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Volume No 19 Issue No 2 February 8, 2019 LAB JOURNAL OF THE ASIAN COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM George Town Wildlife smugglers From railway buildings in get away because bookshops to disrepair of legal loopholes souvenir stalls Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Death beckons on the Marina Ban on plastic hits Frequent drownings have led the police to bank on fishermen BHARAT SHARMA small manufacturers records most deaths ANAND JC be banned for the betterment of our to implement a system where they by drowning in the state, with four future, they are a nuisance to the should have two bins, green and college students losing their lives Poor waste management in the state public but banning all plastic isn’t a blue. Recyclable waste should be this year. has led to a ban resulting in job well-thought out step. Managing deposited in green bins and non- There is no formal rescue losses, Plastic the garbage situation is much more recyclable waste in blue bins. This mechanism in place. Policemen Manufacturers Association important.” system hasn’t been implemented in patrol the beach area 24 hours, but President, Virendra Bhayani, said. Bhayani pointed out the lax on toto, it is only for namesake. There are totally dependent on the Coastal on the part of Corporation are only bins but no segregation, Guard and local fishermen for February 6th had reported that which led to the sudden ban on everything is dumped together,” he rescue operations. Chennai Corporation proposed plastics. “Countries like Sri Lanka added. “Fishermen are always the first fines on users and producers of and Vietnam which are lesser The State government has not to spot someone drowning. Most banned plastic items, ranging economies have limited plastic created any alternative employment people are saved by them… We between Rs 100 and Rs 3 lakh. problems. It is because their options for thousands who will be don’t go into the water. If we spot They will be fined thrice and on the corporations have taken care of the without jobs because of this ban. anything, we tell the Coastal fourth offence, they will be asked situation well. It’s called waste “The government says that they Guard”, said N. Raja, a sub- to shut shop. management. The Government of have a 200-cr fund to rehabilitate inspector at Marina Police Station. However, Bhayani feels that the the affected, but we don’t have any Most officials asserted the MNCs have gotten a better side of specifications about how that fund importance of fishermen in rescue the deal. “The MNCs have agreed will be employed.” and prevention efforts. “They are that they will reduce plastic usage When it comes to packing food our eyes and ears”, Raja added. by 10-20% every year and by 2022 Recyclable waste should be and drinks, plastic provides D. Amardhass, a sub-inspector at they will completely eradicate deposited in green bins and hygiene that is best, second to Anna Square Police Station said plastic packaging. These none. He said, “Plastic is a gift that, “The beach is open and free. One of many mobile police booths at Marina Beach Promenade | BHARAT SHARMA companies are responsible for more non-recyclable waste in blue from mankind. Even in developed We can’t stop people from using it. than 90% of the problem causing bins. This s“ystem hasn’t been countries, plastic is used to ensure Many young people go into the permanent watchtowers, there is no 13 km with a 6 km long promenade boards just in a kilometre… but plastic out there.” implemented in toto, it is that the food is tamper proof. water after dark when waves are way for policemen to keep an eye gets 30,000-40,000 visitors every they never listen to our advice”, he “It is the local plastic People nowadays who order food strong and then drown… Blocking on the shore. day. Besides two police stations, said. manufacturers who suffer. One of only for namesake. There are online and prefer takeaways want a entry would really help at night”. Janet Shanmugam, who visits eight mobile police booths have Most deaths by drowning occur the TAPMA members took a loan only bins but no segregation. hygienic experience which only According to him, it is illegal to the beach every evening with her been set up to facilitate a quicker during night time. An ambulance is of three crore an year back. Now VIRENDRA BHAYANI plastic can provide. The bathe in beach water which remains sons, believes that tourists need to response. stationed at the Marina police that the ban is imposed, what will government proposed paper as an unregulated because of be more careful. “Young boys K. Ranjith, a constable at one of station in case of emergencies. he do? He has to shut shop, sack his alternative but more than seven overcrowding. drown all the time, even the best these booths, believes the key to However, no first aid services are 40 employees and hand over the says that with the help of lakh trees are cut down for a Police officers patrol the beach swimmers… Tourists who bathe effective policing is public available on the beach. keys to the bank. It has now local environmental ministry, sizeable paper produce. Tell me on foot and horses during dusk and too deep in the sea don’t awareness and following rules. “If The coastal security helpline become an NPA. This will happen corporation and pollution control how that is an environment- dawn. In case of emergencies, understand how dangerous the people actually understand the (1093) was recently established to to 3,000-4,000 more units,” he said. boards, they will take care of waste friendly option?” beach buggies are deployed. current can be… maybe if we had danger of going too deep into the report someone in danger. Bhayani said that banning plastic management,” he said. TAPMA lawyers are still in the Temporary wooden watchtowers lifeguards it would be safer to water, they would think twice… According to N. Raja, more than isn’t the only essential step. “We “The Supreme Court in 2016-17 seeking are erected during summers and swim”. There are 3-4 vehicles on the beach 200 people were rescued owing to agree that thin gauge plastic must said that the State government has clarifications on the ban. festivals. In the absence of The beach, which stretches for at all times… and 19 warning this helpline in 2018.

Summer will peak Violation of traffic rules makes Chennai roads unsafe in May, June ANKITA MARWAHA control the traffic. Now, there are ASHITHA JAYAPRAKASH only 35,” said Mr. Singh, one of the The number of road accidents in seven policemen at the To everybody’s relief this year, the Tamil Nadu has come down by junction, which comes under J13 Chennai heat will not be hitting us only 3 per cent since 2018 as Taramani police station. till May. Even the average peak opposed to 26% reduction in 2017. Some commuters blame hidden temperature is expected to be The ongoing Road Safety Week signals and increasing number of around 38 degrees Celsius in the seeks to further reduce this number. vehicles on the road. last two weeks of May and the first With the 30th Road Safety “A lot of signals, including the two weeks of June, according to Week, which started on February 4, Adyar signal, are hidden behind the Weather Underground website. 2019, daily commuters in Chennai branches of the trees at the divider. It will be a smooth sail with have reported a number of People don’t follow the traffic light mostly clear skies and bright sunny problems that they face every day there because of this,” said days for the next three months. But on the road. People embark on a walk to promote road safety | ANKITA M. Safety drives ensure speed limits are followed | ANKITA M. Vignesh, a cab driver. cover yourselves up and slap on a Raajwin, who drives a two- Siva Prakash said “The size of lot of sunscreen because there is a wheeler, said “There is still a lack pillion riders, according to cancelled in 2017, the highest ever Kirubakaran, who drives a two- has been on the road for half a day the roads has remained the same, high risk of harm from unprotected of awareness regarding wearing Raajwin. recorded in the city. wheeler, said “Pedestrians stand at every day during the Road Safety while the number of vehicles has exposure to the sun as UV index is helmets. A friend of mine met with With its motto as “Road Safety- Siva Prakash M (48) said “Bikes the edge of the road where we can’t Week. He wears a placard and a been increasing. This makes it expected to be at a high 11 for most an accident a few days ago and he Life Safety”, the Road Safety Week and scooters take to the footpaths see them, and suddenly dart across ‘Stop’ sign, and instructs difficult for the government to of this month. wasn’t wearing a helmet. He is in a programme has organized various as the roads have heavy traffic, and the road, increasing the chances of pedestrians at junctions not to manage increasing volume of According to Weather coma right now.” awareness programmes about the create problems for us pedestrians. accident. They often have their hinder the traffic movement while traffic.” Underground, the average day In August 2018, the Tamil Nadu need for wearing helmets and seat This happens particularly near the earphones plugged in and don’t crossing roads. Chennai remains under pressure government made it mandatory for belts, and the availability of free bridge junction and at hear the horn.” The traffic police says they are as more than 28 lakh new vehicles both bikers and pillion riders to emergency medical facilities. the Shollinganallur signal, and Raghu Ram, a member of short of staff. have been registered in the city wear helmets. However, the police Over 8,500 driving licences were there is no policeman to monitor Thozhan, an organization that “Our thana earlier used to have since 2008, according to a State don’t implement the rule for the suspended and 1,000 were them.” works for traffic rules awareness, around 70 traffic policemen to Transport Authority report. Budget disappoints “The disparity between rich and Shortage of teachers in schools persists AKSHARA SHRIVASTAVA the poor has been increasing since ABHINAYA HARIGOVIND the same time, they would prefer to According to the ADTW can accommodate 50 students but the government launched the 7th get their children admitted in a website, the last time they released has only 24, according to their only The Union Budget proposals have Pay Commission. For 1 crore Shortage of teachers and poor private school. We often don't a schedule to appoint teachers was teacher, Saral. They have a single been received with disappointment. government employees, the infrastructure in schools run by the complete the syllabus because it is in July 2015. classroom and a headmistress who temperature in Chennai will be a Critics are sceptical of potential government has allocated Rs. 1 Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare difficult for the same teacher to To add to their woes, the primary was not present at the school that warm 31 degrees, with humidity reforms the budget’s timing in lakh crore, but for 12 crore farmers (ADTW) Department have been teach from three different text section has only two classrooms day. ranging from 60 -75 per cent in purview of the coming elections. it has allocated only Rs. 75,000 keeping students away from them. books at once," Gomathi said. without benches and no V Tamilselvi, Deputy Director February with the hottest day on On Friday, February 2, 2019, crores. The promised Rs 6000 per According to a notification Three years ago, the school had playground. (Education), ADTW Department, February 18 at 33 degree Celsius. Finance minister Piyush Goyal, annum won’t help the farmers pay issued by the ADTW Department two more teachers who were The secondary section of the said that she did not know how The last week of February will presented the interim budget for loans”, said Vijay Jawandiya, a in December 2018, there are 475 promoted to another high school. "I same school does not have a many schools or teachers function enjoy the coldest nights at 22 2019-2020, proposing a series of farmer leader. vacancies for teachers in their have written multiple letters to the separate English teacher for 90 under the department in Chennai degree Celsius; enjoy it while it measures seen as sops ahead of the “The minimum wage is not schools across Tamil Nadu and department to fill the vacancies, but students. The social science teacher and refused further comment. lasts as Chennai will not be seeing General Elections in April-May. proportionate, and the question of these are likely to be filled on a they have not made any recruitment also teaches English. The Right to Education Act such cool temperatures for another The budget offered a tax cut to inclusive growth has not been temporary basis. According to a list provided by prescribes a teacher-student ratio of eight months. people earning up to Rs. 5 lakh per addressed”, he added. The primary section of the the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar 1:30 and one classroom for every The hottest days of the year will annum. Farmers owning less than 2 The NHM saw an increase in department's school in Housing and Development teacher. According to Christy Raj, be in May and June at sultry 38 hectares were offered Rs. 6000 a allocation from Rs. 30,683 crore in has only two Corporation, there are nine ADTW member of Samakalvi Iyakkam, an degree Celsius, although it is an year each, in way of direct transfers 2018-19 to Rs. 31,745 crore, teachers – the headmistress and an schools in Chennai. NGO working on child rights, "The improvement from preceding years, to their accounts. Funding under reported The Wire. assistant headmistress. Gomathi S, At the ADTW Secondary School teacher-student ratio and number of 2018 and 2017, when temperatures the National Health Mission A senior official in NHM, the headmistress, said, "We had 89 in , there are two classrooms in these schools rose up as high as 40 and 43 degree (NHM) scheme was also increased. Rajasthan on the condition of students last year. This year we poorly lit classrooms and two complies with these regulations. Celsius respectively. Several people in Chennai were anonymity said, “They are have only 57. Though we used to teachers for classes six to ten. But, what will be the quality of Weather Underground website is sceptical about implementation. diverting funds to the Ayushmaan have over a 100 students a few Though there are benches, students education if the 30 children taught linked to the Personal Weather “This has been done just before Bharat scheme...increase this year years ago, in the last three or four sit on the floor close to the open by one teacher are actually in five Station (by RainWise) installed at elections, and was not implemented has been miniscule.” years, the numbers have been door for light. A teacher who different classes?" the Asian College of Journalism, earlier even though it was in talks... However, a senior official in falling." refused to reveal her name, said "There is no shortages thousands Chennai. The Weather Company, the timing isn’t right, and the NHM Tamil Nadu said, “We have She attributes the fall in Lack of amenities force that there is no headmistress. The of candidates have passed the the business wing of IBM, set up government...is not offering any received a 20 per cent increase in admissions to shortage of teachers. students to sit on the floor 'in-charge' appointed by the Teacher Eligibility Test. They the station in collaboration with real relief to tax-payers,” said our funding, because we absorb the "If a parent sees the same teacher department is not a teacher. choose private schools because the ACJ .The station generates real | ABHINAYA H. Keshav Agarwal, an IT funds well. The increase has been running from one classroom to of class rooms The ADTW residential government delays appointments," time data which is updated professional. satisfactory for us”. another to teach different classes at in the last three years," she said. elementary school in he said. regularly. Edition 2 Page 2_Layout 1 2/11/2019 11:35 AM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February 08, 2019 2 CITYSCAPE George Town in disrepair Rundown government buildings with piles of garbage on site

ASHMITA MUKHERJEE rundown building with broken tiles with heaps of discarded items. Corporation cleans the dump once on the roof, chipped walls, rusted Most of the buildings on in a while but that too not the entire Several buildings, some owned by metal structures and creepers Davidson Street, Anderson Street, area. The grounds are a breeding the Government, in George Town climbing all over the place. The Broadway Road, Stringer Street, place for mosquitoes.” are in a dilapidated condition. police quarters in the same Muthunaicken Street and Chinna “ I do not let my children out The office of the Sub-Registrar compound is abandoned. There is a Thambi Street are in a bad after evening. The authorities have on Davidson Street is housed in a vast garbage dumping area filled condition. not paid attention to our complaints The residents said that the of the dilapidated boundary walls buildings pose danger of collapsing of the government buildings and especially during rain and storm. the continuous accumulation of The owners of these buildings garbage.” could not be contacted, they said. Selvi, 48, a woman living in an An employee at the Sub- illegal slum right outside the Registrar’s office said, government premises said,”The “Renovations are being carried out. Corporation has been trying to It was earlier decided that the remove our slum for the past Female representation in the government is abysmally low | ASHNA BUTANI building will be demolished and couple of years. Every 10 days rebuilt. So far there has been no Corporation employees arrive at 10 development on this plan.” am and dismantle the houses. We Sanjay, an employee in charge of get word of their arrival at around 6 a packaging company’s warehouse, am. So we quickly hide our Women want MPs quota said “I have been working here for belongings in the garbage dump ASHNA BUTANI Public Policy and member of from traditional families and the past one and a half years. The beside the (Sub-Registrar’s office) Shakti. “That is what Shakti is dynasties tend to get the ticket, residents complain about the building.” Shakti, a political collective, trying to do, force MLAs to take a rather than upcoming leaders. garbage pile repeatedly but no The Times of India quoted an launched the ‘Call Your MP’ stand,” she adds. Since August 2018, Congress serious action has been taken. employee of the Zone campaign urging people to call The Bill was introduced in 1996 President Rahul Gandhi has been There is an illegal slum right of the Greater Chennai Corporation their members of parliament from but was not passed. “The Congress urging Prime Minister Narendra outside the government premises as saying that there were 66 24 political parties and discuss the and the BJP governments could Modi to ensure the passage of the and they store their belongings in buildings in poor shape but no steps Women’s Reservation Bill. As have passed it during their tenure bill. According to LiveMint, Rahul Dilapidated structures on government property on the dumping ground.” were taking to remedy the situation many as 127 legislators of 373 since they had a majority in the Lok Gandhi announced in an event, that A woman who has been living in as the government did not own supported the bill and agreed to Sabha but neither of them took any women would be appointed to 50 Davidson Street in George Town | ASHMITA MUKHERJEE the area for 40 years said “The these properties. discuss it with their respective steps,” says Subramanian. In the per cent of the Congress party’s parties, according to Shakti. 2014 Lok Sabha elections, only 63 posts. Despite growing support for the out of 543 legislators were women. Shakti says many parties commit Women’s Reservation Bill which The pressure group believes that themselves to the Reservation Bill, aims at reserving 33 per cent of the people must stop voting for the but they do not actually do seats for women, the Bill has not same bunch of recycled men, and anything. Women’s reservation is Solar energy projects picking up been passed. give a chance to women instead. important but that should not mean “The trajectory is not very The political parties do not give the that women take up only women’s But implementation comes with its own set of challenges optimistic, because there is a lack ticket to women, not because they issues, it believes. However, locals of willingness among politicians to are less competitive, but because of think that women’s participation in AN SHITA BHATT out.” and 27 sections including clas - solar energy is not a problem, but it pass it,” says Vidya Subramanian, their male counterparts’ muscle and politics is a prerequisite for female Solar panels were installed in srooms. loses its potency over time. Offices Senior fellow, Centre for buying power. Hence, only women empowerment. Generation of electricity through some Corporation schools. At a Moral said “If a solar plant can - don’t work on weekends, but elec - solar panels is picking up across the middle school in Kondithope near not fulfil the need of a building, it tricity is still generated. How can city but there are challenges in Chennai Beach, solar panels gene - takes a long time to recover the ins - that electricity be utilised, is a chal - WOMEN SPEAK using them in a sustained manner. rate electricity from 9 am to tallation cost. The return lenge,” says Moral. “Hence, we The Greater Chennai Corpora - 4 pm, according to the of investment comes at need to identify spaces which can tion (GCC) has installed solar pa - school teacher S. Leela - a much later stage.” utilise the stored energy.” “The bill is necessary because male politicians do nels in 62 Corporation buildings as vati. “This is the first Vijayalakshmi, Divisional Elec - not pay heed to issues such as maternal healthcare part of Smart City project, and is The situation is not constraint. We thus trical Engineer at GCC, said “100 and safety of IT women, who travel a lot.” planning to install them in 662 same in the Corpora - need data on the re - per cent of solar energy converted “Safety is a concern for more. tion Higher Secon - turns we would get to electricity cannot be utilised. Say - VAISHNAVI, A GOOGLE EMPLOYEE IN HYDERABAD “As part of implementation stra - dary School, on our investment, for instance, 20 per cent is lost in all and only if there are tegy, we decided to install panels Taramani. “Our solar which is different for conversion from direct current to more female politicians, first in feasible corporation owned panel has a capacity of 1 every building.” alternating current.” will these issues be buildings,” says Arun Moral, Di - KWp,” says head master N. Next is the operational Moral said transmission of elec - “Women must be integrated into politics even rector at Deloitte, which is a con - Kalaiselvam. “We can run eight constraint: consumption of produ - tricity to longer distances led to dealt with.” sultant for the Smart City project. tube lights, eight fans and a few ced power, storage and operational more loss apart from increasing its without a reservation bill.” - KRITIKA, A PRIVATE COMPANY “With key learnings from the same, computers of only one computer losses. cost. “Hence, we avoid that op - - AISHWARYA, AN STUDENT WORKER subsequent locations may be rolled lab.” The school has three floors “Storage of electricity through tion.” ‘Marshland will disappear’ Desilting of ASHNA BUTANI reservoir to

A research by Dr. A. Ramachan - reduce woes dran, Centre for Climate Change AADITHYAN J P and Adaptation Research, Anna University, reveals that The State Government is plan - marshland emits much more carbon ning to desilt the Red Hills and the dioxide and methane than it ab - three other reservoirs that supply sorbs every year. “The wetland will water to Chennai. disappear if we go on like this.”. With very little rain in November Pallikaranai marshland used to and December 2018, Chennai’s re - span over 6000 hectares in the servoirs are at a low and are drying 1900’s. Today, residential buildings up. Ground water levels across the and IT sector complexes are strewn city have dipped dangerously low. across the marshland. The area is The four reservoirs - Red Hills, brimming with garbage. Migratory Poondi, and Chemba - birds are few even though the re - rambakkam, have a total combined gion is known for its rich biodiver - Pallikaranai gets more dump, less biodiversity A SHNA B capacity of 11,057 million cubic sity. “A hundred birds migrate to feet (mcft). Pallikaranai now. But if we main - Ramachandran says that untrea - marshland. Tenders will be floated to carry tain it, we will see thousands of ted water from neighboring areas A member of the Pallikaranai birds every year,” he says. and saline water from the sea is a Marshland Authority, who wishes His research throws light on the cause for concern. “The issue is not to withhold her identity, says that Reservoir desilting Kalas Mahal built in Indo-Saracenic style | AINDRISHA MITRA causes for the high levels of met - only about Pallikaranai. Water is the government is taking several will begin in May. hane and carbon dioxide emissions entering the soil from other areas of steps to protect the wetlands. “We - PWD OFFICIALS in the Pallikaranai marsh. A major the city. This water is toxic and full have taken up eco-restoration of the cause for the excess CO2 emissions of methane,” he says. “When there 695 hectares,” she says. is the burning of wastes from the is not enough oxygen in the water, First, the area and its boundary out the desilting process by end of PWD restoring city heritage Perungundi dump yard and 18.2 gi - natural purifiers like algae and phy - are being consolidated to prevent March, 2019. AINDRISHA MITRA had to be completed within a dea - two years ago. Since, then efforts gagram of methane is emitted every toplanktons do not survive,” he further encroachments in the mars - However, the officials at the dline, added Muthukrishnan. have been ongoing not only to con - year. “As much as 95 per cent of adds. A ban on dumping garbage, hland. Second, the marshland will Metro Water office at Red Hills The Public Works Department However, efforts to document serve the buildings but also make the carbon dioxide and methane is a construction of dykes to prevent sa - be restored by improving quality of were unaware of any such order. (PWD) is facing challenges recrea - the architectural style in form of them disaster-resistant and long- result of the garbage burning that line water, and treatment of sewage the soil. Methods like phytoreme - “So far, we have not heard of any ting the 200- year old architecture pictures and videography are on - lasting,” said Sathyamurthy who is takes place daily.” water are the only ways to save the diation have been adopted. such orders. Since it is carried out while restoring heritage buildings going and it will take another two in charge of making detailed notes by the Public Works Department across the city. months to publish a manual or a on the age-old architecture. (PWD), we do not concern oursel - The lack of records of Indo-Sa - book of guidelines for public inte - Mughal architecture came to ves with the desilting process. As racenic architecture techniques and rest. with Emperor Akbar. far as water is concerned, we are a combination of Mughal and The PWD annexe building situa - In 1758, Palace was the Roads or a battlefield? still in the process of planning,” Hindu architecture, used by the Bri - ted on Kamarajar Salai in Chepauk first building to be constructed in AADITHYAN J P roads at Thirumagal were finally fixed after many said Kumaresan, Associate Engi - tish while constructing public and is undergoing renovation work. the Indo-Saracenic style in the years, it was a reliable shortcut that I could use in case neer with Metro Water. government buildings in colonial Materials such as wire-cut bricks country which was also the official The roads at Thirumagal Nagar in were re - of heavy traffic. But now because of the drainage According to PWD officials, India are making it difficult for the which is three times stronger than residence of the Nawab of Arcot. laid in 2016, after numerous petitions and campaigns. works the roads are in bad condition.” parts of the Red Hills lake have engineers, most of whom are trying the ordinary ones and natural in - Classic Mughal structures like But the roads were then dug up for drainage work, The uneven roads pose a serious risk of accidents, started to dry up and therefore, de - it out on the construction-site for gredients such as lime-water and domes, minarets and art-oriented which was completed six months ago. Now the roads so most commuters have to find alternative and longer silting works are expected to begin the first time. egg white are being used to hold elevations had been paired with are uneven and filled with rubble. routes. The ambulances takes ten minutes more and is by April, 2019. Desilting of the re - “Different traditional methods the building together as well as re - Kalas (Pots) and Gopuram (To - Iruvar, a resident of Thirumagalnagar, said “MTC known for being frequently congested. servoir will be done in parts. are being tried out to see if the paint tain the authenticity of the architec - wers) to form the heritage buil - buses that used to go through here now avoid the route “The authorities are not taking responsibility and The dropping water levels have lasts and the structures remaing tural style. dings. as the roads are rocky and gutted with open drains. fixing it up. I cannot risk driving over these roads as also affected the local fishing folk. firm,” said Muthukrishnan, junior K P Sathyamurthy, Deputy Chief “It is extremely difficult to re - Before the school bus used to come to our gate but it can injure the person even more and have to take a Muthuvel, who hails from Vada - architect of Conservation Depart - Engineer of PWD (Buildings), said create the nuanced technology of now my two children have to walk over these broken longer route which is also harmful to the patient,” he garai, said “When the water levels ment who is avoiding the use of ce - that the government had already acoustic-proof halls and thermal roads for a kilometer to board the bus.” added. were higher, we could easily get a ment and other materials which are restored the Madras High Court, comfort mechanisms which ba - The residents say the Tambaram Municipality Chinnamma, a local vegetable vendor, said “I used catch. But now, we have to work not durable enough. the Presidency College and other lance temperature, all of which had officials deflect their queries by saying that Chennai to have good business in this colony, but with these very hard to find any fish”. One of the main problems of this heritage buildings which were built been done by the Britishers; but we Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board should roads it is very difficult for me to set up my cart. The Parts of the reservoir beds have trial and error method was that it in Indo-Saracenic formats are trying our best,” said N. shoulder the responsibility. residents prefer to buy their vegetables from other turned into garbage dumps. The was extremely time-consuming and “The instruction for conservation Jayanthi, Assistant Executive Engi - Eswaran, an ambulance driver, said “When the carts on the way back home.” stench has added to their woes, say labour-intensive, since the building of these public buildings came only neer, PWD (Buildings). the residents in the area. Edition 2 Page 3_Layout 1 2/11/2019 10:33 AM Page 1

CHENNAI February 8, 2019 THE WORD CITYSCAPE 3 Animal smugglers escape POOR CONVICTION RATES BECAUSE OF LEGAL LOOPHOLES

ASHITHA JAYAPRAKASH Wildlife including star tortoises, black pond turtles, red-eared slider Wildlife protection officials and turtles, seahorses and corals are enforcement agencies say they do most frequently traded out of their best to convict individuals who Chennai. During customs check at Family support helps a lot in treating addiction _ LATEET.COM smuggle endangered or exotic the airport, if they fall under the species in or out of India, but not purview of Convention on many have been sent to jail. International Trade of Endangered The Wildlife protection Act 1972 Species (CITES) or violate any ‘Addiction can’t be cured’ provides for three to seven years international trade import policies, imprisonment for any individual they will be booked. CITES was set AISHWARYAA.R counsellors and are treated both as they are addicted,” Sheeba said. indulging in smuggling. up here with connection to the out-patients and in house. Spirituality is used for Ms. Shanti Muthuswamy Pillai, customs at the Chennai Addiction to alcohol and drugs is Sowmya R, Co-ordinator for motivation, where “God” is Wildlife Inspector, Southern Region International Airport. like a disease that cannot be Counselling, said “Children below addressed as the Almighty and for of the Wildlife Crime Control Shanti adds that trading in exotic completely cured and can be the age of 18 are treated as out- the non-believers it is the person Bureau, says, "Our wildlife crime species in Chennai is still treated and controlled with time patients since there might be issues they are highly indebted to. rates have remained high while the A Macaw carried in a basket and brought illegally to India flourishing. "The domestic trade of and care, say counsellors. of [drug] abuse within the “A 25 year old guy, who was conviction rate has remained low. exotic species does not come under Sheeba Suchitra, a counsellor at hospital.” well-versed in the Vedas and This is because the apprehended is by a group of smugglers | TAMEDPETS.COM the purview of the Wildlife the T.T Ranganathan Clinical Children are forced into alcohol Mantras had many doubts with his let loose due to loopholes at the Protection Act, therefore our hands Research Centre, said “In the lower and drug addiction not only due to beliefs. He was very closed up at time of booking the case." She put in by the Wildlife Crime success in the case. are tied.” economic class there is separation, peer pressure but also genetics. first. It took a while to create a admits that the forest officials, Control Bureau was seen in the Shanti says, "the man we have Tamed Pets, a pet shop in lack of understanding and the Sheeba said “Every therapy rapport with him. But he respected enforcement agencies and the recent case of the leopard cub apprehended is only the carrier. He , has many exotic species concept of addiction is not known. session tries to find the roots of the his mother more than anyone, and it general public are not aware of the rescued at the Chennai international didn't even have keys to the luggage like the scarlet macaw, African While in a normal middle class cause of addiction, and it is usually was her encouragement that got rules and regulations governing airport and sent to the zoo. he was carrying. The only discovery grey parrot, red-eared slider turtle, family, they are unable to take the when they are influenced by their him out of his addiction. More than wildlife and the forests. Over the Officials of the Customs, Forest we have, to pursue this case, is the ball python,iguana and rose ring fact that a member is going through parents or grandparents who me, it is the family support that recent years, many new initiatives department, Vandalur Zoo and the phone number of his agent in parakeet. such an issue. indulge in alcoholism. This affects helps the patient to recover.” were taken to solve this problem. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Thailand." The officials are set to Most birds traded here are not “The higher class people have young minds and is reflected in Monica, a counsellor for four "We impart training to forest joined efforts to take care of the investigate the case along with the native to India. The macaw faced issues of super-dependency and a their adulthood as well. This goes years said “Whenever people talk officials on various sections of the situation. Thailand police and Interpol. extinction in their native South need to be understood basically,” for people of all age groups.” about being influenced by the Wildlife Protection Act, and teach She says, "If one department had For intelligence collection, there America. The African grey parrot is she said. People with addiction need to be images of alcohol everywhere, I in depth about wildlife forensics, not helped us, the situation would are volunteers and informants endangered and is offered a high Therapy here is done in two motivated to give up their habit. give them one example.” crime scene investigation, evidence have worsened, for instance, the around tiger reserves and protected degree of protection under CITES. stages – Primary and Extensive They need to accept the fact that “A 35 year-old wine shop worker collection and analyzing leopard cub should only be given areas in Telengana, Andhra Pradesh, "We can only nab them if they're Care and Protection (ECP). Each their addiction is a disease. lost all hope when he approached circumstances; all of this will lead goat's milk, which the veterinarians , Tamil Nadu, and the three found with these species at the course takes two months. ECP is “People approach for help by us. But we counselled him and his to the decision of conviction or from the zoo informed Customs union territories, Lakshwadeep, airport, as that is illegal and provided to patients who need more themselves sometimes, and other family and now he is going to get acquittal." officials." Pondicherry and Andaman and punishable by imprisonment up to counselling against their addiction. times there is complete denial. his one-year medal for sobriety this The outcome of the hard work But there has been no further Nicobar Islands. seven years," Shanti says. The patients are analysed by the They cannot accept the fact that Saturday.” Early detection: key to defeating cancer Access crippled by stigma AKSHARA SRIVASTAVA smoking tobacco and pollution also “The cities are too polluted, and rise, data shows that seven in ten after crossing 40.” BHARAT SHARMA Tluangpuii Hmar (24) from plays a huge role. In rural areas, stress often leads people to substance people consult doctors only after Cancer institutes across the city Mizoram who works at a hair salon More women in Chennai are where people generally prefer abuse, thus increasing chances of reaching the terminal stage. have been organising regular Sexual health products like claims that only supermarkets sell diagnosed with cancer every year chewing tobacco, mouth and developing oral, and lung cancer,” “People fear diagnosis of cancer screening camps to motivate people condoms and contraception pills condoms. “Sellers make weird than men, said Dr. R Swaminathan, stomach cancer become more said Dr. Abdullah, a Radiation and hence get delayed in testing,” to get screened as they remain wary remain hard to find in Adyar. Third faces when we ask for condoms Assistant Head, Dept. of common,” he added. Oncologist said Dr. Swaminathan. of getting tested. Cancer is no more Cross Street of Kasturba Nagar and mostly say no. I have tried to Epidemiology at New Cancer Lifestyle is fast becoming the Data suggests that there are 18.1 He added, “Early diagnosis is a death sentence, provided it gets houses eight chemist stores. None find iPill or Rasmin here many Institute, Adyar. leading cause of cancer, followed by million new cases of cancer gloablly imperative when dealing with cancer diagnosed early, even as cases of these had contraceptive pills times but never got it. Most of my Global cancer data suggests that hereditary reasons. every year. However, even as cases and people should get regular scans continue to rise. while only two kept condoms. friends suggested buying them India sees around 1.1 million new Mega chains like Apollo also lack online,” she said. cases of cancer annually, 62,000 of supplies of such products. The stigma surrounding these which are from Tamil Nadu. According to a report by Scroll , products restricts access, making Chennai sees around 1200 women BATTLING IT OUT the state’s drug controller recalled many susceptible to unwanted being detected every year, as contraceptive pills worth Rs. 50 pregnancies. A Times of India compared to 1000 men. Vandana Mulchandani (50) still anything till it was confirmed, but I a Mastectomy. “My extended operation was followed by six lakhs after protests from various report claims that abortions in The most common cancers in remembers the date clearly. On the knew it in my gut.” family told me go with a cycles of chemotherapy and 28 groups like Responsible Parents Tamil Nadu had spiked owing to women are breast cancer, mostly in night of January 17, 2015, she felt Her FNAC was botched by the mastectomy, people think getting cycles of radiation therapy. Forum who sought a ban on moral unavailability of pills. urban areas, and cervix cancer, most a lump in her left breast. diagnostic centre and Vandana had rid of the root helps. That was the “It is only with the grace of god, grounds. Kathiresan Nallasamy, who cases of which emerge in rural areas. “My intuition that night told me to get the test done again. Her only time I broke down. It was a and the support of my daughters The Emergency Contraceptive works at Adyar Pharmacy, said that “This is to do with the difference that something wasn’t right. I went results were inconclusive. big decision and I was confused!” and family, that I was able to sail Pill (ECP) was introduced in 2002 suppliers no longer deliver such in reproductive profiles of women back to bed, but couldn’t sleep and They visited the Rajiv Gandhi After much deliberation, her through the four years.” by the Ministry of Health and medicines. “When asked, they said from urban and rural sectors. got up twice to examine myself. Cancer Institute in New Delhi on family decided to go on with a Her treatment was completed on Family Welfare (MoHFW) and was that the government has banned Women in rural areas largely don’t The next morning I and my January 29, where she underwent a lumpectomy. August 14, 2015. made an over the counter (OTC) them. I think medicine should be use contraception, whereas in urban husband decided to visit our biopsy. Her fears were confirmed. “The thing that gave me strength “It is the times in your life that drug in 2005. treated as medicine. I later found areas, stress and other factors come general physician.” Malignant lumps had been detected was seeing babies in various stages bring out your hidden strength,” According to Siva Kumar, who out that there was no ban and they into account,” said Dr Swaminathan. Vandana was directed to get a in her breast. “My husband and of treatment in the paediatric says Vanadana passionately. works at Fathima Medicals, such were simply refusing to sell it,” he In men, the most common cancer mammography, and a Fine Needle kids were shaken. For a few oncology ward adjacent to mine. I Vandana is in remission now, medicines are “banned” in Tamil said. is in the lung, stomach and mouth. Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) minutes, I didn’t know what to do, entered my oncologist’s room with and has joined cancer support Nadu because they are unsafe. A pill works only if taken within “This can be traced to tobacco subsequently. “When they asked but there were decisions to be made a resolve to fight the battle head groups, motivating people to get “We earlier also didn’t sell them 72 hours of intercourse, to avoid consumption- both smoking and me to get a second test done, I and time was precious.” on.” scans and regular tests for early because nobody ever asks us for pregnancies. Contrary to popular chewing,” he said. knew my fears were right. The Vandana was faced with the She was operated on, on detection and helping others going such things. It is considered belief, it is not an “abortion pill”. “In urban areas lung cancer is doctors refrained from saying choice of getting a Lumpectomy or February 4, World Cancer Day. The through the same ordeal. shameful and there is no market”, Abortion too, is not arbitrarily more common as people prefer he said. illegal in India. More takers for Chinese-make phones NGOs question Corp’s drive AISHANI SAHA According to the one ASHMITA MUKHERJEE give special attention and care to of the employees of the each case.” Top mobile store chains here keep store S. Sathish, “A few The competence of Greater Williams further said, only a limited number of Indian years back people would Chennai Corporation in carrying “Corporation workers lack the mobile brands in their stores as the think twice before buying out mass immunisation and expertise and commitment to carry customers prefer Chinese ones. Chinese products but now sterilisation of stray dogs has been out the programme. This year Mohammed Bilal, manager of they have taken over the questioned by non-profit itself, in each zone of Chennai, Poorvika mobile store in Shastri Indian market.” organisations. four government dog-catchers in Nagar, Adyar, said, “Over 90 per The Prime Minister’s According to a report published one van could capture an average cent of our customers prefer 2014 Make in India in The New Indian Express, the of five dogs. Drivers of these vans, Chinese mobile brands like Oppo, initiative emphasised the Madras High Court had appointed each gets paid Rs.25000 and a Vivo and Lenovo over Indian importance of making A.Yogeshwaran, an advocate, to dog-catcher gets paid Rs.12000. It brands like Micromax, Lava, and and using Indian products conduct surprise inspections of is a waste of government resources Karbonn because the features are according to the Make in Animal Birth Control (ABC) and time. If this continues, then better.” India website. centres based on a PIL filed on perhaps the Government should “We just keep two models of two Satish pointed out that behalf of the Almighty Animal hand over the programme to BCI Indian brands Micromax 5 Pro and a few Chinese brands like Care Trust. and other registered non-profit Lava Z25 as some customers still Oneplus had started The petitioner had alleged that organizations with good records.” buy these,” he added. manufacturing their the ABC centres were poorly The other issue that hinders The Chinese phones are also products in India itself. maintained. For instance, population control according to cheaper. Redmi 6A starts from Rs. Revati, a third year Yogeshwaran found that the Williams is the migration of dogs 6500, whereas the Micromax college student said, “I Lloyds Colony centre did not have to cities for better access to food, Out-patient puppy put on an phone costs Rs 6,999. Lenovo, Competition remains tough as Chinese and Indian brands target used to use Micromax a registry of dog deaths. water and shelter. The three star Vivo and Oppo starts from Rs. until I switched to Gionee Yogeshwaran found that there IV saline drip for fever after restaurants discard up to 1700kg same customer base | JUSTDIAL.COM 3,699, Rs, 8989 and Rs. 5,599 because it was cheaper was no ‘pre-surgery’ testing done being immunised at the of animal waste per day. Push-cart respectively. and I heard from my by these centres. Blue Cross Society, food sellers discard 7kg surplus R. Ramesh (27), who works at of Sangeetha mobile store in rarely buy these. Oppo has the most friends that it had better features.” It is customary to assess the food as waste. All these refuse get an IT company said, “I bought a Velachery. number of sales here.” S Balakrishnan, who came with fitness of the dogs based on blood Chennai | ASHMITA M transported to dumping grounds. Redmi Y2 because it is cheap and “Micromax and Onida focused “Customers now want phones his wife to Univercell Mobile store tests and physical examination, Garbage collectors make open it has good features.” He has never on battery backup, but they didn’t with eight megapixel cameras, 64 said, “I have no preferences for any but the Corporation performs the be experts and carry out surgeries cuts in the garbage bags so dogs used an Indian brand before and improve other features like RAM gb RAM and good connectivity at a particular brand, whichever I think operation based on a mere ‘visual with care and success without and other animals can scavenge doesn’t plan too as he doesn’t have whereas the Chinese brands cheap price, and the Chinese is cheaper and easy to use I will assessment’, it was alleged. rushing to reach the numbers for food. Having access to such a much faith in the Indian brands. capitalised on all the features,” he brands are providing it.” buy it.” He bought Redmi 6 Pro. Dawn Williams, general specified on their employment protein rich diet the population of Five years back Indian mobile added. The Chennai Mobile Store in Amit Sharma, an analyst at the manager of contract.” dogs is increasing. brands like Micromax, and Lava Ajit Kumar, manager of Phoenix Marketcity mall sells three Supertron Infotech Private Limited (BCI), said “A sincere scientific Dr. Rajalakshmi working at BCI Williams said, “The corporation were dominating the market but Univercell mobile store in Indian brands-Micromax, Intex and (Kolkata) said, “Indian customers approach has to be taken while said, “We can carry out ‘n’ number should also notify and spread now the Chinese brands like Xiomi Velachery, said, “We just have two Lava. The rest are all Chinese prefer Chinese brands over others conducting the Animal Birth of surgeries if there is a time awareness about proper disposal (Redmi), Oppo and Vivo have models of Micromax, no other brands like Lenovo, Vivo, Oppo is because it has all the features at Control-Anti-Rabies (ABC-AR) crunch but we always have a of waste which contains animal taken over, said Mani, the manager Indian brands because people and Redmi. an affordable price.” programme. Veterinarians need to successful rate of surgeries as we matter.” Edition 2 Page 4_Layout 1 2/11/2019 11:14 AM Page 1

CHENNAI February 08, 2019 THE WORD CITYSCAPE 4 Celebrating 50 yrs No audience for Chennai Open Poor publicity and odd match timings lead to poor crowd at stadium of human unity ANAND JC ANKITA MARWAHA lation project, to pay tribute to the people The Chennai Open ATP Challenger tour - who laid the foundation and constructed nament at the SDAT Tennis stadium in It’s been 50 years since the foundation of the town. saw a poor turnout des - India’s only experimental universal Auroville was inaugurated on February pite free entry for all the games. township, Auroville, based on the philo - 28, 1968 by people from 124 different na - The stadium can seat 5,800 people but sophy of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, tionalities who brought a sample of soil the number of spectators barely crossed was laid. To commemorate its anniver - from their countries and deposited it at the 100 and most of them were volunteers, fa - sary, Dakshinachitra is hosting a month- centre of Auroville. mily members and coaches of players. long festival till February 15, 2019. The exhibition was curated by Fredrick The tournament was earlier classified The festival includes an exhibition of Fredrich, who is one of the senior-most as an ATP World Tour 250 but was down - graphics by a group of Auroville artists, Auroville residents. graded to an ATP Challenger 80 tourna - familiarising people with the conception “The exhibition on Auroville was a ment. The World Tour competition, now of the town and its current practices. magnificent experience for me. I knew known as the Tata , was “Everyone has heard about Auroville about the town but didn’t know about so moved to Pune in 2018. and is interested to know more about it,” many projects that it leads,” said Rachna, ATP Challenger tours are conducted said Sharat Nambiar, Deputy Director of a visitor. between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. as opposed to Dakshinchitra. “They are always experi - “Auroville has always been eager to the earlier tournament which was con - menting and developing new ways of sus - collaborate with us. We have had archi - ducted under the floodlights. tenance,” he added. tecture, dance movement, and pottery “You can’t expect people to skip work No more “Quiet please” pleas from the referee. Left: Sumit Nagal in action | ANAND JC & SRIRAJ NAMBOODIRI The artworks display the opportunities workshops where artists from Auroville and attend matches on weekdays. Earlier, in Auroville that the people partake in, in - were invited to teach,” said Sharat. since the matches were in the evenings, ble,” he further added. “The event hasn’t been marketed pro - 109, according to the Chennai Open web - cluding dancing, singing, cooking, and The ‘Journey of Auroville’ exhibition is the climate was pleasant and it was easier The prize money for this tournament is perly, so not a lot of people know about site. “Because of the tiring climate, the exchanging ideas among communities. part of a series of national events to for people to attend matches,” said a game $54,000 (around Rs 3,84,000) whereas the ongoing tournament. Earlier the Chen - quality of participating players has been The town initiates projects to conserve celebrate the golden anniversary, that star - official, who refused to be named. the prize money for the Bengaluru Open nai Open was advertised on the front reduced as well,” he added. water, landscape, and biodiversity, provi - ted in Delhi in November 2017 and has “Players prefer to play at the Bengaluru 2018 was $150,000 (Rs 1,06,74,000). pages of newspapers and that doesn’t hap - “It is 32 degrees out here. The Chen - ding employment to people in the process. travelled to Vadodara (September 2018), Open, which is a tournament of similar K.C. Vijaya Kumar, Sports Editor of pen now.” naiites can barely stand it, you can’t blame The exhibition also has a section called Kolkata (January 2019), and is now in grade except the prize money is almost The Hindu said that the poor turnout was The top seeded player in this tourna - these foreigners,” said Kesavan, a tennis ‘Auroville Timelines,’ a video-art instal - Chennai. ten times higher and the climate is beara - because of poor marketing. ment is Prajnesh Gunneswaran ranked at enthusiast from Nungambakkam. Karnatic Katthaikotu: Authentic Chinese cuisine with a ‘twist’ AISHANI SAHA of spice used is very and is an Indian Chinese,” high. continued Sathish. Old Chinese restaurants here say The outer crust of “They add colour to food, like A rare musical mélange they dish out authentic Chinese the chicken Siew Mai chilly chicken isn’t supposed to be AINDRISHA MITRA The show began with a recital of food, whereas new outlets mix it dumpling was soft, red in colour but one will find more Mallari, usually performed when a with other cuisine to suit the Indian but the chicken inside chillies, onions and capsicum than Rural folk theatre artists and temple deity is taken out in taste. had no spices and less the chicken itself.” Carnatic musicians came together procession. It was then followed by Cascade, which claims to be one salt. “We don’t have new customers to depict scenes from the the opening act by the Kuttu artists of the oldest Chinese restaurants in S. Siva who came every day, it’s mainly the old ones Mahabharata to a full house at the wherein the Kattiyakkaran or the Chennai, completed 36 years last with his wife and who come back,” he added.

Kalakshetra Foundation on A sutradhar introduced Duryodhan’s week. children said, “This is Thiru, a chef of Rangis, a 31 year R T

February 3. I assembly to the audience. Parathe Shradhe, manager of the the first time we have old Chinese restaurant in M Called “Karnatic Katthaikotu,” In one of the most striking restaurant who has been working come here. The food Nungambakkam, said, “These new A

the performance brought together H scenes adapted by Rajagopal, the here for the last 10 years said, “The is decent and the restaurants makes more profit than S I

Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna and R character of Draupadi asks her Chinese food that we serve here is ambience is great.” us with their new conceptualisation D

Kattaikuttu actor, director and N eldest husband, Yudhisthira if he the closest one will get to authentic Shekhar Vij, the of food, but we try to stick to the I playwright Perungattur P. A put her at stake before or after Chinese food in Chennai. Yes, we chef said, “We try to authentic Chinese cuisine as much Rajagopal. A Kuttu artist performing losing the dice game. do add some flavours to the food so Clockwise: Skewed Beef Sizzler, stick to the roots of as possible.” Staged for the first time in The audience was made to that it doesn’t taste too plain.’ Chicken Siew Mai, American Chop - Chinese cuisine but The Chinese Chopsuey was Chennai in the Rukmini Devi Katthaikuttu folk art together. ponder the understated philosophy “The Chefs have been trained to suey, Apple Pie Spring Roll | AISHANI SAHA we have to make extremely sweet, and the noodles Auditorium, the show was divided According to T.M. Krishna, the behind the question. The cook authentic Chinese but of changes because our dipped in the gravy tasted like into two scenes from the performance cannot be branded as protagonists used puns and sarcasm course they twist it a little,” he the customers,” said Michael customers will not like the sweet noodles. Mahabharata . The first one a fusion piece as both the art forms deftly to portray the hypocrisy of added. Dunnigan, who has worked at the authentic Chinese dishes.” Shardha who came with her depicted Draupadi’s disrobement in have their own distinct Duryodhana and Duhsasana. An authentic Chinese dish is Cascade for the past 14 years. Sathish, manager of 48 year old office colleagues said that they Duryadhana’s assembly and the characteristics. Vocalists T.M Krishna and completely different from what Dunnigan said, “Every year Luis Waldorf in Adyar said, “These came here very often because the second one was The Eighteenth “The idea was to explore the Sangeetha Sivakumar were people get here. Different flavours during Chinese New Year, we have new Chinese restaurants are trying food was good and the prices Day of The War, fought between commonalities as well as the accompanied by violin, mridangam are added to Chinese food in India, a new menu for two weeks when to make a fusion of Chinese and cheap. the Kauravas and the Pandavas. differences between both the and ghatam artists. especially local spices, because we serve authentic Chinese food.” Indian cuisines and to be honest it S Raman, a teacher, said, “I have Mostly enacted in the form of a performance styles to bring out the The 13 Koothu artists from the Indians are fond of them. The skewed beef sizzler with is working because they are making been coming to Rangis for the past dialogue or a conversation in best of their aesthetics,” said T.M -based theatre troupe “New Chinese restaurants in spices is one of the most popular good money out of it.” 12 years. It doesn’t matter if the English, the performance aimed at Krishna, who organised the show known as Kattaikuttu Sangam were town are Indianising Chinese food dishes there. But this dish is suited “The owner of the restaurant, Chinese food here is authentic or bringing Carnatic music and first in 2017, in Mumbai. dressed in vibrant red costumes. more and more to suit the taste of for people here because the amount Wang Aisling himself is the cook not, I like it anyway.” Weaving, now at each one’s fingertips Chennai: K-Popped Handloom weaving is not a dying ancient art, but a possible hobby option

ANSHITA BHATT teach students to integrate weave. When the rich start produ - what they see in the environ - cing with their hands, value of any For six months now, Surekha from ment, into weaving. With its li - craft will go up. The way they look Kotturpuram has been weaving sto - Weaving with mitless possibilities, weaving at the fabric changes,” he says. les without any previous expe - your own can bring out the best in chil - Apart from that, the hobby has rience in handloom. A Human hands gives dren,” he says. “The idea is not therapeutic value. “Time flies when Resources (HR) professional for 25 to learn weaving, but learn I am weaving,” exclaims Surekha. years, she has taken up weaving as immense pleasure through weaving.” “It de-stresses me to a great ex - a hobby. However, it is not as diffi - In our country, weaving is tent.” Subramaniam claims that - NARESH BTS - madness, Behind The Screen | ARUNA cult as it sounds. With a simplified, Weaving your own cloth is now easy RAMASUBRAMANIAM, seen as an activity done only when they involve persons with in - user-friendly handloom machine, STUDIO MD by certain communities, he tellectual disability to work on the anyone from a four to 80 year old highlights. “There is no con - craft, repeated movements calm AISHWARYAA.R and lead dancer in the dance group can weave their own cloth. who himself started weaving only masubramaniam. “The loom with cept of working with our hands. We them down. He himself weaves for LCD, which is popular on Youtube. At Shuttles & Needles studio in four years back. eight shafts can generate 2.8 mil - are used to getting things done. an hour every day, and “it has trans - “Kim Namjoon! Kim Seokjin! Min “There are new Indian K-pop Adyar, the ancient craft of weaving From the simplest looms which lion designs with just one colour.” When you start working with your formed me,” he smiles. Yoongi! Jung Hoseok! Park Jimin! idols like ‘Priyanka’ and ‘Sid’ in is promoted as a fun activity with can be placed on lap, to complex One cannot help but imagine the hands, the pressure is immense. He however, does not like the Kim Taehyung! Jeon Jeongguk! the upcoming Idol group called ‘Z- regular workshops. “Weaving is a ones which still don’t take more possibilities with more complex That is how crafts become interes - idea of commercialising the craft. BTS!” girls’ and ‘Z-boys.’ She won the beautiful and meaningful hobby, than five minutes to pick up, there looms and multiple colours. ting.” “I want people to enjoy it. The im - These are the members of a first place for vocal category in K- which has the power to engage and are infinite design possibilities. Technologies are product-orien - The hobby subtly promotes dig - mense pleasure you gain out of South Korean boy band that has pop World finals 2016. This is a get you to create something,” says “From a small loom with four ted, but weaving is process-orien - nity of labour. “Surgeons, scien - creating something with your own fuelled the K-Pop craze in Chennai. major sign of hope for K-pop studio Founder and Managing Di - shafts, 42,000 designs with only ted, he says. He plans to inculcate tists, economic professors, hands cannot be compared to mo - Love Yourself , a concert film aspirants in India, especially rector Naresh Ramasubramaniam, white can be created,” reveals Ra - weaving in schools. “We want to industrialists and taxmen come to netary gains.” featuring the band Bangtan Chennai, since many trainees even Sonyeondan or BTS, also known as below eight years are sent to make Bulletproof Boy Scouts, was it big in the industry,” she said. screened at the VR Mall in Anna LCD was a part of the flash mob Nagar on Saturday. at the V.R Mall. Aruna (26) films the flash mob Sanjay Ramji, a Korean Bookshop today, multipurpose stall tomorrow for her Instagram and Twitter page interpreter and veteran K-pop fan, ABHINAYA HARIGOVIND ted it into a multi- and snacks will said. “Earlier we would sell up to a ‘tamilnadubtsarmy.’ “I used to started a club K-Wave, previously purpose stall six help make pro - 1000 copies of Junior Vikatan ma - watch Korean dramas only until known as The Dorama Club. Book stores at the city's railway months ago on the fits.” Slow busi - gazine in a month. Now, the only 2013. I followed the music in these He said, “When we started in stations have mixed reactions to the Railway Board's ness has led copy of last month's Femina maga - K-Dramas and got to know BTS 2009, there were only about 250 Railway Board's policy to convert orders. “Post con - Nataraj to open zine in Tamil that we stocked is still through recommendations on members all over the state, them into multi-purpose stalls version results his shop at least on the stand. With mobile phones, YouTube,” she said. predominantly in the cities. In (MPS). They see their falling pro - have been good. two hours late in nobody reads on trains anymore,” “This boy band is unique as it 2012, there was a mega boost and fits as the reason for the board's de - People do not buy the morning. he said. not only focuses on young love but the number rose to 1500.” cision. books and maga - At the Moore Even at Higginbotham's, at the also on other social issues like Korean Government had fully To decongest railway platforms, zines anymore, Market railway Central station, only newspapers societal pressures to get higher understood the potential of the the Railway Board had announced but they will at station, V Rag - and magazines sell. “There was a marks, peer pressure, bullying, and industry and promoted it much in September 2017 that existing least buy water or huraman has not rumour few months ago that we failure to realise your strength. better than other nations, he book stalls will be converted into biscuits,” he said. Books remain unsold as buyers have dipped | ABHINAYA H. yet received the may be asked to shift to make space That’s what caught everyone’s pointed. multi-purpose stalls that will sell Vishwanath order to convert for a food court that is now coming attention,” she said. “It is up to the State to take drinking water, biscuits, over the Nataraj's stall has been on Platform rything became digital,” he said. the 30-year-old Lakshmi Book up next to us,” said Saravanan, the Earlier a reporter in a leading TV cultural and entertainment aspects counter medicines, “artefacts of 4 of the Beach railway station since “People buy only newspapers Stall into a multi-purpose stall. manager. channel, Aruna quit her job and as serious contributors to economic local importance” and books on 1975. “As much as 80 per cent of and maybe a few small Tamil de - “Since we don't make much profit, “Fortunately, we have not been joined an IT firm in order to make development,” he said. “Indian culture.” the business has died in the last votional and motivational books the Railway Board wants us to asked to move. But sales have fal - time for her page, even during her The Inko Centre in Adyar Gate, K Jayachandran, who owned a seven years and maintaining the that they might not get online. I move all the books to one side and len drastically in the last few office hours. Raja Annamalai Puram, offers K- book stall at Park station, conver - store has become difficult after eve - don't know if selling drinking water sell other things,” Raghuraman years.” Rhea (24) is an MBBS student pop dance lessons.