With hardly a month for Madras Week celebrations, organisations such as the INTACH and Rotary Clubs have already planned their events.

The celebrations will kick-start on August 18 and go on till August 25 or even further.

“We have already confirmed around 20 events by various groups in various parts of the city. Last year we had about 160 events happening across the city for about a month. We hope to have more this year,” said Vincent D’ Souza,  journalist and one of the voluntary coordinators for the event.

Historian and journalist S Muthiah urged more participation from the northern and western parts of the city. “The Madras Week celebrations have mostly been restricted to the southern and central parts of the city. We hope there would be more events from the other parts such as Royapuram, Kilpauk and Annanagar. Some of the most important historical sites are in these areas,” he said.

Volunteers also hoped that more people would come forward to organise events like walks, seminars and innovative fun events in their own locality. “Last year the ‘Mint Food Walk’ conducted by women in the Sowcarpet area was a huge hit, so much so that we are hoping to have two of those this year. This year, we hope to see at least one city walk happening everyday during the Madras Week celebrations and about five to six of them on the weekends,” said Vincent D’Souza.

Volunteers, who are interested in conducting such programmes, can contact coordinators for publicity, advice, and also for assistance in arranging venues. The events will be put up on the Madras Day website. All sorts of communities, schools, colleges, business houses or others can take up their own events to mark the day.

(Those interested can contact editor@madrasmusings.com or themadrasday@gmail.com. For more information on the events, visit www.themadrasday.in.)

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service – Chennai / June 22nd, 2013