India is diverse - from snowy Himalayas to serene coasts of Indian Ocean, and Chennai, name it the shore of majestic Marina or the vibrant window of Southern India, is one of the shinning gems that glitters on India's tip.
Looking at pictures of havoc caused by floods in Chennai had my memories of the city come alive, so this Sunday, over a shot of espresso, am putting my thoughts for you, Chennai. I have been seeing a lot of feeds on my social networking connections about people in Chennai and across the country lending hands and love for the charmingly chilly Chennai. This is India's strength. We stand together holding hands, when the need of hour be.
I always see these moments to remind cities like Chennai of its strength and to look back and within to remind them of what they hold beneath them. I have had the charm of living in various cities, and they happen to not let me see them as just mere cities but a living soul with a distinct culture and a story to inspire many souls. These cities are like those humans, who inspire us. Whether it's the never dying spirit of Mumbai which keeps growing strong, or the vibrant and cultured charm of Ahmedabad, that focuses on strategic evolution. Let's be honest, we fall in love with a city we tend to know more-and-more about, and as-and-when we happen to know them.
My memories of Chennai are pleasant, may be of course I visited Chennai in winters and not sunny summers. In both my interaction with this majestic city, I realized it holds a warm, and a set of always helpful people beneath it. They are happy and jolly in living life the way they do. It's like straight being out of a 700 MM screen, where everything about it is normal, but a dream in our eyes to be larger than life. In fact, within my Tech Mahindra's tenure as well, and otherwise around Hinjewadi IT Park, I happen to meet people from Chennai and elsewhere, holding promises in eyes to be long lasting friends, and they just want you to know more about their culture and always eager to see do what your culture holds for them. That breaks the very stereo-type that Chennai souls hardly get interactively closer to the way others live. All you need to do with Chennai and its people is, shake a hand, give them a warm greeting and they open a box of happiness for you; this has been my experience.
Chennai has a glorious and uniquely inspirational history, just like any other majestic Indian city going as deep as 7th and 8th centuries. It has the distinct flavor from the ancient Indian culture ( Mahabalipuram temple or the morning shlokas that are very Sanskrit) , blend of Mughal and English savor (Triumph of Labour).
It gives a feeling of discomfort to see our cities being uprooted by calamities. So Chennai, you hold a lot within you, let's get back on the track of unlimited entertainment, beating the drum of sneering equatorial heat, thriving roads and pumping the life of many. You've made the look the wrath of 2004 tsunami and its aftermath look pity in front of your majestic charisma! One long Whsitle podu, and stand tall larger, bigger. Lets Chennai!
