- 9 months ago
This special bulletin reports on the onset of 2026 across South India, capturing the vibrant New Year celebrations from Hyderabad to Chennai. The broadcast highlights the festive atmosphere at iconic locations like Charminar and major temples, alongside strict police security measures. Significant political developments are also covered, including a CBI inquiry into a tragic incident involving a political party and the use of artificial intelligence by leaders for greetings. Additionally, the report details a controversy over an art exhibition in Kerala and updates on railway infrastructure projects.
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00:00Deccan Welcomes 2020
00:29From party lights to tempo bells
00:44Southern India's biggest New Year blast
00:55SuperSouth welcomes 2026
01:03Hello, Vanakkam and Namaskara
01:08Welcome to India today on the first day of 2026
01:11This is SoSouth bringing the stories from the states of Tamirnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra and Telangana
01:17And I'm joined by a team of reporters
01:19To begin with Abdul Bashir from Telangana
01:22Happy New Year to you Abdul Bashir
01:24What do you have us for the day?
01:25Wish you the same Pramod
01:32And what we are having is a New Year celebration has begun
01:35And everything is joyful everywhere
01:38The celebrations are continuing
01:39And in this bulletin we'll show you celebrations from Charmanar
01:42Where people gather there joyously and celebrate
01:45Welcoming this day of the New Year
01:47It sure is a lovely place Abdul
01:53And Anaga Keshav
01:55Happy New Year to you
01:56What do you have us for the day?
02:01Thank you Pramod
02:02Happy New Year to you too
02:03And Iniya Puttandir Nalwaltikal
02:05To all our India Today viewers
02:07I'm reporting right now from the iconic
02:10The old and ancient Partha Sarati Goel in Triplicane
02:14A lot of people have come here to celebrate their New Year
02:17And to begin off their January 1st by paying a visit to this temple
02:21So I'm going to be bringing to you visuals of these celebrations happening
02:24But apart from that we also have politics
02:27That's as usual brewing in the state of Tamil Nadu
02:30Given that it is an election bound state
02:32We have political updates and we also have New Year updates
02:37It surely is a politically bound state for the elections
02:41And next is Apooraj Jayashantran
02:44Happy New Year
02:45What do you have us for the day?
02:48Well Happy New Year to you Pramod
02:50And India Today Preksha Kaluku Anandarikhi
02:52Nootana Samvatsara Subha Khanshilu
02:54This is going to be a great year ahead for us
02:57Well we bang off starts with the New Year celebrations at Thirumala
03:02The auspicious day today as well
03:04Thousands and thousands of devotees
03:06Who have gathered there for the New Year celebrations in a grand manner
03:10Thank you team and let's go to Tamil Nadu for the stories now
03:17Well to begin with
03:28Happy New Year to everybody
03:37And this seems to be very pleasantly being celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu
03:41In fact I am standing right now behind me is the worker statue at Marina
03:45And the whole night was celebrated joyously on one end
03:49We had thousands of police deployed across the state to make sure law and orders maintained
03:53And also strict way of maintaining traffic rules
03:56That was on one end
03:57But on the other hand very interesting wishes for New Year from Rajini Khan
04:02From Kamal Hassan
04:03It also took a small twist when actually DMK and AIDMK also decided to go ahead and celebrate New Year in their own political style
04:13And this is what happened
04:16Very interesting way to see the celebrations done by the common people, the actors and then also the netas
04:26Well the common people had the joy to go to temples, to beach and various important locations in the state and celebrated
04:29There we had actors who had very joyously come out
04:31Rajini Khanh every year as per the custom he comes out
04:32He greets the fans meticulously and wishes them a happy new year
04:34But in fact it was very interesting way to see the celebrations done by the common people
04:35Very interesting way to see the celebrations done by the common people, the actors and then also the netas
04:39Well the common people had the joy to go to temples, to beach and various important locations in the state
04:43And celebrated, there we had actors who had very joyously come out, Rajini Khanh every year as per the custom he comes out
04:50He greets the fans meticulously and wishes them a happy new year
04:55But interesting take is how artificial intelligence is once again used by the netas
05:01On one side we have the Chief Minister MK Stalin using the iconic Kamal Hassan song
05:07Edamai Edo Edo and there you could see the Chief Minister wearing glasses and riding a bullet
05:13Kind of going ahead and showcasing the Dravidian model government of his and what kind of success it has brought in
05:21What on the other side you have Edapadi K. Paniswamy
05:24There they are using the background music sport from Simbu's most awaited movie Asuran directed by Vetri Maran
05:31Where it shows the growth of Edapadi K. Paniswamy from a grassroots leader to all the way to become the Chief Minister
05:38With the hope and wish that he also once again becomes the Chief Minister in 2026
05:44Very neatly done using AI
06:01Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
06:31My colleague Anaka Keshav is live with us. Anaka, once again, Happy New Year.
06:44And where are you right now? What seems to be the situation on one side?
06:48We have the public celebrating New Year, but on the other side we can also see Netas using AI for their own celebration and propaganda.
06:54Well, surely it is. In fact, the ADMK has used Danush's movie Asuran in order to target DMK, whereas DMK has used its own ally member Kamal Hazan's movie to depict Stalin going on a two-wheeler and then wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
07:12That seems to be the kind of political barbs that we're looking at the moment.
07:16I am right now reporting from Triplicane, the Parthasarathy Koval, the iconic koval that's located over here.
07:22A lot of devotees have, in fact, come. In fact, right behind me in that frame, you can see the line.
07:27People are making a beeline to get that Prasadam. In fact, the Prasadam in Parthasarathy Koval is very, you know, it's very, very yummy.
07:34It is the first thing to come and get here. Very iconic. It's a very old temple.
07:39Any tourist who comes to Chennai, their visit will be incomplete if they don't pay a visit to one Kapalishwar temple, another one, Parthasarathy temple.
07:48And the third one is the iconic Santom church. All these three places of worship are very, very iconic in the city of Chennai.
07:56And devotees have been thronging in huge numbers to come and get a glimpse of, you know, of Perumal in this particular temple.
08:04That's happening here in the city of Chennai.
08:06Even yesterday, there was huge security promote across the city of Chennai.
08:10I was hearing that over 90,000 police personnel were deployed across the city to ensure that law and order especially is maintained.
08:19Apart from that, there were 30 teams specially deployed to ensure that there was no unnecessary bike racing or bike stunts which happens.
08:27In fact, bike racing is one thing that happens year after year.
08:31Very, very dangerous. That puts the lives of citizens at jeopardy as well as those who are riding the bikes.
08:36So yesterday, when it comes to police security, it was executed pretty well.
08:41There was no untoward incident that has happened, you know, last year that has come to light so far.
08:46It has been a fairly peaceful and happy new year to everyone celebrating new year in Tamil Nadu and in Chennai.
08:56Wonderful to hear, Anaga. Please do stay with us.
08:59Now we have a breaking and we have to move from celebrations to politics.
09:02We have a breaking right now.
09:06Well, Tamil Nadu and Vichy Karagam Lake Netas were summoned by Central Bureau of Investigation on this Karoor unfortunate tragedy that occurred on September where 41 lives were lost.
09:23And now, Adav Arjuna, the senior leader from Tamil Nadu and Vichy Karagam, after being questioned by TBI, he has now spoken.
09:29He says truth should come out and the TBK will definitely fight to bring out the truth.
09:34Here's what Adav said.
10:06I willatured another year.
10:11If I come to a young man, I am going to teach you.
10:13Do you know how to bring your people from here to the government?
10:17Do you know how to bring your people from here?
10:19Do you know how to communicate with me?
10:21This means that we live in a minute to a minute,
10:24but I will cure them in a minute and a minute.
10:26Do you know how to bring your people from here?
10:29My colleague Anagar Keshav is once again live with us.
10:37Anagar, it seems that Husi Anand, Nirmal Kumar and Adav Arjuna were questioned by CBI
10:42on this unfortunate current tragedy where 41 people had died.
10:45And now Adav Arjuna claims that the truth should come out.
10:48What seems to be the questions that were raised in the investigation you have?
10:51What do your sources tell you?
10:52In fact, Pramod, on that fateful day when the tragic stampede incident happened,
11:02it was all these leaders who were summoned today, Adav Arjuna, CT Nirmal Kumar, Husi Anand,
11:06all of them were responsible for the planning and preparation of Vijay's event that happened,
11:11which had a terrible failure which led to 41 lives that were lost.
11:16And therefore, all these people from TVK who were directly responsible in organizing this event
11:21were summoned by the CBI that's interrogating this case in Delhi.
11:26Very critical questions were put forward to all these leaders.
11:29For example, the first question that was put forward was why was Vijay late by so many hours?
11:34When it was promised and when it was told to the media by Husi Anand that Vijay would be there by 12, 12.30,
11:40why did he turn up seven hours late?
11:42Why was the misinformation being given by, you know, by Husi Anand?
11:45What's the reason why there was so much delay?
11:48That was one of the main questions that the CBI has asked all these leaders.
11:52Apart from that, questions such as how many people on behalf of the TVK were put up to ensure
11:58that the people who came to see Vijay were taken care of, were given water supplies and their safety was taken care of.
12:06How many volunteers by TVK was put up was another question that was being asked.
12:11Third question was regarding the preparation, was regarding the number of ambulances that was organized by the TVK.
12:18Why is it that they chose this particular location?
12:20So all these critical questions were put forward by the CBI which are very important
12:25because all these factors are the main reasons which has led to the kind of stampede that we saw
12:30because there were so many thousands of people that thronged to get a glimpse of Vijay.
12:34There was a massive collapse of administration on part of the government.
12:38There was a massive mistake on part of Vijay for turning up seven hours late
12:42when it was promised that he'd be there by 12-12.30, a delay of seven hours.
12:46So since there is mistake on both sides, very critical questions were put forth by the CBI to all these leaders.
12:52And as Adiv Arjuna says that the TVK has given minute by minute updates to the CBI
12:57as to what exactly transpired on that fateful day.
13:00However, the TVK has maintained that the main onus of this lies on part of the government
13:06and this whole thing is a conspiracy is what the TVK has alleged.
13:13Thank you for those updates, Anakha.
13:15The next important story is about what is happening inside Congress and TMK
13:18because earlier there was one particular survey issue and comments about one Congressnetha
13:23which contradicted a data that was given by Kani Mori
13:27and right now it is about the drug menace in the state as the health minister of the state
13:31Master Brahmanian claims that there is no drug menace in the state.
13:34Now, Kathi Chidambaram goes ahead and contradicts it claiming
13:38that this is something DMK has to look into it
13:41and several questions are being asked about what exactly is
13:44why is that the strongest ally of DMK, Netas, are giving a different version
13:49or contradicting the statements of DMK itself.
13:52Here's what Kathi Chidambaram said.
13:53Well, a very important development has occurred in própria
14:12situation.
14:13Well, a very important development has occurred in the state of Tamil Nadu.
14:24As a union minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, who was here for Kasi Tamil Changambam, he went
14:28ahead and said, this actual Thiruparangundram, Deebathim Thun issue is becoming big once again
14:35right now.
14:36As he goes ahead and says, why Tamil Nadu government is not honouring the verdict of
14:40the Madras High Court and why it has turned out to be a political issue, what is wrong
14:45in lighting the Deepam Aoba, Deekathim, Palangundram Hill.
14:48However, for this, Kanemuri immediately went ahead and retaliated, stating that what is
14:54necessary for the state, in fact, the education fund that is supposed to be released through
14:59Samakrasik Shah Abhyan, those things BJP is not bothered about, but everything else.
15:04Here's what Pradhan said.
15:10Categorically given a decisive judgment, late Hindu people, Tamil people can light the lamp.
15:21On a political motivation note, political motivated note, people are opposing, this is unfortunate.
15:27Can you deny the existence of Ramanathaswaram?
15:30Can you deny the existence of Meenakshima, Lahr Shiva from Tamil Nadu?
15:35Can you remove the cultural ethos of Tamil language and Tamil literature?
15:41Can you remove Thirukarul from the society, those who are propagating this kind of theory,
15:48they are fooled, they are misunderstood.
15:52Late Lord Shiva...
15:54Well, there is another bang from the state of Tamil Nadu, as the superstar celebrates New
15:59Year for his fans in his own way.
16:02Just sharing one small video from his amazing movie called As Muthu, a movie that talks about
16:08how a person who was completely born in a different way, is raised as a servant but he
16:14is completely loyal and he works for his honor and fights every other cause.
16:18That is that video Rajini actually shares on X-Tap as a kind of message and celebration for 2026.
16:25Here's the video.
16:27How?
16:33How?
16:36How?
16:44How?
16:49Well, that's a simple but subtle message
17:02where Rajnikanth the superstar says
17:03we don't worry about the route
17:05just put the burden on God
17:07and keep going and everything will be fine
17:09that seems to be the message
17:10Rajnikanth is giving to his fans
17:11and for more stories from the state of Telangana
17:13let's go to Abdul Bashir
17:19Well, today is the first day of 2026
17:39and the celebrations in Hyderabad
17:40have gone well and peaceful
17:42incident-free celebrations
17:43with people cooperating with the authorities
17:45that authorities were urging
17:47for the past two, three days
17:48now all the areas and junctions
17:50have seen peaceful celebrations
17:52in Hyderabad
17:53we are right now in the iconic Charminar here
17:55where you can see thousands of people
17:57have thronged in just for celebrating
17:59the New Year's Eve
18:00as you can see along tourists
18:02to regular people here
18:04have come in just to celebrate
18:06the first day of this year
18:07at this iconic Charminar
18:09so several other places
18:11the historic places or tourist places
18:12have seen record-breaking visitors
18:15like the Nehru's zoological park here in Hyderabad
18:18they have seen one like visitors
18:19for just three days from Christmas
18:22till 28th of December
18:24and now we see Charminar is seeing
18:25an historic inflow of tourists and residents here
18:29just to celebrate the New Year's Eve
18:31we are joined by several people here
18:33who are right now
18:34you know tourists here who are celebrating
18:36hi ma'am how are you doing today?
18:37Very well thank you very much
18:38How was the New Year going?
18:39Well we had a very jolly New Year
18:41we danced and we drank
18:43and we ate lots of lovely food
18:44and now this morning
18:45in spite of a little headache
18:46we're enjoying Hyderabad
18:47it's a fantastic place
18:48How are you feeling here in India?
18:49Oh fantastic
18:50we had a very exciting tuk tuk ride
18:52from our hotel
18:53that was quite our first city this year
18:55so it was a big introduction
18:57to the lovely vibrant place
19:00that is India
19:00we love it
19:01How are you feeling today?
19:02I'm all right actually
19:03How is the New Year going?
19:05What is your resolution for this year?
19:06Just to stay happy
19:08and help other people be happy
19:10You can see the colours here
19:13in Hyderabad city
19:14Sir, you have come here
19:15and tell me exactly
19:17how is your new day going?
19:19It's very good
19:21It's a four-year-old
19:22in Hyderabad
19:23people are coming here
19:24and they are coming here
19:25and they are coming here
19:26and they are coming here
19:27from other states
19:28and from other countries
19:29and they are coming here
19:30and they are coming here
19:31with a 2026 celebration
19:32and it's a very happy
19:33So this is the celebration
19:35and the inflow of people here
19:37in historic places
19:38especially Charmanar
19:39iconic place
19:39here we can see
19:41in the city of Hyderabad
19:43Moving on to Andhra Pradesh
19:44my colleague Apoorva Jai Chandra
19:46will take us through
19:47Over to you Apoorva
19:55Well, thank you Abdul
19:57It's a new day
19:58and a new year
19:59for the entire country
20:02as well as the world
20:03as well
20:04You know, like I said earlier
20:05for India Today's viewers
20:07India Today Preakshilu
20:09ka Andhra ki
20:09Nutanatham Vatsara Shubha Kanshulu
20:11It's going to be a great year ahead
20:13for all of us
20:14Starting off with the auspicious day today
20:18is thousands and thousands of devotees
20:20who thronged to Tirmala
20:22earlier this morning
20:23to have a wonderful darshan there
20:26in Tirmala Thirupati Devastanams
20:28There have been all arrangements
20:29that have been set
20:30especially ahead of
20:33the New Year celebrations
20:34as well in the state
20:35Andhra Pradesh
20:36has been gearing up
20:38for the New Year celebrations
20:40at Tirmala this year as well
20:42and the TTD has maintained
20:43all sorts of rules and regulations
20:45to ensure that devotees
20:46who come from near and far
20:48will be able to have a peaceful
20:50and wonderful darshan here as well
20:53Thousands of devotees
20:54thronged to Tirmala
20:55later last night
20:57and in a peaceful darshan
20:59earlier this morning as well
21:01happy devotees had gone ahead
21:03and also spoken to several people
21:07as well regarding their darshan
21:09that took place at Tirmala as well
21:11Not only that
21:11in across Andhra Pradesh
21:13even as Bandobas was
21:15in several areas
21:16in a stringent manner
21:18all the people
21:19were law-abiding citizens
21:21with ensuring that
21:22there is absolutely less chaos
21:25that is taking place there
21:27and the rules and regulations
21:28that have been put forth
21:29by Andhra Pradesh Police
21:30have been followed to the T
21:32No loud noise or music
21:34that was being played
21:35No kind of any drunken
21:38disorderly that had incidents
21:40that have been reported so far
21:42and it looks like
21:43it's been a very peaceful
21:45and a happy New Year
21:46that has been brought in
21:48from the state of Andhra Pradesh
21:49Well that's all from Andhra Pradesh
21:51wishing you all once again
21:53a very happy New Year
21:54moving on to my colleague
21:56Shibi from Kerala
21:57Thank you Apoorva
22:10Well Kerala celebrated New Year
22:12in all grandeur
22:13as yesterday night
22:15we witnessed exciting scenes
22:17across the state of Kerala
22:18thousands of devotees
22:20were seen visiting
22:21Shabarimala Temple
22:22yesterday and today morning
22:24unprecedented crowd
22:25is what we are understanding
22:26at the Shabarimala Temple
22:28located in Patranthita district
22:29on the New Year's Eve
22:30and also today morning
22:32in Fort Kochi
22:34a massive Santa Claus effigy
22:36was burned
22:36as part of New Year's celebration
22:38now that's a celebration
22:39that's a tradition
22:39that they host there
22:40every year for New Year's
22:42at sharp 12 am
22:43a massive effigy
22:45of Santa Claus is burned
22:46in Tiruvannathapuram also
22:47especially in areas
22:48like Kovalam
22:49Varkala
22:50which are tourist destinations
22:52celebrations
22:53similar celebrations
22:54erupted with tourists
22:56and also the locals
22:57coming out
22:57and celebrating New Year
22:59in all its grandeur
23:00Well Prime Minister
23:16Narendra Modi
23:16has returned
23:17to the newly elected mayor
23:19of Tiruvannathapuram Corporation
23:21V.V. Rajesh
23:21V.V. Rajesh is the first BJP mayor
23:24from the state of Kerala
23:25Prime Minister
23:26in a very long letter
23:27has congratulated
23:29V.V. Rajesh
23:29the BJP workers
23:31the BJP leadership
23:32and also the deputy mayor
23:33G.S. Ashanath
23:34in his letter
23:35he talks about
23:36the LDF and UDF
23:38saying that
23:38it's a very iconic moment
23:40for the BJP
23:42in the state of Kerala
23:43as it's a long term effort
23:45that's finally resulted
23:46in this victory
23:47he also exposes
23:48and mentions about
23:49the left
23:50and the UDF
23:51saying that
23:51in Kerala
23:53they're rivals
23:53but outside Kerala
23:55they're friends
23:56so they're in an alliance
23:57so this is
23:57something the Prime Minister
24:01has mentioned earlier
24:02also especially
24:02during elections
24:03how the Congress
24:05and the CPIM
24:06are rivals
24:06inside the state
24:07but outside
24:08they're part of
24:09the same alliance
24:10so he speaks about that
24:11and he says that
24:12there is a shift
24:13in the voting pattern
24:14and the choice
24:15of people in Kerala
24:16especially of youngsters
24:17and women
24:18as they're drawn
24:19to BJP's
24:19politics rooted
24:21in nationalism
24:21he also speaks about
24:23the sacrifices
24:23of the BJP
24:25Karikarta
24:26saying that
24:27many of them
24:27have lost their lives
24:28it's a politics
24:29dominated by
24:30the CPIM-led LDF
24:31and the Congress-led UDF
24:32and over the years
24:33it's the effort
24:34of the party workers
24:36that has finally
24:38resulted
24:39in this election victory
24:40is what
24:41Prime Minister says
24:42he also says
24:43that Tiruvannathapuram
24:44is very special
24:44he has very fond memories
24:46of visiting the city
24:47and now it's become
24:48extra special
24:49as it's been ruled
24:50and governed
24:51by the BJP
24:52by the BJP
24:54in fact he also
24:54speaks about
24:55the teachings
24:56of social reformers
24:58like Srinathar Anaguru
24:59Ayankali
25:00and all the others
25:01who have contributed
25:02to the growth of Kerala
25:03he also mentions
25:04that let this be
25:05a new rise
25:06for the state of Kerala
25:09and for BJP
25:10in the state of Kerala
25:11well we have a controversy
25:28erupting in Kochi
25:30as part of the art exhibition
25:31called Binale
25:32where a painting
25:33is now facing backlash
25:35from the Christian groups
25:36across the state
25:37in fact the painting
25:38is what the Christian groups
25:40are alleging
25:40is that the painting
25:41is similar to the
25:42iconic Last Supper
25:43of Jesus Christ
25:44and what the Christian groups
25:46are saying is that
25:47the painting
25:48that was exhibited there
25:49has heard the religious
25:51sentiments of Christians
25:52the painting shows
25:54a naked woman
25:55in between
25:55in place of Jesus Christ
25:57and nuns
25:58sitting around her
26:00and what the Christian groups
26:02are saying is that
26:03this is like insulting
26:04the Christian faith
26:05because Last Supper
26:06holds iconic importance
26:07in the lives of Christians
26:09so this is like insulting
26:11their faith
26:12and their belief
26:13is what the Christian groups
26:14have said
26:14they have also
26:16the Latin Catholic Association
26:18as well as the
26:18Sino Malabar Church
26:19has said that
26:20as much as we agree
26:21that there should be
26:22artistic freedom
26:23but that should not be
26:24at the cost of
26:25religious sentiments
26:26they have also said
26:27that the painting
26:29should be withdrawn
26:29in 24 hours
26:30or else they will
26:31carry out protest
26:32across the state
26:33in fact
26:34following this protest
26:35and also in the background
26:36of the New Year celebrations
26:38scheduled in Fort Kochi
26:39the Benale's venue
26:40was shut down
26:41and the Benale authorities
26:42said that
26:43they did not want to
26:44create an issue
26:45especially in the background
26:46of New Year
26:47and that's why
26:47the venue was shut
26:48meanwhile the painter
26:49Tom Battakudi
26:50who is a Kerala based artist
26:52has said that
26:52there was no intention
26:53to hurt any religious faith
26:55he also says that
26:56this has nothing to do
26:57with the Last Supper
26:58but this was an inspiration
27:00from a play
27:00that play is what he has said
27:02the Lord
27:04in the background
27:06this� the great
27:09the church
27:10was a Christian
27:11in the background
27:11of his work
27:12the church
27:13has come to
27:14the next
27:14of the Church
27:15the church
27:16here
27:17in the background
27:17the church
27:18is
27:19the church
27:20in the background
27:21the church
27:22is a church
27:24the church
27:25is
27:26the church
27:26is
27:27the church
27:27that
27:28is
27:30Well, major controversy erupting there.
27:58We saw protests being taken out by the Congress workers.
28:05Congress workers had marched to the venue and protested against saying that the painting should be removed because it affects the Christian faith and the Christian beliefs.
28:13In fact, like I mentioned, the Last Supper, the event holds significance for the Christians across the world and we have seen iconic paintings of the Last Supper also.
28:23So that same replica is being implemented here is what the Christian groups of LH said that if the painting is not removed, they're going to protest and that protest will not be acceptable for the organizers.
28:38The organizers have also cooperated with the protesters saying that, you know, we don't want to create an issue there and that's why we're shutting down the venue.
28:46All the venues of the Benale have been shut down yesterday owing to New Year celebrations.
28:51The Benale authorities have said that they will reopen the venues on January 2nd, that's tomorrow, as it's one of the iconic events that takes place.
28:59It's one of the largest art exhibitions that takes place in the country.
29:02And also, the Christian groups have also filed a complaint with the police regarding this painting.
29:07But the painter here has reiterated that he was born and brought up in a Christian family and he's somebody who views Jesus Christ beyond the long beard.
29:18And this is just an individual's perspective that should be respected.
29:22Well, that's all we have from the Kerala segment over to my colleague, Pramod.
29:33A very interesting breaking.
29:35Thank you, Shubhi.
29:36And we have a breaking now.
29:44Well, ahead of the elections in West Bengal, now the Prime Minister has seemed to have given a gift.
29:49This also, it looks like a New Year and a wonderful gift as the most awaited Vande Bharat sleeper train will initiate its life drive from Kolkata, almost completing 180.
30:02It has reached 180 km speed from Gauhati to Kolkata.
30:06Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate it soon.
30:08The announcement was made by Railway Ministry, Ashmini Vaishnaw.
30:12Recently, Indian Railway successfully completed the final high-speed trial of the Indy generally developed Vande Bharat sleeper train.
30:19The trail was conducted on the Kolkata Nagda section where the train achieved a speed of 180 km per hour.
30:28The trial was carried out under the supervision of the Commissioner of Safety.
30:32And it is very important because even us, India today, did a very exclusive story on this sleeper coach.
30:39And it looks like we are going to get it soon.
30:41Well, that's all from the SoSouth team.
30:43Thank you, Arnaga, Apoorwa, Abdul Bashir and Shibi.
30:47Thank you for watching SoSouth.
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