While Vijay has continued his annual tradition of honouring Class 10 and 12 toppers, another event appears to have gone missing from the school education department’s calendar. The function, usually held in August, honours students from government schools who secure admission to premier institutions. More than 1,300 students have made the cut this year, with their fees taken care of, but the celebration is yet to follow. Department sources blame a fund crunch, saying officials have been directed to approach the finance department for approval, which is yet to come through. TVK is now blaming the previous DMK government’s Kalviyil Sirandha Tamil Nadu event, saying it had left little room for another celebration.
Subashini Vijayakumar
Back to square one
Several BJP functionaries in the Coimbatore district, who had crossed over to former state chief K Annamalai’s newly launched outfit, ‘We the Leaders’, after failing to secure posts in the BJP, appear to be having second thoughts. Having joined the new outfit in the hope of landing plum positions, they are now making their way back to their parent party. Sources said their new political home had little to offer beyond social welfare activities, with the promised posts proving elusive. Now, with hopes of striking a better deal in the place that previously displayed an “Error 404”, the functionaries are apparently ready for a homecoming.
R Kirubakaran
Suspended in the air
What began as a flag-hoisting ceremony ended with a suspension order at Salem’s Mahatma Gandhi Stadium. Ahead of a recent state-level athletic competition, Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban was hoisting the national flag when the rope snapped, leaving the Tricolour upside down. The mishap soon went viral, though not for the reasons organisers would have wanted. The Salem chief educational officer subsequently suspended a physical education teacher for negligence of duty. This made the sporting event end with an unexpected finish.
Sneha Sivashanmugam