Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under R.N.I 53640/91
Vol. XXXIV No. 11, September 16-30, 2024
Archives: Vol. XXXIV No. 11, September 16-30, 2024
Will The Ark be ready before the rains?
-- by Sriram V.
This is the question that is uppermost in the minds of most residents of the city. With December fast approaching, people are concerned after the experience especially of the past couple of years. On the part of the administration, pronouncements are certainly making their appearance at frequent intervals, though some of them seem to be conflicting and contradictory. Of action on the ground however there are very few signs and what is worse, there is a widespread lack of confidence in whatever has been done. People seem to be resigned to the worst. Surely, a seemingly caring government can do better.
It all began in August when the Hon’ble Chief Minister made a statement on the 5th that the city was prepared to face any amount of rain. This, in a broad philosophical sense is perfectly true given that the city has not shown any sign of being abandoned despite repeatedly heavy monsoons, flooding and resultant chaos. The people are resilient. It is also noteworthy that the CM made a similar statement on November 5, 2023. The month of December last year is not one that his party or administration would want to look back at in the light of that statement.
But there was more to follow. Barely a week after the CM’s confident assertion, the mayor in an interview more or less admitted that floods were bound to happen. “Climate change is drastic, we have to be ready for heavy rain,” was what she said. The Commissioner went a step further, on August 24. “Flooding unavoidable this monsoon in Chennai,” he admitted. This sentiment was echoed by the Tambaram MLA who lamented that his constituency will be
Will Chennai’s new racing track prove a white elephant?
-- by Varsha V.
Recently, Chennai spent Rs. 40 crores to host its very first night street race in the F4 and Indian Racing League under the aegis of the Sports Development Authority of India (SDAT). With 19 corners along its route, the city’s new 3.5 km Chennai Formula Racing Circuit begins and ends at the Island Ground, winding through Anna Salai, Swami Sivananda Salai along the Cooum, Kamarajar Salai along the Marina Beach, the Napier Bridge and Flag Staff Road. Spectator stands were established along the circuit
Heritage Watch: Building Over the Island
Our Old and New seem to be the same. The OLD, taken sometime early in the 20th century shows Munro looking on at a verdant landscape. Our NEW, albeit in the ‘reel format’ so favoured by the present generation shows him looking at just the same, a year or so ago. But not for long. The Government has plans for ‘developing’ the Island. On the anvil is a (hopefully) makeshift bus terminus while the one at Broadway is brought down to make way for the wholly unnecessary 18 storey ‘multi-modal hub’. And then there is a plan to build a massive open-air theatre on thirty acres of presently open land. Enjoy the openness while it lasts.
The Cinematic Side of Manikkodi
-- by S Muthuvel
I recently read the book Manikkodi Kalam by B.S. Ramaiah, and also leafed through (roughly) 40 issues of Manikkodi magazine published between 1936 and 1939. The periodical’s history has been covered before in the writings of those like A. R. Venkatachalapathy and others. These days, Manikkodi is pegged as a serious, literary magazine. To clear the misconception, writer Kadarkarai has brought out a small book titled Manikkodi Cinema, showcasing the magazine’s cinema and film coverage.
Woodlands Drive-In rides again, in Poonamallee
-- by Geeta Doctor
It’s Mangalore bonda time at the Woodlands Drive-In restaurant on Poonamallee high road.
You bite into the tiny puffballs of fried batter light as air. Dip one half of the bonda into a steel katori with white coconut chutney and take a swipe of the sambhar next to it and Poof! You feel like you’re Alamelu in Wonderland who’s fallen into a sink-hole at Gemini’s and emerged in Arumbakkam. There’s even a white horse named Raja
