Good morning, Chennai!
☁️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy for the day.
🧐 Did you know? Vencatachellum Madras Curry Powder was founded and owned by P Vencatachellum Pillai and his son, PV Subramania Pillai, in the late 1800s. They were dominant in the global curry powder and pickles industry for almost 100 years.
🎶 Concert in the Dark
To benefit the visually challenged, musician Anil Srinivasan will perform in the dark.
What’s it about? To give the audience a taste of how it feels to be blind, educator and musician Anil Srinivasan launched “Concert in the Dark” six years ago. The concerts are conducted for the visually challenged women of the Gnanadarshan Seva Home, with the proceeds going to them.
- This year’s concert will take place in the morning, and the audience will be given eye masks. Like in previous years, Anil will be accompanied by Krishna Kishor on percussion and Naveen Napier on bass.
- There’ll also be the singing duo of Kiran and Nivi from the US. They’ll be singing contemporary and Carnatic music.
For a good cause: For those at the Gnanadarshan Seva Home, the concerts are a delight since they get to listen to a variety of songs, and the proceeds go toward their education.
Details: The concert will take place on the NAAM Foundation premises in T Nagar on December 17 at 10 am.
🏦 Seeking working capital loans
In the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, several small businesses and shops have sought working capital.
What’s it about? Several small and medium businesses were impacted and incurred heavy financial losses due to the heavy rains and flooding last week. They’re now approaching non-banking financial companies for working capital. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and manufacturing units are seeking increased credit.
- Veritas Finance received over 500-600 loan applications and is anticipating an increase to 1,000 by the month-end. On average, ₹10-12 crore loans are disbursed monthly.
- Shriram Finance also saw an increase in loan applications from Kirana stores and shops. They’ve received applications for loans ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹5 lakh.
Damages: The Ambattur Industrial Estate is reportedly the hardest hit. Many of its MSME manufacturing units are evaluating their working capital requirements as they assess the damage. The initial estimate is ₹200 crore.
📞 Emergency calls go unanswered
The complaint cells of the Chennai Corporation and the water supply and sewage management board went unanswered.
What’s it about? Helpless residents whose homes and streets were waterlogged couldn’t reach the concerned officials since their calls to the complaint cells went unanswered. The Corporation’s complaint cell wasn’t reachable, and people relied on volunteers for evacuation.
- Till December 7, almost all calls went unanswered. This meant the accumulated garbage on streets wasn’t cleaned, and they had to post about it on social media.
- Many people took to social media for help, stating that Corporation helplines weren’t functioning. People were encouraged to not share Corporation helpline numbers since they weren’t working.
What did the Corporation say? The Corporation apparently hired additional workers to handle the helplines. However, people still couldn’t get through.
🎨 Showcasing German and Tamil artistry
A new exhibition with the works of four artists showcases Tamil and German artistry.
What’s it about? The exhibition, Travelling Patterns, is presented in collaboration with Goethe-Institut and Tara Books. It brings together four artists – Aditi Jain, Henning Wagenbreth, Verena Gerlach, and Ruchi Shah.
- The exhibition, curated by Prarthana Karthikeyan, showcases their works and Kalamkari prints and blocks from the DashinaChitra Collection.
- It includes interactive activities, Kalamkari textile displays and primary tools used in the traditional Kalamkari process.
Workshops: Workshops were conducted in November and this month, where the artists were introduced to the motifs, designs, and patterns from Kalamkari block makers of Machilipatnam.
Details: The exhibition runs till January 21 at the Varija Art Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you use a screen/scratch guard for your phone?
- I use a screen/scratch guard for my phone.
- I don’t use a screen/scratch guard for my phone.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What was your most prized childhood possession?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Flood-affected residents are now in the restoration process and assessing the damage caused.
- A trial run of buses was conducted by the CMDA at the Kilambakkam bus terminus.
- The Chennai Corporation will look at 363 localities for inundation patterns.
- Conservancy workers were facilitated by MK Stalin with cash rewards.
- Gorilla Glass maker Corning will set up a new manufacturing facility near Chennai.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I did face prolonged power cuts during last week’s rains: 72.7% 🏆
- I didn’t face prolonged power cuts during last week’s rains: 27.3%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What was your favourite TV show you watched this year?
Nirja: “Aspirants”
Maruthi: “The last of us”
Anushiya: “Cook with Comali Season 2 😂”
Shiva: “Bluey”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!