City: Chennai

Chennai is known for its rich cultural heritage, booming economy, and vibrant social life. However, the city faces a significant issue with the rampant proliferation of unauthorised advertising hoardings, or ‘flex’ banners. These banners are erected without permission from civic authorities. Despite existing regulations and penalties, this problem persists, leading to accidents and fatalities. This situation underscores the urgent need for stringent enforcement and increased public awareness. What are 'flex' banners? These banners are used for various purposes, including political campaigns, advertisements, religious events, and personal celebrations. Their low production cost and ease of use make them an attractive option…

As the dump trucks drive in and deposit tonnes of refuse at the dumping ground in Kodangaiyur, a group of people wait patiently to sift through the garbage. As far as the eyes can see, there are mountains of unsegregated waste and the stench is unbearable. This group of informal workers are the waste pickers of Chennai, an important cog in the wheel of waste management in the city. Chennai produces about 6,300 tonnes of waste daily, overwhelming the city’s two main dumping sites, Kodangaiyur and Perungudi, with unsegregated trash. Although some community-led initiatives raise awareness about the importance of…

Evictions do not affect men and women equally. Often, women bear the brunt, be it because of unplanned evictions or domestic violence that results from loss of livelihood. With no government facilities in place to turn to for help, the women in Chennai's resettlement areas often suffer in silence. To address this issue, the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) will soon establish 'one-stop centres' in resettlement areas in the city. Meanwhile, a residential de-addiction centre has also been set up in Kannagi Nagar to tackle substance abuse, especially among young men and boys. Our earlier articles in this…

Two months before I left for Chennai, I stopped by the Man Who Sold the World, an antique store in my neighbourhood in Seattle. I go to this shop sometimes to look through the old-fashioned stereoscope. You peer through the device at two side-by-side photos, soften your gaze, and these two slightly different perspectives become one three dimensional scene. On that particular day, I set my sights on India. One scene is of a cow in a crowded Delhi alley. Another is of a larger-than-life stone carving of a Hindu god. It felt as if I was surrounded by those…

Civil society organisations and concerned citizens have united to protest the construction of a new airport in Parandur, in the outskirts of Chennai. The Rs 30,000-crore project is slated to come up in more than 5,000 acres of land, according to the State government. A majority of this land is agricultural and also includes many waterbodies. According to civic and environmental activists, if the construction of the greenfield airport in Parandur goes ahead as per plan, it will have significant ecological and social repercussions — loss of natural habitats, potential flooding and a loss of livelihood for communities dependent on…

As dawn breaks, there is a steady stream of customers at Muhammed's tea shop in Chennai. As they arrive, he serves them tea in glass tumblers. However, one customer insists on a paper cup for hygiene reasons, despite Muhammed explaining that the glass tumblers are washed and sterilised with hot water. Glass tumblers cost around Rs 20 each and can be reused hundreds of times until they break. In contrast, paper cups cost Rs 100 for 50 cups (Rs 2 per cup) and are neither reusable nor environment-friendly. “Though plastic-coated paper cups are banned, we can’t avoid using them when…

Residents of the tenements built by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) in Vyasarpadi, North Chennai face several challenges. The homes are cramped, barely providing enough space for two people. There are no recreational areas for children to play and for adults to relax. Additionally, the narrow, unsafe roads with speeding vehicles pose a hazard for children living nearby. The drains are often clogged and sewage is seen overflowing onto the congested lanes. So, how do people feel about living here? One resident laments that the living spaces in the resettlement site make them feel that there is…

On July 16, two minor boys driving an SUV on Pycrofts Road in Chennai's Royapettah, caused an accident with a two-wheeler, injuring two pedestrians. This incident occurred two months after a similar case in Pune, which drew nationwide criticism. In that case, the Juvenile Justice Board in Maharashtra granted bail to a teenager responsible for a car accident that killed two people, on the condition that he write a 300-word essay on road accidents and their solutions. "What about the families who suffer the loss of their loved ones killed in these accidents?" asks Mihika Gupta who lost her husband,…

Trash is mostly an afterthought when it gets taken away seamlessly. Like most residents, I follow the weekly trash routine without much thought. This system contrasts with my recent experiences in Chennai, where household waste segregation is more community-oriented, while civic authorities are largely responsible for collection and disposal of the waste in the city.  Compared to Chennai, Seattle has a smaller population, about 762,500. Chennai's population according to latest GCC data is about 7.1 million. In both Seattle and Chennai, the city government contracts with private companies to collect waste, and charges households a collection fee. In Seattle, unlike…

Two years ago, the Tamil Nadu government published a glossary for addressing the LGBTQIA+  community. The development occurred in large part because of the advocacy by queer and trans groups. Since its release, the glossary has shown how language plays a crucial role in the broader struggle for visibility and equality for these communities. Orinam, an LGBTQIA+ support and activist group, has been curating queer and trans Tamil terms for years. They collaborated with Queer Chennai Chronicles and The News Minute to create the official state terminology. The glossary, which contains both Tamil and English words, not just promotes inclusive…