Puducherry also known as Pondicherry is a union territory of India. It was formed out of four territories of former French India, namely Pondicherry (now Puducherry), Karikal, Mahé and Yanaon, excluding Chandannagar. It is named after the largest district, Puducherry. Historically known as Pondicherry, the territory changed its official name to Puducherry on 20 September 2006.
The Puducherry region is made of 11 such pockets, some of which are very small and entirely surrounded by the territory of Tamil Nadu. Mahé region is made up of three pockets. This unusual geography is a legacy of the colonial period with Puducherry retaining the borders of former French India.
The most widely spoken first language is Tamil. There are also speakers of Telugu, Malayalam and Urdu. Puducherry is one of the most popular tourist spots in India for national and international tourists. Puducherry was the residence of Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950) and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram still operates from Puducherry.
There are several temples, churches, monuments, parks, and mosques which attract tourists. The potential for fisheries is substantial in the Union Territory. The four regions of the Union Territory have a coastline of 45 km with 675 of inshore waters, 1.347 hectares (3.33 acres) of inland water and 800 ha of brackish water.
A heated political showdown erupted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly after Opposition Leader Udayanidhi Stalin challenged Chief Minister Vijay to open three confidential files mentioned by Finance Minister Mari Wilson, which allegedly contain proof of DMK's financial irregularities. Stalin mocked the Chief Minister for delaying action and questioned if he was waiting for an astrologer's advice, triggering a sharp political debate over the remark. Meanwhile, a fresh face-off escalated between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the Cauvery water-sharing issue. Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar assured Tamil Nadu and Puducherry at the Southern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah that they would receive maximum water through the proposed Mekedatu dam, reserving only five TMC drinking water for Karnataka. However, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran strongly criticized Shivakumar's use of the term cooperation instead of water sharing, while attacking Chief Minister Vijay for remaining silent during the meeting instead of opposing the dam project.
A political confrontation has erupted over the Cauvery water issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu following comments by Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at a southern zonal meeting. Shivakumar stated that Karnataka only needs five TMC of drinking water from the proposed Mekedatu dam and assured that the remaining water would be released to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. DMK criticised Shivakumar for using the term cooperation instead of sharing, accusing him of making it seem like a favour rather than a resolution. DMK also targeted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for remaining silent over the matter. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah advocated for dialogue to resolve inter-state water-sharing disputes.
The Cauvery water sharing dispute has triggered a fresh political row between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu following the Southern Chief Ministers' meeting. The DMK criticised Karnataka leaders over assurances regarding the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir, questioning the use of the term cooperation instead of sharing. Karnataka leaders assured Tamil Nadu and Puducherry that the state requires only five TMC of drinking water and that the remaining stored water from the Mekedatu dam would be released to downstream states. However, political leaders in Tamil Nadu expressed skepticism, arguing that existing water release commitments remain unfulfilled and questioning the necessity of an additional dam. The DMK also questioned opposition silence on the issue and pressed for clarity on water rights. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged dialogue between the southern states to resolve the decades-old stalemate, emphasizing a cooperative approach. Ground reports highlight ongoing concerns regarding monsoon deficits, water release schedules, and the implementation of Cauvery Water Management Authority rulings.
The political row between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the Mekedatu dam project has escalated following a meeting of southern regional representatives. DMK has intensified its criticism regarding Cauvery water sharing, questioning why Karnataka has emphasized cooperation instead of explicitly committing to sharing water resources. Meanwhile, Karnataka representatives assured that except for five TMC reserved for drinking water needs, the remaining water from the proposed Mekedatu dam would be allocated to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The issue is set to be raised prominently in the state assembly as Tamil Nadu continues to express concerns over water rights, while Karnataka maintains that the project will benefit neighboring states.
The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting brought together Chief Ministers and representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep to address critical interstate and centre-state matters. Key discussions revolved around enhancing regional cooperation, developing transport infrastructure, and resolving longstanding interstate disputes. Proposals were introduced for a bullet train corridor connecting Amaravati, Bengaluru, and Chennai, alongside the interlinking of the Godavari and Cauvery rivers to mitigate ongoing water sharing conflicts. The council also deliberated on the Mullaperiyar dam construction, regional port development under Mission Samudra, and the annulment of the Mineral Act Amendment. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding parliamentary delimitation, with calls to implement a one-third reservation for women within the existing parliamentary strength. Interstate water management, particularly concerning the Cauvery and Mullaperiyar dams, remained a central focus as participating states sought long-term cooperative solutions to balance drinking water, agricultural, and industrial needs across the southern region.
In a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Karnataka representative DK Shivakumar raised the long-standing Cauvery water issue, advocating a shift from water sharing to water cooperation based on equity, transparency, and mutual respect while protecting Karnataka's lawful share. Shivakumar emphasized that the proposed Mekedatu project would benefit farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry alongside Karnataka. Reporter Apoorva noted that the proposal comes amid rising tensions between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, where the state government remains firm on constructing the Mekedatu dam for drinking water needs despite ongoing opposition from Tamil Nadu and proceedings before the Supreme Court and Cauvery tribunal.
Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu before heading to Puducherry for official engagements and temple visits, with the timing fuelling speculation over possible NDA outreach as Chief Minister Vijay prepares to meet Tamil Nadu MPs on the contentious delimitation issue.
In Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay’s TVK faces a political standoff as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar demands proof of a 118-seat majority before government formation.
The political crisis in Tamil Nadu intensifies as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar refuses to invite the TVK chief Vijay to form the government without proof of a majority.
Days after Congress severed its long-standing alliance with DMK to extend conditional support to the TVK, the DMK passed a resolution condemning the grand old party for betrayal and said the 'INDIA bloc is gone'.
The big focus of this episode 5 Live is on the political standoff in Tamil Nadu, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has paused the swearing-in of TVK chief Vijay asking to return only after securing signatures of 118 MLAs to prove majority support.
From TVK to AIADMK to LJK, three members of Santiago Martin’s family won Assembly elections across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The BJP secured a historic victory in West Bengal by crossing the two-hundred seat mark, defeating the incumbent Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her own constituency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Delhi on the party's superb performance in assembly elections, said that with a victory in West Bengal, 'lotus' has bloomed from Gangotri to Gangasagar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Delhi dressed in traditional Bengali attire to celebrate the party's historic performance in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry.
In West Bengal, Phase 2 of the assembly elections recorded a 92.10 percent voter turnout, driven by intense political mobilisation and high participation among women voters.
Axis My India exit poll numbers for Assam, Puducherry, Kerala and Tamil Nadu assembly elections are out. According to the Axis My India exit poll, the BJP alliance is set for a hat-trick in Assam.
The Axis My India exit poll predicts a clear victory for the National Democratic Alliance in the Puducherry assembly elections, projecting 16 to 20 seats out of 30 following a 90 percent voter turnout.
West Bengal enters the second and final phase of elections with 142 seats across seven districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, and South 24 Parganas.
This episode of News Today examines the fragility of the US-Iran ceasefire following Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
