Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 33 ℃ | Low: 25 ℃ | A clear and sunny day ahead.
🧐 Did you know? Chennai has 467 heritage buildings within the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It’s believed to be the highest within any metropolitan area limit in India.
🏺 Fusion artistry
A new exhibition by two artists showcases the elements of nature, nurture, and nostalgia.
What’s it about? Ceramic artist Kaveri Bharath and glass artist Radhika Krish have collaborated on a joint exhibition called ‘Kindled Fire: Shared Stories’ at the InKo Centre. It focuses on the transformative power of fire that shapes creations.
- Some of the pieces are inspired by their journeys and personal experiences. The Bun in the Oven piece has impressions of a pregnant belly using ceramics.
- Discarded glass bottles reflect nature and human impact. There are glass bangles that have been melted and reshaped to metaphorically explore the process of societal conditioning.
Collaboration: The idea to work together came last year, with both artists using fire in their artistic process. As mothers, they both drew on their personal journeys and nostalgia to inspire their work.
🎨 Outdoor Art Fest
The 2024 edition of the Art Fest showcased works from several artists across Tamil Nadu.
What’s it about? Nageswara Rao Park was the perfect setting for this year’s edition of the Art Fest. The exhibition showcased works from 87 artists across the state. People could see and enquire about purchasing the works.
- The exhibition displayed drawings, illustrations, and miniatures of common elements, Indian landmarks, and landscapes. Artists were given a dedicated space in the park to display their work.
- The crowd grew post 4 pm. The event was an opportunity for artists from outside Chennai to get visibility.
Other activities: Also taking part were students, part-time artists and designers. Artist and social activist Shreya Suraj conducted two free workshops for children.
✈️ Decreased cargo handling
The Chennai airport has fallen behind others in the handling of cargo due to infrastructure constraints.
What’s it about? Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata have outpaced Chennai in handling cargo at the airport. While the Chennai airport handled more cargo during the pandemic period and recorded an increase till 2021-22, there has been a steady decline after passenger traffic picked up.
- Since April 2023, the airport handled a higher volume only in May, October, and December. In the April-January period, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi handled more cargo.
- In 2022-23, there was a 1.5% decline in cargo handling at the Chennai airport. Its location makes it ideal for being a hub. In the April-January period, it handled 2.09 lakh tonnes of international cargo.
What’s the issue? The airport currently faces limitations in handling passenger flights and cargo aircraft. There’s a need for more taxiways and cargo bays. Expanding facilities in a functioning international airport isn’t easy.
🌊 Checking in on flood mitigation efforts
Civic officials attended a workshop and took stock of the city’s flood mitigation efforts.
What’s it about? To help the city better tackle floods in the future, the “Learning from twin disasters of December 2023 and the way forward” workshop was conducted by Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena. Discussions were held on learning from the experiences of the December floods. Officials then toured several flood mitigation projects.
- The city has several projects from the Chennai Corporation, the water resources, fisheries, and highways departments. Shiv Das asked officials to accelerate land acquisition and complete the projects before the next monsoon.
- Most of the stormwater drain work has been completed. Some of the projects were put on hold due to Cyclone Michaung.
Specific efforts: To reduce flooding near Porur Lake, the water resources department has proposed building 14 canals to divert water into the Adyar River.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Would you prefer to stay in an independent house or apartment complex?
- I prefer to stay in an independent house.
- I prefer to stay in an apartment complex.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What historical heritage structure is on your bucket list to visit?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- A Presbyopia campaign was launched in the city by the Australian over-60 men’s cricket team.
- The Tiruvallur administration has announced several projects to boost tourism.
- Migratory birds have started to make their way to the city along the East Coast Road (ECR).
- IIT Madras researchers have patented the use of spices in a cancer treatment.
- The Jito Premier League will take place in Chennai with eight teams from across India.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have attended a local public civic body meeting: 25.0%
- I haven’t attended a local public civic body meeting: 75.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which fictional character’s life would you prefer to live?
Suchi: “None!”
Shiva: “Saitama”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!