Good morning, Chennai!
🌧️ Today’s weather: More cloudy weather for the day with some rain.
🧐 Did you know? Published studies state that the Chembarambakkam Lake was created over 400 years ago during the Pallava rule.
🛫 Airport lounge expansion
Domestic passengers say the lounge at the terminal needs to be expanded to meet increased demand.
What’s it about? With increasing passenger numbers and modernisation work underway, travellers say the domestic terminal lounge needs to be expanded. Many have to wait in long queues since it’s often crowded.
- Most passengers relax and grab a bit to eat at the lounge before boarding their flight. Since domestic passengers don’t have much time to wait, one passenger said they shouldn’t be made to wait.
- In some instances, passengers are turned away since there’s no room in the lounge. One passenger on social media suggested there should be premium lounges like in Bengaluru.
What have authorities said? Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials said once the second domestic terminal opens shortly, the issue will be resolved. This terminal will have lounge facilities for airlines like Air Asia, Air India, and Vistara.
🛕 Temple demolition order
The Madras High Court has ordered the demolition of the Vilayattu Vinayagar Temple in T Nagar.
What’s it about? While dismissing pleas made by tenants on temple land that challenged their eviction, a division bench of the court said no one, including any place of worship, has the right to squat on public roads.
- In 1992, the temple was shifted to another location to make way for a railway bridge. It was then relocated back under the bridge. The Chennai Corporation said the land is classified as Sarkari land and is a road.
- Advocate PT Ramkumar, representing the Railways, said the temple can’t take advantage of the road. The bench said it was a clear case of encroachment.
What next? The court asked the authorities to shift the deities to another place within 15 days. A new location should be identified to construct the temple, and the deities be shifted there.
⚕️ Breast cancer cases
City oncologists say breast cancer cases are increasing among younger women.
What’s it about? Breast cancer, which usually hits women in their 50s, is now hitting more women in their early 30s. Doctors face challenges due to delays and difficulties in diagnosis. Treatment is also difficult since the cancer is more aggressive in younger women.
- At the Cancer Institute’s Madras Metropolitan Tumour Registry, data shows a 7% increase in breast cancer cases in women over the past 15 years. Among those between 25 and 40 years, there has been a 1.5% annual increase.
- At the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, data showed a quarter of women diagnosed with breast cancer over the past five years were below 40. Probable causes are delayed childbirth, sedentary lifestyle, and air pollution.
Statistics: Overall breast cancer cases have doubled from 48.6 per one lakh women in 2017 to 23.6 per one lakh women in 2022. Between 2013 and 2017, nearly 32 per one lakh women in the 35-39 age group were diagnosed.
🎨 Showcasing calendar artists
An upcoming exhibition will showcase works of mid-20th century calendar artists.
What’s the history? A group of artists from Kovilpatti have played an important role in the calendar art industry. They were guided by C Kondiah Raju and had backgrounds in drama scene painting, music, and acting for troupes. Their creations included images for magazines and calendars.
- The upcoming exhibition, titled Kovilpatti: The Town That Papered India, will showcase works by these artists from the 1950s. It has been curated by Dr Stephen Inglis, who researched them in the late 70s and early 80s.
- Inglis interviewed various artists during his research and then wrote a book. The exhibition is a tribute to their work and provides insight into how calendar art came to be.
Shining a spotlight: Despite the enthusiasm for their work, many of these artists were relatively unknown. The exhibition will help tell the names behind their works.
Details: The exhibition is on till November 26 at the Varija Art Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- Maanga Madana Comedy Rajas will celebrate the work of Kamal Hassan with a musical comedy show this Saturday.
- The Algorithm Tour features new material from comedian Daniel Fernandes this Saturday.
- The Movement is a live performance by the EL Fé vocal group and choir this Saturday.
- Know Your Theatre is back for episode 3 to facilitate a coming together of the theatre community this Sunday.
- The Museum of a Mind is a unique art event with talented and captivating artists this Sunday.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I have parked my vehicle at a multi-level car parking facility: 40.0%
- I haven’t parked my vehicle at a multi-level car parking facility: 60.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Where’s the best place to get a traditional South Indian breakfast in the city?
Suchi: “Sangeetha”
Chitra: “Saravana Bhavan”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!