Author: Vividh Bharathi

CM Vijay to attend Davos Forum, promote TN investments

Chennai, Sep 19 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will attend the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, in January next year, as part of the State government’s efforts to attract global investments and accelerate industrial development.

The Chief Minister is expected to participate in the five-day meeting from January 18 to 22 following an invitation from World Economic Forum officials.

The high-profile gathering will bring together political leaders, government representatives from more than 100 countries, international organisations, civil society groups, academics, and media professionals.

Vijay’s participation is seen as an opportunity to present Tamil Nadu’s industrial strengths and investment prospects to international leaders. The government hopes the visit will help attract investments, promote emerging sectors, and position the State as a preferred destination.

The annual Davos meeting serves as a platform for discussions on the global economy, investments, industrial growth, and major international challenges. It also allows governments to exchange ideas, establish partnerships, and explore solutions to economic and social issues.

A senior State government official said Vijay’s participation could mark a significant change in Tamil Nadu’s approach towards investment promotion. The Chief Minister’s direct involvement is expected to provide greater political impetus to discussions concerning industrial policy and major proposals.

Tamil Nadu is stepping up its efforts to secure international investments amid growing competition among countries and Indian states. The government is particularly focusing on industries with strong future growth potential and sectors capable of generating large-scale employment.

During the visit, Vijay is likely to interact with global leaders and policymakers and explain the incentives, infrastructure, and skilled workforce available in Tamil Nadu. The State is also expected to highlight its established manufacturing base and plans for expanding technology-driven and sustainable industries.

In previous years, Tamil Nadu was largely represented at Davos by its industries ministers and senior officials. Vijay’s decision to personally attend the forum has therefore attracted considerable attention. The government expects the visit to increase international awareness of Tamil Nadu’s investment opportunities and strengthen the State’s position as a major industrial and economic hub.

–IANS

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Gujarat: Man held for routing cyber fraud money via relatives’ accounts

Valsad, Sep 19 (IANS) Valsad Cyber Crime Cell have arrested a man accused of using bank accounts belonging to his wife and relatives to receive and withdraw proceeds of cyber fraud totalling Rs 11,35,975, as part of ‘Operation Mule Hunt 2.0’, police said on Saturday.

Police detained the accused, identified as Rahul Kumar Chaudhary, in Ranchhod Nagar, Vapi, after an investigation into bank accounts suspected of being used as mule accounts.

The Valsad Cyber Crime team began the investigation with a detailed analysis of mule accounts.

Police found that the bank account of Khushi Kumari Nishad, a resident of Chanod in Vapi, with The Shamrao Vithal Co-operative Bank Ltd, had recorded transactions totalling Rs 1,46,96,656 between February and August 2026.

Police also found that around nine cybercrime complaints had been registered in different states in connection with the account, with cyber fraud proceeds of around Rs 6,26,879 credited to it.

During questioning, Khushi Kumari told police that she had given the bank account to her brother-in-law Rahul Kumar, who is originally from Samastipur district of Bihar.

Based on the information, police kept Rahul under surveillance and detained him for questioning.

During the investigation, it emerged that Rahul had obtained bank accounts belonging to his wife and relatives and was allegedly using them in different ways for cyber fraud.

Police said some of the fraud proceeds were transferred into the bank accounts of his wife and sister-in-law, after which Rahul allegedly went to the bank and withdrew the money himself.

Investigators also found that he allegedly used the Binance application to purchase and sell USDT and transfer cyber fraud proceeds.

The investigation also revealed that around Rs 5,09,096 in cyber fraud proceeds had been credited to Rahul’s wife’s bank account.

“Together with the Rs 6,26,879 identified in the account of Khushi Kumari, the cyber fraud amount detected in the investigation was Rs 11,35,975,” police said.

Valsad Cyber Crime Police Station has registered a case under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 318(4), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2008.

Police said the investigation into the bank accounts of Rahul and other relatives and the transactions conducted through them is continuing.

Police seized two cheque books and a mobile phone from the accused. Police said the phone contained one SIM card and a Binance ID.

Police said fraud gangs use social media platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp to lure ordinary people with small amounts of money and then use their bank accounts to transfer funds. Such accounts are known as “mule accounts”.

Police advised people not to allow anyone to use their bank accounts or SIM cards on any pretext or in exchange for inducements, stating that the account holder remains responsible for any illegal use of the account.

–IANS

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Bihar: CM Samrat Choudhary donates salary to flood relief

Patna, Sep 19 (IANS) As floods continue to affect large parts of Bihar, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has donated one month of his salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support families impacted by the disaster.

Choudhary has already handed over the cheque, saying people facing difficulties because of the floods should receive every possible assistance. He has also been visiting flood-affected areas and assessing the situation on the ground, inspecting affected regions by boat, helicopter, and tractor.

Several political leaders have announced financial contributions towards flood relief. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin has contributed three months’ salary to the relief fund. Choudhary thanked NDA leaders, MLAs, MPs, and ministers who have also donated their salaries.

The BJP state president has handed over Rs 51 lakh on behalf of the party to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Several organisations have similarly extended financial assistance. Choudhary said such contributions would help strengthen relief efforts for flood-affected families.

The state government is continuing relief and rescue operations across affected areas. Community kitchens are being operated at several locations to provide food to displaced residents.

Health camps have been established, while relief camps are providing basic facilities to affected families. Temporary schools have been arranged in some flood-hit areas to minimise disruption to children’s education.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also visited Bihar with a central team to assess the extent of flood damage.

According to Chouhan, more than 2,500 villages and over 50 lakh people have been affected, while thousands of acres of agricultural land have suffered crop damage.

Relief and rescue operations remain underway, with authorities focusing on providing food, healthcare, and other essential assistance to people in the affected areas.

–IANS

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Hiphop Tamizha Adhi: ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’ is a global story that celebrates the lives, struggles and dreams of musicians!

Chennai, Sep 19 (IANS) Actor, director and music director Hiphop Tamizha Adhi, who is now gearing up for the release of his upcoming film ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’ which is slated to hit screens worldwide on September 25, says that the film’s story is a global one which will seek to celebrate the lives, struggles and dreams of musicians.

Participating in a pre-release event organised by the makers of the film, Hiphop Tamizha Adhi, who has both directed the film and played the lead role in it, explained how the second part would be different from the first film in the franchise.

He said, “‘Meesaya Murukku’ was a biopic based on my own life. But ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’ is a much broader and more universal story. It is a global story about music, musicians and the lives they lead. It explores the dreams, struggles, journeys and emotions of people who choose music as their way of life.”

The director went on to say that the film, in particular, would seek to showcase the world of Gana musicians and artistes, whose music often emerges from their lived experiences.

“The film becomes an important record of Gana artistes who express their struggles, experiences and journeys through songs and make a living through their art. Their stories and the world they come from are an important part of this film,” he pointed out.

In the first part, late actor Vivek had played his father’s role. Adhi, who acknowledged the significance of the contribution made by the late actor, said, “No one can ever fill the place of the late Vivek sir, who played my father in the first part. However, ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’ moves through three different time periods, and there is a very important father character in this story as well. I felt that Baba Bhaskar Master was the right person for this role.”

Adhi further revealed that Baba Bhaskar initially had reservations about taking up the role, but eventually took up the character with conviction. “He was slightly hesitant initially, but he trusted me and went ahead with the role. He has performed extremely well. I genuinely believe that after this film, he will earn a significant place in Tamil cinema as an actor.”

The film also introduces a new dimension through its female lead, with Ketika Sharma playing Laila Singh, a dancer who travels to Chennai from Punjab.

Sources close to the unit claim that the contrasting worlds of music, dance, ambition and love will come together in ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’.

–IANS

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‘Asian Games should strengthen links with the Olympics moment,’ says IOC chief Coventry

Nagoya, Sep 19 (IANS) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry said the Asian Games should strengthen their links with the Olympic movement, while stressing that the decision on the sports programme should remain with the continent and the host.

Speaking on the opening day of the 20th Asian Games, Coventry said the continental Games could play a greater role in the Olympic qualification pathway.

The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games feature 43 sports, compared with 32 at the Paris Olympics, with more than 17,000 athletes and officials registered for the event. The size and composition of the sports programme have sparked debate over whether the Asian Games should align more closely with the Olympics.

“I think that the continental Games have to make that decision for themselves. I think the continental associations have their own autonomy, and really for the future, it’s about strengthening how the continental Games can feed into the Olympic Games,” Coventry said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Coventry noted that the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is pushing for the Asian Games to be held a year before the Olympics so that they can serve as Olympic qualifiers.

“I know that the continental associations are pushing and advocating for their Games to happen a year before the Olympic Games so that they can be used for qualifications for the Olympic Games, which I think is a really wonderful way to strengthen our movement. Looking forward to that move by the OCA and Asian Games,” she said.

Coventry, however, stressed that the final decision on the sports programme rests with the continental body and the host.

“When it comes to the decision of the programme, it’s really up to them. I think that each continent has some different sports, and then you look down at the hosts, and the hosts have very specific sports that are engaging for them. So I think it has to be a blend of considerations,” she said.

Coventry arrived in Nagoya on Friday evening and began her Asian Games visit on Saturday morning at the Main Media Center, where she met IOC members from Asia and toured the Main Press Center and International Broadcast Center.

The opening ceremony was held at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Saturday, officially marking the start of the 20th Asian Games.

Coventry also said she planned to attend basketball, swimming and a few other sports during her short visit to Nagoya.

“We will be going to see basketball and swimming. I’m not sure if there’s anything else, but there are a few other sports along the way that we’re going to go visit. We’re only here for a quick two days, but we’re excited to be here and try to see as much as we can,” she said.

–IANS

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‘Reflects youth’s trust on ‘Nation First’ ideology’: Amit Shah on ABVP’s DUSU victory

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday hailed the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) victory in three of the four posts in the Delhi University Students’ Union polls 2026, saying that it reflects the youth’s “unwavering faith” in the student outfit’s “Nation First ideology”.

In a post on the social media platform X, Home Minister Shah said: “Heartfelt congratulations to all the dedicated workers of the ABVP on the splendid victory of @ABVPVoice in the Delhi University Students’ Union elections.”

“This victory reflects the unwavering faith of the youth in the ABVP’s ideology of ‘Nation First’ and its commitment to student welfare,” he asserted.

Union Minister Shah added: “I am fully confident that the council’s workers, drawing new energy from this victory and following the ideals of Swami Vivekananda Ji, will continue to relentlessly advance the cause of student interests and nation-building.”

Earlier in the day, several other Union Ministers and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders also congratulated the ABVP, while asserting that Gen Z will “never accept the lies” of the Opposition.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also termed ABVP’s victory a “symbol of the unwavering faith of the youth in the ‘Nation First’ policy”.

“Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all workers on the splendid success of ABVP in the Delhi University Students’ Union elections,” he said in a post on X.

He also added: “I am confident that ABVP will continue to work with the same dedication and commitment to student interests, national service, and nation-building.”

Echoing similar view, BJP President Nitin Nabin said that the victory reflects the “youth’s continued faith in positive and constructive student politics, rooted in the spirit of ‘Nation First’, and their strong resolve to contribute to the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat'”.

“My best wishes to the victorious candidates and everyone who worked tirelessly to make this victory possible,” he said in a post on X.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the ABVP’s victory “reflects that the youth and Gen Z across the country will never accept the lies of the Opposition”.

–IANS

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India’s calibrated BRICS strategy underpins deeper engagement with Southeast Asia

Canberra, Sep 19 (IANS) India has pursued a slow, calculated strategy within BRICS, reflecting a distinctly Southeast Asian flavour. By reinforcing its approach to mobilising the Global South, New Delhi could shape how ASEAN, as a regional bloc with its own structures, prefers to engage with BRICS, a report has highlighted.

“A certain deja vu accompanied the buzz leading up to India’s BRICS Summit held last week – India’s turn as G20 chair in 2023 offered similar fanfare and great expectations. The geopolitics might have changed from three years ago, but the same messages about India’s convening power and framing a public goods agenda for the organisation carried through,” according to a report in Australia-based ‘The Interpreter’

“Southeast Asia’s engagement was another theme. Official ties to BRICS were recently marked by Indonesia joining as a full member and Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam being inducted as partner countries in 2025. This set off some alarm bells, given it meant four of the 11 ASEAN countries had partnered with BRICS, especially when coupled with US President Donald Trump’s threat of 100 per cent tariffs against BRICS members if they acted to undermine the US dollar,” it added.

The report noted that ASEAN members in BRICS have been careful to show they are not “taking a side” against the West — a position that is also compatible with India’s approach.

It stressed that India’s commitment to inclusive multilateralism has defined its model of Global South mobilisation, which is finding increasing resonance in Southeast Asia through purposeful regional cooperation and public-goods delivery.

The New Delhi Declaration adopted during the 18th BRICS Summit outlined “the key role of the G20 as the premier global forum for international economic cooperation” and one that “provides a platform for dialogue of both emerging and developed economies on an equal and mutually beneficial footing”.

“This points to the continued relevance of Global North enterprise in Global South mobilisation. What makes India’s commitment to this more pronounced is its functional relations with the West – within frameworks such as the Quad, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and enhanced ties with the European Union – despite its increasingly erratic relations with the United States,” The Interpreter mentioned.

Emphasising that India will play a key role in shaping how Southeast Asia views BRICS in the long run, it said, “India has an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with Indonesia and Malaysia, and a Strategic Partnership with Thailand. There have been sustained efforts over the last few years at cultivating bilateral relations and making them fit for purpose. This includes initiating cooperation and joint efforts in areas including semiconductors, defence industry, and connectivity.”

–IANS

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India to play in official BCCI jersey for one-off Japan T20I: Source

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) India are set to face Japan for the one-off T20I on Tuesday in their national jersey to mark the 75 years of diplomatic ties with the Japanese nation.

The Shreyas Iyer-led side will be donning the official Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) colours for their one-off contest at the Sano International Cricket Ground and not the Asian Games kit, sources told IANS.

The match will be played two days before the start of the men’s cricket competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where India will also be in action along with Japan and eight other teams. The kit for the Asian Games cricket event will be different, as was seen with the Indian women’s side.

The one-off contest is the first international cricket match between the two teams and is a special fixture to inaugurate celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The fixture serves as the flagship event launching ‘Sport 75’, a broader bilateral initiative originating from a summit agreement between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi designed to foster sporting exchanges and cooperation.

Speaking on the historic game, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia highlighted that this is a significant moment for the sport. “The BCCI is delighted to be part of this historic occasion as the Indian and Japanese men’s teams come together for a special T20 International in Japan. This is a significant moment for cricket, as it takes the Indian team to new territory and provides an opportunity to introduce the sport to a wider audience in Japan and East Asia.

“India and Japan share a strong and longstanding relationship and friendship, and we are pleased that cricket will be part of the celebrations marking 75 years of bilateral relations between the two countries, and we thank the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) for its efforts in making this fixture possible,” Saikia had said in a statement.

–IANS

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Bengal: AJUP leader held with fake notes, firearms

Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) state secretary Ashiq Iqbal has been arrested with bundles of fake notes and firearms, police said on Saturday. He was arrested late on Friday night from Hariharpara in Murshidabad district during naka checking.

Iqbal was driving a car from which bundles of fake notes and a pair of firearms were recovered. He is the state secretary of MLA Humayun Kabir’s AJUP. Officers of Hariharpara police station arrested the leader and another person on charges of possessing fake notes and illegal weapons.

Ashiq, a resident of Kebalrampur in Hariharpara, had unsuccessfully contested from the Baharampur constituency in this year’s Assembly elections. Police also arrested Bablu Sheikh, a resident of Shahajadpur.

Police said a special team from Hariharpara police station was conducting naka checking in the Garinama area late on Friday night. At that time, personnel became suspicious after seeing a Bolero car. When they stopped and searched the car, they found 108 fake Rs 500 notes hidden inside, worth Rs 54,000. Two firearms and four rounds of bullets were also recovered. Police then arrested Ashiq and Bablu.

On Saturday, police produced the two accused before the Murshidabad District Court. Police have started an investigation to find out where the fake notes and firearms came from, where they were being taken, and for what purpose they were kept. Initially, police suspect a connection with a gang involved in arms and fake notes smuggling. Hariharpara police station has applied for seven-day custody of the arrested to trace other gang members.

AJUP founder and president Humayun Kabir alleged that “the BJP is using the police as a broker to make the elections free from competition. If people get a chance to vote, public opinion will go against the BJP. The BJP has understood this. The BJP is doing this in a planned manner so that people get scared and do not vote, so that opposition candidates cannot campaign or contest.”

On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Rejinagar Assembly constituency, where a bypoll is scheduled on October 6, Shankharav Sarkar said, “The issue is not who is Humayun Kabir, who brought fake money, who planted the bomb. This is a fight to establish good governance. A fight to bring industry to the Rejinagar industrial area. People are looking at that. The BJP has won in Rejinagar. It is just a matter of time for the result to come out. The BJP does not bother about these minor issues.”

–IANS

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‘Focus is to increase hostel capacity’: ABVP after victory in DUSU polls

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Following its victory in three of the four posts in the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) polls, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said its focus will be to conduct a safety audit of all Paying Guest accommodations and work towards increasing the capacity of the University’s hostels.

This comes after a multi-storey building collapsed in South Delhi’s Satya Niketan area earlier this month, claiming seven lives, including five DU students.

Yash Dabas, who won the post of DUSU President, told IANS: “This demand of ours is not new. In 2015, Delhi University’s hostel bed capacity was around 5,700. After continuous efforts by the ABVP, today it has more than doubled to over 12,000. But we will continue to fight for this; we will keep fighting until the capacity reaches 1,00,000 students.”

He further told reporters that the new DUSU team’s first and foremost priority will be to conduct a safety audit of every PG and hostel.

“That is because we do not want an incident like the one in Satya Niketan to happen to anyone in the future,” he added.

Expressing her happiness on winning the post of Secretary at DUSU, Riya Chhawdi said: “I feel very thankful to my organisation, to the students who supported us, to my team and family members.”

“Despite the protests by Gen Z, I just want to say that Gen Z is with us; that is why we won three seats,” she told IANS.

After emerging as the winner of the Joint Secretary post, ABVP’s Lakshay Raj Singh Rathore said he was grateful to the organisation for the opportunity.

“The ABVP allowed a candidate from Rajasthan after 12 years. When given the chance, all my brothers, sisters, and classmates from Rajasthan supported me throughout this struggle, due to which I could win this,” he told reporters.

“This shows that Gen Z and the youth stand with the ABVP,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen, who won the post of Vice President, was optimistic about living up to the trust students placed in him.

“I feel very good that the students of Delhi University have placed their trust in me, and I will live up to that trust,” he told IANS.

Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed the ABVP’s victory, saying Gen Z will “never accept the lies” of the Opposition.

–IANS

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