August | 2017 | Citizen Matters, Chennai

Kotturpuram schoolkids’ mural on school wall is much more than a work of art

August 30, 2017 Akshatha M

Students of the AMM Matriculation HS School in Kotturpuram were tired of the political posters that made their compound wall an eyesore, till a group of art-loving students decided to take matters in their hands. And look at the results!

Snapshots from IIT Madras, beyond the academics!

August 29, 2017 Varun Jain

A scholar at IIT Madras captures through his lens the magical campus ecosystem that often goes unnoticed while thousands toil away within the concrete walls of its academic departments.

How will Chennai cope if the water crisis continues?

August 28, 2017 Akshatha M

Chennai has just about survived the scantiest north-east monsoon in 140 years, and the worst-ever water situation in the last 14 years. Akshatha M finds out about the CMWSSB’s contingency plans for the coming season.

What does the Corporation achieve by continually changing street names?

August 23, 2017 V Sriram

A street name that has been around for centuries becomes an integral part of local history; changing it for cosmetic reasons or short term posturing serves little purpose, writes blogger and historian V Sriram.

How Satta Panchayat Iyakkam delivers hope for Chennaiites every Saturday

August 21, 2017 Akshatha M

For five years, the NGO’s weekly grievance redressal camps have been effectively assisting ordinary citizens to address and solve problems pertaining to a range of issues, from property disputes to police inaction.

Travelling back in time along the Buckingham Canal

August 19, 2017 Bhavani Prabhakar

As part of celebrations and events leading up to Madras Week, a walk along the Buckingham Canal, led by historian D Hemachandra Rao, was organised last week. Bhavani Prabhakar joined in, only to discover many fascinating trivia related to the history of the Canal and the landmarks around it.

Chennai to focus on overall service parameters in new SWM contract: GCC Commissioner

August 18, 2017 Akshatha M

Under new system, contractor payments will be based not on quantity alone but on more holistic indicators such as segregation, collection and cleanliness of bins and streets, says Commissioner D Karthikeyan in a freewheeling chat with Akshatha M.

Legal battles looming as Chennai plans to regularise 10000 buildings

August 14, 2017 Akshatha M

Under guidelines issued by the Urban Development Department, all unauthorised buildings built before July 1 2007 can be regularised upon payment of a penalty.

In photos: There once was a lake…

August 11, 2017 Bhavani Prabhakar

As part of their attempts to revive the Chitlapakkam Lake, NGO Arappor Iyakkam, with the help of the Chitlapakkam Rising group and local residents, conducted a social audit of the lake. Bhavani Prabhakar captured a few pictures during the event.

For Rohingya refugees, Chennai spells peace and freedom

August 9, 2017 Bhavani Prabhakar

Driven by riots from their native country of Myanmar, 93 members of the Rohingya Muslim community have settled in the Kelambakkam refugee camp. Bhavani Prabhakar visits them to know more about their life in the city.

Silence and uncertainty shroud OMR water supply projects

August 7, 2017 Akshatha M

While the Chennai Metro Water site displays a vibrant water and sewage network plan in place for the OMR IT Corridor, no one, not even officials seem to know the actual status of these projects.

Rs 700 crore spent annually as OMR residents wait in vain for piped water

August 4, 2017 Akshatha M

For years, residents of the famed Rajiv Gandhi Salai IT corridor have been pressing for basic water and drainage infrastructure, lack of which has meant not just huge expenses but also undesirable developments for the city as a whole.

The lives of Chennai’s unsung, invisible environmentalists

August 3, 2017 Elloise Neale

A visit to the Kodungaiyur waste yard by author and researcher Elloise Neale brings out the rude realities of the day-to-day life of those who are responsible for recycling 20% of the waste that enters the site.

When Anna Centenary Library opened up its world of books for rural school kids

August 2, 2017 Dharshini Ramanaa

In July 2017, the Nisaptham Trust announced the launch of libraries at 15 government schools across TN at a function held at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai. For the visiting school kids and teachers, it was an experience of a lifetime.

Yes, it’s time to raise a toast to our city again!

August 1, 2017 Meenakshi Ramesh

Are you all set to participate in the birthday celebrations of your favourite city, Chennai that was once Madras? As Madras month commences, here’s a quick look at its history and how you could be a part of it over the next few weeks.