Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 36 ℃ | Low: 28 ℃ | Some cloud cover with high humidity.
🧐 Did you know? Soon after World War I broke out, the Madras War Fund was created and had enough to kit out a hospital ship. The fund acquired the SS Tanda and converted it into a floating health facility.
🎨 Showcasing Rajasthani art
Art enthusiast Rachita Choudhary has made it her mission to preserve Pichwai art.
What’s it about? Rachita has curated folk art of the Mewar region in Rajasthan through her brand called “Rach”, derived from the Sanskrit word Rachayita, meaning creator. It’s part of her connection to Shekhawati, her ancestral homeland in Mewar.
- Pichwai paintings are artworks that hang behind idols of Lord Krishna and others in temples. They’re done on cotton fabric, with the initial outline done using charcoal and then painted on using colours made from saffron and turmeric.
- The goal is to support artisans and families who have carried on this traditional art form for generations.
Personal work: Rachita has adopted a village in Rajasthan to support local artists and their work.
🗣️ Increasing awareness about climate change
A new Tamil podcast sheds light on the effects of climate change on marginalised communities.
What’s it about? With climate change now a household topic of discussion, given the severity of extreme weather events, the Aram Thinai podcast delves into grassroots stories of how people are affected. It’s hosted by Karthik G and Banisha Maggie.
- The impetus came from their work on climate change and the lack of stories on its impact on ordinary people and marginalised communities like farmers and fisherfolk.
- One goal of the podcast is to educate people and encourage youngsters to participate in social causes like tackling climate change and raising their voices on behalf of marginalised communities.
On the ground: Karthik worked in North and South Chennai during the recent floods and saw first-hand how people’s lives were affected as flood waters took days to recede in places like Ennore and Vyasarpadi.
🏖️ Beaches in bad shape
The city’s beaches are ridden with waste and garbage, with the Chennai Corporation doing little to clean them up.
What’s it about? While the state is looking to spruce up the city’s coastline and beaches, their current state makes them unsuitable even as a recreational venue. Apart from occasional clean-up drives, the Chennai Corporation has done little to find a permanent solution to the build-up of waste and garbage.
- The city’s beaches generate up to 100 tonnes of waste, especially on weekends. The Corporation hasn’t invested in manpower or machinery to keep them clean. There’s no dedicated team of conservancy workers.
- Elliot’s Beach has illegal shops, vendors, and discarded furniture. The number of encroachments has sharply risen over the years. If these beaches are to attain the blue flag status, then the use of single-use plastic and dumping waste must be banned.
What was being done? Last March, the Chennai Corporation deemed beaches “no litter zones”, and appointed special officers to monitor and fine people who littered. There were boards erected, and special vehicles were created. None of that is present anymore.
🛣️ No two-wheeler lane
The NHAI has scrapped plans for dedicated two-wheeler lanes along the Chennai Bypass.
What’s it about? The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) planned to build a dedicated two-lane corridor on the Chennai Bypass connecting Puzhal to Perungalathur. The decision to scrap the plan was made due to concerns about it encouraging reckless driving within the lane.
- The highways have witnessed several accidents, and officials proposed a dedicated lane for two-wheelers. They also believed imposing speed restrictions for the two-wheeler lanes alone would be impractical.
- As residential areas came up, the number of two-wheelers increased. The plan was to use the space within the 5-6 feet wide central median. But it faced pushback from the get-go. There were no exit points for two-wheelers on the road.
Design: The 32-km Bypass has been in use since 2009. Until this January, MTC buses weren’t allowed to ply on the stretch since there were no designated bus stops. The six-lane highway is enclosed on both sides and doesn’t have a paved shoulder on the left for two-wheelers.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you prefer cycling or walking as an exercise?
- I prefer cycling.
- I prefer walking.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
If you could get a tattoo, what would it be?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- 100 lakes in Chennai will be upgraded by the Water Resources Department with automatic water level recorders.
- Post dog biting incidents, pet owners grapple with the challenges of registration.
- Regular metro commuters want the Chennai Metro to reintroduce executive coaches.
- The Squash Rackets Federation, in association with HCL, has revived the National Doubles Championship in Chennai.
- TVS Srichakra has set up its first Eurogrip Tyres store in Chennai.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I prefer white chocolate: 12.5%
- I prefer dark chocolate: 87.5% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
How often do you go to the theatre?
Suchi: “As and when good movies release.”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!