QChennai: Rains Bring Relief; Kaala Releases with Little Fanfare
Here is your roundup of the top stories from Chennai.
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1. ‘Kaala’ Release: Rajini Fans Line Up at Theatres For Early Shows
Superstar Rajinikanth’s ‘Kaala’, which released in theatres worldwide on Thursday witnessed an unusual trend. While fans showed up for the early morning shows, theatres in Chennai saw an underwhelming response compared to the actor-turned-politician’s previous releases.
The heavy rain that lashed Mumbai early on 6 June could not deter the Rajinikanth supporters as the overjoyed fans poured milk on huge posters and danced for hours before the show began.
Read the full story here.
2. Mercury Drops by 14°C, Scattered Showers Today
Intense showers on Wednesday evening ended a six-month-long dry spell leaving interior roads flooded and holding up peak-hour traffic. The meteorological office has forecast thundershower towards the afternoon or evening on Thursday. At noon on Wednesday, the temperature peaked to a maximum of 39°C, the second highest this year so far. Sea breeze entered the city and brought the temperature down by 5°C in about 40 minutes. The temperature fell further by nearly 10°C to 25°C by 3pm when the downpour began.
Rain in the city was a result of convective activity. According to weathermen, most parts of Tamil Nadu get rainfall when the southwest monsoon is inactive in other parts of the country as the state falls in the rain shadow region. Westerly winds weaken when the southwest monsoon is inactive giving way to easterly winds.
(Source: The Times of India)
3. Convict Wins Cancer Battle, Six Diplomas, 1 Degree and Freedom
After fighting a life-threatening throat cancer during his two-decade incarceration, V Chandrakasan, a life convict in his late fifties, stepped out of the Puzhal central prison as a redeemed man. "I turned my surroundings inside the prison into a paradise and spent my stay here fruitfully," said Chandrakasan, who completed six diploma courses in catering, hotel management and a degree while serving his sentence.
Chandrakasan, who was imprisoned in 1989 in a murder case, thanked the prison authorities for giving adequate medical care to fight cancer and an opportunity to overcome social stigma. He was among the 67 life convicts who were released from the Puzhal central prison - II following the state government's order to release them to mark the birth centenary of former CM M Ramachandran.
(Source: The Times of India)
4. Autopsy Completed on Six Bodies of Thoothukudi Victims
Autopsy on the remaining six bodies of those killed in police action during the 22 May Thoothukudi violence were performed and five bodies were handed over to the relatives, while the body of one of the victim is to be received by his family on Thursday. Following the ruling of Madras high court to perform post-mortem for the six bodies among the 13 killed in police action, the Thoothukudi district administration has made all arrangements to perform autopsy at Thoothukudi government medical college hospital on Wednesday.
The relatives of the six gave their consent in writing, following which the post mortem was done on the six bodies by a team of four doctors, under the supervision of the Forensic expert Dr Vinoth Chowdry of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical education and Research (JIPMER). Four judicial magistrate too were present when the post mortem was performed and the entire process was video graphed. Eloborate security arrangements were done so as to prevent any untoward incident as the bodies received by the relatives were taken for burial the same day.
(Source: Deccan Chronicle)
5. 'TNPCB Authority Cannot Hear Appeal Against Sterlite Closure'
Citing the 28 May order of the Tamil Nadu government directing permanent closure of Sterlite unit in Tuticorin, the appellate authority of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has said it might not be appropriate to hear the factory's appeal now. The authority comprising chairperson Justice T Sudanthiram and technical members – VN Raidu and Jayakumar TC Ethiraj – said that in view of the May 28 GO, the authority felt it was not appropriate to hear the appeal and decide it at this juncture. It then adjourned the hearing to 10 July.
When the appeal filed by Vedanta Limited's Sterlite Copper seeking renewal of consent for 2018-2023 to re-commence operation at its Tuticorin unit came up for hearing, additional advocate-general of Tamil Nadu PH Arvindh Pandian said the appeal had become otiose and infructuous, in view of the GO directing permanent closure of the factory.
(Source: The Times of India)
6. State Sees Steep Drop in MMR, Holds 3rd Spot
Tamil Nadu has seen the biggest drop in its Maternal Mortality Ratio since the Sample Registration System (SRS) data of 2004-2006, recording a dip of 16 percent to bring the MMR down to 66. The state retains its position of being third in the country in terms of MMR. The latest SRS data on MMR (the number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births) released by the Office of the Registrar General of India on Wednesday added heft to Tamil Nadu’s ongoing campaign to reduce both MMR and infant mortality rate.
While it has been fast tracking changes in the maternal and child care segment, health managers in the state attribute the current drop to the efficiency of the new Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) tool being used to track mothers who have just delivered and their babies across the State. “We have a new process in place that makes a mother’s registration mandatory for deriving benefits from the Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Assistance Scheme. Under this scheme a sum of Rs 12,000 is paid in three installments to the mother, to help her get through her pregnancy and assist the newborn. A great deal of the coverage that we have been able to do is thanks to this scheme, and PICME,” said J Radhakrishnan, Health Secretary.
(Source: The Hindu)
7. Self-Employment Subsidy for Transgenders Doubled to Boost Income in Chennai
The subsidy provided for transgenders’ self-employment entrepreneurship is going to be increased to Rs 50,000 in order to boost generation of employment and income for the marginalised community. Minister for Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme V Saroja told the Assembly. “The government is currently offering Rs 20,000 grant per head for the third gender to start self-employment like running grocery shop, rearing milch cows and eateries in order to raise the level of livelihood economically.” This amount will be increased to Rs 50,000 per head. Every year, 150 transgender citizens will benefit from the scheme.
However, the transgender activists say that this will only help those living in rural areas but what they want is more support for education and employment opportunities in government services. “The hike in self-employment grants will help transgenders living in rural areas. Because in cities, we often have to face problems in running businesses as the customers prefer to stay away from us,” Grace Banu, Director of Trans Rights Now Collective, said.
(Source: The New Indian Express)
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