Omandurar thottam aka Government House

Many people don’t know what this is about and where it is located in Chennai...

It was a home for a "Marathadi" Vinayagar, hundreds of trees, peaceful government offices, old mess, Rajaji Hall at the other end. Public can sneak through to have a pleasant silence in the hot spot of the city. Sometimes with police mercy, we can get a chance to play cricket. Vinayagar Chathurthi is always famous because of the Arasa maram Suyambu Vinayagar and for kids, the free sugar as prasatham.

Of so many locations, why this place has to be chosen as the New Secretariat? Now, the new secretariat looks green but just the lush green lawn and no more trees. It's not the same old place. I know things have to change, old has to give way to new but I don't see a logical reason to have the new Secretariat here.

First reason, it's in the heart of the business center in Anna Salai...surrounded by Pudupet, Ritchie Street, wholesale market, MAC Stadium, near University of Madras, busy Triplicane High Road and Pycrofts road. And everyone knows about the roads of the Triplicane which leads to this new Secretariage from all directions. As the decision was made, they was a rumors that all the mansions will be closed because of Security reasons, the roads will be extended to 30 feet demolishing the existing shops and homes and the notice severed to few shopkeepers already.

So, every time the Ministers come to this place, Anna Salai will be stalled for a while, lucky it didn't happen yet. If this is just because of sentimental beliefs, makes fool of the party started against the same beliefs. Alright this building is also "Green certified" because of the trees surrounding the complex. Our Prime Minister did his part by planting 1000 saplings of evergreen species (not trees) during inauguration day with an artificial multi-Crore fake dome.

With the new government already planned to use the Fort George as the Legislative assembly, we have to wait and watch what happens to this Rs 450 Crores project

-Naren

Sunday evening in Marina

Finally decided to kick myself out of the couch and took the streets of Triplicane. What else is an option on a Sunday evening? One thing was sure, nothing changed all these years, the smaller building become bigger ones, and the streets remain the same, same book stores along the platforms. The evening was so wonderful it made to extend the walk little towards our Marina.

Marina on Sunday evenings is an “Experience”, the pavements redesign is a blessing for the people having osteoarthritis, tightened security give some comfort to the public.

The beauty of Marina is it has everything for everyone, sand castle for kids & adults, balloon shooting, mollakai bajjis, waves and the calmness of sea. I could recollect every bit of our family outings; school friends daily meet at Vivekananda Illam and weekly cricket game with college mates. It was a blissful “time-out” and God wish, plan to have every Sunday evening.

Respect Demanded or Commanded...

I remember the country road which leads to the Kelambakkam through Sholinganallur. I always cherish the travel that too during the college days adds cherry to the memories. We had no traffic lights or system to monitor. After 10 years, Sholinganallur is the most happening hub connecting to all parts of town; you could go to East coast road, towards Pallikaranai or Air Port and also Kelambakkam (IT Highway).

I was waiting in my cab returning from my office to home in the signal and the traffic constable rushed towards. I realized he was trying to catch the biker who was travelling without helmet. The biker just showed the finger and rushed past the constable. The police constable couldn’t catch him or no system to track him. The biker knew, he has to bribe at least 150-200 rupees and additional punishment for not obliging to the police. That’s the respect police deserves. I was so pity on one side seeing the police plight but on other side it was the right thing for the Common man.

Vibrant Entry...

So many things happening around and like the unplanned activities executed in a perfect manner, I am back to my good old days. Enjoying my walk to bus stops, laughing when Auto driver charge requests, the trust people show based on face value, squabbles with my Mom, talking to my school friends, public transport travel, 8 hr work comprising 3 coffee breaks and a lunch… Its good to be back to hometown…I missed Triplicane and Chennai near and dear by the way I cherish every moment now…

Thanks for visiting…I believe I am back…Will try to log the beauty of life…the essence of this blog…

Naren