Helipad work on for PM's visit
As a public meeting is planned near Brihadisvara temple complex, Ariyalur police declared a two kilometre radius as a 'red zone' encompassing the helipad, PM's convoy route, and the meeting venue.
Ariyalur district collector P Rathinasamy and SP Vishwesh B Shastri inspected the helipad site on a vacant land close to Kuruvalappar temple, about one km from Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple. Officials said MGNREGA workers were roped in to clear the bushes in and around the helipad site and road connecting the temple.
A ban has been imposed on flying drones on July 26 and 27. The PM will visit the temple on July 27 and participate in the final day of Aadi Thiruvathirai (birth anniversary) of Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I.
Traditional Othuvars will chant Devaram Thirumurai.
On July 26, the Prime Minister will visit Tuticorin to inaugurate the newly expanded terminal of Tuticorin airport. During the event, he will dedicate railway projects worth Rs1,030 crore to the nation including the electrification of 90km Madurai-Bodinayakkanur line, doubling of 21km Nagercoil town-Kanyakumari section, and doubling of 12.8km Aralvaymozhi-Nagercoil junction as well as the 3.6km Tirunelveli-Melappalaiyam section.
Thereafter, Modi is expected to fly to Trichy on July 26th night where he'll spend the night to participate in the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple event the next day.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
27 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Deeply spiritual experience: PM Modi after offering prayers at Brihadisvara Temple in Tamil Nadu
Ariyalur (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 27 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday prayed at the Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu and described it as a "deeply spiritual experience."Terming the place one of India's finest expressions of Chola devotion, PM Modi said he prayed for the well-being of the people of the a post on 'X', Prime Minister said, "Prayed at the Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram. It was a deeply spiritual experience at one of India's finest expressions of Chola devotion. I prayed for the prosperity and well-being of the people of India." Prayed at the Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram. It was a deeply spiritual experience at one of India's finest expressions of Chola devotion. I prayed for the prosperity and well-being of the people of India. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 27, 2025 PM Modi was on a two-day trip to Tamil Nadu, where he attended several programs, including releasing a commemorative coin honouring the great Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I at the valedictory function at the 'Aadi Thiruvathirai' festival on the occasion of the Chola king's birth anniversary at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur. The Prime Minister was welcomed by the local pandits in the temple. Earlier in the day, crowds thronged to see the Prime Minister as he held a roadshow in the Tiruchirappalli district."Overwhelmed by the affection shown by my sisters and brothers of Tiruchirappalli earlier this morning! We will always work for their well-being and ensure this great city scales new heights of progress," he said in a post on temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famed for its intricate sculptures, Chola bronzes, and ancient inscriptions. The Aadi Thiruvathirai festival also celebrates the rich Tamil Shaiva Bhakti tradition, fervently supported by the Cholas and immortalised by the 63 Nayanmars--the saint-poets of Tamil Shaivism. Notably, Rajendra Chola's birth star, Thiruvathirai (Ardra), begins on July 23, making this year's festival all the more Prime Minister, addressing a rally at Ariyalur, highlighted the Chola Empire's role in bolstering ancient India's economy and military, describing it as a historical blueprint that serves as an "ancient roadmap" for modern Modi also emphasised that for India to build a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), it must draw inspiration from the Chola Empire's powerful navy by strengthening its defence forces and exploring new opportunities."The economic and military heights India reached during the Chola era continue to inspire us even today. Rajaraja Chola built a powerful navy, which he further strengthened. The Chola Empire is like an ancient roadmap for developed India. It tells us that if we have to make 'Viksit Bharat,' then we have to strengthen our navy and defence forces and explore new opportunities. Today, India is embracing the philosophy of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi. Modern India takes great pride in its rich history and cultural legacy. Over the past decade, we have worked tirelessly in mission mode to protect and preserve India's heritage," PM Modi said.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Modi's Namibia visit powers India's Africa strategy
In the wake of a closely watched BRICS summit in Brazil, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's maiden visit to Namibia on July 9 has captivated global attention, marking the culmination of a landmark five-nation state visit that included Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil. The state visit, beginning in Ghana and ending in Namibia, underscores India's renewed commitment to Africa and the broader Global South framework. On the other hand, high-level cross-continental itinerary, spanning Latin America to Africa, highlights India's strategic intent to rekindle historic ties and build solidarity among Global South nations — especially at a time when the G77, the largest bloc of developing nations, is seen as increasingly irrelevant. PM Modi's State visit to sub-Saharan region is came at a time when several other western leaders were scheduled or expected to visit the sub-Saharan region. Around the same time, Washington is engaging the West African leaders and contemplating new ways to strengthen ties with Africa, unnerved by Chinese influence in the continent. Although India has historic ties with Namibia – there's a serious gap in State level visit and this heads of government level visit occurs after 27 years. Sam Nujoma, the leader of SWAPO (the party behind independence struggle) and founding president of Namibia, who visited India several times acknowledged India's help during the liberation process. While in Windhoek, Namibia, PM Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah tabled areas of cooperation such as agriculture, critical minerals, education, digital technology, defence and security, and health care. Earlier this year, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi began his State visit from Namibia — a nation with bilateral trade with China totalling approximately $1.4 billion. The BRI signatory nation is laying Trans-Kalahari Railway and several other infra and connectivity projects, mandating the One China Policy. China accounts about 30% of the nation's foreign trade. Although there's a sharp rise in India's bilateral trade with Namibia the is about $ 600 million. The two countries have pushed for the conclusion of Preferential Trade Agreement between India and South African Customs Union (SACU). Followed by this visit, the two nations are expected to work on boosting trade of items like oil and gas, hydrocarbons, petrol chemicals, crude digital health and critical minerals. The maiden visit of PM Modi to this uranium-rich Namibia was at a time when New Delhi is actively seeking to expand its uranium imports to support its growing nuclear energy drive. Namibia is largest producer of uranium in the world, and it has lithium, zinc, and some other rare earth metals to offer. India has announced plans to import at least 9,000 metric tonne units of uranium between 2025 and 2033 to supply new reactors under the National Nuclear Energy Mission. India has a plan to expand nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 and the low quality of its domestic reserves is part of a broader effort to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The nation has recently discovered oil and gas reserves, particularly in its offshore Orange Basin. India has a deep interest to explore collaboration in the sphere. The two nations have more to explore areas such as diamond trading. There's a serious issue in direct diamond trading between India and Namibia – Indian side is working to make a way for direct diamond trading. Currently, India sources diamonds from the region via intermediaries such as Dubai, London, or third countries. India and Namibia the two are aspiring nations in the reserving culture and promoting heritage. The Himba tribe in Namibia's Kunene has earned fame for preserving their traditional lifestyle, clothing, and beliefs, remaining unaffected by modern influences. During the visit of PM Modi, India and Namibia signed two MoUs on the setting up of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Namibia and Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine. Namibia also announced starting of a digital payment system by end of the year and entering to India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Bio Fuel Alliance. During his visit, PM Modi was conferred with the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, Namibia's highest civilian award. There is also an interesting personal connection between Prime Minister Modi and Namibia: On September 17, 2022, his 72nd birthday, India welcomed its first batch of eight cheetahs from Namibia, marking the historic return of the species to Kuno National Park after decades of local extinction. The release of these cheetahs was overseen by Modi. The nation deserves a very significant place – when India is forming Big Cat Alliance to save tigers. Uranium, critical minerals, digital payment and diamonds are poised to infuse new vitality into the bilateral relationship between New Delhi and Windhoek, illuminating the path for deeper cooperation. Namibia is the second least densely populated country in the world but as the same time it is world's one of most arid countries, with just one per cent territory being arable. In the north of the nation, there's a culture of farming cowpea and millet. India and Namibia may find ways to bring result on irrigation, scarce water management and hybrid-agriculture. India is in a position to help Namibia for innovative agricultural practices to address food insecurity in sub-Saharan region. Under the leadership of first female President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who comes with her foreign ministerial experience the nation is vocal about a chair for Africa at the United Nations Security Council. As both nations look toward meaningful reforms in global governance, this visit has rekindled the bonhomie between New Delhi and Windhoek, laying the foundation for a partnership defined by shared ambition, and a commitment to the progress of the Global South. This article is authored by Ayanangsha Maitra, journalist and programme coordinator, Center of Geoeconomics for the Global South, UAE.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Deeply spiritual experience: PM Modi after offering prayers at Brihadisvara Temple in Tamil Nadu
Ariyalur (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 27 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday prayed at the Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu and described it as a "deeply spiritual experience." Terming the place one of India's finest expressions of Chola devotion, PM Modi said he prayed for the well-being of the people of the country. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Analytics Artificial Intelligence Design Thinking MBA Healthcare Degree Data Science healthcare Operations Management Cybersecurity Others CXO Leadership Technology others Product Management Digital Marketing Data Science Finance PGDM Project Management Management MCA Public Policy Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Visualization Predictive Analytics & Machine Learning Business Intelligence & Data-Driven Decision Making Analytics Strategy & Implementation Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Applied Business Analytics Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details In a post on 'X', Prime Minister said, "Prayed at the Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram. It was a deeply spiritual experience at one of India's finest expressions of Chola devotion. I prayed for the prosperity and well-being of the people of India." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Prayed at the Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram. It was a deeply spiritual experience at one of India's finest expressions of Chola devotion. I prayed for the prosperity and well-being of the people of India. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 27, 2025 PM Modi was on a two-day trip to Tamil Nadu, where he attended several programs, including releasing a commemorative coin honouring the great Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I at the valedictory function at the 'Aadi Thiruvathirai' festival on the occasion of the Chola king's birth anniversary at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur. Live Events The Prime Minister was welcomed by the local pandits in the temple. Earlier in the day, crowds thronged to see the Prime Minister as he held a roadshow in the Tiruchirappalli district. "Overwhelmed by the affection shown by my sisters and brothers of Tiruchirappalli earlier this morning! We will always work for their well-being and ensure this great city scales new heights of progress," he said in a post on X. The temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famed for its intricate sculptures, Chola bronzes, and ancient inscriptions. The Aadi Thiruvathirai festival also celebrates the rich Tamil Shaiva Bhakti tradition, fervently supported by the Cholas and immortalised by the 63 Nayanmars--the saint-poets of Tamil Shaivism. Notably, Rajendra Chola's birth star, Thiruvathirai (Ardra), begins on July 23, making this year's festival all the more significant. The Prime Minister, addressing a rally at Ariyalur, highlighted the Chola Empire's role in bolstering ancient India's economy and military, describing it as a historical blueprint that serves as an "ancient roadmap" for modern India. PM Modi also emphasised that for India to build a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), it must draw inspiration from the Chola Empire's powerful navy by strengthening its defence forces and exploring new opportunities. "The economic and military heights India reached during the Chola era continue to inspire us even today. Rajaraja Chola built a powerful navy, which he further strengthened. The Chola Empire is like an ancient roadmap for developed India. It tells us that if we have to make 'Viksit Bharat,' then we have to strengthen our navy and defence forces and explore new opportunities. Today, India is embracing the philosophy of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi. Modern India takes great pride in its rich history and cultural legacy. Over the past decade, we have worked tirelessly in mission mode to protect and preserve India's heritage," PM Modi said.
