Good morning, Chennai!
⛅ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny with some cloud cover.
🧐 Did you know? The Photographic Society of Madras is the oldest photography society in India. It was set up in 1857 by Alexander Hunter and Walter Elliot as a space for amateur photographers.
🚇 Metro’s pre-book feature for corporates
Companies can now pre-book metro tickets for their employees.
What’s it about? Chennai Metro has launched its pre-book feature for corporates where companies can book tickets in bulk for their employees. Officials hope this new initiative will help increase ridership.
- The Chennai Metro recently had a trial with data management solutions provider Zifo Technologies for its upcoming event. The company pre-booked 5,000 tickets.
- Along with the invite, employees will get a QR code ticket which they can use to travel. The invite will also have relevant information like where it can be used and the number of trips.
Ridership numbers: The Chennai Metro has rolled out a few new features recently like WhatsApp and QR-code ticketing. Currently, an average of 2.5 lakh people take the metro daily. That’s less than the 7.75 lakh projected when phase 1 was being planned.
🏳️🌈 A queer journey
Here’s the journey of Yesuraja and his Magizhvan Foundation on how they help the LGBTQ+ community.
What’s it about? After Yesuraja came out as gay in 2014, they founded the city-based Magizhvan Foundation to help others in the LGBTQ+ community. Despite some progress and change in mentality towards the community, Yesuraja concedes there’s still a long way to go.
- Yesuraja’s journey took him to pursue their passion for art with a diploma course in Hair and Makeup at Nature’s Academy. Despite facing discrimination, their clients didn’t have a problem, and soon they began working on weddings and photoshoots.
- 2017 saw their first foray into film, doing the makeup for a movie titled Unfateful. Yesuraja says the makeup and hairstyling industry is a good space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Social work: Despite being a full-time makeup artist, Yesuraja prioritises social work. They worked with Chennai Dost to help organise events in Chennai and other cities in the state. The Magizhvan Foundation has grown from 15 members to over 1,000.
🧑🏫 IIT’s focus going forward
After being ranked no.1 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) list, IIT Madras Director provides insight into the institute’s future.
What did he say? IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti said ensuring the wellness of students and faculty and launching its foreign campus in Tanzania are among its top priorities.
- In the wake of student suicides that has brought the institute under the scanner, he said ensuring the well-being of students is a top priority.
- He said they’ve already conducted a wellness survey at the campus, and students have given their feedback. It revealed many of them deal with personal and academic stress.
Future plans: Apart from the new foreign campus, the Institute of Eminence’s focus will be interdisciplinary research and courses. They’ve already got thousands of applications for the recently launched BS in medical science degree. The number of rural interactive centres will likely increase to 1,000.
👨🍳 Chef Sanjeev Kapoor city-bound
The famous chef will be in Chennai for an exclusive cooking masterclass.
What’s it about? Iconic celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor will soon host a free masterclass in the city showcasing fusion recipes using innovative culinary methods.
- He says Chennai’s food scene is special. He talked about the uniqueness of Chettinad and South Indian cuisine. For him, sweet and savoury pongal, payasam, and the types of biryanis define the richness and diversity of Tamil cuisine.
- More broadly, he said people now opt for healthier eating options. In particular, millets are of interest. According to him, it has seen a revival. He expected to see more people experiment with millet-based recipes.
What to expect? In looking forward to meeting the Chennai audience and foodies, his masterclass will have fusion preparations like blue pea fried rice with chilli garlic prawns and biryani arancini with raw mango kadhi.
Details: The masterclass will take place on June 10 at Phoenix MarketCity.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever engaged with the Chennai Corporation over a civic issue?
- Yes, I have engaged with the Chennai Corporation over a civic issue.
- No, I’ve never engaged with the Chennai Corporation over a civic issue.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What word or phrase would you use to describe the city?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Aavin contract staff staged a protest in Ambattur over non-payment of salaries.
- Several dug-up roads across the city are yet to be fixed by the Corporation.
- Apollo Cancer Centre Chennai commemorated the landmark of treating the maximum number of thalassemia-affected children.
- S Sujitha will be Avadi’s first woman traffic inspector.
- Tunnelling in OMR for phase 2 of the Metro will begin only in November 2024.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have cycled to my workplace: 14.3%
- I haven’t cycled to my workplace: 85.7% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
If Chennai had an official ambassador, who should it be?
Chitra: “Dhoni! :)”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!