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• North-South divide MADRAS • Not looking at reality • To be a savvy customer • A TN world record

Vol. XVII No. 06 MUSINGS July 1-15, 2007

“Take a left into the ‘No Entry’ street, then make an unauthorised ‘U’ turn at the traffic signal and there you will see my car parked just next to the ‘No Parking’ sign!” We’re home! It starts at the airport. A whole bunch of people, who have spent the past few days/ weeks/months queueing up in a disciplined, decorous manner on foreign shores, rush headlong to the counters, ignoring the pas- sengers before them. How does this happen? The bright lights of Chennai today only light up a slew of flyovers and hoardings, all reflecting why Chennai is becoming a costlier city by the day. (Photograph: You’ve shown that you can S. ANVAR.) follow rules; that you don’t need the stern eye of law watching you to ensure your co-operation. Colourful Chennai “Do not cross the yellow line,” the sign says, and you wait (By A Special Correspondent) patiently, your toes a perfect half-inch away from the line hat’s the quality of life in Chennai today? Fair to middling not exactly – and this in a supermarket, Wby Asian standards, it would seem, but still far from inter- hardly a danger-zone. national standards. And yet, when you come In India, Chennai ranks second, coming after Delhi, in terms of home, you cross a far more quality of living. Within Asia too, Chennai has moved from 31st th inexpensive potentially dangerous yellow last year to 26 this year. But all that is not saying much when you line, breaking into the look at its international ranking of 159 in terms of overall living speeding stream of traffic, conditions. making an unauthorised U- The ratings were made during the 2007 Worldwide Quality of (censorship, limitations on personal freedom, etc), Health and turn in one of the most con- Living Survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, released sanitation (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, gested roads in the city. recently, and it has all Indian cities scoring very poorly. Mercer’s sewage, waste disposal, air pollution, etc), Schools and education Or rush through a brilliantly study is based on detailed assessments and evaluations of 39 key (standard and availability of international schools, etc), Public red stop sign. quality of living determinants, grouped in categories of Political services and transportation (electricity, water, public transport, You don’t drop even a tiniest and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforce- traffic congestion, etc), Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, square of foil on an empty ment, etc), Economic environment (currency exchange regula- street in a faraway land; but tions, banking services, etc), Socio-cultural environment (Continued on page 2) you have no problem dump- ing the evidence of a day in your life outside your home. Is it tolling for real estate? What is it about us, that we treat our own soil this way? Maybe, the air here needs uilders and property deve- By A Special Correspondent m). In areas outside Chennai, checking. Blopers in , par- the Director of Town and There’s something in it that ticularly in the capital, The order came into effect on T&CP Department, that will Country Planning will fix his turns even the most edu- Chennai, are a worried lot. The June 1, 2007. collect around Rs.500 crore this charges. cated, well-travelled, mall- Director of Town and Country With over 40 million sq ft of year. The additional levy has The amount thus collected hopping, Blackberry-using, Planning has passed an order residential and commercial been given ceiling rates for vari- will go towards the creation of lap-top-toting among us into whereby an infrastructure and space likely to be developed in ous types of buildings, such as an infrastructure and amenities a breed of careless ‘free’ spir- amenities charge is to be levied the next 18 months, it is pre- Commercial and IT (Rs. 500/sq fund which will be used for its, unquestioning, uncon- with a ceiling of up to Rs.100 a development of such require- cerned in our rule-breaking, sumably the - m), multistoreyed (Rs. 1000/sq self-absorbed world. sq ft on any new development politan Development Autho- m), Institutions (Rs. 200/sq m) ments as water supply, drainage Ranjitha Ashok that is to come up in the city. rity, acting on the order of the and Industrial Use (Rs. 300/sq (Continued on page 2) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2007 Aesthetics, please, in the temples he Man from Madras being a rule but one which these hoardings are removed and some rain. The tempera- early. However, the committee, T Musings has been indulg- everyone has been advised to and the sidewalks (those that ture has been down and life in which began doing the rounds ing in a temple going spree and go soft on?) As soon as a temple are still in existence) returned the city appears a lot more of the three cities was not is bewildered by what eco- receives funds for a particular to the pedestrian who, always bearable. But then, you cannot impressed with Mumbai, which nomic prosperity has done to purpose, the trustees swing into being meek, was originally satisfy everyone, can you? is surprising given that city has our shrines. True, the number action along with meant to inherit them. There Apparently the windmill own- a very powerful maritime his- of devotees has gone up and Religious and Charitable is, in particular, a circular ers of the State are an unhappy tory. MMM wonders how there is a lot more life in most Endowments and do pretty hoarding made entirely of cloth lot. MMM learns from newspa- Chennai fared. temples. But more money much whatever they fancy. with a picture of the leader in per reports that the TNEB now means more devotees wanting Which includes the strategic the middle, which does not claims to have a drop in power Kathipara confusion to spend on temple renovation. placements of ugly tubelights, allow even the usual mercy of consumption and has stopped And this has amounted to do- just about any kind of collaps- pedestrians ducking below the buying power from the wind- he Man from Madras ing just about anything. There ible shutter and grille work, and hoarding and continuing on mills leading to a loss of Rs. 1 T Musings has seen newspa- are white glazed tiles all around other such additions. MMM their way. crore and more. per reports that the the shrine for the Goddess at shudders over what must be These hoardings are all Road-users are an unhappy construction of the flyover at the Tiruvottriyur Adipuris- happening to stone inscriptions ‘temporary’ structures, for they lot too. The drizzles of last is going to warar temple. Many temples in this process. are supported by casuarina week were enough to show how take longer than scheduled. have new drinking water tanks inadequately Chennai is While the flyover is an absolute made of synthetic material and Hoardings leadership equipped to handle a full and long-felt necessity and will these have been sited in the SHORT monsoon. There were potholes ease traffic flow in the area most prominent locations. The he Man from Madras ’N’ galore and plenty of blocked when completed, what is ancient Valliyur temple in T Musings thought, in his drainage leading to water surprising is the lack of any Tirunelveli has had its entire innocence, that there was some SNAPPY stagnation. By the time our signboard allowing people al- flooring redone in (hold your kind of ruling about the size of authorities wake up to these ternative routes to take to breath) white marble! MMM, political hoardings and the poles lashed together with and rectify them, the monsoon avoid congestion and the con- however, has to admit that it duration for which they can be ropes. In wet weather, the will be on us. And then? MMM sequent confusion, even as the was a contrast to the red gran- placed on the road. But he ropes work loose causing some gets a sinking feeling (pun fully construction is in progress. ite over which our State must be mistaken, considering of these hoardings to come intended). As vehicles approach the appears to have a monopoly in that hundreds of these hoard- crashing down, putting every junction, scaffoldings and other consumption. But still, the very ings in the city appear to have passer-by at risk. Migrating varsity? construction equipment block idea of using white marble in a come to stay. You cannot miss The police and other the view of the other side. South Indian temple is galling. them. All around you there are authorities, of course, turn a ver since the announce- Given the traffic pressure, it is At the Kumbakonam Saranga- pictures of leaders smiling, proverbial blind eye to what is Ement of the proposed Mari- very difficult for vehicles to pani temple and the Srirangam laughing, walking, holding a happening, even if the hoard- time University in Chennai change lanes and, as a conse- temple, raising the floor level pen thoughtfully, talking to a ings block traffic signals. Or, with campuses in Kolkata and quence, many of them take the has led to statues and carved minion or two, and doing perhaps, as can be seen from Mumbai, The Man from Ma- wrong turnings. MMM was in friezes sinking below. At not everything else other than their movement on roads, the dras Musings has been puzzled such a situation last week; one place has any thought been some concrete good work. vehicles of these authorities do over the lack of subsequent when returning from the given to aesthetics. MMM wonders if our leaders not need or heed traffic signals. action. The Comrades from airport, he drove into the exit MMM went about enquir- are so wrapped up in them- Kolkata cried blue murder and for Ashok Nagar, though his ing into the modality of such selves that they need to see Welcome weather suggested that their own Mari- destination was . There renovations and additions. themselves all the time as they time Institute could be put to being no U-turns on the Apparently, there are no rules move about the city. A hand he city’s weather has better use as a university. Since particular stretch, he took that stipulate that temples need mirror may be simpler and far Tbeen rather unusual in the then, MMM learns, a 30-mem- quite a while to get back to the to consult the Archaeological more cost-effective. past two weeks. Just as The ber Parliamentary committee right track. Can we expect Survey while doing structural All this makes for some Man from Madras Musings was has been set up to decide on the some help from those con- changes and repairs. (Or is it great poster art, but MMM bracing himself for another location. This means that cerned? yet another instance of there cannot but help wishing that heat wave, along came clouds Chennai celebrated a little too – MMM IS IT TOLLING FOR REAL ESTATE? (Continued from page 1) this city where mixed zoning is pening in Industrial Estates, comes to land development. In likely to be an addition in IT and roads in urban areas. The allowed? What happens to IT such as Guindy and , fact an even higher cost city space alone of 10 million sq ft in fund will be operated by the units that are coming up on es- has the local authority to collect than it has been recognised in- the next 12 months. But it also Director of Town and Country tates earmarked for industrial a levy in the name of infrastruc- ternationally (see ‘Colourful means that builders in Chennai Planning. use? ture. Chennai not exactly inexpen- alone will fork out Rs. 200 to There is, as usual, consider- The new levy will be in addi- Yet another cause of con- sive’). Rs.400 crore on this new levy. able confusion as to the defini- tion to existing levies, such as cern is that the charge also at- Just looking around the city Obviously, builders who have tion of buildings. What happens those of the State Industries tracts service tax, in terms of may not, however, reflect this already finalised long-term if a multistoreyed building Promotion Corporation (Rs. 60/ the Union Budget norms. picture. There are malls, IT leases before construction are houses commercial and residen- sq m) and the Metrowater. In All this makes Chennai a Parks and residential complexes now concerned, as the lessees tial units, as is often the case in addition, any development hap- high-cost proposition when it coming up all over. There is are likely to press for fulfilment in terms of the contract and may not accept any hikes. Not exactly inexpensive The cost of development, which in the past few months has more than doubled in the (Continued from page 1) steadily, becoming more costly than Bangalore in the last one year. Of course, it is nowhere near Mumbai which has jumped from 68 city, has seen many multina- sports and leisure, etc), Consumer goods (availability of food/daily to 52. It is believed that rising property prices, with land in some tionals complain that business consumption items, cars, etc), Housing (housing, household parts of Chennai now being costlier than London, is the main rea- in Chennai is not sustainable. appliances, furniture, maintenance services, etc) and Natural en- son for the rising cost of living in the city. It is interesting to note They have also begun putting vironment (climate, record of natural disasters). from the survey that some cities in China (India’s main rival) are the brakes on lease rentals, as a The study states that Indian cities score relatively poorly in now moving down the cost of living scale, even though they are at result of which rates in the city health and sanitation, with scores ranging from 52.8 for Chennai present ranked higher than Chennai. With a low inflation rate and have begun stagnating. Will the (position 177) to 38.2 for Mumbai (position 209). Most Indian stable property prices, it is expected that these cities may become new levy actually begin a pull cities are densely populated with poor waste removal and sewage cheaper than Indian cities in the long run. out? Unlikely, according to systems. These issues, combined with increasing air pollution, con- Asuncion in Paraguay retained its position as the least expen- builders, but it can happen in tribute to their relatively low ratings, according to the study. It sive city for the fifth consecutive year, while Karachi, Quito in Ec- future. highlights the fact that there is a very real risk of transmission of uador, Monte Video in Uruguay and Argentina’s Buenos Aires Builders are not against the diseases in these cities. were the other least expensive cities. levy. But what they complain In terms of cost of living the news is not much better. The sur- It must be pointed out here that this survey has been done keep- about is the lack of transparency vey was based on the comparative cost of over 200 items in each ing expatriates in mind and is targeted at multinationals whose in the move and the complete location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household executives can be posted to locations all over the world. However, absence of any debate of any goods and entertainment. With Moscow being the costliest city in terms of rankings, it is good to know how our city stands when sort. But, then, our Govern- overall, Chennai’s ranking of 133 may not look too worrisome in a compared to metros across the world. Obviously, there is much to ments are not exactly known for study of 143 cities in this category. But it has been moving up be done before we can claim to be truly world class. such practices, are they? July 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 3 An Algerian connection? he article ‘Romans in South India’ and the two more family names were identified with the Tletter ‘The Australian-South Indian names of towns in the north. connection’ (MM, May 16th) reminded me of Indian (Dravidian or Tamil) connections in Family name Identified village Mediterranean Europe and North Africa. Santhri Santhri in Haryana Arbitrary fees whether it is in order for Gov- There is a city by name Warkala, the name Karna Karna(l) in Haryana ernment-owned and Govern- of a town in Kerala, in the heart of the Algerian t is tragic to see the plight of Arappa (H)Arappa – Indus Valley ment-aided schools to collect Sahara. A small town by name Methili, perhaps Ipoor students driven from pil- Civilisation fees from students in an arbi- a corrupted form of Mithila of the Ramayana, lar to post to find money to pay trary manner. As there was no exists in the State of Laghouat, Algeria. In the This could indicate that the ancestors of the the fees demanded by Govern- same State, there is an Arab family with the Telugu Devangar community might have been acknowledgement or reply, a ment-aided and Government- family name of Benagal (A). Note the family one of the linguistic groups of the Indus Valley letter was sent under the Right owned schools, including Cor- name of Shyam Benegal and illustrious ICS Civilisation. to Information Act to the Min- poration schools. officers B.N. Rau and B.R. Rau. There are more than one hundred Telugu istry of School Education in The fees are fixed by the in- A tribe in Algeria is called the Kabil and the speaking castes living in Tamil Nadu. They also Tamil Nadu. After three weeks, language they speak is Kabili. (Note the name might have had their origin in the north and dividual schools in a totally ar- a reply was received stating that of sage Kabilar.) One of the ministers of Alge- migrated to the south around 1000 BCE, when bitrary manner and there is no the letter has been forwarded to ria who visited a tribal village in North India the people fled the Indus Valley. According to uniformity at all. Fees are de- another department for neces- stated that the villagers spoke a language historians, “The Brahmi speech in Baluchistan manded under several pretexts, sary action. No reply has been resembling the language Kabili. One of the is the only Dravidian dialect in the North and such as Parent Teacher Asso- received and no one seems to be family names of the Kabil tribe is ‘Kadi’, a may be regarded as the sole surviving frag- ciation, Building Fund, School family name in the Telugu speaking Devangar ment.” clear as to what are the govern- Upgradation Fees, Computer community in Salem. An internet search A similar study of family names of mental norms and regulations Fees, uniform, notebooks, etc. revealed hundreds of sites involving the name Saurashtra community, Nattukkottai Chettiar in the matter. The amounts demanded under Kadi. community and other communities may throw In any case, it is crystal clear such heads also vary consider- The Telugu Devangar community is found more light on the history of India. that the Tamil Nadu Govern- dispersed throughout the Southern States. But I have presented fragmentary facts for a ably. I wonder whether there ment does not exercise any vis- most of their family names do not match towns deeper probe by specialists. are any Government norms at ible control over the schools and villages in the Southern States. By chance all about collection of fees by S.N. Mahalingam and the school authorities are I found the existence of a village called Santhri these Government-owned and P.No. 64-A, Kalamegam Street Extn. charging fees according to their in Haryana. This is one of the family names of Government-aided schools in the Telugu Devangar caste. On further search, Kamarajapuram, Chennai 600 073 whims and fancies. In the pro- Tamil Nadu. cess, poor families are put to of felling roadside trees is to first ing up with exotic French Imperial Cholas and Vijaya- Government-owned schools enormous suffering. They are widen the road leaving the tree names. It only needs a guillotine nagar, had kept the Department are fully funded by the Govern- forced to borrow at heavy inter- standing. After some time, they to complete the Parisian effect. of Irrigation under the control ment. Substantial amounts are est, as the parents realise that state that it is blocking the way Like the ad says, Life’s good. of the Central government, provided by the Government to they have to educate their chil- and bring it down. I kept won- But certainly not in North leaving only maintenance of the Government-aided schools dren at any cost. dering when the axe will fall on Chennai which is festering like lakes to ‘village democracies’ by way of salaries to the teach- On the whole, Govern- the trees near Raj Bhavan and a wound treated by a quack. like that of Uthiramerur. Tam- ers, etc. as per the government ment’s objective of providing in . pering with waterways and lakes pay structures. C. G. Prasad free or low-cost school educa- They are talking of relocat- attracted severe punishment. When Government provides 9 C.S. Mudali Street tion to poor children has been ing trees. How many trees can We, on the other hand, have so much funds to these institu- Kondithope, Chennai 600 079 defeated. The Chief Minister be relocated? It is all eyewash. left the lakes and tanks to vil- tions, it should not allow them should look into this matter Even trees that exist are Editor’s Note: See Page 4. lage panchayats and, as a result, to collect fees from the students urgently. throttled and choked by black they have disappeared! Besides, in an arbitrary manner. The ob- Veeranam & other lakes topping or cement slabs, leaving is there any punishment at all jective of the Government pro- N.S. Venkataraman very little space for water to per- eader T.M. Sundararaman for anything? viding huge support to these Trustee colate. R(MM, June 1st) need not schools is to offer free or low- Nandini Voice for the Deprived Chennai 600 096 There is a street in Germany feel apologetic, because I have cost education to children from Dr. G. Sundaram, IAS (RTD.) called Unter den Linden (under read in some authentic sources the lower income group. Butchering trees “Burma House” the linden trees). In France we that the Lake Veeranam was 33/18, 9th Street Nandini Voice for the De- rees are to be planted, have boulevards. In the U.S., known as “Cholagangai” and Dr. Radhakrishnan Road prived wrote letters to the Chief Tnurtured and well main- whether it is New Jersey, Chi- was founded by Emperor Chennai 600 004 Minister and various other tained. Once, they were also cago, Houston, San Diego, Se- Rajendra Chola, son of Raja authorities in the Tamil Nadu Randor Guy... venerated. But nowadays in our attle, Savanah or New York, Raja Chola, after his successful Government, seeking to know country we do exactly the trees line the roads and are well- Ganges campaign. ... it was he who wrote the It was the normal practice READABILITY opposite. Avenue trees are cut maintained. Dr. K.M. Munshi article ‘The Ceylonese charmer down indiscriminately – either started Vana Mahotsava in the for kings to erect ‘victory of Madras Cinema’ in Madras PLEASE deliberately, to widen road, or 1950s and if we had adhered to sthambas’ after successful cam- Musings on June 16th. We paigns. Rajendra, instead, Dear Readers, wantonly, to protest against his principles, India would regret inadvertently omitting some issue. abound in forests now. But, wanted a ‘water-sthamba’ for his name as the author of the As letters from readers increase, Emperor Ashoka would turn alas! we plant saplings by the the benefit of the public. article. we are receiving more and more in his grave (was he interred?) thousands for birthdays or other The then kings, right from hand written letters, many of at this butchering and would celebrations of political leaders the Pallavas and including the –The Editor them in a hand so small and take up arms (which he laid and forget about them the next illegible or large and scrawled as down after the Kalinga war) morning. Will we ever correct to be unreadable. Often this against all agencies responsible ourselves? leads to our discarding a letter, for this crime. Among all the Dr. R.K. Natarajan Our Addresses particularly if some part of it is good things enunciated by him, 23, Kalyanapuram Street For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of unreadable. growing trees on the roadsides , Chennai 600 094 receipts etc.: Chennai Heritage, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, If you wish us to consider your was lauded the most. In a hot , Chennai 600 014. letter for publication, please type Not in the North country like ours (especially For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other it with enough space between states like Bihar), he knew what MM had written about circulation matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani Southern lines or write it using a medium was the most important succour Mfancy new residential Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. hand, clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and needed by his subjects who complexes springing up in staid On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o crossing the ‘t-s’. mainly travelled on foot. Now, Chennai, promising all the plea- Many readers also try to fill every entire is bereft of sures of, well, may not be the Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, square centimetre of a postcard any shady trees worth the name Arabian Nights, but Western Chennai 600 006. space, making reading or editing and in the four-laning process of excellence, at least. He also No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will impossible. national highways we have only noted the tendency of swimming be sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons Please help us to consider your barren metalled roads with no pools turning into newt ponds concerned and you will get an answer from them to your queries rea- letters more favourably by mak- vegetation. It is forgotten that and exercise gyms into lumber sonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ ing them more legible for us. not all of us travel by A/C car in rooms. Very true. Buyer beware. approach, we will be able to help you faster and disappoint you less. this country. – THE EDITOR Indeed, in Western Chennai THE EDITOR The general modus operandi a clutch of apartments is com- 4 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2007 July 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

and tram cars to be exhibited in outh Chennai is the l Of Cinderellas l A two-page look at the City – past & present l Nothing changes them. It should also be its duty S favoured Cinderella and to exhibit at prominent turn- the preferred destination of and ugly sisters in Madras ings of roads the name of each l The second part of a series of articles on the pluses and minuses of the draft Second Master Plan for Chennai. development, while north street. No doubt we have in Chennai is like the ugly sister, Madras city such name boards forgotten and overlooked. for most roads; but there is no Properties and rentals in A searching look Not looking at reality In 1939 too we regular system followed in have not exhibiting such boards. Some grown as much as the south. boards are faded and indis- If the lack of development and at Chennai’s To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also who will monitor the change and results? None of this is addressed. were talking about tinct, some are exhibited far attention continues, north dream; not only plan, but also believe. The chapters are almost independent of each other, making it very away from the ends of roads, Chennai would slide even — ANATOLE FRANCE, Nobel Laureate. confusing for the citizen to knit them together. For instance, the sec- some have boards only at one further. Many understand n the last issue of Madras Musings, several of the positive aspects tions relating to water supply talk about dark times ahead with in- end of the street, and some that the real estate market North-South Iand features of the draft Second Master Plan (SMP) for Chennai, creased need to draw water from far-away rivers and river basins to making getting long roads like the Mint Street, prefers only high profit-yield- developed by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority the city. Yet the section on Land Use and Planning Strategy recom- Thambu Chetty or Lingi ing locations and overlooks (CMDA), were discussed. However, the draft SMP also suffers from mends development in the existing Aquifer Recharge Area of Chetty Street – which have a north Chennai. But what dis- divide several shortcomings and infirmities. Chennai to “meet the demand for housing, particularly for the IT about easier number of smaller roads lead- n all big towns and cities, town or city is not so difficult. appoints and angers the resi- The first set of shortcomings in the draft SMP are the inadequate sector”. Another section talks about meeting additional demands for ing up to them – have no Ivery great difficulty is expe- As it is the duty of the traffic dents is that the draft second efforts by the authors in putting together a document that is accu- water for the IT Corridor by constructing a dedicated desalination boards to such turnings. Men master plan for Chennai too San Thome, MRC Nagar and markets, port activities have rienced by strangers to find constable to guide and direct rate, current and user-friendly. The draft SMP states that it is a re- plant. It is evident that, despite the presence of volumes of informa- who come up to such turnings has nothing much to offer. . There is a complaint increased. About Rs.55,000 out their destination, or a public conveyance, it is to these main roads have to hashed version of the ill-conceived 1995 draft SMP. Despite being tion, it has not been presented to the citizen as a set of connected from residents that there are crore worth of trade is done places, and persons they want equally his duty to guide walk long distances either way issues for which solutions are provided. The land price at Roya- no proper hotels, no premier through the port (2003-2004 given four years (2001 to 2004) to “take into account the urban de- to visit. It is not practicable to people to their destination. to find out the name of the puram is Rs.25 lakh per shopping complexes, or mar- figures). velopments, amendments to DCR, future needs of CMA etc.”, the Another significant drawback in the draft SMP is the failure to procure paid guides, and it This responsibility should be street. There are also some ground, at Kaladipet and riage halls with car park facili- CMDA has chosen to retain substantial portions of the 1995 docu- address the poor enforcement track record of the CMDA and the should be the duty of every dubbed into their heads, and streets, without such boards. Tiruvottriyur it is Rs.20 lakh The Trust ties. Besides the Sir has proposed to invest about ment. The primary defect with this approach is that much of the data City Corporation. In 1998, the CMDA brought out the first of its civic body to facilitate their they must be made to under- They must have been supplied per ground (2400 sq.ft). The Theagaraya College and and reports referred to in the draft SMP are archaic, out-dated and, infamous Regularisation Schemes, pleading with citizens to pay a pen- search. This responsibility is stand that it is one of their at one time and apparently rent for even the most sophis- Rs.418 crore over a period of Bharathi Women’s College, 5 years (2004-09). In addi- often, irrelevant. Consider the following: a 1985 study that discusses alty for violating the building regulations. At that time, the CMDA’s twofold: (1) of the Police and most important duties. Every have fallen off, and no one has ticated apartment or house of there are no other colleges of what materials and goods need transportation facilities in the city, a official statement was that 50% of the city was in violation of the law. (2) of the Corporation or traffic constable should be taken the trouble to supply 1000 sq.ft is only Rs.3,500. In tion, port is to be ex- arts and science and engineer- panded and Rs.1026 crore is 1989 study on the number of pavement dwellers, a 1995 study on the Subsequent years saw more such schemes, all of which were eventu- Municipality. given an extra course of a such omissions. It should be places like V.O.C. Nagar in ing for the residents of North quality of water and sewage in Chennai’s waterways, and so on. While ally struck down by the in a landmark decision in (1) Police: The British month or two – over and the duty of the Corporation to , there are many to be invested there. As a re- Chennai. sult, new tank terminals, LPG there can be no debate on the need to update the data, the very August 2006. However, there is still no mention on how the city’s Police are known to be the above the training he receives have such boards, not only at houses having just one room enforcement and monitoring systems will be enhanced, since the op- most efficient, courteous, and in a central recruits school to one end but at both ends of each and kitchen, something no For many years, North terminals and metallurgical objective of developing ‘strategies’ based on this out-dated informa- Chennai, with George Town coke and power plants will tion needs to be questioned. For instance, why refer to recommenda- tion for “pay and violate” has been shut by the judiciary. Instead, the the best guides to travellers. learn drill, law and procedure road, and when a branch road longer built in South Anyone who has visited – to give him a practical train- meets a main road, there Chennai. There are many ten- as its centre, was a thriving soon be built in and around tions of a 1996 ERM study on municipal solid waste (MSW), when draft SMP continues to search for the easy way out. For instance, it residential and trading place. Ennore. the entire MSW management system changed in 2001, with the in- recommends that large chunks of the city currently zoned as “pri- England would tell you of the ing in the geography of the should be an additional board ements as small as 400 sq.ft., courtesy shown to travellers town or city in which he has at such turnings. No doubt, During the 1960s and 1970s, Unlike the investments in troduction of the MSW law? Similarly, why discuss the Environment mary residential” be reclassified as “mixed residential” – so that as- rented for Rs.500 to Rs.600 a by the Police, their help to to work. A map of the town this would mean money, but it most of the industrial projects , the proposed Improvement Scheme of the Slum Clearance Board when the scheme sembly halls, kalyana mandapams, multiplexes and ‘green’ industries month. In contrast, the prop- find out everything that the or city – with all roads and is money well spent. were located there and the developments do not push the was discontinued in 1978? Why discuss the “recent identification” of can come up in these areas. This approach suggests that instead of erty values in Adyar, travellers want, and the important buildings marked There should also be a place continued to serve as property prices. This is be- a site to treat and dispose off medical waste, when not only have toning up the enforcement and monitoring, the draft SMP would , Besant utmost ease with which they system in hanging these the economic hub of the city. cause the investments are other sites been identified, but two facilities have rather allow “all activities in all areas”, so that there Nagar and along the ECR and give the fullest information, boards. At present, some are The Harbour, Central Station made only on industries that been constructed and have been treating and dispos- will be nothing left to enforce or monitor! There is l by A RAMBLER OMR have hit the rooftop. and guide the travellers to located on walls, some on and the road connection with have high impact on the envi- l by Bharath Jairaj an urgent need for strengthening current enforce- ing medical waste in Chennai from 2002? their destination. They posts, and some on bridges. It The land in these areas is the Northern and Western ronment. The infrastructure Director, in it – should be supplied to Similarly, there are pages of information that are ment and monitoring systems and for devising meth- procure for them taxis or would be very useful if all priced between Rs.80 lakh is developed primarily to sup- Citizen consumer and each police station. In a city irrelevant to the draft SMP. For instance, in its sub- ods of involving citizens and citizen groups in this point out the omnibuses these boards are attached to and one crore a ground. An port the industrial activity. civic Action Group (CAG) like Madras – a city of dis- chapter on noise pollution, the draft SMP makes only effort. The draft SMP’s complete silence on this huge which would take them to the small posts at the exact turn- apartment of about 1000 sq.ft l by There are hardly any propos- tances – it would be useful to two statements – one that vehicular noise pollution black hole in the current administration and the sug- place they want to visit. ings, so that the traveller will fetches rent nothing less than als to improve the housing subdivide the city into two, SWAHILYA and is increasing and, second, that noise levels in the city during festivals, gestion that it will be ‘business-as-usual’ on enforcement is unfortu- On the other hand, you know where exactly he has to Rs.10,000 a month. conditions and supply. The four, or more divisions and to particularly around the Deepavali season, are high! Is this the only nate. just ask a policeman, who is find the name of the street, A. SRIVATSAN proposed economic activities have a separate map for each In the imagination of the information about noise pollution in the city? In the section relating However, arguably the most significant shortcoming in the draft on traffic point duty in rather than go hunting after will employ more blue collar division. Constables should be planners and authorities, to disaster management, needless reference is made to “landslide- SMP is the inadequate attention paid to issues of the urban poor of Madras city, he either says he them. In Mysore Province, it workers and the private mar- taken round and given practi- North Chennai is an indus- prone areas” in Chennai (of which there are NO areas in Chennai)! Chennai. The rather cursory approach to issues of slums, in general, does not know, gives the is very refreshing to see the States made it a favourable lo- ket is not interested in provid- cal training before they are trial and commercial hub. But and the housing, transportation, water supply, sewerage and other shabbiest description of the name of each village cation. This was reflected in ing housing for them. Still worse, what is the CMDA doing when they recommend that posted for duty, and cate- it is seldom realised that it is a the land prices, and even as areas in Chennai that were hit or flooded by the tsunami be zoned as basic needs of the urban poor, in particular, is unfortunate. The draft most important places of pub- placarded on the road leading thickly populated area. In chised each week by a special recently as in 1980s land The Second Master Plan “tsunami-prone areas”? What is the logic for this recommendation? SMP quotes the Census data to show that over 70% of Chennai’s lic resort, or gives but the to it. A similar system in a city places like Tondiarpet and Sub-Inspector. In fact, just as prices were fairly high and al- draft too is silent on housing Are these areas tsunami prone by any stretch of imagination? population lives in structures of two rooms or less, and yet offers no vaguest description to reach we have a class in education like Madras will be very use- Basin Bridge there are about most even with South and leaves the responsibility them. Most of them do not ful to travellers to find out 7.8 lakh people living under a However, there is no debating the fact that the draft SMP pro- real solution to the challenge of slums. The mantra of Chennai being in each station in the mofussil Chennai. Since the beginning to the TN Housing Board. vides a wealth of information, dated or otherwise – for public con- “slum-free” by 2021 is repeated, but looking at the various episodes of happen to know the small once a week, these traffic men which is , Egmore, high density of about 280 per- roads or streets in their own of the 1990s the importance The draft is also silent on how sumption. However, why has this information not been put to use? eviction of slum populations and their relocation to the far corners of should be made to answer , Royapettah, Roya- sons per hectare. The major- it envisages reducing the beats. One has to find out an of North Chennai has de- For instance, the draft SMP recognises the problems faced by pedes- Metropolitian Chennai, it looks like Chennai is hoping to become questions about the geogra- puram, etc. There are some ity who live in North Chennai population density of North obliging pedestrian, who is clined. In the new scheme of trians, who make up 30% of road-users, due to the absence of “slum-free” by throwing the slums out! The challenge of slums is in- phy of the locality every week. boards at present but not at all belong to the middle and Chennai. willing to help them. A rick- places. things South Chennai is the pavements on many roads. It also recognises that where there are deed enormous. The 2003 UN Global Report on Human Settlements Anyone not found upto the lower middle classes. They icon of the global city, while shaw-puller often knows At cross roads, we have It appears that the city ben- pavements, they are often poorly maintained or encroached on by rightly observes: “Many past responses to the problem of urban slums mark should be transferred live in areas that are annually North Chennai is considered localities, buildings and the always an electric lamp post. efits from the polluting indus- have been based on the erroneous belief that provision of improved out of the traffic line to other growing at a low rate of about an industrial backyard. commercial activities or public utilities. Yet, the ‘proposals and inter- residence of important per- If to such posts wooden 1.5 per cent, while South tries of North Chennai, but in ventions’ make no mention of pedestrian needs. Similarly, the rec- housing and related services (through slum upgrading) and physical outdoor work. If finance per- sonages better than the traffic mits, a small extra allowance handles with names of the Chennai is growing at an As a part of the First Mas- return is not preferred to of- ommendation that lakes and water bodies must be handed over to eradication of slums will, on their own, solve the slum problem. Solu- policeman. Even if you step may be sanctioned to traffic part of the city be attached, it average rate of 3 to 5 per cent. ter plan for Chennai, propos- fer much to it. tions based on this premise have failed to address the main underly- the PWD focusses on the removal of encroachments, and not the into a police station, you find constables, who have onerous would catch the eye of the The land value and rentals are als were made to decongest In a recently held public need to protect the water bodies, which would logically require de- ing causes of slums, of which poverty is the most significant.” The yourself not much the wiser. traveller quickly, e.g. at the lower in North Chennai, George Town by shifting the duties to perform in the burn- discussion on Master Plan, a velopment of buffer zones around them. In many sections, causes for Report argues that what is needed today is for “policies to support the To expect an Indian po- ing heat of the sun and in- Cathedral turning in Roya- because of problems of pollu- vegetable and fruit wholesale North Chennai resident the problems have not been identified. And, as mentioned above, livelihoods of the urban poor by enabling urban informal-sector ac- liceman to grow to be as pettah, you have five roads tion – automobile and indus- market to and clement weather, and who wanted to know why IT corri- solutions are selectively provided for some of the problems identified, tivities to flourish and develop, by linking low-income housing devel- urbane and courteous as his regulate the safety of the lives leading to the Beach, Egmore, trial, iron ore and coal dust the iron and steel market to dors are not planned in North ignoring the remaining. opment to income generation, and by ensuring easy geographical ac- brother in England, would , Mambalam, from the harbour, and Sathangadu. A truck terminal of countless men who travel Chennai. The authorities re- In a draft SMP, solutions must eventually be reflected in the land cess to jobs through pro-poor transport and more appropriate loca- take a long time. It is a matter in all sorts of public convey- ; to the central garbage. was constructed at Madha- plied that North Chennai use plan with provision of resources (land) for the implementation of tion of low income settlements.” The Report highlights “the great of education and the social electric stand, if these sign varam to relieve the roads ances. Enlistments to the traf- lacked infrastructure and hu- the solution. This too has been selectively done. Further, given that potential for improving the effectiveness of slum policies by fully in- position of the average posts are fixed low enough to There are doctors and di- from heavy lorry and bus traf- fic department should be man resources. volving the urban poor,” and the increasing emphasis “on security of enlisted police constable. We be seen by men sitting inside rectors of big companies who fic. the agency responsible for implementation is often not the CMDA, made from among the best live in North Chennai. The That exactly is the com- the agency concerned should have been identified in the draft SMP. tenure and on housing and property rights for the urban poor, espe- can only hope that the Con- educated of the applicants. buses, jutkas or cars, it would reason is they are closer to The markets have been plaint of the residents. What In most sections of the draft SMP, this has not been done. For in- cially their protection from unlawful eviction.” However, very few of gress government – who are (2) Duties of the Civic be very useful and would give loudest in their talk of public their industries or hospitals shifted, but the area has not they seek is a comprehensive stance, there is an elaborate discussion on how public streets are these issues have found mention in the draft SMP and even there, Body: It should be the duty of a decidedly nice appearance. officers being the servants of and not because they wish to been significantly improved. development proposal that the approach is rather perfunctory. the Municipality or the Corpo- What is said of Madras, ap- choked with private cars and the lack of sufficient parking. The link the people – would do some- stay there. However, they For instance, the demand of would improve the quality of to environment pollution is also made, as is a broad recommendation A few months ago, residents in Bangalore complained that their ration to supply an up-to-date plies equally to other Munici- thing to improve matters. palities in the Presidency. send their children to the parking spaces is 1.5 to 2 life. (Courtesy – The Hindu that people should switch to public transport and non-motorised ve- city master plan that was drawn up by a French consultant firm did map referred to above to each To educate police con- (From The Municipal Gazette, more fashionable schools in times the supply. In place of Property Plus) not provide an accurate picture of ground realities of Bangalore city. police station, and to each traf- hicles. But the draft SMP stops here. Who is the agency that should stables in the geography of the March 1939.) act on this advice? How should it be done? What time frame? And (Continued on page 8) fic party, and possibly to buses

CMYK 6 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2007

N est marzipans were at M.S. O Stores on where else but the S Classy symbol main artery of the road system – T Mount Road, of course. A The day had to begin for L people at home with the “au- G of (G)old Madras thentic” The Hindu (note the I stress would be on the definite (Current Affairs questions are A article ‘the’) and the evening from the period June 1st to would never make way for the 15th. Questions 11 to 20 per- ecently, I chanced to meet old Madras State. It was a nos- clad in Syed Bawkher’s handi- night until and unless The Mail tain to Tamil Nadu and RG.K. Vale’s grandson, V. talgic mental drive down work! Every status wedding had was collected. The latter was of Chennai.) Kumar, and after exchanging memory lane indeed! That to be celebrated only in the greatest interest to children 1. In which famous forest was an plesantries I enquired about the every man of standing had to lit- Abbotsbury, Teynampet. The like me and sparked off fights as entirely new tribe, now chris- family’s prestigious photo stu- erally stand on Bata footwear ladies would be rustling around to who would lay his hands on tened ‘Metyktire’, discovered? dio. I even commented on the was common knowledge. But I in Nalli’s silks and India Silk The Mail first. This was because 2. Which African nation was in sharpness and clarity of their do not know for sure if every- House’s wear. The brides had it carried a lovely strip on the the news for suing pharmaceuti- pictures (perhaps as sharp as the one around knows that the class to be (if of class origin) Stella world’s most loved pig – none cal giant Pfizer for $6.95 billion in Vel’s edge meaning to say the had to have their garments Maris graduates and the other than Curly Wee, of damages? trident’s point!) and stated laundered at Pioneer Laundry groomed guys alumni of Don course. 3. Name the retired pathologist aloud – “Is that the reason you on Mount Road. It was run by a Bosco, Egmore, and Loyola Col- Christmas and New Year dubbed “Dr. Death” released gave the studio the name Vale Telugu-speaking sister and lege. The topping music con- mornings were very special to from prison after serving 8 years or Vel?” I recollected fondly too brother duo who maintained cert for the toppest class was by even non-Christians because it for abetting terminally ill patients how much of a prestigious, sta- perfect and cordial public rela- none other than the topmost meant special morning cartoon with suicide. tus symbol it was deemed in tions. Every VIP was ‘hanged’ singer of all times – M.S. shows at New Globe and Odeon 4. Who was the last player to win good old Madras if you had a Subbulakshmi herself. Theatres. The children had to three French Open men’s singles Vale’s picture adorning your My father (believing fully in l by be present there with widowed title in a row, a feat achieved by walls. its excellence) used to get us to uncles and spinster aunts as es- Rafael Nadal on June 10th? The senior founder was my THARA MOHAN RAO listen to music emanating only corts and I for one would be too 5. The latest winner of the Man surgeon-father’s patient. I can from the Philips sets, drink cold busy dividing time between the Booker International Prize is ? remember how the former was there by his suit. Every crease water from the G.E.C. refrigera- silver screen stars and the movie 6. Which Nobel Laureate is the not spared at every turn and ironed out, every stain caused to tors, and cool off with the stars seated amongst the audi- new President-elect of Israel? point by my perfectionist father vanish and all specks of dirt breeze of the Voltas aircondi- ence. They always graced these till he finally produced a perfect tioners. But quality 7. Which famous Briton has been banished – and still they would shows and it thrilled me beyond picture of my late mother who confectionries to all meant awarded the Order of Merit, re- never fail to deliver on time. measure. stricted to only 24 living mem- had been snatched away from You could witness the suits of shopping at Spencer’s. If you dared to fall sick, the bers at a time? our midst by an untimely death. top executives laundered, The well-lit showroom or rich admitted themselves for de- I used to escort my father brushed and pressed, collected hall would have impeccable En- liveries at St. Isabel’s and for 8. Why was the old Duchy of everytime on his “snapping” trip glish-speaking fair-skinned, Mecklenburg in the Northern by their liveried chauffeurs and other ailments at Willingdon (referring to the snapshots, of smartly dressed (green half- German state of Mecklenburg- suspended on the sun-shade in Hospital. Sahib Singh’s drug Vorpommern in the news in early course!) and had even com- the front of the Benz – shall I skirts, white tops and green ties) bills showing from your hand- June? mented in an aside that it ap- say a “driving” symbol of the sales girls who trotted about on bags showed up your class too. peared as if until and unless my their high heels without losing 9. In which European country elite? If I ever met the “pio- Your junk material (even if very very mother decided to descend balance. Anything picked at was the world’s longest rail tun- neers” in the field now I would usable at times) had to find its nel on land, the 34-kilometre from the heavens and fill in the have loved to ask of them if Spencer’s had to be nothing but way to Murray’s auction. There- Loetschberg tunnel, opened on picture frame, my father would their expertise could remove excellent. The epitome of hy- fore, as long as you lived, you June 15th? not be satisfied. But to G.K. creases on visages too? (to com- giene was attained when hands lived upto the Jonesses and Vale, the customer was king were not used but the shiniest 10. What has the UN declared bat ageing). when you died you came down and all his efforts did not fail of stainless steel scoops, reflect- Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday on While on the topic of suits, I to Vincent Parker’s coffins. October 2nd as? when, finally, he succeeded in must mention those Madrasis ing even your very image on it, Well, these are just a few of meeting all my father’s specifi- to lift the sweets and almond * * * who decided that the suits the favourite classy symbols of cations, including the part suited them right only if tailored toffees from within the glass Old Madras, to quote Elisa 11. Which superfast train be- Mona Lisa smile, the sleepily re- containers. tween Chennai and Madurai at Syed Bawkher’s on Mount Doolittle’s haunting refrain. But flective, docile mood, and the Road. The coat here was not cut Stationery was always picked mind you, it really did not mat- made its inaugural run on August acute angle the hair-do pre- at Perumal Chetty’s, housed in 15, 1977? according to the cloth but ac- ter whether the elite patronised sented with the nape of the the LIC building, while all other 12.In which place in Tiruvan- cording to the instructions, dos these names or not, because all neck. and don’ts and nods of Syed reading material was from of them offered the stamp of ex- namalai District is the famous That little chat with Kumar Higginbotham’s. Ice-creams Poori Panduranga-Ragumayi Bawkher himself. At every wed- cellence and their quality put sparked off this article – the sta- ding, if the bridegroom was were lapped up at Jaffar’s and them a class apart for any cus- Temple? tus symbols of the upper class of the most coloured, softest, tasti- 13. Which Tamil movie, released groomed properly, he had to be tomer. on June 15th, is the first Indian movie to be fully scanned and post-produced in 4K resolution? 14. Which Tamil film legend made his debut in the film A home – once upon a time Thamaraikulam? 15. Between whom was the Battle e are living in an Age of Thinnai, nadai, thazhvaram, flowers find their pride of place chickens invariably find their of Chengam fought in 1767? WFlats. Ancestral houses sami arai, padukkai arai, adupan- in the braids of the women of shelter in a thatched cowshed are demolished to give way to karai and thottam form the the house. A couple of coconut here. 16. The new IT park ‘Acropolis’ new constructions. In a con- seven sections of the house. trees, a few fruit-bearing trees Goat milk for coffee, cow on Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai in Chennai is built on the place scious attempt to keep burglars As a boy, I had the opportu- like guava, lemon, banana, cus- milk for curd, butter and ghee, which once housed the residence away, we unconsciously keep nity of living with my parents tard apple, are only a few yards eggs for a side dish – huh! What of which famous film-maker? light and air too away from our in such a house built by my away from the well. Edible food is more nutritious than flats. Flats do not help us in any grandfather. Let me try to re- greens like araikeerai, mulai- these? In short, the thottam is 17. Viveka Fine Arts Club is syn- onymous with which lawyer-jour- way to keep the physician away. capture in words some of these keerai and ponnangannikeerai the supplier for the kitchen, nalist-actor and once MP? Yet we prefer the physician’s sections. called aduppankarai in Tamil. knife to the burglar’s. Thottam is the backyard of l by No thottam is complete without 18. Which thinker and leader While many of our villages the house. A well with a pulley a drumstick tree. It is said that from our State passed away on are fast turning into cities, there is a common sight here. The P. RAJA a drumstick tree and a milch December 24, 1973? are a few yet to be corrupted by pulley helps baling out with cow are enough to drive hun- 19. Which famous Tamil literary the hands of Mr. Fashion and ease buckets and buckets of grow on their own in the thot- ger away from any home. Not work translates to ‘ancient litera- Ms. Civilisation. If you ever water from the deep well – the tam. Raindrops know where the only the leaves and the drum- ture’? happen to come across an perennial supplier of Adam’s seeds of these greens are and sticks are good but so are the 20. Which famous Nayanar was unpolluted and uncorrupted ale. Jasmine creepers and kana- they pull them back to life. A flowers of the tree and that is born as Nambi Aroorar to village, do not hesitate to stop kambaram plants invariably couple of milch cows, goats, a the open secret behind the vi- Sadaiyanar and Isaignani? before any house and take per- find their respective places near cock with his harem of hens, rility of the villagers. (Answers on page 8) mission to take a look inside. the well. Strung together, these and hens with their brood of (Continued on page 7) July 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

hat are the basic rights of l Check for any extra Wa consumer? charges, such as delivery fees, installation and service l Right to satisfaction of basic To be a savvy needs costs. To have access to basic l Make sure that the seller essential goods and services, has all appropriate licences. including adequate food, cloth- customer... l Read and understand any ing, shelter, healthcare, educa- contract or legal document tion and sanitation you are asked to sign. Make wildering variety of choices and conform to safety and quality dealers/retailers who adopt sure there are no blank l Right to safety there is no single right answer. standards laid down by law? fair business practices? spaces. 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Com- covered by warranties or warranty null and void. skills needed to make informed business/job opportunities, pare stores. If you are plan- guarantees? risk-free investments, and l Read and follow product choices about goods and ning a significant purchase, and service instructions. l Is this product serviceable in free travel. services while being aware of it is worth visiting several The way you use or take case of breakdown, i.e. are 2. Think twice before basic consumer rights and stores to compare prices. care of a product might af- spare parts, after-sale service sharing personal informa- responsibilities tion. Protect your privacy This way you can get a feel fect your warranty rights. centres and annual mainte- and avoid unauthorised use of the market and calmly l What is the right choice? nance contracts available? of your personal information. decide how much you want (Courtesy: CAG Souvenir The marketplace offers a be- l Does this product/service to pay. 2005) A home – once upon a time

(Continued from page 6) grains and valuables locked in into the house. Clouds elbowing A learning centre in the ‘Snakes and Ladders’) or play The raised platform around cupboards. their way to destinations un- home, the thazhvaram also aadu puli attam (the modern the well is used for bathing, Pooja room is another name known, stars like beaded serves as the family’s play- game of Ludo) and sometimes washing clothes and cleaning for sami arai. Since we Indians bubbles winking at the brim, ground. Man’s first and best play pallankuzhi with tamarind the kitchen utensils. It is also are millionaires in our variety of travelling stars, falling stars are teacher, Mother, spreads sand seeds or cowrie shells or the place where the women of gods, this room is walled with some of the characters in action to form a smooth surface and pebbles. the house gather to share their pictures of gods framed in glass. shown on the biggest of screens. directs the child’s pointing At times, the head of the joys and grievances. That is the This is the room where the in- A bamboo coir cot under the sky finger along the curves of the family too displays his skill by place where words are ex- habitants of the house spend a with an affectionate lap to rest letters of the alphabet she had spinning tops or by shooting at changed in whispers. They see major chunk of an hour plead- one’s head on, all watched by already drawn with her finger. marbles with a marble, all the to it that their muffled giggles ing to the painted gods to sanc- Queen Moon on her parade, O, The next step is to place time going down memory lane and laughs are drowned in the tion their wishes. Bells ring at that’s paradise! This also serves pebbles on the letters with an and telling his children what an beating they give to their dirty odd hours too to awaken the as a reading place for children instruction to take note of the adept he was in “those days”. linen and in the vigorous clean- lords from their deep slumber with perfect eyesight. curves. Basic mathematics with Such a home lives only in ing of the utensils. Clothes and and force them to listen to, and Mothers make use of this single and double digits is also my memory. I am sure that the vessels really suffer in their redress, grievances. It is a spe- place to feed their babes sitting taught here before the children readers of my age group or my hands whenever they talk of cial room in every house where snugly on their hips, telling move on to the use of slates and seniors will be pulling out chap- their bossy mother-in-law. people feel quite comfortable stories of birds and beasts, and balapa kucchi (crayons). ters from their great book of Padukkai arai is the bed- with the gods. showing them the old lady on To get away from the drudg- memory on reading this. It is a room. It should be mentioned A major section of the the moon deep-frying vadai. No ery of daily chores, the women pity that under the pretext of in passing that very rarely do thazhvaram (hall), a device in- baby munching cooked rice of the house use this place to safe living we have denied our people sleep there unless they vented by the builders of yore to mixed with dhal and ghee ever play games of chance. They children the pleasure of living are sick or feel the need for pri- be one with Nature, is open to asks ‘Who are the takers?’ and throw a pair of dice on the big in such houses. — (Courtesy: vacy. Such a room serves as the sky. Its noble purpose is to no mother ever likes to learn the sheet of paramapatha sopana Sri Aurobindo’s Action, Pondi- guardian for bags and bags of provide enough light and air answer from her elders. patam (an old version of chery.) 8 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2007

by Holkar against Mysore in 1945-46. The 244-run unbro- TN’s unique ken partnership between Siva and Arjan was the third highest for the seventh wicket in the On extreme left: competition and equalled the W.V. Raman and Tamil Nadu record standing in world record on left: Arjan the name of Abdul Jabbar and Kripal Singh. Siva himself against Karnataka record is a record, assured of a place in the knock- – only 15 runs short of the na- Tamil Nadu were 747 for six. It five years before. Awhether it is meritorious out stage. L. Sivaramakrishnan, tional record of 371 runs for the was their highest total in the On the face of it, such scores or hollow. This unique record is leading Tamil Nadu in place of sixth wicket put on by Vijay Ranji Trophy, surpassing the being piled up and all the record the record that stands in the regular captain K. Srikkanth, Merchant and Rusi Modi for 709 they had compiled against going overboard, would make names of two Tamil Nadu bats- who was unavailable, won the Bombay against Maharashtra in Railways in the final of the pre- for remarkable reading, but un- men, each scoring triple hun- toss, but on a good batting track 1943-44. The previous Tamil vious year’s competition. der the circumstances the dreds in the same innings. W.V. four wickets had gone before Nadu record stood in the names It was a three-day match and whole thing was a pointless ex- Raman and Arjan Kripal Singh lunch with only 95 runs on the of C.D. Gopinath and M. when Siva continued the in- ercise. One team batting for 2½ were the batsmen involved. board. From then on, Goa had Balakrishnan who added 217 nings on the final day morning, days in a three-day match made It should normally be a mat- to endure only frustration as runs against Mysore in 1956-57. the already frustrated Goa play- a mockery of the spirit in which ter of great rejoicing that two one Tamil Nadu player after an- In the meantime, Raman had ers lost all interest in the pro- cricket is played. In the remain- Tamil Nadu batsmen are part of other piled on the agony. put into the shade the 234 ceedings. They barely made any ing four hours, Goa made 230 a unique feat. Unfortunately, Raman who had come in at 12 scored by Gopinath against attempt to field and walked for six and the farcial match the manner in which the record for two and Robin Singh added Mysore in 1958-59 – the high- slowly towards the ball to pick it mercifully concluded. was created was not in keeping 165 runs for the fifth wicket be- est score by a Tamil Nadu bats- up when it was hit to them. Skip- Tamil Nadu, garnering eight with the true spirit of the game fore the latter was run out for man. The tall left-hander then per Kangralkar gave everyone a points, topped the table and and that is why even diehard 69. Arjan Kripal Singh, in his surged to his triple hundred and bowl and even wicketkeeper emerged South Zone champi- cricket followers on the State, maiden season in first class was ultimately out for 313 – the Bangera sent down two overs. ons, but they did not win many while happy at the fact that two cricket, joined Raman and the seventh highest score in the The whole thing was becoming friends along the way. Still, as I batsmen from Tamil Nadu are two boosted the total by an- history of the 55-year-old na- quite farcical, but Siva, who had said in the beginning, a record part of an unequalled feat, do other 110 runs and before close tional competition. resumed on 54, kept the innings is a record, whether it is merito- not care to remember it with Tamil Nadu were 370 for five, By the time Raman was out, going till lunch by which time he rious or hollow. Two triple hun- any particular affection. with Raman unbeaten on 182. Tamil Nadu were 616 for six, reached his century. dreds in the same innings in a It all happened at Panjim in It was on the following day but for some inexplicable reason By the time Arjan had com- first class match still stands as a January 1989. Tamil Nadu were that the records really went Siva opted to continue batting. pleted his triple hundred and unique feat and perhaps we playing Goa in the last South overboard. Raman and Arjan In fact, it was the skipper who when Siva finally declared at should leave it at that. – (Cour- Zone league fixture with the were concerned in a sixth replaced Raman at the crease lunch, the total was 860 for six. tesy: Straight Bat.) visitors and Hyderabad already wicket partnership of 356 runs and he and Arjan, who had in But with 52 penalty runs added – Partab Ramchand the meantime reached his to the total due to Goa’s tardy maiden century in the Ranji over rate (partly deliberately) Answers to Quiz CHENNAI HERITAGE Trophy, simply toyed with the the total inflated to 912 for six, 1. Amazon rainforest; 2. Nige- 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. bowling. At stumps, the right equalling the highest total in ria; 3. Dr. Jack Kervokian; 4. The hander Arjan was on 237 and the tournament – 912 for eight I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / great Bjorn Borg; 5. Chinhua I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. Achebe; 6. Shimon Peres; 7. Sir Tim Berners-Lee; 8. It hosted the l I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 (Rupees One hundred) Not looking at reality 33rd G8 and G8 + 5 Summit; 9. payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings Switzerland; 10. International Day for the year 2006-07. of Non-Violence. (Continued from page 6) has failed to put together a vi- l As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment * * * and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai Chennai residents do not sionary draft SMP that is based eritage an additional Rs...... (Rupees ...... ) have any such excuse since the on sustainability and equity. 11.Vaigai Express; 12. Thennangur; 13. Sivaji, the boss; 14. Please keep / put me on your mailing list. draft SMP for Chennai is pre- The onus is now on citizens to pared by our very own home- urge the CMDA to make cor- Nagesh; 15. The British and Hyder Name : ...... Ali after the latter attacked Ma- Address: ...... grown CMDA. It is unfortunate rections to this document be- dras; 16. S.S. Vasan; 17. Cho S. that despite this advantage, and fore taking the next steps with ...... Ramaswamy; 18. Periyar EVR; 19. despite having been provided this document. Tolkâppiyam (from Tonmai and Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for overseas postage alone over 30 years to prepare a Sec- (To be continued Kãppiyam), Tonmai means ancient payable to M/s. Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd. All other cheques to ‘Chennai ond Master Plan, the CMDA and Kappiam means literature; 20. Heritage’. next fortnight) Sundaramurti Nayanar.

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