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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Consecration of temple on DD Health's office premises in Madurai draws flak
As against the rules of the Government of Tamil Nadu, a religious event subsequent to the construction of a temple-like structure was conducted on the office premises of Deputy Director of Health Services in Madurai on Thursday and Friday. An invitation which was allegedly released by the district health services office mentions that as a temple belonging to a particular religion was being raised on the office premises, the office staff and others were invited to attend the consecrating event and homam during 6 p.m to 9 p.m on June 5 and from 9 a.m to 1 p.m on June 6, said sources. Anand Raj, a social activist based in Madurai, said that a district health office was a place where people of all religions visit for health-related reasons. As per several Tamil Nadu government rules and Madras High Court orders, conducting of such religious events in a government office, not confined to any particular religion, was against the rules of the State, he added. Particularly, Government Order No. 426, Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Per-A) Department, dated 13.12.1993, prohibited the construction of any new structure for religious worship within the office campus, or enlargement or modification of any existing structure for similar purpose, Mr. Anand Raj stated. Further, he said that the order stressed that, 'It restricted the practice of worship of different faiths in office premises by government staff.' Point 3 of the G.O. pointed out that: 'In view of the direction of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court all Heads of Departments are requested to follow the above instructions scrupulously and it is the responsibility of the Head of Department/Head of Office to ensure that the prohibition made under the said G.O. is implemented in letter and spirit. The Heads of departments are also requested to instruct all the sub-ordinate offices under their control to follow the instructions issued in G.O. Ms. No. 426, Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, without fail.' Citing the instructions of the order, Mr. Anand Raj said that while it was the duty of higher officials to ensure such events do not take place, it is learned that Director of Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Madurai Deputy Director of Health Services have headed and took part in the event. 'When the State government espouses or follows the principle of secularism, such religious events in government offices should be prevented and strict action should be taken against those who disrespect the orders,' he stated. A health official, who did not want to be named said, the invitation for the event was shared with the doctors, staff and officials though a What's App group. Madurai district Collector M.S. Sangeetha said that she did not receive any information about such an event. 'I will look into it and take necessary action,' she added.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Forum asks Madurai district administration not to permit religious meet
Members of Madurai Madha Nallinakka Makkal Kootamaipu, demanding the district administration to stop Hindutva organisations from propagating about the Murugan conference in Madurai, submitted a petition to Collector M.S. Sangeetha here on Monday. As Hindutva organisations announced conducting the Murugan conference in Madurai on June 22, advocate K. Vanchinathan, one of the petitioners, said that it was a plan of the fringe elements to initiate communal differences in the State. 'While Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has spoken about the progressiveness of the State and how it had protected the minorities from the fringe group elements, how did Madurai district administration allow them to organise such a conference,' he asked. While it was informed that the police were yet to issue them permission, on what basis, they were allowed to lay the foundation stone and propagate about the event through media and posters, Mr. Vanchinathan asked. Condemning discrepancies in letting them conduct such a conference, he said that if it was not stopped, they would stage a protest, he asserted.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Dry fruits, saffron gets expensive in Bengaluru as arrivals from Kashmir take a hit
Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the prices of dry fruits and saffron, which are brought in mainly from Kashmir, have increased in Bengaluru as the attack reportedly has had an effect on trade. According to dry fruits sellers, the price of walnuts has increased from ₹1,000 per kg to ₹1,500 per kg and almonds have gone up from ₹700 per kg to ₹900 kg. The price of saffron has shot up from ₹250 per gram to ₹450 per gram. The traders said that after the tragic incident, they have not received dry fruits and saffron from Kashmir and their stocks are depleting. Vinayaka from S. Kumar and Sons in Shivajinagar said, 'The dry fruits stopped coming from Kashmir a month ago and the suppliers from Kashmir are not answering calls.' The traders also said that the attack occurred during the important month of Mousam-E-Khazan (season of peak produce) and affected trade. President of Cantonment Fruits and Dry Fruits Merchants Association, Mohammed Idrees Choudhury said, 'The demand for saffron, especially, has increased due to the reduction in its availability. I have been unable to fulfil the orders placed by my regular customers, which include 5-star hotels. Not just me, but most traders have been forced to use the stock that arrived before the Pahalgam attack.' The price rise has also affected the consumption patterns of customers. Ramesh, a customer of M.S. Stores, Vijayanagar, expressed his concerns regarding the recent surge in saffron prices and its impact on his family's consumption. He noted that his elderly mother has relied on the addition of saffron to her milk daily; however, the price increase has made it challenging for them to continue this practice. Stock stuck in Kashmir Kursheed Ahmed Dar, a Kashmiri dry fruit trader based in Srinagar, said that loads of produce were stuck in Kashmir, without a way to reach Delhi, so it can be distributed to the rest of the country. He urged the government to resolve the impasse soon and help the locals to make an honest living. While demand continues to grow across the country, the inability to access markets has left farmers and traders in Jammu and Kahsmir in a state of uncertainty. Mr. Dar lamented it may take several years to recover the losses they have incurred this year.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- The Hindu
New Mangalore Port hosts Seven Seas Voyager, the last cruise vessel of the season
New Mangalore Port on Friday, May 9 morning welcomed the seventh cruise vessel of the current cruise season M.S. Seven Seas Voyager at Berth No. 4. The cruise vessel sailing under the Bahamian flag and carrying 583 international passengers and 458 crew members arrived from Colombo. It was on coastal circuit cruise connecting Colombo – Cochin - Mangaluru – Mormugao – Mumbai – Dubai, said a release from NMP Authority. The cruise terminal at NMPA came alive with a traditional welcome ceremony that showcased the rich cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka. The guests were greeted with Chende drumming and Yakshagana performances. All arrangements were made for smooth immigration, customs clearance, and hospitality services of the cruise passengers. The passengers experienced the local culture by witnessing Bharatanatyam performances arranged for their entertainment. Guided shore excursions were organised to iconic destinations including Karkala, Moodbidri's 1000 Pillar Basadi, Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple, Soans Farm, Pilikula and SAC Chapel, among others. A visit to the local markets and Belmont Home offered a glimpse into traditional Mangalurean life. In addition to cultural activities, the cruise terminal hosted meditation sessions, and facilitated local handicraft counters, curated to create an immersive Indian experience. Seven Seas Voyager marked the final vessel call of the current cruise season at the port. The ship departed the same evening at 7.30 p.m. towards Mormugao Port, Goa.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI(M) state committee meet in Tirupati from May 8
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will hold its state committee meeting in Tirupati from May 8 to 10, which will be attended by General Secretary M.A. Baby. A massive rally is also scheduled at 3.30 pm from M.S. Subbulakshmi statue, followed by public meeting at 4.30 pm at Kachhapi Auditorium. On the agenda of the meeting is the review of Andhra Pradesh's current political situation, privatisation of Visakhapatnam steel plant, special category status, Polavaram project, Amaravati capital development, besides the unfulfilled promises of the AP Reorganisation Act. The temple town is hosting the event after a gap of 25 years, last meet was held in 1999 when B.V. Raghavulu was the state Secretary. The event also marks Mr. Baby's maiden visit to the state after assuming the role of General Secretary.
