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Home , Chennai railway division, Vijay (actor), Vikram (actor)

The Word Edition 5 Page 1_Layout 1 2/27/2018 10:41 AM Page 1

Volume No 18 Issue No 5 February 23, 2018 LAB JOURNAL OF THE ASIAN COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM Cost of dying in Students fret Artists survive over NEET in a village Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Kamal’s party to fight corruption PRATIBHA SHARMA felt Haasan’s political venture de - Haasan’s movies, she wouldn’t pended on various factors. vote for him. “He is going to Chennai: Tamil film star Kamal “Kamal’s success in politics de - change once he enters into poli - Haasan launched his political party pends on how attractive or relevant tics,” she said. ‘Makkal Needhi Maiam’ (People’s he is politically. An average voter G.C Shekhar remained sceptical Justice Center) and hoisted the flag likes to vote for a winning candi - of ’s fanbase turning carrying the party’s symbol at Ot - date rather than a person he likes,” into votes as he believed that he hakadai ground in on Fe - said G.C Shekhar, a senior journa - had unnecessarily antagonized the bruary 21. list. Hindu fanbase, by making contro - The 63-year-old actor, who is on Duraisamy Ravindaran, a poli - versial statements. a three-day statewide tour, visited tical observer, said “Kamal’s suc - This English speaking middle APJ Abdul Kalam’s home in Ra - cess depends on his political class and the urban population meswaram and spoke about his strategy. So far, he has maintained which comprise the bulk of Haa - entry into politics. From Rames - anti-BJP and anti-AIADMK stand, san’s fanbase would not vote for waram he went to Ramanathapu - and people might support him. him, he said. Customers line up at other service providers’ outlets after ram and his birthplace Whether he succeeds in politics or “There is a possibility that the Paramakudi. not, he will surely cut into DMK and the Kamal Haasan’s Aircel network crashes | NARAYANAN V reported that what AIADMK vote.” party might enter into an alliance started as 200 people at Kalam’s Haasan who has a strained rela - to prevent the split in anti- house grew to a crowd of 2000 tionship with AIADMK was in AIADMK votes,” Shekar added. people at Paramakudi. news since past few months due to Ravichandran, a college student, “ am no more a cinema star, I his acerbic political statements said “Hassan is playing ideology- Aircel network am the lamp of your house. Protect against party. The actor is also driven politics whereas, in rural me and keep me lit,” the actor told being seen as an opportunist who , caste is still a strong a gathering at Ramanathapuram . Kamal Haasan at the launch of his party ‘Makkal Needhi has conveniently chosen to speak political factor. So Kamal might Calling his party Makkal against the party after the death of win one or two seats, but capturing Needhi Maiam (Centre for Peo - Maiam’ at Madurai | AIADMK leader Jayalalitha’s power in the state is a distant dies overVnelachieryg. “They sat y it will take NARAYANAN V ple’s Justice), Kamal Haasan said death. dream for him.” minimum 7 to 10 working days for “Good education must reach all, wal, former Delhi Law Minister spread fragrance. It will bloom du - “Anti-corruption cannot alone Nirupama, a seafood vendor Chennai : Airtel and Vodafone activation, what will I do so long communal and religious instiga - Somnath Bharti, and farmers’ lea - ring a season but will wither away be a plank. He still needs to come said that she would still prefer to showrooms in the city had a field without connectivity?” he asked. tion must end. We will achieve it der P.R. Pandian were among soon”. out with an agenda, not a full ma - vote for “Amma’s party” _ the day on February 22 after thousands Making most out of the situation, and be an example to all. If we end those who attended the party Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, nifesto but five to six points regar - AIADMK led by Jayalalitha. of Aircel users thronged them for some Airtel and Vodafone show - corruption, there will be no dearth launch. a member of the AIADMK, said ding what he is going to do. Until “Kamal Haasan talks of putting new connections following Aircel’s rooms are seen insisting that Aircel or stoppage of amenities or access Reacting to Hassan’s party Haasan was like a genetically mo - he does that, I don’t think he will an end to distributing freebies. late night suspension of service. customers take postpaid connec - to services.” launch, DMK president M.K Sta - dified seed which was not useful win”, said G.C Shekar. Where will poor people like us go? However, Aircel users complai - tions if they wanted to retain their Delhi Chief Minister and Aam lin said, “Kamal is like a glamo - for anyone and not used in . Shivagami, a domestic help,said Amma was a bold lady, she cared ned that the other service providers old number. Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejri - rous paper flower which cannot However, political observers that although she liked Kamal for the poor”, she said. were taking advantage of the situa - While post-paid connections tion and exploiting come with hidden them. costs, prepaid ones Aircel’s sudden Aircel’s sudden are under the con - New 3-phase shutdown of opera - shutdown came trol of the subscri - tion came as a rude ber. EMU fails on its No tree was felled: shock for thou - as a shock for “They are not MOHINI CHANDOLA In April, a “Massive Tree Plan - the main campus and in the affi - be able to survive. The banyan sands of its custo - thousands of accepting requests second day tation” programme was held on liated colleges as well. tree in the vicinity has only been mers who for prepaid num - Chennai: Anna University has the campus with the concept of Regarding the new construc - pruned, not cut.” swamped the customers who ber portability; PURNIMA S DAS dismissed as “false” and “mislea - “One Student One tree”, i.e., to tion, he said, “The neem trees had “The entire area was a jungle, showrooms of they asked me to ding” reports in a newspaper plant one tree per student. By to be cut down since we were filled with shrubs of Seemai Ka - other network pro - were forced to come after two Chennai: The advanced three which said rare trees were among September 27, 2017, more than 2, unable to transplant them to a dif - ruvelam (Prosopis Juliflora), viders to port their swamp the days,” says E.Pe - phase Electrical Multiple Unit those that were felled for cons - 00,000 saplings were planted on ferent location. They would not which has short, green leaves, connections or to rumal (40), a hard - (EMU) introduced into service on truction work on the campus. which sucks up the ground water. get new connec - showrooms of ware merchant in the Chennai Beach – – V K Stalin, Estate Officer, said We only cleared the bushes as per tions. . “Wit - route on February 20 none of the rare or endangered the High Court order,” he added. “They know to other providers. hout phones it is has failed to function the next day. trees had been felled, as the news - A Dravida Munnetra Kazha - fleece ignorant cus - very difficult to The station at Chennai paper implied. gam (DMK) leader, tomers with caller tune messages, run our operations” he added. Beach station said, “Today, it star - Three buildings have been de - Gopalsamy filed a petition in but they cannot send intimation be - A saleswoman at an Airtel show - ted from Chengalpattu and reached molished and two neem trees 2015 seeking to uproot the Sem - fore suspending the service,” said room in Vijayanagar said, “We are here at 11:15 p.m. in the morning uprooted for the construction of mai Karuvelam shrub from seve - J.M. Yuvaraj (43), who runs a water facing very high demand for por - but will not function for the rest of new buildings for Geology, Me - ral areas since it drained out purifier business. ting hence unable to accept any the day due to technical faults.” dical Science and English depart - groundwater. After 2 years, the “I have had this number for years fresh prepaid requests.” Though, he did not specify the ments behind Knowledge Park, High Court ordered that the shrub but never experienced such a poor Aircel customers can port their exact problem but called it ‘minor according to the official. be removed from poromboke coverage as in the last few days.” number to Airtel or Vodafone by ta - glitches.’ The buildings were initially land, lakes and certain institu - he added. king postpaid connections on a Gandhi, a motorman used as women’s hostel until the tions. However students on the Many Airtel and Vodafone show - payment of Rs. 25 towards SIM said, “Yesterday, it made six rounds hostel was relocated across the campus had other views. Meera, rooms were crowded with senior charges and submission of a copy instead of nine.”As per the propo - road. an Electronics student said, “Our citizens, housewives, office-goers of the Aadhaar card and biometric sed plan, there will be six services “The papers are flashing college is known for its green and daily laborers seeking to retain scanning. between Chennai Beach and Chen - wrong information about us. cover and it also adds to the view their Aircel numbers but use the “Customers are free to revert to galpattu and three services between These people don’t understand from classroom. There are so service of other available networks. prepaid connection any time after Chennai Beach and Tambaram. that they were cut for a reason, many monkeys and now they’re Most people want to hold on to 90 days from conversion,” the sa - B Umapathy, Senior Section En - but we planted more trees after going to lose their habitat. It is en - the Aircel number because they leswoman added. gineer (SSE) said, “This is just in the cyclone than we’ve cut now.” vironmental degradation.” Avish, have linked it to their Aadhaar K Krishnan (55), an auto driver the ‘trial phase’ and problems like Anna University, which is a student of Material Science cards and bank accounts; they need from Pallikarnai, said “This will these are bound to happen with home to nearly 50 species of said, “It’s very cruel to cut trees it for their online transactions. create unnecessary monthly burden newer technologies.” trees, suffered a massive blow to and it will get hot without them; If they get a new number they on us.” However, the press release from its green cover after being hit by but it is necessary to do so.” need to register it with the banks According to news reports, Air - the Southern Railways on February Cyclone Vardah in December Apart from common species which will take time. cel’s late night network suspension 19 did not mention that it was in the 2016. like neem, tamarind and palmyra, “I get my work assigned over came as a result of Idea cellular trial period. K. Murugamandan, Horticul - rare species of trees like Ponga - phone on daily basis but without suspending its interconnect servi - The conventional EMU train turist at the University said, mia Pinnata, Ashoka, Odin and this connection now I have no clue ces consequence to Aircel’s failure speed is restricted to 96 kmph whe - “After Vardah hit the city, we Peltophoram tree are conserved how to reach my mason,” said C to honour the payment commit - reas the new three phase EMU train planted thousands of saplings and The Banyan tree behing Knowledge Park was pruned on the campus with drip irrigation Ravi (52), a construction worker, ments despite several reminders can run up to 105 kmph. This 12 car I personally took care of them.” and not felled | MOHINI CHANDOLA method. who was at the Airtel showroom in since November 2017. rake has the provision for 4852 standing passengers while the con - ventional rake has the capacity of 3768 standing passengers, accor - ding to Umapathy. S Sudha, a commuter said, “Yes - Online gaming lounges become Chennai’s latest fad terday, I took the new train from NEHAL CHALIAWALA ture has arrived in our city. (Central Processing Unit), says says Praveen. A major reason for Chennai Beach to Tambaram and it Numerous gaming hotspots Praveen. The cost of the other pa - this is that professional gaming is was impressive. The CCTV (Clo - Chennai: The mouse clicks rapi - have sprung up in Chennai over raphernalia is over and above that. not yet recognised as a career here. sed circuit television) cameras were dly as Praveen taps the left button the past few years – LXG, Yuri’s “These are luxuries that all can’t Parents encourage children to pur - there and with increasing number of multiple times a second, his face Yard, Arknemesis, Blur, to name a afford at home, so they come sue the ‘safer’ conventional jobs. chain snatching incident, it is the glued to the computer screen. His few. These places no longer hide here,” says Praveen. “It's difficult to find professio - need of the hour.” thumb is not idle either; there are behind the guise of a cyber café – “We get all types of customers – nal players in Chennai. You may R Kumaran, another commuter three buttons to be clicked by his they mean business. They invest college students, school kids, doc - find a few in cities like Mumbai, said, “The GPS based passenger thumb. His mouse, unlike the re - heavily in expensive gaming tors, engineers,” says Yuri, pro - Pune or ,” he said. To system in the new train is an attrac - gular ones, has eight buttons. equipment and in building the per - prietor of Yuri’s Yard in become a professional gamer one tive feature which will give real E Praveen who manages Playerz fect ambience for gaming. . "The fun comes needs to have a top global ranking time location unlike the current one Gaming, a 24x7 computer gaming With dim theme lighting, back - from playing together. That's why in their game and to achieve that which gives us pre-recorded an - lounge in Nungambakkam, is lit keyboards, mouse and headpho - they come to the cafés; they won't one needs to put in hours of work nouncements.” playing Defense of the Ancients 2, nes, high-end gaming systems and get that fun playing alone at over several months, he explains. M Madhu, a psychology student, or DotA2, as it is colloquially plush swivel chairs, these lounges home." The gamers seldom know U Aakash, who goes by the ga - said “I hope this does not end up known, a popular strategy game. A have become the perfect recluse each other by their real names. ming alias ‘Dante’, is a final year like many other governmental faci - graduate in Statistical Studies from for gamers. These computers are They are known by their gaming Statistical Studies student from the lities – all glitter and on paper with the Loyola College, Praveen is an assembled systems configured for aliases in their circles. Loyola College. He has an appre - zero delivery in practice.” avid DotA2 player. gaming with a special high speed Globally, video gaming has ciable global ranking in DotA2 but ming is considered no more than India. However, with the prolifera - K Krishnakumar, Inspector, Pu - Gamers and gaming lounges disk and a huge memory bank. been a billion-dollar industry since has given up the game till his just a hobby,” he says. tion of such lounges, a vibrant ga - blic Grievances Cell in Southern hosting titles like DotA2, CS:GO, A good gaming system can ea - the 80s. Professional gamers earn exams get over in April. Combined with the high cost of ming culture is brewing in the city Railways said, “We will make sure League of Legends, et cetera are a sily cost upwards of Rs 1 lakh and by the millions. “However, it is “You first have to get a degree the gaming gear, it is no wonder attracting dedicated as well as lei - that it will run smoothly.” common sight these days – the cul - that is just the cost of the CPU still in its nascent stages in India,” and then you have to get a job. Ga - that gaming is still in its infancy in sure gamers. The Word Edition 5 Page 2_Layout 1 2/27/2018 10:51 AM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February 23, 2018 2 CITYSCAPE

RDaiely evarinisnges sldide dfoawnr bey Rss.3 0a0; fUbfeer ancd tO lat oaffe xr hiar dd cormipvetietiorn s NITHIN KUMAR “Previously, we earned Rs 800 a drivers in the Prepaid Taxi DESTINATION NEW FARE Uber from the airport to her day and we did a maximum of Association, there are numerous T.NAGAR Rs.400 residence in West . Chennai: The Prepaid Taxi seven fares. But our salaries have hidden charges that the other cab There are 304 taxis at the airport, Association at the Anna now been reduced to Rs 500,” said companies impose on the MOUNT ROAD Rs.450 according to the association and International Airport here has P Muthu, a driver. passengers. GREAMS RD. Rs.450 only 100 taxis are being used in a reduced fares by Rs 50 to Rs 60 to Even with the reduced fares, “Those taxis (Uber/ Ola) charge day at present. compete against cab companies most of the passengers book an Ola more for traffic, night-hours, bad Rs.450 “I parked my taxi here yesterday such as Uber and Ola Cabs. Cab or an Uber. These companies weather and for waiting. But the Rs.430 at 10 AM and it has still not been The new tenements at | PRASHASTI S. “This is a very desperate step also have kiosks and pick up points rates for prepaid taxis are fixed ADYAR Rs.390 called. And there are 50 taxis that we took due to our at the arrival gates. regardless of all those conditions,” behind me, waiting for their turn,” competition. We hope our business “I booked my cab while I was Muthu said. MAMBALAM Rs.400 said Kumar, who was cleaning his will improve after this,” said waiting for my luggage, so when I The new fares of the prepaid black and yellow car at the Prepaid Srinivasan, an Association official. come out I wouldn’t have to wait taxis are: Rs 400 for areas within for these routes were Rs 450/ Rs Taxi parking lot near the Airport The reduced fares still do not for long,” said Chandrasekar, a eight km from the International 460. Metro Station. Patience is the attract passengers, but have passenger who arrived from Airport. The areas include T.Nagar, The fare is Rs 450 for areas such The cars are equipped with affected the drivers as their salaries Muscat. K.K.Nagar, Ashok Nagar and as Alwarpet, R.A.Puram and safety features such as the ABS, have been cut. According to P Muthu and other . Previously the fares Mylapore. disk brakes and the older cars that “The majority of our fares are to lack these features are regularly key, says TNSCB Mount Road and T Nagar where maintained. PRASHASTI SINGH to earn about Rs. 5000 monthly. there are hotels. So we are charging “Out of the 304 taxis, we have How can we go to these places? only Rs 400 for those areas, which 30 Hindustan Motor Ambassadors. Chennai: People who were Either we should be able to afford were previously Rs 450 or Rs 500,” But when people see the evicted from slums along the sending our kids to international said Kannan, a driver. Ambassadors, they think of it as and resettled schools, or we should be able to Madhivannan, another driver at very old cars and do not book elsewhere in the city are pay their daily travel allowance to the airport, said “The Uber and Ola them,” said Madhivannan. “But, complaining of lack of basic the city where their schools are Cabs show a discount price on the the Ambassadors are 2008 and facilities like transportation, located.” Application, but they add the cost 2009 year models and all our other healthcare and education and that However, the Tamil Nadu that was cut and impose it on future cars are Maruti Swift Dzire, which the government was not doing Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB), fares we take. So, we end up paying are only 2 years old,” he added. anything about it. which is responsible for the them all the money for the ride. Passengers prefer the taxis which “We have been shifted to an Resettlement and Rehabilitation There is no discount.” have an Uber or an Ola Cabs isolated area and even going to plan of this initiative, has claimed A first time Ola Cabs fare to sticker. the hospital in cases of to have provided all basic K.K.Nagar from the international “We have been in business for emergency is difficult for us. facilities like healthcare, soft airport is Rs. 450 approximately. 60 years now. Ever since there were School children travel for more skills training, and free “For a second trip from the passengers at the Airport, we have than one hour to and from school transportation for children going airport to my residence in two been in operation. But these daily. To go anywhere, we have to to school. months, I paid Rs. 470 plus multinational companies are new walk to the bus stop which is far Nirmal Raj, Community change,” said Dr. Sarojini from the and have reached a point where away from our block, and then we Development Officer of TNSCB, Hindu Mission Hospital in they have put us out of business,” pay more than we can afford to said, “The places where they Taxis awaiting their turn in the airport parking lot | N ITHIN KUMAR Tambaram, who recently used an said Srinivasan. travel, since every place is far were living previously were away from here,” said Lalitha extremely unhygienic and the Ramesh who shifted to flats they have been given now Perumbakkam from Greams are clean and comfortable. Even Legal issues Road three months ago. though they are a little far away Evicted Rattan Bazar hawkers back Twenty-four hour water and from the city, they face no delay MRTS MOHINI CHANDOLA earning is all I know. I earn to feed Regulation of Street Vending) Act, Traffic Police Station, A. Arun who electricity supply is being problems because we have my children and my family.” 2014, every zone is required to supervised the drive on Feb 5 said, provided to the residents, but it is collaborated with the project Chennai: Street hawkers on Rattan The vendors claim that the police form a Town Vending Committee “We conducted the drive on a difficult for them to earn the Metropolitan Transport NARAYANAN V Bazar Road, near Pookadai Police used brute force and destroyed their (TVC) which is responsible for random basis everyday and every money to pay bills. Lower job Corporation (MTC) and have Station have returned to the stalls and personal belongings in “issuing the certificate of vending vendor with or without license was opportunity is also a pressing provided them with free bus Chennai: Work on the 3.5 sidewalk days after the eviction order to evict them. They were for that vending zone and the removed from the footpath.” issue. Ramesh Bharati, 30, says, passes.” kilometre stretch connecting drive conducted by Greater forced to re-open their stalls remaining persons will be Regarding the accommodation “There were a lot of job “These facilities take time to Velachery to St. Thomas Mount Chennai Corporation ended on because it was the only source of accommodated in any adjoining of unemployed vendors he said that opportunities near our old house. reach the people. They have to be station through Mass Rapid Transit February 6. income for most vendors. vending zone to avoid relocation.” it was not their responsibility to Most men worked as labourers or patient. The ones who have been System (MRTS) has been delayed Most of the vendors rely on Several women who couldn’t There are no TVCs formed in allocate them a vending zone. He drivers, and most women worked shifted in the past few months for more than three years on selling fruits and vegetables, afford another stall sold flowers Chennai yet. However, last year in said that the order was only to evict as domestic helps. The flats they might not be getting these account of legal tussles in acquiring mobile accessories and maligh-pu placed on old newspapers by the October, members were nominated them. He also stated that the have given us are for the rich facilities, but our animators and land for laying the last 500 metres flowers for their income. road. Murthi, a 45-year-old who from the Corporation to issue vendors were not given an eviction since they are surrounded by supervisors will ensure that they of the track. Meghala, a 22-year-old who sells mobile parts and accessories identity cards for street hawkers. notice beforehand.Neither the facilities that only the rich can benefit from the facilities at the The St. Thomas Mount railway strings and sells jasmine flowers by said, “Police have made lives Murthi continues, “We were Deputy Commissioner nor the avail. If we get work, we manage earliest,” he added. station with an Electric Multiple the sidewalk said, “We were born difficult for us. We have no option supposed to be rehabilitated to Zonal Officer at Basin Bridge was Unit (EMU) railway line and a on these streets but now we have no but to open stalls here. Where else another place. Had they given us a available for comment.The street metro rail station is a major rights. But we will not leave. We can we go?” place to stay that would have been hawkers continue to sell and earn connecting hub for thousands of will stay here.” According to the Street Vendors enough for us.” by the footpath, undaunted by the residents from the nearby suburbs She continues, “Selling and (Protection of Livelihood and A police official at Pookadai police. Poor education such as , Velachery, , , , Vanuvampet and haunts residents . “I get down at Velachery station PRASHASTI SINGH and take a bus to reach my Traffic signal helps few commuters destination. Had this line be laid I PRIYA LALWANI junction, the situation remains Chennai: Families displaced from the banks of Cooum River to can directly get down there,” feels unchanged from this side of the Perumbakkam say that the distance between their children’s schools 28 year old B Ramya, a resident of Chennai: The new traffic signal on signal.” and their new locality and lack of healthcare facilities top their list of Nanganallur, who works for an IT the Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway Traffic police have been put on woes. firm in . fails to benefit the vehicles from duty at the signal to assist the Sree Yadavendra, 40, said, “My daughter has to travel for one and Nearly 90 per cent of the track as they cannot commuters. The offenders are not half hours to and from her school daily by bus. She gets tired due to laying work on the 3.5 kilometre take a U-turn there; they have to go being fined as they are allowed a travelling so much. She comes back home and goes straight to sleep. elevated stretch had been all the way to the signal grace-period to get used to the new She devotes very little time to her studies because of her routine.” completed when the project landed to do a U-turn. signal. “There’s less traffic coming Many young boys who used to go to schools occasionally have in a legal trouble in acquiring the The 1.5-km-long stretch from from Madhya Kailash as compared dropped out after being shifted to Perumbakkam. land required for completion. Tidel Park to Madhya Kailash to Tidel Park, Ramanujam and , 17, said that he did not understand why one should travel so A section of residents had earlier junction had no cuts in the median. Elnet IT parks,” said the traffic much to go to school. “I would rather stay at home study. I have books moved the Now a traffic signal has been constable B. Suresh Kumar. at home,” he said. seeking revised compensation installed there after the median was He added that a month-long trial The other problem that troubles the residents is that there are very under Land Acquisition, cut near the Indira Nagar MRTS Barricades have been put to stop access for commuters period had been assigned to few affordable hospitals for children around their settlement. Rehabilitation and Resettlement station. coming from Madhya Kailash | PRIYA LALWANI monitor the traffic before finalizing “In case of an emergency, we first have to pay for the long bus ride Act, 2013 as against the old 1984 Commuters headed towards the signal’s functioning. that takes us to the nearest hospital, and then pay even more for land acquisition act. The pending Adyar from the Tidel Park-end of all the way to Madhya Kailash to I tell them to cross the road by foot Traffic inspector S.Vinayakam expensive treatment. Earlier we used to go to the Hospital, litigation has delayed the the road are the only beneficiaries do the same. and take another vehicle,” said said, “The directions are not yet since it was very close to our house,” said Ramesh Bharati, a resident, completion of project which was of the new junction. They can make Traffic coming from Indira Ramanathan, an auto driver finalized, there’s a proposal by the referring to the Government Hospital for Children, Egmore. scheduled to be completed by a quick right-turn at this signal into Nagar havc to go to Tidel Park and stationed at the end of the service TNRDC to expand the median cut Also, most children play on the roads or in front of their houses in December 2016. Indira Nagar instead of travelling take a U-turn to proceed towards lane outside the Indira Nagar to 20 metres as opposed to the the evening. “At around 6-6:30 pm, people consume alcohol and roam “I feel the landowners are all the way to Madhya Kailash and Madhya Kailash. It would have MRTS railway station. current 10 metres to allow access to around. Since a proper playing space for children has not been created, justified in asking for a fair making a U-turn to reach the same been easier for them to take a right Jaikumar, a resident of both sides because the main children are forced to spend time among these people,” Bharti added. compensation as the current market destination. Vehicles from turn at the nw signal; but that is not Kanagam, said, “There was a cut in problem here is the cut’s inability However, the Community Development Officer of Tamil Nadu Slum rates are way higher than what the Ramanujam IT Park can also use permitted. “I have to deny the Indira Nagar median which was to incorporate large vehicles Clearance Board (TNSCB), Nirmal Raj, said, “The board has government offers them.” said a the signal to make a U-Turn passengers’ requests to go to Sardar closed in 2007 after many accidents coming from all the sides of Adyar, collaborated with an NGO called World Vision to provide children with tenant residing at the disputed site towards Tidel Park instead of going Patel side of the road. If they insist, were reported. With the new Madhya Kailash and the IT parks.” the kind of environment they need. .” in Thillaiganganagar. Meanwhile, construction work on two railway stations along the 3.5 kilometre stretch in the Inner Ring road (IRR) has also slowed A burning issue: the high cost of dying in Chennai down after the track laying work P: URNASNEHA S. exploitation. made. there are more appreciative of the cremation per say, but those was stalled due to the pending Chandra Sekaran, a resident of Additionally, the art. Recently, a young man from the interested can give some amount of litigation. The ailing widow of 45-year-old Dharmapuram, who wanted to give private contractors Government Hospital had called money to the operators at our Initiated in 2008, the elevated Srinivasan S (name changed) who a low-key farewell to his father, also help in me. Though he was willing to pay crematoriums. Only traditional railway line between Velachery and jumped off his apartment and was forced to spending Rs. 20,000 arranging priests, me Rs 1 lakh, I rejected the offer Hindu ceremonial services are St. Thomas Mount is considered to committed suicide due to financial – a package that included a freezer mourners, dancers because he said I could sing only charged here,” he said. be longest-delayed project in the distress last year, was forced to box, a priest, a van and three and an ambulance for five hours. For me it’s my art “Our initial response was railway division. pledge her jewels in order to garlands that were later shredded under a “package before the money,” said the 35- shocking. Most people did not If executed, the plan will enable perform the last rites of her on the roads that lead to the deal.” year-old singer. However there are know that cremation was free at a the city residents to take the Metro husband. Velankandu Gas Burial Ground in Gaana Viji, 37, some NGOs that have stepped in. Corporation cremation ground,” Rail from upto any Ambulance services, freezer . “In that moment of who has been A J Hariharan, founder-secretary said Hariharan. The Corporation station along the Chennai Beach- boxes, priests, a hearse to carry the complete emotional vulnerability, Death - an expensive affair | PURNASNEHA S singing Marana of the Indian Community Welfare grants Rs.750 per body to Velachery stretch after changing at body to the crematorium and, in additional garlands sounded Organisation (ICWO), has taken up contractors like the ICWO for St. Thomas Mount. Residents and some cases, professional mourners perfect. But later, when these but private contractors charge Gaana (funeral songs) at funerals a contract for maintaining six cremation or burial The expenses IT employees from Thiruvanmiyur, and dancers, are all expensive these contractors showed up with a bill of between Rs.3000 and Rs.5000 a since the age of seven, charges crematoriums around the city and for firewood and gas are handled Adyar and Besant Nagar stretch can days.Most services are offered for Rs.3000 only for those garlands, I day. Unlike the Corporation’s between Rs.6000 and Rs.40,000 since then, most of these services by the contractor who is in-charge reach the Airport or Koyambedu free by the Chennai Corporation, was shocked to see extent of freezer boxes that take a minimum per performance that goes on for have been offered for free or at a for that period. These contractors bus stand via St. Thomas Mount but poor management and the lack manipulation I was put through,” of five hours to reach the venue, the nine hours straight. “I perform minimal cost. have framed new norms to improve station much faster once this of awareness among people is he said. The Chennai Corporation private ones are delivered within 20 mostly for deaths that happen in “We have strictly maintained our facilities and make crematoriums project reaches completion. leading to an increase in charges Rs 250 for freezer boxes minutes of a phone call being since the people policy to not charge for the more accessible to people. The Word Edition 5 Page 3_Layout 1 2/27/2018 11:25 AM Page 1

CHENNAI February 23, 2018 THE WORD CITYSCAPE 3 Students fret over NEET, public exam for Class 11 PURNIMA S DAS teacher said, “Even after the announcement, there is a lack of Chennai: With Class 12 State interest in students.” Board examination commencing Also there is no blueprint for the on March 1 and the National question papers. Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) Nirmala added, “We are scheduled on May 6, students are following the old pattern for the finding it difficult to prepare for ‘new’ public exam. It has become both – simultaneously. very difficult for us to guide the From 2006 till 2016, admissions students.” Can actor Kamal Haasan pull out a political blockbuster? | PTI for medical courses across the While on the other hand, M State were held on the basis of Deepa, another chemistry teacher Class 12 marks alone. said, “For some students who have But now, NEET, an entrance taken it seriously, it would mean examination for Bachelor of hard work for three successive Will Kamal pull an MGR Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery years from Class 10 which would (MBBS) has been made Getting ready for examinations | PURNIMA S DAS unnecessarily lead to distress.” mandatory. Adding to the academic burden R Yogalakshmi, a Class 12 NEET has been made compulsory, her to study for NEET which has a is the situation at home for some or ? student said, “I always wanted to students have started preferring different syllabus, during the rest students. PRATIBHA SHARMA Ravindaran also believed that Vijayakant when he formed his become a doctor so I will sit for humanities and commerce over of the day?” she said. R Raj Sekhar, a commerce Haasan had entered politics only own party and later aligned with NEET but I have not started science.” Also, Class 11 students are teacher said, “Parents, mostly Chennai: Tamil Nadu has after the death of AIADMK leader AIADMK. preparing.” “Out of 342 students in Class fretting over writing a public fathers, indulge in heavy drinking historically endured a synergy Jayalalitha and at a time when Talking about Sivaji Ganesan, Yogalakshmi said, “The 12, only 15 are going to coaching examination for the first time. Last which leads to an unhealthy between cinema and politics. DMK supremo Karunanidhi was Ravindran said that though he had a syllabus of NEET is very different institutes to prepare for NEET,” year the Tamil Nadu Government atmosphere for the child to study. Kamal Haasan’s entry into politics inactive. Hassan had not yet started huge fanbase he could not convert and difficult from what I have she added. decided to introduce board A couple of students have come up has raised speculation over whether groundwork to build the party that into votes. The same could studied during my classes so I can “The NEET exam has fostered examinations for Class 11 from the to us with this problem.” he would be embraced by the whereas, actors like Vijayakant happen to Kamal Haasan who only start preparing when my the coaching class culture which is coming academic year 2017-18 G R Raj Shekhar, headmaster people of Tamil Nadu just like they started it a lot before entering definitely has a smaller fan base. examinations get over.” undesirable according to many of and issue a consolidated mark said, “There is an urgent need for welcomed AIADMK founder M.G politics. “Sivaji Ganesan started with a M R Jayanthi, assistant us,” said S Shanthi, a mother of sheet based on marks secured in full time counselor in schools to Ramachandran and Jayalalitha, or “Kamal Haasan is trying his luck strong party (Congress), whereas headmistress at the Government Class 12 student. Classes 11 and 12 for students focus on mental health. Every whether he will be categorically in the leadership vacuum. Haasan is starting from scratch. He Higher Secondary School in “My child is at school from 8:15 passing out in 2019. three months, a counselor visits rejected like actor Sivaji Ganesan However, starting political should field candidates for 80 per Velachery, said “Since the time p.m. to 5 p.m. How can I expect Annie Nirmala, a chemistry which is certainly not enough.” was done. groundwork early is not the only cent of the seats to at least make a There are others like “Captain” factor to win an election. Had it dent in politics or to rise as a major Vijayakant who are still around but been so, Vijayakant would have political force,” he said. seem to be losing their hold after an won.” he said. Sarvanan (31), a service sector impressive entry. MGR who entered politics much employee said that it was a huge Sivaji Ganesan, a staunch before he rose to fame, had a fan disadvantage for the state when Students turn teachers at a slum supporter of DMK, left the party to base larger than that of Rajnikanth people voted for actors because of PRIYA LALWANI the centre,” said S. Anandhi. the 70 who had completed high school had join Indian National Congress after or Kamal Haasan. Emerging as a affinity towards them. They should Poova, 14, carefully reads a newspaper, enrolled for graduation last year. his visit to temple despite being a mass leader he split from DMK to vote for knowledgeable people who Chennai: With a wide grin and with energy, often struggling with pronunciations. “I have a “The dropout ratio is high. Most of them did member of an atheist movement find his own party AIADMK and had political and administrative children repeat the verses after their teachers, quiz competition at my school and akka not pursue higher studies and are now working created a controversy. Despite a enjoyed a huge political success skills. whom they address as ‘akka’ and ‘anna’ in a (Janani, MSSW student) says reading the paper as daily wage labourers in the Vaanagaram fish huge fanbase, Sivaji lost elections with the support of his fans. Pradeep (42), another worker, makeshift study centre on the Aiyundu Gudisai will boost my general knowledge,” she said. market,” said Revanth. from his constituency. Senior journalist G.C Shekhar said “Kamal cannot stand in Street in a slum in . The social work students convinced the The MSSW students then reached out to Vijayakant, another actor turned said hero worshiping movies, politics for long. I have been voting The study centreorganized by students of the Central Organisation of Tamil Nadu Electricity local leaders in the slum who helped them politician,launched his centre-left which contributed to MGR’s for DMK and will continue to do Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) in Employees to allow their vacant building to be conduct counseling sessions and various party Desiya Murpokku Dravida success, were dying in Tamil Nadu so. Vijayakant’s character was collaboration with the Central Organisation of used to establish a centre. workshops. With a special focus on soft skills, Kazhagam (DMDK). His party and the story had become the major flawed as he was a drinker, Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees aims at R.Revanth, another MSSW student, said that the class also has three tailoring machines. won 27 seats in the 2009 Assembly attraction for cinema lovers. Rajnikanth is not a Tamilian. These holistic development of over 25 children from the main objective of conducting a centre here “One of the slum dwellers named Kavya elections but in 2016 his party was “This phenomenon which people should not be in politics.” this economically deprived locality. was to keep the children occupied, because knew how to sew and encouraged more women routed. worked for other actors has now G.C Shekhar said “More than Six students come in shifts to man the study once that was done, the guidance, motivation to come to the class where she teaches them the “Actors are crowd pullers. It is changed, and will force Haasan to personality based, party and centre, which functions five days a week. They and behavioural classes were easy to take. basics of tailoring,” said Janani. She added that not necessary that a crowd puller make an impression as a politician ideology-based voting will take take attendance and follow up personally on The students began with house visits and most of these women were witness to domestic will also be a mass leader. and not as an actor”, he said. place. Rajni and Kamal are still those who skip classes. counseling parents on the importance of violence and worked as maids. Therefore, Haasan should organize Observers believed that Haasan unquantified forces in politics. “Most of my time in the evenings was spent sending their children to the centre. As they got The initiative began in November 2017 and himself in order to become a mass should not compromise his political Tamil nationalism and Dravidian on doing the dishes and washing clothes. I have to know more about the community, they were currently 53 students are spread across more leader”, said Duraisamy credibility by entering into nationalism are the two saleable learned a good amount of English after joining shocked to find that only five students among than 20 study centres like this one. Ravindaran, a political observer. alliances. This factor played against commodities in Tamil Nadu.”

GST CONTINUES TO HIT BUSINESS Senior citizens worried Handloom workers protest online PRAJANMA DAS associated with them. “The weavers we get over savings after scam Chennai: The All India Artisans our fabric from are NISCHAI VATS people would lose their most of the tax payers money and and Craftworkers Welfare mainly from Salem. It’s their fixed deposits and would get government must be held Association’s (AIACA) not just small businesses Chennai: The Rs.11, 400 crore back only up to Rs 1 lakh if their accountable for it.” change.org petition to remove like ours that have been fraud in the Punjab National Bank bank becomes financially unviable. Pandyan, owner of Kamal Book Goods and Services Tax (GST) hit, the weavers have (PNB) has caused concern among In another scam, the CBI also Stores in Adyar, said “It’s the has gathered 8137 signatures till been hit the worst,” said senior citizens who have their filed an FIR gainst Rotomac Pens public money which is illegally now. Prabha Sadagopan, savings in banks. whose promoter Kothari being siphoned and it’s a The already staggering owner of Beauvile Businessmen Nirav Modi and has been allegedly defaulting on conspiracy between the handloom sector is still trying its Vaiibavam, a boutique Mehul Choksi, owners and loans amounting to over Rs. 3,700 businessmen and the government best to recover from the 5 per cent in . promoters of Firestar Diamond and crore. and that the accused will never get GST levied from July last year. “We order only if Gitanjali Gems have been accused Almost seven state-run banks arrested.” This has led to increase in prices there is demand. After of borrowing the huge sum from have come under the scanner and Archit Srivastava, Technical and to customers looking for the price hike even the bank over a period of seven the Allahabad Debt Recovery Consultant at Cognizant said alternatives. though some regular years since 2011 and fleeing the Tribunal had alleged that “Banks “There seems to be a trend of "Sales have decreased since customers still stick to country without repaying the loan. showed gross misconduct and committing a banking fraud and last year and has not picked up handloom, a lot of them J Rajashekharan, a member of negligence in granting credit to leaving the nation. It leads to a fall pace since. The tax is too high," have shifted to cheaper Tamil Nadu Senior Citizens Rotomac Global.” in share market and affects the said Rahim Mohammed, who machine spun The handloom weavers have been hit the worst | PURNASNEHA S. Association said “Its an unfortunate S. Ramnarayan, Editor of interest rates of banks as their manages a private garment shop, alternatives.” event, senior citizens are concerned Pensioners Advocate magazine said NPAs might increase, and even Rajasthan Emporium, in Adyar. The Tamil Nadu Handloom General Manager of Marketing at has been talking about preserving with this and want assurance from “The pensioners are concerned foreign investments might decline.” “We have a hard time Weavers Cooperative Society THWCS. handloom and handicrafts since the government that their money with the minimum balance rules M. Yelumalai, a security guard at convincing our customers the (THWCS) though claims to have “We are following the required the beginning of its term; so, will be safe and loans would be and that banks are not keeping Canara Bank said that “The reason for the sudden hike. no such problems with either procedures; it is only the imposing GST on that very sector provided on strict norms.” good conduct and relations with government should get hold of the People opt for other products procurement or sales. customers with whom we are is a strange move.” Rina Mathew, a member of the pensioners while they have a cosy people involved. However, it will now. I still have last year’s "We have had good sales. We facing problems. We have to “This is an informal sector and All India Federation of Pensioners relationship with big businessmen.” not affect my savings and it is one handloom stock, almost did not take this up with the GST explain to them that there is an imposing a tax burden on the Associations, said “The pensioners “The money lost in the fraud is thing which happens every year.” untouched,” he said. council because our weavers are additional tax now." weavers is a major setback for are agitated with the Private outlets and boutiques not suffering. They are all Latha Tummuru, Dastkar them. Many of them lack formal banking scams and are the ones that are taking the fall members. We procure only from Andhra Marketing Association education. This is all they know,” due to such along with the weavers who are them,” said R. Balasubramanian, (DAMA), said “The government Tummuru added. activities, the bad debts are increasing leading to a decrease in interest rates and higher lending rates. Pre-summer air cooler sales down Even for a small PRAJANMA DAS made air-conditioners, anymore.” for both his bedrooms, said “The loan banks are refrigerators and air coolers The sales of coolers and air prices of air conditioners (5-star harassing the Chennai: The pre-summer cheaper. The consumer conditioners generally see a spike rated) have gone up by almost farmers.” electronics sales are not a big hit appliances come under tax slabs during these months but the Rs.10000 since last year. I would “The pending in the city this year. of 28 to 18 percent. market seems to be a bit dry this rather buy a high end air-cooler. FRDI Bill has The Union Budget 2018 might “Prices (of air-conditioners) year. Buying four of them would also alarmed the not have had a direct effect on have increased twice in the last 8- Sharanya, a sales person at cost less.” pensioners as we home appliances but the burden 9 months. Every new stock we Electronics on North “I never liked shopping online. cannot go for land or of GST has not been relieved bring in costs more than the Usman Road, said, “People also I could never trust it. But now I gold purchase,” she either. previous one,” said Sendhil buy from e-commerce sites these do not think I have an option. added. There are not many takers for air- Kumar, manager of and days but we have steady sales in This is a necessity but the There have been conditioners, air coolers or Co. at T. Nagar. spite of that. We took a bad hit showroom prices are too high,” concerns that under refrigerators as the prices have “Stock clearance was also a after the introduction of GST. The he said. the provisions of the gone up a steep slope abruptly. problem in December due to price difference is wider now.” The same model and brand of Financial Resolution A hike in the import duties and GST. The budget, I thought, will N. Selvaraj, an Income Tax a 1.5 ton air conditioner costs and Deposit Banking fraud has hit the common man and increased bad debts a tax cut, as advocated by the bring down the GST. Air Department official, who was around Rs.5000 less on online Insurance Bill | THE HINDU industry moguls, would have conditioners are not luxury planning to buy air conditioners sites than at showrooms. The Word Edition 5 Page 4_Layout 1 2/27/2018 11:31 AM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February 23, 2018 4 CITYSCAPE

IPURnNAS NE5HA S.0 Years, creativimtodeyrnism hin arat at sthe nlakh ’for tan ar twofrk. Aa portiodn from echildren int o tahis fiel d, dsue to hthe tao unavdailabilie ty of artists – we Cholamandal Artists’ Village, is each sale goes to the common fund gaining visibility of contemporary strongly to hope to change that CHENNAI: In a world where recognised as one of India’s best art for the village. This system, with art around the world. culture,” said 82-year-old resident- digital art is taking over, the sound movements and an international the ever growing art-buying public “Despite the fluctuation in painter D. Venkatapathy, who was of a 78-year-old sculptor’s chisel is model for sustainable art crowd around the world, has made monetary returns, the rich market also one of the first members to a, sign that the Cholamandal artist’s development. Cholamandal both a financial and for artists along with popular move to Cholamandal in May village here in is “To avoid the migration of his an artistic success. media’s arts coverage brings 1964. alienated from the fast-paced city students to other fields for financial Over the years, the village has lifestyle. sustainance and to build a undergone transformation due to its P. S. Nandhan, who was working community for artists to thrive popularity among the international on a 3-foot tall modern version of without any government support, art communities. The Cholamandal the Lingam, was one of the 38 Paniker began this ambitious Centre for Contemporary Art, students who joined hands in 1963 experiment by introducing the inaugurated in 2009, has a with K.C.S. Paniker, the former concept of arts-by-crafts, which permanent 'Museum of the Madras principal of the Madras School of meant economic stability for an Movement', which as a part of the Arts, to establish the Artists’ India’s self-supporting artists’ colony survives even after artist through handicraft,” added golden jubilee annual celebration, Handicrafts Association (AHA) in five decades | PURNASNEHA.S Nandhan. exhibits works of 55 artists of the Madras. This village, named after the movement including J. Sultan Ali “With a sum of Rs.500, I went In a few months, Paniker bought the village since its inception. Chola dynasty that encouraged arts and P.S. Nandhan. along with my father to meet a 3-acre plot worth Rs. 450 near Five decades later, the village in the Cholamandalam region in “While our founding stones were Paniker at his principal’s office Mahabalipuram, constructed a now has studios, artists’ homes, a Tamil Nadu during the 9th and 13th Sculptor P.S Nandhan carves a ganesha idol | THE HINDU laid on the basis of traditional back in 1963. We were a bunch of common studio space, some huts permanent museum, an outdoor centuries AD, now has a total of 23 knowledge, our personal creative students assembled at that meeting and created a first-of-its-kind theatre, a store and a workshop for artists, most of them are painters Since Cholamandal does not motivation to our community. characters which have evolved over with the hope of finding a suitable artists’ colony,” recollected batik and metal work. The Madras and nearly four to five are permit the entry of new members Such a venture can never be the years make every work modern, space for our artists’ community. Nandhan, who has been working at Art Movement, which pioneered sculptors, who earn more than Rs 1 now, many artists are bringing their replicated in the same manner due and artistic,” said Venkatapathy. Royal Enfields get a makeover NITHIN KUMAR models of Royal Enfields choose to new bikes for total customization the warranty. I wanted to customize years,” he added. do a full customization, where they because they prefer to use the first my bike as it would look and sound The Bullet Club receives two Chennai: Motorcycle opt to change the body, the engine, three free services and the two good,” said Anjan Krishnan, owner bikes every day for major customization is on the rise in the brakes and the exhaust systems of month warranty given by the of a Classic 350cc customization and many for city, with new workshops being the bike. manufacturer. variant from Mylapore. He recently smaller works. opened and more motorcycles Sujath Ali, the owner of CBX getting customized. Racing workshop in , According to ‘The Bullet works exclusively on imported and Factory’ workshop at , higher class sport bikes. CBX most of the motorcycles that are Racing, which has been around for now being customized are the 30 years, is a pioneer in Royal Enfield (RE) Classic and the modification and after repair. Electra variants. “The motorcycles that people The majority of the Royal usually customize in the city are NIKITA PRASAD A scene from enacted | Enfield owners bring in their the Royal Enfields. The rest of the motorcycles shortly after purchase bikes are super bikes which are for minor customizations. more than 1000 cc,” said Sujath Ali. Theatre Olympics “ I dont mind losing my “The smaller variants like the warranty. I wanted to Bajaj Pulsar and Honda versions do customise my bike as it would not get customized much and are revives Ramayan much harder to deal with when it look and sound good.” comes to customization”, he added. NIKITA PRASAD sign of the background music as it - Anjan Krishnan According to the mechanics in set the pace of the narrative,’’ said CBX Racing, customizing smaller CHENNAI: A colorful folk ver - Nirupa Johsi, Group Leader, Lit - “Most of the REs we get in our A customized Royal Enfield | 350 CC.COM capacity vehicles has always sion of the Ramayana was staged tle Ballet Troupe. shop are two or three months old. affected the bike’s performance by performers dressed as Rajas - A diverse audience including These owners opt for small “For the total customization, the According to factory showrooms changed the exhaust system of his “The mileage is reduced when thani puppets at the 8th Theatre students, senior citizens and chil - changes like new seat covers, new owners spend more and take their in the city, customizing a two month old Royal Enfield. we change the exhaust system, the Olympics organized by National dren filled the auditorium. decals and new exhaust pipe for vehicles to pioneers like the motorcycle from unofficial “A Royal Enfield does not life of the engine tends to get School of Drama (NSD) under the “Even though my son is only better engine sound”, said Rajputana Customs and Puranam workshops will lead to the quickly change hands because of reduced when we tune it according aegis of Union Ministry of Cul - five years old, he was fascinated Mariyappan, a mechanic at the Designs in Rajasthan and Delhi,” motorcycle losing its warranty, the brand and the agility of the to customer’s wish. Yet they want ture at the Tamil Sangam in with the vibrancy of the colors, Bullet Club. said Mariyappan. sometimes even the free services. bike. Most of the Royal Enfields to get the bikes customized,” said Esplanade here on February 20. costumes and powerful music Only the owners of the older Vehicle owners do not bring in “Personally, I didn’t mind losing stay with the first owners for many Rafiq, a mechanic in the shop. The 105 minute performance throughout the performance’’, by the Rangasri Little Ballet said Narayan, who came to view Troupe from Bhopal combined the performance with his family. the features of ballet and puppet Theatre Olympics, an interna - play. The stage was lit up by multi tional festival,provides a platform coloured beams and the perfor - for theatrical exchange and a gat - No chair to be set-up in IIT-Madras mance was backed by sitar, flute hering place for students, where a NISCHAI VATS The chair will be headed by come from an alumnus Rajinder “It so happens that the profile of test it; the same approach could be and tabla beats. dialogue across ideological, cul - Sampadananda Mishra, a Sanskrit Singh, who completed his B-Tech the person is with Sanskrit used to test the spiritual hypothesis The actors wore square masks ture and language differences is CHENNAI: The Department of scholar and director for Sri degree in Electrical Engineering background and Sanskrit of whether there is a higher power.” on which faces, crowns and head - encouraged. Humanities and Social Sciences at Aurobindo Foundation for Indian from IIT-Madras in 1967.Rs. 90 background does not mean you are The new chair would deal with the gears were modeled and painted. It was established in 1993 in IIT-M has denied that a Sanskrit Culture. lakh has been donated, out of which going to introduce Sanskrit.” same set of principles. The performance began with Delphi, Greece by a Greek thea - chair was being introduced on the “The person will hold seminars Rs. 15 lakh will be used for a The alumnus, known to his Dash feels that the Ayodhya celebrating the return of tre director, Theodoros Terzopou - campus. and workshops and the purpose student scholarship which can be disciples as Sant Rajinder Singh “misinterpretation” abohappened Rama and Lakshmana after Ra - los. Umakant Dash, HOD, will be Value System, not Sanskrit. offered to any deserving student. Maharaj has chosen Humanities as no one read the Memorandum of ma’s wedding and ended with ce - “India’s rich cultural heritage Department of Humanities and So tomorrow if someone comes On news reports that a Sanskrit department as he wanted to focus Understanding (MOU) which was lebration of the victory of Rama complements the nature of this Social Sciences said “A chair is with other degree or background, chair is being introduced in the on cultural issues. signed between the two parties. over . event as it serves as a platform to being introduced but the purpose is he/she will hold the chair, it’s not department, Dash said that “I will In a web-post for the alumni “Go by the MOU available on “Our elements are not isolated showcase the rich and traditional not Sanskrit. The person involved about Sanskrit every time,” added not say the news about Sanskrit section of IIT-Madras site, Rajinder the institute’s website and it does as the dialogues were conveyed in theatre forms,’’ said Regine, Thea - has a degree in Sanskrit but the Dash. chair is false or true but certainly it Singh wrote that “As in a science not say anything about Sanskrit,” a rhythm through the sound de - tre Coordinator. matter is very --- different.” The funding for the chair has is being misinterpreted.” lab, we start with a hypothesis and he said. Gaming maniacs Eco-friendly space for meetings, seminars NEHAL CHALIAWALA NIKITA PRASAD laughter therapy, among others.” “So people can also choose to “We have not kept restricted rent out just the conference room CHENNAI: With the rising interest of youngsters in playing online video CHENNAI : Two Trees, a new timings. People who work here, if they wish — for a workshop, games, psychologists warn of associated disorders, like addiction. naturalistic co working space built can come and go whenever they class session or meetings. Our Multiple gaming lounges have opened up in the city. These places offer within an ecosystem of trees, was want,’’ said Rohan, Central pricing is pretty competitive as gamers a chance to come together and play video games online as well as opened in last week Manager, Two Trees. well, beginning at Rs 8,000 and with each other over a LAN (Local Area Network) connection. with a full-fledged Bistro and The founders are keen on tying going up to Rs 12,000 a month, per Players often spend hours on end playing games here. workshop space for meetups;and up with companies that are into seat.” ”We have customers who play up to 24-hours at a time,” says E Praveen events like discussions, seminars creating a social impact. “That The trio aims to set up more from Playerz Gaming, one such lounge in Nungambakkam. “These games and conferences. would be in line with our own spaces across the city in the are so engaging that once you start playing, you don’t want to stop.” -The place is named after the two policy; such companies can also coming months. City based clinical psychologist J Anitha explains that any condition can tall trees which flank the main gate avail a discount,” said Priya, “Our focus is on residential be classified as a psychological disorder if it impairs the functioning of of the little white building - one a adding that they were also trying areas; areas that are away from the an individual in personal, social or occupational spheres. fragrant eucalyptus and other a to stay flexible when it came to the usual IT hubs ,” she said. “In case of playing video games,” she says, “if it causes disturbance and lush mango. The height of the trees packages offered. hinders the functioning of the individual then it is imperative to provides natural greenery and The Two Trees office lobby | NIKITA PRASAD understand the intensity and classify it based on the level of disturbance shade to the building and keeps its – mild, moderate or severe.” interiors cool and serene. The variety namely – oak, maple, we decided to call it quits and head Many gaming lounges stay open 24x7, encouraging gamers to play for place is aesthetically designed with bamboo, neem, pine and flame of back to India in 2015’’, said Priya long hours. Some go a step further and even serve finger food and walls adorned by quotations, the forest. While bamboo, oak and Gautham, Co-Founder, Two Trees. beverages. All this doesn’t come cheap. However, a regular gamer can paintings and sketches while flame of the forest are built for Work began in September 2017, easily shell out more than Rs.1000 a week at such lounges only for globes, maps, notebooks and other private offices, neem, maple and and the space has been functional gaming. Food could be much more expensive. stationary items are shelved in pine rooms are co working spaces. since January, though the formal Dr. Anitha compares the addiction of video gaming to that of substance racks. The first floor has both private launch took place last week. abuse. “There will be preoccupation or obsession with games just like for The Summer House Eatery offices and hot desks, and also “Two Trees is our way of substances. Withdrawal symptoms may be present when not playing (café partner/bistro) on the ground offers the option of hiring a virtual addressing issues that we faced games,” she said. floor dishes out chicken wings, office. The lobby features a cozy during our hunt for a space. We are Further she says that the compulsion to play more is similar to the pasta and sandwiches while a nook with cushions that overlooks looking to create an ecosystem for tolerance level developed in substance addiction. A person may try to flight of stairs dotted with origami a garden through a large picture early companies and stop playing online games, but the urge to play more may not let them birds leads to the first floor that window. entrepreneurs,” said Kanakadhara. succeed, just like the craving for substances. houses Two Trees. By Two Trees was started by three Keerthana added, “It is not just a However, gamers and gaming lounge owners feel otherwise. They collaborating with Hari Tharang, a women entrepreneurs. “The three space to work. We help by compare the long hours spent playing video games to athletes devoting nursery and an environment of us — Keerthana connecting them to others. We time practising their sport. They defend professional gaming as a friendly enterprise in T Nagar, they Chandrasekaran, Kanakadhara plan to conduct regular events, legitimate source of income. have an in-house garden with Srinivasan and me — come from where we get people from the “If you are in the top 1000 players globally in any game, you will get potted plants which are up for sale. diverse backgrounds, and have all industry, also events that break The two trees- Mango and Eucalyptus, after which the sponsors who will pay you to play for them,” explains Praveen, who Each room is named after a tree held corporate jobs abroad, before away from the routine, such as place is named | NIKITA PRASAD himself is an avid Defence of the Ancients 2 (DotA2) player.