Chennai - City with Soul

Spending six weeks at Chennai for my RBI induction training was one of the most wonderful chapters of my diary. People from other parts of the country come here with many preconceptions, about the linguistic differences, culture, food etc. Honestly speaking, so did I! But while I write this, all of these have turned into some of the most memorable experiences of my life. From the quintessential Tamil language to the peculiar Hindi accent to the local delicacies, there are so many things which give an altogether different feel while being here. Experiencing this great culture and living in it certainly add more spice to the recipe of life!

The city is gifted with some beautiful places to visit. While the panorama and tranquility of Marina beach resembles some poetry in motion, the serene and mesmerizing sights by side of The East Cost Road literally leaves you spellbound. Express Avenue and Phoenix are good examples to know how the city has been catching pace with the modern world and transforming itself into a new-age metro. However, it is the culture of the city that goes beyond the scenic attractions and developmental rhetoric.

Food is a real allurement here. Eating at Sarvana Bhavan and Murugan Idli Shop is a treat you must give to yourself. Note that the types of chutneys served outnumber the types of delicacies! The food is so much immersed into the culture that you get even Dominos Pizzas flavored with local cuisines. For the coffee lovers, this is the best place to caffeinate. Sipping local filter coffees at roadside vendors is more pleasurable than even at Starbucks.

Did I forget T-Nagar gold market? One of the most happening markets you may ever visit. People’s fatal attraction towards gold and the appetite to purchase are unbelievable. The market has gold-stock enough to fund an entire bailout package for Lehman Brothers!

Fun apart, the most striking feature of the city is the excellent establishment set-up. From wide and clean roads to state of the art government hospitals to surprisingly good public parks, it has almost everything that you expect in a well managed city. Don’t know whether it is a political will or a motivated bureaucracy or perhaps an enlightened society, but the city clearly sets itself apart with decent institutional set-ups and public welfare arrangements.

Yes the city is different, in more ways than one. But being different itself makes it special. Unlike other metros, there may be few late night parties and Metallica concerts, but it is the art, music and cultural heritage that generously fill up soul in the city. More than anything else, I liked the city for the cross cultural dynamics I enjoyed here. Often we hear about India being a diverse nation yet unified with common values. The city of Chennai reinforces that notion of unity in diversity. Chennai, thank you for giving me some really wonderful memories that I will always cherish. Will miss you!

(Views are personal!)