Articles by News Desk

A wooden toothbrush, an eco-nozzle that regulates water flow from the tap and detergents and bathing products prepared and packed by eco-friendly methods. If you are environmentally conscious and looking for options to lead a zero or minimum waste lifestyle, Namma Green Sandhai is where you want to be on March 2nd, between 3 pm and 7 pm. The sandhai is yet another community initiative by Namma Ooru Foundation (NOF), to encourage mid sized entrepreneurs dealing with environment-friendly, sustainable alternatives. NOF is organising the sandhai at Adyar Shastri Nagar Welfare Association Community Hall, as part of the organisation’s 4th anniversary…

Kashmiris attacked in the aftermath of Pulwama Kashmiris across the country came under attack by extremists in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pulwama on February 14 that left 40 CRPF personnel dead. Since the attack, Kashmiri students and traders in various parts of the country have been harassed and many forced to flee fearing for their safety. A trader was attacked by a mob in Kolkata and forced to chant ‘Vande Mataram’ before being rescued by the police. Kashmiri students in Dehradun were attacked by their peers who demanded their removal from their respective educational institutions. Shopkeepers in…

Another opportunity to enrol in voters' list If you have not registered your name in the voters' list yet, here is another chance to enrol. The Election Commission of India is organising a special two day camp today and tomorrow (Feb 23rd and 24th) to enable eligible citizens to add their names to the voters list. The camp will be open from 10 am to 5 pm at all polling stations. Source: The Hindu Railways says no to plastics  Indian Railways has identified 36 stations across the country including Chennai Central where plastics will be banned and CCTV surveillance will…

The 17 dead in last week’s Karol Bagh fire in New Delhi are still being mourned. Families of victims who perished in Mumbai’s Kamala Mills fire are still grappling with the loss of their loved ones. So is every family that has lost one or more of its members to fires, that were avoidable. This February 23rd marks nine years since fire ripped through the Carlton Towers on Old Airport Road in Bengaluru, which claimed nine precious lives. As part of the ninth anniversary of the Carlton fire incident, Beyond Carlton - India's first citizen-led fire safety community, born out…

On a humid Sunday afternoon, two lads meddle with the coconut twigs and rat skins at the bund of Rajakilpakkam Lake, near Tambaram. The young boys, aged 3 years and 5 years, spend the afternoon playing with the skin of the rats caught by their father a day ago. Hailing from the Irular tribe whose occupation is to hunt snakes and rats, these kids make use of the leftovers from the catch. "I have never thought about giving my children toys. Even if I wish to, I can never afford it," says a 40-year-old Varadan A, the father. Just a…

KSPCB orders closure of Graphite India Whitefield residents won their two-decade-long battle to get Graphite India Limited (GIL) shut down. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) issued an order to stop GIL's industrial operations and processes that polluted the area. The order clarified that clearance had been given to GIL to operate in Mahadevapura till June 30, 2020, but this was being withdrawn with immediate effect. The KSPCB issued the order under Section 31(A) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, read with Rule 20(A) of Karnataka Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1983. The order was…

Hotel fire kills 17 in Delhi, serious lapses found A fire that broke out in the five-storey Arpit Palace hotel in Karol Bagh on February 11 took a toll of 17 lives, including that of one child. The origin of the blaze is uncertain but it spread to the upper floors, trapping the guests. This is the highest death toll in a fire since the Uphaar cinema fire tragedy in 1997 that left 59 dead. The blaze broke out in the early hours on Tuesday, February 12th. Twenty five fire tenders were rushed to the spot to battle the fire…

Up to 1 lakh penalty for violating plastic ban The Tamil Nadu Government has introduced a bill in the assembly, amending the municipal laws to impose penalty  for violating the plastic ban. The penalty will be anywhere between Rs 100 to Rs 1 lakh depending, on the establishments and the frequency. Stocking, selling, carrying and distributing banned plastic items will invite a penalty of Rs 25,000 for first time violators, Rs.50000 for the second time and Rs 1 lakh for the third time offenders, post which the business licence will be cancelled. Small  commercial vendors will be imposed a fine…

Hyderabad police launch project for safe autos The Hyderabad Police launched a project named ‘My Auto is Safe’, with a view to improving passenger safety. The project will see the digitisation of data on autos plying in the city. The name of the owner, driver and their phone numbers and photographs will be collected along with details about the auto. A UV-printed sticker with the details and QR code will provided to each auto and the sticker must be pasted on the vehicle. The passengers will be able to scan the QR code to obtain the details and share them during…

Phase 1 of Chennai Metro to be fully functional this weekend The entire stretch of 45 km comprising Phase 1 of Chennai Metro will become fully functional starting this Sunday, February 10th. Prime Minister Modi during his visit to the state will inaugurate the final leg of Phase 1 connecting AG-DMS to Washermanpet.  The final 10-km stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet will be entirely underground and have stations at Washermanpet, Mannady, Madras High Court, Chennai Central, Government Estate, LIC, Thousand Lights and AG-DMS. The construction of Chennai Metro Rail’s phase I project built at a cost of ₹14,600 crore has been…