Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Reporter's Diary

Good news for air travellers

While Customs Department officials at the Chennai Airport are ecstatic about their performance, the good news for travellers is that they can bring imported goods worth Rs.25, 000.

C. Rajan, Commissioner of Customs (Airport) says most of overseas travellers who arrive from different destinations, opt for green channel clearance. So, he has instructed Customs Department preventive wing officials posted at the arrival hall of the customs at the Anna International Terminal to provide fast track clearances. He noted that even 29 inches imported Television sets, cell phones for passengers' personal requirement, and other electronic gadgets, do not come under the Customs scanner. At the same time, he said any genuine complaints of customs department official harassment could be aired to the Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Meenambakkam Airport, Chennai.

Ill-stocked post offices

Post offices have gone high tech, such as instant transfer of money orders and track and trace system for speed post articles. But many post offices in the city do not have sufficient stock of stationery. In many post offices, there is no stock of accounts transfer application forms. In one post office, a customer was given an application with the condition that he should hand over the application back after making a photocopy. He was also informed that his transfer would be entertained only if he returned the application. Official of the post office said they were not supplied the necessary application forms and had no other alternative.

Women's forum

A legal awareness camp for women turned into another forum to remind them of their sacred duty to family, culture and children. The meeting was called to demand fifty per cent reservation for women and protest indecent representation of women in films. Members of the free legal aid cell encouraged the assembly of women and lawyers to make use of the facility. Others asked why there were no protests against the way women were represented in films.

Some speakers, though, decided other considerations were more important.

While husbands could be abusive, it was up to women to learn to adjust, said one. A certain actor had no right to derogate Tamil culture, said another. The subject of legal rights of women got overshadowed by the advice given by speakers from unions and social organisations.

Unnecessary risks

Road users can sometimes get adventurous. It is normal to watch young bicyclists hanging on to bigger vehicles to get to a destination faster without using much pedal power.

But it can certainly get dangerous. A small slip can end up in a tragedy.

The picture shows a youngster risking life and limb on the busy Poonamallee High Road near Maduravoyal.

Contributions by T.S. Shankar, S. Vydhianathan and J. Malarvizhi

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