India's first VinFast EV manufacturing plant unveiled in Thoothukudi
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast's first manufacturing plant in India at Thoothukudi.
Spread across 408 acres at the SIPCOT industrial complex in Sillanatham in Thoothukudi district, the plant is expected to generate over 3,500 jobs in the next five years. It is part of a ₹16,000-crore investment pact inked between VinFast and the Tamil Nadu government during the Global Investors Meet last year (2024).
2. Stalin voices support for Bengal CM Mamata
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed solidarity with his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, and objected to the Delhi Police – under the Union Home Ministry – reportedly describing Bengali as a 'Bangladeshi language'.
'This is a direct insult to the very language in which our national anthem was written,' Mr. Stalin said in a social media post.
3. Oraniyil Tamil Nadu: SC refuses to stay Madras HC order restraining DMK from using OTP verification
The Supreme Court refused to stay an interim injunction by the Madras High Court against the use of OTP verification messages for the DMK's enrolment drive 'Oraniyil Tamil Nadu'.
A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar dismissed the appeal filed by the DMK, saying the issue is sensitive.
Earlier on July 21, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court issued an injunction restraining the DMK from using OTP verification messages for its enrolment drive, saying the matter involves aspects of data protection and privacy which are to be examined by the court.
4. OPS clarifies on meeting Stalin
Former Chief Minister and former coordinator of AIADMK O. Panneerselvam denied any politics involved in his recent meeting with Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin at the latter's residence in Chennai.
Issuing a statement, he said he would neither be acting as the B Team of the DMK nor ally with it. Calling on people who return from the hospital and condoling those who have lost dear ones is Tamil culture, he said adding that he met Mr. Stalin to inquire about his health.
5. Madras HC to wait for SC order on naming T.N. government schemes after living personalities
The Madras High Court decided to wait for the orders to be passed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday (August 6) on an appeal preferred by the DMK against its July 31 interim order prohibiting the use of the name of any living personality for government schemes.
Appearing before the court, senior counsel representing AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP C.Ve. Shanmugam, said, the DMK had filed an appeal and made a mention before the top court. The Supreme Court had agreed to take up the appeal for hearing on Wednesday, the Bench was told.
6. Mayiladuthurai Congress MP Sudha's gold chain snatched
The Congress' Member of Parliament (MP), R. Sudha, fell victim to a bike-borne chain snatching in New Delhi this morning.
The MP from Mayiladuthurai constituency was robbed of her gold chain, weighing more than four sovereigns, when she was on her morning walk along with DMK Rajya Sabha member, Rajathi Salma, outside the Polish Embassy in Chanakyapuri in New Delhi.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
16 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu Governor doing ‘cheap politics' than Opposition: CM Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday (August 17, 2025) declared that there will be a 'Dravidian Model 2.0' to take the State to newer heights in the upcoming 2026 elections. Launching an instant crop loan scheme under the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) on a pilot basis in Dharmapuri, Mr. Stalin said, 'The next government will yet again be the Dravidian-model government. Dravidian Model 2.0 will come back to take the State to new heights.' 'The BJP-led Union Government's own statistics have debunked the various allegations levelled against Tamil Nadu by the Governor (in his I-Day eve customary address). Today, Tamil Nadu is a trendsetter for the various schemes introduced here and now emulated by other States,' the Chief Minister said. Listing out his government's flagship schemes for women, Mr. Stalin said the best emissaries for those schemes were the beneficiaries themselves and there were numerous naysayers (AIADMK) who said the Vidiyal Payam would eventually mean a reduction in the number of bus services and a hike in bus tariffs. 'But my first sign was on costless bus rides for women, which we saw not as an expenditure but as an investment in women. Similarly, the Magalir Urimai Thittam has enabled women to save close to ₹50,000 since its inception,' according to Mr. Stalin. The Chief Minister also launched a blistering attack on Governor R.N. Ravi and alleged the latter peddled fear and anxiety to malign the DMK government. 'There is a person sitting in Governor's bungalow, whose 'cheap politics' surpasses that of the Opposition. He sits there and mocks Dravidian Model, the Dravidian language, and cooks up a non-existent Thirukkural. It is for all these reasons, I say, Governor should remain in Tamil Nadu; his presence and his constant assault on our way of living will ensure our love for our culture and language doesn't fizzle out,' he said. Responding to allegations of poor law and order, Mr. Stalin said Mr. Ravi has 'discovered' that there is no security for women in Tamil Nadu and crimes against women are rising. Editorial | Safe havens no more: On growing crime against women 'The Union Government's own National Crime Records data reveals the BJP ruled Uttar Pradesh tops the crime list against women in the country. He is giving expression to his frustration on every stage he is on. If the security was bad, how did we attract ₹10 lakh crore investments since we came in?' posed the Chief Minister. Instant Crop loan Earlier, the Chief Minister launched an instant crop loan scheme under PACS, whereby online loan applications will be processed and loan amounts credited on the same day to the farmers' accounts. 'This replaces the system of the in-person applications in PACs and the time lag of over a week for the loan grant,' said the Chief Minister. This was launched at Balajangamanahalli Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society in Adhiyamankottai in Dharmapuri. Launched as a pilot scheme through select PACS, the scheme would eventually be rolled out across the State. Mr. Stalin issued cheques to 5 beneficiaries unveiling the Scheme. The Chief Minister also unveiled various completed projects and launched the commencement of new development works on the occasion.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
16 minutes ago
- Business Standard
EVs set to dominate 2025 festive launches, rare-earth crunch a concern
The August–November window is expected to be one of the busiest for electric vehicle (EV) launches in India's history. Alongside the e-Vitara, Tata Sierra EV, and VinFast SUVs, luxury carmakers will unveil the BMW iX 2025, Audi Q6 e-tron, and Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric. Mahindra's Vision S and SXT concepts are also progressing towards production. The two-wheeler segment will see new scooters and premium electric motorcycles, though mass-market e-motorcycles remain at least a year away. Nikhil Dhaka, Vice-President at Primus Partners, said: 'The August to November festive window could be the heaviest EV launch season India has ever seen. We're looking at mass-market SUVs, luxury EVs, and accessible scooters all hitting the market at the same time, a rare confluence that could energise both urban and semi-urban demand.' The first half of 2025 has already brought a surge of EV activity in India, with global giants and domestic automakers ramping up launches ahead of the festive season. Tesla's long-awaited debut with the Model Y in July set the tone, followed by mass-market entries such as the Hyundai Creta EV, Tata Harrier EV, Kia Carens Clavis EV, Hyundai Venue EV, and Mahindra's BE 6 and XEV 9E. The Tata Safari EV was also confirmed, while two-wheeler makers introduced fresh options such as the Kinetic Green DX electric scooter. The Tata Harrier EV, launched on 3 June, opened bookings in early July with prices expected between Rs 24 lakh and Rs 30 lakh. Kia rolled out its Carens Clavis EV on 15 July, starting at Rs 17.99 lakh. In the pipeline, Maruti Suzuki's first all-electric SUV, the e-Vitara, is slated for a September launch with two battery options and a range of up to 500 km. Vietnamese automaker VinFast is also preparing for its India entry with the VF6 and VF7, manufactured at its Tamil Nadu plant. Despite the momentum, industry stakeholders warn of headwinds. 'EV penetration will grow only if raw material availability is secured,' said Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (Fada) President C.S. Vigneshwar, pointing to rare-earth magnet supply concerns. Passenger vehicle EV penetration is currently estimated at 4–4.5 per cent, while two-wheelers are at 5–7 per cent. Analysts note that adoption is heavily tied to new product launches, with penetration often plateauing after the initial demand surge. Other barriers flagged by analysts include reduced incentives, charging infrastructure gaps, and resale value concerns. Regulatory pressure from stricter emission norms is pushing OEMs to invest, but supply chain bottlenecks — especially in sourcing rare-earth materials — could delay festive-season rollouts. 'EV adoption in India is very much launch-driven — we see a spike in penetration after new models hit the market, but it often plateaus without sustained demand drivers. Supply chain issues, especially rare-earth shortages, could slow down the pace we are expecting this festive season,' said Kumar Rakesh, Analyst at BNP Paribas. Still, the breadth of upcoming products, from affordable scooters to aspirational luxury SUVs, signals a widening of India's EV market. If launches proceed as planned, this festive season could mark a new high point for electric mobility in the country.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Governor R N Ravi doing 'cheaper politics' than opposition: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin
DHARMAPURI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday mounted a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, accusing him of doing "cheap politics" than the opposition and charged him with spreading canards against the ruling DMK and the party-led government. Listing out the various pro-people welfare initiatives of his government, he said Tamil Nadu has become a pioneer for the country in such schemes. The Dravidian model government is the one which shows direction to the country. "Some mischief mongers are unable to stand this and are making baseless allegations," he said. In his address at a government event here to mark the launch of social welfare initiatives, the CM said he was not concerned about what the opposition parties say, since "that is their politics." "There is someone doing cheaper politics than them, you know who it is. It is Governor R N Ravi, appointed by the Union BJP government. You know what he does from the Raj Bhavan--spread canards against the DMK government, against DMK. He will insult Dravidam, won't approve legislations (bills), will disrespect Tamil Thaai Vazhthu (Tamil anthem) and maligns TN students," the CM said. He charged Ravi with making unfounded allegations about TN education, law and order and women's safety, and "creating panic."
