Good morning, Chennai!
🗳️ It’s election day! Don’t forget to vote and make your voice heard!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 38 ℃ | Low: 28 ℃ | Hot and sunny for today.
🧐 Did you know? According to the Chennai Corporation, there are over 39 lakh voters in Chennai for the 2024 election. Velachery has the highest with 3.08 lakh voters.
🐆 Zoo ambassadors
The Vandalur Zoo will conduct an ambassador programme for kids.
What’s it about? The Zoo announced the programme for kids of class 5 and above. Students will explore various wildlife species through sessions and explore the zoo’s functions and activities.
- The 5 batches will have 50 students each and the programme for first batch will be held from April 24-27. The programme will be mentored by zoo experts, biologists, and veterinarians.
- Once they complete the course, participants will receive the title of “Zoo Ambassador of Vandalur Zoo” with a certificate, badge, and a pass for 10 free visits to the zoo.
The aim: The programme’s goal is to teach youngsters the importance of wildlife conservation and how the zoo helps in that mission.
♿ Election accessibility
Too many polling stations to cover means most will be fitted with only makeshift ramps and rails.
What’s it about? An election accessible to all doesn’t seem like a reality this time. There are too many polling stations across the city, and officials have failed to make arrangements for all. Some of the makeshift hasty upgrades have come under scrutiny.
- An audit by the Disability Rights Alliance (DRA) found lapses across several polling stations. In several booths, there are only temporary makeshift ramps installed. In places that do have ramps, there are no handrails.
- At the Corporation Higher Secondary School in Velachery, a wooden slab has been placed on concrete debris as a ramp. For people with crutches, this won’t be feasible.
Systemic issue: Even though there are elections every two years in the state with many permanent polling booths, there are few accessible features. There needs to be a systematic change across the city.
💡 Shedding some light
Large light displays have become mainstays of election campaigning to attract large crowds.
What’s it about? In places like Chepauk, Ambattur, and Perambur, large light displays in the shape of popular political figures are common come election time. They form an important part of campaigning, accompanied by song and dance. Background music and decorative lights have brought cinematic flair to campaign rallies and roadshows.
- Companies like Janani Lights and Sound have spent the past 20 years supplying background lights and backdrops for festivals and campaigns. Popular locations were Chepauk and Memorial Hall.
- Each party has their own tastes and preferences. Before a rally, the area is carefully scouted, and the crowd is assessed. If the party prefers people to wear white, then warm lighting is the way to go.
Before LEDs took over: Before LED bulbs came to the fore, serial bulbs would be wrapped with plastic paper of different colours. LED bulbs have been used for the past decade.
🗳️ How will Chennai North vote?
The Chennai North constituency could remain a DMK bastion in the upcoming elections.
What’s its history? The DMK-led alliance’s 2019 victory was propelled by Chennai North. The son of DMK founding member Arcot N Veerasamy, Dr Kalanidhi Veerasamy, got 62% of the votes. The state’s average margin of victory was 22.2%. The constituency includes the Assembly seat of Chief Minister MK Stalin. It has voted for the DMK 11 times.
- Veerasamy will likely face tougher competition this time with AIADMK candidate Royapuram Manoharan and the BJP’s RC Paul Kanagaraj. The BJP hopes to put up better numbers banking on the region’s North Indian population.
- Locals say several announced projects for the constituency haven’t materialised. One example is the ₹98 crore modernisation of the Kasimedu fishing harbour that has yet to begin.
What are the issues? The area is densely populated, and the recent ammonia gas leak has been at the forefront for locals. They’ve protested and called for Coromandel International Limited to close down. The presence of several industries has resulted in high levels of pollution.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- For classic rock lovers, the iconic band Blue Birds is performing live this Saturday.
- The Chromatics take the stage at The Festival of Opera this Sunday.
- For the foodies, the Great Indian Biryani Festival is on till Sunday.
- Budding craftspersons can attend the Resin Art Workshop this Sunday.
- Fashion Revolution Week 2024 conducts this unique workshop called Textiles Untangled this Sunday.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I did stick posters on my wall growing up: 10.0%
- I didn’t stick posters on my wall growing up: 90.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which historical period are you most interested in?
Suchi: “The Chola Period”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!