Five must-read stories—December 6

All eyes on Chinamma, the junior mother

In the Tansi land acquisition case that unseated Jayalalithaa as chief minister for a while in 2001, she and Sasikala had been co-accused as they were business partners. The huge Kodanadu estate, where Jayalalithaa used to holiday regularly, had been bought in both their names. Jayalalithaa twice reluctantly threw out her friend: when the party split in 1996 because of Sasikala's power-mongering, and in 2011 when she got fed up with the Sasikala clan's exploitation of their power. Each time she gave in within months or weeks and took her back. Sasikala's stranglehold on Jayalalithaa's mind as well as her home, party and government remained unshakeable. In The Telegraph.

Tamil Nadu among top five states

Tamil Nadu now has India’s lowest fertility rate–lower than Australia, Finland and Belgium–second best infant mortality and maternal mortality rate; records among the lowest crime rates against women and children; and has more factories and provides more industrial employment than any other Indian state. On IndiaSpend.com.

When Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi posed together

There is a picture of Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi that started doing the rounds on social media on the day Jayalalithaa was acquitted by the Karnataka High Court. Where was this picture taken? There have not been too many occasions when the arch rivals have posed for a picture together, even at a time that they were not political enemies. We asked quite a few people about the picture. The picture it seems was taken after Jayalalithaa first presented her dance-drama 'Kaveri Thantha Kalaichelvi' (The Artistic Daughter Bequeathed by the Cauvery). The show took place either in 1965 or 1967. It was a government function for which Jayalalithaa was invited to perform for remuneration. The dance-drama was a great success and she performed it again in 1981. On TheNewsMinute.com.

Former army chief’s report card Army@70

The Kargil war made me realise the importance of being self-reliant in arms and equipment. During that war, every country that we approached, either refused or took us for a ride by trying to sell their old weapons, ammunition and equipment at a high price. That situation is not very different today. We also carry the dubious distinction of being world's largest importer of defence equipment. Despite the latest changes in FDI, defence purchase norms and the PM's push on “Make in India”, it will take 20-25 years to make up deficiencies in our arms and equipment. This delay is unacceptable. In The Tribune.

Cash crunch hits Telugu films

Most distributors used to pay 70% of the money in the form of unaccounted cash. After demonetisation, they are unwilling to pay us up front. Most of them are willing to pay only a portion of it ahead of release, and are willing to share the profits afterwards. With this, producers will get money only if the film runs and that’s not an idea most people are comfortable with. The distributors are safe but the producers aren’t,” he added. While production houses have not faced much trouble, daily-wage workers on the sets are facing the brunt of demonetisation. In The New Indian Express.