Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: It’s all clear with sunny weather.
🧐 Did you know? The first census of the Madras Presidency was conducted in 1822. It showed a population of more than 13 lakh people.
🚇 Increased frequency for Metro’s phase 2
Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro will see services every two minutes.
What’s it about? As the CMRL continues to work on phase 2 of the Metro, trains will run every 2 minutes. Phase 2, covering 118.9 km of the city and suburbs, is being designed for an operational frequency of 90 seconds. The initial plan was to operate trains every 4-10 minutes on all three corridors. The frequency will be increased to 2 minutes during peak hours.
- Passengers have complained about overcrowding during peak hours and have asked for increased frequency on several routes. For example, trains operate at 5-minute intervals on the Airport-Wimco Nagar line during peak hours.
- 2.5 lakh people currently use the Metro daily. Phase 1 was designed for a maximum frequency of 2.5 minutes, but there aren’t enough trains.
🍛 Biryani vending machine
A Chennai startup has introduced the first biryani vending machine.
What’s it about? Biryani lovers in the city are in for a treat. Bai Veetu Kalyanam, aka BVK Biryani, has introduced the biryani vending machine, the first of its kind in India. The unmanned outlet is located in Kolathur. The company is looking to open similar ones in 12 other locations.
- Customers are greeted by a 32-inch touchscreen displaying the menu. Once you select the order, payment is through an ATM card or a QR code.
- Tap the ‘open door’ option, and the biryani is ready to go. The company also offers 1-hour food delivery and is looking to scale up operations across India.
Recommended: One food blogger recorded his first-hand experience and recommended that people try it at least once.
📚 Libraries for government schools
An 11-year-old’s lockdown project helped government schools get libraries.
What’s it about? Daksh Grover, a class 6 student from DAV Boys School, has raised ₹15,000 by selling origami bookmarks. His interest in origami took off during the lockdown, and he decided to sell them for a good cause. The idea for libraries came from a trip with his father to a school in Vichoor that had a mobile science lab.
- In the past couple of years, he has designed 1,500 origami bookmarks which are sold or exchanged for books at different events. He has already helped to set up a library in a few schools in Manali.
- Last year, Ladies Circle India supported his efforts and donated 800 books in exchange for ad space behind the bookmarks. The Chennai Public School also donated books.
Who said what? Daksh’s mother, Sandhya Grover, said a young reader in London donated 300 of his books. For Daksh, reading is a way to expand knowledge, and he wants school students to have that opportunity. He still hasn’t decided whether he’ll extend the initiative during the summer vacation.
👩🏫 Becoming a teacher
The Shraddha Maanu Foundation (SMF) empowers women to become part-time teachers.
What’s it about? Madhumati Narayanan started the foundation to help educated women from economically weaker sections get part-time teaching jobs. It has trained more than 200 women across its 21 centres in Chennai. For the women, it gives them purpose and a sense of identity as they help teach kids in their communities.
- The foundation’s survey in Nungambakkam and T Nagar showed several educated women remained unemployed. Their husbands were either without work or daily wage labourers.
- SMF designed a 150-hour in-class and online programme in English, numeracy, and digital literacy. The women are given three work options – teach in a nearby government school, at SMF tuition centres, or start one near their home.
Who said what? 26-year-old Kalaivani said she became an entrepreneur after completing the course. She now runs a tuition centre. Madhumati said the women could teach up to Class 5 and are mentored once a week after they complete the course.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you still visit libraries?
- Yes, I still visit libraries.
- No, I don’t visit libraries.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s a habit of yours that annoys others?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Madhavaram bus terminus will be linked to a Metro station under phase 2.
- Thousand Lights MLA addresses civic issues using a dedicated WhatsApp group.
- Sapiens Foundation will partner with Japanese scientists on human trials for internal dialysis in Chennai.
- Transferring from Central Metro to suburban trains at the Park station has become inaccessible.
- Traffic diversions will be in place for a year to facilitate the Metro and subway constructions near Nanganallur.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!