1. Kamal Plans to Tour State from Jan 26, Meet People
Actor Kamal Haasan, who has faced criticism for not interacting with the common man despite his political aspirations, has announced he would meet people across the State from January 26.
“There was this minor criticism that I have not come to the field. Even you [musician Ilaiyaraja] had that criticism. It was you [Mr Ilaiyaraja] who had said get into the field. I am going to get into the field with the permission of the one who advised me. My journey to meet with the people would commence this [January] 26th,” Mr Kamal Haasan said at a function here last weekend in the presence of the maestro.
The actor disclosed that arrangements were being made for his visits to various places and his travel schedule would be published in the next issue of a magazine in which he is a columnist. Mr Kamal Haasan’s announcement about his tour is seen as an attempt to firm up his political plans.
(Source: The Hindu)
2. DMK Chief Karunanidhi Visits Kanimozhi’s Home After a Year
After a year’s gap, DMK president M Karunanidhi visited the house of his wife Rajathi Ammal and daughter Kanimozhi in CIT Colony.
Mr Karunanidhi had refrained from party work from the time he became unwell in December 2016. He rarely visited even the party headquarters and was confined to his Gopalapuram residence.
Usually, he meets party cadre during Pongal and presents them each with ₹10. This Pongal festival, he merely waved to the cadre who were not allowed to come near him.
On Monday, he visited Ms Kanimozhi’s home at CIT Colony, which was usually his retiring place at night till a year ago. This is the first time he is visiting his daughter’s home after she was acquitted along with others in the 2G spectrum case by a CBI court recently.
(Source: The Hindu)
3. 3 Killed in Bull-Taming Sports in Tamil Nadu Madurai
Three persons were killed during the traditional bull taming sports of Jallikattu and Manjavirattu held today as part of Pongal festivities in different places in Tamil Nadu.
Two spectators died watching the Manjavirattu (a bull-taming sport slightly different from Jallikattu) at Siravayal in neighbouring Sivaganga district, police said.
In Aavarangaadu in Tiruchirappalli district, a person named Solai Pandian was gored to death by a raging bull during Jallikattu.
With this, the toll in the bull taming sport this season has risen to four. A 19-year-old spectator was gored to death by a bull at Palamedu in this district yesterday.
At the world famous Jallikattu in Alanganallur near here, at least 25 people were injured today.
Chief Minister K Palaniswami inaugurated the event, which saw the participation of nearly 1,100 bulls and 1,500 sportsmen who vied for honours.
(Source: PTI)
4. Scribes Boycott Dalit Leader Jignesh Mevani Meet in Chennai After He Asks TV Channel to Leave
In a show of solidarity, journalists today boycotted a press meet to be addressed by Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani here after he refused to talk in the presence of an English news channel.
After a closed-door interaction with students and academicians, Mevani had agreed to a short media meet.
As soon as the newsmen started getting ready for the event by arranging the microphones, Mevani asked the reporter of an English news channel to remove his equipment.
The legislator made it clear that he will not talk in the presence of that TV channel since it was "his policy".
(Source: The New Indian Express)
5. TTV to Launch his Front Soon, Decision Likely on MGR Anniv
In a bid to keep his flock intact and to get ready for the upcoming local body polls in the state, dissident AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran is all set to float a new political outfit. The RK Nagar MLA will unveil his plan, a temporary measure to bring disgruntled AIADMK leaders and workers under a common umbrella, in a week’s time.
Sources said Dhinakaran will consult his supporters in Kothagiri, where he will lead the MGR birth anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, before announcing his plan.
(Source: Times of India)
6. MTC Pongal Special Buses Collect ‘Excess Fare’ from Passengers
Special buses operated by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) on the occasion of Kaanum Pongal on Tuesday allegedly collected excess fare from passengers in Chennai.
"Though Rs 5 is the minimum fare collected for travelling from Central Railway Station to Anna Square, which is hardly three km away, Rs 10 was collected by conductors in small buses on Tuesday," said MTC sources.
Gunidy and other tourist spots. Authorities refused to comment when TOI asked about this.
In addition to this, there was a shortage of drivers to operate MTC buses in Chennai as many were deployed in long-routes (Pongal special buses).
(Source: Times of India)
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