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New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
A home where lives are rebuilt
CHENNAI: The wind picks up dust, stirring it into the air as grey clouds hang low, as if carrying the weight of untold stories. Suddenly, the quiet is pierced by the sound of pounding feet — 15 boys, school bags flapping wildly, dash down a narrow lane, their laughter rising like a challenge to the gloom. Books jostle inside, worn soles slap against the wet road, and youthful energy crackles in the air. From behind a rusted iron gate on Kattabomman 6th Street in Kodungaiyur, a voice calls out, half stern, half loving: 'Don't bunk classes!' The boys live in Magizhvagam, a children's home established by the Street Vision Social and Charitable Trust, founded by R Seetha Devi. Standing behind the gate as she sends off the boys, Devi says, 'These kids were orphans, rescued from the streets, kids whose parents are in prison, or belonging to parents suffering from communicable diseases.' Believing education is the ultimate solution for societal betterment, Devi runs a children's home, ensuring they receive proper education and care. 'My idea is to make them self-sustainable through education, so that they can establish a future for themselves,' says Devi, remembering how education transformed her life from a street dweller to someone who serves the underprivileged. Growing up on the streets of Wall Tax Road near Chennai Central Railway station with her five siblings, Devi understood the need for shelter and tools to uplift her life and others. 'My father worked as a porter. He had left home at age six and grew up around the central station,' she says, recalling the brass badge labelled 'Coolie' her father wore. 'My mother, from the streets of Bombay, studied till Class 10. Even though we lived on the streets, my parents prioritised our education.' The legacy of serving the helpless has been carried on by her grandmother, Amirthavalli. She was a Sri Lankan Tamil and came to Mumbai in the 1950s as a refugee. Being multilingual, she wrote letters for a living while living on a platform. 'My grandmother used to notice girls being sold at red light areas. She would approach them alone, speak to them regardless of language, and write letters to their families for rescue,' says Devi, recalling the stories told by her mother.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Stalin inaugurates 729 new homes for Sri Lankan Tamils across five TN districts
In a significant step toward improving the living conditions of Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday inaugurated 729 newly-built houses in rehabilitation camps across five districts. The inauguration was conducted via video conference from the State Secretariat, in the presence of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam. Constructed at a cost of Rs 38.76 crore, the houses are located in refugee camps situated in Villupuram, Tiruppur, Salem, Dharmapuri, and Virudhunagar districts. These homes are part of a broader rehabilitation initiative by the Tamil Nadu government, announced under Rule 110 in the state Assembly in August 2021, aimed at upgrading infrastructure and living conditions in Sri Lankan Tamil camps spread across the state. As per the government's long-term plan, over 3,510 houses are to be built at a total estimated cost of Rs 180.34 crore in 35 rehabilitation camps. Of this, 2,781 houses in 32 camps across 18 districts have already been completed and handed over to beneficiaries. The state has also undertaken supplementary infrastructure upgrades in these camps to improve the quality of life. These include new internal roads, upgraded electricity lines, and enhanced drinking water supply facilities. The total cost of these civil works stands at Rs 7.33 crore. According to an official release, the rehabilitation programme is part of the DMK government's commitment to provide a dignified life to Sri Lankan Tamils who have been residing in 67 government-run camps across 26 districts of Tamil Nadu for decades, after fleeing ethnic conflict in their homeland. The Chief Minister, in his remarks during the inauguration, reiterated his government's resolve to continue supporting refugee communities through improved housing, access to basic amenities, and welfare schemes. He also emphasised the importance of integration and inclusion, ensuring that displaced populations can live with dignity and security. The ongoing rehabilitation efforts are seen as a model approach in refugee welfare, combining both humanitarian concerns and infrastructural development, and have received appreciation from human rights observers and community leaders alike.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Tourist Family' director Abishan Jeevinth set to turn hero; Anaswara Rajan likely to join as lead
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Abishan Jeevinth , the breakout director of the superhit film 'Tourist Family', is reportedly all set to make his debut as a full-fledged actor. Known for his heartfelt storytelling and modest filmmaking approach, Abishan had already made a brief on-screen appearance in 'Tourist Family' as a grieving youngster—a role that, though small, left an emotional mark. Now, according to the reports, he's ready to take on a lead role in an upcoming project. Tourist Family | Song - Aachaley After directorial success, Abishan steps into the spotlight This new venture, which marks Abishan's official foray into acting, will reportedly be directed by a close associate from his Tourist Family crew. While the title is said to be in English, and Anaswara Rajan is rumoured to play the female lead, no formal announcements have been made so far, according to IANS. Love for 'Tourist Family' Tourist Family, released on May 1, surprised many with its feel-good charm and exceptional box office performance. Featuring Sasikumar and Simran in lead roles, the film also starred Yogi Babu, M.S. Bhaskar, Ramesh Thilak, and others in a wholesome narrative that connected with family audiences. ETimes gave the movie a rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 and our review read, "The film finds its anchor in the central performances. Their natural chemistry is a definite plus. The younger son, played by Kamalesh, also provides moments of genuine levity (though sometimes his chatter grates), and the film's use of authentic Sri Lankan Tamil dialect adds a valuable layer of realism to their interactions. 'Tourist Family' is a gentle look at the challenges of starting over, even if the narrative feels somewhat formulaic." Meanwhile, Anaswara Rajan recently impressed the audience with her stunning performance in the Malayalam film 'Rekhachithram'.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
Coast Guard nabs 3 Lankans off Dhanushkodi
Rameswaram: The (ICG) on Saturday morning apprehended three Sri Lankan nationals, including one Lankan Tamil and two Sinhalese, while trying to illegally enter India through the 4th sand dune area near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off Dhanushkodi coast in Ramanathapuram district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials said the Coast Guard's air-cushion vehicle (ACV H-197) was on routine surveillance when its crew noticed the three. They were apprehended by 9am, brought ashore at Arichalmunai, and handed over to Marine Police. The detained people were S Kabilan, 34, a Sri Lankan Tamil from Mullaitivu, and two Sinhalese men — Mathivilagu Asutha Gunathilaga, 33, and Sumithrolan Fernando,43, from Negombo. The trio said they set off from the Mannar coast the previous night, to infiltrate Tamil Nadu via sea. Sources said the three had no valid documents permitting entry into India and are suspected to have paid agents to facilitate the illegal transit. No contraband or weapons were found in their possession, but probe is on for possible links to smuggling or organised networks operating across the Palk Strait. Mandapam Marine Police and state police officials are coordinating with central intelligence agencies to ascertain the motive behind the illegal entry, as the three are alleged to have a criminal background.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- The Hindu
Coast Guard detains three Sri Lankans who arrived illegally via boat in Danushkodi
RAMESWARAM Two Sri Lankans and one Sri Lankan Tamil arrived illegally via boat in Dhanushkodi on Friday night. As Indian Coast Guard personnel noticed them in the morning, they were taken to their office for investigation. The police identified the men as the two Sri Lankans, V. Smith Rolan Fernando, 43, and M. Mathivilagu Asutha Gunatheela, 35, of Colombo, and one Sri Lankan Tamil — S. Kabilan, 43, of Mullaitivu. Police added that Kabilan was charged for possession of drugs in the Kodikamam police station in Sri Lanka and the other two were suspects in a cheating case. Officials believed that as the accusations against them would be confirmed, fearing repercussions, they had fled their country. As investigation with the trio was under way, whether they would be lodged in prison or repatriated to their country was yet to be decided, sources said.
