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Vol. XXIII No. 5 MUSINGS June 16-30, 2013 Heritage buildings turn to ashes heritage buildings either par- Committee listing that has pre- – Mint fire tially or fully gutted (Moore vented this. But when disasters Market, Spencers, Gandhi such as fire strike, they become shows lessons Illam, GPO and Chepauk Pal- a heaven-sent opportunity to ace), all of them due to electric sweep away old structures. from the past short circuits, surely we ought Thankfully, the fire was re- to have learnt our lesson by stricted to one building in the are not now. Press. But there is no doubt that being learnt But that is not the case, as its replacement will be a PWD was evident in the present in- creation, completely out of round 4000 sq ft of built stance. The godown that place with what is surrounding Aarea was gutted by a fire at caught fire was stacked with it, thereby irretrievably damag- unwanted paper and scrap ing the fabric of the heritage the historic Government Press The Government Press, Mint. on Mint Street. The damage which, combined with faulty precinct. could have been much worse wiring, made for a tinderbox had it not been for the seren- that was in search of a lighted dipitous fact that the fire broke match. An argument against out during working hours and this can be that a press will so was detected and put out naturally have waste paper. But quickly. What is most distress- then should not such a facility How world-class is ing is that those involved in the also naturally take suitable pre- entire fire-fighting operation cautions to prevent fires? Ap- and the press re- parently not, for within days of our airport? leases that fol- the above-men- lowed accused G by tioned fire, a nd so, we finally have a collect whatever they had taken forever in getting ready the heritage smaller one The Editor new terminal at our air- checked in! On receiving com- still have to be full of incom- building of be- broke out at the A port. It took its time in coming plaints about this, it is learnt plete work necessitating an ing the villain of same location. up and, even when ready, had that the authorities instructed army of workmen continuously the piece, making it out to be The statement by the Gov- to wait for a long time to be in- airline operators to run battery- on the premises with their tools the cause of the fire! ernment that a new building to augurated. But those who were operated trucks in future. The cluttering every nook and The building has been in ex- replace the old facility of 4000 expecting world-class facilities airlines, already struggling un- cranny? Matters are going to be istence since the 18th Century, sq ft would be constructed has were in for a big disappoint- der losses, are complaining complicated further when the first as a power mill and later as been greatly welcomed. The old ment. Outwardly all glass and about the additional costs. international terminal is inau- a mint where the East India structure caved in during the international, it is internally be- Glass panels have repeatedly gurated in the next few days. Company struck coins for the fire-fighting operations. Those set with several problems, all in- cracked at various locations. The Chennai terminal has Nawabs of Arcot. It was later in charge of the Press say that dicative of faulty planning and But that is nothing compared to been built by the Airports Au- made over to the Government most of the structures in the worse execution. While this thority of India (AAI) sans any Press, which has been in opera- premises are old and so this kind may be endemic to the whole outside consultant or partner. It tion here for a long period of of an accident is bound to hap- country, how long are we to put G by A Special would perhaps have been better time. The precinct, for it houses pen. Unfortunately that is not a up with such shoddiness? if external help had been several buildings, has been tenable statement, as there are Correspondent It all began with the layout sought, given the current fiasco. listed as being of Grade 1 impor- several heritage buildings the of the terminal, which passen- But surely an Indian agency tance by the Justice world over which are being put gers declared was not user- which possesses several de- Padmanabhan Committee re- to good use and survive, thanks the falling down of false ceiling friendly. The exit did not link cades’ experience in running port on heritage structures and to good maintenance and pro- panels. This has happened to public transport facilities at airports ought to be an expert precincts. tection. twice. We have also had a fire all and passengers needed to on such matters by now. Clearly The fire, it has been said, was This awareness is sadly lack- to deal with. The latest is that trudge long distances before ac- more attention has been paid to due to an electric short circuit. ing in our city where officialdom the passengers are complaining cessing them. Next came the red tape and adhering to Gov- The fire services chief has made sometimes appears most happy about pigeon droppings and a discovery that there was a soli- ernment standards than more a statement that the building when there are fires of this kind massive beehive that is building tary ramp for handling baggage, practical matters. that was burnt had faulty wir- as it gives them an opportunity inside the terminal. The last both incoming and outgoing. It now appears that the only ing. The Press staff claim that to do away with the old and re- two are, of course, the least of That only slowed down the way out is to bring in some ex- the wiring is old because the place it with an incongruous the troubles; in any case, the handling of luggage. And there pert management in the run- building is old! Now where does new. We have in the past re- authorities ought to have was no exhaust facility to let out ning of the terminal. This may it state that an old building ported on how the Government looked into how their building gases accumulating from bag- be a blessing in disguise, as it should not upgrade its electrical was toying with the idea of de- could integrate with nature, an gage trucks in this underground could pave the way for cabling to prevent short cir- molishing the Press and replac- excellent example of which is ramp. This was let out near privatising the running of the cuits? Considering that ing it with modern highrise. It is the Bangalore airport. And fi- where the passengers stood to Chennai has so far seen five only the Justice Padmanabhan nally, does a terminal that has (Continued on page 3) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS June 16-30, 2013 The broiler Agony in Anna Nagar he Man from Madras single sign or it missed MMM’s T Musings was strongly re- eye. He was later pointed to a schools of minded of Hansel and Gretel. couple of signs that gave direc- Those two intelligent children, tions, but these were so small if you recollect, had marked that it was impossible to make their route into the forest with out what they were stating, es- Namakkal pebbles and had thereby man- pecially while driving. aged to return safely much to MMM had to resort to stop- passengers, but as to more im- the delight of their father but ping at every junction and ask portant information that it ecent trend in Board examinations in Tamil Nadu has been to the distress of their step- for directions. This was much needed to offer there was Rbetter performances by schools from the southern districts. mother. Standing at a cross- to the irritation of those in ve- none. The only option was to Students of Chennai, it had been long felt, were the creamy layer roads at Anna Nagar, MMM hicles behind who, it appeared, listen to the public address sys- having as they did greater access to better coaching, something was of the view that he too were in a tearing hurry. Amidst tem, which probably had been their counterparts in rural towns lacked. But surprisingly a new ought to have done the same. the honking MMM could installed when the station was inaugurated. “Bark bowow,” it trend has evolved in the southern districts. In particular it is so in But hang on, MMM can see barely make out what passers- by were telling him, but he un- went. And then “Bark bark Namakkal, where students are put under rigorous training for two that you, dear reader (to bor- row from Jane Eyre), are con- derstood enough to drive on. bark bowow, bark bark.” years. fused. What is MMM coming MMM crossed several of Anna There were lots more of it, but It was after Mala scoring 90 per cent in Class X that her parents to these days, you wonder, and Nagar’s famed residential MMM will spare you the de- blocks and as he was passing tails leaving you with the gist. dreamt of her getting a medical college seat or an engineering seat rightfully so. After all, these are not the Meanderings of a Block X it dawned on him that You had to sharpen your ears in a top government college. Mala was enrolled in one of the most Misguided Man. Z should surely be the last to the utmost to make out sought-after schools in the Namakkal District. Famous for broiler To put everything into per- block and after that he should what was being said. Eventu- chickens, Namakkal District has today carved itself an identity as spective, let MMM begin from be out of the maze. But he did ally, after repeatedly listening a producer of a fine breed of students. These schools assure State the beginning which, as the not know that Anna Nagar was to it, this almost uniformly ca- rank for children, if not admission in medical or engineering col- song had it, is a very good place the grid, which was the inspira- nine language revealed some syllables that could be compre- leges. to start. MMM had to be at tion for Microsoft’s Excel. Anna Nagar and, so, off he hended. Based on this, MMM All these schools have been established by retired school teach- went. He dodged a few tren- SHORT ‘N’ made his way to his platform, ers. They charge about Rs. 1 lakh compared to the government- ches, all courtesy Metrorail, his good lady boldly leading stipulated fee of Rs. 10,000 a year and parents are ready to set drove under the ‘heritage’ SNAPPY the way. The path was not smooth apart the sum to reap future benefits. Anna Arches, which are still standing thanks to historically and even the good lady, who is After studying in a tension-free, serene atmosphere in Chennai, aware people and, presto, there After Z there began AA, not to be easily daunted, was Mala found it difficult to adapt to the rigours of Namakkal. All he was, in Anna Nagar. This is AB and so on endlessly. A somewhat shaken. The station provides, as you know, escala- students in a school, even if residents of the town, have to stay in not really a locality that MMM wrong turn near AA (or was it visits all that often, but his im- tors for going up but not for its hostel. Even the teachers are provided accommodation within AB?) brought MMM back to pression of the place was al- where he had started. He had coming down and, so, while the campus for uninterrupted coaching. With restrained access to ways one of broad roads and to stop for directions once progress is fast in one direc- family and the outside world, every student is closely monitored for tree-lined avenues. Not any more. Finally, after several tion, it slows down consider- his or her performance. longer, MMM sadly noted. lefts and rights and ups and ably in the other. The stair- The broad roads are now much downs, he could see the twin ways, though wide, are bottle- narrower, thanks to massive arches in the distance. A wave necks. These tend to become G by Dr. V. Gopalakrishnan construction activity of the of fondness for the two heri- more bottlenecked when Metro or Monorail or a flyover tage structures poured over someone decides to regurgitate or some other public transport MMM. He wishes them well (to put it mildly) all along the facility which is going to make and hopes that they will stay steps. Of cleaning staff there th th The coaching for 12 grade starts from the middle of the 11 our city truly Chennapore. As on forever, to guide those lost was no sign and so the recycled grade (October). By then, all 11th grade portions have ended or are for the tree-lined avenues, they in Anna Nagar. matter remained where it was, abandoned half way. So, one and a half years before the common are all debris-lined, as every with passengers and porters 12th grade exam, the coaching begins in these schools and goes on second house is in the process negotiating it with care, hands Egmore eccentricities and kerchiefs pressed to the uninterrupted without holidays. of metamorphosing into a multi-storeyed complex, com- hose of you who follow nostrils and eyes trying not to The school employs three categories of teachers. Subject paper plete with a certain number of Tthese ramblings of The look. teachers are paid Rs. 20,000 per month. Test paper correction b,h & ks and also swimming Man from Madras Musings MMM and his good lady made it, or just about. teachers are paid Rs.8000 per month. They don’t handle classes pool, gym and clubhouse. would know that MMM is quite fond of Egmore Station, but only correct the students’ answer sheets and comment on their Enough to make the place Madrattan. though he would be the first to Sines of the tymes performance line by line. Hostel study supervision teachers are paid But MMM digresses, al- admit that it is not what it was. Rs.6000 per month and they monitor the students throughout their ways a known weakness of his. The other day MMM was he Man from Madras stay in hostel. The crux of his story is the re- happy to note that the railway T Musings notices these turn journey. His errand com- authorities were equally glad to signs have been put up all over Through these two years, the students are cut off from access pleted, MMM prepared to see MMM for, when he en- the city. The first he can for- to the outside world. Many do fairly well in exams and enter some make his way back. It was then tered the station, he saw this give as a typographical error, prestigious institutions, but half of them leave half way, unable to that he thought of the siblings electronic signboard. You get but the second can only be a cope with the shock of low marks in examinations. A few even end Hansel and Gretel and realised the message too, don’t you? Freudian slip. There is a third their lives, unable to withstand the shock of poor marks in exami- a moment later that even they The Indian Railways, it said, that says “Pedestrain” cross- ing, but it escaped MMM’s nations. A disturbing trend is the spread of a similar culture in would have been flummoxed, welcomed MMM. And in case MMM did not get it the first camera. Perhaps it referred to colleges. These institutions have succumbed to parental and soci- for Anna Nagar now operates through a series of complicated time, it welcomed him again. the strain of walking where no etal pressures and have made students rather similar to the broiler one-ways, where the way up is And for good measure, again, walkway existed. chicken of the area. not the way down and never do and again and again. And then – MMM Defenders of the system point to the end justifying the means. the twain meet. MMM felt once more, if MMM is not mis- more like Abhimanyu, the taken. They cite the success of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar in winning Mahabharata hero who knew The effusive welcome not- large shares of seats in the IIT-JEE and civil services examinations. how to enter a certain enemy withstanding, MMM was keen Chandrababu Naidu as Chief Minister encouraged such coaching. formation but not how to exit to know the platform from It is common to find long stretches in Hyderabad with numerous from it. The civic body that which his train was to depart. coaching institutions. In quick time, these became famous for the claims to run our city (or are What with contending with a success rate of their students in the entrance examination of IIT. the Police responsible for the political meeting on the way, signboards?) had thoughtfully MMM was rather short on At IIT-M, the lingua franca has changed to Telugu. Likewise, placed several signboards at time. And to compound it, he Patna has witnessed such coaching centres that prepare students various places to guide those was travelling with his good for the civil service exam. They succeeded in taking Bihar to the driving around Anna Nagar. lady who believes in arriving at top in exams, even as the State during the tenure of Lalu Prasad ‘Keep Left’ said one, another a railway station when the in- Yadav and Rabri Devi performed poorly in development. The pass- admonished MMM and others tended train is just about leav- outs from these institutions work in Delhi and other States as ad- of his ilk not to mix drinking ing it. But of train arrivals and departures there was not a ministrators. and driving. A third informed MMM that speed thrilled, but scrap of information. The elec- As Jerome K. Jerome put it: The methods may be crude, but killed. But as to how to leave tronic display board had been they are effective. – (Courtesy: Industrial Economist.) Anna Nagar there was not a put to good use welcoming June 16-30, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

A Nilgiris view 4. The alleged “intimate tie” Maybe, the offices at the station. Train station? of Col.Wellesley (later, Duke of he three-part presentation Wellington) with the Nilgiris on British interaction with T cannot be substantiated. He the Nilgiris (MM, May-June, happened to be only one of the Danushkodi memories 2013) offers an interesting per- co-signatories of the Treaty that G spective. It is debatable how An article I recently read (be- were gusty winds and her hus- annexed the Nilgiris to the Ma- low) reminded me of a trip we did band noticed water seeping the English impact is still high- dras domain of the East India in 2012 to the tip of Danushkodi – into the house through the lighted as the only worthy Company in 1799. written by Walter Scott, no less! main door. He tried in vain historical intervention in the These are some pictures we took to stop it by placing a gunny livelihoods of the natives of the He certainly did not fight for of that washed out old train sta- bag. district. However, my intention as long as several months in tion and other bits of destruction When he opened the door, here is not to pursue the mat- Nilgiri Wynaad nor was he the that still remain. water gushed into the house ter, but only to offer some addi- first of the British to have vis- I have fond memories of the and soon things started float- ing. ‘We left all our things and tional insight. ited the hills, as stated in the train stations of South India where write-up. The earliest English I spent a lot of time. The Station started walking towards the 1. Leaving aside, the “scant Masters always fascinated me. railway station, carrying our results” of Christian evange- visitor to the hills (much before three children – a five-year-old Sullivan) was Dr. Lacy Ford, an The language is so Indian. I es- What remains of the church after son, a three-year-old daughter lism, the figure 4,000 men- pecially liked the part where it says the cyclone. (All pictures by Dr. Ramu tioned for Christians in the assistant surgeon of the Madras and a three-month-old daugh- he “attained the age of superan- Sundaram.) ter,’ Mrs Sunderaraj recalled. Nilgiris must be attributed only Medical Service in 1809, nuation” in 1991. I’m getting to She said they walked for to the Christian Badagas. I followed by Capt. Henry that point myself. edy that destroyed the railway Bevan and William Morrison station and washed away the hours in neck-deep water, car- have, in one of my contribu- It says he died of old age – rying their children on their tions to the encyclopedia, esti- in 1812. nicely put. May we all go that way. incoming Train No.653, Pamban-Dhanushkodi Pas- shoulders and reached the mated, on available evidence, 5. Col. Sartorius, Col. Ste- EDITOR’S NOTE: The letter senger, killing all 115 on railway station around 4.30 the total number of Christians venson and Col. Boles were the is from Dr. Ramu Sundaram who board. Mr Sunderaraj was a.m. Only later, her husband in Nilgiris to be about 15 per British officers who actually led lives in the U.S. The article he re- among the few on the island came to know that train from cent of the population. the military expeditions against fers to was a news item in The who survived the natural ca- Pamban was washed away on being hit by a huge tidal wave. Pazhasi Raja (Pychey Rebel) in Hindu (probably only in the lamity and, as it turned out, 2. The London Missionary (The tragedy came to light the Wynaad, portions of which Madurai edition) by a reporter was the last Station Master of Society, as a denominational named D.J. Walter Scott. It was only after 48 hours when the were added to the Nilgiris only Danushkodi Railway Station. entity, never had any work in datelined Ramanathapuram, May After serving the day shift on railway headquarters issued a the Nilgiris. Their ecclesiastical as late as in 1877. Col. Welles- 24, 2013 and was headlined: Last December 22, 1964, he had bulletin based on the informa- structure was different from ley only headed the overall mili- station master of Danushkodi returned home in the evening, tion given by the Marine Su- that of the Basal German Mis- tary operations from Sriranga- passes away – Railway has lost little realising that it would be perintendent, Mandapam.) sion, Anglicans, Methodists patna in which capacity he hap- one of its last living links to the his last day at the station. They stayed in the station pened to be the co-signatory of 1964 tragedy. Recalling the nightmare for a week before they were and Catholics who were work- shifted to Mandapam in a ship, ing during the British times. A the Treaty, already mentioned. * * * and the most unforgettable moment of their lives, Mrs she said. Their three-year-old full-fledged entry devoted to The experiences he derived ‘R. Sunderaraj, a railway Gladys Sunderaraj said they daughter Shanthi, who fell the history of Christianity in the mainly came from the strategies officer who, unfazed, stood were living in a house close to sick during the tragedy, died Nilgiris is found in the encyclo- he directly employed against sentinel as Station Master in the shore, near a Church, when after they moved to Tuticorin, pedia. the Marathas and the Nizam on the Danushkodi Railway Sta- the cyclonic storm crashed into she added. 3. There are surely more earlier occasions. To stretch tion hours before the devastat- the tiny town. Mr Sunderaraj was posted as Station Master in Danush- than 192 places that were given them to Waterloo can only be a ing cyclonic storm that de- As they sat for dinner around 9 p.m., their five-year- kodi in November 1964 and guess at its best. stroyed the town on the night English names. Tamil names of December 22, 1964, passed old elder son looked terrified had hardly served a month. He that have been foisted in 6. Last but not the least, away at the age of 80 in his and refused to have dinner. retired as the Senior Goods present times are a legion more. among so many others the home in K.K. Nagar, Madurai. He went to bed without eat- Supervisor in Tuticorin Rail- The most unwarranted one is following persons can also be With his death the Southern ing, only to wake the family at way Station when he attained the age of superannuation on Udhagamandalam. accorded some place in the roll Railway has lost one of its last half past midnight. living links to the horrific trag- He looked terrified. There May 31, 1991. of honour. Dr. G.U. Pope (an ’ award has since been instituted World-class in his name by the Tamil Nadu Government) lived in Ooty READABILITY airport? between 1858 and 1871. He PLEASE CHENNAI HERITAGE had his own fascinating ways in Dear Readers, No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, (Continued from page 1) which he tried to make an Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 As letters from readers increase, impact. Incidentally, it was he I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / we are receiving more and more airport. Meanwhile, it is reliably who gave the name ‘Snowdon’ I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hand written letters, many of learnt that there is pressure on to a sacred Toda peak (ignoring hereafter. them in a hand so small and the Centre to build a new inter- its original name). G illegible or large and scrawled as I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 national airport for Chennai Then there was Margaret (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, somewhere in the vicinity of to be unreadable. Often this leads Cockburn of Kotagiri (1829- to our discarding a letter, parti- MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings for the year Sriperumbudur. 1928), a freelance ornithologist cularly if some part of it is 2013-14. If that is to be any different unreadable. G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment from the current apology that whose splendid collection of il- lustrations was published by the If you wish us to consider your and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai passes off as one, it will be abso- letter for publication, please type Natural History Museum of Heritage an additional Rs...... lutely necessary that interna- it with enough space between (Rupees ...... ) Please keep / put me tional class consultants are London in as recently as 2002. lines or write it using a medium on your mailing list. And who would like to forget roped in to advise on it so that hand, clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and Name : ...... Josiah Goodwin (d.1898), ste- crossing the ‘t-s’. it becomes a world-class facility ...... from inception. nographer to Swami Viveka- Many readers also try to fill every Projects such as these do not nanda, resting in peace in the square centimetre of a postcard Address: ...... happen every day and, once St. Thomas’ churchyard in space, making reading or editing ...... impossible. Please help us to con- Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for over- built, it is difficult to correct Ooty. sider your letters more favourably seas postage alone payable to M/s. Lokavani Southern Printers infrastructural errors. Hope- Rev. Philip K. Mulley by making them more legible for Pvt. Ltd. All other cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. fully, saner counsels will Anaihatti Road us. prevail when it comes to a new Kotagiri 643 217 DD/Cheque should be sent by Speed Post only. facility. The Nilgiris – THE EDITOR 4 MADRAS MUSINGS June 16-30, 2013 June 16-30, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 Experiencing From interpreter to ‘acute detective’ TESTIMONIAL the Cancer G This is a three-part story of T. Rama Chendra Row, the LETTER first Indian to be appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police, Madras City, the highest post achieved by an Institute, Adyar Indian till that time. It is narrated rather differently – through testimonials and letters he received and which his family have carefully retained – to provide a flavour G On the occasion of the tive of whether the patient is Diamond Jubilee of the Cancer poor or rich. Our experience of the times and show something of the interaction Institute, Adyar, R.V. RAJAN, with the Institute laid to rest all between the British and the Indians. These extracts have narrates in a two-part feature his our early apprehensions. been copied from a printed compilation the family had personal experience with the The hospital has two wings. done. hospital and the story of the hos- The main building is where thou- pital itself. sands of poor patients are pro- LETTER t was on June 4, 2012 that I vided free consultation and Igot the shocking news; my treatment by a panel of highly TESTIMONIAL wife was suffering from cancer qualified oncologists. There is and it was an inoperable case. another wing called the Unfortunately we discovered the Maduram Narayanan (M&N) disease late. All the doctors who Block where patients paying for saw the test reports agreed that the services are given appoint- cure was not possible. But still, ments to meet the consultant we felt we had to give her some doctors. This wing has an treatment to see if we could con- airconditioned reception area tain the disease so that she could where patients wait patiently for live longer than what was pre- their appointments with the doc- dicted. tors. The same building also TESTIMONIAL The venue for treatment was houses well-appointed and well- a choice between a top five-star maintained non-AC and AC speciality hospital and the Can- rooms for patients who come for cer Institute. We were in a di- treatment, be it for investiga- lemma. My family had already tions, chemotherapy or for post- had a bad experience with a operative care. Rooms are rea- starhospital for a simple tonsilitis sonably priced, unlike the rates procedure required for my grand- of rooms in five-star hospitals CERTIFICATE daughter. Such hospitals boast of which are higher than even the

G by R.V. Rajan some of the finest doctors but rates in some of the five-star ho- because they are corporate insti- tels today. tutions with high investment in A team of top oncologists pro- TESTIMONIAL CERTIFICATE the latest equipment, they have vides consultation to all the pay- to ensure maximum utilisation of ing patients. If you are particular the equipment to achieve a profit about meeting the same doctor for the hospital. for reassurance, you can do so by On the other hand, the Can- scheduling an appointment on LETTER cer Institute, Adyar, a centre of the specific day of the week when excellence in cancer treatment, that particular doctor is avail- is run by Women’s India Asso- able. All the doctors are down- ciation (WIA), and is a not-for- to-earth, practical and friendly. TESTIMONIAL profit NGO with the image of a No patient or attendant is al- typical government hospital. It lowed to throw his weight caters largely to poor patients around, using his/her position or from across the country, who are power. At no stage do you get the given the expensive treatment feeling that you are being ex- totally free of cost! So there was ploited. Besides that, as it is a some hesitation on our part to go speciality hospital totally de- to the Cancer Institute. voted to cancer, only relevant A senior doctor from a five- tests are conducted. Thorough star hospital whom we consulted investigation is done to locate informally helped us make up our the root of the cancer before the mind. He said, “If you are preju- doctors commence treatment. diced against the five-star hospi- There is no question of your tal because of your bad experi- being admitted to the hospital for ence, I would recommend you go observation and having every to the Cancer Institute, Adyar, single specialist in the hospital as they are one of the best in the check you, recommending un- country”. necessary tests, the costs of So the decision was made. My which get added to your bill wife would be taken to the Can- The Cancer Institute has the cer Institute for treatment not best of diagnostic testing facili- because it was less expensive but ties in the country which are because we were assured that the available for both paying and hospital is totally dedicated to non-paying patients. Testing fa- providing top rate diagnostic fa- cilities are common for both. cilities and focussed treatment for all types of cancer, irrespec- (Continued on page 6) (To be continued) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS June 16-30, 2013 The ‘environmental (Current Affairs questions are from the period May 16th to 31st. Questions 11 to 20 pertain to volunteer’ Chennai and Tamil Nadu). (By T.K. Srinivasa Chari) 1. Who recently became the world’s richest person for the first eet Arun Krishnamurthy, at the Vandalur Zoo, educating ated in Microbiology and com- time since 2007 with a fortune of Mwinner of the 2012 Rolex people on how to/not to inter- pleted a postgraduate diploma approximately $72.7 billion? Award for Enterprise for his act with the captive animals. A at the Indian Institute of Mass 2. At 2.6 billion years old, what was work on restoring the Kilkatta- self-motivated ‘environment Communication in Delhi. After it that was discovered deep inside a lai Lake. volunteer’ as he likes to call his studies, he joined the Media mine near the city of Timmins in Growing up in suburban Mudi- himself, he has always taken up Marketing and Sales Acquisi- Arun Krishnamurthy. Ontario to make it the oldest of its chur, 6 km from Tambaram and tasks without waiting for others tion team of Google. In 2008, native trees planted on the kind, even older than multi-cellu- near the Mudichur Lake, taking to take them up. he went to Florida in the US for lar life? banks and each lake fenced. in the sight of birds like cormo- His education at Madras the Global Youth Summit Once restored, EFI will main- 3. Which popular former England rants, egrets and herons, and Christian College strengthened where he met the world famous football captain has retired after tain these lakes. ‘‘The lakes that winning the Ligue 1 title with his even animals like wild dogs, al- his resolve to work for the cause expert on chimpanzees, Jane we cleaned are comparitively last club, Paris Saint-Germain? most every year during 1993- of environment. As a member Goodall. She wrote in his diary cleaner but need more people 4. Name Microsoft’s latest and 2007, Arun Krishnamurthy was of the campus’ Scrub Society, that he should continue work- participation to keep them eighth generation gaming console inspired by Nature. When he he was able to indulge in his ing on environment and stay trash-free,’’ says Arun. announced recently. was 13, he became a volunteer favourite interests. He gradu- focussed. In Chennai, the virtual swal- 5. At which prestigious festival did When the urge to go full lowing up of the Mudichur lake French film Blue Is the Warmest throttle ahead for the sake of by the Highways Department Colour win the highest award, the the environment became too before his eyes for the construc- Palme d’Or? much, he quit his job and tion of the New Outer Ring 6. At 349 x 227 metres, about three founded the Environmentalist Road (Vandalur-Minjur) was times the size of a football field, Foundation of India (EFI) in an act of environmental degra- which European country’s national 2011. Even while working at dation he found impossible to flag recently became the largest flag Google in Hyderabad, Arun did ever made? digest. The local body was not his bit for the environment by consulted and this only re- 7. Name the talented young film- cleaning up a local lake, the maker from Bengal, who won 12 flected the short-sightedness of National awards and who passed Gurunadham Cheruvu, with the planners. away on May 30th. help of young volunteers and a Arun closely follows Indian 8. Which IT giant recently got a Corporation lorry to clear the and international politics. ‘‘If we six-year contract from the Depart- garbage. Today, three lakes, are able to build a strong team ment of Posts, worth over Rs. 1100 Alwal, Kapra and Guruna- that believes in contesting elec- crore, for a project called ‘India dham, are poised for full-fledged tions we will do so; else, believ- Post 2012’? restoration, the garbage re- 9. Name the players who won the Cleaning the surroundings of the restored Kilkattalai Lake moved and the lakes desilted, (Continued on page 7) Orange and Purple Cap respec- tively in the most recent IPL. 10. In which State did an audacious attack by Maoists kill 24 people including some prominent Con- gress leaders? A Cancer Institute experience * * * 11. Where in the State was the first fighter plane base of the IAF in the (Continued from page 4) ment which would keep her vance and in cash. If the tire sprawling campus was clean southern peninsula dedicated to This is the only place where comfortable with much less amount is more than Rs.5000, and even the Wards for free pa- the nation on May 27th by the paying patients have to rub side-effects than what there was you have to pay the amount at tients were neat and tidy. The Defence Minister? shoulders with non-paying pa- likely to be with aggressive the Andhra Bank counter lo- typical overpowering disinfec- 12. What technical first did Annai tients and where I saw some dis- treatment. cated within the campus and tant smell you get in any hospi- Bhoomi, made in 1985, achieve? crimination – paying patients In a similar situation involv- obtain a receipt. Credit cards tal was, surprisingly, missing. 13. With whom do you associate getting a priority over non-pay- ing a relative, the doctors at a or cheques are not accepted but My wife had to be admitted Indu Nesan, which was known for its scandalous stories? ing patients, if there is a long five-star hospital started on the there is an ATM machine in the to the hospital seven times dur- queue for a particular test. 14. What was the peerage title of expensive injection from the premises for emergency cash ing the six-month period she George Frederick Samuel Robin- All the doctors at the testing word ‘go’. The patient did not withdrawals. If it is a continu- was undergoing chemotherapy. son, now the name of an important centres are kind, sympathetic live long and the last few days ous process running for a couple Except for the first time, when edifice in Chennai? and try to make the patients feel of his life were spent in the ICU of days, then the Cash Depart- there was a feeling of nervous- 15. What had its genesis in the comfortable though the patient of the hospital, resulting in the ment makes a note of the ness and trepidation, on every house of Shanmugam Pillai, at 7 is undergoing a painful proce- family having to pay a huge bill doctor’s diagnostic prescrip- subsequent occasion it was like Coral Merchant Street, George dure. The nurses and nursing before the body could be re- tions in your account and pro- a picnic for two or three days. Town, in September 1949? aides are equally friendly and moved from the facility. vides you a final bill at the time The atmosphere was so infor- 16. Moses de Castro, who left kind. As for the payment system – of discharge. There is no ques- mal and nice that, in spite of the Madras in 1786, is considered the Two other areas where I this is where the five-star hospi- tion of treatment and tests pain and suffering, her stay in last merchant from which commu- found the hospital distinctly dif- tals make you feel miserable. being stopped for want of a the hospital was comfortable. nity that once did a thriving trade ferent from the exploitative Not only do you have to pay a balance in your account. Though my wife passed away in the city? five-star hospitals are in their sizeable advance to such hospi- Considering the large num- during the seventh month from 17. In the language of John Com- methods of treatment and fi- tals before any kind of tests are ber of patients handled by the the date of being diagnosed pany, if Persewacca was Pursa- walkam and Yegmore was Egmore, nancial dealings. All the tests conducted, but you have to hospital and the apparent pres- with terminal cancer, never, at then what was Lungambacca? we had conducted conclusively keep topping up the balance sures on the administrative any point during the course of 18. Which building came up in proved that her disease was not constantly to ensure that the staff, I found that the estab- her treatment, did we regret the 1680 thanks to the circulation of a curable. It was only a question tests and treatment are con- lished systems and procedures decision to go with the Cancer voluntary subscription paper by of time. Three of the consult- ducted without interruption. worked very well and every Institute instead of a five-star Streynsham Master, the then ant doctors told us that though On the other hand, at the Can- single patient was attended to hospital. Their care and com- Governor of Madras? special and highly-priced injec- cer Institute, apart from paying every day. There was method in mitment were exemplary. De- 19. Which village was the first tions were now available they the consultant’s fee on the first the madness. There was hope spite all their efforts, the miracle addition to it, some twenty years would not recommend them be- occasion, there is no further and a positive attitude among that we were hoping for did not after the acquisition of Madras by cause the effort would be futile. consultant fees. If the patient the hundreds of patients and happen and my wife left this the Company? At best, her life span could be has to be admitted to the hospi- their attendants waiting in the world, surrounded by her fam- 20. Name the legendary playback extended by a couple of months tal either for tests or for treat- reception area. ily. Her time had come. singer, who had sung for all popular but would be accompanied by ment, you get an order from the In spite of the huge turn-out matinee idols over four decades, all the pain and misery related (To be concluded) and who passed away recently. consulting doctor that you pro- of poorer patients visiting the to the disease. So they decided duce at the Cash Centre and facilities, I found the hospital Feedback welcome on (Answers on page 8) to give her only palliative treat- pay the necessary fees in ad- being maintained well. The en- [email protected] June 16-30, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 Plans to beautify Chennai

finding many takers. Yes, there roads is Godhra and its aftermath, The and he does evoke vastly differ- he road beautification ent reactions from people, but T project, a Corporate Social what is absolutely clear is that Responsibilities (CSR) initia- man of he is racing towards the Centre, tive of the Confederation of making the 2014 General Elec- Real Estate Developers Associa- tions likely to look more like a tion of India (CREDAI), in as- the Presidential system of election, sociation with Corporation of where you either vote for him Chennai (COC), was launched or against him. And that, as recently by Mayor Saidai hour... they say, is the Modi effect. Duraisamy in the presence of e is the man of the hour. Despite polarising Gujarat paints a vivid picture of an ing badges and raising slogans at Vikram Kapur, IAS, Principal HPeople either praise him or and India in more ways than amazing politician. the behest of a local political Secretary & Commissioner, hate him. But they are unable one, if there’s one thing that Mukhopadhyay’s book is the leader; abandoning his family COC, at EVK Sampath Salai, to ignore him. His rise to politi- Modi does effortlessly, that is result of extensive interviews, and travelling to the Himalayas near Vepery High Road. cal fame is a fascinating story win elections, time and again. plenty of in-depth research and in search of truth, and his ini- which needs to be told. And But will he make it to the top? travels through Gujarat. His tiation into the RSS, which was With the desire to bring that’s what two recently pub- Many believe he will. Only time book too reveals many hitherto the beginning of a challenging about a sustained and marked lished books by well-known will tell. unknown aspects of Modi’s and determined political jour- difference in the conservancy of journalists have tried to do… In his book, Kingshuk Nag, psyche: a six-year-old selling tea ney. city roads, CREDAI – Chennai paint a somewhat complete por- who’s with The Times of India, to help his father and distribut- has signed a Memorandum of trait of Narendra Damodardas Agreement with COC. Modi, the charismatic Chief Minister of Gujarat whose At the inaugural function, sights seem to be set on the New ... & a key player in the ad world Mayor Saidai Duraisamy said, Delhi ‘throne.’ “Initially twelve roads have The books are: been assigned to CREDAI The Namo Story: A Politi- ne of the key players in the style that together make all the Chennai to make them look cal Life by Kingshuk Nag (Roli O1990s advertising world, difference. neat and tidy. The assigned Books, Rs. 295), and Mudra was a name that was The book reveals fascinating roads are: EVK Sampath Salai, Narendra Modi: The Man, synonymous with several suc- tidbits about AGK, whose jour- Jothi Venkatachalam Salai, the Times by Nilanjan cessful brand campaigns, such ney from Hyderabad to every Vepery High Road, Raja Mukhopadhyay (Tranquebar, as Rasna, Godrej, McDonald’s nook and cranny of the country Muthiah Road, Gangadhees- Rs. 495). and Big Bazaar. The man be- and abroad is the stuff of warar Koil Street, Gandhi Irwin hind Mudra is veteran ad man dreams. And the creator of two Both bios talk of Modi’s Road, Purasawalkam High A.G. Krishnamurthy. In fellow of the country’s most respected humble roots and the rise to po- Road, Raja Annamalai Road, litical stardom via the RSS and adman Alyque Padamsee’s advertising institutions, Mudra words, “AGK is a man who and the Mudra Institute of Narayana Guru Salai, Police BJP route. One of the truly Commissioner’s Road, Pan- enigmatic personalities in the knows advertising inside out.” Communications, Ahmadabad theon Road, and Whannel’s contemporary Indian political This book recounts his life story (MICA), argues that dreams Road”. arena, Modi has become a force in his own words. And, yes, it can be realised. to reckon with. From the mo- does read like a fairy tale! Truly inspirational, AGK’s Sandeep Mehta, President, life story is a great example of ment Modi became Chief Min- Colourfully detailed and CREDAI, said, “This is our CSR how to dream big and, more im- ister in 2001, he has been a man peppered with surprising twists initiative and we want to make portant, how hard work and de- on a mission – to make Gujarat and turns, the narrative sweeps a marked difference in the con- termination can turn a person’s a model State, both economi- across three wide canvases. On servancy operations. We will life into the stuff bestsellers are cally and socially. So far, he has If You Can Dream: Autobi- the surface, this can be just an- engage outside agencies for made of! As fellow adman Balki succeeded, and what’s impres- ography of the Founder of other story of an ordinary small puts it, this is “a simple man’s maintenance and cleaning, and sive is that he is at it, in his Mudra and MICA – town boy who made it big de- dedicated conservancy workers fourth tenure as Chief Minister. quest for success through sim- A.G. Krishnamurthy (Tata spite the odds. It is the author’s will be put to work on a four- Modi’s mantra for change plicity.” McGraw-Hill Education, Rs. gentle humour and the almost hour shift basis twice daily to and development is gradually 325). – Savitha Gautam self-deprecating story-telling ensure litter-free roads. The medians and traffic islands on the assigned roads will also be maintained. The team will re- THE ‘ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEER’ port damages in civic infrastruc- ture to the Chennai Corpora- (Continued from page 6) members who manage and run Their recent 12-hour over- opposition to his work. Other- tion. Watering of plants on me- ing as we do in democracy, we the organisation across nine cit- night-clean-up of the Madras wise, his routine day is filled dians, aesthetics of traffic is- will actively participate,’’ he ies. In Chennai, the Madam- beaches – from Ashtalakshmi with joy, work and responsibili- lands, removal of unauthorised says. bakkam, Arasankhazani and Temple Beach, Besant Nagar, ties. banners and wall posters, prun- In October 2012, he took up Mudichur Lakes are being re- to Tiruvanmiyur New Beach Arun’s vision for EFI is to es- ing of trees along the roads and conservation work on the stored. Depending on the size of (6-10 pm), Tiruvanmiyur New tablish and grow it into a result- facilitating adequate illumina- Kilkattalai Lake, a lake which the lake and the amount of gar- Beach to Palavakkam (10 pm to delivering conservation group. tion at night will also be under- feeds the Pallikaranai marsh- bage that it has accumulated, it 2 am) and Palavakkam Beach EFI intends to restore 45 lakes taken by CREDAI.” land, home to many species of takes between two to eight to Neelangarai (2 am to 6 am) – in the next ten years, have four birds and the pond turtle. months to work on restoring a with the help of volunteers and animal homes, and cater to all He further added, “We will ‘‘Lakes are responsible for lake. Arun feels that while Gov- with participation from the life forms possible. EFI also implement an effective moni- groundwater stabilisation, tem- ernment is keen on restoring public and approved by the plans to establish its educa- toring system to ensure regular perature regulation and main- water bodies, people need to Corporation was a noteworthy tional services to build a socially coordination between COC taining biodiversity. Thus, it be- cooperate and participate in initiative on their part. On an sensitive society. and CREDAI Chennai. Con- comes important to protect this nation-building effort. Oth- average, around 70 volunteers Arun also runs Krish Info tinuous improvement will be them,” says Arun whose work erwise, all Government’s efforts turn up for a clean-up cam- Media, advising companies on the hallmark of this CSR initia- on this project won him the will go in vain. paign. Only people’s mindset how to achieve their Corporate tive to make the assigned roads and their discouraging attitude Rolex Award with its prize The EFI seeks only voluntary Social Responsibilities. look cleaner and greener.” – towards the environment and money of 100,000 Swiss Francs. participation from people to EFI’s website is www.india (Courtesy: Our Building and natural resources are the biggest EFI’s core team comprises 47 make a collective difference. environment.org. Construction) 8 MADRAS MUSINGS June 16-30, 2013

G The fifth in a series of profiles by V. RAMNARAYAN of cricketers who may have made an all-time Madras* squad.

.R. Rangachari’s exploits pull the manager’s leg, Binny Cfor Madras were good pretended to be greatly hurt by enough for him to lay claim to ‘The Triplicane Express’, the manager’s insults, and being the best fast bowler his knocked for hours together on home state has produced. his door calling out his name in With M.J. Gopalan, he the ‘go-to’ bowler his loudest voice. formed a deadly pair of opening During the same match, a bowlers, Gopalan growing with Hyderabad and contributing his The Triplicane Express’s young cricketer asked him if he the years into a seam and swing mite to his team’s score in a last best Test performance was his 5 was quicker than Kapil Dev. specialist and Rangachari him- wicket stand with W.V.H. Rob- for 107 against the West Indies “Have you seen Wes Hall? self remaining wedded to sheer ins that gave Madras the first in the New Delhi Test of the Same speed!” was Rangachari’s pace for most of his career. innings lead. 1948-49 series. He claimed the instant response. Only it Born on April 14, 1916, In the very next season, wickets of Allan Rae, Jeff sounded like shame shpeed, Rangachari learnt his cricket on Rangachari took 4 for 38 and Stollmeyer and George Headley thanks to the tobacco he was the streets and bylanes of helped bundle Mysore out for in a fiery opening spell and the chewing. The resultant giggles Triplicane, very much as his se- 108 at Chepauk. In his third West Indies were reduced to 27 and tittering were understand- nior, M.J. Gopalan, had. season, he had figures of 3 for for 3. He also played in unoffi- able, as the young listeners had Strongly built, Rangachari 37 against Mysore, and one for cial ‘Tests’ against the Austra- never seen him in action or wanted to be a genuine fast 20 and 2 for 41 against lian Services team in 1945 and even read about his sterling bowler from the time he was a Hyderabad, followed by some the first Commonwealth team deeds in first class cricket. child and succeeded in generat- splendid bowling against United in 1949-50. Those who actually did, re- ing considerable pace through- membered him as a very sharp Provinces. Madras won by 25 C.R. Rangachari. In the Ranji Trophy, out his career. He was also a runs and Rangachari played a Rangachari led the Madras at- speed merchant, tireless and willing bowler of long spells. prominent role in that win, cap- official training new ways of tack for many years and his 104 persistent, even on dead wick- As a bowler with the turing 5 for 75 and 3 for 31. keeping extra fit. He soon wickets cost him only 20.79 ets. In today’s language, he was Pachaiyappa’s College team, In the very next round, gained a reputation of being a apiece. In a first class career his captain C.P. Johnstone’s go- the young Ranga was quite er- Rangachari, left arm spinner tireless fast medium bowler and that stretched from the late to bowler in all manner of situa- ratic, but improved his accuracy A.G. Ram Singh and leg spin- brilliant close-in fielder. He 1930s to the mid-1950s, tions. He was a brave soldier of under the watchful eye of his ner N.J. Venkatesan had formi- took several smart catches off Rangachari took 200 wickets at Madras cricket. college captain Mohan dable Maharashtra reeling at 56 the bowling of Ram Singh, field- an average of 25.98. Rangiah. When the Madras for 5, before Vijay Hazare (137) ing at silly mid-off. He also bat- As a selector, coach and * Madras Province/State/Tamil Nadu. league began in 1932, the fast and C.T. Sarwate (33) took the ted stubbornly towards the end manager after his retirement as bowler played for a team called score to 284, gaining a match of an innings. a player, Rangachari was known Chepauk Club, but switched to winning lead in the process. Rangachari was selected as a to be a good sport who spent the Triplicane National Recre- Ranga’s 4 for 71 included the member of the Indian team that considerable time mentoring his ation Club in the second divi- scalps of both the openers toured Australia under the cap- young wards, and lightening the Answers to sion. When he finally shifted to Bhalekar and Sohoni, as well as taincy of Lala Amarnath in mood in the dressing room with Triplicane Cricket Club, he the redoubtable Prof. D.B. 1947-48. He forced his way into entertaining, if apocryphal, sto- Quiz struck a fearful combination Deodhar. the Test side following some ries from his own youth. As with M.J. Gopalan. It was in the In the second innings, he good performances in the first manager of the South Zone 1. Bill Gates; 2. Pocket of water; Buchi Babu Trophy, initially a had the prolific Babu class matches, including a hat team in the late 1970s, he cre- 3. David Beckham; 4. Xbox One; tournament for clubs, that he Nimbalkar caught behind by trick against Tasmania. In his ated some interesting situations 5. Cannes Film Festival; 6. Roma- first turned out for TCC. Under J.A.G.C. Law, but Maharashtra first Test at Adelaide, he when he discussed the merits nia; 7. Rituparno Ghosh; 8. TCS; the captaincy of B. Ramanujam, won by six wickets. That sea- bowled well without luck, beat- and demerits of some of the 9. Mike Hussey and Dwayne Bravo; TCC won the trophy that year. son, Ranga also distinguished ing Don Bradman a few times, players with a rare measure of 10. Chhattisgarh. Rangachari first caught the himself in the Presidency and winning the appreciation of candour, but not always with * * * selectors’ attention with a fine match, in which he took 4 for the great Australian. He dis- the player concerned. The re- 9 for 45 against Mysore in the 11. Thanjavur; 12. First Tamil 41 and 4 for 30, helping the In- missed Keith Miller, Neil sult could be explosive, as when film in 3D; 13. C.N. Lakshmi- inter-association junior match dians win by 97 runs. Harvey, Ray Lindwall and Ian he told one player that Roger kanthan; 14. Lord Ripon; 15. The of 1938. He made his Ranji Tro- Rangachari joined the Po- Johnson to emerge as the most Binny was a poor new ball DMK; 16. Jewish community; 17. phy debut the same year and lice, and his cricket career de- successful Indian bowler with bowler and another that Binny Nungambakkam; 18. St. Mary’s performed reasonably well, tak- veloped nicely. Being naturally four for 141 off 41 eight ball was an ordinary opening bats- Church in the fort; 19. Triplicane; ing 3 for 26 and 2 for 43 against fit and healthy, he found in his overs. man. After the team decided to 20. TMS.

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PublishedPublished by S. Muthiahby S. Muthiahfor ‘Chennai for Heritage’,‘Chennai No. Heritage’, 5, Bhattad 260-A, Tower, TTK 30, WestcottRoad, Chennai Road, Royapettah, 600 018 Chennaiand printed 600 014, by Tprinted J George by Anu at Varghese Lokavani-Hallmark at Lokavani Southern Press Pvt. Printers Ltd., Pvt. 122, Ltd., Greams 122, Greams Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600 600 006. 006, Edited and edited by S.by MUTHIAH.S. Muthiah.