Demonte Lane: Officialdom apathy

Contents of letter addressed to GCC and CMWSSB:

The photographs reveal the following:

1. Construction activities have ruined the road by movement/parking of heavy vehicles and abandoned vehicles.They should be made to relay the road at their expense prior to GCC handing over the Completion Report.

2. Sewage is overflowing due to blockage forcing Super Sucker to be employed regularly. Health hazard is waiting to hit the public patronizing the licenced food vendors on the lane. CMWSSB and Health Dept. please note and act.

3. Food vendors have damaged the storm water drain and are dumping plastics,waste, etc. into it. This is bound to cause flooding during rains. Apart from permitting rodents to hide.

4. Storing construction materials like bricks, gravel,steel rods, sand etc on public roads is not permitted in cities. Why are concerned agencies not acting?

5. CMWSSB is aware the sewage pipes under the road cannot take the load of the new buildings. If action to replace is not taken, the sewage is bound to overflow and cause health issues.

6. Please appreciate the problems being faced by senior citizens to anticipate the traffic congestion and other obstacles mentioned above.

Commodore Premkumar VSM
cmdeprem70@gmail.com

Various issues

As you have rightly remarked in your issue dated Feb 16th, it is a bad habit in Chennai to troop in late for performances, particularly by VIPs. Perhaps they feel that it shows their importance. But TN Seshan defined the VIPs as “Velai Illadha Pasanga!”

I went once to the famous Scala Theatre in Milan. Noticing me as an Indian looking for a cheap ticket, the man at the counter told me that it was not permitted to go in late and come out at any time except during the interval or if there was an emergency. He advised me to buy the cheapest ticket, go up to the standing gallery – no sitting – and come out at any time I liked! May be we could think of something like this without reserving seats in the front row only.

Raman, Ananthanarayanan from Australia has rightly pointed out the atrocious pronunciation. This is not their fault. It is the phonetic problem of Tamil. Molony, ICS and Cho Ramaswamy had suggested a solution. But it is rather difficult to implement. But I have suggested a simple solution amenable to computer, which was also published in Madras Musings and DinaMalar. I gave it to the Govt of TN too. But they do not seem to be inclined to implement. As a result,this atrocious pronunciation continues. A friend of mine pronounces BJP as Pichepee; a leading astrologer pronounces ‘Guru’ as ‘Kuru’.

Dr G.Sundaram,IAS(R)
drgsundaram@yahoo.com

Moore Market memories

I was sitting in my car in the Central Station car park this morning waiting to collect my granddaughters coming by the Shatabdi from Bangalore, when I noticed this replica of Moore Market behind my car. It brought back a flood of memories of a time gone by. However I was saddened to see that this replica of Madras’ first shopping mall is derelict and uncared for.

Is there some way it could be maintained? For those of us born before the 60s it was the go to place for birthday presents and all kinds of amazing knick knacks.

Mallika Gulvady
mgulvady@gmail.com

Overhead cables

Most overhead cables that disfigure our roads seem to be redundant ‘dummies’. Could the GCC find a way to clear them?

Mohan Raman
9 (old 5), Srinivasa Avenue Road
Chennai 600028

 

Ilai Sappadu

When your friends from the north come a-calling on you
To showcase the South Indian hospitality what do you do?
Take them to the best restaurant in town
Where a ilai sapppadu is served – it wins hands down!

Every item in its place, a place for every taste
When the servers file past, there are no guessing games
The foodie, the faddish or the frugal eater
Is served as their need, wastage is less here
No queues, excuses, and small courtesies
Here there’s an air of back-slapping geniality
The sashaying pallu and the bejewelled potli
Can be placed at your side as you take your seat
No balancing act as you tug at your naan
Or to refill your plate navigate an uneven lawn
You can slurp your rasam, crackle your aplaam and lick your fingers clean
The repast can be enjoyed as it is meant to be

A certain caterer with a high reputation
No relation to any viceroy – I say with confirmation
Served ilai sappadu throughout the season
The crowds at lunchtime were there for good reason
As the artist and the day’s menu were discussed with the same animation!

Be it a wedding, a ceremony, or a simple meal
The ilai sappadu is the real treat
A South Indian wedding may be out to a destination
But a thalai vazha ilai sappadu is always in the ­celebration!

– Sujatha Chandramouli