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The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Yercaud Summer Festival and Flower Show to begin on May 23
The 48th Yercaud Summer Festival and Flower Show will begin at the hilltop on Friday and continue till May 29, featuring a variety of competitions, musical concerts, and vibrant cultural events. Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, M.R.K. Panneerselvam, Minister for Forests and Khadi, R.S. Rajakannappan, and Minister for Tourism, R. Rajendran, will inaugurate the festival at 4 p.m. in Yercaud. The Ministers will also inaugurate various exhibition stalls set up by departments including Agriculture, Forests, Tourism, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and Sericulture, and distribute welfare assistance to beneficiaries. Collector R. Brindha Devi said the seven-day festival would feature a grand flower show organised by the Horticulture Department at Anna Park, showcasing 1.5 lakh flowers. There would also be fruit and vegetable exhibitions. Special floral displays would depict wildlife and notable landmarks like the Mettur Dam to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. Additionally, over 25,000 colourful flower pots would be used to attract tourists. She added that several events would be held as part of the festival, including a healthy child contest, traditional food competition, rangoli competition, boating competitions for tourists, pet dog exhibition, and cultural programmes. Various sports competitions, including football and cricket, would also be organised for youth. To entertain tourists visiting Yercaud, musical concerts and cultural events would be held on all days of the festival. The Collector had earlier reviewed the arrangements with all departments and instructed them to ensure that all amenities were in place for visitors. Police personnel will manage vehicle movement at the hilltop to prevent traffic congestion. During last year's festival, held from May 22 to 26, nearly two lakh people visited Yercaud — including one lakh who visited Anna Park, Rose Garden, Lake Park, and Botanical Garden, and 35,000 who visited the boathouse. This year, the number of tourists is expected to increase, as the district administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
Mint
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Mint
MK Stalin reshuffles Tamil Nadu cabinet ; Senthil Balaji, Ponmudy resign
Tamil Nadu Cabinet Reshuffle: In a significant political development, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has recommended, and Governor RN Ravi has approved, a major reshuffle in the state cabinet following the resignations of two senior ministers, V Senthil Balaji and Dr. K Ponmudy. The move comes amid mounting political and legal pressures, and is seen as an attempt by the ruling DMK government to restore stability and public confidence ahead of Assembly elections that will take place in 2026. The reshuffle sees SS Sivasankar being additionally entrusted with the Electricity portfolio, while senior minister S Muthusamy will now also handle Prohibition and Excise. RS Rajakannappan, previously Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, has been redesignated as the Minister for Forests and Khadi. Furthermore, the Chief Minister has recommended the induction of T Mano Thangaraj, MLA from Padmanabhapuram Assembly Constituency, into the cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony for the new minister designate is scheduled to take place at Raj Bhavan, Chennai, on Monday, 28 April. The resignations of Senthil Balaji and Ponmudy have been the subject of considerable attention. Earlier Tamil Nadu Raj havan official rellease has informed that Tamil Nadu ministers Senthil Balaji, Ponmudy had quit MK Stalin-led cabinet. The resignations were accpted by the Tamil Nadu governor. V Senthil Balaji, who was serving as Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise, stepped down following an ultimatum from the Supreme Court. Senthil Balaji had been arrested in June 2023 in connection with a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and was later granted bail by the Supreme Court in September 2024. However, the apex court raised questions regarding the legitimacy of his resuming office while out on bail, directing him to clarify his position by 28 April. Facing mounting legal and political pressure, Senthil Balaji tendered his resignation. Dr. K Ponmudy, who held the Forests and Khadi portfolio, resigned after facing widespread criticism for his controversial public remarks, which were deemed derogatory and drew sharp reactions from both the opposition and within the DMK. Ponmudy's comments, which linked women to Hindu religious practices, led to his removal as DMK Deputy General Secretary and triggered demands for his ouster from the cabinet. The party, keen to avoid further embarrassment, accepted his resignation as part of the reshuffle.
Mint
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Tamil Nadu Cabinet Reshuffle: New minister inducted after Senthilbalaji, Ponmudy resign
Tamil Nadu Cabinet Reshuffle: In a significant political development, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has recommended, and Governor RN Ravi has approved, a major reshuffle in the state cabinet following the resignations of two senior ministers, V. Senthilbalaji and Dr. K Ponmudy. The move comes amid mounting political and legal pressures, and is seen as an attempt by the ruling DMK government to restore stability and public confidence ahead of Assemly elections that will take place in 2026. The reshuffle sees SS Sivasankar being additionally entrusted with the Electricity portfolio, while senior minister S Muthusamy will now also handle Prohibition and Excise. RS Rajakannappan, previously Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, has been redesignated as the Minister for Forests and Khadi. Furthermore, the Chief Minister has recommended the induction of T Mano Thangaraj, MLA from Padmanabhapuram Assembly Constituency, into the cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony for the new minister designate is scheduled to take place at Raj Bhavan, Chennai, on Monday, 28 April. The resignations of Senthilbalaji and Ponmudy have been the subject of considerable attention. V Senthilbalaji, who was serving as Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise, stepped down following an ultimatum from the Supreme Court. Senthilbalaji had been arrested in June 2023 in connection with a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and was later granted bail by the Supreme Court in September 2024. However, the apex court raised questions regarding the legitimacy of his resuming office while out on bail, directing him to clarify his position by 28 April. Facing mounting legal and political pressure, Senthilbalaji tendered his resignation. Dr. K Ponmudy, who held the Forests and Khadi portfolio, resigned after facing widespread criticism for his controversial public remarks, which were deemed derogatory and drew sharp reactions from both the opposition and within the DMK. Ponmudy's comments, which linked women to Hindu religious practices, led to his removal as DMK Deputy General Secretary and triggered demands for his ouster from the cabinet. The party, keen to avoid further embarrassment, accepted his resignation as part of the reshuffle. This cabinet overhaul is widely viewed as a strategic move by Chief Minister MK Stalin to address recent controversies, ensure effective governance, and signal the government's responsiveness to public and judicial scrutiny. First Published: 27 Apr 2025, 08:27 PM IST
