Good morning, Chennai!
🌦️ Today’s weather: High: 35 ℃ | Low: 27 ℃ | A little cloudy with a chance of some rain.
🧐 Did you know? Roy E.B. Bower became the first Consul General in Chennai under the independent flag of India.
🎶 Learning music from a legend
IIT Madras has teamed up with Ilaiyaraaja to set up a centre for music learning and research.
What’s it about? IIT Madras signed an MoU with Tamil musician Ilaiyaraaja to set up the IIT(M) – Maestro Ilaiyaraaja Centre for Music Learning and Research.
- At the formal launch, the musician said 200 young Rajas will learn at this new centre. The centre is a way for him to pass on his experience and learnings over the decades.
- The centre will also facilitate music research of the past and help in musical innovation.
A cultural event: IIT Madras is hosting a society to promote Indian classical music and culture with its 9th annual international convention. The week-long festival till May 26 will see students and volunteers from India and abroad.
🛩️ Taking flight
The Hindustan Aeromodelling Competition was a showcase for school and college teams presenting their aircraft models.
What’s it about? At the national-level Hindustan Aeromodelling Competition, 150 teams from colleges and schools showcased different aircraft models. The event encompassed aviation-related knowledge sharing between participants and aviation enthusiasts.
- The team from Reva University, Bengaluru, presented their trainer model made from depron sheets. It weighed 600 grams and took three days to make. Another from Agni College of Technology presented their model with motor and server support.
- This competition was unique since it was open to school kids for fixed-wing aeromodelling. The three categories are also internationally recognised and can help participants who want to compete internationally.
The winners: Srihari V from Seed Academy won first place in the junior category. Dhanush from KPR Institute of Technology won gold in the senior category, and Rayan from Crescent University won in the open category.
🚰 Quenching Chennai’s thirst
A new study stated that Chennai quarries are the key to ensuring adequate water supply.
What’s it about? Researchers from IIT Madras who have studied the city’s water situation have stated that authorities should divert water from reservoirs to quarries continuously. Water levels at reservoirs have decreased to 44.24%, but the Metrowater is hopeful it’ll last till September.
- If 400 cusecs of reservoir water are sent to quarries, 85% of the city’s normal water supply will be met. Reservoirs have wide mouths and evaporate faster than quarriers.
- Metrowater has 32 abandoned quarries in Erumaiyur and Sikkarayapuram, with enough capacity to meet the supply for a month. They’ve not been linked with the Chembarambakkam reservoir yet.
Evaporation issue: The study showed that during excess rain, like last December, over 823 mcft/year of water from the Chembarambakkam reservoir will evaporate. That’s 82% of the city’s monthly water requirement.
🐄 Cattle census
With increasing stray cattle, the Chennai Corporation will undertake a comprehensive cattle census with numerous guidelines.
What’s it about? The resolution for the census is expected to be passed once the model code of conduct is lifted on June 4. Licenses will be issued to cattle owners, which need to be renewed every three months. The Corporation will also lay out other guidelines as part of the census and approving licenses.
- Licenses will be given to owners who have 36 square feet of space for each cattle. Other criteria like water, food, vaccinations, and the quality of milk produced will also be checked.
- The rules will allow the Corporation to demarcate prohibited areas to rear cattle and cancel licenses if there are violations. In places like Triplicane and Nanganallur, cattle are still reared in public spaces.
Need of the hour: Chennai’s stray cattle menace has become a nuisance for residents. Last year, there were over a dozen cattle attacks, including the death of an 80-year-old in Triplicane. The Corporation could only temporarily seize the cattle and release it days later.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you use a desktop PC or laptop for work and leisure?
- I use a desktop PC.
- I use a laptop.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s a good habit you wish to cultivate?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- No pause option for Aavin milk deliveries irks some consumers.
- IIT Madras has set up a new centre to study the properties of matter for various applications.
- To set an example, the Chennai Traffic Police removed stickers on their vehicles.
- Inadequate parking has left commuters struggling on weekdays at the Meenambakkam metro station.
- Perumbakkam resettled families under the Cooum River Eco Restoration Project have yet to get their housing allotments.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I’m a part of my school or college’s alumni network: 66.7% 🏆
- I’m not a part of my school or college’s alumni network: 33.3%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!