Tamil Nadu CM Vijay hands over 45 kg sandalwood order for Nagore Dargah Kandoori festival
The state government has sanctioned free Jajpokal II Class sandalwood for the historic shrine's annual celebrations on 10 November.
State sanctions sandalwood for Nagore Dargah festival
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has handed over an official Government Order sanctioning the free supply of 45 kg of Jajpokal II Class sandalwood to trustees of the Nagore Dargah for the upcoming Periya Andavar Kandoori festival.
The order was presented at the Secretariat in Chennai to Nagore Dargah managing trustee H. Haja Najeemudeen Sahib and accompanying representatives. The annual festival, scheduled for 10 November, remains a cornerstone of Tamil Nadu's cultural heritage and communal harmony, drawing pilgrims from across the country.
The delegation was joined by Minister for Minorities Welfare A.M. Shahjahan, Minister for Labour Welfare and Skill Development J. Mohamed Farvas, Minister for Forests R.V. Ranjith Kumar, and Tamil Nadu Waqf Board Chairman and Ramanathapuram MP K. Nawas Kani.
Pushing railway development and administrative efficiency
In a busy series of executive engagements at the Secretariat, Chief Minister Vijay also met with Southern Railway General Manager U. Subba Rao to review the status of transport projects across the state. During the meeting, the Chief Minister urged railway authorities to accelerate the execution of pending rail lines and station modernisation, assuring full support from state departments to resolve land coordination and logistical needs.
The proactive push underscores the state's focus on expanding infrastructure, enhancing transit capacity, and supporting economic growth across rural and urban corridors.
A group of eleven Tamil Nadu State Civil Service officers recently elevated to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) also met the Chief Minister. The promoted officers include R. Priya, S. Prasanna Ramasamy, M. Indhumathi, R. Rajakirubakaran, S. Sangeetha, K. Priya, M. Manimegalai, A. Meena Priyadarshini, N. Kalidass, T. Sengottayan, and S. Shanthi.
Strengthening international ties
The Chief Minister further hosted a diplomatic delegation led by the Consul General of Australia in Chennai, Silai Zaki. Joined by Vice Consul Generals Katrina Knapp and Alexander Veneziano alongside Manager V. Karthikeyan, the discussion focused on deepening regional ties and economic cooperation.
| Engagement | Key Figures Present | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Nagore Dargah Sanction | Trustee H. Haja Najeemudeen Sahib, Cabinet Ministers | Free allocation of 45 kg Jajpokal II Class sandalwood |
| Railway Infrastructure Review | Southern Railway GM U. Subba Rao | Accelerating state rail projects with administrative support |
| Diplomatic Courtesy Call | Australian Consul General Silai Zaki | Strengthening bilateral trade and regional engagement |
| Civil Service Elevation | 11 newly appointed IAS officers | Enhancing administrative governance and state delivery |
Through these coordinated administrative steps across social harmony, transport connectivity, and international partnership, the state government continues to drive forward its developmental agenda.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sandalwood allocation | 45 kg Jajpokal II Class | Tamil Nadu Government Order |
| Festival date | 10 November 2026 | Tamil Nadu Government Order |
| Newly appointed IAS officers received | 11 officers | Tamil Nadu official release |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Nagore Dargah | Historic shrine receiving the free sandalwood grant for its Kandoori festival. |
| C. Joseph Vijay | Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who handed over the order and held key administrative meetings. |
