Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 33 ℃ | Low: 26 ℃ | Mostly sunny and clear for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The government first used the government museum buildings as the collector’s “Cutcherry” and later for the “Central Museum.” The museum was originally established in a building on College Road in Nungambakkam in 1851.
🙏 Building and supporting lives
The Banyan celebrated 30 years with its evolution into a globally recognised model of care.
What’s it about? The Banyan celebrated over 30 years of service and transformative work and announced an endowment grant from the Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST). The money will be used to expand its Home Again initiative across Tamil Nadu and Kerala to promote community-based mental healthcare.
- The Home Again model integrates homeless people with mental health issues into shared homes to foster dignity and independence. A discussion highlighted the need to move beyond asylums and embrace community-driven approaches.
- A panel discussion touched on the intersection of mental health, media, and art. Filmmaker Bharatbala spoke of the importance of storytelling in breaking stigmas.
Journey: The Banyan was founded in 1993 by Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar. It began as a small initiative to support homeless women. Over the past three decades, it has grown into a globally recognised organisation. The Home Again model was acknowledged by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and The Lancet Commission.
🤝 Freelancers gather
The 2024 Global Freelancers Festival aims to empower startups and freelancers for the future.
What’s it about? The Global Freelancers Festival, on November 30, at the IIT Madras Research Park, is expected to be the world’s largest gathering of freelancers, solopreneurs, and startup founders in India.
- The one-day event will feature international clients, industry experts, and thought leaders, with over 3,000 attendees expected. The freelancers’ expo will have 150 stalls with skilled talent and innovative startups.
- The summit will have panel discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops that address challenges and highlight opportunities in freelancing and entrepreneurship.
Goals: The summit is more than an event. It’s intended to be a movement that empowers freelancers and provides them with a platform that celebrates talent and collaboration.
🚺 She Toilets have been a boon
The She Toilet vans dotted across the city have been a much-needed relief for people.
What’s its history? These mobile toilets were launched by the Chennai Corporation. 15 of them were inaugurated in 15 zones in September 2023. The goal was to provide a safe and clean toilet infrastructure. The police department also bought a few mobile toilets for their women officers. They’re custom-made by Delhi-based Bhutan Infra.
- They’ve been placed in are Alandur, Marina, T Nagar, and Valluvar Kottam, among other locations. 72 employees provide for the She Toilets. They’re trained to clean the toilets and work 8-hour shifts. The vans are parked at composting centres in the respective zones.
- Each vehicle stores 1,000 litres of water and a sewage tank with 800 litre capacity. The vans have three Indian and one Western-style toilet, a common washbin, a dustbin, exhaust fans, and LED bulbs. The sign on the door reads “Magalir Mattum” (women only).
What’s next? In the coming months, ramps will be installed in each of the toilets to make them accessible. There will also be a storage unit to stick cleaning supplies and sanitary napkins.
🏪 Smart carts for vendors
The Chennai Corporation will install 30 smart carts for Semmencherry vendors.
What’s it about? The civic body will install 30 smart carts for vendors at the TNUHDB 1st Main Road in Semmencherry as a pilot. 10 carts have already been set up and allotted. This initiative will soon be scaled up and implemented in other vending zones across the city.
- There are about 150 vendors in the Semmencherry vending zone. The initiative hopes to provide them with organised spaces to enhance their business.
- The civic body wants to provide vendors with a clean and aesthetically appealing space. K Balaram from the Town Vending Committee welcomed the initiative since they’re useful during the summer and rainy seasons.
Possible concerns? The carts aren’t movable. There’s a concern that all vendors may not be accommodated in their original vending spaces and forced to move to other areas. However, the vendors are being given carts in the same locations they were before.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever used a public toilet?
- I have used a public toilet.
- I’ve never used a public toilet.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite type of coffee?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Pullianthope slaughterhouse modernisation faces resistance as residents want the clearing of waste first.
- The TNEB will build new substations in Chennai and Kancheepuram.
- The MTC clarified that all passengers travelling by bus can carry luggage weighing up to 20 kg for free.
- 70 driverless trains will be built for Chennai Metro’s second phase.
- IndiGo Airlines has launched a new daily direct flight between Chennai and Penang.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have travelled to another city for a concert/sporting event: 37.5%
- I haven’t travelled to another city for a concert/sporting event: 62.5% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s the latest song you listen to on repeat?
Lavanya: “Dhinam Dhinamum (from Viduthalai 2)”
Suchi: “Bhogi Bhogi from Raayan”
Shiva: “Chor by Justh”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!