Madras Memoirs

When my friend and colleague David Ayaga from South Sudan sent me a text message and said that he’s coming to Chennai. I was pleasantly surprised. He had visited India at least 2 times before, but both those times, he had visited, Delhi, Jaipur and Agra and never travelled this side of the country. So when he said he’s coming ..I wanted to roll out the traditional welcome and showcase our Tamil and Southern region culture, sights and of course the food.  On that wet November day in Chennai, I found David Ayaga casually attired in his trademark T shirt and shorts waiting for me in the lobby of the Hotel, I had reserved for him. He gave a broad grin that lit up the whole place and hugged me. I never thought I’d meet David in Chennai – far away from the rugged and war ravaged South Sudan. Yet there he was, taking in the city’s sights and sounds nonchalantly.  Few minutes of chit-chat with him, I could see that he had made himself at home. He said he hailed a Boda -boda  ...

Today (17 September 2024) The Hindu Newspaper carried a news story on page 2 that really broke my heart. It’s about the collapse of 4 starving workers from West Bengal at Chennai Central station. Apparently, they had come to Chennai and travelled up to Ponneri in the outskirts, seeking agricultural work, unable to find any, they decided to return to their native village. While waiting at the station, without food for 2 days, they collapsed on the platform no. 4 before the Chennai Corporation officials rescued and admitted them to hospital. While three others are stabilised, the condition of one worker is still critical and on ventilator support.  Several thoughts raced through my mind on reading this report. The very same newspaper carried full colour advertisements of Luxury cars and Grand Villa properties on the front pages. Obviously, these lavish full page advertisements show that there are people in this city, who could afford such insanely expensive properties and vehicles. Y...