EDITORS' PICK | | 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?

Spare a thought for those who are risking their lives to keep the city clean

March 28, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Even as the numbers of infected Coronavirus patients are on the rise, most of Chennai’s conservancy workers continue to report to work daily, with minimal, and often zero, protective gear. What can we do to help this vulnerable group?

கோவிட் 19: அடுக்கு மாடி குடியிருப்புகள் செய்ய வேண்டியவை என்ன?

March 27, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

What can apartments do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep residents safe? Here are some useful tips and instructions.

Here is how you can help Chennai during the lockdown!

March 26, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

Stuck indoors but looking to contribute to those in need? Have some time to spare and willing to help the vulnerable during this difficult time? Here is how you can lend a helping hand for Chennai during the lockdown.

The forgotten connection between Madras and smallpox eradication

March 25, 2020 V Sriram

As India enters a 21 day lockdown to fight coronavirus, read about the man from Madras who helped eradicate smallpox.

Covid-19 lockdown: Small businesses in Chennai feel the pinch

March 24, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

Small vendors, eateries and travel agents take a hit as the city stares at lockdown to deal with the coronavirus crisis

Want to help out during coronavirus crisis? Reach out to a senior citizen today

March 23, 2020 Aruna Subramaniam

Senior citizens are the most vulnerable section of our population during this outbreak of coronavirus – both physically and emotionally. Reach out to senior citizens you know and see how you can help them.

Kotturpuram’s Rita akka loves her cats and dogs

March 21, 2020 M Palani Kumar

Her mornings go in clearing garbage in Kotturpuram’s streets for Chennai Corporation, but Rita akka, a differently-abled contract worker, spends her evenings feeding and talking to her canine companions.

மீண்டும் ஒரு பசுமைப் புரட்சி – சென்னையில் வளர்ந்து வரும் மாடித்தோட்டங்கள்

March 19, 2020 Vadivu Mahendran

Terrace gardens are a growing phenomenon in the city. In this Tamil article, Vadivu Mahendran gives us some tips on how to set up and maintain a terrace garden and the many benefits it brings.

What’s stopping Chennai government schools from catching up with Corporation schools?

March 18, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

Locked toilets, inadequate teachers and missing infrastructure. Not uncommon when you visit government schools in Chennai. On the contrary, several schools in Chennai run by the GCC are doing very well, and the difference can be seen in the enthusiasm of students. What’s the reason for such disparity?

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.

Testing for COVID19: Is Chennai doing enough?

March 17, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

Even as Tamil Nadu reported only one positive case of novel Coronavirus since the emergence of the disease within India, which has since been eradicated, questions remain about the manner in which testing is being done and whether it is enough to rule out community spread. What are experts saying?

Why Chennai Metro needs to pay more attention to use of public space

March 12, 2020 Varun Sukumar

The aim of any transport hub, like a metro station, should be to make the wait time for a passenger entertaining and hassle-free. This means effectively using the available space in multiple ways, some of which can also help boost non-fare revenue.

Dark, dirty… or simply closed! How are these Chennai subways helping pedestrians?

March 11, 2020 Sukriti Vats

Wall Tax Road. Poonamallee Road. Anna Salai. Built to make it easier for the walking population to cross major thoroughfares, the subways at these locations are either in sorry condition or closed for months due to construction.

A chat with Chennai’s last generation of rickshaw pullers

March 5, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

The numbers have already come down drastically from a decade or so ago. Newer, more convenient, options have lured commuters away from traditional rickshaws on the streets of Chennai. So, how are the men, who depended on this for their livelihood, coping?

Syringes, casts by the waterfront: Chennai flouts biomedical waste disposal rules

March 3, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

Indiscriminate dumping of biomedical waste — especially around waterbodies and in landfills — is rampant and activists in the city are gravely concerned about its implications. What are the rules being violated and why are authorities unable to control this?

Long shifts, health risks and missing amenities: What Chennai traffic cops face everyday

March 2, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Chennai’s 67 traffic police stations have 3091 police personnel, as against a requirement of 4182, leading to never-ending shifts and rare breaks from work. But that’s not all. They have to struggle to meet basic needs like that of drinking water and toilet facilities.

We must ensure that environment conservation is as exciting as a TV Show: Arun Krishnamurthy, EFI

February 28, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

The Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI) is one of the key organisations engaged in water bodies restoration in Chennai. In an interview with Citizen Matters, founder Arun Krishnamurthy talks about the process and how invested volunteers can help transform the city’s water bodies.

Despite operating at 150% capacity, we incurred a loss of Rs 4 cr in 2018-19: C V Deepak, GM Finance, Chennai Airport

February 26, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Chennai Airport’s GM Finance C V Deepak explains the complexities involved in running an airport, but is confident that with the new terminals being built, the airport will be able to keep pace with growth in passenger traffic.

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