CHENNAI PLUS

Maayol, a collective group art exhibition featuring nine distinguished female artists, was officially launched on August 21, 2025, by the esteemed guests, Lakshmi Krishnamurthy, alongside Jayakumar, at the Soul Spice Art Gallery, situated at No. 21/11, 1st Main Road, C. I. T Colony, Mylapore, Chennai. The participating artists exhibiting their work include Priya Elayaraja, Sowmya R Iyal, Janani Pradeep Kumar, R Srividhyaa, Gauya Gunasekaran, Poornima, M Nirmala, Nila Naveen, and Navena Kumari. The exhibition will run until August 23, 2025. Gallery is open from 11am to 7pm. 

Animal Liberation Now! held the first Animal Rights Protest on Indian Independence Day outside the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo. The protest highlighted the unfairness of keeping animals in captivity and called for an end to exploitation masked as conservation.   Nineteen activists from across India gathered to demand freedom for animals held for human profit and entertainment. They fought against speciesism, which views humans as superior and entitled to control other animals. The activists encouraged the public to reject this mindset and end animal slavery.   Banners displayed messages such as “Are They Not Worthy of Freedom?” and “Slavery by Any Name is Still Slavery. ” Activists engaged visitors with thought-provoking questions like whether independence should only apply to humans. While some children showed curiosity, parents often hurried them away. A few visitors expressed understanding but chose to enter the zoo regardless. Activists arg...

  Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) has successfully completed its  attempt for a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most participants in an online generative AI hackathon .Over a ten-day period, 53,199 Cognizant associates across 40 countries took part in a Vibe Coding event, a global initiative designed to democratize innovation and build AI fluency at scale. An official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator confirmed Cognizant’s achievement in the category of most participants in an online generative AI hackathon, not only achieving but smashing the previous record. In addition to the event being a world record, it also generated 30,601 ideas and working prototypes that were submitted by associates around the world.Submissions ranged from an HR wellness companion app for busy professionals, to an app that checks brand compliance and corporate identity in support of a company’s marketing efforts. Cognizant’s record-setting event invited all associates from across the company’s ...

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) , a leading international organization driving collaboration and knowledge-sharing across engineering disciplines, is set to host its flagship event, the  International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE), in India for the very first time. The event will take place at the  Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) from 10th to 13th September 2025 , marking a historic milestone in the Congress’ legacy of innovation, research, and global engagement. Traditionally held in the United States , IMECE brings together thought leaders, researchers, industry professionals, policy makers, and students from across the globe to explore breakthroughs in science, technology, and innovation. Featuring over 650 research papers& Technical presentations, 1500 delegates, and 100 exhibitors,  the first ever IMECE India 2025 edition will serve as a catalyst for advancing engineering know...

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited (Utkarsh SFB), announced a strategic partnership with Hitachi Payment Services, a leading end-to-end payments and commerce solutions provider,to upgrade its payment processing and debit card management. Through this partnership, Hitachi Payment Services will streamline the entire debit card life cycle management for over 2.1 million+ cardholders of the bank. With this upgrade, all ATM, POS and e-commerce transactions, supporting major schemes and payment networks like NFS, RuPay, DFS, MasterCard and JCB are now operational on a faster, secure and scalable platform. A transition of such a nature typically demands an extensive timeline, but Hitachi Payment Services together with Utkarsh Small Finance Bank successfully completed the migration in just two months, significantly faster than the industry norm of five to six months. Payment Processing and Debit Card Management are critical aspects of modern banking,that enable real-time and uninterrupted ...

A majority of Indians fear the threat of mosquito-borne diseases year-round, with 81% believing illnesses like malaria and dengue can happen at any time of the year, not just during the monsoons. This surprising insight was revealed in a =pan-India survey, titled ‘One Mosquito, Countless Threats’ by Goodknight, India's leading household insecticide brand from Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL). The survey was conducted by market research firm YouGov. The study highlights how changing environmental conditions and urban living patterns are fuelling the need for year-round protection against mosquitoes.   The concern is consistent across the country, with East India (86%) agreeing the most that malaria and dengue can happen at any time of the year, not just during the monsoons . This is followed by West (81%) along with an equal number in North and South (80%). Goodknight survey reveals a strong behavioural shift among Indian parents around 95% of Indians say they are far more car...

Amazon's ecommerce exports program, Amazon Global Selling, continues to enable Indian MSMEs from Coimbatore and surrounding regions to reach global customers, contributing to the program's impressive $13 billion in cumulative exports from India. Local manufacturers of products and categories like home, kitchen, apparel, sports, and beauty are finding new international markets through Amazon. Over 4,500 exporters from cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Karur are already exporting through the Global Selling program. The growing momentum of ecommerce exports in the region underscores why Amazon has quadrupled its export pledge to $80 billion by 2030.   The Export Haat event in Tiruppur today aims to reach over 150 exporters from Coimbatore, Tiruppur and nearby cities, in the presence of Mr. Swaminathan M FIEO Chapter Head - Coimbatore. At the event, Amazon leaders will share insights on the latest products, tools, and resources designed to hel...

Godrej Industries Group (GIG) hosted the second edition of the National Chemistry Day Summit, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness in India’s chemical industry. The summit, jointly organized by Godrej Industries (Chemicals) and Astec LifeSciences, convened leading voices from industry, academia, and research to discuss the future of Indian chemistry. This year’s theme, “Driving Innovation and Growth in India’s Chemical Industry”, focused on elevating India’s role in the global chemical value chain through R&D, digitalisation, and future-ready talent. Burjis Godrej, Executive Director, Godrej Agrovet Ltd & Managing Director, Astec Life Sciences Ltd, Nadir Godrej, Chairperson, Godrej Industries Group, highlighted the role of chemistry in shaping a sustainable future, while Vishal Sharma, Executive Director & CEO of Godrej Industries (Chemicals), and, led engaging discussions on building resilience, industry-academia collabor...

Galaxy Health Insurance , India’s youngest standalone health insurer backed by the TVS Group, has announced a strategic partnership with Round Table India (RTI) to deepen health insurance reach in the country. RTI, a leading non-profit organisation with a presence across 135 cities, is known for its long-standing commitment to sustainable community development and service-led initiatives.   This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Galaxy’s expansion journey, reinforcing its mission to bridge India’s healthcare gap. With penetration still low and nearly 400 million citizens either uninsured or underinsured, the partnership aims to address an urgent national need. The alliance will focus on building insurance awareness and accessibility across India. While government schemes cater largely to those below the poverty line and private products serve wealthier segments, a vast middle section remains without adequate protection. For Galaxy Health Insurance, this initiat...

As India prepares to celebrate its 79th Independence Day, Locks & Architectural Solutions, a business of the Godrej Enterprises Group, leads the home safety segment with consistent double-digit growth and category-defining innovations. The company is currently growing at 12- 14% y-o-y, holding the #1 position in both traditional and digital locks, and is on track to achieve its FY26 targets. This growth is powered by a robust strategy focused on smart product innovation, omnichannel expansion, and deepening presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, which now contribute over 60% of total revenue. The company’s balanced portfolio, split 50:50 between Locks and Architectural Solutions (AS), reflects its dual strength in safety and design. While locks remain the brand’s core, Architectural Solutions (AS) is rapidly emerging as a high-growth vertical, aligned with India’s rising demand for premium interiors and urban infrastructure. A key driver of this momentum is the digital locks se...

  The Anglo-Indian Suburban Front in Chennai commemorated World Anglo-Indian Day and its Annual General Body Meeting on August 2, 2025, at the residence of Mr. Godfrey Misquith, situated in Jaganathan Colony, Perambur, Chennai. Mrs. Petula Pinheiro, the secretary, extended a warm welcome to the attendees and initiated the event with a prayer, creating an atmosphere of unity and reflection that set the tone for the proceedings. Dr. A. Roy Rozario, the Founder and President, discussed the various activities and accomplishments of the association over the preceding years. He emphasized his unwavering commitment to addressing the challenges confronting the Anglo-Indian community and reaffirmed his dedication to working towards the welfare and advancement of the community. Dr. Roy particularly underscored the necessity and significance of joining the association to ensure that no individual feels excluded, especially in times when the community faces potential challenges. This senti...

In a remarkable feat of medical expertise, specialists at Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet have performed a rare, life-altering craniosynostosis surgery on a five-year-old child suffering from a severe facial deformity. The intricate, multi-hour procedure not only transformed the child’s appearance but also improved vital functions, offering a renewed chance at a healthy, confident future. Led by Dr. Manikandhan and Dr. G. Balamurali, the multidisciplinary team’s success underscores the hospital’s advanced capabilities in complex reconstructive surgeries.  Craniosynostosis is a rare condition, seen in about 1 in every 2,000–2,500 live births. It occurs when one or more of the skull bones fuse too early after birth, restricting normal skull growth. This can cause abnormal head and facial shapes, increased pressure on the brain, and, in severe cases, developmental delays. For many children, especially those from underserved communities, the condition also brings significant emotional and so...

You may not see them often, but they’re there — hiding behind kitchen cabinets, under the sink, or crawling out at night. Cockroaches are more than just unsightly pests; they are silent carriers of disease and potential threats to your family's health. In a hurry to get rid of them, we often end up doing more harm than good. But here’s the catch is that the wrong way to kill a cockroach can be more harmful than the pest itself. Scientific studies show they can transmit harmful pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. When we squash them, especially with bare hands, feet, or household tools, we risk spreading these bacteria across floors and walls . The visible cockroaches we kill are only the tip of the infestation. The hidden colonies and eggs remain untouched and repopulate in days. To deal with them, some people end up using unregulated cheap products leading to allergic reactions and health problems. Others rely on alternatives like incense sticks ma...

Amazon India today announced it has invested more than 37 crores in water replenishment projects across India, which are expected to restore over 3 billion liters of water annually, benefiting people in water-stressed communities. This portfolio of initiatives spans four major urban centers—Bengaluru, Hyderabad, New Delhi, and Mumbai—supporting Amazon's goal to return more water to communities than it uses in its direct operations in India by 2027. "Water security represents one of India's most pressing environmental challenges, requiring collaborative solutions across sectors," said Abhinav Singh, Vice President of Operations, Amazon India and Australia . "Through strategic investments in both urban and rural watersheds, we're not only addressing immediate water access issues but also building long-term resilience for communities where we operate. Each project is designed to support agricultural livelihoods, enhancing biodiversity, and securing urban water...

Raksha Bandhan has always celebrated the sacred chaos of siblinghood, the fights, the food thefts, the unspoken loyalty. But in today's world, that bond is becoming rarer. Many of us don't live in the same city, or even the same country, as our siblings anymore. With changing family dynamics or preferences leaning towards single child, an increasing number of children are growing up without siblings at all. A2023 YouGov-Mint-CPR Millennial Survey said that among urban millennials in India, 47% wanted only one child. At the same time, our workplaces have become our second homes. We spend more hours with colleagues than we do with friends or family. In that proximity, real bonds form, ones that go beyond job roles and coffee chats. We've all heard of "work spouses", but what about the "work sibling"? The one who teases you endlessly in meetings, finishes your half-written decks, steals your snacks, and always has your back. This Raksha Bandhan, Godrej ...

A health check-up camp was held today at Koyambedu Periyar Vegetable Market, serving over 180 people, including vendors and workers, who often lack healthcare access. This event was organized by several groups, including Jaibeem Laborer and Small Traders Welfare Society and local hospitals, with the goal of extending healthcare to marginalized communities. Mr. V. Selva Kumar inaugurated the camp and Mr. A. J. Hariharan from ICWO welcomed attendees and explained that while basic consultations and medications were offered, patients needing further treatment were referred to partner hospitals.   The camp highlighted the health risks faced by around 10,000 workers who often neglect their health while working. Mr. Selva Kumar noted that the association has helped many through various welfare schemes since its establishment in 2022. Mr. K. K. J. Solomon from BASE Trust emphasized that their goal is to ensure everyone has sight by 2030 and has already served a significant number of peop...

Swiggy Limited, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, announced that it has rolled out DeskEats, a curated food experience designed specifically for working professionals in 7000+ tech parks, business centres and corporate complexes across 30 cities in India. Built for convenience, speed, and variety, DeskEats is tailored to meet the evolving needs of consumers seeking a hassle-free food delivery experience during their workday, right at their desks. The cities include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram, Pune and Kolkata. The DeskEats collection has close to 7 lakh items from over 200,000 restaurants live on the platform. Users simply need to type “Office” or “Work” in the Swiggy app to access this offering.   DeskEats brings together thoughtfully curated collections such as Value Combos, Stress Munchies, Deadline Desserts, Sip-tastic Fuel, One-handed Grabbies, Healthy Nibbles, and Teamwork Bites—each addressing a specific mealtime use-case that resonates with ...