Chennai

Krishnakumar S has planted 65000 native trees and built 40+ dense urban forests using the Miyawaki method, cooling cities and restoring biodiversity.

From artist enclaves to quiet cultural corners, these recommendations come straight from a Chennai local who knows the city beyond its landmarks.

Shefalii Dadabhoy shared 10,000 sunflower seeds for free and sparked a joyful movement that now includes 150 homes, schools, and offices. Her simple idea is filling Chennai with pockets of yellow, one bloom at a time.

BookWater, founded by Bharath and Balachander, uses QR codes and IoT sensors to track water quality, reuse cycles, and plastic safety in Chennai’s water cans. With 3000 users and 50000 cans monitored monthly, the startup is improving public health while promoting recycling and sustainable water delivery.

What started as Thuvakkam, a college tree-planting drive by Krishnakumar S and his friends, has grown into a large-scale effort to bring urban forests back in two major Indian cities. His work is not just reviving the soil but also rebuilding people’s connection with nature.

A 26-year-old literature graduate from Chennai, Mayawathi, has installed book vending machines at MGR Chennai Central and Tambaram railway stations through her venture, Sunset Hues. Offering over 50 affordable titles, the initiative is turning train journeys into moments of discovery and helping commuters reconnect with the joy of reading.

International Coffee Day: Explore Chennai’s best filter coffee at eight iconic spots.

Each Navratri, Chennai’s Mylapore turns into a living gallery of dolls and stories. Behind every stall are families who have kept this craft alive for generations — and whose livelihoods depend on these festive days.

At 91, B M Viswanathan from Chennai proves that age is no barrier to fitness. Every morning, he takes to the badminton court with youthful energy, inspiring all who watch him play.

For many of us, the monsoon isn’t just a season — it’s a feeling. In this heartwarming piece, four parents from across India share the childhood rainy-day memories they hope to relive with their own children.