Good morning, Chennai!
☁️ Today’s weather: More cloudy weather for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The city’s famous bakery, Bosotto Bros’ biggest claim to fame was baking Prince Andrew’s birthday cake in 1961.
🐟 Increased fish arrivals
A week after Cyclone Michaung, fish arrivals at Kasimedu have increased.
What’s it about? Over 1,000 tonnes of fish arrived at the Kasimedu fishing harbour over the weekend leading to a drop in prices. Fishermen were worried about their sales but were relieved at the arrival.
- Among the varieties were prawns, seer fish, red snapper, Indian goatfish, and groupers. The grouper fish is primarily for export and is in great demand from China and Thailand.
- Rains from the cyclone brought the prawns from the seabed. Those who ventured out fishing after the cyclone passed were able to get a large catch.
Decreased prices: With large quantities available, prices have dropped. The Vanjaram variety usually costs ₹1,000 per kg in the wholesale market and was being sold for ₹600. The red snapper, which sells for ₹600 per kg, was sold at half price.
🍺 Legal TASMAC bars
Chennai and its suburbs will soon get new legal TASMAC bars.
What’s it about? The Corporation will open tender bids for new legal TASMAC bars for the city and the suburbs. Bars attached to TASMAC outlets have been operating illegally for the past year and a half.
- The previous tender process was entangled in a legal battle which has been resolved. This will be the first time the corporation has floated e-tenders for TASMAC.
- The bids will be evaluated by a team made up of the deputy collector, the assistant commissioner (excise), and the district manager.
Existing license: The current license for 1,200 bars in a few districts apart from Chennai will expire on December 31.
🤝 Social media to the rescue
People from Chennai and other cities leveraged social media to mobilise help and relief efforts.
What’s it about? Twitter and WhatsApp emerged as crucial resources during last week’s floods as volunteers mobilised help for citizens. With several communities cut off from help, posting about them on Twitter grabbed the attention of authorities.
- Requests came in from Velachery, Manali, Pallikaranai, and other places for boats to rescue trapped residents. Despite facing mobile and internet connectivity issues, many people from Chennai stepped up around the clock.
- Celebrities with large social media followings joined in to amplify requests for help. After the cyclone had passed, several volunteers continued to work to help get people essential supplies and rescue boats.
Coming together: As word spread on social media, more NGOs and volunteers joined the cause. People contributed money ranging from ₹100 to ₹90,000 to help deliver essential items like food, sanitary napkins, and medicines.
🎨 Linocut printmaking
Linoleum art gets a new audience thanks to a city-based workshop.
What’s it about? Sandhya Gopinath’s linocut printmaking workshop exposes attendees to a new art form – printmaking, particularly lithography. Her background as an art educator at the American International School Chennai comes in handy in learning about new art forms.
- The printmaking process uses lino sheets or blocks. The favoured design can be carved onto the lino block by rolling the ink evenly and using paper to print.
- Once the block is ready for printing, multiple prints can be made using different colours. A recently-concluded lineout printmaking workshop in the city showcased this technique dating back to the 19th century.
Increasing popularity: Printmaking is new to Chennai. However, thanks to social media, linocut printing has become popular.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you bought alcohol from a TASMAC outlet?
- I have bought alcohol from a TASMAC outlet.
- I haven’t bought alcohol from a TASMAC outlet.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What was your favourite movie you watched this year?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Flood-hit residents now have to deal with inflated charges quoted by private cleaning companies.
- An NMDA team visited the city to assess the damage from Cyclone Michaung.
- Skin infection cases are on the rise in North Chennai due to flooding.
- Claims up to ₹20,000 will be released immediately for repair works on vehicles.
- Chennai’s schools reopen after being closed for a week due to Cyclone Michaung.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I did suffer property damage due to the recent rains and floods: 0.0%
- I didn’t suffer property damage due to the recent rains and floods: 100.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your favourite book you read this year?
Suchi: “Autobiography of a Yogi”
Shiva: “Unlocking the Universe by Lucy & Stephen Hawking. Target demographics is kids, I liked it regardless.”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!