Staying in chennai
Having reached Chennai on a thursday, the rush at the platforms suggested the never-ending desire of people to reach their destinations, long distance and local trains traced as enduring motivator. A sense of indiscipline you come across stations across country but you should consider yourself lucky if you leave the premises unscathed. It was no point arguing with autos as rates had been set by higher authorities and if you beg to disagree the lawlessness is all rampant. Reached the lodge in an auto decided by them, charging a little less than 100 for a distance that won't be even two-and-half km. The place is dug up, the forlorn look is a reminder how far it has travelled from the vibrant setting seen in madrasapattinam, the movie. And the pollution in the air suggests some remedial measures are called for. As for autos and their need to go by fare chart, it won't be hard to trace the roots for non compliance If such episodes do get repeated across cities/towns of the country, some would argue there is a need for course correction. Starting from national capital where law and order does not evoke promise, a quick check on number of autos that ply, their actual strength, the accretion over the years and how it could be made more hospitable would be beneficial. An exchange of transactions that leads to adding to their strength won't prove handy for commuters. Drawing a blueprint of their functioning, keeping all papers in order where they don't fleece anyone and they also don't get fleeced would lead to a great deal of order. Same is the need for checking the number of buses on roads and if indulging in rash driving, the need to set things in order. A lax law and order in delhi has a reflection in other places.
Autos, lodges, stores, laundry set up,fleet of buses and their pliable conduct and most places seen as one for public to collect and converse do send an impression of the city/town and its reliability. Is there an order that spells good tidings or on order that spells mischief and disorder depends a lot on how city has come up, freed from varying degree of consternation. Mischief they indulge in or don't indulge depends on the support they have garnered.
The room allotted in Virudhnagar Nadar Mansion, Poonamallee high road, Periamet, the tea taken from nearby vendor, it was time to retire for the day. What followed was a night of pain and suffering. An upset stomach followed by vomit suggested the food taken on train that evening was not that palatable. The appearance of bedbugs added to the unforgettable night. Early morning left for Choolai Medical Point, Hunters Road where the doctor suggested another set of medicines, with special emphasis on curd rice as meals. From the appearance of the automan who took me to Hunters Road and to the lodge, one could believe this was one who believed in going by the rules. During the course of seven day stay in Chennai, it was Bell restaurant that provided the requisite dose of curd rice.
This Bell Hotel is on other side of the lodge and one has to walk a fair distance before taking a u turn and again walking the same set of distance. There are no overbridges here. And if you have to go past stores, travel agents shops and other stores some would spit next to you as you go past them.
SAturday as well had the opportunity to visit Egmore. The one store serving as medicine dispenser and general store seem to have airs of his own. Better to ignore. As for Vasanta Bhawan one day appeared to stay on line, the second day as i went to take meals and as i began to wash hands, from nowhere one waiter appeared and began to spit repeatedly in the second wash basin. Same thing happenned in Mambalam where after finishing meals from a second eating joint as i came out, one boy came near to me and spat and moved in a different direction. This was followed by a search for oranges which took me to a lady where as i was negotiating the price, a coconut vendor came from nowhere and repeatedly spat, this time a little away. Mambalam is a fairly crowded area. As for Virudhnagar nadar mansion, the place is good, the jayanthi restaurant can on occasions be difficult if law and order machinery begins to spread its presence in an odd way. One staff boy seem to relish his rude conduct there.
SAturday the day i had taken train ticket, the visit to shops in the premises of railway station helped me to get a good tidy halwa (sweet confections), perhaps flour-based. Sunday was meant for a local train ride from Chennai Park to Tambaram. Monday i came across a crowded local which was meant to take me to tirusulam. And that too on a public holiday. Some told me this local went all the way to Kancheepuram.
On a Sunday after doing story from a cyber cafe in Tambaram, which i should admit was very cooperative, reached the local station. It was a long line to the window counter. The local left at 4.53, reaching tambaram sanatorium 4.56, chrompet 4.58, pallavaram 5.03, tirusulam 5.05, minambakkam 5.07, (woman guard), palavanthangal 5.10, st thomas mount 5.12, guindy 5.15, saidapet 5.20,
mambalam 5.22, kodambakkam, 5.22, nungambakkam 5.27, chetpet 5.31 and egmore 5.34 pm.
The rides across city in locals brought me face to face with people from northeast. Perhaps they were there for study or doing service. For reaching airport took a local from egmore at 8.40 in the morning, reached trisulum at 9.20. Way back left tirusulam at 10.35, going past minambakkam 10.37, st thomas mount 10.42, guindy 10.45, saidapet 10.49, Kodambakkam 10.55, nungabakkam 10.57, chetpet 11. On a Tuesday visited two eating joints in Mambalam. THe Ganesh temple there looks good. The security guard looked to be relaxed.
As for the lodge, two stores nearby were handy, one run by arun kumar. Nilgris departmental store was equally good.
