Reaching the top, one step at a time -- Stalin style

Reaching the top, one step at a time -- Stalin style

MK Stalin has risen from a grassroots DMK worker to Chief Minister

Published: 07th May 2021 06:09 AM |

An artist readying name board identifying MK Stalin as Chief Minister, at Secretariat on Thursday | P Jawahar

By S Kumaresan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: MK Stalin, the DMK president, is taking the reins of the State as the Chief Minister with five decades of experience in politics and administration. He will be the oldest first-time Chief Minister to be sworn in at the age of 69 and only the third of DMK after CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi. Elected to the State Assembly for the seventh term, Stalin has served in various capacities, including as a minister, deputy chief minister and opposition leader in the Assembly, before.

Stalin was born to M Karunanidhi, a seasoned politician and a five-time Chief Minister of the State, on March 1, 1953. In 1967, at the age of just 14, he floated a DMK youth club, well before the party officially established a youth wing. Later, in the early 70s, he was appointed as in-charge of the party’s 75th ward unit in Chennai district. In 1972, he was elected as a general council member of the DMK at the age of 19 years and as an executive council member in 1979.

Meanwhile, in 1976, Stalin was arrested on February 2 under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and imprisoned at Chennai Central Prison for nearly a year till January 27,1977. Undeterred, he continued to engage in active politics. When DMK youth wing was established in Madurai on June 20, 1980, he was appointed as one of its seven organisers. In appreciation of his dedicated involvement for expanding the services of the youth wing, Stalin was appointed as State youth wing secretary of the party in 1983. The next year, as party youth wing cadres and leaders of the party supported, he was given a ticket to contest from Thousand Lights in Assembly general elections in which he lost.

Before Anna Arivalayam, DMK headquarters, was constructed, DMK had been functioning from Anbagam building at Teynampet. After the headquarters was moved to Anna Arivalayam in 1987, Stalin got the Anbagam for the youth wing by collecting donations from DMK cadre and youth wing members across the State. For the purpose, he had made an extensive tour across the State and met thousands of people beyond the party line, which helped him create an impression among the general public that he is a capable leader.

Given party ticket again to contest from Thousand Lights constituency in 1989, Stalin won the polls. DMK too won the Assembly general elections to form a government in the State after a gap of 13 years. His campaign for the polls was well attended by the party cadres as well as general public. He played a vital role in infusing fresh blood for the party by pulling in many youths in 1990s. Notwithstanding DMK losing the 1991 polls, he continued his extensive works for the party and maintained a connection with cadres through his frequent statewide tours.

Stalin also became the first Mayor of Chennai Corporation to be elected by voters. Though people voted out DMK in 2001, Stalin returned to the Assembly elected from Thousand Lights again. The same year, he was again elected as Mayor of Chennai Corporation, despite the Opposition’s all-out campaign against him. However, he had to resign from the post in 2002 after the AIADMK-led government at the time brought in TN Municipal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2002, which debarred him from serving as the Mayor and an MLA simultaneously.

Meanwhile, Stalin was appointed as deputy general secretary of the party on June 2, 2003. He was made Minister for Municipal Administration in 2006. During this tenure, he was instrumental in the extensive spread of Women Self Help Groups across the State by establishing 1,75,493 Women SHGs. He also established various comprehensive drinking water projects such as Hogenekal and Ramanathapuram water schemes.

In May 2009, just two years before DMK lost power in the State, Stalin was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister. Before that, he had been made treasurer of the party on December 27, 2008, which he retained till January 3, 2017. Stalin was then elected as the working president of the party on January 4, 2017.

After the demise of former Chief Minister and DMK president Karunanidhi, MK Stalin was unanimously elected as the president of the party on August 28, 2019, by the general council of the party. Ever since, he has brought two major victories for the party, one of which is making DMK the third-largest party in the Parliament and other is leading the party to form its sixth government in the State.

Five decades in public life

March 1, 1953: Born to M Karunanidhi - Dayalu

1964: Established DMK youth club at Gopalapuram

1968: Made first public speech in a party meeting at Kodambakkam.

1972: Elected as party general council member

1979: Elected as party executive council member

1980: Established party youth wing and became one of the organisers

1983: Made youth wing state secretary of the party

1989, 1996, 2001 & 2006: Elected as MLA from Thousand Lights Assembly constituency

1996 & 2001: Elected as Mayor of Chennai Corporation

2003: Made party’s deputy general secretary

2008: Elected as party treasurer

2009: Appointed as Deputy Chief Minister

2011, 2016 & 2021: Elected as MLA from Kolathur Assembly constituency

2016- 2011: Served as Principal Opposition Party Leader

May 4, 2021: Elected as a Legislative Party Leader

Gave a push to Chennai infra as Mayor

During his tenure as Mayor of Chennai Corporation, MK Stalin took steps to decongest the city roads and constructed nine big bridges and 49 small ones in the city. He also improved the standard of Corporation Schools to be on par with private schools

Doctors, nurses seek full lockdown in Tamil Nadu

Doctors, nurses seek full lockdown in Tamil Nadu

There is no use in increasing the bed capacity when there isn’t adequate manpower, and resources like oxygen are depleting in the State, said the doctors.

Published: 07th May 2021 04:26 AM 

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Even as the fresh set of restriction kicked in on Thursday, healthcare professionals on Covid duty called for a total lockdown in the State as the health system is over stretched and they couldn’t manage with the available manpower.

There is no use in increasing the bed capacity when there isn’t adequate manpower, and resources like oxygen are depleting in the State, said the doctors. As a result, patients are not getting the care they need and there is a risk of more deaths, they added. Vaccination for those above 18 years is yet to begin, and in such a case, lockdown is the only solution.

“There are only two doctors for 200 patients in our hospital, and we won’t know even if one patient needs immediate care or dies suddenly. That is the reason we are allowing attenders now, so that when their loved ones fall sick they can alert us,” said a doctor on Covid duty at the Chengalpattu GH.

He added that though they prescribe medicines for the patients, the nurses are not getting time to administer it as they are burdened with so much paper work on admissions and discharges. “I have even seen a few patients dying before they could get the medicine. I am very disturbed.”

As oxygen beds are almost full in Chennai and the queues are getting longer daily, the hospitals are also falling short in extending help. Even severe cases, with saturation as low as 75, who were supposed to be managed at tertiary care hospitals, are being sent to the newly set-up healthcare centres.

‘Lockdown necessary to break virus spread’

Dr T Janakiraman, an anaesthesiologist on Covid duty at a private hospital in the city, said, “We need some breathing time. So, we need complete lockdown at least for seven days if not for a month, to break the chain. This gap is needed to rebuild our resources, such as oxygen and medicines. This is not going to prevent the impending crisis. But it will give us breathing time. We are really exhausted.”

“As vaccination for people above 18 years of age is yet to begin and there is no stock, lockdown is the only solution as of now,” he added. Dr S Perumal Pillai, president, Legal Coordination Committee for Government Doctors, said that their workload has increased four times compared to last year.

“As we have utilised all available space for Covid treatment, we don’t have space in hospitals as non-Covid cases are also coming in. We don’t have manpower as well. Not only ICU and oxygen beds, even normal beds are full,” he said. A staff nurse at a government hospital, echoed with the doctors and said there are only two nurses attending over 250 patients.

JEE (Main) postponed

Chennai: Due to the spike in Covid cases, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday decided to reschedule the JEE Main (May) 2021. The notification for the exam schedule was to be released this month. The May sessions exams were to be conducted from May 24-28. The JEE Main (April) session was already postponed. “Looking at the present situation of Covid and keeping students safety in mind, JEE (Main) May 2021 session has been postponed,” tweeted Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’

Third Covid wave will hit children hard: Advisory

Third Covid wave will hit children hard: Advisory

The common symptoms seen in children are spike in fever, gastroenteritis symptoms and respiratory issues.

Published: 07th May 2021 05:12 AM 

By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The next and third Covid wave will be more dangerous for children, warned Motherhood Hospitals, while issuing an advisory against rising infections among children.Already, in the present second wave, more children are testing positive and are being hospitalised with different variants and double mutants, which are highly contagious, infecting those in the age group of 0-16, it said. Parents must be cautious and not let their guard down, it said.

“Since the newborns too are vulnerable, breastfeeding is highly recommended as it builds baby’s immunity. It is also advisable for parents to strictly follow the vaccination schedule of their babies and not miss any doses, as this will shield the baby from infections and therefore a very crucial element in preventing the Covid infection,” said Dr Santosh Kumar, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, Motherhood Hospitals.

The common symptoms seen in children are spike in fever, gastroenteritis symptoms and respiratory issues. Dr Kumar said that most people are not following Covid-appropriate behaviour and once they contract the virus, they pass it on to their children.Some of these kids could be asymptomatic, spreading the infection among their grandparents, who are in the high-risk group. The children are more susceptible as there is no vaccination available yet for those in the age group of 0-10, he added.

Southern Railway temporarily cancels several inter-State trains in TN

Southern Railway temporarily cancels several inter-State trains in TN

Similarly, as per the directives of Railway Board and Tamil Nadu State government, nine pairs of unreserved special trains are also temporarily cancelled for varying periods from May 8 to June 1.

Published: 07th May 2021 06:04 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Southern Railway has temporarily cancelled a total of 14 inter-State trains in Tamil Nadu, 7 inter-State trains in Kerala, 4 trains between Tamil Nadu-Kerala, 4 trains between Tamil Nadu-Karnataka, 1 train between Tamil Nadu-Puducherry, 4 trains between Kerala and Karnataka, 1 train between Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh, 1 train between Tamil Nadu-Delhi and 1 train between Kerala-Delhi.

Similarly, as per the directives of Railway Board and Tamil Nadu State government, nine pairs of unreserved special trains are also temporarily cancelled for varying periods from May 8 to June 1.

Also, the statement said in view of the pandemic situation and cancellation of less-patronised trains, only limited number of PRS counters will be operated in all stations with reservation facility. Passengers are requested to make use of online reservation facilities for booking in train services that are being operated.

Inter-State trains cancelled in TN (pairs)

Egmore- Karaikudi

Egmore-Madurai (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun)

Egmore-Madurai (Daily)

Egmore-Tiruchchirapalli

Egmore-Madurai (Fri, Sun)

Central-Erode

Central-Coimbatore (Daily)

Central-Coimbatore (Sat)

Central-Madurai

Egmore-Nagercoil

Tambaram-Nagercoil

Central-Jolarpettai

Tambaram-Nagercoil

Kerala

Ernakulam-Trivandrum

Alappuzha-Kollam

Ernakulam-Alappuzha

Shoranur-Ernakulam

Shoranur-Kannur

Shoranur-Trivandrum

Kannur-Trivandrum

Inter-State trains cancelled between TN-Kerala

Central-Trivandrum (Sun & Sat)

Central-Trivandrum (Daily)

Tirunelveli-Palakkad

Tiruchi-Palakkad Town

Trains cancelled TN- K’taka

Central-KSR Bangalore

Central-Mangalore

Mangalore- Nagarcoil

Trains cancelled between TN-Puducherry

Egmore-Puducherry

Trains cancelled between Kerala and Karnataka

Trivandrum-Mangalore

KSR Bangalore-Ernakulam

Ernakulam-Banaswadi

Kochuveli-Mangalore

Trains cancelled between TN-AP

Central-Tirupathi

Trains cancelled between TN-Delhi

Central-Nizamuddin

Trains cancelled between Kerala-Delhi

Trivandrum-Nizamuddin

Unreserved special trains cancelled

Mettupalayam-Coimbatore

Tambaram-Villupuram

Villupuram-Tambaram

Arakkonam-Jolarpettai

Vriddhachalam-Salem

Tiruchi-Karur Tiruchi-KKDI

Madurai-Villupuram

Salem-Arakkonam

Chennai-Puducherry

Chennai yet to take new Covid restrictions seriously

Chennai yet to take new Covid restrictions seriously

On Day 1, some TASMAC shops witness huge crowds while hotels function with half-opened shutters; more vehicles seen on roads till 2 pm

Published: 07th May 2021 06:08 AM 

Throwing caution to the wind, local residents throng a TASMAC shop at Puliyanthope in Chennai on Thursday | P Jawahar

By Sahaya Novinston Lobo

Express News Service

CHENNAI: With the new restrictions coming into effect in the State from Thursday, there were fewer vehicular movements in the capital city. All the non-essential shops were closed down by 12 pm and MTC buses and trains ran almost empty. Police were deployed to make sure that the shops were closed. Meanwhile, Kancheepuram Municipal officials have issued fines for shops that were open after 12 pm.

As soon as the clock hit 11.45 am, police personnel in patrol vehicles started making rounds around areas, announcing over microphones that shops have to be closed within a few minutes. In Parrys and Broadway, the police went from one shop to the other, forcing the reluctant shopkeepers to pull down their shutters.

Until 2 pm, the roads were filled with vehicles of people returning from shops that were closed. Throughout the city, hotels functioned with half-opened shutters and a person waiting at the door to take order for parcels. “The business is not fast running as it used to be.

Most people are inside the house by 12 pm and prefer cooking for themselves. Mostly, bachelors and others who go to work, come to get packaged food,” said H Govindan, who runs a hotel in Eldams Road. In spite of the shops being closed at 12 pm, several vehicles could be seen on the roads, including a few youngsters taking a trip around the city, given the reduced traffic.

Police ask shopkeepers at Badrian Street in Broadway to down their shutters  after 12 pm | Ashwin Prasath

Tasmac outlets in a few places in the city saw a busy crowd with police deployed to maintain order. Pulianthope, Mogappair, Ayapakkam, Perumbakkam, Perungudi, and Navalur were a few places where Tasmac shops were overflowing with people. Police personnel deployed at the shops said they had to distance themselves from the crowd since most of them neither wore a mask nor maintained physical distancing. From 11 am to 12 pm, the crowd reached its peak in most of the places.

The bus conductors whom spoke to Express said that most of the trips, even the longer ones, had to be plied with ten or twelve people at the most. Since the local train services are restricted only to government staff and frontline workers, RPF personnel are placed at the entrance and exit of railway stations to check the ID cards of people before letting them inside.

In Kancheepuram district, Municipal Commissioner Maheswari, raided several shops in Gandhi Salai and issued challans to shops that were open even after warning. Tailor shops, studios, and fancy stores were issued a fine of Rs 500, while jewellery shops, textile shops were fined Rs 5,000. The State had announced new restrictions from Thursday (May 6) till May 20.

All shops except pharmacies and milk outlets are to be closed after 12 pm. Hotels will provide parcels only. Tasmacs will operate between 8 am and 12 pm. All government and private hospitals will function with only 50 per cent employees. Public transports would operate with only 50 per cent capacity.

பயணியர் வருகை குறைவால் 34 ரயில்கள் ரத்து

பயணியர் வருகை குறைவால் 34 ரயில்கள் ரத்து

Added : மே 07, 2021 00:46

சென்னை:பயணியர் வருகை குறைவால் தமிழகத்தில் பல்லவன் வைகை தேஜஸ் உட்பட 34 ரயில்கள் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டு உள்ளன.

* சென்னை எழும்பூர் - காரைக்குடி இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் பல்லவன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நாளை முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரையும்; சென்னை எழும்பூர் - மதுரை இடையே இயக்கப்படும் தேஜஸ் ரயில் நாளை முதல் 31ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எழும்பூர் - மதுரை இடையே இயக்கப்படும் வைகை எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் எழும்பூரில் இருந்து 9ம் தேதி முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரையும் மதுரையில் இருந்து நாளை முதல் 31ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

சென்னை எழும்பூர் - திருச்சி மலைக்கோட்டை எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் எழும்பூரில் இருந்து 9ம் தேதி முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரையும்; திருச்சியில் இருந்து நாளை முதல் 31ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து மதுரைக்கு சனி மற்றும் ஞாயிற்று கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப் படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் வரும் 13ம் தேதியில் இருந்து 30ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி. ஆர். சென்ட்ரல்-ஈரோடு இடையே இயக்கப்படும் ஏற்காடு எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் கோவைக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சேரன் இன்டர்சிட்டி எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் நாளை முதல் 31ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர். சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து கோவைக்கு சனிக்கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் 15ம் தேதியில் இருந்து 29ம் தேதி வரையும்; கோவையில் இருந்து வெள்ளிக்கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் 14 முதல் 28ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்படுள்ளன

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி. ஆர். சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து மதுரைக்கு வாரம் மூன்று நாட்கள் இயக்கப்படும் துரந்தோ சிறப்பு ரயில் 10ம் தேதியில் இருந்து 30ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து நாகர்கோவிலுக்கு வியாழக்கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் 13 முதல் 27ம் தேதி வரையும்; நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து எழும்பூருக்கு வெள்ளிக்கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப்படும் ரயில் வரும் 14 முதல் 28ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன* தாம்பரம் - நாகர்கோவில் இடையே வாரத்தில் மூன்று நாட்கள் இயக்கப்படும் அந்தியோதயா எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நாளை முதல் ஜூன் 1வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர். சென்ட்ரல் - ஜோலார்பேட்டை இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் ஏலகிரி எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நாளை முதல் ஜூன் 1ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்படுள்ளது* தாம்பரம் - நாகர்கோவில் இடையே வாரம் மூன்று நாட்கள் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் 9ம் தேதி முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரை ரத்து செய்யப்படுள்ளது

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர். சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து கேரளா மாநிலம் திருவனந்தபுரத்துக்கு ஞாயிற்று கிழமைகளிலும் திருவனந்தபுரத்தில் இருந்து சென்ட்ரலுக்கு சனிக்கிழமைகளிலும் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் நாளை முதல் 30ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி. ஆர். சென்ட்ரல் - திருவனந்தபுரம் இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் நாளை முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த ரயில்கள் இருவழியிலும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன.

‘Ovvoru Pookalume’ singer dies after contracting Covid

M J C COMAGAN 1973-2021

‘Ovvoru Pookalume’ singer dies after contracting Covid

Aditi.R@timesgroup.com

Chennai:07.05.2021

Kalaimamani awardee M J C Comagan died of Covid-19 on Thursday. The visually impaired singer was 48 years old. “His death was unexpected. We are unable to come to terms with it,” said V Anitha, his wife.

Comagan was best known as the voice behind the hit song ‘Ovvoru Pookalume’ in the 2003 Tamil film ‘Autograph’. His blind orchestra, Comaganin Raaga Priya, made its way into the 2008 Guinness Book of World Record after the group sang 682 songs for 50 straight hours. Comagan called it one of his greatest accomplishments.

According to Anitha, Comagan began developing Covid symptoms on April 17. He had high fever lasting more than 10 days. On April 24, his family took him to a hospital for the RT-PCR test, but he got a negative result. “When the doctors took a CT scan, they found that his lungs were infected and suspected Covid,” said Anitha.

On Wednesday morning, Anitha said Comagan began complaining of severe shortness of breath. They rushed him to a hospital and got him tested again and this time the test came back positive. He was immediately admitted. “When we checked his oxygen levels after a while, it was around 91-92. He was fine until late evening, when his oxygen levels dropped drastically to 40. They put him on ventilator support. At1.15am, he passed away,” she said.

Comagan was due for his second dose of the Covid vaccine this week. “He got the first dose on April 3 and in a few days, he fell ill. He never had any breathing difficulties before. It was all so sudden,” said his grieving wife.

Comagan’s journey began in 1991 with he and nine friends began an orchestra, comprising of visually impaired artists. For nearly two years, the group didn’t get opportunities to perform, but kept meeting every week, practising tirelessly.

Slowly, they began performing at music festivals, sabhas and marriage functions till ‘Autograph’ gave them their big break. Over the years, the group grew to 25 members and has given 3,500 musical performances across nine countries.

In February, Comagan was awarded the Kalaimamani award for excellence in the field of art. During an interview after the award ceremony, Comagan told TOI that it was a dream to start a music school. “I want to see an inclusive society, and also show people that anybody can achieve what they want,” he said. Comagan is survived by his wife and two children.