Good morning, Chennai!
⛅ Today’s weather: More of the same with cloudy weather.
🧐 Did you know? The Chennai-based Indian Bank was started by a local lawyer, V Krishnaswamy Iyer. It was born out of the Swadeshi movement in the wake of the collapse of the then-British Arbuthnot Bank.
🛰️ Student-designed satellite
SRM Public School and Space Kidz will collaborate on building a satellite designed by students.
What’s it about? Space Kidz India and SRM Public School, Guduvanchery, will team up for a new initiative where students will design and develop a satellite to be sent into orbit. The satellite will travel on one of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) launch vehicles.
- The satellite will have a 5 kg payload and be fitted into one of the launch vehicles. It’s expected to be sent into orbit between this October and February 2024.
- The satellite will be used for communication. Data collected by it will be used by sectors like agriculture and for weather forecasts.
Impetus: Dr KR Maalathi, an advisor of SRM school, said they’ve been encouraging their students to have a scientific interest, particularly as space exploration has gained momentum in India.
🚌 Unregulated school transport
Incidents of accidents involving school vans have brought safety and regulation to the fore.
What’s it about? A recent incident in Adyar, where seven primary school students escaped from their school van which was on fire, has brought up the issue of their safety and responsibility. The issue of school vehicles is fraught since some schools have outsourced this to private agencies and abdicated responsibility.
- Many private institutions in and around the city have stopped owning buses and vans due to additional costs. Data shows there are 2,600 school vehicles. Before the pandemic, it was over 3,000.
- Parents have had to opt for contract vehicles, many of which are subject to minimal or no safety checks. One with a school permit is mandated to pay ₹600 as road tax every quarter. However, when schools don’t function, they’re used by tourist operators.
What should be done? Some are calling for the regulation of all school vehicles regardless of who owns them. Fitness certificates are issued to vehicles every six months.
- However, if all vans are given school permits, they can’t be used for tourist operations and thus generate lower revenue.
♻️ War against plastics
The Chennai Corporation has projects lined up for Chennai to go unplastic.
What’s it about? By seeing what Goa and Indore have done to combat the blight of plastics, the Corporation has projects worth ₹882 crore in the pipeline for Chennai. Broadly, the projects will look at how to manage and process recyclable and non-recyclable plastic waste.
- The city can currently manage only 500 tonnes of plastic waste. 200 of this comes from 220 micro composting centres and wards that segregate waste. Much of it is sent to Dalmiya Cement.
- Despite the detailed project reports being complete, the new proposals were delayed. It was due to the delay in finalising the funds required and more research time, given the scale of the projects.
Being optimistic: Experts feel Chennai is on the right path in waste management, and the Corporation’s plans will help. Since plastic adds to the calorific value of waste processing, the proposed projects will help the facilities and improve waste segregation.
🏞️ Eco park timings irk residents
Residents are upset about the restricted timings of the Adyar Eco Park.
What’s it about? The 358-acre eco-park, Tholkappiar Poonga, has limited timings that have made residents and visitors unhappy. Some who went to the park on Sunday were denied access since it was closed.
- The official timings of the park show that it should be open from 6.30 am to 8 am and again from 4.30 pm to 6 pm. The park seemingly closed at 5.30 pm instead.
- The security guard said the park was closed on Sundays for visitors. Other officials said the ticket counters weren’t operational hence the early closing time.
Unhappy residents: Some residents say officials are lazy and make up excuses to prevent people from using the park. They suggest hiring a private contractor to maintain it.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Does your phone have 5G capability?
- My phone has 5G capability.
- My phone doesn’t have 5G capability.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What exotic fruit do you wish was more easily available in the city?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The new integrated terminal commences full operations with more airlines transferring to the new space.
- Women entrepreneurs were lauded for their achievements at the Best Entrepreneur Women Excellence Awards.
- Climate Action Month was inaugurated at the AMJC for educational institutions across the city.
- Resurfacing on secondary runway is nearing completion to ensure safety standards.
- Year-long traffic restrictions to facilitate ongoing Metro work has been announced on Marina Beach service road.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have eaten at an Amma canteen: 66.7% 🏆
- I haven’t eaten at an Amma canteen: 33.3%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which is the best picnic spot in the city?
Chitra: “Semmozhi Poonga”
Shiva: “Beach”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!