January | 2018 | | Citizen Matters, Chennai

Internationally famous Anakaputhur weavers waiting for assistance in their home state

January 30, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Their handlooms, made from completely natural fibre and dyes, have found takers across the world, but the traditional weaving community has been in deep economic distress since the 2015 Chennai floods.

With 33 fire stations and modern equipment, fire safety in Chennai still a far cry

January 29, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Condition of roads, working conditions of fire safety personnel and several other challenges before the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services must be overcome if the city is to prevent and tackle disasters that require the department’s action.

What a concert in a Kolkata cemetery could teach Chennai

January 25, 2018 V Sriram

A classical concert planned in a recently restored Kolkata cemetery could show Chennai the way to better use of its open spaces, which are either grossly neglected or proposed to be built upon.

Is the building you are standing in now, fire-safe?

January 24, 2018 Bhavani Prabhakar

The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services has a detailed set of norms that buildings of different types and usage should comply with, in order to ensure fire safety and disaster preparedness. Is Chennai aware?

Anna Nagar PS: இந்தியாவின் ஐந்தாவது சிறந்த காவல் நிலையம் அண்ணா நகர் கே4 – ஒரு பார்வை

January 24, 2018 Sandhya Raju

Now, in Tamil, a peek inside Chennai’s K4 police station in Anna Nagar, which has just been ranked No. 5 among all police stations in the country.

Before Chennai airport becomes Changi, time to get the basics in place!

January 22, 2018 Meenakshi Ramesh

Long queues, overcrowded baggage belts, immigration fiascos and filthy terminals — the Chennai airport is an embarrassment and an ordeal for commuters from the city.

We know Bhogi pollution was bad, but do we really know how bad?

January 19, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

CPCB data says PM 2.5 levels recorded at the Manali monitoring station on Bhogi day was more than 16 times the prescribed limit. Yet TNPCB data is completely silent on this particular critical pollutant. Why?

Mandram: சிந்தனையாளர்களுக்கான தமிழில் ஒரு மேடை அமைத்துக் கொடுத்த மன்றம்

January 17, 2018 Sandhya Raju

Mandram, Chennai’s very own emulation of the TED talks, in Tamil, brought together speakers from varied backgrounds to share their perspectives on a common platform.

“Want organic? Grow your own food”: Chennai IT-professional-turned-farmer

January 16, 2018 Athher Ahmed

A city-bred professional who has turned to full-fledged farming feels there can be no organic food without integrated natural farming and relates his personal story to underline why.

Inside Anna Nagar’s K4 police station that’s #5 in the country!

January 15, 2018 Bhavani Prabhakar

A noticeable fall in crime and violence in the locality, speedy and efficient disposal of cases and impressive infrastructure, there is a lot that makes the K4 police station deserving of the rank and accolades it has received.

Is this really the Bhogi tradition?

January 13, 2018 Meenakshi Ramesh

On Bhogi, people discard old and derelict things and look for new things that signal change or transformation. At dawn, people light a bonfire with logs of wood, other combustible stuff (mainly knick knacks that

How a Chennai initiative is helping differently-abled people acquire economic independence

January 12, 2018 Bhavani Prabhakar

It’s a ‘fair’ with a difference. Kasim Basith’s initiative, ‘We Are Your Voice’ organises an annual job fair for persons with disability and has successfully placed many of them in reputed organisations.

The gems Mylapore has, but rarely notices

January 11, 2018 Seetha Gopalakrishnan

Houses of Mylapore, an initiative working to showcase the architectural beauty of the neighbourhood, seeks to highlight characteristics of the varied ways of life in the area, over time, through architecture and design.

Fed up with Electricity Board issues, Adyar residents raise list of demands

January 10, 2018 C Ramakrishnan

A remote EB office, tardy redress of complaints, dangerous placement of junction boxes — these are just some of the issues that Adyar residents have been fighting, especially after the office was moved to Thiruvanmiyur.

Is TN transport department’s daily Rs 9.4-cr loss behind Chennai bus-riders’ woes?

January 8, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Affidavit filed by official shows that the state transport unit suffered a loss of Rs 2981.57 crores in 2016-17. No wonder MTC workers have been left in the lurch over wage revisions and pension payments.

SPARKing a civic movement

January 6, 2018 Meenakshi Ramesh

Battered roads, mounting garbage or hanging cables, whatever the problem, members of this civic forum will guide you on informing the right officials and having these resolved.

Redeveloping Chennai slums without eviction: What are we missing?

January 4, 2018 Bhavani Prabhakar

The benefits of in situ slum redevelopment over eviction and relocation are well-established, but projects underway in the city expose areas that call for more attention.

Tired of your road being laid and relaid? Don’t be silent!

January 3, 2018 Raghukumar Choodamani

Lack of coordination between government departments is at the root of many civic problems, most notably the condition of roads. An angry citizen calls for action by the people to get such issues solved.

Demolition of religious structures in Chitlapakkam raises hope for Chennai lakes

January 2, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

For activists and officials clearing encroachments in Chitlapakkam Lake, it was heartening to find a good number of people rising above blind religious belief to support the environmental cause.