Good morning, Chennai!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 38 ℃ | Low: 24 ℃ | Cloudy with a chance of some rain.
🧐 Did you know? The earliest official residence of the Governors of Madras was in Fort St. George. The first one was built in the 1640s on what’s now Parade Square.
🗣️ Voice to the voiceless
Vulnerable communities fight for survival amid urbanisation and climate change.
What’s it about? “Namma Chennai Namma Heroes” at the Neelam Cultural Centre spotlighted forgotten, working-class, and vulnerable communities at the forefront of the climate crisis. Many residents have had to travel long distances for their livelihoods since their houses were razed or their localities were flooded due to heavy rains and cyclones.
- At the Dr Ambedkar Pagutharivu Padasalai, a tuition centre in JJR Nagar, nearly 200 people are sheltered as officials neglect the area. Many in North Chennai are still reeling from the 2015 and 2023 floods.
- Like Vyasarpadi and Perumbakkam, Ennore remains on the periphery. Even though it was in the news due to the ammonia leak in December and the resulting protests, the news cycle moved on.
Displaced communities: For many, once their houses are razed, they’re stranded by the government in housing boards without knowledge of the area. With heavy rains, flood waters don’t drain quickly in localities as officials often neglect them.
🎨 Illustrating Thirukkural
An exhibition and workshop will showcase and help people create art from the kurals.
What’s it about? The classic text consisting of 1,330 couplets is being reimagined through illustrations thanks to Chennai-based artist Sowmya. The goal is to give the texts a visual form. The Thirukkural artwork and exhibition will provide participants hands-on experience in making miniature art of the kurals.
- The text provided Sowmya with learnings about human psychology, human behaviour, governance, and personal growth. She hopes this new way of experiencing the Thirukkural will appeal to the next generation.
- There were some kurals that Sowmya disagreed with, particularly ones that spoke of women. She worked her own version through the illustrations.
Taking it forward: With kids moving towards gadgets and away from books, Sowmya hopes these illustrations bring in a newer audience for the iconic texts.
🚇 Metro funding tussle
The tug of war between the state and the Centre on the metro’s phase 2 funding could result in delays.
What’s it about? The ₹63,246 crore phase 2 of the Chennai metro has been caught in the middle of a battle of words between the state and central government on funding. The state wants the Centre to release funds for the project. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman has said the entire project is state-funded.
- During the current financial year, only ₹8,000 crore of the planned ₹12,000 crore in the state budget will likely be spent. Till August, the Chennai metro has spent ₹2,900 crore of that amount.
- So far, the state government has provided the necessary funds. It also reduced actual funding to ₹9,000 crore last year. The actual share of money spent is also being affected due to interest and repayment of loans for phase one.
Phase 1 funding: For the first phase, funds and loans flowed from the Centre, and work progressed relatively smoothly since it was categorised as a “central” project. In 2018, the Chennai Metro secured funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Since then, it has been branded a state project.
🏍️ Airport’s two-wheeler ban
The abrupt ban of two-wheelers from entering the airport has irked commuters.
What’s it about? The staff and management in charge of parking at the airport refused to allow two-wheelers and said they would no longer be permitted. There was also no official announcement from the airport or the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
- Officials directed people to park their bikes at the Metro station parking lot or near the airport administration office. Only AAI staff and law enforcement were allowed to park their bikes in the multi-level parking facility.
- Officials said the reason why two-wheelers weren’t being allowed is that they don’t follow traffic rules. There were accidents involving two-wheelers reported inside the airport premises.
Inconvenience: The parking facility at the Airport metro station is usually full during peak hours. The same goes for the multi-level parking facility inside the airport.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever made a purchase on EMI?
- I have made a purchase on EMI.
- I haven’t made a purchase on EMI.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How often do you travel every year?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Madras High Court reserved the order on the case relating to the Race Course lease agreement for 160 acres.
- The Chennai Traffic Police have enforced a strict ban on unauthorised ‘No Parking’ signs.
- Light to moderate rain has been forecast for the city due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
- Chennai played host to the 6th Tamil Nadu State Boccia Championship.
- Amid continued protests, Samsung stated its Chennai workers earn nearly twice as much as other companies.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have travelled by suburban train: 50.0% 🏆
- I haven’t travelled by suburban train: 50.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What are your favourite board games?
Suchi: “Monopoly, Chinese Checkers, Scrabble.”
Kavi: “Chess, Carrom board”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!