Obstacle course

The short stretch of Westcott Road, Royapettah, from the gate of our apartment complex, north towards the Meston Collge/Wesley High School compound, though barely 100 metres long, has all the ingredients that make walking on Chennai's roads such a great adventure.

Uneven pedestrian walks (if they can be called that), broken paving stones, half open man-holes, unauthorised parking of vehicles, two-wheelers whizzing past in the wrong direction, strewn garbage and the ever present stench of urine are commonplace.

Lately, one more item has been added to this list – dangling wires of cable TV networks, telephones and possibly even TANGEDCO. They were always there but at a safe height, strung along the street lamp posts. Of late they all seem to have descended towards the ground adding to the variety of obstacles that a pedestrian has to negotiate. The photographs alongside speak for themselves.

Two sights are noteworthy:(i) the coiled loop of cable TV wires resembling the 'ring of fire' which animals are expected to jump through in a circus , offering new ideas to the more acrobatic and adventurous amongst pedestrians and (ii) the majestic sprawl of a length of cable on the ground at the entrance to a petrol pump (lying undisturbed in that state for several days) emblematic of an apathetic citizenry that has given up on a clueless and ineffective civic administration and the utter brazenness of a "cable mafia" whose lawlessness has reached the latest new low.

Is any one in charge? Does any one care a damn?

K. Balakesari
3/1, Kesari Kuteeram, 27, Westcott Road,
Royapettah, Chennai 600014

Another contributor

The Public Health Centre (MM, January 1st) has done remarkable service for the disadvantaged section of our community in the post-independent years. MC Mama richly deserves to be remembered for his selfless service and devotion to the Centre. It was largely due to his efforts that the Centre continues as an important landmark health care institution for those in need.

I would also like to recall the services of C. Rajam Ramasawamy (MLA, Mylapore, from 1952 to 62) who served as the President of the Centre from its inception to 1986. He was a close associate of veteran leader K. Kamaraj and a dear friend of M.C. Mama (they used to visit each other almost every day) and devoted to the common cause – providing affordable quality health care for the people of West Mambalam. In all fairness, I think C. Rajam Ramaswamy's contribution to this hoary institution should not be forgotten. In fact MC Mama would be the first person to agree with my statement, if he had read this article.

Prema Srinivasan
premavps@gmail.com

Walking with MC

I well remember M.C. Mama (MM, January 1st).

In 1952, when T.T.K. contested the Parliament seat and C.R. Ramaswami the Assembly seat, my elder sister and her friends were all engaged in cajoling the womenfolk of West Mambalam area to go and exercise their franchise as it was the first General Election. As an 11-year old, I used to accompany them from door to door, requesting women to go and vote. We were all guided by M.C. Mama.

His pleasant countenance, ever-smiling face, dignified and calm disposition, soft and low voice, all these were those of a dhoti-clad Gandhian and are still fresh in my memory. I recall the 'Bhoomi Pooja' for the Public Health Centre being performed on a ground in Lake View Road, and, if my memory hasn't failed me, the 'Kuthu Vilakku' for the pooja being lit by Sivasankari, today a noted writer and novelist.

I can still visualise the scene of M.C. Mama walking in the area with his volunteers who adored him.

Mrs. Balasaraswathi Krishnaswami
121, ( New No.3), 6th Street
A.V.M. Avenue, Virugambakkam
Chennai 600 092