Latest news with #Ramakrishna
The Print
9 hours ago
- General
- The Print
Journey of excavator Amarnath Ramakrishna who led Keezhadi dig & has seen 12 transfers in 21 yrs
K. Amarnath Ramakrishna submitted the report on the first two phases of the Keezhadi excavation in 2023. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) rejected his report and asked him to revise the dates of his findings, but he stood by his conclusions and wrote to the ASI that no corrections were necessary. Chennai: When archaeologist K. Amarnath Ramakrishna began excavating a coconut farm in Keezhadi—a quiet Tamil Nadu village—in 2014, little did he realise that his discovery of an urban civilisation dating back to at least the 8th century BCE wouldn't just challenge history but also his career with five transfers in eight years. Indologist R. Balakrishnan, a retired IAS and chairman of the International Institute of Tamil Studies, said the findings of the Keezhadi excavations were revolutionary because they complemented Sangam literature. 'Ramakrishna's findings bolstered the narrative of an independent, sophisticated Tamil civilisation, distinct from the Vedic-centric history. There were no religious symbols found at the excavation site, proving what was told in Sangam literature,' Balakrishnan told ThePrint. Amarnath Ramakrishna's transfer in 2023 wasn't his first or last. His groundbreaking work has often been accompanied by controversy, with his career at the ASI marked by 12 transfers in 21 years. He began in 2004 as an assistant archaeologist at Kondapur Museum in Andhra Pradesh. The roots of the latest controversy go back to 2013-14, when Ramakrishna began surveying 293 potential sites in and around Madurai for excavation. Among them, Keezhadi, a 100-acre coconut grove in Palichanthai Thidal in Sivagangai district, stood out—and excavations began there in 2014. In the first two phases between 2014-15 and 2015-16, the team unearthed over 7,500 artefacts, including brick structures, drainage systems, wells, pottery, beads and Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions. But in 2017, as Keezhadi's significance was becoming undeniable, Ramakrishna was abruptly transferred to the Guwahati Circle in Assam while he was waiting for funds to begin the third phase of excavations at Keezhadi. Soon after Ramakrishna's transfer in 2017, the ASI appointed P.S. Sriraman as Superintending Archaeologist for the third phase of the excavation. In October 2017, on completing the third phase, Sriraman said that Keezhadi excavations had not yielded any significant discoveries—sparking controversy as his opinion sharply contradicted Ramakrishna's earlier findings. Again in 2019, Amarnath Ramakrishna was transferred to Goa as superintending archaeologist. He was back in Tamil Nadu as superintending archaeologist of the Chennai circle in 2021, when he wrote the Keezhadi report. In the 982-page report, submitted by Ramakrishna in January 2023, he classified Keezhadi into three periods: Pre-Early Historic (8th century BCE to 5th century BCE), Mature Early Historic (5th century BCE to 1st century BCE), and Post-Early Historic (1st century BCE to 3rd century CE). He submitted the report in January 2023 and was transferred to Delhi as Director (Archaeology) after that. One and a half years later, in September 2024, Amarnath Ramakrishna was moved again, this time as Director (Antiquity) of the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) at the ASI headquarters in Delhi. Within three months, Ramakrishna was shifted again to the role of director of excavation and exploration at the ASI headquarters. Another three months later, he was brought back to his previous post at the ASI headquarters in Delhi. On 17 June, Amarnath Ramakrishna was transferred yet again to the role of director of NMMA at Noida, marking his third transfer in nine months and twelfth transfer overall. This was described as a 'punishment posting' for allegedly refusing to change the dates in his Keezhadi report. 'The post he was transferred to was almost defunct for years. If this is not a punishment post, what else is?' said one of Ramakrishna's colleagues. But an ASI spokesperson told ThePrint that all his moves were routine administrative transfers and had nothing to do with Keezhadi. Archaeologists who worked with Amarnath Ramakrishna at Keezhadi felt that more details might have been unearthed had he been allowed to lead the third phase of excavations. 'In the first two phases, excavation was done at the habitation site. But to substantiate and to get more clarity on whatever was found in the habitation site, excavations need to be done in a burial site close to it. Ramakrishna had sought permission to excavate a burial site close to it, and that's when the transfer order came,' a source at the ASI told ThePrint. Also Read: Sun TV Network, Maran brothers & an old feud. How Dayanidhi-Kalanithi clash was waiting to spill over Eye for detail Archaeologists, who worked with Amarnath Ramakrishna at Keezhadi, recalled that he was a man with an eye for detail who looked for concrete scientific evidence before arriving at a conclusion. 'When we began the Keezhadi excavation, we seriously did not have any expectations, except that it was one of the largest human habitation sites that we were digging in Tamil Nadu. He was very keen on noting down everything that he saw at the site and everything that we excavated from day one,' said archaeologist Vasanth, who worked with Amarnath Ramakrishna during the Keezhadi excavation. Vasanth also told ThePrint that Ramakrishna was an exceptional officer who did not give preferences to anyone based on seniority. 'He listens to everybody's ideas irrespective of their age and experience.' A Madras University archaeology student, now working with the archaeology department, said he was lucky to do an internship at Keezhadi with Amarnath Ramakrishna. 'Because most of my seniors and even my colleagues who did internships were not even taken anywhere close to the excavation trenches. Despite being at the excavation site, they largely got only theoretical experience,' said the achaeologist, who did his internship with Ramakrishna between 2015 and 2017. 'But Ramakrishna sir took us into the trenches and explained how each quadrant is dug and how they pick the samples and what each one of them means,' he added. Son of a Tamil Scholar, in search of ancient traces Amarnath Ramakrishna, who belongs to Tamil Nadu's Palani in Dindigul district, is the son of an academic couple, R. Krishnamoorthy and G.S. Dinamani. Krishnamoorthy retired as professor of zoology at Presidency College in Chennai and the late Dinamani worked as a professor of Tamil at Arulmigu Palaniandavar Women's College. 'Beginning from elementary education to an in Ancient History and Archaeology, he was a product of Tamil Nadu's education system,' recalls a college mate and archaeologist with the state government. Amarnath Ramakrishna's friends and classmates credited their professor, K.V. Raman, for inspiring him to take archaeology seriously. 'He has always said that K.V. Raman sir was his inspiration. It was KV sir who asked Ramakrishna to pursue a two-year PG Diploma in Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology run by the Archaeological Survey of India,' the collegemate told ThePrint. He also questioned how the methods and procedures taught at ASI's institute could be wrong. 'He did not learn archaeology anywhere else. How can a person who studied at the ASI's institute give a report without substantial evidence stipulated by the ASI?' (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: 5 Tamil Nadu cops arrested for custodial death of temple guard accused of theft. Brother alleges torture
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Ungrowing old: How seniors are tackling loneliness
CHENNAI: Since retiring, N Ramakrishna has turned RK Nagar Park into more than just his morning walk route. It's now his stand-up stage. Every Saturday, notebook in hand, the 83-year-old performs for a small group of seniors, cracking jokes about everything from joint pain to politics. 'My jokes are mostly anecdotal talking about imaginary awkward situations I've been in. I look forward to the open mic all week,' he says, adding that he now looks for a punchline in everything from doctor visits to daily errands. While a recent HelpAge India report says that nearly 50% of elders, especially those above 80 and living alone, cite loneliness as the most common negative feeling associated with ageing, a growing number of seniors in the city, such as Ramakrishna, are refusing to let isolation define their later years, choosing instead to build their own little communities around shared interests. From board games in community halls to pottery studio sessions, they're taking every effort to stay socially and emotionally connected. RK Nagar Park association regularly hosts music sessions, TED-style talks, knowledge-sharing sessions, and informal debates, besides open mic programmes. They also facilitate an alternative community living setup by running daycares that serve as hangout joints for seniors. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai T he Dignity Foundation, an organisation that works for the welfare and care of the elderly, says more elders are signing up for Tai Chi, basket weaving, carrom and pallanguzhi. 'I sign up so I can interact with people my own age. Every evening, I go home looking forward to the next day's meet up,' says Sivagami V, a 74-year old resident of Beach Road who leaves home at 7.30am as part of the foundation's day care pro gramme. 'I live alone, and the loneliness can be over powering at times. But here there's someone to ask me how I am doing, and I'm grateful.' 'We promote intergenerational events as well, like we recently held a fashion show where seniors walked the ramp wearing designs put together by youngsters from the National Institute of Fashion Technology,' says Merita Joseph, chapter head of the Dignity Foundation in Chennai. 'It was ex citing,' says Nir mala Krishnaswamy, one of the models. 'Walking along with my husband on the ramp was such a special moment.' Merita says that when The Dignity Foundation was established 27 years ago, it had a magazine by seniors for seniors where it was mostly health and wellness that was discussed. 'Over the years it has become more about creating spaces for seniors to meet each other and 'hang out' because we realised that was what they needed more, a sense of belonging,' she says. Today, the Foundation's programmes have also been extended to underprivileged communities free of cost. Gated communities are also going the extra mile by creating exclusive seniors' clubs. Alliance Galleria Residences in Pallavaram has more than 500 members in its seniors' club, where elders celebrate observance days and go on trips together. 'My daughter lives overseas and I live alone here,' says Usha Raghothaman, a resident. 'Initially, I felt cooped up as I had no friends to meet and didn't have anyone who could take me outside. Since I've joined the club, I have been to Yelagiri to celebrate Valentine's Day, Kanjeevaram on temple tours, and visits to beaches in the city. This group has become an ex tended family for me,' says the 76-year-old. NUMBERS TALK 1. 73% of elders believe technology can help them connect with youth, but only 13% use digital tools like social media, email, or video calling 2. 87% of youth and 84% of elders said discussing personal matters is their main mode of connection Source: HelpAge India INBO Report 2025
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Kuppadam sarees: a woven tale of innovation, elegance and tradition
In a quiet corner of Andhra Pradesh, where looms hum stories of history and heritage, the humble yet regal Kuppadam saree continues to hold its ground as a symbol of tradition, artistry and evolving identity. While most eyes turn to the celebrated Kanjeevarams or the intricate Banarasis, the Kuppadam saree tells its own tale, one that begins in the looms of a small town called Chirala in Bapatla district, located near the famous Suryalanka Beach. What's in a name? Kuppadam saree gets its name from a complex weaving technique called Koopadam. Inspired by a need to design temple sarees with elaborate zari borders resembling temple architecture, weavers of this region began interlocking silk borders with cotton or silk over 150 years ago. It was a radical departure from the regular border stitching, which required an assistant weaver. This sets Kuppadam saree from Kanjeevarams other traditional saree designs. Every thread spun in these six-yard wonders speaks of a deep-rooted cultural legacy handed down generations, held together by the dexterous hands of weavers who blend art and heritage on every warp and weft. Sajja Ramakrishna, who has been weaving the sarees for the past three decades at Desaipeta village near Chirala, says this unique technique required a distinctive set of skills passed down orally from one generation to the next. Stretching a half-woven saree across a loom at his residence, Ramakrishna says there was a time when he thought his loom would go silent but is now happy that the public have once again begun to appreciate these exquisitely designed sarees. Ramakrishna added that the looms used in Chirala, a portmanteau word derived from 'chira' meaning saree and 'ala' meaning wave, are mostly pit looms. Handloom fabrics made in Chirala are famous for softness and durability and suite all climates. Chirala looms mostly manufacture cotton and pure silk sarees with half fine zari, with jacquard weave and dress materials. The saree measures 1.19 m by 6.50 m. What sets them apart Unlike regular sarees where the border and body are woven in continuity, Kuppadam sarees employs a three-shuttle technique wherein the border and the body are woven separately and then interlocked manually at every line—a painstaking, time-consuming process requiring extreme precision, explained B. Rambabu, a master weaver who gives material to workers and procures the finished product to sell in the market or supply to retailers. At the heart of the Kuppadam saree is a remarkable blend of cotton or silk body and silk zari border, making it ideal for festive occasions as well as regular wear in the sultry climate of coastal Andhra. The body is typically woven in vibrant colours of pink, maroon, green and blue, with motifs inspired by nature, folklore and temple murals. The hallmark of these sarees is their rich pallu (end piece) and distinctive gold or silver zari borders that reflect grandeur without the weight of full-silk sarees. This lightweight appeal, coupled with their affordability compared to pure silk sarees, has made them a staple in Andhra households, especially during ceremonies such as engagements, housewarmings and festivals like Sankranti and Ugadi. Revival from extinction By early 2000s, demand for Kuppadam sarees had dwindled due to the rise of power looms and cheaper synthetic imitations. The painstaking weaving was no match for the speed and economics of machine-made sarees. As younger generations moved away from the handloom profession, the community of Kuppadam weavers began to shrink. But just then, a resurgence began. Quietly but firmly, initiatives such as the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry gave weavers their much-needed support. The State government has designated them as the ODOP for Bapatla district this year, giving weavers a fresh breath of life and recognition. The announcement was made by Babpatla District Collector J. Venkata Murali. Siddi Venkata Buchheswara Rao, a merchant at Devangapuri near Chirala, said women entrepreneurs and designer collectives were now showcasing contemporary versions of Kuppadam sarees, merging tradition with innovation. Evolving cultural significance In Andhra culture, gifting a Kuppadam saree to a bride or a daughter-in-law is seen as a gesture of elegance and familial pride. The saree becomes more than an outfit, it transforms into a repository of memory, worn during milestone moments such as baby showers, temple visits or the first festival after marriage. Moreover, the revival of this saree has had a significant socio-economic impact. According to government data, hundreds of weaving families have resumed their looms in Chirala and neighboring villages. The weaving process, often a family endeavour, involves men operating the looms while women help in dyeing, stretching the yarn, and post-weave embellishments. Today, one can find Kuppadam sarees infused with modern aesthetics — digital motifs, contemporary pastel shades, minimalistic borders — all the while retaining the essential koopadam craftsmanship. Designers are working closely with weavers to co-create limited edition sarees that appeal to urban consumers and global markets. Efforts are also under way to secure Geographical Indication (GI) status for the saree, which would offer legal protection and further marketing advantage, says D. Venkateswara Rao, District Handlooms and Textiles Officer, Bapatla district. If secured, it will help preserve the weaving technique and shield artisans from exploitative imitation, he adds. In the whirl of fast fashion and digital consumption, the Kuppadam saree remains a slow and intentional art form. Every saree takes days to complete, and is a reflection of patience, skill and a deep sense of pride in heritage. As the saree goes from looms of Chirala to the closets of customers, it does more than wrap a body—it wraps generations of memory, craft and culture. And in doing so, it ensures that Andhra Pradesh's threads of legacy never truly unravel.
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- The Hindu
Trespassing tracks, a dangerous trend
Statistics has it that nearly two lives are lost every day on the railway tracks of the Chennai division of Southern Railway. As per data collected by the Railway Protection Force, in the last five months, 275 people were killed and 24 sustained injuries while crossing railway tracks in the Chennai division. In 2024, 712 people died on the railway tracks and 77 sustained injuries; and in 2023, 669 people died and 63 suffered injuries. Trespassing, falling from a crowded train and talking on phone while crossing tracks are main reasons for loss of lives in the railway network covering Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, parts of Vellore and some areas of Andhra Pradesh. Southern Railway adopts a three-pronged approach to changing this deadly behaviour: create awareness, register cases under Section 147 of Indian Railways Act as trespassing is punishable with a fine of ₹1,000 or six months of jail or both and close vulnerable points on the tracks. On June 19, the staff and officers from Villivakkam check post conducted an awareness session for students of Sri Kanaka Durga Telugu Higher Secondary School. Footboard travelling, skating on train platforms, trespassing, taking selfies and videos on the footboard, pelting stones on the train were among the topics covered. B. Ramakrishna, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF, says such awareness programmes run through the year. 'In fact, we are increasingly reaching out to younger children in schools as they get the message faster and would also take it home to their parents,' says Ramakrishna. While the Southern Railway has been replacing level crossing gates with rail overbridges (ROB) or subways to prevent commuters from crossing the tracks, jaywalking along unauthorised points along the tracks make it a bigger challenge to check this offence. In suburban areas such as Korrukpet, Ennore and Basin Bridge, fences are erected so that people cannot get on to the tracks. 'Fencing is the most effective measure,' he says. According to an official from the Safety Department, 10-15 railway level crossings are closed every year. 'Unmanned level crossings have been completely eliminated. Currently we have 153 LC gates across Chennai division, and all these are interlocked gates that provide more safety,' says the official. Vandhe Bharat trains run at a speed of 130 km/hr, so there must not be an LC gate or cattle crossing over the tracks. On Chennai to Arakonam section, more LC gates are waiting to be closed as Southern Railway is waiting for funds. When the number of vehicles/ units taking a gate crosses 1 lakh, the gate must be replaced with a ROB or a subway. That is the thumb rule, he says. Do fines act as a deterrent? From January 2025 to the second week of June, RPF had booked 1,650 people and collected a fine amount of ₹7 lakh. Officials say these measures are helpful to some extent. Are youngsters fined? They are usually let off with a warning but repeat offenders are booked. 'Youngsters performing stunts in local trains was a serious concern and we would call their parents, show the videos of their antics and take a written undertaking that if the child indulges in such activities a criminal case will be filed. This has worked to a great extent,' says senior divisional security commissioner. He says institutions and the larger society must also play a role in sensitising people about the danger of jaywalking on the tracks. 'Talking on the phone and crossing are a strict no. Use foot overbridges and subways where they are provided. Do not take reels on trains. After all, life is precious,' says Ramakrishna. A case study from Western Railway: Using behavioural science to prevent trespassing A behavioural science approach was adopted to check the increasing number of deaths on Mumbai's suburban railway network many years ago. Indian Railway approached Final Mile, a behavioural science and design consultancy firm, that studied data and investigated the psychology of risk perception. The simple, science-informed, and cost-effective design interventions brought down the number of deaths on tracks. Their research found that 'the current system of warning signs, using text and stick-figure illustrations, was ineffective. Second, the train drivers' practice of sounding the horn was not successful in alerting people: either it was too familiar to catch people's attention, or they honked too late to make a difference: once people were on the track and heard the horn, they decided to run for it rather than to turn back – but they could not outrun the train. A third, related observation was that people crossed even when they could clearly see the oncoming train,' says a note on They designed solutions that worked at a 'nonconscious level' and even recommended changing the way drivers used their horns to warn people. To tackle the problem of incorrect perception of the train's speed, railway ties were painted yellow at regular intervals on either side of trespassing points. The bright stripes attract attention, and as they disappear under a moving train, the brain quickly and unconsciously recalibrates its estimate of the train's speed, says the note. Their first pilot reduced fatalities by 75% in a year and this was scaled up to multiple locations around the suburban railway network. In 2019, a 5 km stretch of the Central Line that had seen 88 deaths experienced a 44% decline in fatalities.
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI demands action against Adoni MLA for making ‘casteist remarks' against Dalit sarpanch
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has strongly condemned Adoni MLA P.V. Parthasarathi for allegedly making casteist and religious remarks against a Dalit sarpanch during a public meeting at Dhanapuram village of Adoni constituency in Kurnool district. CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna issued a statement on Saturday, demanding immediate action against the legislator. According to Mr. Ramakrishna, the incident took place during a recent event at Dhanapuram, where the village sarpanch, a member of the Dalit community, was deliberately denied the opportunity to come onto the stage. The CPI leader described the act as 'outrageous and disgraceful,' accusing the MLA of insulting the sarpanch based on caste. 'Even while tendering an apology, the MLA mentioned the sarpanch's religion, which is absolutely unacceptable,' Mr. Ramakrishna stated, adding that such behaviour was unbecoming of an elected representative in a democratic and civil society. He said that public officials must act with a sense of responsibility and avoid any reference to caste or religion in their public conduct. 'We demand strict action against MLA Parthasarathi. The government must ensure such incidents are not repeated in future,' he said. It may be recalled that a video from Adoni in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district has gone viral, showing the BJP MLA allegedly humiliating a Dalit sarpanch during a public event on June 16. The MLA is seen denying the sarpanch access to the stage and questioning, 'Is he a Christian?' after learning about his caste.
