Good Morning

Thursday, September 3, 2026

NEWS TODAY 03.09.2026

Nepal flash floods: 220 of 350 Tamils safe, efforts are on to trace others, Advocate-General tells HC

Security personnel and others at an army base camp during a rescue and relief operation in Rasuwa district, Nepal. PTI

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI. 03.09.2026

Advocate-General (A-G) Vijay Narayan on Wednesday told the Madras High Court that 220 out of 350 Tamils reportedly stranded in Nepal following flash floods were safe, and that the State government had provided free air tickets for the return of a few, besides issuing air tickets to Kathmandu for the relatives of others who were missing.

Appearing before the first Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, the A-G said that a total of 305 Tamils had travelled to Nepal from Tamil Nadu, and another 45 Tamils (36 from other countries and nine from other States) had gone there from elsewhere. He said 220 of them were reported safe, as of 6 p.m. on September 1.

The A-G said 57 people, including retired Madras High Court judge V. Sivagnanam, had gone to Nepal on a spiritual tour via Super Yatra Travels in Kumbakonam. Twenty-one of them had been rescued, while the remaining 36 were unreachable. The brother of a missing woman named Tiripurasundari was issued a free air ticket to Kathmandu, and he had provided a sample for DNA testing (to help identify his missing sister), he said.

Similarly, air tickets at the government’s expense had been provided to three more persons, including the retired judge’s son, S. Gnanasambandam. Three officials from the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi had been stationed in Kathmandu to provide assistance in tracing the missing Tamils, and a help centre set up by the Tamil Nadu government had received 2,336 calls so far, the A-G said.

He said all 150 persons who had gone on a spiritual tour through Aathma Yoga, a tour operator, had returned to their native places in Tamil Nadu. As for the 39 others who had gone on the Kailash Yatra through Ideal Tours and Trekking, all of them had reached New Delhi between August 30 and September 1, and had proceeded to their native places after being received by Minister for Non-Resident Tamils Welfare K. Thennarasu, the A-G said.

Efforts were continuing through the Indian Embassy to contact 49 Tamils who had gone on a tour through Mahadev Kailash Yatra Travels, Chennai. Further, of the 10 other persons who were reported missing through the helplines, five have reached Tamil Nadu. One of them, Abhishek of the Nilgiris district, was provided a free air ticket from Nepal to Coimbatore, he added.

The other five Tamils had gone to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, and had decided to return to Tamil Nadu a few days later, he said. “The State government has been making continuous efforts to trace the missing Tamils and bring them back safely,” the A-G said in response to a public interest litigation petition filed by an advocate, seeking the rescue of all the Tamils, including the retired judge.

After taking note of the A-G’s submissions, the judges directed the Centre and the State government to file a further status report after a week.

Class 9 student dies after suspected heart attack in school

03.09.2026

Mandya: A 14-year-old student died after reportedly suffering a heart attack during lunch break at SCMM High School in Somanahalli village of Maddur taluk Wednesday. The deceased is Veeramani, who was staying with his grandparents while his parents were residing in Tamil Nadu. According to school authorities, the incident occurred during lunch break when Veeramani suddenly collapsed while drinking water. He was a class 9 student at the school. Teachers immediately rushed him to Maddur Public Hospital in a school vehicle, where he was provided first aid.

As his condition was critical, doctors advised that he be shifted to Mandya MIMS Hospital for further treatment. However, doctors at MIMS confirmed that the boy had died. Dhananjay, BEO, Maddur, confirmed the death of Veeramani and mentioned that the student was very active in school. The news of Veeramani’s death left his parents and relatives devastated, with the family mourning outside MIMS hospital. Maddur police have registered a case and are conducting an inquiry into the incident. tnn Lunch-hour tragedy

First transwoman to be a TNSTC bus conductor says it’s a dream ticket

Subburaj.A@timesofindia.com 03.09.2026

Coimbatore: Breaking deep-rooted societal barriers with quiet determination, C Vinodhini, 25, has become the first transwoman bus conductor to serve with Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), in Coimbatore. Fulfilling a long-cherished childhood ambition after navigating years of adversity, she is now a familiar, welcoming face aboard Coimbatore city buses.

A native of Palani in Dindigul district, Vinodhini studied up to Class X before social stigma and rejection over her gender identity forced her to leave her house. Relocating to Coimbatore eight years ago, she found shelter and solidarity living with members of the transgender community at Selvapuram. To sustain herself, she took up odd jobs over the years, working primarily as a cook and driver, but never abandoned her dream of joining the state transport sector. Her efforts bore fruit when she completed training and obtained a conductor’s licence nearly 18 months ago.

Last month, TNSTC brought her on board as a temporary conductor, assigning her to bustling local services. Commuters and colleagues have embraced her presence, praising her efficiency, punctuality and warm demeanour. Rather than facing prejudice, Vinodhini said passengers treat her with respect and dignity. Expressing gratitude to depot officials for their encouragement, she now hopes that state govt would step in to secure her future. “As of now, I am working as a temporary employee with TNSTC. If the govt makes my post permanent, it will not only secure my livelihood but also inspire many more from the transgender community to come forward and join the govt sector,” she said.

A week on, Nepal movesto rehab as hopes of finding survivors fade

Vishant.Agarwala@timesofindia.com 03.09.2026

Trishuli Bazaar (Nepal): The govt in Nepal has shifted its focus from rescue to relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction a week after the Aug 26 Bhote Koshi flood as hopes of finding survivors across most of the devastated corridor recede.

Search teams, however, continued digging into hydropower tunnels where workers could still be alive in chambers or air pockets. Nepal Police on Wednesday put the toll at 1,127 dead and 4,858 missing. For Indian families, uncertainty continued: New Delhi’s last detailed missing-person update listed 275 nationals and 128 persons of Indian origin, or PIOs, as missing or uncontactable. India subsequently said 163 of its nationals had been rescued in Nepal, but did not issue a revised missing count. Across the border in Tibet, Chinese authorities raised the toll to 21 dead and 541 missing. The missing there included 49 Indians.

TN to go digital with driving licences, RCs from Sept 15

Shanmughasundaram.J @timesofindia.com 03.09.2026

Chennai: Tamil Nadu govt will roll out digital driving licences (DCs) and vehicle registration certificates (RCs) across the state from Sept 15, allowing applicants to download the documents online instead of waiting for chip-based cards delivered by post. Announcing the initiative under Rule 110 in the assembly on Wednesday, chief minister C Joseph Vijay said the move was part of the govt’s push for “transparent and citizen-friendly delivery of services”.

At present, applicants pay 250 for chip-based driving licences and RCs, which are dispatched by post and can take between a week and a month to reach them. “The new digital system will eliminate this delay,” said the CM, noting that the documents will carry QR codes, enabling govt offices and other authorised agencies to instantly verify their authenticity electronically. It would also curb the use of fake documents. Under the new system, buyers of new vehicles can download their digital RC online after registration. Similarly, applicants who clear their driving test will receive their digital driving licence the same day.