NEWSMAKERS OF THE WEEK
TAKING INTOLERANCE TO ANOTHER LEVEL, THE TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT ACTED AGAINST CHENNAIBASED CARTOONIST FOR THE DEPICTION OF CM, A MOVE THAT SEEKS TO ISSUE A GAG ORDER AGAINST ITS CRITICS WHICH IS REMINISCENT TO EMERGENCY DAYS
G. BALAKRISHNA
A Chennai- based cartoonist G. Balakrishnan, 36, alias Bala, was arrested on Sunday by the Tirunelveli police for a cartoon critiquing the state government over the death of a family, who self- immolated at the Tirunelveli collector’s office on October 23 alleging inaction by district authorities over their usury complaint.
T. T. V. DINAKARAN
In what could well be the biggest chain of raids in recent times, the income- tax department on Thursday unleashed a massive army of whopping 1,600 officers to conduct searches in over 180 premises linked to expelled AIADMK leader T. T. V. Dhinakaran and his jailed aunt V. K. Sasikala. The ‘ Operation Clean Money’, which began in the early hours of the day in 122 locations almost simultaneously for unearthing black money and tax evasion, continued till Friday.
KAMAL HAASAN
Ringing in his 63rd birthday in true filmy style, Tamil film icon Kamal Haasan on Tuesday declared that he had already taken the plunge into politics. However, he kept up the suspense on the name of his political party, its agenda, and launch date saying things are being worked out “slowly and steadily”.
STEPHEN HAWKING
British physicist Stephen Hawking has warned that the human race will perish on earth as growing population and massive power consumption would turn the planet into a sizzling fireball in less than 600 years. To ensure the survival of our species for another million years, humans must “boldly go where no one has gone before,” he said. "Our planet will turn into a ball of fire because of our soaring energy consumption."
RANI MARIA VATTALI
Kerala- born nun Rani Maria Vattali, who was stabbed to death in 1995 in Madhya Pradesh, declared ‘ Blessed’, a sacred title in the Roman Catholic church order. Selmy, sister of the slain nun, who along with other family members was present at the ceremony, said she was “overwhelmed” at the declaration.