With the Lok Sabha elections right around the corner, Citizen Matters caught up with Prashanth Goutham of Arappor Iyakkam. In this freewheeling discussion with Meenakshi Ramesh, Prashanth details the roles and responsibilities of an MP and what voters must look for in deciding on the ideal candidate.
[Meenakshi Ramesh anchors the Chennai edition of Citizen Matters and is actively involved in many civic initiatives. She can be reached at meenakshi@citizenmatters.in]
“If the authorities go to Putlur Lake and actually listen to the residents there, how would a sewage treatment plant (STP) at this location in Madambakkam even get sanctioned in the first place? Either they are unaware, or lethargic towards community welfare,” says Anand R, a weather and waterproofing expert and a Madambakkam resident, who lives close to the proposed STP site. Madambakkam, situated in the southern part of Chennai, is an old town with a long history, known for its ancient temple and open grasslands. Over the years, however, rapid urbanisation has begun to change its landscape. Recently, lake…
The University of Kashmir campus in Naseem Bagh, Srinagar, is thick with early morning winter fog. Monumental chinar trees fade into a blanket of mist as a few students move quietly across the grounds, shoulders hunched and hands buried deep in their pockets. “We have to plan properly according to the cold before coming to the university,” says Aijaz, a PhD scholar. As daylight fades early, pathways empty quickly, and students retreat to hostels, rented rooms, or wherever warmth is available. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, hosts many of the region’s universities and colleges, drawing students from…