The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,14,000 per sovereign and Rs 14,250 per gram, after an increase of Rs 300 per gram.

Earlier on August 10, the price of 22-carat gold stood at Rs 1,11,600 per sovereign and Rs 13,950 per gram.

Silver prices increase

Silver prices also increased by Rs 10 per gram and are now selling for Rs 260 per gram (Rs 2,60,000 per kg) on August 11.

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

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have increased from Rs 75,000 per sovereign (Rs 9,375 per gram) on August 11, 2025, to Rs 1,14,000 per sovereign (Rs 14,250 per gram) on August 11, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 39,000 or about 52%.

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

August 10, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,11,600 | 1 gram - Rs 13,950

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

Silver price over the last five days:

August 10, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

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

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 probe is on to trace the source of the supply and other people involved.

Today, the education initiative works with around 300 children across three campuses in Chetpet. What began as an after-school programme has grown into a day school, with preKG, LKG, UKG and Grades 1 and 2, alongside programmes that focus on academics, life skills, art, theatre, music and confidence-building.

The organisation’s growth has also brought a special milestone for its Managing Trustee, Vedika Agarwal. Some of the children who grew up with the organisation are now returning as members of its staff. Sixteen of Yein Udaan’s graduates are currently working with the organisation in different roles, including teaching, social media marketing, documentation, management and communication. Their roles are based on their strengths and interests, as well as what they have learned in college.

“This is the third year that the children have come back as our staff. These are the children I have worked with for the last 12 years. I have seen these children from Classes 1 and 2, and now a few are in college, and some have completed their studies. I have seen them grow up through school, enter college and come back as staff. It’s a wholesome journey,” says Vedika Agarwal, Managing Trustee, Yein Udaan.

For the organisation, it is also an opportunity for these young graduates to use what they learned in college in a familiar setting. A student interested in communication can take up work in that area, while someone interested in teaching can work with younger children. “We have mapped them to different roles and profiles based on their strengths and interests. Whatever they learned in college, they can utilise first-hand at Yein Udaan. They are not only developing the skills alongside the theory they learned in college, but are also contributing to the organisation through that particular knowledge and interest,” she adds.

That approach reflects the way Yein Udaan has always looked at education. The focus is not limited to marks or classroom learning. The children are encouraged to take part in activities that help them build confidence and develop interests outside academics. “We do a lot of holistic development initiatives with the children. It is not only about academics. We focus on life skills, soft skills, art, theatre and music,” says Vedika.

Every year, the children get a chance to bring these skills together through an annual production. The event gives them a stage to perform and showcase what they have learned during the year. This year marked Yein Udaan’s eighth annual production.

For Vedika, working with children without addressing the larger community would only go so far. “Until the community develops as a whole, whatever we do with the child is not going to be long-term. Children go back to the same problems, be it drugs, alcohol or violence. So, how do we change that as a whole?”

That is where the former students now working with Yein Udaan become significant. They know the community because they grew up in it. They know the organisation because they were once part of its programmes. And now, they have the opportunity to contribute to it.

“Our vision is to champion changemakers from within the community. Our 16 students are now our staff and are changemakers in the community,” says Vedika.

She believes that the ability to create change is already present among the children. “Talent is there. We just have to identify it, find it and nurture it. That is our vision.”

The next phase for Yein Udaan is to take its school up to Grade 5. The school currently has 94 students and the organisation is looking for partners who can support the expansion through capital expenditure, a building or land. For Vedika, the goal is to give children from low-income communities the same opportunities available to children from more privileged backgrounds.

“We want to give all children a great start to life through holistic education, focusing on their foundation, literacy, skill development, aptitude and value system. That is the vision for the next five years,” she concludes.

The facility was constructed in Ward 30 to serve residents of Lakshmipuram, Nagappa Nagar, Umaiyalpuram, Chandran Nagar, and surrounding localities. Before the project, families had to take the deceased to the Tambaram Corporation's gas crematorium opposite the Government Hospital in Chromepet.

Responding to long-pending requests from residents, the Tambaram Corporation sanctioned the construction of a modern gas crematorium at an estimated cost of 2.5 crore. Though the facility was completed over eight months ago and the contractor is said to have received full payment in January, the crematorium has not yet been opened to the public. As a result, residents continue to depend on the existing crematorium near the Chromepet Government Hospital. They had to cross GST Road, and it was also heavily affecting traffic during the procession. 

V Santhanam, a senior social activist from Chromepet, said the delay had become difficult to understand. When we approached Corporation officials, we were told that a trial run required an unclaimed body, and since one was not available, the facility could not be commissioned. Later, after we insisted, they conducted a trial using coconut fronds and old firewood instead. Even after that, the crematorium has not been opened. We don't know why it is still lying closed," he said.

According to the Corporation officials, the Lakshmipuram Residents Welfare Association Trust had initially agreed to manage the crematorium, but delayed taking charge. The Corporation has now identified another private trust willing to operate the facility. Officials said the process is being finalised and the crematorium is expected to become operational soon.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court leads the country with 16 women judges, while Chennai now has 13. The Karnataka High Court is third with 11.

The three new appointments came among 30 judges recently appointed across the country's 25 High Courts. Of the 30, four are women, bringing the total number of women judges in High Courts to 120.

However, the overall representation of women judges in the High Courts is a dismal 14% nationwide. The contrast with the lower judiciary is significant. Of the 25,886 sanctioned posts in district and subordinate courts across India, women occupy 7,852, accounting for 38%.

The figures have strengthened calls for High Court collegiums to give greater consideration to women lawyers while making judicial appointments in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the High Courts of Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand currently have no women judges.

Skewed Representation

Total no of women judges in HCs: 120

Women judges' share: 14%

Madras High Court's women judges: 13

Women judges in Punjab and Haryana HC: 16

Women judges in district/subordinate courts across the nation: 7,852

Women's share in district/subordinate courts across the nation: 38%

The incident happened on Sunday and the victim succumbed to his injuries on Monday, police said. An SUV operated by a man, suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol, crashed into a parked car near the wall where Ezhumalai was working.

The parked car hit Ezhumalai, who sustained grievous injuries. He was rushed to the GH at Perumbakkam where he died undergoing treatment on Monday, police said

Adyar Traffic Investigation Wing have registered a case and are investigating.

The civic body plans to cover nearly 3,000 stray dogs daily by deploying 10 teams each across three zones simultaneously.

The first phase will cover Tiruvottiyur, Manali and Tondiarpet zones, focusing on rabies vaccination and removal of internal and external parasites. The campaign will be conducted for 14 days in Tiruvottiyur, nine days in Manali and 14 days in Tondiarpet.

During a similar campaign last year, more than 1.47 lakh stray dogs were vaccinated.

The GCC has also made arrangements for pet owners to bring their dogs and cats to the vaccination camps for free anti-rabies vaccination.

At a consultation meeting, the Corporation Commissioner directed officials to involve veterinarians from TN Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and private practitioners. The drive will be carried out in technical collaboration with Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS), officials said.

The victim, A Monisha (20) of Saidapet, is a staff member at the SBI branch on the University of Madras campus. 

On Monday morning, Monisha arrived at the Omandurar Government Multi-Specialty Hospital Metro station and was walking along Swami Sivananda Road towards the campus when a man approached her and snatched a three-sovereign gold chain from her before fleeing. 

Hearing her cries, the public chased the man and caught him. They then handed him over to Triplicane police. The accused was identified as P Ramamurthy (40) of Triplicane. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.

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 Tuesday.

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 10 - Rs 107.77

August 9 - Rs 107.77

August 8 - Rs 107.77

August 7 - Rs 107.77

August 6 - Rs 107.77

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

August 10 - Rs 99.55

August 9 - Rs 99.55

August 8 - Rs 99.55

August 7 - Rs 99.55

August 6 - Rs 99.55

The revived network covers 27 locations along Marina Beach from the Labour Statue to the Lighthouse, five locations at Besant Nagar Beach, and 12 locations at the Secretariat Park.

To connect, visitors can enable Wi-Fi on their mobile phones, select the available network, scan the prompt QR code, and enter the OTP received via SMS.

Plans are underway to restore and expand free Wi-Fi coverage to other high-footfall public places, including additional beaches, parks, and sports grounds.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) noted temperatures dropped by up to 2 degrees Celsius in Chennai on Monday, with light to moderate rainfall expected across the state until August 16.

The sudden moderate to heavy rain led to waterlogging and traffic snarls witnessed even on arterial roads during the evening peak hours, making people returning home reckless. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightening to be witnessed during evening and night hours in the city on August 11.

According to RMC rainfall data collected between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on August 10, Pallikaranai recorded the highest rainfall at 12.7 mm, followed by Meenambakkam with 10.2 mm, Taramani with 9.0 mm, and Nungambakkam with 5.6 mm. In the suburbs, Poonamallee in Tiruvallur recorded 11.5 mm, while the AGS Medical College area in Kancheepuram recorded 9.0 mm. Additionally, both Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded maximum temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius, which were 1.5 and 2.0 degrees Celsius below normal on Monday, respectively.

The RMC stated that a feeble trough running along and off the Tamil Nadu coast in the lower tropospheric levels will trigger weather activity. As a result, moderate rain with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph is likely at isolated places over the Western Ghats districts, North Coastal Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Meanwhile, light rain with thunderstorms and lightning is expected in isolated spots across the rest of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal on August 11.

From August 12 to 16, light to moderate rain will continue over the Western Ghats districts, with light rain across remaining parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Maximum temperatures are likely to remain 2–3 degrees Celsius above normal in isolated pockets of North Interior Tamil Nadu, while staying near normal across the rest of the region through August 14.

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.

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 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

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.

Cauvery row needs political statesmanship, effective water dispute adjudication framework

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.

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.

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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.

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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