Balakumar Kuppuswamy

contributormynation+balakumar@gmail.com

Balakumar Kuppuswamy

contributormynation+balakumar@gmail.com

Is everything alright between AIADMK & BJP?

What lies in the road to Tamil Nadu by-election for AIADMK, BJP?

Oct 3, 2019, 5:35 PM IST

Within TN BJP, there are a few who feel that the party is better off without the AIADMK as the omissions and commissions of the ruling dispensation in the state is being unfairly tainted on it (BJP).

Climate Change: Greta Thunberg and the sobering paradox

Oct 1, 2019, 6:21 PM IST

The 16-year-old Swedish girl, with her no-nonsense approach and remarkable sangfroid in the face of extreme pressure, has stirred up the emotions of the world one way or the other.

No real point to #GoBackModi Twitter campaign

Sep 30, 2019, 5:45 PM IST

Tamil Nadu politicos encourage youth in the state to be insular and xenophobic and to think that the rest of the world is against them. This has caused them to hate without just reason as can be seen in the recent #GoBackModi Twitter campaign

Impersonation in NEET: How venal students and parents subverted the system

Sep 26, 2019, 7:50 PM IST

With NEET being the single-window process for medical college admission, it was expected to bring down the malpractices and the rampant capitation fee system, but a few students and parents have managed to pull strings and take advantage of a few loopholes.

Anna University in Tamil Nadu: What’s wrong in teaching Bhagavad Gita?

Sep 25, 2019, 6:48 PM IST

Why should Bhagavad Gita not be part of the curriculum in Anna University, Tamil Nadu, for those choosing to study philosophy? Bhagavad Gita is less a Hindu religious book but more an eloquent document on dealing with existential crisis in life.

Is Tamil superstar Vijay using films for his political launch or politics for his movies?

Sep 23, 2019, 4:04 PM IST

In a state where films and politics go hand in hand, is Tamil superstar Vijay using political statements during audio launch to promote films? Fans are wondering if Vijay is waiting for the sound of Bigil (whistle) to run into the political corridors of Tamil Nadu.

Hindi imposition row: The tactical nous and political smarts of Amit Shah

Sep 19, 2019, 6:56 PM IST

Amit Shah is known to be a rabble-rouser and makes headlines when he speaks. However, one clarification was enough to subdue a few protesters, leading one to believe that the home minister knows how to play it smart

One nation, one language: At 70, DMK fights for relevance

Sep 17, 2019, 8:59 PM IST

The DMK which was started on September 17, 1949 , celebrates 70 years of its existence at a time when it is battling for relevance in Tamil Nadu. The party, however, has caught a lucky break in Amit Shah’s idea of one nation, one language that gives it an issue it can fight for in the state

MeToo Movement reverse effect Tamil Nadu Vairamuthu continues business as usual

MeToo Movement’s reverse effect in Tamil Nadu: Vairamuthu continues with business as usual

Sep 14, 2019, 6:19 PM IST

The MeToo Movement seems to have had little to no effect on alleged perpetrators in Tamil Nadu. While Vairamuthu continues to work with biggies in the industry, actor Arjun, singer Karthik, director Susi Ganesan, who all face charges of sexual misconduct, have not had to face any serious repercussions for their alleged moral turpitude

Ban the Banner: Cutout culture was pioneered in Tamil Nadu due to film-politics nexus

Sep 14, 2019, 5:38 PM IST

The death of a techie, who came under the wheels of a lorry after a banner fell on her, has shaken Tamil Nadu, throwing light on the cutout culture that found its roots in the film-politics nexus of the state

BJP's Southern challenge calls for shift in strategy

Sep 11, 2019, 4:32 PM IST

According to sources the prime focus of the BJP now is Tamil Nadu and Kerala, whose State Assemblies are due for elections in 2021, which is just a year and a half away.

Nanguneri by-election: DMK and Congress on collision course

Sep 9, 2019, 8:04 PM IST

The DMK and Congress are fighting it over the Nanguneri by-election. The by-election is necessitated because the sitting MLA, H Vasanthakumar of the Congress has resigned after he was elected as the MP from Kanyakumari constituency.

In Tamil Nadu, it ain't rationalism, it is bigotry!

Sep 3, 2019, 7:33 PM IST

The focus is now firmly on the "rationalists" in Tamil Nadu, whose principle is just a smoke-screen for their bigotry for Hindus and Hinduism

It's all out war and no peace in Indian journalism

Aug 31, 2019, 5:31 PM IST

Bombay high Court judge had taken exception to the presence of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace in the house of activist Vernon Gonsalves arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case. However, the book that the judge queried about was not the venerable Russian writer's classic, but totally another book --- War and Peace in Junglemahal: People, State and Maoists by Biswajit Roy.

Andhra Pradesh: 1 state, 4 capitals, 5 deputy CMs, zero governance

Aug 28, 2019, 7:47 PM IST

The news is Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy wants four capitals for the state. If one were to go by the words of Rajya Sabha member TG Venkatesh (BJP), Jagan has put forth a plan to develop capitals in four different regions in a bid to ensure there is all-round development.

Overseas travel tales: The intriguing story of Tamil Nadu chief ministers and foreign trips

Aug 27, 2019, 7:11 PM IST

From allegations of making official foreign trips for personal reasons to astrologer’s advice against going overseas, Tamil Nadu chief ministers have found it difficult to make the choice to travel abroad.

Feel-good story in Indian sports: Rise of Tamil Nadu paceman Ganesan Periyasamy

Aug 26, 2019, 5:25 PM IST

The 25-year-old pace bowler Ganesan Periyasamy, who has been compared to Lasith Malinga is also called "Slinger from Salem"

LeT ultras on prowl in Kovai; exposes Tamil Nadu's vulnerability

Aug 23, 2019, 1:35 PM IST

According to an Intel report, an alert has been issued in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore after six LeT terrorists have been suspected to have entered Tamil Nadu through Sri Lanka. Is Tamil Nadu turning out to be the next potential target of terrorists, especially in the aftermath of the sinister Easter blasts in the neighbouring country?

How the Chidambarams' clout increased over the years

Aug 22, 2019, 5:53 PM IST

The father-son duo of Chidambaram and his son Karti have only grown in their infallibility and their influence in the society.

Imran Khan, what was unleashed on Kashmiri Pandits was genocide!

Aug 20, 2019, 7:55 PM IST

Not many people in the country seem to realise or recall the events of those days when Jihadist forces, with the active connivance of Pakistan, and also sly support from the locals, went about eliminating the Kashmiri Pandits from the state.

Can BJP count on Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu to conquer the south state?

Aug 19, 2019, 8:12 PM IST

In Tamil Nadu, the BJP is clearly perceived as a North Indian Hindu party, and there is a groundswell of opposition to it. The party needs a strong force with mass appeal and that comes in the form of Rajinikanth. But will the actor join forces with the saffron party? Both have a lot to lose, but a lot to gain

Sridevi's birth anniversary: Actress pairings with Kamal, Rajini were a Mayilstone

Sridevi’s birth anniversary: Actress’s pairings with Kamal, Rajini were a ‘Mayilstone’

Aug 13, 2019, 8:35 PM IST

On Sridevi's 56th birth anniversary today, we take a look at her most iconic screen partnerships with Rajini and Kamal.

Kerala floods: It was a disaster waiting to happen

Aug 12, 2019, 6:12 PM IST

Though last year the Southern districts of Kerala faced the brunt of nature's fury, this time around it is the northern parts of the state which are at the receiving end of the monsoon onslaught.

Vellore victory does not come without warning for DMK

Aug 9, 2019, 8:24 PM IST

Though DMK’s victory in Vellore seemed to further stamp authority in Lok Sabha elections held in Tamil Nadu, the win margin compared to that of other constituencies won in April serves a warning sign for the MK Stalin-led party

Karunanidhi death anniversary: A year on, DMK misses a strong leader

Aug 7, 2019, 5:34 PM IST

M Karunanidhi, the patriarch of the DMK who passed away exactly a year ago was known for his patience and perseverance in his long, chequered political career. The party, due to Stalin’s reactive approach, seems to be void of a strong leader

National Medical Commission Bill: Here’s why 'Barefoot Doctors' idea is worth replicating

Aug 5, 2019, 6:09 PM IST

The eventual phrasing seems to have dropped the reference to the bridge course, but the Bill does talk of enhanced interaction between different systems of medicine. Also, the bill also provides for “Community Health Providers” who will be allowed to practice at middle level.

Why Bollywood is unable to make 'Dalit movies'?

Aug 1, 2019, 3:21 PM IST

Bollywood is unable to make Dalit movies because of the dearth of diversity in its ranks. Unless Bollywood cedes spaces to diverse voices, especially from the oppressed and most backward classes, it will continue to be seen as a film industry that mostly churns out mindless entertainers bereft of heart, soul and authentic experience.

Vellore election Why DMK keeping Kanimozhi away from campaign

Vellore election: Why is DMK keeping Kanimozhi away from campaign?

Jul 30, 2019, 5:09 PM IST

With the Vellore constituency becoming a sought-after seat for both the AIADMK and DMK, one would expect that the MK Stalin-led party would put Kanimozhi at the forefront of its election campaign, but strangely enough, she seems to have been kept out of the picture