The seniors get into the act too

Dignity foundation, an NGO working for the cause of senior citizens, decided to do something different during Madras Week 2015, the foundation got together a group of senior citizens and organised a one-day tour of ‘Known places but unknown facts in Chennai’. The head did not deter the Seniors from paying homage to places where the freedom movement took place. Guided by Advocate V. Raja Narayanan, the elders got to learn less-known facts and relive old moments.
The event started off with a flag-hoisting ceremony by chief dignitarian, Sundara Gopalan, at its Teynampet office. The tour followed.

Raja Narayanan briefs the Senior walkers on the Freedom Trail.

The first stop was the Southern Railways Employees Sangh and the Tirupoor Kumaran Valibar Sangam at Perambur. Both these places were frequented by freedom fighters to carry out protests against the British.
The next stop was the house of V.O. Chidambaram Pillai at Thulasinga Perumal Street and Kandan Pillai Street where poet Bharathiyar and VOC stayed together. Raja Narayanan said, “At that time the rent was only Rs. 5 a month and Bharathiyar and VOC couldn’t afford it. The landlord reduced it to Rs.3 and they still couldn’t afford it. Finally they had to vacate the house. Despite these economic conditions, these men continued their freedom struggle.”
The seniors continued their journey onto Hari Narayanan Puram where M.K. Gandhi had offered prayers during his visit to Madras. Mint was next on the tour and Raja Narayanan talked about the time when people were paid their salary in gold coins. After passing through Waltax Road and Madipoonga, the seniors had a look at Maniyakarar Choultry which was constructed to protect the city from Haider Ali’s invasion. In the 1700s, poor people were fed at this location and the practice continues till today. The place also has a home for senior citizens.
The tour moved on to the Old Jail near Broadway followed by the Royapuram Bridge – the first railway station in South India, and the Collector’s Office. Raja Narayanan talks about the time when the Supreme Court functioned out of this campus on Rajaji Salai – back in the 1600s. Later, the group visited the High Court and saw the spot where, during the war years, a ship bombarded the High Court area on September 22nd, 1914.
After lunch, the seniors visited other spots including the flag mast in Fort St. George. The tour ended with a visit to the War Memorial and Bhara­thiyar’s house at Triplicane, now a memorial. – (Courtesy: Mylapore Times.)
Preeti Srivatsan

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