The News Minute India

Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi, Jr NTR, Mahesh Babu donate for Telangana flood relief - The News Minute

Lending a helping hand during Telangana’s flood crisis, several leading Telugu actors on Tuesday donated money to help those affected by the Hyderabad floods. Actors like Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Vijay Deverakonda, directors Harish Shankar…

Lending a helping hand during Telanganas flood crisis, several leading Telugu actors on Tuesday donated money to help those affected by the Hyderabad floods. Actors like Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Vijay Deverakonda, directors Harish Shankar, Trivikram and Anil Ravipudi made their contribution and urged others to join in the donation drive. Telangana suffered an estimated loss of Rs 5,000 crore due to the recent rains triggered by the deep depression in Bay of Bengal. Megastar Chiranjeevi, who donated Rs 1 crore towards the CMs relief fund, said, The unprecedented rains in Hyderabad have caused massive devastation, loss of lives and extreme hardship to thousands. My heart goes out to those affected by nature's fury. I'm humbly donating Rs.1Cr to CM Relief Fund. The unprecedented rains in Hyd have caused massive devastation,loss of lives & extreme hardship to thousands. My heart goes out to those affected by nature's fury.I'm humbly donating Rs.1Cr to CM Relief Fund.Also appeal 2 all who can to come frward & help the needy @TelanganaCMOpic.twitter.com/ARBeV9JShy Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) October 20, 2020 Actor Mahesh Babu, too, donated Rs 1 crore to the fund. He described the devastation caused by floods in Hyderabad as worse than imagined. Appreciating the Telangana government for their relief efforts, the actor appealed, I urge all of you to come forward and donate towards the cause. Let's stand by our people during these difficult times. The devastation caused by the unprecedented rainfall in Telangana is far worse than we ever imagined. Appreciate the efforts of the Telangana government and the Disaster Response Force for doing their best to help the affected families. Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) October 20, 2020 Actor Nagarjuna and Jr NTR donated Rs 50 lakh each, Vijay Deverakonda and Trivikram donated Rs 10 lakh each, Harish Shankar and Anil Ravipudi donated Rs 5 lakh each. Many lives in Hyderabad have been devastated by the rains and floods. I am contributing 50 Lakh Rupees to the Telangana CM Relief Fund towards the rehabilitation of our city. Let us all chip in and rebuild our Hyderabad #TelanganaCMO Jr NTR (@tarak9999) October 20, 2020 Its been a hard year on all of us, but those of us who are doing decently well, let's pool in some money to help those who are not - Let's do it one more time for our own. Today I am donating 10 Lakhs to the CMRF. #HyderabadRains Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) October 20, 2020 In Hyderabad alone, the government estimates a loss of Rs 670 crore, due to the floods. The heavy rain which lashed Telangana last week killed a total of 70 people across the state and 33 people in the capital city. The Chief Ministers of Delhi and Tamil Nadu have also contributed Rs 15 crore and Rs 10 crore respectively towards the relief campaign. Thanking for their generosity, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao phoned both Arvind Kejriwal and Edapaddi Palaniswami on Tuesday. Along with monetary aid, the Tamil Nadu government has promised to provide blankets and mats to those affected by the floods. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Tuesday and Wednesday in the state. This indicates heavy rainfall in several parts of Telangana, including Hyderabad. The risk level for an orange alert is categorised as medium, alerting officials to be prepared for adverse weather conditions. IMD Hyderabad scientist K Naga Ratna said that a low-pressure area has formed in the central Bay of Bengal due to cyclonic circulation. As a result, a few parts in Hyderabad will receive intense spells of rainfall on Tuesday.

Lost Rs 7,000 cr in 3-4 months of COVID, had no choice but to sell biz: Kishore Biyani - The News Minute

Future Group founder Kishore Biyani on Wednesday said the homegrown retail major lost nearly Rs 7,000 crore revenue in first three-four months of the COVID-19 pandemic due to closing of stores, which led him to sell his business to Reliance Industries. "We go…

Speaking at a retail convention, Kishore Biyani said that the worst is yet to come for retailers.Future Group founder Kishore Biyani on Wednesday said the homegrown retail major lost nearly Rs 7,000 crore revenue in first three-four months of the COVID-19 pandemic due to closing of stores, which led him to sell his business to Reliance Industries. "We got into a trap to be very honest with COVID-19. In the first 3-4 months, we lost nearly Rs 7,000 crore of revenue, Biyani said at the Phygital Retail Convention. There was no way the company could have survived losing such an amount, he said, adding the problem is rent doesn't stop, interest (on debt) doesn't stop. "We did too many acquisitions in the last six-seven years... I thought there was no other answer but to exit," he stated. He said for retailers the worst is yet to come. "We have designed business to be profitable at 90 percent of our targets. In any scenario... we will not be able to touch 70-80 per cent (of target) ... If you look at long-term planning 5 to 10 years -- it will not be easy for physical stores," he said. Biyani also said that consumer behaviour is changing, which could make it difficult for retail stores to bring shopper back. He added that most large format stores have been rendered useless because of restrictions on movement, as a result of which people now prefer to buy from shops closer to them. In August this year, billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries announced acquisition of retail and wholesale business and the logistics and warehousing business from the Future Group as going concerns on a slump sale basis for lumpsum aggregate consideration of Rs 24,713 crore. Through the deal made in August with Reliance Industries, the Ambani led firm will acquire Future Retail that owns the BigBazaar that sells everything from groceries to cosmetics and apparel, and Future Lifestyle Fashions Ltd that operates fashion discount chain Brand Factory. While Reliance will take over Future Consumer, which sells food, home and personal care products, Future Group's financial and insurance business is not part of the deal. Future Retail operated 1,550 stores. Its flagship brands BigBazaar, FBB and Foodhall, Easyday, Heritage Fresh and WHSmith. Future Lifestyle Fashion operates 354 stores. Investment from Reliance would help Future's founder Biyani pare debt. The deal is awaiting regulatory approvals. Last week, US online retailer Amazon slapped a legal notice on Future Group, alleging that the retailer's Rs 24,713 crore asset sale to Reliance Industries violated an agreement with the e-commerce giant. "We have initiated steps to enforce our contractual rights," a spokesperson for the Seattle-based e-commerce giant said. "As the matter is sub-judice, we can't provide details." Amazon last year bought a 49 per cent stake in one of Future's unlisted firms, Future Coupons Ltd, with the right to buy into flagship Future Retail after a period between 3 and 10 years. Future Coupons owns a 7.3 per cent stake in Future Retail. Show us some love! Support our journalism by becoming a TNM Member - Click here.

New guidelines in TN: More flights in Chennai airport, schools, colleges to remain shut - The News Minute

The Tamil Nadu government has issued a fresh set of guidelines for the state, with the lockdown currently in place set to extend till October 31. The new rules allow for eateries and tea shops to give out parcels till 10 pm and offer more relaxations for inte…

Educational institutions, swimming pools and theatres will continue to remain closed.The Tamil Nadu government has issued a fresh set of guidelines for the state, with the lockdown currently in place set to extend till October 31. The new rules allow for eateries and tea shops to give out parcels till 10 pm and offer more relaxations for inter-state flight services.  The new guidelines are:

• Eateries and tea shops can function from 6 am to 9 pm by following the safety protocols issued by the government. The parcel services can function till 10 pm.
• Shooting for movies can take place, but with not more than 100 workers. Public is prohibited from visiting the shooting spot. 
• From allowing 50 flights to land at Chennai Domestic Airport, the new guidelines have increased the number to 100. The same limitation will continue for Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, Thoothukudi, Salem. 
• The government departments shall function based on safety guidelines.
• .The rural and urban weekly markets can function by following safety guidelines. 

• Schools, colleges, research institutes and all educational institutions 
• Theaters, swimming pools, entertainment and amusement parks, big and small public congregations, beaches, tourist places and places thronged by people 
• International flight services except those permitted by the central government 
• Suburban trains
• Religious meets, social, political, entertainment and cultural events, educational events and other events 

'Bigg Boss' Tamil season four to premier soon, Vijay TV reveals date - The News Minute

Bigg Boss Tamil season four, hosted by Kamal Haasan, will soon premiere on Vijay TV, revealed the channel. The fourth season is slated for a launch on October 4 at 6 pm. While announcing the launch date, the channel also released a new teaser featuring the sh…

While announcing the launch date, the channel also released a new teaser featuring the shows host Kamal Haasan.Bigg Boss Tamil season four, hosted by Kamal Haasan, will soon premiere on Vijay TV, revealed the channel. The fourth season is slated for a launch on October 4 at 6 pm. While announcing the launch date, the channel also released a new teaser featuring the shows host Kamal Haasan. The shows producers have stepped up the promotions with new promos. Earlier, on August 27, the channel had released the first promo of show featuring  Kamal Haasan. Promo showed actor in a salt and pepper look which perfectly complimented his linen suit. In the promo the star stressed on the importance of social distancing, online classes, importance of wearing masks. The punchline this time was, "If it's a wrong I'll question it. If it's good then I'll pat on the back." All the arrangements are on in full swing at the Bigg Boss Tamil studios in Chembarambakkam, on the outskirts of Chennai for the season four. The guessing games about the probable contestants had begun long ago. Like the first three seasons, the fourth season too will have 16 contestants which will include one non-celebrity. There is huge speculation on the contestants' list to include names like popular VJ Manimegalai, actor Ramya Pandian, Super Singer fame Shivangi, Pugazh and TikTok sensation Elakkiya. Actor Nassars son and Kadaram Kondan hero Abi Hassan who was rumoured to be a part of the show has denied the same. Recent reports suggest that all 16 contestants are currently under quarantine to ensure they have not contracted novel coronavirus. Reports are that the contestants are constantly under medical supervision to rule out COVID 19. Kamal Haasan is undoubtedly one of the most popular stars in Indian cinema. Kamal made his entry into the TV space in 2017 by becoming the host of Bigg Boss Tamil. The multifaceted actor has hosted all the seasons so far. The Dasavatharam star feels that its one of his biggest successes. Talking to DNA during the first season he said, I am very happy to be hosting Bigg Boss. It is one of my biggest successes in recent times. And no, the protests have not taken away from the excitement of it at all. On the career front, Kamal is soon expected to recommence work on Indian 2. Directed by Shankar which is being bankrolled by Lyca Productions, the film also stars Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh, Bobby Simhaa and Priya Bhavani Shankar in key roles. Watch latest promos here: (Content provided by Digital Native) Show us some love! Support our journalism by becoming a TNM Member - Click here.

Coastal Karnataka receives 793% excess rainfall in last 24 hours - The News Minute

Persistent heavy rainfall in coastal and Malnad (central) in Karnataka in the last 24 hours caused floods in many low-lying areas, resulting in widespread damage of crops and property. One man is confirmed to be dead in Mangaluru after a wall collapsed due to…

Heavy rains have caused floods in many low-lying areas, resulting in widespread damage of crops and property, and even one rain-related death.Persistent heavy rainfall in coastal and Malnad (central) in Karnataka in the last 24 hours caused floods in many low-lying areas, resulting in widespread damage of crops and property. One man is confirmed to be dead in Mangaluru after a wall collapsed due to the heavy rains.  According to rainfall data maintained by the Karnataka State Disaster Monitoring Centre, Malnad as a whole received 367% excess rainfall for the period of 24 hours, between 8.30 am on Saturday and 8.30 am on Sunday. For the same duration, coastal Karnataka received excess rainfall of 793%. Kodi station in Udupi received the highest rainfall with 414.5 mm rainfall followed by Irodi station (in Udupi) at 411.2 mm of rainfall. Manoj Rajan, Commissioner of the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), said heavy rainfall around midnight took place in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. There was some flooding in urban areas in Udupi where we have been pumping out water since morning. Similarly, there have been damages to houses in rural areas as well. We immediately responded to the situation and rushed one NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force) team from Dakshina Kannada district and another team from Mysuru has also been taken there. One helicopter has been kept on standby in case there is a need for rescue operations, he told TNM. Taluk-wise Udupi in Udupi district received the highest rainfall in the state in the last 24 hours with 399 mm rainfall, followed by Kapu (296 mm) and Karkala (293 mm) in the same district. Sunil M Gavaskar, a meteorologist at the KSNDMC, said the condition will remain the same with the coastal and Malnad areas receiving heavy rainfall in the coming days as well. Till September 22 (Tuesday), this current conditions of active to vigorous rainfall will continue due to one low-pressure area formed over the north-east Bay of Bengal. The low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal is pulling the moisture from the Arabian Sea, and that is why abundant moisture is hitting the west coast. So regions along the west coast, including neighbouring states, are receiving heavy to extremely heavy rains, Gavaskar told TNM. In its daily forecast, the Indian Meteorological Department has also warned that heavy to very rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall is very likely to occur over Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka.  Among the districts, too, Udupi received rainfall of 197 mm (1541% excess) rainfall, followed by Dakshina Kannada at 135 mm (1142% excess) rainfall. The coastal Karnataka received excess rainfall throughout the past week.  As a whole, for the last seven days (September 14-20), Udupi (396 mm, 395%), Dakshina Kannada (283mm, 316%) and Uttara Kannada (115mm, 111%) the three districts that form the coastal belt have together received 212% excess rainfall.  Show us some love! Support our journalism by becoming a TNM Member - Click here.

Twitter takes down ex-IPS officer Nageswara Rao's tweet on Swami Agnivesh - The News Minute

A tweet by M Nageswara Rao, the former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was pulled down by Twitter on Saturday, after he called the death of popular Arya Samaj leader Swami Agnivesh 'good riddance'. "You were an anti-Hindu donning saffro…

"You were an anti-Hindu donning saffron clothes. You did enormous damage to Hinduism," Rao had tweeted about Agnivesh.A tweet by M Nageswara Rao, the former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was pulled down by Twitter on Saturday, after he called the death of popular Arya Samaj leader Swami Agnivesh 'good riddance'. "You were an anti-Hindu donning saffron clothes. You did enormous damage to Hinduism. I am ashamed that you were born as a Telugu Brahmin," Rao tweeted. Labelling Agnivesh as a "lion in sheep clothes," Rao added, "My grievance against Yamaraj (the god of death) is why did he wait this long!" Swami Agnivesh had been admitted to Delhi's Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences on Tuesday. He was critically ill and suffered from liver cirrhosis and was on ventilator support since Tuesday owing to multi-organ failure. His condition deteriorated on Friday and he suffered a cardiac arrest at 6 pm. Rao, a 1986-batch Telugu-native officer, was removed from his posting with the CBI last year and spent a brief tenure as General (DG) Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guard, before he stepped down and retired in July this year. Many on social media had condemned his comments. Taking to Twitter, the Indian Police Foundation, a think tank working on police reform, said, "Tweeting such hate messages by a retired officer posing as an IPS officer - he has desecrated the police uniform which he wore and embarrassed the government. He demoralises the entire police force in the country, especially the young officers."    Tweeting such hate messages by a retired officer posing as an IPS officer - he has desecrated the police uniform which he wore and embarrassed the government. He demoralises the entire police force in the country, especially the young officers. https://t.co/qOiI8D6dkO Indian Police Foundation (@IPF_ORG) September 12, 2020 How have we come to a point where such a statement can be made by a Senior IPS officer and the former CBI Chief? What a deeply sad day for our country! https://t.co/NPjhf3fFZd Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) September 12, 2020 This is an IPS officer, thankfully retired but looking for a posting.An appeal to the NDA government: please give him a post-retirement job. Otherwise, he will keep posting stuff like this, which embarrasses even you! pic.twitter.com/FdUE1HHtqs RadhakrishnanRK (@RKRadhakrishn) September 12, 2020 waiting for fellow human death? #disgracepic.twitter.com/4d6kAaXvsS Vijayakumar IPS (@vijaypnpa_ips) September 12, 2020 Many also pointed out the allegations of financial irregularities and corruption that Rao faced, including one case where his wife was involved with a shell company. After repeated demands, Twitter decided to take down the tweets, stating that it violated the guidelines of the website.  Despite the backlash, Rao doubled down, tweeting, "Why do we celebrate as festivals, the days savages were dead? Because they're pests destroying society and their death is a cause for celebration. It was also to warn people not to patronise the bad." Swami Agnivesh was best-known for his concerted battle against bonded labour. His organisation Bandhua Mukti Morcha (BMM) was formed in 1981.  In 1977, he was elected to the Haryana Assembly and even was made education minister. A popular leader of the Arya Samaj, he was elected President of the World Council of Arya Samaj (Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha) in 2004. Agnivesh was known to help resolve conflicts, whether it was in militancy-ridden erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir or the Maoism-dominated hinterland. With IANS inputs Show us some love! Support our journalism by becoming a TNM Member - Click here.

Actor Sanjana Galrani arrested in Bengaluru drugs case - The News Minute

Actor Sanjana Galrani, whose residence was searched earlier on Tuesday and who was later taken in for questioning as part of the Sandalwood drugs bust case, has been formally arrested by the Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru police. She has been remanded to f…

The arrest came after searches were conducted at Sanjana's residence earlier in the day.Actor Sanjana Galrani, whose residence was searched earlier on Tuesday and who was later taken in for questioning as part of the Sandalwood drugs bust case, has been formally arrested by the Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru police. She has been remanded to five days police custody. As part of the process, the actor was taken to the KC General Hospital in Bengaluru for a mandatory health checkup and COVID-19 test. Sanjana is a multilingual actor who has acted in over 45 films, predominantly in Kannada and Telugu. Her younger sister, Nikki Galrani, is also an actor who has acted in over 25 Tamil and Malayalam movies. Earlier, sources had said that two mobile phones were seized from her residence.  The Kannada film circle has come under scrutiny for alleged drug use after the Narcotics Control Bureau foiled an international drug trafficking racket in multi-city raids in August. It was then that the arrest of a kingpin led the police and the NCB to find drug trafficking networks among the Sandalwood industry. Sanjana was under the CCBs scanner following the arrest of her friend Rahul Shetty. According to police, Rahul was involved in ensuring celebrity presence in high-profile parties and procuring drugs for them. Rahul and Sanjana along with another Mangaluru-based party planner Pruthvi Shetty were running an event management company and police have claimed that parties organised by this company were a hotspot of drug consumption and sales. The arrest comes after on Friday, after Ragini Dwivdi, Sanjanas colleague in the Sandalwood industry was the first celebrity to be arrested in connection with the case. Other than Ragini, police have arrested another high-profile party planner Viren Khanna, alleged drug peddlers Loum Pepper Samba, Rahul Tonse, Prashanth Ranka and Niyaz in connection with the case. The police are still looking for Vivek Oberois brother-in-law, Aditya Alva, who has been named as accused number 6 in the case. The prime accused and Ragini Dwivedis long-time friend Shiva Prakash is yet to be arrested.  Both Ragini and Viren are now in police custody. Simultaneous raids were also being conducted at the residence of Viren Khanna, the party planner, who was arrested on Friday. Viren was arrested by the CCB in New Delhi.  Show us some love! Support our journalism by becoming a TNM Member - Click here.

MTR Foods owner Orkla to acquire Kerala-based Eastern Condiments - The News Minute

In a major development in the food and beverages industry, Norwegian consumer conglomerate Orkla ASA that also owns MTR Foods is set to acquire one of South India’s leading spice makers, Eastern Condiments. Orkla will pick up 68 percent stake of Eastern Condi…

The transaction will see Orkla ASA acquire 41.8 percent stake from the Meeran Family, who are the promoters of Eastern.In a major development in the food and beverages industry, Norwegian consumer conglomerate Orkla ASA that also owns MTR Foods is set to acquire one of South Indias leading spice makers, Eastern Condiments. Orkla will pick up 68 percent stake of Eastern Condiments, and initiate a merger with MTR Foods, The business transaction evaluates Kerala-based Eastern Condiments at Rs 2,000 crore. Orklas move is reportedly to increase its footprint in Indias branded spice market. Way back in 2007, Orkla had acquired MTR Foods.  The transaction will see MTR acquire 41.8 percent stake from the Meeran Family, who are the promoters of Eastern. The balance of 26 percent will be picked up from McCormick Spices which holds the stake.  After the first leg of acquisition, an application to merge Eastern with MTR will be submitted and the merged company will be owned by Orkla ASA and the two brothers Firoz and Navas Meeran, with a split stake of 90.1 and 9.99 percent respectively. Eastern Condiments was founded by Kothamangalam native late ME Meeran in Adimali in 1983. The brands name can be traced back to the Eastern Trading Company which Meeran founded in 1968. The company has grown into one of Indias largest spice exporters. Apart from spices, Eastern also sells Sambar podi, Adai Dosai mix, Upma mix, pickles and other ready-to-eat food items. They have also diversified to other unrelated fields like mattress manufacturing. They even dabbled in Education and Wind Energy.  The company also acquired actor Mohanlals company Mohanlals Taste Buds in 2007. Three years later, McCormick Spices acquired 26 percent stake in Eastern for Rs 162 crore from a PE Fund and the Meeran Family. The same year, MTR had lost out in the race to McCormick.  According to a spokesperson from Avendus Capital, financial advisors to Eastern and McCormick on the transaction, Eastern and MTR combined have significant synergy potential in terms of product portfolio and geography. The deal, according to the representative, is a testament to the strong interest in branded spices from large F and B players. Orkla ASA which is headquartered in Oslo is a major supplier of branded consumer goods in the Nordics, Baltics and a few markets in Central Europe and India.  Show us some love! Support our journalism by becoming a TNM Member - Click here.

Most restrictions relaxed in Chennai and rest of TN from September 1 - The News Minute

Starting September, Tamil Nadu will return to near pre-COVID normal with the government cancelling the requirement for inter-district e-pass, opening up shopping malls and cancelling the total lockdown it had enforced every Sunday for the past eight weeks. In…

Shopping malls, places of worship, resorts and playgrounds will all be reopened from September 1.Starting September, Tamil Nadu will return to near pre-COVID normal with the government cancelling the requirement for inter-district e-pass, opening up shopping malls and cancelling the total lockdown it had enforced every Sunday for the past eight weeks. In a set of new guidelines issued on Sunday, the state government has said that those coming into the state from outside can apply for an auto generated e-pass before they begin travel. In addition to this place of worship, playgrounds and resorts have been given the go ahead to resume services. All shops in the state meanwhile, can function till 8 pm every day. > No e-pass required for movement within Tamil Nadu. Those coming into the state from outside can apply for auto-generated e-pass before traveling inside. > All places of worship will now open for the public. Places of worship will function based on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and can remain open up to 8 pm. > All private and public transportation within all districts and within Chennai city limits will resume on September 1 with SOPs in place. > Metro train transport in Chennai will resume with SOP from September 7. > Shopping malls, showrooms and big format stores will be allowed to function with 100% capacity, following SOP. However, cinema halls inside shopping malls will continue to remain closed. > All shops in Tamil Nadu, including those in Chennai can remain open until 8 pm. > Hotels and tea stalls will continue to function as per existing instructions until 8 pm with parcel service allowed until 9 pm. > All industries and IT companies can start functioning with 100% capacity. However, unless unavoidable, IT employees are asked to opt for work from home. > Hotels with accommodation, resorts, recreational clubs and other clubs are allowed to open with a Standard Operating procedure. > Parks and sports grounds can be opened again and must follow Standard Operating procedure. But onlookers are not allowed. > Vocation and skill training centres can be opened following SOP. > Government organisations that are functioning with 50% strength can function with 100% strength from September 1. > Banks and centres connected to banks can function with 100% of their employees. > Travel to Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud and other hill stations will be allowed after obtaining e-passes from the District Collector. > Film shoots will be allowed with no more than 75 persons present on spot during the shoot. Onlookers will not be allowed.  > The complete lockdown imposed on Sundays will no longer be applicable. > Inter-state trains will continue to run on the already allowed tracks. However, there is no permission to operate inter-district passenger trains until September 15. Decisions on this will be made later.  > New protocol for quarantine and testing of international and domestic air travellers and domestic train travellers will be released. > Currently 25 flights from other states have been allowed to land at Chennai airport every day. From now, 50 flights will be allowed every day. Existing rules will continue at other airports in the state. General > Section 144 that prohibits groups of over five people will continue to be in effect across the state. > The current lockdown protocols will continue to be enforced in containment zones. The following restrictions will continue without relaxations > Schools, Colleges, Research Institutes, will continue to remain closed. Classes will be held online. > Theatres, swimming pools, amusement parks, big halls, convention halls, zoos, museums, beaches, tourist spots will remain closed. > International travel, except those allowed by MHA, are not allowed. > Suburban trains will stay shut. > Religious congregations, social, political meets, entertainment and cultural events, symposiums, other conventions, processions, etc are not allowed.  Show us some love! Support our journalism by becoming a TNM Member - Click here.

Rape-accused Nithyananda launches his own currency and ‘Reserve Bank of Kailasa’ - The News Minute

While authorities in India are on the lookout for rape-accused Nithyananda, who is absconding and hiding somewhere in South America, the self-styled godman on Saturday released his own ‘Reserve Bank of Kailasa,’ and his own currency called the ‘Kailashian Dol…

Nithyananda has claimed that this was a ritualistic release of the bank and the currency and a functional release will be done soon.While authorities in India are on the lookout for rape-accused Nithyananda, who is absconding and hiding somewhere in South America, the self-styled godman on Saturday released his own Reserve Bank of Kailasa, and his own currency called the Kailashian Dollar. A release uploaded on the Kailasa website claims, Kailasa has signed an MoU with a country for the hosting of its Reserve Bank. The Reserve Bank of Kailasa is a legitimately incorporated body. Kailasas currencies will be used only in countries with which Kailasa has signed diplomatic ties. Nithyananda has claimed that this was a ritualistic release and a functional release will be done soon. Very soon it will become functional in the country that has agreed to host the Reserve Bank of Kailasa and with many countries, we are signing diplomatic treaties, he claims in a video uploaded on YouTube.  Holding up models of the coins, Nithyananda says around 77 types of coins, all made out of gold, have been released. He released eight denominations of the Kailashian Dollar. One Kailashian dollar will be one tola gold, that is 11.66 grams of gold. A quarter Kailashian dollar will be a coin weighing 2.91 grams of gold. Half-Kailashian dollars will be 5.81 grams. Three-fourth dollar is 8.74 grams. Two Kailashian dollar coin will be 23.32 grams. The Three Kailashian dollar coin weighs 34.99 grams of gold and four Kailashian dollar is 46.65 grams gold. Five Kailashian dollar is a coin weighing 58.31 grams. Ten Kailashian dollar is a coin weighing 116 gms. These coins are inspired from the original ancient coins which were used in those days in the 56 Hindu nations, Nithyananda says in the video, holding up models of each type of coin. However, none of these coins can be used for any kind of international trade since Kailasa is not an internationally recognized country and neither is its bank. This currency, if and when officially launched, will only be used as a means to barter goods by those who sign up as citizens of this so-called country. Nithyananda also inaugurated the emblem and official seal of Kailasa, which he says will be worn by members who are part of the government of Kailasa. He says in the video that it is similar to the Papal Ring of the Vatican Church. He had earlier claimed that a 300-page economic policy had been drafted and that it had been legally and legitimately established.  Nithyananda has been absconding since 2018 and is an accused in multiple cases in India, including a case of rape, charges of torturing his disciples and allegations of child abduction and abuse at his ashrams.  In February this year, a trial court in Karnataka had issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against the self-styled godman in the 2010 rape case. Nithyananda is believed to have fled the country in 2018 and a blue corner notice has also been issued against him. He was recently in the news for forming his own nation called Kailasa, which he claims is created by a group of dispossessed people who lost the right to practice Hinduism authentically in their own countries. Earlier this year, documents had shown that the rape-accused godman was believed to be running his business from a bank account in the Pacific island country called the Republic of Vanuatu. TNM had accessed an email sent by a confidante of Nithyananda to a person who sought details regarding payment for a puja asking disciples to deposit money in a bank account based out of Vanuatu. Also read: Rape accused godman Nithyananda running his account from tax haven Vanuatu? Timeline: The rise, fall and image rehabilitation of rape accused godman Nithyananda Show us some love! Support our journalism by becoming a TNM Member - Click here..