Latest news with #Chandran
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Chennai schools come up with ways to boost admissions
Three govt schools under the Chengalpet education district have found ways to solve a common problem — getting more children into classrooms. People will enrol their kids in govt schools if unique initiatives are implemented, said C Karpagam, chief educational officer. Govt Higher Secondary School, Kovalam Is snooker a rich man's preserve? Not necessarily, thought headmaster T Nakkeeran when he brought in a snooker table worth 2 lakh in 2021, with the help of Venkatraman Memorial Trust. "It broke the stereotype that certain games are meant only for certain people," Nakkeeran told TOI. Physical education teacher Mohan, said, "Our students participated in a competition in Chennai but since they were not accustomed to playing in an air-conditioned environment, they lost. Now, we'll get ACs in our PE room to equip our students to fare better next time," he said. Besides snooker, the school has nets for cricket. M S Nanina, Class XI, who played for the Tamil Nadu U-17 cricket team, said, "Here, both acdemics and sports get the same importance. We reached the U-17 quarter-finals in Haryana and my school bore all the expenses." MPL Govt Higher Secondary School, Hastinapuram Speaking without inhibition brings out the best in students, said headmaster J Chandran whose 'Coffee With HM' is extremely popular among his students. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Though there's a space crunch in this one-acre school, it has not deterred Chandran from placing grievance boxes across the campus. One's for faculty and one for students. Every evening he visits classes to connect with his students. "We discuss everything from academics to issues at home or school. And if there is an issue, we try to resolve it," said Chandran. Hari Prasad, a Class XI student, said, "The HM is a busy man, yet he finds time to listen to us. I wanted a library in the school but I was too shy to ask him. But drop boxes and 'Coffee with HM' room help introverts like me open up. Now, we have a library." Maraimalai Adigal Govt Higher Secondary School, Pallavaram At headmaster S Ravi Kasi Venkataraman's school, 80-plus CCTVs maintain careful watch over students' movements, and no one can play truant. But how does he ensure students stay in school? Answer: The Interactive Voice Response (IVR) app. This app lets the headmaster record messages and forward them to parents. "I send messages about students' absence, exam details and pass on updates. Student details are stored in the app along with their parents' phone numbers," said Ravi. Messages are sent four times a day, spaced 30 minutes apart. "If parents miss the first message, they can listen to the next." The school also offers free coaching for competitive exams., said the parent of GP Shravesh, a former CBSE student who is set to join Class XI. Three years ago, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi opened the Young Kalam Discovery Science Centre at this school.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Stress on menstrual hygiene among girls, hostel students
Trichy: Awareness programmes focusing on menstruating teenage girls and hostel students, were conducted by Trichy corporation's urban primary health centres (UPHCs) on Wednesday, as a part of the World Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Day observed annually on May 28. The local body promoted the availability of cost-free menstrual napkins provided by the state govt through educational institutions and anganwadis. City health officer Vijay Chandran said that the local body conducted events in libraries and anganwadi centres by inviting the targeted age group of girls and women residing nearby the centres. Since prolonged usage of menstrual napkins will cause health issues, women health volunteers and urban health nurses who conducted the sensitization drives urged the girls to change the pads frequently to prevent infections. "Unwanted fears of irregular menstruation among teenage girls who recently started menstruating were discussed by our health workers. The cycle and menstrual flow will differ for every individual woman. Young girls were advised to change their menstrual pads frequently since govt is providing free sanitary napkins," Chandran said. He added that wardens in govt hostels and anganwadi workers can be approached to obtain the napkins manufactured by women self-help groups (SHGs). Corporation said that circulars will be issued to hostels and educational institutions to ensure the working conditions of incinerators in toilets, to dispose of the used napkins. "In houses, residents can hand over the used sanitary napkins separately to the sanitary workers. They should not mix with other domestic waste," the officer added.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Charithra Chandran: One Piece Season 2 is a very stunt-heavy show
With roles spanning sci-fi, drama, period romance, and now high-octane action, Charithra Chandran is rapidly establishing herself as one of the most versatile young actors on screen. And according to the actress, her latest leap into the live-action One Piece series — where she plays the mysterious Ms Wednesday — was made smoother thanks to some unexpected prep work in a very different project. 'I was really having my best time doing major stunt sequences then,' Chandran said of her experience filming Fight or Flight. 'And One Piece is a very stunt-heavy show, so the transition was much easier. Knowing how to work with a stunt team, selling a punch—all of those things I'd learned on Fight or Flight, so for that, it really prepared me.' The British-Indian actress, who first rose to prominence in Netflix's Bridgerton, has since racked up appearances across several of the world's biggest franchises, including Marvel's Eternals, Star Wars, Dune: Prophecy, and now One Piece. Her ability to bounce across genres is no accident. 'I love all of them. They all challenge me in very different ways,' she explained. 'And I think the beauty of being an actor—and the kind of actor I want to be—is being able to do it all.' But is there a larger strategy behind her impressive, franchise-hopping resume? 'Oh my goodness, of course,' Chandran admitted with a laugh. 'I'm superstitious. I definitely have a list of goals and professional dreams. But I'm so afraid of saying them out loud. So yes, I have a list—but I won't share what's on it!' The high-seas adventure continues as One Piece returns for a second season on Netflix. The live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda 's beloved manga follows young pirate Monkey D. Luffy—played by Iñaki Godoy—as he dons his iconic straw hat and leads his misfit crew on an epic quest for the legendary One Piece treasure. 'The adventures of Iñaki and the live-action Straw Hats will continue onward!' Netflix confirmed, announcing the return of the fan-favourite series alongside a fresh wave of cast members. Among the new additions for Season 2 are Rigo Sanchez as the enigmatic Dragon, Yonda Thomas as the loyal Igaram, James Hiroyuki Liao as swordsmith Ipponmatsu, and Sophia Anne Caruso as the quirky Miss Goldenweek. Mark Penwill joins as Chess, with Anton David Jeftha stepping into the role of K.M., among several others. As far as 'One Piece' is concerned, the hit series is touted to be back later this year with season 2. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Charithra Chandran on genre-spanning roles from 'Bridgerton' to 'Fight or Flight': 'The beauty of being an actor is being able to do it all'
In a career that seems to leap from franchise to franchise with effortless charisma, Bridgerton breakout star Charithra Chandran is fast becoming one of the most recognisable faces on the big screen and digital streaming platforms. But beneath the high-profile credits and high-octane stunts is a grounded, reflective young actress who admits she's still figuring it all out. Trading in the corsets for combat training, Charithra sat down with ETimes for a candid conversation about her latest action-packed venture, Fight or Flight. When asked whether a particular celebrity inspired her journey to the big screen, she answered, 'I don't think I was inspired by any one particular person." "I think I've always been enamoured by film and TV, and I just love making people laugh and feel deeply. And so, yeah, it's just something I've always gravitated to." But despite the impressive trajectory so far, Chandran isn't quick to call it a dream fulfilled. 'Am I living the dream? I don't know. That's a tricky one. I think that everything happens... Sometimes people see things going well in your life as like an overnight success, and, you know, we all know the heartbreak and the rejection and the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. So it always feels like I'm aiming for the next thing. I can never really enjoy the success, unfortunately.' After playing the younger version of Taboo in Dune: Prophecy , the 28-year-old actress took flight in her first major film appearance in the gritty action thriller Fight or Flight—though, as she pointed out, the timeline was slightly flipped. 'Well, I actually filmed the action thriller before I did Dune . We did it in six weeks in Budapest and everything happened so quickly. I think it was really about being up for anything and being super collaborative because we just had to work so closely as a team.' Having now dipped her toes into drama, sci-fi, action, and comedy, Chandran isn't limiting herself to one lane. 'I love all of them. They all challenge me in very different ways. And I think the beauty of being an actor—and the kind of actor I want to be—is being able to do it all.' She recalled a starstruck moment meeting her Dune co-star after filming wrapped. 'Tabu was so lovely. She's so unbelievably beautiful and chatty and charismatic... I obviously grew up watching her movies, so it was definitely a starstruck moment for sure.' Chandran's first foray into full-blown action saw her starring alongside Josh Hartnett . 'Josh is such a lovely guy. He made working with him so easy, and he's such a seasoned pro. I always felt so at ease when I was around him. He's incredible.' As one of the most visible actresses of Indian-origin in Western cinema today, Chandran is aware of the weight of representation. 'It's an absolute honour to represent India and be British-Indian because I'm so proud of who I am. I love my culture. But what I often find difficult is that I have to represent all of India. India is such a big place, and every state has a different language, a different culture, a different way of doing things. I think the next step in representation is being able to be super specific about our identities.' To aspiring actors in India looking to break into the West, Chandran offers both practical and creative advice. 'Stay in school, finish your 12th—for sure. There's a sense of security and groundedness that comes from knowing you have an education to fall back on. But also, in many ways, the industry has become so much more accessible. You can write your own stuff, shoot things on an iPhone—it looks amazing. So I'd say get creative, get stuck in, and make your own things.' And as for her dream collaborators? 'I really love R. Madhavan , who's a Tamil actor and has obviously worked in Bollywood as well. And I also really love Vidya Balan . I think she's so talented.' With wit, wisdom, and a growing string of box-office hits under her belt, Chandran is shaping not just a career, but a legacy of visibility and versatility—on her own terms.
Gulf News
26-04-2025
- General
- Gulf News
Indian man stranded in Bahrain for 42 years, finally returns home
Dubai: After 42 years stranded in Bahrain, Gopalan Chandran, an Indian man from Kerala, is finally set to reunite with his family. His long-awaited return became possible thanks to the intervention of the Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), a Delhi-based NGO that advocates for the rights of Indians facing injustice abroad. Chandran arrived in Bahrain in 1983, hoping to secure a better job to support his family in Kerala. However, shortly after his arrival, tragedy struck when his employer passed away, and his passport was lost. Left undocumented, he became stranded in Bahrain for over four decades. Despite his difficult situation, Chandran managed to evade detection until 2020, when he was detained by Bahrain police following a dispute with another expatriate from Kerala. PLC steps in Chandran's story gained widespread attention when it was featured on a Malayalam television program in 2020. Through this broadcast, Chandran learned that his mother was still alive, reigniting his desire to return home. The Pravasi Legal Cell, along with well-wishers, worked tirelessly to gather the necessary documents and help Chandran navigate the legal procedures needed for his return to India. The organisation collaborated with the Indian Embassy and Bahrain's Immigration Department to overcome obstacles and reunite Chandran with his family. In a Facebook post, the Pravasi Legal Cell shared how they worked relentlessly to bring his story to light, providing shelter, tracing his long-lost relatives, and coordinating with authorities to ensure his safe return. Long-awaited homecoming After decades of hardship, Chandran's return to India was finally secured. The 64-year-old boarded a flight to Kerala, where he was reunited with his 95-year-old mother, whom he had not seen in over four decades. Tragically, his father had passed away in 1985, just two years after Chandran left for Bahrain. Life of lost time Despite the emotional joy of returning home, Chandran expressed a deep sense of loss and uncertainty. "I've returned empty-handed. Even my air ticket was arranged by the embassy," he shared. "The future is bleak, and health is not on my side," Gopalan, who remains a bachelor, told The Indian Express. "The world I left behind has changed, and if I go out, I will get lost." Reflecting on his bachelor status, Chandran noted the passage of time during his absence. "Two generations have been born in my family, yet my life remains unchanged," he added, feeling disconnected from the life he once knew. Community support The Pravasi Legal Cell's efforts were crucial in navigating the complex legal processes that made Chandran's return possible. The NGO described his story as one of perseverance, loss, and compassion, highlighting the tireless work of the team and the support of Bahrain's authorities. 'Gopalan's return is a symbol of hope for countless migrants whose stories often go unheard,' the NGO said in a statement. 'His journey from despair to dignity is a testament to the power of community support and relentless humanitarian effort.' Looking forward Chandran now lives with his elder brother Mohanan's family in Kerala. While he has returned to the land he left behind, the emotional and physical toll of 42 years of separation is undeniable. Despite the challenges, he hopes to find peace and rebuild connections in a world that has changed significantly during his absence.
