Sensex Dips with Global Crash Dearth of Doctors Dary Care Hospital, Which Does Not Have SIDHARTH YADAV Fiis

The Word Edition 3 Page 1_Layout 1 2/12/2018 12:12 PM Page 1

Volume No 18 Issue No 3 February 09, 2018 LAB JOURNAL OF THE ASIAN COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM Are crèches in Skepticism about First Drag Show office a reality? Smarak Abhiyan in Chennai Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

Sensex dips with global crash Dearth of doctors dary care hospital, which does not have SIDHARTH YADAV FIIs. However, they could invest in an VIGNESSH a college attached to it, forensic doctors emerging market like India as interest Chennai: The absence of a forensic doc - cannot be employed here. But the go - Chennai: The Sensex went into a tailspin rates shoot up in the US.” tor at the Government Hospital at vernment can increase the number of on February 6 plunging by 1,275 points Suresh Babu M, Associate Professor at Chrompet here, is forcing doctors at the doctors and reduce our load," he said. and the NSE Nifty by 390 points leaving IIT Madras, said “On the macroeconomic casualty department to conduct autop - Two post-mortem assistants at the investors jittery. front we don’t need to worry much as sies, leaving patients to wait. hospital, working day shifts, are also in However, the crash was seen as a tem - Sensex is just one of the indicators.” Though the Tamil Nadu Government charge of the mortuary. An assistant, porary event that would not affect long a rub-on effect on the domestic market.” kout,” said Prince Mathews Thomas, Cor - “The Chief Economic Advisor Arvind had scrapped the 24-hour shift for doc - who has been working for 30 years at term investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average porate Bureau Chief, Moneycontrol. “If Subraminuim had already warned the re - tors a year ago, a doctor, who did not the hospital, said that they would help While most observers blamed it on fears (DJIA) of the Wall Street took its steepest the plunge was closer to 5 per cent, it tail investors that the present levels might want to be named, said that eight doctors the doctors in carrying out autopsy. that the US Federal Bank might raise in - dip sinking by 1,175 points on February 5 would have been a discouragement.” not be sustainable and markets would go at the casualty department were working "As they [doctors] have little expe - terest rates others linked it to some initia - sending ripples across the Japanese, the “Polls are due in five States this year, for a correction. Unless we get signals for 24 hours once a week. rience in conducting post-mortems, we tives in the Union Budget presented by Australian and Indian markets, he added. and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost from the global market we would not re - "There will be only one doctor at ca - would dissect the body. Then, no one Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Fe - Harsha Subramanian, Executive Pro - the Rajasthan by-elections in three cons - cover,” he added. sualty to attend to inpatients. Others will will watch over the mortuary," he said. bruary 1. ducer at Bloomberg said the US economy tituencies earlier in January. If the BJP On February 7, the Reserve Bank of be either on leave or attending to outpa - However, the Chief Medical Officer Stock market analysts urged investors was growing faster than anticipated. This loses more that might put investors on a India (RBI) kept the repo rate, the interest tients. The doctor on duty will also have (CMO) of the hospital rubbished the not to dump their shares to minimize their meant an interest rate hike was probable. back foot,” said Thomas. rate at which it lends to other banks, un - to conduct three post-mortem examina - claims. She said that there would be no loss and suggested that investors look at However, Business Line Deputy Editor However, some investors are seeing changed at six per cent for the third time tions, on an average every day. The delay in providing treatment. long term plans. K S Badrinarayanan believes the reintro - this as an opportunity to buy stake in lar - in a row. number sometimes goes up to five or "We have doctors at full strength in "Investors should hold on to their duction of a 10 per cent tax on long term ger stocks, now dwindling in value. Many expected a rise to rein back in - six," he said. "While we conduct post- all the departments. Sometimes the con - stocks; they should not panic and sell-off. capital gains (LTCG) to close the wide - “Many buyers are asking which stocks flation and adjust to the expected increase mortems, which usually take at least duction of autopsies will be delayed due Even after today's crash, markets are ning fiscal deficit could be a reason. to invest in. They are optimistic and might in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) half-an-hour, orthopaedicians or paedia - to delay in police requisition, which down to where they were in December," “The investors are upset. They are has - take the risk,” said Badrinarayanan. announced on the Budget day. tricians attend to the inpatients. If they usually takes time," she said. Surya Bhatia, a financial planner, told The tily cashing in on the gains already Foreign Institution Investment would “No one was expecting a rate cut. Mar - have other work, patients have to wait." The CMO added that doctors on 24- Economic Times. made,” he said. not be affected. Most foreign buyers were kets were already factoring in a possible The doctor added that the government hour shifts would be free to attend to pa - Anand Kalyanaraman, Chief Research Has the crash discouraged investors? long term investors, he added. status quo. However, rise in the rates is should appoint more doctors to the ca - tients after 5 p.m. as autopsies were not Analyst, Business Line, said “There is a “Domestic investors are not spooked at Subramanian concurred saying, “There due and it remains to be seen when it sualty department. "As this is a secon - conducted beyond that time. sell-off in global equities which is having the moment, but they will be on the loo - is no immediate impact of the crash on the would happen,” said Subramaniam. Govt extends date for 2-wheeler Scheme Vehicles manufactured on or before January 1, 2018 come under the Plan

SHRUTI AGRAWAL A government official from the vehicle and submission of the proof the Amma scheme. The benefits of Eligibility Criteria Chennai Corporation said "Up till of registration, adds Mageswari the scheme can be availed from Feb Chennai: The deadline for now, we have 2,101 applications. RaviKumar. 24. •R esident of Tamil Nadu applying for the subsidy Rs 25,000 We are the Government's extended M. Raghu. Manager, Hero According to the Scheme, the •Age- 18 to 40 years for buying scooters under the arm. Scrutinising, and analysing Honda, Adyar, said " Around 400 annual income of the beneficiary •Annual income less than Amma Two-wheeler Scheme has the forms is all we do." women have collected the should not exceed Rs. 2,50,000. Rs. 2,50,000 been extended till February 10. The beneficiary can buy the brochures, and price list. The Women residing in hilly regions; •One woman per family to Pepsi and Coca Cola are back on the racks. Mageswari RaviKumar, Deputy vehicle from her own funds, or by scheme covers vehicles with the women heading households; avail benefits | MARKETSMORNING.COM Commissioner for Education, said getting loans from banks/ Non- maximum engine capacity of 125cc unmarried women aged above 35 •Appeared for class eighth "The date has been extended so that Banking Finance Companies and those that are eligible to be years; destitute or differently abled examination more women can apply. Our aim is (NBFCs) governed by the rules of registered under the Motor Vehicles women; transgenders; Scheduled •Possess a valid two-wheeler to empower working women. Ease the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Act, 1988. Three scooters- Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SCs/ license Pepsi and Coke of use is important. Hence, the If the applicant wishes to buy the Pleasure, Maestro Edge, and Duet STs) would be given priority. •Priority to be given to wor - vehicles are gearless/auto-geared. vehicle from her own funds, a come under this." One condition that is to be king women in remote areas, One lakh women will be benefitted Subsidy Claim Form is to be The Government has taken a fulfilled by beneficiaries is that the women-headed households, from this scheme." submitted for subsidy's release. special initiative to provide a right to purchase the vehicle cannot deserted women, destitute bubble in markets The vehicles that were Thereafter, it will be released maximum subsidy of Rs. 25,000 or be transferred to a male member, widows, SC/ST, transgender, S HUCHITA KUMAR fearing a decrease in the monthly manufactured on or after January 1, directly to the applicant's bank 50 per cent of the cost of the two- and the vehicle cannot be sold for a unmarried women above 35 income had not removed them from 2018 can be purchased. account after the purchase of the wheeler, whichever is less, under period of five years. Chennai: A year after two traders' the racks. bodies, the Tamil Nadu Vanigar “The demand for Pepsi and Coke Sangangalin Peramaipu and the was high and I would have lost the Tamil Nadu Traders Federation, customers who would have come had decided not to sell the products asking for them. Though I didn’t manufactured by MNC giants, participate in the ban I started Eviction drive leaves city vendors helpless Pepsi and Coca Cola are back on procuring some local brands soon SATENDRA SINGH According to the Street Vendors but as of now, Chennai still does ble vending zones to accommodate litha, Deputy Commissioner. “All the racks in the provision stores. after. But their demand is not as (Protection of Livelihood and Re - not have any TVCs. Last year, the the vendors. existing street vendors, identified “In accordance with the ban, I high as the demand for the foreign Chennai: The fifth day of eviction gulation of Street Vending) Act Chennai Corporation directed the “We have just finished the sur - in the survey, will be accommoda - stopped keeping Pepsi and Coke in brands,” said M. Shivaswami, the drive against encroachment on 2014, every zone should have a zonal executive engineer of each of vey and taken the biometric data of ted in the vending zones.” my shop. For two months I kept owner of Siva Cool Bar in Indira Ratan Bazaar Road, by Greater Town Vending Committee (TVC), the 15 zones to identify the possi - all the street vendors,” said R. La - According to the 2014 act, the only Bovonto, a locally made soft Nagar. Chennai Corporation, saw an out - number of street vendors can only drink; but now the increasing There are some who believe in burst from homeless street ven - be up to 2.5 percent of the popula - demand for Pepsi and Cola has promoting indigenous brands and dors, who were unwilling to leave tion of each zone. compelled me to move back to boycotting MNCs. the pavements as they did not have “Now we are waiting for the these brands,” said S. Venkatraman, “We were with the federations anywhere else to go. local body elections and TVCs will the owner of Sri Vijayalakshmi and had boycotted the sale of these Most of the street vendors were be formed only after the elections Stores in Adyar. foreign brands which are unhealthy. either fruit or vegetable sellers, are over,” says Lalitha. The demand for a ban on Home- grown soft drinks who had come from different parts Condemning the anti-encroach - products had come in January last approached us, and Bovonto even of Tamil Nadu for employment. ment drive, C. Thiruvenettai, Dis - year in the wake of Jallikattu gave us a refrigerator facility. The “We sell fruits and vegetable, trict Secretary of Centre of Indian protests on the Marina Beach in sale was affected in the beginning and these officials are removing us Trade Unions, said he had filed a Chennai. The protestors had but with time the customers have from here, this is our only home petition t against the eviction drive. alleged that the companies were adjusted to the local brands,” said and we do not have anywhere else “The government had earlier exploiting the state's water bodies the owner of Ganga Hot Chips. to live,” said P. Selvam, 40, who provided night shelter for the street to manufacture the drinks at a time The traders selling beverages in lives on the pavement with his wife vendors, but the shelters are too far when farmers were facing severe Indira Nagar claimed that they had and two children. that they cannot come and go every drought in the state. taken part in the boycott back in “The government does not care day.” He said the people should not Though the traders’ federations 2017 but the high demand for Coke for poor people like us; they only be evicted until the TVCs were for - had asked for a total boycott of and Pepsi compelled them to care about rich people who evade med and proper shelter for street these drinks, some shop keepers abandon the local brands. taxes.” Street vendors being evicted at Ratan Bazaar. | SATENDRA vendors was provided. Anxious parents join the rat race for school admissions TANISHAA NADKAR “My daughter joined Sishya be spending half her day till age 15 City based psychologist Anitha, true for big private schools who School in 2015 as we had gotten Parents are struggling to find schools in one place then it is important to who works at Institute of Mental have built up a brand. It is much ea - Chennai: Admissions are in full her registered way back in 2011. which provide quality education without be sure that she is getting the best Health said that getting their chil - sier to get seats in corporation swing across the city with many pa - After that, it was a smooth process, education possible, no matter the dren admitted to a good school, and schools but parents are hesitant to rents hurrying to schools to ensure the school took a small interview of a hefty fee structure. cost.” their education played a big role in send their children there as their their child has a chance at quality sorts just to assess the parents’ “Besides, it becomes difficult to parents’ stress level. quality is questionable,” she added. education, but fierce competitive - backgrounds and whether or not the change schools when children are “We recently saw a student exhi - As an ex-counsellor and teacher ness has turned the once straight - child is responding to their sur - parents or a sibling. to find schools which provide qua - older,” he said as he recalled the biting symptoms of a seizure but it at Lalaji Omega International forward process into a difficult roundings,” said Kanchana Krithi - “My daughter is joining LKG lity education without a hefty fee problems they had to face when his turned out that it was due to the School, Anitha saw many cases of race. vasan. this year and we’re hoping to send structure. Many are finding it in - elder son, now 11, wanted to pressure and labelling in school parents repeatedly visiting the With schools such as Sishya al - “We wanted her to study at Sis - her to Sri Sankara, a CBSE school creasingly difficult to find such change schools after fourth stan - coupled with a learning disorder. school regarding admissions. ready having closed their registra - hya as it is a reputed ICSE school in Adyar, as my wife used to study schools with seats still available. dard as he did not like it. He had to be pulled out and the pa - “There are quite a few choices tions for LKG for 2021, parents and my husband is an alumnus.” there as well,” said Srinivasan, S. Balakrishnan has applied to Many schools have a fixed num - rents had the tough task of finding available for LKG but it became have now begun registering their Sishya is one of many schools another parent. two schools for his daughter who ber of students for each class ma - another school which would let him nearly impossible to get admissions unborn children by putting a ques - which gives preference to children But it is not smooth sailing for will join LKG this year and is awai - king it harder for students to join midway,” she said. for students in higher classes,” she tion mark for the gender column. who are related to alumni such as everyone as parents are struggling ting results, “If my child is going to transfer after kindergarten. “Intense selectivity is especially said. The Word Edition 3 Page 2_Layout 1 2/12/2018 11:08 AM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February 09, 2018 2 CITYSCAPE

Oppn protests against NEET State umnent fprom thre Deepartmpent aof inrto teextbookds in cl assf XI aond XIIr. teriNals are yEet to rEeach scThools . SUSMITHA SURESH School Education, Tamil Nadu, With less than 90 days for the Tamil Nadu Government an - VIGNESSH could not be reached for comment. exam, students, parents and tea - nounced that NEET coaching Chennai : With less than three “Classes have been going on chers are concerned as the study would be provided to underprivile - Chennai: The opposition parties in months left for the National Eligi - here for three months now,” said R ma - ged students at Government Tamil Nadu have decided to conti - bility cum Entrance Test (NEET), Rajkumar, the Political Science tea - schools for free after the suicide of nue protests against National Eligi - Government run coaching centres cher at the Government Higher Se - Anitha, a medical aspirant, shook bility and Entrance Test (NEET) in the State are yet to receive text - condary School, MGR Nagar. the State. until the two bills passed by the books and other aids to help stu - “More than 150 students have en - The Supreme Court had made Tamil Nadu Assembly get the Pre - dents prepare for the exam. rolled for the programme from NEET mandatory for medical sident’s nod. “Without textbooks and guides many Government and private aspirants throughout the country. The Assembly passed the bills on we find it really hard to prepare at schools nearby.” NEET required special coaching February 1 last year seeking home,” said a class XII student, The students are to be provi - for students in Tamil Nadu as the exemption for the State from the “We have to solely depend on the ded with free classes on the syllabus taught at State Board common entrance exam. President classes.” weekend from 9 am to 5 pm schools differed from the CBSE Ram Nath Kovind is yet to approve “It’s up to the Government,” said through video conferencing. The syllabus on which the NEET exams the bills. M Rajendra, Headmaster of Go - two way communication will are based. The Opposition parties feel that vernment Higher Secondary allow the students to ask doubts in Even as protests against NEET the State Government was not School, MGR Nagar. between as well. Study material, in - continue in Tamil Nadu, School strong in its opposition to NEET. It “We are doing all we can for the cluding textbooks, guides, pens and Education Minister K.A. Sengot - had even gone ahead with the ope - students, but if the Government notebooks were to be provided to taiyan has announced that intensive ning of centres to train students for doesn’t provide us with the mate - the children as well. coaching for 18 days in Chen - NEET. rial, there’s a limit to what we can Currently, the students nai would be provi - The reason given was that since do,” he added. are provided with ded to 2000 the President had not given his as - T. Pruthvi Gyandeep takes up the ‘Pad’Man challenge. A school official said that all 412 two hour coa - selected stu - sent, students had to write NEET T. PRUTHVI GYANDEEP Government run coaching centres ching classes dents out of and should therefore be trained for were opened on February 5. Prior in English the 70,000 the purpose. to that, only one of the ten in Chen - and then in who had en - “It is the failure of the state go - nai was open, he said adding that Tamil as rolled for coa - vernment in pressuring the Centre ‘Pad’Man helps the newly opened centres would do well. The ching at to grant exemption for the medical little to help aspirants prepare for NEET sylla - Government aspirants in Tamil Nadu from the NEET exam on May 5. bus will be run coaching NEET,” said T.K.S. Elangovan, challenge stigma The Joint Secretary to Govern - soon included centres. Member of Parliament and Organi - sation Secretary of Dravida Mun - netra Kazhagam. “We (DMK) are planning to meet students across around periods Tamil Nadu and explain to them the SIMRAN BAJAJ terested in such things.” negative impacts of NEET” The challenge was initiated on Babies still not allowed in workplaces Prince Ennares Periyar, State Se - Chenna i: Many men and women February 1 by Arunachalam Muru - SIMRAN BAJAJ company in Anna Nagar, said “We 12-year-old daycare centre with cretary of the students’ wing of have taken the stand against mens - gunantham, the subject of the don’t have a crèche facility as the As per the Maternity multiple outlets in the city. Dravidar Kazhagam, which led the truation taboo with the PadMan movie PadMan, with the aim of Chennai : The requirement of a crè - office has less than 10 female em - Benefit (Amend - “We have a crèche from 2015 state-wide protest against NEET on challenge. However, some still re - breaking the taboo and initiating a che at workplaces under the Mater - ployees. However, initial talks are and at present, the facility has February 5, said that his party was sort to pre-puberty giggles and dis - conversation on periods. Partici - nity Benefit (Amendment) Act, on about arranging a crèche faci - ment) Act, 2017, any around 50-60 children,“ said Pratip holding meetings with the students’ miss it as a mere publicity stunt. pants are supposed to hold up a sa - 2017 has not yet been met by many lity.” establishment with Vijaykumar, Business Develop - unions of all opposition political T. Pruthvi Gyandeep, second nitary napkin and declare establishments in the city. Divya joined the company only ment Manager, Zoho. parties in the State to start protests year B.Com student, Loyola Col - “Menstruation is normal and there Also, firms are confused about last week after her maternity leave. 50 or more em - Kanchana Paati also has tie-up as soon as possible. lege, said “I feel there is lot of ste - is nothing to be ashamed of.” the criteria under which they are Magzter was one of the two with Ford and provides daycare fa - “Now we are focusing on how reotypical thinking in our society Arjun, a B.A. Journalism student supposed to arrange for a daycare companies in the city to provide ployees is supposed cility at their corporate office in to pressure the Centre in exempting which leads to a lot of problems, felt that the stars associated with centre. first day of period as leave to to provide a crèche . RMZ Millenia Business Park, Pe - the State from NEET. Further, we especially for girls. I took up this the movie were now getting more Divya, Human Resource Mana - women last year. rungudi. are also planning to begin legal pro - challenge to break this typical credit than the person on whom the ger at Magzter, a digital magazine Yet, it hasn’t provided a crèche facility as the office says they have Tidel Park, Taramani has tie-up ceedings if the protests do not work mindset.” movie is based. few female employees. with KLAY schools and caters to out,” he said. “It is a good idea, as girls can “If they cared so much, then they A senior specialist at the World over 200 children. However, Aloor Shanavas, De - now openly talk about something should have started this challenge Bank office said that the office had As per the Maternity Benefit puty General Secretary of Vidutha - which is a part of their daily lives,” earlier, and not during the peak no daycare facility available. (Amendment) Act, 2017, any esta - lai Chiruthaigal Katchi, said that said Charuprada, first year B.Com time for their movie release. They The firm has 750 employees and blishment with 50 or more em - the issue would be solved only student. are exploiting feminism,” he added. the women were allowed to bring ployees is supposed to provide a when people take to streets and Another student Sengalvarayan Anjali, a third year B.Sc. (Phy - their kids to the office; the office crèche, either separately or through start protesting like they did in sup - of the Madras Christian College, sics) student said “It is a great idea had toys for the kids, but no sepa - a common facility. And the mother port of Jallikattu last year. pointing towards his male friends as long as it is used for spreading rate playroom, he added. is to be allowed four visits to her “Protests conducted by opposi - said, “I will not take this challenge awareness and not merely for en - The specialist insisted that crè - child per day. tion parties will only have minimal as these people will make my life tertainment or for political aspira - che facility was to be only provided According to a report from effect. People should agitate against difficult.” tions.” when the six months maternity www.moneycontrol.com in res - the State and Centre to get presi - He went on to call a female Rekha, first year Journalism stu - leave was not given. ponse to an RTI, the Government dent's assent to the bills.” friend to take up the challenge dent, Madras Christian College, Another big IT firm and a phar - has said that the cost/expenditure Shanavas added that the current saying “she is a girl, she will do it, said “The challenge is a good ini - maceutical company in the city on account of the crèche is to be Chief Minister and Deputy Chief but not me.” Following which he tiative; it is creating a platform for which didn’t want to be named, do borne by the employer. Minister of the State were not as and his friends broke into laughter. discussion. But only if this chal - not have crèches. The last date for complying with rigid as Jayalalithaa was in her un - Likewise, Gowtham felt embar - lenge is used for the bigger picture Zoho, a software company based the provisions of the Act was July compromising stand against NEET. rassed and short of words when it makes sense, otherwise it is pu - in the city has a crèche in tie-up 1, 2017, after which firms would The exam is scheduled to be held asked about the challenge. He sim - rely a publicity stunt to promote the Children playing in a crèche. THE HINDU with Kanchana Paati, which is a attract penalties. across India on May 06. ply grinned and said, “I am not in - movie.” SRMC launches Victims unaware, miss out on legal aid ROCHANA MOHAN imprisonment and a fine. infected with HIV in Uttar Pradesh Patients do not have specific on Tuesday allegedly due to an un - Chennai: Most cases of medical rights in this regard, save for their licensed doctor using a single sy - genome centre malpractice are not taken to court, fundamental rights of knowing ringe for all his patients. especially those in private hospitals their condition and participating in Doctors said needles should be due to lack of knowledge surroun - decision-making processes. used only once. SUDIPTO CHAUDHARY tus was monitored. However, with ding the law, according to lawyers. A hospital in Chennai has been Dr. Indira Hande, from Hande genomics, the parents’ lineage itself “Usually, private hospitals fined Rs. 50,000 by a consumer Speciality Surgery Center. “We dis - Chennai: Sri Ramachandra Medi - can be mapped, for indications of would like to settle any such cases forum for wrongly finding a resi - pose of all waste into special co - cal College (SRMC), in a joint ven - whether any history of medical pro - quietly,” said Kalpana Rao, Execu - dent HIV-positive when he took a loured dustbins which is picked up ture with Medgenome, a US based blems may reflect in future genera - tive Assistant speaking for Surana pre-employment medical fitness by Tamil Nadu Waste Management genetic research firm, has launched tions.” and Surana International Attorneys, test in 2006 after he was offered a Limited. The needles are first cut a genomics research and lab facility Another way that genomics a law firm based in Chennai. job in Malaysia. using a special needle cutter, then on its premises. helps is that birth defects without “But there is protection availa - As reports by three other institu - thrown into puncture-proof contai - TG Nallamuthu, Media Rela - fixed genetic causes, such as partial ble for patients under the law. Mos - tions showed that the man Jifrik Ali ners which contain 1% Sodium Hy - tions Executive at SRMC, said deafness or inability to focus vision tly the educated would fight such had tested negative for HIV, the pochlorite solution.” “The lab has been set up to encou - can be addressed actively. Curren - cases in court. Poorer sections are District Consumer Dispute Redres - Dr.Hande added that their medi - rage genomic research for both aca - tly, corneal surgery (for vision) or willing to accept the settlement sal Forum, Chennai (South) direc - cal and housekeeping staff were demic and clinical applications. It cochlear correction (for hearing) amount without fighting,” she said. ted the Huma Specialist Hospital trained in waste management upon is only the second of its kind in are lengthy and costly processes, Under Section 304-A of the In - and Research Centre to pay Ali Rs joining, and refresher courses were Chennai, with the other one at Ma - usually dependant on viable do - dian Penal Code (IPC), a complaint 50,000 as compensation for his held every three weeks. dras Medical Mission in Mogap - nors. may be registered against a physi - mental agony. The bins are also kept safe from pair.” Another application for genetic cian for alleged criminal negli - There have been numerous cases dogs and scavengers to reduce the “However, while that one prima - mapping will be done, in future, gence, and can face up to 10 years like this. Recently, 33 people were risk rate. rily focuses on heart diseases, with the Center for Sports THE TIMES OF INDIA we shall research proce - Sciences, already esta - dure for all kinds of di - blished within SRM.” seases or anomalies,” he “A common feature said. among champion Indian students prefer Canada over US Another advantage sprinters,” said TG of the Memorandum of Nallamuthu, “is that Fears over visa complications, violence and abuse against non-Americans Understanding (MoU) they are all of African or with Medgenome is the set - Caribbean descent, as SUSMITHA SURESH to go there.” stall at The Hindu International foreign students.” the first day, and even more on the ting up of an in-house Post Gra - these body types are genetically Ever since the Trump adminis - Education Fair organized in the “The US is still one of the fa - second. duate program for Genetic strong runners. Similarly, we too Chenna i: More students are pre - tration came into power in the US, city. vourites,” said C Dharanija, in “There was a huge increase in Research. shall go by way of genetics to ferring to pursue their studies in the a steady decline in the number of charge of Admissions at Magoosh the crowd. This year, we tried to “Earlier, all genetic tests, espe - gauge an aspiring sportsperson’s United Kingdom, Australia, Ger - people who opt for the US as their “Also there’s so much Test Prep that offered free bring in a lot more organic crowd,” cially for checking of foetal defects aptitude and guide him or her into a many and France over the United first and second place of choice to violence and abuse against GRE/GMAT mock tests to stu - said Vignesh, “We directly approa - during pregnancy, needed to be sport that they are genetically de - States this year, said Vignesh Raja, study was noted. The Trump admi - non-Americans happening dents. This year we have a lot of ched many TPO (Training & Pla - done by a third party lab. With this signed to excel in. We will simulta - Senior Executive for events and nistration has instilled fear in the very good students. They are all cements Officer) of many colleges facility, not only do we save time, neously keep them away from strategy at The Hindu. minds of most with its "racist” po - there. I don’t think my parents academically brilliant, and 95% to get a specifically targeted but our patients save their effort sports with movements that may be “There are a lot more complica - licies.There are other reasons for could sleep in peace if I opted preferred the US” crowd.” and money.” detrimental to their physiques, in tions with the US visa than before, students opting for countries other to go there.” The Education Fair was the tenth A platform for educational insti - Initially, the primary focus of the essence preventing an injury before “said K Bhumit, an MBA aspirant than the US. edition of the event at the Hyatt Re - tutions to interact with and for stu - lab will be for health problems re - it arises,” he said. who wants to study in the UK. “It’s also because other countries gency, Chennai. With over 22 stalls dents to explore beyond lated to conception and birth. Genomics is the branch of mole - “Also there’s so much violence and like Australia and Germany are in - K BHUMIT, MBA Aspirant opened by many universities, and international boundaries. The Edu - “An anomaly test, done at 18 cular biology concerned with the abuse against non-Americans hap - viting foreign students,” said Aga - seminars throughout the day, the cation Fair will end in Hosur (Ban - weeks of pregnancy, was usually structure, function, evolution, and pening there. I don’t think my pa - lya Kathir, Manager Canada & US “They have changed their poli - fair, which began on February 4, galore) on April 27 after going to the first time the health of the foe - mapping of genomes. rents could sleep in peace if I opted for Canam Group who had their cies and given special benefits to had seen over 1900 participants on Coimbatore. The Word Edition 3 Page 3_Layout 1 2/12/2018 12:14 PM Page 1

CHENNAI February 09, 2018 THE WORD CITYSCAPE 3 Doubts over ASI plan for disabled Unplanned urbanisation SHUCHITA KUMAR

Chennai: Though the Archaeolo - gical Survey of India’s (ASI) move to develop seven sites in Tamil in conflict with ASI plans Nadu into ideal monuments, under SIDHARTH YADAV Department, also commented on the ‘Adarsh Smarak Abhiyan’ is the fire incident at the Sri Mee - being welcomed by many, some Chennai: Unplanned urbanisa - nakshi Sundareswarar temple in experts are skeptical about the tion and lack of civic enforcement Madurai which gutted 30 shops in a move. were to be blamed for the increa - mandapam. “Facilities such as ramps, Braille sing number of conflicts over ar - “Temples are places of worship boards are fine but if they are going chaeological sites, historian R. and not commercial spaces. The to build toilets they should not Nagaswamy said. concept of shopping centres is dif - build them close to the monument, “Heritage is in the hands of resi - ferent from that of temples,” he any construction in the 100 meter dents and they should act responsi - said, calling for the eviction of periphery can affect the structure,” bly,” said, Nagaswamy, who was shops from places of worship. said T.S. Subramanian, former As - conferred the Padma Shri this year. Although the source of the fire is sociate Editor, Frontline. “Areas like Mylapore and Thi - still unknown, Nagaswamy belie - Disabled friendly facilities and ruvanmiyur were ancient village ved the trigger – shops selling ma - other necessary facilities will be settlements that were independent terial made of plastic, wood and built in Brihadeeswarar temple, of each other. They were forcibly cloth – was certain. Thanjavur; Vellore Fort; Kailasnat - Tourist facilities such as WiFi and interpretation centres as well as facilities for persons connected so that houses could “The space is so cramped, even har temple, Kancheepuram; Sitha - with disability will be installed at seven sites in Tamil Nadu by ASI. | WIKIMEDIA COMMONS crop-up in between and the city the fire tenders couldn’t effectively navasal caves, Pudukottai; Moovar could expand,” he said. douse the flames,” he said. Koil, Kodambalur; Gingee Fort and ASI will be making arrangements tions will be taken so that the struc - 100 metre prohibited periphery In September last year, the Ma - The mandapams were built by Shore temple, Mamallapuram. for audio- visual, lighting the mo - ture is not harmed because of the around protected monuments may dras High Court ordered a survey great kings and chieftains for spe - “No alterations will be made to numents at night; tri-lingual boards new construction,” said the official. not be handled properly. of a 57-acre archaeological site in cific purposes like the harvest fes - the monuments. For example the about the place; cafeteria facilities; “ No lights and wires will be ins - “They don’t understand, what if Pallavaram here that lay buried tivals, which are now treated as ramps will be made out of wood wifi and interpretation centres sho - talled inside the monument, even in the process of providing facili - under layers of construction. This empty spaces and rented out to ven - and will be portable, we will not wing short films about the monu - the wifi router will be placed out - ties under this scheme they build a came after the Archaeological Sur - dors, he said. add any concrete structure to the ments. side the structure,” added the offi - new structure within the 100 meter vey of India (ASI) failed to mark “When I visited the Madurai existing building,” said a senior “Where bathrooms are concer - cial. radius and it affects the monument the area because of public agitation temple last, I could see coats of 87-year-old historian R ASI official from the Chennai cir - ned we will build them in such a Historian, R. Nagaswamy wor - which is highly plausible. We will for three years. soot from burning oil lamps cove - Nagaswami won the Padma cle. way that they do not hinder the ries that the Centre’s move to take be damaging some thousand-year Nagaswamy, the founding- Di - ring the ceiling. This is a ready- Due to the heavy tourist footfall, view of the monument and precau - up infrastructure projects within the old structures,” he said. rector of the State’s Archaeology made recipe for fire,” he said. Shri this year. | S. YADAV

700 workers affected Chennai’s Green Cover after leather plant continues to decline shuts down VIDHI VERMA Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan, Managing Trustee SUDIPTO CHAUDHURY of Care Earth Trust said, “Development has a Chennai: Green cover in Chennai has been de - direct bearing on the environment, especially Chennai: The leather processing facility at Mad - clining over the years, with only 15 per cent of trees.” havaram has been closed down by the Tamil Nadu the total 456 sq km land area covered with “The major challenge is to increase tree Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) stating that the trees, against the stipulated target of 33 per cent cover in the midst of all the developmental pro - capacity of effluent treatment plants within the fa - as per the National Forest Policy. It was 79 sq jects that keep coming up in the city”, he cility was being expanded without prior consent. km in 2000; 74 sq km in 2005 and has been added. The Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) further reduced to 64 sq km in 2017. S Balaji said that a group of architects from with a capacity to treat 4.5 lakh litres of effluent A study conducted by the Care Earth Trust, Care Earth Trust involved in identifying the ex - daily was commissioned in 1997.This was being a technical non-government organization, tent of vacant spaces in the city. expanded to a capacity to treat 9 lakh litres of ef - whose main concern over the conservation of They designed models for utilizing spaces fluent waste. biodiversity stated that Adyar has the highest such as the medians on the roads in the best Power to the plant has been shut down for the green cover at 30 per cent, followed by Tey - possible way and the Corporation would exe - past ten days due to which about 700 workers who nampet (22 per cent) and Anna cute their suggestions. depend on their wages have been affected Nagar (20 per cent). Manali and Madhavaram and Shollinganal - Officials within the Central Leather Research Alandur have the least num - lur have been identified as the Institute, Adyar, said that the plans to upgrade the Reports say metro areas show a drop in human rabies rate after vaccinations. | FILE PHOTO ber of trees. potential vacant spaces for treatment technology were set up under the gui - The Trust submitted a tree plantation. dance of experts from Indian Institute of Techno - 600-page interim study Stressing on the impor - logy (IIT), Chennai. report headed by a retired tance of trees in regulating The new plans which would use reverse osmo - Principal Chief Conser - temperatures, Mr. Sriniva - sis to achieve recommended dilution of the treated Waste aids stray problem vator of Forests (PCCF) san said that the Corpora - effluent by Chennai Metro Water, all of which are SRIJA PODDER nate stray dogs. The board had set A sum of Rs. 500 is allotted for S Balaji, to the Greater tion maintained the 525 within the TNPCB’s prescribed norms, had al - up standard operating procedures the sterilization by the ABC. The Chennai Corporation. parks in the city and many ready been shared with the TNPCB. Chennai: Stray dog menace is ag - for the scheme. sterilization helps to bring down A meeting was held at parks had come up in Porur Additionally, Chennai Metro Water is laying a gravated by lack of proper garbage According to reports, a signifi - the aggresssion. the Corporation office on Feb and Anna Nagar.” pipeline to transmit the effluent to its sewage treat - disposal methods and human cant reduction in human rabies Sokkolingam highlighted the 2, attended by the stakeholders Dr. Jayshree said that Chen - ment facility in Kodungaiyur for safe disposal. cruelty towards the animals, accor - cases has been noted in the metros need for euthanasia on infected ani - and Resident Associations from 15 nai’s coastal climate would support In spite of this, the closure of the plant was or - ding to an official of the Animal where the ABC programme has mals. zones in Chennai and the changes sug - excellent tree growth. dered, that too after most of the work has already Welfare Board. been properly implemented. “We have a separate ward for gested by them would be incorporated in a final At present there were six dominant tree spe - been completed. Vinod Kumar, Assistant Secre - Dr. Sokkolingam, Veterinary keeping dogs under observation if report. cies in the city, like the raintree, gulmohar and, However, according to TNPCB officials at their tary said, “When solid waste mana - Surgeon in the Madras Society for a dog is suspected to have contrac - A report in The Hindu had said that at least neem, and the NGO had suggested around 91 Environmental engineering branch in Ambattur, gement is not done properly, the the Protection and Care of Animals, ted rabies. If it shows signs of the one lakh trees out of the 4.5 lakh trees in the varieties of trees to the Corporation in their the units at Madhavaram were closed after issuing dogs form packs, and these packs said that after vaccination and ste - disease, on 95% confirmation, the city were uprooted as a result of Vardah in project report. show cause notices were issued to them. become feral and they usually at - rilization, the dogs were relocated dog is put to rest before it can bite 2016. Mr. Balaji said that around 20,000 trees were This was done after inspection into of the func - tack only when provoked or sca - to the same place along with rabid other dogs,” he added. “We can only be prepared to minimize the planted by the Corporation last year and they tioning of other CETP facilities in the state, namely red.” dogs, where they faced the danger P. Chandrasekhar, Senior inspec - damage caused by natural calamities. Other intended to plant over 10 lakh trees in Chennai those at Tiruchi and Dindigul. Referring to the Animal Birth of getting infected or bitten. tor of the Society, said “Human than that developmental work is mainly res - over a period of five years. These facilities have been given time till the end Control Programme, he said that “I have started free-rabies vac - cruelty is responsible for the situa - ponsible for large scale felling of trees,” said “We can only provide suggestions to solve of the month to make the prescribed corrections to the government had mandated the cination campaigns to ensure that a tion. We have had cases of people Mr. Srinivasan, Executive Engineer of the the problems of decreasing green cover in the their effluent treatment methods. local animal welfare organizations mark is made to distinguish sterili - simply throwing stones or pouring Parks Department at the Greater Chennai Cor - city. The actual implementation power lies with The plant has 15 tanneries and 16 non-leather to take steps to sterilize and vacci - zed dogs,” he added. hot water on street dogs.” poration (GCC). the Government,” said Dr. Jayshree. manufacturing units over an 11-acre site. An exhibition dedicated Water scarcity still plagues the city VIDHI VERMA in perennially operated desalination plants of 400 MLD (Million Litres to the Cooum river Chennai: Chennai is plagued by a Day) located in and around the ROCHANA MOHAN turned away from the damage water shortage all throughout the city and then sent to places where done to their rivers and water,” summer months from March to there is water shortage, said the of - Chennai: The DAMned ART exhi - said Helmut Schippert, Director September, in spite of having three ficial. bition boasts a colourful roster of of the Goethe-Institut. “‘It’s the waterways - the Cooum, the Adyar Jaishankar, Assistant Engineer artists attempting to spread aware - Cooum’, we say, not acknowled - and the Buckingham Canal - four from the Metro Water Head Office ness on the environmental degrada - ging it as a river, it’s just an ex - main reservoirs in the suburbs. in Chintadripet said that rainwater tion of local water bodies through pression of disgust. Our vision Residents face water scarcity in harvesting was being promoted by their art. was to make people turn around, summer when the demand shoots the Corporation officials to maxi - Organized by the Goethe-Institut face the river and embrace it.” up and water from multiple sources mize the use of rainwater. Max Mueller Bhavan and held at To this effect, talks and works - is not sufficient to meet their daily “As much as 12600 litres of rain - Lalit Kala Akademi, the exhibition hops have been organized at Lalit requirements. water can be stored in a building of focuses on the poor condition of the Kala Akademi to educate art- The Corporation reduces the 2400 sq m”, he added. Cooum river which flows between goers on the larger issues sur - daily water supply from 80 litres a Shaju John, a resident of Perun - North and Central Chennai and the rounding the exhibition. person a day to 50 litres a person a gudi said he had a rainwater har - possible means to educate and en - Films and documentaries on day in times of acute shortage. vesting arrangement at his house gage the public in water preserva - water conservations by Indian and An official of the Chennai Me - where he uses rainwater to meets tion practices. international directors will be tropolitan Water Supply and Sewe - his water demands during the mon - Such is the German artist Anna aired as well. rage Board (CMWSSB) Zone13, soon. Witt’s participatory piece, “The Musicians such as Karthik Iyer said, “The four main reservoirs fee - “Groundwater is an additional CIRCLE of LIFE and THINGS”, Live! and theatre artists such as ding the city, Chembarambakkam, source of meeting the water shor - which engages children and adults Theatre Nisha are also scheduled Red Hills, Poondi and Cholavaram tage. We have also ventured into alike. The women who clean the to perform. are only 50 per cent full after the new areas where quarry water is Cooum are asked to trace the trash Local artists such as Rohini De - rainfall last year. The reservoir treated and used for domestic pur - they find, and the children draw an vasher, Parvathi Nayar and Atul water usually lasts till May-June.” poses,” said Jaishankar. animal or plant that could exist in Bhalla and interntional artist such Works at the DAMned Art The official added that water Arun Krishnamurthy, an envi - the Cooum over it.The final pieces as Suyeon Yun and Gigi Scaria are festival used waste from the reservoirs is drawn and ronmentalist from the Environmen - are embroidered onto long pieces featured in the exhibition. collected from the Cooum treated for potable purposes. talist Foundation of India (EFI), of cloth. Workshops are held by en - The DAMned ART Exhibition river to highlight it’s Also, water is drawn from other said that minimizing wastage and vironmental experts for the partici - will be held at Lalit Kala Akademi, lakes, like the Veeranam Lake, in using water judiciously was the current situation. pants to educate them on issues Greams Road, till March 4, 2018. nearby districts and transported only way to combat the increasing Puzhal Eri at Red Hills is one of the four drinking water affecting the rivers in Chennai. Visit the Goethe Institut website for | ROCHANA MOHAN through tankers. water woes in the city. He is acti - “The citizens of Chennai have further program details. In addition, sea water is treated vely involved in lake conservation. suppliers to the city. | ARVIND PRASANNA The Word Edition 3 Page 4_Layout 1 2/12/2018 11:55 AM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February 09, 2018 4 CITYSCAPE Tibetans to file RC online TENZIN KHANDO needed to travel somewhere in with care. from Himachal area have been see - India, we had to physically go to According to Nyibum, the online king an Indian passport, after the Chennai : The Centre has informed Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh registration seems to be a step to - Delhi High Court ruled that Tibe - Tibetan refugees that they have to and through all the tedious process wards turning all Tibetan refugees tans born in India between 1950 register their Registration Certifi - of getting an exit permit.” into international subjects, as he and 1987 were eligible for Indian cate online by March 31, as a step Nyibum recently found out that was asked to provide the same do - passports in 2017. towards easing their travel regula - he had already been registered on - cument requirements as any other “I think the online registration tions within India. line. international student does in India. and the scrapping of the ‘return According to Tenzin Nyibum, a “I went to Dharamshala to renew Nyibum thinks that this new step permit’ for Tibetans to travel abroad with their Identity Certifi - cate might not really discourage the Tibetans born in India from seeking Indian passports.” According to Nyibum, Tibetans born and brought up in India have T. Bhagyalakshmi’s collection of old coins and stamps are a show stealer at the expo. applied for Indian passports not TANISHAA NADKAR only because they wanted easy tra - velling but also seek other facilities which are available only to the citi - zens of the nation.“They feel it is their birth right and are equally part Where history meets life of India as any other Indians”, he added. TANISHAA NADKAR tomers selling them to her. “Chennai is such an old city, Tenzin Donsel, BSC Hospitality usually people find these things when they’re moving and Hotel Administration student Chennai : An array of colourful handloom and handi - houses and doing a thorough sweep of the place.” from IHM College said “Maintai - crafts adorn the space in Bharani Hall in Saligramam Ranging from Rs.40 to Rs. Rs. 150, these artefacts ning Tibetan identity is crucial for with vendors from places such as Rajasthan and will make a valuable addition to an avid collector or the Tibetan cause. If every Tibetan Andhra Pradesh showcasing their best lot. even a casual history buff. holds Indian passport, surrenders Yet one of the most interesting stalls is that of T. The room inside however, has a completely diffe - their RC and IC and cut connec - Bhagyalakshmi who sits alone outside aided with only rent aesthetic with stacks of kalamkari, a block-print tions with the Tibetan administra - a bulb and her table neatly displaying her collection of cloth from Andhra Pradesh, in every corner. tion in Exile, our struggle for old currency and stamps on sale. Bright furniture, showpieces and utensils with elep - freedom will be lost.” Colourful plastic bowls brimming with coins from hants and men with large turbans and moustaches – the different eras such as the Mughal Empire, the East kind of handicrafts which have become synonymous India Company, the Chola Dynasty, the Kushan Em - with Rajasthani culture also take the stage. Representational image “I went to Dharamshala pire and notes from around the world are arranged in “The exhibition was initiated with the help of Ra - neat rows. jasthani Artisan Welfare Association but we have ex - B Tech student from SRM Univer - my RC some months back, and can be helpful for the Indian go - to renew my RC some “I started Poorani Collections four years ago as I was hibits from all around the country,” said Rajesh who sity and a member of TSAM (Tibe - there I had to go through an exten - vernment to easily catch a criminal. months back, and there I always interested in historical artefacts,” said the mot - hails from Orissa and has been one of the two organi - tan Student Association of sive process to extend my stay per - “As long as Tibetans do not com - had to go through an her of two who has also been working as a tailor for sers for ten years. “Each stall pays 25 per cent com - Madras), the online registration an - mit. That time, no one told me that mit any crime, they don’t have to extensive process to ten years. mission to the organisers.” nouncement has not been very my RC was being registered on - worry about this online registra - Operating mainly out of her house in Villivakam, she While many stall owners share rooms given the fact clear. line.” tion”, he added. extend my stay permit. is the sole proprietor although her husband helps her that they’ve been working together for years, the oc - “This process will of course be Tibetan refugees need to surren - Some feel that this online regis - That time, no one told me occasionally. casional vendors live in the hall – cooking and slee - of some help in a way if we are al - der their old RC book in order to tration process hasI been initiated that my RC was being “It was a hobby I shared with my uncle and he hel - ping wherever they find space. lowed to get permits online for ‘de - register their RC online. They get a by the Indian government to en - ped me set up the business initially,” she said. “Someone has to stay here to guard the stock as well, parture’ and ‘arrival’ from one state single page document after their re - courage Tibetans to stick to their registered online.” According to her, there are a number of amateurs we have become used to living on the move,” said to another. Till now, whenever we gistration, and that is to be kept refugee identity. Many Tibetans dealing with old currency and stamps with many cus - Athar from Orissa. Chennai welcomes Drag Queen A heavy price for love TENZIN KHANDO and how it might be perceived by SRIJA PODDER As more people are resorting Fine-dining restaurants around other people, Exxxta-C did not care to online sites to purchase gift the city are also gearing up for Chennai : Jabez Kelly, 19, an inter - and used curse words throughout Chennai : With the price of va - items, the small shop owners are couples to have the best expe - national Drag Queen, performed at the show. lentine’s Day greetings and mer - suffering. rience but at insane prices. Secret Society Bar last night. Jabez does shows abroad on a re - chandise soaring this year, One At Flower Drum, Adyar, a can - “It’s the first time I am perfor - gular basis which keeps him on a couples will have to burn shopkee - dlelight dinner for two exclusi - ming at a proper place in Chennai; very tight schedule. He wants to a huge hole in their poc - per said, vely in a private lounge will cost otherwise I have done shows here take a break and concentrate on his kets to celebrate the day “It is Rs. 8,000, whereas the average but in others’ backyard only.” studies for now. of love. diffi - cost for two people is listed as Rs. The show comprised cross dres - He has recently taken up a Local stores here are cult 700 in Zomato. sing, comedy, songs, dance and rea - course named LGBTQ Politics. As selling heart-shaped However other restau - ding whatsapp messages of random a gay man himself, he wants to cards at a minimum of Rs. rants are trying to attract audiences. have a better understanding of 250 for big cards and Rs. 100 for the crowd by serving Spectators of the show belonged where does his choice of sexuality the smaller ones. Buying flowers to unlimited food and to different age groups from 21 to stand in general and what are the for loved ones is not going to be com - drinks for Rs. 1500 for late 50s, and also of different se - political notions that surround it. cheap either as a bouquet of one pete with a couple. Deck 4 in xual orientations. The stereotype that all drag per - dozen long-stemmed roses is pri - big brands like Shollinganallur is organi - “My on stage character name is formers are either gay or transgen - ced at a whopping Rs. 300. Archies. To pro - zing a masquerade party too. Exxxta-C. She is a hateful person. der is false, according to Jabez. Narayan, a local flower ven - mote sales, we are Other events are also providing But my real character is of a shy “I have worked with drag dor, said, “Our price is still chea - offering combos cruise rides at Rs. 4000 for cou - guy who barely talks to people”, queens who are straight men. And per than online sites where the worth Rs. 250 compri - ples apart from mainstream par - Jabez said. they are better female on stage than same will cost you more than Rs. sing candles, customized mugs, ties, who crave quality time. The Exxxta-C picked on certain peo - most of the women,” he added. 400.” cards and chocolates.” cost of spending time is high. ple and ragged them without any political correctness. Though some people might have taken offence to what she said, the majority of the Jabez getting ready before the performance. A drag queen is a audience laughed till their cheeks TENZIN KHANDO hurt. man who dresses ‘Valentine’s Day, not a Parvati, a college student, said are not new in India. This form of performances are recognized in big up in women's “It is the first time I am hearing of art has been present for almost 10 cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai this type of show. I was excited to years, but on a very minute scale. and Bangalore. Jabez said, “I am clothes. be a part of it and experience it, as And according to Jabez, drag glad that big enterprises are taking well as appreciate Jabez’s guts to performances are inspired from the the initiative and welcoming our The first recorded part of our culture’ perform this kind of art which traditions of Kathakali in Kerala, performance for their audiences.” use of "drag" is SATENDRA SINGH but it gets stringent during Valentine’s week.” might be considered unacceptable where men cross dress and perform Jabez and Exxxta-C are two very However another couple said that moral policing in this conservative nation.” folk dance on stage. contrasting characters. While Jabez from 1870. Chennai : Valentine’s Day is a week away but Hin - was negligible in Chennai. However, the drag performance It is only recently that the drag was very cautious with his words dutva outfits have started flexing their muscles in The pro-Hindutva outfits might talk of Valenti - protest against the celebration. ne’s Day as a blot on Indian culture, but they did not “We are not against the Valentine’s come out on the road to protest or harass peopleas Day, we are against Valenti - they did elsewhere in the coun - ne’s Day being called lo - try.. Beautifying ordinary mason jars vers day. Our Indian “There is not much culture is based on fa - of a moral policing in SHRUTI AGARWAL detailed description, I can quickly milies, and every day Chennai, and this is pick up substantial content and then is love day in our because RSS and Chennai : Be it old glass bottles of alcohol or draw meaningful, beautiful de - culture. Valentine’s other jars of delicious fruity jam, Nargis Miyaji - signs," adds Nargis. Day is promoting Hindutva outfits do wala, a freelance graphic designer tarts them She gets two to three orders every obscenity before not have strong hold, up by doodling various designs on them. week. The price of the jars depends marriage, and rui - here,” says K. Na - Nargis, through her start up All That Jars on the size and detailing. One can ning our culture and rayanan, customises mason jars to incorporate different get a customised jar for Rs. 200 to that is why we con - a student of Dr. Am - interests of customers. Mason jars designed Rs. 5,000. demn it,” said, Arjun bedkar by her can be used as soap dispensers, candle Exhibitions and workshops are Sampath, a leader of Government Law College and light stands, plant holders, piggy banks, helpful as she gets to meet people Hindu Makkal Katchi, a Hin - in George Town. and lamps. who understand and appreciate the dutva political outfit based in Police officials at J5 Shastri She says, "The idea was to utilise used art form. They have a taste for Tamil Nadu. Nagar Police Station said though bottles, jars, pitchers or any other storage handmade stuff. Every exhibition “We are also urging the Govern - they were expecting nothing unusual on glass material and transform them into acts as a launch pad. She first show - ment to ban Valentine’s Day.” Valentine’s Day, extra police force would utilitarian art pieces. Glass wares always fas - cased her jars Meanwhile couples are anxious about be deployed. cinated me. Instead of throwing them away, I, at an exhibition at Amethyst Cafe in whether to go out or not on Valentine’s Day. They along with my baker friend Farida thought of Decorated glass jars for use as piggy banks Royapettah. are thinking of places other than beaches or public giving them a new definition. Hence, All That Nargis was motivated by waste parks because they do not want to be accosted by “We are not against the Valentine’s Jars." management and quirky ways of re- vigilantes and even the police. Day, we are against Valentine’s Day Nargis and Farida Bharmal started their little Nargis caters to all schools of thoughts when using everyday items. “It will not be possible for us to visit or roam business from home in February 2017. She it comes to designing- from young couples to She saw her grandmother using old pens as freely on the beaches or public parks on Valentine’s being called lovers day. Our Indian moved to Chennai from Dubai three years ago. homemakers. These jars are perfect for decora - supporters for money plants; empty soap boxes Day,” said a boy who was there with his girl friend culture is based on families, and She rekindled her passion for art through mason ting the kitchen, and workspace. for scenting clothes. on Elliot’s Beach. jars. As the work is handmade, the word slowly "I want my customers to tell me a story. I want Nargis wishes to open her own studio where “Moral policing is very common in Tamil Nadu, every day is love day in our culture” spread and people started taking interest in their the jars to be functional. I cannot doodle or draw people will have elbow room to doodle and art pieces. bland images. They look flat. When I listen to a create items of their choice.