Good morning, Chennai!
⛅ Today’s weather: Cloudy with some sunshine.
🧐 Did you know? The state’s and one of the country’s first industrial estates was established in Guindy in 1958. It was touted as Asia’s first production cluster. It was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru.
👪 Seeking refuge in Chennai
Stateless persons and refugees from Sri Lanka and Myanmar have made Chennai their home.
Who are they? Stateless people and refugees are internationally unprotected persons. The former don’t have nationalities, and a refugee is stateless due to the lack of benefits from their country of origin. People who fled Sri Lanka and the Rohingya from Myanmar have moved to Chennai.
- Some families fled the fighting in Sri Lanka and have settled in Chennai. OfERR is a non-profit run by refugees that work for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. Some lost family members in the war.
- Rohingyas in India are stateless. Over 7 lakh fled to Bangladesh before the 2017 genocide. Many moved to India but don’t have citizenship. About 85 have settled in Chennai.
Global picture: The Global Trends, Forced Displacement 2022 report showed 108.4 million people were displaced by the end of last year. 76% of them are refugees. Some migrate to neighbouring middle-income countries like India.
🎨 Inclusive art
A new exhibition showcases works by artists with disabilities.
What’s it about? “This-Abled Dialogues” is a new exhibition from Art Houz UK and the British Deputy High Commission showcasing artists with disabilities. The exhibition is meant to promote a dialogue on inclusivity.
- The artworks displayed at the exhibition aim to dismantle stereotypes and challenge conventions. It’s to encourage visitors and viewers to look beyond physical and cognitive differences.
- Artists with disabilities face barriers and discrimination throughout their lives. The exhibition is a way for them to communicate their experiences.
Details: This-Abled Dialogues is open to the public until June 28 at the Art Houz Gallery in Nungambakkam.
🚯 Dumping on Cooum river banks
Despite work to restore the Cooum, dumping of vehicle scrap continues.
What’s happening? Crores of rupees have been spent to restore the Cooum. Portions of it have been fenced, and hundreds of families have been evicted. Despite this, the indiscriminate dumping of vehicle scrap continues unabated, particularly around Pudupet.
- Broken windshields, seat covers, and other debris can be seen on the banks at Link Road. People continue to tinker with their vehicles and dump the scrap on the banks. The fencing by the Corporation is broken in some spots.
- Despite penalising 5,000 people and companies, the practice continues. Experts say only a multi-pronged approach will help create awareness.
What’s being done? The Corporation will install CCTV cameras along the banks to monitor the areas. They’ll be integrated with the central control room. Corporation officials will inspect the spots where the fencing is broken and try to apprehend those responsible for dumping.
🍻 Shutting down Tasmac shops
With over 60 stores already shut down, residents want some more specific ones to follow.
What’s it about? Adyar and Old Washermentpet residents want some specific Tasmac shops to be closed and have complained about them for a while. They feel these stores have become a nuisance.
- One shop on Mayor Basudev Street is about 20 metres from a corporation school and 30 metres from Theagaraya College. People scatter bottles on the roads and in front of houses.
- Residents have submitted petitions to the former Royapuram MLA, D Jayakumar. They’ve also spoken to the current DMK MLA, R Murthy, but no action has been taken yet.
Future closures? The current wave of closures is part of the first phase, according to a Tasmac official. The next set of closures will happen based on complaints, and they’ll also work with the police to regulate crowds.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you prefer using Swiggy or Zomato?
- I prefer using Swiggy.
- I prefer using Zomato.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What cuisine do you think needs better choices and representation in the city?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- City Corporation officials can now be transferred across the state to curb corruption.
- Kauvery Hospital launched its Institute of Robotic Surgery, marking a milestone in medical technology.
- Chennai Corporation owes power consumption charges worth ₹100 crore to Tangedco.
- T Nagar Pedestrian Plaza continues to be a hassle with haphazard parking and motorists.
- Aavin Kakkalur Dairy is on its way to going green with power-saving measures.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!