Edition 8 Page 1_Layout 1 16-03-2020 10:41 Page 1

Volume No 20 Issue No 8 March 13, 2020 LAB JOURNAL OF THE ASIAN COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM Only foreigners Putting waste TFSA film festival tested for Corona to use in ACJ Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 NPR protests to go on PCile-oup orf pnono-perrfoarmtineg as sletos lead ton cosllap sde oif Ydes Biat nk KRATI PURWAR KEERTHI KRISHNA ted a political blame game with for - mer Finance Minister P Chidamba - The Anti-Citizenship The Yes Bank branch at Nun - ram and the present Finance (Amendment) Act protest would gambakkam was almost deserted Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ta - continue until the AIADMK with the staff not ready to talk to king jibes over each other. government passed a resolution the few customers. The bank ma - In a series of tweets, P.Chidam - against the Act in the State nager refused to permit this repor - baram asked why State Bank of Assembly, said protestors at the ter to talk to the customers and the should invest in Yes Bank. He Washermenpet, , on staff. He said any queries about the also pointed out that the loans Tuesday. bank’s collapse and its consequen - given by Yes Bank had shot up by Also if the Government ces should be sent to the Mumbai 35 per cent in the last five years. implemented the National office of the bank. "I understand FM has made a Population Register is implemented The Reserve Bank of India took Yes Bank branch at |KEERTHI KRISHNA statement blaming the UPA. That's in its present formfrom April 1, over Yes Bank which was strug - normal for a government living in people would not show their gling with a reported Rs 20,000 total deposit. “This should have a merger. It is going to be an acqui - ignorance. Does the FM know the documents, they added. crores of non-performing assets alerted RBI and Enforcement Di - sition with SBI investing 49 per numbers that I have tweeted? If she One is required to provide name, and restricted the bank’s customers rectorate” added Krishnan. cent in Yes Bank.” does, will she please explain how relationship with the household from withdrawing more than Rs Economist S Gangadharan, a “ If Yes Bank is going to fail and the loan book jumped in five years head, marital status, spouse’s name, 50,000 a day till April 3. The State professor at the Madras School of lose money then SBI will also lose from Rs 55,633 crore to Rs date and place of birth, duration of Bank of India was roped in to in - Economics, said that demonetisa - which will have significant reper - 2,41,499 crore?" stay at the current address, sex, fuse funds into the bank . tion played a major role in Yes cussions.” In another tweet, Chidambaram nationality, permanent address, women protesting at Washermenpet | KRATI PURWAR Economist C.P. Krishnan, one of Bank’s fall. “The Government According to Franco, most of the said, "SBI should take over the loan occupation, and educational the Joint Secretaries of the Bank found Rs 1 lakh crore worth cur - loans given by Yes Bank were to book of Yes Bank for one rupee, re - qualification. Palaniswami, where he resented on the streets to protest and they Employees Federation of India, rency of the old Rs 500 and Rs corporate investors. Different cover the loans, and assure the de - Earlier, Chief National Register of Citizens and were suffering for a reason, said that the main reason for the 1000 notes in possession of Rana banks work differently. The likes of positors that their money will be Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami Home Minister Amit Shah who therefore, the government should at collapse of Yes Bank was the surge Kapoor,” he said. SBI and HDFC give lots of loans safe and will be returned." said people need not provide details affirmed that NRC would be least consider their request. of corporate loans in the private Gangadharan added that once for small amounts to many people Responding to Chidambaram of the spoken language, birthplace implemented throughout the H. Dasthageer, an auto driver, sector bank started by Rana Kapoor Yes Bank became aware of its im - but YES Bank gives large loans to through a press conference, Nirmal of parents, and details of parents’ country, Banu said she was not said that protestors were trying to and Ashok Kapur in 2004. pending failure, the owners started a few corporates. Seetharaman said, “I am not here to Aadhar cards, ration cards, and sure whom the people should trust. pressure the State government “Loans in Yes Bank have grown selling stocks. “Shares were sold at “The loans given by Yes Bank continue carrying the stories of le - voter IDs. Shamshath, a housewife, said against the NPR and if that would on an average of 35-40 percent in throwaway prices,” said Gangad - are very bad and which fall under gacy. Yes, the Indian banking sys - On March 11, the State that protest was limited to the not work out, the protest would the last 4 years. It is an astronomi - haran. The RBI should have moni - non-performing assets (NPAS). tem has had severe challenges Government said it could not pass Washermenpet area and it was in become larger. cal figure not seen anywhere in the tored Yes Bank. The NPAs of each bank are main - thanks to the way in which the go - resolution against the CAA, a the hands of the government to Nagu, a housewife, said the private sector. Loans in the public “Regular checks need to be done tained separately by both RBI and vernment which existed between Central law, in the Tamil Nadu dissolve it there or move it across Chief Minister and the Centre were sector grow around 12-13 percent so that the banks do not get a free the bank. In the case of Yes Bank, 2004 and 2014 had handled the assembly. the streets of the city. City wide not only against Muslims but also in a year while in the private sector pass from the Centre.” the two NPAs did not match.” he matter. I have reasons to put the Shehnaaz Banu, a Madras High protests might result in bloodshed against the Hindus. They are asking it is around 8-9 per cent, “added Thomas Franco, former General added. blame on them.” Court lawyer, said if Kerala and and protestors did not want that, all the communities to prove their Krishnan. Secretary of All India Bank Offi - “PMC, Lakshmi Vilas Bank and "The exposure of Yes Bank to Pondicherry could rule against the she added. citizenship on the basis of “This is not the first time it is cer's Confederation(AIBOC), felt a Karur Vysya Bank all have similar some of the very stressed corpora - NPR then so should Tamil Nadu Shamshath said people did not documents many of them do not happening in India. Punjab and merger between SBI and Yes Bank problems. PMC and LVB gave tes came before 2014,” she said. government. “Why have they want Tamil Nadu to become have. Maharashtra Co-operative Bank, would be a strain on SBI. loans to business corporates which “These are public domain become the mouthpiece of the BJP? Assam. Until Tuesday, the state Sultani Beevi, a protestor at Karnala Co-operative Bank (Pan - “Asking SBI to take over Yes they shouldn't have been allowed to names and I am not violating any Is the Centre forcing them to government used the excuse of the Washermenpet, said that the vel) and Shri Guru Raghavendra Bank when SBI itself is not doing in the first place. PMC gave loans customer privacy. Anil Ambani implement the NPR? What kind of party leader’s (former Speaker PH protestors were neither hurting Sahakara Bank (Karnataka) have well does not sound well. SBI to the Dewan group while LVB (Group), Essel Group, DHFL, the government is the AIADMK Pandian) death and Holi to delay anyone nor were they vandalizing all come under the scrutiny for their chairman publicly told he is not in gave it to a business group in IL&FS (and) Vodafone are some of that cannot come and talk to the the decision on CAA, NRC, and any public property. They would go financial problems,” said Krishnan. a position to intervene in this mat - Karur,” he said about the dwindling the very stressed corporate to protestors?” she added. NPR, she added. back only if the NPR was scrapped. He added that in all these banks the ter recently but his hand has been finances of other banks. which Yes Bank has been expo - Pointing to the contradictory Shamshat said pregnant women, “We are fighting for all Indians,” loans portfolio had exceeded the forced now. This is not going to be The Yes Bank collapse has - sed," she said. statements of Chief Minister children, and elderly were sitting she added. Corona kills Holi festivities MEENAL VASHISTHA with a sale for Rs. 300. we’ve been given general instruc - Virus affects tourism and travel Business is equally bad for more tions in the class that we shouldn’t MARIAH DINS and Kochi has come down, even death toll increasing. I feel it is nings, according to The Hindu. Owing partly to the slow eco - prosperous vendors and street haw - play outside and avoid crowded after domestic carriers like IndiGo better to stay safe than to regret it With panic among people ri - nomy and partly to the public’s an - kers selling sweets. places. But I’m still going to play The international and domestic and GoAir offered discounts. A later,” said Solomon David, who sing, M. Jagadeeshan, City Health xiety of Coronavirus, vendors of “The sales have gone down by Holi, not here but in our apartment travel industry has taken a hit with one way ticket from Chennai to cancelled his holiday tickets due Officer says, “The Government is Holi colours, sweets and dry fruits 70 percent. People have no income complex,” Jain said. the World Health Organisation Kochi which usually comes up to to the spread of COVID-19. giving out press releases twice a and other eateries at to spend, so the sales are bound to But amidst, all this, there is one (WHO) declaring the COVID-19 Rs 2400 is now available for Rs An article published by The day and has restricted all mass gat - complain of a major dip in sales. be low. This year, there’s less craze category of shops that are touching a pandemic and the Indian Go - 1700 for April and May. Hindu Business Line says, the herings in the city. We are keeping “Last year was better, this year for Holi. Dry-fruits are usually sky-rocketing sales because of the vernment suspending all tourist “Travel to South East Asia, Eu - concerns over the fast spreading a track of people coming from the schools have told kids not to given as gifts. So this year they scare over the coronavirus. visas till April 15. rope and China has seen a huge disease have ravaged markets and abroad if they are showing any play Holi as Coronavirus is sprea - may not be visiting friends, so why “The sales have hiked ten times. The number of confirmed co - number of cancellations. The peo - hobbled supply chains as countries symptoms in order to control the ding so the business is very low. would they buy as much,” says The rate of masks is changing by rona cases has crossed 120,000 ple are in panic as the Government around the world grapple with spread of the disease.” Last year, I earned about Rs.10,000 Bharat Kumar, 32, owner of Aas - the hour. Just this morning, I sold worldwide and over 60 people started imposing travel and visa how to contain both the virus and “Since this is a respiratory in - in sales, this year I had no sales. If hirwad General Store in Sowcarpet. 50 masks and this new stock will fi - have tested positive in India. bans to selected countries. We its economic impact. The plunge fection, using masks, washing I sell colors worth Rs.100, I get Rs. Niranjan Singh, 35 who sells nish by tonight . People are scared. Despite offering special dis - hope the situation improves,” said in stock market prices has intensi - your hands often and using hand 15, the rest goes to the distributors ‘Petha’ (sweetmeat) in a basket on They have no common sense. Ear - counts on air tickets, people refuse M. Shankar of Holidays4u, Adyar. fied with both Nifty and the Sen - sanitizers are the only ways that it at the warehouse, says Karthik Kat - a wooden cart says the market is so lier, I bought a mask for Rs.2 and to travel because of the Corona Press Information Bureau says sex down around 7% now, falling can be taken care of. We are trying tavary, 49, a Holi colors vendor. down that even big shopkeepers are sold it for Rs.5. Now the same virus scare. As a result, tickets are the Government of India had im - below key levels. Interglobe Avia - to keep the citizens from panic - Small vendors like Kattavary crying. “It’s the norm of the mar - mask is selling for Rs.16 and I sell being cancelled in large numbers. posed visa ban on China, Italy, tion Ltd, parent of India’s biggest king by providing them with the usually sell products on a commis - ket, people don’t have any income it for Rs.20. Other Pharmacies are Basheer Ahmed of Travel Iran, South Korea and Japan. airline IndiGo, dropped 10 percent necessary support and awareness.” sion basis. The more they sell the to buy, how can we have sales?” even selling them as high as Rs. 25 Agents Federation of India “Our family had booked tickets after it said profit for the March Jagadeeshan adds that the main more they earn. Despite being the chaotic usual to Rs.40,” says Lalit Soni, 66, (TAFE) said that the virus had se - to Singapore and Thailand for the quarter could be hit. cause of people panicking was Kattavary sells three kinds of co - self, the crowd of Sowcarpet wasn’t owner of Ramdev Pharmacy in verely affected the tourism indus - month of April. We decided to IndiGo, one of the leading In - misinformation spread through so - lours—organic colours for Rs. 150, at the Holi stalls. Potential custo - Sowcarpet. try, especially international travel. wait and see if the situation im - dian airlines in terms of market cial media. To tackle this, the Go - Gulal, the biggest sell, for Rs. 80 mers like ten-year old Rishan Jain For the past one month, he has Even domestic travel has been af - proves, but have decided to cancel share has reported cancelled vernment has come up with the and small round boxes of ‘Pukka’ contribute to the sales by buying had no hand sanitizers. “The distri - fected as people have stopped the trip as we came to know that flights and fewer bookings in the “Mythbusters” initiative an online colors for Rs.8 which he says only plastic water guns. butors are selling everything there planning trips. The number of peo - the virus is becoming more dan - ongoing quarter, which is likely to website to check the credibility of young men generally buy. The “They (Teachers) didn’t say itself, leaving nothing for them to ple travelling to Delhi, Mumbai gerous all over the world with the lead a negative impact on ear - news spread through social media. night is almost over for Kattvary anything especially about Holi but give me.” LPG deliverymen not paid by agencies, asked to live off tips NEIL CORNELIUS LPG deliverymen at a gas The deliverymen do not prefer and hence they were not able to agency in said that delivering to houses as they either demand for salaries. “We have LPG deliverymen in Chennai their plight was miserable as no one don’t pay money or pay very less. given up on trying to get the agency claim that they aren’t paid salaries understdood them. “This vehicle I “We don’t even make our money to pay us. Only a miracle can and are hence forced to live off tips use to deliver the cylinders is mine; from delivering to houses they only change their minds,” said from the customers they deliver the uniform I wear I had to buy pay Rs.30 per delivery. Even that Dhanasekaran. cylinders to. from my own money; and on top of most households refuse to pay and Divya Vasudevan, a housewife A public interest litigation case that I don’t get paid by the agency. take videos of us asking for money from Adambakkam said that filed against the overcharging by The only way I can support my and circulate on Whatsapp. On the though she empathized with their the deliverymen came up for family is through the money that other hand, when we go to deliver situation she felt that it was wrong hearing at the the customers give me. They don’t commercial cylinders at places like to make the public pay for the on Tuesday wherein the advocate believe me but I still insist they tip restaurants we get paid atleast Rs. agency’s fault. “I understand that speaking for the LPG deliverymen me. There’s no other way I can 50 some places even pay us Rs. 100 they don’t get paid but they should admitted that they overcharged per make a living,” said T R The Casual Labourers deliver more than 350 cylinders a day |FILE PHOTO occasionally,” said Dhansekaran. at least be a little courteous when cylinder. Saravanan, a worker at the agency. The deliverymen on average asking for money. Once a A report in The Hindu said that According to the deliverymen, staff member to deliver 350 There are a total of 11 casual us extra. To them, we look like make about Rs.250 a day which, deliveryman demanded Rs.70 more the counsel for delivery men said the agency has only one officially cylinders across this wide an area? labourers (CL) in the godown who people who are trying to cheat them they say, hardly covers their costs than the bill and refused to give me that the deliverymen only asked for appointed staff member who gets That’s where we come in. We all share the same plight. They are in order to make some extra money. incurred during work. “We do this the cylinder until I paid him the extra money because they were not paid a salary and earns a regular deliver all 350 cylinders and we are employed by the agency with no In reality, this is our only source of because we have no other option. money. The agency must be paid a salary. The counsel also income. The godown delivers 350 asked to keep any tips that the salaries and are asked to use their income through which we have to I’ve tried working as a labourer to brought under scrutiny. It is unfair alleged that the agencies had not cylinders every day from customers give us,” said R own vehicles for delivery. make ends meet. Nobody knows no avail ,” said Saravanan. for the public to pay extra to the paid the deliverymen the delivery to . Dhanasekaran. (62) who has been “It is completely right from the about our situation and they don’t The casual labourers said they deliverymen since we already pay charges that they were entitled to. “How is it possible for just one working in the godown since 1987. customer’s point of view to not pay even believe us,” said Saravanan. were not allowed to form unions for delivery in our regular bill.” Edition 8 Page 2_Layout 1 16-03-2020 10:20 Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI March 13. 2020 2 CITYSCAPE

People can Locals not affected ‘No hostile witnesses’ carry bicycle Police say they protect witnesses from harassment on metros KRATI PURWAR witnesses often came to the police had never found a witness, he by Coronavirus for protection and “in many cases, presented, backing out in the court. MANTHRA KOLIYER Police officers in Chennai say that they are even killed,” he added. He said he made sure to check the there has hardly been any case The High Court had said that witness statement multiple times Only people who come to Chen - where a witness has turned hostile. witnesses get lured and bribed and and run them by the public nai from other countries are being They were responding to questions were threatened to retract the prosecutor to prevent any backlash tested for Coronavirus and no about reports quoting the Madras statements made to the police at the last minute or else the police local person has been affected, ac - High Court as saying that witnesses earlier. This hindered the process of looked like liars. cording to Tamil Nadu Health Mi - turning hostile had become a new justice. Das said that thieves and nister C Vijaya Baskar. norm and therefore, it cannot be K. Palvesam, Law and Order murderers, who had been to jail Speaking in the Tamil Nadu As - presented as grounds for acquittal Inspector at the J5 Shastri Nagar, multiple times or had connections MEGHNA.M sembly, Vijaya Baskar said, “As of of an accused. said that in his 20 years of career, with influential people or political now, only those who come from S. Elamvazhudhi, J13 Sub he had not come across a case leaders, not only threatened Commuters can carry their own abroad are being checked. No local Outside the isolation ward at Rajiv Gandhi Government Inspector at the J13 Taramani where the witness was lured or witnesses but also the police. ‘compact and handy’ cycles on the person is affected. More than 8,500 Hospital | MANTHRA KOLIYER Police Station,said that the police threatened. He added witnesses Das said that an accused with metro for commuting their last passengers are being screened at offer protection to witnesses to themselves refrained from giving political connections would mile by paying double the usual the Chennai airport daily. People Dr K Narayanaswamy, medical before entering the RMO’s office. prevent them from being evidence. threaten the police using the fare. with cold or runny nose are being superintendent at Rajiv Gandhi Go - The hospital only had 3 sanitizers threatened. “There have been no Palvesam said witnesses made politician’s name or sometimes “I usually take the train from checked thoroughly." vernment General Hospital, said, on the first floor where the isolation cases of witness harassment in up their minds that they would be they would call the politician and to Thirumangalam and “It is better to avoid visiting Ke - “The hospital has been taking the ward was. Chennai.” threatened and therefore, did not force the police to release them. cycle the last mile to my workplace. rala or any other state or country necessary steps. We would not Head pharmacist at the RGGH, Referring to cases where an come forward to hand over The case was closed then and there, This has given me the opportunity which have coronavirus cases. We want the people to panic since 50 K. Indira said, “We only provide influential person could be an evidence or become eyewitness. he added. to use my bicycle rather than rent have taken all precautions and are per cent of the people have recove - masks for the admitted patients in accused, Elamvazhudaahi said that Palvesam said that politicians N. Rajendran, Inspector at the J6 one from the metro,” said S.Ranjit, tracking all those who land at red worldwide.” the ward, the care takers as well as class did not play a role in bribing and influential people in Tamil Thriuvanmiyur Police Station, said commuter. Chennai airport and other airports Vijaya Baskar minister said peo - visitors must get masks for them - of witnesses but, “usually, a Nadu were not involved in cases once the police handed over the The cycles can be mounted in the from various places," the minister ple need not use any type of masks selves”. The pharmacist directs the compromise happens between the like rapes and honour killings but witness to the court, the special class coaches which can ac - was quoted as saying by The Times unless they have cold and are above people to the closest pharmacy accused and the witness.” in money laundering and job proceedings carried on without any commodate about 6-7 cycles each. of India. 70 years. which is 600 metres away from the Head Constable Egambaram rackets. In such cases, a witness involvement of the police unless a “Special class was meant for R Jayanthi, Dean of the Rajiv At the RGGG Hospital, Park hospital. The pharmacy does not said love affairs and honour killings could turn hostile but a court could complaint of threat was registered. peak hours when there is over - Gandhi Government General Hos - Town there were no face masks have masks and hand-sanitizers. were cases where a witness or the refer to the material evidence, he Rajendran said ‘rowdies’, who crowding in the metro but now pital, Chennai, said, “We had one available even upon payment and M. Murali, a student, said, “I victim’s family were threatened if added. had a criminal record, always since people want to carry their cy - patient who was admitted with the hospital was running short of purchased the face mask from out - they were poor. Cases of rapes, V. Thulasi Das, Sub Inspector at threatened the witness and even the cles, the rules have been changed to symptoms of Covid-19 but he has hand-sanitizers. People have been side. The college did not provide it murders, molestation, and where the J4 Kottapuram Police Station, police for life. Often, witnesses accommodate this,” said C.Balaji, been tested negative today”. asked to use the provided sanitizer for us as well”. political parties are involved, the said in his 32 years of career, he settles outside court. Station Controller, Koyambedu. The special class coaches on the metros have cushioned seats and more space than normal coaches. This allows commuters who take their bicycles to use this extra space Prisoners get a new lease of life for storing their cycles. They, ho - wever, have to pay double the nor - TN Government expands life skill training to prison inmates mal price for this ticket. According to the press release by KEERTHI KRISHNA the Rail Limited this has been brought about in an These men, clad in light blue effort to promote eco-friendly and shirts and dark blue trousers, greet sustainable transportation for the motorists with a warm smile and commuters. fill up the tanks of vehicles at a “The initiative is a good one as petrol bunk in on the most people had to use the smart north-western outskirts of Chen - bikes or rent another cycle,” said nai. For them, this job is a second Kirthana, commuter. shot at life. They are all inmated However, many remain unaware People taking precautions to prevent COVID-19 of the Puzhal Central Prison. of the recent initiative. “I did not The Tamil Nadu Government know that such an initiative is in came up with an initiative in Fe - place. They should market their ini - bruary 2019 to organise life skills tiatives more for wider awareness,” Masks in demand training and create job opportuni - said R.Varun. KRITHI KANNAN of hand sanitizers and is waiting for ties for prison inmates across the “We are waiting to see if this ini - stocks to get replenished. state. As a part of the initiative, si - tiative will pick up traction. Accor - As panic over the Coronavirus The owner of Subam pharmacy milar petrol bunks were set up, as a dingly we will take measures later grips the city, many chemist shops at said “Due to increa - joint venture with Indian Oil Cor - to accommodate all of their con - in several localities have run out sing demand suppliers have not poration, in Chennai, Palayamkot - cerns.” of hand sanitizers and surgical been able to replenish stock. As a tai, , Vellore and There still remains ambiguity on masks. result we are forced to buy masks Pudukottai. what CMRL means by smart, com - The price of surgical masks has from third party sellers at exorbi - In the recent State budget ses - pact and handy cycles as many also increased as suppliers have not tant rates. For example the white sion, the Tamil Nadu Government commuters are still unclear. been able to replenish stock in time. Honeywell respiratory mask, the made plans to open five such bunks “You can take any cycle in the The demand for masks suddenly in - market price of which is only Rs across the state. “The prisoners metro. As long it can fit in the creased in the last week. 60, is now being sold to us at Rs who are best behaved and educa - metro,” said Balaji Surgical masks which used to 180. As a result we are forced to tionally qualified will be selected to Prisoner’s petrol bunk near Puzhal Prison | KEERTHI KRISHNA He added that the cycles occupy previously cost Rs 3 a mask, now sell the mask at Rs 200.” work in petrol bunks,” said Stanley space and people will have to wait cost Rs 30 a mask at Ganesh phar - The salesperson at Muthu Phar - E, a head constable. for another train if they cannot get macy in . macy said “We have sanitizer bot - One of the prisoners at the Puz - said another prisoner. Shivashankaran S, the head war - cans from Coimbatore and the wri - on the current train. “People are hoarding up tles available. However a Rs 50 hal petrol bunk said “This is like a Sub inspector Ramesh said that den in charge of the stalls, said that ting pads used in government offi - “There are no formal records masks,” said Kumar a salesperson Dettol sanitizer will now cost Rs 75 second life to us. Every month, the prisoners had a fixed time slot the Government had special pro - ces, and army uniforms are made in maintained on how many people at the pharmacy. due to increased demand.” some money is sent to my family during which they could work in grammes for inmates. “They are Chennai.” use it. Since this is a small station Apollo Pharmacy in Royapettah When asked about the effective - through Prisoners Co-operative the bunks. In the remaining hours, given basic education, taught dri - This reformation training is there is not much traction but near is selling yellow nose masks at Rs ness of these masks, Dr Srimathi Fund accounts. .Additionally some they remain inside the jail. ving, cooking, tailoring and how to given only to convicts, according to Annanagar and Thirumangalam 200 each. While Amazon sells the Sridhar a general physician at amount of money is stored for us Along with the petrol bunks, make the aforementioned pro - Suresh Babu, manager of the Free - there are many who use it,” said same masks online at Rs 14 per Apollo hospitals said,“ Wearing a and some of it is sent to the victim.” stalls selling products made by pri - ducts,” added Shivashankaran. dom stall. “Only inmates who are Arumugam. K, Station Master, mask. mask does not guarantee protec - The inmates who work in the pe - soners are also set up. Bakery pro - “The inmates are paid for taking going to stay for a considerable Shenoy Nagar Metro Station. Kumar a salesperson at the phar - tion. However masks do have the trol stations and the stalls set up ducts, water bottles, army part in the training and they get amount of time will be given the He also said that bicycle enthu - macy says “Usually people who capacity to prevent the inhalation of under the ‘Freedom’ brand have the uniforms, writing pads, food mixes money from the products too.” training.” siasts use it early in the morning travel a lot seem to buy more of droplets from an infected person. option to go home for 15 days du - and savouries are made by the in - He added, “Each item is made at The prisioners wages will be in - and that there has been a considera - these masks.” These droplets are supposed to be ring any time of the year. “I visit mates inside the prisons across a different place. Savouries come creased by 50 per cent according to ble increase in the number of peo - The pharmacy has also run out the main source of transmission.” my home during festive periods,” Tamil Nadu. from Madurai and Tiruchi, water the recent Tamil Nadu Budget. ple who use this facility -. Cops want traffic fine hiked ‘The poor and vulnerable are in jail’ NIMA according to the record with Trans - cence for three months. port Commissionerate and State The revised Motor Vehicle Act Prisoners with political connections misuse the amnesty system With at least 300 offenders being Transport Authority. introduced new penalties for failure caught in one day, the traffic po - P. Raju said if the penalty was to use seat belt and violation of MEENAL VASHISTHA case. If the prosecutor can produce in the total number of life convicts fixed at 10 years for people of all lice at the Junction said Rs. 1000, the people would be rules in the seating of children, vio - strong evidence, as often seen with released since 1992 before their ages. If it is election time, the go - the fines for violating traffic rules more careful. The present fine of lation of safety measures for motor Unlike the rich who can get ac - established lawyers, the case can term of imprisonment ended, Mu - vernment will not release many need to be increased to make the “Rs. 100 is low.” cycle drivers and pillion riders, re - quitted from any crime, the poor get dismissed within six months to ralidharan says the releases are prisoners. The ruling party will road safe. At Tidel park traffic junction fusal to stop and use of phones, are suffering the consequences of a year. But without strong legal proportional to the conviction rate. only release its own people. So in Not following traffic signals, ig - four policemen monitor and con - among others. a callous legal aid system, with aid, the case can even stretch for “It’s only now life sentence the case of convicts with connec - noring no entry signs, cell phone duct regular inspection round the Mohamed Zayn, who operates a policemen often mishandling the 15 years. stands until death. Previously in tions to the ruling party, the go - use and not using seat belt, among clock. Rapido, said, most customers pre - evidence in latter’s case, accor - the IPC, seven years made up one vernment will appoint a parole others are the top traffic violations According to P. Raju. “Although ferred not to wear helmet during ding to a lawyer. life sentence, so if someone was board. The prisoners will send today, according to sub inspector P. riders carry a helmet with them, the day time and some were not “The legal aid sytem is the If it is election time, the given two life sentences, they’d their representatives to the parole Raju. they do not wear it while riding. used to wearing helmet. worst. The lawyers don’t care “government will not spend 14 years,” he said. board and based on the recom - Raju said over 70 per cent of Some of the riders wear helmets “It is important to make them about their clients. For the leading release many prisoners. The criterion for the actual sen - mendations of the parole or advi - people were riding bikes without only in front of the traffic police wear the helmet but it’s difficult to lawyers to become a successful tence undergone by the lifer has sory board, the Governor can grant wearing a helmet. and take it out after leaving the convince them always,” he said. counsel, each lawyer has to handle If it’s the ruling party, it varied since 1992. From 12 years general amnesty. “The situation is worst during check post,” he said. Over 26,000 accidents by two- at least four pro-bono cases every will release its own for men and 10 years for women, This is how they misuse the law, peak hours, in the morning and eve - A minimum of 200 bike riders wheelers were recorded as the hig - month. There is no data about that the term was reduced to 10 years alleges Muralidharan people - MURALIDHARAN D ning,” said the official. are fined for not wearing helmets at hest number of accidents on road in (how many cases a lawyer won or post 1996, only to rise to 14 years After six years of no release of “Despite increased CCTV sur - Tidel Park junction every day. the State in 2018, according to the lost). They’ll throw stories like “In the system, if the person has in 2007 and falling back the same life convicts, 1650 prisoners were veillance and strict monitoring peo - The revised Motor Vehicle Act records with Transport Commissio - they’re overworked and under- money, he can get acquitted, even year to 10 years. In 2008, it was re - released under General Amnesty ple are not paying any heed. Most passed by the Parliament, which nerate and State Transport Autho - paid,” says Muralidharan D, ma - in the rarest of the rare cases while duced to 7 years for male, 5 years on the Birth Centenary of former people think that they can afford to hiked the fines for the violation of rity, Tamil Nadu. Those riding naging partner at Murali Law poor people get trapped in the sys - for female, both aged above 60 Chief Minister Dr. M.G.R in 2018. pay fines making lives on road ris - traffic rules last year has not come two-wheelers are the highest traffic Firm. tem. Even though they are out of years. Next year, the term was According to the data given by the kier.” into effect so far, according to traf - rules offenders even today, traffic The system is a trap, says Mu - jail, they will be suffering through hiked back to ten, followed by a Prison Department, this is the hig - Over 26,000 accidents were re - fic officials. officials say. ralidharan. Since “Speedy Justice” all those years. They might even drop to 5 years for those aged 70 hest number of prisoners released, ported because of two wheelers in The Act raised the penalty for ri - The officials say that the traffic is not defined anywhere in the law, lose their job because of that cri - years and above. all of whom must have completed 2018. It was the highest number of ding without a helmet from Rs. 100 worsens during office hours and so the judge can give three years for minal case,” says Muralidharan. After a gap of eight years, the over one life sentence (seven road accidents reported in the State, to Rs. 1000 and suspension of li - does the number of offenders. both the parties to prepare their Explaining the erratic difference term for life sentence has been years) or more. Edition 8 Page 3_Layout 1 16-03-2020 10:47 Page 1

CHENNAI March 13, 2020 THE WORD CITYSCAPE 3 29 Chennai guitarists unite to jam on one backing track Neil Cornelius thought with the contacts I’ve ac - like this but I was almost certain coming musicians like us really quired from the industry I could put something like this would not be good exposure and also brings us A collaboration video featuring 29 together something like this.” possible to execute in India.” He out into the public eye. Playing of Chennai’s top guitarists titled Chris also said that this collabo - also said that this helped a lot of alongside industry legends like Ultimate Chennai Guitarists ration also brings together the ar - musicians get recognized. He Keba (Keba Jeramiah) and Josh Chillstep Collective has created a tists of Chennai to showcase their added saying, “Social Media has (Joshua Sathya) is really an ho - stir in the city’s music scene. abilities and bring out the vitality of now become a huge element in the nour.” The video was uploaded on the music scene in the city. music scene. Any artist can now “Many people would have come YouTube and had almost 5000 “ I never knew there were these reach a massive audience instantly. to watch one of the big names like views at the time of writing this many talented guitarists in the Chris’ move to put this video up is Keba play in the video and in the article. city,” said Joel Prithvi, guitarist of going to help the scene on the process end up discovering some of The video features all the Nobody, Peng and Defunct. whole,” he added. the smaller artists which is really a guitarists playing a solo to the same Chris says that it took three Chris says that he has no plans great thing,” Joel Prithvi said. beat. “ The goal of the project was months to put together the entire on putting out another edition of Chris hopes that more such to see how different musicians project. “I first started by making the collaboration any time soon. “It videos would come out in the perceive the same track,” said Chris the backing trackbeat along with is a whole lot of work to put future as artists weare now putting Jason, the brain behind this my friend and made four variations together another such video. I’m out more and more quality content massive collaboration. of the track for guitarists so as to not saying it's not on the cards but by the day. Chris himself is a very popular match their style. Once I did that, it its not going to happen any time Chris says, “At the end of the sessions guitarist of the city. When was a matter of calling and follo - soon. I’m gonna lay low for a while day it is about how the artist gets asked what made him come up wing up with the guitarists. I asked and focus on my work as a session creative freedom over his piece. with this project he said, “I’ve seen them to shoot themselves playing guitarist. Hopefully the video has Most of these guitarists work as many such collaborations on You - the video and send it. I then sat with gained enough traction in the session musicians where they are Tube which were done from the my editor and finished off the edi - community to give all the already under strict constraints of U.S but nothing like this has been ting process.” musicians a boost forward.” how and what they should play. In attempted in India save for one Mark Shu, the guitarist of Since Ezekiel Bernard,the guitarist of this collaboration the artists were metal exclusive collaboration that 108 and the Halo Project said that Levites and the youngest guitarist allowed to do whatever they happened a while back. I have been “It is a really great venture that featured in the video said, “It is wanted and felt original to them wanting to work on my YouTube Chris has put up here. I’ve always really amazing to have played for which is what makes ventures like content for a long time and I wanted to play for a collaboration Chris Jason playing at the concert | SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT this collaboration. It gives up-and- this so cool.” Nungu to beat the heat Reduce, reuse & recycle MEGHNA. M MEGHA MALLICK

The Resource Recovery Centre of As summer approaches, the Zone 12 Corporation Office at watermelons and ice apples Alandur is making good use of (nungu) are in season for people to things thrown out of houses, ter - beat the heat in Chennai. med unusable by people otherwise. Ram Kumar Selvan, 23, sells ice The workers make different kinds apples in from 11 a.m. of accessories out of the discarded till 7 p.m. “The stocks run out very materials, and sell them at low pri - fast. As summer is setting in sooner ces. Around 240 such centres work than expected there are a large under the Greater Chennai Corpo - number of people who come out for ration. this on a hot day.” The things that are newly made Surrounded by shells of this fruit include slippers, shoes, bags and which comes from the Palmyra floor mats. All the waste that is ge - tree, these roadside shops offer the nerated in division 160, under Zone fruit in two forms for consumption. 12, is brought to this centre. Here, The fruit can be bought and peeled the waste is segregated based and to eat and the other form is the bio-degradable waste, like vegeta - pathaneer which is the juice that is ble peel, is sent to another centre to taken from the tree for drinking. prepare manure. Newly stitched shoes from the collected garbage and available spare part at the Greater The un-fermented drink has short Ms Sasikala, the in-charge of this shelf-life and has to be consumed resource centre, says, “Our zonal Chennai Corporation Resource Recovery Centre | MEGHA MALLICK immediately. officer, Mr Murugan, took up this K.Sekhar, a customer, said, Vijaya selling watermelons on the Sterling road initiative. It first started in Zone 1 into small pieces and given to ven - are stitched back andgiven to poor conducted to ensure immunity. “Nungu is the best way to beat the | NEIL CORNELIUS in , and when he was dors and suppliers to make glue or students who cannot afford one. Once in a month, a health camp is heat in chennai. It not only transferred here, he continued it. shirt buttons. The plastic is also Using cloths, bags, floor mats, pou - organised for a basic check-up. refreshes you but also is very This is conservancy work that we used to make tar or for cement ches and lunch bags are made. Mumtaaz, a sweeper in the cen - healthy as it cools the body.” Ram Kumar said, “An owner They usually arrive by March end do. We collect waste material from companies. The plastics are used as Around 12 people work at this tre who has been working for three Like Ram Kumar, many come from one of the districts harvests to April beginning. all households and then segregate fuel. centre. There are two shifts- at 8 months at this centre, says, “My from places like Thenkasi and the ice apples and then we are hired “I gave an order for watermelon them. First, we pick out the e- Coconut shells are burnt to make a.m. and then at 4 p.m. Tailors and elder daughter keeps telling me to Theni to sell ice apples in Chennai to sell them at various junctions in from Tindivanam in mid-January waste, like tube lights. There are charcoal powder, used for facials, cobblers are among the workers. quit this job. It is so dusty here. We in the season. the city.” but they have arrived early. I sell other wastes like coconut shells, and also for making incense sticks. They receive equal payment under need good water, but the water is “A month ago I was in Apart from ice apples, waterme - one watermelon for Rs.100 depen - discarded bedding, tyres and mica Slippers are picked up from the the National Urban Livelihood not proper here. My salary is Rs Coimbatore selling nungu there as lons are also in high demand as the ding on the size,” she continued. covers. There are multi-level plas - garbage and the ones which can be Mission. 11000, out of which Rs 4000 goes it was in season there. Now, the heat has gone up a notch. R. Bharati, a customer, said that tics. Then there are clothes, school fitted with parts are stitched back To ensure a healthy work envi - for the rent. I am the only earning season for Chennai has begun and K.Vijaya, who has been in the it was a pleasant surprise that the bags, slippers and thermocol that and are sold at low prices from ronment, the workers use masks, member of the household; I cannot so I will be here for the next three business for over 20 years said that watermelons had turned up early people throw off.” Rs.30 to Rs.50. head covers and gloves. Once in six afford to quit it even if it is months,” said T.Kamaraj, who sells this year the watermelons had arri - because the heat was getting un - The thermocol is compressed School bags that are discarded months, a vaccination program is unhealthy.” ice apples at Balaji Nagar. ved early and in large numbers. bearable in Chennai. Hard to document Fito saves Chennai City FC’s blushes climate change Chennai City FC starts AFC Cup with a draw against Maldives based Maziya NIMA Chennai City FC was one of the first teams from the city to play in variability: experts Chennai City FC played out an the I-league, the top tier MAHERA DUTTA Talking of a ‘global we’ attached entertaining 2-2 draw against professional football competition in to every prevention measure cli - Maziya Sports and Recreation Club India, in 2013. In response to a recent Mckinsey mate change brought with it, he in their opening fixture of the AFC Maziya Sports and Recreation report which stated that 4.5 per cent said, “There is a lot of talk about Cup group stage at the Jawaharlal Club came back to India after de - of India’s GDP would be affected cutting down on meat consumption Nehru Stadium in Chennai. feating one of the best teams in In - owing to climate change in the next to reduce carbon footprint. At pre - Spanish striker Fito scored a late dian Super League- Bengaluru FC decade, T. Jayaraman, senior fellow sent, India’s per capita meat con - equalizer in the dying minutes of last month in the preliminary round at the M.S. Swaminathan Research sumption stands at 4.4 kgs. The the game to save Chennai City of qualifiers. With the loss to the Foundation said: “A report must United States exceeds 100 kgs. In - from defeat. The goal sparked Maldivian team on penalty shoo - not be completely ruled out. But it dia’s deprived need that calorific excitement among the 6,200 fans tout, Bengaluru FC became the first should be examined carefully.” requirement to supplement their that turned up to watch the team to be knocked out of the AFC Swaminathan said that not all dietary requirements.” defending I- League and the Cup qualification matches in the reports were necessarily based on “We cannot emulate the West in Maldives based club in Chennai’s preliminary round in last five years. ‘scientific evidence’ and indicated every aspect,” Swaminathan said. first ever AFC Cup game. Ramesh said the performance of that a lot of scaremongering Jayashree Balasubramanian, Di - Fito gave Chennai City FC a Bengaluru FC last month was not happens across climate change. rector MSSR spoke of the need to 11th minute lead but the home relevant to Chennai City FC in any - Talking about ‘expert opinions’ and converge government reports and team’s shaky start to the second way. “Every club has its own phi - activism, the researcher said: academic consultations to unders - half ended up with Maziya scoring losophy and various financial back “There exists a lot of variability in tand India’s situation better. “There two quick goals through M. Irufaan ground. To change Indian football, the patterns of climate change exists a much generalized view of and I Mahudhee. But Fito had the it won’t happen overnight,” he said. across the world which is not easy climate change. As a process, cli - last laugh scoring an injury time He added that Indian football is to capture. Getting evangelical mate change too attracts vested in - equalizer for the home side. here to stay and develop the sport. about climate change does little terests for pushing of funds etc.,” The unfurling of banners and “I am sure the I-League and the ISL help.” she said. drumming, a usual way of clubs are doing what they can do to The former professor at the Tata Dr. K.S. Kavikumar, Head of de - supporting home clubs in football promote the sport,” said Ramesh. Institute of Social Sciences, Mum - partment, Environmental Econo - started late at the stadium. And Despite government’s advisory bai, confirmed that rising tempera - mics at the Madras School of football players in field were facing to not conduct any social gathering tures negatively affect specific Economics said, “Policies need to similar situation on the field like because of growing Coronavirus industries in India such as the dairy be based on predictive models of their fans in the stand. outbreak fear, Chennai City FC re - industry with livelihoods suffering climate change. The knowledge re - Chennai City FC team owner corded one of the highest attendan - as heat stress disrupt supply chains. mains hazy. Gibberish futuristic Rohit Ramesh said that his team ces at the Jawaharlal Nehru Fito scores his second in the dying minute | SPORTSTAR He, however, was positive about talks of 2050 and 2100 add to the had more ball possession and stadium, according to the club offi - India’s mitigation measures with problem.” played well. “We should have won cial. respect to climate change. “India’s “Providing availability of water the match but that’s football. We The club played at the stadium ted by foreign players for both gal where tfootball is more com - permits to abolish foreign quota. investment in the levels of mitiga - and preserving ground water re - should be ready to concede until 2017 and moved to Coimba - clubs. “This makes difficult for our mon.” “Our expectation is always to pro - tion against climate change is high sources is regular development unexpected results,” he said. tore to play I-league. local players to grow,” he said. Ramesh also said the manage - mote local talent. We won the lea - when compared to its present deve - work which must not be compro - He added that the team aims to Ashok Kumar from Chennai said “However, we also have best ment won’t mind considering to gue that way. We will continue to lopment status,” he said. mised at any cost,” he said. do better in the next game. that the game was mostly domina - players from Kerala and West Ben - play all Indian squad, if the rule do that,” he said. Edition 8 Page 4_Layout 1 16-03-2020 10:56 Page 1

THE WORD CHENNAI March 13, 2020 4 CITYSCAPE TFSA: Documenting Asia Engineering dreams A riverine trade in Bangladesh in Kota hostels MEGHA MALLICK calls him back. MARIAH DINS Another labourer, says, “God has The exploitation of the working left us with no choice.” Inside the four walls of the coa - class is a never ending theme. The second scene cuts to Sha - ching centres of Kota, the pressure Bamboo Stories or Baansh Boib - gornal in the same division. Here, faced by the students is immense. hob, as it is referred to in Bengali, we are introduced to Liakot, who Hemant Gaba’s “An Engineered is a documentary highlighting this cuts bamboo and digs canals in the Dream” which was screened at the fact and was screened at the Asian mud. Asian College of Journalism as a College of Journalism as part of the He explains what the various part of the Travelling Film South Travelling Film South Asia festival. uses of the bamboo are. He terms Asia Festival- Chennai edition, Directed by Shaheen Dill-Riaz the forest as a sacred place and shows the unhealthy stress on stu - and released in January 2019, this adds that evil spirits have driven dents from different parts of India 96-minute long documentary runs some of the workers to madness. in the coaching centres of Kota, through rivers of north-eastern He also describes the various the city famous for its coaching Bangladesh, portrays the life of la - problems that the workers face centres. bourers and how their life is entan - while working in dense forests, Screening of Bamboo stories | MEGHA MALLICK Every year 150,000 students gled in the bamboo trade and how from sudden intrusion of elephants come to Kota with the aim of clea - they have to deal with dangerous to leeches. journey often to ask for bribes. scene. ring the Indian Institute of Techno - tides and pirates. Shoheed talks about their life on Liakot and a few men working He deals in bamboo as well as in logy entrance exam which is one It gives an authentic description the raft; how they drink the river under him complain of the low bricks. He is shown speaking with of the toughest in the world with of the entire journey, from the cut - water and ease themselves in it as wages that they get in terms of the his labourers and striking deals an acceptance rate of less than 1%. ting of bamboos, to making rafts well. In a later scene, he is shown toil that they put into cutting the with buyers; and says that he can - Addressing a group of tense loo - out of them, and transporting them with his son. bamboo. not leave this business, because his king students, a lecturer from an Poster of ‘ We have not come here to die to the buyers through the river. \He tells the story of his wife’s Next, we are introduced to blood and flesh is in it. IIT JEE coaching centre in Kota | THUSCRITIQUE The documentary starts with a death in a fire accident and how Mamun, who has a lease over a part Most of these people say that says, “You stayed inside your mot - drone shot of a bamboo raft floa - people ask him to stay away from of the bamboo forest. He explains they are uninterested in letting their her’s womb for nine months, after And the last one is a topper who come here to die” based on the ting on a river in Fenchuganj, Sy - the family to restrain him from how his forefathers were also in children get into this business. nine months of coaching with us seems destined for a seat at the IIT. death of a Dalit Phd research scho - lhet division. pondering over it. this business and provides details They feel that it is not safe and the you will be reborn.” “My dream is that my son secu - lar and activist Rohith Vemula, It slowly introduces the charac - He says that this is the reason about the stages of the trade. He children might do better to get pro - The documentary shows loneli - res AIR (All India Rank) 1 in IIT who was unable to bear the perse - ters, i.e. the labourers who come in why he chose to live his life on the says that many workers have gone per education and take their chan - ness as a recurring issue and how JEE, so that I can tell my relatives cution from a partisan university at various stages of the trade. raft. His grief comes out on the abroad to work in the Middle East ces to get into civil services. the expectations of parents are in - about his success,” says a mother. administration and Hindu supre - Most of them had their earlier screen vividly. countries. Some of the lengthy scenes are creasing the pressure on the stu - A sarcastic teenager praying to macists. generations in the same business. Pirates are another problem that Earlier, there was no dearth of la - shot by drones, showing the bam - dents through three case studies. Donald Trump to start the Third Over the years, students all over Shoheed, Shiraz and Hussain are these men encounter. All they steal bourers in the bamboo trade. Now, boo forest as well as the rafts flo - A boy who waits for his father World War so that his exam gets the country have protested against the ones who make a huge raft out is the minimum money and the mo - due to large scale migration of la - wing in curves in the water. to prompt him at every step. cancelled, clearly shows the pres - caste discrimination and started an of the bamboos that come in. bile phones that these workers bour, there is a scarcity. The documentary offers a good Another student who is taking sure which the students are going anti-caste movement. Nuru, an old man, says how have, selling which brings in easy The next scene is at Baidder insight into an otherwise not much- the test for the third time. “When through. The film attempts to track this even at this age, he cannot stay at money. Bazar, in the capital city of Dhaka. known feature of Bangladesh, its stress gets the better of you, death The festival also screened movement that is changing the home and rest, because the raft Also, the police intrude into their Here, George Miaan comes into the bamboo trade. is an option,” he says. Deepa Dhanraj’s “ We have not issue of caste in India.

Destroyed Homeland Swimming against all odds MANTHRA KOLIYER KRITHI KANNAN Kanai initially started by partici - pating in the 81 km long distance Director Sedika Mojadidi’s docu - ‘Swimming through the dark - open swimming meet in the mentary “Facing the dragon” is a ness’, a film, was screened at the Ganga. Despite his lack of vision narrative of the lives of two Afghan Asian College of Journalism on Kanai had managed to swim an women in 2014 as they respond to 7th March as part of the Travel - astounding 81 km. the Taliban regaining power in their ling Film South Asia festival. In the documentary, the camera country. This film centers around the captures his joyful face with a The lead characters in the docu - life of a blind Bengali swimmer medal adorning his neck, once he mentary were Nilofar, a doctor-tur - who lives on the fringes of so - finishes his long swim ned-politician, and Shakila, a ciety due to abject poverty. Kanai does not have a visa or journalist for Tolo TV news. Instead of making his blind - a passport, or anyone to finance Sedika’s documentary was one ness the centre of the story, the him or provide assistance. among the several films/ documen - film rather chooses to capture his He lives with his brother and taries that were screened at the Tra - dreams and hopes in a world de - sister in law, all of whom make velling Film South Asia festival of void of light. just enough to get by. documentaries 2020 held between The term darkness in Supriyo But this does not stop him March 6th and 7th at the Asian col - Sen’s film title refers not only to from one day wanting to cross the lege of Journalism. the protagonist Kanai’s blindness English Channel. The 82 mins documentary Fa - but to the various challenges that Apart from highlighting his cing the dragon (2018) cross-cuts he faces while attempting to dreams and hopes, the director between the two characters. swim long distance. does not shy away from por - The poster of Swimming Through the Darkness DOHA FILM INSTITUTE Sedika has shown how their A scene from Facing the Dragon | Kanai who lives in Krishna traying other aspects of Kanai’s struggles as working mothers end Nagar, three hours away from life. Kanai is in love with a mar - This gives the audience a clear sidered to be blind or visually im - up for the both of them, since they She loses contact with the direc - The US has a major role to play in Calcutta was pronounced blind at ried woman. The director asks the unfiltered visual of the highs and paired. are forced to send their families to tor since she received threats and what happens in our country. It is a the age of 4. woman what attracts her to a lows of the protagonist’s life, ta - “We often fail to understand Germany and Australia. had to lie low for some time. very sorry state that we are living However despite somehow blind man to which she smiles king them on a roller coaster of what a big challenge it is for them Nilofar (politician) raises her The documentary sheds light on in right now,”. he added managing to complete his educa - demurely. joy, sadness, bravery, romance, to not be able to access public voice against the prevalence of pa - the problems that the women who The other films included Indus tion, Kanai now supplies water Kanai on the other hand desperation and vulnerability. spaces or take part in day to day triarchy in Parliament, where she are public figures face. Blues by Jawad Sharif, Scratches cans to customers in the neigh - though, despite being stifled by Kanai’s story sheds light on the activities,” says S.Lakshmi a vo - says, “Resistance is an art of endu - Karim Mohammad, a student of on Stone by Amit Mahanti, Me - borhood. financial constraints chooses to state of the visually challenged in lunteer at Little Flower Convent rance.” Asian College of Journalism from moirs of Saira and Salim by Es - Whilst earning just enough to resort to a life of dignity instead the country. School For the Blind in T. Nagar. She promotes a bill banning vio - Afghanistan said, “I have worked hwarya Grover. get by, Kanai one day hoped to of begging on the streets. According to a National Helen Keller once said – “Life lence against women. Shakila also with Journalist (Shakila) when I In Fact by Debalina Majumder, swim across the English Channel, The director has not chosen to Blindness and Visual impairment is a daring adventure or nothing”. pays keen attention to the issues was in Afghanistan.” Listen by Min Min Ho and The an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that adhere to a pre written script, but survey released by the Health Mi - Kanai truly captures the essence such as violence and abuse against “This is the real condition of Winter Tap by Aashish Limbu & separates Southern England from rather he has chosen to film the nistry in 2019, there were about of this quote in his unending women. journalists in our country today. Debin Rai were also screened. Northern France. movie as it unfolds. 4.8 million people who were con - thirst for life and adventure. A king-size umbrella for gods, heroes Argentina in Madras MAHERA DUTTA The film festival, held by the MEGHNA M make sure it had more spring to it. pursue something conventional.” Embassy of the Argentine Republic It took me 10 days to finish that. September is the busiest month The Argentinian film festival at the in collaboration with the Indo Cine This was designed to make anyone for Kumar’s business. He says he Alliance Francaise of Madras was Appreciation Foundation (ICAF), Dressed in a torn shirt and trousers, who falls on it land safely other - would barely have time to rest be - inaugurated by Mr. Carlos Muscari, saw many movie enthusiasts at the C.K Kumar is busy assembling his wise it would have been very dan - cause of the sheer number of orders head of cultural section from the festival’s first screening of the four and half feet wide temple um - gerous, ” said Kumar, adding that he receives. He also gets a break. Embassy of the Argentine Republic movie I Tita, A life of Tango. The brellas in front of his tiny shop to such an umbrella would cost Rs “Three months in a year I do not in New Delhi on Friday. The festi - 2017 musical, based on the life of dry in the sun. 45,000 today. have to make umbrellas for any val ran from 9th March to 11th Tita Merello, a famous singer-ac - “The business has really picked Most of Kumar’s orders are from temples as there are no festivals du - March. tress from Buenos Aires, is a bio- up over the years. Today one of Singapore. He supplies umbrellas ring this time. I have recently re - The event also saw Ms. Victoria pic which traces the actress’s these umbrellas costs Rs.3,500,” he to countries like Malaysia, Sri ceived an order for another 16 and Molteni, Consul at the embassy of career, starting with her early per - said. Lanka, Japan, China and Korea. half feet wide umbrella. It’s going the Argentine Republic, as Guest of formances in cabarets of Buenos The 50-year-old has been ma - “One man even offered to take me to take some time to finish that,” he Honor. “Through our movies, we Aires, through her rapid rise in king these umbrellas since he was to Singapore so I could set up a said want our culture to be known not theatre and films. a young boy. shop there and offered to pay me a Kumar said his family had been just in New Delhi but also in other Directed by María Teresa Cos - The job that requires no more handsome salary but I didn’t go. I making these umbrellas from the cities,” she said after lighting the tantini, the biopic explores the the - than one person to finish, is a fa - couldn’t leave my country,” he said time when was known lamp which marked the beginning mes of love and loss and is a mily business that was taught ge - Kumar said that all his umbrel - as Chinna Thari Pettai. “We are of the inauguration. poignant tale of ordeals faced by neration after generation. las are made by hand from bamboo Saurashtrian and my grandfather Mr. Carlos, while giving his modern women on their path to self “I have four brothers but only I and the cloth can be locally sour - learnt this trade from the Tamils inaugural address, said: “This is the discovery. have taken this up full time. The ot - ced. here who made these umbrellas. third time movies from Argentina “We have a fascinating line up of hers have good government jobs. C.K. Kumar with his one of his umbrellas. | MEGHNA M “Only the decorations on it takes Slowly they moved out and we are being screened in Chennai. movies for the festival. LA Huella But they help out too after they fi - time but I have a lot of help from have taken over,” he said Each time, we get a tremendous De Tara, (Tara’s footprints) direc - nish working.” then it would be conch and chakra Kumar has made umbrellas for my family. All of the stitches in the There are 15 of umbrella makers response from the audiences here. ted by director Georgina Barreiro, Starting his work at 8 a.m. it but Kumar always has a back up of many films as well, the most fa - umbrella are made by hand we on the same street. Kumar said that Movies reflect realities and emo - is a perspective on Bhutia (ancient takes two days to finish an um - umbrella with flower patterns as it mous of them being for the Vijay make sure everything comes out there is no sense of competition tions. It is the only way diversity tradition in the foothills of Hima - brella. is can be used for any deity. starrer Gilli for which he had to perfectly,” he said. among them. “If one of us cannot can be celebrated,” he said. “Each layas) from the eyes of four young And the symbols on the um - The size of the umbrella will de - make a 16-and-a-half foot wide “My daughter helps me out with complete an order we give it to so - movie in the film festival has been boys,” said E. Thangaraj, General brella change according to the deity termine the cost and the time taken umbrella which cushioned Vijay’s the decorations. My son helps out mebody else on the street. There is carefully chosen and represent im - secretary, ICAF. “The films are a it is being offered to. for delivery. The smallest umbrella fall. after he comes back from work. He no monopoly or enmity on who portant themes of Argentinian life reflection of social realities of con - If it was an incarnation of Vishnu costs Rs. 800. “I had to dip it in sea water to does this work but he would rather gets to do more work,” he said. and culture,” he added. temporary times”, he said.