The deceased was Sham Marquis (17), a resident of the Housing Board quarters in Velachery. He was studying in Class 12 at a private school in the area.

According to the police, the incident occurred on September 5. Sham had climbed up to check the water level in the overhead water tank located on the second floor of his house.

While he was on top, he lost his balance and accidentally fell down.

He suffered severe injuries in the fall.

His family members and neighbours rescued him and rushed him to the Government Hospital in Guindy for treatment, where he succumbed.

The Velachery police have registered a case and are investigating.

The contract has been awarded to AECOM India Private Limited in a joint venture with NIPPON KOEI India at a value of Rs 35.97 crore.

The Phase 1 network capacity enhancement project seeks to augment the capacity of the existing Phase 1 network through upgrades to systems, infrastructure and rolling stock. The project is intended to cater to increasing ridership while ensuring that Metro services remain safe, reliable and uninterrupted.

The consultancy’s scope includes project management consultancy services and preparation of detailed design documents for civil, track, and electrical and mechanical works. It will also cover basic designs for various system packages, preparation of bid documents, tender assistance, construction supervision, project management and technical assistance.

The contractors will be responsible for the overall planning, coordination, management and monitoring of the project and its various components. The initiative is expected to strengthen Chennai’s Metro infrastructure and improve its ability to handle the city’s increasing public transport demand.

Traffic changes will be in effect from 8 am, about when the procession starts till the end of the event, police said.

Vehicular movement will not be allowed on NSC Bose Road, Mint Road and its connecting roads from 8 am till the procession crosses Wall Tax Road. Motorists can use EVR Salai, Rajaji Salai, Wall Tax Road, Basin Bridge Road and Prakasam Salai.

From 3 pm till the procession crosses Elephant Gate Bridge, no vehicles are allowed on Wall Tax Road and its connecting roads. Motorists can use Basin Bridge Road, Mint via Prakasam Salai, Rajaji Salai, EVR Salai, and Muthuswamy Salai.

When the procession reaches DeMellows Point, vehicles from Choolai roundabout will be diverted towards Choolai High Road and Raja Muthiah Salai. When the procession approaches Choolai Roundtana, vehicles coming from mosque point will be diverted at Vepery High Road -Sydenhams Road towards Vepery High Road.

When the procession enters Choolai High Road, vehicles coming from Narayana Guru Salai will be diverted at Hunters Road Junction towards EVK Sampath Road. When it reaches Avadhana Papiya Road, the vehicles coming from AP Road x PB Road will be diverted at AP Road-PB Road junction towards Doveton.

When the procession enters Perambur Barracks Road, vehicles from Doveton junction towards Perambur Barracks Road will be diverted at Doveton junction towards Narayana Guru Salai.

Vehicles from Millers Road-Bricklin Road junction towards Otteri bridge will be diverted towards Purasawalkam High Road. When the procession reaches near Otteri bridge, vehicles from Konnur High Road, Medavakkam Tank Road towards Otteri bridge will be diverted towards Medavakkam Tank Road.

At Konnur One Point, vehicles from Otteri bridge, Medavakkam Tank Road and ICF junction towards Konnur One Point will be diverted from Otteri bridge towards Cooks Road, from ICF Junction towards New Avadi Road and from MVT Road and VP Colony Junction towards VP Colony (South).

She alleged that Rs 194 crore allocated by the Centre for clean-air measures remained unspent and demanded that the government release an IIT-Madras study on the sources of Chennai’s air pollution.

Participating in the debate on the demands for grants for the Forest, Environment and Climate Change departments in the Assembly, she said clean air, safe drinking water and a healthy environment were basic rights and called for stronger government intervention across the State.

Sowmiya claimed that Chennai fared among the worst cities in air quality in the country and that nearly 11,000 people died in the city every year due to toxic air.

Citing studies, she said pollution had reduced the life expectancy of Chennai residents by four years.

Raising concerns about industrial pollution, the Dharmapuri MLA alleged environmental damage in the Ennore-Manali belt and cited chromium waste in Ranipet and contamination of water bodies.

She urged the government to identify and shut down industries generating toxic pollutants.

Sowmiya also demanded protection for the Pallikaranai marshland and its declaration as a Ramsar site, questioning the construction of a concrete walkway there.

She called for better waste management, saying garbage was attracting wildlife to human habitations.

She also opposed new methane, gas and coal projects and sought stronger protection for Tamil Nadu’s rivers and wetlands.

Designed as a platform for school children to showcase their athletic talents, the event aimed to promote grassroots sports development and empower young athletes with the confidence needed to compete at both national and international levels.

The event was inaugurated by the chief guest JCD Prabhakar, speaker, Legislative Assembly, along with Rotary District Governor, RI District 3234 D Suresh Jain, guest of honour.

The valedictory function featured R Jones Ferling Raja, IRS, Assistant Commissioner of Customs, as the special guest, who presented medals and certificates to the winning participants.

Addressing the gathering, Suresh Jain emphasised the importance of early intervention in youth athletics, stating that RISE 2026 was designed to identify promising athletes and help them aim higher.

He expressed support for the State government’s athletic initiatives, noting that Rotary District 3234 remained committed to aligning with these efforts through continuous anti-drug awareness campaigns.

A David, chairman, RISE 2026, reported record-breaking engagement, with over 3,000 students participating from 75 schools.

Recalling his past experiences working alongside Rotary in the Ambattur area, JCD Prabhakar complimented the organisers for hosting this sports festival.

“I will always lend a helping hand to the public service initiatives of Rotary 3234. The soulful satisfaction gained through public service is superior to all else.”

The accident occurred around 12.30 am on the Tiruchy-Chennai National Highway near the Kattankulathur junction, police said.

The deceased was identified as Iraiyanbu, 28, a resident of Chelliamman Koil Street in Kattankulathur. He was returning home on his Honda Dio after attending a local temple festival when the accident occurred.

Jagadeshwari, who hails from Virudhunagar district, had reportedly left for Chennai from Virudhunagar on Sunday evening to attend the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session scheduled for Monday.

The minister was travelling in her official vehicle, while her relatives were following in a private Maruti Ertiga car reportedly registered in her name.

According to preliminary information, a police escort vehicle was also part of the convoy. As the Ertiga was passing through the Kattankulathur junction, it collided with Iraiyanbu's two-wheeler while he was crossing the national highway.

The impact threw Iraiyanbu off his vehicle. He sustained critical injuries and died at the scene, police said.

Personnel accompanying the minister's convoy reportedly alerted the Tambaram City Police Commissionerate's traffic wing following the accident.

Guduvanchery Traffic Investigation Wing police rushed to the spot, recovered the body and sent it to Chengalpattu District Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Police registered a case, seized the Maruti Ertiga involved in the accident and began an investigation.

Preliminary police inquiries revealed that the vehicle was registered in the name of Minister Jagadeshwari, according to the information available.

Police arrested the driver, identified as Chinna Agni, 28, from Madurai. A case has been registered against him under provisions relating to rash and negligent driving on a public road and causing death by negligent driving.

The arrested driver is being questioned about the circumstances that led to the accident. Police are examining various aspects of the case, including CCTV footage and the cause of the collision.

Following the burst in the 1200 mm diameter central main pipeline. The pipeline carries water from the 300 MLD capacity treatment plant in Puzhal to the northern parts of Chennai.

The cave-in caused widespread panic and severe traffic gridlock across the locality.

As a result, the CMWSSB has temporarily suspended the drinking water supply across several parts of northern Chennai.

Affected regions include the Tondiarpet zone, alongside Moolakadai, areas opposite the Perambur Railway Station, and Kannigapuram under the Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar zone.

According to locals, the cave-in occurred during the early hours of Monday after the high-pressure, 1200 mm diameter central water main pipeline running beneath the highway ruptured.

The force of the water rapidly eroded the underlying soil and caused adjacent service lanes to crack.

N Nijanthan, a resident of Puzhal, said, "Daily commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders and heavy vehicle operators, suffered as key arterial stretches collapsed. Residents noted that a similar pipeline burst happened a few months back in the locality. Due to the aging pipeline, CMWSSB has to rectify the issue immediately and ensure safety."

Upon hearing about the incident, officials immediately rushed to the spot to evaluate the damaged area, while traffic police erected barricades to prevent inconvenience to the public and motorists.

An official press release from the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) stated that pumping operations from the 300 MLD capacity Puzhal Water Treatment Plant were suspended immediately following the leak.

Excavation is currently underway at the site to extract the ruptured section and lay a new main pipeline on a war footing, in coordination with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and local police.

Road excavation works underway at the spot , replacing the damaged main pipe with a new pipeline.

“Consequently, the drinking water supply will be interrupted in all areas under the Tondiarpet zone that receive water through the Patel Nagar and Vyasarpadi distribution stations, as well as in Moolakadai, Ward 71 (opposite Perambur Railway Station), and Kannigapuram under the Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar zone that receive water via the Vyasarpadi distribution station,” added the release.

To mitigate the water disruption, CMWSSB has deployed additional mobile water tankers to deliver uninterrupted water supplies to local residents until main-line distribution is fully restored.

The contractors involved in the repair work at the site, said, “the works are expected to be completed in three days.”

Implemented through the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), the programme is open to students of Classes 9 to 12. Applications close on September 30 and courses begin on October 5.

The eight-week online programme offers 17 disciplines, including Data Science and AI, Aerospace, Cybersecurity, Electronic Systems, Law, Economics and Finance, Architecture and Design, Humanities, Mathematics and Computing, and Engineering Biological Systems.

Courses combine recorded lectures, live sessions, assignments and computer-based assessments, with successful students receiving an official e-certificate from IIT Madras CODE.

Courses are offered in English and Hindi, while modules in seven more regional languages are under development.

"Earlier exposure gives students more time to discover their interests and make informed decisions," said

Professor Andrew Thangaraj, who is the CODE Chair, adding that IIT-M aims to take the programme to 25,000 schools across the country.

Dean Academics professor Prathap Haridas said School Connect would help students explore diverse fields, broaden their horizons and make informed choices about their future.

Since its launch, the programme has reached more than 1.75 lakh students across 4,900-plus schools, including more than 60 schools overseas.

Class 12 students can also explore IIT Madras' non-campus BS degree programmes.

Students and teachers from top-performing schools will be invited to the IIT Madras campus for felicitation and interaction with faculty.

Which vegetable prices increased today ?

Lemons – Rs 250 per kg, up by Rs 30 (compared to September 2)

Onions – Rs 65 per kg, up by Rs 7

Tomato – Rs 30 per kg, up by Rs 10

Yam – Rs 50 per kg, up by Rs 10

Which vegetable prices decreased today ?

Garlic – Rs 250 per kg, down by Rs 10

Ginger – Rs 160 per kg, down by Rs 20

What are the prices of essential vegetables ?

Small onion: Rs 80 per kg

Potato: Rs 35 per kg

Green chillies: Rs 60 per kg

Drumstick: Rs 50 per kg

What are the prices of other vegetables ?

Ooty carrot: Rs 70 per kg

Beetroot: Rs 60 per kg

Bitter gourd: Rs 50 per kg

Capsicum: Rs 50 per kg

How much do herbs cost today ?

Coriander: Rs 7 per bunch

Mint: Rs 6 per bunch

Curry leaves: Rs 25 per bunch

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,13,040 per sovereign and Rs 14,130 per gram, after a decrease of Rs 60 per gram.

Earlier, on September 5, the yellow metal was priced at Rs 1,13,520 per sovereign and Rs 14,190 per gram.

Silver price remain unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices remained unchanged at Rs 255 per gram (Rs 2,55,000 per kg) on September 7.

On September 5, silver was priced at Rs 255 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 80,040 per sovereign (Rs 10,005 per gram) on September 6, 2025, to Rs 1,13,040 per sovereign (Rs 14,130 per gram) on September 7, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 33,000 per sovereign or about 41.22 per cent.

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

September 5, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,520 | 1 gram - Rs 14,190

September 4, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,880 | 1 gram - Rs 14,360

September 3, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,920 | 1 gram - Rs 14,240

September 2, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,11,600 | 1 gram - Rs 13,950

September 1, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,15,080 | 1 gram - Rs 14,385

Silver price over the last five days:

September 5, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 4, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 3, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 260

September 2, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 1, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

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

September 6- Rs 107.77

September 5- Rs 107.77

September 4- Rs 107.77

September 3- Rs 107.77

September 2- Rs 107.77

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

September 6 - Rs 99.55

September 5 - Rs 99.55

September 4 - Rs 99.55

September 3 - Rs 99.55

September 2 - Rs 99.55

Under this drive, stray dogs across all locations in four zones – Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Tondiarpet, and Royapuram – have been vaccinated and treated for internal and external parasites. Tondiarpet recorded the highest number of vaccinations with 12,684 dogs, followed by Ambattur (11,895), Tiruvottiyur (11,795), Royapuram (8,672), Madhavaram (7,963), and Manali (7,207).

The drive that is currently under way covers stray dogs across streets, educational institutions, hospitals, and public places in the Madhavaram and Ambattur zones. Currently, 10 dedicated teams are deployed in the Madhavaram and Ambattur zones to execute the campaign.

After completing work in these two zones, the drive will be extended to other parts of the city. The overall goal is to vaccinate 2,00,000 dogs across all zones with anti-rabies vaccines and administer ectoparasiticidal treatments within 50 working days.

The GCC has sought the support and cooperation of the public, pet owners, and animal welfare activists to achieve its goal of a rabies-free Chennai.

CANINES COVERED

Tondiarpet 12,684
Ambattur 11,895
Tiruvottiyur 11,795
Royapuram 8,672
Madhavaram 7,963
Manali 7,207

Total so far: 60,216
Target: 2,00,000

Citing the issues that they are facing every day, the Tiruninravur Railway Passengers Welfare Association has now renewed its demand for a pedestrian subway, where an old foot overbridge once stood.

"The old foot overbridge, which was more than 60 years old, was removed. A replacement foot overbridge was subsequently built, but it has not solved the problem. A subway is needed to link between the southern and northern sides of CTH Road and Tiruninravur," said association president S Murugaiyan. The passengers also complained about the lift, which frequently breaks down.

The demand dates back to 2015 when the association, along with the Tiruninravur Traders' Association, organised a protest and hunger strike over the issue.

After the protest, a pathway was provided and a foot overbridge was constructed, Murugaiyan said.

The association now wants the Railways to build a permanent, 3-metre-wide subway at the old bridge location and provide connectivity between the platforms.

The passengers have also sought restoration of the MGR Chennai Central railway station–Tiruninravur EMU service, which it says operated from Tiruninravur between 1995 and 2007 before its originating point was shifted to Tiruvallur.

It has also sought direct rail connectivity to Tambaram, an Avadi extension of the Arakkonam–Salem Express with stops at Tiruninravur and Tiruvallur, and better facilities on the third platform.

Additional CCTV cameras, an outpost, shelters and seating have also been sought.

The federation also announced a mass protest on October 18, when it plans to mobilise around 10,000 people to press the State government to abandon the proposed 2,100-tonne capacity waste incineration project.

The demands were presented at the ‘Perambur Constituency People’s Wealth and Wellness Public Gathering’ held at a private hall in Kodungaiyur.

Representatives of 31 residents’ welfare associations, politicians, and other stakeholders participated in the event.

The federation’s blueprint seeks to make Perambur free of garbage and flooding, ensure quality drinking water and healthcare, improve education, create employment opportunities for youth, and develop more green public spaces.

A key proposal is the completion of biomining at the 352-acre Kodungaiyur dump yard to reclaim the land.

FNCRWA president TK Shanmugam said that the October 18 protest, titled ‘Deepam Yendhi Sangamam Aavom’, would be organised under the banner, North Chennai Development A Generation’s Dream.

“Around 10,000 people are expected to participate. Residents from Perambur and RK Nagar constituencies will gather holding lamps to urge the government to abandon the waste-to-energy incineration project at the Kodungaiyur dump yard,” Shanmugam told DT Next.

The federation has demanded that the government reopen 168 Micro Composting Centres and 88 Material Recovery Facilities and adopt its proposed Green Chennai Initiative instead of relying on large-scale waste incineration.

It has proposed developing an environmental research park and botanical gardens on the reclaimed land, besides establishing an IT park to create job opportunities for young people, students and researchers.

The master plan also calls for a feasibility study for a Metro Rail extension from Washermanpet to Red Hills through Basin Bridge, Vyasarpadi, MKB Nagar, Erukkancheri High Road, Moolakadai and Madhavaram.

It has also sought an elevated road from Moolakadai flyover to Ambedkar Arts College and widening of key road stretches, including the Perambur Railway Station-Moolakadai corridor.

Other demands include replacing the old underground sewerage network, prevent sewage contamination of drinking water, deepening of the Captain Cotton and Kodungaiyur canals on a war footing and the speedy completion of bridges across Captain Cotton Canal, Mullai Nagar, North and South Avenue and Kaveri Street.

Addressing the gathering, TN Housing Board chairman V Shiva said that efforts were under way to improve roads and replace electricity infrastructure in the constituency.

“With the monsoon approaching, around 210 workers have been deployed across the constituency for dewatering and maintenance works,” he said. “Drinking water, drainage and road connectivity are immediate priorities.”

Ward 35 councillor Jeevan said that he had opposed the incinerator project in Corporation council meetings and would continue to press for its withdrawal, citing public welfare concerns.

Dr T Senthamil Pari, chairman of KVT Multi Speciality Hospital, said, “The removal of the Kodungaiyur dump yard is essential for the long-term development of the constituency.”

Courts play no proactive role when it comes to debate over language of Gods

The police said the youths were under the influence of alcohol. The deceased was identified as Abijeet (54) of West Bengal. He was employed at a construction site in Nolambur.

Around 10 pm on Saturday, the group of youth, who were under the influence of alcohol, were walking on the road and confronted Abijeet. The group allegedly asked him cigarettes and when he refused, they attacked him.

Hearing Abijeet's cries, his co-workers reached the scene after which the gang fled. Abijeet was rushed to a private hospital nearby, where he was declared brought dead.

On Sunday morning, the police traced and arrested four youth, Vaseegaran (20), Sabari (19), Ajay (18), and a 17-year-old boy, a school dropout.

While Vaseegaran, Sabari and Ajay were sent in remand, the minor was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), which sent him to a government observation home.

The organisation also places a special focus on encouraging women artists. The Akademy will mark its 65th milestone event with the second edition of its National Painting Contest and Exhibition, organised in collaboration with DakshinaChitra Museum.

The exhibition will feature works by 41 selected artists from across India and will open till September 13 at the Kadambari Art Gallery, DakshinaChitra.

Artists from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, Haryana, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and other parts of the country will showcase works across different styles, techniques and mediums.

The exhibition features artists in both the professional and youth categories, reflecting the range of contemporary art practices in the country.

The police arrested five youths in connection with the alleged revenge killing.

Adyar Deputy Commissioner of Police AC Karthikeyan and Sastri Nagar inspector Rohini were transferred to vacancy reserve in less than 24 hours of the crime.

The deceased, S Kannan of Vannanthurai, was a history-sheeter who made a living by renting out cars to IT companies. Kannan had recently shifted allegiance from the AIADMK to the ruling TVK.

According to the police, Kannan's murder was plotted by a 20-year-old, V Barani, whose father and uncle were allegedly murdered by Kannan’s associates.

On Saturday night, Kannan was walking along the Ellaiamman Koil Street in Vannanthurai when a motorcycle-borne gang intercepted him and rounded him up and repeatedly slashed him with machetes.

Onlookers tried to fend off the attackers by hurling stones at them, but the gang left only after ensuring that Kannan would not survive.

The CCTV recordings of the attack were widely circulated on social media.

Sastri Nagar Police personnel moved the severely injured Kannan to a hospital, where he was declared as brought dead.

The five arrested Barani, Rakesh (20), Hariharan (20) all from Adyar, and Naresh (20) of Thiruvanmiyur and Manikandan (20) of Kottur, have been remanded in judicial custody.

In 2009, Barani's uncle Siva was murdered by Kannan's associates, and in 2016, his father Velu was murdered in Saidapet, in retaliation for murdering a history-sheeter and DMK man Mangaleri Kandan at the Tiruvanmiyur market in 2014.

Udhayanidhi attacks CM Vijay over ‘law & order’

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday questioned the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu, alleging that the history-sheeter’s killing exposed the government’s failure to ensure public safety.

Taking to social media, Udhayanidhi said: “Before the chief minister is to reply to a debate on the police department’s demand for grants on Monday, one of his party functionaries has been murdered in the capital... This is the ‘successful law and order’ situation in TN,”

Udhayanidhi said. He also took a swipe at the TVK, asking whether the party has become a garbage bin that provides refuge to history-sheeters.

He urged the government to stop looking for ways to blame the DMK and instead focus on public safety.

In Sholinganallur, he inspected a Rs. 73 crore stormwater drain project on the OMR in Thoraipakkam, where the Highways Department is working to connect water flowing out of the Pallikaranai marsh to the Buckingham Canal. The project is being carried out in an area where Chennai Metro Rail works are under way.

The inspection also covered the drainage network in Perungudi, where canal improvement works are under way in Mylai Balaji Nagar. Work has been carried out over 235 metres at a cost of Rs. 6.48 crore and over 207 metres in the fourth-block canal at Rs. 8.68 crore. The channel will carry rainwater through the drainage network along the Velachery-Medavakkam road towards the Pallikaranai marsh, helping drain the surrounding residential areas of Ram Nagar (South), Kubera Nagar and Sadasivam Nagar.

He also inspected water-hyacinth removal at Narayanapuram Lake and reviewed the sluice and canal arrangements for releasing water. Along the Radial Road–Perungudi dump yard stretch, officials were directed to clear water hyacinth and desilt 17 culverts to ensure that water can flow towards the Buckingham Canal without obstruction.

In Adyar, he inspected a Rs. 13.52 crore stormwater drain at Tidel Park being constructed over 660 metres to carry rainwater from the IIT area to the Buckingham Canal. At the Okkiyam Maduvu canal, he reviewed ongoing Chennai Metro Rail works and directed officials to expedite them and remove water hyacinth to facilitate the free flow of rainwater.

The Chief Secretary directed the Greater Chennai Corporation, Water Resources Department, Highways Department, Chennai Metro Rail Corporation and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to coordinate the monsoon preparedness works and complete them by the end of September.

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 5- Rs 107.77

September 4- Rs 107.77

September 3- Rs 107.77

September 2- Rs 107.77

September 1- Rs 107.77

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

September 5 - Rs 99.55

September 4 - Rs 99.55

September 3 - Rs 99.55

September 2 - Rs 99.55

September 1 - Rs 99.55

PANJIRI

INGREDIENTS

1 cup wheat flour

½ cup cane sugar

2 tbsp cashews

2 tbsp almonds

1 tbsp pistachios

1½ tbsp raisins

2 tbsp dried coconut

½ cup

makhana

¼ cup + 2 tbsp ghee

2 tbsp edible gum (gond)

¼ tsp dry ginger powde

HOW TO MAKE

Heat a little ghee in a kadai. Add the cashews, almonds and pistachios. Fry until crisp and golden. Remove and set aside

Add the raisins and fry until they puff up. Transfer them to the same bowl

Add a little more ghee and fry the edible gum. Add it in batches, frying until it puffs up fully. Remove and set aside

Add a little ghee and roast the makhana until crisp and golden. Break one to check that it is crisp, then remove and set aside

Fry the dried coconut until golden. Remove and set aside

Add the remaining ghee to the kadai and add the wheat flour— roast on low heat, stirring continuously, until golden and aromatic. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly

Coarsely grind the fried gond

In a bowl, combine the roasted wheat flour, nuts, raisins, crushed makhana, cane sugar, dry ginger powder, gond and fried coconut

Mix everything well. The panjiri is ready

PAAL POHA INGREDIENTS

1¼ cups aval | ¾ cup milk | 1½ tbsp jaggery | 2½ tbsp condensed milk | 1/3 tsp cardamom powder | 1 tbsp broken cashews | 1 tbsp grated coconut | 1 tbsp ghee

HOW TO MAKE

Add the milk and condensed milk to a saucepan. Add the jaggery, ensuring it is free of impurities, and whisk well.

Bring the mixture to a boil. Switch off the flame and remove from heat.

Add the cardamom powder and mix well. Set aside.

Add the aval to a mixing bowl. Rinse it once and drain.

Pour the prepared milk mixture over the aval, mix well and let it soak for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the ghee in a pan. Add the broken cashews and fry until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

Add the grated coconut to the same pan and fry until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

Add the fried cashews and coconut to the soaked aval.

Mix well and serve.

The victim, Kirupal of Perambur, was living with a friend and had no immediate family in the city. The accident took place at around 5.30 am on a bylane off the Old ECR Link Road.

A private sewage lorry had entered the narrow street for sewage collection when a water tanker came from the opposite side, officials said. Due to Metro Rail construction work, the stretch has become constricted, leaving little space for two heavy vehicles to cross.

While trying to negotiate the narrow passage, the sewage tanker reportedly brushed against the roof slab of the security booth, bringing the structure down. Inside the cabin, Kirupal died trapped under the debris.

Teams from Fire and Rescue Services, along with Pallikaranai Traffic Investigation police rushed to the spot, cleared the rubble and retrieved the body and sent it to Government Hospital for autopsy.

The truck driver, Manikandan (37), was arrested on charges of rash and negligent driving causing death.

The 23-year-old from Kargil was becoming the first woman Army officer from the district, a journey that began in the mountains of Zanskar in Ladakh.

“I was completely lost during classes 11 and 12,” she said, recalling that her career choices then seemed limited to engineering, medicine or law. She eventually chose engineering, pursuing Mechanical Engineering.

It was while in college, through the NCC, that she learnt more about the Indian Army. The more she learnt, the more convinced. “I knew from inside that this is what I want to do,” she said.

The Army’s active lifestyle and the scope to remain physically fit appealed to her.

Coming from a civilian family with no military background, she said the idea of becoming an Army officer was not something she had grown up around.

“There are many who are in the Army in Ladakh, but they are not officers,” she said.

Earlier, youngsters may not have known about the routes into the officer cadre or may have hesitated because of the difficult selection process and limited vacancies.

Stanzin also pushed back against a perception she said was sometimes held outside Ladakh that there is an inherent friction between the Army and local people.

“People of Ladakh respect the Indian Army too much,” she said. “Living close to the borders, residents understood the Army’s role in protecting their home.”

Colonel OPN Kalyan (retd) knows what it takes to enter the Army. His father joined in 1940; Kalyan himself was commissioned in 1969.

This time, it was his grandson Lt Rashwant preparing for the uniform. Originally from Orathy, a small village in Chengalpattu, he was so proud in continuing his family legacy. “It’s always been my dream to wear a uniform,” Rashwant said.

He was among 29 women and 313 male officer cadets commissioned into the Indian Army at OTA Chennai. Another 17 cadets from seven friendly foreign countries including Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Bhutan and Lesotho completed their training.

The 122nd Passing Out Parade was reviewed by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan who congratulated the newly commissioned officers and urged them to uphold the values of selfless service and the pursuit of excellence.

On the parade ground, many roots converged. Officer Cadet Mohit Arora from Phagwara in Punjab had spent seven years pursuing his Army ambition.

The son of an Army Postal Service veteran, he turned down admission opportunities at three IIMs to pursue his long-held goal of joining the Army.

Battalion Under Officer Sagar Bhadana came from an agrarian family near Faridabad with no military background. For another cadet, the uniform represented a family legacy. Officer Cadet Prashant Gurung grew up with the stories of his grandfather and father, both associated with the Gorkha Rifles.

And for Ritika Dubey, from a small village in Gorakhpur, the route involved scholarships, athletics and volunteering before she became the first member of her family to pursue a military career.

But his kritis also carry stories of temples, mythology, language and philosophy. Singing the Wind: Four Essays on Muttuswami Dikshitar brings together scholar David Shulman and vocalist Sikkil Gurucharan to explore these different aspects of his music.

For those unfamiliar with Carnatic music, the event will offer a chance to understand Dikshitar’s compositions through both discussion and performance.

David will talk about the literary, cultural and spiritual aspects of the selected kritis, while Sikkil will perform them.

“We naturally and correctly privilege Dikshitar’s music its remarkable musical structures, phrases, modes of emphasis, melodies, lyricism and so on,” David says.

But the kritis also have a strong verbal element, he adds. “Mostly in Sanskrit, a somewhat idiosyncratic Sanskrit with complex syntax,” the lyrics are an important part of the compositions. “When we listen well, we can feel the strength and clarity of the verbal text resonating in the singing.”

For David, one of the world’s leading scholars of South Indian culture, knowing the background of a composition can add to the experience.

This could be knowing which deity is being addressed, the temple associated with it or how a kriti fits into the Sri Vidya tradition. But he says this knowledge is not necessary to enjoy the music. “The music speaks for itself, no less so today than a hundred years ago,” he says.

The four essays focus on the Abhayamba kritis, Sri Kalahastisa, Akshayalingavibho and Srirajagopala. David says the selection is personal, especially since Dikshitar composed more than 400 kritis.

The chapter on Akshayalingavibho came after he and his wife heard Sikkil perform it in full at Raga Sudha Hall in Mylapore.

“It awakened a kind of ecstasy in both of us,” David recalls. Sri Kalahastisa, meanwhile, “appeared in my dream one night and asked me to write something about it”, while the Abhayamba kritis “simply reached deep into my heart or mind.”

David has loved Dikshitar’s music since he lived in Mandavelipakkam in 1975-76. He says repeated listening and reading the texts have helped him develop “a profound connection” with the music.

He also remains hopeful about the future of Carnatic music, pointing to young musicians who are developing their own styles.

For Sikkil, the music comes first. “It is the musical architecture first, the raga and the world of ideas behind it, and the lyrics,” he says. Learning a Dikshitar composition, he adds, means understanding its raga and musical structure, while the lyrics offer an insight into Sanskrit and the emotions of the period.

Sikkil does not feel that one needs to know the cultural background of a composition to perform it. “It was the music that attracted me towards a composition,” he says. However, scholars such as David can make musicians curious to learn more.

“They pique our interest towards learning something more about that kriti,” he says. This process, he adds, has “made me intellectually a better person”.

The format of Singing the Wind also gives Sikkil more freedom than a regular concert. He describes it as “a more free-flowing and adaptive manner”. Sikkil compares learning Dikshitar to peeling a jackfruit - difficult at first, but rewarding once one reaches the fruit inside.

“The more we age as a musician, not in terms of physical years, but in terms of repertoire that we learn, even of other composers, the more we perform Dikshitar’s songs, the more I’ve sung Akshaya Linga Vibho or Ehi Annapurna, I feel I’m getting closer to the original bhava in which Dikshitar intended the song to be performed.”

For Sikkil, another strength of Dikshitar’s compositions is their structure. He says Dikshitar varied the format of his compositions while maintaining a strong rhythmic framework.

“If you preserve that integrity in a very honest way, I think the composition is already accessible for everyone who is encountering his music for the first time,” adds the musician. He believes Dikshitar’s work is 'as contemporary as it is traditional'.

Singing the Wind: Four Essays on Muttuswami Dikshitar, jointly organised by The Music Academy, Madras and Prakriti Foundation, will be held on September 6 at 10.30 am at the Music Academy. Entry is free and open to all.

“The idea came from wanting to create the kind of dining experience we felt was missing in Chennai. We noticed that dining out had increasingly become about speed, convenience and moving on to the next thing. There is absolutely a place for that, but we felt there was room for something more intentional,” says Ishani Mehta, founder of Ameretti.

Her brother, Ishant Mehta, is also one of the chefs at Ameretti. The brother-sister duo runs the café together.

“For us, food is not just about what is on the plate. It is about conversation, anticipation, hospitality and being present. The reservation-led format allows us to create an environment where guests can settle in, take their time and experience the meal at a comfortable pace. We wanted dining to feel like an occasion again, even on an ordinary day,” Ishani tells us.

Beyond the signature dishes we tasted, Ameretti’s menu brings together a range of Italian vegetarian plates, from pastas such as Rigatoni con Salsa Romesco with roasted red pepper and charred almond sauce, and Risotto alla Milanese con Asparagi, with saffron-infused risotto and grilled asparagus, to pizzas including Margherita, Primavera and Truffle & Mushroom Bianca.

The dessert selection also includes Fig and Honey Panna Cotta and chocolate cake, among other offerings. We sampled some of the kitchen’s signature dishes, which offered a glimpse into the restaurant’s ingredient-led approach.

After a long day, there is a particular anticipation that comes with finally sitting down for dinner. The first dish to arrive was the arancini. As the chef explained the preparation, the risotto rice is slow-cooked before saffron water is infused into it, along with chilli and mozzarella.

The mixture is then left to set before being crumbed and fried. It was served with marinara sauce, topped with olive oil and basil leaves.

But it was the marinara sauce that immediately demanded attention. Made with Senmarisa tomatoes sourced from Italy, it was simple yet intensely flavourful, with the kind of depth that made the first bite feel like a proper heads-up a green signal that this dinner was going to be a hit.

Rather than functioning merely as the usual starter, the arancini set the tone for what followed.

Next came the aglio e olio, which the chef described as one of their best. The spaghetti is made in-house, with long strands carrying a strong garlicky flavour, while crushed breadcrumbs sprinkled over the top added texture. It was creamy and full-bodied without losing the character of the pasta.

The meal ended with a tiramisu creamy layers balanced by coffee powder and, importantly, not overly sweet. It was a fitting finish to an unhurried dinner.

The decision to make Ameretti vegetarian was personal. “We wanted to create a restaurant where vegetarian food wasn't treated as an alternative but as the main narrative,” says the founder.

When asked why she chose Italian cuisine, Ishani shares, “Italian cuisine felt like a natural fit because it celebrates ingredients rather than complexity for the sake of it. Some of the most beautiful Italian dishes are built around vegetables, grains, herbs and simple techniques. The cuisine taught us that restraint can be powerful.”

For Chef Ishant Mehta, the connection between Italian cooking and Chennai comes through seasonality.

“Italian cooking is built around the idea of using the best ingredients available at a given moment, which makes it surprisingly compatible with Chennai. We work closely with local suppliers and seasonal produce whenever possible. Rather than trying to recreate Italy ingredient for ingredient, we focus on applying Italian techniques and philosophies to what is available around us,” says Chef Ishant.

The menu is not simply an exercise in replacing meat with vegetables. The kitchen works with slow roasting, fermentation, handmade pastas, careful stock-making and vegetable-focused preparations. “We hope people leave with the understanding that vegetarian Italian food is far more diverse than pasta, pizza and cheese,” says Ishani.

Ameretti began with conversations, experiments and small gatherings before becoming a restaurant. “Knowing exactly how many guests are arriving allows the kitchen to work in small batches, prepare around the day's produce and pay closer attention to each table,” says Ishani.

For Chef Ishant, the format offers creative freedom. “It allows us to focus on precision rather than volume. Creatively, it is liberating because we can build dishes around quality and craftsmanship rather than operational efficiency alone. It creates a closer relationship between the kitchen, the dining room and the guest,” he adds.

“We want guests to feel that every detail was considered with them in mind. If they leave feeling calmer, more connected and already looking forward to their next visit, then we have achieved what we set out to do,” concludes Ishani.

The stretch is used by thousands of college students, office-goers and residents every day. With several commercial establishments, marriage halls and party halls in the vicinity, the junction witnesses heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic throughout the day.

Pedestrians crossing the affected stretch are forced to wade through the stench and dirty water.

College students and office-goers said they often get splashed with sewage water when vehicles pass through the stagnant water. Motorists passing through the stretch also end up splashing the sewage water on pedestrians.

Residents said the stagnant sewage water had also resulted in an increase in mosquitoes, raising concerns among people living in the surrounding residential areas.

Ramanathan, a regular commuter, said repeated blockages in the roadside drainage system were causing the problem. Though officials clear the blockages whenever complaints are made, the sewage overflow returns within a few days.

“They clear it temporarily, but the sewage starts overflowing again after a few days. We need a permanent solution," he said.

When contacted, Tambaram Corporation officials said plastic waste and garbage dumped into stormwater drains by the public were causing blockages and resulting in sewage overflow.

Officials said the drains were being cleared periodically and steps were being taken to find a permanent solution.

Published in Bioinformation on August 31, the study covered 60 women aged 21 and above in Choolai, a densely populated urban locality in the Greater Chennai Corporation. Researchers were from the College of Nursing, Madras Medical College, Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University.

Emotional and verbal abuse was the most prevalent form, reported by 70% of the participants, followed by physical abuse (53.33%), financial abuse (41.67%), isolation tactics (28.33%) and sexual abuse (21.67%). Constant criticism and humiliation were among the most frequently reported forms of emotional abuse.

Researchers assessed DV, conflict-related behaviour and psychological distress using the Domestic Violence Worksheet, Conflict Tactics Scale and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). While 48 women (80%) fell in the study’s low domestic-violence category and 12 (20%) in the moderate category, none was placed in the high category.

The picture was markedly different for psychological distress: 44 women (73.33%) recorded high distress and 16 (26.67%) moderate distress, with none recording low distress. Restlessness was reported by 96% of the women, followed by symptoms of depression (95.6%) and hopelessness (94.4%).

The study recorded significant positive correlations between DV and conflict tactics, DV and psychological distress, and conflict tactics and psychological distress. Researchers described this as an ‘important paradox’, saying the psychological footprint of abuse extends beyond observable physical aggression.

Education was significantly associated with both DV scores and psychological distress. All women with no formal or only primary education reported high distress, while 95.24% of those with undergraduate education had low domestic-violence scores.

Researchers called for mental-health screening, educational support and trauma-informed care for women facing DV. They also cautioned that the study's small convenience sample, single-site design and reliance on self-reported data limited its generalisability, and recommended multicentre longitudinal research.

SHOCKING REVEALS

Emotional/verbal abuse: 70%

Physical abuse: 53.33%

Financial abuse: 41.67%

Isolation tactics: 28.33%

Sexual abuse: 21.67%

DV severity: 80% low, 20% moderate

Psychological distress: 73.33% high, 26.67% moderate

Greater domestic violence and conflict-related behaviour were associated with greater psychological distress

Important paradox – psychological harm can be severe even when overt violence appears relatively low

Mental-health screening, educational support and trauma-informed care crucial

SYMPTOMS

Restlessness – 96%

Depression – 95.6%

Hopelessness – 94.4%

The deceased was identified as Srinivasan, a native of Andhra Pradesh. He worked at a bar attached to a Tasmac outlet in Surapet.

Investigations revealed that Srinivasan had an argument with another worker, Sasikumar, over cleaning duties at the bar.

During the altercation, Sasikumar hit him on the head with a liquor bottle. Srinivasan collapsed and sustained serious injuries.

When customers waiting outside the outlet to buy liquor went in to check, they found him lying in a pool of blood and alerted the police.

Police reached the spot and rushed Srinivasan to a GH, where doctors declared him 'brought dead'. Police registered a case and have launched a search for Sasikumar, who fled.

Varadaraju, a resident of Andhra Pradesh, arrived at the airport and was undergoing routine immigration checks when officials examined his passport and travel documents.

During verification, immigration officials found that the Andhra Pradesh Economic Offences Wing had registered a financial fraud case against him around two years ago.

As he had remained absconding, he was declared a wanted accused and a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him at international airports.

After confirming his identity, officials prevented Varadaraju from boarding the flight and detained him at the immigration office. The Andhra Pradesh Economic Offences Wing was subsequently alerted.

A special team from the Andhra Pradesh Economic Offences Wing is reportedly on its way to Chennai airport to take custody of Varadaraju and produce him before the authorities concerned in Andhra Pradesh.

Anna Salai: Executive Engineer’s office on Laporte Street, Chintadripet.

Anna Nagar: Executive Engineer’s office at H-Block, 11th Main Road.

Guindy: Executive Engineer’s office, 2nd floor, 110-kV KK Nagar substation.

Ponneri: Executive Engineer’s office, 33/11-kV substation, TH Road, Vengapakkam.

The Superintending Engineers of the Central, South, West and North circles have appealed to consumers to participate in the meetings and utilise the opportunity to get their grievances addressed.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,14,960 per sovereign and Rs 14,370 per gram, after a decrease of Rs 135 per gram.

Earlier on August 29 morning, the price of 22-carat gold stood at Rs 1,16,040 per sovereign and Rs 14,505 per gram.

Silver price unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices remained unchanged at Rs 255 per gram (Rs 2,55,000 per kg) on September 5.

On September 4, silver was priced at Rs 255 per gram.

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

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. The price of 22-carat gold has increased from Rs 8,310 per gram on September 5, 2025, to Rs 14,190 per gram on September 5, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 5,880 per gram or about 70.76%.

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

September 4, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,880 | 1 gram - Rs 14,360

September 3, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,920 | 1 gram - Rs 14,240

September 2, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,11,600 | 1 gram - Rs 13,950

September 1, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,15,080 | 1 gram - Rs 14,385

August 31, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,960 | 1 gram - Rs 14,370

Silver price over the last five days:

ASeptember 4, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 3, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 260

September 2, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 1, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

August 31, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 26065

A Corporation Higher Secondary School and a fair price shop are located on Venkatachalapathy Street, while an Amma Unavagam is functioning on Subbarayan Street. As a result, a large number of residents and students use the area every day. However, garbage has accumulated not only around the bins but also along the roadside beyond them.

Various types of waste, including old plastics, food remains, and discarded clothes, have been dumped along the roadside. Rain that lashed the city on Thursday has also led to water stagnation, worsening the filth and smell. Residents said the stagnant water and uncleared garbage could also lead to an increase in mosquitoes and flies.

“Some people dump garbage on the roadside at night instead of putting it in the bins. Cows and dogs rummage through the garbage, scattering it across the road and worsening the foul smell,” said Babu, who resides in the area.

Mohana, a street vendor, said, “The garbage piled up along the roadside is causing inconvenience not only to motorists but also to school students and their parents who use this route.”

A Greater Chennai Corporation official said, “Waste from roads and garbage bins will be cleared daily. Immediate steps will be taken to remove garbage from places where it has not been cleared.”

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 4- Rs 107.77

September 3- Rs 107.77

September 2- Rs 107.77

September 1- Rs 107.77

August 31- Rs 107.77

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

September 4 - Rs 99.55

September 3 - Rs 99.55

September 2 - Rs 99.55

September 1 - Rs 99.55

August 31 - Rs 99.55

Founded in 1857 during the British era, the university has played a significant role in the growth of higher education and research in the country and has produced several scholars, leaders and professionals.

The year-long celebrations will involve heads of departments, faculty members, staff and students across the university’s five campuses.

As part of the programme, ‘UoM – Acumen 170’ will feature an e-poster competition, while sports activities, including cricket and badminton competitions, will be held under the same theme.

The cultural segment, ‘UoM – Mosaic 170’, will provide students a platform to showcase their talents through dance, music and literary events. ‘UoM – Thirai 170’ will focus on media and encourage participants to create reels and short videos.

The university will also organise an ‘Education for All Awareness Marathon’ under ‘UoM – Awaken 170’, aimed at highlighting the importance of education and social awareness.

Through ‘Legacy 170’, the university seeks to celebrate its rich heritage while engaging its academic community in activities reflecting its present achievements and future aspirations.

University of Madras Registrar Prof Dr Rita John said a 25-member team had been formed to coordinate and organise the events scheduled throughout the year.

‘All we need is a mentor who believes in us’

When I was in Class 11 at DAV, I once stayed up the whole night studying for a Physics exam. The next morning, I had low blood pressure and was unable even to get up. I was scared and, for a moment, I doubted myself.

My principal told my mother, “Let her write whatever she can.” I went to the examination hall, wrote for an hour and passed the exam.

Those few words stayed with me, not because they helped me pass one exam, but because they taught me something much bigger: an obstacle should never stop us from moving forward or facing a challenge.

Sometimes, all we need is someone who believes that we can still try.

During college, I was hesitant to initiate conversations or interact with people outside the institution. My teachers always gave everyone opportunities to interact with outsiders, take responsibility and be at the front.

They did not always say, ‘Go through the proper channel’ or ‘Let the head handle it.’ Instead, they gave us the space to learn, take initiative and grow.

This built my confidence.

Today, as a teacher myself at the Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, I consciously try to give my students the same opportunities. I encourage them to initiate, interact, take responsibility, face people and situations and not always wait for someone else to lead.

Perhaps that is what teachers leave behind: not just lessons from textbooks, but words, opportunities and moments that students carry with them long after they have left the classroom.

- Krupa, Teacher, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology

‘My father (my best teacher) taught me to follow what I love’

My father was my best teacher. He used to say, “Do what you like.”

I learned a lot from him. Integrity is key in life. I chose to be a librarian and think it is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Living with books is a blessing.

“Do not bother about what others do. If it is wise and makes you happy, go ahead,” was his advice. Happiness is more important than running after money.

He used to tell my brother and me lots of stories every night when we were young. Many of them were about science, Thomas Alva Edison, the environment and more.

He was a big inspiration to many people who worked with him. He retired as the postmaster at the Besant Nagar Post Office and used to cook for his staff once a week.

I learned a lot from watching him. Our house was always full of people.

- Indumathi Mohan, Senior Manager, Library, Collections and Conservation, DakshinaChitra

‘My teacher told me I could shape my own story’

Teachers usually hear from us when we need them.

Rarely do we go back and tell them what actually stayed with us, sometimes for decades. I've carried three sentences with me. Not lessons, not marks, not moments, just three impactful sentences that shaped my life.

A school teacher once told me I was a people's person, genuinely talented and creative, and that I should build my career around those qualities. She said it was a rarer gift than anything in the textbooks we were being taught from.

She probably said it and moved on with her day. I never did. It quietly told a young girl that her worth wasn't going to be decided by the marks on her report card.

Another teacher mentioned that I'd make a good teacher someday, that I already had it in me. I laughed it off; I genuinely didn't see it. Now, years into mentoring people and building spaces for others to learn, I think about that a lot.

But the one that actually changed things came later, during my master's. A professor said, almost as an aside, “You're the director of your story; shape it the way you want.” I nodded like it was just professor talk. It wasn't. I've thought of that line every time I've had to choose between the safe option and the one that actually felt like mine.

They probably don't remember saying any of this, but I remember all of it. That's the thing about teaching; you rarely find out where your words end up. I know that now because I'm on the other side of it too.

This Teachers' Day, I just wanted to say it: thank you for something you don't even remember giving me. And to anyone I've unknowingly said the right thing to at the right time, I hope it stays with you the way theirs stayed with me.

- Priya Banik, Photographer and Educator

'My teacher taught me to keep my soul alive'

I can only think of my late dance teacher, who taught me ten years ago.

She always told me I could be anything I wanted as long as I kept dancing, because that is what keeps the soul alive. She was my role model for the longest time.

She was everything I wanted to be. I wanted to learn and teach dance just like she did, to stay alive metaphorically.

Ever since she passed away, I have found a new dream. It is to become a doctor and save lives, literally.

I still have much time to decide which speciality to choose, but I know that whatever I do, I will always be dancing to keep my soul alive.

- Akshara Chitty Babu, medical student

- As told to Merin James

However, the issues that formed the centre of the agitation — permanent employment, paid weekly leave and higher daily wages — have been kept aside for the next round of talks scheduled for October 3.

The decision to call off the strike came hours after ministers N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Rajmohan and R NirmalKumar met hundreds of protesting workers at the corporation headquarters. The delegation persuaded the workers to give the government time to address their demands. "We will discuss and do whatever can be done. You don't worry at all," Anand told the workers.

Aadhav pointed to the previous regime’s extensive outsourcing of government responsibilities as one of the difficulties in immediately bringing contract workers under the regular establishment.

"We have temporarily withdrawn the protest and are awaiting talks with the CM," said K Bharathi, state president of UUI.

The government agreed to provide the workers with daily food allowance of Rs 50 from October 1, 200 toilets for women workers across wards by September 30, and withdrawal of criminal cases filed against those who had fought for sanitation workers’ rights during the previous government's tenure.

The government also agreed to set up a sanitation workers' welfare board office within the Chennai corporation premises, with an officer to be appointed. Officers will meet sanitation workers every two months, while the GCC commissioner will hold discussions with the workers' unions every four months. The Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam will also be given a union office.

A total of 160 new BOV vehicles in zones 4, 7 and 8, and jobs and death compensation to the next of kin of sanitation workers who die in service were also agreed upon.

Meanwhile, permanent employment, paid weekly leave, maternity leave, menstrual leave and the demand for a daily wage of Rs 832, the rate fixed by the district collector for unskilled workers, will be taken up in the next round of talks.

The models cover speech recognition, speech generation, machine translation and optical character recognition, with support ranging from 22 to 27 Indian languages

Developed in partnership with AI4Bharat, the models cover speech recognition, speech generation, machine translation and optical character recognition, with support ranging from 22 to 27 Indian languages. They are being offered through open-weight releases and APIs on sovereign digital infrastructure, enabling users to adapt the technology without developing models from scratch.

The models are part of the Bharat EduAI Stack, envisioned as sovereign digital public infrastructure for education.

"India's AI journey cannot be built on technology alone. It must be built on technology that understands India," said IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti.

Bodhan AI Principal Investigator Mitesh Khapra said the initiative aimed to build with the ecosystem, not compete with it, creating a common AI layer and reducing duplication.

The launch also includes Student TutorBot and Teacher Assistant Bot.

TutorBot is designed for students in Classes 6-12 and supports text and voice in 22 Indian languages, using textbooks for explanations, practice and assessment. The Teacher Assistant Bot can help educators prepare lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes and assessments, while leaving teachers in control of reviewing or discarding AI-generated outputs.

The models were trained and optimised using NVIDIA Nemotron open models and are intended to support AI applications across India's linguistic and educational landscape.

The accused, Isakki Muthu of Courtallam, came in contact with the woman at Besant Nagar beach last week, where she had approached him for a parrot astrology consultation.

The woman, a Sri Lankan Tamil who had obtained Canadian citizenship, had been staying in Kodambakkam for the past few months.

She was interested in spirituality and had appeared on a television programme and posted videos on spiritual subjects.

During the consultation, she told Muthu about her plans to participate in a singing audition for a television channel.

Muthu subsequently contacted her and allegedly told her that an adverse planetary position was affecting her prospects and claimed that a special puja would remove the dosha.

He reportedly quoted Rs 70,000 for the ritual and instructed her to perform it without clothes in a video call around midnight, claiming that he would perform the puja at a temple in Tamil Nadu at that time.

Believing that she was taking part in a genuine spiritual ritual, the woman complied.

The following day, Muthu allegedly told her that he had recorded the video and demanded Rs 5 lakh, threatening to circulate it online if she failed to pay up.

Initially, she transferred Rs 20,000 to an account linked to him. Latest, when he continued to seek more money, then approached the Mambalam All-Women Police Station and lodged a complaint.

The police traced Muthu using his mobile number and the bank account details, and located him hiding in his native Courtallam.

He was brought to Chennai, produced before a court, which remanded him in judicial custody.

The police identified the accused as Sreerekha alias Kotti (26), wife of Kamesh, a resident of SS Puram, B Block, Purasaiwalkam.

According to officials, the victim, Gunaseelan (45), a daily wage worker residing in the same locality, had undergone heart surgery a few months ago and had not resumed work. He had recently started going for walks near his house.

On Thursday morning, while Gunaseelan was out for his usual walk, Sreerekha allegedly showered abuses on him.

Later, when Gunaseelan was returning home after his walk, she allegedly intercepted him and picked an argument, accusing him of making derogatory remarks about her.

Officials said Sreerekha allegedly attacked Gunaseelan with a stone and also hit him on his chest, where he had undergone surgery. Gunaseelan reportedly lost consciousness following the assault.

The woman allegedly threatened to kill him before leaving the spot, while Gunaseelan was rushed to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

Based on a complaint from Gunaseelan's wife, the Secretariat Colony police registered a case and launched an investigation. A police team led by the station inspector subsequently arrested Sreerekha on Thursday.

The police said she already has two criminal cases registered against her at the same police station. She was produced before a court on Thursday and remanded in judicial custody.

The deceased was identified as Savithri (70), who lived on the roadside at Kannappar Thidal in Periamet and sold fruits along the roadside on Demellows Road.

According to the police, Savithri was crossing the road near the roundabout when she was hit by an MTC bus (Route No. 242B) travelling from Puthagaram towards the Secretariat. She suffered severe injuries and died on the spot.

The motorists who witnessed the accident alerted the traffic police, and personnel from the Kilpauk Traffic Investigation Wing rushed to the spot, recovered Savithri's body and sent it to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.

The traffic police subsequently registered a case and arrested the bus driver, Sekar (42), a native of Tiruvallur. He is being questioned in connection with the accident.