April, 2018 Citizen Matters, Chennai

Chennai Buzz: Tough months ahead with heat and pollution looming large

April 28, 2018 Sandhya Raju

With warnings of a water-scarce, severe summer, threats from air and sound pollution, and holes in safety infrastructure, headlines this week do not contain much cause for cheer. A quick look at some news.

Chennai expansion to Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur: Why citizens should be concerned

April 28, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

The CMDA proposes to increase metropolitan area from 1,189 sq.km to a whopping 8,878 sq.km, making Chennai the largest urban region in the country after Delhi-NCR. Citizens, however, find little cheer in that and here’s why.

Three Chennai parks that made Kuppai Thiruvizha what it was

April 26, 2018 Kripa Ramachandran

Any inclusive dialogue at a city level requires public spaces that make participation possible and fun. The success of Kuppai Thiruvizha, that sought to create public awareness on issues of waste management in Chennai, brought a few such spaces into focus.

Chennai buzz: Summer heat, controversy over Governor and plans for the Marina

April 23, 2018 Sandhya Raju

Did you follow the news in your city closely last week? Here’s a quick look at some interesting developments and plans that made it to the headlines.

Chennai anganwadis would surprise many; here’s why

April 20, 2018 Jagadheeswaran D

Many of Chennai’s 1350 anganwadis under the ICDS scheme are clean, well-equipped with teaching aids, toys and run by dedicated teachers who take a holistic view of the needs of a toddler. Here’s a sneak peek into a few such centres.

Chennai palliative care centres a blessing for the chronically ill

April 19, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Unlike regular medical facilities, palliative caregivers or hospice centres focus on the social, psychological, financial and emotional needs of a patient, adding both relief and dignity to the life of the sufferer.

Once glorified, watch mechanics in Chennai a disappearing tribe today

April 17, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Once, cities could not do without them. Today, with branded showrooms mushrooming and the ubiquitous mobile phone replacing watches, it is only their passion that keeps a few watch repairmen at their trade.

How music is helping doctors in Chennai (VIDEO)

April 16, 2018 Sandhya Raju

At the recently organised Mandram talks, Dr Sowmya Sanak Kumar Athreya tells her audience how music therapy can heal those afflicted with psychological or physiological conditions.

Chennai buzz: Even amid IPL, Defence Expo and PM visit, city sees red over Cauvery issue

April 14, 2018 Sandhya Raju

The cancellation of Chennai as an IPL venue this year, black flags for PM Modi, environmentalists crying foul — discontent is written large across Chennai as we take a quick recap of the week’s most significant news.

If this is how Chennai’s public parks are, where will our children play?

April 13, 2018 News Desk

Renovation or beautification of parks finds routine mention in Corporation budgets. These photos of ill-maintained surroundings and dangerously damaged play equipment however cry out, how were the funds used?

When government officials heard citizens out on sewage woes

April 11, 2018 Sandhya Raju

At the Sakkadai Thiruvizha organised by Arappor Iyakkam, officials from Chennai Corporation, PWD and CMWSSB met citizens from various neighbourhoods, who raised important questions on sewage and pollution of the city’s water bodies.

Yet another fire at Kodungaiyur, but no lasting solution in sight

April 10, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

What was once a lush wetland is now a huge mountain of unsegregated waste that catches fire every now and then. The authorities do not seem to be too bothered, however.

Motherhood redefined my life: Revathi

April 10, 2018 News Desk

In the second video released by Mandram, the recently organised Tamil forum for social activists, thinkers and achievers from different spheres of life, actor Revathi shares her journey of motherhood and the changes it has brought about in her way of thinking.

From TASMAC to child abuse, Chennai’s 8-year-old activist has a lot on his plate!

April 9, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

He has successfully campaigned against a TASMAC shop in Kancheepuram. He has ensured that two sexually abused children get their cases heard. He has even joined a lake clean-up. And he’s all of 8 years! Meet Aakaash, who can give us all a lesson or two in social responsibility.

Chennai buzz: Protests over various issues, from Cauvery water to coastal zone management

April 7, 2018 Sandhya Raju

What was the city talking about this week? The Cauvery tribunal or the dilution in coastal zone regulation? Or was it the new drones from GCC? If you’ve missed any of it, never mind. Here’s the weekly news in a nutshell.