The
alarm went off at sharp 4:45. I slowly wake up with a sleepy eye. The sun was
not yet out. The milkman was pedaling his way across the street, early birds
chirping their way out of the nests, dews settling on the leaves. I hang up my
shoes for training for The Wipro Chennai
Marathon.
I
start my run at Radhakrishnan Salai outside the famous Savera Hotel, one of the
most sophisticated hotels during my early school days and still continues to be
one and pass through the big palatial house of the then 2nd
President of India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The road was named after the
great philosopher. After passing through Citi centre mall I cross the Queen
Mary’s college which has the reputation of being one of the best women colleges
in Chennai. It feels good to know that majority of my friend’s mom’s including
my mom studied there.
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| Gandhi Statue at the junction of Queen Mary's College and Beach Road Image Courtesy: My Chennai FB Page |
The
dawn was slowly setting in at the Marina beach. The policemen were busy in not
allowing any motorists inside the service lane to facilitate walkers &
joggers. A few confused lots were clueless about the activities of the Marina
laughter club.
I
pass through Vivekananda House (erstwhile Ice house built by the British to
store ice). Swami Vivekananda stayed in the house for a brief period. Today a
tall museum stands dedicated to the great monk and a centre which imparts the
saint’s wisdom. I take a left turn at the Ice House to be greeted in ‘Madras
bashai’ by one of the city’s oldest tenement’s.
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| Vivekananda House Image Courtesy: My Chennai FB Page |
Yes, there is no
other city in the world that can boast of a language dedicated exclusively to
it.
Taking
a right turn at the arch of ‘Lord Parthasarathy Temple’ built during the 8th
AD I enter the madaveedhi through T.P. Koil Street and was greeted by the deity
himself directly in the street. The lord was up for the early morning
procession around the madaveedhi. Men clad in Dhoti’s were reciting the hymns
alongside the deity and the women folks clad in nine yard saree were busy in drawing
up kolam outside their houses.
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| South Mada Street Image Courtesy: My Chennai FB page |
Quickly
out of the bustling streets of Triplicane I join the Marina beach road again to
be greeted by the clock tower of the Prestigious Presidency College established
by the British. Incidentally the musings from the blockbuster movie ‘Mouna
Ragam’ runs through my music player.
The
sprawling campus & the senate hall of the University of Madras which
certified my UG degree certificate was being decorated for a speech by a
prominent politician. I increase my speed over the landmark Napier Bridge to
escape the stench of the cooum.
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| Senate Hall of the Madras University Image Courtesy: My Chennai FB page |
The
sight of the victory war memorial makes me stop for a minute and pay tributes
to the unknown soldiers who guard us relentlessly day & night. At the Fort
St George where our legislators meet on a daily basis the security guards were
patiently sipping on their morning coffee and making arrangements for the VIP’s
cavalcade.
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| The Napier Bridge Image Courtesy: My Chennai FB Page |
Running
further the tall buildings of RBI’s regional office and Chennai Port Trust
stand opposite to each other like big brothers. A U turn at the junction and
taking the same route back the numerous statue’s of erstwhile legends who have created
some impact in the society are lined up along the coast.
Completing
my heritage run at the footsteps of the gigantic light house I quickly run up
the stairs of the light house to the top most floor which was thrown open to
the public recently. The east coast welcomed me with open hands from the top.
She was stretching endlessly on all the directions displaying her prowess.
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| View from Light House... Image Courtesy: My Chennai FB Page |
Finishing
the after-run stretches I head to Ratna café for carbo loading. Morning walkers
in their conventional shorts were busy enjoying their filter kaapi with a dose
of current affairs, humour and criticism.
I
notice a man parking his BMW 7 series in the congested road next to a rickety
old cycle, patiently walks up to the parcel counter stands casually to the guy
next door and runs out with a packet of idly & sambar.
Upon
reaching home the newspaper and the milk packets were lying at my door steps. I
pick up the papers and the front page was flashing with the news ‘Chennai is
the only city in India that features in the ‘The New York Times 50 places to be
visited in the world’.
Sorgame aanalum
namba Chennai pola varuma?
