Chennai - Flesh trade !

All day today, I have been watching news about a 'Sting' operation in Chennai on Headlines Today.  What's funny is that  they call Chennai 'The Cultural Capital' !  

Culture -  I have no idea what the definition is, but I have to say that 'Prostitution' and 'Dances' have been a part of Indian culture for several centuries now.  In fact who are 'Devdasis'?  

This is not new to Chennai.  Everyone knows that these things have been going on forever !  So why now?  

Here is what India Today says:

This is the unseen, unknown side of Chennai. The city which loves its bharatnatyam and carnatic music is slowly turning into a den of bar dancers and prostitutes...

 'Unseen', 'Unknown'... come on  you  jokers 

Accidents in Chennai

I was ashamed when I read this report. I remember a peaceful Chennai with good roads. I can only live with my memories going by this report.

Here are some highlights:

• Chennai recorded the most number of accidents in 2007 with the number being 8,680.
• As many as 238 people had died in cases involving two-wheelers.
• Chennai topped the list of deadliest roads in the country, according to figures recently released by Union Home Ministry.
• It also has the highest two-wheeler vehicle population in the country.
• On an average, at least 21 accidents occur in the State every day and most of them are fatal.

In my opinion Chennai probably is one of the most corrupt cities in India. I've seen first hand how licenses are handed out to applicants. A majority of the people don't care about traffic laws, and that includes the mandatory Helmet rule.

ER and ambulance situation...I need not write about it. People's attitude is another issue here. People just watch an accident scene and drive by. Some even honk !! What a shame !

8% Economy - Beneficiaries

Photo courtesy: The Hindu

The city is eight years behind in complying with the Municipal Solid Waste Rules of 2000, which stipulate segregation and processing of waste. Garbage dumping in the Perungudi - Pallikaranai marshland has also harmed the ecology of the wetland and burning of wastes has polluted the air.

Sunday shame

Photo courtesy: Dinamalar

Egmore Railway Station - Parking lot ( on No Parking areas)

Policing ...Policing...can't life go on without Policing !

Well..who cares !

S H A M E !

Sunday shame

Photo courtesy: DINAMALAR

This is at the heart of Chennai !

Mount Road ( Anna Salai ), near Spencers !

S H A M E

Sunday shame

Photo courtesy: DINAMALAR

An open man-hole.

These are common in the City of Chennai. I think the Government feels that it is the responsibility of all citizens to make sure they don't step into man-holes.

One of my friends' sister fell into a man-hole and died a few years back during the monsoons. Her body was recovered a few days later in the Bay of Bengal, near Marina Beach.

S H A M E

Sunday shame

Do you see an ambulance or a fire engine trying to putout the fire ?

What a shame!

ECR - East Coast Road.
The most dangerous road in and around Chennai.


People go crazy on this two lane road ( for most part ). Nobody bothers about how dangerous it could be during an accident. During my recent trip to Chennai, I had to go on this road once and I got really scared.

People in India can't drive without the headlights on HI-BEAM, even if they were to drive on a well-lit road. And nobody bothers about it.

Imagine a night drive on the ECR when everyone drives with the HI-BEAM on! What a nightmare.

If you meet with an accident on the ECR, God bless you. We all know about the pathetic emergency services in and around Chennai.

One of the better bloggers in Chennai once lamented about a situation where a person met with an accident right outside MALAR HOSPITALS and that he passed away because nobody came forward to take him to ER.

S H A M E !

Chennai Roads - Pathetic

God Bless the departed souls

Photo courtesy: THE HINDU

( I am ashamed to see the pathetic condition of this National Highway NH-45 in Chennai )

Sunday shame

( Photo courtesy : DINAMALAR )

This is in T.Nagar, the heart of the City of Chennai.
Sewerage flowing on the busy USMAN ROAD.

S H A M E

Sunday shame

Beginning today ( August-26-2007 ), on every Sunday, I will be highlighting the shameful conditions prevailing in the city where I was born and raised.

The city is Chennai ( Madras ), India.

Here is the first installment, thanks to 'THE HINDU'.

Does this look like a city that boasts about sky rocketing real estate prices and a big IT BOOM ?

Shame !