Reg. No. TN/PMG (CCR) /814/06-08 Licence No. WPP 506/06-08 Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for under WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS R.N. 53640/91 INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • Restoring a village home MADRAS • The hawking issue • The Express – and Goenka MUSINGS • Madras and basketball Rs. 5 per copy Vol. XVI No. 12 October 1-15, 2006 (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) Two forgotten twinnings — Will we revive the Halle, Denver links? (By A Special Correspondent) adras was forty years ago about the development of the Mtwinned with Halle – GDR were sent to the members whose connection with Bartho- of the delegation. Someone here to see you... says he lomaeus Ziegenbalg of Taran- “For the world exhibition is from ‘Planet’ Pluto! gambadi (Tranquebar) are well- that will take place in Madras in known – and with Denver, 1968, the Lord Mayor and the Ninth rock from Colorado, USA, 25 years ago members of the town council the sun through the Indo-American [of Halle] have been invited to Association, Madras, spear- Madras. Look what these Science guys headed by the late Dolly Simon. “Regarding the ties between The Francke Foundation, Halle, above, and the Corporation of Madras, have gone and done to poor below. Pluto. What has happened to the two Halle and Madras we have to Where do they get off, swank- twinning relationships? When a say that we have not received ing around, demoting an en- scholar from Germany, Mat- any message besides a letter of tire planet so casually, like thias Frenz, recently wondered thanks shortly after the return they’re doing a spot of proof- about the Halle-Madras twin- of the delegation to Madras, reading on some Universal ning, the following facts – neither in reply to the infor- Page? emerged: mation brochures and the They’re calling this a “triumph The first visit of a delegation accompanying letters of science over sentiment”, and point out that “science of the Corporation of Madras to – nor in reply to our formal always self-corrects eventu- Halle was in June 1961. Mayor greetings sent on the occa- ally”, setting aside strong Munuswamy led the team. Al- sion of the 280th Inaugura- emotions. though Halle sent a draft of a tion Day Celebrations of the Really? treaty to Madras immediately Corporation of Madras Did anyone ask Pluto how he after the visit they did not re- felt? In a trice, he’s gone from ceive an answer. (Continued on page 7) being the enigmatic, outer- most planet of the solar sys- The treaty of friendship bet- tem to being referred to as a ween the towns was, however, ‘dwarf planet’ – which is so signed on July 15, 1967, when Tamil Nadu best in governance politically incorrect on so another delegation from many levels, you don’t know Madras came to Halle. The in- amil Nadu is a clear winner (By A Staff Reporter) in terms of growth rate of gross where to begin. ternal annual report on the in- Ton Good Governance in domestic product, it is Kar- This decision is sure to cause ternational activities in Halle There is a separate rating for rumblings in various worlds, the 4th annual ranking of States nataka which is first with 7.25% for 1967 states: “From 7.7.1967 recently announced by India the five States of South India. followed by West Bengal at like the astronomical toys and Pondicherry emerges the win- artefacts industries, and for to 16.7.1967, the Lord Mayor Today. It, however, has not 6.75%, Gujarat at 6.72% encyclopedias, planetariums, and 6 members of the town moved up on the count of over- ner, scoring first position on all Himachal Pradesh at 6.35% and school textbooks, and science council of Madras were guests all ranking – it remained fourth the counts. However, that may Tamil Nadu at 6.33%. projects. of the town council of Halle, among the 20 large states re- not be an entirely fair rating, So what does the State suffer As for astrology, well, we have having been invited by the Ger- viewed. However, what is heart- given the advantages of the from? Tamil Nadu ranks 13th apparently scored, as this man Association of Towns and small size of the Union Terri- view endorses Indian math- ening is that within the rank, overall when it comes to growth Villages and the GDR. The re- there has been a marginal in- tory. Tamil Nadu ranks third in physical capital which is de- ematical and astrological trea- overall among the Southern tises going back, they say, to sult is particularly reflected in crease in its percentage points. fined in terms of growth in Aryabhatta and Varaha- the treaty of friendship that was Punjab, is ranked first, Kerala States. It scores second in Agri- households electrified and the mihira. signed on 15.7.1967. We were second and Himachal Pradesh culture but ranks third on most availability of all-weather roads. So there’s a slight touch of informed by the Ministry of For- third. Tamil Nadu scores over other counts. Obviously, Tamil In this, Gujarat emerges as the “Huh, we’ve always known eign Affairs that all members of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Nadu has some catching up to clear winner with over 59% of this” in the Madras air – the delegation had given their Karnataka, three other states do, with Andhra, Karnataka its villages having roads wider which is always gratifying. impressions and experiences and Kerala scoring better in Astrologers from other corners that were strong contenders for than 18 feet and all 18,000 vil- during their visit to be press in the ‘best State’ title. many of these areas. Tamil lages soon to be electrified un- of the globe have taken the Nadu has been ranked the most “What’s in a label?” stand, Madras... Of particular interest The study has been done on der the Jyotirgram scheme. opting for business as usual. is the report of Mr. Krishna- the basis of 10 parameters. Tamil urbanised state, with 44% of its However, the percentage But still – somewhere out there murthi (a trade union official Nadu is ranked second in Law population in urban areas . growth in village electrification is a planet with a broken and lawyer). In a series of and Order, third in Agriculture, In terms of domestic savings is not a correct indicator for heart, suffering a distinct ‘Et articles, he wrote objectively third in Primary Health, fourth and investments, Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu as it already has Tu, Earth?’ feeling. about many problems, experi- in Primary Education, fifth in comes up tops, with the highest 100% electrification in villages Rumour has it that a celebrated ences and impressions. credit deposit ratio in the coun- canine, belonging to an even Infrastructure, seventh in the as stated elsewhere in the same “In order to strengthen the Consumer Market, eighth in In- try, 105.4, which means Rs. study. more celebrated Mouse, isn’t 105.4 is invested for every Rs too happy either. relationship between Halle and vestment Environment and Ranjitha Ashok Madras, information brochures tenth in Budget and Prosperity. 100 deposit received. However, (Continued on page 2)

CMYK 2 October 1-15, 2006 Shanghaiing of the city’s heritage

hanghai is the buzzword The biggest legacy of the co- be, minus heritage and all. But office he occupied demanded (sounds rather like ‘The House Stoday in Madras that is lonial past in Shanghai is the Shanghai still has wide roads, some respect and so he ought That Jack Built’, does it not?). Chennai. The Man from Ma- area known as ‘The Bund’, organised traffic systems and to have been given that. The only sliver of open dras Musings had wondered in which fronts the waters, rather very clean and smooth pedes- space next to the Lily Pond these columns a few weeks ago like our own Marina. In the trian walkways. Does Chennai Yet, if newspaper reports are Complex is a parking lot. whether the city shouldn’t 1990s it was decided that leav- have that? There are also spot to be believed, slippers were MMM has long nursed hopes change its name to Chenghai to ing aside ten buildings on The fines for public littering and thrown at him, there was threat that when the Victoria Public match these ambitions. After Bund, all others were to be torn nuisance. Does Chennai have of physical violence, he was Hall is finally restored (if and all, changing of names is hailed down and replaced by that? There are penalties for booed and jeered at, and there when it happens), this will be as a placebo for all ills in our highrises. Newspapers re- causing noise pollution too. was an attempt to even wrest the parking lot in which pa- country. A recent news item, mained indifferent (what’s Does Chennai have that? Do his briefcase from him as he trons for events at the Hall can for instance, states that Zero new?) and those that did com- those who talk of making a stepped into his car on his way leave their vehicles. But, alas! Point, the place where waters ment on it wrote in fulsome Shanghai out of Chennai have home. Who was guilty in the the Metropolitan Transport from the Krishna River enter praise about the new develop- the political will to make these mob of non-teaching and Corporation, according to re- Tamil Nadu, will soon be called ment. It was left to Professor changes FIRST? teaching staff that surrounded ports, is eyeing the place. It has Entry Point in all official Ruan Yisan, of the Tongji Uni- him, The Man from Madras submitted a proposal to take records. In the early days of versity, now considered the fa- FOOTNOTE: Coming back to Musings does not know. Sadly, over the space and make it the Krishna water, when little or ther of the heritage movement Chenghai, that name really cannot there was little attempt by bus terminus for the area. none of it made it to Chennai, in the city, to lobby hard and be considered, as is other academics and officials to Their complaint is that the wags had stated that the place finally get 25 buildings pro- already referred to similarly. stop this melee. front of the railway station, had been named Zero Point to where they operate from now, indicate the level of water is not suitable as it poses a great there. But that is apparently traffic hazard to pedestrians. not so. As long as water keeps SHORT ’ N’ SNAPPY MMM’s views are that MTC reaching our city, MMM feels, buses are traffic hazards, no they can continue calling it matter where they enter or exit anything. But that is by the by. from. The MTC would do far tected instead of the original Goodbye – 5-star style Worse, there has been no better to sensitise its drivers to Shanghai, which is upheld as ten. So what about the 180 odd condemnation of these sad traffic conditions. a role model of sorts for develop- buildings of Chennai that e stepped down last events by those inside and out- In the meanwhile, MMM ment, unfortunately also ap- Madras Musings and its Editor H month from the high of- side the university (like the has an alternative suggestion. pears to be the role model when have been lobbying for, for fice he held. He is a man of Press) after the event. Is this The prison, which is located it comes to systematic destruc- years? As West Bengal great learning, has several pat- the way a five star university just in front of the station com- tion of heritage. An article in a Governor Gopal Gandhi re- ents to his credit and is looked treats a vice-chancellor on the plex, off the Stanley Viaduct – recent issue of Reader’s Digest cently said in a speech, even if upon with respect in the aca- day he retires? MMM wonders now reincarnated as an caught MMM’s attention. Ac- these buildings were designed demic world. During his tenure whether the Madras Univer- overbridge – is supposed to cording to it, “The arrival of by Europeans, all the artisans he worked towards making the sity’s dons realise what kind of shift out to . Why can’t Western style capitalism poses a who worked on them were In- commencement of the 150th image this event must give the CMDA look at developing bigger threat to the city’s archi- dians. So why obliterate their year of the five-star University them in the public eye, in par- the space occupied by the tecture than communism ever work? he headed a memorable occa- ents’ eyes – and in the eyes of prison for an underground car did.” Do readers of Madras Just as in Chennai, it is not sion, and the celebrations he those who will come one day to park with facilities for a bus ter- Musings get a feeling of déjà vu? only the European buildings and his team organised were in- review their institution’s five- minus as well? There is more to the article. that are under threat in Shang- augurated by the President of star status. Indeed, there are many Conservationists in Shanghai, hai. The native Chinese build- India, no less. The event also claimants for the space and according to the feature, have to ings are being wiped out at a saw the rededication of a won- Carving up Lily Pond MMM understands that the fight against not only “rampant faster rate than the European derfully restored heritage General Hospital and the Rail- economic development, but buildings. Once again, a simi- building within the university he pond is long gone and ways are also competing for it. also China’s political culture lar situation prevails in our campus, whose restoration he Tthere is a shopping mall – But what is really needed is a and the deep-seated ambiva- city. had spearheaded. All this, The if anyone can give it such a de- large enough car parking area lence felt by many Shanghaiites Man from Madras Musings scription – in its place. Yes, with underground passages to about their colonial past.” Not Taking everything into ac- feels, would be enough and The Man from Madras Musings the railway station, VP Hall, everyone in the city apparently count, the Shanghaiing of more for a Vice-Chancellor to is talking about the Lily Pond and the GH. Is feels the same way about the ar- Chennai appears rather com- be given a warm send off on the that once existed next to anyone listening? chitectural treasures. Sounds plete. We need to follow only day he retired. Even if none of Moore Market that once ex- familiar? the road map and there we will these was to his credit, the very isted next to Central Station — MMM TAMIL NADU BEST IN GOVERNANCE Rs. 200 crore to (Continued from page 1) unlike in Andhra, the study uted to the State’s good rank- In the growth of human po- feels, has resulted in all-round ing. The police force too has beautify the City tential, Tamil Nadu ranks sec- development. thrown up a surprise. Tamil ond after Andhra Pradesh, with The study commends the Nadu has a record of 82% of a 3.4% increase. This is defined Civil Services in Tamil Nadu cases registered in police sta- (By A Special Correspondent) as growth in share of graduates and states that it is the most tions being closed. Recovery of to total population and growth well-trained and disciplined in stolen property stands at 64.2%, he State Highways Department has allotted in share of 26 to 40-year-olds in the country and quotes a former the highest in the country, with TRs. 200 crore for the construction of bridges, footpaths population. IAS officer who says that most several other states not even and centre medians in the city during 2006-07. The High- It is, however, in the area of IAS recruits would like to have crossing single digits. Gender ways Department will also take up construction of six grade governance that no state comes Tamil Nadu as their State for sensitivity in the police force, separators, one road overbridge and four river bridges at an anywhere near Tamil Nadu. service. The panchayats in the with a large number of women estimated cost of Rs. 51 crore. The study attributes this to sev- State, says the study, play a vi- in the service and also the credit eral factors. Firstly, it states, tal role in the State’s function- for having the first all-woman ing and this is one reason why commando force, has come in A policy note of the department tabled in the Assembly Tamil Nadu, with its large num- Tamil Nadu won over 35% of for appreciation. Other factors said the Chennai Metropolitan Development Plan for 2003- ber of cities and major towns, the first-ever Nirmal Gram in favour of the State include 2006 had envisaged 184 different works for traffic and trans- has been able to withstand the Puraskar awards instituted by high literacy, good spread of port improvement in the metro at an estimated cost of effects of large-scale migration the Union Government to electric power and the mid-day Rs.603 crore. Of these, 49 works at a cost of Rs.20 crore had from villages very well. The honour village-level institu- meal scheme in schools. been completed. Five roadworks 13.5 kilometre in length, at presence of large-scale indus- tions. The state obviously has a lot a cost of Rs. 5.5 crore, and other works such as construction trial clusters, like those in The labour force in the going for it. Let us count our of bridges, footpaths and centre medians at a cost of Rs.25 Tirupur and Salem, has been State, with its work culture and blessings. But we could still do crore are underway. able to generate employment and support. The absence of relatively less number of days better. — (Source: India any territorial segmentation, lost in strikes, has also contrib- Today.) October 1-15, 2006 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

Of approvals and demolitions

am again distressed and forced to write on presume construction of multi-storey struc- Ithe demolition of buildings for want of ap- tures was not foreseen. A detailed review of proval. the approval accorded to buildings since the 1.On commencement of construction of a inception of T’ Nagar will throw more light building, the local environment/ecology gets on the circumstances leading to the approval Damarla connection? This is a wake-up call for all disturbed. The disturbance continues during of multi-storey structures. The rules seemed resident associations to prepare the period of construction and only stabilises to be framed/altered/modified arbitrarily. s a person keenly inter- and learn from the experience after the completion of a building (either 3. Anybody can perceive in a building move- Aested in Madras and its housing or commercial). The material with ment of air that comes in and goes out. Can in other States by: history, I have often come which the building was constructed, raw ma- we call that ‘a building breathes’? If yes, the 1)Doing rainwater harvesting across the name of Damarla terials/manufactured materials or compo- building has life. So demolishing a building, in every home, and Venkatadri, the then local nents, affects the environment/ecology at old or new, with all its attributes of architec- 2)Having soak pits on the chieftain of the Vijaya Nagar different places of their origin. It can be ture that enhanced the beauty of the local- roads. shown that for one square metre of a build- ity, amounts to extinguishing a life. empire with his headquarters at The Corporation on its part ing, more or less the equivalent of one 4. The completed building does not cause any Damal near Kanchipuram. I should check the cleaning of hectare of forest is destroyed. further damage to environment or ecology of hail from the same general area stormwater drains and the state 2.Any area planned for development should the locality but demolishing it causes local of the present Kanchipuram- of cyclone shelters. have infrastructure such as roads, water sup- pollution, noise, dust, etc. and pollutes the Vellore Districts, so Damal Vil- It has become common for ply mains and sewage to support the func- places where the debris is disposed of. lage is of interest to me. tional requirement of the proposed structure. 5. Unapproved building construction should be citizens to throw up their arms I have heard of a Damerla Plans for construction of structures need to stopped in the initial stage of construction and blame the authorities when- (also spelt as Damarla) Rama be approved based on the infrastructure itself, not after the building is completed. ever a disaster strikes. Let’s get Rao, a painter of some standing available at the location. For example, I together and do our bit. S.N. Mahalingam in the previous generation, believe that T. Nagar was planned for one or two-storey bungalow-type construction, P. No. 64-A, Kalamegam lived in the Andhra coastal Kamla Ravikumar enclosed by a compound, garden, etc. and in- Street Extn., Kamarajapuram area. His paintings are still oc- 41A, Beach Road frastructure was provided accordingly. I Chennai 600 073 casionally exhibited. He had a Kalakshetra Colony brother D. Venkata Rao who Chennai 600 090 tricts and reduce migration of ings are being realised. But more others help him in that? Let him was a lecturer in English in the Decongest Chennai Government Arts College at people to Chennai. could be achieved if a ‘Heritage take solace that Nallappan Anantapur. I worked in the uring the past two decades, Of the two new technologi- Act’ is brought into force with- Street, , begins with a same college for about ten years Ddisproportionately large cal universities proposed, one out anymore delay. Slum Clearance Board apart- after Venkata Rao. He had en- investments have been made in may be located at Madurai, to When I read the restoration ment complex on Mosque dowed a prize for English cre- many large manufacturing promote technology and indus- processes followed for the Sen- Street where the people he ative writing for the students of units, modern infra-structural trial research in the southern ate House I could not but feel mentions live. the college which had to be facilities, I.T. sector and institu- region. A new medical and sorry for the way in which the I am glad to say I have ac- awarded every year. I held a test tions of higher education in and health university may also be Madras Art Gallery and its quired many ‘pen friends’ of for this purpose in 1948 and around Chennai, we all know. created in Madurai. compound walls have been re- lasting value through the col- paired (not restored, please umns of Madras Musings, read- hence my knowledge of This trend continues – but with J.W. Thomas note the difference). ers who have found my letters Damarla Venkata Rao’s name. the creation of more and more 9, Ritherdon Road Is there a connection job opportunities in Chennai, Chennai 600 007 A word about the ‘restora- interesting enough to comment population pressure grows and tion’ works done by the ASI. on. between this Damerla (or Name checks needed Damarla) Venkata Rao and more congestion results. One look at the ‘Kerala- As for reader M. Sethu- anthakan Thiruvaayil’ of the Sri raman, I would like to say that Damarla Venkatadri who This Chennai-centric policy MM, on July 1st has in his granted the strip of sand to the needs urgent review. At present Mcomment ‘What is in a Brihadeeswara Temple of whatever we feel strongly about, British? there are many new industrial name?’ highlighted a very im- Thanjavur would suffice to note we cannot help writing about it. and manufacturing projects on portant issue of public interest. a most shoddy attempt at resto- I am very sorry he is trying to V.E. Arunachalam the anvil, to make vehicles, ration. In the name of restora- restrain our fundamental right 16, Kambar Street Not far from Besant Nagar is auto components, radial tyres, Kasturba Nagar named after tion, the stucco images on the of freedom of expression. Kalakshetra Colony tower have been altogether mobile phones etc. Instead of Mahatma Gandhi’s consort T.M. Sundararaman Besant Nagar obliterated. While one half of locating them near Chennai, Kasturba. 19, Nallappan Street Chennai 600 090 the tower shows the ancient these projects could be set up in Kastur was her name and Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 The monsoon wait the Trichy-Madurai belt. First ‘BA’ is added as a mark of re- stucco images, the ‘restored’ priority may be given to create spect. It really means ‘mother’. parts are consipicuous by the he monsoon has played absence of these figures! While READABILITY Thavoc in every state that technology and industrial parks But most signboards in the area th at Trichy, Madurai, Salem and show it as Kasturi Bai Nagar. the 19 Century Senate House PLEASE has experienced it so far. demanded so much care, how In a month’s time, Chennai Tirunelveli to promote IT and It is time now for the Corpo- Dear Readers, ITeS industries. II, much more care should have will, hopefully, have a good ration to look into such mutila- As letters from readers now planned for in Chennai, tions and write the correct been bestowed on the restora- monsoon too. Are we ready for th increase, we are receiving could be set up in Madurai. names after proper checking tion of this 9 Century temple. such a heavy downpour? * * * more and more hand written Are the authorities getting These steps will create employ- and verification. ment opportunities in the dis- letters, many of them in a their act together? R.V. Chandramouli ... & freedom hand so small and illegible or large and scrawled as to be (I.A.S. RTD.) am surprised at the quite B/2, Ramanalaya Iunwarranted outburst of unreadable. Often this leads 21, First Crescent Park Road Reader K. Balasubrahmanian to our discarding a letter, par- ticularly if some part of it is Our Addresses Gandhinagar, Adyar (MM, September 16th). It would unreadable. Chennai – 600 020 have been better if he had re- For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt If you wish us to consider Restoration... strained himself from casting of receipts etc.: Chennai Heritage, 260-A, TTK Road, Chennai aspersions, for the simple reason your letter for publication, 600 018. adras Musings can take that we have been writing fre- please type it with enough For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other Mjustifiable pride in the res- quently on matters of public in- space between lines or write circulation matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani toration of Senate House (not to terest, preservation of heritage, it using a medium hand, Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 say Freemasons Lodge and the and nostalgically recalling the clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and 006. I.G.’s Office). ‘good old days’, which are quite crossing the ‘t-s’. On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, But for its sustained efforts Many readers also try to C/o Lokavani Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, harmless, but very informative and pleadings, it is certain Sen- fill every square centimetre of Chennai 600 006. and interesting (and he being a ate House would not be the same a postcard space, making No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters septuagenarian, they might as what it is today, notwith- reading or editing impossible. received will be sent from these addresses every couple of even interest him, so we would days to the persons concerned and you will get an answer from standing the sesquicentennial think). Please help us to con- them to your queries reasonably quickly. Strange as it may celebrations of the Madras Uni- As to a person residing in the sider your letters more seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be able to versity this year. place of his choice, it is not clear favourably by making them help you faster and disappoint you less. It is heartening that slowly what prevents him from acquir- more legible for us. the importance and preserva- ing any property he desires THE EDITOR tion of the City’s heritage build- wherever he likes. How can THE EDITOR 4 MADRAS MUSINGS October 1-15, 2006 October 1-15, 2006 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

include bunk shops, cobblers, hawkers. Its user groups or com- Back to the village, hawkers on the Marina and mittees are made up of local citi- The hawking issue Elliot’s Beach, mobile vendors zens to advise and help its politi- etc.” cal representatives. From the back to a restored home Another solution suggested is, citizen’s point of view, it is more Is there a solution “Let hawkers vend their wares practical to participate in issues wherever possible and pay a fee what are right in your neighbour- you,” he said as the final end had an ancient Chinese fair to all? implementation itself, ‘within six to the Corporation which will hood. From the ’s view, clincher. Shuddering at this, we pickle jar thrown in as well. Re- months’, is a very optimistic earn needed revenue. After a he would have a vested interest bid him goodbye. Our next placement for the door jambs, view. Two fundamental ques- point it will be self-limiting. In in not only addressing the cus- choice, Rayan, was a man of few and two doors for the bathroom tions are: How best can hawkers planned urban areas, in newer tomers’ concern, but also buying security from harrassment by ne- words and after a careful scru- that came for the price of one The village (above) and the street where the house (below). be accommodated in already satellite towns, hawkers should gotiating with his customer, tiny was confident of doing a new teak door came from congested spaces? And how, in be allocated areas.” albeit via the ‘WC committees’. good job. Once bitten twice shy, Karaikudi. Marimuthu was an THE PRELUDE emerging urban areas? Says Kavitha Krishnakumar, l Consequent to a ‘beautification’ drive in 1996, the Corporation Also, local solutions and commit- we reminded him that we old hand in this and over the In Phase II, a Committee from the Citizen’s consumer and obtained court orders to evict the pavement vendors/hawkers in tees are more dynamic, with so- wanted as much of the old stuff phone he sized up the situation all other areas. headed by Justice J. Kanagaraj is civic Action Group (CAG), “It is clear that the scheme is looking lutions that fix the local reality. as possible retained, be they the and was even able to send us a l Hawkers obtained stay orders from the Court. to “carry on inspection of remain- Also, we can have an ‘Area old black switches or the brass lock with a 10 inch key cheaper l Justices J. Kanagaraj and V. Natarajan of the Madras High ing areas/streets in the city of at hawkers as small traders and taps. He nodded that it was fine than a new lock. Court instructed the Corporation to issue the licences and relo- Chennai and frame a further at models in Singapore and Ma- committee’ (AC), as a subsec- and we bid goodbye. The work now began in ear- cate the hawkers. scheme for specifying the hawk- laysia where the hawkers are tion of the WC. Many such WCs could form the Zonal Commit- A few days later Rayan sent nest and in a few weeks, the l The Corporation appealed to the Supreme Court. It appended ing zones, within six months.” housed in plazas and consumers tee.” the plan over, this went back housewas done. The front door 184 stay orders that the vendors and hawkers had obtained Those hawkers who have al- go there to shop. But street vend- previously. The GCSTA filed an interim plea. “By consulting pedestrians, and forth and with a budget of a had a sensitively restored look ready been evicted and who ing is a demand-driven natural l On December 7, 1998, the Supreme Court told the Corporation residential welfare/hawkers’ as- have court orders to consider market and it is difficult to cur- that the Mazoomdar ruling for hawkers and vendors in Delhi sociation, shopkeepers, etc., the them under the scheme will be tail it to plazas. However, it is true l by could settle their dispute. AC can come up with a plan that considered under this phase. It that this trade would become l The Corporation of Chennai then appointed a three-member, is best for the area. The court can PRADEEP CHAKRAVARTHY high-level team to implement the scheme modelled along the has also been made clear that very organised and recognised, Delhi lines. the first scheme does not cover and this scheme would prevent then make the Corporation and its local bodies implement the lakh, work commenced. The with the three new panles and l Towards the end of 1999, when the GCSTA filed a petition in hawkers at Marina and Elliot’s any kind of harrassment of the the High Court, Justice Abdul Hadi was appointed by the Beach, who are to be dealt with vendors/hawkers. How fair and plan – making the footpath work status went back and forth the lock with a key that was wider, delineating the areas for Corporation to frame a scheme. separately. Also, mobile vendors objective the suggestion that al- with several “What’s the status?” heavy enough to remind us of pedestrians, removing encroach- calls. If the initial estimates were the weighty responsibilities of – though they will be issued lotment of the shops would be done ‘on a nomination basis by ments from footpaths, give prop- conservative so were our esti- maintaining the house. Personal Murugan, 36 years old, is a hawker who sells handkerchiefs (he was in photo IDs. the Corporation’ will be, is still in erly marked space on footpath mates of the number of trips to effects were stored in the 6-foot screen printing earlier) in , . Of his daily Says Justice Kanagaraj, “This The facade of the restored house. question. And also hawking pla- and appropriate area, take local be made for supervision. chest that would have surely earnings, around Rs. 150, daily raids in the locality (that last sometimes is a problem peculiar to develop- zas are totally against the con- traffic flow into consideration, nanthakrishnapuram. For With the preparatory work in been the inspiration for many a methods as well as recycling the woodwork must be good and upto 2½ hours) amount to a loss of at least Rs. 50. And every time a case ing countries — with large popu- cept of the natural market; it is divert traffic, make streets one- Aa small village that’s quite a progress, we did a trip to the vil- mystery story. Old glass lamps things salvaged from other most important you must have is registered against him, Rs. 100-150 is paid as fine (no receipts, of lations that require many ways quite unlikely that the public way or traffic free, and so on,” mouthful. On the banks of the lage and found that if we did and fans from the 1960s gave the houses had not only helped us the commitment of staying there course). Relocated some years ago to another place, he eventually re- to earn a livelihood. Some years ago, the High Court was flooded would walk up to a plaza to buy says Cherubal. “The process may Tambraparani River, 7 km from need “the old agraharam house” hall with the 13 feet ceiling a forge friendships but were also for at least one weekend every turned because of low earnings at the new site. not be easy. But no harder than the Tirunelveli railway station, look, we had to do some rather beautiful look especially in the easy on the purse as well as aes- two months. Anusha and I have * * * one-man or committees doing all the village consists of a single unusual purchases. Several old evening. The walls were left Sugana, a 32-year-old single mother with two children, sells flowers in thetically pleasing. done this and, perhaps, in our A point of view this for all the areas in a city like street of 20 houses and a few huts switches were beyond repair and bare save the few Ravi Varma At the end of six months, we own small way we have contrib- a busy market area. At the time I interviewed her, she was also selling Chennai.” to one side. The river flows past uted to the preservation of a earthen deepam-s. Her initial investment was Rs.10,000. She pays Rs. by SHOBHA MENON A senior judge feels, “The lazily on one side and emerald small part of our heritage. 600 a month (of the Rs. 3000 she makes) in bribes. About ten years ago, only redemption is if you can green rice fields border the In fact, so impressed had my when her mother was a vendor, there was a row of 350 shops, each with take a strict stand, with police otherside as far as the eye can father and his brothers been with a bench. But this was razed, apparently on Supreme Court orders. A by writ petitions from hawkers, trinkets, bangles, cell phone cov- help. But political parties are see. To relieve the emerald the change and the commit- relocation expense of Rs.1000 was never received. shop owners, and kiosks. Many ers or bajjis and sugarcane afraid of the opposition that will green are few exclamation marks ment, that they have agreed to * * * even went to the Supreme juice!” she feels. arise... so what’s the point? With- in the shape of palm trees and fund a change of the flooring too ccording to the Greater summarily removed without prior Court. Which was the reason for But what of a local decision out strict enforcement, the many punctuation marks in the just simple terracotta tiles A Chennai Small Traders’ notice. the successive committees. between the real ‘owners’ of the implementation cannot suc- shape of herons and the occa- with the central part of the room Association (GCSTA), there are On April 6, 2006, the Madras Phase II will proceed after we get problem, instead of rulings and ceed. With neither the Govern- sional peacock. decorated with the art nouveu about 1,10,000 hawkers in High Court unveiled a ‘compre- some more clarifications.” The commissions? Experts feel the ment nor the Corporation desir- “You can’t ignore the family tiles in the old style. But that is Chennai! Most lead a similar ex- hensive’ scheme for rehabilita- current Implementation Com- problem lies in there being no ous of change, it just means that deity,” said a host of shocked another story. istence. The only licensed tion and regulation of hawkers mittee consists of Chairman Jus- decentralised and localised where some hawkers are re- relatives. So Anusha and I were NOTE: Old houses in all vil- hawkers are those authorised by in Chennai. Calling for issue of tice Ramamurthi, CE General, framework equipped to solve the moved, others will come in!” forced to visit the temple en- lages are easy to come by, but you the Corporation of Chennai ID Cards and removal of Corporation of Chennai, Joint problems dynamically. Says Raj Sujatha Muthayya, also of the route to our honeymoon in need a reliable contractor to tell (charging Rs. 90 per month) in unauthorised hawkers, the Commissioner, Police, Law and Cherubal, of the Centre for Civil CCS, who had carried out a sur- Kodai. In the few hours we spent you how much of the wood two areas – Burma Bazaar where Bench, comprising Chief Justice Order, Town Planning Officer, Society, an NGO that aims to vey on hawkers in Chennai a few on a hot day, we visited the needs to be replaced. 900 trade in goods, and Netaji A.P. Shah and Justice Prabha and will operate from the Ripon The restored, refurbished hall. ‘revive and reinvigorate civil so- years ago, raises the following temple and rested a while in my Proximity to a nearby town is Subash Chandra Bose Road Sridevan, also stated that the Buildings. ciety’, “The Ward Committee questions, “The hawker issue is ancestral home that’s more than we had to search for the old prints that I had got years before. would heartily recommend that important. Tirunelveli is well (Esplanade), Ratan Bazaar and process of identification, wher- The hawkers claim that they (WC) solution is better. It en- just one of many that the city a century old but was renovated black ones. Three panels for the We chose to keep furniture to a you try this yourself. Old house connected by overnight trains to the port area, where 794 licences ever it was not done, should be have been allocated very small courages localised approaches administration needs to look at. in 1916. We headed off to Kodai. old wooden door had to be minimum. The two small bath- in villages cost anything between Madras and is only 15 minutes have been issued. completed by the Court-ap- spaces by the Corporation in the and easy negotiations with (Continued on page 7) However, the cool airy spaces found. And the lock which once rooms looked functional yet 50 K to 2 lakh. The catch is that from the village. According to the Hadi pointed Implementation Com- proposed areas. Karunanidhi, inside the house and the over- had a key that was almost a foot clean, and the backyard was Scheme announced in 2000, 49 mittee. All enumerated existing General Secretary of the whelming sense of tranquillity long needed replacement. This cleared of the weeds and in it zones in Chennai were declared hawkers who would be allotted GCSTA, feels that the recent we experienced were hard to apart, there was the challenge of was installed a 5 foot high as no-hawking zones (all places earmarked space in markets judgment is “a very positive step SOME KEY LESSONS come by in noisy, commercial- incorporating two small bath- terracotta granary that would exclusive of these were beyond should apply for and obtain li- for hawkers, and a landmark (from an all-India study by CCS researchers) ised and hot Kodai. We must rooms into the house without al- have been in the house in the city limits). When 60,000 letters cences from the Corporation for judgment in the whole of India. l There are huge numbers of hawkers in urban areas, fulfilling have a vacation home in the vil- tering the original plan. past. of grievance were collected by the specified areas from June 5000 licences were to be issued some of the economic needs of various sections of the popula- lage, we decided. By the fifth A room past the kitchen was The story had a happy end- the GSCTA from the affected 30th onwards, it ruled. In the by end July, and the rest in Phase tion. visit in a year we said... why not? split into two narrow bathrooms ing. The house was done and hawkers, the scheme was recon- event of the death of a licence- II. Where they obstructed traffic l A great percentage of their economic surplus ends up in the We decided to get the house re- and we only needed to buy the with the generous support from sidered. In September 2002, a holder, a legal heir could apply flow and movement, they would pockets of law-and-order officials. paired and needed a local con- fittings. Enter “Bhai”, a wizened Ambujam maami next door, committee headed by Justice J. for licence with photo ID card. be relocated. But what do we do l Urban plans do not provide for hawkers; where they do, they are tact. Friend Krishnan was an old Muslim who ran a salvage who took care of our culinary Kanagaraj met representative Five per cent of the area was to about the big shops that have not implemented.

able conspirator and soon had a shop. Amidst a large yard of requirements, our first few hawkers across all 10 zones, and be earmarked for the handi- encroached on the pavement? l Insecurity over a major ‘factor of production’ – the space they contractor visiting us. Zipping woodwork from houses his team weekend stays have been simply submitted a revised scheme on capped and disabled. The Also, the current process of use – affects hawkers most; they are therefore unable to invest into the village in great style, he had demolished, we salvaged all great. Fresh air, cool rooms, good January 30, 2003. It stipulated: scheme was not applicable to authorisation on the basis of the in expanding their business. sniffed around the simple 1700 the switches, taps and even a 6- food and a river bank to watch explicit zone-by-zone consider- mobile vendors selling veg- hawkers’ list available at the l With the space used by street vendors paid for by tax-payers sq ft house and told us the best foot chest at ridiculous prices. the sunset or rise – what more ation of existing hawkers, etables, flowers, fruits and dairy time of the Court’s stay order ten money and designated for other uses, a public good is being used thing to do was to raze it to the Avoiding the scores of pet rab- can we ask for? There is another demarcated alternate places, products. years ago doesn’t match the ex- for private use and a rent is being charged by those who have not floor and build a new one. “I can bits and hamsters in his shop, we bit that made this great fun; the licences and photo IDs, and But the sheer size of the prob- isting scenario. There is need for invested in the public good. This is a diversion and deprivation of the tax-payer’s rights. even import the best marble for did a tough bargain and in the use of as much of traditional The well and the rear space. unauthorised hawkers to be lem means that the process of a totally inclusive scheme –

CMYK 6 MADRAS MUSINGS October 1-15, 2006 The Express Story

(Current Affairs questions are — and then vintage Goenka from the period September 1st to 15th. Questions 11 to 20 here have been as many as Disobedience Movement in The new editorial team, pertain to Tamil Nadu and Tthree books in the last 1932 provided a fresh opportu- headed by K. Santhanam, se- Chennai.) couple of years on Ramnath nity for Naidu and he decided lected on the basis of recom- 1. Name the Australian conser- Goenka, the founder of The In- to venture into English. It was a mendations from C. Rajagopa- vationist killed while filming on dian Express. The first was the time when The Mail repre- lachari among others, got to September 4th. coffee table book, Ramnath sented the rulers and work from October 15, 1932. 2. The 44th of this mathemati- Goenka, a life in black and white, (as it still does) the conservative The Indian Express, which until cal oddity was discovered on by grand-daughter-in-law Indian element. The choice of then had been priced at one September 4th and verified a Ananya Goenka. Then fol- name itself was unusual, for anna was sold at half that price, week later. Name it. lowed the B.G. Verghese biog- there had been no Indian Ex- in a bold, innovative measure. raphy Warrior of the Fourth Es- press prior to Naidu’s paper. Soon, a companion newspaper 3. Which country’s economy tate, reviewed in these columns There had been a Daily Express, in Tamil, Dinamani, was begun. came on top of a list of 175 (MM, February 1st, 2006). Now but just as Naidu was deliberat- The title was decided by means economies as the most business- comes a compilation of letters, ing on acquiring the name, it of an open competition an- friendly economy in the world put together by T.J.S. George, was bought by that purveyor of nounced in The Indian Express in a survey conducted by the The cover of the book. titled The Goenka Letters, “yellow journalism”, Lakshmi- and two men from Madras, one World Bank’s IFC? in the city and had also served Behind the Scenes in the Indian kanthan. So Naidu decided on from Mylapore and the other 4. Name the parents of the first as a member of the Madras Leg- Express, published by EastWest The Indian Express and laun- from T’ Nagar, shared the islative Council. Sadanand, male heir born to the Japanese Books (Madras). ‘The Marwari ched his paper on September 5, honours for suggesting the Imperial Family in more than 40 who was ever in need of money of Madras,’ as your reviewer 1932. name. The prize? Rs 10, not a to finance his media dreams, years. likes to think of Ramnath 5. Which country’s archaeolo- borrowed from Goenka who Goenka, would not have been gave the loans against shares in gists claimed that they had amused at such extravagance. found underground pyramids Free Press of India (Madras) The book is a collection of Limited which owned the Indian near Luhansk that are older letters written to, and by, than those at Giza? Express. By October 1936, the Goenka over the period 1950- loans had grown to an extent 6. Who was awarded the 2nd 1989. They cover a wide spec- that Goenka began to demand Millennium Technology Prize trum of subjects, ranging from either repayment or be allowed for his work on blue and white charity to family matters to poli- to take over the newspaper. LEDs? tics (and intrigue), to fine arts, Sadanand demurred and in a 7. Name the town in Nashik to sport and to business, which desperate move locked the of- District where a bomb blast largely meant the Indian Express fices at Mooker Nallamuthu killed 37 persons on September but there are also some that deal Street to prevent Goenka from 8th. with the Indian Iron and Steel taking possession. Goenka filed 8. What record did Roger Company. They bring to light a complaint with the Chief Federer set when he won the the multitasking personality Metropolitan Magistrate who, U.S. Open in addition to the that Ramnath Goenka was. on October 26th, confirmed an Wimbledon earlier in this year? There are 135 letters in all and order allowing Goenka to take 9. Where was the 14th NAM through them the reader can over the publications. Thus, Summit held recently? see the number of irons that The Marwari of Madras also be- 10. What did Mahatma Gandhi Goenka had in the fire at any came the media baron of the do for the first time on Septem- point of time. The blurb on the city. ber 11th, a hundred years ago? rear cover of the book puts it The author states that * * * better – it speaks of his keeping Goenka was singleminded many balls in the air at the same 11. Which edifice in Chennai about the running of the paper. time. rises upto 155 feet from the Nothing else mattered to him. George’s introduction briefly ground and has an imposing He got Pothan Joseph, a cel- sums up the history of the Indian sanctuary of 62 x 33 feet? ebrated journalist from Delhi’s Express upto India’s indepen- 12. What is the claim to fame Hindustan Times, to join the Ex- dence. The paper was the brain- press as editor. Later they were of Bulusu Sambamurthi in Ma- child of Varadarajulu Naidu, a dras politics? to fall out. In August 1938, man from Salem who set up Goenka launched Andhra 13. Which German was instru- practice as a doctor in Tirupur. mental in founding IIT Madras Prabha, soon to be billed as the A passion for indulging in pub- largest circulated Telugu daily. and the Neyveli Lignite Corpo- lic activity saw him setting up The first page of the first issue of Varadarajulu Naidu’s Express. Note the ration? Tamil crest. In 1940, a major fire ravaged the paper Prapancha Mitran in the group's Mooker Nallamuthu 14. What is the new name of 1916. As George puts it, “The Within two months the pa- small amount then. Dinamani Street premises and it looked as the film Emden Magan? readers were pleased with it – per changed hands. It was ac- was released on September 11, though it was curtains for the and the Government was of- 15. On whose short story was quired by S. Sadanand who, ac- 1934, to coincide with Subra- fledgling media group. But in a fended”, a statement that can AVM’s Oriravu (made in 1951) cording to George, was the mania Bharati’s birthday. With classic example of old Madras be made about the later Indian based? “original genius of Indian pub- an easy style in Tamil of every- courtesy, rivals of the group Express as well. Naidu was tried 16. If you wanted auto spare lishing”. He had in 1925 set up day usage rather than a high came forward to help. The and his defence was conducted parts, which locality near the in Bombay the ‘Free Press Ser- flown literary language, Dina- Swadesamitran made its press by C.Rajagopalachari. But Gaiety Theatre would you go vice’ which aimed to “report In- mani soon became the paper of available and The Hindu also Naidu received a sentence of 18 to? dian events through Indian choice. It also helped that its sold a press to the Express. In months’ RI. Coming out in 17. Who is the new Vice-Chan- eyes”. Between 1930 and 1932 price was half that of the then addition, The Hindu made its 1919, he plunged into politics cellor of the University of Ma- he also circulated cyclostyled leading Tamil daily, the Swa- premises at 100 Mount Road once more and earned the title dras? sheets styled ‘Free Press Bulle- desamitran. An interesting ri- available to the Express. Goenka “Tilak of South India” for his 18. What did the initials stand tin’, which made his service valry commenced between the moved to Mount Road and the forceful advocacy of boycotting for in the great M.J. Gopalan’s popular. He decided to found papers. The Swadesamitran put rest of the story is well known. foreign goods. In 1920 he began name? his own paper in 1930 and set up posters claiming that it had The letters begin sometime af- a weekly called Tamil Nadu, the up the Free Press Journal which been founded even before the ter this. 19. Travelling by the MRTS to- Prapancha Mitran having been was soon much in demand. Congress, responding to which The letters cover a variety of wards Beach, which station will suppressed by the Government. Sadanand, keen on having his the Dinamani put up its own interests. There are letters from come after Tirumylai? The paper and Naidu disagreed paper published simultaneously posters entreating readers not godmen and to godmen. There 20. How many ‘stations of the with the Civil Disobedience from six centres, came in con- to trust an old hag but to read a are letters from politicians seek- cross’ are there on the way to Movement and so the magazine tact with Naidu and had by paper that was lively and young. ing favours. M.S. Subbu- the summit of St. Thomas’ went into a decline by 1930. mid-1932 acquired The Indian Enter Goenka. He had al- lakshmi’s husband T. Sada- Mount? The launch of a new Civil (Answers on page 8) Express as his paper for Madras. ready made a name for himself (Continued on page 7) October 1-15, 2006 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

Two forgotten Subscriptions and contributions l Since Volume XIV, No.1 (April 16, 2003), Madras Musings has been priced at Rs.5 a copy, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/-. Please twinnings make out your cheque only to CHENNAI HERITAGE and send it, together with the COUPON BELOW, to CHENNAI HERITAGE, 260-A, (Continued from page 1) faction in the town council, TTK ROAD, CHENNAI 600 018 or C/O LOKAVANI-HALL MARK “We will in 1968, in due Dr. Kalafathalla, and the coun- PRESS PVT. LTD., 122, GREAMES ROAD, CHENNAI 600 006. course, prepare a Halle-Madras cillor for finances, Mr. Thaniga- An ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION of just Rs.100 covers only a part of committee with the support of chalam... Mr. Kuppuswamy, our costs. Corporate support and YOUR support will continue to be the trade unions. According to who had come the second time essential for Chennai Heritage and Madras Musings to play a greater our information, the easiest way to the GDR, stated that the role in creating awareness about the city, its heritage and its envi- ronment. We therefore look forward to your sending us your contri- to gain influence in Madras is ‘Halle fountain’ that was given butions IN ADDITION TO your subscriptions. via the trade unions.” to Madras as a gift would be in- The next visit of a delegation augurated in Madras in the If in the coming year Chennai Heritage receives repeated sup- port from those of you who have already made contributions, and if from Madras to Halle (6 mem- coming year. For the inaugura- many more supporters join the bandwagon, we will not only be able bers) took place from 5th to tion ceremony, the Corporation of Madras but invite the Indian to keep Madras Musings going, but also be able to continue aware- 11th August, 1968. Halle spent ness-building exercises on on-going projects as well as undertake 13,371.81 marks on this visit. Prime Minister, Ms Indira October 5: What are you leaning on? Gandhi.” one or two more such exercises. by Meli Melo Cie with Tania During a visit of a delegation Therefore, please keep your contributions coming IN ADDITION Malaquin, Jeremie Mallard, form Halle to Madras from 14th EDITOR: Madras Musings would be very glad to hear from TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS. If, say, you send in a cheque for Rs.500, Sebastien Peyre, Gwenaelle to 23rd June 1969, the Lord we will treat Rs.100 of it towards subscription to Madras Musings for the Corporation of Madras Roue et Amaury Roussel. An ac- Mayor of Halle, Pflueger, gifted 2005-06 and the remaining Rs.400 as contribution towards the about (1) what has happened to robatic and playful mixture, fea- a fountain to Madras. This causes Chennai Heritage espouses. turing a woman tightrope walker, the ‘Halle fountain’, and (2) fountain is a copy of the foun- We look forward to all readers of Madras Musings, and those two jugglers and two tightrope tain found in the periphery of whether the Corporation plans walker/jugglers who defy all laws newcomers who want to receive copies, sending in their subscrip- Halle. On December 12, 1969, to revive the twinning relation- tions. We are indeed sorry we can no longer remain a free mailer. of gravity. It’s circus blended the pumping machinery was ship with Halle in the 40th an- with theatre and dance. (At the — The Editor sent off by Deutrans to Madras. niversary year, 2007. Music Academy 7.00 pm. Passes The Denver-Madras affilia- from Alliance Francaise.) The total value was 40,634.35 CHENNAI HERITAGE October 9-20: Chithiram. Paintings marks. tion on a people-to-people basis by Babu. (At the Alliance On the occasion of the 20th was worked out in 1982 and in 260-A T.T.K. ROAD, , CHENNAI 600 018. Francaise.) 1984 the formal announcement anniversary of the foundation of / October 13-15: Lire en Fete. Three the GDR (October 1969), the of the twinning of the sister cit- I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) I days celebrating books. This Halle authorities invited Lord ies was made. Mayor Welling- have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it here- year’s theme is “A city, a book”. Mayor Vellore D. Narayanan ton E. Webb of Denver in 1998 after. Reading, films, book delicacies invited the then Mayor of and council members to Halle. l I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 (Ru- book presentation and book ex- Chennai (Madras) to visit Den- Among the delegates was "the pees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, MADRAS, as change and games organised by ver in 2000 for the Sister Cities Book Monster. (At Alliance leader of the DMK faction in subscription to Madras Musings for the year 2005-06. Francaise) the town council, Mr. Muni- International Convention. But October 15: Similia, the Guitar- swamy, the leader of the Con- nothing came of that at the l As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment Flute Duo. This appropriately gress faction in the town coun- time. Will there, next year, in and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai named duo from Quebec, cil, Mr. Kuppuswamy, the coun- the 25th year of the linkage, be eritage an additional Rs...... (Rupees Canada, are twins, Nadia (flute) cillor for the health services, the new moves to revive the bonds ...... ) and Annie (guitar). They cre- leader of the Muslim League between the two cities? ated Similia in 1998. (At Alliance Please keep / put me on your mailing list. Francaise, 7 p.m.) Name : ...... Till October 30: Advertising in Germany, a Roster exhibiton. The hawking issue Address: ...... On 36 tables, this poster exhibi- tion documents the develop- (Continued from page 5) ers — forbids the removal of ...... ment of advertising in Germany. — How much time and energy hawkers and vendors in the ...... (At, Goethe-Institut-Max will it get? name of ‘beautification’ Mueller Bhavan.) — What about those hawkers schemes and insists they be con- Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for overseas in the list who no longer are sidered an integral part of the postage alone payable to M/s. Lokavani Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd.. All in the business, have died, city and its economic life. VINTAGE other cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. moved to another city, etc? On the National Policy on GOENKA Will the permit to hawk be Street Vendors, Kavitha feels, tradable? Can it be inher- “This system only requires a (Continued from page 6) ited? vendor to register himself or Senate House Conservation Fund — The solutions are all top herself with the local body, and sivam appears to have been a down approaches. Will arbi- not licensing. The Policy also l The Senate House Restoration and Management Trust appeals to regular correspondent and the trary decisions made by one refers to no hawking zones in all alumni of the and heritage lovers every- 1966 tour of MS, culminating in or few add to the chaos? the city which clearly demar- where to contribute to the Senate House Conservation Fund which the concert at the UN, is in par- — Since the basic framework cates zones where vending as a the Trust is managing for the purpose of restoring Senate House to ticular chronicled in detail. for a dynamic solution is ab- business cannot take place. its old glory and maintaining it thereafter in the same condition. There are letters concerning sent, does it mean going Also to possibilities of having Cheques should be made out to the Senate House Conservation family matters, there are letters back to the courts if there timings for vending business, Account and sent to the Registrar, University of Madras, Chennai fighting perceived and real in- 600 005. Contributions are eligible for benefits under Section 80-G are violations/problems in i.e., during peak traffic hours, justice from the Government. of the Income Tax Act. these areas?” there cannot be any vending There is a private letter to Early this year, Chennai was etc.” Dear Registrar, Gulzari Lal Nanda which inex- the venue for a meeting of 150 While the deliberations con- I am pleased to enclose a cheque for Rs...... plicably is also circulated to representatives from the four tinue, the protagonists, the self- as my contribution to the restoration and maintenance of many others. There are letters southern states under the ban- employed traders who occupy Senate House. Kindly acknowledge receipt. explaining the Express’ position ner of the National Association urban space but who meet mar- during the Emergency. There Name: ...... of Street Vendors of India ket/societal demands, continue are moving letters from various (NASVI). The Association their struggle to make a living Address: ...... dignitaries condoling the death called for the implementation of on the streets, while constantly of Goenka’s son. And, finally, ...... a national policy on urban street under threat. How much there are some letters that show vendors and to chalk out a cam- longer will it be before their ...... Goenka’s frustration at the way paign plan that would put the livelihood issues are looked into in which the Janata Party ...... policy in election manifestos with sensitivity and fairness evolved and dissipated. and public consciousness. The while acknowledging the cru- I am an alumnus/alumna/heritage lover and wish the project all In short, it is all vintage national policy — formed with cial role they play in delivering success. My college was ...... Ramnath Goenka. No holds the participation of street ven- services in urban areas? It is barred. Date: ...... Signature: ...... dors, police personnel and local time that hawking be seen in an — Sriram V. body administrators among oth- entirely different light. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS October 1-15, 2006

USA) joined the faculty at the Chennai in 1959 at the newly- CityscapeWhen Madras took YMCA College, Madras, as a laid, concrete courts at the basketball and swimming lec- Stadium (the present turer. He took a lot of interest Hockey Stadium). in coaching basketball players It was in 1951 that the Ma- to basketball till he left Madras in 1955 after dras State Basketball Federa- his tenure at the College. tion was formed and the Golden In 1954, the State Federa- Jubilee should have been cel- asketball was invented in tion was formed in 1932 in Basketball was being orga- tion organised the first City ebrated in 2001 and not five BDecember 1891 by Canada- Geneva at the International nised under the aegis of the Ma- League tournament with T.V. years later. born Dr. Naismith, a theologian YMCA School of Physical Edu- dras Olympic Committee with Srinivasan (an alumnus of The game taking root in In- on the faculty of the School for cation. C.C.Abraham as President. The YMCA College) as convener. dia and spreading was due to Christian Workers (the interna- In India, a Duncan Patten is competitions were organised by The annual State Champion- the efforts of H.C. Buck, who tional YMCA training school stated to have formed the first the YMCA Madras for clubs in ships were held at the YMCA channelled his efforts through now known as Springfield Col- team of basketball and intro- Madras Province and teams (now ). the YMCAs. Besides the Ma- lege in Massachusetts. Naismith duced this game in 1894, just from Bangalore and Hyderabad In early 1956, I felt that for dras YMCA, the YMCAs at was spurred by his colleague, three years after Naismith in- took part. In 1950, I witnessed the game to grow the headquar- Kottayam, Calcutta, Bombay Luthe Gulick, to formulate a vented the game. The game the basketball event at the Ma- ters had to be shifted outside and Bangalore helped to game which would keep the stu- owes its popularity to the dras Olympic Games in which the portals of the YMCA and popularise the game in the dents fully occupied during the YMCAs and the American mis- Wesley Guild from Secun- Hubert Dhanraj concurrd with country. It is unfortunate that severe winter which prevented sionaries. It took deep roots in derabad and Krishna Union me. K. Narasimhachari, then neither the Madras Basketball them from playing their three Presidencys and in the from Bangalore took part, be- Physical Director of Law Col- Association nor the Basketball favourite sport, football. Punjab. sides the teams from Madras, lege, supported my efforts. It Federation of India remem- A football, a peach basket was around that time that Fr. bered the pioneering efforts of and a adder to retrieve the ball Arulswamy, who was principal H.C. Buck, the father of Physi- every time the ball entered the l by M.S. Venkataraman of Loyola College, was elected cal Education and Olympic basket was the equipment President, Ace Basketball Club, who has as President, S. Padmanabhan games in India. I am happy that whihc Naismith used in the been associated with the game for 56 years (popularly known as ‘Jump Ball’ the YMCA, Chennai, annually backyard of the School. He for- Paddu) as Secretary, T.V. conducts a Buck Memorial mulated the first 13 rules of the Srinivasan, Physical Director of Competition. game. The rest is history, for It was, however, Harry prominent among them being Jain College, as Jt. Secretary, I look forward to the day this game is now played in 205 Crowe Buck who formalised the Central Polytechnic (earlier and S. Narayanan, Physical Di- when a statue is erected for countries involving 200 million game as well as those other christened as the Panagal/ rector of Loyola College, as Harry Crowe Buck opposite the people. sports known as Olympic sports Thyagaraya Club), Cross Wings Treasurer. Later, E.P. Royappa, present YMCA premises in For Naismith, it was not in those days. The rules were and Super Warriors. IAS, PWD Secretary, was Nandanam on . His merely an entertaining game, codified and edited for all the Consequent to the forma- elected President, with S. Pad- name is etched in the minds and but a philosophy to bring people games and the YMCA Calcutta tion of the Basketball Federa- manabhan as Secretary and hearts of thousands of Physical together. He describes his mo- brought out a publication annu- tion of India in 1950, the State T.V. Srinivasan as Treasurer. Directors who passed out of the tives in designing the game as a ally which was popularly known Olympic units were advised to The IX National Basketball Colleges of Physical Education desire that sportsmen should as ‘Buck Rules’. form State Basketball associa- Championship was held in throughout the country. dedicate all their hearts and In Madras, as elsewhere, the tions. The Madras State Basket- strength to an activity in which game was controlled by the ball Federation was formed in team sport will strengthen hu- Olympic Association. The first the latter half of 1950 with C.C. Answers to man relationships. National Basketball Champion- Abraham as President, C.A. In 1893, France had adopted ship (inter-state competition) Abraham, Physical Director, the game of basketball. The was introduced in 1934 in New , as Quiz game was introduced in China- Delhi as part of the National Treasurer and Hubert Dhanraj 1. Steve ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Irwin; 2. The Mersenne prime; in-1894. The first organised Olympics. The competitions as Secretary. competition in basketball was in were held every two years till 3. Singapore; 4. Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko; 5. Ukraine; In 1953, C.G. Viswanathan, 6. Shuji Nakamura; 7. Malegaon; 8. He became the first man in tennis 1904, when at the Olympic the games at Bombay in 1950. history to win the two titles three years in a row; 9. Havana, Cuba; Games held in St. Louis, five The Basketball Federation of who was Personnel Manager, Parry & Co., was elected Presi- 10. Launch a satyagraha. teams took part in an exhibition India was formed in 1950 dur- * * * competition. The Buffalo ing the Bombay Olympic dent of the Madras State Bas- ketball Federation, with Hubert 11. The Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas; 12. He was the (N.Y.) German YMCA scored a Games and C.C. Abraham of Speaker of Madras’s first elected legislative assembly which met in 39-28 win over Chicago Central the YMCA College of Physical Dhanraj continuing as Secre- the University of Madras’ Senate House in 1937; 13. Gerhard Fischer; YMCA. The International Education, Saidapet, was tary. In 1953, Ted Arnold (de- 14. Em Magan; 15. C.N. Annadurai; 16. Pudupet; 17. S. Ramachandran; Amateur Basketball Associa- elected as the first President. puted by the YMCA in the 18. Morappakam Joysam; 19. Lighthouse; 20. Fourteen.

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