Mahesh V | | Citizen Matters, Chennai

How migrant workers at Kanathur are living through the COVID crisis

March 30, 2020 Mahesh V

A hundred odd families, primarily from Jharkhand, employed as masons or workers in the city, live in Kanathur off East Coast Road. How are they coping in the face of the lockdown, when most government schemes are also out of bounds for them?

Chennai under lockdown: Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past!

March 25, 2020 Mahesh V

What went wrong when the PM called for a janata curfew on March 22nd? Are we better-prepared to isolate ourselves completely now, for the next 21 days? We must, if we want to beat the coronavirus.

88256 90497: A number you don’t want to dial… and what you can do to avoid that

March 17, 2020 Mahesh V

While talk about the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 is dominating conversation everywhere, a lot more needs to be done to contain the spread of the disease in India. And as citizens, we must do our bit.

Photos: Exploring Chennai’s forgotten heritage in Chintadripet

February 25, 2020 Mahesh V

An early morning walk conducted by Madras Inherited through Chintadripet unveiled its history and the forgotten treasures of this heritage neighbourhood. A photo essay

Kannagi Nagar all set to become Chennai’s walk-in art gallery, open to all!

February 21, 2020 Mahesh V

Chennai’s Kannagi Nagar district is all set to be transformed into the city’s first art district. The Corporation has invited St+Art India, a not-for-profit organisation, to turn the place into a thriving public place that brings art and artists closer to all.

Let’s swap, not shop: Snapshots and conversations from Chennai’s ‘Reuse and Reduce Sale’

January 14, 2020 Mahesh V

Take a look at scenes from the Swap Sale organised by Chennai Corporation, and hear about the thought and philosophy behind the event from one of the key organisers, Alby John Varghese, Regional Deputy Commissioner (South).

Let’s go to Spring Potato beach; sorry, we mean Besant Nagar beach

December 8, 2019 Mahesh V

Besant Nagar beach is unrecognisable to old timers, thanks to over a hundred Spring Potato shops. What do they sell? Do they get any customers? Don’t they need permission to operate in a public space? What’s it doing to the beach? Many questions, few answers..

Meet the men who satisfy your midnight hunger pangs

November 15, 2019 Mahesh V

Introducing our new series, “While the city sleeps”, where we talk to people who keep Chennai’s night life and economy rolling, and bring you snapshots of their nocturnal lives.

Pollution red alert: Chennai’s Delhi moment is almost here

November 8, 2019 Mahesh V

Are you aware that on the afternoon of Nov 7th, the Air Quality Index (AQI) level in Velachery stood at 271, only marginally better than Delhi’s (282) at the same time? Both data from monitors and snapshots from different areas in the city show why we need urgent action on air pollution.

In photos: A walk through the once-bustling, now deserted Moore market

October 22, 2019 Mahesh V

Moore Market was once a thriving book bazaar, particularly famous for second-hand books and frequented by large numbers of students. But a couple of hours in the market on a Monday morning shows how business has collapsed, thanks to the popularity of online bookstores.

Road to Mahabalipuram sparkles for Modi – Xi summit. EllamEyewaas?

October 10, 2019 Mahesh V

The road from Chennai airport to Mahabalipuram is being given an unprecedented face lift for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit. The question on most locals’ minds is – do we not deserve such clean and good roads? All the time?

On thriving ECR, a family left behind relates its story

September 16, 2019 Mahesh V

Paul Rajapandian, or Raja, lives with his two daughters and a granddaughter in a small shack alongside ECR road. His family has been in the cane weaving business for over two generations. In the buzzing suburbs of our metropolis, lives such as Raja’s remain invisible.