Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: Clear and sunny skies for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The Jewish community in the city was known for its export of diamonds and the import of silver and pearls. They lived on Coral Merchant’s street near George Town. One of the last remnants is the Jewish cemetery that has the graves of the first Jewish settlers in the 17th century.
🚉 Modernising MRTS stations
Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has requested World Bank funds to modernise MRTS stations.
What’s it about? MTC, Corporation, and CMDA officials met with World Bank representatives about the modernisation project. Under the Chennai City Partnership Programme, ₹50,000 crore has already been allocated for improving transportation and other projects.
- The Southern Railway has proposed handing over the stations to the CMDA while continuing to run the trains. CUMTA has mooted handing over the stations to the Chennai Metro Rail Limited.
- In 2007, the CMDA proposed a plan to commercialise the area in and around MRTS stations, but it didn’t take off. There’s also a proposal to improve the roads along the stations which are in poor condition.
⚕️ New health centre
A newly inaugurated health centre will offer free health checkups.
What’s it about? A newly renovated master health checkup centre was inaugurated on Kodambakkam High Road. The centre has been redeveloped with new and improved facilities. Since 2000, the centre has offered blood tests, ECGs, scans, etc., for more than 4.8 lakh people.
- The centre has dialysis facilities. As mayor, MK Stalin set up a dialysis unit in ward 113. The centre will offer checkups for free.
- It previously had 17 dialysis machines donated by the Tanker Foundation. The Corporation has added five more. The centre also offers diagnoses for hepatitis B and C.
🎭 New art and cultural space
Idam, the new arts and cultural space, will host an open mic for the queer community.
What’s it about? In Kodambakkam, Idam is a new arts and cultural space opening this weekend. Its inaugural event is with the Aniyam Foundation, which works for LGBTQIA+ rights for a queer-themed open mic, Aniyam Queer cafe. The event will have music, storytelling, a play, and a book review. A play called Victim will explore the community’s struggles, like abuse and familial rejection.
- Idam has several events lined up this month. Among them is Kumar Shaw’s storytelling session for parents and kids and a workshop by Vikram Sridhar for group storytelling sessions.
- Theatre artist John Pradeep will hold a theatre workshop for kids. There’ll also be an ‘Actors Jamming Session’ with actors coming together to perform and explain their techniques.
Who said what? Idam founder Vetri MV said he was happy when the Aniyam Foundation approached them for a queer-themed event. John Pradeep said the acting workshops would be beneficial for up-and-coming talent. The events will gradually include directors and writers in the audience.
🚢 Exporting cars from the Chennai port
Citroen has partnered with the Chennai port to export its vehicles.
What’s it about? Citroen India announced an MoU with Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL) for an export program. The cars will be exported to Africa and ASEAN countries. The move is part of the company’s goal to leverage India’s manufacturing export potential.
- The car manufacturer’s India affiliate will export the new made-in-India C3 B-hatch. The export will begin this month as CBUs.
- The company previously exported powertrains from its Hosur facility. The export of the new C3 is a milestone for the company in India.
Who said what? Guy Leader of Stellantis, of which Citroen is a part, said the port met the criteria the company needed to export vehicles as part of its internationalisation strategy. Sunil Paliwal of KPL said this agreement would help augment the port’s export operations.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- Shan Vincent De Paul, the rapper and songwriter, will perform live at the Gears & Garage Restobar this Saturday.
- Kalaimamani Vidhyasagar will perform some of the biggest Kollywood hits from Tamil cinema this Sunday.
- “I’m Only Going to Say This Once” by Daniel Fernandes is a crowd-work show where he makes up an entire standup special.
- Concert for Friendship from British Council and KM Music Conservatory celebrates the role of music in cultivating friendship.
- Rathy’s The Puppetry Show is storytelling on jewelry and sarees with puppets this Saturday.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I have been affected by company layoffs: 9.1%
- I haven’t been affected by company layoffs: 90.9% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What was the place you and your friends hung out regularly?
Nirja: “Mostly in restaurants and malls.”
Chitra: “Express Avenue Mall”
Vigneshwaran: “Isha in Coimbatore. It is a very nice place.”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!