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Namma Chennai

 Dear Chennai,

                Happy 381st birthday. You still look young and energetic as ever. It's saddening that we can't celebrate this day in our usual style. This time, there are no week-long art shows, concerts, dance performances or the famous food drive. 

                There are so many places that I missed during the summer.  It’s the season that I love the most. It may sound weird for many people who complain about the scorching sun and heat waves, but for me, summer is the time the city comes alive.

                Let’s start from the IPL. The entire city comes together adorning the charismatic yellow. The atmosphere at the Chepauk stadium is always pumped up with fans in yellow jerseys, face paint, flags, placards and what not. Everyone unites for the Mexican wave without hesitation and it’s a sight to behold. It's so sad to see our beloved team in Dubai, waiting to play in front of empty stands without our roars and whistles. 

                Many commercial films were slated for release this summer. I miss the excitement of booking FDFS tickets and taking a screenshot of it to post online. OTT platforms can never replace the experience of watching at the PVR screen in Phoenix with friends. The fun doesn't end with the movie. It drags on to eating in the food court and letting our hair down in the ‘Fun City’.

                Then comes the annual visit to ‘Queensland’ or ‘Kishkintha’ with my family. I miss the exciting rides, swimming pool, eating pepper corn and cotton candy and feeling exhausted but happy at the end of the day.

                Most of the restaurants are only catering to online orders. For me, going to A2B or Saravana Bhavan in person and relishing the steaming hot idly and sambar vadai isn’t the same as sitting at home with the parcelled food.

                The ever bustling Ranganathan Street looks deserted and I'm forced to shop online. The specialty of the street is going to shop for one item but ending up purchasing five items.

                Lastly, the place that I miss the most is the Pallavaram Cantonment Park. It is one of the most well maintained public parks. I miss sitting in the gallery steps and watching people from all walks of life. Kids learning to roller skate in the ramp, senior citizens learning yoga, youngsters clicking selfies beside the water fountain, fitness freaks walking or jogging with a fit-bit watch and grandparents playing with their grandchildren in the playpen. Every time I come back from the park, I feel relaxed and happy.

                Don’t worry, Chennai. You have faced many adversities in the past and bounced back stronger every single time. You’ll recover again and that’s why you are truly chancey illa.

 

With love,

-A proud Chennaite

 

Comments

  1. Janani22 August 2020 at 11:46

    Well written! Nama chennai chancey Illa! 💚

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sathya22 August 2020 at 11:59

    Well said 💯... Chennai will be back more powerful than before 💪🏻

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown22 August 2020 at 12:03

    Not just places, also people's hearts

    ReplyDelete
  4. NAVEEN JAGA22 August 2020 at 12:13

    Even I'm from CHENGALPATTU I'm proud to be a neighborhood friend of CHENNAI
    MAGIZCHI

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown18 February 2021 at 19:38

    Well written. Always Namma Chennai

    ReplyDelete

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