Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 36 ℃ | Low: 26 ℃ | Mostly sunny for the day.
🧐 Did you know? Chennai is the only city in Asia to be the burial place of one of the 12 apostles of Christ.
🏞️ Making Chennai a biophilic city
The government’s efforts to set up an urban park in place of the Madras Race Course Club are crucial to increasing green cover.
What’s it about? Several major cities across the world have large urban parks. Some, like New York City, have several, including the iconic Central Park. London has Hyde Park. For Indian cities, the priority of building parks is quite low. Under the AMRUT scheme, only 2% of its allocation is for parks and gardens.
- In the Chennai Corporation, there are 3 horticulturalists to 350 engineers. It’s indicative of the relative importance given to green infrastructure.
- Green spaces can help a city become more climate resilient. It can also help residents’ psychology by connecting with nature. Harvard biologist EO Wilson coined the term biophilia in the 1980s to describe how humans have a primal love and attachment to nature.
What should be done? The failures of grey infrastructure are evident every year, especially in cities like Chennai. Stormwater drains aren’t the ideal solution for urban flooding. Trees, parks, urban forests, rain gardens, and wetlands help slow down, soak up, and store most rainwater.
🤝 OSAC conference
Officials from the USA and India gathered for the OSAC conference hosted by the US Consul General in Chennai.
What’s it about? The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) brought together security officials from the USA and those from the diplomatic and corporate sectors to enhance security cooperation through analysis, training, and consultations.
- The meeting sought to boost information-sharing networks among US government and private sector security professionals. The goal is to build trust through networks with Indian private security counterparts.
- The event reflected the US-India partnership from a commercial and strategic standpoint. Attendees discussed the era of targeted threats and the need to adapt to keep citizens safe.
About OSAC: OSAC is a joint initiative of the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and US organisations globally.
🚌 Bus travellers for Diwali
Bus termini across the city are expecting large numbers as lakhs of people will leave the city in time for Diwali.
What’s it about? Transport Minister SS Sivasankar said an estimated 5 lakh people could leave the city for their hometowns for Diwali. Over the next few days, mofussil buses will be operated from the Koyambedu, Kilambakkam, and Madhavaram termini to cater to the expected increase in passenger numbers.
- Over 9,600 buses will run for three days from Kilambakkam. It includes 3,408 daily bus services, 4,250 special buses, and 2,000 omnibuses. Reserve parking facilities have been arranged for additional buses.
- For hassle-free movement within the Kilambakkam terminus, eight electric vehicles will operate between the MTC terminus and the outstation bus operation area. Digital boards have been installed to display bus boarding areas.
Monitoring private operators: Amid allegations that omnibuses were hiking ticket fares, special teams will monitor fares charged by private operators. Notices have been sent to booking apps like RedBus.
🏫 Gas leak at school
A gas leak at a private school in Tiruvottiyur could be from its chemistry lab.
What happened? The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) investigating the gas leak at the Victory Matriculation Higher Secondary School, believes the source could be the chemistry lab.
- 35 students were treated at nearby hospitals after they reported throat and eye irritation. Some students fainted due to breathing difficulties.
- About five students returned to the hospital on Saturday with symptoms of eye and throat irritation. All the affected students were treated at private hospitals and the Government Stanley Hospital and have been discharged.
Investigation: The unpleasant odour affected students who were near the lab. The TNPCB will likely take another day or two to complete its investigation and submit a report.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Would you ever try a digital detox for a full week?
- I would try a digital detox for a full week.
- I wouldn’t try a digital detox for a full week.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite sweet/delicacy to eat for Diwali?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The MTC’s Staff app will be used to help drivers and conductors apply for leave.
- Several EMU cancellations the week before Diwali have left many shoppers and travellers frustrated.
- A detailed video walks you through the new Kalaignar Centenary Park, highlighting the positives and issues.
- A first-hand account of an MA student as he finds his own space at IIT Madras.
- Housing Board tenements at Moolakothalam face structural damages and leakages.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!