Laasya Shekhar Citizen Matters, Chennai

Not just a supply crunch: The real reason why patients in need of oxygen are suffering

May 12, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

Oxygen needs in the state have been met with increased supply, says the government’s public health department; why are patients in the city gasping for breath then?

Hot, hotter, hottest… and now even hotter: What’s up with Chennai summers?

May 6, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

On April 30th, we hosted several experts and citizens in an online discussion titled ‘Why does Chennai feel hotter than ever before?’ Watch the discussion and catch a brief summary here.

Chennai will be a water abundant city in five years: Metro Water official

May 5, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

But what about summer 2021? How will Chennai manage? In this exclusive interview, Superintendent Engineer (Central) of the CMWSSB shares their immediate plans as well as steps taken for the long run.

Why residents in northern parts of Chennai throw away pots of water every week

April 27, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

Water shortages in Chennai are not uncommon. But even when there is enough supply, some parts of the city struggle to meet their needs. Here’s why.

Summers are getting worse in Chennai. How can we build cooler homes?

April 19, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

Summers without air conditioning at home appear increasingly impossible. But that in turn is aggravating urban warming. What could be the alternative?

Why the newly introduced postal ballot found few takers in Chennai

April 8, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

Election Commission of India introduced the postal ballot system for senior citizens above 80 years, persons with disabilities and COVID positive voters this year. How did the experiment work in Chennai?

Two years since the ban, plastic is back in a big way. Is COVID the real reason?

April 7, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

One year of COVID has legitimised the usage of plastic and single-use products in Chennai. Why is Chennai losing the fight, despite a ban in place?

Constituency round-up: Sitting DMK MLA hopes to retain seat in the cosmopolitan constituency of Harbour

April 5, 2021 Laasya Shekhar and Syed Umar Ahmed

Three-time MLA and current legislator of Harbour, P K Sekar Babu seeks re-election. Find out who the other candidates are and what voters want the new government to address.

Night schools and a public library in each ward are among my top priorities: NTK candidate Geetha Lakshmi

April 3, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

NTK is the only party to have offered a 50% quota for women in the coming elections. We spoke to one such candidate, Geetha Lakshmi who is contesting the Egmore seat.

Will bring Kendriya Vidyalaya and an arts college to Royapuram: DMK candidate Idream R Murthy (Video)

April 3, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

We interviewed IDream R Murthy, when he shared his thoughts on the performance of the sitting MLA and his plans for the constituency if elected.

Do voters really think of that mixie when they vote?

April 1, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

The freebie culture in Tamil Nadu is as old as Dravidian politics itself. Rice, earrings, cash — dole outs come in various forms. But how ethical and effective are these?

Want to ensure Velachery has infra at par with Singapore: MNM candidate Santhosh Babu

March 31, 2021 Bhavani Prabhakar and Laasya Shekhar

Dr Santhosh Babu has a 26-year track record of transforming the departments he has served so far. How does he plan to use this experience to win these elections?

Will ensure better waste management, public gyms and libraries: T M Anbarasan, Alandur MLA

March 25, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

“Not just before elections. I have met my constituents regularly to understand their issues,” says Alandur MLA T M Anbarasan in this exclusive interview.

Constituency round-up: Royapuram lacks basic amenities, but sitting MLA confident of win

March 23, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

Take a look at the complete candidate list in Royapuram, constituency details and the issues that voters face.

6000 booths, strict COVID protocol, 80-plus to vote at home: District officer shares election plans

March 11, 2021 Laasya Shekhar

How different will elections be this time, held in the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic? How are violations of the model code being monitored? G Prakash, District Election Officer, explains.