Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: Clear skies and sunny weather.
🧐 Did you know? The popular Chandamama magazine has a Chennai connection. One of its founders was Nagi Reddy, a Telugu movie producer who set up the Vijaya Vahini Studio in the city, one of the biggest.
🥋 Combining martial arts and sport
Rathiraja Segar is teaching the next generation the art of Silambam.
What’s it about? Silambam is the ancient martial art form that’s good for leading a healthy lifestyle, according to Segar. He now runs Veeraparambarai Silambalayam, a silambam academy where he teaches 50 students the ancient martial art.
- The training is free, and most of his students are from economically weak backgrounds. It allows them to travel to different places and have new experiences by competing in silambam tournaments.
- Segar is assisted by two of his senior students at the academy. Recently, two students from the academy received the CM Trophy in silambam.
About the art form: Silmabam combines martial arts and sports. It’s usually practised with 36 weapons, including a stick, kathi, among others. Now, it’s practised with only 20 weapons.
💸 Basic income scheme’s first phase
The first phase of the state’s income scheme will commence in Chennai.
What’s it about? The first phase of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, or the women’s basic income scheme will begin in Chennai. The scheme will provide financial assistance to eligible households starting September 15.
- More than 8.5 lakh application forms will be distributed as part of the first phase. Eligible households will receive ₹1,000 per month. 703 ration shops across 98 wards will be included in this phase.
- Salespersons from ration shops will also visit households to issue tokens and application forms. Biometric data will be used to complete the authentication process.
🏥 Institute of Ageing remains closed
The National Institute of Ageing in Guindy remains closed to the public for the past year.
What’s the story so far? The 200-bed institute on the King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research campus was completed in 2019. During the pandemic, it was used exclusively as a Covid hospital to treat patients. As cases declined, it was shut down in March 2022 and has since remained closed.
- Doctors, opposition parties, and elderly patients have questioned why the hospital hasn’t been reopened. The state health department said six doctors of the geriatric department from the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital will be shifted to the institute.
- Officials said they’re waiting for financial sanctions from the state to recruit doctors, nurses, and other staff. The 14-point demand presented to the Centre didn’t include extended financial resources. At least then, outpatient services would be operational.
Why’s it necessary? The elderly population in the city and state is increasing. The institute is the first exclusive government hospital for the elderly in Chennai. It was designed to offer several speciality care services and a safe environment.
🎭 Connecting art and trash
Me & My Trash is a production meant to evoke discussions on responsibility in the face of innovation and creation.
What’s it about? City-based theatre artiste Preethi Bharadwaj’s Me & My Trash combines storytelling, movement, poetry, and object theatre. The performance touches on the relationship between art and trash.
- The production uses Bharatanatyam and theatre as a tool to bring together elements, ideas, stories, technology, plastic, and art. It’s meant to be a metaphysical and spiritual experience.
- Bharadwaj’s production is meant to take audiences on a thought-provoking journey that pushes the boundaries of movement and the spoken word.
Details: The production will be staged at the Alchemy Black Box in Adyar on July 22 at 6.30 pm.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you faced prolonged power cuts this summer so far?
- I have faced prolonged power cuts this summer.
- I haven’t faced prolonged power cuts this summer.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s the best way to experience and learn about Chennai’s history?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The lack of public toilets affects street sweepers in the city.
- Kauvery Hospital has issued a warning on cases of Ludwig’s Angina.
- High-end healthcare options for Chennaites are now more widespread with more hospitals.
- Chennai’s senior citizens need better protection to keep them safe.
- Imported liquor prices have been hiked by Tasmac.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I learnt arts and crafts as a subject in school: 66.7% 🏆
- I didn’t learn arts and crafts as a subject in school: 33.3%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your preferred consumer electronics brand?
Chitra: “Samsung”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!