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Pondicherry, the film Galatta Kalyanam and the IITF 1968

I wanted to see Galatta Kalyanam when a TV Channel was showing it two days ago because Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa were in the lead with a host of actors like Manorama, Cho and others. There was a beautiful song in the film shot at the International Fair in 1968 at Anna Nagar with the Visveswarayya Tower dominating. The Tower is still there! But much to my disappointment, the channel, cut out the songwhich to me was the soul of this film, as it was shot entirely at the Trade Fare grounds. I was disappointed not to see the pavilions, particularly that of Pondicherry. But, luckily, I could retrieve the song from a post on Facebook!

IITF in Galatta Kalyanam.

When I was posted to Pondicherry in 1967 as Development Secretary-cum-Collector from the highly industrialised Gujarat, the Government naturally expected me to change the essentially agricultural face of Pondicherry. The Union Territory then had four composite textile mills and a sugar mill.Other than this, there was no industry worth the name, particularly small industries providing widespread employment.

The Chief Minister and I used to meet the French Ambassador. We also called on GoI Ordnance Factory heads with a view to locate one in Pondy. A Free Port was also being talked about then. Finally,we met the National Small Industries Corporation and they suggested an Industries Intensive Campaign in Pondy and the GoI Secretary, Industries, himself came down. Many small scale industries were established this way.

Meanwhile, the International Fair was announced in Madras. When I mooted the idea of participation because Pondy was already “a window to France”, it was accepted by the Chambers of Commerce, the Aurobindo Ashram who had their own small industries and many other units. They all made our participation possible. The International Trade Fair was inaugurated by the then CM of Tamil Nadu, C.N. Annadurai. Pondy’s Lieutenant Governor, S.L. Silam, who was earlier Speaker of the Bombay Legislative Assembly, graced the occasion and the Pondy pavilion appeared, although briefly, in Galatta Kalyanam.

When I convened the first meeting for our participation at 3 pm on a Tuesday, nobody turned up. They started trickling in at 4:30 pm, and one and all chided me for convening such an important meeting during Rahukalam! I trust such attitudes have changed now!

(Many other interesting details about Pondy are in my autobiography).

Dr. G. Sundaram, IAS (Retd)
drgsundaram@yahoo.com

The Horrors of Highrise

Saw your editorial “The Horrors of Highrise”. I highlight a frequent problem we face in many highrises after construction. Owners, of an independent portion or a flat in a multi-storeyed apartment building, after a period, get an urge to renovate.

Not sensing the problems they may pose to the other occupants, they begin the work.As days pass by, suggestions from the other members of the family-young and old- pour in. The renovation bug grows bigger and bites the owner-his purse and otherwise. Breaking down existing walls result in dust and broken stones. There is noise pollution as well. The owner turns a deaf ear to appeals from neighbours, as he is totally involved in his project of renovation.

Renovation is necessary, but it has to be limited in a flat. Renovation could be total in a separate building. There too, neighbour’s convenience has to be kept in view by containing noise and dust by barriers and not working during nights.

Moreover, harmony is disturbed because the total-renovator of a flat does not live there. A partial renovator causes less nuisance because his programme is limited, and not total, unlike the big renovator. Any resident in a multi-storeyed flat should have some ‘sense and sensibility’ and not resort to such horrors!

Lakshmi Sundaram

ROKA amazes international delegations with its efforts in solid waste management in Chennai

The Urban Ocean programme, run jointly by Ocean Conservancy, Resilient Cities Network and The Circulate Initiative, is actively combating plastic pollution using a blend of upstream and downstream strategies. They collaborate with stakeholders from diverse sectors including construction, technology, education, environmental management, and the informal waste sector.

During the Urban Ocean Conclave, held from June 18 to 20, delegates from countries as far as Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, Thailand and Indonesia participated, apart from domestic representation from Karnataka, Mumbai, Pune and Surat. On June 18, the event was graced by Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Environment Climate Change & Forests). She explained the various efforts taken by the government of Tamil Nadu to protect the environment: Green cover mission, Coastal mission, Climate change mission, Wetlands mission etc.

On June 19, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner, Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, IAS, appreciated the efforts of the Urban Ocean programme and stated that such summits were essential to brainstorm and come up with ideas to combat plastic pollution.

On both days, experts shared their experiences and the possible way forward. The key highlight was, however, the pilot visit to the neighbourhood of Kasturba Nagar, held on June 20.

Residents of Kasturba Nagar Association (ROKA) has collaborated effectively with Okapi Research and Advisory (IIT Madras incubated) to spearhead comprehensive waste management initiatives, through the We Segregate Project. Together, they have implemented innovative strategies to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility within the community. Their partnership not only addresses waste management challenges but also educates residents on the importance of recycling and reducing their carbon footprint. By fostering community engagement and leveraging expertise from these organisations, ROKA continues to make significant strides in creating a cleaner and greener environment for all residents of Kasturba Nagar.

After a short introductory video highlighting the local area, providing context for the visit, the visitors explored the locality to understand its sustainable waste management practices. The visit aimed to foster knowledge exchange and inspire similar initiatives in different urban settings facing similar challenges.

The delegation got to see the different types of lane composters installed in the locality. Visitors were impressed by the meticulous maintenance of the composters and the collaborative efforts of the community. Their enthusiasm stemmed from observing how these methods effectively managed organic waste, fostering admiration for the cooperative spirit and dedication to sustainable practices within the vicinity. They also visited several apartments in the neighbourhood to experience a terrace kitchen garden and understand effective techniques to implement source segregation.

The ‘Punch the Plastic’ (PTP) initiative was implemented as the plastic component of the We Segregate Project. The concept involves installing sharp curved hooks on apartment walls specifically designed to collect low-grade single-use plastic waste. “It is a challenge for each household to collect sufficient quantities of such plastics and give it to an aggregator. With the PTP initiative, we can collect in bulk and give it directly to the aggregators,” highlighted P. Saranya, Treasurer of ROKA. – (Courtesy: Adyar Times.)

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