Chennai, Jan. 12 : A Sri Lankan lawmakers delegation belonging to the Tamil National Alliance Party, on Monday, appealed to the Tamil Nadu and Indian Governments to intervene in the military offensive against the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in the island nation.

The team of five legislators asked the Indian leadership to mediate and save the lives of thousands of innocent Tamils.

"We (are)appealing to chief minister Tamil Nadu and central government, we are expecting to stop the war immediately otherwise our people will die, definitely they will die. So stop the war immediately and take action for peace talks," said Sambandam, a Sri Lankan legislator.

Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu), Jan. 8 : A large number of people converged from different parts of the country at the Ranganatha shrine in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, to celebrate the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival on Wednesday.

Devotees thronged the temple premises to offer obeisance to Lord Vishnu, who is known as Lord Ranganatha in the local parlance here.

Vaishnavism (the worship of Lord Vishnu) culture holds the belief that Vaikunth Dwaram, the gate to Lord''s innner sanctum open on this day.

Legend has it that the Lord opened the gate of Vaikuntam (His abode) for two demons in spite of them being against the Him.

Chennai, Jan. 8 : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said that overseas Indians could take to the world stage some of India’s key concerns such as terrorism, education and trade agenda.

In particular, he said, they could convey the message to their respective countries that India is fully committed to free and fair trade.

Expressing appreciation for diaspora sympathy for the Mumbai terror attacks, he called upon the overseas Indian community to raise its voice against sponsored terrorism, as terrorism ‘diminishes mankind’.

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Chennai, Jan 7 : As a prelude to the 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai, an exhibition portraying the might of the industrial and service sectors in India was inaugurated today by Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Planning, V. Narayanasamy.

Union Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi was also present on the occasion.

The Election Commission has filed a criminal case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi's son M K Stalin after Stalin was shown on the television giving money to the voters during campaigning.

The Election Commission has also given a notice to Jayalalitha's party for the similar action of bribing the voters.

The DMK said that giving money to parents after roadside christening ceremonies is a common practice. To testify its complaint, the opposition AIADMK, televised it as an illegal means being adopted by the ruling DMK to woo voters in Thirumangalam.