Engineering student pulls off win at Thuvakudi
The Hindu
She contested as independent and defeated more seasoned candidates
The 'water tap' proved to be a lucky symbol for Sneha Selvam, 22, an engineering student who contested the urban local body (ULB) elections as an independent and won from ward 5 of Thuvakudi Municipality in Tiruchi district.
Ms. Sneha’s victory against more seasoned and older candidates in the ward came as a surprise to many on Tuesday. The ward has a voter base of 1,579, and 1,057 votes were polled. Of this, Ms. Sneha secured 495 votes, while her nearest rival from the AMMK got 191. Seven other candidates, including those from CPI (M), AIADMK, BJP, DMDK and Naam Thamizhar Katchi, were in the fray.
The daughter of a caterer and electricals shop owner Selvaraj, Ms. Sneha told The Hindu that she was inspired to contest the election by her father. “I have seen him helping out people with matters like land registration and availing government benefits from a very early age. But I realised that one could make a difference in society only by being part of the democratic process. I decided to contest the ULB polls to take my father’s work forward,” she said.
Canvassing as an Independent was a learning curve in itself, said Ms. Sneha, who pursues a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering in M.A.M. College of Engineering and Technology, Siruganur. “I had my exams and there was a delay in getting the promotional material ready, but somehow we pulled it off in the end with just one week of campaigning,” she said.
Getting house site pattas for a group of families without them in her ward, refurbishing the local ‘anganwadi’ that is attended by 30 children, and opening a library that can be of use to both young and old are among her immediate priorities.
“Election promises must be fulfilled, and I hope the local community leaders will help to achieve these goals. But I will continue with my studies, because education is as important as public service,” said Ms. Sneha.
Delhi engulfed in thick smog with 'very poor' air quality index, reaching 410 in some areas.
National Green Tribunal orders Forest Survey of India to report on alleged loss of tree cover in India.
S. Hussain Zaidi's espionage novel, The Black Orphan, blends Bollywood action with espionage tropes, but falls short in execution.
Hampi, the UNESCO-recognised historical site, was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire from 1336 to 1565. Foreign travellers from Persia, Europe and other parts of the world have chronicled the wealth of the place and the unique cultural mores of this kingdom built on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. There are fine descriptions to be found of its temples, farms, markets and trading links, remnants of which one can see in the ruins now. The Literature, architecture of this era continue inspire awe.
Unfurling the zine handed to us at the start of the walk, we use brightly-coloured markers to draw squiggly cables across the page, starting from a sepia-toned vintage photograph of the telegraph office. Iz, who goes by the pronouns they/them, explains, “This building is still standing, though it shut down in 2013,” they say, pointing out that telegraphy, which started in Bengaluru in 1854, was an instrument of colonial power and control. “The British colonised lands via telegraph cables, something known as the All Red Line.”
Manu S. Pillai takes readers across four tumultuous centuries of colonial India in his new book Gods, Guns and Missionaries. Religious competition and conflict impacted the way Hinduism and the Hindu identity are defined today, says the author
Delhi's air pollution crisis explained: AQI, PM2.5 dominance, sources, health impacts, and ineffective government responses.
Honoring Raj Kapoor as a cultural ambassador, this article explores the enduring impact of Indian cinema in China.
The festival in Bengaluru is happening at various locations, including ATREE in Jakkur, Bangalore Creative Circus in Yeshwantpur, Courtyard Koota in Kengeri, and Medai the Stage in Koramangala. The festival will also take place in various cities across Karnataka including Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.
Delhi Police Crime Branch busts international drug cartel, recovers MDMA worth ₹4 crore, arrests two suspects, traces suppliers in Delhi-NCR.
Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue empowers Indian youth through national and international discourse, quizzes, and meeting with PM Modi.