Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 31 ℃ | Low: 23 ℃ | A foggy morning with sunny weather to follow.
🧐 Did you know? The National Art Gallery was built during the celebration of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1907. It is also identified as a heritage site by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).
🎨 Telling the story of Ennore
An art exhibition showcases the oral narratives of residents in the aftermath of environmental disasters in Ennore.
What’s it about? The Ghosts, Monsters & Dreams exhibition at Ashvita’s art gallery is a series of works from four artists of the Government Arts College who delved into the stories of Ennore’s locals. In the aftermath of the ammonia gas leak and the oil spill, the exhibition showcases the links between residents and their diminishing ecosystems.
- The exhibition draws attention to the People’s Plan for Eco-restoration of Ennore Wetlands. One example is M Adhithya Mohan’s sculpture of a hand carrying a golden-sired tree, showing how companies have destroyed Athipattu’s tamarind trees.
- According to curator Satwik Gande, the exhibition is a story of Ennore for the residents of mainland Chennai. Visitors can get an idea of how other areas are being sacrificed.
Ennore’s struggles: From the 1975 stir against the Ennore Thermal Power Station drying up a river to last year’s oil spill into the Ennore Creek, one exhibit, a map by artist Benisha, showcases the region’s long history of agitations.
📚 Moore Market’s uncertain future
.jpeg){kind=link}
The bustling Moore Market faces an uncertain future with the rise of e-books and online resources.
What’s its history? Moore market was conceived by Lt. Col Sir George Moore, president of the then municipality. He laid the foundation stone in 1898. The market is now historic, with a large number of shops and dealers selling second-hand books with students and bookworms looking for bargains. The market has everything from academic books to fiction and non-fiction.
- The sellers have battled several challenges to stay afloat, including last month’s floods. There are now other areas like Perambur and Tambaram with vendors of second-hand books. Online coaching has meant fewer students needing original textbooks.
- March and June are the peak months for sales. The former sees a rush before exams, and the latter comes before a new academic year.
Facing the challenges: In light of some external factors working against them, some vendors tried going the online route but realised it’s harder to sustain. The Allikula Vanigavallaga Vyaapaarikal Nalasangam, the workers’ union, has been helping the sellers for the past four years.
🦺 Shortage of workers
The Chennai Corporation and Metro Water Board have a worker shortage as grievances have gone unresolved.
What’s it about? The two civic departments in the city have been plagued by a staff crunch, especially those with technical knowledge. As a result, public grievances remain unresolved.
- Across the city, residents have complained about several issues to the water board. However, an engineer is placed in charge of more than two places. Sometimes, issues raised in complaint cells get closed without resolutions.
- At council meetings, councillors often voice concerns about a lack of engineers. There’s a lack of coordination. There are only a handful of permanent field workers like zonal officials and executive engineers.
Equipment shortage too: It’s not just people, there’s also a shortage of vehicles and equipment. For example, there are only 15 vehicles available for the Corporation’s dog and cattle catch drives.
🛍️ Trade Fair’s slow start
The delay in the unveiling of the Indian Tourism and Industrial Fair has led to a slow start this year.
What’s it about? The 48th edition of the fair was inaugurated on January 12 at Island Grounds. However, traders say business has been slow due to lower footfall.
- Last year’s edition was inaugurated on January 4. This year, due to the Formula 4 and the Indian Racing League events at the same venue, the fair was delayed. Setting of stalls was also delayed due to the rains last month.
- According to some traders and sellers, the fair would’ve seen more visitors if it was held before Christmas. Last year, over 2.5 lakh people visited in the first 14 days. So far, there have been 2.47 lakh visitors.
Expectations: Organisers expect business to pick up pace in a week. On Saturday, over 22,000 people visited the fair.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you subscribe to print magazines?
- I subscribe to print magazines.
- I don’t subscribe to print magazines.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What magazine did you read regularly in the past?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Government Hospital Royapettah is in bad shape and needs to be renovated.
- The Vandalur Zoo has received some endangered bird species from the Kanpur Zoo.
- Anonymous Artist’s Collective’s project to paint walls near stadiums has brought in transgender people.
- Chennai-Hong Kong flights that were suspended due to Covid will resume from February 1.
- Accidents on GST Road prompt Singaperumal Koil residents to protest the lack of response.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I grow plants at home: 50.0% 🏆
- I don’t grow plants at home: 50.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which historical figure’s biography would you like to read?
Suchi: “Mahatma Gandhi”
Priscilla: “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar”
Shiva: “Swami Vivekananda”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!