Chennai-speak

I thought I should post a little something on the city that has been home to me for most part of the last decade. I cannot provide any authentic new information on Chennai, as it is all already available on the internet. So I have chosen to opine on what I like and dislike about this bustling metro.

7 Things I love about Chennai:
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1) Down-to-earth and industrious people - There are exceptions, but most people are willing to help any stranger who asks for a way. They also believe in earning their income. The infamous autowallahs are an exception, I guess.

2) Cost of living - Chennai has an economic flexibility - it offers options for the poor as well as the rich. Right from the roadside Achi idli shop, where a decent and filling breakfast still costs only Rs.10 to the Taj's Coffee Shop, Chennai has it all.

3) Cosmopolitanism - Although it is nowhere near Mumbai, Chennai has moved a lot in this direction in the last 10 years. Frappe is as accepted as Filter Coffee and pizzas sell more than Masala dosa. And yes, the famous "December Music Season", previously dominated by Carnatic Music, has now thrown its doors open to Hindustani, Western Classical, Fusion and other experimental music.

4) Sambar Vadai,Pongal,Podi Dosai from Sangeetha/Saravana Bhavan - We have a friend who has globe-trotted quite a bit and whenever he comes to Chennai, he asks us to take him to Sangeetha for a masala dosa straight from the airport. Such is the dosa magic.

5) The beaches and the hyper-activity surrounding them

6) Many many temples - you name a god and there will be one of His of Her temples in Chennai. Almost every road has a "Pillayar" (Ganesha) and interestingly, some of these "pillayar's" have a prefix denoting what blessing they specialis in providing. REALLY! - "Adi Sankara Santhana Ganapati" (Pray to him for Progeny), "Ishta Siddhi Vinayagar"(General - all desires), "Ananda Ganapati" (Happiness), "Selva Vinayagar" (Wealth) etc.

7) The Adyar/Besant Nagar crowd - Totally biased opinion. You can take it or leave it


7 Things I resent about Chennai:
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1) Haggling with autowallahs who ask for the sky and more

2) The 9 month long summer, consisting of 6 months of intolerably scorching heat

3) The way Chennai's roads cannot handle rains. Storm water drains don't exist and entire areas are inundated at the very onset of monsoon

4) Peak hour traffic - but then which metro doesn't have it ?

5) Some policemen who accept petty bribes

6) Set-top box - Why? Why? Why did Chennai become and stay the guinea-pig?

7) Polygamous politicians

Now, if you are thinking, why 7 - it is because I have to stop before you fall asleep and by the way, 7 also happens to be my favourite number.