Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 23 ℃ | Mostly clear skies for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The Madras Canine Club was the first to introduce Agility trials in India and became popular at the Crufts show in the UK and elsewhere.
👋 Portable robot for rehabilitation
IIT Madras and CMC Vellore jointly developed a robot for hand rehabilitation.
What’s it about? IIT Madras and the Christian Medical College, Vellore, developed a cost-effective portable plug-and-train robot for hand rehabilitation. The PLUTO device was commercialised through Thryv Rehab Solutions.
- PLUTO is the first and only Indigenous robot to have been tested in Indian homes. It has already benefitted over 1,000 patients. It offers therapeutic movements and real-time feedback for better outcomes.
- The device is used for people recovering from stroke, spinal cord injuries, and post-hand surgeries for hand and wrist movements. It can be used in rehabilitation centres, clinics, and hospitals.
Design: The design used recyclable materials and energy-efficient processes. The production costs are minimised to make it relatively affordable.
👨🏫 University warning to supervisors
Anna University warned supervisors against harassment of PhD scholars and research irregularities.
What’s it about? The warning to supervisors came after reports of irregularities in research activities and lapses in ethical conduct. A recent letter from the Higher Education Department instructed the university to follow the new guidelines in research activities.
- The university said recognised Supervisors can’t obtain supervisor-ship status from another university. A senior professor can’t use the services of a scholar to complete academic tasks.
- The university also mentioned any acts of sexual abuse, harassment, phone calls, SMSs, or emails are prohibited.
Penalties: Violations of PhD regulations by supervisors will lead to the withdrawal of their status permanently or for a period of five years. They also won’t be allowed to guide existing scholars in the university.
🚌 Bus operators fleece passengers
Amidst the Pongal rush, omnibus operators steadily increased fares this year.
What’s it about? As passengers complained about high fares by omnibus operators, the state government helpline to address the situation didn’t accept calls. Several passengers returning to Chennai were charged higher than the upper limit set by the Omnibus Owners’ Association.
- A single ticket from Nagercoil to Chennai was ₹3,899, and from Madurai to Chennai was ₹3,950. For AC sleepers, the fares are usually in the ₹1,500-2,500 range.
- The maximum fare fixed for Coimbatore to Chennai on a premium AC sleeper bus was ₹2,870, and from Madurai to Chennai was ₹2,550 for a Volvo AC sleeper.
Helpline unhelpful: Transport Minister SS Sivasankar announced that passengers could complain about high fares to four helpline numbers. However, the calls weren’t being accepted.
🚆 Upcoming railway station
The Kilambakkam railway station is expected to be operational in May.
What’s it about? The upcoming railway station in Kilambakkam will primarily cater to commuters using the Kilambakkam bus terminus who use long-distance buses.
- Currently, to reach Chennai, passengers need to take an MTC bus or auto rickshaw to the Vandalur or Urapakkam station and catch a local train from there.
- The new station will have three platforms and can accommodate 12-car trains. The station was supposed to be ready last August but was delayed.
Location: The station is located between Vandalur and Urapakkam, about 500 metres from the bus terminus across GST Road.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you fed a stray dog?
- I have fed a stray dog.
- I haven’t fed a stray dog.
❓ Today’s Question
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Like a heritage walk, which city would you like to see have a food walk?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- India Tourism and Trade Fair at Island Grounds has attracted over 1 lakh visitors.
- Over 1,000 MoUs were signed at the Chennai International Book Fair for translating books to foreign languages.
- IIT Madras Director goes viral after endorsing cow urine’s medicinal value.
- In ‘The Tamils’, author Nirmala Lakshman explores Tamil history and culture.
- Tech Mahindra opened its Manufacturing Experience Center in Chennai to scale up AI-driven innovations.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!