Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/18-20 Registrar of Newspapers Licenced to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-506/18-20 Publication: 1st & 16th of every month Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) INSIDE

 Short ‘N’ Snappy  A house of Music  Water sustainable Chennai  Memoirs of P. Sabanayagam  Women Doctors of Chennai

www.madrasmusings.com WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI Vol. XXIX No. 18 January 1-15, 2020 Creating Urban Transport Chaos t was exactly a year ago that was yet another example, and involved in the running of the Ithe Chennai Unified Met- in TN there are many, of how transport systems. It was also to ropolitan Transport Authority the public suffers at the whims periodically revise and upgrade (CUMTA) was launched with of those in power. The CUMTA its plans. Headed by the Trans- much fanfare. The media had was an excellent scheme and port Minister, it was to have the at that time hailed it, claiming its non-implementation has Chief Urban Planner (Trans- that it was the solution to all the helped nobody. In January 2019 port) of the CMDA as its Mem- ills that city’s public transport it was relaunched with much ber-Secretary. Others on board As our leads concern public amenities, our OLD features private systems faced – each of them were the Chief Secretary and buses waiting outside Central Station in the 1920s. Our NEW is striking out in different direc- the Vice-Chairman, CMDA the famed ‘green’ bus launched recently. tions and with no connection (both ranking as Vice-Chair-  to each other. What was then by The Editor persons), the Secretaries of forgotten was that even then the Departments of Finance, the concept was seven years Transport, Home, Housing & old. It had been approved by fanfare and what’s more noti- Urban Development, and the the Legislature in 2011 but fied as well, with no explanation General Manager of the South- for reasons best known to the for the intervening delays. But ern Railway. Under CUMTA it Government, the required no- then 12 months later, CUMTA was envisaged that all transport tifications were never issued. is as clueless as ever. systems – buses, the suburban The change in political regime The CUMTA as originally railway, the MRTS and the in 2011 is generally believed planned was to chiefly have a Metro being the main players to be the reason why CUMTA planning function and oversee – would all function in a fully was never notified. If so, this the work of several agencies (Continued on page 2) A New Year wish

s another Year dawns,  by A Special ­Correspondent Aseveral programmes in newspapers make us feel heady. Traffic rules will be enforced, announced in mid-2017 that Corporation has “finalised the ied”, it was said. Restoration frame ending 2022. It may be Pallikaranai will be retrieved, with an outlay of Rs. 1,442 proposal” at Rs. 1,250 crores. was expected to take three extended. Kodungaiyur and Perungudi crores for remediation of the The Chief secretary is “likely years. Meanwhile, flow of pol- Construction of the first waste dumps will be converted vast dump yards in Kodun- to review the proposal soon”. luted water into the estuary stretch of Chennai Metro began into energy by high-tech solu- gaiyur and Perungudi, which Once that is completed, offi- would negate efforts to revive in June 2009, spanning seven tion “to end the City’s waste are serious health hazards, cials “expect the work to start and maintain the creek at con- stations, Koyambedu to Aland- menace”, the Marina will be further dumping would be next year”. About 36 months siderable cost and effort. After ur, covering 10 kilometres (6.2 beautified and upper reaches of stopped. The conservancy have passed from conception three years the river work has miles) and began operation in Adyar will be dredged for free process would be revamped. to just to start of work. That started, and it may take up to June 2015, taking six years. flow of sewage free water and Two plants would convert is not an exceptional case but 2022 or longer as there are Now in 2019, the operational the estuary will bloom. waste to energy-absorbing seems to be the norm as other difficult hurdles. That is six network is 45 km. At full net- Should we rejoice or resign incoming waste and convert- examples would show. years or more from concept to work length of 163 km, with ourselves to accepting that ing the accumulated heap. It In early 2017, Chennai resi- completion. all interconnections in place, things will move painfully was then estimated that in a dents were told that the Adyar Launched in 2016, the the project may be completed slowly and would remain the period of 15 months the waste River would get a make-over Smart City Project came alive only by 2025 and not by 2022 same? That is our soliloquy. heaps would be fully degraded, with riverfront development, by mid-2018. There is no clear as originally envisaged. With Take, for example, an im- biologically and chemical- plugging of sewage outfalls, indication of the target comple- congestion rising every day to portant public health related ly. Not 15 but 30 months modular sewage plants, walk- tion dates for different projects, unbearable limits, the capacity necessity that has been in the have passed. The present aways and cycle tracks. The but it is known that the Smart as estimated by CMRL would, air for several years. It was announcement says that the project report “has been read- City Project has a five-year time (Continued on page 2) 2 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2020 Urban transport chaos (Continued from page 1) the ground. Also in a limbo is Several New Years ago the Rs 500 crore Intelligent integrated fashion. Commuters et another year has drawn bend with the passage of time. Redialling will usually get would be expected to switch Transport System that aims to Yto a close and a new one Remember that variety? If you you the response that the seamlessly from one system to provide the city a smart way has begun. The Man from don’t, just go back and take a number you are trying does another without having to buy to commute using the latest Madras Musings peers into look at a circular mark around not exist. Trying again will tickets at all the intervening communication and computing the past and recalls at this any nail in old houses. Chances be met with the message that moment several items closely are that these were left be- the subscriber is busy, which stages. technologies, thereby making for safer and faster travel. This traditionally associated with hind by calendars long gone. is probably the truth, for the But of course, such a par- a new year calendar year and As the year progressed, these poor soul is clearly trying adise was not vouchsafed to was in collaboration with Ja- wonders as to where they calendars became thinner and your number. Connection is Chennai and for this we must pan International Cooperation have gone. Time has certainly thinner and so rotated freely established after a while, only thank the usual bureaucratic Agency and that body too had moved on for these articles. around the nail from which to drop a few minutes later. hurdles. One of the main issues made it a precondition that The first is the day calen- they were hung, each time the Matters have come to such CUMTA should be implement- dar – the one where each day wind blew or an electric fan a sorry pass that MMM is not plaguing our mandarins is the had a sheet and you ripped it was switched on. The circu- even getting those massage choice of the person to head ed. In fact, that was the chief impetus for the State Govern- off to reveal the next. MMM lar mark was the net result. parlour messages any longer. CUMTA. Initially it was pro- recalls that the last Viceroy of In a similar category as cal- He trusts that the girls who posed that the Chief Planner of ment to dust the old scheme India had one such placed on endars, and perhaps in even were supposedly sending them the CMDA would be the Mem- and relaunch it. But a year later, the table to indicate a count- greater demand, were diaries. are all well – you know how it ber Secretary or CEO of CUM- with little or no action, the city down to Independence for People made it a habit of call- is with pen pals- even if you TA. This was later changed, has to wait that much longer to which he (the Viceroy and not ing and asking for them. And have never met them a sort of MMM) took full credit (he, woe betide you if you said bond develops when you keep with a bureaucrat to head the get integrated transport systems in place. by which MMM means the that you did not have any to receiving communications. body. This has been questioned Viceroy and not MMM, was give. For some reason, those Anyway, that is beside the by the Planners who point out In the meanwhile, the Metro noticeably silent on Partition in Government service and point. What is certainly a fact that in other States it is one of is very keen to get going with and the horrors it generated). people in clerical jobs and is that the massage ads have their ilk who heads the body. its second phase. The very The world of cinema too made lower grades asked for diaries stopped and MMM wonders if The tussle continues as of now. viability of the system depends full use of such calendars and in greater numbers. MMM there has been a moral cleanup an abiding visual of the pass- wonders what they wrote in of sorts, a kind of swacch mes- Hanging fire owing to such on getting the extended opera- ing of time was a montage them. If all of them wrote on sage/massage. But he need not delays are several projects. The tions going. But with CUMTA of several date sheets falling all the diaries they demanded have worried. Just the other World Bank has made it clear nowhere in sight, it looks as off. What has happened to and asked for, we would have day he received two gems that its funding of the Chennai though we will get yet another such calendars? This species many more accounts of life in which he is happy to share- City Partnership initiative is standalone system, that will is not entirely dead though. old Madras than what we have. Get a service and drop your subject to CUMTA getting off only add to the urban chaos. What survives very well is MMM suspects that these name & number in the Magic the variety that has pictures were essentially status symbols, Bowl & you can be the se- of gods on a hard board with shown around in the beginning lected one to get a free service the daily calendar just below. of the year and then discarded. worth Rs 1,000 this 2020. A NEW YEAR SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY WISH In this the divinity remains Nowadays, when it comes This message by itself in (Continued from page 1) services but also timelines and a permanent fixture even as to checking out dates or tak- MMM’s view sets the new year by 2025, become inadequate commitments to performance the calendar below wanes, ing down notes, people use on a different note. MMM to give any significant relief. constituting a Performance becoming thinner as the year their cellphones. The walls wonders as to what service Nineteen years is indeed a long Charter. gets going. The two nails on are a lot cleaner, except of is being spoken of and the which the date sheets are held course where the old calen- imagination boggles. But time by which time the project Timely execution and mak- together become longer and dars with God pics still hang. the next one is even better. could become irrelevant to its ing the resulting infrastructure longer, finally remaining as Hi, I’m Neha – Are context. deliver expected outcomes is two protruding talons, ready you Feeling alone in your Projects and services not the responsibility of the bureau- to tear into anyone clothes, May the smutty life? For Datting, Chat- conforming to timelines and cracy. The netas make invest- or flesh. In many households, SMS continue ting, Friensihp. Please call. and indeed office, these cal- The spellings are all as cost discipline seriously erode ment decisions and sanction he Man from Madras Mus- credibility. Long gestations in- endars become permanent received and MMM would necessary funds. Transforming fixtures, long after the year Tings is aware that the tele- seriously like to know what crease costs, undermine viabili- that into specific facilities and is over, chiefly on account of com companies are in a bad is Datting. In short, all is ty, suffer from congenital failure sustained delivery of public the God emblazoned on them. way, what with the petrochem- well with 2020 when there and become, when finished, services is the function of the MMM is aware that glossy icals magnate muscling in on are people like Neha to help. their territory and creating irrelevant. GDP and growth officials at different levels. That monthly calendars are still being brought out by some chaos. Several of the lesser have come into everyday con- is Governance; it is the alchemy players have shut shop and the Tailpiece versation these days and are no to convert Input into Impact. organisations but these too are on their way out. Many of two remaining biggies of the andering about in Old longer technical. We speak of For instance, while the State these featured places of tourist old guard are struggling to stay WMadras aka George growth without corresponding scores high on infrastructure interest, or divinities (always afloat. In such a situation it Town, The Man from Madras employment. Project imple- in the fields of health and edu- a safe bet in our country) or is but natural that service has Musings could not help notic- scenic spots from across the slipped to the level of the old ing this plaque. He wonders mentation phase, likewise, reg- cation, the score is not good in Government run telecom com- isters in statistics as “growth” terms of outcomes and impact. world and were much in de- if the person commemorated pany, which by the way is no suffered from a severe defi- because it generates incomes More governance is necessary mand. In a separate category but with high demand within better and if anything on even ciency of iron. And on that during construction. But when to extract the maximum value that sector were the glossies more slippery ground. MMM, note, here is to a great 2020. completion is unduly prolonged from investments already on brought out by liquor com- being acquainted with some and the impact is not realised, the ground, in every field of panies. All of these have see of those in what is reflected is growth with- government – traffic enforce- diminished interest as there the senior echelons, is out welfare. Upon completion, ment, defending public space are better visuals, includ- ing those that were supplied not surprised. delayed projects fail to meet from misuse, collection and Anyway, the desired objective and peo- by liquor companies, on the disposal of solid wastes, wom- internet. So why settle for dropped calls ple are still chasing aspirations en’s safety, providing clean air something static, which over are the order for a better life, running on and water, respecting pedes- the passage of year is likely to of the day. the treadmill, as it were, going trian rights and safety, putting tear and what’s more, leave a One moment permanent mark on the wall? you are mer- nowhere. It is time we need not real value and meaning into rily chatting only a statutorily mandated free health and educational Leaving a mark on the wall reminds MMM of the calendar to someone Citizen Charter of what we can services and so on and on – and and in the with two metal strips at both –MMM expect from the Government our New Year wish is for more ends to make sure it did not next there is dead silence. in terms of public facilities and Governance. January 1-15, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 3 Making Chennai water sustainable propos your report on Mak- grounds, public open spaces Ground Water Board itself is ­invariably provided by builders for flushing and the excess is Aing Chennai Water Positive like the island grounds, areas located! is replaced, within the same sent out in tankers to be let off (MM, XXIX, Volume 16, De- around the memorials on Gand- space, by a versatile three-com- in some waterway. Some even 3. Recycling of water used cember 1st issue), may I submit hi Mandapam Road. If on the partment O.H.T. with a set of get the untreated sewage itself for bathing and washing of that the various seminars held lowest point or other suitable valves, it will be able to store disposed in waterways! places in them, irrigation wells clothes one, two or three different If only the grey water is periodically on the topic of Few are aware that the 2003 Chennai’s water problem do are dug and covered with heavy qualities of water and supply treated within the premises duty covers with perforations,­ RWH Rules also mandate that them for appropriate use. Such and re-used, the capacity of not talk about the basic factors ‘Every building, old or new, shall that contribute to Chennai’s they will collect huge amounts a tank enables the safe storage the costly STPs can be reduced of rain and enrich the shallow treat the water used for bathing of the recycled water and it’s sharply. In fact, they can even citizens being starved of water and washing of clothes by me- which, if addressed, would dra- water table. Similarly, in the exclusive usage for flushing and be done away with and replaced Public Parks rainwater can chanical or other means and use gardening in both sewered and by Up-Flow Filters which clean matically transform Chennai’s it for flushing and charging the water scenario! Instead, many be easily channelised into ir- unsewered areas. sewage close to the standards rigation wells. In fact, I had water table’. of the T.N. Pollution Control bureaucrats and experts in the This water constitutes 60% 6. Bad Management of Water field advocate the inefficient, suggested to the Corporation Board for discharge of the efflu- Commissioner that with the of our total use and if recycled, in Large Complexes in ent on un-irrigated soil. I had costly and environmentally can make a huge difference ­Unsewered Areas unfriendly desalination as the soil level in the Jeeva Park in introduced it in an 80-flat com- T.Nagar being below the adjoin- in meeting the water needs of In most large complexes plex in Tambaram fifteen years solution! Listed below are the the residents. While grandly without sewerage, the sterile basic factors to be considered ing road level, the water flowing ago and it has been operating through the storm water drain including this rule, the Govern- 60% of grey water is mixed smoothly since then. Strangely, seriously and also the ways of ment has not given any treat- with the 30% harmful sewage, tackling them, derived from my can be diverted to the well in few sanitary engineers seem to this park. Instead, the well was ment method. It has therefore thereby not only poisoning the be aware of them! own first-hand experience in remained a dead rule! I have 60% but unnecessarily trebling the field. closed down! Such initiatives by the Corporation and the P.W.D. established a simple method to the volume to be treated in Indukanth S. Ragade [email protected]) can enrich the water table and do the job in the garden using their S.T.Ps! The treated water At the Macro-Level no power or chemicals but only is more than what is needed 1. Totally inadequate reservoir enable the neighbourhood to get more groundwater. soil, sunlight and water-loving capacity plants like Cannas, Banana, Chennai gets abundant rain- At the Micro-Level Hidechium, Cyperus etc. The fall, amounting to 125 cm/year CMWSSB has tested both the (averaged over 100 years). If 1. Efficient and Comprehen- l sive RWH feed water and the treated Pavithra’s Perspective fully harvested, it can give a water and found that the wa- whopping 135 litres per citizen Although Chennai can claim to be the pioneer in ter is indeed cleaned and is per day! The official claims that re-usable. However CMWSSB The Nawab’s Sarai failure of monsoon is the reason having enacted rules in 2003 making ‘rainwater harvesting has not shown any interest in for citizens being water starved promoting it. This water can is totally false. The rainfall be- mandatory in every building, new or old’, people experienced be charged into the soil when it tween 2011 and 2018 was over will get fully cleaned and reach 100 cm (except in 2018) and ex- in the field were not consulted and simple, efficient and proven the dug well (see next section) ceeded 120 cm in several years. or can be physically collected in Unfortunately, this falls over methods of harvesting were not given in the rules. And hardly large flat complexes and safely only 55-60 days in the year. used for flushing and gardening. We had four reservoirs in 1943 three weeks were given to the when the population was only citizens to install them. As a 4. Revival of the traditional 10 lakhs. Today, it is 47 lakhs result, a good percentage of the dug well and we still have only those harvesting structures installed Chennai’s sub-soil is favour- four. A proposal in 1978 to are either defective in design or able for storing and sourcing build two more reservoirs in have gone defunct. water at shallow depths. In fact, Ramancheri and Thirukan- Besides, the rules mandated it was the dug well that was the dalam dragged on for 20 years only harvesting the rainwater main source of water for all cit- and was given up on grounds of falling on the terrace. In many izens before piped water became ‘opposition from the local pop- places, the area of the open available. It progressively be- ulation’. The Veeranam Lake, spaces around the buildings is came extinct because, with the 200 km. from Chennai, which greater than the terrace area. introduction of sewerage, the is supposed to feed the city, is Since most of them are paved sewage which went to the septic itself fed by the Kaveri River and slope towards the gate(s), tank within the premises went all the rainwater can be easily into the town sewerage. After whose water is a bone of con- Once I opened my eyes to the beauty and heritage of Chennai, tention between Tamil Nadu trapped at the gate and got the flat complexes came, all the for use by a trench connected used water went into the town things seemed to pop up literally before my eyes in unexpected and Karnataka and is itself often places. And a site where I regularly stumbled upon surprises was, dry. Water from the Kandaleru to a pit. sewerage and wells became dry. Reservoir (also 200 km. away) Such comprehensive rain- These must be revived be- unsurprisingly, the area surrounding Chennai’s Central station. comes only for a few days and water harvesting can easily cause, (1) They can be very yield 35% of their water needs easily charged with all the rain- One in particular, caught by attention right away: as I rode half of that is taken away by the towards the bend of Poonamallee High Road past Ripon Building, farmers en route! in well-constructed complexes. water falling over the premises; (2) The recycled water will also I saw a very graceful building spreading out over a vast space: And a new reservoir is yet 2. Implementation has been go to the well fully cleaned; (3) ­yellow and white, and in unmistakably Mughal style. It stands to emerge! desultory Pumping costs will be low; (4) now cheek and jowl with several other modern and heritage Metro Water personnel 2. Even the existing reser- They need to be cleaned only buildings and when I set out to find details, I discovered that it had themselves have little experi- voirs are heavily silted once every four or five years; been built by Nawab C. Abdul Hakim between 1919 and 1921 ence in RWH at the micro-level All the reservoirs are heav- (6) Borewells cannot be easily at the request of his father Siddique Hussein Sahib, who had been and they are the enforcers of ily silted. Even though they or efficiently charged with rain- the rules! No wonder that most moved by the plight of Muslim travellers without a place to stay. went bone-dry several times, water, and so cannot yield on a of the structures installed are I learnt that it housed mosques as well and crisscrossed it many no desilting has been done. So sustained basis and (7) General- of little value. The seriousness times, admiring the graceful arches and columns, still mesmerising the volumes reported to be in ly, water at shallow depths is of given to the implementation as it rose against the colourful Chennai skyline. them as per the heights quoted good quality whereas borewells is exemplified by the fact that are inflated figures! Instead of often yield poor quality. Instead of opting for a traditional approach of presenting the most Government Buildings desilting them on an emergen- I have personally provided whole structure, I opted to draw just one aspect: perhaps the most themselves have not put up cy basis, water is brought in by dug wells in more than 150 RWH structures. Two glaring beautiful, and which seemed to capture the essence of the sarai trains from Jalarpet once or complexes built by the company examples are: (1) the 800 flat – something that takes you straight back to Arabian Nights. For twice to show off the apparent where I was working. They are complex in the SAF Games that reason, this miniature is half the size of the ones I usually do. concern of the water authorities serving the residents well. for the plight of the citizens! Village where senior IAS offi- Details about the miniature: Black and White; Pen and Ink. cers (inclusive the Metro Water 5. Installing a three-compart- Dimensions: Approximately: 2.5” X 2” 3. Augmenting the shallow Director) and (2) the huge ment O.H.T. instead of the water table Rajaji Bhavan Complex in Be- two-compartment tank l Pavithra Srinivasan is a writer, journalist, artist, translator, There are many large open sant Nagar where the Southern If the ubiquitous two-com- ­columnist, editor and is fascinated with History. spaces – school and college play Headquarters of the Central partment overhead tank 4 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2020 January 1-15, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 A home for the fine arts Serving the nation well – with or years it stood, its white daughters and brood of several of Awadh was so blown away by Fpilaster façade hiding its rich grandchildren. One of the chief her veena recital that he placed musical history. The music had advantages of the location was Rs 116 at her feet. Dhanam of course long fled and even its proximity to the residence of immediately asked Ramaniah his administrative skills memories had faded sometime ‘Jalatarangam’ Ramaniah Chetty, Chetty to fetch Abdul Kareem in the first decade of the present the local chit fund owner, whose Khan of the Kirana Gharana century. The house had of late generosity was boundless to- who was then visiting the city . Sabanayagam, the veteran Here he learnt the importance of After Salem, Sabanayagam been used a godown and even wards Dhanam and her family. In and was a great fan of her’s. A Padministrator, decided to looking after the physical welfare was posted as Deputy Textile that use was not vouchsafed to fact, she often stayed for days on performance by the ustad fol- publish his memoirs only in of the sepoys under him, which Commissioner, Handloom of In- it in recent months, when it fell end at his house, teaching music lowed and the money was given 2018, thirty eight years after he experience was to stand him in dia in mid 1955, his first posting victim to the wrecker’s hammer. to his daughters. to him as his fee. retired from the IAS because good stead in dealing with subor- in Central Government Service, The home of Veena Dhanammal It was in the house in Ra- This was from where Dhanam he felt that Governance today dinate staff in later years. Within with headquarters in Madras. in Ramakrishna Chetty Street, makrishna Chetty Street that watched with sardonic humour does not believe in truly serving sixteen months after becoming His efforts to actively promote George Town is no more. people. By sharing his life story, a 2nd Lieutenant he was pro- the Handloom sector resulted Finding the house and the he hopes to inspire the younger moted as Captain, overlooking in his becoming the Chief Ex- thoroughfare in which it stood Veena Dhanammal’s house. generation of administrators nearly eight seniors (six of them ecutive of Handloom Export was always quite tough. I still re- LOST LANDMARKS OF CHENNAI to learn about how he handled British) which was a record those Organisation (HEO) as a part of member the thrill of getting lost lawyer. Another regular was R. various challenges in his life as days. There were protests. But the State Trading Corporation. one day in that area sometime – SRIRAM V Rangaramanuja Iyengar, the fi- an administrator. his boss Col. Gurney’s response In trying to promote handloom in the early 2000s and having ery and acerbic music critic and After a brief career in the in his defence was ‘if anyone products in USA, he was seen taken a wrong turn, finding my- scholar, who learnt from her. It ­defence services during World can fire a barrage within twenty walking around the streets of self in front of it. T. Mukta, the is essentially from the writings of war II, Sabanayagam was select- minutes, having trained the Former West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi, second from left, and New York, carrying bags con- these people that we get a clear former Attorney General of India K. Parasaran at the release of the book Service last surviving granddaughter of Dhanam’s famed Friday evening the genesis of the December took their first steps in music – T. ed to the first batch of the Indian crew and maintained the guns as taining samples and meeting picture of her personality. In the to the Nation written by retired IAS officer P. Sabanayagam. Veena Dhanam had described concerts took place. A reclusive ­Music Season and wondered Sankaran as a writer, scholar and Administrative Service at the efficiently as Sabanatyagam did, the textile importers. This sight last year of her life, Dhanam took the house to me and seeing a personality who spoke little, as to what this place called the historian, the sisters T. Brinda dawn of Indian Independence. I will accept the protest.’ provoked V Balaraman, who was to moving between the residenc- administrator. Those were days or not, was given the right to photo of it in Enkay Visions’ she received visitors on this day Music Academy was where they and Mukta became singers while He witnessed and participated in Towards the end of his stay the correspondent of The Hindu es of her daughters and it was at when administrators combined vote. Though the Congress lost documentary on Dhanammal and they quietly made their way ‘spoke’ about music. This was sibling Abhiramasundari became the change of the old guard from in the army, ‘Sabu’, as he was newspaper in New York, to won- the home of T. Jayammal, her the functions of both judiciary the election in Madras , Rajaji helped. I knew I was standing in to the tiny room on the first also the home to which several a violinist, T. Balasaraswathi the British regime to the birth of popularly known among his army der, ‘How come an IAS officer third child, that she passed away and executive. with support from M.A Man- front of the correct house. The floor. There Dhanam held court, musicians came of an afternoon, took to dance while her brothers the fledgling India. He believed colleagues, became one of the who had been a District collector in October 1938. The pallbearers As a Magistrate, he devel- ickavelu Naicker, the leader of then owner, a Telugu-speaking veena in hand. Near-blind by to learn some songs. The names Viswanathan and Ranganathan that good governance was sine two officers selected to undergo was walking up and down like an included T.T. Krishnamachari, oped the art of always seeing or the Commonweal party with six woman, lived next door and was then, she was kept informed are legendary – Ariyakkudi Ra- became flautist and mridangist qua non with good administra- the Long Gunnery Staff Course ordinary salesman!’ Sabanayag- violinist Papa K.S. Venkatara- visualsing the pros and cons of MLAs, was persuaded to form happy to show me around the as to who had come and she manuja Iyengar, Musiri Subra- respectively. Taken overall, the tion, a requisite foundation for for one year in UK on condition am’s devotion to his job was once miah and Kasturi Srinivasan of every issue before coming to a the government and become the place. I walked in to the narrow would throw each visitor a curt mania Iyer, Parur Sundaram Iyer, musical heritage of this humble nation building. His memoir that he should accept the Reg- again noticed by people who The Hindu. decision. Sabanayagam believes Chief Minister. Much against entrance vestibule, wandered word of welcome. And then the Madras Lalithangi and Tiruvarur home is the stuff of legend. titled Service to the Nation ular Commission. Since he was mattered. His promotion in USA The home in Ramakrishna that all ICS/IAS officers who had the wishes of the then Chief through the ground floor and veena performance would begin. Rajayi. In some cases it was an Also legendary were Dha- published by Notion Press, docu- keen to get into the ICS, as was of ‘Madras Checks’ or ‘Bleeding Chetty Street was given up and worked as magistrates in those Secretary, Rajaji ensured that then gingerly climbed up the Nobody could speak, keep time, exchange – Dhanam taught nam’s Navaratri celebrations. A ments his contribution in various his father’s wish, he declined Madras’, produced only in the later its owners disposed it to the early years had this experience Sabanayagam became his Private rickety wooden steps to the first clear their throat, sneeze or and learnt from Kanchipuram bower of jasmine would be put up walks of government, spanning the offer. East coast of India, and how he family of the lady who showed which contributed to the sound Secretary. In this position Saban- floor. There was a room there, clap. Vendors shouting out their Naina Pillai. To some she gave on the terrace and Dhanam hav- 33 years and is a ringside view Sabanayagam was admitted fought the local competition me around. A few years ago it decision-making process as they ayagam came in contact with fronted by a verandah. All was wares would be turned away at freely – Calcutta Gauhar Jan ing bathed in rosewater, clad her- revealing the working styles, to ICS in March, 1947. Patel selling fake products by getting changed hands once again, this went up the ladder and manned leading politicians, industrial- silence. And yet, it had ­always the entrance of the street and and Abdul Kareem Khan learnt self in white silk and adorned her political ­acumen, and political who was then the Deputy PM the brand patented became a time to a businessman who con- the highest posts. Unfortunately, ists, Secretaries to Government, not been so. neighbouring households would Carnatic songs from her and veena with a string of fragrant compulsions of many historical in an interim government before well-known case study. verted it into a godown. Now it with the separation of judiciary heads of departments and others. Dhanammal, the famed vee- reduce all activity to a minimum released discs of these. Some she flowers, would seat herself under figures with whom he had the Independence, felt that ICS was Back home in Madras, has been demolished as well. and executive functions, the He also had excellent working na artiste who traced her lineage to ensure perfect silence was adored and they reciprocated it. The entire family gathered privilege of working closely. ‘neither Indian nor Civil nor ­Kamaraj who was the chief min- Early in the 2000s, I used to service oriented’ and therefore ister of Tamil Nadu (1955-63) in the arts through several gener- maintained. The performance in full – Tiruvottiyur Tyagier around and sang Muthuswami * * * take people on heritage tours renamed it as All India Admin- wanted him to revert to State ations of formidable women, had lasted till 8.00 p.m. when the and Tiger Varadachariar were Dikshitar’s Veena Pustaka Dha-  of the house and it was fun Though Sabanayagam was by R.V. Rajan come down in life by the time she cannon in Fort St George sound- two such. A younger musician rinim (raga Vegavahini). To them istrative Service, AIAS which government in 1961. He was to wander around the place, born on 7th June, 1922, in Chen- [email protected] had moved in here. Her principal ed the hour. The numbers that whose talents she admired was their matriarch was Saraswati, was later shortened to IAS. His appointed as Director of Indus- peeking into the vestibule where nai, his date of birth in official patron-in-chief Dharmapuri attended these performances the nagaswaram maestro Tiru- the Goddess of Learning. training at Metcalfe House, tries in mid 1961 when R.Ven- Dhanam rested during the after- records is shown as 15th Au- Subbarayar had passed away and were small – the room could vavaduturai Rajarathinam Pillai. By 1937, Dhanam was sink- where the ICS training was current officers do not have this relationship with Rajaji in whom katraman was the Minister of noons, seeing the room where gust,1922, a change made when her financial profligacy had en- not accommodate more than On some days there would be ing. A trio who regularly called ­taking place, was cut short and opportunity and are poorer to he found a wise statesman who Industries in the State. During she performed and wondering he was admitted to Ewart School sured that the ancestral home on 30 people at any time – but distinguished compatriots from on her and delighted in music at he and other trainees were put that extent. was willing to reason even if it the three years that he was the at the tiny ground floor space in Vepery a few years later. He Nattu Pillaiyar Koil Street gifted they were all great scholars and the courtesan community – Kan- this time comprised T.T. Krish- in charge of handling refugees. It Out of the two important came from a level down below or Director, the department grew. where T. Balasaraswathi took her lost his mother when he was to grandmother Kamakshi by her aficionados of the art. Discreet chipuram Dhanakoti Ammal was namachari, then businessman was a risky job in which a couple incidents when he was a sub-­ accept a forthright dissent from More ITIs, Industrial­ co-opera- first steps in dance. During one just 3 years old and was brought patron Rangoon Krishnaswami donations and contributions by a frequent visitor as was the gutsy and a leading light of the Con- of his colleagues lost their lives. collector of Pollachi, the VKP even a junior officer so long as tives, Industrial estates and many such visit, artiste Amrita Murali up by his father, S. Panchanada Mudaliar had been auctioned these people kept the old lady and talented Bangalore Naga- gress (later to become Union In December, 1947, he was sent paddy procurement case taught such dissent was bonafide and other facilities were added. He sang Veena Pustaka Dharinim. It Mudaliar, a lawyer by profession off to settle creditors. The Ra- financially afloat. rathnamma. It was in this house Minister), S.Y. Krishnaswami, to Madras to undergo a year’s him the importance of taking in public interest. Though he was instrumental in putting up filled the house with music, for who later decided to confine his makrishna Chetty Street house Not that Dhanam really that many of her grandchildren ICS and N.D. Varadachariar, district training. a stand, vis-a-vis his superiors worked with him for only 18 Ezhilagam – a modern building was rented and this is where the last time. practice to matters concerning His first job was as the including ministers when he was months, Rajaji developed a liking where the offices of the Depart- cared. It was said that on one the Hindu Religious Endowment Dhanam moved in with her four occasion that a visiting Taluqdar ­Assistant Collector of Coim- convinced that he was adminis- for Sabanayagam. It was during ment of Industries was shifted. Board. He was a great influence batore District. The collector tratively right and morally above this period that Sabanayagam Once again it was time to on the young Sabanayagam. was F.W.A. Morris ICS, a senior reproach. In the stamp duty married Savithri. Rajaji attend- shift back to Delhi. When he After completing his school- officer, from whom he learned case he showed his firmness in ed the wedding and blessed the was offered the very important ing from Ewart school, he did his how to dispose of petitioners who upholding the duties of the court couple. and prestigious position of the B.A degree from Madras Chris- have grievances, how to preside as a young Magistrate, when he During his brief stay in Salem Chief Controller of Imports tian College in 1942 scoring the over meetings and later how refused to change the date of as its Collector he opened a and Exports (CCI & E) he was highest mark and winning the to hear criminal appeals as the hearing to suit C. Subramanian, bridge across the Cauvery river reluctant to go because he felt Ross Prize. Though he enrolled District Magistrate. During this a leading lawyer of Coimbatore near Namakkal which had been that his old father whom he was for his Masters, towards the end period he was also trained as a and an important politician who completed but was waiting to be looking after would not be able of the first year he applied for a Revenue Inspector in charge of was a member of the Constituent inaugurated for several months to go with him. Kamaraj was commission in the Defence Ser- a firka (about 15 villages) super- Assembly which was drafting the by a Minister. The people on very keen that he should take vice. In 1942, World War II was vising the work of the Karnams Constitution of India. Both these both sides of the river became so up the position, for his own good still going on and Britain was not and village Munsifs. cases brought Sabanayagam to happy that when he built a guest and for the good of the State. As doing too well. After his initial After working as Revenue the limelight in official circles house for non-gazetted staff of CCIE though he came to know training at the Officers Training Inspector for two months, he and among the public and his Salem district, they insisted that Secretaries in Government of School MHOW (near Indore) appeared for a junior level reputation as an efficient and it should be named after him, a India, top industrialists, film l It is quite amazing as to how this column on Lost Landmarks results in fresh discoveries. he was sent to Deolali Artillery ­departmental examination at courageous officer who would recommendation which K.Ka- producers, businessmen, heads I had written about Dr. A. Lakshmipathy's Arogya Ashrama in Avadi in MM XXIX No. 8, School for a six month course. In Madras which he passed and stand up to challenges went up. maraj, the then Chief Minister of public sector companies, he al- August 1-15, 2019. Now Karthik Bhatt sends us a picture of the same, discovered in the June 1944 he became 2nd Lieu- was posted as Sub-Collector, In 1952, the First General readily agreed to. The ‘Sabanay- ways maintained social contacts Pictorial History of Southern India, 1928 issue. – Sriram V tenant at the 10th field regiment ­Pollachi sub-division. It was the election was held in India – adult agam Building’ exists even today Veena Dhanammal. at Chindwara, near Jabalpur. beginning of his career as an suffrage – every person, literate next to the Collector’s office. (Continued on page 6) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2020

fers. ‘Morarji Desai was sincere and honest in views. He had no SERVING THE NATION time for inefficiency. If anyone had a reasonable argument and (Continued from page 5) the next promotion in the bers and is courteous to old was prepared to put it forth ­service of the State govern- friends.’ As Chief Secretary, strongly, he would listen.’ only to the extent to know ment. he had an excellent rapport It was during his term in what people thought about While on a visit to Delhi to with former Chief Minister the Department of Education, (Quizmaster V.V. Ramanan’s ques- government policies. When follow up on some projects for Karunanidhi and all ministers. that the Distance Education tions are from December 1st to D.S. Patel a businessman from the EB, he got the news that At Tamil Nadu Dairy Devel- Programme was drawn up and 15th. Questions 11 to 20 relate to Bombay who was popular with CM Karunanidhi, had passed opment Corporation when he Annamalai University in the ­Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) bureaucrats in Bombay and orders removing Royappa and wanted a brand name for the South, became the first to im- 1. Who took over as the CEO of Delhi shouted at his Control- appointed him as the Chief milk being sold by the Corpo- plement it. When the Janata Google’s parent company Alpha- ler using impolite words for Secretary, overlooking three ration, it was Karunanidhi who party was defeated in the Gener- bet, Inc. on December 3? not expediting­ an application other senior officers. The CM suggested the name ‘Aavin’. As al Election in January,1980 and 2. Name the body that banned pending in the department, also made him the Vigilance Vigilance Commissioner, he Indira Gandhi again became the Russia from competing in all he was firm with Patel that Commissioner as well as Devel- was responsible for ordering the Prime Minister, an opportunity ­major international sporting unless he apologised to the opment Commissioner. With a arrest of Mayor Munuswamy of to become the much coveted events for the next four years. officer concerned, his applica- team of dedicated subordinates the DMK in the famous ‘Muster Cabinet Secretary came up. Un- 3. In early December, which tion would not be processed. to whom he delegated powers, Roll Scandal’ in the Corpora- fortunately Indira Gandhi and ­company raised $25.6 billion, Sabanayagam believed that Sabanayagam had no problem tion of Madras when he found her son Sanjay Gandhi consid- making it the world’s largest IPO no one, however influential in managing not only the three that the Mayor was responsible ered him a DMK man. Besides to date? he may be, could browbeat or prestigious positions in Gov- for creating fictitious muster he refused to curry favours 4. Who on December 10 ­became abuse his subordinates. When ernment but also functioning rolls and bills and appropriating with the likes of R.K.Dhawan, the world’s youngest Prime the whole office came to know as the Chairman of Southern money. When Karunanaidhi was the Private Secretary to Indira ­Minister at 34? of this episode, ­senior people Structurals Ltd. and the Dairy upset with him for taking action Gandhi. He lost the post to 5. Which teenager-activist has were emboldened to take fair Board. against a party man without Grewal. Though he was disap- been chosen Time magazine’s decisions without fear. When ‘I continued my open door consulting him, he explained to pointed, he took the rejection Person Of The Year? he found that Minister Manu­ policy. Secretaries and Heads the CM that he had taken the philosophically. Sabanayagam 6. An 18000-old perfectly bhai Shah expressed­ lack of of departments could meet action only to save his name retired from the IAS on 30th ­preserved common animal, pos- trust in him with reference­ me easily. I would occasionally and reputation of the party and August 1980 ending his official sibly the oldest of its kind and to an issue concerning Rupee walk around the sections and ­offered to resign if his decision career in the service of the Gov- that has been named Dogor, was Trade Agreements, he preferred see the clerks and peons in the was not acceptable to the CM. ernment of India. recently found in the permafrost to resign from the position as Secretariat working as I used ‘This was the second time I His advice to young officers in Yakutsk (eastern Siberia). CCIE. According to him, ‘No to early in my career as Under ­offered to resign rather than give is ‘As an officer you don’t have What type of animal? matter what position you hold, Secretary. Since I had been with up my principles and morals.’ to always submit to the Minis- 7. Which cricketer was voted whatever the prestige be, if the Rajaji and close to Kamaraj After a five year term as ter’s orders, but can and should BBC Sports Personality of the person above does not trust or and thought to be a relation of Chief Secretary, in 1976, dissuade him in his own interest Year 2019? accept your bona fides and does M.Bhaktavatsalalm, the DMK he was posted as Secretary, and in the public interest. If ministers could not but think ­Rehabilitation in Government 8. In an unusual humanitarian not trust you, there is no point he still persists, then you have that I was Congress aligned.’ of India, in charge of refugees. request, New Zealand ordered in working with such a person. no alternative but record your about 1,292 square feet of what Also if a person whom you Once at the airport when When Morarji Desai became objection and then carry out item to treat those injured in trust wholeheartedly betrays both Kamaraj and Karunanidhi the Prime Minister, he was shift- his orders. The danger that you a volcanic eruption on White your trust, there is no point in were travelling to Delhi, he ed to Department of Education will be transferred is one you Island recently? keeping him; part ways.’ went up to Kamaraj, wished and Culture which also com- should be prepared for, but not him and spoke to him. When prised sports, archeology, mu- 9. Which footballer recently won After spending seven worry about. Never sell your the coveted Ballon d’Or award years in Delhi, including a his detractors tried to give a seums and technical education. conscience. Officers who have for a record sixth time? stint with the Steel ministry, political colour to this incident Morarji Desai had a reputation compromised have always been Sabanaya­gam shifted back to it seems Karunanidhi remarked of being harsh, dictatorial and forced to face charges later in 10. How did South African Zozib- Chennai, on a special request ‘Sabanayagam always remem- vindictive. Sabanayagam dif- ini Tunzi make news recently? life.’ from the then Chief Minister * * * Karunanidhi. He was appoint- 11. What is special about the ed the Chairman of the Tami Nandi in the Masilamaniswara Nadu ­Electricity Board with Temple at Thirumullaivoyal? additional responsibility as First The tadpole’s lament 12. Which infamously famous Member, Board of Revenue. entrepreneur’s life story is titled As the Chairman of TNEB, Vetri Meedhu Aasai Veithen (I Set while his handling of the agitat- hief, thought it would be nice to check in “You people have conquered Space, but still my Heart on Victory)? Cwith you every now and then, give you an cannot figure out the difference between ‘it’s’ ing Workers’ Union earned him update maybe, on all the goings-on here. and ‘its’,”, snaps an Apostrophe, hurrying past. 13. Fill in the blank – among col- the nickname ‘Saval Sabanay- Have you heard the latest? “Its…I mean, it’s a bit confusing,” you mum- lege students, the self-appointed agam’, he was also in trouble We’re in a fine mess – linguistically speaking. ble, but the little figure has gone, looking for a gang leader for a particular bus or with Minister Madhavan for The Apostrophe, the little tadpole of the kinder, more civilised land, you assume. train route is dubbed __ __? taking a tough stand against grammar world, is increasingly feeling very left Chief, I hate to bring you worse news, know- 14. Name the famous singing Dharangadhara Chemicals, out…very out of place. ing how much punctuation mattered to you, but group from Chennai made up of Tuticorin, challenging their This tiny porriwiggle that hovers over words it looks like the Apostrophe’s cousin, Comma, eight mixed voices led by Augus- claim for continuing of the so bravely, directing comprehension with such is feeling distinctly left out as well. tine Paul. concession of lower tariff for precision, is now fighting a losing battle, and is “Check newspaper reports especially.” the broken in spirit. Comma sighs, “We just don’t figure any more. 15. The EIR 21 made news on the electricity consumed by Worse, a dedicated group like the Apostro- December 14. What is it? them on the ground it was a The words seem to gallop along at random. At phe Protection Society, deeply committed to this rate, they’ll get rid of spacing too.” 16. Which was the last pair to get power intensive industry. In the right way of...er...writing, has now quietly There’s definitely some declining and falling spite of the Minister’s warning folded its tents and faded away, defeated, their the coveted Sangita Kalanidhi going on, Chief, and civilisation is tottering a bit. honour? he decided to investigate the founder John Richards says, by all the ‘laziness’ The SPCC – Society for the Prevention of 17. Which eminent Chennai matter and recommended only and ‘ignorance’ around them. Sounds harsh? Cruelty to Colons – is threatening to go the school has the motto ‘Satyam, a partial concession. He also Perhaps. But in this era of shortening at- same way as the APS, and rumour has it that Jnanam, Anantam, Brahma’? advised the Minister to place the Hyper Hyphen-aters are tired of being in- the matter before the Cabinet tention spans, social media and the fastest-fin- 18. By what common name is the terchanged with the Damned-if-we’re-Dash-ed and take a decision, so that no ger-first form of sending msgs…sorry, messages Great House on Charles Street, (this stuff is a bit infectious), the criticism is group. where Robert Clive lived in the one could doubt the integrity probably justified. You know what, Chief? Being particular Fort, also known? of the government. According Apostrophes, bereft of their champions, are about things like punctuation? Can’t help think- to Sabanayagam ‘even in doing feeling threatened, pointing sadly to signboards ing it’s one more of life’s ‘niceties’, of making 19. Which popular director’s the right thing it is necessary that little bit more of an effort, that are consid- ­production house is called and road names. to go through the procedures “Who is going to tell people where to place ered a mere waste of time these days. ‘Neelam Productions’? meticulously so that no one has us, especially in names that end with a ‘s’ or Oh well… 20. Who penned the Tiruman- a handle to criticise.’ In due two?”, they demand. Will sign off now, Chief. tiram, the tenth of the twelve course both the Minister and Is this anyway to treat a member of the Until next time, volumes of the Tirumurai? CM appreciated his advice. punctuation family that has been around since 1496, they ask. Ranjitha Ashok (Answers on page 8) His good work earned him January 1-15, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 Early women doctors and the various ­associations that worked towards better healthcare facilities in India (Continued from by the Ursuline Sisters of the last fortnight) Catholic Church from 1755. Sam Nesamony refers to the t the inauguration of the work of missionaries in colo- AFirst All-India Obstetrics nial southern India as ‘medical and Gynaecological Congress, philanthropy’. He says: presided over by Ida Scudder of ‘The close association Vellore, Guha remarks, ­between religion and medicine, ‘…The practice of fe- and the fact that the process of male-oriented midwifery had evangelisation was not especial- deep roots in Bengali society ly successful, forced the atten- which accounts for the fact that tion of the missionaries to divert despite Bengal being the bas- their attention toward health tion of British imperial power in care and form medical missions, India, it lagged behind Madras which offered a ‘divine method’ in institutionalising midwifery of healing as another way to in the nineteenth century.’ forward their goal of evange- The Maternity Hospital lization. Accordingly medical (MH), while remaining as a dispensaries, missionary move- teaching department of Madras ments against … disease … Medical College (MMC), was ­mobilized a powerfully chal- Mary Taber Schell Memorial Hospital for women. the first institution in India to lenging social order that was school student on vacation, a life’s task on the philosophy and relief to Indian women, offer the postgraduate Diploma perceived by the disadvantaged touching incident occurred. that she needed to train women building women’s hospitals, in Gynaecology and Obstetrics masses as a response to their According to the Australian to help women, which included and encouraging women to (DGO) in 1930. A children’s genuine needs, including those Friends of Vellore: the first setting up of a formal study medicine. To some Indian ward was added to this hospital for the health of the body and ‘One eventful night in 1890, nurse-training programme for men of high social status and in 1949 with 28 beds, thanks the enlightenment of the mind.’ Ida, then a young girl visiting women in Vellore in 1909. She influence, this initiative was to the efforts of Madras pedi- The London Missionary her missionary parents in South opened the Missionary Medical hard to accept, whereas a few atrician Santanuri Thirumala ­Society (LMS) realigned its India was asked to help three School for Women offering others supported it. Those who Ãchar. Subsequently this ward objective of evangelisation women from different families L.M.P. (Licensed Medical Prac- opposed this project argued that grew, thus rendering the name through health care in the struggling in difficult child- titioner) diplomas in 1918. it was ‘yet another intrusion by ‘Egmore Women & Children 19th Century India. John Cold- birth. Custom prevented them While talking about Scudder the colonial government into Hospital’ to the MH. The con- stream (1806–1863), a Scottish from accepting the help of a and CMC&H, a brief reference their private lives’. cept of combining health care physician, spoke on this top- male doctor and being without to Paul Wilson Brand (1913– A group of women doctors of women and children was ic at the Edinburgh Medical training at the time Ida herself 2003), an orthopaedic surgeon from Bombay led by a Briton so unique in India that this ­Missionary Society, in 1855, could do nothing.’ attached to CMC&H and his – Annette Benson, who su- hospital came to be referred as ­referring to LMS’s medical pervised the Cama Hospital – the ‘Egmore model’ in medical ­efforts in helping­ Indian wom- formed the Association of Med- circles. en. One sparkling example  ical Women in India (AMWI) illustrating the role of medical by Medical help to women by Ramya Raman and Anantanarayanan Raman in 1907. It was critical of the Christian missionaries missionaries in India comes racial approach prevalent in from the life and work of Ida the operations of the LDA. Ac- At least 400 years ago, dif- Sophia Scudder of Vellore, cording to AMWI, priorities to ferent Christian missionary or- Tamil Nadu. After medical training at immense contributions to the European women were greater ganisations saw helping the sick Ida Scudder’s work in Vel- Cornell, USA, Scudder re- surgical management of defor- than what was offered to their and ­destitute as an ­opportunity lore progressed from the inspi- turned to India and established mations caused by leprosy is but Indian equals; qualified Indian to evangelise. From the 1620s, ration she derived from her par- a one-bed clinic for women in necessary. Brand established, women doctors were posted in several trade posts (‘factories’) ents, John and Sophia Scudder. Vellore in 1900, which grew as in the 1940s, that patients of remote locations with either established on the initiative John was a medical doctor and the 40-bed Mary Taber Schell leprosy hurt themselves be- little or no basic amenities. A of Frederick IV, the King of a missionary belonging to the Memorial Hospital (for women) cause they lost sensation due general criticism was that the Denmark, existed in India with Arcot Mission, which reported in 1902, and subsequently as to the disease. This finding was LDA served as an evangelical the sole purpose of spreading to the Re-formed Church in Christian Medical College and a major breakthrough in the organisation. Benson, the first the Gospel. Among the various America. When Ida Scudder Hospital (CMC&H). Scud- understanding of the aetiology President of AMWI, commit- trade posts set up, the Evan- (1870–1960) was spending time der’s mission was to provide of leprosy and its management. tedly worked towards raising gelical Lutheran Mission post with her parents in Katpaadi, quality care to women and its reputation in international at ­Tranquebar (Tarangampadi, Tamil Nadu, as a secondary children. She constructed her Institutionalised medical forums. Complaints such as Tamil Nadu) was conspicu- assistance for women undue requirements of subordi- ous. Samuel Benjamin Cnoll nation to men, unlawful sudden (1705–1767), a medical doctor Lady Dufferin Association dismissals, lack of incremental trained in Halle, Germany, Hariot Dufferin (Hari- rates of pay and work-related supervised the Royal Danish ot Georgina Hamilton-Tem- and study-leave rules, provi- Mission Hospital in Tranque- ple-Blackwood, 1843–1936), sions for retirement were fre- bar between 1740 and 1767, wife of Frederic Dufferin, the quently heard. which included a laboratorium Viceroy of India, campaigned chymicum, an early version of to improve medical support for Women’s Medical Service a modern pharmacy. A West- women in the country in 1884. for India ern medicine-based ‘hospital’ Her efforts fructified with the The Government of India managed by the Jesuits existed establishment of the ‘Nation- (GoI) considered addressing in Pondichéry in 1690. A mil- al Association for Supplying the legitimate grievances and itary hospital – a formal, large Female Medical Aid to the improving the status of medical establishment, adjacent to the Women of India’ (popularly, women serving under the LDA. French East India Company ‘Dufferin Fund’, ‘Dufferin As- One decision made by the GoI Garden, Pondichéry – came sociation’) in 1885. Dufferin was not to create a separate ser- up opposite to the Church of passionately referred to this vice of medical women, similar Sacred Heart of Jesus (a Basilica scheme as ‘my female-medi- to the Indian Medical Service. presently) in 1738, managed cal scheme’. The LDA aimed Dr. Ida Scudder with the nurses at the CMC. at providing medical support (Continued on page 8) 8 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2020 PIONEERING WOMEN DOCTORS

(Continued from page 7) ing a BA from the pant in Madras Presidency, and health care in Madras. One Madras Presidency in developing support facilities notable omission, we recognize, However, an annual grant of College, completed for destitute women (e.g. Avvai is Soundaram Ramachandran £10,000 towards establishing a her MBCM from Home, Chennai). Touched by (1904–1984), a devoted Gand- new service of medical women MMC and qualified her sister’s death due to cancer, hian, who set up a two-bed clin- under the Central Committee for memberships of she established a cancer hospi- ic honouring Kasturba Gandhi of LDA, named the Wom- the Royal Colleges tal in Madras in 1952, which in Chinnalapatti, near Madurai, en’s Medical Service for India of Surgeons (London has blossomed today as the Tamil Nadu in 1947, which has (WMSI), was approved based and Dublin), joined Adyar Cancer Institute (ACI), grown today into a 220-bed on the proposal of Charles as an obstetrician – toweringly standing under the hospital, fully committed to Pardey Lukis, made at a meet- gynaecologist in Lady inspirational mentorship of V. rural health and family welfare. ing held in Simla in 1912. The Hardinge Medical Shanta. ACI celebrates the We strongly hope that this note WMSI was a vague equivalent Hilda Mary Muthulakshmi Lazarus. Reddy. College & Hospital, name and greatness of this will stimulate others to chroni- of the prestigious Indian Med- New Delhi, and later extraordinary Madras woman, cle the lives and works of those ical Service, but intended for health care throughout India. became its first In- Muthulakshmi Reddy. unsung heroines. women and run by women, Margaret Balfour (1866–1945), dian Principal. She was the although it did not formally ex- another Briton in Bombay, was first woman medical officer in Conclusion (Concluded) ist. Women doctors who served appointed as the first chief med- government service to receive This note is an apprecia- under the aegis of WMSI used ical officer of WMSI in 1918. her appointment to WMSI. She tion of those great women of ‘WMSI’ in the list of academic She played a pivotal role in worked at the Dufferin Hospi- Madras, who blazed new trails titles after their names, similar developing education of women tal, Calcutta, for several years in the health care of women to the Indian medical servants doctors in India and also de- and retired in 1947. On the in 1850–1930. In terms of ex- Answers to quiz of that period using ‘IMS’ in veloping obstetrics and gynae- request of Ida Scudder, Lazarus clusive hospitals for women’s 1. Sundar Pichai, 2. World their academic title list. cology as a specialist training directed CMC&H between health care and needs, Madras Anti-Doping Agency, 3. Sau- WMSI in the first instance programme in the country. 1948 and 1954. The Lazarus pioneered as early as 1844 with di Aramco, 4. Sanna Marin of was to include 25 first-class Along with Ruth Young, she Ward in Kasturba Gandhi Hos- the establishment of the MH, Finland, 5. Greta Thunberg, the medical women, one-fifth wrote The Work of Medical pital for Women in Triplicane which functions today – 175 Swedish schoolgirl who inspired of whom will form the leave Women in India in 1929, for celebrates her contributions to years later – as the Institute a global movement to fight cli- ­reserve. Its members were to be which Mary Scharlieb wrote the women’s health care in India. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology mate change, 6. Puppy dog, 7. under the direction of the Cen- foreword. This book describes Muthulakshmi Reddy and Government Hospital for Ben Stokes, 8. Skin for grafting, tral Committee of the LDA. how the Dufferin Fund Project (1886–1968), born in Pudukko- Women & Children, with mul- 9. Lionel Messi, 10. She won the Lukis also spoke elaborately on panned out in India. In 1933, tai, Tamil Nadu, joined MMC tiple specialties, offering varied Miss Universe title. pay conditions, required quali- the Indian Medical Council in 1907 and graduated with advanced training programmes. fications, leave rules and other standardised medical education an MBCM in 1912. She was The other large, multi-bed hos- * * * requirements. in the country. Most significant- influenced by Annie Besant and pital in Madras is the Kasturba 11. Unlike other temples, here The newly established ly, many women came forth to Mohandas Gandhi. She con- Gandhi Hospital, born out of he faces outwards, ready to leave WMSI facilitated improve- study medicine, unlike earlier stantly worked for the welfare the initiative of the British for the battle on the orders of ment of working conditions of days. It distinguished licenti- and development of women. In woman doctor Mary Scharli- the Lord, 12. Saravana Bhavan women doctors in the whole ates (LMP, LMS) from degree 1927, she was nominated to the eb. The brilliant and dedicat- Rajagopal, 13. Route Thala, of India. It played a key role, holders (MBCM) in terms of Legislative Council of ­Madras ed contributions made by the 14. Octet Cantabile, 15. The especially during World War II. quality control. Two early wom- and was the Vice-Chair of the America-born Ida Scudder and world’s oldest steam locomotive Overall, the AMWI and WMSI en pioneers of Madras at this Council, which she quit in the India-born Muthulakshmi which made its annual heritage contributed to better health time were Hilda Lazarus and 1930 protesting against Gand- Reddy and Hilda Lazarus fill run between Chennai Egmore to management of Indian women Muthulakshmi Reddy. hi’s arrest for defying the Salt several pages of modern medi- Kodambakkam station on that and improved the status of Hilda Mary Lazarus (1890– Law. Muthulakshmi Reddy was cine for the women of Madras, day, 16. Bombay Sisters C. Saroja Indian women doctors. AMWI 1978) was the first Indian solely instrumental in abolish- immensely and inspirationally. and Lalitha in 2010, 17. Hindu and WMSI worked towards Christian to qualify as a doctor. ing the abhorrent practice of We fully recognize that we Higher Secondary School, 18. integrating every fragmented Born in Visãkapatnam, Andhra dévadãsi system and in restrict- have not covered every lady Admiralty House, 19. Pa. Ranjith, service committed to women’s Pradesh, Lazarus, after earn- ing child marriages, then ram- doctor who strived for women’s 20. Thirumular.

Madras Musings is supported as a public service by the following organisations

Amalgamations Group Bata India Limited

The Hindu F.L. Smidth Limited Group of Publications

Rane Group RAYALA GROUP

Since 1856, Sundram Fasteners Hotels Resorts patently leaders Limited and Palaces TVS MOTOR COMPANY — A WELLWISHER

Founder:Published S. Muthiah. by S. PublishedMuthiah forby Sriram‘Chennai V forHeritage’, Chennai 260-A,Heritage, TTK No. Road, 9, Cathedral Chennai Road, 600 Chennai018 and 600printed 086, byprinted T J Georgeby Anu Varghesat Lokavani-Hallmarke at Lokavani Southern Press Pvt. Printers Ltd., Pvt.122, Ltd., Greams 122, GreamesRoad, Chennai Road, Chennai600 006. 600 Edited 006, byEditor: S. MUTHIAH. Sriram V, 30/73, Kamaraj Salai, R.A. Puram Chennai 600 028, and owned by Chennai Heritage, Regd. Office No. 9, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600 086.