Latest news with #Suresh
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Historic St Andrews Church Raises Funds for Restoration Through Musical Concerts
When a massive pipe organ was installed at St Andrews Church (The Kirk), the parishioners would hardly have thought that 135 years later, the same instrument would help fund the church's restoration. 'We held free western and Indian classical Christian music programmes to fund the restoration,' says Shantakumar, secretary. 'Contributions from attendees are used to build a fund. ' The latest such was a concert on Saturday by the Madras Musical Association string orchestra and The Shatabdi Express. 'The pipe organ, one of the largest in Chennai, was restored about 15 years ago, but the original structure is the same, and it works perfectly,' says Shantakumar. 'The Kirk has a long legacy of music. Well-known musician Handel Manuel, who was part of All India Radio, was the organist and choirmaster here. Every year, a specialist from the UK tunes the organ.' The three-manual, trackeraction organ was bought from Yorkshire-based award-winning makers Peter Conacher & Company in 1883, more than 60 years after the church consecration. The estimated cost was `8,000 in 1883, but the members had only Rs 1,800 in the organ fund at the time. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai A committee was set up to organise a bazaar to generate funds,' says P C R Suresh, a parishioner who headed the restoration project. The church also has a grand piano, which is an indispensable part of the choir Built in 1817 for the Scottish community, The Kirk, which is Scottish for church, stands tall at 166.6ft, its steeple the tallest in the city. 'The leaky roof, spire and dome were restored and the terrace waterproofed,' says Suresh. 'It was made of locally available materials, and we used the same materials – cured and treated limestone, sand and jaggery, for the restoration.' The structure is unique in that the soil in the area was clayey, because of which an ordinary foundation could not be laid. 'The foundation stands on a bed of 150 wells, packed with stones,' says Suresh. According to architect Major Thomas Fiott De Havilland's account, the foundation has also been connected by a series of vaults to strengthen the edifice. 'These vaults, if needed, can bury the dead," says Havilland. However, the entrance to these vaults has not been found. The dome, he writes, is unsupported, and 'built like an eggshell' with pottery cones, without the use of steel or wood. IIT-M's civil engineering and structural engineering department was the consultant for the recent restoration.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
BAMUL intends to open Nandini parlours near Bengaluru metro stations
To provide a push to the 'Nandini' brand, D.K. Suresh, president of Bangalore Milk Union Ltd. (BAMUL), met with top officials of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on Friday, requesting them to provide space to construct Nandini parlours near metro stations. 'With the aim of expanding the sales network of Nandini milk and dairy products, a request was submitted to grant space for constructing Nandini parlours in the open vacant areas belonging to the department in front of metro stations to sell the products,' Mr. Suresh said on social media platform X. Sources in BMRCL said that while the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) will set up Nandini parlours in six metro stations, BAMUL has also been asked to identify the other stations where they would want to set up the parlours. Previously, in June, KMF was instructed by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to submit applications to a tender called by BMRCL to open Nandini outlets in metro stations after the government was blamed by the opposition for favouring Amul over Nandini. Amul was the lone applicant for BMRCL's tender and was allowed to open its outlets in 10 metro stations.
India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
Lured abroad with jobs, forced into scams: Andhra cops bust racket, 85 rescued
Andhra Pradesh police have rescued 85 individuals and arrested 20 accused in connection with an international human trafficking racket that lured Indian youths into scam operations in Southeast Asia under the pretence of offering data entry a press conference on Wednesday, City Police Commissioner Sankhabrata Bagchi said the most recent arrests were made on July 14, when two agents, Suresh and Adilakshmi, were apprehended at Visakhapatnam Airport while attempting to traffic four persons to Cambodia. The incident is part of a wider crackdown on transnational cybercrime networks. Nine human trafficking cases have so far been registered in this ongoing to police, the victims were sent to scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos, where they were allegedly coerced into running online frauds. The majority of those trafficked were Telugu-speaking youths from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Investigators estimate that around 500 individuals from northern Andhra Pradesh are currently trapped in Myanmar and Cambodia, having been duped by fake job offers. The Commissioner said Suresh, one of the recently arrested agents, had previously worked in a Cambodian cybercrime hub before returning to India to recruit more victims. The prime suspect in the case has been identified as Vijayakumar, also known as Sunny, who allegedly coordinated the recruitment trafficked youths were allegedly forced to carry out online investment scams involving fake stocks, cryptocurrencies, and digital gold. The illicit proceeds were reportedly laundered through several layers, converted into cryptocurrency, and routed to seized two mobile phones, 20 SIM cards, Rs 50,000 in cash, and 2,000 dollars (approximately Rs 1.8 lakh) from the accused during the latest Bagchi warned that recruitment agents and consultancy firms operating without proper authorisation would face action under the Immigration Act, 1983. He urged job seekers to remain vigilant and verify credentials before accepting overseas support victims and their families, Visakhapatnam Police have launched a dedicated helpline: 79950 95799.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh#Telangana
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dispute erupts over Kollam-Theni NH widening plan
Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian has demanded an urgent review of the proposed alignment for the widening of the Kollam-Theni National Highway (NH) 183. In a statement issued here on Thursday, Mr. Cherian said that it would have been possible to prepare an effective plan without causing the loss of around 3,000 houses, shops, places of worship, and other structures along both sides of the 16-kilometre stretch from Kollakadavu to Aanjilichuvadu, and further up to Pravinkoodu on MC Road. He said the new highway was planned to be 24 metres wide, twice the width of the existing road. 'The new alignment should be designed in a way that does not cause inconvenience to the public,' the Minister said. A detailed complaint had already been submitted to the National Highways Authority of India, he added. Meanwhile, Kodikkunnil Suresh, MP, has criticised Mr. Cherian's stance against the 'widening of the Kollam-Theni National Highway 183 into a four-lane road.' In a statement issued on Friday, Mr. Suresh said that it was due to his intervention that a decision was made to widen the existing road, which requires minimal land acquisition. 'This decision has the full support of both the Central and State governments. The statements made by Minister Saji Cherian are intended solely to create confusion among the public,' Mr. Suresh said. The Mavelikara MP said the decision to widen the road was taken after conducting various studies. 'Widening the road is the most suitable option for the national highway development. Accordingly, the alignment was approved, the 3A Gazette Notification for land acquisition was published, and the project cost is currently under consideration by the Finance Committee,' he said. Mr. Suresh said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the State government held a favourable stance on the Kollam-Theni National Highway development. Mr. Cherian has taken a different position, possibly due to vested interests, he alleged.
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
85 Rescued By Visakhapatnam Cops After Crackdown On Human Trafficking Racket
Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Police has rescued 85 individuals and arrested 22 in a major crackdown on human trafficking and cybercrime operations, Dr. Shankabrata Bagchi, Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner announced on Wednesday. These criminal networks primarily targeted the Southeast Asian nations like Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos, preying on the aspirations of Indian youth seeking lucrative overseas employment. "Cybercrime police have arrested a gang involved in illegal human trafficking for cybercrimes, ensuring the safety of innocent victims," stated Commissioner Bagchi, emphasising the department's commitment to public safety. The Commissioner highlighted a disturbing trend where promising advertisements for "data entry jobs in air-conditioned rooms" with high salaries and minimal educational requirements lure unsuspecting young individuals into a trap. These victims, predominantly unemployed youth, are then trafficked to countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Bangkok, where they are coerced into working for China-based cyber scam companies. How Cops Cracked It A recent breakthrough occurred on July 14, 2025, when police apprehended an agent named Suresh from Gajuwaka and his accomplice, Adilakshmi alias Anu, at Visakhapatnam Airport. They were attempting to send four young men and women to Cambodia under the false pretense of data entry jobs. Investigations revealed that Suresh, who had previously worked in a scam company in Cambodia, had returned to India and, with the assistance of Vijay Kumar alias Sunny and Adilakshmi, had already trafficked 12 individuals. From them, police seized two cell phones, Rs 50,000 in cash, $2,000 (Rs 1.80 lakh), and 20 SIM cards. Police investigations indicate that Vijay Kumar alias Sunny acts as the primary agent for China-based scam companies in Cambodia, specifically targeting Telugu-speaking youth from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He uses local agents to entice unemployed individuals with false promises of employment. According to police intelligence, approximately 500 individuals from North Andhra have travelled to Cambodia and Myanmar on visiting visas. While some are genuine victims, the authorities believe others are intentionally involved in cybercrimes and have become agents themselves, recruiting more unemployed youth from India. Commissioner Bagchi issued a stern warning to fake agents and consultancies, stating that strict action will be taken under the Emigration Act-1983 against those deceiving the public. He emphasised that legitimate agents must hold a valid registration certificate, adhere to the Protection of Immigration Act, and refrain from overcharging or appointing sub-agents. Unregistered or fraudulent agents promising foreign jobs face immediate legal action and arrest. Public Advisory Issued A public advisory was also issued, urging citizens to verify agents' credentials on and to report suspicious activities or demands for high fees to the Visakhapatnam CP's special number 7995095799. Victims of scams are advised to call 1930 to file a complaint. Furthermore, an advisory to parents/guardians urged them to verify the activities of their children or relatives working in China-related scam companies in Cambodia, Myanmar, or Bangkok. "If they are involved in criminal activities, advise them to return to the country immediately. Otherwise, file a complaint with the City Police Commissioner," Dr. Bagchi urged. He warned that failure to comply could result in a Lookout Circular (LOC) and legal action, with information gathering coordinated via the Indian Embassy. "In this era where small hopes lead to big scams... Caution is protection. Stay alert - Don't get scammed - Stay aware," the Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner said, reiterating the urgency of public awareness and cooperation in combating these sophisticated criminal operations.
