Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny weather and clear skies for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The city’s first Guinness World Record came on a mournful occasion. Fifteen million people gathered for the funeral procession of CN Annadurai from Rajaji Hall to the Marina.
🏍️ Appreciating pillion riders
Pillion riders wearing helmets were in for a pleasant surprise with roses and certificates of appreciation.
What’s it about? Since January 2022, 58 pillion riders have died in two-wheeler road accidents. The Chennai police have increased monitoring and booked more than 57,000 pillion riders for not wearing helmets. They’ve also rewarded those who have followed the rules with certificates of appreciation and roses.
- A total of 5,600 bikers received certificates across the city through this initiative launched by the Chennai police.
- To gain publicity for the drive, the police have asked the pillion riders to put the certificates on their social media accounts.
Necessary for pillion riders: Venkatesh Balasubramanian from IIT Madras said a pillion rider generally has less awareness than the driver and has reduced opportunities to take precautions in case of an accident.
🏥 Demolition of British-era structures
Some of the older structures in a British-era hospital will soon be demolished.
What’s it about? Some of the older structures at the Government Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Hospital for Women and Children Campus in Egmore will be demolished. The heritage buildings will be maintained. It was converted into an OP unit and gets 250 patients every day.
- Last year, a heritage building was renovated while the original structure was maintained. Funded by the Kamarajar Port, one part of the building was converted into an outpatient unit.
- At the Egmore campus, there’s a proposal to build a women’s wellness clinic, gynaecology oncology, and preventive oncology. The OP block, Giffard School Museum, and old operation theatre complex are heritage buildings.
History: The hospital was built in 1844, and many buildings have been declared unfit for use. The Madras Government Lying-in Hospital was renamed Government Maternity Hospital. In 1822, the Government Maternity Hospital was shifted to this location. The Indian government upgraded the hospital to the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1952.
🏞️ River bank development
Landscaping and walkways along the Adyar river and Cooum will be done in March.
What’s it about? Work on the walking track and tree plantations along the Adyar and Cooum rivers will be completed in March. Encroachments had been removed to plant the saplings and construct the walkways along the banks in neighbourhoods like Gandhi Nagar.
- Civic officials said the planting of 43 saplings is underway between the Nandambakkam bridge and the Meenambakkam airport runway bridge. More than 13,000 saplings will be planted on the left and right banks of the Adyar river.
- One stretch along the Adyar was already inaugurated. About 60,000 saplings were planted along the stretch from the MRTS bridge and the Thiru Vi Ka bridge.
Other areas: Along the Cooum, saplings will be planted between Napier Bridge and Quaid E Milleth Bridge, with 5,500 already planted.
🏄 Representing India in kite surfing
A Chennai boy will represent India in kite surfing at the Asian Games.
Who is he? Chitresh Tatha is no stranger to competition. When he was 12, he represented India in sailing at the Asian Games. A decade later, he’ll represent India in kite surfing in the Formula Kites category at the same event.
- He trained in kite surfing in Bangkok. He was first introduced to the sport when he saw someone do it at Kovalam. He says Kovalam is an ideal stretch of water for kite surfing.
- Apart from Chitresh, four other sailors from the state Sailing Association have qualified for the Games. Among them is Nethra Kumanan, the first Indian woman sailor who qualified for the Olympics.
About kite surfing: A formula kite race has 12 rounds and is the fastest sailing event. Every sailor is harnessed to a parachute while on a surfboard. It’s the first time the event is in the Asian Games, taking place this year in Hangzhou, China. The event will also debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you prefer watching movies in 3D?
- Yes, I prefer watching movies in 3D.
- No, I don’t like watching movies in 3D.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite hill station?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Kilambakkam Bus terminus is nearing completion as the southern suburb gets a major transport hub.
- International football is back in Chennai after 15 years, with the Indian women’s team facing Nepal.
- A travelling library encourages reading and provides library access to government school kids.
- Tunnelling work for the Metro phase 2 will begin at 7 locations in the coming months.
- 60% of colleges affiliated with the University of Madras don’t follow UGC norms for salaries.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I drink soft drinks: 36.4%
- I don’t drink soft drinks: 63.6% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!