Madurai influencer flees home as fake COD prank spirals; Thyrocare opens new diagnostic lab
A Madurai Instagram influencer was driven out of his own home after a lighthearted Diwali request for sweets snowballed into a mass prank that sent televisions, fridges and even claimed military hardware to his doorstep via cash-on-delivery orders. While the city processed that viral episode, Thyrocare Technologies launched a new accredited diagnostic laboratory to bring affordable health testing closer to Madurai residents, and the state government responded to public demand by resuming subsidised onion sales at PDS outlets.
🤝 Madurai Influencer Swamped by Fake COD Orders in Diwali Prank Gone Wrong
An Instagram influencer from Madurai, Veeramani, shared his phone number and home address publicly hoping followers would send him Diwali sweets. The gesture backfired when pranksters began placing large numbers of fake cash-on-delivery orders in his name, sending unwanted televisions, refrigerators, washing machines and other household appliances to his door. One television order was reportedly worth Rs 169,000. Social media posts also claimed orders had been placed for a Rs 700 million military tank, an ambulance and a rocket, though Gulf News reported these could not be independently verified. As deliveries continued to pile up, Veeramani took to Instagram to plead with those responsible. "Why are you guys doing this? The delivery boys are coming from long distances. Stop doing this. Fifteen orders came in half an hour, and I don't have money for all of that," he said. He also raised concern for the delivery workers unnecessarily drawn into the situation against their will. Despite his public appeals, the prank did not stop, and Veeramani eventually announced he was leaving town. "I'm going out of town. So many people are after me after people ordered in lakhs. They are scolding me," he said. The incident highlighted the harm fake COD orders can cause to individuals and delivery workers, and the risks of publicly sharing personal contact details online. [9]
🏢 Thyrocare Inaugurates New Accredited Diagnostic Laboratory in Madurai
Thyrocare Technologies Limited has expanded its diagnostic network in Tamil Nadu with the inauguration of a new laboratory in Madurai. The facility was inaugurated by Rahul Guha, Managing Director and CEO of Thyrocare and API Holdings, with the aim of improving access to affordable and standardised diagnostic testing for residents of Madurai and neighbouring regions. The laboratory is equipped to handle both routine and specialised diagnostic tests, supported by trained professionals and Thyrocare's technology-enabled processes. The company stated the expansion is part of a broader strategy to extend its reach beyond major metropolitan markets and bring quality diagnostic services closer to patients. Dr Ramesh Kinha, Chief Operating Officer of Thyrocare, said the new facility would serve Madurai and surrounding areas using standardised processes, technology and quality protocols designed to ensure efficient sample processing and timely reporting of results. All Thyrocare laboratories across India have achieved 100 percent NABL accreditation, underscoring the company's focus on standardised quality. The company said the Madurai laboratory would help reduce dependence on diagnostic services concentrated in larger cities while enabling healthcare partners and patients in the region to access testing closer to their locations. The opening supports growing demand for accessible diagnostics across Tamil Nadu's southern districts and forms part of Thyrocare's continuing push into emerging markets beyond metropolitan India. [7]
🍛 Subsidised Onion Sale Resumes at Madurai PDS Shops at Rs 35 per Kilogram
Subsidised retail sale of onions at Rs 35 per kilogram resumed at Public Distribution System shops in Madurai on Sunday, following strong public demand for the scheme's reinstatement, The New Indian Express reported. The move came after residents had been pressing for the affordable government-rate sale to be restored at the city's distribution outlets. Local resident M Santhanam told the newspaper that the subsidised availability would provide considerable relief to consumers amid rising onion prices in the city's markets. Onions are a staple ingredient across Tamil Nadu households, and elevated market prices for the vegetable can place a noticeable burden on everyday household food budgets. The PDS framework is designed to distribute essential commodities at controlled government rates, providing residents an accessible source for key items when open-market prices climb steeply. The Rs 35 per kilogram subsidised rate offered buyers a more affordable alternative to prevailing retail prices at that time. The resumption of the scheme followed a period when the subsidised sale had not been available at Madurai's PDS outlets, prompting the public call for it to be restarted. The return of the government-priced supply was welcomed by shoppers who had been relying on the distribution points as a more affordable channel for the kitchen staple during the ongoing price rise. [8]
Sources: [9] Gulf News · [7] TradingView · [8] The New Indian Express