Good morning, Chennai!
⛅ Today’s weather: Cloudy with some sunshine.
🧐 Did you know? Ford’s first factory in India was just outside Chennai in 1995. It was the beginning of several car companies setting up shops in and around the city that made Chennai the Detroit of India.
🚉 Unsafe MRTS stations
The city’s MRTS stations have little to no basic safety measures, making them unsafe for women.
What’s it about? The recent death of a 22-year-old who was pushed out of a local train by culprits who wanted her phone has brought the safety of MRTS stations to the fore. Even the roads near and leading up to the stations are unsafe for women.
- None of the elevated MRTS stations have some basic facilities like policing, adequate lighting, CCTVs, and proper stairs and escalators. Many don’t have station masters on the platforms.
- Stations like Chepauk, Lighthouse, and Triplicane are unsafe. Unlike Metro stations, anyone can enter an MRTS station, especially during non-peak hours.
What are the reasons? Poor utilisation of the space leads to increased incidents at the stations. Urban planners say the space should have some commercial development since regular movement of people will prevent such spaces from being relatively unsafe.
- Police officials said they’re in the process of repairing CCTV cameras and will increase patrolling.
🏫 Increase in school enrolment
The modernisation of schools has resulted in an increase in enrolment.
What’s it about? Thanks to the modernisation efforts across the city’s schools, the Chennai Corporation has seen an increase in enrolment compared to last year. This is due to improving their infrastructure and implementing digital technology.
- In the core city areas, enrolment is expected to reach one lakh, an increase of over 5,000. The 139 schools on the periphery haven’t seen an increase in enrolment since they haven’t been modernised.
- LKG and UKG enrolment has increased by 10% in 28 schools. Over 25% of the classrooms are now digital. Among the areas that have improved enrolment are Tondiarpet, Saidapet, and Thiruvanmiyur.
👨🍳 Hawker Chan in Chennai
Chef Chan brought his signature Singaporean hawker food to the city.
Who is he? Born into an agricultural family and raised in Malaysia, Chan’s culinary journey began with the food his family made. He has earned a reputation for having the world’s first cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant. He was at the Leela Palace with his signature dishes.
- He’s known for his signature dishes like Soya sauce chicken, Apple tofus, and Thai fragrant rice, among others. He says there’s a misconception about Singaporean food that it isn’t authentic.
- His favourite South Indian food is the Dosa which is best served with sambar and chutney. For Chan, hawker food is at the heart of Singaporean cuisine.
Chennai and Singaporean cuisine: Chan said both cuisines have a South Asian base and traditions, dating back to their colonial past. Indian cuisine has had a significant impact on Singapore as it’s part of the local culinary scene.
⚕️ Medical conference begins
The 13th annual Clinical Infectious Diseases Society (CIDS) was inaugurated on Saturday.
What’s it about? DMK MP Kanimozhi inaugurated the 13th annual conference of the Clinical Infectious Diseases Society (CIDS) at the Chennai Trade Centre. The three-day event will discuss issues related to infectious diseases.
- Dr Preetha Reddy of Apollo Hospitals emphasised the need for the day-to-day management of infectious diseases in hospitals. She said the CIDS conference is an important platform for experts to exchange ideas.
- Among the issues on the agenda are infection control, collaboration with other specialities, and critical care in infectious diseases.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Has the recent price hike in vegetables affected your consumption?
- The price hike in vegetables has affected our consumption.
- The price hike in vegetables hasn’t affected our consumption.
❓ Today’s Question
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Who is your favourite Kollywood actor?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Garbage hotspots in several areas will be transformed into green spaces.
- 500 teachers from government-aided colleges protested demanding restoration of incentives for completing M.Phil and Ph.D.
- Tomato prices at the Koyambedu market have increased by ₹10 per kg.
- Madhavaram zone will be bifurcated to ensure better delivery of services.
- Educational tours for class 11 students were inaugurated by the Mayor.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!