Police said that the incident happened around 3.30 am. Ameen was travelling towards Guindy along the Jawaharlal Nehru road when the cab entered the main road from a side road and collided with the luxury vehicle.

Ameen and his friend sustained minor injuries and were taken to a private Hospital for treatment. They were discharged later and returned home. The passenger travelling in the cab was also injured and was admitted to Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital. After receiving treatment, the occupants returned home. Adyar Traffic Investigation Wing (TIW) police are investigating.

The three tenders, floated by the previous DMK government ahead of the Assembly elections, have been revised following pre-bid consultations. The changes assume significance as the TVK government has already cancelled the bids for procurement of 500 electric buses for Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore and decided to modify the procurement to the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model.

The revised conditions for the three tenders show a mix of tightening and relaxation. While MTC has extended delivery deadlines and eased some technical specifications to facilitate bus supply, it has tightened manufacturing capacity requirements and retained several stringent financial, operational and technical conditions.

1,000 buses: Manufacturer norms tightened

For the largest tender, covering 1,000 air-conditioned, 12-metre lowfloor electric buses, MTC has reduced the assured monthly mileage for operators from 6,500 km to 6,000 km per bus.

The buses, along with charging and depot infrastructure, will be procured, operated and maintained under a 12-year GCC contract. Since operators are paid on a per-kilometre basis, the reduction in mileage will lower the minimum assured revenue for concessionaires and also reduce MTC’s longterm payment commitment.

At the same time, MTC has introduced a new technical eligibility condition requiring bidders to demonstrate available manufacturing capacity equivalent to at least 60% of the quantity for which they are bidding, after accounting for existing commitments. The requirement is intended to prevent manufacturers from taking orders across multiple tenders without sufficient production capacity to meet delivery schedules.

Bidders will have to submit a Chartered Accountant-certified statement carrying a Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN), detailing production capacity, existing commitments, and capacity. Original equipment manufacturers will also have to furnish a self-certification, with a new appendix added to the tender.

MTC has also deleted provisions relating to overseas manufacturing and supply experience.

The corporation has clarified that reimbursement for damage caused by accidents, vandalism, riots or negligence of MTC staff will be made only after investigation, verification and approval by the depot manager, based on documentary evidence submitted by the operator.

220 Metro feeder buses: Delivery window 12 months

The second tender covers 220 air-conditioned low-floor electric buses for first- and last-mile connectivity to Metro Rail stations. The fleet comprises 70 seven-metre and 150 five-metre buses.

The buses will operate as conductor-less services with onboard fare collection systems on routes identified by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) and Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) within a 5-km primary influence area of Metro stations.

MTC has extended each major delivery milestone by three months. The requirement to supply 50% of the 5-metre buses within three months has been extended to six months. Delivery of all 5-metre buses has been extended from six to nine months, while the deadline for all 7-metre buses has been extended from nine to 12 months. The relaxation follows requests from bidders citing difficulties in manufacturing and supplying buses conforming to the specifications.

One bidder had sought permission to import the first 100 buses from Vietnam as completely built units and manufacture the remaining buses in India, citing limited availability of suitable 5-metre and 7-metre electric bus models. MTC rejected the request and retained the original condition.

Some specifications for the 5-metre buses have, however, been relaxed. Suspension can now be either air or mechanical, while requirements relating to floor height, wheel-area clearance, and ground clearance can be met under applicable CMVR, AIS-052, ARAI certification, or UBS-II standards.

MTC has introduced a separate energy consumption benchmark of 0.6 kWh per km for 5-metre buses. The benchmark for 7-metre buses remains 0.8 kWh per km.

The operator will continue to be responsible for onboard fare collection system, including its supply, installation, operation and maintenance. The system will support NFC, NCMC, QR code, UPI, appbased, and card-based payments, with cash retained as a backup.

The operator will also remain responsible for fare leakage, misuse and fraud involving the fare collection system. Requests to transfer this responsibility to MTC were rejected.

The 7-metre buses will have at least 13 seats, one wheelchair space and a driver, while the 5-metre buses will have 11 seats, one wheelchair space and a driver.

The contract provides for an assured operation of 4,200 km per bus per month. Once all 220 buses are deployed, this translates into 9.24 lakh bus-km a month.

300 buses: More time for delivery, fewer simulators

For the third tender covering 300 air-conditioned, 7-metre low-floor electric buses for feeder services, MTC has also extended the delivery schedule by three months at each major milestone.

The original tender required 25% of the awarded buses to be supplied within three months, 75% within six months, and the entire fleet within nine months. The revised schedule provides six months for the first 25%, nine months for 75% and 12 months for the complete fleet.

MTC has also substantially reduced the requirement for driver-training simulators. Instead of one simulator at every depot, operators will now have to provide one simulator for every 100 buses at any three depots. For the 300-bus fleet, this means three simulators.

The number of passenger information display boards has also been reduced from four to three per bus, with displays to be provided inside the bus and at the front and rear. The fare collection system has been expanded to include a provision to validate passengers holding passes. The system will support QR code, UPI, NCMC, appbased, card, and cash payments.

As the buses will operate without conductors, drivers will operate the fare collection equipment and will have to be trained to issue tickets and handle the system. The operator will be responsible for supplying, installing, operating and maintaining fare collection and ITS systems, while also ensuring their compatibility with MTC’s existing systems.

The MTC has rejected requests to reduce the mandatory two service doors to one. It clarified that the front door will be used by passengers, while the middle door will be reserved for wheelchair access and emergencies.

The revised tender provides for reimbursement of certain costs arising from damage to bus components caused by MTC staff negligence, accidents, vandalism, arson, riots or natural calamities, after insurance recovery. Such reimbursement will be subject to investigation, verification, and approval by the depot manager.

The requirement that bidders should have experience in manufacturing and supplying electric buses to urban public transport entities has also been retained.

Key changes in MTC’s 1,520 e-bus tenders

• 1,000 12-metre e-buses

• Assured monthly mileage: Cut from 6,500 km to 6,000 km per bus

• Manufacturing capacity: Bidders must have available capacity equal to at least 60% of the quantity bid for, after existing commitments

• Capacity proof: CA-certified statement with UDIN made mandatory

• Foreign experience: Provisions allowing overseas manufacturing and supply experience deleted

• Damage claims: Reimbursement subject to investigation, verification and depot manager’s approval

Key changes in MTC’s 220 METRO FEEDER E-BUSES

• 50% of 5m buses: Delivery deadline extended from 3 to 6 months

• All 5m buses: Deadline extended from 6 to 9 months

• All 7m buses: Deadline extended from 9 to 12 months

• 5m suspension: Air or mechanical suspension permitted

• Energy benchmark: 0.6 kWh/km for 5m buses; 0.8 kWh/km retained for 7m buses

• CCTV: Reduced from 4 to 3 cameras, but storage increased from 30 to 90 days

Key changes in MTC’s 300 7-METRE E-BUSES

• 25% delivery: Extended from 3 to 6 months

• 75% delivery: Extended from 6 to 9 months

• Full fleet: Extended from 9 to 12 months

• Driver simulators: Reduced to 3 for 300 buses, instead of one at every depot

• Passenger displays: Reduced from 4 to 3 per bus

• CCTV storage: Increased from 30 to 90 days

• Fare collection: Provision added for pass validation onboard

Through 722 Collective, named by combining sisters Mercy and Nancy John’s birthdays, the duo has created a space where meaningful connections take centre stage.

The space was filled with people who had never met each other before. What began as a gathering of strangers soon transformed into a place buzzing with conversation, creativity and laughter. Sketchbooks were passed around, stories were exchanged over coffee, and awkward introductions slowly gave way to genuine connections. By the end of the morning, participants didn’t just leave with collaborative artwork, they walked away with meaningful conversations and new friendships. That is the experience sisters Mercy John and Nancy John set out to create through 722 Collective, an invite-only community that brings people together through art and conversation. Fittingly, the name itself is personal, combining the sisters’ birthdays into one shared identity that reflects the collaborative spirit behind the initiative.

For Mercy John, the idea of 722 Collective had been taking shape for nearly a year. A podcaster drawn to meaningful conversations, Mercy had always found it difficult to settle for superficial connections. “If I meet someone, I can’t just have small talk and move on. If I need to build a relationship with you, I need to really get to know you,” she says.

Her sister Nancy John, an illustrator, shared a similar instinct but envisioned it through a creative lens. The sisters had long imagined spaces of their own, Mercy wanted a gathering centred on honest, vulnerable conversations, while Nancy dreamed of a creative community where artists and illustrators could meet, attend workshops, or simply sit together and draw.

“Why should we do this separately?” they eventually asked themselves.

The idea of creating something together had been around for a while, but it was during a casual Wednesday morning at Nancy’s office that the two finally connected their visions. “Why not bring art and conversations together?” they thought. The concept was also rooted in a shared longing for a “third space”, somewhere beyond home and work where people could meet, talk, create and simply spend time together.

For Nancy, the inspiration was partly personal. Having lived in the UK, she had seen creative meet-ups happening regularly and missed the sense of community they fostered. “It almost came from a place where I wished I had that. Why don’t we create that?” she recalls.

Rather than overthink the idea, the sisters decided to test it spontaneously. They put up an Instagram story asking whether people would be interested in a gathering centred around art and conversations. The response was far beyond what they expected. “We just put up a story, random, no planning, nothing,” Mercy recalls.

Within two days, more than 350 people had signed up. By Wednesday evening, they had already crossed 150 registrations. “Nancy and I were just looking at each other and saying, ‘This is getting real.’ Once that many people showed interest, we knew we had to do something about it,” Mercy says.

And so, rather than beginning with a fixed blueprint, the sisters began working backwards, building 722 Collective around a need they had discovered was already shared by hundreds of others, a desire for genuine, offline human connection.

Held on Sunday mornings, each edition of 722 Collective brings together around 20 carefully curated participants instead of a large crowd. Those interested first fill out a Google Form, after which Mercy and Nancy personally go through every response to select a diverse mix of people together. Selected participants receive a confirmation email and complete their registration by paying a fee of Rs 1,499.

The sisters believe that the experience begins long before the event itself. Mercy, an extrovert with a knack for conversations, focuses on creating meaningful interactions, while Nancy, a self-described introvert, carefully designs the creative activities and overall experience.

Every activity at 722 Collective is carefully designed to blend art with conversation. The experience begins with participants receiving a name sticker, illustrated by Nancy, where they write their name and profession. They then choose from a collection of illustrated prompt stickers, also designed by Nancy, which serve as subtle conversation starters, helping strangers break the ice and easing them into meaningful interactions.

Participants are then divided into small groups for a collaborative drawing activity. With only a few minutes to sketch, each person adds something to a shared sheet before passing it on to the next group. As the drawings evolve, so do the conversations. The activity encourages spontaneity, laughter and creativity, bringing out the child in them. By the time the artwork has travelled through every group, strangers are already laughing over unexpected sketches.

The conversations continue with another activity, where participants are shuffled into new groups to ensure they interact with different people instead of staying within the same circle. Using a set of carefully curated questions designed by Mercy and Nancy, the discussions gradually move beyond basic introductions without making anyone uncomfortable. The prompts are balanced, deep enough to encourage meaningful conversations, yet gentle enough to avoid putting anyone on the spot. As stories are shared and perspectives exchanged, the room slowly transforms from one filled with strangers into one filled with genuine connections. By the end of the session, conversations flow effortlessly, with participants opening up naturally and forming bonds that extend well beyond the event itself.

For Deyga founder Arthi Raguram, 722 Collective offered a refreshing change from the events she usually attends. “Most of the time, I go as a speaker, where I’m in the spotlight. This was my first event with complete strangers, and I loved it because people got to know me for who I am, not what I do,” she says. “As entrepreneurs, we often carry a certain public image, but here I felt completely grounded.” Describing the gathering as “fun, casual and light-hearted,” Arthi says the experience reminded her of the joy of making authentic friendships and hopes more such communities continue to grow.

The experience doesn’t end when the conversations do. Before leaving, every participant receives a bag of goodies featuring products from partner brands, along with Nancy’s illustrated stickers and other thoughtful keepsakes. Even after the event officially comes to a close, many participants linger, continuing conversations over coffee, exchanging phone numbers and social media handles, and leaving with something far more valuable than souvenirs, a few new friendships that began with a simple conversation between strangers.

The IIT Madras-incubated startup was picked from a cohort of 22 startups across around 12 countries, including China, Denmark, South Korea and Singapore. The 10-week accelerator, running September 7 to November 12, is backed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and NUS Enterprise.

Founded in February 2025, Dtyle.AI builds AI-powered vision systems for ships and ports, using computer vision and edge AI to detect early signs of fire, monitor crew safety and identify security threats in real time, unlike conventional systems that rely on sensors and alarms. “Being selected for PIER71 gives us an opportunity to work directly with global shipping companies and port authorities and validate our solutions through pilot projects,” Sasikumar told DT Next.

The team comprises marine engineers, chief engineers and AI specialists; its advisor is Professor Prabhu Rajagopal of IIT-Madras, a founding member of underwater robotics startup, Planys.

Sasikumar said that large container ships, car carriers and oil tankers typically run with just 20-25 crew, making round-the-clock manual monitoring of every deck virtually impossible. “Fire incidents on ships have been increasing, particularly with the rise in transportation of lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles. Existing fire detection systems are reactive. Lithium battery fires escalate extremely fast, reaching nearly 1,000 degrees Celsius within seconds, leaving the crew barely five to six minutes to isolate the source before it becomes uncontrollable,” he added.

The system is built for maritime conditions of limited or no internet, low bandwidth and heavy radar interference. Instead of cloud-based processing, Dtyle.AI runs its AI models on onboard edge devices, letting them function independent of connectivity.

To cut down on extensive shipboard wiring, the company piloted wireless cameras integrated with its edge AI platform on an oil tanker at Chennai Port. “Our system detected smoke in 13 milliseconds, faster than the human eye. We also proved that it could function despite low bandwidth, radar interference and the unique operating conditions found on ships,” Sasikumar said.

For smart ports, it integrates feeds from thousands of surveillance cameras into a single dashboard, flagging only predefined events like unauthorised access to restricted areas, cutting the need for constant manual monitoring. It also targets stowaways, people who secretly board docked cargo ships, incidents that carry heavy financial costs since vessels may have to return them to their country of origin.

The platform can centrally track up to 100 ships from a single office, logging how quickly crew acknowledge safety alerts, data Sasikumar said could help shipping companies monitor fleet-wide safety compliance and potentially lower insurance premiums by demonstrating stronger risk management.

Each year, global shipping companies submit real-world operational challenges to PIER71, from which organisers shortlist problem statements for startups. This year, Dtyle.AI pitched solutions across three areas, autonomous vessel safety monitoring, privacy-preserving crew safety monitoring, and AI-powered smart port surveillance, securing its place in the accelerator.

Based on a tip-off about movement of narcotics near Pallavan Road, a police team was surveilling the neighbourhood and found the suspects loitering suspiciously.

When police intercepted them for questioning, they gave contradictory answers. Officers then searched their bags and found the drugs concealed inside after which they were arrested. The arrested persons were identified as Joe Praveen (24) of Vyasarpadi, Madanraj (22) of Chengalpattu and Lokeshwaran (24). All three were taken into custody, and a case was registered.

During interrogation, the trio reportedly told police that they had procured the methamphetamine from Bengaluru and were selling it in the city. Further investigation is underway to trace the source of the supply and other people involved in the network.

Rajasri had recently joined a private college in Kattankulathur where she was to pursue a BTech course. Probe revealed that Monday was the first day of classes for her.

She was walking towards Chromepet railway station when the incident happened. According to the police, she attempted to cross the railway gate near Vaishnava Women’s College, unmindful of the approaching express train, which hit her, killing her on the spot. 

Upon receiving information, Tambaram Railway Police rushed to the spot, registered a case, and sent the body to the Tambaram Government Hospital for post-mortem. Railway police have urged pedestrians to use foot overbridges and to be extremely cautious while crossing tracks, especially during peak hours.

Officials of the Air Intelligence Unit were closely monitoring passengers on a flight from Dubai, which reached Chennai during the early hours of Monday.

During screening, officers found the behaviour of a 34-year-old passenger, Jannath Hamza, suspicious. When questioned, she gave inconsistent answers after which she was detained for further questioning. A detailed check of her luggage revealed nothing.

Subsequently, female officers took her to a separate room for a personal search. During the search, they found that she had concealed gold paste inside her inner garments.

The total weight of the gold paste is 920 gram and its international market value is estimated at around Rs 1.4 crore, officials said. Further investigation is underway.

Probe revealed that the woman was a frequent flyer and investigation is underway if she was a regular carrier.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,11,600 per sovereign and Rs 13,950 per gram, after a decrease of Rs 15 per gram.

Earlier on August 8, the price of 22-carat gold stood at Rs 1,11,720 per sovereign and Rs 13,965 per gram.

Silver prices remain unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices also remain stable, continue to sell for Rs 250 per gram (Rs 2,50,000 per kg) on August 10.

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

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have surged from Rs 75,560 per sovereign (Rs 9,445 per gram) on August 9, 2025, to Rs Rs 1,11,600 per sovereign (Rs 13,950 per gram) on August 10, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 36,040 or about 47.69%.

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

August 8, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,11,720 | 1 gram - Rs 13,965

August 7, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,10,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,750

August 6, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,10,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,750

August 5, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,06,880 | 1 gram - Rs 13,260

August 4, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,600 | 1 gram - Rs 13,200

Silver price over the last five days:

August 8, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 7, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 6, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 5, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 240

August 4, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 235

The seminar, themed ‘Beyond Entertainment: Inspiring the Next Generation through the National Award-Winning Film Amaran’, featured National Award-winning filmmaker Rajkumar Periasamy, director of the film, as the guest speaker.

The session moderated by RJ Abinaya Manoharan focused on filmmaking, storytelling, and the transformative impact of cinema on society, particularly its ability to inspire and influence the younger generation.

Students and aspiring filmmakers received insights into the creative, technical, and professional aspects of filmmaking, and also understood highlighting the power of meaningful storytelling to educate, inspire, and shape the next generation.

AVM K Shanmugham, secretary of Avichi College of Arts and Science, also addressed the gathering at the end.

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 Monday.

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 9 - Rs 107.77

August 8 - Rs 107.77

August 7 - Rs 107.77

August 6 - Rs 107.77

August 5 - Rs 107.77

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

August 9 - Rs 99.55

August 8 - Rs 99.55

August 7 - Rs 99.55

August 6 - Rs 99.55

August 5 - Rs 99.55

Cauvery row needs political statesmanship, effective water dispute adjudication framework

The deceased was identified as Malapati Ashok (30), a native of Andhra Pradesh who lived in Ramapuram and worked at an IT company in Pallavaram.

Police said that Ashok was returning home after completing his night shift at about 2 am in a company cab. The car, driven by Govindaraj of Old Pallavaram, also carried Ashok’s colleague, Sri Soumya.

While crossing a river bridge at Manapakkam, the cab rammed into a truck transporting iron rods for Metro Rail works. Investigators said the rods extended nearly 10 feet beyond the rear of the truck. The impact caused the rods to pierce the car, seriously injuring all three occupants.

Residents rescued the victims and shifted them to a private hospital in Manapakkam. Ashok died without responding to treatment, while Govindaraj and Sri Soumya are under treatment.

St Thomas Mount Traffic Investigation Wing registered a case against the truck driver, Sivakumar.

Police identified the accused as Syed Masth Ahamed.

The nurse, who is also employed at the hospital, was attending to a patient when Ahamed allegedly misbehaved with her.

Following her complaint, the MKB Nagar All Women Police registered a case and arrested Ahamed.

He was booked under three sections of the BNS and a section of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Madras Central, InnerWheel Clubs of District 323 and the Singappen Special Force (SSF), the marathon began at 6 am.

Participants, including college students, working professionals and homemakers, ran from Island Grounds to the Lighthouse and back.

K Bhavaneeswari, Inspector General of Police, Singappen Special Force, flagged off the event. She said the initiative sought to promote cervical cancer awareness while strengthening awareness about women’s safety and the 1091 helpline. SSF personnel also participated in the run and interacted with the public.

Singappen Marathon chairman Nallammai Ramanathan highlighted the need for greater awareness about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination. “An indigenously developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine is available at around Rs 1,500 per dose. It’s important to vaccinate young girls aged nine and above.”

Rotary representatives said that the organisation aims to expand access to HPV vaccination through healthcare partnerships.

Vaccines are being made available at Rotary Central Margaret Sidney Hospital in Nanganallur, with partnerships involving Gem Hospital, MGM Healthcare and Venkateswara Hospital.

As part of this special operation, 33 police teams led by three Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP), carried out targeted searches and enforcement operations in Potheri, Adobe Valley Apartments, Iswarya Apartments and its surrounding areas, an official release stated.

Police teams searched rooms in apartment complexes and hostels housing students from other states. Not only students, but also outside visitors were stopped and their bags were thoroughly checked.

Police teams also inspected plant pots, decorative croton plants, climbers, and areas along compound walls within the residential premises. Police said they received information that drugs were being hidden in such places to avoid detection.

“During the operation, no significant quantity of contraband was seized. However, the police teams utilise the opportunity to reinforce security and preventive measures among residents, apartment associations, property managers and homeowners,” the release added.

Tambaram City Police said that such checks would be done in residential areas in and around major educational institutions.

As part of the preventive measures, strict instructions were issued to apartment managers and property owners to conduct thorough background verification of all prospective and existing tenants. Property owners were also advised to ensure the CCTV surveillance systems remain functional and properly monitored and that the visitor registers be updated.

Tambaram City Police requested public to promptly report any information regarding drug trafficking, peddling or suspicious activities in their neighbourhood on ‘Tambaram What’sCop’ – 9344222100

Acting on specific intelligence that a large consignment of narcotics was being smuggled into Chennai from Thailand by air, the Air Intelligence Unit of Customs was placed on high alert at the airport.

Tracking the passenger flight from Bangkok that landed around midnight on Saturday (August 8), customs officers intercepted a 35-year-old Malaysian national with a tourist visa.

He claimed to have ‘nothing to declare’ and attempted to exit through the Green Channel.

Officials found his behaviour suspicious and detained him for questioning. When he gave contradictory answers, he was then taken to the Customs office for a detailed baggage check.

During the search, officers found four parcels concealed inside his suitcase. The parcels contained 4.3 kg of premium processed hydroponic ganja. The international market value of the seized narcotics is estimated at around Rs 4 crore.

The Malaysian tourist was arrested and the drugs were seized. During interrogation, he told officials that he was a ‘drug mule’ for an international narcotics smuggling gang. He said that he had collected the parcel in Thailand and was supposed to deliver it to contacts in Chennai.

Customs officials are now investigating the intended recipient of the consignment in Chennai and the location of the international drug network within the city.

Days earlier, all eyes were on the hundreds who had gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for protests over NEET irregularities. After Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down and protesters were assured that their demands would be met, the nationwide protest was called off. Dejected after the protest at CPI headquarters Balan Illam in the city ended, Manirathnam, who had attended it every night after returning from the Jantar Mantar protest in Delhi, decided the stir must still continue. Manirathnam (36) had been working in a private company before the protests began. But after permission to agitate at a public site was denied, the group decided to go on hunger strike at the party office, which began on August 1. Manirathnam is not fasting, while Jeevarathinam, Dhanasekar and Mohan are. On the sixth day, G Ravi (53), who does agriculture-related work in Tiruvannamalai, vomited blood and was hospitalised. He is now stable and has ended the protest on doctors’ orders, Manirathnam said.

Pulianthope Mohan (30), a Madras High Court advocate, said they had sought permission to hold their agitation at Sivananda Salai, Rajarathinam Stadium or Marina Beach, but were repeatedly denied. “We want a common protest space without timing restrictions. We also want a resolution against NEET to be passed in the ongoing State Assembly session,” he said. It may be recalled that on June 28, 2024, the Assembly had passed a resolution urging the Centre to approve Tamil Nadu’s NEET exemption Bill and abolish NEET nationally.

“The Assembly is the voice of the people, so they have to speak out for Tamil Nadu. State autonomy and state rights determine federal unity. To safeguard the federal structure, education must be brought back to the State List,” Manirathnam added.

Four days on, protesters await govt action

Dhanasekar (28), who is a sound engineer, said it had been four days since education minister A Rajmohan, government whip Sabarinathan, and TVK leader Loyola Mani visited the protesters, but there has been no response yet. “They said they would fight for the abolition of NEET and for bringing education back to the State List from the Concurrent List. But it has been four days since they gave that assurance. Our demands are also their election promise.”

He also urged students to take the initiative, pointing to the ongoing student agitation in Jharkhand. In Chennai, ‘OG Tamizha’ collective has been staging a daily sit-in in Egmore for 15 days, while former IRS officer Balamurali has been on hunger strike in Tiruvottiyur for 14 days, Manirathnam said.
 
Manirathnam pointed to the united stand taken by political parties in Karnataka on Cauvery. “In Karnataka, all parties, both the ruling party and the Opposition, speak in a united manner on the Cauvery water issue. That is exactly what we need in Tamil Nadu for the NEET issue,” he emphasised. “We are fighting for our rights. If NEET continues, we will not have specialist doctors in government hospitals.”

‘Tamil Nadu must not go silent on NEET’

Jeevarathinam (40), a driving instructor and tuition teacher, alleged the TVK government was not raising its voice enough on the issue. “It was an AIADMK regime when NEET came into force. They opposed and fought, as did the DMK government. The TVK government must continue what previous governments did, so the Centre doesn’t think Tamil Nadu has gone silent."

Mohan said, “The matter is still pending in the Supreme Court and must be expedited,” referring to Tamil Nadu filing a petition in the Supreme Court in 2025 against the President’s refusal to grant assent to the State’s NEET exemption law.
 
Mohan reiterated that they would continue protesting. “We are not worried about our health. We will continue for as long as we can,” he said.

Preventing a person from entering a temple or worshipping there on the basis of caste, religion or birth goes beyond violating the individual’s rights and dignity, he said after launching the book titled “The People’s Sanctum – The 100 Year Struggle to Democratise Temples in India”, authored by Manuraj Shunmugasundaram.

Justice Anand Venkatesh said the book had made an impact on him by documenting the history of temple-entry movements and the State’s secular control over places of worship.

He said the book traced developments from the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1925, to the present, documenting developments. “The social justice that anyone can become an archagar in any temple has been ensured today because of the Vaikom Satyagraha,” he said, referring to the struggle against caste-based exclusion.

The MHC judge said accounts of caste-based distinctions and the recording of lower-caste witnesses’ versions in courts were shocking. He urged present and future generations to read the book.

DMK deputy general secretary and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, who took part in the release event, said the Dravidian movement had helped ensure non-Brahmins’ access to temples.

“The Dravidian movement ensured sanctum entry for non-Brahmins too. Temples have now become places for everyone. Temple-entry protests and the Vaikom Satyagraha were the main reasons for this,” she said.

She described the book as a document for future generations and urged the authors to release an audio version.

DMK leaders RS Bharathi, PK Sekar Babu, Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, Mayor R Priya and advocates also attended the event at Victoria Public Hall here.

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 8 - Rs 107.77

August 7 - Rs 107.77

August 6 - Rs 107.77

August 5 - Rs 107.77

August 4 - Rs 107.77

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

August 8 - Rs 99.55

August 7 - Rs 99.55

August 6 - Rs 99.55

August 5 - Rs 99.55

August 4 - Rs 99.55

The chatbot, available in Tamil and English, can be accessed by sending 'Hi' to '93442 22100' on WhatsApp or by scanning the QR code issued by the police. The chatbot enables users to share their live location with the police during emergencies. It also features a 'Track My Journey' option, allowing women travelling alone to register their journey details and seek police assistance if there are unusual delays or route deviations.

Citizens can also anonymously report drug trafficking, suspicious movements, offences against women, public nuisance and other illegal activities through the platform.

Users can also locate the nearest police station, access online services to register cybercrime complaints and use the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal to block or trace lost or stolen mobile phones.

The service allows residents to report traffic congestion and traffic violations by uploading photographs along with geo-tagged locations. People travelling out of town can register details of locked houses, enabling night patrol teams to monitor the premises.

The chatbot also provides contact details of night patrol officers deployed in local areas between 10 pm and 6 am.

In addition, the platform offers information on cyber safety, road safety, drug abuse prevention, women's safety and legal awareness.

Tambaram City Police appealed to women, students, parents, educational institutions, resident welfare associations and members of the public to make use of the chatbot and its services to improve safety, enhance communication with the police and facilitate faster emergency response.

The victim, Balachandran, a resident of Kilpauk, runs a YouTube channel titled 'Chennai King Bala'.

According to the complaint, Balachandran was standing near Kasi Theatre late on the night of August 5 when a group of men arrived in a car and forced him inside. Two more men joined them a short distance away. The gang assaulted him, demanded Rs 2 lakh, and drove him to Vandavasi in Tiruvannamalai district, where he was locked in a room.

Police said the suspects later brought Balachandran back to Flower Bazaar in Chennai after he convinced them that he could arrange the cash through a friend there. Capitalising on a moment when his captors were distracted, Balachandran managed to flee and ran into the nearby police station.

A case has been registered, and an investigation is under way to track down the gang.

How does laser cap treatment work?

Laser caps deliver low-level red light to the scalp. This light is believed to increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within cells. ATP is an important source of cellular energy and plays a role in various cellular processes. Through photobiomodulation, laser cap treatment may help improve cellular activity and healing while potentially reducing inflammation and oxidative stress around the hair follicles. These effects may create a more favourable environment for hair follicles and support healthier hair growth.

What changes can you expect?

Laser cap treatment can help support hair strength and reduce hair shedding in individuals with suitable types of hair loss. However, as a standalone treatment, a laser cap generally offers no significant advantages over established treatments.

Treatments such as minoxidil, finasteride, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are commonly used for hair loss. A laser cap is better considered an adjunct therapy, meaning it can be used alongside appropriate primary treatments to support overall results. The response to treatment can vary from person to person, and consistent use is important.

Recommended usage

A 650-nanometre red-light wavelength is commonly used in devices designed for hair growth. A typical usage schedule is three times a week for approximately 20 minutes per session, depending on the specific device and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Using the device more frequently or for longer periods does not necessarily produce better results and may increase the risk of scalp discomfort or other unwanted effects. Therefore, it is important to follow the recommended treatment schedule.

Consult your doctor before use

If you have purchased a laser cap for personal use, show the device to your doctor before starting treatment. Your doctor can assess your type of hair loss, check whether laser cap therapy is appropriate for you, and advise you on the correct method and frequency of use. When used appropriately as an adjunct to established hair-loss treatments, laser cap therapy may provide additional support for healthier and stronger hair.

The deceased was identified as Kumar, a resident of Kaladipet. According to the police, Kumar had three wives and five children, but was deeply upset after being abandoned and reportedly driven out of the house by his family. For the past three months, he had been staying at his sister's house in New Washermanpet.

He had also been frequently approaching the police seeking action against his family members.

On Friday, dissatisfied with the response during his visit to the Tiruvottiyur station, Kumar walked out to the entrance, poured petrol over himself, and set himself ablaze.

Police personnel on duty rushed to his aid, doused the flames, and rushed him to the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.

The Tiruvottiyur police have registered a case, and further investigation is under way.

For him, the focus on Marudham is also a recognition of the people who make that landscape possible. “Without farmers, we are not,” he says.

The chef says the menu is the result of research across nearly 100 villages, where the team documented what people ate for breakfast, main meals, evening snacks, festivals and temple offerings before sorting the dishes into menus.

The result is organised around rivers, including Vaigai, Bhavani, Siruvani and Pennai. The idea, Murthi explains, is not to represent one town per menu but to bring together food from different parts of the same river-fed region. “All the places are covered,” he says.

As the menu does not repeat and there is a curated seven-course meal every day, we got to taste the Vaigai menu. The Vallarai Keerai Saaru was deeply comforting, while the Naatu Chola Paniyaram was hands down the best savoury dish, soft, with ghee generously poured over it. Paired with the tomato and coriander chutney, it was the star of the show.

The Kumbakonam Kadapa paired beautifully with the Kambu Dosa. The dosa itself was a standout, offering the earthy character of the native grain without overwhelming the meal. Elsewhere, Arasapattu Poricha Kuzhambu, Murungai Keerai Poriyal, Karunai Kizhangu Masiyal, and a crisp Vazhakkai Varuval completed the spread. The Katharikai Parangikai Kootu brought a burst of flavour, with coconut coming through generously, while the Veppampoo Rasam offered its natural bitterness.

The meal also placed native rice varieties in focus. Thooyamalli and Mapillai Samba were among them, with Murthi explaining that Mapillai Samba, associated with the ‘new groom’, was traditionally prepared when the groom’s family visited the bride’s home.

The chef’s research extends beyond this. He recalls learning from people in villages and from Chef Premavathi, who shared dishes from her native region during their travels through the Thanjavur-Mannargudi belt. The research eventually took the team through villages including Andikadu, Arasampattu and Madhukur, among others.

Dessert brought the most familiar note for me. The Kaarthigai Appam was the best of the lot, tasting exactly like the festive appam made during celebrations at home. The Vethalai Payasam, meanwhile, was more unusual, with betel leaf infused into semiya and Javvarasi payasam, giving the dessert a gentle contrast between sweetness and spice. Murthi describes the same interplay in the dish.

Some of the research stories behind the menu are particularly fascinating. Chef Murthi speaks of Poricha Kari, a mutton preparation cooked in ghee, which the team connects to the period of Karikala Cholan. He says the team researched the measurements associated with the dish and recreated it as Karikala Virundu, incorporating it into the menu.

He talked about the research process and the people who inspired it. Among those he encountered was Mala, whose work and knowledge around a medicinal curry became one of the inspirations during the research.

Marudham also offers a non-vegetarian menu. Murthi says the aim is to preserve the food traditions of both while staying connected to the eating practices of the regions researched.

According to the RMC, light to moderate rainfall is expected at isolated places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal until August 14. Temperatures are also set to remain comfortable over Chennai through the coming week.

VR Durai, head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre at the RMC, stated that an upper-air cyclonic circulation is currently lying over north coastal Tamil Nadu, extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. Additionally, a weather system developing over the northwest Bay of Bengal could trigger wind convergence, leading to further scattered spells over Chennai over the next few days.

Maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are likely to hover near normal on Sunday. However, mercury levels could rise 2-3°C above normal at isolated spots in north interior Tamil Nadu, while remaining close to average elsewhere until August 12.

Among the city weather stations, Nungambakkam recorded the highest rainfall in Chennai, taking in 10 mm between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Saturday. Pallikaranai registered 4 mm, Madhavaram 1 mm, while Ennore and Meenambakkam received 0.5 mm each.

In the neighbouring districts, Poonamallee in Tiruvallur logged 13.5 mm, while Chembarambakkam in Kancheepuram recorded 10 mm.

Tambaram Corporation's 70 wards are split into five zones, with private contractors supplying staff for door-to-door garbage collection.

Protesters alleged that the contractor was paying them well below the government-mandated monthly salary of Rs 21,000. They stressed that chronic delays in wage disbursement made it difficult to pay house rent and cover basic domestic expenses.

Workers also pointed out gaps in their PF accounts, demanding immediate verification and prompt crediting of pending contributions.

In addition, staff raised concerns about harsh treatment by private supervisors. A key point of contention involved recyclable waste, such as plastic and cardboard, collected during daily rounds. Workers explained that selling these items directly to scrap vendors yields around Rs 500. However, supervisors allegedly force them to hand over the materials, pay them barely Rs 200, and threaten them with termination if they object.

Corporation officials and representatives from the contracting firm held discussions with the striking workers on Saturday to address their grievances.

The move comes amidst growing complaints about existing public Wi-Fi infrastructure. Many users report that while devices connect to current networks, there is often no actual internet connectivity.

Under the new plan, Marina Beach will get 75 poles, Besant Nagar 20, and Tiruvanmiyur 10 via Airtel. Hathway has been tasked with surveying Tiruvottiyur to install seven poles. The infrastructure is being funded through service providers’ Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

For beachgoers, reliable Wi-Fi is essential for messaging calls, hailing cabs, accessing digital payments, or contacting family in crowded spots. Yet, execution remains a concern. A spot check by DT Next at Secretariat Park and parts of Marina Beach revealed that mobile devices connected to the Wi-Fi but failed to load data. Regular visitors pointed out that offering free network access is useless if the connection does not function.

The civic body previously introduced smart poles across 49 locations in 2021, offering 30 minutes of access after OTP verification. Over time, service quality deteriorated, leading to frequent complaints.

To address this, the GCC plans to overhaul around 2,600 existing smart poles across 900 locations, including parks, hospitals, and government offices. Service providers have been instructed to repair damaged infrastructure promptly.

GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran noted that 38 Wi-Fi poles are currently maintained by ACT Fibernet and Reliance Jio along Marina and Besant Nagar. ACT, Jio, Airtel, and Hathway have now been asked to scale up coverage. Additionally, the GCC requested usage data from ACT Fibernet to monitor public download patterns.

Safety is another growing concern for users. T Nagar resident VS Jayaraman emphasised that public networks require strict cybersecurity measures to prevent data breaches and protect personal information from hackers. "Extreme caution is required to ensure these networks are hack-proof and do not compromise user data," he said.

The ASK has been operating from the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) building for the past seven months. Although the premises have ample parking, visitors are not allowed to park their vehicles on site, and only staff are permitted to use the facility. As a result, dozens of two-wheelers are parked along the entrance to the bus bay every day, preventing buses from pulling in.

Unable to access the designated bay, MTC buses stop on the road itself, forcing passengers to board and alight amid moving traffic. Senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities are among the worst affected as they have to negotiate traffic to reach the buses. The gap between the bus and the footpath further increases the risk of accidents.

A visitor to the centre said he has no option but to park his scooter outside the premises because the security guard refuses to let him inside. "I have come here after making an online appointment; even then I was asked to park outside," he complained.

A security guard at the ASK said the parking restriction was based on management instructions. "We have been told to allow only staff vehicles inside the premises. We warn visitors every day not to park in front of the bus bay, but many ignore us. Parking violations have increased ever since the Aadhaar Seva Kendra started functioning here," the guard said.

A resident said the problem could be resolved if the Aadhaar Seva Kendra allowed visitors to use the available parking space within the premises instead of forcing visitors to park on the roadside.

Meanwhile, traffic police officials said illegally parked vehicles blocking the bus bay would be removed, and action would be taken against motorists causing obstruction.

As part of the investigation — based on complaints received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and intelligence gathered on suspicious bank transactions — police examined bank accounts linked to cyber fraud and identified 310 mule bank accounts routinely used to receive and transfer money obtained through cybercrimes. Legal action was initiated against those behind these accounts for illegal financial transactions.

Apart from Chennai City, the accused were secured from districts across the state, including Coimbatore, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, among others.

"Cyber criminals generally use mule bank accounts, opened in someone else's name, to move the money they defraud from the public. The original account holder often "lends" or "sells" it to fraudsters for a commission. When a cybercriminal scams someone online, the victim's money is first transferred into a mule account. From there it's quickly moved to multiple other accounts or withdrawn as cash. This makes it hard for police to trace back to the real offender, " a police official said, adding that agents working for cyber fraudsters target students, job seekers and housewives and convince them to lend their bank accounts for a commission.

Chennai City Police Commissioner A Amalraj advised the public not to allow anyone else to use bank accounts opened in their name under any circumstances. He warned people against transferring money received from unknown persons to other accounts for a commission, as such actions make them accomplices in cybercrime

The 45-year-old victim, residing in Puliyambedu, Tiruvallur district, and working at a private hospital in Porur, was returning home on her two-wheeler after buying vegetables when another two-wheeler approached her from the opposite direction.

The rider attempted to pull the gold chain from the doctor's neck. However, the woman held onto the chain tightly and resisted. Unable to snatch it, the accused sped away. Based on the complaint, Vanagaram Police registered a case, reviewed CCTV footage, and traced the suspect.

The accused was identified as David of Kattupakkam, Chennai. He was arrested on Friday, and the two-wheeler used in the crime was seized.

During interrogation, police found that David works as an air conditioner mechanic. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.

At just 7, Aswin left Chennai for Mohali to chase his football dream, while his mother, battling a kidney illness, watched him go. She passed away last year after a long fight. Now 11, Aswin has won back-to-back international titles in Europe with Minerva Academy — fulfilling the dream they shared.

Reporter: SA Sneha; : Hemanathan M

Read the story here: 11-year-old football champ dribbles his way from Chennai to Mohali to trophies in Europe

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,11,720 per sovereign and Rs 13,965 per gram, after an increase of Rs 65 per gram.

Earlier on August 7 the price of 22-carat gold stood at Rs 1,10,000 per sovereign and Rs 13,750 per gram.

Silver prices remain unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices also remain stable, continue to sell for Rs 250 per gram (Rs 2,50,000 per kg) on August 8.

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

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have surged from Rs 75,760 per sovereign (Rs 9,470 per gram) on August 8, 2025, to Rs Rs 1,11,720 per sovereign (Rs 13,965 per gram) on August 8, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 35,960 or about 47.46%.

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

August 7, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,10,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,750

August 6, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,10,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,750

August 5, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,06,880 | 1 gram - Rs 13,260

August 4, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,600 | 1 gram - Rs 13,200

August 3, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,06,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,250

Silver price over the last five days:

August 7, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 6, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 5, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 240

August 4, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 235

August 3, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 235

KRM Public School in Perambur emerged as the winner of the Overall Championship in the inter-school contest Thiranika; Department of BCom (General) secured the Overall Department Championship in the intra-collegiate contest Kalakiran, while Loyola College won the Overall Championship in inter-collegiate cultural festival Chainika.

The Kael Theatre group presented a skit on mental resilience among the youth, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being, perseverance, and hope in overcoming life’s challenges.

Rajalakshmi, managing director of Revathi Stores, encouraged young women to pursue education with confidence and determination. She also urged students to believe in their abilities and prepare themselves to take up leadership roles in society.

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 7 - Rs 107.77

August 6 - Rs 107.77

August 5 - Rs 107.77

August 4 - Rs 107.77

August 3 - Rs 107.77

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

August 7 - Rs 99.55

August 6 - Rs 99.55

August 5 - Rs 99.55

August 4 - Rs 99.55

August 3 - Rs 99.55

For Madras Inherited, walking is a way of connecting people with Chennai's layered history.

The organisation began by documenting and conducting heritage walks through the historic houses of Mylapore before gradually expanding to neighbourhoods across the city.

"Walking for pleasure is a unique experience. Walking allows you to observe significant, often overlooked details, even on familiar paths. It fosters a connection with your surroundings, encourages pauses at intriguing spots, enables you to absorb the city's essence and, ultimately, helps you perceive it in a new light," says Ashmitha Athreya, head of operations, trustee and lead storyteller at Madras Inherited.

"Our heritage walks are meticulously researched and curated, involving extensive site reconnaissance visits before and after each walk. We ensure that everyone on the walk connects with the area and its history, whether they are first-time visitors or long-time residents," she says. Interestingly, Ashmitha believes the growing popularity of heritage walks has less to do with nostalgia than with the simple act of walking itself.

That experience resonated with participant Tharun Bathini, who says joining the walks completely changed the way he viewed Chennai. "Earlier, I only knew Chennai through a few famous landmarks. The walks helped me realise that every neighbourhood has its own history and identity. Now, whenever someone says Chennai is boring, I feel they probably haven't explored it enough," says Tharun.

If heritage walks invite participants to look into Chennai's past, photo walks encourage them to appreciate its present. Communities like The Chennai Photo Walk have transformed weekend photography into a shared experience where observation matters as much as the final photograph.

According to the core team, Naveen Kumar, Ramaswamy Nallaperumal and GV Balasubramanian, the walks are designed to be accessible and inclusive, creating opportunities for participants to learn from one another while exploring different neighbourhoods through a fresh perspective. The team believes the walks are less about taking the perfect picture and more about encouraging people to step outside, meet strangers who share similar interests and see familiar streets with fresh eyes.

"People often assume these walks are only for photographers, but we've always wanted them to be open to everyone," says the team. "We have people from different professions, different age groups and different levels of experience. What brings everyone together is curiosity."

The organisers say every route is carefully chosen. Sometimes the location dictates the theme; at other times, the season, festivals or changing light inspire the walk.

The walks attract an unusually diverse crowd. "Many IT professionals come here to unwind from their stressful jobs. One day a week, they want to spend time for themselves and their art," says Naveen.

For Brij Mohan, a member of The Chennai Photo Walk, the experience has been as much about people as photographs. The informal conversations that happen during the walks, he says, are often as memorable as the photographs themselves.

Another member, Om Gupta, echoes that sentiment, adding that the walks have helped him slow down and notice everyday moments that usually go unnoticed. Instead of rushing through the city, he now finds himself observing people, architecture and fleeting interactions that make each neighbourhood unique.

The community aspect is something participant Amruthavarshini values deeply. She says the walks have helped her appreciate Chennai's beauty beyond its familiar landmarks, making her realise that every street has its own character if one takes the time to observe it.

If one community teaches people to understand Chennai's history and another encourages them to observe its everyday life, Madras Frames asks participants to document it from their own perspective.

Mokesh Kumar from Madras Frames says the initiative started with just seven people who came together for a casual walk in Mylapore. What began as a small gathering has since evolved into a thriving community where anywhere between 75 and 100 participants join a walk.

Rather than following a single route together, Madras Frames divides participants into smaller groups and encourages them to explore independently before regrouping to discuss the stories behind their photographs.

"The photograph is only one part of the experience," says Mokesh. "When everyone comes back together, they share why they made a picture, what caught their attention and how they interpreted the same place differently. That's where conversations begin."

He adds that the organisation deliberately nurtures volunteers into leaders, ensuring that the community continues to grow collectively rather than depending solely on its founders.

One of the members Vaish says, "You get to meet new faces every single week and people who share similar perspectives. Walking slowly, observing and appreciating the beauty of little things around you brings mindfulness. You feel Chennai is yours. Walks give you a reason to explore your own city like a stranger or traveller."

"From art and craft to poetry, the streets are full of beauty and subjects. The biggest evolution is that people come here to learn, explore and connect. Our vision is for Madras Frames to become Chennai's walking memory. If Madras Frames can make people fall in love with their own city, that's the win," Vaish adds.

Participant Kumaraguru says the walks have introduced him to people he would otherwise never have met. "Many strangers from hobbyists and IT professionals to startup founders, photographers and other professional have become good connections through shared learning and future projects," he says, adding that documenting Chennai through different perspectives allows every participant to contribute to a larger visual memory of the city.

“She was awaiting her son’s return. It was really hard for her to be away from him. Her last night, she slept beside him as he caressed her to sleep,” says her husband KN Narayanan tearfully. The sacrifices seem to be paying off. Now 11, KN Aswin, was part of the Minerva Academy team that bagged two international trophies within a span of a week last month.

Minerva defeated Brazilian club RS Sports Yellow in the Gothia Cup Boys 12 final in Gothenburg on July 18, which came on the back of another trophy when they won the Helsinki Cup on July 11, defeating the Finnish team to which it had lost in the group stage.

The little champ from Chennai has been training in Mohali, Punjab, since he was picked up by Minerva Academy at a young age of 7. When we met the boy last week, his first visit home to meet his father after nearly a year, he had few words to speak, but he showed us his remarkable skills with the ball.

Narayanan is a fruit seller who sells seasonal fruits, and picks up whatever job that comes his way during other times. He has been supporting him through his football journey since Aswin was perhaps two years old. “I used to bring him to this nearby ground because I liked playing football. Slowly, we realised that Aswin is into the sport and I took him to Mount Football Club in St Thomas Mount.”

Within a few years, Aswin was scouted by Minerva Academy, the only one from the southern states in that cohort of selections.

“It was her dream to see her son reach these heights, and he is doing it much earlier than we expected,” says the father, full of pride. Mangalam was undergoing dialysis at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital when she succumbed to her ailment. Aswin was scheduled to leave for Punjab in the next three days, which got postponed.

Sending him hundreds of miles away at 7 was a difficult task for both Mangalam and Narayanan. It was his coach at the Mount Football Club, Lokesh, who helped him to do so.

Since he left for Punjab, most of Aswin’s childhood has been spent with the ball. The sport consumes all of his day. He is allowed to use the phone only once a week, when he calls his family back home. “It’s only that day when we can speak to him. When his mother was there, he spent all his time speaking to her. Even now, while hanging up, he’ll say, ‘tell amma I ate, I’m fine here’,” says the father.

According to him, Aswin’s dream is to realise what his mother wanted for him: To be great at the sport. And the boy is clearly not leaving any stone unturned to reach that goal.

“At the academy, we begin practice at 5 am, and then it goes on till 6 in the night divided into four sessions,” says Aswin. They attend classes for two hours a day, and the rest of the hours are spent footballing.

Aswin’s initial few years in Mohali were hard. One, he did not know the language, and two, there was no one accompanying him from Tamil Nadu. “He used to feel isolated; sometimes he’d sit on the ground and cry. It’s his coaches there who motivated and kept him afloat,” says Narayanan. Now, Aswin is well-versed in Hindi, and has found his mates and a space there.

“The coaches have been very helpful. While I can only speak to my son once a week, if I miss him a lot, I would call the coach. They reassure me,” says the father.

Aswin, whose inspiration is Brazilian footballer Neymar, says all he wants is to represent India at the global stage. That is the same dream that Narayanan has, and Mangalam had. The boy of few words doesn’t look like one who would let them down.

The latest episode was reported Wednesday evening, when residents from Kelambakkam, Thaiyur, Siruseri, Navalur and Thalambur again complained of the pungent smell. The odour was first noticed around 8.20 pm and spread nearly 10-12 km before rain later that evening helped dissipate it.

“Had it not rained, we believe it would have continued for a longer time and spread further,” said Harsha Koda, co-founder of FOMRRA.

The issue comes weeks after Tiruporur MLA Vijayaraj told DT Next that he was dissatisfied with the TNPCB’s preliminary inspection on July 15-16 and had sought a detailed report before deciding on further action.

Residents argued that emissions travelling such distances were unlikely to originate from a small local source. They continue to suspect industries in the Alathur SIDCO Pharmaceutical Industrial Estate. “It has been nearly 20 days since we first reported the issue and the media highlighted it. At least tell us what has been done. There has to be someone accountable,” fumed Arul, a Siruseri resident. “We’re experiencing throat burn and eye irritation. Our kids will suffer in the long run if the situation continues like this.”

Alarmingly, the TNPCB is yet to identify the source. “The source has still not been identified. We’ve not pinpointed any company,” MLA Vijayaraj said. “I’m still waiting for the board’s detailed report.”

Adding that he had sought fresh reports from the TNPCB and the Industrial Safety Department rather than rely on earlier compliance reports, he said that TNPCB officials had told him that although odour complaints were received in previous years, the nature of odour in the present complaints appeared different.

Prabhuvel, a Thaiyur resident, said that the smell was usually noticed between 7 pm and 9 pm, with the odour reportedly reaching as far as Navalur. Prakash, a resident of the L&T complex in Siruseri, said a similar problem had surfaced about three years ago, easing for nearly two years before recurring now.

“South-facing apartments were among the worst affected, residents are reporting eye irritation and throat discomfort,” he added.

Repeated attempts by DT Next to obtain the TNPCB’s explanation on the inspection findings did not yield a response.

Complainants lamented the inconvenience and additional expenses they face when visiting the station.

The Cyber Crime Branch Police Station, along with the Airport Police Station and the Assistant Commissioner of Police's office, is located on the Chennai airport campus.

While the airport police station handles aviation-related cases, the cyber crime unit receives complainants from across South Chennai, including police station limits such as Adyar, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Ashok Nagar, Vadapalani, Virugambakkam, Velachery, Madipakkam, Alandur, Adambakkam and Meenambakkam.

With cyber fraud cases increasing across Chennai, the police station receives around 4050 complainants every day. Many arrive in cars, often with family members or legal representatives, and make enquiries frequently.

However, since the police station is located inside the airport campus, visitors are required to pay parking charges at the airport toll plaza while exiting. Visitors argue that although collecting parking fees from passengers and visitors is justified, the same should not apply to people visiting a government police station that happens to be inside the airport premises.

Another major concern is the lack of a photocopy facility inside the airport campus.

“During investigations, police often ask us to submit photocopies of documents and identity proofs. Since no photocopy shop is available within the premises, we have to get out of the airport to get the copies before returning to the police station,” lamented a visitor. “This forces us to cross the airport toll plaza twice, and we have to pay parking charges again.”

People handling cyber crime cases have urged the airport authorities to exempt vehicles visiting the Cyber Crime police station from airport parking charges or create a separate access route for the station. They have also requested that a photocopy facility be established within the airport campus to avoid unnecessary travel during investigations.

Residents and legal representatives have further pointed out that the Cyber Crime Branch police station functioned from the Guindy Police Station campus until about a year ago, where such issues did not exist. “Earlier location was centrally accessible for anyone from across South Chennai and did not involve airport toll charges or the absence of document services,” another visitor pointed out.

They have now appealed to the Chennai City Police to shift the police station back to the Guindy campus, or relocate it to the South Chennai Joint Commissioner's Office at St Thomas Mount, which would improve public access and reduce the burden on complainants.

In Thoppai Vinayagar Street, Ezhil Nagar A Block, with 18 streets, name boards are missing on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Streets. The 14th Street name board has been covered with posters, making the street name unreadable. Some name boards are also completely missing on the 16th, 17th and 18th Streets.

In Kamarajar Salai, Ezhil Nagar B Block (12 streets), the name boards on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th Streets have been covered with posters. The name board of 8th Street has been damaged, while the 11th and 12th Street boards are completely concealed by posters.

In Anna Salai, Annai Sathya Nagar, the name boards on the 3rd and 5th Streets in Ezhil Nagar B Block have been covered with stickers. The name board of 4th Street has been damaged, while the 10th Street board is completely hidden behind garbage bags.

In Periyar Salai, Annai Sathya Nagar, which has seven streets, the name boards on the 2nd and 7th Streets have been covered with posters, obscuring the lettering and making them difficult to read. The street name board on MGR Nagar 9th Street has been completely removed, making it difficult for the public to identify the street.

A resident of Ezhil Nagar B Block, Arumugam, said, “Since there are many streets in this locality, newcomers find it difficult to identify the correct street. Several street name boards are damaged, while others have been covered with posters, making the names unreadable. This situation has continued for the past one year.”

Another resident, Kalidoss of Ezhil Nagar A Block, said, “Some street name boards were removed during the stormwater drain works carried out in the area. Although a few were reinstalled later, several are damaged, as they were not fixed properly.”

Officials of the Greater Chennai Corporation told DT Next, “There are no funds available for replacing the damaged street name boards. Repair and replacement works can be taken up only after funds are sanctioned. Once the required allocation is received, all damaged and missing street name boards in the area will be replaced with new ones.”

However, ongoing work on Ekkaduthangal Road in the south phase of the SIDCO Industrial Estate, Guindy, has instead resulted in severe, foul-smelling sewage overflowing directly onto the roadway.

Hundreds of commuters, including IT professionals, industrial employees, and pedestrians, have been forced to wade through sewage on Ekkaduthangal Road for over a week. Affected commuters are urging officials from the departments concerned to take immediate action.

LM Jaiganesh, who works at the SIDCO Industrial Estate, alleged that sewage is being illegally connected to the stormwater drain network, causing it to spew onto the street.

Echoing his concerns was E Sangeetha, an IT professional, who said, "Overflowing sewage poses a serious health hazard to pedestrians. Because stormwater drain construction is under way, sewage has been diverted onto the road. Increased mosquito breeding and waterborne diseases could soon impact the public."

Assuring steps will be taken to disconnect illegal sewage lines entering the SWD, GCC said Metro Board must ensure unauthorised connections are curbed

Affected workers and commuters are demanding that GCC and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) officials inspect the stretch urgently. They have requested immediate action to disconnect unauthorised sewage inlets, repair leaks, and execute proper desilting so that monsoon preparedness efforts do not turn into a permanent sanitation crisis.

Responding to the issue, a GCC official said, "Steps will be taken to disconnect illegal sewage lines entering the SWD. Additionally, CMWSSB officials must ensure commercial and household drain pipes are leak-free and curb unauthorised connections."