Tho Thweeeth

After seeing my cute 6 month old nephew in Singapore and two days after I made my newborn niece’s photo as the desktop wallpaper… here are my quick thoughts on that glorious phase of one's life

Wish I remained a newborn forever. Just imagine, my only job is just to do nothing.. people around me keep trying their best to see me happy.. just wait for those naughty smiles to emanate from my otherwise innocent face… each one of my moves is interpreted into multiple expressions left best to their respective imaginations… I have no language to learn… just cry for everything.. and my wishes are answered….i yawn.. I am cute…is there any other time in life .. when people find u cute when u r just plain sleeping….new dresses galore….just to ensure that the digital camera batteries run out of charge every two days…. Wish I remained a newborn forever

Infinite Droplets Infinite Emotions

Laughter is unique
Available only to mankind
Speaks only one language
The language of happiness

As the little angel gets hungry
Craving for food by shedding a few
All too tired to be awake anymore
It alerts the mother by crying again


Parting from your beloved
Reuniting after a decade
Expressing sheer gratitude
Moist eyes say it all

Seeing the flag flying high
From the winners podium
Favourite Club winning a thriller
It all brings down a tear or two


Born along with you
The very first expression
And lasts till the very end
Tears carry infinite emotions

From Tasmac to Television – A new form of venture capitalism

Hurray!! Every Tax payer in Tamil Nadu is now a Venture Capitalist! The socio political fabric in Tamil Nadu could well and truly emerge as a bench mark for other State Governments to follow.

A couple of years back, Amma hit this brainwave that she could use the public exchequer to invest in a distillary/distribution system which is by and large her very own, and then supply it back to the poor and famished at whopping margins, and claim to have done moral policing on liquor consumption.

Now the new kid on the block, the Junior Maran, is more than happy to reinvest /re channelise the 6000 crores into the Colour TV scheme, and earn through the extra revenues that is generated through Sun TV. This is perhaps the best business model that an entrepreneur could dream of. Get money from public, sell it to the public, and make merry in the bargain.

Just when I thought I could suggest one more way of getting more capital into these roaring businesses by not having elections at all in Tamil Nadu, since we prefer localities, bus route suffixes and institutions to be changed every five years, the emergence of, dare I say, a third front in Tamil Nadu, in the form of DMDK, does set the tone for more options for the voter in the coming elections.

What I am looking forward to in Chennai landscape in another two months is the removal of all these non glamorous olive green “TASMAC” boards and Bullet Beer hoardings, and being replaced by “Malar Wines”,”Deepa Wines” and having some creative portraits of Aishwarya, Sneha and the likes on them. Aiya Jolly!


And as much as we keep ridiculing Captain for his antics on screen, and confusing that with his capabilities in real life, I guess the middle class in Tamil Nadu has also realized that it is no mean task to contest in all constituencies within one year of forming the party as would be deeply appreciated by Fledgling parties like Lok Paritran.

Though the Rising Sun is back in Power, I think the real dawn for Tamil Nadu is just round the corner!

Ek Gaao Mein....

This blog talks about the most shocking moment of my stay so far, the moment and the after thoughts… A scene that suddenly brought back memories of Mahabalipuram Bus Stand, where the beggars have mastered the art of begging in English when they see foreign tourists… “ Madam Poor Fisherman.. Please give money Madam” was one of the most enterprising lines that I have heard from a beggar.

Now, where the world is all about survival of the fittest, here is an illiterate in Chennai who is willing to learn the few words in an alien language to keep his hunger at bay.

“Chennai tho Tamil Nadu. Mein… Lekin Tamil Nadu mein Log Hindi Jaante Bhi Nahin aur Chaahte bhi Naheen” . I felt like Balu Thevar of Vedam Pudithu being slapped on the face a dozen times

I would not have bothered if this was one of those “nakkal” remarks by some one from across the Vindyas…

But to hear this from some passerby, a sixty year old Aussie, who I think would have been in India just long enough to know basic Hindi, was something that caught me off-guard

I have not covered the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu to subscribe to his views or differ on this count, but if this is something that a Tamilian be told in Hindi by an Aussie Down Under, then there must be some truth in it.

It is no doubt that Chennai is becoming visibly cosmopolitan these days, and now people are gearing up to learn Hindi to survive. Not sure about my eternal buddies the Auto rickshaw drivers, but I think vegetable vendors, delivery boys in grocery stores are now coming to terms with this change.

If it has come down to a point where it is better for Tamils to learn Hindi in Chennai to win the emerging market, not sure what the fuss was all about 30 odd years back, where it was politicised, and a few years back, where it was more diplomatically answered as “Ennaku Hindi theriyume …Ek gaaon mein ek kisaan raghu thaatha”..

Before you think that I am scoring a same side goal or that I am writing this to patoufy some kudi, let me sign off by saying that knowing Hindi has been extremely helpful, as it has allowed me to choose DVDs from four racks instead of just two from the local Indian store.

Documentary… oh really?

Documentary – A 10 minute reel that is mandatory for cinema owners to screen before each show

Oscar Winner – A movie that is best appreciated by a dozen jurists leaving the rest of mortality in a puzzled state

Now try combining these two – Sounds like Balu Mahendra’s Schindler’s List?

With these running at the back of mind, and braving a late teen temperature, I marched ahead with my parents to the Village Cinemas at the Crown Casino Complex here. My only positive thought was that it was just going to be one hour, so even if it is going to be boring, it was not going to be enduring. What’s more we were late by about a couple of minutes, and I didn’t regret it, for, it was just a documentary.

THE MARCH OF THE PENGUINS proved all my inhibitions wrong. It is perhaps the most engrossing documentary that you would ever come across. With no humans involved in front of the camera, and no sixth sense corrupting the first five, or less, it is a feast for the eyes.

It is one of the best exhibitions of how invaluable life is. To what extent the parents go to protect the offspring, against the winds, the storms and predators were captured in the most pristine way. And the parents remain partner only for oneyear, but their commitment to the new life that they have been responsible for, is unparalleled.

The simple laws of United we stand , divided we fall, team spirit, and Dare not love thy neighbour ;), were so well shot, that it didn’t even actually need any narration…

For a documentary, it was just too entertaining.. may be NGC and Discovery would have covered hoards on this subject, I am sure there is something that separates this from the rest ..why else would I be sitting in the most crowded hall in the multiplex.. yes there were about 70 people.. and that is quite a sight given that it was a Saturday evening …
And why else would I resume blogging with this topic after 2 months?

If the Penguins March thro your town, please don’t miss this.. be rest assured that you will not return disappointed.. I am deliberately not getting into a detailed review, for I will become super senti and philosophical and also would give away some of the cute little twists in the film…Happy viewing..

Why Sanjanaa goes to sleep soon after sunset

Sanju is just a kid. So she can afford to sleep longer..
Sanju wakes up at six. Therefore she sleeps early.
Sanju does not watch TV in the evening. Therefore she sleeps early.



The truth was something different and it dawned on me just this week.
Tennis on Tuesday evening, tennis on Wednesday evening and cricket today evening..
11:15 on Tuesday , 10:15 on Wednesday, and just managing to stay awake now….
I am feeling tired at sunset too..Sanju has been active all day everyday…while I have been warming the seat all day everyday… she has been playing all day, and I have preferred to have my eyes glues on the computer screen during the day and the TV screen after that..

This week has been like the one of those PT classes that were few and far between.. and in true McDonalds style “I’m loving it”

Come next week, and I will be reminded of those glorious childhood days…
“…. Porum veyilla thalai la vaangindadhu.. naaliku vera seekaram ezhundhukanum..”

Yeppppp…. As I am eagerly awaiting my parents’ arrival here, I already see what is in store.. atleast.. there is no homework to spoil my evenings I guess, but I am sure there would be moments of dejavu….

A few good...

Every time you feel alone,
The world feels like hell
There are a few good friends
Who listen to all you tell

It all looks far too serious,
Eveready to pour the cribs
There are a few funny moments
That constantly tickles our ribs

Whenever life seems unfair
Respite wanted is what you feel
There are those few good hearts
Selflessness is all it takes to heel

The cities look too cluttered
Moving at an incredible pace
There are a few good places
Where you can live your space

When all seems lost,
There are still ways
To enjoy what’s given
With those few good……

Making of Mooooosa Ali

Stautory Warning: Completely in Tanglish and for those who follow Kollywood

It is one of the quintessential roles in a Captain Action Flick- The Baakisdan Deevaravadhi (hereinafter referred to as BD)

Now, Paramasivan, the latest Ajit starrer had one BD to boast of as well, Moosa Ali (MA).

Here is the transcript of a brief interview with the actor, who played the role with great finesse:

Me:Saar…oru BD a nadikarthuku enna thagudhi venum?
MA: Thambi,.Rombakastapattu dhaan munuku vandirkom. Arjun padam Jaihindh la pinnadi nikkara oru theevaravaadhi extra, adhuku appaala, Vallarasu la Mukesh Rishi assistant..appadi padi padiya pala Captain padathula nadichu kadaseela indha kareterrru

Me: Saar, Ippa Unga kitta neraya padathula villain aaka demand eridicha?
MA: Dheevaravaadhi oru pecalist role…. Summa matha villa thanam madhiri illa… Inga kathavum seyyanum, sandayum podanum… Adhi RDX maadhiri summa overact mattum panna patthadhu

Me: Appo, BD characterku Captain venume.. Avar ippo arasiyalla erangitaare….
MA: Naangale appadi dhaan bayandhom… aana ippo avaroda Annan pilla Rajasimhan vandhutaar. Adhunaala konjam sandhosam

Me: Neenga rendu vaati shootingku oru manneram latea poneengalaame.. enna aachu
MA: Thambi, Deepavaliku thupaaki vaangi kudukallanu, en pilla theevaravadhi maceen gunna vechu vilayaada aaramichitaan. Adhu naala dhaan late aachu…

Me: Theatre la Vivek scenoda onga scenela dhaan jananga kai thati manamvittu sirichaanga nu kelvi…. Neenga en comedy pannakoodaadhu?
MA: Naan sonna maadhiri dheevaravadhi vesham oru thavam maadhiri…. Edho jananga sirikaranga .. adhuku naan comedy ellam seyya mudiyaadhu…Naan ennikume Baakisthan Dheevaravadidhan

Me: Adhukaaga indha interviewku kooda neenga andha pichakaara dheevaravaadhi costumela irukaardhu over…
MA: En thmanbi, indha kelviya Military la irukara hero karetarunga kitta keka maatengireenga…. Avanga Kasmeerlendhu gramam vandhum, Vayalla heroinea route udumbodhu kooda adhe uniformla dhaane irukaanga… idhu dhaan enga kalaacharam

Understandably, he was upset at the provocative questions, and I sensed trouble, and escaped from the scene by wishing him some good luck….. watch out for RAJASIMHAN

Of Resorts, Chartered Flights, and 53 Million stranded passengers

It is the hour of shame for democracy. It is a classic case of how the hopes of 53 million people can be hijacked by a handful of power mongers.

It is a phase in politics which these days catapult a peripheral party member to iconic status, for crisis handling abilities.

A phase when the otherwise Yatra prone politicians prefer chartered flights to resorts in undisclosed locations ensure that their “strong ideology” doesn’t get diluted at sighting a briefcase containing currency.

It is an utter scene of disgust. This is a case which demonstrates, how numbers both in The House and in the Bank, dictate the tenure of the Government, as a group headed by the Ex Prime Minister’s son just decides to pull out from ruling Congress – JD(S) alliance, allegedly because his astrologer told him that this is a now or never time for his bid to stake the position of the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

There is no new found ideological, or political divide causing the mess, and it is just greed, hunger for the chair, and money power that has shaped this picture of ignominy.

Not an iota of thought has gone into the repercussions, of such a move, in terms of impact on people, policies or economy.

This chaos, is going to be followed by one more unprincipled coalition that will rule for an uncertain period of time. And WE THE PEOPLE, watch this with utter helplessness.

Now the impact of this spree of comic acts on the Industry scene in Karnataka, is going to be colossal. As the state that houses the IT Capital of country and IT itself contributing about 8% of GDP, the flow of foreign funds into the bourses is going to suffer, thanks to this power hungry clan of politicians.

The way the state’s politics is stooping to new lows, it just goes to show how important it is to have a breed of educated and service centric set of politicians at the helm, and by just having revolutionaries and visionaries in corporates and science organizations, it is of absolutely no relevance, when it comes to stability in governance, which is the core of all things, good and bad, that impacts the State.

The Force

With a history to protect,
And creating one as well,
This is one proud abode,
For the Force to dwell.

The vibrancy is in the air,
Challenges smiling at you,
Preparing to take them on,
This is no time to bid adieu.

As the limits are tested,
The boundaries pushed,
The Force is the cynosure,
Spirit is no longer hushed

Excelling where it counts,
The world takes notice,
The Force has arrived,
It is no longer the novice.

From struggle to promise
Just Belittling the brunt
The Force Looks forward
All set to lead from the Front!

Kollywood Tollywood

Statutory Warning: This post might sound more passionate than I actually intended to present it, but this might be enlighteneing too :)... So just read on...

Gone are the days when 1-8, 8-1, next change routines were mistaken to be wizardry in choreography….
Gone are the days when the rainbow faded in inferiority complex after seeing the attire of the lead pair….
Gone are the days when the Kalyaana Kattaas ofTirupati (The place designated for free tonsuring) thought they needed more just to satisfy the local demand for wigs..

Yes. Telugu movie industry, or Tollywood as it is referred to, has turned the tables around in thumping fashion.

My journey with Tollywood has not been for more than two weeks now, but I have seen close to four movies now…. Even Chiranjeevi would not have done this...You might ask…. “Why the hell do you choose to take such a big risk in life”… As most things in life, this was also an accident….

But that is besides the point. These movies have taken me by surprise. They are slick, with pretty good production quality, a bit more contemporary, and, the best part was, I did not press the Forward button when the songs were playing. The second half of the movie is paced much better when compared to the first half, and this is something I miss so badly in Bolly wood movies.
Again this might be not be true universally, as every movie industry has its own shareof B and C movies, the genre of Junior NTRs, Mithun Chakravarty and Pandiarajans are omnipresent.



Not that I am the greatest critic on earth, and maybe the only reason why I prefer Telugu movies, could be bcos for a change, I prefer another regional language movie to an English flick, but like everything else written in this blog, these are solely my views!

And just at a macro level, 3 of the Pongal releases in Tamil were remakes of Gult movies.. Vijay’s biggest hit was a Gult remake, and also leading ladies of Kollywod, have drifted their attention to Tollywood, like they use to eye Bollywood earlier…

If you are not able to understand the sudden change in this movie buff…………………………Is there some Telugu girl who is reading this, deeply impressed? ;)

The Midas touch

Yeah… It makes a huge difference….I hate self praise… but what can I do if facts point in just the direction that I interpret them….

The all powerful brothers of India Inc parted ways in a few months after I left the company…. The binding force was missing… The current organization I am working for has given guidance that they are going to make the second billion in 24 months, while they took 23 years to hit the first billion….

Now… the third of the series.. it is not as significant as the above.. but just goes on to add a little more credibility to my statements.. THE MIDAS TOUCH

Sri Lanka lose by 100 odd runs against Australia on Friday evening…..

The pace spearhead’s bowling figures read 10-0-67-0

Saturday afternoon.. Something happened…..

Tuesday Evening…. Sri Lanka maul South Africa by nearly 100 runs…. Because something happened last Saturday….. The pace spearhead’s bowling figures read
8-2-21-2

Now what happened last Saturday… just a few minutes of inspiring presence.. it does work wonders…..

What I want Laloo to do now!

Its been almost a week since Nitish Kumar and Co won the Bihar Elections and the first thing that he said was "Laloo should now focus on his job as Railway Minister and leave the governance of Bihar to me".

I am not sure what Nitish wants Laloo to do, but now that Laloo is not to do multitasking, here is my small list of three "Chinna Chinna Aasais"

1. He can have his share of late arrival trains quota.. in fact the trains that take you back to office after a two week break, can compulsively go late.... but ensure that the trains taking you back to your hometown for vacation are on time....

2. Promote sale of Black tea and Black Coffee on trains, so that the tea and coffee vendors don't go on an unnecessary guilt trip, everytime they mix 1:3, milk to water mixes!

3. Last but not the least... the reservation chart should have the marital status of passengers, so that people like me don't imagine a dream-duet sequence, after seeing a name like
Shalini Jain F 23 in the next seat on the chart
and then find a six month baby safe in her hands...

You can add your wish list, and wecan weigh the priorities, and forward the same to the Railway Ministry

Gali Cricket Rocks!

It was a very pleasant trip down the memory lane for me, last Saturday. Not that I met some once upon a time crush or anything like that. I played cricket in a local ground, in a suburb called Auburn. We were about 20 of us, and the best part was that 17 of the 20 were Gujjus!

So we had all thetypical Gujju names –Jignesh (Jiggu) Bhai, Dhaval, Sandesh, Nirav Bhai, Vikas, Vishal et al. One thing I really like about the Gujjus is the indelible sense of humour that they have and their cheerfulness just spreads infectiously. Their world renowned hard working ability is complimented really well by their ready smile face. The way they say "First class" when u ask this monotonous "Kaise Ho" question really lifts you up..

Give me a chance to talk about Gujjus and I can go on! So let me get back to what I set out to write on – The concept of street cricket….

1. You get to bowl only on two counts – You did not get a chance to bat, or you just pulled off a blinder of a catch

2. Both teams have their own set of Think Tanks, consisting of two or three totally conflicting minds, each one trying to boss over the other

3. The same person gets to be named a Dravid when he bats, and Srinath when he bowls… Even Sachin can’t imagine of getting this honour. The flip side is that I was affectionately referred to as Mushtaq Bhai, more for my looks, than for my pathetic leg spin bowling

4. There has to be a meeting of the think tank in the last over of the innings, irrespective of what the situation is…. Democracy has taught us something!

5. At the end of the game you can see a couple of faces who gave their heart and soul disappointed after the loss, as though their national team selection depended on this.

All in all, it was a Saturday afternoon that I really enjoyed, and I look forward to more such outings!

Harris Jayaraj's Tamil Bonanza

"Stand in the veyyil, and you will know the arumai of the nezhal"
Similarly, only when you hear words like ,"Rendaka Rendaka","Rahathula","Rangola" in songs that feature in Tamil titles, would you actually long for pure Tamil songs.

And in this post, instead of critising HJ for his notorious choice of words in his mass songs, let me list down the best of HJ's pure Tamil songs which are pure class.. Some have been chartbsters, and as for the others, you wouldn't complain for me recommending this for compulsive listening...

1. The ever green "Vaseegara" from Minnale (Bombay Jayeshree)
2. The oomph factor -"Ondra Eranda" from Kaaka Kaaka (Bombay Jayeshree)
3. Aval Ulaga azhagiye from Lesa Lesa (Karthik)
4. "Oru Ooril Azhage" from Kaaka Kaaka (Karthik)
5. "Oru Malai" from Ghajini (Karthik)
6. " Sutrum Vizhi Chudare" from Ghajini (Bombay Jayeshree and Sriram)
7. "Uyire En Uyire" from Totti Jaya(Karthik)
8. "Yaaridamum" from Totti Jaya(Harini and Ramesh Vinayagam)
9. Kummiyadi from Chellamey (Sandhya)
10. Poove Vay pesumbodhu from 12 B (Mahalakshmi Iyer and Harish Raghavendra)

Have I missed any other "Tamil" song that he has composed, that is worth listening to, feel free to add them to this list.....

Cooking on the edge!

There are two alarms that keep me awake, physically and mentally.

The wake up alarm on my mobile has been my best and only loyal friend here.
Unfailing and persistent, it reminds me thrice every hour for three hours in the morning, that the new day has already started.
Yes, I am going to make it big as I am going to enlist my snooze frequency in the Guiness Book. I always cherished the Kutti Thookam bit of my morning sleep, but I am going on an overdrive these days.
Always optimistic at the end of the day that I am going to get up at 6 the next morning, and finally jumping (chumma exaggeration,, actually ambling) out of bed at 8. God only knows when I am going get out of this habit!

And the other alarm, the Smoke detector near the kitchen! It is yet to take cognizance of the fact that I am new to cooking but atleast put in my earnest best to learn the tricks of the trade.

First time, while I was “kaachifying” appalam, it went berserk, as the appalam was theenjifying merrily. Thanks to my roomie’spresence of mind, he did the first aid job, of closing the kitchen door, starting the exhaust and opening the “Kolla Kadhavu”.

But apart from that good deed, he also created total tensen, as he informed me that the detector is directly linked to the fire station and they could land up any moment. The sight of paying up A$ 850 out of my Initial Settlement advance was looming large on me!

After a tense lunch, we were confident that we escaped. Last week too, the otherwise dormant Kutti Chaathan woke up, and this time, it was really scary. Arun the macho pulled the sofa under the detector, and stood on the sofa to find that he was atleast a couple of feet short of reaching the detector!

Fortunately, the old First aid techniques I learnt were followed to the T, and the alarm stopped in ten seconds! Bravo!

Thavamai Thavamirundhu

No – This is not the review on the film, but the theme of the movie that has inspired me to pen this one.

From the time He carried us
On His shoulders, till today,
He has been the Guiding Force,
While being His unassuming best

I Recall vividly the days,
When He took us “Triples”
On his TVS 50,to ensure
That we catch the school Bus

The Years when he was Working
A Thousand Kms Away from Home
So that we could enjoy our days
While He missed us all

The summer time when He
Meticulously planned our Trip
It looks like a far cry today
When Holiday is just a Dream Time

The angry yet relieved look,
When we used to return from
Late night movie shows
Was a sight worth watching out for!

His trip all the way to Bombay
To arrange accommodation for me
When I was already into my twenties
Just proves that His Care is unflinching

One thing Science can’t quantify
Is the gratitude that we have towards you
For teaming up with Amma,
And bringing us to where we are today!

Ghajini - An unintended laugh riot

My sincere thanks to my dear friend Vijay who sounded the loud warning that this movie might disappoint some who decide to watch it based on the adulation “built up” over the first two weeks since the movie’s release.

These are the remarks of the makkal who came out of the theatre on a Saturday afternoon from the satyam complex

Auto Singaaram – A theevara Vijay fan

Vijay padam mattume paakanumnu sabadham edutha naan moon varsham kizhichu vera eeero padam paarthen… aana surya summa sollakoodaadhu saar… enga thalaivar maadhiri thaniya thadumaara maadhiri oru dance stylelaam try panninaar… sooperunga

Subramaniam S – Chartered Accountant

My first task now is to go back and refer the Companies Act and look for the clause which permits a mentally unstable Managing Director to sign the Final Accounts of a Company. Hats off to the director who could find this before practitioners like us did!

Tamizhmani – Senior Inspector in Chennai

I now have 20 years experience but the sharp observation of the inspector in the movie

“Avaroda udambulla numbers ellam 10 digits – These have to be cellphone numbers” appadeenu sollum bodhu kalakitaar sir

Punch Pandian – An ardent punch dialogue priyan

I thought my thalaivar Surya would get into the punch dialogue scheme atleast from this movie, but I was shocked when there was one but was mouthed not by Surya but by Nayanthara

“oruthara konna suyanalam, rendu perayum konna adhu podunalam” pinnitaanga appu!

Sangeetha - Final Year Journalism student

I always had Barkha Dutt as my role model and hence took to journalism. Now, I have seen that a medicine student can be a champ in investigative journalism as well, especially when she is specifically told that she should not pursue the case, and this makes me feel that I have taken a wrong decision in my life…

Sanjay Jain – A Maarwadi Stationery shop owner in Chennai

Mere paas pehle bahoth saare corporate orders aathe the… abhi kuch dhinon se bijinej dull hai.. Abhi patha chalaa ki saare secretary log address note karne keliye bhi Laptop hi use karthe hein! Bijinej badhalna padega”

And Finally Arun Sriram – A never say die movie buff

I have always believed that walking out of a movie hall half through is unparliamentary behaviour. And as far this movie was concerned, Director Murugadoss’s idea of distributing Asin’s screen presence over the two halves was a commendable one, as that made me sit almost till the climax as I felt that there is something in it for me in the movie!

And if you felt that there is no mention of the two, sorry one, sorry two in one, ok whatever, villains, less said the better. My only thought however was that this movie was patbreaking in the sense that Bollywood villains enter Kollywood only through Captain’s movies ( Sharath Saxena, Mukesh Rishi to name a few, but Pradeep Rawat has chosen a Surya movie (If he has acted in any other Tamil movie, forgive me for this wrong observation)

Overall, if you want to watch a movie that is engaging and hilariously entertaining when you are munching popcorn.. Ghajini is not a bad option

Madras – The Brand

Madras – The very thought instantaneously reminds me of the Besant Nagar beach, Mount Road, Spencer Plaza, Mylapore Streets and Temples, IIT, Silk sarees and Saravana Bhavan.

OK. Let me get more honest. I am also reminded of water scarcity, perennial 90% humidity, the notoriously famous auto kaaran and power cuts in summer.

Now, we the Madrasis, not the “Madrasis” as addressed by North Indians who are still under the impression that anything south of Pune is Madhraas” , but the ones who are genuinely from the metropolis or been here, have to decide, as to which way we project Madras to the world.

As a city that is still having traces of the South Indian Flavour, despite not being averse to get a glimpse of the ‘Hep and happening’ things in life, it is very important to convey what uniquely defines Chennai, and sets it apart from the rest of the globe.

Being the vibrant city that it is, if only we could also have a tagline which can convey the what Chennai is, it would be great!

We don’t need to make Chennai a ‘cool’ tourist destination and that is not the only way to get people’s attention to the city.

From what I have seen, business travelers to Chennai are more keen on the earliest return ticket date, than having an excitement of going to a new place. This has to change and for that, we need to transform ourselves as brand ambassadors rather than join the Madras bashing Band wagon.

It would be small but significant step, if people visiting Chennai on business, don’t mind spending the weekend also, doing shopping or even enjoy the Getti Chutneys and Kotthu Parotas more leisurely.

Every city has its set of plus and minuses, and the minuses that Chennai has is in abundance in other Indian cities as well. However, they are just taken as a passing comment rather than leaving an imprint on their perception of that city. So, as we work towards minimizing the minuses that are in our control, I think there is no harm in bragging about the wonderful city that Chennai is.

Are these still part of the school curriculum?

“Why didn’t u do the homework”
“Forgot Miss”
“Did you forget to have dinner yesterday”

****

“Why did u show the answer to him”
“He asked me to ....Miss”
“Will u jump into the well if he asks you to?”

****


“How is it that Vijay is able to get 90 in English every time when you cannot touch even 80’s”
“That Miss is very partial”

****

“Ennada centumaa”
“Therla da.. Hope to pass”

****

Just after returning from a two day leave having attended a cousin’s wedding, the leave letter reads like

“Respected Madam,

My son could not attend school as he was suffering from high fever ……….

Yours sincerely (This is the punch)”
……..”