The deadline for submission of bids is September 17. Bids will remain valid for 180 days from the stipulated submission date. 

For the new tender, the scope of work involves maintaining the water supply and drainage systems in the park including regular inspections, cleaning, and maintenance of all pipes, valves, fittings, pumps, and tanks, as well as prompt repairs of any damages or malfunctions. 

“Also, it will be ensured that the water quality is maintained and regularly tested for any signs of contamination and that all systems are functioning properly to prevent any disruptions or safety hazards,” said a CMRL official. The tender forms part of CMRL’s planned upkeep of Thiru Vi Ka Park above the station, with the selected contractor responsible for maintenance, repair and painting works over the two-year contract period. 

For the maintenance of the park earlier, CMRL awarded the contract worth Rs 4.59 crore with Quess Corp Limited in November 2023. And, the new tender is floated following the expiry of the previous one. 

Thiru Vi Ka Park was renovated and reopened in April 2023 after it was taken over by CMRL for the construction of underground Shenoy Nagar Metro station from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). Currently, the park under CMRL is open for the public from 5 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 9 pm on all days.

Of the 102 weddings, 72 had been booked in advance at the temple, while another 30 couples arrived without prior registration and exchanged garlands at the sanctum.

The weddings were conducted at several locations on the temple premises, including the 16-pillared hall, the praharam, utsavar mandapam and vatta mandapam. Couples who had completed their weddings elsewhere also visited the temple for darshan.

The large number of relatives and friends accompanying the couples added to the crowd, making movement difficult both inside and outside the temple. Devotees who had come for worship were also caught in the rush.

The ancient Kandhaswamy Murugan Temple in Tiruporur, Chengalpattu district, has been witnessing a steady increase in the number of couples choosing to get married there. The rush extended beyond the temple premises, with weddings being held at more than 15 marriage halls around the Mada streets. The additional traffic led to severe congestion on the Mada streets and the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR).

The police said that the incident happened on Selva Vinayagar Koil Street where stormwater drain works have been under way for the last few days.

The deceased was identified as Dev Gulatar of West Bengal. According to the officials, he had come to Chennai a week ago and was staying with his elder brother, Goyal (26).

Around 3 pm on Saturday, Dev went to the worksite to give food to his brother, and stepped on a damaged cable of a road drilling machine and collapsed to the ground.

Other workers immediately rescued him and rushed him to the Government Hospital in Chromepet.

However, the doctors who examined him said he had already died. On receiving information, the Shankar Nagar police secured the body and sent it for post-mortem examination.

The police have registered a case and are investigating.

Tharun was travelling with his friend Kumar (24) towards Tiruttani from Tiruvallur when their bike collided head-on with Sanjeevi’s bike near Lakshmipuram.

Upon impact, all occupants on the bikes were thrown off the vehicles. Tharun and Sanjeevi died at the spot. Two others, Surya and Naveen Kumar, who were travelling on another motorcycle, were injured after their bike collided with the motorcycles involved in the crash. They were taken to Tiruttani government hospital and are undergoing treatment.

Kanakammachathiram police reached the spot after being alerted and removed the damaged vehicles. The bodies were sent to Tiruttani GH for post-mortem. Police registered a case and began an investigation.

Praveenkumar, son of Karunakaran of Chinnamma Nagar in Thayaur near Kelambakkam, was attacked by a gang near his house on August 16.

He suffered severe injuries to his head, hands, and back and died at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital on August 21. The police have arrested five people, including his girlfriend’s father and his brothers.

VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan said Praveenkumar's mother had told him that the killing was a case of honour killing. "His mother told me that it was a love affair and an honour killing. We will bring the issue to the attention of the Tamil Nadu government," he said.

He said Praveenkumar's mother had told him that her son left home after receiving a phone call and was attacked within 10 minutes.

Thirumavalavan demanded compensation for the family and referring to the allegations that one of those involved in the killing was associated with TVK, he said stringent action against everyone involved, irrespective of political affiliation.

Thirumavalavan said he had raised the need for an anti-honour killing law with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay during a meeting two days ago and would reiterate the demand with the government.

TNUEF State president T Chellakannu and general secretary P Sugandhi also condemned the killing and sought a special law against honour killings.

They said the case highlighted that economic inequality could also trigger such violence even when the victim and accused belonged to the same community.

The organisation also demanded adequate compensation, protection and rehabilitation assistance for Praveenkumar's family.

It said choosing a life partner was an individual's personal right and that violence based on economic status, social standing or caste-based attitudes could not be justified.

During the inspection, the minister reviewed the infrastructure facilities and charging systems being readied for the launch.

Under Phase 2, 750 new electric buses are planned to be operated through seven MTC depots at Alandur, Central Workshop-2, Perambur, Padiyanallur, Avadi, KK Nagar and Iyyappanthangal. The programme is being implemented under the Chennai City Partnership-Sustainable Urban Services Programme (CCP-SUSP), with support from the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with the objective of reducing pollution from public transport.

MTC has already introduced 625 low-floor electric buses under the first phase at a cost of Rs 697 crore. The buses are currently being operated from five depots at Vyasarpadi, Perumbakkam, Poovirundhavalli, Central Workshop and Tondiarpet-1. 

The minister also inspected various sections of the Alandur depot and reviewed the functioning of the charging infrastructure ahead of the induction of the new buses. MTC managing director T Mohan, joint managing director Rama Sundarapandian, general managers and other senior officials accompanied the minister.

According to reports, one litre of petrol is being sold at Rs 107.77, while diesel costs Rs 99.55 per litre in Chennai on Sunday.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

Until May, fuel prices had largely remained unchanged since April 2022, except for a Rs 2 per litre reduction announced in March 2024 ahead of the national elections.

Why have fuel prices been increased?

Global crude oil prices had surged more than 50 per cent since late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

State-run retailers had delayed passing on higher input costs for weeks, a move the government said was intended to shield consumers from inflation. Opposition parties, however, accused the administration of holding back price increases until after key state elections.

The May 15 increase came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expanded its electoral footprint by winning three of five state and UT elections, including West Bengal.

Retail fuel prices were first raised by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, followed by a 90-paise increase on May 19 and another hike on May 23, when petrol prices rose by 87 paise and diesel by 91 paise per litre.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The cumulative increase since May 15 stands at nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

The increase varies across cities due to differences in local taxes.

Petrol rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 22 - Rs 107.77

August 21 - Rs 107.77

August 20 - Rs 107.77

August 19 - Rs 107.77

August 18 - Rs 107.77

Diesel rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 22 - Rs 99.55

August 21 - Rs 99.55

August 20 - Rs 99.55

August 19 - Rs 99.55

August 18 - Rs 99.55

The accused have been identified as Helen Rose (59) of Thiruverkadu and Premkumar (50) of Chitlapakkam.

The case came to light after one of the customers named Fathima Beevi lodged a complaint stating that she approached Rose and Premkumar after seeing an online advertisement by ‘Imayam Homes and Property Management’, which was offering houses on rent and lease in Chennai and its suburbs.

When she contacted the firm, she was called to their office at Sridevi Garden Main Road, Valasaravakkam. The duo allegedly leased her a house, which belonged to one Manikandan, for Rs 7 lakh. They had rented the house from Manikandan in the name of their company.

When he failed to get the monthly rent, Manikandan asked Fathima Beevi to vacate the property. Fathima Beevi found the duo absconding and realised their company was fake and she had been cheated.

According to the police, the The complainant found the duo absconding and realised their company was fake and she had been cheated of Rs 7 L

accused had rented a total of 34 houses in the name of the company and leased them out to customers, defrauding them of Rs 2.11 crore through online transactions, bank transfers and cash.

They neither paid the 34 house owners nor returned the lease amount to tenants, and they shut down the firm and went absconding, the police said. They have been remanded in judicial custody.

As a house was being constructed at their residence, the family had been staying in a room in a tiled-roof house nearby. On Friday night, Yashini was sleeping on the floor when a spectacled cobra bit her twice on her right hand. After the girl cried out in pain, her parents immediately took her to the Chennai Stanley Government Hospital for treatment. However, she died without responding to treatment at around 7.45 am yesterday. Ennore police registered a case.

Ingredients

½ cup ada | 1 cup jaggery | 1 cup thin coconut milk | ½ cup thick coconut milk | 2 tbsp ghee | 12 cashews | 2 tbsp coconut pieces | ¼ tsp cardamom powder | 1/8 tsp dry ginger powder

How to make

Rinse the ada in water.

Boil 2 cups of water. Switch off the heat and remove from the stove.

Add the rinsed ada to the hot water and set aside for 15 minutes.

Transfer the ada to a strainer and rinse with water to prevent further cooking.

The ada should be slightly soft, as it will cook further with the jaggery syrup and coconut milk. Do not let it become too mushy.

Add the jaggery and ½ cup water to a pan and heat until the jaggery completely dissolves. Switch off the heat.

Strain the jaggery syrup through a metal strainer to remove any impurities.

Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a kadai. Add the cashews and fry until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

Add the coconut pieces to the same kadai and fry until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

Add the drained ada to the kadai and sauté for a minute. It may stick slightly to the pan, so keep stirring.

Add the strained jaggery syrup and cook until it thickens. This will take about 10 minutes.

Add the thin coconut milk and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.

Add the dry ginger powder and cardamom powder and mix well.

Add the thick coconut milk and stir well.

Add the fried cashews and coconut pieces, followed by the remaining 1 tbsp ghee.

Give it a quick mix. Once it starts to boil, switch off the heat. Do not boil after adding the thick coconut milk.

The pradhaman will thicken as it cools, so switch off the heat accordingly.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nendram Pazham Pradhaman

Ingredients

2 nendran bananas

½ cup jaggery

¾ cup thin coconut milk

½ cup thick coconut milk

1/4 tsp dry ginger powder

1/8 tsp cardamom powder

4 cashews, broken

2 tbsp coconut pieces

1 tbsp melted ghee

How to make

Add jaggery and a little water to a pan and heat for about 2 minutes, until the jaggery dissolves. Strain to remove any impurities and set aside.

Trim the ends of the bananas and cut each into two. Steam for 10 minutes over medium heat.

Check if the bananas are cooked by inserting a knife. Peel them, slit lengthwise and remove the seeds from the centre.

Transfer the bananas to a mixer jar and pulse once. Add a little water and blend into a smooth puree. Set aside.

Heat ghee in a kadai and fry the cashews until golden. Remove and set aside.

In the same kadai, fry the coconut pieces until golden. Set aside.

Add the banana puree to the kadai and cook for 5 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking.

Add the jaggery syrup and mix well. Pour in the thin coconut milk and cook for a few minutes.

Add the dry ginger powder and cardamom powder and mix well.

Finally, add the thick coconut milk, fried cashews and coconut pieces. Stir well and switch off the heat.

Serve warm and enjoy the Nendram Pazham Pradhaman.

Bhoominathan was inside the pit, removing soil when the earth on one side suddenly caved in and buried him. The incident happened around 4 am. 

Other workers alerted the authorities and began removing the soil until the personnel from Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) reached the scene and recovered his body after a two-and-a-half-hour operation. He had died by the time rescuers reached him, police said. The body was sent to Government Stanley Hospital for post-mortem.

Police questioned the other workers involved in the digging work. Preliminary inquiry revealed that the work was being carried out for four houses in the locality. Police have registered a case under Section 105 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and relevant provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. 

Tiruvottiyur Police have booked two contractors in connection with the incident.

Four persons have been arrested so far.

The deceased, Praveen Kumar of Chinnamma Nagar, Thaiyur, had been in a relationship with a woman from the same locality for three years, police said.

As her family was against the relationship, on August 16, a group including her relatives confronted Praveen and attacked him with weapons. Praveen was grievously injured and died on August 20 (Thursday).

Kelambakkam police initially registered an attempt-to-murder case based on a complaint from the victim’s mother, Parvathi (48). After his death, the case was changed to murder.

Police arrested four persons, S Ezhumalai (43), his son E Gowtham (18), M Nandhees (18) and R Manikandan (32).

Gowtham was arrested on August 21, while the other three were arrested earlier. All four were remanded in judicial custody.

Police are searching for another suspect. Praveen’s friends and family members staged a road roko on Friday seeking severe action against the perpetrators.

As part of the Madras Week celebrations, Madras on a Table, a collaborative event organised by The Sunday Supper Club and Madras Inherited, explores that history through a four-course dining experience spread across two evenings.

The first, on August 22, looked at the circa-1600s and the food of indigenous fisherfolk, weavers and merchants who shaped the coast’s table. The second, on August 29, moves to the circa-1800s, tracing the kitchens of settlers, colonisers, traders and migrants who became part of Madras.

The idea is to look at the city chronologically, with the organisers choosing pre-1639 and post-1639 as the broad historical markers. For Olivia, founder of The Sunday Supper Club, the idea grew from wanting to create a Chennai supper club that went beyond its familiar dishes.

A Madras Inherited walk through Perambur and its Anglo-Indian settlements eventually gave her the direction.

“I thought there must be so many other communities in the city whose food, labour and contribution usually go unnoticed. So I wanted to do a Madras Day supper club showcasing food from these underrepresented communities,” Olivia says.

The menu was developed after researching 10-15 communities and 25-30 dishes, with the final selection shaped by feasibility, flavour balance, availability of recipes and other practical considerations.

Olivia says her research involved reading experts, watching videos, speaking to people from different communities and talking to PhD scholars researching Tamil food heritage. One discovery particularly challenged the familiar image of a traditional Madras breakfast.

“I think one of the things that particularly surprised me was the fact that we had a predominantly meat-eating culture for breakfast, which mostly included fish, dried fish, all kinds of meat, etc. Unfortunately, through the years, we have developed a facade that Madras breakfasts are vegetarian,” she says.

The four courses are not designed as straightforward representations of individual communities. Instead, dishes and influences from different communities have been brought together to create a meal, while Ashmitha of Madras Inherited will narrate the histories behind them.

“Because the story of any city is the story of all of its people. I strongly believe that we shouldn't selectively choose which histories to highlight. Madras serves as an ideal setting for this exploration because it is a true melting pot of diverse cultures," says Ashmitha.

For her, food is another way of preserving the city’s collective memory. “Food carries embedded memories; we hold vivid recollections of meals enjoyed over time, ascribing deep value and meaning to them. These personal, lived experiences form an essential part of our broader collective memory.”

The experience also questions the idea of one fixed version of “authentic” food. Olivia says the dishes draw from documented recipes, but are not intended to reproduce them exactly. “Authenticity in food is a scam. Especially in a country like India,” she says.

Ultimately, Madras on a Table is an attempt to expand what is considered iconic Chennai food. “We have this phrase that Vandhaarai Vaazha Vaitha Madras. From settlers, colonisers to migrants, Madras helped them flourish and survive. In turn, those communities have contributed immensely to the city as well,” Olivia tells us.

“I hope people see beyond filter coffee, dosa and biryani as iconic to Madras, because there are so many micro communities whose food deserves equal representation on a Madras Day platter." Madras on a Table will be held on August 29 at 1 pm in T Nagar, with the venue shared upon RSVP.

The three-hour dining experience is priced at Rs 1,500 per person.

The Fisheries department, which is examining the project after seeking additional details, is yet to issue the clearance, raising questions over inter-departmental coordination and the manner in which the major drinking water project was allowed to progress.

The development has raised questions over how construction was allowed to proceed without the mandatory clearance, particularly as the project is located close to the coast and expected to have a bearing on the livelihood of around 5,000 fishing families. Sources in the government also pointed to growing friction between the two departments over the issue, with the delayed NOC request exposing an apparent turf war.

The WRD, which is executing the project, wrote to the Additional Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare on July 21, 2026, seeking an NOC for the ‘Formation of a New Drinking Water Reservoir in Kovalam Sub-Basin’. The reservoir is located between the East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) in Chengalpattu.

The project, which covers around 5,161 acres, is planned with an annual storage capacity of 2.25 TMC. Former Chief Minister MK Stalin had laid the foundation stone in January, following which construction activities continued for nearly 6 months. Around 30% of the work is now said to have been completed. However, the NOC remains pending.

A senior government official told DT Next that the WRD should have approached the Fisheries department at the initial stage itself. “From the beginning of the project, WRD officials appear to have proceeded without giving due importance to the Fisheries department. When a project is located close to the coast and has implications for the livelihood of fishermen, obtaining prior approval and proper NOC is essential. Starting the project without securing the clearance was a mistake,” the official said.

The official also questioned the timing of the WRD’s request, pointing out that the project had been presented as one of the important drinking water projects for Chennai and construction had already reached a substantial stage. “Although the project was inaugurated in January and construction has been progressing for around six months, the WRD sought the NOC only on July 21. This raises questions over why the clearance was not obtained before the work began,” the official added. “The Fisheries department has also sought additional details from the WRD to assess the project. We’ve been asking WRD for more information about the project but have not received any details so far. When we receive it, we’ll examine it and decide what action needs to be taken,” the official explained.

The delay has now put the spotlight on coordination between government departments in implementing major infrastructure projects. While the construction continues without an NOC, it has created uncertainty over whether additional conditions or measures could be imposed after the project progresses more.

There are other deities too, including their divine vahanams in the form of elephants, tigers and peacocks, who have been lining the streets and main roads of the city in serial lights, neon tubes, and fluorescent tubelights to their.

Who makes them? Who are the workers that give the divine its ceremonial and festive splendour?

R Nagaraj (45), who has his small workshop in Ayanavaram, has been in the sound-and-light business for over 25 years. There were two reasons for him to stay in this — faith and interest in the craft.

“This line of work has been in the city for close to 50 years. I took over from my guru Durai Venkatesan, founder of the Shree Kaliyuga Charitable Sidhargal Trust, who began the work as a service to God. He was also a huge philanthropist,” he says.

A Class-10 dropout, he joined the business immediately after completing high school. While Aadi is one of their busiest months, preparations start in April.

Nagaraj, who runs Divya Sai Audio, regularly does sound and light decoration for at least five temples across Chennai. Some of these temples are government-run, while some are privately owned.

“We begin designing the cut-outs in April so they are ready for Aadi and the following months thereafter,” he says. “The work begins with a sketch of the layout for the deity. After that, it’s sent to suppliers, who provide the bamboo according to the requirements.”

A special kind of bamboo called kanni oodai is used for this. “The bamboo work is outsourced as we cannot do it here. Once it’s ready, the bamboo is designed accordingly. It has a chemical coating over it to prevent damage from rain or shine,” he explains.

A bamboo set would last three years, after which the cut-outs would be rendered useless.

“While each cut-out could be somewhere between 25-50 feet long, they are all assembled at the location where they need to be displayed because we do not have space here,” states Nagaraj.

Since 2020, the bulbs have been replaced with LED lights sourced from China. Before that, workers had to wrap the bulbs with the desired colour paper, and pin each bulb to the cut-out manually. This was a dangerous job as it was prone to accidents. During rains, cut-outs of this kind would short-circuit easily.

“Women are not part of this line of work due to its odd timings. But they were involved in pinning these bulbs before the bulbs were replaced,” he says. “Now, there are no women in this work.”

Nagaraj employs 10 light and sound technicians. For each temple, there needs to be at least three men at the site of the event to look after it and take care of the set.

“These workers are unorganised and unskilled. While they are paid every day, they work without any security, including a harness, while climbing heights,” says Nagaraj, who spends around Rs 2 lakh for a 10-day event at each government temple.

“I’m paid only Rs 35,000. Private temples would pay around Rs 50,000,” he rues.

Workers register at Tamil Nadu Unorganised Workers Welfare Board and acquire a card, which helps them avail certain benefits like health insurance and pension.

“Many are not aware of this, and very few avail the benefits,” says R Gunasekaran (50), secretary of the TN Sound and Light Workers’ Welfare Association.

Founded six years ago, the association has been working towards making these rights accessible, as the State government does not initiate steps to create awareness.

“The government should conduct awareness camps and let workers know they are included in this board. We’ve been demanding a separate board for sound and light workers, but the government demands that we have at least 5,000 registered workers,” he says.

When asked if the city had as many workers, he averred that lack of unity keeps workers from coming together.

“If there are 100 sound and light workers, only 20 would be involved in temple festivals,” adds Nagaraj. “Many also do not join this business because of its long hours.”

One of the main requirements for these workers is health insurance.

“I have separate insurance for each of my workers,” says Nagaraj. “Burn issues, the bulb blowing onto your face, falling from the heights and enduring a few fractures are all common accidents in this line of work,” he says.

The irony is that it’s not a profitable business either; if any, they’re barely manageable.

Another problem is the lack of space where the clients demand a cut-out.

“Sometimes the area they would want a cut-out would be just close to the wall, and there would be no space to keep any safeguard that we can climb over. And, at those places there is a higher risk of falling,” says Gunasekaran, who is also a light-decorator based out of T Nagar.

“We have to draw electricity from the transformers on a street, which is also risky. But if the State government sets up a proper point from where they could connect the power lines, it would be helpful.”

MJ Nagalingam, secretary, TN Electricians’ Association, opined that the lack of proper electrical knowledge among workers was also a reason for accidents.

“A lot of these sets do not have a miniature circuit breaker, which could prevent a short circuit. So, the workers have to plug the wires and put a stick between them,” he explains.

“The government must provide workers with specific technical knowledge for free so it helps them in their regular work.”

Workers, however, keep flowing into this business despite the risks involved due to lack of jobs.

“I keep doing this because of my interest in it,” Nagaraj says.

The colourful lights are not only meant for Hindu festivals and temples. There’s always work for these men at marriages, political events, festivities at churches and mosques.

“We do the arch inside as a cut-out in mosques; at churches it’s Mother Mary,” he adds.

“Not just Aadi festivities, there are Chithirai and Karthigai months. Also, kula deivam (family deities) thiruvizha keep us afloat,” says a worker with Nagaraj.

Having waited 25 years for restoration works to begin, official apathy has forced forum members to clear the water hyacinth themselves.

Meanwhile, a damaged perimeter wall allows residents and commercial establishments to dump litter along the lake bunds and into the water. According to PLANET members, the lake was once used for irrigation. Today, its condition is alarming due to the continuous discharge of sewage through the stormwater drain (SWD) network on the southern side. Members emphasised that the perimeter wall must be rebuilt or replaced with fencing to prevent further dumping.

P Sajeevan, secretary of PLANET, pointed out that a detailed project report (DPR) worth Rs 10 crore was prepared in 2025 for the lake’s rejuvenation and beautification. “In April 2025, we met with the consultant to discuss the rejuvenation plan. However, no updates have been shared since,” he said. “While the lake falls within the Corporation limits and its bunds are maintained by them, desilting falls under the WRD’s scope. The GCC can take full ownership of the lake to carry out the restoration.”

Echoing his concerns, R Prem Anand, joint secretary, PLANET, said, “Originally spread across 50 acres, the lake has shrunk to 35 acres due to encroachments. The departments must work together to demarcate boundaries, clear encroachments, and remove the water hyacinth immediately before the monsoon. Forum members are clearing the weeds manually to control their spread.”

Trees along the bunds were cut down as a precaution ahead of Cyclone Vardah. But when it rained, the loosened soil caused stretches of the wall to collapse, creating gaps along the boundary.

Residents added that someone recently dumped a dead dog into the lake, which was removed on Saturday only after multiple complaints were logged via the GCC’s 1913 helpline.

A senior official in the WRD said, “Water hyacinth will be cleared once general maintenance works begin. The current status of the Rs 10 crore rejuvenation project will be updated after checking with senior officials.”

Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed several parts of the district, including Guduvanchery, Potheri, Kattankulathur, Maraimalai Nagar and Singaperumal Koil.

The goats had gone for grazing in Sengundram village and were returning to their shelter when strong winds caused an electricity cable to snap and fall across the roadside.

Unaware that the cable was live, the goats stepped on it while passing through the area and were electrocuted on the spot. The simultaneous death of 12 goats left their owners shocked and devastated.

Maraimalai Nagar police have launched an inquiry into the incident. Veterinary department officials also examined the carcasses as part of the investigation.

Onam, one of Kerala’s major festivals, will be celebrated on August 26. Like Pongal in Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated by Malayalees across caste and religious lines.

People living outside Kerala traditionally return to their hometowns a few days before the festival for the celebrations.

Though special trains and buses are operated, many opt for flights to avoid traffic chaos and the long journey by rail.

Since Saturday, a large number of passengers have been travelling from Chennai airport to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Kannur. This has resulted in a sharp increase in airfares on these routes.

Regular fare from Chennai to Kochi is around Rs 5,336, but the fare on Saturday was Rs 14,843. Similarly, the fare to Thiruvananthapuram, which is usually around Rs 5,853, had risen to Rs 14,700.

The Chennai-Kozhikode fare increased from the regular Rs 6,158 to Rs 17,678, while the Chennai-Kannur fare rose from Rs 5,655 to Rs 12,270. A flight to Kannur via Kochi was available at Rs 21,694.

Passengers have urged airlines to operate additional flights from Chennai to Kerala during major festival seasons to meet the increased demand.

The deceased were identified as Shankar (45), a fish vendor, and Chandran, a Class 5 student at a government school near Oragadam.

The family was residing in a house near the lake bed at Periyar Nagar in Siruvanjur village under Nattarasanpattu panchayat.

Police said that Shankar would regularly cycle to his son’s school in the evening and bring him home.

As usual, he had gone to the school on Friday evening and picked up Chandran before heading towards their house along the Walajabad-Vandalur Road.

Meanwhile, heavy rain with thunder and lightning lashed Padappai and surrounding areas from Friday evening into the night.

While the father and son were cycling through the rain near the lake bed at Siruvanjur, a powerful lightning strike hit them. Both suffered severe burns and died on the spot.

Upon information, Padappai police recovered the bodies and sent them to the Chengalpattu GH for postmortem. A case has been registered and investigation is under way.

Marina police have altered the case to murder and are investigating.

The deceased was identified as J Kumar (56) of Ayodhya Nagar, Triplicane. Police said Kumar was living with his wife and son, Manikandan (33), who was unemployed and led a wayward life.

This led to frequent quarrels with Kumar. On August 17, during an argument, Manikandan pushed and assaulted his father, and injured him.

Kumar, who was already a heart patient, collapsed and fainted. His family admitted him to a nearby private hospital for treatment and Manikandan was arrested by the police.

Without responding to treatment, Kumar died on Saturday. Following his death, police altered the case to murder.

According to police, the incident occurred on Friday (August 21) night.

The woman was sleeping in one room, while her father was sleeping in another room.

The accused trespassed into their house and attempted to sexually abuse the woman when she woke up and raised an alarm.

The intruder then attacked her with a wooden log. Hearing the commotion, her father rushed to her room, but the man also assaulted him and fled the spot.

Based on a complaint, police registered a case and arrested Balusamy (28). He was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.

The campaign covers Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur zones and aims to reach 50,000 households.

The initiative follows Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s directions to ensure waste was segregated at source into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, sanitary and hazardous categories for efficient collection and disposal.

On the first day, Corporation workers and outreach teams visited 1,000 residences in each zone, reaching 5,000 homes. They distributed information flyers, put up awareness posters and provided dedicated bags for collecting non-biodegradable waste.

The awareness teams, along with Urbaser Sumeet personnel, will make regular door-to-door visits during the 40-day drive to monitor participation and reinforce segregation practices.

The campaign follows a four-stage approach of creating awareness, encouraging immediate action, developing daily segregation habits and sustaining the practice over the long term.

The GCC will assess household participation, collection efficiency and the quality of segregation at the end of the campaign. Based on the results, it plans to expand the initiative to the remaining 45,000 households in phases.

The campaign was attended by Maduravoyal MLA Revanth Charan, Alandur MLA Harish and Sholinganallur MLA ECRP Saravanan. Valasaravakkam zonal committee chairperson Nolambur V Rajan, councillors, zonal officers and officials from the Chennai Corporation and Urbaser Sumeet also participated.

This year’s theme, Manasellaam Madras, Vibe-ellaam Chennai, celebrates the city’s old-world charm and its changing identity.

The Madras Quiz for Schools will be held on August 23, from 10 am to 1 pm at Victoria Public Hall. Open to students in Classes 10, 11, and 12, the quiz will cover Chennai’s history, culture, landmarks, and personalities.

The winning teams will receive prizes worth up to Rs 20,000. The top two teams will also qualify for the Madras Quiz later that afternoon. The Madras Quiz (Open) will be held the same afternoon and is open to participants of all ages.

Questions will cover everything from old Madras to present-day Chennai. The winners will take home Rs 50,000 and the Madras Quiz rolling trophy.

There will also be special prizes for the best women’s team and the best senior citizens’ team, while audience members can take part in spot prizes. Both quizzes will be hosted by veteran quizmaster Sumanth C Raman.

The photographs document the city’s architectural landmarks and evolution, including Fort St George, Ripon Building and Madras High Court.

The week-long exhibition, organised by the state Tourism Department, features a curated collection of heritage photographs captured by L Ramachandran during the COVID lockdown.

Speaking at the inauguration, Tourism Minister Rajeshkumar said, “Visual archives play a vital role in educating younger generations about Chennai’s 387-year history and its architectural and cultural heritage. Such initiatives help students connect with the unique identities of the state’s various districts.”

School Education Minister Rajmohan underlined the power of photography to chronicle history and evoke deep human emotions, citing globally iconic historical photographs.

“The School Education Department will hold monthly screenings of world cinema for students with autism and other special educational needs in government schools. A similar initiative was previously conducted at the MGR Government Film and Television Institute, and it received an encouraging response from students,” he announced, and encouraged students and the public to visit the exhibition, noting that entry is free throughout the week.

Jeyaseelan, MD, State Tourism Development Corporation, and other senior officials from the tourism and school education departments, attended the event.

The deceased, Praveen Kumar, a resident of Thaiyur, was reportedly in a relationship with a woman from a different caste. The relationship had allegedly faced strong opposition from the woman's family.

Special team formed to nab absconding suspects in Chengalpattu youth's murder

According to the report, a gang allegedly chased Praveen Kumar and attacked him with weapons. He sustained severe injuries in the assault. Local residents rushed him to a hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. However, he later succumbed to his injuries.

Following the incident, Tiruporur police registered a case and arrested four persons identified as Ezhumalai, Manikandan, Nandeesh and Gowtham, all from Thaiyur village. Police have also formed a special team to intensify the search for other suspects who are absconding in connection with the case.

Investigations are under way to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the attack and the involvement of others in the incident.

Protest held on OMR against Chengalpattu youth's murder

News of Praveen Kumar's death triggered a protest by his relatives and members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR). More than 500 people reportedly gathered and staged a road blockade, demanding the immediate arrest of all those involved in the murder.

The protest disrupted traffic on the busy stretch for several hours.

The protesters later temporarily called off the blockade following talks with police officials.

Neelam Cultural Centre condemns Chengalpattu youth's murder

The Neelam Cultural Centre, led by filmmaker Pa Ranjith, strongly condemned the murder and expressed concern over the continued incidents of caste-based honour killings in Tamil Nadu.

In a post on Saturday (August 22), the organisation said such incidents posed a serious threat to social harmony and called upon the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate steps to prevent such crimes.

It also urged the State government to enact a separate law specifically aimed at preventing honour killings and ensuring strict action against those involved.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,19,600 per sovereign and Rs 14,950 per gram, after an increase of Rs 100 per gram.

Earlier on August 21 evening, the price of 22-carat gold stood at Rs 1,18,800 per sovereign and Rs 14,850 per gram.

On August 21 morning, 22-carat gold was priced at Rs 1,17,680 per sovereign and Rs 14,710 per gram.

Silver prices remain unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices remained unchanged at Rs 270 per gram (Rs 2,70,000 per kg) on August 22.

On August 21 evening, silver was also sold at Rs 270 per gram.

Gold rate today vs gold rate on this day, last year

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have increased from Rs 73,720 per sovereign (Rs 9,215 per gram) on August 22, 2025, to Rs 1,19,600 per sovereign (Rs 14,950 per gram) on August 22, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 45,880 per sovereign or about 62.23 per cent..

Gold price (22-carat) over the last five days:

August 21, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,18,800 | 1 gram - Rs 14,850

August 20, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,16,800 | 1 gram - Rs 14,600

August 19, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,640 | 1 gram - Rs 14,205

August 18, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,320 | 1 gram - Rs 14,290

August 17, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,160 | 1 gram - Rs 14,270

Silver price over the last five days:

August 21, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 270

August 20, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 260

August 19, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 18, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

August 17, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

According to reports, one litre of petrol is being sold at Rs 107.77, while diesel costs Rs 99.55 per litre in Chennai on Saturday.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

Until May, fuel prices had largely remained unchanged since April 2022, except for a Rs 2 per litre reduction announced in March 2024 ahead of the national elections.

Why have fuel prices been increased?

Global crude oil prices had surged more than 50 per cent since late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

State-run retailers had delayed passing on higher input costs for weeks, a move the government said was intended to shield consumers from inflation. Opposition parties, however, accused the administration of holding back price increases until after key state elections.

The May 15 increase came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expanded its electoral footprint by winning three of five state and UT elections, including West Bengal.

Retail fuel prices were first raised by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, followed by a 90-paise increase on May 19 and another hike on May 23, when petrol prices rose by 87 paise and diesel by 91 paise per litre.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The cumulative increase since May 15 stands at nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

The increase varies across cities due to differences in local taxes.

Petrol rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 21 - Rs 107.77

August 20 - Rs 107.77

August 19 - Rs 107.77

August 18 - Rs 107.77

August 17 - Rs 107.77

Diesel rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 21 - Rs 99.55

August 20 - Rs 99.55

August 19 - Rs 99.55

August 18 - Rs 99.55

August 17 - Rs 99.55

The collective, founded by four poets from across the country, brings together anti-caste and Ambedkarite poetry, storytelling, music and live performance. Recalling the journey, co-founder Daniel Sukumar from Bengaluru says the idea had been in the works for years before it eventually became a show in August last year. “We have been writing poetry since the early 2010s online. And we have always wanted to take our work and our stories to a wider audience,” says Daniel Sukumar. “It is primarily in English because it is a link language that has a wider reach. Dalit poetry has been written in all regional languages, be it Marathi, Tamil or Gujarati. We wanted to bring it into English,” he adds.

The other founders include Aleena, a Kerala-based poet and writer; Abhijit Shahaji Khandkar, a Mumbai-based medical pathologist and Ambedkarite Buddhist poet; and Gautam Vegda, an anti-caste poet and scholar from Gujarat.

The choice of poetry as their medium comes down to two things: the limited time people have in a society like ours and the need to keep oral traditions alive. “Poetry comes naturally to us and it is also a snapshot in time. It becomes a time-friendly medium in a world that’s running short of time,” says Abhijit. While some forms of work might require more time, not everyone has the luxury of it, he adds. “Also, oral traditions have always been part of Dalit literature and the Ambedkarite movement as well. This is perhaps an extension of that,” says Daniel.

The collective has also been looking for more patrons and performers to join them. They say that, often, having Dalit poets in art spaces can become an exercise in tokenism. They want to break away from that notion by bringing in and nurturing poets who are not yet well established. “Every time we go to a new city, we bring a new poet who writes in the regional language,” Daniel explains. One of the collective’s missions is to foreground newer poets and give them a platform to share their anti-caste poetry.

The shows have so far been completely self-funded. “While the first show was pooled by friends and well-wishers, since then we have been using the money from one show to fund the next,” says Abhijit. The collective plans to publish an anthology soon and is also considering an incubation programme through which it hopes to mentor poets from the community and help them write in English. However, a lack of social and financial capital remains one of the primary hindrances to its mission.

The founders add that poetry is only a form of expression; the larger aim is to create space for those who have been silenced. “Poetry is just a form of expression. The main thing we’re trying to do is build a platform and a stage where those who’ve been silenced can come forward,” says Abhijit.

Tickets for the show can be booked through the link on their Instagram page, @thereservedcompartment.

Moving to Chennai was a conscious choice for me. The city was one of the few major metropolitan centres in the country, and despite receiving opportunities elsewhere, I chose Chennai because of its proximity to my native place (Andhra Pradesh), familiar food and cultural similarities. Three decades later, the city continues to feel like home. When we came here, I did not feel that I was in another state. There was a strong presence of Telugu-speaking communities, and Tamil and Telugu cultures have always coexisted comfortably here. That familiarity, along with the way people welcome one another, is part of what makes Chennai a home for those who come from elsewhere. It allows people to settle in without feeling like outsiders.

- Purushotham, Chief General Manager, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL)

'People here are incredibly comforting and genuine'

While my journey began 4,000 miles away in Russia, I found my true calling and a piece of my soul in the bustling, sun-drenched heart of Chennai. Moving here four years ago for love, I initially found the language barrier and the constant warmth unfamiliar. Yet, the city’s unhurried hospitality gradually won me over. I channelled my time into hand-curating aromatherapy products, crafting candles and wax melts as a creative outlet. Together with my husband, we also run the travel page Secret Trails, curating hidden luxury staycation experiences.

Discovering Tamil culture and falling in love with local food such as dosa and idli has been an added benefit that has made Chennai feel like home. The people in Chennai are incredibly comforting and genuine, offering a depth of support that is hard to find in big cities. They are down to earth and create a strong sense of community, making it easier for newcomers to build real connections and settle in comfortably. Compared to Russia, I would say Chennai’s climate is much more suitable for me.

- Daria Patel, entrepreneur

'Chennai became more than a place to live’

I came to Chennai from Iran as a student in November 1980. What began as a student journey grew into more than 45 years in the city. I completed my studies and decided to work here, changing my student visa to a business visa. I went on to start my own stained glass company and later opened Shira’s Art Cafe, named after my city in Iran.

Over the years, Chennai became more than a place to live and work. I have made many friends who are not just friends to me; they are my family. I never had any problem adjusting to India because Iranian and Indian cultures have a lot in common. Even the Persian word ‘Zamindar’ is commonly used in Tamil.

Growing up with my mother’s cooking in Iran, I initially struggled with the food here and it took me eight years to eat idli. Today, if I go out, I don’t eat anything except idli or dosa. My journey with cooking started when I became sick because of a poor diet and eating food with MSG outside. I was in my mid-thirties when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. At that point, I realised I had to start cooking. I started planting herbs and, to be honest, I completely cured myself. While working in India, I would invite people I met to my home and cook for them. Their response eventually led me to open an Iranian restaurant.

I miss the Chennai of earlier years, with quieter roads, fewer cars and evenings at Spencer having a cup of chai. But even as the city has changed, my affection for it remains. Overall, I can say I am very happy in Chennai. I have lots and lots of friends, and I have learned many things in life that I might have taken for granted previously. When you are an outsider, you can see differently. Knowing a different language also opens your eyes. I speak a little Tamil, and that made me much more comfortable being in Tamil Nadu.

- Nasrin Karimi, founder of Shira’s Art Cafe

‘Chennai taught me to see life differently’

I came here in 2014 after marriage, and over the years, I have built my family life as well as my professional journey here. My connection with the city is not just about work or living in another country. It is also about family, relationships, memories and the life I have created here. It has been a beautiful journey, but also one of learning and adapting. Coming from Armenia, Chennai was very different from what I was used to, from the weather and food to the languages, traditions and even the way people interact with each other.

In the beginning, everything felt new and sometimes challenging. Slowly, I started understanding the culture, making friends, learning about Tamil traditions and feeling more comfortable here. What I love most is that the longer I live here, the more I discover. Even after 12 years, Chennai can still surprise me.

Professionally, Chennai has given me many opportunities. My background is in economics and business development and living here has allowed me to work across cultures and connect people and businesses between India and Armenia. Researching and documenting the Armenian heritage of Madras has helped me build another kind of bridge between Armenia and India, not only through business but also through history and culture. I see Chennai as a city with strong cultural roots and growing professional opportunities. It has a very distinct identity and I think that is one of its strengths. For someone coming from another country, it takes time to understand Chennai. But once you do, you begin to appreciate its people, traditions, entrepreneurial spirit and sense of community. Chennai has taught me patience, adaptability and how to look at life from a different cultural perspective. I can say that Chennai is not just the place where I live. It has become a part of my story, a home away from home.

- Ashkhen Khachatryan, international marketing & business development professional

Compiled by Dharshini and Merin James

Founded in 1957, Mercy Home currently cares for around 100 residents, including 65 women and 35 men.

The institution supports people facing abandonment, illness, disability and social hardship. Its services include shelter, healthcare, counselling, rehabilitation, vocational activities and community-based support, with a focus on providing residents dignity, security and a sense of belonging.

During the visit, Hsu interacted with the nuns, staff and volunteers and discussed elderly care, social welfare and community support. He appreciated their sustained efforts in caring for vulnerable sections of society and made a donation towards the Home’s activities.

The TECC said that the visit was part of Taiwan’s broader commitment to human-centred engagement and highlighted opportunities for exchanges on ageing, community care and social welfare. It said such community-level engagements could strengthen mutual understanding between Taiwan and India through shared values of compassion, dignity and social responsibility.

The work, which began last month, involved digging up portions of the road, which have since been temporarily restored with concrete. However, the patchwork remains uneven in several places, with loose gravel scattered on the road. This has made it difficult for motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders, to cross the uneven stretches safely.

During the monsoon, water could collect in potholes and low-lying portions of the road, making it difficult for motorists to judge their depth and increasing the risk of accidents. Vehicles also tend to suddenly change lanes to avoid the potholes, causing inconvenience to other road users. At night, the potholes are harder to spot, creating additional difficulties, particularly for two-wheeler riders.

The road will be handed over to the Bus Route Roads (BRR) department for proper restoration after successfully carrying out testing of the pipeline work, said a Metro Water official

A resident, Usain, said, "The road became damaged only after the Metro Water pipeline work was carried out. The potholes that had developed over the past few months have become larger due to the rains. In particular, the continuous movement of heavy vehicles has made the potholes deeper. Two-wheeler riders are finding it difficult to cross these stretches without losing balance."

A Metro Water official said the Metro Water pipeline-laying work had been carried out and the road was temporarily restored with concrete after the pipelines were installed. "The work is completed; testing has to be carried out. After the testing is completed, the road will be handed over to the Bus Route Roads (BRR) department for proper restoration."

The initiative was launched by Lions District Governor Uma Anilkumar at an event held in KK Nagar. Women and girls in need can register with Lions International to receive Pink Kits free of cost every month.

The event also featured awareness sessions on breast and cervical cancer, with participants being briefed on the importance of preventive healthcare and regular screening. Past District Governor Praveenlal, Second Vice District Governor Mohammed, and Lions district office-bearers Udayakumar, Sivakumar, Gopinath, Rajeshkumar and Shamily were among those who participated in the programme.

The initiative is aimed at supporting women from underprivileged backgrounds while improving awareness of menstrual hygiene and women's health.

The initiative aims to ease financial barriers that often prevent children from accessing timely and appropriate cancer treatment.

The programme has opened its online nomination facility, inviting treating physicians, hospitals, parents, caregivers, NGOs and social organisations to refer eligible children to its Cancer Care Fund.

Treating doctors can nominate patients by submitting the Patient Nomination Form and required medical records through the online portal.

S Mahalingam of the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, who is spearheading the initiative, said that the programme was aimed at reaching families across the country who may not be aware of the assistance available.

“We want to reach families across India who may not be aware that such support is available. Members of the public are also encouraged to refer families of children who require financial assistance for cancer treatment to the programme team,” he said.

Eligible paediatric cancer patients will receive treatment support subject to the programme’s eligibility criteria, documentation requirements and review process.

The programme also focuses on cancer awareness and screening, HPV vaccination, cancer genomics research and treatment support, with the broader objective of improving access to paediatric cancer care.

The 44 canals together stretch 81.81 km and include major waterways such as the Kodungaiyur, Veerangal Odai, Mambalam, Otteri Nalla, Virugambakkam, Captain Cotton, Trustpuram, Rettai Kuppam, Pallikaranai and Secretariat Colony canals.

The drone survey began on Friday at the starting point of the Kodungaiyur North Canal in Muthamizh Nagar, with Corporation Commissioner GS Sameeran inspecting the exercise. Surveys are also being carried out on the Veerangal Odai and West Mambalam Canal.

Around 4-5 drones will be deployed each day, with individual canal stretches assigned to each drone. The Corporation plans to use the images, videos and location-based data collected during the exercise to create a GIS-based database and maps showing the condition of the waterways.

Officials said the survey would help identify stretches requiring desilting, removal of blockages, clearance of vegetation and repairs before the monsoon. The identified works will then be taken up on a priority basis to ensure that water flow through the canals is not obstructed during heavy rainfall.

The services will be affected between 11.15 pm and 4.15 am as works are underway to install an iron foot overbridge at Egmore station, which is undergoing redevelopment at an estimated cost of Rs 842 crore.

What are the changes for Chennai Beach-Tambaram trains on weekdays?

From August 25 to September 5, on weekdays, the following Chennai Beach-Tambaram services will be cancelled:

• Trains leaving Chennai Beach for Tambaram at 10.20 pm, 11.20 pm, 11.40 pm and 11.59 pm are cancelled.

• The 8 pm Tirumalpur–Chennai Beach service, along with the 10.15 pm and 11.20 pm services from Guduvanchery and the 10.20 pm and 11 pm services from Chengalpattu, will be partially cancelled between Tambaram and Chennai Beach.

• The Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu service at 3.50 am will also be partially cancelled between Chennai Beach and Tambaram from August 26 to September 7 on weekdays.

Which train services are rescheduled?

• The Chennai Beach-Guduvanchery service at 9.45 pm will instead leave at 9.50 pm, while the 10.20 pm Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu service will depart at 10.15 pm.

What are the changes for Chennai Beach-Tambaram trains on Sundays?

On Sundays, August 30 and September 6, several services will also be cancelled or partially cancelled.

• The Chennai Beach-Tambaram trains departing at 10 pm, 11.20 pm, 11.40 pm and 11.59 pm will be cancelled. The 8 pm Tirumalpur-Chennai Beach service and the 11 pm and 11.40 pm Tambaram-Chennai Beach services will also be cancelled.

• The 3.50 am Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu service will be partially cancelled between Chennai Beach and Tambaram, while the 10.20 pm and 11 pm Chengalpattu-Chennai Beach services will be partially cancelled between Tambaram and Chennai Beach.

• The Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu service at 9.40 pm is scheduled at 9.50 pm.

• The Chennai Beach-Guduvanchery service at 9.50 pm will be rescheduled to 10.10 pm, while the 10.20 pm Chennai Beach-Tambaram service will instead depart at 10.25 pm.

She had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai after her health deteriorated.

Janaki, who was residing in Alwarpet, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. Despite treatment, she passed away, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career spanning nearly seven decades.

Sowcar Janaki acted in over 400 films

Born as Sankaramanchi Janaki, she acted in over 400 movies in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam for over seven decades. She was conferred the Padma Shri award by the government in 2022 in recognition of her distinguished and lifelong contribution to Indian art and cinema.

Her breakthrough came in the 1950 Telugu film ‘Shavukaru’, which earned her the title ‘Sowcar’. Her Bhaga Piravinei (1959 film) alongside Sivaji Ganesan was a landmark drama in which she played a deeply devoted wife supporting her physically challenged husband.

She went on to act in more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema.

The veteran actress is famous for depicting emotional depth and portrayed strong-willed, modern, and highly witty woman roles. She smashed the mould of a suffering woman stereotype of her era.

During her long career, she shared the screen with several leading actors, including Sivaji Ganesan, MGR and Gemini Ganesan. Known for her versatility, she successfully portrayed both lead and character roles.

In ‘Parthiban Kanavu’ (1960), she showcased her range by depicting two starkly contrasting look-alike characters. ‘Pava Mannippu’ (1961), ‘Iru Kodugal’ (1969), and ‘Bama Vijayam’ (1967) in which she displayed her incredible, sharp comedy timing as a middle-class daughter-in-law obsessed with high-society glamour, were among her numerable hits.

Her final Tamil film appearance was in Biskoth (2020), starring Santhanam. The film marked her 400th appearance on screen.

Her death marks the loss of one of the most respected veteran actresses of Indian cinema.

(With inputs from bureau)

The accused, identified as Podnuru Murali Krishna (34), originally from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and residing in Purasawalkam, allegedly caused a loss of around Rs 3.09 crore to the bank.

According to the police, IOB Ayanavaram branch manager Dinesh Kumar filed a complaint with the Police Commissioner on August 13, alleging that Murali had stolen gold jewellery pledged by customers and replaced it with counterfeit ornaments. Based on the complaint, the CCB’s Bank Fraud Investigation Wing registered a case and launched an investigation.

The probe revealed that Murali had allegedly taken gold jewellery pledged by around 21 customers without the bank’s knowledge. He pledged the jewellery elsewhere and used the money for online gaming and personal expenses. He subsequently replaced the customers’ original jewellery with fake ornaments at the bank, causing the institution an estimated loss of Rs 3.09 crore, police said.

A police team from the Bank Fraud Investigation Wing arrested Murali on August 19. He was produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody. The police said that further investigation is under way and steps are being taken through legal channels to recover the gold jewellery allegedly pledged by the accused elsewhere.

The deceased, Hemavathi, worked as a cleanliness worker with the Greater Chennai Corporation in Valasaravakkam, and had not been seen outside her house for the past two days.

Neighbours alerted the Tiruverkadu police after noticing a foul smell emanating from the house. Police, who entered her house, found Hemavathi’s decomposed body. Preliminary investigation indicated that she had been smothered with a pillow. Police suspected that she had died around two days before the body was found.

During the investigation, police learnt that Aakash (30), a resident of the same locality, had visited her house shortly before her death. Police subsequently detained his friend, Nithish, for questioning.

According to police, Aakash had been visiting a nearby temple to play the udukai. Hemavathi had reportedly told him to play the instrument at a temple located near her house as well. Police suspected that Aakash became familiar with her and later learnt that she was alone at home.

Investigators suspected that Aakash entered the house two days ago, smothered Hemavathi with a pillow and fled with her jewellery. Police said Nithish’s role in the incident was also being investigated. A search is under way to trace Aakash, who is absconding.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,17,680 per sovereign and Rs 14,710 per gram, after an increase of Rs 880 per gram.

Earlier on August 20, the price of 22-carat gold stood at Rs 1,16,800 per sovereign and Rs 14,600 per gram.

Silver prices increases

Meanwhile, silver prices also increased by Rs 5, to sell for Rs 265 per gram (Rs 2,60,000 per kg) on August 21.

On August 20, silver was sold at Rs 260 per gram.

Gold rate today vs gold rate on this day, last year

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have increased from Rs 73,840 per sovereign (Rs 9,230 per gram) on August 21, 2025, to Rs 1,17,680 per sovereign (Rs 14,710 per gram) on August 21, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 43,840 or about 59.37%.

Gold price (22-carat) over the last five days:

August 20, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,16,800 | 1 gram - Rs 14,600

August 19, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,640 | 1 gram - Rs 14,205

August 18, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,320 | 1 gram - Rs 14,290

August 17, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,160 | 1 gram - Rs 14,270

August 15, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,760 | 1 gram - Rs 14,220

Silver price over the last five days:

August 20, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 260

August 19, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 18, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

August 17, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

August 15, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

August 14, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

August 14, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,12,320 | 1 gram - Rs 14,040

Which vegetable prices increased today ?

Raw mangoes – Rs 120 per kg, up by Rs 50 (compared to August 19)

Onion – Rs 60 per kg, up by Rs 10

Potato – Rs 35 per kg, up by Rs 10

Lemon – Rs 230 per kg, up by Rs 10

Which vegetable prices decreased today ?

Ooty carrot – Rs 70 per kg, down by Rs 20 (compared to August 19)

Beans – Rs 80 per kg, down by Rs 10

Tomato – Rs 25 per kg, down by Rs 5

What are the prices of essential vegetables ?

Small onion: Rs 70 per kg

Coconut: Rs 60 per piece

What are the prices of other vegetables ?

Drumstick: Rs 30 per kg

Green chillies: Rs 60 per kg

Garlic: Rs 240 per kg

Ginger: Rs 180 per kg

Green peas: Rs 180 per kg

Brinjal: Rs 40 per kg

Bitter gourd: Rs 50 per kg

Capsicum: Rs 50 per kg

How much do herbs cost today ?

Coriander: Rs 7 per bunch

Mint: Rs 6 per bunch

Curry leaves: Rs 25 per bunch