MM XXVII No. 17.Pmd

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 • Disappointing syllabus • Recalling Soundarya Mahal • Madras’s unforgettable Briton • IE Golden Jubilee ahead Vol. XXVII No. 17 MUSINGS December 16-31, 2017 A plea to save war bunker (By A Special Correspondent) or years, this square shelter made of concrete has been lying uncared for on Fthe side of the Ennore Express Highway. It has been used as a makeshift urinal and toilet, it has been lived in by squatters, and from the numerous bottles found in it, has been used as a bar as well. But nobody can deny that this is an air-raid shelter left over from the World War II. Known affectionately as the pillbox, it has been around for quite a while. This is not an architectural landmark. But it is certainly a historic marker. It reminds us of a war from which our city actually benefited in a big way, never to look back thereafter. Only now, it is squarely in the path of a proposed pipeline of Chennai Petrochemical Corporation. And efforts are on to demolish it. Last week the wreckers began hammering away at it when locals from the Kasimedu area Work on demolishing the World War II air raid shelter in Royapuram. (Photograph: Shantanu Krishnan.) gathered around asking the rea- son for the demolition. The Hindu was alerted and it carried a detailed story. That did the A memorial policy needed trick and work stopped, but not before some damage was done. (By A Special Correspondent) exhibits of awards, specimens of But a whole plethora of ques- dresses in famous roles such as, tions have since emerged, all of say, Kattabomman or Karnan, which are indicative of a larger he relocated Sivaji ing Rs. 2.8 crore and taking up would have enhanced spectator malaise in the way heritage is TGanesan memorial in 28,400 square feet, equivalent value; if necessary, a small audi- handled in our city. Adyar and the controversy sur- to nearly 12 grounds of land torium could have been added Whom does the shelter/bun- rounding it highlight the need space. where visitors could press a but- ker belong to? The army has no for an objective and impartial The building is in the ton to choose a film scene that records of its existence, or at policy on memorials, their type, Dravidian style of architecture, they want to recall. No wonder least there is no one there who scale and location. adorned with domes. The me- there are very few visitors. knows. The Archaeological After the High Court said it morial consists of a central hall Overall, it is a dull affair. Survey does not have anything was a traffic hazard and blocked and surrounding corridor, all Spending so much of the to do with, it as it recognises the view of traffic on the Beach measuring 2,500 square feet or taxpayer’s money and using up only monuments that are clas- Road, the statue was removed so. On visiting it, you wonder if valuable land space, it is an ex- sified as ancient. The Heritage to a location near the Adyar it should have taken as much as pensive apology for a memorial. Committee of the Chennai Bridge. It is now housed in a Rs. 2.8 crore for building a hall A statue in the middle of one of Metropolitan Development mandapam-style structure cost- of this size. Hung on the sur- he Institute for Social sonal rights, freedom of choice ways. You could be a very good butthe bafflingbusy squares is the highof the score City of Authority says this is not within Competitiveness, India, and inclusiveness. performer but low in rank be- 91.28would onhave water served and the sanitation purpose, its jurisdiction as it has, in its T has published a Social Progress From the scores for 2016, it cause the class is made up of thatmuch does better not tallyreminding with our us ev- of blinkered fashion, decided to Index for individual States and is seen that, generally, smaller excellent performers. One be- erydaySivaji and observation his contributions. and experi- restrict its scope to just the 400 for the country. Tamil Nadu, States have done well, record- ing onlyThe Sivaji just Ganesan above statue average ence.Apart from the fact that and odd buildings given to it by with an overall score of 65.34 ing good scores although their could shinein the in Memorial. a class of medi- littleOn thought Well Being seems, the to State’s have the High Court of Madras. And for Social Progress has done GDP size is smaller. Their scores ocrity. Looking at the absolute performancegone into designing is 58.84, a memorial, falling even there, it is doing precious much better than the country are as follows – Goa 63.39, scorerounding of 65.34, corridor it wallsis just are above pho- intoa larger the averageissue is category.whether thereWell little. The Corporation, to give score of 54.90. India itself ranks tographs featuring Sivaji Beingshould comprises not be a set environmental of norms for it credit, is willing to organise a 98 out of 133 listed countries, Ganesan with well-known per- quality,the creation health of issuesmemorials like lifefor shifting of the shelter to some- which is not something to crow sonages of his time. To go expectancy,personalities prevalence in different of respi-fields where else, provided some about. around the hall and view the ratoryand of infections, varying stature. unsatisfactory For in- agency or private donor is will- Social Progress is divided in pictures, it takes hardly ten levelstance, of whatenrolment about in a primarysimilar ing to bear the cost. Of course, minutes, as there is nothing else memorial for, say, N.S. the Study into three dimen- Himachal 65.39, Kerala 68.09, the “middle” category. So, we and secondary schools, school transferring this structure is no of interest relating the exhibits Krishnan, the famous comedian sions. The first dimension is Ba- Mizoram 62.89 and cannot rest on the distinction of drop-out rate and gender parity. easy task as it weighs several to the memory of the great ac- of Chaplinesque calibre? What sic Human Needs comprising Uttarakhand 64.23. Contrast being near the top in the coun- Greater attention in terms of hundred tonnes. Bureaucracy is tor who thrilled millions by his about famous musicians and nutrition, water, sanitation, these with traditionally well ad- try. investment and raising institu- unlikely to consider this matter unique style of acting and deliv- sports persons? And, so on, in shelter and personal safety. The ministered bigger States like Deeper analysis of the com- tional efficacies at the top priority, but to the few who ery of powerful lines. His sten- second is Well Being Needs Maharashtra at 57.88, ponents of each of the three di- grassroots is necessary on these (Continued on page 2) torian voice, famous dialogues, under which areThe included Sivaji Ganesan basic MemorialKarnataka in Adyar. at 59.72 and Tamil mensions of the Index provides fronts.(Continued on page 2) education, access to informa- Nadu at 65.34. insight into what our State On Opportunities, we just Madras Musingstion and communication,wishes its WithinReaders the country, A Tamil Veryneeds Happy to work on to improveand its Prosperousemerge out of the average cat- health and pollution-free envi- Nadu tops the list, not taking social progress record. On Ba- egory at 60.92. The compo- ronment. The third dimension smaller States into reckoning. sic Needs, we seem to be doing nents that offer scope for is Opportunity comprising per- RankingNew is misleading Year. in some very well with a score of 76.25, CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS December 16-31, 2017 A plea to save war bunker Talking the Walk he Man from Madras brought in to bring some sem- ing in holes after removing (Continued from page 1) tures like this have against T Musings was at a traffic blance of order to our chaotic banners will suddenly fall idle? demolition or wanton damage? signal. He was saying his roads. Earlier, we had cameras Whatever be the thought be- are concerned with the matter, Presently, officialdom has prayers rather earnestly, for he that were supposed to take hind all this, our civic body de- the lack of proper documenta- asked The Hindu to investigate was walking and had to cross photos of vehicles that jumped cided it must protest and was tion and ownership may prove the background of the pillbox. over to the other side. The signals. Nobody knows what duly rewarded for its efforts a deterrent. In the absence of But is it not the onus of the traffic showed no signs of slow- happened to them after a rather with some sharp remarks from anyone coming forward, the Government to look into its ing down. There was no option fanfare-filled launch. There the bench. bunker may have to go. Not records and see when this shel- but to make a quick dash for it was then a plan to get Their Lordships noted that and hope that nothing would transgenders to man traffic sig- Greenway’s Road is full of that we protected it or main- ter was built? Work has been tained it well when it was stand- dash against MMM while he nals and publicly shame those posters and that if a man were suspended for the nonce on was navigating.

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