Chennai Day - August 22nd

Its Chennai’s birthday today. It is hard to believe that the city always young and vibrant coping up with dozens of cultures, religions, castes and languages had turned the 367th leaf in its book of history. And as I take a look at the city in the dark evening, amidst the noisy traffic and pollution, I could see the city sitting like a silent, innocent child accepting all the wishes pouring in with humility.

Chennai was not always the best place to live. Coupled with the usual problems of other metros like crimes, underworld, traffic jams and all that Chennai has a peculiar issue- the year long hot weather and water scarcity. May be that’s what is the foremost thing that puts off anyone who thinks of settling down here.

But for those who have grown up with the city, who have enjoyed every precious moment of their life here and who think of the city as a motherland, the city has much more to offer. Like a person in adolescent stage balancing himself with life and adapting with times… May be because of this never ending adolescence only the city seems young always:-D hee hee....

As the city glitters in its glory of 367 years, there are a few long time wishes from the heart of this Chennai Thamizhan which I would like to list down now…. Hope the corporations and the governments in the years to come will make my dreams true atleast by 2020 :P

1) A city void of water scarcity with self-sufficient supplies. The heavy rains and rain water harvesting has reduced the problem to some extent this year. Still, there should be long term plans devised to get rid of this permanently. Enough of losing our self respect begging neighbor states and seeing their hard face

2) A city eased out of congestions in traffic. Especially places like Panagal Park Jn, Teynampet Junction, Sardar Patel Rd , 100 ft road, Arcot road etc need severe reforms asap. And also areas like Perambur, Purasawalkam, Mylapore, West Mambalam etc. Before the situation goes to the “nothing-can-be-done-about-it” stage, hope something is done.

3) A city void of green color thingies running in the name of buses. Though different models of buses have been running in the city, still the oldest green color models are not out of sight. These buses don’t have proper seats, broken support rods and are always in ready-to-breakdown status. Yet they run for long distance routes breaking the backbone of passengers. And especially number of buses should be increased a lot. Its rare to se any bus withour standess these days!!!!

4) A clean and tidy city where everyone is provided with civic education. No more shitting on roads, spitting on walls, dumping garbage on streets or improper drainage facilities. Government bodies and NGOs are doing a lot but still its we, the people, who lack civic sense and don’t even care about our own city. From the administration side, the three rivers of Chennai namely Buckingham canal, cooum and Adayaaru should no more remain as drainage letouts.

5) Provided all the above are done successfully to some extent, we should look upon promoting the city with more tourist attractions than a mere show of tombs and old buildings (Legacy is appreciated but more of entertainment value is what I mean here). Singaara Chennai should not be a mere project of words. It should come out as an initiative from each and every citizen of Chennai!!!

If Dr.Kalam has set Vision 2020 for India I have set my dreams for Chennai 2020 with a minimum requisites of the above ideas. It should happen and I am sure it will happen. The Spirit of Chennai will make it possible to happen… Love you Chennai!!!