Commons Citizen Matters, Chennai

‘We don’t want any trees in Chennai’

October 24, 2019 Meenakshi Ramesh

No one says we don’t want trees, but it appears that trees have no friends left among the various civic authorities in Chennai, as they go about brutally hacking, cutting and uprooting carefully nurtured trees.

Breaking taboos: Glimpses from the 11th Chennai Pride March

July 1, 2019 Mahesh V

June 30th marked the end of Pride Month, and the city celebrated it with the 11th Chennai Pride March. A citizen journalist captures moments of pride and solidarity that raise hopes of greater sensitivity and inclusion in the future.

Meet Dr Jayakumar, MP-elect from Thiruvallur

May 28, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Dr K Jayakumar of the INC unseated the incumbent two-time MP from ADMK to win Thiruvallur. He has previously served as the Namakkal MLA.

Meet TR Baalu, MP-elect from Sriperumbudur

May 27, 2019 Sri Loganathan

DMK’s Principal Secretary TR Baalu has been elected to the Lok Sabha from Sriperumbudur constituency for the fifth time. He defeated PMK’s A. Vaithilingam.

What does Ramzan mean to Triplicane?

May 16, 2019 Sri Loganathan

Illuminated roads, varieties of food and a pervasive spirit of hope and unity. A walk on the roads of Triplicane during Ramadan month reflects festive fervour and harmony. Watch our short video to know more about the Big Mosque and its observance of Ramzan.

What can Chennai learn from Kerala and Bengaluru on citizen participation in urban governance?

May 6, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

The divergent models followed by Kerala and Bengaluru to ensure participation of citizens in ward committees can hold vital learning for Chennai, where citizens seek a greater say in local governance.

Shenoy Nagar residents fight to save Thiru Vi Ka Park

April 26, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Thiru Vi Ka park, which served as vital lung space for the neighbouring communities, has been closed to the public since 2011, when it was taken over for Metro construction. Now, with recent plans of the CMRL, the park and green cover may be lost forever, fear citizens.

Pallikaranai apartment shows the way towards greener living

April 24, 2019 B Naveen Aditya

An apartment complex in Pallikaranai has taken a multi-pronged approach towards sustainable living, with replicable changes in waste management, power generation and water conservation.

Zooming into the environmental problems of a growing Chennai

April 19, 2019 Amirtharaj Stephen

A look at the environmental issues that Chennai faced since the 2014 national elections, through the camera lens.

எம்.பி.க்களுக்கு 1000 கோடி அவசியமா?

April 1, 2019 Senthil Arumugam

சட்டம் இயற்றவேண்டிய பணியைச் செய்யவேண்டிய எம்.எல்.ஏ மற்றும் எம்.பி.க்களின் பொறுப்பில் தொகுதி வளர்ச்சி நிதி கொடுக்கப்படுவது அவசியமா? அந்நிதி அவசியமுள்ள உள்ளாட்சி அமைப்புகளுக்கே சேரவேண்டும் .

மறுசுழற்சி மூலம் தண்ணீர் தட்டுப்பாட்டை சமாளிக்க எளிய வழி!

March 25, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

தண்ணீர் தட்டுப்பாட்டை சமாளிக்க அதிக முதலீடு இல்லாமல் எளிதாக செயலாக்க முடிந்த மறுசுழற்சி முறையை எப்படி செய்யலாம்?

Chennai’s growing tryst with alcohol, cannabis and LSD and how to curb it

March 18, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Dry lizard tail, nail polish remover and brown sugar — did you know these constitute growing addictions among the young and old in Chennai? Take a look at the reasons behind the vicious growth of substance abuse in the city and how the government could step in to curb the problem.

Look who’s watching: CCTVs across Chennai raise questions and concerns

March 14, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

The thousands of CCTV cameras dotting the streets of Chennai can well prove to be a double edged sword; will our safety come at the cost of privacy and personal information security?

Why Chennai’s green brigade stood up against a run to save the Olive ridley

March 1, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Chennai’s beaches are a popular draw, often used for conducting events to sensitise the general public about various issues. This one sought to promote conservation of an endangered species. But was the run posing a larger threat to the environment and ecosystem at large?

தண்ணீரின் தடமே இல்லாமல் ஏரிகள் வரண்ட நிலமானது ஏன்?

February 28, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

ஆக்கிரமிப்பு மற்றும் அலட்சியப் போக்கால் சென்னையின் ஏரிகள் அவல நிலையில் உள்ளன. இதற்கு யார் காரணம்? நிவர்த்தி என்ன?