized from the Chennai house of Sasikala&#39;s niece.&nbsp;

Also, cash amounting to Rs 55 lakh was seized from a Women&#39;s College owned by Sasikala&#39;s brother V Dhivaharan.

Search operations&nbsp;were conducted on over 187 premises owned by VK Sasikala and her family members.

A senior Income Tax official said, &quot;The seized documents show that at the time of demonetisation, huge amounts of old notes were converted into gold at Midas,&quot;

After completing the search operation on Monday-I-T investigation team took Sasikala&#39;s nephew Vivek and his brother in law Prabhu to their office for further questioning.

Besides this cash amounting to Rs 7.14 crore and jewellery valuing Rs 5 crore was also found

After an investigation of five days by the Income Tax department officials on the multiple premises of VK Sasikala and her relatives, the IT department has seized papers that reveal over 1400 crore worth of "unaccounted-for" investments in real estate. Besides this cash amounting to Rs 7.14 crore and jewellery valuing Rs 5 crore was also found. An IT official also said that a considerable amount of diamond jewellery was also found, which is yet to be valued. About 16 bank lockers had been frozen so far, said an IT official. A major part of property related documents were seized from the properties of Sasikala's nephew and Jaya TV CEO Vivek Jayaraman, his sister Krishna Priya and their auditor. Documents relating to the import of fleet of foreign cars were seized from the Chennai house of Sasikala's niece. Also, cash amounting to Rs 55 lakh was seized from a Women's College owned by Sasikala's brother V Dhivaharan. Search operations were conducted on over 187 premises owned by VK Sasikala and her family members. A senior Income Tax official said, "The seized documents show that at the time of demonetisation, huge amounts of old notes were converted into gold at Midas," After completing the search operation on Monday-I-T investigation team took Sasikala's nephew Vivek and his brother in law Prabhu to their office for further questioning.

IT raid on Sasikala's premises reveals 'unaccounted investments'

Income tax raids were conducted Thursday morning at the Jaya TV office in Chennai.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a>: Income Tax department conducts raid at Jaya TV and Dr Namadhu MGR (Tamil newspaper) premises in Chennai, in a case of alleged tax evasion <a href="https://t.co/LkQSVz4NWN">pic.twitter.com/LkQSVz4NWN</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928445122055888896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Times of India reported that a team of 10 Income Tax officials entered the Jaya TV office at around 6 am.&nbsp;

Jaya TV, a prominent&nbsp;TV channel in Tamil Nadu, was started by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

The channel is now controlled by VK Sasikala&#39;s family members, led by her nephew Vivek Jayaraman.&nbsp;

The channel had been critical of the current Tamil Nadu government, the TOI reported.

Current chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam had earlier been at loggerheads.

A search was also conducted at Jayaraman&#39;s residence in the city and at Jazz Cinemas owned by Sasikala&#39;s family members.

The searches were conducted after the department received information about the concealment of income and tax evasion, TOI reported.&nbsp;

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People are watching everything, they understand what is going on. If the Centre thinks they can destroy us by conducting such raids, they are day-dreaming: TTV Dhinakaran <a href="https://t.co/oALm1R4PBq">pic.twitter.com/oALm1R4PBq</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928498129007030272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;People are watching everything, they understand what is going on,&quot; Sasikala&#39;s nephew TTV Dinakaran said of the raids.&nbsp;

&quot;If the Centre thinks they can destroy us by conducting such raids, they are day-dreaming,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

ANI reported that raids were also conducted on the Tamil newspaper Dr Namadhu MGR in Chennai and Karnataka AIADMK in-charge&nbsp;Pugazhendi&#39;s house in Bengaluru.&nbsp;

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AIADMK Karnataka in-charge, Pugazhendi&#39;s house being raided by Income Tax department in Bengaluru&#39;s Domlur <a href="https://t.co/0d67gjIEgK">pic.twitter.com/0d67gjIEgK</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928472560903139328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Jaya TV was started by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, but is currently controlled by members of VK Sasikala's family

Income tax raids were conducted Thursday morning at the Jaya TV office in Chennai. #TamilNadu: Income Tax department conducts raid at Jaya TV and Dr Namadhu MGR (Tamil newspaper) premises in Chennai, in a case of alleged tax evasion pic.twitter.com/LkQSVz4NWN — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 × The Times of India reported that a team of 10 Income Tax officials entered the Jaya TV office at around 6 am. Jaya TV, a prominent TV channel in Tamil Nadu, was started by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The channel is now controlled by VK Sasikala's family members, led by her nephew Vivek Jayaraman. The channel had been critical of the current Tamil Nadu government, the TOI reported. Current chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam had earlier been at loggerheads. A search was also conducted at Jayaraman's residence in the city and at Jazz Cinemas owned by Sasikala's family members. The searches were conducted after the department received information about the concealment of income and tax evasion, TOI reported. People are watching everything, they understand what is going on. If the Centre thinks they can destroy us by conducting such raids, they are day-dreaming: TTV Dhinakaran pic.twitter.com/oALm1R4PBq — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 × "People are watching everything, they understand what is going on," Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran said of the raids. "If the Centre thinks they can destroy us by conducting such raids, they are day-dreaming," he added. ANI reported that raids were also conducted on the Tamil newspaper Dr Namadhu MGR in Chennai and Karnataka AIADMK in-charge Pugazhendi's house in Bengaluru. AIADMK Karnataka in-charge, Pugazhendi's house being raided by Income Tax department in Bengaluru's Domlur pic.twitter.com/0d67gjIEgK — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 ×

Jaya TV raids: The people understand what is going on, says TTV Dinakaran

Tamil superstar Kamal&nbsp;Haasan has created a stir with his decision to join politics.&nbsp;On occasion of his 63rd birthday on Tuesday, the actor launched a unique app for whistleblowers.&nbsp;

While addressing the media, the actor said&nbsp;the app was being launched keeping in mind the welfare of the people.&nbsp;

In conversation with WION&#39;s Kartikeya Sharma, Kamal&nbsp;Haasan spoke about his decision to join politics,&nbsp;demonetisation, Hindutva, future of Tamil Nadu and more...&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Q: You are a successful artist. How and when you decided to join politics?

A: 35 years back MGR asked me to join politics. Even Karunanidhi had asked me to join politics years back. But didn&rsquo;t entertain the idea much but things changed 10 years back. My families too are averse to the idea of me joining politics. My family felt that people become corrupt after joining politics. Even in the film industry, I ensured that I don&rsquo;t touch black money. I even suffered financial loss because of it but never compromised.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: Did anyone support you?

A: My daughters supported me but were afraid whether I will stop being an artist and I said how can that be possible? I said that I&rsquo;m an artist and that cannot be changed. I told that artist doesn&rsquo;t only mean becoming a protagonist in a film.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: Is there any particular issue which made you finally take the call to join politics? 
&nbsp;

A: I have been running a welfare movement for 39 years. The idea of converting fan&nbsp;clubs for politics is not new in Tamil Nadu. I disbanded the fan clubs and turned them into welfare associations. Even then politics was an impediment to social service. We rubbed many people including the government the&nbsp;wrong way. We had to keep ourselves in good books to do our job. MGR and Karunanidhi allowed us to do the job but it changed during Jaya.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: Why?

A: Jaya didn&rsquo;t appreciate it. She didn&rsquo;t like it. She was a powerful politician. It took me a&nbsp;long time to understand that it was emanating from her as she disliked such voices and by the time I realised it Vishwaroopam was already in trouble.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: So, you were toying with the idea?

A: I had a great career going and I was thinking as to why I should rough it out.

In 2011-12, I decided to take the plunge and without hesitation, I decided to take on the government and that&nbsp;I believe was an act of politics. People say that I was silent when Jaya was present but I did sue the government. I did affect the government and went on to win the case against them. They again banned the film and we lost almost 60 crores by the time of release. &nbsp;But I still went ahead because I felt it was the right thing to do. Later my brother said, leave it, the battle is won but I said it has just started.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: You are launching an app&nbsp;which will act as a device for whistleblowers? Are you saying that government has&nbsp;failed on corruption?

A: It is one part of the spectrum. It gives voice to the people. It is a platform for dialogue. It will have broad spectrum utility. It is a longwinded explanation which I will do in January. It is to get people together. It will have many versatile points of contact. 
&nbsp; 
Q: The detractors would say that it can lead to civic vigilantism?

A: It is about vigil. In real life, vigilantism is a pedestrian dream to be put in practice. That is only done in films. It is about boldly talking to the government. It is within the parameters of the law. 
&nbsp; 
Q: Election funding is the motherboard of corruption. How will you resolve this issue of funding? Will you also need funding?

A: Why should the fund be black. It can be neat and clean money.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: There is also an inducement. Look at the politics of inducement in your state. Freebies before elections?

A: They are paid Rs 2000 rupees in cash apart from freebies as most of the freebies are broken and substandard. A lot of people would say prove it but it is a fact. My argument is that because you take Rs 2000 rupees you lose the moral authority to question politicians.

He can always look back at you and say what about Rs 2000 I gave you. In the process, five&nbsp;years of authority gets sold for 90 paisa per day. We need to restore people&rsquo;s authority and they need to participate in it.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: What is your vision for Tamil Nadu and where does the malice lie?

A: Unemployment is the issue but it doesn&rsquo;t emerge from the government. People also need to understand. Everyone want&nbsp;their children to be engineers and doctors. This culture needs to end. That&rsquo;s the problem. Other areas should be explored. I think after satyagraha and khadi movement, a &quot;skill-set&quot;&nbsp;movement is very important. To make India strong, a &quot;skill-set&quot;&nbsp;movement has to be strong. I&rsquo;m already working on it. I want to expand it further when I go into politics.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: Past 40 years, Tamil politics has been divided into&nbsp;two poles. Is Tamil Nadu ready for a third party?

A: It is not about space but it is about intent and productive plan for people. 
&nbsp; 
Q: Arvind Kejriwal met you lately. Did he ask you to join AAP?

A: He was a gentleman. He gave me three options including the choice to join them. I made it very clear as to what my intent was. It was very touching. I&rsquo;m already meeting other chief ministers to educate myself. He was only exploring the possibility. Our understanding was that our pursuit is the same and that is to build the nation and hence we are tied to a common ideology.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: There is a debate on GST and demonetization taking place. What is your view on demonetisation?

A: The reason why I enthusiastically supported the idea was because I still feel that it is a workable idea. I don&rsquo;t know how it was planned but I&rsquo;m an enthusiast for the progress of the country. Like Satyamev Jayate is a beautiful idea. But how do you make satya win? It is not easy. There is a difference between an idea and its execution. 
&nbsp; 
Q: Is politics losing its sense of equanimity? Artists are getting arrested over cartoons films like Mersal faced political outrage?

A: Absolutely. I don&rsquo;t want to make BJP a whipping boy. The ear for dialogue is non-existent. Leave alone politician, lower level bureaucrats and policemen get affected and angry when asked questions. People abused Gandhi after the partition but he continued the dialogue. His didn&rsquo;t cancel his meetings. The worst form of criticism is assassination and that too happened to Mahatma Gandhi. 
&nbsp; 
Q. Culture, films and cinema are fused in Tamil Nadu. Does it make Tamil Nadu a unique state?

A: It exists in other states but maybe Tamil Nadu got the idea of using cinema as a propaganda tool from Germany. Germany proved to the world the power of propaganda and later the US also did a similar thing to counter Hitler. Tamil Nadu is unique and a forerunner.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: You had said that you are not an atheist but a rationalist. Please elaborate?

A: It is a name given by aastiks. I have a mindset of being rational. It is not my primary focus. For me, I have no religion or any God. A rational man would ask for certain proofs. Atheism is a name I refuse. Rational is good enough. My larger purpose is not to say where is God. There are Gods whose stars are fading. Maybe a new God would come. Look at it historically. Where is Zeus?

Q: You have been talking about a middle path. Today politics is swinging between caste equations and Hindutva? Where do you see yourself?

A: Hindutva is different. Hinduism is an umbrella under which Saivism, Vaishvanism and other forms of worship were brought together by the British. Neither Tamil literature nor Vedas record Hinduism as a sect. It is a large umbrella. You have to go to its finer points. My elder brother calls himself an atheist. He doesn&rsquo;t believe in the concept. I would say that show me God. That is why I&rsquo;m a rationalist. He is an atheist as he doesn&rsquo;t wish for a God.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: National anthem is being played in cinema halls. Does its playout before films make&nbsp;people more patriotic?

A: It is like a commitment towards the nation. It cannot be forced upon anyone. In my time&nbsp;in 70s, they played the anthem in theatres and I found people casual about it as they wanted to go home or catch a bus. Never take it there. Keep it for solemn occasions.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: But current discourse has led to politicisation of patriotism?

A: You don&rsquo;t have to remind people of it everytime. I sing national anthem with my children. In&nbsp;August it used to rain and I would go out in the rains with my children and sing the&nbsp;national anthem.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: Your recent remarks on Hindu terror generated a&nbsp;lot of controversy. What were you trying to imply?

A: It was a remark which was badly translated. I used words to describe extreme. I was talking about slow marshal and violent attitude creeping in the Hindu fold. We were a peaceful lot. I was being critical of it.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: Are you saying that Hindus are being radicalized?

A: Yes, and it is being facilitated by rhetoric. That&rsquo;s what I was trying to criticise. To become a stronger country, we have to shun any form of violence.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: The rhetoric has political acceptance?

A: It is there because there is a belief that it is another way to establish Hindu hegemony. But there are other ways of showing largeness. Let us begin by showing a large heart and accommodate and let&rsquo;s make it an inclusive society. I have nothing against the Hindu society. My elders believe in Sanatan Dharma. My daughters believe in God and I have to keep in mind that I don&rsquo;t hurt them when I write something on the subject.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: Many people said that you failed to criticize someone like Zakir Naik while you were addressing the issues related to Hinduism?

A: I will criticise them also. They should not indulge in violence be it Christians or Muslims. No religion implies violence. All great books talk about love but we have become selective about them.&nbsp;

Q: Did the BJP ever approach you?

A: No. But PM selected me as the ambassador of Swachh Bharat and I accepted it because I&rsquo;m willing to do for any party who wants to contribute to nation building.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Q: So, you are all set for a new chapter?

A: I want to change the culture of politics. I&rsquo;m not interested in taking anyone down. And people are ready too. New voters are coming of the age. I&rsquo;m focused on that demography. They want change and I want to be part of it.

In conversation with WION's Kartikeya Sharma, Kamal Haasan spoke about his decsion to join politics, his mobile app, demonitisation, the future of Tamil Nadu and much more. ?

Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan has created a stir with his decision to join politics. On occasion of his 63rd birthday on Tuesday, the actor launched a unique app for whistleblowers. While addressing the media, the actor said the app was being launched keeping in mind the welfare of the people. In conversation with WION's Kartikeya Sharma, Kamal Haasan spoke about his decision to join politics, demonetisation, Hindutva, future of Tamil Nadu and more... Q: You are a successful artist. How and when you decided to join politics? A: 35 years back MGR asked me to join politics. Even Karunanidhi had asked me to join politics years back. But didn’t entertain the idea much but things changed 10 years back. My families too are averse to the idea of me joining politics. My family felt that people become corrupt after joining politics. Even in the film industry, I ensured that I don’t touch black money. I even suffered financial loss because of it but never compromised. Q: Did anyone support you? A: My daughters supported me but were afraid whether I will stop being an artist and I said how can that be possible? I said that I’m an artist and that cannot be changed. I told that artist doesn’t only mean becoming a protagonist in a film. Q: Is there any particular issue which made you finally take the call to join politics? A: I have been running a welfare movement for 39 years. The idea of converting fan clubs for politics is not new in Tamil Nadu. I disbanded the fan clubs and turned them into welfare associations. Even then politics was an impediment to social service. We rubbed many people including the government the wrong way. We had to keep ourselves in good books to do our job. MGR and Karunanidhi allowed us to do the job but it changed during Jaya. Q: Why? A: Jaya didn’t appreciate it. She didn’t like it. She was a powerful politician. It took me a long time to understand that it was emanating from her as she disliked such voices and by the time I realised it Vishwaroopam was already in trouble. Q: So, you were toying with the idea? A: I had a great career going and I was thinking as to why I should rough it out. In 2011-12, I decided to take the plunge and without hesitation, I decided to take on the government and that I believe was an act of politics. People say that I was silent when Jaya was present but I did sue the government. I did affect the government and went on to win the case against them. They again banned the film and we lost almost 60 crores by the time of release. But I still went ahead because I felt it was the right thing to do. Later my brother said, leave it, the battle is won but I said it has just started. Q: You are launching an app which will act as a device for whistleblowers? Are you saying that government has failed on corruption? A: It is one part of the spectrum. It gives voice to the people. It is a platform for dialogue. It will have broad spectrum utility. It is a longwinded explanation which I will do in January. It is to get people together. It will have many versatile points of contact. Q: The detractors would say that it can lead to civic vigilantism? A: It is about vigil. In real life, vigilantism is a pedestrian dream to be put in practice. That is only done in films. It is about boldly talking to the government. It is within the parameters of the law. Q: Election funding is the motherboard of corruption. How will you resolve this issue of funding? Will you also need funding? A: Why should the fund be black. It can be neat and clean money. Q: There is also an inducement. Look at the politics of inducement in your state. Freebies before elections? A: They are paid Rs 2000 rupees in cash apart from freebies as most of the freebies are broken and substandard. A lot of people would say prove it but it is a fact. My argument is that because you take Rs 2000 rupees you lose the moral authority to question politicians. He can always look back at you and say what about Rs 2000 I gave you. In the process, five years of authority gets sold for 90 paisa per day. We need to restore people’s authority and they need to participate in it. Q: What is your vision for Tamil Nadu and where does the malice lie? A: Unemployment is the issue but it doesn’t emerge from the government. People also need to understand. Everyone want their children to be engineers and doctors. This culture needs to end. That’s the problem. Other areas should be explored. I think after satyagraha and khadi movement, a "skill-set" movement is very important. To make India strong, a "skill-set" movement has to be strong. I’m already working on it. I want to expand it further when I go into politics. Q: Past 40 years, Tamil politics has been divided into two poles. Is Tamil Nadu ready for a third party? A: It is not about space but it is about intent and productive plan for people. Q: Arvind Kejriwal met you lately. Did he ask you to join AAP? A: He was a gentleman. He gave me three options including the choice to join them. I made it very clear as to what my intent was. It was very touching. I’m already meeting other chief ministers to educate myself. He was only exploring the possibility. Our understanding was that our pursuit is the same and that is to build the nation and hence we are tied to a common ideology. Q: There is a debate on GST and demonetization taking place. What is your view on demonetisation? A: The reason why I enthusiastically supported the idea was because I still feel that it is a workable idea. I don’t know how it was planned but I’m an enthusiast for the progress of the country. Like Satyamev Jayate is a beautiful idea. But how do you make satya win? It is not easy. There is a difference between an idea and its execution. Q: Is politics losing its sense of equanimity? Artists are getting arrested over cartoons films like Mersal faced political outrage? A: Absolutely. I don’t want to make BJP a whipping boy. The ear for dialogue is non-existent. Leave alone politician, lower level bureaucrats and policemen get affected and angry when asked questions. People abused Gandhi after the partition but he continued the dialogue. His didn’t cancel his meetings. The worst form of criticism is assassination and that too happened to Mahatma Gandhi. Q. Culture, films and cinema are fused in Tamil Nadu. Does it make Tamil Nadu a unique state? A: It exists in other states but maybe Tamil Nadu got the idea of using cinema as a propaganda tool from Germany. Germany proved to the world the power of propaganda and later the US also did a similar thing to counter Hitler. Tamil Nadu is unique and a forerunner. Q: You had said that you are not an atheist but a rationalist. Please elaborate? A: It is a name given by aastiks. I have a mindset of being rational. It is not my primary focus. For me, I have no religion or any God. A rational man would ask for certain proofs. Atheism is a name I refuse. Rational is good enough. My larger purpose is not to say where is God. There are Gods whose stars are fading. Maybe a new God would come. Look at it historically. Where is Zeus? Q: You have been talking about a middle path. Today politics is swinging between caste equations and Hindutva? Where do you see yourself? A: Hindutva is different. Hinduism is an umbrella under which Saivism, Vaishvanism and other forms of worship were brought together by the British. Neither Tamil literature nor Vedas record Hinduism as a sect. It is a large umbrella. You have to go to its finer points. My elder brother calls himself an atheist. He doesn’t believe in the concept. I would say that show me God. That is why I’m a rationalist. He is an atheist as he doesn’t wish for a God. Q: National anthem is being played in cinema halls. Does its playout before films make people more patriotic? A: It is like a commitment towards the nation. It cannot be forced upon anyone. In my time in 70s, they played the anthem in theatres and I found people casual about it as they wanted to go home or catch a bus. Never take it there. Keep it for solemn occasions. Q: But current discourse has led to politicisation of patriotism? A: You don’t have to remind people of it everytime. I sing national anthem with my children. In August it used to rain and I would go out in the rains with my children and sing the national anthem. Q: Your recent remarks on Hindu terror generated a lot of controversy. What were you trying to imply? A: It was a remark which was badly translated. I used words to describe extreme. I was talking about slow marshal and violent attitude creeping in the Hindu fold. We were a peaceful lot. I was being critical of it. Q: Are you saying that Hindus are being radicalized? A: Yes, and it is being facilitated by rhetoric. That’s what I was trying to criticise. To become a stronger country, we have to shun any form of violence. Q: The rhetoric has political acceptance? A: It is there because there is a belief that it is another way to establish Hindu hegemony. But there are other ways of showing largeness. Let us begin by showing a large heart and accommodate and let’s make it an inclusive society. I have nothing against the Hindu society. My elders believe in Sanatan Dharma. My daughters believe in God and I have to keep in mind that I don’t hurt them when I write something on the subject. Q: Many people said that you failed to criticize someone like Zakir Naik while you were addressing the issues related to Hinduism? A: I will criticise them also. They should not indulge in violence be it Christians or Muslims. No religion implies violence. All great books talk about love but we have become selective about them. Q: Did the BJP ever approach you? A: No. But PM selected me as the ambassador of Swachh Bharat and I accepted it because I’m willing to do for any party who wants to contribute to nation building. Q: So, you are all set for a new chapter? A: I want to change the culture of politics. I’m not interested in taking anyone down. And people are ready too. New voters are coming of the age. I’m focused on that demography. They want change and I want to be part of it.

I want to change the culture of politics: Kamal Haasan

Sometimes there is a snake in the cavity with the beehive. But that is okay. &ldquo;The honeybees will not allow you to take honey while the snake is inside [so as to protect the person], but anyhow the snake will move aside,&rdquo; says Kathe Kuttan of Bikkapathimund village. Then the honey gatherer can reach in with his hand to bring out the delicious golden comb. &nbsp;&ldquo;The snake,&rdquo; says Kathe, &ldquo;gives a &lsquo;promise&rsquo; to the honeybee &ndash; I will not bite anyone who comes here to honey hunt.&rdquo;

That is, of course, if the honey hunter has come with purity of heart and body. Otherwise, it might be a different story.

Like Kathe, Thilthosh Kuttan too is a honey gatherer of the Toda tribe in Bikkapathimund &ndash; a village of around 35 Todas. With his son, he is walking with us through the remnants of the shola forest adjacent to the grasslands on which the community&rsquo;s buffaloes roam. The Todas are Adivasis who live in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. They are pastoralists who demonstrate their respect for nature by practising a strictly vegetarian diet. And they walk barefoot as a mark of their regard for the spirits of the Earth.

After crossing a small brook and climbing up a slope, Thilthosh points to a small, almost unnoticeable cavity in one of the larger trees. Melon-sized rock blocks most of the entrance and swarms of bees are flying around it. These are the Asian Honey Bee (Apis cerana), found across Asia. They are considered among the easiest species to domesticate and hive in bee boxes.

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<div class="media-description">
Left: A hive of the Apis cerana bees. Right: A honey hunter removes the stone that blocks the cavity before he extracts the sweet golden comb. (Others)
</div>
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But the Todas prefer to leave the bees in their natural habitat. Unlike some of the other honey gathering Adivasis of the Nilgiris, the Todas don&rsquo;t use fire or smoke to draw out the bees when collecting wild honey. When he finds a hive, the hunter will place a stone at the opening of the hive to keep away the bears that roam these hills. When he is ready to take out the honey, the hunter will remove the stone, put his face close to the cavity and blow softly. This pushes the bees out gently and the hunter reaches in and pulls out the honey from the multi-combed hive.

How does he not get stung? The Todas believe this is because the bees know if the person is pure of heart and body.

But young men (only Toda men collect honey) who are beginning to learn how to collect honey do sometimes get stung. Thilthosh says, &ldquo;They [the newcomers] will be afraid at first, but after being stung a few times it will be normal. Then they will not be afraid&rdquo;. &nbsp;Even as he is talking, his son, around 12, is stung by a bee. Thilthosh goes close to his son, investigates the area of the sting, and leaves it at that.

Earlier, Kathe Kuttan had narrated the story of a hunter who was bitten because &ldquo;he [hadn&rsquo;t] maintained the &lsquo;discipline&rsquo;.&rdquo; The community is not supposed to work on certain days like the day for the temple.

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Kathe Kuttan fashioning bamboo strips that will be used to build a new temple in the village; even the Todas&#39; huts were once entirely constructed with forest materials, but now many live in houses built by the government. (Others)
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As he speaks, sitting below a tree in his village, surrounded by rolling hills, Kathe meticulously strips and softens long strips of bamboo. Around him lie coiled ribbons of bamboo, shavings are scattered on the ground. Several other men are also fashioning the bamboo into malleable ropes, while some women sit close by, embroidering shawls with the intricate designs unique to the Todas. These bamboo strips will be used to construct a new temple.

Another villager, Ooneer Kuttan, &nbsp;recalls that when the kurinji flowers bloom abundantly, the bees make a special honey from its nectar. These flowers bloom only once in 12 years and when in season (usually, April to June) carpet the hills with a violet-blue &ndash; hence the name Nilgiris or the Blue Mountains. But, he rues, today, even in the kurinji season, the blooms are fewer. And so this variety of honey is now not easily available.

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A senior villager, Ooneer Kuttan, draped in a traditional shawl with distinctive Toda embroidery. He speaks of how the bees make a special honey from the nectar of the blue kurinji flowers. (Others)
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Every year, Thilthosh Kuttan says, there seems to be less honey because the number of flowers is diminishing. Though he did not offer any reasons, this could be, we surmise, because of factors such as climate change and the conversion of the shola forests and grasslands in Tamil Nadu into farms.

The Todas collect the honey for use in their home, and for sharing with the village. Whatever is left over, they sell, though this is rare and only done when there is extra honey or if tourists visit the village. It is typically sold for Rs. 500 for a kilo.

For their living, the Toda community draws on the forest and remains highly self-reliant. Their main source of food is buffalo milk and the few crops they cultivate. Even their huts were once entirely constructed with forest materials, but now many live in houses built by the government. Honey is an additional food source. Some have gone outside the village for work, some stay back.

Thilthosh doesn&rsquo;t think the next generation will continue with honey gathering. But others are more hopeful. Kathe firmly believes that the youngsters will maintain this tradition and the connection to nature. Only time will tell which of them is right.

Thanks to the Keystone Foundation for giving me the support to conduct these interviews, and to Saravanan Rajan, who helped find the honey hunters and accompanied me to every interview as an interpreter.

This&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/articles/the-honey-hunters-of-the-hills" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a>&nbsp;was originally&nbsp;published on 26/ 06/ 2017 on the&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">People&#39;s Archive of Rural India.</a>

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Audra Bass and&nbsp;Keystone Foundation

Honey hunters of Toda tribe in Tamil Nadu, hope that the youngsters might maintain the tradition of honey gathering

Sometimes there is a snake in the cavity with the beehive. But that is okay. “The honeybees will not allow you to take honey while the snake is inside [so as to protect the person], but anyhow the snake will move aside,” says Kathe Kuttan of Bikkapathimund village. Then the honey gatherer can reach in with his hand to bring out the delicious golden comb. “The snake,” says Kathe, “gives a ‘promise’ to the honeybee – I will not bite anyone who comes here to honey hunt.” That is, of course, if the honey hunter has come with purity of heart and body. Otherwise, it might be a different story. Like Kathe, Thilthosh Kuttan too is a honey gatherer of the Toda tribe in Bikkapathimund – a village of around 35 Todas. With his son, he is walking with us through the remnants of the shola forest adjacent to the grasslands on which the community’s buffaloes roam. The Todas are Adivasis who live in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. They are pastoralists who demonstrate their respect for nature by practising a strictly vegetarian diet. And they walk barefoot as a mark of their regard for the spirits of the Earth. After crossing a small brook and climbing up a slope, Thilthosh points to a small, almost unnoticeable cavity in one of the larger trees. Melon-sized rock blocks most of the entrance and swarms of bees are flying around it. These are the Asian Honey Bee (Apis cerana), found across Asia. They are considered among the easiest species to domesticate and hive in bee boxes. Left: A hive of the Apis cerana bees. Right: A honey hunter removes the stone that blocks the cavity before he extracts the sweet golden comb. (Others) × But the Todas prefer to leave the bees in their natural habitat. Unlike some of the other honey gathering Adivasis of the Nilgiris, the Todas don’t use fire or smoke to draw out the bees when collecting wild honey. When he finds a hive, the hunter will place a stone at the opening of the hive to keep away the bears that roam these hills. When he is ready to take out the honey, the hunter will remove the stone, put his face close to the cavity and blow softly. This pushes the bees out gently and the hunter reaches in and pulls out the honey from the multi-combed hive. How does he not get stung? The Todas believe this is because the bees know if the person is pure of heart and body. But young men (only Toda men collect honey) who are beginning to learn how to collect honey do sometimes get stung. Thilthosh says, “They [the newcomers] will be afraid at first, but after being stung a few times it will be normal. Then they will not be afraid”. Even as he is talking, his son, around 12, is stung by a bee. Thilthosh goes close to his son, investigates the area of the sting, and leaves it at that. Earlier, Kathe Kuttan had narrated the story of a hunter who was bitten because “he [hadn’t] maintained the ‘discipline’.” The community is not supposed to work on certain days like the day for the temple. Kathe Kuttan fashioning bamboo strips that will be used to build a new temple in the village; even the Todas' huts were once entirely constructed with forest materials, but now many live in houses built by the government. (Others) × As he speaks, sitting below a tree in his village, surrounded by rolling hills, Kathe meticulously strips and softens long strips of bamboo. Around him lie coiled ribbons of bamboo, shavings are scattered on the ground. Several other men are also fashioning the bamboo into malleable ropes, while some women sit close by, embroidering shawls with the intricate designs unique to the Todas. These bamboo strips will be used to construct a new temple. Another villager, Ooneer Kuttan, recalls that when the kurinji flowers bloom abundantly, the bees make a special honey from its nectar. These flowers bloom only once in 12 years and when in season (usually, April to June) carpet the hills with a violet-blue – hence the name Nilgiris or the Blue Mountains. But, he rues, today, even in the kurinji season, the blooms are fewer. And so this variety of honey is now not easily available. A senior villager, Ooneer Kuttan, draped in a traditional shawl with distinctive Toda embroidery. He speaks of how the bees make a special honey from the nectar of the blue kurinji flowers. (Others) × Every year, Thilthosh Kuttan says, there seems to be less honey because the number of flowers is diminishing. Though he did not offer any reasons, this could be, we surmise, because of factors such as climate change and the conversion of the shola forests and grasslands in Tamil Nadu into farms. The Todas collect the honey for use in their home, and for sharing with the village. Whatever is left over, they sell, though this is rare and only done when there is extra honey or if tourists visit the village. It is typically sold for Rs. 500 for a kilo. For their living, the Toda community draws on the forest and remains highly self-reliant. Their main source of food is buffalo milk and the few crops they cultivate. Even their huts were once entirely constructed with forest materials, but now many live in houses built by the government. Honey is an additional food source. Some have gone outside the village for work, some stay back. Thilthosh doesn’t think the next generation will continue with honey gathering. But others are more hopeful. Kathe firmly believes that the youngsters will maintain this tradition and the connection to nature. Only time will tell which of them is right. Thanks to the Keystone Foundation for giving me the support to conduct these interviews, and to Saravanan Rajan, who helped find the honey hunters and accompanied me to every interview as an interpreter. This article was originally published on 26/ 06/ 2017 on the People's Archive of Rural India. Photo Credit: Audra Bass and Keystone Foundation

The honey hunters of the hills

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday assured all assistance to rain-ravaged Tamil Nadu in tackling the fallout of the heavy downpour in the capital and some districts, including Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur.

&quot;I assure all possible support to the Tamil Nadu government to tackle the situation due to rains,&quot; Modi said at a function to celebrate the 75th anniversary celebrations of Tamil daily Dina Thanthi.

The prime minister expressed grief over the death of those who had died in the rain over the last few days.&nbsp;

Nine people died across the state in the recent round of heavy rain.He asked the media to have healthy competition and urged them to take extra effort to maintain credibility.

During his address at the Madras University Auditorium, Modi mourned the death of senior journalist and general secretary of the Madras Union of Journalists R Mohan (54) who died following a cardiac attack yesterday.

Modi was received by Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami at the Chennai airport from where he proceeded to INS Adyar by helicopter.

Tight security was in place in view of the prime minister&#39;s visit.

The prime minister expressed grief over the death of those who had died in the rain over the last few days.?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday assured all assistance to rain-ravaged Tamil Nadu in tackling the fallout of the heavy downpour in the capital and some districts, including Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur. "I assure all possible support to the Tamil Nadu government to tackle the situation due to rains," Modi said at a function to celebrate the 75th anniversary celebrations of Tamil daily Dina Thanthi. The prime minister expressed grief over the death of those who had died in the rain over the last few days. Nine people died across the state in the recent round of heavy rain.He asked the media to have healthy competition and urged them to take extra effort to maintain credibility. During his address at the Madras University Auditorium, Modi mourned the death of senior journalist and general secretary of the Madras Union of Journalists R Mohan (54) who died following a cardiac attack yesterday. Modi was received by Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami at the Chennai airport from where he proceeded to INS Adyar by helicopter. Tight security was in place in view of the prime minister's visit.

I assure all possible support to Tamil Nadu government to tackle rain situation: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met DMK supremo M Karunanidhi at the latter&#39;s Gopalapuram residence here.

The meeting between the two leaders lasted about 20 minutes. Modi sat next to Karunanidhi and held his hands.

Earlier, DMK Working President and Karunanidhi&#39;s son, M K Stalin, welcomed the Prime Minister at the gate and honoured him with a red shawl.

Modi was accompanied by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan and state BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan.

DMK leaders including Kanimozhi, who is the daughter of Karunanidhi, were also present.

Later, the wheelchair-bound Karunanidhi made a brief appearance outside and waved at his supporters who cheered him.

Karunanidhi, who was taken ill in October 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy, was twice admitted to a private hospital in December last.

Karunanidhi has been since confined to his house, but made one rare appearance on October 19 this year when he visited an exhibition here held to showcase the 75-year journey of DMK&#39;s mouthpiece, &#39;Murasoli&#39;.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had called on the nonagenarian DMK patriarch at his residence in December, 2016.

The meeting between the two leaders lasted about 20 minutes. Modi sat next to Karunanidhi and held his hands

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met DMK supremo M Karunanidhi at the latter's Gopalapuram residence here. The meeting between the two leaders lasted about 20 minutes. Modi sat next to Karunanidhi and held his hands. Earlier, DMK Working President and Karunanidhi's son, M K Stalin, welcomed the Prime Minister at the gate and honoured him with a red shawl. Modi was accompanied by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan and state BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan. DMK leaders including Kanimozhi, who is the daughter of Karunanidhi, were also present. Later, the wheelchair-bound Karunanidhi made a brief appearance outside and waved at his supporters who cheered him. Karunanidhi, who was taken ill in October 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy, was twice admitted to a private hospital in December last. Karunanidhi has been since confined to his house, but made one rare appearance on October 19 this year when he visited an exhibition here held to showcase the 75-year journey of DMK's mouthpiece, 'Murasoli'. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had called on the nonagenarian DMK patriarch at his residence in December, 2016.

PM Modi meets DMK patriarch Karunanidhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting DMK President M Karunanidhi here today, both the BJP and the DMK said.

Modi will visit the city today to attend the platinum jubilee function of a vernacular daily.

&quot;During his visit to Tamil Nadu today, PM Sh Narendra Modiji will visit senior-most leader from the state and former CM M Karunanidhi,&quot; BJP national general secretary P Mualidhar Rao said in a tweet.

DMK sources also confirmed the meet, saying the two leaders are scheduled to meet at 12.30 pm at Karunanidhi&#39;s Gopalapuram residence.

The prime minister will also attend the wedding of the daughter of Dr.TV Somanathan, a retired PMO official, at Raja Annamalaipuram.

Karunanidhi fell ill in October 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy. In December last, he was admitted to the Kauvery Hospital here twice.

The veteran leader was admitted to the hospital for &quot;optimisation of nutrition and hydration&quot; in the first week of December and later, due to a throat and lung infection.

He had undergone tracheostomy, a procedure to optimise breathing.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had called on the DMK patriarch at his residence in December 2016.

The nonagenarian leader had made his first public appearance on October 19 this year, the first since his illness, when he visited an exhibition here held to showcase the 75-year journey of DMK&#39;s mouthpiece, &#39;Murasoli&#39;.

Modi will visit the city today to attend the platinum jubilee function of a vernacular daily.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting DMK President M Karunanidhi here today, both the BJP and the DMK said. Modi will visit the city today to attend the platinum jubilee function of a vernacular daily. "During his visit to Tamil Nadu today, PM Sh Narendra Modiji will visit senior-most leader from the state and former CM M Karunanidhi," BJP national general secretary P Mualidhar Rao said in a tweet. DMK sources also confirmed the meet, saying the two leaders are scheduled to meet at 12.30 pm at Karunanidhi's Gopalapuram residence. The prime minister will also attend the wedding of the daughter of Dr.TV Somanathan, a retired PMO official, at Raja Annamalaipuram. Karunanidhi fell ill in October 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy. In December last, he was admitted to the Kauvery Hospital here twice. The veteran leader was admitted to the hospital for "optimisation of nutrition and hydration" in the first week of December and later, due to a throat and lung infection. He had undergone tracheostomy, a procedure to optimise breathing. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had called on the DMK patriarch at his residence in December 2016. The nonagenarian leader had made his first public appearance on October 19 this year, the first since his illness, when he visited an exhibition here held to showcase the 75-year journey of DMK's mouthpiece, 'Murasoli'.

PM Modi to visit Chennai today, will meet Karunanidhi

The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-dead-in-chennai-floods-23497" target="_blank">more rain in Chennai in the upcoming days</a>.

The low pressure created over the Bay of Bengal will continue to downpour moderate and heavy rain&nbsp;in the city.

A low pressure has developed over Southwest Bay of Bengal between the Sri Lankan and the Tamil Nadu coast and a cyclonic circulation rising up to 3.1 km above mean sea level resulting in the continuous downpour.

The city has been facing rains for a week now.&nbsp;

The schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts have been shut down since Tuesday and will continue to remain closed.&nbsp;

Several university exams have also been postponed.&nbsp;

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/residents-of-indias-chennai-flee-flooded-homes-as-rains-continue-6522" target="_blank"> people are facing regular power cuts, waterlogging and traffic jams</a>.

Chief minister K Palaniswami and many other state ministers have been visiting waterlogged parts of the city.

&nbsp;

The schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts have been shut down since Tuesday and will continue to remain closed

The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted more rain in Chennai in the upcoming days. The low pressure created over the Bay of Bengal will continue to downpour moderate and heavy rain in the city. A low pressure has developed over Southwest Bay of Bengal between the Sri Lankan and the Tamil Nadu coast and a cyclonic circulation rising up to 3.1 km above mean sea level resulting in the continuous downpour. The city has been facing rains for a week now. The schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts have been shut down since Tuesday and will continue to remain closed. Several university exams have also been postponed. The people are facing regular power cuts, waterlogging and traffic jams. Chief minister K Palaniswami and many other state ministers have been visiting waterlogged parts of the city.

IMD predicts more rainfall in Chennai, schools to remain closed

Tamil Nadu government has pressed into service 601 medical teams to cater to people in rain-affected areas in different parts of the state, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Sunday.

Already, 401 medical camps were in place in affected parts of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-dead-in-chennai-floods-23497">Chennai</a>, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Nagapattinam district among others, he said after flagging off an additional 200 medical teams, taking the number to 601.

&ldquo;The government has taken special care to press 601 medical teams into service to attend to people affected by the rain,&rdquo; he said.

These medical camps will be useful to prevent the spread of diseases that come up during the monsoon time, he said and urged people to immediately visit the nearest medical camps if they had any symptoms of illness.

Further, systems were in place to check the amount of chlorine in drinking water, he said and underlined his government&rsquo;s commitment to ensuring public health in such times of monsoon.

North-East monsoon has been active in Tamil Nadu, with Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts receiving torrential rains since last week.

Many parts of these districts have suffered from an inundation of low-lying areas and water-logging.

North-East monsoon has been active in Tamil Nadu, with Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts receiving torrential rains since last week.

Tamil Nadu government has pressed into service 601 medical teams to cater to people in rain-affected areas in different parts of the state, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Sunday. Already, 401 medical camps were in place in affected parts of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Nagapattinam district among others, he said after flagging off an additional 200 medical teams, taking the number to 601. “The government has taken special care to press 601 medical teams into service to attend to people affected by the rain,” he said. These medical camps will be useful to prevent the spread of diseases that come up during the monsoon time, he said and urged people to immediately visit the nearest medical camps if they had any symptoms of illness. Further, systems were in place to check the amount of chlorine in drinking water, he said and underlined his government’s commitment to ensuring public health in such times of monsoon. North-East monsoon has been active in Tamil Nadu, with Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts receiving torrential rains since last week. Many parts of these districts have suffered from an inundation of low-lying areas and water-logging.

Over 600 medical teams to help rain victims: Tamil Nadu CM

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/torrential-overnight-chennai-rains-bring-city-suburbs-to-grinding-halt-23430" target="_blank">heavy downpour that struck Chennai</a> on Friday evening made the situation worse for low lying areas.&nbsp;

Fourteen people have died in the rainfall which began last week.&nbsp;

Fearing a 2015 flood-like situation, residents of many low lying areas have shifted to&nbsp;safer places.

The water from the overflowing filthy lakes has increased the miseries of the nearby locality.

The downpour has also destroyed paddy crops.&nbsp;

The heavy rain is the result of low pressure that has developed over Southwest Bay of Bengal between the Sri Lankan and the Tamil Nadu coast and the cyclonic circulation rising up to 3.1 km above mean sea level.

The meteorological department has predicted heavy rains for the next two-three days.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, schools and colleges have remained closed.

Chennai corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan has assured that the civic body is prepared to face the monsoon and everything is in place to tackle the rain.

The chief minister, on the other hand, has claimed that the current government has handled the situation better than Bengaluru and Mumbai.&nbsp;

Earlier a state minister said that the government has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-well-prepared-to-tackle-rains-like-foreign-countries-say-ministers-23216" target="_blank">solved 98 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-well-prepared-to-tackle-rains-like-foreign-countries-say-ministers-23216" target="_blank">per cent</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-well-prepared-to-tackle-rains-like-foreign-countries-say-ministers-23216" target="_blank"> of the&nbsp;situation and they have the&nbsp;capacity to&nbsp;solve the situation&nbsp;like foreign</a>&nbsp;countries.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The meteorological department has predicted heavy rainfall for 2-3 days

The heavy downpour that struck Chennai on Friday evening made the situation worse for low lying areas. Fourteen people have died in the rainfall which began last week. Fearing a 2015 flood-like situation, residents of many low lying areas have shifted to safer places. The water from the overflowing filthy lakes has increased the miseries of the nearby locality. The downpour has also destroyed paddy crops. The heavy rain is the result of low pressure that has developed over Southwest Bay of Bengal between the Sri Lankan and the Tamil Nadu coast and the cyclonic circulation rising up to 3.1 km above mean sea level. The meteorological department has predicted heavy rains for the next two-three days. Meanwhile, schools and colleges have remained closed. Chennai corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan has assured that the civic body is prepared to face the monsoon and everything is in place to tackle the rain. The chief minister, on the other hand, has claimed that the current government has handled the situation better than Bengaluru and Mumbai. Earlier a state minister said that the government has solved 98 per cent of the situation and they have the capacity to solve the situation like foreign countries.

Chennai rain: Death toll at 14

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.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-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>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/926333245272104960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Met department forecast heavy to very heavy showers in north coastal Tamil Nadu till tomorrow.

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.

&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.

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 &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.

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. 
&nbsp;

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

Even as DMK working president MK Stalin lashed out at the Tamil Nadu government and said that the state government had not learned its lesson from the 2015 floods in Chennai, two Tamil Nadu ministers put on a brave face and said the government was more than prepared to deal with the rains.

SP&nbsp;Velumani, minister of municipal administration and rural development said that the state government has done more work than several developed nations to deal with the rains.&nbsp;

&quot;Recently heavy rain lashed Bengaluru,&nbsp;London&nbsp;and America but I assure we&#39;ve done more work compared to these developed nations,&#39;&#39; the minister was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

D Jayakumar, minister of finance and fishing, went a step further and claimed to have solved&nbsp;98&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of rain-related&nbsp;issues in the city.

&nbsp;&quot;We are having the capacity (to solve the problem) like foreign,&#39;&#39; the minister said.

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98% of the problem has been settled. We are having the capacity (to solve the problem) like foreign: TN Min D Jayakumar on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChennaiRains?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChennaiRains</a> <a href="https://t.co/GpnYm6DZer">pic.twitter.com/GpnYm6DZer</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/925287026856837120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Recently heavy rain lashed Bengaluru,London&amp;America but I assure we&#39;ve done more work compared to these developed nations-SP Velumani,TN Min <a href="https://t.co/Fgdvn2JctR">pic.twitter.com/Fgdvn2JctR</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/925289006463467520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The state government had&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/heavy-chennai-rain-brings-city-to-a-halt-schools-and-colleges-shut-on-tuesday-one-dead-in-thanjavur-23174">declared a holiday for schools and colleges</a> on Tuesday as the weather office forecast heavy to very heavy rains in some areas of coastal districts, including the capital city and its neighbourhood, in the next 24 hours.&nbsp;

Many parts of Tamil Nadu received heavy rainfall on Monday, disrupting normal life.

One person was killed in Thanjavur district in a rain-related incident.&nbsp;

Reports attributed the rainfall to the cyclonic circulation that is currently persisting over Southwest Bay of Bengal, off the Sri Lanka coast and the adjoining Tamil Nadu coast.

(With inputs from ANI)

SP?Velumani, minister of municipal administration and rural development said that the state government has done more work than several developed nations to deal with the rains

Even as DMK working president MK Stalin lashed out at the Tamil Nadu government and said that the state government had not learned its lesson from the 2015 floods in Chennai, two Tamil Nadu ministers put on a brave face and said the government was more than prepared to deal with the rains. SP Velumani, minister of municipal administration and rural development said that the state government has done more work than several developed nations to deal with the rains. "Recently heavy rain lashed Bengaluru, London and America but I assure we've done more work compared to these developed nations,'' the minister was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. D Jayakumar, minister of finance and fishing, went a step further and claimed to have solved 98 per cent of rain-related issues in the city. "We are having the capacity (to solve the problem) like foreign,'' the minister said. 98% of the problem has been settled. We are having the capacity (to solve the problem) like foreign: TN Min D Jayakumar on #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/GpnYm6DZer — ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2017 × Recently heavy rain lashed Bengaluru,London&America but I assure we've done more work compared to these developed nations-SP Velumani,TN Min pic.twitter.com/Fgdvn2JctR — ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2017 × The state government had declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday as the weather office forecast heavy to very heavy rains in some areas of coastal districts, including the capital city and its neighbourhood, in the next 24 hours. Many parts of Tamil Nadu received heavy rainfall on Monday, disrupting normal life. One person was killed in Thanjavur district in a rain-related incident. Reports attributed the rainfall to the cyclonic circulation that is currently persisting over Southwest Bay of Bengal, off the Sri Lanka coast and the adjoining Tamil Nadu coast. (With inputs from ANI)

Tamil Nadu well prepared to tackle rains like foreign countries, say ministers

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