Unabating auto menace

Aside from the points stated in the article ‘If Chennai is to be a tourist destination’ (MM, February 1st), an important point which needs mentioning is the fleecing by auto drivers. Even after fixing the revised auto meters, complaints of over-charging are abundant. When the drivers take even the veteran locals for a ‘ride’, you can very well imagine the fate of newcomers.

It was recently reported that a person from Assam who came to Chennai for medical treatment was charged Rs. 1300 from Central Station to Thousands Lights, a distance of 6 kilometres, by an inhuman auto driver, and that when the visitor objected to the demand, he was threatened with dire consequences. Following the very bitter experience, the visitor decided never to visit Chennai again. 

In order for tourism to thrive in Chennai, the authorities must first and foremost discipline the auto drivers. The gateways like railway stations and airport must be ‘sanitised’ and monitored by the authorities so as to ensure that the  auto drivers behave properly.

Adhithi Devo Bhava must be preached and practised by all. Even if we are unable to help the tourists, we should in no way be a hindrance or a threat to them..

V.S. Jayaraman
31, Motilal Street
Chennai 600 017

Madras English

I would like to share some of the observations that I have made about the influence of English on the city’s lingua franca. It is my surmise that we South Indians are more faithful to that legacy, English language, than certain other Indians.

While ‘sir’ may have become ‘saar’ here, elsewhere it is ‘sir-ji’. I have always wondered how, in the earlier days, bus conductors in the city would have shouted ‘hold on’ or, for that matter, ‘right’ or ‘right-right’, but in the recent past the words I have heard are ‘tension’ and ‘back-up’.

Conversely, it is common knowledge that ‘mulligatawny’ and ‘catamaran’ from Tamil entered the English lexicon years ago.

T.K. Srinivasa Chari
99, Journalists Colony
Srinivasapuram
Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041

Correct usage?

In the article on Concrete roads (MM, January 16th) the Latin expression ‘et al’ is used. I wonder whether et al can be used for other than people, in place of ‘etc’.

Chambers dictionary does define et al as referring to people and things. However, The Good Word Guide edited by Martin H. Manser from Bloomsbury says as under:

“Et al is an abbreviation of et alii and means – ‘and other people’. It is used particularly in writings of a formal technical nature to indicate the omission of other names. * Similar findings have been recorded by Jones, Bernstein, et al. Alternatively, it is sometimes used informally in ironic or humorous contexts:

* Here comes Bill et al. It should not be used in ordinary writing or in speech, and should be used only when a list is specific and does not start with for example or such as.”

H.J. Pavamani
126, Velachery Road, Guindy Chennai 600 032

Tourism destination

Although most of our metropolitan cities present ugly scenes, Chennai tops them all. Mumbai with all its handicaps is a better administered city.

Living in Chennai, if garbage is the worst offender, the dirtying of the city’s walls by innumerable ugly cinema and other kinds of posters comes second. The authorities think that keeping certain VIP roads clean is enough.

Many local corporation play-grounds too have been handed over to contractors to dump their materials and they vandalise them. This is a new phenomenon.

Complaints to the Corporation or to MLAs bring no relief. Is this a city being listed as a world class destination (MM, February 1st)?

T. Santhanam
tyagasanth@gmail.com