India News
Sengol: The emblem of Independence and India’s Chola dynasty heritage
Sengol is a golden sceptre is some 76 years old. The British handed over the Sengol to Indian leaders to marks the transition of power from Britain to newly-independent Indians.

By Pratik Agrawal
The inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday has already become a controversy with at least 19 opposition parties objecting over the decision and choosing to boycott the event.
The Narendra Modi-led government today has announced the installation of the Sengol, a Chola staff or sceptre, in the new Parliament marking it as a highlight of a often forgotten episode in India’s history.
The step taken by the Union government has not just put the spotlight on the Chola dynasty but has zeroed in on the old rulers of Tamil country. After its defeat in Karnataka, the BJP lost its lone hold in South India.
The decision to install the Sengol, which traces its origin to the Chola dynasty, is being seen as the BJP’s attempt to appeal to Tamils and create fresh influence for the party among the state’s voters.
What’s the Sengol?
Sengol is a golden sceptre is some 76 years old. The British handed over the Sengol to Indian leaders to marks the transition of power from Britain to newly-independent Indians.
Months before the people of the country were to listen to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s Tryst with Destiny speech, the last Viceroy of India, Lord Loius Mountbatten, asked Nehru a question that baffled him.
Mountbatten asked Nehru how would he symbolize India’s attaining independence. Puzzled, Nehru could not think of anything better than to seek the advice of C Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, the first and last Indian Governor-General.
Rajaji, an erudite scholar of history, customs and civilisation, suggested to Nehru that during the Chola dynasty in Tamil tradition, the high priest (Rajaguru) of the state would hand over a sceptre to the new king during his coronation, symbolising his assumption of regal office.
Nehru warmed to Rajaji’s suggestion that a sceptre be handed to him to mark the change in one’s destiny from being a subject of the British king to a free, independent leader of India. He assigned the task to Rajaji to arrange such a sceptre.
Rajaji then contacted Thiruvaduthurai Aadheenam, the prominent mutt in Mayiladuthurai, the heartland of the Chola dynasty. The 20th Guru Sri La Sri Ambalavana Desika Swamigal, then seer of the mutt, took over the responsibility for making the golden sceptre despite his ill-health.
The seer assigned the task to Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers in Madras (now Chennai). The owner, Vummidi Bangaru, was entrusted with the job due to his expertise. Finally, the Sengol studded with jewels was ready with a bull (nandi) on top as a symbol of strength, truth and righteousness. The Sengol cost Rs 15,000 back then.

The seer sent a delegation from the mutt on a special plane arranged by the government to Delhi with the Sengol. He also sent a congratulatory note to Nehru with the delegation.
The Sengol was then taken to Mountbatten, who handed it back to the team, led by Sri La Sri Kumaraswamy Thambiran, whence Ganga water was sprinkled on it and was handed over to Nehru in a procession.
Finally on August 14, 1947 at 11:45 PM, exactly 15 minutes before India attained Independence and Nehru started his historic address, Tryst with Destiny, the delegation presented the Sengol to Nehru in the presence of Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President.

Sengol was presented with the chanting of the Kolaru Pathigam by Manickam Odhuvaar and Nadaswaram played by TN Rajarathinam. Kolaru Pathigam are hymns from Thevaram, originally composed by Shaivite saint Thirugnana Sambandar.
The Sengol not only marked India’s Independence, but also marked the birth of the nation as a union of the North and the South.
India News
Differently abled activist slams IndiGo for lack of travel assistance, tweet goes viral
Viral Modi, an activist as well as a motivational speaker faced a distressing situation on an Indigo flight from Delhi to Mumbai. Despite her paralyses from the waist down since 2006 and reliance on a wheelchair, she was left forgotten by the cabin crew after landing. The oversight led to her having to alert the housekeeping staff for assistance to deplane.

Many posts on the internet are witness to the fact that the country has to go a long way to make several public places, transport and other amenities accessible for people with disabilities. A 32-year-old disability rights activist’s recent is one such reminder of the lack of facilities.
Viral Modi, an activist as well as a motivational speaker faced a distressing situation on an Indigo flight from Delhi to Mumbai. Despite her paralyses from the waist down since 2006 and reliance on a wheelchair, she was left forgotten by the cabin crew after landing. The oversight led to her having to alert the housekeeping staff for assistance to deplane. This was followed by a 40 minute wait for an aisle wheelchair after all the passengers had left.
Virali’s said that the call button, which is used to ask for help was out of her reach and despite her prior notification about her need for a wheel chair at the gate, the airline failed to provide one. She added the helper who eventually came to assistant was negligent, pushing the aisle chair despite her stiff legs and failing to ensure her personal wheelchair was brought to the baggage claim area promptly. This resulted in an additional 30 minute delay for Virali while her fellow passengers departed.
The situation took a more personal turn when Virali discovered that the cushion for her wheelchair, which had been made custom made to support her spine and prevent sores during long hours of sitting was missing. This loss was particularly distressing as it occurred shortly after the international day of persons with disabilities on December 3. She highlighted the irony of her experience with the airline.
In response to her public sharing of the incident on X(formerly Twitter), Indigo took steps to rectify the situation. The assured Virali of providing a new customizable cushion tailored to Modi’s specifications and have promised to deliver to her home.
India News
Watch: Man rescues stray dogs stuck in Chennai floods, social media says humanity still alive
In the video two men approach two distressed dogs trapped on the side of a flooded road. The men demonstrate extraordinary kindness as one man carefully picks up each dog and brings them safely to a vehicle.

As the Cyclone Michaung caused devastating floods in Chennai, a video circulating on social media shows the compassion and resilience of individuals during times of crises. The video shows two men courageously rescuing stray dogs stranded from the flood waters.
In the video two men approach two distressed dogs trapped on the side of a flooded road. The men demonstrate extraordinary kindness as one man carefully picks up each dog and brings them safely to a vehicle. The caption to the video says humanity is still alive and thanks the rescue team.
Large number of comments started coming to the social media post. One social media user Vimal saluted the efforts of the two men.
One user Mohammad Riaz said most of the shops in Vadapalani are selling milk and bread at higher prices. He said most of the products being sold have gone past their expiry date. He said when asked for this the shopkeepers started fighting. He asked the authorities to do a check on the shop near mannar 1st street, Kumaran colony etc.
Another user Vinod Jain applauded the effort of the rescuers.
One user Sivagnanam said may god bless the rescuers.
One user Nathan thanked the rescuers for their effort and said they were doing noble work.
One social media user Rishikesh said the work the rescuers were doing was adorable.
One user hoped all the cows were safe in Chennai. Another person Saigal said it was very nice of the rescuers to help these speechless souls.
One user thanked them for their humanitarian work and said the work was priceless.
One social media user Raja V Dalmia said good karma and good deeds will come back in manifold. One user said May God bless their kind soul. One user said he loved what the rescuers were doing and felt they were showing humanity in the worst time.
India News
Kerala doctor commits suicide after boyfriend calls off marriage over dowry
Shahana’s relatives said she had committed suicide after her boyfriend refused to marry her as her family could not fulfil dowry demands. Shahana’s boyfriend’s family demanded a significant dowry in the form of gold, land and a BMW car. When Shahana’s family was unable to fulfill the demands, her boyfriend ended their relationship.

26-year-old in Kerala’s Thiruvanthpuram commited suicide after her boyfriend called off their wedding because her family failed to meet dowry demands. The woman Shahana was a PG student in the surgery department of Thiruvanthpuram Medical College and she found dead in her rented apartment on Tuesday (December 5) morning.
After her death, Shahana’s relatives said she had committed suicide after her boyfriend refused to marry her as her family could not fulfil dowry demands. Shahana’s boyfriend’s family demanded a significant dowry in the form of gold, land and a BMW car. When Shahana’s family was unable to fulfill the demands, her boyfriend ended their relationship.
Shahana’s father who works in the Middle East, died recently. The Medical College Police have registered a case of unnatural death in the matter. The name of the accused is Dr Ruwais and he has been arrested by the Police. The Medical College police took the accused into custody from a relative’s house at Karunagapally on Wednesday night. Kerala Health Minister Veena George ordered the women and child development department to conduct an investigation in the matter, and submit a report on the same.
Ruwais is a native of Shaktikulangara in Kollam. If the accused is convicted, Kerala University of Health Science has the powers to cancel his MBBS degree granted by the University. Kerala women’s commission Chairperson, Sathidevi visited Shahana’s mother at her house on Wednesday. Sathidevi demanded an investigation into the matter and said the women’s commission would seek a report on the action taken by police in the matter.
Shahana’s mother said it was clear that the accused doctor had demanded a dowry from Shahana which ultimately led her to commit suicide. Sathidevi said a case will be registered against the accused under the Prevention of Dowry Act. The accused doctor has been relieved from his duties within the organisation by the Medical PG Doctors Association.
-
India News13 hours ago
Watch: Giriraj Singh says Mamata Banerjee doing thumka at film festival is not appropriate, Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra reacts
-
Food12 hours ago
Watch: Food Vendor makes apple idli, Social media says deadly combination
-
Entertainment11 hours ago
Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone starrer Fighter teaser to drop on December 8
-
Cricket news11 hours ago
ICC unveils new logo for upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies/USA
-
Lifestyle12 hours ago
Armed Forces Flag Day 2023 India: Know history, significance and other details
-
India News14 hours ago
Odisha: Fire breaks out in Jan Shatabdi Express at Cuttack station, no injuries reported
-
India News7 hours ago
Kerala doctor commits suicide after boyfriend calls off marriage over dowry
-
India News6 hours ago
Watch: Man rescues stray dogs stuck in Chennai floods, social media says humanity still alive