CHENNAI: A woman participating in the Namma Ooru Modi Pongal Vizha fainted due to dehydration at the venue here on Monday and was administered first aid by medical personnel, with BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also rushing to assist.

The woman, identified as Nagajothi (30) of Vayalur in Tiruchy, collapsed while preparing Pongal in the morning. She was immediately shifted to the on-site first-aid centre, where she was treated and later advised to rest, organisers said.

According to sources, participants had been asked to reach the venue by 8 am and Pongal preparation began around 9 am, following the distribution of utensils and ingredients. But BJP leader Amit Shah arrived at the venue around 12 noon.