Good morning, Chennai!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 24 ℃ | Mostly cloudy with some rain.
🧐 Did you know? Park Town got its name from the People’s Park which was situated near the Ripon Building. It was previously called White Town since Europeans stayed there.
🚶 Stories of Saidapet
The Settlements and Stories of Saidapet Heritage Walk takes people through its hidden treasures and histories.
What’s it about? The Heritage Walk by Madras Inherited aims to showcase Saidapet as more than just crowded streets. The locality is filled with interesting histories of its temples and narrow lanes.
- The walk begins at the Karaneeswarar Temple and ends at the Mari Hotel where participants savour its famous vada curry. The narrow streets are filled with flower shops, temple stalls, and roadside eateries selling biryani.
- Among the notable stops along the walk are the Jama Masjid, traditional Tamil houses from the weaving community, and the Mahatma Gandhi Library, which houses only Tamil books and was recently expanded with a new building last month.
Signature dish: The famous vada curry is said to have originated at the Mari Hotel. The recipe uses leftover vadas and onions to make a spicy curry.
🧠 3D model of a foetal brain
IIT Madras unveiled the world’s first detailed 3D images of a foetal brain.
What’s it about? The data from the 3D images are a significant step in neuroscience and will help treat brain-related disorders. The technology was dedicated to the world by IIT Madras since it should be accessible to everyone.
- 5 foetal brains in the second trimester were obtained for the research. This is the stage when the brain is fully developed. The team studied connections between them in different ways and documented them in a 3D digital format.
- The study began before the pandemic and involved researchers from Australia, USA, Romania, and South Africa. The financial support came from Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys, NVIDIA, and others.
Making it accessible: A large amount of data has been published online with a separate section for queries. The technology can detect any anomalies in the brain and help locate and treat it.
🏖️ Incorrect coastal zone clearances
The CAG found that several coastal regulation zone clearances were approved incorrectly.
What’s it about? According to a CAG report, the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNCZMA) granted coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearances incorrectly to 114 out of 175 projects without forwarding them to the appropriate authorities. Hence, there has been inadequate scrutiny of several coastal developmental projects.
- Of the 22 projects studied by the CAG audit, 19 were cleared directly by the TNCZMA in violation of a CRZ notification. Using Google Earth images, the CAG found 90 unauthorised constructions within the No Development Zone, which includes areas within 200m of the high tide line.
- The audit also showed that CRZ clearances were often approved without the mandatory documents. In 23 out of 30 projects that had discharge of effluents, no objection certificates from the state pollution control board weren’t obtained.
Government and management failures: The CAG report criticised the government for not involving local coastal communities in the district coastal zone management authorities (DCZMAs). There were also delays in preparing the Coastal Zone Management Plans and public complaints weren’t addressed.
🗳️ Chennai Press Club election
The Madras High Court dismissed a case filed against the conduct of the election.
What’s it about? The Madras High Court dismissed a case filed against the conduct of the Chennai Press Club elections scheduled for December 15. The last election was held 33 years ago in 1991.
- The case was filed by Press Club member TM Viswanath. Justice G Jayachandran said the court can’t interfere in the process once the election notification was issued.
- The judge asked Viswanath to approach the court after the results were declared and if he was still unhappy with the poll process. The election will be supervised by a Special Guidance Committee (SGC).
Poll process: The 12-member SGC is led by veteran journalist N Ram. He formed a sub-committee to finalise the list of members and appointed retired High Court judge V Bharathidasan as the Election Officer.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you been on a heritage walk?
- I have been on a heritage walk.
- I haven’t been on a heritage walk.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which politician in Tamil Nadu do you like the most?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Dozens of damaged streetlights in the Tiruvottiyur zone will be replaced for public safety.
- The DMK and AIADMK sparred in the state assembly over who was to blame for the 2015 Chennai floods.
- IIT Madras’ NTCPWC signed an MoU with the Directorate of Ports & Inland Water Transport to prepare the Odisha Maritime Perspective Plan (OMPP).
- EWOLV launched its new holistic well-being platform designed exclusively for working women.
- Etihad Airways embarked on an inaugural flight with its new Chennai Super Kings livery.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I would travel in a self-driving car: 50.0% 🏆
- I wouldn’t travel in a self-driving car: 50.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
Suchi: “7 hours”
Kavi: “8 hours”
Chandru: “8”
Rangarajan: “6 hrs”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!