Latest news with #Murugan
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI to stage protest over Union Minister's remarks on ST status for Malayali community
Condemning Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan's recent statement that the State government had failed to pass a resolution regarding Scheduled Tribes (ST) status for the Malayali Gounder community in the district, the Communist Party of India (CPI) announced that it will stage a demonstration in Kadambur on July 24. According to the CPI, over 25,000 people of Malayali ethnicity reside in the Kadambur and Bargur Hills in the district. While their counterparts in other hilly regions of Tamil Nadu have been recognised as Scheduled Tribes and issued ST certificates, those in these two hill areas have not been granted similar recognition, instead being categorised simply as members of the Malayali community under the Other Castes. As a result, they have been deprived of educational and employment benefits available to ST communities, and their long-standing demand for recognition remains unfulfilled. During a recent visit to Kadambur, Mr. Murugan reportedly stated that the delay in granting ST status was due to the State government's failure to pass a resolution in Assembly. In response, the CPI, in a statement, strongly condemned the Minister's remarks and clarified that the issue had been raised multiple times in Parliament by Tiruppur MP K. Subbarayan. The statement further noted that in March 2025, Nilgiris MP A. Raja, along with Kadambur residents, met Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram in New Delhi and submitted a representation on the matter. 'Even then, the issue was not addressed,' the statement said. The CPI also pointed out that, in its various communications to the State government, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had never requested a resolution from the State Assembly. 'Instead of introducing a necessary amendment in Parliament to include Erode district in the ST list, the Union Ministry is attempting to divert the issue,' the statement said. In protest, the CPI will hold a demonstration in Kadambur on July 24, the statement added.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Seaweed cultivation thrives in Thoothukudi, strengthening the blue economy
Seaweed cultivation, a key component of the blue economy, continues to be a thriving source of livelihood for fishermen in Thoothukudi district, with dried seaweed fetching up to ₹80 to 90 per kilogram. Currently, around five coastal hamlets in the district are highly engaged in its cultivation, producing a significant amount. The marine algae, which is rich in vitamins, minerals such as iodine, calcium, potassium, zinc, is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants like carotenoids and polyphenols. This nutrient-rich algae has always been high in demand in East Asian countries and Western countries due to its wide usage in their cuisines. Over a period of time, this has also started playing a significant role as an important compound in many pharmaceutical products, biofertilizers, animal feed, biofuels and skin care products. In India, seaweed cultivation has been significantly boosted in recent years with focused efforts and investments. The Indian government has been actively promoting seaweed farming through various initiatives including the Pradan Mantri Matsya Samapada Yojana (PMMSY). In Thoothukudi district, around six coastal areas are actively engaged in seaweed cultivation, including Sippikulam, Pattinamarudhur, Vellapatti, Mullakadu and Pullaveli. The main species cultivated in the region is Kappaphycus alvarezii. Jayashankar, a fisherman from Pullaveli who has been involved in this business for the past 18 years said that he has taken this up as a fulltime job, going fishing only during the off season of seaweed cultivation, which is between February and June. Seaweed is usually cultivated in the region using monoline method, where the seedlings are tied at 8 cm distance in a 15-metre rope, with plastic bottles as floating materials. These are attached to a 100-metre rope, with a maximum of 100 lines, with 30 kg anchors on both sides. In Pullaveli Mr. Jayashankar along with his partners are cultivating the sea weed across up to 1,700 lines and they sold around 10 metric tonnes dried seaweed last year, apart from the wet ones. He added that currently they are selling both dry and wet seaweeds at ₹80 to 90 and ₹18 per kg respectively. Murugan, another cultivator from Mullakadu East, who has also been in the business for the past 18 years, said, 'When I started the business, the dry weed was taken at ₹8 per kg and wet weed was taken at ₹0.85 per kg.' However, currently the prices have increased, which is economically helpful to the local cultivators. He noted that they had moved from bamboo raft method to monoline method as they are more suitable for the sea condition of Thoothukudi. Mr. Murugan along with other fishermen in the region cultivate the seaweed across 800 lines, fetching over 10 metric tonnes of produce every year. The major constraints in producing a high-quality seaweed is the environmental conditions such as fluctuations in temperature and salinity leads to 'Ice-Ice' disease in the sea weed, which creates white to light grey lesions or spots on seaweed surface, which could be mostly cured by daily monitoring. Grazing by herbivorous fish and natural calamities such as flood affects the seaweed farming, which makes the salinity to less than 10 ppt, causing bleaching to the weed. Currently the officials from Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare and ICAR-CMFRI, Thoothukudi have been involved in guiding seaweed cultivators in the region. The CMFRI's project is being funded by National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development through the project 'Environmental Sustainability through Multi-Trophic Aquaculture.' Speaking on the developing blue economy through seaweed cultivation in Thoothukudi, an official from the fisheries department said that the collected seaweeds are currently being sent to seaweed parks in Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram. The official added, 'Though the sea weed cultivation has seen significant growth in recent years, there are still some constraints in marketing, seed supply and unprecedented environmental factors.'
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
People of Tamil Nadu no longer believe in DMK's theatrics, says Murugan
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan on Saturday said the people of Tamil Nadu no longer believed in the 'DMK's theatrics' and were ready to vote the party out of power. In the 2026 Assembly election, the AIADMK-BJP alliance will secure a historic victory and usher in good governance, he said. In a statement, Mr. Murugan said that at the NITI Aayog meeting held earlier this year, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urged the Centre to initiate a river restoration project for the Cauvery, Vaigai, and Tamirabharani. 'However, since the time of his late father, former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, the DMK has been deceiving Tamil Nadu in the name of cleaning the Cooum. They siphoned off crores of rupees under the guise of clean-up projects,' he alleged. 'On every issue, the Chief Minister thinks he can escape by blaming the Centre. You claim that the Centre had not allocated funds to the State. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been repeatedly asking you to specify what funds were not given. But you have no answer,' Mr. Murugan contended. Accusing Mr. Stalin and the second-line DMK leaders of promoting dynastic politics, he said they acted like landlords. He added that Mr. Stalin had no moral right to speak about retrieving Katchatheevu or bringing education back to the State List.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Murugan temple in Kodungaiyur limits revived, 10 years on
Chennai: The centuries-old Arulmigu Muthukumaraswamy Temple in Poongavanam Nagar, Kodungaiyur, witnessed a kumbabishekam (consecration) ceremony on Tuesday. The event was part of the state govt's efforts to revive core city temples that had not undergone consecration in more than a decade. HR&CE minister P K Sekarbabu oversaw the rituals. Renovation work, including the restoration of the Raja Gopuram, sanctum structures, and mandapams, were completed at a cost of 91.5lakh, funded by temple resources and donors. Since the DMK govt came to power, 3,386 temples, including 131 Murugan temples in places such as Palani, Thiruchendur, Thirupparankundram, and Vadapalani, have been restored. "Under CM Stalin's aegis, a revival of Murugan temples is underway. Kumbhabhishekams were held at Palani after 16 years and at Thiruchendur and Thirupparankundram after more than a decade. The state has invested more than 1,085cr in renovating 884 Murugan temples. The govt also hosted the grand World Tamil Murugan Conference in 2024, drawing more than five lakh attendees. Projects include the construction of towering Murugan statues at Marudhamalai (184ft), Thindal (180ft), and Kumaragiri (114ft)," said Sekarbabu. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Infrastructure improvements such as cable cars, electric lifts, and hill paths to enhance accessibility, along with annadanam and prasadam schemes, have also been introduced. "We also introduced free pilgrimages for senior citizens, student scholarships, and cultural preservation through Thavil-Nadaswaram schools," he added.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Car submerged in rainwater: Consumer panel orders service provider to pay Rs 10.5 lakh compensation in TN
TIRUNELVELI: Tirunelveli District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on Monday directed a private automobile company to pay a compensation of Rs 10.52 lakh to a consumer, after his car, which was given for minor repairs, got fully submerged in rainwater during December 2023 rain on the company premises. The complainant, E Murugan of Munneerpallam, purchased the car from Susee Engineering and Automobiles Pvt Ltd, in 2021 for Rs 11.89 lakh. On December 14, 2023, Murugan dropped the car off at the service centre for repairing the radiator hose and windshield fluid reservoir. The service team estimated a charge of Rs 6,000 and promised to return the vehicle within a week. However, on December 19, the service centre informed him that the car had been completely submerged due to heavy rain. Alleging negligence in parking the vehicle at an unprotected location, Murugan sought a replacement vehicle or full compensation, which the firm allegedly denied, resulting in him moving the consumer forum. After hearing both parties, the commission, chaired by its president M Piravi Perumal and member P Shanmugapriya, ruled that the service provider had failed to protect the vehicle adequately, amounting to a deficiency in service. The commission ordered the company to pay Rs 9 lakh (Insured Declared Value) with 9% interest from the date of complaint (January 29, 2024), Rs 25,000 for causing mental agony and Rs 10,000 as cost of proceedings -- totalling Rs 10.52 lakh -- within 45 days.
