Edition 6 Page 1_Layout 1 2/28/2020 4:29 PM Page 1

Volume No 20 Issue No 6 February 28, 2020 LAB JOURNAL OF THE ASIAN COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM Effects of farm Polluted metro Fighting online protection law water a concern child abuse Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 People oppose beach-link road The Madras HC on February 21 ordered a study on extending Marina Loop Road

PHURPA LHAMO ter J. Jayalalithaa scrapped the plan S. Rajendiran of the Buildings and in 2011, it has been revived be - Bridges Department of the GCC, Fishermen, environmentalists, and cause of the court order. the road would mean less travel and people residing along the Besant The members of the Save Chen - less fuel consumption. Nagar Beach stretch are unhappy nai Beaches Campaign said that a “We know that there will be im - with the ’s di - letter would be submitted to the pact on the environment. That can - rection to the Government urging it High Court and a press meet would not be avoided,” he said. to consider reconstructing a road be conducted at Urur Olcott Kup - With regard to the CRZ, he said from the Loop Road to Besant pam to show the impact of the that because the Broken Bridge had Nagar. construction on fishermen and en - been constructed prior to when the The order passed on February 21 vironment. CRZ was issued in 1991, the regu - by Justice Vineet Kothari and Jus - Naturalist M.Yuvan said that the lations didn't apply to the project. The sit-in protest in enters its 14th day tice R Suresh Kumar, said the road’s major impact would be on However, to avoid the impact on amidst allegations SAYANTAN GUHA Greater Corporation the inter-tidal life along the Elliot’s the fishermen, the GCC has a plan (GCC) and the State authorities Reconstruction of the Broken Bridge will be part of the Loop Beach. The stretch also had mud - B for the execution of the project. should explore the possibility of re - Road to Besant Nagar road connection PHURPA LHAMO flats (coastal wetlands that form in While plan A would mean the constructing the road to create an intertidal areas where sediments road starting from the Loop Road alternative route from to among others. tending the Loop Road to Besant have been deposited by tides or ri - to Besant Nagar through the fisher - Protestors deny reduce the traffic on the existing According to K Bharathi, presi - Nagar, the government could widen vers) with varieties of clams, snails men communities along the stretch, route. dent, South Fishermen Wel - the Santhome High Road, which and crabs, which support the shore plan B would mean that the road Fearing that the project may fare Association, there are around will help ease the traffic conges - birds. would avoid the fishermen com - mean their being evicted, A. Vinod, 50,000 families in the 14 fishermen tion. “There are over 191 bird species munity at Nochi Nagar and start stealing power 30, who resides at the Urur Olcott communities, which fall along the While fishermen have been co - along this stretch and if this road from the bridge near the Foreshore SAYANTAN GUHA tually connected to the houses.” Kuppam fishermen community stretch. ming together to oppose the pro - comes through, this habitat will be Estate Bus Terminus. As permission was granted by said: “No consultation has been “Ninety per cent of these fami - ject, environmentalists and lost. Even if the food is available Rajendiran said that after the Anti-CAA protestors at Washer - the owner of the houses the protes - done. This is our home. We cannot lies earn their income through fis - non-fishermen including residents for the birds, they will migrate due Broken Bridge connectivity, an ele - menpet have disputed press reports tors are not guilty. “But we will be and don't want to move somewhere hing and displacing them would came together to discuss the issue to the noise,” M. Yuvan said. vated expressway could be used to saying they were stealing power keeping a regular check,” added the else.” take their source of income away. on February 23 as part of the Save The construction should also be avoid the fishermen community at from junction boxes for their fans AEE. The 2.2 km road will pass Even during high fishing seasons, Chennai Beaches Campaign for - restricted going by the Coastal Re - Urur Olcott Kuppam. and lights at the protest site on the According to Latif, President of through the fishing communities of we go in groups and staying near med in 2009 to challenge the then gulation Zone (CRZ) rules, Yuvan The Rs 500 crores worth project street. the Wannarpet Mosque Federation, Urur Olcott Kuppam, Nochi Nagar, the seashore has helped,” Bharathi Coastal Elevated Expressway Pro - added. The GCC is expected to is expected to be constructed under According to the media reports “The EB officials have verified our Pattinapakkam, Nochikuppam, Ra - said. ject. complete the feasibility study by the public-private partnership that were pu - innocence, howe - jaji Nagar and Mullikuppam Bharathi said that instead of ex - Although the then Chief Minis - May. According to Chief Engineer (PPP) model. blished with ver, there are photographs, the “During the visits we found constant false nothing against the complaints lod - Electric Board ged against us to (TNEB) offi - protestors. There was a hinder the pro - 4 student suicides in a year cials had “col - picture circulating with a tests.” SHIVANAND S Along with several rumours such diate action. In some cases, they are lected details fan wired to the junction At the early as relationship failures and family left with warnings.” about the mal - phases of the pro - A 19-year-old B.Tech student was problems, academic pressure has The college has hosted few ‘anti- practices” and box but during inspection test, which started found hanging in her hostel room at also been considered as a reason suicide’ camps earlier to provide found the pro - we found that these fans from February 14, the SRM Institute of Science and behind such incidents. counselling and awareness to the testors guilty. there were allega - Technology, Kattankulathur, near Asked about that, an engineering students. R. Shiva Virman, an M.A. However, the were actually connected to tions of traffic Chennai on February 22. The rea - professor said, ”Most certainly, Mass Communication student who Assistant Engi - the houses.” jams being caused son for her suicide is not known. A academic pressure is not the reason conducted the last year’s camp, neer of TAN - -TANGEDCO AEE by the protestors. case has been registered at the Ma - behind these suicides. These stu - ‘Jeevan’ said “Our department has GEDCO- New But the protestors raimalai Nagar police station. dents have their personal problems hosted this camp for two consecu - Washermenpet claimed to have The bus services have deteriorated over time, say This is the fourth suicide in the such as romantic affairs and family tive years, 2018 and 2019. We denied that any such details were volunteers to facilitate free-move - commuters SAMEER KULKARNI Kattankulathur campus in one year, situations that lead to mental pres - bring in renowned psychologists to collected from Chennai’s Shaheen ment of the traffic since day one. going by media reports. The sure.” provide counselling for the stu - Bagh. Shabnaam, one of the protestors, CBCID (Crime Branch-Crime In - “The professors, her,e have been dents.” Basheer, one of the protestors, said “The volunteers are not desig - vestigation Department) has been open to any suggestion from the These camps seem to have been said “Someone had complained nated. Whoever is free on the day investigating these suicides at the students and we give several war - the only initiative to prevent suici - about us stealing electricity from can turn up and help us. Every day MTC buses: hostel on the campus. nings before we take any serious des. Many students complained the transformers and the junction we have around 15-20 volunteers Ayushi Mishra, a fellow hostel action against the students for fai - that the university has not taken boxes for the fans and lights in the and they make sure that there are no resident said, ”On Saturday mor - ling exams or missing deadline on any steps to ensure the safety of the protest area. But we were using traffic issues.” ning the girl’s roommates found her project submission,” he added. students. electrical supply from the houses She insisted that the protestors Keep waiting hanging in her room on the eighth He also said, ”This university Some of the CCTV cameras on and shops nearby, only after per - abided by the allowed decibel le - SAMEER KULKARNI buses during the afternoons has led floor of the hostel building. That admits thousands of students every the campus have been non-functio - mission.” vels while using mikes and also the people to be dependent on the share floor is currently empty.” year and we have never received nal for months. No steps were taken After the complaint, TNEB offi - time restrictions. Several commuters using the Me - autos and vans. Another hostelers said that ”I any complaints of students being even after receiving several com - cials visited the area, said Basheer. Talking about police vigilance in tropolitan Transport Corporation “I won’t reach anywhere if I start have heard that the girl has attemp - put under pressure for academic plaints from the student. P. Rajesh, a shopkeeper in the the area, Inspector General (IG) S. (MTC) bus services in the city have relying on these buses. These share ted suicide several times in the past. performance.” Rajesh Mishra, father of a hostel Azeez Mohamed Ghouse Street, Murugan said “We have 300 poli - raised complaints about poor ser - autos run frequently and they She was once rushed to the hospital Another professor said, “Few resident said, ”Most of the students said, “I agreed to let them use elec - cemen working in three shifts. vice, including low frequency of charge the same,” said Rajesh, who for cutting her wrist.” students get addicted to substance residing at the hostel are from other tricity from my shop for the fans. They are constantly patrolling the buses and discontinuation of bus often travels by share autos. The university has not given any abuse and bad habits that might states. We left our wards here The EB officials even came to ask area but we have received no com - services on some routes. While the share auto services official statement regarding the sui - also be the reason for such tragic assuming that it won’t be safe for about it.” plaints about traffic or noise.” According to regular commuters, come handy when the buses do not cides till now. There are many ru - incidences.” them outside but such incidents put The Assistant Executive Engi - The Chennai Shaheen Bagh pro - the quality of bus services had been arrive on time, the pass-holders mours circulating among the Sayeesha Agarwal, an MSc stu - their safety in question. The neer (AEE) of TANGEDCO New test, which was ignited by the alle - deteriorating for a while. The com - have a tough time making the students at the university regarding dent said that “We have several ins - management should take steps to Washermenpet said, “During the ged police brutality, was also muters said that the bus timings choice. these suicide incidents. pections in our hostel and if any protect the students. These visits we found nothing against the commended for staging a civilized were erratic and some drivers did Every-day commuters like stu - Lovedeep Singh, an MBA stu - student had been caught for pos - incidents might have a mental protestors. There was a picture cir - dissent by the IG. “As long as these not halt the bus at a few stops. dents and office-goers have opted dent of the university said “The stu - sessing any illegal substance or al - impact on other students. This is culating with a fan wired to the protests are peaceful and don't bot - “The timings have become a for monthly and yearly passes; they dents are also not clear about the cohol, their parents are informed the fourth case of suicide and junction box but during inspection her the surroundings we are happy problem. In the morning, the buses have to continue to wait for the reason behind these suicides.” and the management takes imme - managment is yet to take action.” we found that these fans were ac - to help.” are available but they are packed, buses, even if they arrive late. while in the evening I wait for over In case of longer routes, commu - 30 minutes sometimes,” said Anita ters have to completely rely on Ratnam, a college student. buses, as other modes of transport, There are also routes where the like cabs, can be expensive. service has been discontinued. For For instance, 11B, Broadway to RITUPARA PAMLIT odern cremation mthere.e thodschsedu lend nexot motnth . w“Onlye if welcoThe mtraditioe nal methods were instance, 37D (K.K Nagar to Valla - K.K Nagar (Ashok Pillar – Koda - Talking of an al - are able to convince the locals to stopped 10 years back at Besant lar Nagar) has been scrapped, ac - bakkam Power House –Gemini People will switch over completely ternative, D Suku - use the modernized crematorium at Nagar. It, being a VIP area, com - cording to Senthil, a regular Flyover) through Secretariat has to modern methods of cremation mar, Zonal Officer , the proposal to shut plaints about pollution got escala - commuter from K.K Nagar. “The only two trips per day, one in the only if the Government takes a po - (Zone 15), said, “We down this conventional shed will ted pretty quickly to the Pollution route was not very popular so they morning and the other at dusk. licy decision to stop conventional have put up a board go ahead.” Control Board and funeral pyres introduce a new route called 37G, According to commuters, the bus cremation, said Dr. M.D Jagadee - at the site notifying Citing the cost-efficiency and were stopped thereafter. Even the inconveniencing many commu - is completely packed during both san, City Health Officer at the people about the environment friendliness of electri - drum beating during funeral pro - ters,” he said. trips. They said that if the route is Greater Chennai Corporation. shutdown and infor - cal and gasifier crematoriums, Su - cessions had now been restricted In another case, 11H (Iyyappant - popular then more buses should be Dr. Jagadeesan said that people ming them that the kumar said, “We are planning to from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m., added Dha - hangal to Broadway) was changed made available. “There are only had been receptive to the Greater gasifier-based cre - propose one crematorium for each nasekar. to 11G (K.K Nagar to Broadway) two trips because it is specially for Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) matorium at Injam - of the 9 divisions in Zone 15.” Talking of the criteria for allo - with a similar route now extended the Secretariat staff. The bus is drive to convert conventional cre - bakkam is instead M D Dhanasekar, officer-in- wing a conventional shed, Dr. Ja - up to Iyyappanthangal. However, crowded only till Ashok Pillar. mation sheds to modern centres The GCC requests people to use the new available for use.” charge of the Besant Nagar Isha gadeesan said, “The permission to few commuters said that the fre - After that point there are lot of with gas or electric furnaces. But Free Gasifier set up at the crematorium The crematorium crematorium, said, “For lack of put up funeral pyres is given only quency of 11H had gone down and buses, like 17D and 11G,” said Ne - some insisted on cremating their at Haridhandra Road, in Injambakkam in Injambakkam is manpower and resources to main - to sheds with large spaces, like the the bus timings were erratic. dunsezhian, Deputy Manager of relatives the traditional way. RITUPARNA PALIT 6.2 km away from tain the modernized crematoria, the 12-acre crematorium.” Due to untimely bus services, Operations (Commercial) at MTC. “If somebody insists that we the one in Uthandi. Corporation has outsourced main - Even if most crematoria in the core share autos and vans have come to He denied that the bus routes had allow them to practice conventio - irrespective of the method used. Explaining the local residents’ tenance activities to NGOs. The city have been modernized, people the rescue of waiting commuters. been discontinued and said there nal cremation, we redirect them to “Around 100 conventional cre - dependence on the Uthandi crema - Besant Nagar, Mylapore and Nesa - keep coming to us requesting for These share services, which are have been only minor changes. Re - the sites designated for handling mation sheds are owned by the torium, Balaji, a resident of Ut - pakkam crematoria were handed traditional cremation, which is why against the rules, operate more fre - garding shortage of 11G buses, he these practices,” he added. Corporation, most of which are lo - handi said, “The shed has been over to Isha Foundation in 2018.” we might have to retain 1-2 con - quently and in some cases, are said, there are many buses and re - Sangeetha Rajendran, Assistant cated in the extended city. We are functional for the last 60 years. Comparing traditional to modern ventional sheds, even if we demo - cheaper than the MTC buses. cently a minor diversion was crea - Zonal Health Officer said that of demolishing them or converting People have started complaining methods, Dhanasekar said, “While lish the others, he added. Even on popular routes where ted. the 199 Corporation and private- them,” said Dr. Jagadeesan. about pollution only recently.” it takes 500-600 kg wood to burn a While Sukumar said that unedu - there is no shortage of buses the “The bus now goes via Central run burial grounds in the city with One such is the Uthandi crema - Sukumar said that the locals body on a funeral pyre, 1 LPG cy - cated people were reluctant to give poor frequency continues to be the instead of Secretariat because of the cremation sheds, 34 were gasifier- torium in and it is were resentful about this move by linder is sufficient to burn two bo - up conventional methods, Dr. Jaga - problem . For instance, from one-way traffic near Reserve Bank based and 6 are electric crematoria. has been proposed that it be shut the GCC, and a public meeting dies. Also, the entire process takes deesan believed it was their reli - Shastri Bhavan in Nungabakkam to of India caused by the subway All the services at government-run down because of the pollution cau - with the locals, tehsildar, land de - a minimum of 6 hours on a wooden gious preferences that urged people DMS on there are seve - construction. More commuters are sheds were provided free of charge, sed by conventional methods used partment officials and police was pyre as against 1 hour in a gasifier.” to do so. ral bus options. However, lack of benefited on this route,” he added. Edition 6 Page 2_Layout 1 2/28/2020 4:24 PM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February 28, 2020 2 CITYSCAPE ‘Cauvery Delta Bill will not help farmers’ SAMEER KULKARNI ting a GI tag,” said Dr. Begum. to be passed on to a cultivator only. The farmers of Neyveli, it turns The Bill, in some way, coerces far - Experts have raised concerns over out, were better off than other far - mers into continuing agriculture, the immediate, as well as long- mers in the region. according to Jayarangan. term, impact of the new Tamil According to the agricultural “There is no capital investment Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone census, she said, the farmers had in agricultural sector by the go - Development Bill, 2020 which other sources of income and fell vernment,” said Jayarangan. seeks to protect the Cauvery basin under higher bracket of income “They have closed whatever lit - by converting the land into Special thus were willing to give away far - tle options the farmers had for an Agricultural Zones, ming and the land, too. “The vic - exit. Now the farmers are trapped – The Bill is aimed at preventing tim, however, was the land,” she all in the name of their own wel - the mushrooming of new projects added. fare,” he added. for extracting natural resources like Now, with the introduction of the In cases of farmers who own oil and gas in five districts in the new law, the agricultural farmlands lands that are economically unpro - Cauvery basin–Thanjavur, Tiruva - in the region are protected, howe - ductive, they need more inputs and rur, , and ver, the Bill forecloses the options if not provided, they might have to P. at the seminar on CAA SAYANTAN GUHA . for farmers from using the land for give away the land which is not However, the existing oil wells new industrial projects that may permitted now.“The government remain unaffected. The legislation come in the near future. cannot force a livelihood on some - comes as a relief to the farmers in Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone Development Bill “The government is imprisoning body,” said Dr Begum. the area, who have been protesting seeks to protect fields like these WIKIMEDIA the farmers in the name of far - The economy of the region will ‘A fight to save against the extractions for years. ming,” said Jayaranjan. be impacted by the new law. Ac - However, as far the prevention kind of exceptions, there is no gua - mising move. If farming continues to expe - cording to a rural economy expert, of the new projects is concerned, rantee that it won’t give clearance She recalled the case of Neyveli rience a negative trend in terms of real estate, even in the interior re - there are identifiable loopholes. for the future projects,” he said. lignite projects and how the extrac - trade and if the farmers continue to gion of Tamil Nadu, will take a hit democracy’ Last month, the Centre announ - Considering the public protests tion of lignite, which is the “youn - lose money, there is literally no es - as the land cannot be given away ced that these projects, like oil ex - against the oil exploration, the Cen - ger version” of coal, led to cape route for them. for commercial purpose. SAYANTAN GUHA ter Narendra Modi to consult US plorations, do not require public tre’s position on the issue was disastrous effects on the agricultu - “It is not only that farmers need However, in the Cauvery basin, President Donald Trump about the hearings or a green clearance, “atrocious,” he added. ral ecosystem. policies during agricultural distress only 30 per cent of the farmers are Former Union Finance Minister P. implications of such a law. (which is an environmental clea - The Bill came late, according to “In some lands of the region, be - but a proactive policy which would landowners. Chidambaram has asserted that the “Our party (Indian National rance for an industrial project). experts; but they are optimistic as, fore the Neyveli lignite extractions prevent them from falling into dis - “The grasslands cannot even be anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Congress) had cautioned as early as “We do not know whether the from now on, a few zones can be begun, export crops like jackfruit tress at the first place,” he said. converted into a park now, as they Act) protests were not part of a when the idea of a survey was pre - Centre’s stance will make the Bill protected from further exploitation. and cashew were harvested. Due to The farmers, willy-nilly, are might damage the land later. Urba - Muslim versus Hindu rhetoric but sented that it would lead to social nil and void; the only power the Dr. Zareena Begum, a professor lack of a protective cap, these crops stuck with their lands.If the coming nization, without a doubt, has hel - it is the fight of Indian citizens who discord,” he said. State has is the green clearance,” at the Madras School of Economics were sidelined for the lignite ex - generation wants to step out of ped a lot of farmers get out of the want to protect their nation’s de - Chidambaram also questioned said Dr. Jayaranjan, an economist. and an expert in Environmental traction. This was at the time when agriculture to pursue other oppor - agrarian crisis,” said another ex - mocracy. the Government’s decision to cor - “If the Centre can give these Economics, said that it was a pro - the two commercial crops were get - tunities, they cannot. The land has pert. Speaking at a seminar on CAA ner only the three Muslim countries called ‘Save Constitution, Save De - in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afga - mocracy’ conducted by the Forum nistan. “Why have they excluded for Protection of Constitution at China, Myanmar or Sri Lanka?” Madras Kerala Samajam here on Chidambaram’s final solution to Cement units still hit by slowdown February 23, Chidambaram ques - counter the current situation of so - RIZVI SAIF 360(the prices may vary ac - tioned the claims of the BJP go - cial discomfort surrounding the cording to brands). In 2014, vernment that the Act, which was CAA was to scrap both NPR and Poor demand in the market there was a sudden hike in passed on December 11, wouldn’t CAA and bury the idea of a nation - is still plaguing the cement price from Rs 260 per bag to affect the Indian citizens. wide NRC. industry in Tamil Nadu, ac - Rs 320. According to re - “CAA clearly states that it ap - G. Selva, CPI (M) Secretary, cording to dealers and ma - ports, builders had threate - plies to people who came to India said the failure of the BJP in Delhi nufacturers. ned to stop construction after December 31, 2014. So the elections 2020 were clear signs of “Supply is more than the work if the rates were not claim of BJP leaders that it a loss of political hold. “Most peo - demand. Because of reces - brought down. But still, the wouldn’t affect people of India is a ple who supported the BJP and sion and economic slow - price has ranged from Rs lie. This is not a mistake, it is a lie,” Modi have turned against them be - down, the demand has gone 320 to over Rs 400 per bag. he reiterated. “And if no one is cause of the CAA and all the pro - down,” said Chandrashek - Krishna Venkitesh, Mana - going to get affected, why do you tests surrounding it.” har, manager of the cement ger of SVM Construction need a new law?” Condemning the State Govern - dealer, P. Selvaraj and Co. Company said, “There is The religious divisions that are ment for not supporting the peace - He said that more than very less money flow and implied by the CAA have made ful protests unlike the governments Painted compound walls of Dr Ambedkar Arts one lakh houses were ready the business is very dim. many countries question the exis - in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, College SASHWATA SAHA for occupation but as the de - Four to five years back our tence of such a law, he added. It had Selva added, “Protests are done to mand was not increasing, markets were at least 50 per tarred the image and reputation of protect democracy.” further projects were stop - cent better.” India as a secular nation. Selva called out on the Govern - Students clash ped and construction work He added that companies The European Parliament, the ment’s approach to certify one’s was taken up only accor - which wished to construct United Nations Human Rights motherland on the basis of their re - ding to the requirements of buildings on low budget use A factory of the RAMCO Cements Limited in Council and a United Nations panel ligion. He also asked the protestors with party workers the customers. poor quality cement that Tamil Nadu RAMCO WEBSITE on religious freedom have asked to consider the situations in Assam SASHWATA SAHA “The economy should they get for a lower price. India to give up the contentious and be aware of the implications of grow by at least 7 to 8 per “They are forced to compro - The economy should grow up by law. the NRC there. Their fight for iden - The students of Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College in cent for the conditions to im - mise on quality,” he said ad - Talking about Assam’s NRC tity had very often been neglected , here, on Monday, clashed with members of prove. The central govern - ding that unemployment in at least 7 to 8 per cent for the (National Register of Citizens), by the national media. the local AIADMK unit over the party workers’ attempt to ment should bring in the IT sector has directly af - conditions to improve. Chidambaram called it a “complete Rashmitha R. Chandran, Advo - paint images of political leaders on the college’s com - schemes to increase the pur - fected the construction in - failure”. cate of the Supreme Court, said she - P. SELVARAJ AND CO., MANAGER pound wall.. chasing power of indivi - dustry. “Nineteen lakh people were de - hoped the Supreme Court would For years, the college’s western wall and the path run - duals,” he said. The GST rate on cement clared foreigners, of which 12 lakh take a stand against this law and ning alongside it have been neglected. Students said that According to a press re - being 28 per cent has much Srinivasan, said that he did hand are doing comparati - were Hindus and 7 lakh were Mus - promised to fight until the Act is re - pedestrians often urinated on the wall while the local resi - lease by the India Cements to do with the deteriorating not expect any cut in GST vely better. Aadhikeshavan, lims. Where will you evict them?” pealed. dents dumped garbage on the path. In an effort to end this, Limited (ICL), the southern situation of the industry. rate for cement because it owner of a hardware shop in he asked. He alleged that the CAA Rashmitha, in 2018, was, repor - about two weeks ago, the students from the Department of part of India had “de- Though the implementation was a lot of money that the Besant Nagar that stocks was a move to retain the 12 lakh tedly, abused by a right-wing ally Social Work had cleared the garbage and whitewashed the grown” by more than 10 per was meant to push the ce - government would have to Ramco cements, sells at Hindus and a step towards the long- on live television. She spoke about walls. It took them two days to complete the clean up. cent during the second quar - ment industry up the econo - give up. He said, “In Chen - least 360 bags a week. “We drawn dream of a “Hindu Rashtra” the several incidents of cyber-bul - Sandhya G, a final year postgraduate student from the ter of the current fiscal year mic ladder, the sudden hike nai, four years ago the price don't give bulk orders. Since of the BJP and RSS. lying she has faced for her stand Department of Social Work, said “We couldn’t bear to see that ended in November, in price adversely affected it. was Rs 415 a bag now it is there are slums and fisher - Chidambaram argued that in no against the CAA and asked the au - the filth just outside the campus. The smell coming from 2019. Although Andhra Pra - And this in turn affected the only Rs 405 a bag.” He was men colonies nearby, our other country had illegal migrants dience to not pay heed to such oc - there was horrible. Who wants to see strangers openly uri - desh and Telangana are the cost of infrastructure and optimistic that the demand business has remained been mass evicted. “There are currences. nating on their campus wall?” two states mentioned by the housing which is highly de - would pick up as the go - steady over the years.” countries which have stopped ille - Finally, she asked the opposition However, soon after this, the empty stretch of wall at - ICL, the situation is not very pendent on cement. vernment would need ce - He gets 460 bags of ce - gal immigration but no country parties to unite and add to the indi - tracted the attention of the local functionaries of the ruling different in Tamil Nadu. In an interview with The ment for various ment from Ramco every would evict 19 lakh people.” vidual voices of dissent, which ac - party who wanted to draw a mural of former Chief Minis - The current price of one Economic Times last year, infrastructure projects. week and sells them at Rs Mocking the US-India meet, cording to her has been largely ter, late J. Jayalalithaa on the wall in honour of her 74th bag of cement is around Rs India Cements Chairman N. Local outlets on the other 360 a bag. Chidambaram asked Prime Minis - lacking in the protests. birth anniversary. On the evening of February 18, some party members started drawing a mural of Jayalalithaa along with images of the Chief Minister Edappadi K Pa - laniswami and his deputy, O Panneerselvam. “Our college has no intention of being used for any po - litical purpose and hence, we whitewashed the walls, Green volunteers encourage sustainable methods again, the very next day,” said George K, a third year Bu - RITUPARNA PALIT Besant Nagar. siness Administration student. “That Thursday (February The discussion on ‘Importance of Wetlands’ 20), some workers came and told us that they had drawn a Everyone should reduce environmental pollu - by speakers Dr. D Narasimhan, Professor at Ma - line on the wall and will draw their pictures on that patch.” tion by cutting down their carbon footprint to dras Christian College and Vidya Shankar, Professor K Shyamala,Head of the Department of So - the minimum possible, said Dr. Alby John Varg - chairperson of Relief Foundation and founding cial Work, said, “I and some other faculty members went hese, Regional Deputy Commissioner (South), member of Namma Ooru dealt with educating to see the party workers to ask them to leave the wall Greater Chennai Corporation, here on February the audience about the environmental degrada - alone. The students had worked really hard to do somet - 22. tion of Pallikarnai marshland caused by the con - hing that the Corporation had ignored for years. Now, to Dr. John was speaking in a panel discussion tinual dumping of waste in the paint political messages on these walls – it is an insult to on Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules dumpsite. The speakers also talked about the en - the kids’ efforts.” 2016 at the Green Chennai 2020 conference or - croachments eating up the marshland. However, the negotiation did not work out and over the ganized by Namma Ooru Foundation, a non-go - “We have 4 ‘R’s in this age, and not three- re - next few days, the students painted social welfare messa - vernmental organization that works for fuse, reduce, reuse, recycle. People must volun - ges and art over the political murals. environmental betterment of society with its tarily call out the stakeholders and refrain from “Goons have been threatening us, since then,” said Jai - projects in waste management, community buil - buying properties built on landfills,” said Shan - keerthi C , a second year Visual Communications student. ding and conserving water bodies. kar. On Monday, February 24, a fight broke out between a W.S. Habib, President, Credai (Chennai The three workshops on home composting, group of students and a few party workers each party alle - Chapter), Lavanya Rajamani of Asvini Amarisa sustainable menstruation, and bio-enzyme ma - ging that the other started the fight. However, the situation Residents/Owners Community, Ravi, President, king, witnessed huge participation from home - was defused quickly before it could get out of control. Chennai Hotel Association and K. Tirupathi, Residents of Besant Nagar throng the exhibition-cum-sale of sustainable makers and students. Some sustained minor injuries. Project Head for Innovative Hotel Waste Recy - products hosted by Green Chennai 2020 RITUPARNA PALIT Talking of the landfills loaded with sanitary A Geetha, College principal, said, “The administration cling Project were the other panellists for the waste, Preeti, a volunteer from Namma Ooru, has been supportive of the students in their fight to keep discussion. P Natarajan, CEO, Namma Ooru Habib said that the building codes for SWM markets, vegetable markets and slaughter hou - said there were 555 million menstruating the wall free but the students who were part of the alter - moderated the discussion. 2016 were notified to all the 160 construction ses in dealing with their waste. The idea is ‘my women in India who generated 5,000 crore ton - cation would face disciplinary action.” The Central Government laid out SWM projects under Credai, but it required better im - waste, my responsibility’”. nes of sanitary waste a year. She suggested that AIADMK district secretary R S Rajesh Rules in 2016, that replaced the Municipal Solid plementation and GCC’s help was needed to Tirupathi asked stakeholders to support his women switch over to sustainable menstruation said that the matter had been brought up to him before and Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, conduct training workshops for them. project’s proposal to collect bulk waste from ho - practices like cotton pads and menstrual cups. that he had previously warned his party workers to stay 2000. They required waste generators to segre - Asked about the challenges faced by the tels and supply it to farmers across Tamil Nadu These were both cost-effective and reusable. away from the campus. gate waste at source into three streams - Biode - Greater Chennai Corporation in handling solid after converting it into manure. Ranging from reusable cloth diapers to recy - “The wall is the college’s property and we have no right gradables, Dry (Plastic, Paper, metal, Wood, waste, Dr. John said, “Littering and unsegrega - The Green Chennai 2020 also hosted talks cled notebooks, there was an all-day sale of sus - to draw on them. I will personally take strict action against etc.) and Domestic Hazardous Waste (diapers, ted waste are the major concerns. We have iden - and debates on waste disposal. The event was tainable products by a number of retailers like the workers who had instigated the fight,” he said. napkins, mosquito repellants and cleaning tified subject matter experts who help the bulk chaired by Kamakshi Subramaniyan, a 92-year- Tula India, Maarjana, Organic Farmers’ Market, agents) before handing it over to the collector. waste generators like builders, hotels, super - old activist who works to address civic issues in Sri Arunodayam and Reboot. Edition 6 Page 3_Layout 1 2/28/2020 4:45 PM Page 1

CHENNAI February 28, 2020 THE WORD CITYSCAPE 3

MRTS cleaners complain SPASHWoATA SAlHAluted metro water of poor working conditions Many residents of Kolathur and have complained that PRIYADA K S the water supplied by the Water Corporation via their The contract of cleaning workers at the MRTS stations Depot No. 65 on Kalidass Street in in Chennai was over by February and the new tender Kolathur is contaminated, that it has not been issued yet. This has led to difficulty in has a noxious smell and that it tas - getting workers for the job, according to an MRTS tes strange. official. RD Jayakumar, a banker resi - Ravi Kumar, an MRTS official, said that some ding on Thazhankinaru Street in cleaning workers were unavailable as the contract was Villivakkam, whose house is sup - over by February and that it had become difficult to plied by Depot No. 65 said, “This find people for taking up cleaning works. problem started out late last year – The workers are facing problems as the wages are October end or early November. low and they work in unsafe conditions. The water smelt funny and it tasted Savithri Amma, a cleaning worker, said that she used different. My daughter got sick to get Rs 6000 every month and now that the contract soon thereafter and the doctor said is over, she is working on a temporary basis. that it was from drinking polluted S Andal who is working at the water.” station said that they got Rs 170 to Rs 200 per day. Jayakumar gets his water every They have to work every day without any off day and two days from the Metro Water holidays. trucks. His household is careful “Even on festivals like Diwali, Eid or Christmas we with how they treat it. They boil the A truck leaves to supply water from Chennai Metro Water Depot No. 65 on Kalidass have to take leave and so we lose that day’s salary,” MRTS workers resting after a day’s work at water before drinking because she said. Street in Kolathur | SASHWATA SAHA RITUPARNA PALIT Jayakumar says they have lost faith Molin, another worker who cleans the tracks said Thiruvanmiyur station | in electronic water purifiers ever that she injured her leg while trying to get back on the since his daughter got sick. about the place is that the tank patients suffering from dysentery question along with a few others platform as a train was approaching. She had to workers face while cleaning the tracks, he said that Earlier this year on January 17, water smelt foul. It becomes very and diarrhea, over the past few expressing similar concerns. Our mortgage gold for the treatment and no health contractors take the responsibility for their protection. Jayakumar had filed a complaint to apparent when you’re washing dis - months. Quality Assurance (QA) people insurance or money of any sort was provided by the “Wages for 30 days are paid to the contractors and the Metro Water with the registration hes or taking a bath.” Only last week, there were three have looked into the issue, extensi - railways for the treatment. “My husband is bedridden off days and holidays are decided by them,” he added. number, 200117060010. According Karthik said that especially du - of them. These are two of the most vely, for nearly three weeks. The and my treatment along with it cost a lot of money,” The MRTS stations are supposed to be cleaned twice to him, the organisation’s response ring bathing, the smell is at its common diseases that are caused Executive Engineer, QA did not she said. a day and as the contract is over now workers are was cold. The complaint was clo - worst. He added that he ended up by drinking contaminated water. I find anything wrong with the water. There are no railway officials to give signals when a unavailable in some stations. Workers come on shifts sed earlier this month on February with a bad stomach, soon after he have asked my local patients to boil There were no traces of fluoride, train arrives while they are working on the track. They from 7 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 7 pm. 8 without providing any tangible shifted, blaming it on the water. It the water before drinking. Electro - lead or any bacteria in the water.” are provided blue coats and they wear it while working Karima, a worker complained about security issues solution. has been months since he came nic purifiers and Aquaguards go a He attributed the strange taste to on the track so that the loco pilot can see them, she as there were no proper lights in many parts of the Jayakumar is not the only one fa - here but the water situation has not long way but I still insist on water the chlorine and the smell to the re - said. station. cing issues with the water. Karthik changed and therefore, he has deci - being boiling.” sidents’ unclean tanks before ad - Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railways The Sub-Inspector of police at the Thiruvanmiyur R, an IT engineer living in Nakee - ded to file a complaint to the water Chennai Metro Water Deputy ding that that Metro Water had B Guganesan said that contracts were given for three Railway Police Station S. Rajamani said that only one ran Street, Kolathur which also supplier. Public Relations Manager and reduced the use of chlorine in the years and it got over by February. “The cleaning case had been filed in the station this year. falls under Depot No. 65’s purview Dr. G Anbarasan, a physician Grievance Redressal and Facilita - water. “Hence, the complaints were workers are provided ESI (Employees’ State The Southern Railways recently posted RPF officers said, “I used to live in with an office on Jeeva Street, Ko - tion Officer, M Srinivasan said, closed, a couple of weeks ago,” Sri - Insurance) and PF (Provident Fund), no other benefit is and former service men to solve the security issues in and the first thing that struck me lathur said, “I have received some “We have received the complaint in nivasan concluded. given to the workers,” he said. About the problems the the stations. ‘Frequent digging’ of roads irks traders RAHUL MANOJ filled with mud and the damaged employee said “The new portion is not relaid. infrastructure will improve the Frequent digging of roads in Nandakumar, a contractor power situation and would lead to Adambakkam for laying employed by the Greater Chennai less power cuts ahead of the stormwater drains, sewerage Corporation (GCC) for the project summer season.” networks and electricity lines has said that the work would get over He also said that 110kv and drawn heavy criticism from traders in a week. 230kv underground cables were and commuters. He also said that digging has laid as the overhead cables would “The Brindavan Nagar Main been done only in front of some be removed. The lines would be road has been dug for the second shops which do not have proper decongested by transferring time in one and a half years for sewage connections. connections from the smaller laying stormwater drains,” said Chaos prevails on the Lake View substation to the bigger Ramanujam, owner of Kamala road that has been dug by the Tamil substation and then Cellphones. Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) for extended to Phoenix Mall, He said that the digging was laying new electricity lines. . suddenly carried out at 11 p.m. on “Due to the digging of roads, the Project supervisor Vijay said, Wednesday without any prior old telephone lines have been “The work was started a week ago notice. A complaint to the damaged in the process,” said and is expected to be completed in Brindavan Nagar Vyabarigal Suresh, an employee of Bharat another 10 days.” Sangam did not yield any response, Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). He added that the overhead he added. He added that a lot of complaints cables were exposed to wind and Ramanujam also said that when were being received from affected by movement of huge the digging work was carried out, customers that their telephones vehicles. So, the laying of his shop’s flooring was damaged by were not working. underground cables would ensure the bulldozer. Devanayagam, a coconut seller safety before the monsoon season. Venkatesh Subramanian, a said that his business had been TNEB workers laying down underground electric cables at V.Rama Rao, a social activist customer said “It is not safe to walk affected as he was forced to shift said, “Government agencies such the Lake View Road, Adambakkam | RAHUL MANOJ Rusted swings with dried leaves and cobwebs at a on the temporary plank laid to enter his shop to the Karuneegar Street, as the GCC and TNEB must ensure the shop.” around 600m away from the Lake that roads are restored to its original Corporation park in Adyar | RIZVI SAIF He also added that after View Road. in the evening, cars are diverted who used the road regularly were state once the repair works are completion of the work, the roads Sundaresan, a commuter said and have to take a longer route.” put to a lot of risk. completed and do not pose a danger Corporation parks are improperly fixed with slabs or “There is a lot of traffic congestion He also added that pedestrians However, Elango, a TNEB to the public.” remain a mess TASMAC outlets a ‘nuisance’ in Adambakkam RIZVI SAIF park are not maintained properly RAHUL MANOJ “I also had to remove the broken bottle and it's unsafe for kids. Parks are pieces “, he added. Rusted swings. Cobweb filled sli - supposed to have sand and not hard Four TASMAC outlets in Adambakkam shop number 4079 on Vellalar Street, des. Broken beer bottles. Dry lea - cement floors,” she said. continue to be a source of nuisance to Adambakkam situated next to the St Thomas ves, rocks and garbage heap. This Just outside the park, the garbage residents, shopkeepers as well as pedestrians Mount Railway station is also a problem. is the condi - bin is placed. with drunken men getting into fights and “I usually ask my father to pick me up tion of the cor - Broken toilets parking their vehicles all over the place. from the station once I return after 9 p.m., as poration park and pieces of “Politicians are partners in the New it is highly unsafe to travel alone”, said at Venkitarat - “The rides at the tiles were hea - Phoenix Bar, New Colony Main Road, Janaki Srinivasan (20), a college student. hinam Nagar ped up beside it. Adambakkam and they will never remove S.Prabhu, constable, Adambakkam- S8 in Adyar. Besant Nagar park The condi - it,” said Gowri (40), a housewife. police station said “We receive around 7-8 “How can tion of the cor - Gowri, a resident of New Colony, complaints related to TASMAC every month you call that a are not maintained poration park in Adambakkam participated in a protest along and the nuisance caused by the tipplers is park? It's an properly and it's Anna Colony, with fellow residents against the opening of higher during the weekends”. abandoned Besant Nagar, the outlet two years ago. The police are always on rounds near area,” said a unsafe for kids. Parks is also similar. “I was detained for a few hours in a TASMAC outlets, he added. “Sometimes the man who was are supposed to have The park re - marriage hall for protesting without tipplers scream loudly and the residents call passing by. mains without permission and let off later,” she added.. us as if it is a big emergency”, said Prabhu. The Greater sand and not hard security and the She said that the case went on for two to “Whenever the tipplers cause disturbance Chennai Cor - residents’ asso - three hearings in the Alandur Magistrate’s Bikes parked recklessly in front of a water tank opposite a TASMAC to the public, we apprehend and book them poration as cement floors,” ciation takes court and was dropped in favour of the bar under Section 268 (Public Nuisance) of the (right) and alcohol bottles thrown in front of a shop (left) | RAHUL MANOJ part of the care of the owners. Indian Penal Code (IPC),” he added. green revolu - - Priyanka Kottiyal maintenance. Gowri also added that even if the shop was G.Parthasarathy, secretary of Federation of tion had set up Anuradha Sree - closed during public holidays, the tipplers vehicles in a haphazard manner and it is There are no security guards outside the Adambakkam Welfare Associations (FAWA) 525 parks in - kanth, a resi - enter the lane of their house and hurled difficult to drive in this road after 8 p.m.” shop. Sandwiched between business firms, said, “The mushrooming of TASMAC outlets cluding major dent, said, abuses. Suresh Kumar, sales manager at the New the shop is thronged by tipplers. in and around Adambakkam is a cause of ones like Anna Park and Indira “Very few children come to play Recently, “batteries from the bikes parked Phoenix Bar said “Five security guards are D.Selvaraj, owner of Kurinji Broiler said, concern. We have made multiple Nagar Park and a small park each because of overgrown bushes and near the shop were stolen and I suspect employed during the working hours to “Though the government order says representations to the authorities to close the in different areas of a zone. scattered plastic waste.” tipplers to be behind it,” said Bharat prevent any ruckus inside the shop.” TASMAC outlets must operate only from 12 outlets in our area, but to no avail,” he said. The corporation park at GOCHS Tamilanbu, assistant engineer of Ravichandran, Gowri’s son. Kumar added that barricades had been noon to 10 pm, it is a 24/7 shop here. Selvaraj Kandasamy, Secretary of Gandhiya colony in Besant Nagar (division the parks department at the GCC Further pointing to bikes parked around a erected to protect the households next to the alleged that the police and the TASMAC MakkaI Iyakkam that campaigns for total 176) is empty in the evening. said, “Maintenance of most of the water tank situated opposite to a TASMAC TASMAC shop. officials were hand-in glove with each other. prohibition of TASMAC in the state, said, Priyanka Kottiyal, a resident who major parks is taken care of by pri - outlet, he said that if the bikes were not Vicky, owner of the bar said “14 security Agreeing with this, Muniraj, Manager of “The number of TASMAC outlets in the city lives just beside the park takes her vate agencies whereas cleaning removed the water tanker would move on cameras have been installed to prevent any Limra Mobiles said, “Once some tipplers have increased. The government claims that fifth standard child to the park in staff and security for the small and the houses would go without water sort of trouble”. broke beer bottles in front of my shop in an it will implement prohibition in phases but it Kalakshetra colony, which is a few parks are arranged by the corpora - supply. A visit to another TASMAC outlet on West inebriated state and I had to close my shop seems that it will never happen.” kilometres away. tion.” The parks have thus gone out Allwin Mathews, a commuter, said “The Karikalan Street, Adambakkam is more early. In spite of my complaint to the police, He added that the safety of women could “The rides at the Besant Nagar of use and remain rarely used. tipplers engage in a verbal duel and park their disturbing. no action was taken.” not be compromised at any cost. Edition 6 Page 4_Layout 1 2/28/2020 4:24 PM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February 28, 2020 4 CITYSCAPE

More funds SPORTS NERDS Fighting online child abuse needed for

PHURPA LHAMO child welfare

For every 100 cases of child sexual SANCHARI SAMANTA abuse brought to Tulir—a non-pro - fit organisation, which works to Compared to all other sectors in prevent child sexual abuse in Chen - India, budget allocation for children nai— only three would be conside - is the minimum, said Dr. Pinaki red for being reported it to the Chakraborty, Chief-Social Policy, police. UNICEF, Chennai. This was among the many con - Dr. Chakroborty was speaking at a cerns shared at the panel discussion seminar on “Provision on allocation held in collaboration with UNICEF children in the union budget of on February 22 on addressing on - India”, held in Asian College of line child sexual abuse and exploi - Journalism on February 22. tation material (CSAM) at Asian The allocation for children has College of Journalism (ACJ) in come down to 3.16 per cent in the Chennai. 2020-21 Budget from 3.29 per cent According to the founder of in 2019-20, according to Haq, Cen - Tulir, Vidya Reddy, in addition to (From left to right) Speakers Priyanka Thirumurthy, H tre for Child Rights website. Sayantan Guha and Srinjoy Sanyal, students of the Asian College of the low rate of police complaints, Jayalakshmi, Vidya Reddy, Siddharth Pillai PHURPA LHAMO Chakraborty said the budget for Journalism beat 139 teams to bag the top prize in the Murugappa Group only about 12 percent of children children should take into account inter-collegiate sports quiz on February 26. Both the contestants received who experienced sexual abuse son of concern. “One of the victims “There was a person who vie - allocations for schemes in which choose to disclose the abuse. is now 21 years and the incident wed the content but didn't share and children were involved. For ins - a prize money of Rs 10,000 each GOAL QUIZ “Media is one biggest reasons happened when he was 15 years. didn't have other interactions. We tance, MNREGA empowers people are not reporting to the cops. His life has to go on, right?” Sidd - didn't arrest him,” H.Jayalakshmi women and the wages they earn They are so petrified that their lives harth Pillai said. said. would enable them to provide for are going to be out, which is what Today, the Chennai Police have While the police are engaged in their children. happens to them,” Vidya Reddy started to arrest online CSAM vie - identifying the offenders, concerns Questioning the Centre’s role, said. wers depending upon their history regarding self-generation of CSAM Chakraborty said, “If the example South Asia Docufest to begin With Vidya Reddy, H.Jayalaks - of viewing the content and their in - contents were also raised. of the schemes like Sarva Siksha SAYANTAN GUHA Directed by Sedika Mojadidi, 2018 documentary, is a take on the hmi, Deputy Commissioner, Cri - tentions by getting the IP addresses Siddharth Pillai said that today Abhiyan is taken into account, it is Facing the Dragon is a mirror to high-pressure coaching centres in mes Against Women and Children, from Interpol Delhi and checking sexting and sending photos of nude the Centre that funds them, but the Starting March 6, the Film South the prevailing issues in Kota, which help students prepare PriyankaThirumurthy, Tamil Nadu their activity online. people had become part of courts - States also give 40 percent.” Asia Festival of Documentaries Afghanistan. for competitive exams. Bureau Chief with The News Mi - Deputy Commissioner H.Jaya - hip ritual and children were at hig - Commenting on the discretio - will be hosted by the Asian College On March 7, a lineup of Sen’s Swimming through the nute and Siddharth Pillai, director lakshmi said that the police recei - her risk due to it. nary developmental expenditure, of Journalism here. documentaries from independent Darkness , was screened at the of the Aarambh India Initiative ved about 600 IP addresses from “If I want the child’s future to be which accounts for 3.05 percent to One of the documentaries to be Indian filmmakers will run Busan International Film Festival were also part of the panel. the Interpol. “But most of them are safe, I have to tell them this infor - 4 percent of the total GDP, states screened at the event, is Bamboo throughout the day. 2018 and has already bagged four The panelists said stigmatisation outside Chennai and are very diffi - mation, but there are cultural mind - like Tamil Nadu and Kerala which Stories , made by Shaheen Dill- Portraying the atrocities against National Awards. It portrays the in society, lack of parental support, cult to track. We can say that about sets,which makes it difficult to put the best developmental indicators, Riaz, a Bangladeshi filmmaker. It Dalits in the country, Deepa challenges and life-quest of a lack of awareness among the chil - 20 per cent of the offenders have it in front of the children whereas it should be allowed to decide on encapsulates the story of men who Dhanraj’s 2019 documentary We visually impaired swimmer. dren on CSAM and difficulty in lo - been arrested until today,” H.Jaya - is very much needed,” Siddharth their preferred expenditures and the fell wood and their journey of over Have Not Come Here to Die will be Pakistani filmmaker Jawad cating offenders who view child lakshmi said. Pillai said. Centre should not interfere with 300 km with 25,000 tree trunks. a must watch. Shariff’s Indus Blues , a sexual abuse and pornographic On questions regarding the pos - Pointing out that sensitisation of them. From Afghanistan, a The Indian offerings will include documentary on the journey across content were some of the major is - sibility of arresting all the content cases of child sexual abuse by the “Combined government expen - documentary based on two women documentaries from independent Pakistan in search of disappearing sues faced by NGOs and police in viewers, which would result in media was a major challenge in ditures should increase. States have and their struggle to keep their filmmakers Hemant Gaba and folk musical instruments, will offer addressing online CSAM. thousands, H.Jayalakshmi said that helping the family and the child, to be well managed for the Centre rights and families safe in the Supriyo Sen. the audience a visual treat with Siddharth Pillai said that the long people weren’t arrested just be - the panel said that sensitive repor - to allocate funds. Sometimes more country, will be screened. An Engineered Dream , Gaba’s breathtaking shots. process of the legal system in deli - cause a person viewed an online ting in terms of protection of the funds end up going to the state that vering justice was also a major rea - CSAM. child’s identity was must. does not need them,” he said. States exhibit art talent First Indian woman in the saddle PRIYADA K S SANCHARI SAMANTA ged me,” she said. The aforesaid highly skilled weaver Even after enduring severe frac - along with his family members Dressed in blue jacket and pants, tures several times, including one takes three days to weave this saree wearing brown boots and a helmet on her collarbone, her passion for of 6.20 mtrs, and in this process and holding a set of thick gloves in horses continued to infuse her with moves his hand and legs 16,500 one hand, Rupa Kanwar Singh pat - a strong emotion. times. This weaver is in the wea - ted the horse, calming him down Unfortunately, the ‘first female’ ving profession for the past 19 after his first round of workout at jockey wasn’t welcomed. It was not years. He expresses his gratitude to the Madras Race Club. only the horses that nickered her you, for bringing back the smile on Then she started instructing the away but also her male trainers his face! newly enrolled male jockeys who who never showed any interest in This is the message on the tag at - were preparing for the week’s race. her capability. tached to a saree at the Co-Optex This has been a routine for Rupa “Any trainer would prefer a bet - (Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers' since she was 21. ter and a stronger jockey on the Cooperative Society) stall at Crafts Born and brought up in Chennai, horse to win the race. Girls are Bazaar 2020. Rupa Kanwar Singh, is a Rajput by often looked down upon as both Stalls from different states in birth. She is said to be the ‘first In - physically and mentally weak, so India were part of the Craft Bazaar dian female jockey’. same happened with me. I was al - organized by the Crafts Council of She has won the ‘Annamalai ways put on average horses!” India. The bazaar opened on Fe - Plate A-Class’ in one of the Madras “It was only after 50 races, that I bruary 22 and will be on till Fe - Classics in 2010, the ‘Shikha Fa - was allowed to ride the better bruary 29 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. tima Bint Mubarak Championship’ ones,” she said. The sales person at the co-Optex in Poland in the year 2014. She has But nothing could stop her from stall said that each weaver wove also won races in Germany, Abu participating in 4000 races and five sarees each on a price range of Dhabi and the Netherlands. Singh with her lucky horse ‘Powerpoint’ practicing for an winning 727 national and interna - around Rs 2000 to Rs 3000. Recalling her first race, she upcoming race in Chennai SANCHARI SAMANTA tional races. Apindra Swain of Odisha whose (Top left and right) Handicraft items designed by the said,” I still remember how I cried Rupa Singh said it was not phy - stall exhibited decorative paintings after the race because my horse then as he was the one who turned 1978) wanted to train Rupa as the sical strength but mental strength done on cloth and bamboo said that Pattachitra artists from Odisha. (Bottom) Sellers from threw me off. After so much of hard my hobby into passion.” first female jockey and encouraged that ultimately helped her succeed. 150 families in his village were in - Antaran Itisree Sur display the ikat and sambalpuri work for months, I couldn’t win the Recalling her childhood, 37- her. “Hard work and dedication is the volved in craft work. print handicrafts, unique to Odisha PRIYADA K S race. That’s when I understood it’s year-old Rupa Singh said, ”I was She said, “My father taught me only way to achieve physical Apindra said, “Sales are low not going to be easy at all. It was just three when I first rode a horse. the right posture to sit on horse strength, I believe”, Singh said. compared to other years. The first only on September 7, in 2002, I It was my Datha who taught me while racing and to control race Controlling, a 540 kg horse, run - three days were crowded but on in the Waynad district in Kerala. “Big companies like Raymond buy won a race for the first time. I how to tackle a horse and how to horse which is often ill-tempered.” ning at a speed of 60 kmph has be - Tuesday sales were very low”. The paintings were done on bam - these products from us at Rs 4000 couldn’t sleep the entire night.” hold the reins. He used to take me Being a girl from an extremely come a part and parcel of her life The same was the complaint boo, in an eco-friendly way. and double the rates when they sell Inspired by her grandfather, D. for a ride to a forest every evening. orthodox culture, she was repeate - now. from Chenchaiah from Andhra Pra - “This event happens every year; it to retailers. We don’t get much Ugam Singh Rathore, who was a I also went to riding schools with dly discouraged by her relatives Singh awaits to watch Tapsee desh, His stall had bright yellow we were a part of it last year also. profit by coming here but it will horse trainer in the British Army, him every morning.” and family friends. Pannu enact her role on the silver and red coloured wall hangings and This helps in enhancing our busi - help us to connect with buyers and she says,” I never had any plan to Her father, U. Narpat Singh “I have seen jockeys losing their screen, the shooting for which is puppets. ness,” said Sujith. dealers and also our craft get expo - become a professional jockey; being inspired by the Italian Silva lives or becoming handicapped. going to begin this year. “I hope my Bhavm Sujith, the stall from Ke - Some of the handloom sarees at sure with these events. The profit horse riding was my hobby. Datha Storai (only woman jockey in the My mother was scared initially. biopic inspires more Indian women rala was put up by a group of the Antaran. Itisree Sur Odisha we make here is just around 10 per - (‘grandfather’) played a vital role world to have won two derbies in Luckily, my family never discoura - to take up the sports,” she said. twenty people who work together were already booked by Raymond. cent,” said Antaran. Stories of unrecognised South Indian painters hit the screen SHIVANAND S tary, Douglas takes us through his grounds. Many foreign artists take portraying the nature in its purest Sankar Stapathy is a sculptor life of an artist, his inspirations and inspirations from here while we fail form.” Sathyamoorthy currently from Srirangam. He now makes “All these painters and sculptors his process. to recognise the beauty of it.” works as a resident artist at Daks - statues of God, Goddesses and their are very well known in their fields, Douglas says in the documen - Many of his students like J.K, hinachitra. ornaments in Brihadeeswara Tem - globally. They have received many tary,” Most of my paintings have Sabu Cyril and T. Muthuraj now The fourth documentary was on ple, Thanjavur. national and international accola - been inspired by Marina Tsvetaeva work in the film industries as art di - Perumal an artist from . Achuthan Kudallur is also a gra - des but they still remain unknown poems. I initially started painting, rectors. Sabu Cyiril and Muthuraj He specialises in portraying lives of duate from the Government Col - to the people of their own state and trying to visualize her poems.” have worked as art-directors in people in rural India. He has pain - lege of Arts and Crafts, Chennai. countries,” said Gita Hudson pain - Douglas further talks about his films like ‘Bahubali’ and ‘2.0’. ted only silhouettes. He has been trained under K. C. S. ter and documentary filmmaker. process and the importance of pro - The third documentary, ‘First Asked about the reason for using Paniker, a renowned Indian painter. Six documentaries on Indian per usage of spaces in a painting. Light’ was on N. Sathyamoorthy silhouettes in the documentary, he Achuthan is known for his usage painters and sculptors made by He says,” Spaces in a painting is as who is from Poompuhar, a town in said that “You don’t need faces to of flat colours and has also done Hudson were screened at the ‘Art important as seconds of silence in Nagapattinam district of Tamil portray or understand people’s graphic art. He has also worked cinema’ event as part of the Madras music. The right amount of spaces Nadu. emotions. I prefer showing it with film director, K.V. Anand in a Art Guild 2020. The event was held can enhance the painting enor - Sathyamoorthy has won several through actions.” Tamil film, Anegan. at the VR mall in Anna Nagar on mously.” national and state awards for his Perumal has also done a series of The session concluded with a February 22. The second documentary was Perumal’s silhouette painting screened at ‘Art Cinema’ contribution to the craft. He has paintings on Jesus being crucified. Q/A session with Gita Hudson. The event kick-started with the ‘Golden Flute’ on Alphonso Arul - held many exhibitions in India, He won Lalit Kala Akademi award, Asked about the reason for ma - SHIVANAND S 30 minutes documentary on C. doss, a painter from Bangalore who shows four men carrying a hunted deer London and Singapore. in 1991. king these documentaries and on Douglas, ‘Black Mirror”. Douglas learned his craft in Government In the past he has been accused The last two documentaries what basis the subjects where cho - is a renowned Indian painter from College of Fine Arts, Periyamet in is well known for creating marvels the same college where he gradua - of portraying vulgarity through his were, ‘Sthapathy’s Mangai’ and sen she said, “The intention behind Kerala who learnt painting in Go - Chennai. on Indian mythology and Gods ted. nude paintings. He says in the do - ‘Red Symphony’ on sculptor Vidya these documentaries was to pro - vernment College of Arts and Aruldoss has been in this profes - using western painting techniques. He says in the documentary,” cumentary,” I never looked it as se - Sankar Sthapathy and Painter mote these great artists and to pro - Crafts, Chennai. In the documen - sion for more than two decades. He He has also worked as a teacher at India is very rich in cultural xual or vulgarity. I believe in Achuthan Kudallur. mote the art through them.”