Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the ‘U’-shaped flyover and a foot overbridge at Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway (OMR), Thiruvanmiyur, on Feb.25. These infrastructure projects, built at a cost of Rs.27.50 crore and Rs.11.30 crore respectively, aim to ease traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety in the area.

The flyover spans 510 meters with a width of 8.5 meters, allowing seamless movement for vehicles from Thiruvanmiyur towards Velachery and Taramani, bypassing the busy traffic signal at TIDEL Park junction. The new foot overbridge connects Thiruvanmiyur MRTS railway station with West Avenue Road, providing safe passage for pedestrians with escalators on both sides.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy CM, Udhayanidhi Stalin emphasised the government’s commitment to urban infrastructure, highlighting that these projects will enhance connectivity for IT professionals and local residents. The inauguration was attended by Ministers E.V. Velu (Public Works), Ma. Subramanian (Health), MP Tamizhachi Thangapandian, and other government officials.

These developments mark another step in Chennai’s transformation into a modern, commuter-friendly city.

According to a police press release, “J-6 Police team led by Thiruvanmiyur Police Station inspector conducted a comprehensive investigation and identified Kamlesh from Kannagi Nagar, Nithyanandam from Kotivakkam, and Parthiban from Kannagi Nagar as the perpetrators and detained them. They were taken into custody with two knives and one motorbike.

Investigations have revealed that Kamalesh assaulted Gowtham’s friend last year, following which the latter had threatened Kamalesh. This prompted Kamalesh to collaborate with his friends and murder Gowtham.

On June 12, the three defendants were brought before the court.

The crowd cheered in reverence as the float neared. The festive Thiruvanmiyur was decorated and replete with annadaman and various small shops selling various wares. 

The Chennai Traffic Police had implemented traffic regulations in the streets leading to the temple, however, there was no prior information about any diversions. Thus, there was traffic jam not only on the ECR, but also Anna Street / Muthulakshmi Street, Kalakshetra Road, Kamaraj Salai, Valmiki Street, Mettu Street and South Mada Street. Police were re-directing the commuters to the main roads. 

“There was mayhem in all the surrounding streets. Had the police notified in advance, the nearby residents would have probably planned better about commutation,” said Kamaraj, a resident. One hopes that there is better planning in place next time.

Santosh and Aarti have been passionately maintaining a small vegetable garden with about 50 grow bags on their rooftop, but felt that they needed support in nurturing the garden for better results. In March of 2023, when they came across Mr. Krishna Mohan, the Chief Resilience Officer from CRC, “a win-win situation” emerged. While CRC was looking to partner with citizens and develop Model Rooftop Vegetable Gardens as part of its Chennai Urban Farming Initiative which could be showcased to encourage more neighbourhood residents to get involved in rooftop vegetable gardening, Santosh and Aarti found the right support system with all the technical knowhow and guidance they were looking for.

CRC helped by setting up a full-fledged Model Rooftop Vegetable Garden with shade-net and drip irrigation system and providing access to a WhatsApp Customer Guidance platform that can answer all their queries and doubts, and by connecting them with women gardeners from local self-help groups who have been trained by CRC under the Tamil Nadu Livelihoods Mission (TNULM).

Santosh and Aarti’s rooftop vegetable garden, is now a vibrant green space with 200 grow bags yielding Cucumber, Tomatoes, Brinjal, Radish, ladies finger, Greens and more ! They have added a timer to the drip irrigation system & a water spray system to ensure that the plants are watered efficiently and are also experimenting with plants that can grow under their solar panels with little direct sunlight. As a family, they spend quality time in this rooftop garden taking care of the plants and enjoying the green surroundings amid the concrete city.

During the 5th August workshop, the residents from Valmiki Nagar enthusiastically responded to CRC’s invitation via the local residents’ WhatsApp Group, to take a tour of this Model Rooftop Home Garden in their own neighbourhood and learn about methods of garden maintenance, making bio pesticides, and preparing fertilisers at home. CRC hopes to collaborate with many other residents like Santosh and Aarti, to build the momentum around a city-wide rooftop gardening movement.

CRC has been promoting urban vegetable farming in various forms and scales – kitchen gardens serving nutritious greens for children in Anganwadis (Integrated Child Development Service or ICDS centres), rooftop vegetable gardens in homeless shelters, schools, and low and middle-income neighbourhoods. CRC’s aim is to leverage these decentralised green infrastructures to build a clean, green, and cooler Chennai, while fostering community and climate resilience by addressing issues of food security, livelihood opportunities for the urban poor, and heat mitigation.

Here are some pictures from the event. To know more about CRC’s efforts and to join the movement you may contact 91765 88007 or visit: https://urbanthottam.com/

On Aug.11,  Dr.Raji Rao, President of Sakambari Women’s Group, along with fellow member Janaki Sundararajan, visited Kakkum Karangal Old Age Home, Thiruvanmiyur and donated the following items (25 no.) for use by the Home and its inmates: snacks, talcum powder, hair oil, pain-reducing ointment, and cleansing materials like Dettol, Lysol, Harpic and bleaching powder. They spent some time in the Home cheering the aged inmates.

The theme of the celebrations was ‘3G – Gain Guru’s Grace’. The chief guests highlighted the need to imbibe human values in life, including obedience towards teachers, self-confidence etc. The programme came to an end with a mangalam song and the national anthem.

July 30, 2023 happens to be the 137th birth anniversary of the trail blazing pioneer woman Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy. She was the first Indian woman to graduate in MBCM from the Madras Medical College, the first woman legislator of the Madras Presidency and the first woman deputy president of a law-making body anywhere in the world. 

She fought for many women’s causes of which we are now beneficiaries. She founded Avvai Home and the Adyar Cancer Institute WIA among many other things.

She wrote in her autobiography that she built a house next to a lake in the village of Thiruvanmiyur to help her husband Dr. Sundaram Reddy breathe clean air. The house she built on 40 grounds has now been built over with apartment buildings – Sanjivani by Ramaniyam, opposite Thiagaraja theatre on Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy / LB Road. 

The small Ganesha temple by a tree next to the gate of this complex is called Erikkarai Vinayakar. That means that Indira Nagar area was previously a lake.

The house she lived in the late 1920s became a free dispensary for the poor after her demise. It was called ‘Rotti house’ in the 1940s as bread baked at Avvai Home was also freely given to the poor there. Now it is run by a private non-profit institution as a dispensary for the poor after changes in the structure.

Dr.Krishnamurthy sold 32 grounds on both sides of memorials (they are memorials not samadhi as they were all cremated) to Dr.Sundaram Reddy, Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy and Mandakini Krishnamurthy.

It is being kept clean and once a year, on 22nd July, WIA members visit it and offer flowers. Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy had also built a small temple to Lord Balaji to house a beautiful painting of Tirupati Venkateswara given to her by a patient. The artist is said to have sat in front of the deity at Tirupati and painted it. Dr. Krishnamurthy had added a marble statue of Lord Anjaneyar to it.

Dr. Krishnamurthy created the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Trust out of the money from the sale for the use of Avvai Home and the Cancer Institute. A separate trust was created to look after the temple and the land surrounding it. They reconstructed the temple making it larger. Shankar Subramaniam, a trustee and an early resident at Ramaniyam Sanjivani complex says they are all emotionally attached to the temple.

Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy is Adyar’s own wonder woman worth remembering for long. An appeal had been made by Women’s India Association (WIA) for the unveiling of a portrait of Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy in the Tamil Nadu assembly as the first woman legislator. We hope it will come to fruition soon.

The author Dr.Devika is a resident of Sastri Nagar and can be reached at vrdevika@gmail.com.

Nisha Vijay Patil and R.Lakshman from Vidya Vriksha foundation were the chief guests of the event and gave away the awards and scholarships to Std. XII (passed out) toppers and Std. X toppers. Free uniforms to needy children of all classes were also distributed.

Principal Janaki welcomed the gathering and Senior Principal Latha Ravi appreciated the Foundation’s involvement and contribution in uplifting the overall growth of school students.

Correspondent M.Ramakrishnan and Secretary Sankar also graced the occasion.

The petition informs about the construction of a building near the Canal’s wall at Ranganathapuram, Thiruvanmiyur, the information of which was shared with the Executive Engineer / Zonal Office of Zone 13 and the GCC Commissioner on May 10 and June 8 respectively. “Despite the court categorically instructing the administrative bodies to take action on encroachments along water bodies, there has been no action on my petition,” says Ayyanar.

Ayyanar also pointed out that the construction was hampering the natural flow of water into the canal, thus leading to the stagnation of water in the locality. “This was not the case previously when there was no construction,” he says.

Ayyannar looks for immediate action on the encroachments not only as a resolution to the civic issues but also because encroachment is illegal. “If the GCC doesn’t take action on this, more such encroachments will crop up. What will happen once whole buildings come up? What examples are being set?” he wonders.

Yoga Day at Vidya Ratna

The students of Vidya Ratna P.T.S. Matric. Hr. Sec. School, Sastri Nagar, demonstrated various yogic postures and formed the logo of their silver jubilee year, on the International Day of Yoga (June 21). “If bending the body could mend the mind, what more do we need than yoga to protect and produce constructive minds,” said the school.

The beginning of the silver jubilee academic year of Vidya Ratna began with the prefectorial council of the school taking its oath of office, administered by the young and inspiring Senior Vice President (South zone) of Mediterranean Shipping Co. Limited, N. Krishna Kumar, on June 24. This was preceded by the ceremonial parade of the students Council.

The chief guest advised the students to retain the sense of wonderment in learning. He also said that we should always, “Begin with the end in mind. If we take care of the smaller challenges, the bigger challenges will follow in line.” He also quoted our former President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam that what we dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.

Sivananda Yoga’s ‘Yoga Day’ at beach

In a sublime tribute to International Yoga Day, Thiruvanmiyur beach became a sanctuary of spiritual awakening from 6 am to 7 am. The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre orchestrated a captivating yoga session, embracing seekers of inner peace, in association with the East Coast Beach Walkers Association (ECBWA).

The nearly 50 participants immersed themselves in the profound practice of yoga, guided by experienced instructors. Amidst serene surroundings, the harmonious fusion of asanas, pranayama, and meditation transported hearts and minds to a transcendent realm. The beach’s tranquil beauty further enhanced the spiritual connection, fostering a deep sense of unity and renewal.

Certificates of Appreciation were issued to all participants who had completed the 21 Days Summer Yoga Camp from June 1 to 21 and also to those who had attended the one day International Day Yoga Class on June 21. “Thanks to all office bearers, EC Members and all participants who have made this special event more successful and memorable,” said a statement from ECBWA.

Sivananda Yoga Centre is at 3/655, Kuppam Road, Kaveri Nagar, Kottivakkam. Ph: 98843 13971, 91761 06790; www.sivananda.org/chennai; email: chennai@sivananda.org.

Yoga Day at Chaitanya Techno School

 Sri Chaitanya Techno School, Palavakkam, celebrated the day with zeal and high spirits. Blending perfectly with the theme ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ the school children were made aware of how yoga embodies unity and balance in physical and mental health.

The rejuvenating yoga session started with a prayer. Principal Radhika inaugurated the event. Usha Ajith Pradad, Rotarian Chairman for Youth Icon Award for 2022 (District 3232), solicited the ceremony and motivated the students with her speech about the benefits of yoga for a healthy lifestyle. Sandhya from Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) conducted the yoga session with precision and tranquillity. She illustrated warm up exercises, asanas, pranayama and finally meditation. More than 300 children participated in this event with perfect coordination.

The event encapsulated the view that the regular practice of yoga can surely help every one of us live a better life not only physically and mentally, but spiritually as well.

Yoga Day celebrations at KV IIT Chennai

The 9th International Day of Yoga was observed at Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT campus on June 21. Prior to this, week-long activities, which included a presentation on Yoga, information of basic asanas, debate on benefits of Yoga and nutritional diet, poster making competition etc., were held.

Surya Namaskar with mantras, and Yoga with music were conducted, and students participated with enthusiasm. Deputy Regional Head of UBI Regional Office (Chennai) – Jeyakumar, and Mini Mullath, Assistant Commissioner, KVS (Chennai) graced the occasion as chief guests.

Headmistress Padmavathi welcomed the gathering. The session commenced with an introduction to Yoga Day by T.Kalyani, TGT English, followed by a mass demonstration of different yoga postures, breathing practice and meditation guided by Yoga Instructor Sridevi. All the participants including the staff and the chief guests gave a spirited and energetic performance.

Mini Mullath, in her address, insisted that both the students and teachers should prioritise health and wellbeing; Jeyakumar highlighted that in this technological and fast paced world, yogic practice will help us boost our concentration and stay academically inclined. Dr.M.Manickasamy, Principal – KV IIT honoured the chief guests. R.K.Mishra, Vice Principal, proposed the vote of thanks.

Shankara school celebrated Yoga Day

Students of Sri Sankara Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, observed International Yoga Day on June 21 to bring awareness to all about the importance of yoga in our daily life. 

PT Master and Yoga teacher Saravanan demonstrated Yoga on the stage, which was meticulously followed by all the students. People from Sahaja Yoga, regular visitors to school, also taught children how to do yoga and explained the importance of yoga for a healthy life.

Other celebrations