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The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
14th-century goddess idol found near Kodiveri anicut
A 14th-century stone idol of goddess Nisumba Soodhani was found partially buried in the sand of River Bhavani near the Kodiveri anicut recently. The discovery was made by S. Ravikumar, Head of the Department of Tamil, K. Kanagaraj, Assistant Professor, and M. Varshini, a third-year student of Kaamadhenu Arts and Science College, Sathyamangalam. The idol depicts the goddess with eight arms, holding a spear and trampling a human figure underfoot. The sculpture has fierce eyes and unusually large ears and was found buried in river sand. Government Museum Curator B. Jency, who was informed of the discovery, visited the spot on Monday (August 18, 2025). She confirmed that the idol dates back to the 14th century and represents the Hindu goddess Nisumba Soodhani. The idol measures 41 cm in height, 28 cm in width, and 3 cm in thickness. Kodiveri Village Administrative Officer S. Saravanan was informed, and the idol was shifted to the Public Works Department office. The curator said that after completing formalities, the idol would be moved to the museum, where a detailed study would be carried out. It is said that the Cholas worshipped the deity before going to war, as they believed she was the goddess of victory.
India Today
14-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala University Vice-Chancellor under fire for halting seminar on Pahalgam attack
A controversy has erupted at Kerala University after Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal instructed the cancellation of a seminar on the Pahalgam terror attack, citing concerns over its content and political seminar, which was organised by the Department of Tamil and scheduled for May 9, was set to address the Pahalgam terror attack, its security lapses, and the connection between the attack and the upcoming Bihar elections. The department regularly holds discussions on various topics, but the seminar in question drew attention when one of the research scholars shared an article from a Tamil website on their WhatsApp group. Titled 'Pahalgam attack: Truths drowned in nationalist frenzy,' the article discussed the attack in detail and suggested that the event was linked to political motivations surrounding the learning of the seminar, Dr Kunnummal directed the university registrar to halt the event and requested an explanation from the Head of the Department of Tamil. The Head of Department (HOD) clarified that the seminar was the initiative of a PhD scholar, who had posted the article. A memo was subsequently issued to the scholar, who apologised for the incident. The Department of Tamil decided to drop the topic from the discussion entirely. However, the issue took a new turn during the Kerala University Syndicate meeting held the following day. Members of the Left faction raised objections, accusing the Vice-Chancellor of attempting to distort the narrative. They pointed out that the scholar had shared the article before the Operation Sindoor counter-terrorism operation, questioning the VC's motives. In response, BJP members in the syndicate opposed these controversy deepened when the Student Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), criticised the Vice-Chancellor for allegedly stifling free speech. The SFI accused Dr Kunnummal of trying to label students as anti-nationals for political reasons. 'Mohanan Kunnummal is more interested in propagating the politics of RSS. What is the situation we are in when RSS agents are giving us certificates of patriotism?' the SFI said in a statement, accusing the Vice-Chancellor of undermining student autonomy and suppressing dissent. IN THIS STORY#Kerala
