Made a quickie to Chennai over the weekend for some 'official' work. Details about this official work to follow in the upcoming blog. The last time I was in Tamil Nadu, it was way back in 1996 and on a trip to Chennai and Madurai with parents in tow. Just wrote Class X exams (then) and (the whole family) wanted a breather.
No vivid memories of the city from back then but where I was put up during this trip certainly left a good impression on yours truly. Auto's still trying to rip customers not accustomed to bargaining or not from the city or state at all. Thanks to the advice of a colleague, my wallet wasn't (that) lighter after the hefty extortion, I mean, the hefty charge to go from Koyambedu to Royapettah. The cruelest and mindboggling part is that ALL autos are equipped with electronic meters. Fair game right, wrong. One colleague who had been to TN many a times, recalled that while Jayalalitha was the CM, every auto had to use the meter, but as power changed hands, with Karunanidhi ruling now, meters are back to what they used to be. Show-cases, show offs. Who comes to power in the next elections will probably seal the fate of the meters, and of course, the paying public.
The one thing that might never see the light of the day, Chennai folks talking in Hindi. Never going to happen. Pakistan also might get integrated with India, but Hindi in Chennai is pretty much a disaster waiting to happen, for obvious reasons. Crude example, Tamil Teriyuma to a Hindi speaking guy would probably evoke a response as sharp as Hindi Tera Baap. Get that.
Jokes apart, I must say the way Bangalore left a bad taste in the mouth when I first got here in July, Chennai certainly was the exact opposite. Not too much construction going on except for a significant chunk of the roads dug up due to the upcoming Metro Rail. When that would eventually shape up is left to your own imagination, but still a long way to go before even rail-tracks are introduced. But again comparing Chennai's short stay to Bangalore's extended stay is not the greatest of levelers, but still, some strong feelings for the land of my mother tongue.
That said, beautiful posters of Amma (Jayalalitha) and Kalainger (Karunanidhi) have adorned the walls of Chennai. Every little political mileage counts and this city with its thirst for power is no different. Even had the (mis)fortune of getting stuck in traffic for a little while as the CM's motorcade zoomed past us on the way to the guest house.
All in all a satisfying experience, for the fact the work got done and I ended up with some money in the wallet, and the wallet itself.
Welcome to Chennai, Saar.
No vivid memories of the city from back then but where I was put up during this trip certainly left a good impression on yours truly. Auto's still trying to rip customers not accustomed to bargaining or not from the city or state at all. Thanks to the advice of a colleague, my wallet wasn't (that) lighter after the hefty extortion, I mean, the hefty charge to go from Koyambedu to Royapettah. The cruelest and mindboggling part is that ALL autos are equipped with electronic meters. Fair game right, wrong. One colleague who had been to TN many a times, recalled that while Jayalalitha was the CM, every auto had to use the meter, but as power changed hands, with Karunanidhi ruling now, meters are back to what they used to be. Show-cases, show offs. Who comes to power in the next elections will probably seal the fate of the meters, and of course, the paying public.
The one thing that might never see the light of the day, Chennai folks talking in Hindi. Never going to happen. Pakistan also might get integrated with India, but Hindi in Chennai is pretty much a disaster waiting to happen, for obvious reasons. Crude example, Tamil Teriyuma to a Hindi speaking guy would probably evoke a response as sharp as Hindi Tera Baap. Get that.
Jokes apart, I must say the way Bangalore left a bad taste in the mouth when I first got here in July, Chennai certainly was the exact opposite. Not too much construction going on except for a significant chunk of the roads dug up due to the upcoming Metro Rail. When that would eventually shape up is left to your own imagination, but still a long way to go before even rail-tracks are introduced. But again comparing Chennai's short stay to Bangalore's extended stay is not the greatest of levelers, but still, some strong feelings for the land of my mother tongue.
That said, beautiful posters of Amma (Jayalalitha) and Kalainger (Karunanidhi) have adorned the walls of Chennai. Every little political mileage counts and this city with its thirst for power is no different. Even had the (mis)fortune of getting stuck in traffic for a little while as the CM's motorcade zoomed past us on the way to the guest house.
All in all a satisfying experience, for the fact the work got done and I ended up with some money in the wallet, and the wallet itself.
Welcome to Chennai, Saar.
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