Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 33 ℃ | Low: 28 ℃ | Mostly sunny weather for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The Jewish settlement in Madras was first established to export and import diamonds from Golconda to London in exchange for silver, coral and pearls.
🧑 Transforming young lives
The Muthal Thalaimurai Trust has helped young students with education and employment opportunities.
What’s it about? Thanks to the Muthal Thalaimurai Trust, 272 first-generation graduates now have a shot at a better life. For the youth in Kannagi Nagar, the Trust’s founder, E Mariswamy, realised only education will help liberate people and give them a chance to earn a living.
- Many students, first-time graduates, have been able to enter the job market or pursue further education. Many of the students volunteer as tuition teachers in their locality and want to give back once they earn enough.
- Apart from education, the Trust also conducts sports, arts, and skill development programmes. To help women in the area become independent, the Trust has taught 40 women to drive auto rickshaws.
The journey: Mariswamy, an assistant director, grew up in Kannagi Nagar. To help give locals better opportunities, he approached Irai Anbu, the then Chief Secretary. With the help of the state government, the Trust was registered in 2021 and began with tuition classes for class 1-12 students.
📷 Photography as a storytelling medium
TEDxNapier Bridge delved into the world of photography and how it can be a tool for storytelling.
What’s it about? TEDxNapier Bridge Salon provided a platform to showcase how photography is used as a storytelling medium. The theme was “InFocus: Ways of Seeing”. It brought together photography enthusiasts and those curious about the medium to look beyond the frame.
- Dr AV Arun, the owner of 5,000 film cameras, spoke about why collecting cameras is his passion while also being an orthodontist. He built a network of friends and camera shop owners who alerted him to vintage finds.
- Other speakers included self-taught photographer and filmmaker Jaisingh Nageswaran, who explored childhood memories and his Dalit family’s legacy. Visual artist Krithika Sriram spoke about her work on caste, gender, and society.
For and by the audience: The event concluded with a montage of photos and videos submitted by the audience that they uploaded via a QR code. They also explored rare cameras, including one from World War II.
🏅 Food delivery app awarded
Chennai-based Bhookle won the Best Food Delivery App of the Year award.
What’s it about? The pioneering platform that connects home chefs with residents called Bhookle, won the Best Food Delivery App of the Year award at the 2024 Food Connoisseurs India Awards. The award was judged by 16 veterans of the food and beverage industry.
- It was up against 8 national players in the food delivery sector. The young startup was recognised for its unique approach to delivering authentic homemade meals.
- The company caters to a growing segment – home-cooked meals. It allows users to discover homemade meals with a personal story. The app emphasises quality and safety since each home chef is vetted for FSSAI compliance and kitchen hygiene.
What’s next? The recognition has fuelled the company’s ambitions to become a unicorn – a billion-dollar valued startup. There’s increased interest from investors and a surge in downloads of its app. The platform wants to expand beyond Chennai into three more tier-1 cities next year.
🔥 LPG cylinder price hike
The price of commercial LPG gas cylinders in the city was increased.
What’s it about? A 19kg commercial LPG gas cylinder will now be ₹1,903. However, the price of a 14 kg domestic LPG gas cylinder remains unchanged at ₹818.50.
- Last month, the price had increased by ₹38, and it has gone up again this month. Revisions of prices happen at the beginning of every month to reflect international oil prices and tax policies.
- The price hike could impact industries that rely on LPG for their operations, like small-scale industries and restaurants.
Government role: The government has encouraged the use of LGP cylinders for home cooking through various schemes like the PM Ujjwala Yojana. It also provides subsidies to eligible families to adopt cleaner cooking fuels.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Would you consider buying an Electric vehicle now or in 5 years?
- I would consider buying an Electric vehicle now.
- I would consider buying an Electric vehicle in 5 years.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How many times a week do you use food delivery apps?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- BJP leader Annamalai wrote to Prime Minister Modi to consider 50-50 funding for the Chennai Metro.
- Raj Bhavan invites school and college students for an exhibition of khadi products and Ayurveda medicines to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti.
- Chennai’s Dr Agarwal’s Health Care has filed its draft red herring prospectus to raise funds through an IPO.
- Chennai Metro continues its impressive passenger count, with over 92 lakh in September.
- Ford Motor Company could manufacture Electric Vehicles upon its return to the Chennai plant.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I travel mostly by two-wheeler: 60.0% 🏆
- I travel mostly by four-wheeler: 40.0%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your least favourite job interview question?
Suchi: “Where do you see yourself five years from now?”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!