Tamil Nadu

Welfare Schemes & School Education

Expansion of Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme:
- Expansion Details: Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the expanded Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme benefiting students of Classes VI to VIII in government and government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu.
- Official Launch Location: Chennai Middle School, Gandhi Gramam, Thiruvanmiyur.
- Outlay & Financial Allocation: Total allocation stands at ₹724 crore (including ₹217.63 crore earmarked for this expansion).
- Execution Framework: Prepared and served by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women in rural areas and adjoining town panchayats.
- Background: Extends the earlier Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme originally launched for Classes I to V.

Underwater Discovery off Poompuhar Coast:
- Discovery: Archaeologists from the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) unearthed a broken piece of a torpedo jar at a depth of 5 metres off the Poompuhar coast (Mayiladuthurai district) during the third phase of underwater exploration.
- Historical Significance: Marks the first time a torpedo jar fragment has been recovered during underwater exploration in Tamil Nadu (previously found on land at Alagankulam, Korkai, and Porpanaikottai).
- Origin & Purpose: Torpedo jars originated in West Asia during the early historic period and were used for transporting liquids such as wine and oil.
- Associated Finds: Exploration team also uncovered four ancient ring wells (60–80 cm diameter) and over 250 ceramic pieces across 2 sq. km.

State Cash Incentive for Asian Games Medallist:
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announced a cash grant of ₹75 lakh for Kamalini (Tamil Nadu cricketer) for winning the gold medal with the Indian women’s cricket team at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

72nd National Film Awards (2024):
- Conferred by: President Droupadi Murmu at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat.
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Awarded to veteran actor Anant Nag for his lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
- Best Feature Film: Article 370 (Hindi).
- Best Actor (Male): Mammootty (Bramayugam – his 4th National Award) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion).
- Best Actor (Female): Yami Gautam (Article 370).
- Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran, Tamil).
- Special Mention: Dhanush (Captain Miller).
- Best Supporting Actress: Sachana Namidass (Maharaja, Tamil) and Ropashree Varkady (Mithya, Kannada).
- Best Music Direction: Shashwat Sachdev (Article 370, songs) and G.V. Prakash Kumar (Amaran, background music).

Women’s Cricket Gold:
- The Indian women’s cricket team defended their title and won the Gold Medal by defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur became the first captain to lead an Asian Games-winning cricket team twice.
Men’s Badminton Milestone:
- Indian Men’s Badminton team assured themselves of an Asian Games medal by defeating Japan 3–0 to reach the semi-finals—marking India’s first back-to-back men’s team medals in 40 years.