Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny and humid for the day. Stay cool and hydrated!
🧐 Did you know? The first person recorded to own a bicycle in the city was Major Charles Brown, who was stationed here in 1877. He owned a Michaux Bicycle.
🗣️ Hear them out
Table and Stools is a platform to speak your heart out in exchange for a snack.
What’s it about? 23-year-old Jino J Ampakkadu wants to listen to people’s stories, no matter who they are. He started Table and Stools to do just that. Hear people’s stories in exchange for a murukku or butter biscuit.
- His first experience was at Anna Salai when a woman, a former background dancer, lost her job during the pandemic and became an alcoholic.
- The stories he hears range from a 19-year-old girl talking about her toxic boyfriend to children narrating episodes of Chhota Bheem because they wanted a free snack.
Inspiration: The discussion around mental health during the pandemic was the impetus. While talking with one of his friends, Jino decided it was necessary to listen and not just speak. Thus, with his friend Damodharan K’s help, Table and Stools was born.
Instagram: Check out the stories @tableandstools.
🚶 New skywalk
T Nagar now has a new skywalk for shoppers and others.
What’s it about? T Nagar is famously crowded with shoppers who often have to jostle their way through cramped streets to get to Ranganathan Street or the Mambalam station. The newly-inaugurated 570 metre-long skywalk hopes to bring some respite.
- For people, it’s a way to avoid the cramped streets lined with hawkers. One commuter said it’s shortened the distance to reach the station by avoiding the traffic on the road.
- However, the hawkers are worried the new skywalk will affect business, and they may have to relocate. Also, one person said while the skywalk will reduce congestion, it’s too long.
Details: Construction began two-and-a-half years ago and was completed under the smart city fund by the Chennai Corporation. The skywalk has elevators and CCTVs, and the steps have vibrant paintings.
🌊 Treating sewage at home
An apartment complex has shown how others can have a sewage treatment plant.
What’s it about? Many apartments in the city’s outskirts, like in Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), have set up their own sewage treatment plants (STPs). One example is The Central Park South in Sholinganallur with 135-kilo litres per day STP. They don’t rely on tankers, and the sludge is recycled.
- The STP caters to all 172 apartment units in the complex. The sewage is collected in the primary collection tank that can sort out waste materials like paper and sanitary pads.
- The quantity and power consumption are monitored throughout the process. The apartment spends ₹1.3 lakh per month on the STP, which includes staff salary, contractor monitoring system, and maintenance.
Challenges: Constant monitoring is challenging, and getting and retaining staff is another issue. The biggest hurdle is understanding how the system works since different types of STPs vary in their functioning and purpose.
🤻 Parkour’s popularity
As people look to stay active, Parkour has gained popularity in the city.
What’s it about? People are looking for new ways to stay fit and active, and Parkour is gaining popularity. Incorporating flips and acrobatics, the point is to move from one point to another without assistance or equipment.
- Chennai has India’s first indoor parkour gym called Parkour Pod at Ekkatuthangal. Its co-founder Vishvaa Dayakaran said its popularity is catching on in the city.
- At the Parkour Pod, people of any age group can safely practice their skills in a controlled environment. The facility has walls, platforms, bars, and foam pits.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Does your locality face frequent power cuts in the summer?
- Yes, my locality suffers from frequent power cuts in the summer.
- No, my locality doesn’t suffer from frequent power cuts in the summer.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s something your locality could improve upon?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Power cuts return as officials are unable to cope with the demand.
- Eviction of squatters by the Chennai Corporation continued at the Adyar River banks.
- Chennai Metro has launched its WhatsApp ticketing system.
- IIT Madras and Israel have agreed to set up the India – Israel Center of Water Technology.
- Metrowater and the Corporation launched a payment system via QR codes.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I find it easy to commute via public transportation in the city: 40.0%
- I find it difficult to commute via public transportation in the city: 60.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which is the cleanest beach in Chennai?
Sanjay: “Elliot’s Beach”
Kalaiarasi: “Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!