MM Vol. XXV No. 10 Done by Gomathy.Pmd
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Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/15-17 Registrar of Newspapers Licenced to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-506/15-17 Publication: 15th & 28th of every month Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • A 1920s Madras ’tec • A Madras Week special • Funding transport • The indomitable Mrs. YGP Vol. XXV No. 10 MUSINGS September 1-15, 2015 Investors arrive Know your Fort in a wonderland better hen they come, they will The late M.S.S. Pandian of- will have pedestrian and other Wbe taken through some ten referred to the three faces markings done in colour and carefully groomed areas. We re- of any urban settlement – exhi- also have stagnant water fer to the Global Investors who, bition, museum and backyard. drained. Though this is not when they land sometime next The authorities are now work- mentioned, we are fairly certain month for the much awaited ing overtime to take care of the that traffic lights on these “40 meet, will get to see certain first and second elements. If bus routes, 15 interior roads and parts of our city at their best and newspaper reports are to be be- ten highways” will also be work- brightest. Civic works are pro- lieved, 55 lucky roads are com- ing and there will be policemen gressing at a rapid pace to meet in attendance, all gleaming in the deadline. We are happy at uniform and waving lumines- G this and agree that some by The Editor cent batons. No doubt, the in- amount of showcasing is neces- vestors on seeing all of this will sary to attract foreign business, ing in for some pampered treat- believe that the rest of Chennai but if all this is to be mere win- ment. These are the ones that is also just so. What more could dow dressing, will they not at lead to five star hotels, some we ask for? sometime wake up to the sham? heritage buildings (!!!) and the If that settles the exhibi- Wellesley House as seen from the Fort’s San Thomé Gate. Or is it that their money will be Nandambakkam Trade Centre, tions, the museum part is al- committed by then and so it re- which is the venue for the G Charles Street, on which the Great House that we saw last fort- ready handled, for fifty heritage ally will not matter what they event. The select set of thor- night stands, also has some other stately buildings. Strolling fur- buildings have been selected, all think? oughfares is being re-laid; they ther south on it, pause at the last house on the right, just before the along the key roads, of course, erstwhile San Thomè Gate of the Fort that now leads to the Mili- for a facelift and illumination. It tary Police headquarters. One half of that stately home has com- is like dressing up grandfather pletely collapsed, while the other barely stands, held in place rather to meet your friends when they Smart cities – ironically by the roots of a huge banyan tree growing out of it. If come home. A quick nod of you peer closely at a slate panel on the extreme edge of the house greeting and then let us get on you can make out just three letters of an inscription. These read with the rest of the show. If at what price? ‘TON’ and they are all that remain of the full text that once read Bharat Insurance Building is “Colonel the Hon. Arthur Wellesley, later 1st Duke of Wellington, painted on the front and illumi- lived here – 1798.” Yes, this was indeed the residence of the man nated, it really will not matter he Centre’s deadline for the release of its first list of 100 smart who would one day defeat Napoleon and also become Prime Min- that the structure has been Tcities is rapidly approaching. Each State has been allotted a ister of England twice. without a roof for ten years, or certain number of towns that it can recommend for this tag. Tamil Arthur Wellesley was of aristocratic stock, for he was the fourth will it? And showcasing these Nadu, as one of the most urbanised States of the country, has the son of the Earl of Mornington, born to the latter’s Countess Anne structures will also conve- second largest number to identify – 12 – being next only to Uttar in 1769. In keeping with the choices open to all younger sons in niently hide the fact that we Pradesh which, owing to its size, has 13. The question uppermost the British aristocracy, especially those of highly placed but impov- have had a Heritage Act passed in the minds of urban planners and others interested in holistic erished families, he joined the army in 1787, being commissioned by the Assembly three years ago development is whether the race for being declared smart will mean as an ensign. His eldest brother Richard had succeeded to the title but we are yet to see any action sacrificing other and more pressing objectives. and was of great help, ensuring that Arthur was an aide de camp to on it. A smart city, to quote Wikipedia, “uses digital technologies or the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and also became a sitting member information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance What if some of these inves- of Parliament. As time went on, Arthur, with financial assistance quality and performance of urban services, to reduce costs and re- tors want to see our backyard? from his brother, was to repeatedly purchase promotions in the source consumption, and to engage more effectively and actively You know the places where we army, though it cannot be denied that he did have a flair for mili- with its citizens.” The Centre considers this to be a highly desirable have hidden the garbage that tary matters. By 1796, he had become a full-fledged colonel and has been taken off the first 55 was then serving in the 33rd Regiment. That year, he set sail for roads? What if someone wants Calcutta. Having spent a few months there, he went on an expedi- G By A Special Correspondent to know what is our city’s gar- tion to the Philippines and returned in 1797, only to learn that the bage disposal policy? Can we say new Governor General of India was none other than his elder that all we have on the anvil are brother, Richard, the Earl of Mornington. national goal and had earlier this year announced that it wanted a set of disinterested conser- In the meanwhile, even before his brother took charge in 100 cities and towns to achieve this status in the next five years. vancy workers who come Calcutta, Arthur Wellesley had begun travelling around British Rs. 48,000 crore has been allotted for realising this target. Each around in badly maintained ve- possessions in India, his stature now considerably enhanced by his town will get Rs 100 crore a year for the next five years to help it hicles two or three times a day brother’s appointment. It is therefore in that light that we must get on with the activity. A matching grant will come from the State and in a half-hearted manner view his being allocated such a large and brand new house (it was and any additional requirements will have to be met by partner- clean up whatever they feel built in 1796) in the Fort when he reached Madras. According to ships with the private sector. The implementation will be in the needs to be removed? Can we Sir Charles Lawson in his Memories of Madras, Wellesley also “oc- hands of special purpose vehicles, each to be headed by a Chief also be open about the fact that cupied for many a day” a small house at Teynampet, Madras “con- Executive Officer. As a first step, every State has been asked to we don’t know what to do with ducting incessant, and sanguinary warfare against the mosquitoes (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 12) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS September 1-15, 2015 Investors in a Googling the school of wonderland (Continued from page 1) nomic opportunities. But the Handsome Charity latter term has long ceased to nd so, local boy Hand- sion in their favour. At one made with some white powder. our garbage after collecting it? mean just profits and growth potential. Today’s investors Asome Charity has made it stage, it almost appeared as A police patrol vehicle, hith- And that we top the country in big. The Man from Madras though Handsome Charity had erto gathering dust in front of garbage generation? What if look for the well-being of stake- holders, and that includes em- Musings waited to see how shifted institutions every day of MMM’s home, was going to they look at the Cooum, the long it would take for local his student life. Matters came and fro, siren blaring with an Adyar and the Buckingham Ca- ployees and also means the worthies to claim some form of to such a head that the admin- officer on a megaphone shout- nal and want to know why they quality of life in the city in kinship or the other. And istrators of the site had to lock ing at people to behave. are mere sewers? And what if which business is proposed.