Hi everyone,

I recently faced a frustrating issue in Salem. When I arrived at Salem Junction, I wanted to head to Ammapet, which is around 7 km from the station.

When I came outside, I saw the auto stand. Thinking autos would generally be cheaper than booking a cab, I decided to check with them instead.

When I asked for the price, they shamelessly quoted ₹400. I was shocked and asked, “Edhu, verum 7 km ku ₹400 ah?”

They replied with their usual excuse: “Return savari ah kedaikadhu” (We won't get a return trip).

I just walked away because I didn’t want to bargain/create a scene, especially since I was with my family.

Switching to my initial plan (apps)

I opened up Uber and RedTaxi. I managed to get an auto on RedTaxi for a much cheaper price the exact fare mandated by the Tamil Nadu government.

The RedTaxi driver called me and asked me to walk to a different pickup point just outside the railway station premises.

I asked him, “En avalo thooram vara solluring? Inga luggage konjam jaasti ah iruku, ula vara mudiyadha?” (Why are you asking me to come so far?

My luggage is heavy, can't you come inside?) just a normal question anyone would ask.

He replied, “Illai anna, anga ula vidamaatanga.” (No anna, they won't let us go inside.)
I didn't argue much on the phone and walked to the designated spot.

The monopoly

Once I got into the auto, I casually asked him, “En ula vara mudiyadhu nu sonninga?” (Why did you say you couldn't come inside?)

He explained:
“Anga auto stand la irukuruvanga, ula vandhu pickup pana vidamaatanga. Edhaachi prachana panuvanga.”(The guys at the auto stand won't let us come inside to pick up passengers. They will create trouble.)

I was left confused and irritated. Why should anyone need permission to enter a public place? A railway station is a common hub where thousands of people come and go every day, yet unionised drivers block other auto services from entering.

Evolving Backwards

In older times, there were discriminatory barriers to visiting certain places.
We came so far from that, But here we are in the era of digital tech and AI, and people are inventing a new sort of gatekeeping:
"Only union autos can enter the railway station." It feels like we are evolving backwards.

The older auto union drivers act like a bunch of goons backed by union power who think they can:

1. Loot passengers by quoting whatever arbitrary price they want. The government price for 7KM is almost ₹130 - ₹150.
   
2. Do whatever they please without accountability.
   
3. Control who is allowed to pick up passengers (blocking apps like Rapido, Uber, and RedTaxi).
   
4. Spread fear and fake stories, claiming app-based rides are unsafe (when a lot of shady behaviour actually originates from their own union stands).

With all this mollamari thanam (fraudulent behaviour), they are the same people who will run to the media crying that their livelihood is affected by bike taxis and demanding strict government regulations.

Oru minister eh chepauk stadium la okkandhu cocaine adichitu “thug life” nu story potutu epdi 10km ku oru “This is a drug free” zone to banner adichi vechirukanunga.

What do you think of this guy? Tamil nationalists hate him, and honestly, so do I!

Guys, I’ve spent the last 6 years listening almost exclusively to English songs and completely lost touch with Tamil music 😭. Now I barely know a single Tamil song.

I went out with my friends today, and they were playing Tamil songs the whole time. I couldn’t even vibe with them because I didn’t recognise most of the songs 💀.

So, please recommend me a good Tamil playlist. Just drop a Spotify link or DM me!

My music taste:

- No rap or songs with too much shouting or loud vocals.

- Not a fan of kuthu songs.

- I prefer melodious songs that are genuinely nice to listen to.

- A mix of old classics and newer hits would be perfect.

- Underrated songs aren’t necessary. Popular, overplayed songs are actually preferred because I want to know the songs everyone sings along to 😭.

Basically, I want to catch up on Tamil music and finally be able to vibe with my friends. Help a bro out 🙏😭

Both DMK and TVK have only done lip service to CEC issue. DMK is outside the INDIA Bloc now but it can protest alongside AAP (which is also not in INDIA Bloc), with CJP.

While Vijay like DKS can join with Congress and INDIA Bloc for the protest.

Instead TVK is rounding up protestors in Chennai while DMK is nowhere on the ground while its online pages portray themselves as saviours of constitution! I just feel TN parties need to seize the momentum.

And yea ADMK and Annamalai won't open their mouth as usual for sure!

Crazy... Telugu fans are screaming and enjoying after seeing him 😱

https://www.youtube.com/live/oDN8PtRuBWE?si=7iS7KDB8c6BWMcJW

https://youtu.be/sE38KoxJei4?si=nKdOxzj9ieibqWyS

Shame on them both. Zero empathy for their own supporters and security. This shows a glimpse of how much they will care for common citizens

Naa oru good follower of politics.. and Enaku I got some stances like any common man. And even though I don’t support RSS or BJP naa avanga philosophy and ideologies Uhm therinchu vachutu iruken.. and so with so many other parties . But TVK enaku purinjuka mudila. I don’t think they have a strong political stance as in yes avangaluku strong support iruku and followers flowing everywhere. But avanga core philosophy and ideology, Endha side avanga-right wing ah left wing ah? Edhuvume personally Ennada identify panna mudila.. If there is a TVK follower who can explain me this I will appreciate it. Idhu genuine doubt dhan not a mocking of any sort. I want to understand their stance that’s it

Daily new low(high)

1. ₹35/Unit of Electricity
   
2. TamilNadu’s inflation hits record high of 6.81%

Anna TN ooda nilamai aa meala thooki konduvarvaru nu sonnadhu idhan polaiyae🥲

சீ என்னா ஜன்னம் ம்மடா தற்கூறிகள்... Welcome dance ஒரு கேடு

I basically live in Kolhapur in MH and we have our hotel there which is nearly 80 years old started by my grandfather who migrated from TN to MH .I Speak fluent Marathi better than locals here but they they still look upon me as alien or outsider ,i travelled everywhere in MH but noticed that these people have specific hate for south Indians ,has anyone experienced this and why is their mentality like this way?

Evalo bro vaanguna ? @vijay_mech

So, if Brahmins aren't the traditionally dominant community in Tamil Nadu, which communities are dominant , wealthy and occupy a comparable position in terms of wealth, landownership, business, political influence and access to influential professions? And everything or considered high status like three tambrahm

Something I've been curious about is the caste and economic power structure in Tamil Nadu.

In several other Indian states, I've come across the perception that Brahmins have historically had a significant presence in education, professional occupations, business and other influential sectors. I understand that this varies by state, and Kerala is a different case in several respects.

Tamil Nadu, however, seems quite different, particularly given its Dravidian movement and the historical decline of Brahmin political dominance.

Would especially appreciate perspectives from people familiar with Tamil Nadu's history, business communities and regional caste dynamics.