Articles by South First Desk,South First Deskpublish

Technology

MK Stalin chairs all-party meeting against SIR; warns of ‘Bihar-style tactics’ in Tamil Nadu

MK Stalin chairs all-party meeting against SIR; warns of ‘Bihar-style tactics’ in Tamil Nadu Stalin called the meeting as a "democratic duty to safeguard the voting rights of the people of Tamil Nadu" and proposed a draft resolution. Synopsis: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin chaired an all-party meeting on 2 November, opposing the Election Commission’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging it’s a tactic to disenfranchise voters like in Bihar. Allies VCK, CPI(M), Congress backed a resolution against it, viewing it as an assault on citizenship. 40 of 64 invited parties attended. Meanwhile, key opponents like TMK, PMK and NTK etc remained absent. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Sunday, 2 November, chaired an all-party meeting at the state Secretariat to discuss the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, alleging that the process is being misused nationally to remove genuine voters ahead of elections. Stalin accused the central authorities of replicating tactics used in Bihar, where voter list revisions allegedly threatened and deprived people of their voting rights. “In Bihar, the revision of the voter list was carried out in a manner that threatened people and deprived them of their voting rights, and a similar plan is now being prepared for other states, including Tamil Nadu,” he stated. Also Read: Why is CM Stalin silent on Vijay & TVK? A calculated political move Stresses the need for fairness Stressing the need for fairness, Stalin remarked, “No one denies that a fair election requires an accurate voter list. But there must be sufficient time, and the process must happen in a calm and non-intimidating environment. Only then can the revision be done properly.” He further slammed the timing, saying, “Attempting a full-scale revision just months before an election is not electoral reform — it is a tactic to remove genuine voters. What they did in Bihar is now being attempted to repeat in other states.” #SIR in Tamil Nadu: We will resist disenfranchisement and defeat #VoteTheft. To carry out Special Intensive Revision just months before the election, and especially during the monsoon months of November and December, brings serious practical difficulties. To conduct SIR in a… pic.twitter.com/wXUXuZUkyp — M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) October 27, 2025 Stalin called the meeting a “democratic duty to safeguard the voting rights of the people of Tamil Nadu” and proposed a draft resolution to resist such actions. Allies rally behind Stalin VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan viewed the SIR as broader than an electoral issue. “SIR of the electoral rolls is not an attack on voting rights alone; it is an attack on citizenship,” he said. Welcoming Stalin’s initiative, he added, “VCK welcomes the urgent steps the CM has taken to confront the danger posed by SIR. The Chief Minister has proposed a draft resolution on how to oppose this, and we welcome that.” Thirumavalavan alleged a hidden agenda, stating, “This is not merely an assault on voting rights — it is an assault on citizenship. This is the political understanding we need.” He added, “They claim they are asking for documents to verify citizenship. But their real justification is that this is not about verifying citizenship; instead, they argue that names appearing in the voter list since 2002 should simply be reconciled. The real purpose of this exercise is to implement citizenship laws covertly by using the Election Commission. They need an NRC to announce the final list. That is why they are using this process. We must view this politically — the Election Commission has no authority to carry out this task.” He also urged legal intervention. “Those responsible should fix the voter list by proper means. The law says this must not be done within one year of elections. It should be done a year before or after the elections. Let the Supreme Court decide — let the case finish. They are doing this to implement a national citizenship regime; we must not allow it. We strongly oppose it,“ he concluded. Also Read: SIR: A weapon of exclusion? Kerala NRIs share their concerns CPI(M) calls for public mobilisation CPI(M) leader P Shanmugam called for public mobilisation: “We must raise awareness about what rights of Tamil Nadu people will be taken away by the SIR of the electoral rolls, and how voting rights will be stripped. We have repeatedly raised our voice against the problems the Centre causes for Tamil Nadu. The Marxist Communist Party calls for leading public protests condemning this move.” Congress leader K Selva Perunthagai too pledged full support. He said, “The special intensive revision of the electoral rolls must be opposed by democratic means. We must reject and throw out the burdens this will place on Tamil Nadu. Congress stands fully behind the actions the Chief Minister MK Stalin is taking.” He alleged political motives, adding, “Since victory by democratic means is not possible for the BJP in Tamil Nadu, they, along with the Election Commission, are planning and attempting to implement this measure.” Out of 64 political parties invited, 40 attended the meeting, while 21 stayed away. Notable absentees included TVK, AMMK, PMK – Ramadoss, Tamil Maanila Congress, NTK, India Jananayaga Katchi, Perunthalaivar Makkal Katchi, Puthiya Tamilagam, and others.

3 days ago

Technology

Narayana Health enters UK healthcare market: Acquires Practice Plus Group hospitals

Narayana Health enters UK healthcare market: Acquires Practice Plus Group hospitals Both organizations share a common vision and value system: the belief that healthcare should be affordable and accessible to all," the press release added. Synopsis: The release claimed that, “With this integration, Narayana Health is well-positioned to bring the hospital division of Practice Plus Group into its ecosystem, leveraging its robust technology foundation to drive innovation, operational excellence, and long-term value creation for patients, partners, and stakeholders.” Narayana Health, a leading healthcare provider headquartered in Bengaluru, on Friday, 31 October, announced the acquisition of UK-based Practice Plus Group Hospitals, marking it’s expansion into the United Kingdom. In the press release, the hospital group said, “This acquisition marks Narayana Health’s strategic entry into the United Kingdom healthcare market, where Practice Plus Group operates 12 hospitals and surgical centres specializing in high-quality orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and general surgery. The move significantly extends Narayana Health’s global reach and positions the company among the top three healthcare providers in India by revenue.” The release further noted that the Practice Plus Group Hospitals is the fifth-largest private hospital group in the UK, performing approximately 80,000 surgeries annually. “Through this acquisition, Narayana Health gains access to the UK’s dynamic healthcare market, where demand for surgeries—particularly in the private sector—is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. Both organizations share a common vision and value system: the belief that healthcare should be affordable and accessible to all,” it added. Also Read: Why the EU is reviewing ethanol in hand sanitisers over potential cancer risks A common vision Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Founder and Chairman of Narayana Health, said: “The acquisition of Practice Plus Group hospitals and surgical centres is an incredibly exciting step for Narayana Health. Like Narayana Health, Practice Plus Group recognized that the majority of patients were struggling to access healthcare, while only a minority could afford costly private healthcare. We have both been working to meet the needs of those in between and to offer a new choice of more accessible private healthcare. Together, we are a perfect fit, and I look forward to welcoming Practice Plus Group to Narayana Health and helping many more patients get the care they need.” Jim Easton, Chief Executive of Practice Plus Group, added: “Dr. Shetty and Narayana Health have an enviable reputation for delivering high-quality, efficient healthcare with a human touch. I’m excited about what Practice Plus Group’s hospitals and surgical centres can achieve with the commitment and expertise of Narayana Health behind us.” The release claimed that, “With this integration, Narayana Health is well-positioned to bring the hospital division of Practice Plus Group into its ecosystem, leveraging its robust technology foundation to drive innovation, operational excellence, and long-term value creation for patients, partners, and stakeholders.”

4 days ago

Technology

Resul Pookutty appointed as new chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy

Resul Pookutty appointed as new chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Pookutty replaces actor Prem Kumar, who had been serving as the interim chairperson since September 2024 following the resignation of filmmaker Ranjith. The Kerala government on Friday, 1 November, appointed Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty as the new chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, one of the state’s premier cultural institutions. Pookutty replaces actor Prem Kumar, who had been serving as the interim chairperson since September 2024 following the resignation of filmmaker Ranjith. Prem Kumar, who was also the academy’s vice-chairperson, has now been succeeded in that post by actor Kukku Parameswaran. According to the government order issued on Friday, the academy’s general council and executive board, last reconstituted in March 2022, have undergone further changes. Among the new members of the general council are filmmaker Amal Neerad, screenwriter Syam Pushkaran, and singer Sithara Krishnakumar. The reconstitution comes at a time when the current government has only about seven months remaining in its term. The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, functioning under the Department of Culture, plays a pivotal role in promoting cinema and film studies in the state. It organises the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) and the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), coordinates the Kerala State Film Awards, and undertakes film archiving and research initiatives. Also Read: Kerala HC quashes criminal proceedings against Ranjith in harassment case

4 days ago

Technology

Third arrest in Sabarimala gold theft case: Former executive officer held

Third arrest in Sabarimala gold theft case: Former executive officer held Investigators believe Sudheesh, who had long experience at Sabarimala, deliberately ignored the discrepancy and thereby facilitated the theft. Synopsis: The SIT accuses Sudheesh of tampering with official records related to the gold-plated Dwarapalaka idols and helping the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, by recording the gold coverings as copper plates in 2019. In a major breakthrough in the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch has arrested former Executive Officer D Sudheesh Kumar, making him the third person taken into custody in the high-profile scandal. According to sources, Sudheesh was arrested late Friday, 31 October night after several hours of interrogation at the Crime Branch office in Enjakkal, Thiruvananthapuram. He will be produced before the Ranni Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Saturday, 1 November. Also Read: SIT exposes irregularities in Devaswom board operations Tampering official records The SIT accuses Sudheesh of tampering with official records related to the gold-plated Dwarapalaka idols and helping the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, by recording the gold coverings as copper plates in 2019. Investigators believe Sudheesh, who had long experience at Sabarimala, deliberately ignored the discrepancy and thereby facilitated the theft. Sudheesh’s arrest follows crucial statements from the second accused, Murari Babu, then Sabarimala Administrative Officer, who told investigators that he acted under the direction of senior officials and that five Devaswom Board members had authority to alter the records. Earlier, Potty—sponsor of the gold-covering work—and Babu were arrested for their alleged role in removing gold-plated temple materials and replacing them with copper items. The SIT found that the stolen gold, weighing around two kgs, was smuggled out of the temple and later extracted in Chennai, with 394 grams reportedly reused for idol coverings displayed for profit. On Friday, the SIT also questioned Potty’s close aide CK Vasudevan, who was released after interrogation. With Sudheesh’s arrest, the SIT believes the conspiracy trail within the Travancore Devaswom Board is becoming clearer. Modus operandi Investigators believe the missing gold originated from the Dwarapalaka sculptures at the Sabarimala temple. The gold-plated copper plates had been taken out in 2019 for electroplating at a Chennai-based firm – Smart Creations – but the quantity of gold that was removed from these plates allegedly never made its way back. According to the SIT, Potty, who worked as an assistant to a priest appointed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), transported the gold to various temples and establishments across South India without authorisation. After the plating work, he is suspected to have displayed the gold-plated panels at locations in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kerala. (Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)

4 days ago