Metro trains will operate from 5 am to 11 pm on the festival day.

During the morning and evening periods, trains will be operated at intervals of ten minutes between 5 am and noon and again between 8 pm and 10 pm.

From noon to 8 pm, the trains will be available at a frequency of every seven minutes to cater to passenger demand.

During the final hour of operations, from 10 pm to 11 pm, the trains will run at intervals of 15 minutes.

Inspired by bird flight, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT,M) have developed a novel "morphing skin" concept that could fundamentally change how aircraft handle one of aviation's most critical risks, aerodynamic stall.

The research was led by Dr Rinku Mukherjee from IIT Madras who worked on the numerical code with Antony Samuel B, an IIT Madras alumnus, and on wind tunnel experiments and implementation with Dr Aritras Roy, also an IIT Madras alumnus.

This novel adaptive "external skin" dynamically reshapes in real time to prevent airflow separation, enhance lift, reduce drag and improve aircraft safety and fuel efficiency.

An aerodynamic stall happens when airflow separates from a wing, causing a sudden loss of lift and increased drag, which means that the aircraft is not generating sufficient lift to support its own weight and hence it begins to drop instead of staying airborne.

This study demonstrates a simple yet powerful innovation. An additional flexible wing assembly attachment dynamically reshapes itself as airflow begins to detach.

Instead of allowing the airflow to separate (which causes a stall and sudden loss of lift), this adaptive external skin aligns with the flow, keeping it attached and stabilising the aircraft even at higher tilt angles.

One immediate application is in commercial aviation, where the technology could enable safer take-offs and landings, particularly at busy or short runways, by allowing aircraft to operate efficiently across a wider range of flight conditions.

The system's ability to enhance lift while limiting drag also translates directly into fuel savings and reduced emissions, aligning with the aviation industry's push toward sustainability.

The findings were published in European Journal of Mechanics - B/Fluids (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euromechflu.2025.204348), a peer-reviewed Elsevier journal that publishes theoretical, computational and experimental research across all areas of fluid mechanics.

The paper was co-authored by Dr Aritras Roy and Dr Rinku Mukherjee.

Elaborating, Dr Mukherjee, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras, told PTI, "Our research taps into a universal curiosity in that birds rarely "stall," yet aircraft, despite being inspired by them, still do."

The team bridged this gap by mimicking nature's adaptability using engineering and smart materials. This system combines predictive computational models with real-world wind tunnel validation, and even integrates Macro Fibre Composite (MFC) strips that can sense and actuate shape changes in real time, Mukherjee added.

Mukherjee further said: "When a flight takes off, it always tilts itself to generate additional force to lift the airplane from the ground into the air. Sometimes the tilt can also happen due to some adverse flying conditions. In such conditions, the external skin (wing assembly attachment) tilts itself to a safe degree which continues to generate additional lifting force that keeps the airplane in air and/or prevents accidents."

Early results are striking. The morphing skin not only prevents flow separation but also enhances lift while minimising drag -- opening the door to safer flights and improved fuel efficiency.

Crucially, the device works even beyond conventional operating limits, potentially offering pilots greater control in adverse conditions such as turbulence, bird proximity, or mechanical disturbances.

Sharing the current status of this research and possible timelines for real world applications, Rinku Mukherjee added, "This research is more than 20 years old where we have taken a concept to study separated flow and converted it into a physical device to actually control flight properties in real-time. We have experimentally validated the concept and also tested test cases and patented the same. Hence, we are ready to implement this in real aircrafts in real-time flight conditions as we speak."

Beyond improving stall resistance, the research points to several high-impact real-world applications across aviation and allied sectors.

The morphing skin concept, tested on a 3D wing with a standard (NACA 4415) airfoil configuration, demonstrates the ability to dynamically alter airflow characteristics without complex mechanical systems, making it highly attractive for next-generation aircraft design.

The innovation also holds promise for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones, where adaptive wings could significantly improve endurance, manoeuvrability, and payload efficiency.

Since the design avoids heavy actuators and relies on passive or semi-active deformation, it is particularly suited for smaller aircraft platforms where weight and energy constraints are critical. the research team said.

In defence and high-performance aviation, the technology could offer improved control during extreme manoeuvres, turbulence or combat scenarios, where maintaining stable airflow over wings is crucial. The ability to adapt wing behaviour in real time could enhance both survivability and mission performance.

The relatively simple add-on nature of the external skin opens up possibilities for retrofitting existing aircraft, reducing the barrier to adoption, they added.

Instead of redesigning entire wings, manufacturers could integrate morphing surfaces to upgrade performance, making this innovation not just futuristic, but potentially scalable and industry-ready.

In August, around 4,500 people reported fever symptoms, of whom 160 were diagnosed with dengue. In the last 10 days alone, more than 2,000 people have reported fever across the city and suburbs.

Of these, dengue has been confirmed in 140 cases, indicating a slight rise in the proportion of dengue infections.

A higher number of fever cases has been reported from areas falling under the Adyar, Anna Nagar and Valasaravakkam zones.

Doctors' advice to people

Doctors said viruses including Influenza A, Rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are currently circulating in the city. They cautioned that viral fever can spread quickly within households, with multiple members becoming infected when one person falls ill.

People developing fever have been advised to consult a doctor and seek appropriate treatment rather than self-medicate.

Doctors have also stressed the need for preventive measures to control mosquito breeding and reduce the risk of dengue transmission. Residents have been urged to keep their surroundings clean and ensure that water does not stagnate in and around homes.

They also advised people to regularly clear garbage and waste from houses, buildings and nearby areas, stressing that maintaining a clean environment is crucial to preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

Built by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at a cost of approximately Rs 22.88 crore, the facility aims to improve passenger convenience and streamline vehicle movement outside Terminal 1.

The project was launched in September 2023 and was originally scheduled to become operational by October 2024. However, delays in execution kept the facility unopened for nearly two years beyond the scheduled date.

Located around 30 metres in front of Terminal 1, the plaza will allow arriving passengers to directly reach their hired taxis and other pickup vehicles instead of walking long distances to find them. The facility has three dedicated traffic lanes, each about seven metres wide. Lanes A and B will be used by vehicles picking up passengers and exiting the airport, while Lane C will serve as an exit route. U-turn points have also been provided to facilitate smoother vehicle movement.

The two pickup lanes can accommodate around 28 vehicles at a time. Initially, Uber, Ola, Rapido, FastTrack, Red Taxi, WTi and Pre-paid Taxi will be permitted to use the facility. Airport authorities may later allow other yellow-board commercial vehicles once the new system is implemented smoothly.

The plaza’s waiting area can accommodate around 150 passengers and has seating and drinking water facilities. Flight arrival and departure information will also be displayed or announced.

The inauguration was earlier scheduled for September 12, when the minister was expected to attend in person, but the programme was cancelled. The opening of the facility is expected to improve traffic management at Chennai airport and address the long-standing demand for a dedicated passenger pickup area.

Pichwai paintings, traditionally created to depict festivals and celebrations around the deity Shrinathji, have today found a place in homes, galleries and contemporary art spaces.

Artist Yugdeepak Soni, who has been practising the art form for years, brings his interpretation of this centuries-old tradition to Chennai with his latest exhibition.

“Pichwai originated around 400 years ago in Nathdwara. Traditionally, it was a temple hanging. The paintings were made to depict different festivals and occasions and were placed behind Shrinathji, a form of Lord Krishna depicted as an eight-year-old child. The idea was that whatever celebration was happening outside, it should also be brought inside the temple for him. So, artists started depicting these occasions in paintings and hanging them inside the temple,” he adds.

What started as temple art gradually became a form practised by different artists and communities. Artists began experimenting with its motifs, techniques and materials, while keeping its traditional elements.

Today, Pichwai can be seen in homes and art spaces across the world. Its motifs have also found their way into contemporary art, interiors and design.

Yugdeepak’s paintings draw from Indian classical poetry, literature and mythology. He works with materials such as old paper, muslin and silk, using mineral, metallic and organic pigments. He is also trained in Mughal and Rajput painting styles and the Nathadwara Qalam style of Pichwai.

This is his fourth exhibition in Chennai.

“The horizon has opened up for Pichwai paintings. Now, you can see Pichwai motifs in almost every kind of artwork and design,” he says.

Yugdeepak says the response in Chennai has been encouraging.

“It is considered a sacred form of art, but it is also a very liberal form. The detailing and traditional methods used in Pichwai add to its appeal. Chennai’s architects and interior designers have also been using its motifs in new and innovative ways. People here have always been encouraging. The motifs, techniques and methods of Pichwai are very connecting, so it easily connects with people,” concludes the artist.

The exhibition titled Shri Pichwai is on view till October 30 at Forum Art Gallery, Adyar.

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:

September 12- Rs 107.77

September 11- Rs 107.77

September 10- Rs 107.77

September 9- Rs 107.77

September 8- Rs 107.77

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

September 12 - Rs 99.55

September 11 - Rs 99.55

September 10 - Rs 99.55

September 9 - Rs 99.55

September 8 - Rs 99.55

In Kodungaiyur, more than 50 residents, including men and women from Kannadasan Nagar Blocks 5, 6 and 7 and nearby areas, staged a road blockade at the Meenambal Salai junction with empty pots, alleging inaction by Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board officials (CMWSSB).

Residents said they had informed CMWSSB officials of the disruption by visiting the office and calling them. However, they alleged that no action had been taken to restore the supply.

Kodungaiyur police reached the spot and spoke to protesters, who continued their protest by sitting on the road. Metro Water officials later arrived and assured them that arrangements would be made to restore the water supply soon. The protesters dispersed following the assurance. Traffic in the area was affected for about half an hour.

In a similar protest, more than 30 residents of Puthu Nagar in MKB Nagar demonstrated on North Central Cross Road, alleging that their locality had also gone without drinking water for six days. They alleged that despite informing Water Board officials about the shortage, no steps had been taken to restore supply. MKB Nagar police held talks with the residents, after which they withdrew the protest and dispersed.

What started as a home roasting experiment during the pandemic has now grown into a speciality coffee roastery and cafe where coffee and music come together.

For Anek Ahuja and his wife Kathryn Ahuja, the journey began when they struggled to find good coffee during the lockdown.

With cafés shut and limited options for freshly roasted coffee, the couple decided to try roasting beans at home. “We were not able to get good coffee delivered and the only option we seemed to have was filter coffee. We both love coffee, so we started researching and eventually found a roasting machine. That is how it began,” says Anek, who also runs the design agency Whoa Mama.

The couple began experimenting with different beans and soon got in touch with farmers in Chikmagalur. As they learned more about coffee, they started connecting with producers across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Kathryn, who is the head roaster, also took a coffee roasting course in the US.

The couple also looks for beans that are not easily available elsewhere, with some farmers offering particular varieties exclusively to them. “We enjoy discovering beans that people may not have tried before and bringing them to the Chennai audience,” adds Anek.

For the couple, knowing where the coffee comes from is as important as what reaches the cup.

“We take the time and effort to buy high-quality coffee beans. We get good green coffee and you get to drink the best coffee we can offer. It is important for us to know where our coffee comes from and the people involved in the process,” he says.

Last year, Kat and Kin Coffee Roasters opened its space in Neelankarai. Soon, music became another part of the space.

What began with a stand-up comedy show turned into regular Saturday morning performances.

The café has now hosted more than 25 shows, with bands and musicians performing on most Saturdays.

“A lot of people told us that a Saturday morning event would be difficult, but we found that it actually works. For many bands, it is easier to perform in the morning. People can come, have a good cup of coffee, listen to music and enjoy the space,” shares Anek, who is also a musician.

The events have also helped build a community around the café, bringing together people who come for the music, the coffee or simply the atmosphere. “We are about coffee, music and bringing people together. There is a sense of community building along with everything we do,” he adds.

Rampant encroachment on the GST road in Guduvanchery, along the Chennai-Tiruchy National Highway, has become routine, with two-wheelers and goods vehicles parked within the road margins.

Shops and roadside vendors on both sides of the GST Road, along with customers' vehicles, occupy a considerable portion of the roadside space. As a result, pedestrians are finding it difficult to walk along the road, particularly during the morning and evening peak hours.

School students who travel by bicycle are among those facing the greatest difficulty. With the roadside space occupied by parked vehicles and shops, students are often forced to cycle closer to the main carriageway, increasing the risk of accidents.

With roadside food stalls and eateries attracting large crowds during the evening and night, the pedestrian space is further reduced, and the traffic flow is obstructed.

Andrew, a resident of Tambaram, said, "We repeatedly brought the issue to the attention of the Highways Department and have requested that the encroachments along the National Highway be removed. However, the Highways Department, municipality and the police have been passing responsibility among themselves.

Residents said that shop owners and customers often leave their vehicles along the roadside for several hours, further worsening the situation

The lack of designated parking facilities in Guduvanchery is also cited as a major reason for vehicles being parked along the road. Residents said that shop owners and customers often leave their vehicles along the roadside for several hours, further worsening the situation.

Residents urged the municipality, Highways Department and traffic police to jointly identify the encroachments and make alternative parking arrangements to ensure safe movement for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Municipality officials, meanwhile, noted the Highways Department is responsible for removing encroachments along the road.

It is to be noted that the state government had earlier used water from these quarries in 2017, as Chembarambakkam lake completely dried up.

In total, there are 23 stone quarry pits at Sikkarayapuram, with each pit more than 300 to 400 feet deep; rainwater has accumulated fully in them, forming large water reservoirs.

In 2017, during the AIADMK regime, when Chembarambakkam lake had completely dried up, water was pumped from these quarries using giant electric motors and pipelines to the treatment plant at Chembarambakkam to meet the city's drinking water requirements.

Until 2019, water from these quarries was treated and supplied as drinking water to Chennai residents. Subsequently, as Chembarambakkam lake had sufficient water, only limited quantities were occasionally drawn from the quarries.

At present, Chembarambakkam lake level has fallen below 16 feet, and rainfall is expected to decline in the coming months.

Thus, Public Works Department officials are carrying out trial operations to pump water again from these quarries to the treatment plant for Chennai residents.

For this purpose, a floating giant motor has been installed in a quarry pit at Sikkarayapuram and officials are conducting trial operations.

As several years have passed since water was last drawn from the quarries, Public Works Department officials are undertaking the trial to check whether the pipelines carrying water have suffered any damage.

It is noteworthy that, with the water level in Chembarambakkam lake continuing to fall and rainfall expected to decline, Public Works Department officials have decided to supply drinking water to Chennai residents from the Sikkarayapuram quarries.

At Kargil Nagar lake in Tiruvottiyur, he inspected the readiness of a water collection tank.

In Manali, he inspected the Puzhal surplus water confluence point near Jothi Nagar Bridge in Sadayankuppam, Kosasthalaiyar river stretch from RL Nagar to Sadaiyankuppam, and the Burma Nagar bridge area where surplus water from Puzhal joins the river.

Minister Ramesh directed officials to expedite desilting of lakes, ponds and canals, remove water hyacinth and blockages, repair and strengthen damaged retaining walls, and also hasten ongoing storm water drain works.

Meanwhile, GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran inspected Madhavaram and Manali zones.

He reviewed the ongoing construction of a SWD along the Madhavaram-Red Hills Road and desilting work in the Puzhal surplus water canal.

He also inspected the point near the Third Main Road of Sri Balaji Nagar where the surplus water canal from Ambattur and Korattur lakes joins the drainage network.

In Manali, he visited the Puzhal surplus water canal near the CPCL Bottle Bridge and Amullavoyal Bridge, and directed officials to remove water hyacinth and vegetation and undertake desilting works.

A subsequent government order identified the site as Foreshore Estate, once occupied by government servants in a Housing Board colony.

Now awaiting clearance from the CMDA, the move has triggered strong opposition from several quarters. While few dispute that the present Secretariat inside Fort St George has become overcrowded and unmanageable, planning the new administrative complex along the narrow, congested stretch of Santhome High Road a predominantly residential zone packed with educational institutions and places of worship raises severe concerns.

Constructing government offices and sensitive establishments along the coastal route has always given rise to several problems. The present Madras High Court building, constructed and completed in 1910, made a small mistake in planning by locating the lighthouse on top of it simply because it faced the north beach. Within four years, in 1914, the building was targeted by the German warship Emden. A shell fell near the gate, where a small monument stands today in its memory. Afraid of further attacks, the High Court was shifted to two places Coimbatore and Cuddapah. After a few months of exile, it was brought back. At that time, due to the shelling, half of Madras city was evacuated due to safety concerns. Both old lighthouses have now become heritage sites, and the new lighthouse was constructed far away from the High Court and Secretariat, closer to the fishermen hamlets.

Years went by, yet people did not realise the danger of living near coastal areas. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to meet the Chinese Prime Minister at Mahabalipuram, it was planned to house both of them in a five-star hotel near Kovalam. However, Chinese security experts refused to clear the location because the hotel was very close to the coast and could easily be targeted by enemy warships. The Chinese Prime Minister stayed in a hotel near Guindy and attended the meet. If what was risky for a foreign leader posed such a threat, why is the present government, without any concept of security, planning to locate the headquarters of the entire Tamil Nadu state within 500 metres of the coast?

Besides security concerns, there are other issues in and around the proposed location of the Secretariat complex. Initially, the Housing Board built apartment complexes and rented them out to government servants working in the Secretariat and Ezhilagam complex on the beach road so that access to their workplace would be easy. However, over time, due to lack of maintenance, the buildings deteriorated, leading to eviction of the occupants and sparking several litigations. To evict the defiant tenants, the Housing Board cut electricity and water supply to the quarters. The forcibly evicted government employees sought assurances for rehabilitation in the same place due to its locational advantage, and the then government gave assurances that whenever new complexes were constructed, they would be relocated. The present attempt to construct offices instead of living quarters has once again angered them over the failed promise.

The sensitive nature of the coast is difficult for any layperson to understand. In November 1966, due to a heavy storm, a Liberian merchant ship (SS Stamatis) ran aground near the mouth of the Cooum river. The owners did not remove the remaining parts of the vessel and left its submerged portion in the very same area. Much later, on the southern side near Nochikuppam, when sea erosion entered the land area, a substantial portion of the beach was washed away, leading to the dumping of stone boulders along the coast to stop further encroachment. At that time, experts pointed out that this sea erosion was caused by the remains of the ship altering the course of the waves.

In November 1985, when MGR was Chief Minister, an attempt was made to clear the Marina beach, which was strewn with catamarans and fishing nets. Someone who thought of beautifying the city wanted to remove these, which were the sole source of livelihood for hundreds of fishermen living in hamlets (kuppams) along the coast. The police swooped in one night, removed all catamarans and possessions, and dumped them somewhere in western Madras. The aggrieved fishermen protested, which was met by police firing in which seven fishermen were killed. Even today, the fisherfolk observe a remembrance day for those killed and cherish their memory.

Later, when a case was filed, the Madras High Court dismissed it. However, the Supreme Court came to their rescue and ordered the restoration of their fishing equipment and catamarans to Marina beach. During the hearing, the three-judge Bench asked the Tamil Nadu counsel only one question: "You came first or they came first?" It meant that present-day Chennai city was essentially a cluster of fishermen hamlets, and the first to arrive were the fishermen, not present-day Chennaites. This should make urban planners realise that whenever any plan is conceived along the coast, they should not disturb the original inhabitants of this city, which has just celebrated its 387th year.

Clearing fishermen's huts from various kuppams and relocating them in tenements built by the TN Slum Clearance Board did not solve the issue of their livelihood, which cannot be far from their boats and nets dried on the beach. After the narrowing of the beach near the Santhome side, the government attempted to lay a loop road parallel to Santhome High Road, which faces perennial traffic congestion due to educational institutions and places of worship. The government originally thought it would serve as a bypass without realising that it would harm fishermen crossing the road to reach the sea and sell their fresh catch along the beach.

Therefore, the government came up with a new idea in 2016 to construct an elevated highway connecting the new lighthouse to Tiruvanmiyur across the Adyar River and over the Loop Road. However, such a high-rise construction would attract Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules as it comes within the prohibited distance from the high-tide line. Consumer action groups also highlighted environmental hazards, such as blocking the beach, affecting fishermen's livelihoods, and disturbing turtles coming to the coast to lay eggs.

The government gave up that idea. However, during another litigation in 2020, the court suggested coming up with a proposal to link Foreshore Estate with Tiruvanmiyur across the Adyar as a parallel traffic route. No such ideas were pursued, knowing the difficulties involved. Given the lack of an alternative road to reach the proposed Foreshore Estate complex, what will be the additional traffic load? It is estimated that there will be a daily footfall of one lakh people if the Secretariat and Assembly are located here, including permanent employees, support staff, and the public.

The nearest MRTS station (Mandaveli) is roughly 1.5 kms from the complex, while the proposed Metro station near Janaki MGR College is around 2 kms away. There is no possibility of increasing bus routes along Santhome High Road, which is the sole road link between south and north. In contrast, the present Secretariat inside Fort St George has a railway link running along its outer wall, with a suburban electric station connecting to all directions. Around one lakh people use the Fort railway station daily, and on the front side, Kamaraj Salai (South Beach Road) is an eight-lane highway linking south and north. Therefore, merely locating an office complex without providing sufficient transport facilities for employees and the public is no solution.

One cannot forget the 2004 tsunami when the ferocious sea entered almost 2 to 3 kms inland. The present location, which housed government servants at the time, was completely marooned, and water reached up to Mandaveli bus stand, making the area accessible only by boats operated by fishermen. The entire hamlet of Srinivasapuram was washed away, necessitating its reconstruction. It is said that tsunamis occur roughly once in 60 years, and any planning near the coast must keep natural fury in mind.

The present location is essentially a wetland forming part of the Adyar Estuary and backwaters flowing behind Srinivasapuram, adjacent to Quibble Island cemetery, and passing through South Canal Road to Mandaveli bus stand. Lands along Santhome High Road starting from Andhra Mahila Sabha up to Foreshore Estate are in an ecologically fragile zone where normally no construction should be permitted. However, over the years, construction continued until a memorial for Ambedkar was conceived at one end. The project, which was to include a library and wedding hall, was opposed on the grounds that no such construction should be permitted in an area abutting the backwaters of the Adyar.

A case was filed by a consumer action group, and the Madras High Court ordered a halt to all construction except the memorial itself. The High Court issued the following directions in 1994:

(ii) Respondents 1 to 6 are directed to remove the sands spread on the western side of the said five-acre plot and restore the said area to its original position. It is open to the sixth respondent to retain the sand spread on the eastern side of the five-acre plot up to an extent indicated by the boundaries in Clause (i) above.

(iii) Respondents 1 to 6 are restrained by an order of injunction from constructing an Auditorium or any other type of building other than what is permitted under Clause (i) above, in any place of Survey No. 4309 and its sub-divisions.

(iv) The entire low-lying wetland in Survey No. 4309 and its sub-divisions which are vested with the fourth respondent under G.O.Ms. No. 2186, Revenue, dated 16.10.1990 shall be maintained and preserved as low-lying wetlands. If at all any development is sought to be made by the respondents, it shall be only as per paragraph 7 of the counter-affidavit of the fourth respondent. They shall not permit or authorise construction of any type, be it an Office Complex or a Commercial Complex.

The official residence of the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, located just opposite the memorial, could not build an annexure in its available open space due to this restraint order, and it is maintained merely as a lawn and garden. That being the case, where is the question of building a 15-storey Secretariat complex with deep pile foundations that may destroy subterranean water flow, dry up the estuary and backwaters, and violate environmental safeguards?

There is yet another issue which the government never considered: the proposed 15-storey complex falls under the flight path used by aircraft arriving in the city from northern, north-western, southern, and eastern directions. A substantial number of aircraft, after entering the Bay of Bengal, reach the mouth of the Adyar River and fly over it up to Lok Bhavan and the Race Course before landing on the runway.

The proposed complex certainly falls within this flight path and violates the Height Restrictions for Safeguarding Aircraft Operations Rules 2015.

No construction or planting is allowed within a 20 km radius of an airport's Aerodrome Reference Point (ARP) without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), irrespective of height or structure type. This includes residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, communication towers, chimneys, antennas, and trees that could grow into flight paths. These rules apply across the country to maintain the safety of aircraft operations during key phases of flight.

In view of these environmental issues, threats to fisherfolk livelihoods, legal restraint orders, and aviation hazards, the government would be well advised to shift the project to a non-objectionable inland location. Otherwise, due to its deep foundations, the foreshore area will become an offshore casualty sooner or later.

—The writer is a former judge of the Madras High Court

He also chaired a meeting at Kilambakkam to review the arrangements and special bus operations planned for the upcoming Ayudha Pooja and Deepavali holiday periods.

Speaking to reporters, Nirmal Raj said that the review meeting was held as per the directions of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and advice of Chief Secretary to assess the arrangements for operating special buses during the upcoming Ayudha Pooja and Deepavali holidays.

He added that officials too inspected the special buses being operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertakings during the three-day Vinayaka Chaturthi holiday period and reviewed whether adequate bus facilities had been provided for passengers travelling to various destinations.

“Studies will be conducted on setting up temporary bus stands for Ayudha Pooja and Deepavali holidays and on identifying the locations from which special buses will be operated. The aim is to ensure smooth traffic movement without congestion and inconvenience to passengers,” he said. “Based on this, necessary measures would be taken and recommendations would be submitted to the Transport Minister and the Chief Secretary for taking appropriate decisions.”

Metropolitan Transport Corporation managing director VP Jayaseelan, Deputy Commissioner of Police K Prabhakar, State Express Transport Corporation managing director K Gunasekaran and senior transport officials were present.

As traffic on Pallavaram, Chromepet, Tambaram, Perungalathur, Kilambakkam and Singaperumal Koil crawled, motorists were stranded in serpentine queues.

Vehicle movement along the GST Road increased significantly since Friday night, when the exodus from Chennai started.

Congestion was particularly severe near Kilambakkam, where buses entering the terminus took longer to turn around.

Besides, a steady stream of passengers crossing the GST Road to enter the terminus further choked the traffic flow.

The traffic police and law-and-order personnel were deployed in Tambaram to regulate traffic and manage the rush.

The police were also stationed at key junctions to ease congestion. However, motorists cited the scant presence of police personnel on the ground as a contributing factor to the traffic chaos.

Meanwhile, Tambaram railway station witnessed a massive rush of workers from northern states and passengers from southern districts travelling to their hometowns for the festival.

A large number of passengers gathered at the station to board unreserved express trains, including the Antyodaya Express, bound for Nagercoil and Manamadurai.

Women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities struggled to board overcrowded trains. Some passengers were seen hanging from footboards.

Passengers complained that unlike during Deepavali and Pongal, adequate crowd management and security arrangements had not been made this time.

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Monday (September 14).

The study, which surveyed 260 residents in Vyasarpadi and Ramapuram between the last week of June and the first week of August 2026, highlighted the growing impact of prolonged heat exposure on the health and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

The economic impact was evident in the experience of Chinnayya, who has been running a tiffin shop in Ramapuram for 34 years. Prolonged exposure to heat while working near a stove, along with other difficulties, affected his health and forced him to shut his shop for more than two months. He spent around Rs 60,000 on treatment and estimated that he lost nearly Rs 3 lakh in income. For four months, he could operate his shop only at night.

In Vyasarpadi, 28.4% of workers said that they had lost at least one working day due to heat-related illness, with some reporting losses of up to six days. In Ramapuram, 16.9% reported losing working days, with some cases involving losses of up to 15 days.

Working conditions further increased workers’ vulnerability. In Vyasarpadi, 38.8% of workers said they had no shade at their workplace, while 44.8% said they did not get afternoon breaks. Another 37.3% reported that free drinking water was unavailable at their workplace.

The health burden was also significant. Nearly 94.7% of respondents in Vyasarpadi reported dehydration or excessive thirst in the previous 30 days, while 78.2% reported headaches and 68.4% exhaustion. Muscle cramps were reported by 57.1%, while 51.1% reported dizziness or fainting.

Heat-related hospitalisation was reported by 38.3% of households in Vyasarpadi during the previous 30 days, compared with 21.3% in Ramapuram.

For many informal workers, following official heat advisories is difficult as the recommendation to remain indoors and avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours conflicts with the need to earn a daily income.

The study also found gaps in awareness about heatwave preparedness. About 75.2% of respondents in Vyasarpadi said they did not know which government department to contact during a heat emergency.

Further, 73.7% said they had either not received heatwave warnings or did not know whether they had received them in May 2026.

Small businesses also reported losses during periods of extreme heat. Flower shop owner Indra said, “On some days, I purchase flowers worth Rs 1,500 but manage to sell only around Rs 500 worth of stock.”

Hot Chips shop owner Kumaresan said, “The heat between 10 am and noon makes it difficult to remain inside the shop, but closing the shop is not an option.”

The report called for shaded and ventilated rest spaces, free drinking water, compulsory rest breaks during extreme heat and compensation for heat-related loss of work. It also sought more public drinking water points, heat-resilient bus stops and better access to public toilets.

It recommended stronger heatwave communication through multilingual warnings, regular awareness campaigns and clear information on the government departments to be contacted during emergencies.

The study stressed that heat resilience measures should take into account the realities of informal workers, for whom staying indoors during peak heat hours could mean losing a day’s income.

Police recovered further Rs 42,000 worth counterfeit currency notes from her house.

The outlet manager, Siva became suspicious after she handed him a Rs 500 note after buying milk.

When he questioned her about the note, she allegedly tried to leave, following which he alerted the police.

Police detained Alamelu (46) for further questioning and later searched her house and seized counterfeit Rs 500 notes with a total face value of Rs 42,000.

She was arrested, produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody. During questioning, Alamelu allegedly claimed that she had found the notes in a garbage bin.

Police, however, said the currency appeared to have been kept ready for circulation and are investigating its source and whether others were involved.

Muthu (26), of Tirunelveli, on Saturday at around 3.30 am was transporting a load of jelly stones in a Taurus lorry from Uthiramerur towards Avadi via the Vandalur–Minjur Outer Ring Road.

Meanwhile, a container lorry was stationed on the road near Pattabiram. Failing to notice the stationary lorry, Muthu rammed into it with a loud crash.

The front portion of the Taurus lorry was completely crushed, and Muthu died on the spot.

The facility was initially scheduled to be inaugurated in person by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on September 12. However, the inauguration was postponed as he could not attend, and the minister will now inaugurate it via video conference at 11 am on Sunday.

Built by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to make it easier for arriving passengers to board hired vehicles, the plaza was originally scheduled to become operational by October 2024. Work began in September 2023.

Although construction was completed by January this year, the facility remained closed amid delays in obtaining clearances and scheduling the inauguration.

How will the Chennai Airport pick-up plaza help passengers?

Located around 30 metres in front of Terminal 1, the pick-up plaza will allow passengers to board vehicles without walking long distances or changing levels.

Currently, international passengers, who already spend considerable time clearing immigration, collecting baggage and completing customs formalities, also have to wait for battery-operated shuttle services to reach the multi-level car parking pick-up point. As a result, passengers say the process from landing to leaving the airport can take up to three hours.

What facilities will the Chennai Airport pick-up plaza offer?

The new pick-up facility has three seven-metre-wide lanes. Lanes A and B will be used for passenger pick-ups, while Lane C will serve as the exit lane. U-turn points have also been provided, and the two pick-up lanes can accommodate around 28 vehicles at a time.

Uber, Ola, Rapido, Fastrack, Red Taxi, WTi and prepaid taxis will initially be permitted to use the facility. Other yellow-board vehicles may be allowed later once the system is functioning smoothly.

The plaza also has seating for around 150 passengers, drinking water facilities and announcements on flight arrivals and departures.

Out of the 14,15,771 property owners assessed for property tax in the city, 8,12,539 have paid their dues without arrears, the GCC said. The deadline comes months after the Corporation’s special drive in July to improve property tax compliance and is grappling with a severe cash crunch. The GCC’s total bill liability for 2026-27 stands at Rs 3,434.72 crore. 

Corporation Commissioner GS Sameeran said, “Owners should clear their current and pending dues by September 30 and cooperate with the civic body’s essential service operations.” 

The civic body urged the property owners to use its website, mobile application, WhatsApp payment link, QR code on property tax receipts and the WhatsApp chatbot at 9445161913 to make payments.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,13,360 per sovereign and Rs 14,170 per gram, after a increase of Rs 15 per gram.

Earlier, on September 11 evening, the yellow metal was priced at Rs 1,13,240 per sovereign and Rs 14,155 per gram.

Silver price remain unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices remain at Rs 250 per gram (Rs 2,50,000 per kg) on September 12.

On September 11 evening, silver was priced at Rs 250 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 81,920 per sovereign (Rs 10,240 per gram) on September 12, 2025, to Rs 1,13,360 per sovereign (Rs 14,170 per gram) on September 12, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 31,440 per sovereign or about 38.3% per cent.

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

September 11, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,240 | 1 gram - Rs 14,155

September 10, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,040 | 1 gram - Rs 14,255

September 9, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,160 | 1 gram - Rs 14,145

September 8, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,160 | 1 gram - Rs 14,270

September 7, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,040 | 1 gram - Rs 14,130

Silver price over the last five days:

September 11, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

September 10, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 9, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 8, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 7, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

S Kamala, a resident of Coral Enclave Phase II in Chromepet, said that her flat had been assessed under Pallavaram Municipality since she purchased it in 1996. The property was originally assigned assessment number 007/45429, under which she paid Rs 414 as half-yearly property tax until 2012-13.

Following the creation of Tambaram Corporation, the assessment number was changed to 009/035/902801. Kamala said she could not pay the tax for several years.

On March 22, 2023, revenue officials allegedly told her that the non-payment had resulted in the assessment being removed from the system. A new assessment number, 009/036/902725, was then assigned to the same property. Along with the new assessment, the half-yearly tax was revised to Rs 4,760.

She was asked to clear dues for the period from 2016-17 to 2020-21 at the revised rate, following which she paid Rs 45,140 in March 2023 and Rs 40,106 in August 2023 towards subsequent dues, taking the total to Rs 85,246. Kamala, however, questioned why the assessment itself had to be removed because of arrears.

“They can collect a fine for that instead. Besides that, we’ve paid the penalty, the fine, and everything else,” she said.

When the new assessment 009/036/902725 was created, the property was placed under Ward 036, although it belonged to Ward 035. After raising the issue, the assessment was changed again. She fumed: “How can they remove us from the system without asking us or telling us? Why is my tax so high when my neighbours in the same building continue to pay around Rs 424 as half-yearly tax?”

Kamala has sought an explanation for the cancellation of the earlier assessment, the creation of successive new assessment numbers, the change in ward classification and the basis for the revised tax. She has also sought a refund of the amount collected under the earlier assessments. Despite repeated attempts, Tambaram Corporation refused to comment on the matter.

Officials said 152 of them were remanded in custody.

Officials said police teams led by inspectors began intensive checks and search operations on the night of September 10, which was conducted across various parts of the city.

During the drive, the police secured 185 people with criminal backgrounds and history sheets maintained at various police stations in the city. Officials are conducting further inquiries into their current activities and possible involvement in criminal offences.

Commissioner Amalraj warned that stringent legal action would be taken against anyone involved in criminal activities or acts that threaten law and order in the city.

The action came after back-to-back murders in full public view within a matter of few days, including that of a TVK cadre, who was also a history sheeter. In the second murder reported on September 9 night, a DMK youth wing functionary was allegedly murdered by a party colleague, reportedly over a dispute over Rs 9.5 lakh loan.

While the first murder became political due to the victim’s link to the ruling party and also because of his criminal background, the second one happened a day after the deceased alleged that he was threatened by the Tiruvottiyur inspector. City police officers denied the allegation and maintained that the official had only warned the man and not threatened as alleged.

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:

September 11- Rs 107.77

September 10- Rs 107.77

September 9- Rs 107.77

September 8- Rs 107.77

September 7- Rs 107.77

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

September 11 - Rs 99.55

September 10 - Rs 99.55

September 9 - Rs 99.55

September 8 - Rs 99.55

September 7 - Rs 99.55

At Kamakshi Memorial Hospitals, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Deepak Kumar KS, also a knee replacement and Mako Stryker expert, follows a knee-preservation-first approach. “We should not look at replacement as the first and only solution. I believe in exploring every possible avenue to preserve the patient’s natural knee,” said Dr Deepak.

In a first-of-its-kind procedure in Tamil Nadu, he collaborated with Dr Sathish Kumar Thangamani, a fellow in stem cell and regenerative medicine, a senior assistant professor at Stanley Medical College, and consultant at Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospitals, to administer an innovative allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for carefully selected patients with knee osteoarthritis.

With approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), this therapy is an important development in regenerative medicine and expands treatment possibilities between conservative care and surgical intervention.

The therapy, manufactured by Stempeutics Research and made available by Cipla, is designed to leverage the anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory and cartilage-protective potential of mesenchymal stem cells.

For patients with Grade II and III knee osteoarthritis, the availability of an approved regenerative therapy provides another potential option within the continuum of care. Individual treatment decisions, however, need to be based on the patient’s condition, disease severity and clinical assessment.

The incident occurred around 5 am on Thursday when Sathishkumar (25) and Dheena alias Dineshkumar (30), a TVK worker, both from Vyasarpadi, allegedly went to the hospital to see the body of their associate Anand alias 'Pallu' Anand, an alleged rowdy from Ernavur who had reportedly died following breathing difficulties.

According to the police, the two allegedly gained access to the morgue after paying Rs 200 through Shankar, the driver of a battery operated vehicle, to morgue worker Srinivasan and obtaining the key. They allegedly entered the facility and recorded videos of several bodies.

The hospital staff who noticed it alerted Resident Medical Officer Vanitha Malar, who lodged a complaint with the police personnel stationed at the hospital.

Officials arrested Sathishkumar, Dineshkumar, and Shankar, and registered a case under three sections, including one relating to trespass into the government hospital morgue. During questioning, they allegedly said the videos were intended for social media reels. The hospital authorities have recommended departmental action against Srinivasan for aiding them.

The case came to light after Koyilraj Jaisingh (62), a resident of First Main Road in Maduravoyal, lodged a complaint with the Maduravoyal police. He had travelled to Coimbatore on August 25 to visit his daughter and returned home on the night of September 6. When he tried to switch on his air-conditioner the following morning, he found that it was not functioning. On checking outside his house, he discovered that the outdoor unit had been stolen.

Following his complaint, police registered a case and launched an investigation. A special team led by the inspector (crime) of the Maduravoyal police investigated the case and arrested Mukesh (28) of TP Chatram in Shenoy Nagar, and Venkatesh (28) of Pudupet, on September 10.

Officials said the two allegedly travelled in an autorickshaw, identified houses after conducting reconnaissance, and stole the AC outdoor units installed outside the buildings. Besides the complainant's house, they allegedly targeted another house in the Maduravoyal area, said the police.

Two AC outdoor units were recovered from the accused and the autorickshaw allegedly used to commit the thefts was seized.
The two men were produced before a court on September 10 and remanded in judicial custody.

Residents and pedestrians have been forced to walk through the polluted water and are facing unhygienic conditions in the area.

The locality is a low-lying area, due to which sewage often overflows onto the road. The residents said the problem has continued as no proper measures have been taken to prevent sewage from stagnating.

Pedestrians and two-wheeler riders passing through the affected stretch are particularly inconvenienced.

Residents also said the mosquito menace has increased. As sewage has accumulated near houses and shops, the foul smell has made it difficult for residents and shopkeepers to carry out their daily activities.

Despite the bad situation, no official has visited the spot to take action and due to the foul smell, all residents are compelled to keep doors and windows closed all the time

Indira, a resident of the area, said, "Sewage has been stagnating on the road for more than 10 days. So far, no official has visited the spot to inspect the issue and take action. There is a strong foul smell near the houses due to the stagnant sewage. The mosquito menace has also increased. We have to keep our doors closed most of the time because of the smell.

Velu, a tailor shop owner, said, "The stagnant sewage on the road is emitting a foul smell, making it difficult for us to work in the shop. Children and senior citizens have to cross the sewage-mixed water on the road, causing inconvenience. A permanent solution should be found to prevent sewage from stagnating."

Residents said they have developed itching on their legs after walking through the sewage. The issue has also caused hardships for customers visiting shops and people living in the area. They said no action has been taken so far to clear the stagnant sewage.

Meanwhile, an official of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board said that the work to clear the stagnant sewage will be completed soon to ease the inconvenience.

The directive came during the hearing of a 2023 petition filed by Hariharan, a Pudupettai resident who sought measures to prevent idol immersion in water bodies not designated for the purpose and thereby preventing their pollution.

The bench comprising judicial member Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Prashant Harghava was informed that reports had been filed by all 38 district collectors, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Greater Chennai Corporation. The reports stated that inspections were being conducted to prevent the use of plaster of Paris (gypsum powder) to make idols and that such idols were confiscated. Awareness campaigns were also being conducted among the public, according to the reports.

In Chennai, Kasimedu, Tiruvottiyur, Ennore, Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai have been identified as designated locations for idol immersion.

The petitioner's counsel argued that Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai were ecologically sensitive coastal areas and turtle nesting sites. Since the locations fall under the Coastal Regulation Zone, idol immersion should not be permitted there, the counsel submitted.

The tribunal then sought to know why idols intended for Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai could not be diverted to other immersion sites.

The State cited law and order concerns, crowd management and the possibility of religious tensions in certain areas.

The tribunal subsequently said idols cannot be immersed at Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai beaches and directed the government to consult officials and apprise it by September 16 on diverting idols to the other four designated locations.

The case dates back to 2009, when Kannan, an LIC manager in Anna Salai, lodged a complaint with the Chennai City Police Commissioner's Office. According to the complaint, a maturity cheque for Rs 3,22,500 belonging to LIC policyholder V Vijayakumar had been sent to his address in Sowcarpet.

However, unidentified persons allegedly obtained the cheque, created forged documents in Vijayakumar's name, and impersonated him to encash the amount through a bank.

A case was registered by the Central Crime Branch's Video Piracy Cell and Conventional Crime Investigation Wing (VPC-CCIW), and an investigation was launched.

Following renewed efforts by a special police team recently, Prathap (41), a native of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur, was arrested on August 31. Later on September 10, his alleged associate, Arjunan (50) of MG Nagar in Taramani, was arrested.

The police said documents connected to the case were seized from the accused. Both men were produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.

Under the latest directive, every waste generator, including households, commercial establishments, institutions, government offices, apartments and bulk waste generators, must segregate waste into four categories before handing it over to the corporation’s cleanliness workers.

Wet waste, including food and other biodegradable waste, must be placed in the green bin, while dry waste such as paper, plastic, metal, glass and other recyclables must go into the blue bin. Sanitary waste such as diapers and sanitary napkins must be wrapped separately and placed in the red bin. Batteries, bulbs, e-waste, expired medicines, and chemicals must be kept separately as domestic hazardous/special-care waste in the black bin.

The battery-operated vehicles used for collection have also been provided with four colour-coded bins to ensure that the segregated waste does not get mixed after the workers collect it.

The GCC has instructed conservancy workers in all 200 wards to collect only source-segregated waste through the door-to-door collection system.

The directive comes weeks after the corporation launched a 40-day door-to-door awareness campaign in South Chennai, initially targeting 50,000 households across five zones, to encourage residents to segregate waste.

On August 22, the corporation launched the "Segregate Waste–Save Tomorrow" campaign, conducting door-to-door awareness drives. In the first phase, 1,000 households in each of the five zones in the southern part of the city were provided with bags for collecting non-biodegradable waste separately, with the programme planned to be expanded to 50,000 households.

According to the civic body, source segregation would enable better recycling and composting and reduce the quantity of waste sent to landfills.

Failure to segregate waste at source or violation of the 2026 rules may attract penalties and other action under the applicable rules and municipal laws, it warned.

BIN IT RIGHT

• Green bin: Wet waste, including food and other biodegradable waste

• Blue bin: Dry waste such as paper, plastic, metal, glass and other recyclables

• Red bin: Sanitary waste such as diapers and sanitary napkins

• Black bin: Batteries, bulbs, e-waste, expired medicines and chemicals

• 6,150 tonnes municipal solid waste generated daily in GCC limit

• Wet/biodegradable: 28.03%

• Plastics: 9.63%

• C&D waste: 5.05%

• Household hazardous: 0.07%

Developed with AI4Bharat, the models cover four capabilities—speech recognition (Indic-Transcribe), text-to-speech (Indic-Speak), machine translation (Indic-Translate) and optical character recognition (Indic-OCR).

The initiative will enable developers, startups, universities, researchers, technology companies and government agencies to deploy, adapt and fine-tune the models for Indian-language applications, including those involving regional dialects and accents. Bodhan AI and AI4Bharat are using NVIDIA’s NeMo framework to train models for automatic speech recognition, machine translation and optical character recognition.

NVIDIA Nemotron 3.5 ASR has also been post-trained for Indian languages, while NVIDIA TensorRT-LLM and vLLM inference microservices are being used to serve them. “Bodhan AI and AI4Bharat aim to give India’s developers and model builders the best open models they can deploy, adapt and fine-tune,” said Prof Mitesh Khapra, principal investigator at Bodhan AI and AI4Bharat.

NVIDIA senior distinguished engineer Niket Agarwal said, “Open models are essential for developers building technology for the languages and communities they serve. The models will be offered as open-weight releases and through hosted APIs.”

Bodhan AI said that its educational applications would remain free for learners, educators and partner state governments. Its API infrastructure is also intended to operate within India’s digital ecosystem, enabling large-scale deployment and customisation for Indian languages and contexts.

Through their research-design collective Loksutr, based in Madhya Pradesh, the duo then works with artists to turn these narratives into visual forms. Their latest exhibition, 'Myth, Memory, Form,' brings together three such stories, tracing the origins of the Narmada, the Pardhaan Gond community and painting itself.

“The three stories are very different, but they all look at origins and how knowledge is carried forward. We wanted to bring these narratives together through the visual language of the artists and the communities we work with,” says Achyut.

The first of these is the origin story of River Narmada, presented through 24 paintings arranged sequentially. Titled 'The Whispers of Immortality', the work also extends into a monumental canvas, with multiple Pardhaan Gond artists coming together to interpret the story. “The Narmada story is something that has been carried through generations.

When you see the paintings together, they read almost like a continuous story. The sequence was important because we wanted the narrative to remain intact,” shares Apoorva.

The second work, 'The Pardhaan Continuum', looks at the origin story of the Pardhaan Gond community.

Traditionally regarded as custodians of oral traditions within the Gond community, the Pardhaan have played an important role in carrying stories from one generation to another. Loksutr has presented this narrative as a 7.5-metre-long accordion book. “We were interested in the story of the community itself and the role they have played in carrying knowledge. The accordion format gave us the space to present that story as something that unfolds gradually,” says Achyut.

The third body of work, Smriti Sutradhaara, turns the focus towards painting itself. Developed in collaboration with four Odisha Pattachitra artists, it draws from Chitra Lakshana and Chitra Sutra, two early texts that deal with painting and image-making. The story is presented through 21 paintings.

“Here, we were looking at painting as a practice and asking where some of these ideas around image-making came from. We worked with Pattachitra artists to interpret the texts through their own visual language,” says Apoorva

A total of 10 artists have contributed to the exhibition, six from the Pardhaan Gond tradition and four from Odisha Pattachitra. For Loksutr, the collaboration is as important as the final work.

“We are not just documenting knowledge and putting it into an archive. We work with the communities to visualise that knowledge. The artists are part of that process and the work develops through the collaboration,” says Achyut.

The exhibition also brings together two living art traditions. Both Gond art and Odisha Pattachitra continue to evolve through the artists who practise them and Loksutr wanted to bring that continuing process into the conversation. “There is constant adaptation, improvement and innovation within these art forms. What we are bringing to Chennai is the backstory, how it all began and the culture behind these traditions,” says Achyut.

For the duo, the exhibition is also an opportunity to look at what lies behind a familiar visual language. The paintings are not simply illustrations of myths, but ways of presenting knowledge that has existed within communities for generations. “People see a painting or an art form without knowing the stories and history behind it. We want the exhibition to give them a deeper sense of these living traditions and the communities that sustain them,” Apoorva tells us.

Developed over three years, Myth, Memory, Form brings together these different narratives in a single space, showing how oral knowledge can move into paintings and other visual forms while remaining connected to the communities from which it comes. Myth, Memory, Form is on view from September 12 to December 6 at Varija Art Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum.

It was this gap that three friends, Shravya Sukumar, Susritha Bakkamanthala and Prathibaa Ravichandar, noticed when they started Social Scape, an events and community platform.

The idea came up during a dinner table conversation. “We thought the city could use more fun things to do and new ways to meet people,” says Susritha. That simple idea has now grown into Social Scape, bringing together people who are looking to meet someone new, try something different or simply find a space to belong.

Shravya says the idea came from something the three friends had noticed in their own lives. “We are professionals in our 20s. Once college ends, you might find a dip in the kind of genuine connection you have. In the workplace, there are fewer real connections and friendships that you are able to organically build. That is what we wanted to do through Social Scape. It is not just an events platform. It is a kind of space where people want to come back, meet new people and find their sense of community.”

The team has experimented with different kinds of events since then. They have organised sunrise hikes at St. Thomas Mount, treasure hunts around Anna Nagar, murder mystery game nights, short film screenings and more. The founders also want Social Scape to extend beyond socialising. They have organised activities around causes such as breast cancer awareness and want to continue finding ways to give back to the community.

Prathibaa says the group has also seen a change in who attends their events. “We love seeing a mix of familiar faces who keep coming back, along with new people joining the crowd.” Much of that growth has happened through word of mouth. People who attend the events share details on WhatsApp and often bring their friends along. The team usually has a minimum of around 30 people at an event.

For Susritha, choosing the right venue is also an important part of event planning. “We pick a venue based on the activity we are doing. We have also expanded, with A Nikith Kumar, Rakshan M and T Venavin Sai joining as part of the extended team,” she adds.

Public health doctor and researcher Dr Sylvia Karpagam’s book ‘The Meat of The Matter: How the Politics of Food Shapes Our Health’ deals with many such questions, myths and food habits that often governments, cultures and corporations enforce upon the public. She looks beyond the plate at what and who determines who eats what.

Answering the original question, she says, “Giving soya and millet to children is, firstly, difficult to digest, which means that they won’t feel hungry for a longer time. So, they need to be given digestive food that is nutrient-dense.”

An egg contains 6-8 gms of protein, while a much larger quantity of soya has to be consumed to meet that nutrient requirement. The book, thus, was born out of this necessity to bust myths and misconceptions around food and nutrition, says the doctor. While doing research as a community health doctor, Dr Sylvia and her team visited many parts of the urban and rural areas, including schools, and places where kids eat. In schools, they found that while the mid-day meal programme was not being implemented in many places, there were also structural issues

“For example, handing over the programme to an organisation like Akshaya Patra (owned by ISKCON). We found that it’s an ideological institution that’s openly casteist,” she recalled. “Their menu is devoid of all the items that communities normally eat; they also criminalise food items, saying it causes lust and violence. They also talk to teachers and students about it. A lot of indoctrination happens, which is enabled by the extreme right-wing governments.”

On a light-hearted note, referring to Tamil Nadu’s recent proposal to add chicken biriyani to the mid-day meal menu, she jokes, “So even if it’s chicken biryani served to children, let it be more chicken and less biryani.”

Dr Sylvia explains that communities, over the years, have figured out what nutrition means, what to eat with what they have and maximise even plant-based diets. Humans are biologically built to consume meat on a regular basis. “As humans evolved, so did our digestive tract, and it is not that we have always lived with these systems. Though we cannot consume everything, our grandmothers figured out long back on what works best and how it should be eaten to be had for the best possible outcome,” she opines. “For example, rather than highly processed soya as it is consumed now, the right way to consume it is by fermenting it.”

However, she laments that ideological bias is undeniable when researchers study the communities and their food habits. “There are questionnaires where there is no mention of meat, or food items, other than what the researchers consider a good source of nutrition. So, when the community denies consuming plant-based food, they are declared nutrition deficient. Also, when there’s no question about meat, the community is declared ignorant and their food habits are erased,” she points out.

Often, governments want to fix a deficiency by distributing tablets, but nutrient deficiencies need a holistic approach and they should begin with food.

Dr Sylvia also adds that casteism plays a huge role while creating and implementing policy. “When a Dalit student is stunted or tired all the time, it’s labelled as a result of caste and not because of the lack of nutrition in the children,” she says.

Often, governments want to fix a deficiency by distributing tablets, but nutrient deficiencies need a holistic approach and they should begin with food. “This book is mainly for communities that have been traditionally marginalised and whose foods have been criminalised, to have a reference. So they can say this is the traditional food we’ve been eating, and this is their nutritional value,” she adds.

When asked if there was anything as bad as eating too much meat as human beings, Sylvia says that one can consume the right amount of meat even every day. “There are six food groups, and each group should contribute to your meal, at least four a day,” she explains. “Cereals and millets, like ragi and rice, form one group. Second is pulses and legumes (soya, dals, karamani, peas, rajma, chana). Third is milk and dairy, fourth is fruits and vegetables, fifth is meat, poultry, fish, etc, and the last is fats and oils. One has to consume things from 4 of these categories to have a balanced meal.”

Coming to the vegetarianism question, she says that it’s a misconception that milk and dairy are all plant-based foods; however, they are animal-based. She adds that the flag-bearers of vegetarianism are pushing it on the poor.

“While people glorify the model of vegetarianism, what is being pushed on the poor is a cheap vegetarianism that is nutrient-deficient. Our children deserve better,” she states.

Through her book, she presents research on how some plant-based alternatives are expensive, inaccessible and also do not provide the nutritional value that an animal-sourced food can provide. “Meat-based iron is haem iron that is more easily absorbed by our body than iron from plant-based sources,” she explains. “See, there are no plant-based alternatives for nutrients like B12; you have to look for an animal source. And these sources are cheaper. There is nothing like soya milk; it is merely an extract.”

Vegans, on the other hand, would find it impossible to meet their nutritional requirements.

Stating that the burden of climate change cannot be put on the poor, she says: “My question is, why do we want to compromise on children’s health without making these options accessible for the marginalised? A cow slaughter ban also affects those whose livelihood is through livestock, so what is their choice?”

The 1,380 residential quarters/flats built under the Tamil Nadu Government Servants Rental Housing Scheme and the TNHB Board Rental Flats were meant to be rebuilt to restore services, following the demolition of the dilapidated buildings after a long-drawn legal battle. CMDA's decision is set to change the land use of the site where the flats once stood forever.

The land, part of the 25.55-acre site identified for the project at Foreshore Estate, will be handed over to the Public Works Department (PWD) after the change in classification. "After the TNHB gave the NOC, we are working on reclassification. Once it is done, we are also taking steps to secure Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance," said a senior official from the authority.

The site comprises 21.76 acres under the possession of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, 0.93 acres belonging to the Greater Chennai Corporation, 1.73 acres of Revenue Department land and 1.13 acres of Tamil Nadu Housing Board land under the possession of the State government.

The respective agencies and the district administration have already given their NOC for the project. Meanwhile, the proposal has drawn opposition from fishermen in Pattinapakkam, who claim the land was originally intended for the rehabilitation of fishing families. Concerns regarding their access to the area and livelihood, the implications for the coastal ecosystem, and the traffic bottleneck it could create have also been raised.

The consultation, titled, A Decade of Implementation and the Way Forward’, was conducted with Justice G Jayachandran, chairman of the Juvenile Justice and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso) Committee. Justices GR Swaminathan and S Srimathy, members of the committee, also participated in the deliberations.

The programme brought together representatives from the judiciary, senior government departments, police leadership, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), child care institutions and organisations working in the field of child rights. Participants reviewed progress in implementing the JJ Act and discussed measures required to make child protection mechanisms more effective, accessible and accountable. Reflections on the Act’s functioning during the last ten years were also shared during the consultation, along with recommendations for the next decade.

Participating in the discussion, child rights activist Andrew Jesuraj said, “A major focus was placed on preventing children from entering vulnerable situations through early identification and timely intervention. Strengthening the functioning of CWCs, JJBs and child care institutions was identified as another key priority.”

The discussions also highlighted the need to support families and reduce avoidable institutionalisation by expanding adoption, foster care and other family-based care options. Greater attention was sought for children with disabilities and special needs.

With children increasingly exposed to risks online, participants stressed the importance of strengthening safeguards against digital exploitation and emerging forms of abuse. Better coordination among child protection agencies, police, healthcare, education and social welfare departments was also emphasised.

The consultation further underlined the importance of involving children in decisions that affect them and strengthening professional social work services.

The deceased was identified as Munagala Nikhil Reddy, son of businessman Munagala Subba Reddy from Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh.

Nikhil was pursuing the final year of his MS postgraduate course at a private medical college in Kelambakkam and was staying in a rented apartment near the institution.

Police said the examination results were announced on Thursday night, and Nikhil was reportedly distressed after learning that he had failed in two subjects.

His friends had allegedly tried to console him, telling him that eight students had failed in the examinations and urging him not to lose hope.

The incident occurred around 7 am on Friday. Security personnel and others alerted the Kelambakkam police after Nikhil was found dead.

Police recovered the body and sent it to Chengalpattu Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.

His parents have been informed, and further investigation is under way.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call --- Sneha, Chennai: 91-44-2464 0050, 91-44-2464 0060; Maithri, Cochin: +91 239 6272; Sumaitri, New Delhi: 2338 9090; Aasra, Mumbai: 9820466726; Fortis MentalHealth: 8376804102.

The case dates back to 2009, when Kannan, an LIC manager at Anna Salai, lodged a complaint with the Chennai City Police Commissioner’s Office. According to the complaint, a maturity cheque for Rs 3,22,500 belonging to LIC policyholder V Vijayakumar had been sent to his address in Sowcarpet.

However, unidentified persons allegedly obtained the cheque, created forged documents in Vijayakumar's name and impersonated him to encash the amount through a bank.

A case was registered by the Central Crime Branch's Video Piracy Cell and Conventional Crime Investigation Wing (VPC & CCIW), and an investigation was launched.

Following renewed efforts by a special police team, Prathap (41), a native of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, was arrested on August 31. His alleged associate, Arjunan (50) of MG Nagar in Taramani, Chennai, was arrested on September 10.

Police said documents connected to the case were seized from the accused. Both men were produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.

Two stolen AC outdoor units were recovered and an autorickshaw allegedly used in the crime was seized.

The case came to light after Koyilraj Jaisingh (62), a resident of First Main Road in Maduravoyal, lodged a complaint with the Maduravoyal police station.

He had reportedly travelled to Coimbatore on August 25 to visit his daughter and returned home on the night of September 6.

When he attempted to switch on his air-conditioner the following morning, he found that it was not functioning.

On checking outside his house, he discovered that the AC's outdoor unit had been stolen.

Following a complaint, police registered a case and launched an investigation. A special team led by the Crime

Branch Inspector of the Maduravoyal police station investigated the case and arrested Mukesh (28) of T.P. Chatram, Shenoy Nagar, and Venkatesh (28) of Pudupet, on September 10.

Police said the two allegedly travelled in an autorickshaw, identified houses after conducting reconnaissance and stole AC outdoor units installed outside the premises.

Besides the complainant's house, they allegedly targeted another house in the Maduravoyal area.

Two AC outdoor units were recovered from the accused, while the autorickshaw allegedly used to commit the thefts was seized.

The two men were produced before a court on September 10 and remanded in judicial custody.

Police teams led by inspectors began intensive checks and search operations on the night of September 10 and continued the operation across various parts of the city.

During the drive, police secured 185 persons with criminal backgrounds and history sheets maintained at various Greater Chennai Police stations. Officials are conducting further inquiries into their current activities and possible involvement in criminal offences.

The Commissioner of Police has warned that stringent legal action will be taken against anyone involved in criminal activities or acts that threaten law and order in the city.