Latest news with #Kanniyakumari
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
Brace for major train disruptions in Madurai division from July 1–20; key express services to be diverted, short-terminated — check details
Passengers in Madurai Division should anticipate travel disruptions from July 1-20 due to Southern Railway's corridor engineering works. Several long-distance trains will be diverted, short-terminated, or delayed, impacting routes like Coimbatore-Nagercoil Express and Mayiladuturai-Sengottai Express. CHENNAI: Passengers travelling across Madurai Division will face disruptions from July 1 to 20 as Southern Railway undertakes corridor engineering works, affecting multiple long-distance trains across Tamil Nadu. From July 3 to 15, the Coimbatore–Nagercoil Express (Train No. 16322) will be short-terminated at Dindigul instead of continuing to Nagercoil. Likewise, the Tiruchchirappalli–Rameswaram Express (16849) will not run beyond Manamadurai on July 7 to 11 and July 14–15. Its return service (16850) from Rameswaram will start from Manamadurai instead of the island terminus on these dates. Several major express trains are also being diverted via alternate routes to bypass closed sections. The Mayiladuturai–Sengottai Express (16847), running on July 6, 9, and 13, will skip Madurai and Dindigul, instead travelling through Tiruchchirappalli, Karaikkudi, and Virudhunagar. Additional stops will be provided at Pudukkottai, Devakottai Road, Sivaganga, and Aruppukkottai to accommodate passengers left out by this diversion. The Shri Vaishno Devi Katra–Tirunelveli Express (16788), running on July 3 and 10, will follow the same diversion route, bypassing Dindigul and Madurai. The Sengottai–Mayiladuturai Express (16848) faces the longest stretch of disruption, diverted daily between July 1–2, 4–5, and 7–9 and again from July 11–15. It will skip all Madurai-bound stops, running via Virudhunagar and Karaikkudi. Even premium services like the Kanniyakumari–Howrah Superfast Express (12666) and the Kanniyakumari–Hyderabad Special (07229) will avoid Madurai on July 5, 12 and July 4, 11 respectively. The Nagercoil–Mumbai CST Express (16352) is diverted on July 20, missing Madurai entirely. Passengers boarding at Madurai or Dindigul are advised to check alternate options or plan for additional travel, as the diverted trains will stop at Aruppukkottai, Sivaganga, and Karaikkudi instead. In addition, the Madurai–Kacheguda Special (07192) will depart 1 hour 20 minutes late on July 2 and 9, while the Rameswaram–Charlapalli Special (07696) will be delayed by nearly 10 hours on July 4 and 11. Southern Railway has advised passengers to verify timings and routes before travel, as engineering blocks continue through mid-July.
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
AIAWU urges resumption of regular bus service to Oorakonam in Thovalai taluk
The All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) submitted a petition at the Collectorate in Nagercoil on Monday, urging the resumption of regular bus service to Oorakonam in Thovalai taluk. The lack of service has forced the students and public to walk at least 3 km to reach the nearest bus stop. The petition was submitted during the weekly grievance redressal meeting chaired by Kanniyakumari Collector R. Alagumeena. According to the petition, the bus service on route number 4R from Anna Bus stand in Nagercoil was suspended during COVID-19 pandemic and was later reduced to a service in the morning time. As a result, students and residents who regularly depend on this service for daily commuting are facing severe hardships. It also urged for the mini bus facility for Gnanadasapuram tenements and Anna colony area as the residents are struggling with poor road condition and lack of accessible transportation. N.S. Kannan, president of Kanniyakumari unit of AIAWU, said that due to the suspension of regular service, the residents of Oorakonam are suffering and at present they are forced to walk around 3 km to the nearest bus stop in Arumanallur. He pointed out that the village is home to around 500 families and despite recurrent petitions from the residents, no action has been taken so far. He added that the students who miss the lone morning bus are compelled to walk to Arumanallur to catch the next available bus, making them exhausted even before reaching school. Mr. Kannan further noted that since most of the residents are daily wage workers, public transportation is vital for them to commute. He suggested that the buses currently operating to Surulacode could be rerouted through Oorakonam, as Arumanallur already has adequate number of buses.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Race Across The World left out HUGE part of winner's life as fans ask ‘why wouldn't they mention that?'
IT was a tense sprint to the finish line in last night's finale of Race Across The World. But fans were baffled that a huge part of the winner's life had been left out of the series. 5 5 The final episode followed the pairs travelling from Goa, India, to the southernmost tip of India, Kanniyakumari, 1000km away. But after a 51-day cross-continent race, it was mother and son duo Caroline and Tom who took home the £20,000 prize. The pair, who were leading the race from its fifth episode earlier this month, beat brothers Melvyn and Brian, sisters Elizabeth and Letitia and young couple Fin and Sioned to the finish point. And it was an emotional moment for the duo, as they opened the all-important guest book on their arrival. Celebrating their win, Caroline broke down in tears telling her son: 'We must never doubt ourselves, ever, ever, ever again.' On-screen Caroline has spoken about giving up her career to become a mum and how the show has given her the chance to do something for herself. But what hasn't aired on the BBC show is that Caroline is a successful eventer. In her everyday life, the Race Across the World winner has a number of achievements under her belt when it comes to horse riding. Just before she joined the show, she won the 2024 British Eventing BE80 grassroots league when riding 14-year-old horse Really. Caroline has had Really for almost a year now, according to British Eventing. Secrets of BBC competition show exposed in one-off special episode after fans slammed 'fake' scenes Since Race Across the World came to an end, she has returned to eventing and has continued to be successful This season, Caroline topped the British Eventing's BE90 March/April OBP League. In May, she told The Horse and Hound: "It's lovely to be back and I'm looking forward to the championship. "Eventing has got a little bit of the challenge of Race Across the World because you have to be prepared, fit, determined and have an aim in mind." Fans questioned on social media why this was never aired in the show and one said: "Horseandhound magazine has an article about Caroline. "A successful eventer for years, and Tom who Caroline had when she was 40. "Have lost trust in this programme and the phoney sob stories. Such a shame." Another added: "Why wouldn't they mention this on the show!" A third explained: "I'm not dismissing her feelings about her role in life, but her whole I'm just a stay at home mum who has never done anything in my life attitude rubs a bit thin when you take her sporting career into account. "She's not just an amateur, she has been doing it for 25 years + (i.e. all the time she was running a house)." Another added: "I don't like how Caroline is making out that she is just some poor housewife who has never had a life when actually she is a very successful eventer." "She is making out that she hasn't done anything for herself since getting married, this is simply not true," explained another. While one poster said: "I think that's more of an age thing, and your children getting older. "My Mum kept going on about having lost her purpose and confidence when I went to uni even though she had a very successful career." But another disagreed: "Caroline is successful in Eventing (horse sport) which, to me, makes her sob story seem a little disingenuous and designed to counter their obvious privilege. "They definitely have grown over the course of the series and become more likeable, I don't think the producers really needed to work as hard on it as they might have thought." Caroline also told the publication that her experience with horses helped her on the TV show and added: "Horsey people are generally quite grounded and extremely tough. "You can put up with being dirty and grubby and you just get on with it, and that really helped because dignity goes out the window very, very quickly. "You don't mind getting your hands dirty in both senses of the word. "And I was quite fit, which was probably the biggest help for me in the long run." 5 5
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who won BBC's Race Across the World 2025 and claimed the £20,000 prize?
Mother and son Caroline and Tom have won series five of the BBC's Race Across The World (in 2025). Caroline, 60, and 21-year-old Tom became the first mother-and-son team to win the BBC reality series after reaching the final checkpoint in Kanniyakumari (the southernmost tip of mainland India) to claim the £20,000 prize. Four teams in the 14,100km (8,761-mile) race successfully crossed Asia, the world's largest continent, to make it to the finish line. "Congratulations. You have successfully reached the finish line" ✍️🏆 Here are your #RaceAcrossTheWorld 2025 Winners! 👏 — Race Across The World (@RATW_official) June 11, 2025 Sisters Elizabeth and Letitia came second, just 19 minutes behind the winners, with teenage couple Fin and Sioned third. Brothers Brian and Melvyn arrived in fourth place, three hours and five minutes behind Caroline and Tom. On Wednesday's (June 11) episode, teams had to make it to Vattakottai Fort where the final sign-in book was waiting. After turning the page to discover they were the first team to make it to the landmark, Caroline and Tom hugged, overcome with emotion. Writing their names in the book, Tom said: 'That's a really good feeling, I'm lost for words, I can't believe it. 'Fifty-one days racing through countries I never thought I'd go to. 'I never thought we'd come this far, I never thought we'd achieve so much and I've never been prouder of my mum – she got me through it.' Carloline and Tom were crowned winners of Race Across the World 2025 on Wednesday (June 11) night's episode. (Image: Studio Lambert/BBC) Reflecting on the pair's win, Tom said Race Across the World was 'the best experience of my life'. Caroline added: 'We've learnt so much, we've enjoyed it and to actually win it as well as to have the experience is the best thing that could have happened to us.' The contestants traversed areas of China, Nepal and India, covering more than 14,000km over 51 days. Despite the remaining teams making it to the final checkpoint and Caroline and Tom being crowned the winners, there is still one more Race Across the World episode to air in 2025. The teams will reunite for a special episode airing at 9pm next Wednesday (June 18) on BBC One, where they will reflect on the race and the impact it has had on their lives. What a race. Thank you to our incredible racers and to you at home for following them on this amazing journey, we've loved every moment 🙌 Wondering what they're all up to now? Join us next Wednesday at 9pm for The Reunion! #RaceAcrossTheWorld — Race Across The World (@RATW_official) June 11, 2025 All eight episodes of Race Across The World 2025 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Applications are already open for Race Across the World 2026 on the 'Shows, Tours and Take Part' section of the BBC website. You must be older than 18 (at the time of submitting your application) to apply. The BBC said: "This experience is open to all, whether you're a seasoned traveller or total novice. "We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, to what lengths you would go to win. RECOMMENDED READING: 'Beloved' Race Across The World star dies after car crash as family pay tribute What prize do the winners of Race Across The World take home? "Maybe you're looking to change something in your life? Or are keen to share the journey with someone special like a family member, best friend, or someone you've lost touch with. "You may even have a very personal reason for wanting to travel at this time in your life or want to explore a particular part of the world. "We are looking for teams of two to apply and all applicants must be over the age of 18 on the date of submitting their application."
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Race Across The World 2025 winners revealed
Spoiler Alert: Race Across The World 2025 winners revealed and final episode spoilers ahead! Race Across the World 2025 reached its thrilling conclusion with mother and son, Caroline and Tom, becoming the first pair to reach the final checkpoint in Kanniyakumari and claim the £20,000 prize. After thousands of kilometres raced across China, Nepal, and India, the final leg was the closest all teams had been in 51 days. In a final dash to the finish, Caroline and Tom, the first ever mother and son pairing to win, were declared winners of the 14,100km race across the world's largest continent, Asia. Watch Race Across the World on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist Watch Celebrity Race Across the World on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist Sprinting to the finish line, sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, who have remained consistent throughout the race, came in second place, with just 19 minutes between them and the race winners. They were followed by teenage couple Fin and Sioned, while brothers Brian and Melvyn, came in fourth. It was a race to find a boat towards the fishing village of Arockiapuram and there, find the Vattakottai Fort where the last and final sign in book was waiting. As Caroline and Tom turned to the page to discover they had reached the final checkpoint in first place, they hugged, overcome with emotion. An emotional Caroline cried: 'We must never doubt ourselves again. Ever, ever, ever.' Writing their names in the book, Tom said: 'That's a really good feeling, I'm lost for words, I can't believe it. 51 days racing through countries I never thought I'd go to, I never thought we'd come this far, I never thought we'd achieve so much and I've never been prouder of my mum – she got me through it.' As sisters Elizabeth and Letitia turned the page to claim second place, Elizabeth said: 'Ah Tom and Caroline, so close, 19 minutes,' with Letitia adding: 'I'm proud of us'. Just 45 minutes behind the winners, Fin and Sioned arrived in third place. Fin said: 'We've done well.' He added: 'it would have been incredible to have come first, but obviously we can't all come first.. we've gone more than 12000km…' Sioned continued: 'it's been more than just the distance, it's been a journey for us.' Brian and Melvyn, who arrived in fourth place, only 3 hours and 5 minutes behind race winners, said: 'We've done very well actually. Really pleased for the guys that have won it. Beer? Desperately, and definitely!' The final episode saw Caroline and Tom begin the last leg in the lead, 6 hours and 54 minutes ahead of Elizabeth and Letitia. They started from the 7th checkpoint, Panaji in Goa with just over 1000km to traverse across the southern Indian states to reach the finish line at the southernmost tip of India in Kanniyakumari. Arriving into Kanniyakumari by taxi, Tom said how nervous he was, and worried more when he exclaimed: 'I've just seen Fin and Sioned, I promise you, I have, oh no'. Getting caught in a traffic jam, Caroline and Tom were visibly despondent. Receiving their first instructions to reach the tip of India, Caroline and Tom raced through huge crowds of people trying to watch the incredible sunrise but with little time to appreciate the stunning views: 'it's a nice sunrise, bit hard to focus on, but it's nice.' Hot on Caroline and Tom's heels, Elizabeth and Letitia received the next instructions to proceed on foot to the front of Our Lady of Ransom Shrine. Not hesitating to ask multiple people for help, the teams made their way and discovered they must then take a boat to Arockiapuram fishing village. Caroline and Tom secured a boat for 1000 rupees, stressing that they were in a race and the need for speed to their driver. Still worried about having seen Fin and Sioned, Tom said; 'I still can't see Fin and Sioned, I don't know if they can see us.' The teams received a message instructing them to head on foot to the Vattakottai Fort. Running through the winding streets, trying to find the beach, Tom said: 'it's so far out of the way'. On reaching the entrance to the Fort, Caroline and Tom ran in with Caroline asking 'Can you see anyone else, Thomas?' and Tom replying; 'I don't see anyone.' The pair reached the book and discovered they had won the race of a lifetime and a prize of £20,000. Over the eight-part series, the four pairs have raced over 14,000km over 51 days. The teams have successfully journeyed across the world's largest continent, Asia, taking in three of its most diverse and fascinating nations – China, Nepal and India. They've had to navigate crowds, congestion and cultural barriers, as well as a multitude of vast ranging landscapes on an epic journey from The Great Wall of China in northeastern China all the way to the southernmost tip of India – Kanniyakumari – all without smartphones, internet access and bank cards, and armed only with the cash equivalent of flying the route. Following the final episode of Race Across the World, the teams will return for a heart-warming reunion celebration on iPlayer and BBC One on Wednesday 18 June from 9pm. The teams will reflect on their race, including behind-the-scenes insights and unseen moments. This one-off special offers an in-depth and intimate look into how the travellers coped with the trials and tribulations of a life-affirming race, and the impact it's had on their lives and relationships. Race Across The World 2025 Winners Q&A How does it feel to have won Race Across the World? Caroline – It feels absolutely amazing, I'm so sad it's come to the end, that is the worst bit about it. We've enjoyed being with everybody but my God this race has meant so much. We've learnt so much we've enjoyed it and to actually win it as well as to have the experience is the best thing that could have happened to us. Tom – Doing the experience in itself is winning but to actually get to that book first and open it and to see that it was empty was something that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Can you sum the experience up in just a few words? Tom – Best experience of my life. Caroline – Incredible, amazing, valuable in so many ways and a lifetime achievement. Who did you tell first? Caroline – My husband. In the car on the way home, we couldn't hide it. Tom – We made a pact on the plane journey home not to tell anybody, but within 5 minutes of seeing him we let that one go! It was so hard to keep it in! What do you plan on doing with the money? Tom – I haven't really thought about what I'm doing with the money yet. I don't want to be stupid and waste it. Mum and I want to go backpacking again so some of it will be used for that. Caroline – Thomas is starting up a business and its been inspired by India and I'd like to help him with that. VHW
