Volume No 17 Issue No 10 April 3, 2017 LAB JOURNAL OF THE ASIAN COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM Decriminalising EMA bans drugs Football inspires Suicide tested in children Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

A\ SMITABHA MANNA yet to be taken to maintain solid radius of the Government Jayalalithaa's pending initiatives Rs 360 crore started by Amma,'' RK Nwaste magnagemenat,'' sayrs T. suffers desPeriphperal iHotspitale in foprward. Orne briodge and am flyover siays sKannane, a shops owner in Unkept promises and neglect of Naveenkumar, a resident of .'' project connecting Coronation Tondiarpet. severe health issues plague the RK and an advocate with Korukkupet residents are also Nagar to Ezhil Nagar worth Rs 117 Kannan like many others is a Nagar constituency where some 60 the High Court. receiving similar muddy and crore is in limbo after her demise. worried resident because there is candidates are in the fray for the The residents are left gasping for brackish water for drinking and The project is crucial as in the no water sometimes for weeks and April 12 by-election. breath when smoke from burning household purposes since January absence of an over-bridge or a there is improper management of The dumpyard, a garbage and medical waste fills the and are plagued by cholera as subway the road near Korukkupet Amma Unvagams. He adds that 110-acre garbage disposal area is area. A canal to divert the sewage well as malaria infections. railway station gets congested and Amma canteens have stopped an environmental concern for the and waste from the dump yard that Primary health care is not traffic is stalled for hours. Two rail working because hike in food residents because of the pungent was promised to be built five years available to the residents in the gates in Korrukupet are at the prices. stench, clogged drains and ago remains unfulfilled, according nearby Chinna Stanley Hospital, centre of traffic congestion and its “As residents, we can only hope mosquitoes. to Naveenkumar. a branch of Stanley Hospital, as takes considerable amount of time that the suffering from traffic ''Medical wastes are dumped Yuvraj, a resident of Tondiarpet the doctors are absent on most for commuters at office hours to congestion due to rallies and here on a regular basis that raises and labourer, says ''Several cholera days. cross to Tondiarpet. political meetings bear fruit and questions of sanitation and health. cases due to supply of black The residents hope that after ''The new government should basic amenities like sanitation, The government has turned a blind drinking water were registered the election, the ruling party will complete the housing development water and food are provided like eye towards us and decisions are since December, within a 3 km Kodungaiyur dumpyard in smoke. | THE ALTERNATIVE take the late AIADMK leader project in the 42nd division worth before,” says Kannan. Mental disorder 377 Sri Lankan refugees return home CHANDAN K. MANDAL kan refugees started returning to The UNHCR India has been fa - highest in Metros their native land with the help of cilitating the voluntary repatriation More than 300 Sri Lankan refu - UNHCR. by providing free air tickets for Sri gees have returned home in the first As many as 818 refugees went Lankan refugee returning after exit three months of this year indicating back in 2009. The number doubled permits have been obtained, con - an increase in such numbers over up in 2010 as 2,040 refugees chose ducting pre-departure orientation the years . ---- voluntary repatriation. Then, 1,673 and providing a small cash grant of According to the United Nations and 1,264 refugees decided to re - INR 750 for domestic travel to the High Commissioner for Refugees turn in 2011 and 2012 respectively. closest airport from their camps. (UNHCR) Field Office in , The number of refugees going back Upon their arrival in Sri Lanka, a total of 377 Sri Lankan refugees fell further down to 711 and 396 in the refugees are provided different living in different camps of Tamil following two years. kinds of assistance. Nadu have voluntarily returned However, the number swelled up A reintegration grant of Sri Lan - their home country till March 28. in last two years of 2015 and 2016 kan Rupees10,000 per adult and Sri Satchitanand Michael, Associate in which total 1,304 Sri Lankan Refugees received by UNHCR officer at Colombo |UNHCR Lankan Rupees 7500 per minor Repatriation Officer at UNHCR went back to Sri Lanka. was deposited into a bank account Chennai, said, "The UNHCR has "While facilitating their volun - in collaboration with Bank of Cey - seen an increase in repatriation tary return, we make sure they re - convinced the refugees to return to tively on their inclination to re - lon, said Michael. a transportation numbers in recent years due to the turn back to their home in their homeland. turn." grant of Sri Lankan Rupees 2500 57 million people in India suffer from depression | APA.ORG prevailing conditions in Sri Lanka condition of safety and dignity," "The return of the land occupied Michael, however, admitted that was given to each individual ena - JOSEPH SEBASTIAN is perceived to be safe and peace - said Michael. by the Sri Lankan military in Jaffna the issues of housing and liveli - bling him or her to return home in ful." According to Michael, along and Trincomalee in the year has in - hood for returnees remained a a safe and dignified mode of trans - Metros see the highest cases of in hush tones whenever they Since the three decade long with the end of war, improved sa - duced more people to return to major concern despite people floc - port and rehabilitate lives from the mental disorder in the country discuss mental health issues. civil-war ended in 2009, Sri Lan - fety conditions in Sri Lanka had those areas as it had impacted posi - king back to their homeland. start. and 1 in 20 suffer from “My parents were depression, according to National uncomfortable with the fact that I Mental Health Survey (NMHS) told my cousins that I was seeing 2015-16. a counsellor for my depression With the youth migrating to when I was in class 12,” said cities in search of jobs, they often Siddharth, a Master’s student Chennai split over Aadhaar Police disrupt lose touch with their support from Delhi University. ASMITA NANDY information is stored with the safe side.” system back at home and end up Tamil Nadu State Mental Health Facebook and other applications. On being asked if he had some in isolation. Authority held a World Mental Even after the Supreme Court So if the Government wants it can trouble with the process of protests over “Today in software companies Health Day celebration in ordered that the Government application, he said, “Initially they you never know when you might October last year. It highlighted cannot make Aadhaar Card After all these told us that the application can be be asked to leave. You enter the that superstitious belief and social mandatory for welfare schemes on done from any office in the city, but office in the morning and you stigma about mental illness were March 27, the Chennai Corporation years, why do when we went to the office DUoRGAi PlRA SeAD xploShiprpinga P. Ratdhaikrioshnann met the might be asked to leave by still common in society. office at Adyar has a long queue of this morning, despite it not having a people to stop their protesting. twelve,” said Dr. Ravi Samuel, a “Even today, some have a belief applicants waiting for their turn to we need a code to queue, they told us to apply from The Chennai Police removed C. Vijaya Bhaskar promised the psychotherapist, about the that mental illnesses are caused get their unique code that identify us as the office near our residence. students’ protesters from the people that the state government reasons for the growing number by Black magic and witchcraft. recognizes them as citizens of Sometimes, even if the process is where they had would not support the project of stressed individuals. Because of shyness, ignorance, India. Indian citizens?” easy, the officials make it very gathered to protest against the without people’s acceptance. Dr. Samuel explained that cause poverty, fear and false belief, Aadhaar identification is still complicated for us.” Central Government signing the Radhakrishnan promised to of depression could range from family members take the patient necessary for non-welfare schemes misuse the information even Maheshwari said, “The problem contract for oil exploration in arrange a meeting between the bad grades in school, separation to magicians,” it said. like opening of bank accounts, without an Aadhaar card.” with Aadhaar is that it lacks clarity. Neduvasal, an agriculture village in protesters and Union petroleum from a partner, job stress or even However, with the advancement filing tax returns, and applying for Ahead in the queue, three It is very similar to the Social Pudukkottai District. minister Dharmendra Pradhan. death of a pet. of treatment and diagnostic PAN cards. women were engaged in a debate Security Number in the West but As soon as the Central Following this the protesters “I see the higher number of methods as well as celebrities Anirudh Krishna (27), an about the necessity of Aadhaar the difference is that most of the Government signed 31 contracts temporarily called off the protest in cases which stem from failure in across the globe addressing the investment advisor, waiting in the card. While Jayalakshmi (82) and information here is taken manually awarding Neduvasal. romantic relationships and issue, more people have become queuefor the last 90 minutessaid, Revathi (72) feel the government on a paper that makes it easier for Discovered On March 22, academics,” added Dr. Samuel. forthcoming and have started to “Now Aadhaar is mandatory for has been wise in implementing anyone who wants to misuse our Small Fields Students from a delegation of While Dr. Samuel said that more talk about mental health issues things like buying vehicles and Aadhar card, Usha Abraham (71) information. They should, instead, (DSF) including protesters met youth and elderly come to his like anxiety and depression. opening a bank account so it is safe strongly disagrees. build a database that is filled up Neduvasal on Madras University, the Union clinic for treatment, the NHMS Dr. Samuel explained the to have one.” Usha said, “This is unnecessary digitally.” Tuesday, social protesting against Petroleum report states that males in the age treatment is determined “I feel Aadhaar is good in a way trouble for senior citizens. After all Janani Ravi, Manager, FICUS media sites were Minister who group of 30-49 were the most according to the severity of the because all your information is in these years, why do we need a code Wildlife, waiting for a long time flooded with oil extraction were assured them affected. disorder and how well the patient one platform and you don’t need to to identify us as Indian citizens.” said, “Sometimes when you people calling for evacuated by the that the On the back of these growing responds to it. If a patient doesn’t possess multiple identification Ravi Selvarajan and Maheshwari choose to go the straightforward protests as it government statistics, Prime Minister respond well to medication, proofs.” Selvarajan, both residing in way, these processes becomes even happened in police from Marina would not Narendra Modi chose to address therapy is used. On being asked if he feels Canada, are scared that they will more complicated and takes more January against unilaterally the issue of mental health in his Recently, WHO announced that threatened that Aadhaar might lose their property in India if they time than usual.Sometimes, even if the ban on on Wednesday. produce oil Mann Ki Baat, his weekly radio the theme of the World Health disrupt his privacy, he says, “The don’t hold an Aadhaar card. the process is easy, the officials jallikattu. there without address, on Sunday. Day 2017 is Depression: Let's problem of surveillance is Ravi said, “Although we have make it very complicated for us and Immediately, a heavy police force addressing their concerns. However, people always speak talk. overhyped because anyway all our dual citizenship, we want to be on people tend to make mistakes.” was deployed to prevent the In spite of this the Central protests. Government went ahead and In spite of the police presence, a signed the contract on March 27. group of students slipped into the In the press release after signing FISHERMEN’S sea on Wednesday afternoon. They the contract, the Central were detained and later released. Government said “The Union ARREST After an hour, students from Petroleum Minster, Union state CM urges action against Lanka came to Shipping Minister and Union DEEPAK SINGH Swaraj (Minister of External fishermen and their boats seized by Ilango said that fishermen being that fishermen crossing the Kamarajar Salai protesting against Commerce and Industry minister Affairs) to resolve the issue at the the Sri Lankan Navy hitherto. arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy maritime border should be chased the contract. The students were assured the delegation that the The Prime Minister’s office is yet highest level,” said Gagandeep “The Sri Lankan strategy of not and the same response by India away and not be caught, but India, evacuated by the police. work on the field will start when to respond to the Tamil Nadu Chief Singh Bedi, Principal Secretary to releasing the boats of our fishermen every time was problematic. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are not One student protestor told a news the Minister E Palaniswami’s letter Government. is causing great “It’s true we are all going there, following that.” channel that they were not being addresses the local concerns in urging India to send a strong Twelve fishermen from frustration…without their but it’s a tradition and has been so The recent letter is one of the permitted by the police to protest in consultation with the Central message to Sri Lanka after 12 Pudukottai district were arrested in livelihood base, these fishermen are since generations,,” he said many written by the Chief Minister the heart of the city. Many students Government.” Tamil fishermen were arrested by the early hours of March 26. Of the in a state of dependency” referring to reports that the on the arrests. Earlier this month, had refused to come out of the People from Neduvasal have been the island nation’s Navy on March 12 fishermen, six had sailed from Palaniswamy had said. fishermen had strayed into Sri Palaniswami had written three water and were forced out by mobilising support from nearby 26. Jegathapattinam fishing base and “50 fishermen from Tamil Nadu Lankan territorial waters. letters in a week when as many as police, villages and decided to form a core “The Prime Minister is yet to six others had sailed from are prisoners in Sri Lanka. He added that it was due to 32 Indian fishermen were held by Earlier, people from Neduvasal committee to oppose the respond on the matter. Tamil Nadu Kottaipattinam fishing base, before Moreover about 140 boats livelihood that fishermen risked Sri Lankan Navy in two days. “The had protested for 22 days until project.On March 22, a delegation has been trying to get a permanent they were caught and taken to belonging to fishermen from the their lives to venture into Sri Lankan strategy of not releasing March 10 against the oil extraction of protesters met the Union solution for the fishermen as the Karainagar in Sri Lanka. state have been captured by them international waters. “It’s not that the boats of our fishermen is project in their agricultural land. Petroleum Minister who assured families of those imprisoned in Sri In his letter, Palaniswami had also since Feb 26, 2015,” said M. we are willing to be prisoners.” causing great frustration. These On March 9, Tamil Nadu’s Public them that the government would Lanka are suffering. The Chief urged the Government of India to Ilango, Chairperson, National “United Nations (UN) fishermen are dependent” Health MInister C. Vijaya Baskar not unilaterally produce oil there Minister has also requested Sushma ensure the release of all the Fisherfolk Forum (NFF). International Law of the Sea says Palaniswamy has said in the letter. and Union minister of state for without addressing their concerns. THE WORD 2 CITYSCAP E CHENNAI, APRIL 3, 2017 Anganwadi, mid-day meal

CeHANmDAN K. MpANDlALoyee c sall for prowitll bee held sin frotnt o f district offices around the Anganwadi and noon meal workers State said Karumalayan. Artifically ripened fruits are periodically seized from market | MANASA R are gearing up for a Tamil Nadu However, the statewide protest demanding time- government officials said bound hike in pay and pension. they had no idea about However, there remains the any such protest confusion over which organisation happening. will lead the protest. “We do not know Last Sunday about 500 retired which federation Use of chemicals to anganwadi and mid-day meal organised the protest at workers staged a protest at ,” said J. M. Chepauk demanding increase in Jamuna Rani, Joint pay and pension, which according Director Administration ripen fruits rampant to them, was not sufficient at Retired anganwadi and noon meal workers protest at at ICDS. ISSAC JAMES quickly ripen their produce so that hypoxia,” it said. Hypoxia is a present. The protest was organised Chepauk on Sunday. | “In our knowledge, they could sell them earlier, said condition characterized by by the Noon Meal Employees and there are five The use of calcium carbide to ripen Vanaja. deficiency in the amount oxygen Anganwadi Workers Federation. posts. Projects.At least two workers – one organisation of anganwadi workers. fruits has become a common But according to a research reaching the body’s tissues. The R Karumalayan, General “These workers aren’t even seen teacher and one helper – work in Neither these organisations nor any practice in the State, according to conducted by the Department of result is headache, dizziness, mood Secretary, Tamil Nadu Chapter of as government staff but only as these centres. Anganwadi workers have joined K. Vanaja, Assistant Commissioner Pharmacy at the Dehradun based disturbances, memory loss, and Centre of Indian Trade Unions scheme workers though they work J. Devika (39), who has been the Chepauk protest. They have of Food Safety at the Tamil Nadu Institute of Management and seizures. (CITU) said that ‘a fringe group’ hard and are paid less,” complained working for five years as a helper denied their participation.” Food Safety and Drug Technology, the intake of food However, the authorities had led the Chepauk protest. Karumalayan. in Angwandi Centre According to Jamuna Rani, she Administration. substances with calcium carbide remained ambiguous about the “We are leading this protest,” “There are thousands of vacant said her salary increased only by has not received any notice from She warned that the public could lead to nausea and vomiting, actions taken against the vendors claimed Karumalayan, adding, “We posts which have added loads of Rs. 700 since she started working. any organisation about any should take care to wash the fruits anaemia and low blood pressure. who used artificial ripening agents. are organising a statewide protest work on other staff.” “My salary is Rs. 4,000 per upcoming protest. and vegetables thoroughly before A report on the United States “We conduct raids, and whenever on April 5.” In Tamil Nadu, the Integrated month. This is not much. Nothing The umbrella organisation of consuming them. National Library of Medicine’s we find substances with chemicals, According to him, the major Child Development Scheme happens with this amount. I stay government employees, Tamil Last week, 3.5 tonnes of database said calcium carbide we destroy them,” said Vanaja. demands of agitating anganwadi services (ICDS) is being nearby so this is okay but how Nadu Government Employees’ artificially ripened fruits were could negatively affect the When asked about the measures and noon meal workers include implemented through 49,499 Main would I manage if I had to travel to Association (TNGEA) – whose one seized from the Koyembedu neurological system. “Once taken to discourage vendors from reasonable wages, increase in Anganwadi Centres and 4,940 Mini my work?” asked Devika. of the demands include time-scale wholesale market. dissolved in water, the carbide using such agents, she said: We pension, recognition as government Anganwadi Centres, totaling The CITU will organise a protest pay for noon meal and anganwadi “This has been happening for produces acetylene gas. Acetylene have been trying to persuade them. workers, benefits as per other social 54,439 Anganwadi Centres in front of the ICDS headquarter in workers, have already called for an along time,” she said. gas may affect the neurological But they are non-cooperative. They schemes and filling in of vacant functioning under 434 ICDS Tharamani whereas similar protest indefinite strike from April 25. Vendors used calcium carbide to system by inducing prolonged want early profits.” EC vehicles on Suicide to be prowl in RK Nagar ASMITA NANDY were available. "The Election decriminalized Commission ensures all the Vehicles are being checked for cash facilities are provided and allocates or arms at check points in R.K. the budget accordingly." Nagar ahead of the by-election on Veerakumar added that on the April 12. day of the election there will be 52 The Tamil Nadu State Election Police teams accompanied by the Commission has deployed special Central Reserve Police vehicles labelled 'Election Force(CRPF) to maintain order in Immediate' and 'Video Surveillance the area. Praveen Nair, Returning Team' patrolling the streets along Officer, Zonal Office-IV, Will government remove illegal encroachments in Marshlands? |THE HINDU with police teams. Tondiarpet remained unavailable to T. confirm this. Veerakumar, Chennai Inspector, R.K High School Nagar Police has allotted Station, said, three "There are 7 classrooms Activists sceptical of booth locations for polling in the booths Humanity over law for suicide survivours | INDIA.COM jurisdiction of while the R.K.Nagar Corporation Police Station School, that saving Pallikaranai AVANTIKA CHOPHRA On the contrary, Dr. Rajesh and 254 polling has ISHA ARORA five square kilometre from the depleted the water level in the Mehta, M.B.B.S., M.D. booths in total, witnessed initial size of 50 square kilometre. marsh, where earlier, excess The Mental Health Care Bill passed (Psychiatry) in New Delhi, feels mainly schools. the last three Environmentalists remain sceptical The failure of registration law rainwater from tanks used to flow by the Lok Sabha on Monday has that a case by case analysis should On the day of elections has of Pallikaranai marshland would eventually result in the in, added Jayaraman. received a mixed response from be done for each individual. Using the election, eight polling restoration even as the High Court disappearance of the marshland Arun Krishnamurthy, Founder of doctors as some feel that it would a blanket term of either there will be one booths. has called for registration details of that is beneficial for flood water the Environmentalist Foundation of not make much of a difference. criminalising or decriminalising police Kalasthri, illegal encroachments in the area. mitigation, recharging of ground India said that the massive As per Section 309 of the Indian suicide won’t do much. personnel, at the security The Court has identified 202 water and regulation of encroachments and waste dumping Penal Code (IPC), a person “Someone who wants to commit least of Vehicles being checked by guard at the pieces of illegal property on the microclimate. had been going on since the last attempting suicide could face suicide will anyway do it. There inspector rank, Corporation marshland and directed State The marshland is divided by the three decades. He attributed imprisonment up to a year, prior to needs to be a stigma attached to within 100-200 police in RK Nagar | ASMITA N School said, "I Government to provide details of - Road. Pallikarani's current state to the this bill proposed in 2013 and suicide as it is not something that metres in each location. If it is a am here on the day of election and action taken against executors and On one side of the road, the ignorance and neglect of people passed in 2016. should be small location, one police officer the crowd pours in all day long. beneficiaries, both retired and marshland is surrounded by tall due to their being unaware of the The new Bill encouraged or might be in charge of two-three The CRPF and Police help to present, of the documents. buildings. There, migratory birds marsh's presence. takes a humane glorified,” he adds. polling booths." manage the crowd and maintain Researcher and activist like Little Grebe, Grey Heron and "The Court has passed approach “There needs According to the "Alcohol sale will be banned for order". He added, "The voters can Nityanand Jayaraman said “The Indian Pond Heron resting in the judgements in favour of restoring towards an National Crime 48 hours before the day of election use the ground floor staff Government will be extremely ankle-deep water. However, on the the area previously too, the individual to be a stigma Record Bureau and if there are rowdy elements, we washroom if there is a need." careful to not touch the existing other side of the road, the area is degradation process has been going attempting attached to (NCRB) report on put them behind bars for at least 6 Prakash, from Rajasthan now property unless they are huts mostly parched with a portion of it on since three decades now. But suicide and Accidental Deaths months", he added. residing in R.K. Nagar said, "I go belonging to the poor." converted into a sewage dump. nothing has ever been done. We considers him suicide as it is and Suicides in Veerakumar said the polling to cast my vote in ECI He stated that the Government The government had built a hope that , the changes are well or her to be India (AIDI), a 1.5 locations were selected in such a Matriculation Higher Secondary had been actively parcelling out storm water drain directly implemented within stipulated under extreme not something per cent increase is way that the basic necessities like School and I have never pieces of Pallikaranai for connecting the sea to prevent time, else we will end up losing this stress. noted in the ramps for the disabled, water encountered a problem with regard development due to which the flooding in the nearby area of large water storage area," added Doctor that should be number of suicides supply, electricity and restrooms to safety or facilities at the school." marsh area had been reduced to , back in 2015. This Krishnamurthy. Deepapriya cases reported and Vishwanathan, encouraged or Maharashtra a clinical topped the list psychologist at glorified” followed by Tamil Mind Zone Nadu. mental clinic in Director General Tracks - yes, But where are the cycles? Adyar, says of Police of NCRB “Notwithstanding anything Dr. Ish Kumar supports the move of KARTIK BHARDWAJ well made, I have personally seen these tracks than ordinary people,” contained in Section 309 of the decriminalising suicide and says, bike riders using the track more he added. Indian Penal Code any person who “But this is my personal opinion. Although there are cycling tracks than cyclists,” says Kumaya, a Illegal encroachments by food attempts to commit suicide shall be The bureau functions solely on around the city, encroachments and parent whose child studies at the stalls and kiosks are also a problem. presumed, unless proved otherwise, data.” lack of safety provisions have school, “Cycling is a healthy habit “These are local people and to have severe stress and shall not Nandita Bajpal, a criminal layer rendered them useless. but I don’t think the corporations although we have tried to clear the be tried and punished under the in the Supreme Court, appreciates In KK Nagar where a dedicated have assured ample safety for tracks of the stalls, they keep said Code.” the move and feels that this bill 3.8km cycling track was recently kids.” coming back,” Savio added. “An individual, who tries to kill would prevent the survivor as well inaugurated, the problem of Other cycling tracks in the city Cyclist clubs like the Chennai himself, is not in a right state of as their families from further unauthorised parking still exists. like the one at Flag staff road are Cycling group also face the same mind and it’s good to see that the harassment by Police. She also Just a week ahead of its opening not being used because they lack problems when they do their annual government has acknowledged this clarified that Police would continue police seized around 53 vehicles dividers which help motorcycle and cycling events. fact,” she says. She also feels that to register and investigate suicide which were encroaching on the car drivers to steer their vehicles “We can’t do our events in the this Bill indicates a fresh approach cases as they need to confirm the track. over it. evening as the tracks are filled with towards mental illness. act. “Before the inauguration, we had “People only use these tracks stalls,” said Divagaran Malvika, a PhD student in As per the bill, an individual who repeatedly told people not to park early morning or at midnight when Thiyagarajan who is the co-founder Clinical Psychology at Tata attempted to commit suicide will be their vehicles over the track,but the traffic is less,” says Dominic of the group. Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), provided care, treatment and many resume todo so” said MS Savio, a traffic policeman at Flag “We need better patrolling in says “There is a need to spread rehabilitation so as to prevent and Bhaskar, R7 Station Inspector. staff road. order to use these tracks to the awareness among people about reduce the risk of repeated “We talked to shopkeepers to Cycling track on Flag staff Road remains Vacant KARTIK B “Most of them are members of fullest. If the corporations keepon suicide. A lot of young people who attempts. Adults will also have the discourage their buyers from cycling clubs with proper cycling allowing these people to have their lack proper ‘psycho-social’ and right to specify in advance how parking their vehicles on the track. is important for us.” biggest schools in KK Nagar, do gear and protection, children or stalls on the track, it hampers the emotional support, end up self they would want to be treated and This track is meant for school However, students at the Padma not commute to school via cycles. daily commuters rarely use these safety of the cyclists. I think we harming or, in worst case scenarios, who will look after them should going children and thus their safety Seshadri Bala Bhawan, one of the “Although the track has been tracks. Professionals make use of need better safety provisions.. ” try to kill themselves.” they develop mental illness. THE WORD CHENNAI, APRIL 03, 2017 METRO 3 Vayoshri Yojna to aid

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AVANEESH MISHRA would be enough,” she said. get of distributing aids such as wal - Committee chaired by the Deputy If we go through the 2011 census king sticks, elbow crutches, wal - Commissioner or District Collec - is going to be one of data then there are 10.38 crore se - kers, tripods, hearing aids, tor. EMA cited deficiencies in documentation and data handling |REUTERS the two districts in Tamil Nadu to nior citizens in the country, out of wheelchair and artificial dentures Camps will be organized in two implement the ‘Rashtriya Vayoshri districts of each state for the whole Yojna’ – a scheme to provide assis - year, operated under the Ministry tive devices to senior citizens under of Social Justice and Empower - the poverty line. ment, and with the expenditure co - However, not everyone here is ming from the "Senior Citizens' EMA bans 300 drugs sure about this fully central go - Welfare Fund". vernment funded scheme. During a press conference the R. Marimuthu, a 63-year-old Social Justice and Empowerment street vendor, who heard about the Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, scheme for the first time, complai - said that the Physical Aids and As - tested in Indian lab ned about the problems in the al - sisted-living Devices for Senior ci - DEEPAK SINGH Bioequivalence test of my no evidence of harm or lack of ready existing schemes for old age tizens will be distributed in Camp medicine will tell me how equally effectiveness of medicines…on the people. “How will people get free mode and the Scheme will be im - The European Medicines Agency effective my medicine is. So, basis of studies at the sites” and devices when they cannot get their plemented through the sole imple - (EMA) has suspended the use of Bioequivalence is a measurement said that the suspension on the use pensions on time?” he added. menting agency, ‘Artificial Limbs 300 medicines after finding the criterion for bringing a medicine of medicines which are of critical S. Chellama (67), a daily wage Manufacturing Corporation quality control tests conducted by a into a market,” said Dr. Bhavin importance for different reasons worker, welcomed the scheme, (ALIMCO)’, (a PSU under M/o Chennai based research lab Patel, Consultant Neurosurgeon at could be postponed temporarily. though she was unsure about how The scheme targets those with disability |INDIA NATION SJ&E), which will undertake one “unreliable”. a Voluntary Hrealth Service “There are many such testing good it will be to her. which 5.2 per cent suffer from to 2,000 identified beneficiaries for year free maintenance of the aids & A Press Release from the agency Hospital. labs in India that review and “I am old. I cannot see properly some age related disability. free in each camp. assisted living devices. said that the “review of these The Committee for Medicinal provide the Bio Equitaviliy data but still I am working. There are The Rs. 477 crore scheme, Beneficiaries in each district will The scheme was launched on medicines studied by Micro Products for Human Use (CHMP) and more for foreign medical many like me and I am not sure if which was proposed as a part of the be identified by the State Govern - March 26 in theNellore district of Therapeutic Research Lab was of EMA concluded the lab’s study companies,” Dr. Bhavin said. providing help to 2,000 people 2015-16 central budget, sets a tar - ments Administrations through a Andhra Pradesh. started after inspections identified conducted between June 2012 and India has the capability to do several concerns at the company’s June 2016 could not be accepted these tests at a much cheaper rate. sites regarding misrepresentation of for marketing authorization. “To get these tests done in India, a data handling.” Companies can market their company will spend one tenth of Micro Therapeutic Research Lab medicines only after they have the money it will spend on the same (MTRL), a contract research received marketing authorization tests in Europe,” he said. Bookstores may become a organisation (CRO), conducts by the regulatory body. Talking about the quality of test bioequivalence studies of analytical “We are still working on the results, he said that we are an and clinical parts of various results and I cannot comment any “average” if compared medicines in Europe. further on it,” said Vasanthi, Head internationally. “We have lot of thing of past: booksellers “Suppose you are making a of Department, Business and scope to improve, but we are doing medicine similar to Paracetamol, Development, MTRL. well and our medicines are used by Giant online retaliers a bane to traditional booksellers Bio Equitability (BE) or The EMA also said that “there is many countries,” he said.

ISSAC JAMES refused to discuss the company’s online plans. Confronted by giant online retailers Balaji, who manages the like Amazon and Flipkart that are Starmark store at the Phoenix Mall More takers for regional eating into their sales, major asserted that the “real booklovers” booksellers in the city are now would continue buy from the looking to boost their online physical bookstores. presence. However, even some of the films with sub-titles “The future is online,” said bookstore visitors agreed that they Prabhu S., who manages the “buy more” online. AVINASH R. away such crowds from the finished performing that scene,” Velachery outlet of a prominent “I come here often, but buy only screenings. With subtitles and said Nishitha, an assistant director, bookseller and has 13 years of once in a while,” said Ram Nath Multiplexes in the city are now worldwide releases, there is an who works in the Tamil film experience handling book sales. He (54) who owns a big collection of screening other regional language increase in the patronage for such industry asked not to name his store as he books. These days, he is shopping films and some with sub-titles to movies,” said Rekha Haricharan, This is a major reason why many was discussing sales figures and online. “Online has its advantages. cater to a wide audience. who does sub-titles for movies. Tamil filmmakers seem to be business plans. I buy books [for] Kindle. [I] can The increase in the number of Not just the international films uninterested in releasing their “On an average we sell 120-150 read them anywhere at any time.” industries, Information Technology but the movies with actors who are movies in Tamil Nadu with the books per day. It used to be ten he said. He was once a regular in particular and the ever growing not limited to one particular film subtitles, which would open up the times [higher] in 2004,” he said. More bookbuyers are turning to online sellers |ISSAC JAMES buyer at book stores. Today, he number of educational institutions industry ensures an audience that doors for people from other parts. He said his company now sold the footfall over the last 6-7 years. buyers stop buying books, the enjoys walking into a bookstore to has resulted in a spike in the includes people who don’t An executive from a multiplex in more online than through its Prabhu lamented that the new physical stores would struggle to “turn pages.” population of people from other understand that particular language. Chennai said that unlike the single physical outlets. generation readers rarely visited the remain relevant. “Maybe 10 years “I usually buy online,” said Luke parts of India. For instance, in a time and age screen theatres in the city, they “I don’t think the physical stores bookstores. later we may not need to operate Francis (16) with a sense of pride. Regional films like those in when Tamil movies find it difficult have the luxury of running other have a bright future,” he said. “When you look at [the] book [physical] stores,” he said. “I come to bookstores only to buy Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and to run for 25 days, the Malayalam regional movies with subtitles and Prabhu had worked at various buyers who walk in, they are Das Prakash who is the Assistant comics,” he said. “I want to see the Hindi constitute 55 per cent of the movie ‘Premam’ ran for more than offering variety to the audience bookstores since 2004. mostly 40 plus. Youngsters do Manager of the Odyssey store on graphics and feel the pages [of shows in the city. 200 days in a multiplex in Chennai. because of the number of screens “When I entered the field, many come since our store is in a mall. the East Coast Road agreed. comic books],” he added. The success of various regional While some are excited about the “With the success of regional book stores were bigger than 5000 But often they just turn a few pages “One of the biggest ways the One of the things that attract movies in Chennai shows that the prospects of watching movies of movies like Bahubali and sq feet,” he said. “Look at the size and leave without buying online shopping has affected [our book buyers to the online retailers audience for these movies is not other languages, some seem to find Drishyam across India, the today,” he said pointing to his own anything,” he said. books sales] is that we have lost the is the substantial discounts they just restricted to ones who know the sub-titles a hindrance to their commercial viability of subtitling a store which he said was less than However, it is not just the new generation readers,” he said offer. “There is a 25-30 percent that language, but also includes the movie watching experience . movie is there for the producers to 600 sq feet. youngsters who are buying online, adding that older customers discount on most books,” said A. ones who are willing to watch a “It is highly distracting. My eyes see. Subtitling is growing at rapid “Here we keep only the best but also an increasing number of continued to visit the store. Manna (23). “When I can buy eight movie with English subtitles. go right to those words and many a pace and is very much here to stay,” sellers,” he said. elders are flocking there these days. He agreed that Odyssey’s sales books for Rs. 2000 online, why “We used to watch international time I find the audience reacting to said Vivek Ranjit, a subtitlist. One of the main reasons for the Prabhu agreed. had taken a hit since the advent of would I buy four for the same price films in Chennai. Piracy, torrents a scene by reading the dialogues working in the Malayalam Film shrinking space was the decline in He feared that once the current the giant retailers. However, he from a shop?” he asked. and delay in the release pulled even before the actors have Industry. Biometric system fails Not an easy ride for this driver BECHU S. passenger hotspots like George Town, Guindy and Airport Road, When 42-year-old Nizam Ali it has become ‘a game of luck’ . to impress schools decided to leave his job with a “They did not stop at that, but ASMITHABHA MANNA The move by the travel agency at introduced discount coupons Department of School to enroll with the Uber Cab instead. Every man in the city Teachers and administrative Education in the wake service two years ago, future with the app installed are given officials are dismissive of the State of increasing looked promising to him. The discount codes as SMS on daily Government’s decision to install absenteeism and choice he made proved to be a basis. The ridiculous traffic in the biometric attendance system in proxy attendance will smart one pretty soon, as he was city and rocketing diesel prices schools.Teachers and officials feel be unable to remedy earning twice as much as he did made it worse. How can we not that it is “ineffective”. the situation, with his earlier job. protest?” he asked. ''The biometric system is not according to a senior From a fixed Rs.3000 that was Nizam is unsure if the protests different from recording attendance teaching official of paid for every three or four day are good enough to make the in registers. In a class of 40 a Vana Vani package tours he was hired for Multi National Corporations teacher should know each student,'' Matriculation Higher occasionally, he started earning Can the online cabbies navigate a way out? |BECHU S. rethink. says Miss Vijayavalli, Principal of Secondary School that Rs. 5000 a day. Though 55% of “When we went on the strike, Kumararani Meena Muthiah has biometric his daily collections belong to AM to 2 AM, Nizam managed 50 taxi cars in the city growing past many geniuses took it as an Secondary School in Adyar. identification installed Uber, Nizam was happy with the pick-ups and earned anything 20,000 and touching the 30,000 opportunity to earn more. Fewer According to Vijayavalli, the for employees 2015. Rs. 2000 he earned daily. between Rs. 5,500 to Rs.7, 000. mark this year. Adding to the taxis meant more money, if school has been equipped with a ''I am not for it, as “I never had earned so much in There was no work pressure and drivers’ woes, the company everyone is not loyal to the cause, biometric system but only for Biometric system would curb it will not help students. any profession, I made enough plenty of opportunities for subscribed to slashing rates during how can we attain our goal? We employees. The teachers should be proxies:Govt |ASMITABHA MANNA It is a parent-oriented money to make ends meet,” he everyone. peak hours to stay in the business. protested because our profession vigilant and aware of students school and the said. “My Indica used to run around “Earlier, any ride from the and livelihood are at stake.” relying on proxy attendance. maintaining vigilance on regular latecomers cannot be sent back so Back in 2014, there were only a 500 kilometers every day and I Chennai Central Zone between10 “A liter of diesel costs Rs. 62 The administrative staff maintain teachers as on days they come and the time becomes irrelevant '' says few thousand cars in the city hardly had a bad day. A few PM and 5 AM was accounted as and the mileage of my vehicle is a thorough paperwork of both mark attendance for the next days. the official. attached to the California-based drivers that I knew of had pretty boost hour rides and an extra 50% 17 km per liter. I cover students and teachers' attendance Vijayavalli says, ''It is not that Some are in the dark as to how transport network. With a modest much the same fate.” was charged. As their competition approximately 240 kilometers a while the biometric identification is teachers do not attend the next day to use the biometric system and say number of employees and plenty However, with the increasing became worse, the rates were day and earn around Rs.2000. a secondary record for regulars . but they don't have class and visit the government should send out a of customers, it was easy for Uber competition between Uber and reduced,” Nizam said. With 55 percent of the collection ''For part timers it is helpful as for a brief time while time is not a circular explaining the process. to have a ‘driver-oriented- Ola and more drivers signing up, He always preferred to look for going to my employer coupled they are off on some days and when matter for us.'' However, she adds ''I should know how it works approach’ instead of a the driver-friendly approach of his passengers near George Town. and with fuel expenditure, do the math they attend they use the biometric that teachers know their before I can explain it to others, '' ‘customer-oriented-approach.’ company was long gone. The year at Central and Sub-urban railway and tell me, how much I earn,” he system,'' says Vijayavalli responsibility and are always said Leela, Principal of Kesari On any given day between 6 2015 saw the number of online stations. But now even in said. emphasizing the difficulty in particular about school timings. H.S.S, T Nagar. 4 THE WORD CHENNAI, APRIL 3, 2017 MISCELLANY Kicking away their misfortune JOSEPH SEBASTIAN Praising the teams’ efforts, former India player and current It was an opportunity for them to Chennaiyin FC Assistant Coach kick away their misfortune and Syed Sabir Pasha shared instances pick up confidence and good- of famous football players who decision making skills. made it despite hard knocks in life. Each member of the ten teams that He gave the example of legendary participated in the SnS Soccer 2017 Brazilian footballer Pele. “There is tournament on Friday, had a immense talent in our country. childhood filled with hardships. What we lack is proper scouting. Each one was either a poor child, You’ll find talent in the smallest of child labourer or a runaway before villages,” he exclaimed. they were rehabilitated by Pasha clicked pictures with six The BMW I8 at an auto-expo. |AVANEESH MISHRA Karunalaya, a non-profit boys’, and four girls’ teams that organisation. participated in the tournament and Each player had a story. Varsha was (L-R) Kids in action ; Varsha winning the best player trophy |JOSEPH SEBASTIAN the joy in each one of their faces rescued from the Kasimedu fishing confirmed that while there were harbour in Chennai and was lift the trophy. learn a lot of values like self- have lured children out of it. just two winners, football was the Ban on BS-III cars provided shelter at one of Dr. N. Paul Sunder Singh, confidence, good decision making Children love playing sports and real victor. Karunalaya’s shelter for girls. Secretary of the non-profit and accept failure,” he said. knowing this Dr. Singh says that The tournament was organised by In the girls' final played between organisation, spoke about the Many street children often fall into only those who do not consume the second year students of Madras SVN Sigaram Thodu and KMP importance of sports and how it the trap of drugs, alcohol and these products are selected. School of Social Work in shake auto firms Crackers a first half strike by emancipates everyone who tobacco products. But sports has “We have dope tests,” he added collaboration with Karunalaya and AVANEESH MISHRA years. SVN’s Varsha and a solid defensive participates in it. helped to deter children from going while talking about the selection held at SDAT Nehru Park in But as the effect of performance by the team saw them “Football is a game where you back to these habits and in fact, procedure for a cricket tournament. . At a time when the automobile and demonetization is fading gradually, two-wheeler industry seems to the sales are expected to rise. have shaken off the effects of During ‘The Hindu Auto Expo’ demonetization with sales climbing organized at , up again, the Supreme Court's on Saturday, the decision to disallow sale and Deputy Zonal Head of Hero, B. College students to registration of BS-III vehicles from Swaminathan said “Though things April 1 might be another blow to like these are happening, auto the industry. industry in India is growing, and BS (Bharat Stage) is the with the international players give India a head start emission standards established by taking more interest in the Indian AVANTIKA CHOPRA added. the Indian Government to limit air market, it is expected to grow Sebastian John, the owner of Fashnoid, quit his job pollutants coming out of internal more.” The ‘Start-up’ craze in India has encouraged a lot of to focus on his start up. combustion engines found in motor According to R. Srinivasan, youngsters to invest in their ideas and follow their “You can never build up anything if your idea vehicles. manager of a Hero showroom in passion. This was evident at ‘Brain Talk’, a meeting remains in your head,” said John. He also highlighted According to reports, top Adyar, “If we leave the two months organised by college students inviting startup the common misconception of ‘ideas developers’ that commercial vehicle makers such as after demonetization, there is a enthusiasts to discuss their ideas and experiences. if they share their ideas, someone will steal it. “Your Tata Motors, and trend of people buying vehicles that “The purpose of this meet is to create an offline idea will only evolve and shape itself when you share Mahindra & Mahindra, and two- cost a fortune. The purchasing network as it is important to have a platform where it,” he added. wheeler majors Hero MotoCorp, power of people is increasing and budding start-ups owners can interact with others and Start Up India, a flagship initiative by the Honda and TVS are loaded with a now they want more.” build a professional bond,” said Srinivas, a final year Government of India was launched in 2016 to provide near- junk inventory worth over Rs Inaugurated by Chennai City Kids living under the sky as their roof. |BECHU S college student at SRM university and owner of assistance and incentives to nurture a innovation in the 12,000 crore. Commissioner of Police, S. Absolutes IT services. country. However, most of the startup owners and These reports also say that some George, the expo showcased cars Srinivas started his company in December 2016 with enthusiasts feel that the scheme is a scam and they are two-wheeler companies are from India and several other the help of his father and brother. His company focuses far from, benefiting from it. offering discounts up to 50 per cent countries, including Japan and on providing client based application and software. “The scheme is just for the sake of it. I contacted with the hope selling the vehicles Korea. The cars on display were Quoting ‘Zero to one’, a book on startups, another them several times for assistance but they were that would be deemed illegal after Rolls Royce Ghost, Rolls Royce Still in search start up owner Shreekesh Pillai said, “The next Bill unresponsive and cold,” said Sehaj Sahni, the owner April 1. Phantom, BMW I8, Maserati Gates will not build an operating system and the next of Urban Desi House, a small restaurant in A plea from the companies to Quattraporte, Mercedes C-43 AMG Mark Zuckerberg won’t create a social network. We Thoraipakkam. allow the sale of already made and and Tata Motors’ Hexa and Tiago. need to come up with unique ideas to make a place in “I don’t think we can expect any money from the dispatched BS-III vehicles had “These kinds of expos bring the of a home this market.” government,” added John. been rejected by the Supreme buyers and their dream vehicles BECHU S These “illegal tenants,” all Shreekesh, a final year student, has developed his Money constraint is a major issue faced by many Court. under one roof,” said Lakshmi Sha, belonging to the “Adi-Dravidar” own App ‘Iparko’ to provide solutions for parking startup owners, moreover they also feel vulnerable in After demonetization, the sales Area Manager of Hero. ‘Mooker Nallamuthu Street’ is one nomadic group had tackled the issues in the city. the hands of investors. of automobile in India fell more Hero also re-launched three of its of the busiest alleys of summers in earlier times by “As of now Iparko is its prototype stage but we will “There are investors who are known as the ‘Angels’ than 18 per cent in December, scooters — Maestro Edge, Pleasure in . Right at the shifting to closed shops and other soon provide solutions for all parking issues,” he of startups but they are ‘devils,” added Srinivas. making it the steepest in last 16 and the Glamour. beginning of the streetthere is a line abandoned buildings during the of shacks inhabited by over ten day. families. For walls they have They returned only by night to aluminium sheets, and clothes sleep. But, by the time they hanging down as doors. The roof is returned either the police would made up of old sacks, plastic have confiscated their belongings sheets, aluminium sheets and for causing traffic problems, or rash Chennai theatre takes centre stage clothes. drivers would have broken their AVINASH R move forward and take the theatre After the Chennai flood of 2015, cooking pots. along with them. the scorching summer is making During the rains, the families It is not every day that a theatre production In the 1980’s and 1990’s, actors things difficult for them. cannot stay inside the shacks due house stages a play with the actors and di - could take a leave of absence from “Babies suffer the most as they to leaky roofs. The shopkeepers do rectors chosen by lots and the script handed their Government jobs and concen - are unable to sleep inside the not allow them to stay by their to them just 24 hours before the ticketed trate on acting. They could take ex - houses. It is too hot for them. verandahs during working hours. show is staged. tended holidays to concentrate on Without proper roofing, the heat None of the ten families are Commemorating the World Theatre Day their stage careers. However, the hits us even if we stay inside,” said aware of the shelters that are run by (27 March), Karthik Gowrishankar, a theatre corporate set-up that most actors Velu (28), a cycle-rickshaw puller the Chennai Corporation for the artist, said “The theatre scene in Chennai is at find themselves in now, doesn’t give in Burma Bazaar. homeless. They do not know if they a very exciting place. There is still a solid fan them the luxury of time for rehear - Raju, an auto-rickshaw driver in are counted by the authorities as following for the traditional plays while ex - sals and staging. Sowcarpet, said his wife Vasanthi homeless. perimentation is garnering its own fan base.” “I wanted to act. I did a few plays suffered from blisters and headache However, they are not willing to Just like in , even the theatre but I have to stay away from thea - because of cooking on the roadside abandon their houses unless they scene has its very own celebrated genres and tre. Passion for the art is feasible on a kerosene stove. are offered proper houses as stars. enough to just feed me. It is not Fans are totally out of the promised. Though the English theatre has constantly enough for the family,” said Iswarya question as there is no power A report by the Information and reinvented itself and dabbled across various Rajagopal, a corporate employee supply to the huts. Resource Centre for the Deprived genres, the Tamil theatre scene has been pre - and theatre artist. The resettlement project that was Urban Communities, an NGO, said dominantly restricted to humour. Though such incidents are plenty promised to the residents still that in the last three years, 1464 The initial days of mythology and patrio - A stage is all they need. |GOOGLE IMAGES in number across the performing remains on paper. urban homeless have been tic flavour gave way to humour and satire. arts space, there are also people who “The Councillor had promised us reintegrated with their families and The top players in the Tamil theatre have re - from the core have quit their well-cushioned jobs to pursue proper houses if we vote for them, 172 individuals rehabilitated. mained so for the past thirty years. whereas Tamil theatre was too rigid and re - idea of humour, there seems to be a liberal their passion for the stage. but nothing’s happened.The The report also said the “It was comparatively easier to break into lied heavily on humour,” said Raghav, a thea - dose of various other genres and styles. “I quit. I couldn’t work within the four summer is here and the fight for Corporation presently does not the English theatre scene unlike the Tamil tre artist. A period set-up, pantomimes, aerial acro - walls of a box and look at another box for water will increase,” said Selvi, an have enough shelters to rehabilitate scene because English theatre had a niche au - However, there seems to be a lot of expe - batics, animation and even remakes has led hours together. I had to work and think out- ardent supporter of All India Anna all the homeless and street dwellers dience and word-of-mouth spread faster. rimentation done in the Tamil theatre scene to the inclusion of newer talent who are wil - of-the-box,” said Anantharaman Karthik, a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. in the city. English theatre allowed experimentation too. Though it is stil tough to move away ling to stay true to the Tamil theatre scene, full-time theatre director.

Ready to take a bike on a date? Reinvention of the Wheel ISHA ARORA KARTIK BHARDWAJ sical ailments; we make them for The porch of the duplex has peo - daily use of normal people and attach A first of its kind in the city, Date-A-Bike (DAB) ple, sitting on their haunches, tighte - additional security provisions to make is a motorcycle rental company that has devised ning the bolts of a three-wheeled them easily rideable by handicapped an innovative way to curb accidents due to vehicle. The man who invented the people.” overspeeding. vehicle, 26-year-old Naidhroven.A Scotra CML, the prime product of The café is the brainchild of Vikram sits in the living room, which is a ma - Nappinnai, can go up to 15 to 20 km Sethuraman and Girish Gopalakrishnan who left keshift office. on one charge. “Initially, it was only the corporate monotony to feed their passion for “We started Nappinnai back in made for indoor purposes but people cruiser bikes. Apart from setting up the rental 2014,” he reminisced. “For a physi - wanted to travel from Besant Nagar company, they also organised road trips and took cally handicapped person like me, be - to Adyar at least if not ,” travellers along. fore installing additional wheels I said Naidhroven. “People purchase bikes for two lakhs and had to file a series of documents and He added, “We had to assure peo - wear helmets worth Rs. 200, it needs to be getting permission from the govern - ple that it is safe for them. People understood that investment entails security Date-A-Bike Workplace. | EZHIL RAMAKRISHNAN ment is also mandatory. ” asked for a lot of modifications to the product to suit measures too,” said Vikram Sethuraman. Nappinnai is an e-scooter initiative which was star - their personal tastes and to give themselves better chan - DAB lends high end cruiser motorcycles like from the DAB personnel to start again. that are conservative in their approach. ted by Naidhroven to aid his muscular dystrophy, a he - ces of security. I personally did a lot of market re - Harley Davidson and Triumph with a tracking “Our screening process is pretty strict, we take “The response since our inception in 2015 has reditary condition which leads to progressive search.” software and SIM Card with data pack attached. bikers above 25 years of age for rides till been good from the customers’ end, while the weakening of the muscles. “I always hated wheel - With an initial investment of Rs 42 lakhs, Naidhro - A speed limit of 80 kmph has been set in the Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry, make them government is yet to provide us with a licence, it chairs,” he says. Thus, in order to fight the prejudice ven started the venture from his house in Besant Nagar bikes and whenever a biker exceeds the limit, ride during night and ascertain whether they are has been over two years now,” said Vikram. attached to vehicles for handicapped people, Nappinnai The Tamil Nadu government also sanctioned a sum of the customer is sent a message. fit to take off alone,” added Girish. Apart from renting out bikes, the company made Scotra CML, a three-wheeled e-scooter which Rs 25 lakhs for his idea.“For the raw materials and la - After the warning is sent across for three The founders said that their’s is a fresh also provides helmets, jackets, bags, shoes and can be used by handicapped people, children and old bour, we get a lot of workers from Guindy Industrial times in a row, the bike stops and needs a code concept in contrast to the old travelling groups other riding gear to its customers. people . “We don’t make vehicles for people with phy - area and .”