The Government Railway Police (GRP) seized a consignment of 25 kg of ganja onboard an express train at Jolarpet railway station in Tirupattur on Sunday.  

The police said as part of a special drive against illegal transportation of narcotic substances and inflammable articles on trains, under Operation Narcos, a team of GRP police personnel was conducting checks onboard trains at the railway station. They found two abandoned tourist bags in the general compartment on the train with ganja inside them.

Initial inquiry revealed that three persons deboarded the train and fled after they noticed a police team. A case was registered by GRP Jolarpet. The police were analysing CCTV camera footage to nab the suspects.

Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar inspected the measures taken for dengue prevention in areas within the limits of Cuddalore Corporation on Monday.

The Collector visited houses in Sellankuppam and Semmandalam and reviewed measures being taken to prevent mosquito breeding ahead of the Northeast monsoon.

He said the Health Department and local bodies were carrying out preventive measures across Cuddalore district to check for transmission of dengue. Rainwater stagnation in discarded coconut shells, plastic containers, unused vehicle tyres, and other waste materials could create breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes, he said.

The Collector said preventing mosquito breeding was the most effective way to control dengue. Residents were advised to remove unwanted objects in which rainwater could collect, prevent water stagnation in household articles, and clean overhead water tanks at least once a week.

People should keep their homes and surroundings clean and strictly follow dengue-awareness instructions, he said.

Besides, special wards were set up in all government hospitals as a precautionary measure to treat dengue patients. A total of 116 patients has been undergoing treatment for dengue so far. Of them, around 60% are people working in other districts and college students, he said.

Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan has not ruled out the possibility of him chairing the Budget session of the Legislative Assembly starting from August 24 in Puducherry. 

“There is no rule which does not allow the pro-tem Speaker to chair the regular session of the Legislative Assembly. It is up to the government to decide on holding the Speaker election. The Assembly Secretariat had written a letter to the Lieutenant Governor on June 24 to facilitate convening of the Assembly on July 2 to elect the Speaker. That has not materialised. Now, the government could elect the Speaker before August 24 or continue with the Pro-tem Speaker arrangement for the budget session,” he said to a question at a press conference to announce a training programme for newly elected MLAs on Wednesday.

When asked about DMK’s threat to boycott the budget session if the Speaker election was not held before convening of the Assembly, Mr. Anbalagan said he would hold talks with DMK legislators. “There is no need for them to boycott the session on the issue of Speaker election,” he said. 

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin had given a letter announcing the appointment of A.M.H Nazeem as DMK’s legislature party leader, the Pro-tem Speaker said. “On the basis of the letter and DMK’s present strength in the Assembly, Mr. Nazeem is the natural choice for the post of Opposition leader. An announcement will be made in the Budget session of the Assembly,” he said.

Mr. Anbalagan said Tamil Thai Vazhthu will be sung as the first song in the Assembly. “There is no need to pass any resolution in the Assembly making mandatory singing of Tamil Thai Vazthu first in State functions as it is our right. The budget session will commence with the Tamil Thai Vazthu,” he added. 

The Tamil Nadu Selection Committee has published the list of candidates who have been found ineligible under various categories after scrutiny.

A number of candidates, who had applied for MBBS and BDS, were found to be ineligible under categories such as government quota, Christian Medical College 20% State quota seats, IRT ward quota seats, 7.5% preferential category and management quota, as per documents submitted by them or because of the lack of documents or other reasons, according to notifications put up by the Selection Committee on its website.

A grievance redress window for such candidates is provided from August 5 to 7. As a first-time measure, all candidates can use the link using their login credentials and verify their eligibility status. Previously, only ineligible candidates could login and upload their revised documents. Now, all candidates can check their status. New applications will not be accepted during this window. Candidates can check the Selection Committee’s website [tnmedicalselection.net/] for details, officials said.

A staffer attached to the mortuary at Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore was suspended on Friday for reportedly demanding ₹2,000 cash to send the body of deceased for postmortem.

The suspended staff was identified as R. Kannan. Initial inquiry revealed that victim B. Velu, a tribal from Palambattu village atop Peechamanthai hillock, requested Kannan to send the body of his relative K. Saravanan, who died in the village a few days ago, for postmortem.

Health officials said that Kannan reportedly demanded ₹2,000 cash for the purpose. The video of the incident went viral on social media and invited public outcry.

Subsequently, an inquiry was conducted by hospital authorities. Based on the orders of Collector P.S. Leela Alex, Rohini Devi, dean of the hospital, issued a suspension order against the mortuary staff. A probe is under way.

In 2025, 2,390 village panchayats in Tamil Nadu were identified as tuberculosis-free and declared as “TB-free panchayats”, according to a press release issued by the Health department.

Health Minister K.G. Arunraj conducted a district-wise review of the measures being undertaken to achieve TB-free Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. He also reviewed the State’s achievements and progress under the National TB Elimination Programme.

Between January and June 2026, 48,469 persons were diagnosed with TB and treatment initiated. In 2025, 93,203 persons were diagnosed with TB and were provided with the necessary treatment.

Addressing the meeting, the Minister said that the TB-free India movement requires coordinated efforts involving government and private healthcare institutions, elected representatives, NGOs and other government departments to eliminate TB. If all government departments and all sections of the society work together, TN can completely eliminate TB at the earliest.

Deputy directors of TB control should intensify efforts in villages and urban wards that are at a higher risk of TB by using modern diagnostic tools such as chest X-rays and molecular diagnostic tests for early detection and prompt treatment of TB to prevent the spread of TB and reduce the number of new cases.

TB screening should be carried out for all individuals who are at a high risk. The deputy directors were also directed to ensure access to chest X-ray screening and molecular diagnostic testing for all sections of society, provide advanced care for critically ill TB patients, provide TB preventive treatment to individuals who have been in close contact with patients with TB, and encourage active participation from all sections of society in the TB elimination programme.

By working together with the participation of all sections of society, the goal of achieving a TB-free Tamil Nadu can be easily achieved, he said, according to the release. Among others, Health Secretary Darez Ahamed was present.

The grand newly completed 25-feet-tall golden chariot of the Arulmigu Ekambaranathar Temple was taken out on a procession through the Raja veedhi and mada streets of Kancheepuram town on Sunday evening. 

One of the biggest golden chariots in the country — 13 feet long and 10 feet wide — this one carrying the idols of Sri Ekambaranathar and Sri Elavarkuzhaliamman, was dedicated to the temple by the pontiff of the Sankara Mutt Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal in December last year, coinciding with the shrine’s kumbhabhishekam. Usually golden or silver chariots are not very tall and are taken on a procession only inside the temples. 

The golden chariot was first conceived by Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal who blessed the commencement of the making and collection of gold and it’s wooden frame. 

Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, who was present during the event to launch the chariot on Sunday, a Pradhosham day, had ensured its completion. Ministers S. Ramesh, R.V. Ranjithkumar and S.P.K. Thennarasu graced the occasion during which a performance by 108 nadaswaram and thavil vidwans, Kailasha Vadyam, and chanting of Vedas and Slokas were organised. 

 

A family of five escaped unhurt after the car they were travelling in caught fire at Pachal village near Jolarpet town in Tirupattur on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) on Saturday.

The police said that G. Motilal, a jewellery merchant in Tirupattur, and his family were returning from Government Medical College Hospital in Krishnagiri by car when Motillal, who was driving the vehicle, noticed smoke from the bonnet.

The family alighted from the vehicle as the fire spread. Firefighters and police from Natrampalli reached the spot. However, the car was gutted. The rescued persons were sent to Government Taluk Hospital in Tirupattur.

The police removed the charred vehicle from the carriageway.

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College (CMC) organised a conference on autism at its campus in Vellore.

According to a press release, the conference, ‘Autism 360’, was part of Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme of CMC and brought together clinicians, therapists, educators, researchers, and advocates from across India for a comprehensive exploration of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The CME featured a scientific programme covering contemporary topics on autism assessment, intervention, education, transition planning, and mental health.

The event served as a platform for networking and collaboration. Faculty members, trainees, alumni, and professionals from across the country exchanged ideas, built connections, and explored opportunities for future academic partnerships.

Shoba Srinath, former Head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, also spoke, the release said.

For the last two years, S. Parthiban, 45, a farmer of Chidambaram in Cuddalore district watched his paddy yields stagnate despite investing money in chemical fertilizers. He faced the same frustrating reality every harvest season.

The turning point came in 2025, when Parthiban was introduced to the concept of microbial consortia – a balanced mixture of beneficial bacteria and fungi at a workshop organised by the Chidambaram Area Progressive Farmers Association.

Though most of the farmers were hesitant, Parthiban decided to try them on his four-acre paddy farm in Chidambaram. He used them on a native variety ADT-46 and the results showed an increase in yield in the first harvest in January this year.

“Each acre produced 38 bags with a weight of 60 kg each, an increase of more than 10 bags than the usual 28 bags per acre. I had used only 50 % of the usual chemical fertilizer, saving money,” Parthiban said.

According to S. Raja Mohammed, retired Joint Director of Horticulture, the strain of unique patented Microbial Consortia used by the farmer has been scientifically tested and validated at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). This strain helps in increased microbial count and a significant increase in beneficial microorganisms, revitalization of soil health, improved soil enzyme activity and beneficial microbial activities, he said.

It is necessary to explore and adopt innovative bio-agricultural inputs to conserve soil health besides increasing the productivity of rice and other food crops, he added.