News of the Week (Nov 17-24, 2024)

Books, Marshland, MRTS & More: Read Top Chennai Stories that Shaped Last Week

Author

Mohammed Rayaan
November 24, 2024 • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Welcome to The Chennai Emailer — 💌 Bringing you original and curated stories of residents, entrepreneurs & businesses who inspire, connect, and uplift Chennai. By Mohammed Rayaan😊

Today's post is 600 words, a 3-4-minute read.

1 big thing: 🌱 Pallikaranai Marshland to Get a New Lease on Life

The Tamil Nadu government has announced an ambitious plan to restore 700 hectares of the Pallikaranai marshland, a crucial buffer against Chennai's monsoon woes.

Why it matters: 

  • The marshland, often Chennai's first line of defence during floods, has shrunk significantly due to urban sprawl. Restoring it could mitigate monsoon flooding, especially in southern Chennai.

  • Marshlands are usually known as carbon sinks and offset the effects of climate change, but a dump yard and overflowing sewage have made the zone more susceptible to these effects, according to Deccan Herald.

The bottom line: Chennai’s fight against floods gains an ally in nature. How well this is executed remains to be seen.

2️⃣ MRTS Challenges: Commuters Avoid Chennai’s Railway Lifeline 🚆

Why it matters: Once a bustling mode of transport, the MRTS now struggles with dwindling ridership due to delayed projects, poor security, and infrequent services.

  • The Hindu reported that commuters cite unfinished extensions from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount and a lack of direct services as key pain points. Safety concerns in desolate stations further discourage ridership.

  • Peak-hour service gaps force passengers to choose other transport modes. Experts argue for better last-mile connectivity to revive usage.

The bottom line: Fixing MRTS requires not just operational changes but regaining public trust in its reliability. Reviving MRTS could ease traffic congestion and reduce emissions, but progress hinges on timely project execution.

3️⃣ Easwari Library: From Classics to Clicks 📚

Why it matters: Easwari Lending Library, a staple for Chennai bibliophiles, is evolving by using Instagram to attract younger audiences, according to a feature story by The Hindu. Despite digital shifts, Easwari retains its classic charm with a massive catalogue of physical books.

4️⃣ Sports Corner: Pickleball Takes Chennai by Storm 🏓🌟

Why it matters: Chennai is embracing pickleball, with more venues and enthusiasts joining the sport’s growing community (The Hindu).

How it works:

  • The sport combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.

  • Minimal equipment and space make it ideal for urban settings.

Yes, but: Expanding facilities to more neighbourhoods will be crucial for maintaining this momentum.

In Another News: ⚽Football: Chennaiyin FC in Top Form Gear Up for Southern Derby Clash with Kerala Blasters. Read here on DT Next.

5️⃣ Holiday List for 2025 Announced✨

Check out on DT Next the list of holidays for next year as announced by the Tamil Nadu State Government.

6️⃣A Life to Remember❤

Supriya Cheriyan, a trailblazer in Chennai's English theatre scene and a fearless participant in the Quit India Movement, recently passed away, leaving behind an enduring legacy. On her birth centenary, DT Next revisits the remarkable journey of this centenarian icon, fondly known as "Didu," whose zest for life proved that age is no barrier to exploring new horizons.

7️⃣Books and Other Developments📦

  • Books by the box: At Book Tale’s Chennai fair, avid readers picked up entire boxes of second-hand books, signalling a renewed love for affordable reading (The Hindu).

  • Chennai International Book Fair to be held from Jan 16-18. Read on DT Next.

  • CM Stalin inaugurates TIDEL Park: The new tech hub near Chennai aims to bolster job opportunities and foster innovation. (The Hindu).

  • The India Poetry Circle (IPC), a vibrant WhatsApp community of English poets across India and beyond, celebrated a literary milestone on November 17. The group, comprising around 100 poets, launched its anthology Confluence VII – Spring Showers, published by Authors Press, at a special event at Odyssey. Read here on Adyar Times.

  • “The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has initiated a comprehensive project to rejuvenate 10 lakes across the Chennai Metropolitan Area.” Check out the article below.

📹Watch Three Stories

Sources:

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