Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 39 ℃ | Low: 28 ℃ | Mostly sunny weather for the day.
🧐 Did you know? Bank of Madras, started by the British in 1843, was the first modern bank in the city.
🏞️ Air quality at Thiru Vi Ka Park improves
The park is slowly turning into a green lung space as shown by the sensors installed by the Chennai Metro.
What’s it about? The park in Shenoy Nagar was reopened last year following renovations by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). The CMRL installed sensors to monitor oxygen levels, air quality, and temperature. They’ve shown air quality inside the park is now ‘excellent’.
- The current air quality is at 80%, categorised as excellent. Previously it was moderate at 78%. Oxygen levels inside the park have also improved. From July to September 17, it was between 19 and 21%.
- The CMRL adopted various plantation techniques, like covering the concrete wall with bamboo to reduce heat and pollutants. Officials also opted for small and medium plants since plants with deep roots couldn’t be planted.
Restoration work: Before CMRL took over the park to build the station, the park had 328 trees. 172 trees were felled and some were relocated. Once the station was built, the CMRL planted over 4,800 new trees using the Miyawaki method.
👩🏭 Rockwell Automation’s expansion
The company announced plans for a new manufacturing facility in the city.
What’s it about? Rockwell Automation is the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation. It announced plans to set up a new manufacturing facility in Chennai to help it build a sustainable supply chain in the Asia Pacific region.
- The facility will be located in the same industrial park as its CUBIC manufacturing facility to help maximise supply chain resilience and create employment opportunities.
- The new facility is expected to open in the first half of next year and will employ 230 workers by the end of the year.
Enhancing operations: The company is looking to expand its presence in India by increasing its operational and industrial manufacturing capabilities.
🌡️ Increased temperatures
For the third consecutive day, the city experienced higher temperatures, and it is expected to continue.
What’s it about? The meteorological department has predicted that the maximum temperature will likely increase by 2-4 degree celsius in the coming days due to changes in wind patterns over the sea. About 15 weather stations across the state have recorded temperatures above 100 degree Fahrenheit.
- Chennai district, including Chengalpattu and Villupuram, saw maximum temperatures increase by 2-4 degree celsius. It’s likely to continue for the next few days with higher humidity.
- The weather station at Meenambakkam recorded its hottest day in September, equalling its 2002 and 2004 records of 39.2 degree celsius.
Some rain relief: Some places in the state could receive moderate rain this weekend, and the weather department has cautioned fisherfolk not to venture out to sea till September 21.
🎓 Madras University convocation issues
The University has decided to hold the convocation ceremony in the absence of a vice-chancellor and staff boycott threats.
What’s it about? Madras University will hold its 66th convocation ceremony for the 2023-24 academic year later this month, following a three-month delay. However, it’s unclear who will sign the degree certificates since there’s no vice-chancellor (VC).
- Per the university’s statutes, the VC is authorised to sign and confer degrees. A provision states that a person nominated by the syndicate can take the VC’s place. However, degrees signed by a non-academic won’t be accepted by the syndicate body.
- In 2016, the convocation was organised without the VC and the higher education secretary was chosen to sign the degrees. The proposal was rejected by syndicate members and the event was postponed.
Boycott threats: The teaching and non-teaching staff have threatened to boycott the upcoming ceremony and go on an indefinite strike unless their salaries under the seventh pay commission are paid, among other demands.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Did you attend your college graduation ceremony?
- I attended my college graduation ceremony.
- I didn’t attend my college graduation ceremony.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite public space in Chennai?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Chidambaram Academy of Performing Arts celebrates 50 years of artistic success.
- The demand for vegetables has surged in the city as the auspicious Purattasi month began.
- Madras Race Club refuted the government’s allegations of unpaid lease rentals.
- Striking Samsung workers demanding union recognition and better wages are exploring legal options.
- 387 dilapidated buildings have yet to be demolished despite CMDA notices.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I use my smartphone camera often: 63.2% 🏆
- I don’t use my smartphone camera often: 36.8%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which food item or dish best represents Chennai?
Nirja: “Idly, Dosa, Sambhar”
Suchi: “Idli Sambar”
Shiva: “Vadacurry”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!