Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 33 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | A sunny day ahead.
🧐 Did you know? India’s first cooperative society was at Tirur in Tiruvallur district. The No1. Tirur Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society was started by farmers in 1904.
🏊 Just keep swimming
Sathish Sivakumar’s Yadhavi Sports Academy for Special Needs teaches kids with disabilities how to swim.
What’s it about? The internationally certified swimming coach has been lauded for setting up the academy to teach swimming to kids with disabilities. For parents of kids with disabilities or on the spectrum, a recent event helped showcase their kids’ talents.
- The event saw participants cover 80.99 nautical miles in 43 hours and 55 minutes (spread over four days). 14 autistic children from the academy participated by swimming from Cuddalore Silver Beach to Marina Beach in Chennai.
- Organisers said they’ve received positive and appreciative messages from individuals with autism, their families, and others.
What’s next? The academy has plans for more similar events to help kids on the spectrum with their interactions and break stereotypes about their capabilities.
☕ Know your kaapi
Divya Jayashankar wants to spread awareness about new and different coffee varieties in Chennai.
What’s it about? In 2019, Divya began Beachville Coffee Roasters to experiment with coffee. The company’s second branch recently opened on Khader Nawaz Khan Road. The goal is to understand the intricacies of grinding, roasting, and blending to craft the perfect decoction.
- Three new types were introduced – Nachammai sourced from Yercaud with dark chocolate and a hint of jasmine; Attikan with an acidic taste and more bitterness; and finally, Hippla with its pulpy sweetness.
- People in Chennai are used to Arabica, and the robusta market is expanding. First-time coffee drinkers also try flavourful options that are less heavy on the coffee, like watermelon and orange coffee pops.
City’s coffee culture: Chennai is famous for its filter kaapi. Coffee culture has continued to expand and grow thanks to the cafe culture. Since people are conscious about the amount of caffeine they consume, they’re open to trying new flavours.
💸 Battery car service exploits
The service at the Chennai Central station exploits and overcharges passengers.
What’s the story so far? The service was free until 2019 to benefit people with disabilities and senior citizens. Later, ₹10 per person was fixed by the railways. However, there have been repeated instances of drivers overcharging.
- For elderly citizens, the drivers sometimes quote a higher price halfway through the journey. They’re then forced to bargain down the price. In some cases, drivers refuse to pay the balance back.
- When questioned, the drivers don’t respond. It becomes an easy way to fleece senior citizens and others.
What’s being done? Railway officials penalise drivers when they get complaints from passengers. Passengers can raise complaints through the helpline number on the vehicle.
🔊 Noise pollution woes
A recent NGT order on construction has reinvigorated discussions on the noise pollution levels in Chennai.
What’s it about? Two private construction companies were recently barred by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) from carrying out construction activities at night. Activists blame construction and places of worship as two big contributors to noise pollution.
- The construction activities were for a multi-storied building in Kilpauk. The work continued despite objections from residents and a notice from the State Pollution Control Board. The residents then filed a case before the NGT.
- There were also complaints made to the pollution control board over the use of loudspeakers at the St Thomas Mount church. Experts say implementation of the rules is weak.
What are the rules? The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, state that construction activities that generate noise can’t be done at night. It also mandates loudspeakers and public address systems can’t be used between 10 pm and 6 am.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you carry your own bag for grocery shopping?
- I carry my own bag for grocery shopping.
- I don’t carry my own bag for grocery shopping.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your preferred type of coffee?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Parts of South Chennai will soon get Metro Water pipeline connections.
- The Chennai Corporation met with traders and residents to resolve issues caused by the plastic ban.
- The Chennai Police have issued a warning on people spreading kidnapping rumours.
- IIT Madras is building a new facility for maritime technology and expertise.
- Birth control surgeries will be scaled up as the Corporation deals with the stray dog menace.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!