Report Wire

Tag: Tamil Nadu

  • Udhayanidhi Stalin set to become Tamil Nadu deputy CM

    Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced a cabinet reshuffle that will see his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, being appointed as the Deputy CM.

    Udhayanidhi is a firsttime MLA from Chepauk who came under fire recently for his comments on Sanatana Dharma where he equated the ideology to diseases like malaria and dengue which he said should be eradicated.

    The announcement comes days after DMK celebrated its 75th year Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Chennai. According to the press statement released by the Raj Bhavan, Udhayanidhi has been allotted an additional portfolio of Planning and Development, and elevated as the deputy CM of the state. Further, DMK leader Senthil Balaji, who recently got a bail in connection to a money laundering case linked to an alleged cashforjobs scam, will also be reinducted as a minister in the cabinet.

  • Fireworks Factory Blast Kills 10, Injures 3 In Tamil Nadu; PM Modi, CM Stalin Announce Ex-Gratia

    New Delhi: A tragic accident at a fireworks factory in Virudhunagar district claimed the lives of 10 people, including four women, and injured three others on Saturday. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin sent two state ministers to oversee the rescue and relief operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives in the blast and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

    The Chief Minister said that the blast occurred suddenly in the chemical mixing room of the firecracker unit in Kundayiruppu village in Vembakottai. He instructed State Revenue Minister KKSSR Ramachandran and Labor Minister CV Ganesan to reach the site immediately and coordinate the relief efforts, according to an official statement.

    #WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Drone visuals from Virudhunagar, where 10 people lost their lives in an explosion incident at a firecracker manufacturing unit. pic.twitter.com/EAQ4uHw7TC — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2024

    The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) posted on ‘X’: “I am deeply saddened by the news of a mishap at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar district. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. I hope the injured recover quickly. The PMNRF will provide Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.”

    The Chief Minister also expressed his grief over the incident and offered his condolences and sympathies to the affected families. He announced a solatium of Rs 3 lakh each for the kin of the dead and Rs one lakh each for the seriously injured.

    The accident happened around 12.30 pm on Saturday in the firecracker factory. “Nine people died on the spot and three were taken to Sivakasi Government Hospital for treatment,” Virudhunagar district Collector VP Jayaseelan said.

    He said that a preliminary inquiry revealed that there was overcrowding in the chemical mixing room and the blast could have been caused by mishandling of the chemical. He said that the factory owner had a valid license.

    When asked about the cause of the blast, the Collector said “it could have been a human error. We have ordered a detailed inquiry by a team of officials from different departments.”

  • Bank Holiday ALERT! Financial Institutions To Be Closed On Three Consecutive Days This Month | Personal Finance News

    New Delhi: As we step into the last week of January 2024, Indian banks are gearing up for an extended weekend, with a total of 16 holidays slated for the month. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) carefully curates this list, considering various factors like national and state holidays, cultural or religious observances, operational needs, government announcements, and coordination with other banks.

    Tuesday, January 23: Banks Closed in Manipur

    On January 23 (Tuesday), banks in Manipur will remain closed due to the celebration of Gaan-Ngai. It’s a regional holiday dedicated to cultural festivities and observances in the state. (Also Read: Tongue-Di-Kebab: Ex-Twitter Executive Thought It Was ‘Kurkure’; Hillarious Post Goes Viral)

    Thursday, January 25

    January 25 (Thursday) marks Thai Poosam/Birthday of Md. Hazrat Ali, leading to bank closures in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Customers in these regions should plan their banking activities accordingly. (Also Read: Motorola Slashes Prices On Razr 40 Flip Phone In India: Here’s How Deal Works)

    Friday, January 26: Republic Day National Holiday

    January 26 (Friday) is Republic Day, a national holiday in India. As banks remain closed on this day, it kicks off a long weekend, extending through the fourth Saturday and Sunday.

    Saturday, January 27: Fourth Saturday Closure

    Banks are scheduled to remain closed on January 27 (Fourth Saturday) as part of the routine monthly closure.

    Sunday, January 28

    As usual, banks will also be closed on January 28 (Sunday) as part of their regular weekend closure.

    Special Closure For Ram Temple Consecration

    In a unique occurrence, an order from the Ministry of Finance on January 18 directed public sector banks (PSBs) and regional rural banks to observe a half-day off on January 22. This special closure was in honor of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

    Impact On Private Banks In Uttar Pradesh

    Bank branches of major private sector lenders, including HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, were also closed on January 22, 2024, in Uttar Pradesh. HDFC Bank observed a full-day closure in UP and Uttarakhand, while Axis Bank remained closed for the entire day in Uttar Pradesh.

  • 132 Lok Sabha Seats, Four States: PM Modi’s Spiritual Outreach -Unveiling Strategy Behind BJP’s Southern Quest |

    Lord Ram is worshiped across the country and in many foreign countries as well. Ram Lalla’s consecration ceremony on January 22 will mark his return to Ayodhya after a gap of around 450 years. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the consecration ceremony, he is visiting several temples in the south which has strong connections with Lord Ram. Starting from Maharashtra, PM Modi has so far visited Andhra Pradesh and Kerala as well.

    Now, he will be visiting various significant temples in Tamil Nadu on 20-21 January. On 20th January, he will participate in a program at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. He will also listen to various scholars reciting verses from the Kamba Ramayanam in this temple. Thereafter, he will reach Rameswaram and perform Darshan and Pooja in Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. On 21st January, the Prime Minister will perform Darshan and Pooja at Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Dhanushkodi. Near Dhanushkodi, Prime Minister Modi will also visit Arichal Munai, which is said to be the place from where the Ram Setu was built.

    Maharashtra – 48 Lok Sabha Seats

    Nashik holds significant connections to the Aranya Kand of the Ramayana, the epic where Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman resided along the banks of the Godavari River. Notably, it is the locale where Lakshman cut off Surpanakha’s nose. The revered Shree Kala Ram Mandir which PM Modi visited, stands in the Panchavati Area of ​​Nashik, a place deeply intertwined with the events of the Ramayana. Panchavati holds a special significance as it witnessed key episodes of the epic. Lord Ram, accompanied by Sita and Lakshman, spent a considerable time in the Dandakaranya forest, which encompasses the Panchavati region. The legend has it that Lord Ram chose this region for his abode due to the auspicious presence of these five significant trees – Panchvati – five banyan trees. Now, by visiting the temple, PM Modi sent a message to the people of Maharashtra that the Ram Temple is ready for devotees. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats and BJP is facing tough competition there due to the NCP-Sena UBT-Congress alliance.

    Andhra Pradesh – 25 Seats

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed darshan and puja at Veerbhadra Temple in Lepakshi, Puttaparthi, in Andhra Pradesh on January 16. PM Modi heard verses from the Ranganatha Ramayan in Telugu and witnessed the tale of Jatayu visually presented through the traditional shadow puppetry art form from Andhra Pradesh. Pradesh known as Tholu Bommalata. Lepakshi’s historical significance is rooted in the Ramayana, as it is believed that the injured bird Jatayu, wounded by Ravana during the abduction of Goddess Sita, descended at this location after an intense battle and attended Mokhsa. Even if the BJP manages to win three to five seats out of 25 in the state, it will be a boost for the saffron party.

    Kerala – 20 Lok Sabha Seats

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed darshan and puja at Guruvayur Temple in Guruvayur, Kerala on January 17. PM Modi appealed to people to light Ram Jyoti on January 22 to mark the Ram Temple consecration ceremony. The BJP has significantly increased its vote share in some of the seats including Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Attingal seats. Of the 20 seats, the BJP is trying to win at least 3-5 seats with the help of Hindu and Christian voters.

    Tamil Nadu – 39 Lok Sabha Seats

    The BJP has gained significant popularity in the state under state unit chief K Annamalai. Now, with PM Modi’s regular visits and temple darshans, the BJP is trying to carve a niche among the Hindu voters. PM Modi’s popularity clubbed with the dynamism of Annamalai is likely to increase BJP’s vote share. And if this translates into victory, it would mark the saffron party’s south expansion. There are 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu.

    With the Lok Sabha elections just three months away, the BJP is working round the clock to increase its vote share in the southern states.