Chennai
One of the biggest challenged post the flood is rebuilding and beautifying the city. There are several public spaces that are damaged and are an eye-sore. The Candles, a non governmental organisation (NGO), as part of their Varnam project, has taken it upon themselves to paint abandoned walls with social messages.
Along with the Indian Community Welfare Organisation, they recently transformed the walls of Chennai Corporation Velankadu Crematorium on New Avadi Road, Anna Nagar.
“Two months ago, ICWO director A.J. Hariharan contacted us regarding painting the walls of the crematorium. On December 30, our team went with volunteers to give a new look to the wall with the messages about global warming, smoking and alcohol consumption, deforestation and safe driving in order to create strong awareness to the people visiting the crematorium,” says Angelin Prince, director of the NGO.
Around 25 volunteers started their work in the morning and completed the task by 4 pm.
Previously, they helped in painting the Anjugam Primary School, a government-aided school in Choolaimedu.
“The wall earlier was covered with film and political posters. Vehicles were parked in a haphazard manner and students had to struggle to get inside the premises. After the headmistress of the school got in touch with us, we used it to display Warli and Gond tribal paintings. We included messages on children’s education and global warming to go along with images as well as Bharathiyar’s poetry,” she adds.
They plan to work exclusively in flood-hit areas. “Our next stop is a government-aided school in Saidapet,” says Angelin.
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