Chennai Notes

[Sujatha]

The topic is based on our recent visit to Chennai and Mahabalipuram.



Spenser plaza, situated at heart of Mount Road (Anna Salai), which I am monitoring since 14 years period. This building started after an infamous fire broke out over the old buildings located at the same site.



Mount road was earlier described as “all the gentlemen and ladies of Madras prepared in the gayest to be at the road and loiter around the Cenotaph for the opportunity of flirting and displaying their fine cloths.” But the whole scenario has changed now. I could not find any flirters this time. This road has become as rough and tough traffic channel from parts of the city towards Central Railway station and Egmore Railway station.



After getting down at the Central Railway station, you will find numerous budget accommodations around Wall tax Road (V O C Road). Find some decent place to hang about there. Most of the guys around here speak Telugu. From there auto guys will ask Rs25/- to drop at Spenser plaza. One practical point, you must cross the road in front of Central Railway station.



I am observing this Spenser plaza since 1990, when I passed my later stages of school era. It started with humble solo building. In those days fully functioning air conditioned Mall is very rare in Chennai. Now it has expanded in to three Phases (three Buildings). Each building has three floors, interconnected to each other. Each floor has around 20 show rooms/stores.



The positive point about this place is that there is no pressure of buying. In small Malls, you are under indirect pressure to purchase something. In this place, you get lost and unnoticed in the crowd. So window-shopping is very well possible here. Recently they have started the food complex in top floor of Phase 3. I think there are six restaurants in that spot. A strict Iyer Lady manages Krishna sweets restaurant here. I never miss the Dhall Poli here. Apart from this eatery, you can see speciality choreographed Arun ice cream head quarter parlour here. You feel as if you are travelling in a submarine. For pizza lovers you have the Subway nearby.



Recent attraction is Srilanka Trade Centre where items imported from Srilanka are being displayed. but this place is not hot. It needs to attract more crowds.



All you software guys, hopefully be pleased to find the numerous computer shops, including the recent addition of “LAP TOPS” show room.

The music world show room there is more than 10 years old. Since then I have been seeing English/Telugu/Tamil/Hindi section there. Recent addition is that of Planet-M located somewhere at third phase.



Net users can find cafés like the Reliance web world, the Satyam I way and some private internet centres. You should select your choice.



They have the basic needs undisturbed. For nature’s call 1 and 2, toilet complex is located at every corner of nine floors.



After finished shopping, you slowly walk down the side way road. You will find the Taj Connemara Hotel the five star. I have visited their vegetarian restaurants once. This hotel is for special mention because they have blended old world with new one properly. This hotel is heavily booked from December to March.



If you walk further, you will find the Cooum River. I think this must be the dirtiest and most stinky river group in whole of India. I do not know what went wrong. Even today, if you closely observe this river you can see the bathing ghats built in the banks of the river. It is informed that in early 1900”s people have taken bath here. It seems, it has deteriorated gradually and has become the toilet river. I could remember some fifteen years ago Australian university team and some NGO s from Australia landed here on some mission and started cleaning up this river. But I think all went futile then. Not even god can give solution for this problem now.



Another negative point is that they have not cleared the slums. I think we can say Chennai is a Metro of Slums. There is slum everywhere, around central station, the General Hospital, and Fort station. I think the North Madras is full of slums. This also clearly shows the huge differences between haves and have-nots in traditional Hindu Indian society.



Bi.



Coming next, ……..I will meet you with more stories on Mahabalipuram,Bhubaneswar,puri,Konarak, Vizag.....

[Sharjeel]

Very nice desc. of the shopping scene.

[akhilis2cool]

Ghoomne phirne ke paise milte kya?