Society

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?

நீண்டநேர பணி, சுகாதார அபாயங்கள், வசதியின்மை: சென்னை போக்குவரத்து காவலர்களின் அன்றாட இன்னல்கள்

March 27, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Long days with no breaks and lack of facilities such as restrooms make lives of traffic police very tough. Here’s a Tamil translation of our article on what ails those who keep our roads congestion-free.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Teens the most vulnerable to drug addiction in Chennai: A Bruno, Zonal Director, NCB

February 19, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

An exclusive interview with A Bruno, Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau, where he talks about the drug menace in Chennai and how to keep the vulnerable away from its grip.

The silver lining in Chennai skies

January 24, 2020 Swati Amar

Age or illness has not dampened the zeal with which some of Chennai’s senior citizens are working to create a better life for others. Swati Amar meets a few such individuals in the city who are setting sterling examples in how to savour life to the fullest, through sharing and giving!

சென்னையில் போக்ஸோ வழக்குகள்: தாமதிக்கப்பட்ட நீதி மறுக்கப்பட்ட நீதியாகிறது

January 23, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Hundreds of POCSO cases have been languishing in Chennai courts due to lack of adequate infrastructure and procedural lapses. Read the tamil translation of our article detailing the issues in getting speedy justice in POCSO cases.

POCSO cases in Chennai: Where justice delayed is justice denied

January 16, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Despite stringent laws on paper, justice in child sex abuse (CSA) cases is a far cry, suggests five-year-old data shared by Greater Chennai Police. What delays justice in these cases, and what are the long-term implications?

Chennai helplines for women suffering abuse, gender violence or mental health issues

January 15, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

Women facing gender-based violence and abuse, or suffering from mental health issues, can seek help by dialling any one of these government helplines or by reaching out to these non-profits that offer assistance and support in times of specific need.

Looking back at 2019 – our favourite stories and more!

December 31, 2019 Meenakshi Ramesh

In a year where we published 280 stories on a variety of themes that shape life in Chennai, here is a look back at our favourite stories and a roundup of the year for Citizen Matters Chennai.

Photos: Can you guess what these sculptures have been made from?

December 21, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Tonnes of metal waste are being converted into beautiful pieces of art at the Government ITI, Guindy and Adyar zone of Chennai Corporation. These could also pave the way towards realisation of Chennai’s zero-waste goal.

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..