All the political parties in their manifestos have completely missed the real issues and have focused on populous issues like free rice, and television sets. A citizens forum led by Exnora International have formed the Greater Chennai Confederation, as association of 400 local citizens bodies and have launch a People’s Manifesto, to focus on the needs of people in Chennai, which has been largely ignored by the political parties.
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North Chennai is one of the busiest parts of the city. If you have some errands in that area, it is a great pleasure to leave the hustle-bustle behind and spend a little while visiting the Armenian Church, on Armenian Street leading off from NSC Bose Road. From the street, all you see is a double staircase leading up to a high, heavy wooden door set in a blank wall. You walk through a passage and emerge into a quiet green space containing the church, its bell-tower, and a garden.
the bell-tower, with the church on the right
Here’s some great news for readers of the Chennai MetBlog. You can now suggest a story or a news item to the team of authors for this blog, and we’ll get it published. It’s simple.
If you are privy to a information concerning Chennai, have the scoop to end all scoops, feel strongly about an issue or think that we are not giving certain issues enough focus, go ahead - tell us so.
Click the “Suggest a story” link to the right, on the sidebar, provide us with the details of the story and your email address and send it away.
More power to the reader!
The May election is on everyone’s mind and in every general conversation. With parties vying to outdo each other, it is surprising that no one has promised a cell phone for each family yet. Usha makes a very valid point over at the Bangalore Metblog.
Looking around at the election promises of some of the neighboring states going to the polls, I would not be surprised if some party comes up with the idea of assuring a cell phone for every unemployed person over 18!
Supreme Star Sarathkumar who looked like an extreme follower of DMK, has now joined AIADMK, for obvious reasons. Radhika Sarathkumar also joins her husband in the Andharbalti Season. This brings the Radaan to end contracts with Sun TV. Why ? Talk of “Mottai thalaikum Muzhangaalukkum….”
I feel this election would have taught Mr. M. Karunanidhi a lot of lessons. But most of the people who jump parties at election times, get lost. I remember Thamizh Kudimagan, who was a shocker during last elections. Nobody expected him to embrace AiADMK. (We call it Paal-maararadhu in local tamil). But even though AIADMK won, he is nowhere to be seen.
As we get closer to the elections, we get a lot of chances to laugh at ourselves. Pity.
Just when you thought the summer was peaking, the dark clouds from the South of Tamil Nadu moved steadily towards Chennai and the cloud burst a few moments ago.
Yeah, the sky is really that dark!
You head off for a few days to a cooler clime and when you return, the people you live with mischievously decide that this is one news you will not hear about from them. Tut-tut, don’t be evil.
However the aforementioned people don’t realize that you have other means of knowing. So I am a few days behind on the gloating of this news, yet hear now!
Doulos, the ship that brings knowledge, help and hope is currently stationed at the Chennai Port.
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Mumbai, I know, is known as the street-food paradise. But Chennai is known for its temples. Chennai is certainly not known for its food in the way Mumbai is. Chennai food I have noticed make it to the food news only when it’s creating some world record. Like, the world’s biggest dosa or something like that. Of late though, many fast food restaurants have cropped up.
The first that comes to mind is Kenzo’s, which has now metamorphosed to Eatalica. They promise America with a touch of Italy. I do enjoy eating there but have noted that when you take a group of 8 with you (a) it can get cramped (b) they serve rather late. On the other hand, if you are going out with one other friend, then they are a safe bet.
But the fast food joint that I swear by goes by an unlikely name and is tucked away in the basement complex of a 3-storied building in Gandhi Nagar. It’s called Mr.G’s and they haven’t paid me to write this!
I have always thought that the true character of a city reveals itself in some of the innocuous details. Sometimes, it could be a funny pic or a funny line. I found this sign on a traffic island in Gandhi Nagar.
HUMAN CARE FOR HUMAN CURE
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai
What does this mean? Does it mean that hospitals care to cure, cure to care or simply alliterate to nowhere? It still doesn’t make sense to me. But then that’s, I suppose, the charm of it.
The fishing hamlet of Kasimedu, in North Chennai. The smell of drying fish and salty air overpowers you. Yet, you venture boldly and meet the nicest people. People who offer you rides in their boats just because you happen to click a photo of them.
