Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 32 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | Sunny weather for today.
🧐 Did you know? Chennai has a successful history in fighting smallpox. The Communicable Diseases Hospital (CDH), Tondiarpet, under Dr Ayyagari Ramachandra Rao, assisted Dr Henry Kempe of the University of California in developing an effective smallpox vaccine.
🗣️ Talk it out
The Speak for India event showcased youngsters’ panache for responsible dialogue.
What’s it about? The latest edition of the Speak for India event was held at the Guru Nanak College and showcased the talents of youngsters in speaking with confidence and conviction.
- After 140 battled it out, eight made it to finals. It featured students from colleges across the state, like Stella Maris College, Chennai, Government Law College, Namakkal, and others.
- The judges were impressed with the talents and views of the participants. It showcases the current generation’s acumen, which will hold them in good stead for the future.
Prizes: The winner will get ₹2.5 lakh. The runner-up will get ₹1.5 lakh, and the six other finalists get ₹35,000 each.
🙏 Milestone CSR initiative
The Tablets (India) Foundation celebrated its fifth anniversary at one of its Annadanam centres.
What’s it about? The foundation is a trust formed by the pharma company, Tablets (India) Limited. Its fifth anniversary coincided with it reaching 10 lakh free meals. There are five Annadanam centres (free meals centres) spanning Chennai, Mahabalipuram, and Puducherry.
- At a function at its first centre in Tondiarpet, Yutaka Aso of the Aso Corporation, Japan, was the chief guest. He addressed the event and praised the company’s initiative.
- Members of the Annadanam Service Centre were given mementoes for their service.
Journey: The Annadanam activities began in 2019 with one centre. They’ve now expanded to four more, with about 40,000 meals served each month. The foundation also conducts free medical camps.
🌊 Reclaiming Chennai’s lakes
Given the devastating floods over the past few years, Chennai needs to reclaim its water bodies.
What’s it about? The adverse effects of climate change mean Chennai is likely to see more extreme weather events with rainfall and floods. Civic authorities have done little in mitigation efforts and continued with urban and industrial expansions. This means its blue and green spaces have been reduced.
- Chennai needs to rebuild its relationship with water commons – lakes, wetlands, rivers, etc. It goes beyond stormwater infrastructure and should turn toward the interconnected man-made water bodies to guide the water towards the sea.
- In places like Velachery and Perumbakkam, lake storage and flows were highly regulated for agrarian purposes. Now, these lakes regularly overflow and lead to flooding.
What can be done? Citizens can partake in managing connected water systems. State agencies must collaborate on water-sensitive planning to map Chennai’s drainage networks. Holistic urban water governance should leave room for overflow and help restore lakes.
🛣️ Relaying roads
The Chennai Corporation has floated tenders to relay over 1,000 roads across the city.
What’s it about? The Corporation has floated tenders to relay 1,173 roads for ₹150 crore under the State Finance Commission fund. In the current financial year, the civic body has relaid over 2,000 roads across Chennai, with several more awaiting.
- In 2021-22, over 1,600 roads were taken up under schemes like Singara Chennai 2.0 and the Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Project. At least 1,550 roads have been completed.
- In 2022-23, over 3,600 roads were taken up for ₹427.51 crore. About 2,700 of those roads have been completed. For the current fiscal, the plan is to relay over 6,300 roads.
Shoddy work: The Corporation’s relaying work on several interior roads has been below par. One example is the Paper Mills Road in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, where the quality of milling was substandard. In some places like Ramanujam Koodam Street in Old Washermenpet, the local contractor abandoned the project.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever bought a second-hand item?
- I have bought second-hand items.
- I’ve never bought second-hand items.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite type/flavour of cake?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Heavy goods vehicles have separate lanes demarcated on the Vallur junction to Ennore port road.
- Gargabe collection has been affected in the southern suburbs due to a vehicle shortage.
- The Chennai Open tennis tournament crowned its champion as Sumit Nagal triumphed.
- The Chennai Super Kings have a new brand ambassador in Katrina Kaif.
- Despite some complaints, the transport minister said there wasn’t a shortage of buses and additional services were introduced at the Kilambakkam terminus.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have paid a traffic fine: 50.0% 🏆
- I haven’t paid a traffic fine: 50.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which area of Chennai needs better traffic management?
Suchi: “Whole city”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!