Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: It’s going to be sunny and hot.
🧐 Did you know? Chennai’s history with chess goes back decades. The Tal Chess Club was set up in 1972 at the Library of the House of Soviet Culture. At the time, Soviet Consulates in India collaborated with Indians excelling in sports and culture. It’s where a young Viswanathan Anand began playing chess.
🗺️ Opinions on Third Master Plan
QR code stickers in metro trains will be used to gather opinions on the Third Master Plan.
What’s it about? The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) wants the Metro to have QR codes in metro trains to seek opinions from passengers on the city’s Third Master Plan. It’s part of the CMDA’s initiative to get public input on the ambitious project.
- Once the stickers are in place, passengers can scan them and answer 14 questions divided into different categories like housing, environment, quality of life, etc.
- The Third Master Plan (2026-2046) covers 1,189 sq km. Officials have begun conducting visionary survey campaigns at beaches, malls, and online. More than 30,000 have already participated.
History: The first plan was drawn up in 1976. The second plan was prepared in 2008. Projects are being implemented based on the previous plans. Before, the projects were initiated only at the official level. Now, the CMDA wants people’s opinions too.
🛍️ Regulation of Loop Road vendors
The Chennai Corporation will regulate the vendors on Loop Road without affecting traffic.
What’s it about? The High Court allowed the Corporation to regulate the fisherfolk who have stalls on Loop Road to ensure traffic flow on the stretch isn’t affected. Necessary steps will be taken to streamline traffic and accommodate vendors until the new fish market is built.
- The Corporation has identified two parking bays behind the lighthouse near Srinivasapuram. Traffic police will be assisted to ensure customers visiting the stalls use the dedicated parking slots.
- The Corporation told the court that they’d make it clear no encroachments or unlicensed eateries would be permitted on the western side of the road.
New market: The Loop Road market will have over 380 stalls and 200 parking slots. Till then, the temporary location will be on the beach side of the stretch.
🎨 Cholamandal Artists’ Village exhibition
Paintings and sculptures from acclaimed artists and young talent from the Progressive Painters’ Association are being displayed.
What’s it about? As the Progressive Painters’ Association (PPA) completes 79 years, Artworld Sarala’s Art International in Chennai showcased paintings and sculptures by artists from the association. Some of the artists from the PPA currently live and work at the Cholamandal Artists’ Village.
- The exhibition is a microcosm of PPA founder KCS Paniker’s vision who wanted art to be a collective experience. It contains affordable paintings and sculptures by artists including Anila Jacob, C Douglas, and SG Vasudev.
- A pattern among the curated works at the exhibition is the integration of local and regional contexts that blend modern and post-modern styles.
Who said what? PPA President S Saravanan said Paniker wanted to make art affordable and accessible to all.
Details: The exhibition is open from 6 pm to 8 pm till April 22.
👩🍳 Celebrating women chefs
A new platform will showcase and celebrate women chefs and their cooking styles.
What’s it about? Rupali Dean and her daughter launched ‘Dean With Us’ to connect travel, culture, and food across the world. In partnership with The Leela Palace, Hotels, and Resorts, they launched the ‘Shefs’ concept to celebrate women chefs.
- The third edition will be at the Leela Palace Chennai after two successful editions in Bengaluru and Gurugram. The events are aimed at spreading the message that women can also be chefs.
- The event will showcase four renowned chefs, Adhira Swami, Tejasvi Chandela, Neha Deepak Shah, and Marina Balakrishnan, who will present their signature dishes.
Who said what? Rupali said the event is to celebrate Indian women chefs from across the world by encouraging and promoting their talent. The Shefs platform is an opportunity for women chefs to showcase their work through dinners and masterclasses to inspire young and budding women chefs.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- The Fourth Album Equilibrium Tour comes to Chennai with its IndoSoul music concert this Saturday.
- Playback singer Madhushree performs live in concert for the first time in South India this Sunday.
- The SamaBhav International Film Festival is happening at the Madras School of Social Work this Saturday.
- Dark People Stories from the South from Chennai Art Theatre is happening this Sunday.
- The Madras Market at Phoenix Marketcity is the place to explore food, fashion, and fun.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I have/am currently using a fitness tracker: 55.6% 🏆
- I haven’t/don’t currently use a fitness tracker: 44.4%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s a historical site you want to visit?
Chitra: “Colosseum in Rome”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!