Parties Line up in TN Ahead of LS Elections

Edition 4 Page 1_Layout 1 2/25/2019 10:47 AM Page 1

Volume No 19 Issue No 4 February 22, 2019 LAB JOURNAL OF THE ASIAN COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM RFID tags for Outer space Wide variety at newborns beckons students Short Film Festival Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Parties line up in TN ahead of LS elections All the 40 seats will be AIADMK-BJP alliance won by the NDA under the Allying to fight Modi govt SWAPNAJIT KUNDU representative for the meeting received mixed reaction. Some leadership of Prime instead of BJP President Amit are of the opinion that joining Minister Narendra Modi, Edappadi Chennai: After days of Shah, Union Minister Pon hands with the BJP will help in K Palaniswami and Panneerselvam. speculation, the ruling AIADMK Radhakrishnan and BJP State the development of the state. finally announced on February 20 President Tamilisai However, Sam Pradeep, who -Piyush Goyal Tuesday its decision to join hands Soundararajan took part in the works as a journalist in (Union Railway Minister) with the BJP to contest the Lok talks with Tamil Nadu Chief SatyamTV said that allowing the Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu Minister Edapaddi K BJP to gain a stronghold in Tamil and Pondicherry expected to be Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Nadu would only help it preach held in April-May this year.. Minister O Panneerselvam. its Hindutva agenda in the state, Of the 39 seats and one in Piyush Goyal said, “All parties something many local people are Pondicherry, the AIADMK has will work together and strengthen worried about. offered 5 seats to the BJP and 7 the BJP-ledNational Democratic Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi seats to another ally, the Pattali Alliance. All the 40 seats will be (VCK) President Thol Makkal Katchi (PMK). won by the NDA under the Thirumavalavan pointed out that Seat sharing talks with the leadership of Prime Minister the AIADMK’s alliance with the DMDK are still reportedly going Narendra Modi, Edappadi K BJP would work against the on with the DMDK leader Palanaswamy and public sentiment and improve the Vijayakanth insisting that his Panneerselvam.” prospects of a DMK alliance with party be treated on par with the “Our job together will be to his party. Congress and DMK party leaders after forging an alliance in Arivalayam | SAM PRADEEP PMK. carry forward the legacy that Thirumavalavan said “The The AIADMK and the BJP “Amma” left behind and serve anti-incumbency factor will work VIVANESH PARTHIBAN the DMK have this basic ”Alliance politics as such is not announced their alliance at the the people of Tamil Nadu to the against them. Moreover, the principle of upholding bad but it has to push some end of their meeting in Chennai best of our ability,” he added, people of Tamil Nadu will never Chennai: The Opposition DMK secularism in the country and this development like how CPI (M) on Tuesday afternoon. referring to former chief minister accept the BJP coming into (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) had made them join hands for the pushed many social development Union Railway Minister Jayalalithaa. contention in this region because and the Congress announced an sixth time in a parliamentary schemes like MNREGA in UPA- Piyush Goyal, who was the BJP’s The AIADMK’s decision has of their apathy towards the alliance to fight the upcoming election. 2(2009-2014),” he added. religious jingoism.” parliamentary election. Prasanna recalled the words of However BJP Yuva Morcha “Previously, there was a wave DMK leader MK Stalin said in the late DMK leader Karunanidhi leader, Vinoj P.Selvam said,”This in favour of Prime Minister Arivalayam that the DMK would who would say “self government alliance has no great agenda; it Narendra Modi but now the party give the Congress nine seats in in State and alliance at the only has an anti development is suffering setbacks. The result Tamil Nadu and one seat in Centre.” agenda and will instigate people can be seen in Karnataka and in Puducherry. “We do have some differences against big projects that are recent elections as well. And we Stalin added that ”the alliance with Congress but we will push a brought by BJP to Tamil Nadu.” all know what kind of activities is only for the Parliamentary development agenda with this Selvam said everyone was the RSS carries out so there is election and party will decide alliance,” he added. criticizing PMK leader R very little chance of the BJP Seat share may change for AIADMK later about alliance in the by- Prasanna criticized the alliance Anbumani for joining the BJP- gaining ground here.” he said. elections to 21 legislative between the BJP and the AIADMK alliance; but for the Vinoj P. Selvam, President of and DMK with entry of new parties assembly seats. The AIADMK as one driven by last six months even Stalin had the BJP’s Youth wing in Tamil constituencies to be contested money and not by ideology as the been saying that the DMK would A We do have some

H Nadu said, “We are looking for would be decided only after the DMK-Congress alliance was. not forge an alliance with the

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more likeminded parties to join differences with DMK signed alliance with other CPI (M) spokesperson Congress.

I J

I the alliance and bring Congress but we will push likeminded parties. R.Sindhan said, ”The Congress- Meanwhile it is said that the

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development in Tamil Nadu.” DMK spokesperson Tamilan DMK alliance is better as it at Congress had been pushing the

BJP state chief Tamilisai Soundararajan, Deputy Chief | a development agenda Taking a dig at DMK, he said, Prasanna said,”This grand least has an agenda but the DMK to give actor Kamal Minister O Panneerselvam, Chief Minister E “The alliance was important to with this alliance. alliance is to fight against the AIADMK alliance is just power Hassan’s MNM (Makkal Needhi Palaniswami and Union Minister Piyush Goyal after fight against the left oriented -Tamilan Prasanna Modi government which has and money driven to continue the Maiyam) at least one seat and that sealing the deal for the alliance parties like DMK which are (DMK spokesperson) destroyed the secular fabric of the puppet rule of the BJP in Tamil the DMK was totally opposed to against development.” nation.” Both the Congress and Nadu.” it. Running out What decides the vote of youth in Tamil Nadu? VIVANESH PARTHIBAN size of 136 middle class and upper middle since the sample group had more of urban the country followed him and even now he of space for class urban and sub-urban youth in the age youth, the ideology factor might hold true. “It has the charisma to pull them,” he added. Chennai: A majority of the youth in Tamil group 18 to 30. The youth vote on the basis is not just one factor, but rather multiple Edumbavanam Karthikeyan, youth wing Nadu surveyed by The Word prefer to vote of ideology, charisma of the leader, factors and the events in the last 6 months member in Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) the dead for a party with a strong ideology rather than environmental concerns, identity, policies before the elections that influence the youth said,”Ideology and identity played a usually only done by Indians living other considerations. and schemes, caste and family influence. a lot.” significant role but only if they were VIDUSHI SAGAR abroad,” says S. Jayashankar, se - The survey was conducted with a sample The current trend in social media and main One good thing was that the influence of propagated by a strong leader.” cretary of the MCBT. stream media also has some caste was very weak among the Chennai However, “the younger generation is Chennai: At the Kilpauk cemetery, According to Bosco Alangar influence. The two factors youth but this didn’t hold good for the Kongu devoid of the knowledge of their ancient past 450 burial vaults resembling locker Raja, treasurer of the MCBT, ash strongly ingrained are and Madurai belt, he added. and fell prey to distorted facts and speeches room boxes line the three buildings. burial and cremation are not popu - Dravidian ideology and Tamil DMK spokesperson Tamilan Prasanna was by Dravidian parties,” he added. The multi-tier vault system was lar due to religious implications. identity. The other thing which dismissive of the role of the youth and their Tamil Nadu Youth Party leader Dr. Raja built in 2007 to combat overcrow - "The body is supposed to be intact the urban youth seek is job influence.“The youth are too superficial Sekar said “The youth cast their vote based ding in the cemetery, but were fil - for resurrection later," he says. But creation especially in the about political happening and over react to on the recent trends in the media; so the led to capacity within eight years. he hopes that awareness will private sector. The Caste factor the things in social media. They are carried media has a great role in swinging the votes.” “One of my relatives gave a spread, and more people will start has the least influence. away by the fake news and hear only one side Ilaya Thalaimurai leader, Shankar said, party to her friends when her burial looking at more viable options for However, the leaders of the of the story. Many youth just plan for a film “The present generation of youth is not much space clearance came through after resting their loved ones after death. youth wings of some political on the day of election and this is their duty different from the last generation because 20 years,” says Michelle Ann He adds that the Board has been parties had a different view. towards state,” he said. they don’t have a bare minimum agenda to James (28). According to her, ac - putting pressure on Chennai Cor - R.Sindhan, CPI(M) youth Countering the DMK spokesperson’s present to the politicians.” quiring space for burials is a chro - poration to supply Poromboke wing leader, said, ”If ideology view, BJP Yuva Morcha leader, Vinoj P. “For example if you take an unemployed nic problem in Chennai. (wasteland) for more burial space is the main criterion then even Selvam said,”The youth are well aware of youth he thinks he is the reason behind his Opened in 1903 under the British but that there have been no replies. Hindutva is an ideology and things and vote for the party which gives unemployment and forgets to question the rule, the Kilpauk cemetery reached "Right now the cemeteries in the ideology which is deeply development.” government which is responsible for the its full capacity in 2005, after ha - Mandaveli, Poonamallee, and Ka - ingrained in Tamil Nadu is the The youth in Tamil Nadu were sometimes unemployment problem,” he added. ving 50,000 bodies buried in its 18 simedu are being used. But these Dravidian ideology but that misguided against development but now they Calling for increased political awareness, acre space. It is owned by the Ma - will soon fill up, and the only space has been now diluted over the were slowly realizing it, he said. he said “There are still youth who don’t know dras Cemeteries Board Trust, a ma - left will be for family burials. I un - years.” Prime Minister Naranedra Modi “won in the difference between election of an MLA nagement body for the burial of derstand that it is not so easy to ac - Survey results on voting patterns | VIVANESH P However, Sinthan said that 2014 election mainly because the youth in and an MP.” Christians of all denominations. quire the uninhabited land for “The board previously owned burials, but time is running out and the Quibble Island cemetery, which there are also issues with the cor - is now closed for burials too. The rect and appropriate time for reope - Kasimedu Cemetery under the ning graves, as there is no official Local pharmacies against online drug sale board is filling up fast and should figure given," he adds. TANYA KHANDELWAL which was risky as there were for six months time to formulate is high. The threat is to the small Rs 4. Online sellers resort to such be closed soon enough too,” said a When Shanti Corera's mother instances where forged or even old rules for online trade of medicines chemists who don’t have a big profit making mechanisms, he former MCBT member. died, she was buried in her grand - Chennai: Local pharmacies in the prescriptions were used to get and to make amendments to the inventory and storage space and are explained. “The trust did not plan well mother's grave at St Rock's ceme - city saw a dip in their sales after a scheduled drugs. existing Drug and Cosmetics Act, unable to sustain their businesses S Manikandan, owner of Sippy enough for the future generations. tery in Royapuram. "Due to lack of Division Bench of the Madras High Showing an image of a 1940, that governs the sale of drugs owing to unfair competition from Medical and Surgicals, added that Now the problem is so big that citi - space, my grandmother's grave was Court stayed a ban on the online prescription he had received from a in India. They probably want to the e-pharma companies,” he e-pharmacies offered discounts as zens have to travel 25-30 kilome - opened, and since only her bones sale of medicines on January 2 this patient on WhatsApp, he explained wait till the elections are over since further added. high as 25 per cent while the ters to bury the dead in the city’s were there, they were shifted to a year. how the medication prescribed was they know that our community (of According to Thiyagarajan, sale regular drugstores’ profit margin outskirts. There they get into con - smaller space within the grave and “Say if a doctor prescribes ten odd and why no doctor generally local pharmacists) won’t vote for of online medicines is risky as there was only around 18 per cent. flicts with village and town chiefs. my mother was buried in the same medicines, many patients come to gave it to patients. He pointed out them if they don’t meet our is little or no accountability. “Hence, we can’t compete on that The last option remains to buy pri - space," she says. us only to purchase one or two the seal on it without any signature concerns,” said G Thiyagarajan, Cases of malpractices, front with these online traders,” he vate land,” he added. That has become the custom medicines that they can’t find and that everything else on it was owner of Guna & Co Pharmacy counterfeit drugs, delayed delivery added. “The multi tier vault system at with many cemeteries now open online. Even on those, they ask for visible except the date. He said that and Secretary, Chennai district unit of drugs needed urgently and Thiyagarajan said that the Kilpauk filled up faster than expec - only for family burials. A letter pin - discounts at par with the online such things need to be verified and, of the Tamil Nadu Chemists and absence of regulation is rampant in members of the TNCDA knew that ted. The 450 vaults can be reused ned in the Kilpauk cemetery office seller which isn’t feasible for us,” in this regard, online platforms are Druggists Association (TNCDA). this online trade which exposes the there was no stopping these online after 7 to 13 years, but only for board lists the documents needed said S Shanmugam (39), a chemist a loophole patients use to buy drugs “We have been in the business customers to risks of all sorts. He players from entering the other family members. We also re - for family burials- a doctor's certi - who owns a retail store in Adyar. otherwise not sold in the market. for almost 60 years now and we cited a case wherein a customer had pharmaceutical market. Hence, commend ash burial for which only ficate; church letter; previous list of Shanmugam added that people Some drugstore owners blamed have a diverse inventory so we ordered a Pantocid (Sun Pharma) what the local pharmacists were one foot space is needed and can be members buried; no objection let - purchased medicines online either the Central Government for don’t fear competition from these which costs around Rs 9 per tablet now seeking was a strict statutory provided easily by us. We also en - ter signed by family members and a without a prescription or by delaying the law to regulate online online sellers. We have a loyal but had received Omeprazole framework to regulate the online courage cremations, but that is request letter. uploading a copy of the same, drug trade.“The Centre has asked customer base and their trust in us (same brand) which costs around sale and distribution of medicines. Edition 4 Page 2_Layout 1 2/28/2019 11:03 AM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February, 22 2019 2 CITYSCAPE emium burden for auto APutrorickshaw drivers protest against hike in insurance costs SRINJOY DEY vehicleand/or accessories due to accidents, fire, burglary and theft, CHENNAI: The increased terrorist activity, riot, strike and insurance premium has emerged as malicious damage, earthquakes, a cause for concern for many auto floods, cyclones and landslides.’ drivers in Chennai. The company also offers a “As it is the insurance premium ‘Liability Only policy’ whereby the was quite high before. Now it has insured's legal liability for skyrocketed to a point where it is death/disability and a loss of life of become impossible to pay,” says the third party or damage to their V. Dinesh Kumar (33), an auto property is paid for. Auto rickshaw driver based in Taramani. The drivers also rely on the other recent hike has seen insurance benefits like compensation up to premium rise up to Rs. 9,000 per Rs. 1 lakh for accidental death or month. Covering the premium has become impossible SRINJOY DEY disability assured to them as a part According to Murugan Mani of Unorganised Workers Welfare The number of Metro commuters have started dwindling SOHEIB AHSAN (37), who does regular trips to drivers’ trade unionsstaged a Taramani which is affiliated to Boards. Besant Nagar – “I read the news protest condemning the increase in CITU. According to the data from about the Coimbatore auto- vehicle insurance premium. Section 147 of the Motor Tamil Nadu Manual Worker’s rickshaw drivers’ protest. Although “We are yet to sit together and Vehicles Act, 1988 makes the Welfare Board, there are currently I’ve taken a private insurance for have a discussion about it. Before requirement of an insurance policy 2,14,521 registered workers of Few takers for Metro now my vehicle, I think it is unfair for we take any action, we want to mandatory for all vehicles which only 55.2% (1,18,450 are the government insurance agencies make sure that we can gather a including auto-rickshaws. beneficiaries. SRUTHI started in metro as well.,” 5:30 AM the rest of the week. to force people to cough up so large number of people who feel Currently, the United India The sanctioned board, as of For some language is a problem. Most of the flights and trains much money.” According to a the same burden as us.” says Insurance Company offers a December 31, 2018, has sanctioned Chennai: Almost a week after the S. Harikrishnan, an automobile reach at night. If metro was recent article in The Hindu, several Murugavel K., a member of the ‘Package policy’ which covers – Rs. 3.45 crore towards the welfare commencement of new metro line marketing executive, said “Most of functional throughout the night members of the auto rickshaw auto-rickshaw workers’ union in ‘loss or damage to the schemes. from AG-DMS in Teynampet to the staff do not speak English. with necessary security measures, Washermenpet in North Chennai, Chennai has people from different then it would be useful.,” only a few commuters are making “There are only a few feeder make use of the facility due to services. If adequate feeder increased fares and lack of network services are provided then it would connectivity throughout the attract few more people to use the Students unwilling to take NEET journey. metro,” he added. Thousands boarded the trains According to The Hindu the Schools say difficulty in the syllabus is a primary reason for this when they were offered free rides officials at the Chennai Metro Rail for three days after the line was Limited (CMRL) have claimed that SHRAVANI NELLORE students were selected for NEET there are students coming from 32 surveyed had improvement in inaugurated on Sunday (February the crowd was coming back to the coaching classes.” districts. Of them, only one boy terms of the number of students 10). I use the metro rarely, when I metro. Chennai: A. Sneha, studying XII, is The classes are usually held on from Cuddalore got admission into going for classes when compared to “I travelled on the first day of am running short of time. I CMRL wanted to improve the only student from her class of the weekends (Saturday and one of the State medical colleges last year; Velachery school saw an inauguration. The train was almost cannot afford it daily - connectivity for commuters in a 54 students in Government Higher Sunday), from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm last year. The classes ran for nearly increase from 6 to 14, Perungudi crowded. I use the metro rarely, few months to help office-goers. Secondary School, Thoraipakkam, in selected schools, like one each in a month after the board exams. school-from 2 to 4, Arignar Anna when I am running short of time. I Bhanuprasanth, software An NRI passenger said “Metro to go for training classes in Jai Nangainallur, Mylapore and There is no compromise in the Government School(Taramani)- cannot afford it daily,” said engineer helps in taking the congestion off Gopal Goradia Girls High School Alwarpet. “But, the classes have quality of education. Moreover, from 0 to 2 students and Bhanuprasanth, a software the road. I can reach the airport in Nangainallur. With the board been suspended for quite some time these are smart classes. The job of Thoraipakkam school-from 3 to 4 engineer from Saidapet. regions of the country as well as quicker and compared to an auto exams now approaching, she has now. After the teachers’ strike last the teachers, holding a PG degree, students. The fares are Rs. 40 for Normal people from abroad; hence it is from Guindy to the Airport, metro shifted her focus from National month, we haven’t had any is only to clear their doubts.” All these schools also concurred Class and Rs. 80 for Special Class. necessary to hire staff who speak costs less. If the tickets are Eligibility cum Entrance Test classes,” she added. According to the Principal of on one point that there is a lack of Travel cards are provided based on multiple languages mainly at the provided at cheaper rates then extra (NEET) to the former. Though the The Principal of the School, who Velachery Government Higher interest among students. In all of the number of trips as 10, 30 or 60 ticket counter and the boarding care must be taken on maintaining school authorities say there are 12 is also a coordinator at Secondary School, which too has these five schools, even when there rides at a discount of 20 percent. points to guide the passengers cleanliness. Digital maps can be put students who were inclined towards Sathyabhama Institute of Science only few students, the reason was no NEET, there was not one Bala Amudhanadhan, President , appropriately.,” up in the train.” taking the medical entrance exam, and Technology (Sholinganallur), behind a poor representation of that got into medical colleges, but Advocate Association , said “Lack JayanthiP, Advocate, Practising According to the CMRL only four of them, one from XII which has been made into a students from government schools they also agree that getting into one of networks is the major issue in in the Chennai high court said,”I officials, dynamic maps are to be and three from XI, actually attend training institute of NEET for in NEET classes is because they are of these was a lot easier through the the underground metro rail route. use metro when I am in short of introduced in the metro. the coaching classes offered by the government school kids, said, “We not hard working like their marks based on XII, , than taking When there is an emergency, time. I can’t afford to use it daily. The new map will show the State government. chose only bright ones from those counterparts in private schools, an exam which is not even based on especially for women, they cannot Monthly pass service with a route through which the commuters Sneha, whose practical exams who applied for NEET from our where a strict regimen is followed their syllabus. contact anyone. discount can be provided” travel and also the subsequent are starting on Saturday, said, “Last school. Those who passed the test in studies. “All of them choose an As per Times of India report, There are police patrols at bus G. Gopinath, Income Tax stations. year, there was a screening test for have been going for classes.” easy way out and end up taking there is a 17% increase in the stops and the railway police can be inspector, said “On Sundays the It will also have advertisements us, at the beginning of the classes. Speaking about the training paramedical courses,” she said. number of applicants from 1.2 lakh contacted in the other trains, it train services commence only by 8 through which the Chennai Metro Based on our performance, institute, she said, “At this institute, All four schools that were in 2017-18 to 1.4 lakh in 2018-19. would be great if similar service is in the morning while it starts by Rail can earn some revenue. Using colour to cure Resettled in a pile of problems VIDUSHI SAGAR issues. mental health patients Nagarajan(40) has been Muthulakshmi (35) cannot leave unemployed since a year of moving ANUSHKA DEEPAK cure,” which was first used in a The institute has been trying to her house after 8 p.m. for fear of here from Anna Nagar where he mental asylum in Wards Island to sensitise its employees for this being robbed or harassed. This was had been a Tandoori cook. He had CHENNAI: The Institute of cure mental illnesses like change and looks like they are not the case at her previous home to quit his job after moving since it Mental Health has changed its age depression or melancholy (in being positive about it. in Surya Nagar, Kotturpuram. cost him too much to travel back old green uniforms, for the inmates, bright, red rooms), violent “How will you feel if you have Two years ago, she moved to and forth from work every day. to ones with colourful floral prints. behaviour (with calming blue or to wear the same clothes everyday? Perumbakkam's resettlement "That's the case with a lot of According to the Mental green), insanity (using purple It becomes very monotonous and colony with the promise of a people here. The government does Healthcare Act 2017, patients have rooms), or mania (with black can have a negative affect of these permanent home with better not realise that they are moving us the right to wear their personal rooms). patients.” amenities. away from our jobs," he said. To clothes and should not be forced to “Colours do have an impact on “ We made sure to let them wear But now, she, like many others, make ends meet, his wife now wear uniforms applied by the the mental health of a person but it their personal clothes during their faces a plethora of problems from works as a housekeeper near organisation. differs with changing perspectives. recreational activities and they unemployment issues to poorly Teynampet. IMH’s Director P. Poorna Colour theory is used to create were very happy about it. So, we built houses, largely unaddressed "The Tamil Nadu Slum Chandrika said, “We are trying to environments that feel safe, healing want to follow that tradition on by the authorities. Clearance Board provides training apply what the act mandates about and inspiring.” regular days as well and bring a "There is only one police booth to people for jobs nearby. not forcing inmates to wear “Similarly, it is believed that splash of colour and prints to their in the colony, and no police officer However, even that has a uniforms.We are trying to break the different colours can induce life,” said Arunachalam Shanti, a takes regular rounds around the problem as only those who have stigma about colours such as green, specific emotional or mental states staff nurse at IMH. area despite constant incidents. The studied till 8th standard are eligible blue and violet that they indicate that can change mood, the level of As the act is progressing, the problem has increased due to lack for it," said Ramai (28) a resident mental illness.” anxiety, or the individual’s institute is trying to adapt to seeing of streetlights in our block, and and member of Uravugal, an NGO “On a steady pace we’ll be perception,” added Dr. Chandrika. colourful printed clothes on the despite making requests to the local working in the colony. Block C in the Perumbakkam colony NIKITASINGH enforcing the practice of letting the Earlier, in 2009, nearly 2000 sets campus. administration they have not been According to Vettivel (33), a inmates wear their own clothes and of new uniforms were distributed to “It is okay for the inmates to installed. Men out of work do resident advocate, people moved I live there is a lift, so the residents electrician comes for repair," he for those who don’t have their the inmates as a part of the social wear them as it’ll only help in nothing but drink alcohol everyday readily to the area after the 2015 have to pay Rs. 750 for the said. He added that the water pipes personal clothes we’ll get floral initiative of the Rajasthan Cosmo making their conditions better,” and cause trouble," said November floods. maintenance cost, versus the were of substandard quality and print materials and give them Club Foundation. said Dr. Chandrika. Muthulakshmi, resident of Block C However, within just a few years normal amount of Rs. 250. And yet, resulted in damp walls.dotted with stitched dresses.” After that this is the first time The State’s ‘Differently Abled and former member of Saadhani of living, the poor quality of the lift malfunctions every other green algae, attracting 'kosus' An article in Scientific American when the culture of wearing green Pension Scheme’ does not provide Pengal (women of achievement), a construction began to plague the week, often leaving a person (mosquitoes) in big amounts and describes the theory of “colour uniforms is being broken. for the mentally ill. local body formed to address civic inhabitants. "In the building where trapped inside for hours before the causing dengue. Radio Frequency Identification Tags for the newborns protection SONAM CHOKI alarm, if the baby is carried by of the baby and mother with a of baby thefts were reported to the anyone else other than the mother green background. And if the hospital administration. Chennai: The Government Kilpauk and the patient attendant. The patient attendant holds baby the The RFID system was first Medical College (GKMC) Hospital security system has a display and background color will be orange. started in the goverment General has introduced Radio Frequency scanners attached to computer Whereas if a stranger is carrying Hospital In Madurai three years Identification (RFID) Tags to software to give the information the baby the system will not ago and was expanded prevent the “theft” of babies in the with photographs of the baby, recognize it and the back ground toGovermeny hospital for women hospital. mother and the attendant. will be red, indicating danger,” she and children, Egmore and Kasturba These systems are widely used The photographs of the newborn, added. Gandhi Hospital last year. by leading hospitals to maintain a mother and the respective attendant The siren alaram has been R. Mahadur, who recently gave systematic record of patients, will be taken and stored in the installed a little away from the birth at the Kilpauk Medical doctors and equipment. This system for the process and tags will entrance of the ward.So that it will Hospital said, “I am now feeling application can provide significant be issued to all three. be eaiser to alert security. In a comfortable with this new security benefits to the healthcare industry Dr.K. Vasanthamani, Dean of month more than 500 deliveries system. And I think people would by ensuring patient’s safety by KMC, said, “The mother will take place at Government Kilpauk feel secure and confident to deliver tagging them and updating their receive green tag and the attendant Medical Hospital, said Dr. in government hospitals.” data. It also helps manage will wear orange on their necks. Vasanthamani. “It’s good to see that the distribution of medications, and While the RFID tag for the baby A report in The Times of India government is taking adequate prevent theft. will be on the ankle.” said that at least five children go steps and measures to stop baby The RFID in the GKMC hospital “When the mother moves the missing in the state each day. The theft. Hope this system gets Baby with RFID tag in GKMC Hospital HINDU alerts the security staff with an baby, the screen will show pictures move came after repeated incidents implemented in all hospitals. page 3 EDITED_Layout 1 2/22/2019 5:12 PM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February 22, 2019 3 CITYSCAPE Organic farming gains traction Cops-students Sans chemicals and middlemen, it is providing impetus to both farmers and buyers

TANYA KHANDELWAL travel long distances to sell small quantities (say 15 kg to 20 kg) to join handneedss and finally, on the various Chennai: More and more people individual traders, making the pro - SRAVANI NELLORE apps and websites that are designed are buying organic fruits, vegeta - cess viable. to make hassle-free complaint- bles and food grains and an increa - “About 80 per cent of the items Chennai: In what is termed to be registering process. sing number of farmers are are procured from farmers within the first-of-a-kind student-police “In a first, the Tamil Nadu police switching to chemical-free cultiva - the state while the remaining 20 per interaction organised at Police have made themselves accessible to tion to cater to the demand. cent comes from across India; we Headquarters here on Saturday, everyone more easily. We can have In Chennai alone, there are cur - get it from Rajasthan, Karnataka Director General of Police TK a direct conversation on our social rently over 400 stores that procure, and all the way from Kashmir,” Rajendran, IPS emphasised the media sites, which is always distribute or directly sell organic Gopi added. need for participation of students in active,” said Dr. M. Ravi IPS cereals and pulses, other fresh pro - “This is done with the help of ensuring a safe society. ADGP (Headquarters). duce and even processed products, like-minded groups in different sta - “Students play a centric role in B Shridevi, Additional Deputy according to the National Bank for tes, who help us check products amplifying the good work done by Superintendent of Police, Police Agricultural and Rural Develop - there for authenticity and visit the police by dispelling false Computer Wing, said, “There is ment. farms on our behalf as part of a rumours. Nowadays, there is a Digicop, an app, where one can “Initially it was very difficult for monthly exercise we undertake at greater concern over the menace report thefts of phones online. us to even explain what organic OFM for quality control.” Increasing demand of organic eatables has empowered the farmers| THE HINDU, JUSTDIAL spread on the social media sites,” While purchasing a new mobile, meant or what millets are, but Selling organic items ranging said Rajendran. one can also find out if the phone is things have changed over time. from traditional varieties of white lar, chemically nurtured produce. pay for regular produce, and that is ched from the regular farming met - Exhorting students to be a stolen one, by entering the IMEI.” Earlier we had to call up and ask and brown rice, millets, whole and “Comparing organic produce my biggest satisfaction,” he added. hods to an organic one, the process ambassadors of police, Additional “For women's safety, we have farmers who undertook organic far - ground spices, oils, country and hill with ‘poison’ (crops grown with Dharani said he hoped the go - was a little difficult since the soil Director General of Police C. launched Kavalan SOS app last ming and wanted a market for their varieties of vegetables and a few chemical fertilisers and pesticides) vernment would repair rainwater took a little over a year to adjust to Sylendra Babu, IPS, added, “A year, which can be used to register produce, but now they approach us processed beauty products, OFM is a little unfair, considering the storage tanks since rainwater has the changed conditions. Hence misconception of police is complaints of sexual assault, on their own, owing to the increa - has a varied customer base. health benefits that come with ea - enough micro nutrients to nurture such farmers might require assis - prevalent in the minds of the harassments and chain snatching. sed demand for their produce,” said Pradeep Kuttuva, volunteer at ting healthy,” Kuttuva added. the organically grown crops. He tance in the early stages of their people. A policeman is not a God. Then there is GRP (Government Gopi Devarajan, Coordinator, Or - OFM, added that the prices of ve - Dharani (28), an organic farmer added that the price wasn’t very switch, he added. We cannot bring about a just Railways Police) app for railway ganic Farmers Market (OFM). getables was generally kept fixed from Arani in Tiruvannamalai dis - different and he pegged his produce Venkataraman Srinivasan, a re - society without help from public. passengers. Help from GRP would OFM works like a cooperative here, with country vegetables trict said “The Government help at only around Rs 5 to Rs 7 above gular customer at OFM, said, “This Students should build the gap come in a matter of five minutes.” (although not formally registered as (gourd, tomato, lady’s finger) being hasn’t reached us and our custo - the regular market price for chemi - place sells long forgotten traditio - between us and the people.” She listed out the various online one) and serves as a market for or - sold at around Rs 45 a kg and hill mers are our main source of help.” cally grown crops. nal varieties of rice. The best part The three-hour-long interaction services offered, including the ganic farmers to sell their produce vegetables (capsicums, potatoes, “Consumers, especially in Chen - Dharani said he didn’t have to is that the prices are not different included a panel discussion on the police verification service and lost without any middlemen taking up beans, cauliflowers) at around Rs nai, understand and recognise our invest much in his farm as he star - from regular items, which makes it image of the police in society, the document report. The Conclave their share of profits. This elimina - 60 a kg, which is only 10 per cent efforts and are willing to pay a ted out with organic crops itself. possible for us to buy organic items importance of community policing, was attended by over 120 students tes the farmer’s hassle of having to to 15 per cent different from regu - slightly higher price than what they But usually for farmers who swit - without much extra expenditure.” leveraging technology for people’s from 55 colleges. Student-fuelled dreams A splash of colour over ordinary homes Two city artists break the barriers of conventional forms of art make it to outer space TULIKA CHATURVEDI TULIKA CHATURVEDI Chennai: Thirty-four year old en - Chennai: It was during an office trepreneur Aarthi Sivaramakris - lunch that the team of Space Kids hnan knew she was always inclined India (SKI) decided it wanted to towards art, but never pictured the make a satellite which was as small possibility of her being sought after and weighed as much as a gulab for creating quirky, customized pie - jamun. ces. Named after India’s Missile “Even when I was working as Man, Kalamsat was a cube-shaped, HR, I dabbled in painting as a 64-grams satellite launched in hobby but over time people started 2017. It couldn’t make the world approaching me saying they’d pay record of being the smallest satel - The team that built a 62 g satellite, Kalamsat FORBES INDIA for a product like that,” she says. lite as it was only sub-orbital, but it Inspired, she started The Colour paved the way for a more ambitious Space Launch Vehicle (NSLV) stel - month they roped in Prateek, a Company in 2016, and specialized project that would bring wides - lites, two sub-orbital satellites, and class-IV student from Chennai, in personalizing everyday house - pread recognition to the city-based a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle who has been assigned the task of hold objects like bottles, coasters, Left: A recycled decoupage bottle; right: anonymous artist Lotuzhead poses with his aerospace research start-up. (PSLV) satellite,” he added. building a balloon satellite. With a trays, tin cookie boxes, pen-hol - grafitti; he has kept his identity under wraps since 2015 | THE COLOUR COMPANY, THE HINDU Weighing 1,200 grams and with The start-up which is one of life expectancy of two hours, the ders, photo-frames, and vintage a life expectancy of two months, South Asia’s most prominent am - satellite would be attached to a he - trunks. bunk-bed. The younger one wanted skills.” build a story to make it more enga - Kalamsat-V2 was launched from bassadors for the National Aero - lium balloon and parked at a height “Indians are quite sentimental to have something to look at when Another anonymous city-based ging.” Sriharikota on January 24, beco - nautics and Space Administration of 1.5 lakh feet, touching the earth’s about their belongings, but the per - he slept below, and I was able to street artist who goes by the name “The income is highly erratic ming the lightest satellite in the (NASA), is known for organizing curvature. sonalized-gift market is unexplored paint a solar system on the wooden of Lotuzhead can be approached and seasonal, and you could make world and the first one to be made camps to promote the development Besides the production of satelli - in the country. Once I saw it could divider.” for abstract, domestic wall-art for anywhere between Rs.5,000 and by students and launched by the In - of scientific temper in students. tes, the organization also encoura - be a viable business opportunity, I About half of her income comes as less as Rs.400. Although he has Rs.5 lakh for a single project,” he dian Space Research Organization Their most recent project focuses ges innovations in technology to thought I’d take the plunge; so far from organizing workshops on al - gained prominence through art di - pauses. “When it comes to art, not (ISRO). on training students of government make information accessible to so good!” she adds with a laugh. ternate weekends in Adyar, Anna rection and commercial gigs across a lot of people are willing to expe - “A team of 14 members-8 stu - schools in and around Karaikal. people from all communities. The bottles at her studio bearing Nagar, Alwarpet, and ECR, which the city, he enjoys dabbling in inte - riment because of the slow progress dents between the ages of 19 and When asked about the recruit - “We are in talks to develop intricate, colorful designs are com - see a lot of participation from wor - rior work. of work.” 21 and 6 backing staff - made it in ment process, founder Dr. Srimathy Mango PC, a palm-sized computer pletely recyclable, and would ot - king professionals. “It is important to meet the client Lotuzhead says that aspiring ar - a record time of 6 days,” said Chief Kesavan said, “We annually host a that will be affordable for people herwise be in the trash. “My longest-running workshop in person and understand what they tists are limited by what they know Innovation Officer Vijaya Lakshmi ‘Young Indian Scientist’ pro - from low-income backgrounds,” “Once people get conscious of has been on decoupage bottles, the want, to visit the space beforehand and shouldn’t hesitate to spend Narayan, who was also the Lead gramme and also attend several said Kunnal Vasanth, Chief Com - their usage, responsible disposal youngest participant, a ten-year old and assess what can be done with time on polishing their skills if they Satellite Architect for the project. competitions that have students munications Officer. isn’t that hard to implement. At this boy and the oldest one, an 88-year it,” he says about the creative pro - wish to pursue it professionally. “Every single person brought from across India exhibiting their The team is presently involved in point, I get several calls every week old woman,” she says. cess. “When it comes to any form of their core strength to their depart - inventions. These students don’t building another satellite, Vikram - with people volunteering to drop “Most participants are interested “They can be extremely specific creativity, there is an inner inertia ment, whether it was coding, archi - necessarily have to be winners; we sat, to conduct biological experi - their stock to my office.” in taking charge of beautifying their with their requirements which take that drives you to learn more. An tecture, or electronics.” just look for the right balance of ta - ments in space in an effort to aid When asked about her most fun homes - I try to actively stay in down the creativity by a notch, but institution would help you focus “As of January this year, SKI has lent and potential.” farmers. It is a tribute to Vikram Sa - project till date, she says “I had a touch and conduct follow-up mee - I experiment with different me - your energies a lot more producti - launched nine satellites- six Near She pointed out that just last rabhai, the founder of ISRO. client who had two sons sharing a tings to help them brush up their diums of expression and try to vely,” he quips. Noizzy Box: Making all the right noises

SRUTHI VENUGOPAL lity of sound. “I started this on 2016. An exhi - Chennai: Neeraj Sablok witnessed bition was set up in the Chennai the happiness on his grandmother’s Trade Centre when a few youngs - Inscriptions on the walls of an 8th century Pallava temple in Kolapakkam defaced by layers of oil-paint |SNEHA KANCHAN face when he gifted her with a vin - ters declined to buy it as it was a tage radio. This inspired him to Chennai product,”he said. make speakers that mix the retro “I then decided to make this pro - with the present. duct a benchmark. Now we have Heritage dying slowly under paint, obscurity To promote the use of radios in got clients even from Bollywood,” this technologically-bound world, he added. SNEHA KANCHAN In bigger temples like the Briha - well as countries like Malaysia, tools have been found. Foote’s first the place where the Asia’s first NRJ Ventures manufactures blue - Safety measures are taken for deeswara temple in Thanjavur, Thailand, Burma and Indonesia. spot, very close to the airport, was stone axe was discovered,’” he tooth speakers with four radio every product. These bluetooth Chennai: The walls of the Agat - painting is restricted because of the But a lot of Chennai’s history was supposed to have been taken up by added. bands. These speakers are designed speakers work only when it is not heeswarar Temple in Kolapakkam strict rules in place, he added. either lost or could be found in the ASI for further excavation but The ASI, he said, was also facing in retro style with the brand name, connected to the charger. This helps look ordinary at first glance. Up The Agatheeswarar temple also other countries, he added. ran into trouble with the corpora - a personnel crunch and wasn’t Noizzy box. in avoiding battery damage. close, the inscriptions on the 8th has an Indonesian connection that Speaking about heritage sites tion and real estate players, said equipped to undertake excavations Sablok, founder of Noizzy box “If a product is senior citizen century Pallava shrine, coated with is hidden in its backyard. King Sri - getting lost in obscurity, Balasu - Balasubramani. by itself. The organisation allowed said, “I wanted to mix the vintage friendly, then it can be used by layers of blue oil paint, have a dif - vijaya who ruled over Sumatra in bramani mentioned the spot in Pal - Today, the possible spot where the Sharma Centre for Heritage and the current trend of using blue - anyone irrespective of their age ferent tale to tell. the 8th century had donated funds lavaram where British the axe was found lies under a layer Education, a private foundation, to tooth speakers. After research and group,” Sablok said. The temple, believed to be over to the temple to dig a water tank. archaeologist and geologist Robert of garbage and oblivion. carry out excavations in Attiram - development for eight to nine According to him, Chennai has a 1200 years old, has Tamil inscrip - Four stone-slab inscriptions from Bruce Foote discovered Asia’s first “Whenever you go abroad, even pakkam, another prehistoric site months, we came up with our pro - good customer base. Kolkata has tions all along the outer walls of the that time are lying abandoned in the lower Palaeolithic era stone axe in 200 or 300 years of history is well- close to Chennai. Stone-age tools duct. It was fast moving and hence larger number of customers for the sanctum sanctorum. temple compound. 1863. A study undertaken by the marked with descriptions. But here dating back to 1.5 million years we had to double our production.” product. “The problem is that we don’t The Chennai coast, along the Sharma Centre for Heritage Educa - we aren’t doing it,” said Balasubra - were found there. The products are out for sale The Noizzy box has released have value education on heritage. If Bay of Bengal or the Chola Lake as tion in Chennai revealed that the mani, who has worked with the Ar - “Tamil Nadu, over the years, has only after a check for almost a five models of Bluetooth speakers. you look at these old temples, the they called it back then, had always stone tool could be over one mil - chaeological Survey of India (ASI) given more importance to temple- month. They are designed in such a The features includes four radio walls are full of inscriptions that been a trade hotbed, said journalist lion years old, putting Chennai on as a freelance archaeologist, assis - based history. We need more phy - way that there is a balance between bands (FM, AM, SW1 and SW2) , tell stories. But people painted the R. Rangaraj. Through the Mylapore the prehistoric world map. ting it with multiple excavations. sical anthropologists to trace the vintage and technology. USB, TF card, AUX and Bluetooth. walls,” said historian Sivagnanam port, the city was well-connected In Chennai alone there are more “They should put up a board at historical significance of the city,” Analog output is used instead of The price ranges from Rs. 1499 to Balasubramani. with the Chinese and the Greek as than 169 spots where such axes and the Chennai airport saying ‘This is added Balasubramani. digital output to improve the qua - Rs.4000. Edition 4 Page 4_Layout 1 2/25/2019 10:40 AM Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI February 22, 2019 4 CITYSCAPE Reviving culture diversity and linguistics Short films from all over the world ANUSHKA DEEPAK 20 - 25 screened in a day Chennai: International Mother Lan - guage Day has been observed every Relationship, ecology, alienation and repression in focus year on February 21 since 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural di - Film: Acide versity. To mark the day, the Inter - Film: Katran Direction: Just Philipot national Institute of Tamil Studies Direction: Prem Singh (IITMS) celebrated ‘Tamizh’ Based on a short fast forward in through poetry. Screened on the fourth day of the the 21st century when acid rains K. Pandiarajan, Minister for Chennai International Short Film have become very common, Acide Tamil Official Language and Cul - Festival, Katran deals with love and depicts a family of three looking for ture said, “Languages are important turmoil. The film revolves around shelter to escape a storm on its way. to preserve our heritage. Every two an aged couple who has spent most Acide It also shows how dangerous si - weeks a language disappears, ta - of their married life fighting with tuations affect the attitude of the ge - king away the culture connected to each other. Finally, the husband neral public in a time of scarce it. Hence, the UNESCO’s announ - (Piyush Mishra) decides to get di - resources. It points to an eerily po - cement that a day like this should Chetlur in conversation with Ramani Bharadwaj | FACEBOOK vorce from his wife (Alka Amin). tential future with depleting resour - be celebrated makes me very They visit a lawyer (Rajendra ces on the earth. happy. This effort by IITMS is a SNEHA KANCHAN festival. So far, 111 films have been Chawla), and after a series of Acide shows the struggle of a way to spread awareness about our SWAPNAJITH KUNDU screened with wide themes events their life takes a different couple struggling to protect their dying languages.” SOHEIB AHSAN covering climate change, social turn. only son. According to a UNESCO report, alienation and family drama among The film shows the complex uni - A still from the short film Acide It also shows the efforts a parent 43 per cent of the estimated 6000 Chennai: The 6th edition of the others. dentified layers of love that exists goes through to protect the inno - languages spoken in the world are Chennai International Short Film Speaking about the response between every middle class couple. cence of their children while dea - endangered. India has about 22 of - Festival (CISFF) is an attempt to they’ve been receiving halfway The concept of love changes its de - ling with the skeptical society ficially recognised languages, 1635 build a community where you can through the festival, Chetlur said finition according to the class struc - around. rationalised mother tongues, 234 just sit back, watch and appreciate that the response has been decent ture of society. The narrative of the Above all else, the film is a show identifiable mother tongues, accor - films, said Shylaja Chetlur, but the there was definitely a need film has been aptly complemented of how nature fights back when it is ding to Census 2001. Additional Festival Director, to spread the word. “It will pick up by the sublime direction of Prem threatened and how ruthless it can R. Ventakesan, IAS, Tamil De - CISFF. The 8-day festival as the festival progresses,” she Singh. The length of the film is be. velopment and Information Depart - happening at the Tagore Film added. short and the dialogues crisp. In the This film is a wakeup call and a ment said, “Our mother tongue is Centre NFDC will conclude on In a bid to facilitate audience acting department, both Piyush reminder for all of us as to what we the first thing we learn to speak. If 23rd February with an award interaction, the festival this year has Mishra and Alka Amin did an ex - can expect if nature keeps deterio - it is under a threat of disappearing ceremony highlighting the best designed a separate session called cellent job with Rajendra Chawla rating at the rate it already is. we should take steps to preserve it films. the Celebrity Interaction with film doing his bit with aplomb as a la - It is also a heart melting tale of and this day marks a major step to The festival saw an online industry personalities like director wyer. The film traverses the boun - ordinary people which could end up revive our lost heritage.” submission of short films from 61 Rajiv Menon, acress Lakshmi dary of time and depicts the subtle being our own tale if the horren - To celebrate International Mot - countries including entries from Priyaa Chandramouli, music emotions of marriage deftly. dous future of this film comes her Language Day 2019, the Office countries like Iran, Afghanistan, director Ramani Bharadwaj, Poster of the short film Paduvarahalli of the United Nations Ombudsman Turkey, Ecuador, Estonia, France, filmmaker Jayendra and others. and Mediation Services invited the US and a bunch of Indian films. These sessions have given the Film: Blue Tomorrow Film: Paduvarahalli people to send their favourite pro - It has collaborated with the festival a boost and were attracting Direction: Numan Ayaz Direction: Jamadagni Manoj verbs in their particular mother ton - National Film Development the right audience.For instance, the gue on various topics such as peace, Corporation of India and Cinema second day of the festival which Released in 2018, Blue Tomorrow is an animation that deals with the The film is set in the colonial era at a time when numerous Indian rebels harmony, conflict resolution/com - Rendezvous, a Chennai-based film had a session titled ‘Designing a journey of a man who lives alone in an Island. When the water level of are arrested and executed on a daily basis. petence to deal with conflict, mind - club headed by Chetlur. “These are film – top to toe’ with visual the ocean begins to rise, the man is forced to leave his home and go to a Set in the city of Paduvarahalli in Mysore,the protagonist, Hari Samashti is fulness, resilience, and well-being. the kind of films that you won’t designer Siddharth Chandrasekhar city, which is already destroyed by the menacing ocean. His journey a barber whose family has been in the profession for generations. He is a se - These proverbs will be compiled, find on YouTube or any other had a big group of students from continues, and in the end he finds solace in an unexpected place. cret informant for the rebels. His dilemma starts when a local officer Avinash and published on its website and streaming sites. We’ve carefully the National Institute of Fashion The film borders on surrealism, with the prime example being the boat working for the colonials visits the shop for a shave. Hari is torn between his other digital platforms. curated the list,” said Chetlur. Technology. tied to a flying kite that works as its engine. The willing suspension of sense of duty to his rebel friends and his family and professional reputation. Dr. G. Vijayaraghavan, Director The films, divided into The reception from the younger disbelief is further highlighted by the picture of the submerged city, where The film’s narrates all the thoughts going through Hari’s mind as he gives Directorate of Tamil Development, categories like fiction, animation audience has been overwhelming people have transformed into stones, depicting the agony of emotionless Avinash a shave. The film is more than a simple good and bad person story. recited a poem. “Our mother lan - and documentary, are being groups of students “We’re also modern man so often seen in the writings of Beckett and Camus. It portrays It shows the effect of colonial control as two characters of the same country guage is what makes us united. screened in three slots from 11 a.m. planning to have a shorter version the dangers of global warming, and the apocalypse awaiting mankind. In are pitted against each other. Tamil is not a language, it’s our re - to 8 p.m. A total of 186 films will of the festival in Coimbatore later,” the end, it gives a ray of hope, but also shows that human being will always The audience is also shown the different perspectives that go unnoticed in ligion.” be screened during the course of the she added. suffer from an existential crisis caused by our own deeds. a rebellion and how difficult it can be to decide Old age homes under scanner Board games lounge to attract kids VIVANESH PARTHIBAN when he saw many old women med for inadequate facility being SOHEIB AHSAN friends being the only ones who which one would their parents pre - pansion of their lounge. As of now stranded in the street during the provided to the old ones in my were told about it. Arjun and Chi - fer for their kids - an internet cafe it is only an experimental project Chennai: Old age homes are fin - 2015 flood he gave us a idea that trust.” Chennai: From regular meetings tra say the response from their fa - or a board games lounge?” asks for them to see where board games ding the procedures of inspection we can accommodate two or three Now Arjunan is planning to send for playing board games, Arjun Su - milies was not only positive but Arjun. They have been visited by stand in the hearts of people. cumbersome and random after the of them in our own house, in rooms the remaining three old people to kumaran (31) and Chitra Bianca extremely enthusiastic as well. teenagers and adults wanting to re - Madras High Court ordered the ins - built for guests.” another old age home as he cannot Appasamy (31) have opened a “They offered to help design this live their younger days as well as pection of all private and charitable “Then we got funds from an provide necessary care toward the lounge for the same. place, even brought decorations by an elderly couple. old age homes following a public NGO which transformed this idea old ones. Unlike other cafes that provide from their own home for it” said Chitra and Arjun are working as “We are hoping to get more interest litigation filed from Coim - into a charitable trust- aided old age “When people came for inspec - board games to its visitors, ‘The Chitra. writers. While Chitra writes food batore by a senior citizen. home.” tion they told me to give special at - Board Games Lounge’ focuses on In the past three days since the blogs, Arjun writes game reviews young children” Charu Old Age Home officials Charles said “many people espe - tention to the old ones and told us the games primarily while also pro - lounge has opened, they have re - for the new Indian express. They Arjun, CEO of the board game said “We have made all changes in cially from software companies do - to comply with the rules mentioned viding a few beverages for their ga - ceived an overwhelming response have no plans for the growth or ex - lounge the building and necessities accor - nate a lunch or breakfast for the in the 2016 social welfare depart - mers. They charge Rs. 200 per over the weekend as the place was ding to the rule in Social welfare people here.” Now there are 33 old ment rules as soon as possible.” person on weekdays and Rs. 300 on jam packed on Sunday. On week - department rules 2016”. They offi - women in the home. The 2016 social welfare depart - weekends. days they barely have any visitors. cials said they had spent around Arjunan, who is with the Satiya - ment rules states that inmates must The idea of starting a board They plan to extend their working Rs.10 lakh on the changes. meh Jaya Charitable Trust (Rama - be provided nutritious meal thrice game lounge had wandered in their hours as some people have shown The old age home in T.Nagar puram), “The palliative care for an a day, at least 7 square meter space minds for years but they began interest in visiting on weekdays was started in 2016 after the Chen - old person is different from that for for an inmate in the home, recrea - working towards it in October last after they finish working. nai floods. M.S Charles, the foun - a young person. In the last six tion, outings to a religious place , year. Out of 200 games, most were Although they haven’t targeted der, turned a part of his own house months out of six people who joi - park or cinema once a week and owned by them beforehand and a any specific audiences, their visi - into an old age home. ned our old age homes three died changes in infrastructure like the few were lent to them by close tors are of all ages from 12 and His mother Jennie (65) said because of some health issues. This ramps, railings, toilet with hand friends. The idea was kept under above. “We are hoping to get more “This is wholly my son’s idea, earned me a bad name as many bla - holdings and wheel chairs. wraps at first, family and close young children because let’s face it, The board games provided to visitors |SOHEIB AHSAN

Kalakshetra alumni come together to drive visual arts forward SRINJOY DEY

Chennai: A.D. Saju (32), who graduated in Visual Arts from Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts in 2010, says he had been waiting for this moment for nine years. A series of his paintings hang next to each other at the Lalit Kala Akademi. On February 11, the Kalakshetra Foundation alumni and visual arts faculty announced ‘Kalanubhava’, the first art exhibition that they would organize since the department’s inception in 1940s. Although there was no overarching theme that ran throughout the event, it was dedicated to Prof. K. Sreenivasulu – a veteran contemporary artist who pioneered the Madras Art Movement in 1960s, and was one of the founding faculty members of the department of Visual arts. “We had been trying, but music and The exhibits at ‘Kalanubhava’ were an experimental blend of contemporary and traditional art forms that has been practiced in Kalakshetra | SRINJOY DEY dance is usually promoted in the matches the trend in art pedagogy foundation,” Saju says, claiming Culture Minister, Mahesh Sharma, foundation. art.” says Rm. Palaniappan, the Vikram (28), says. The exhibition folk traditions, he was able to – “The expansion of facilities and that the foundation will henceforth to discuss a greater role for the “The exhibition brings together a curator and former Regional took place between February 16 create paintings that could stand the progress of the students’ skill and work with the alumni association to alumni in running of the institution. generation of art students of Secretary of Lalit Kala Akademi, and 20. test of time – we are blessed to creative ability indicate that the organize art exhibitions every year. The alumni demanded that the Kalakshetra reflecting the route Chennai. According to Saju, Sreenivasulu’s have had him as one of the pillars department will become a part of According to a report in The Indian “board have 50 per cent members taken to evolve an authentic “This collection is a manifestation legacy lives on through his of our institution.” Kalakshetra’s legacy and gain Express last year, Kalakshetra from Kalakshetra Alumni”, and language for rigorous practice and of new realities portrayed in student’s works – “With the chosen Palaniappan says the present national reputation for its unique Foundation alumni met with Union also an alumni director for the understanding historical contexts of contemporary art,” Lawanya figurative expressions based on upgraded and revised syllabus approach in visual arts education.”