Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny and clear skies for the day.
🧐 Did you know? During the Chola reign in the 10th century AD, they used the East Coast Road (ECR) as a supply route to the southern harbours. It was named Vadugaperuvazhi, meaning big way to the North.
🧑🏫 Computer science teachers wanted
There’s a demand for computer science teachers in engineering colleges due to increased intake in computer-related branches.
What’s it about? Engineering colleges have asked the AICTE to allow faculty from the EEE and ECE branches to teach computer science courses following a short training programme owing to a shortage. Current norms state teachers with UG and PG in computer science-related departments can take classes.
- The faculty shortage could be 20-30% this year. Some engineering colleges say increasing salaries could bring in more teachers. In some cases, up to 50% of the topics on computer science engineering can be taught by faculty from other departments.
- Deemed universities have asked their faculty to enrol in part-time ME and MTech programmes in computer science to equip them to take classes.
Who said what? RM Kishore of the Consortium of Self-Financing Professional, Arts, and Science Colleges said they’ve sent a representation to the AICTE. P Deiva Sundari of KCG College of Technology said topics like AI and data science are statistics and maths-based, and online courses can help upskill faculty.
🚮 Double bins a must
All hotels and commercial establishments should have appropriate double bins for waste disposal.
What’s it about? The Corporation will begin enforcing a rule that all hotels and commercial establishments should have double bins to segregate bio-degradable and non-biodegradable waste. If not, they’ll be fined by the sanitary staff under the 2019 Solid Waste Management Rules. There are more than 94,000 shops of various sizes in the corporation area.
- The two-bin system is being done to ensure cleanliness and encourage people not to dump garbage in public. So far, the Corporation has imposed ₹2 lakh worth of fines.
- There’ll be litter-free corridors identified by the Corporation. They are Ambattur High road, Elliot’s beach road, and Rajiv Gandhi Salai, to name a few.
Who said what? Mayor R. Priya said the first phase of the corridors would include 18 roads where bins will be placed with additional manpower. Civic activist R Ramesh said some hotels in Thiruvottiyur High Road, one of the identified roads, continue to dump waste outside despite bins being placed.
📉 Reduced vegetable prices
Vegetable prices are expected to stabilise with a steady inflow at the Koyambedu market.
What’s it about? Unlike previous years in February, vegetable prices in the city declined due to adequate supply from neighbouring states. The first crop cultivation of the post-northeast monsoon has begun. Usually, February sees a shortage of supply. The delay of the 2022 monsoon impacted production.
- In January, the rates increased slightly, unlike in previous years. In the past week, the Koyambedu market has been getting sufficient supplies.
- The market has been receiving 500-520 vehicles of commodities since last week. Currently, the market sells tomatoes for ₹20-25 per kg. Retail traders in the city thronged the market, but there seemed to be no significant price difference.
Who said what? P Sukumaran of the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Merchants said the first crop cultivation starts after the northeast monsoon ends due to the adequate water supply. He said the current yield would decrease as the second crop is expected to begin in March.
👁️ Pharma company in trouble
A city-based company is under investigation for defective eye drops sold in the US.
What’s it about? Global Health’s lubricant eye drops distributed by Ezricare and Delsam Pharma in the US are being investigated by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials noted 55 adverse cases, including permanent blindness and one death. They attributed this to the eye drops.
- The drops in question aren’t sold in India. The US FDA has asked doctors and consumers not to buy the product. The company is now on the FDAs import alert list to prevent future imports.
- The FDA has issued a notification to recall the drops from the market, citing manufacturing violations like lack of microbial testing and proper controls for tamper-evident packaging.
Domestic reaction: Following the FDA warning, drug inspectors from the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government searched the company’s premises 40 km south of Chennai.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
What’s your preferred way to consume news?
- I prefer to consume news on TV.
- I prefer to consume news online.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your go-to news site for a morning read?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- MCC’s theatre group Theatre No.59, celebrates its 10th anniversary.
- Cyclists only have partial access to the dedicated cycle track due to illegal parking.
- Residents want their say in how rules are framed under the Apartment Ownership Act.
- Chennai Corporation will resume its beautification projects under the Singara Chennai 2.0 initiative.
- Police stations in the city see a seven-hour-long wait to file a sexual harassment complaint.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I usually get groceries myself: 78.9% 🏆
- I usually order them online: 21.1%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!