States » South


DMK’s counter to Sahitya Akademi: Stalin announces annual National Award for best literary works in Indian languages

Chennai, Jan 18 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday announced that from this year onwards, the state government will institute annual awards named ‘Classical Literary Award’, for best literary works in Indian languages as a counter to the Sahitya Akademi award of the Centre, breaking the image that the DMK is wedded to Tamil chauvinism.
The award will carry a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh with the Tamil Nadu government being the patron.
“I am very happy to announce the annual national awards, Classical Literary Award’, of the Tamil Nadu government for best literary works in Indian languages. In the first phase, the awards with a cash component of Rs 5 lakh each would be given to Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya and Marathi", he said.
More News

BCs secure over 61 pc seats in municipal polls, shows rising awareness: BC Commission

18 Feb 2026 | 2:35 PM

Hyderabad, Feb 18 (UNI) Telangana Backward Classes Commission Chairman G Niranjan and Commission members Rapolu Jayaprakash, Tirumalagiri Surender and Balalakshmi Rangu on Wednesday expressed happiness over the strong performance of Backward Classes (BCs) in the recently held municipal elections in the State, where BC candidates secured over 61 per cent of the total seats.

see more..

IN-SPACe announces grant scheme to accelerate AI driven innovation in space sector

18 Feb 2026 | 2:09 PM

Chennai, Feb 18 (UNI) The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) on Wednesday announced the launch of the AI INSPIRED Opportunities in Space Sector programme, a new call for proposals under its INSPIRED initiative, during the India AI Impact Summit held in Delhi.
The programme is aimed at accelerating artificial intelligence driven innovation across India’s private space ecosystem through targeted financial and institutional support. The funding support will be provided as grant in aid under the IN-SPACe Seed Fund Scheme.

see more..

Stalin pitches for more autonomy to States, tables high level committee's Part-1 report on Centre-State ties in Assembly

18 Feb 2026 | 2:08 PM

Chennai, Feb 18 (UNI) Strongly pitching for its longstanding demand for more autonomy to states and
federalism, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin on Wednesday said his government
has finally belled the cat and demanded Constitutional amendments vesting more powers with the states.

see more..

Kotak Alts invests INR 400 Mn in Zeroharm Sciences

18 Feb 2026 | 2:07 PM

Hyderabad, Feb 18 (UNI) Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited (“Kotak Alts”), through its Kotak Life Sciences Fund I (KLSF-I), which invests in early to growth stage life sciences and healthcare businesses, has made an investment of INR 400 Mn in Zeroharm Sciences.

see more..

Parle Agro launches Smoodh Kesar Badam

18 Feb 2026 | 2:01 PM

Hyderabad, Feb 18 (UNI) Parle Agro, the largest Indian beverage company known for driving innovation in the Indian beverage market, on Wednesday announced the launch of Smoodh Kesar Badam, the newest addition to its flagship dairy beverage brand, Smoodh.

see more..