Anti-NEET Battle Continues in Chennai Even as City Swelters at 39°C and Regal Jewellers Debuts
Even as Left-affiliated student groups stood down their week-long anti-NEET protest in Chennai following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Anitha's brother Manirathinam addressed reporters at the Chennai Press Club on July 26 to declare that the campaign will not end until NEET is fully abolished and called on the State government to designate a public space for sustained demonstrations. Chennai itself sizzled at close to 39 degrees Celsius at both Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam on Monday, with the meteorological department forecasting thunderstorms across Tamil Nadu and heavy rain over ghat districts toward the end of the week. Retail news also commanded attention as actor Vijay Sethupathi and Simran led the Tamil Nadu debut of Regal Jewellers, which opened a flagship store in Chennai offering jewellery purchased directly from the manufacturer at wholesale pricing.
🎓 Anti-NEET Agitation Pledges to Continue After Union Education Minister's Resignation
Even as Left-linked student organisations in Chennai concluded their week-long demonstration against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the broader campaign against NEET in Tamil Nadu showed no sign of coming to an end. Anitha's brother Manirathinam, speaking to reporters at the Chennai Press Club on July 26, stated that the agitation would persist until the medical entrance examination is completely scrapped, framing the minister's departure as insufficient reason to wind down the movement. Manirathinam's remarks underscored the emotional resonance that the anti-NEET cause continues to carry in Tamil Nadu, where the examination has been at the centre of a protracted debate over educational equity and student welfare. He also called upon the State government to allot a designated public space in Chennai specifically for a sustained anti-NEET protest, signalling a desire to institutionalise the agitation rather than allow it to lapse. The call to continue the fight illustrated how the resignation of the Union Education Minister, while prompting some student groups to step back from active protest, did not satisfy those who view the scrapping of NEET itself as the only acceptable outcome. The incident reflects the continuing salience of the NEET debate within Tamil Nadu's political and civil society landscape and the determination of families like Anitha's to keep pressure on authorities. [4]
🤝 Chennai Hits Near-39°C Heat on Monday as Thunderstorms Forecast for Tamil Nadu and Ghat Districts
Chennai endured another intense day of heat on Monday, with maximum temperatures reaching close to 39 degrees Celsius at both the Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam weather monitoring stations, according to a report published by the New Indian Express. The city's residents found brief relief when light showers arrived over parts of Chennai during the evening, temporarily easing conditions that had made the day particularly harsh for those outdoors. Beyond the city, the Tamil Nadu meteorological department issued forecasts pointing to significant weather changes across the state. The department predicted thunderstorms across Tamil Nadu and projected heavy rainfall specifically over the ghat districts — particularly the Western Ghats region — towards the latter part of the week. This combination of sustained urban heat and anticipated heavy rains in the adjoining hill areas reflects the layered and sometimes contrasting weather dynamics that Tamil Nadu experiences during the monsoon period. The juxtaposition of a scorching city and rain-bound highlands within the same state and within the same week is a pattern familiar to the region. Residents of Chennai were effectively navigating a dual weather outlook — continuing to manage heat conditions in the city while keeping an eye on the potential impact of the incoming storms, particularly for those with connections to or travel plans in the ghat districts. [2]
🏢 Vijay Sethupathi and Simran Lead Regal Jewellers' Tamil Nadu Debut at Chennai Flagship Store
Regal Jewellers marked its Tamil Nadu debut with the launch of a flagship store in Chennai, with the occasion fronted by prominent film personalities Vijay Sethupathi and Simran, according to a report published by Republic World. The brand's expansion into Tamil Nadu represents its entry into one of India's significant jewellery retail markets, and the choice of two widely recognised figures from Tamil cinema served to anchor the launch within the cultural landscape of the region. Central to the brand's offer for its Tamil Nadu entry is a model that allows customers to purchase jewellery directly from the manufacturer, with wholesale pricing positioned as a meaningful differentiation in a competitive retail environment. The brand described this direct-from-manufacturer approach as introducing a meaningful shift in the jewellery buying experience for consumers in Tamil Nadu, moving away from traditional multi-layer retail pricing. The Chennai flagship store represents Regal Jewellers' first footprint in Tamil Nadu, positioning the brand for potential further growth across the state. The involvement of Vijay Sethupathi and Simran, both of whom command strong audience loyalty across Tamil-language cinema, gave the launch a high-profile character suited to the brand's intent to establish immediate recognition in a new regional market. The store launch was reported on July 27, 2026. [5]
Sources: [4] DT Next · [2] The New Indian Express · [5] Republic World