It was one busy evening I was on my way from college.The wind at 6pm gives such a strong sense of relief , to think that I have survived another day of classes.

Carelessly looking out of the window I come across ancient buildings of Chennai that make Chennai what it is today , so I thought to myself why not write an article on these dusty yet treasured things ? 

First , I cross Spencer plaza which is considered as the oldest shopping mall 

in Chennai. It was the first to introduce the madras people to escalators , elevators and most importantly style. Then, as I move past the LIC building situated  in egmore in a rusty old share auto I wonder to myself “what is so great about this place , it is just another building “ , but today I look at it differently. There is a big deal with the LIC Building it was the first skyscraper in the Chennai it was built in 1959 which makes it 59 years old and still strong it is about 177 ft tall , this incredible building cannot go unnoticed. My share auto has been stopped in the middle of Chetpet bridge due to an argument between my old arrogant driver and another passenger . However , I bend over and look out of the window just to look at the boating area below the bridge . Most of us have no idea that this eco park was once a lake with water that was not saline . This place has definitely underwent a huge transformation , today it consist of a food court , play area , park and also a boaters club. The smell of the clean water makes me feel so much more alive . Constantly gazing out of the window and admiring the beauty of Namma  Chennai is my secret to surviving this long hour journey everyday. 

~ Namma Chennai Namma Pride 

~ Michelle

With the metro rail services spreading across the country in many cities, Chennai (formerly Madras) too has launched the Chennai Metro Rail services from June 29. The metropolis now has the new and modern way of commuting. The metro rail was launched by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa via video conference. The project was initiated by the DMK government to provide the city with a world-class mass rapid transport system. Get to know more about the metro in Chennai.

Here are some facts about the Chennai metro:

The first train was steered by two lady drivers .

Covering a distance of 10 Kilometers, the first train started from Alandur till Koyambedu .

It is said that the trains will run every 10 minutes initially which will be subject to change depending on the number of travellers .

Each train can hold around 1,200 passengers .

It has an average speed of 35 Kilometers per hour and maximum speed of 80 Kilometers per hour .

Every train will halt at each station for around 30 seconds .

In an emergency, passengers can inform the train operator who will then inform the Operation control Centre (OCC) and the passenger will be deboarded at the next station .

OCC will monitor all the trains of Chennai Metro Rail .

The backup for OCC will be at Ashok Nagar and Koyambedu station .

In situations when the train driver falls ill, the train will automatically apply emergency brakes .

The train services will start at 6 AM till Midnight for a total of 19 hours .

The minimum fare is 10 Rupees and the full fare for the entire stretch is 40 Rupees .

The Chennai Metro Rail will cover a span of around 45.1 Kilometers.

— RIYA HARAN —

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu is sited on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. It has played a very crucial role in the traditional, historical and academic growth of the country, representing the different elements of the highest variety of the Dravidian civilization. Today, Chennai, the capital city is the 4th largest city of India and is also the leading commercial centre of South India. The credit of the booming economy of the city goes to the leading industries including automobile, software services, petrochemicals, financial services, textiles and hardware manufacturing. Also, Chennai, being an important metropolitan city is very well-connected to all the major cities of India as well as with the countries overseas. And, it is also considered as the cultural hub of South India which is famous for its affluent heritage in classical dance, music, architecture, sculpture, crafts, etc. Given below are some of the very interesting facts and figures about Chennai ~

The earlier name of the city, Madras is believed to be originated from Madrasapattinam, a fishing village located north of the St. George Fort.

Chennai is also known as the ‘Gateway to South India’.

The Tidel Park of the capital city is the largest IT Park in Asia; it also houses the head offices of leading software companies.

The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium sited in Chepauk was set up in 1916 and is among the oldest stadiums of the country.

Cricket is the famous sport in Chennai and was started as a result of the foundation of the Madras Cricket Club in 1846.

It is also known as the Detroit of India because of its automobile industry which produces more than 40% of the auto parts and motor vehicles in India.

The Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CBMT) at Koyambedu is the leading bus terminal in Asia.

The Cancer Institute established in 1920 is one of the oldest cancer hospitals in India.

The Anna Centenary Library in the capital city of Tamil Nadu is the largest library in Asia.

Viswanathan Anand, the world chess champion, grew up in Chennai.

This city is renowned for Bharatnatyam, the famous and one of the oldest classical dance forms in India, which originated in Tamil Nadu.

It houses some of the leading foreign banks including Bank of America, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Citibank, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd., Ryan Services and Standard Chartered Bank.

The Vandalur Zoo sited in Chennai was set up in 1855 and it is the first public zoo in India and also the largest one in the country.

Chennai is the second leading exporter of information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing (BPO) services in India.

–RIYA HARAN–

The Muttukadu Lake is the backwater area of the Bay of Bengal and way to Mahabalipuram we can access it from the East Coast Road. The lake offers a number of water sports like speedboat riding, rowing, wind surfing and water skiing and has a boat house from where we can hire speed boats, row boats, water scooters and much more . The water in the area is not so deep and hence the activities are rather safe even for children. The boathouse has a lounge where you can sit and watch the boating and there is a restaurant too. A floating boat jetty from where you can board the boats is an attraction .

The complete area looks so beautiful, especially in early mornings or evenings . Also , you will find a lot of Cranes, sea Gulls and a few Pelicans .

The weather in Chennai can be quite hot and humid during the summer months, so the best time to have a boat ride on the lake is during the cooler months of October through February when the weather is pleasant.
The boat house opens at 9.00 am and closes at 5.00 pm daily.
A must see destination for the whole family .

One can also visit the famous Mamallapuram rock cut temples when on a visit to Muttukadu Lake. Local buses and taxis are available from Chennai to Muttukadu Lake .

———- RIYA HARAN ———-

ENTERTAINMENT :

Chennai is the base for the Tamil film industry, known as Kollywood. Many film personalities have gone on to become politicians including C.N.Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa. Chennai hosts major film studios, including AVM Productions, the oldest surviving studio in India.As of 2012, there are 120 cinema screens and multiplexes. Major multiplexes include Sathyam Cinemas, Escape cinemas, Devi, Abirami complex and Mayajaal. Chennai’s expansive theatre network stages many Tamil plays of many genres: political satire, slapstick comedy, history, mythology and drama.English plays are popular in the city, along with the more common Tamil-language plays .

SHOPPING :

Chennai is home to several malls, due to its status as an IT hub . Major ones include Express Avenue (EA), Citi Centre, Abirami mega mall, Spencer Plaza, Ampa Skywalk, VR chennai , Phoenix Market City and Forum Vijaya Mall. Chennai is an important gold market in India contributing to 45 percent of the 800-tonne annual national gold uptake. The city is also the base to the World Gold Council’s India operations. The city’s retail industry is majorly concentrated in T. Nagar which accounts for major share jewellery and clothes sold in Chennai. According to the 2012 report by property consultant Cushman & Wakefield, Main Streets Across the World, Khader Nawaz Khan Road at Nungambakkam ranked 10th position in the list of ‘Top 10 Global Highest Retail Rental Growth Markets 2012’, with 36.7 percent jump in rents.

———- RIYA HARAN ———-

Chennai ranks second among Indian metropolitan city centres with a 90.33 percent literacy rate.^[Chennai has a mix of public and private schools, some of which also receive financial support from the government.

The public school system is managed by the Chennai Corporation with an enrolment of 142,387 students in over 330 schools. Tamil and English are the primary medium of instruction, though some schools also use Telugu and Urdu as medium of instruction in their schools.Public schools run by the Chennai Corporation are all affiliated with the Tamil Nadu State Board, while private schools may be affiliated with either of the Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education or the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).A few schools are affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations,^[the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) board or the Montessori system. Education in Chennai starts with two years of Kindergarten from age three onward and then follows the Indian 10+2+3 plan, ten years of school, two years of higher secondary education, and three years of undergraduate education.

English is the medium of instruction in the majority of institutions for higher education. The University of Madras, founded in 1857, is one of the India’s first three modern universities. Colleges for science, arts and commerce degrees are typically affiliated with the University of Madras, which has six campuses in the city. The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University are two well known centres for engineering education in the city. The Indian Army’s Officers Training Academy is also headquartered in the city.

Anna Centenary Library, one of the largest libraries in AsiaChennai has a plethora of libraries, including British Council Library, American Library, Connemara Public Library, and Anna Centenary Library. Chennai Book Fair, an annual book fair organised in Chennai by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI), is the largest exhibition for Tamil book publishers to display their books. The fair is typically held for about 10 days between the last week of December and the third week of January. The forty-first edition of the fair was held in 2018. Chennai also has Indian Maritime University to impart quality education in maritime management, engineering and different pre sea courses. This is the only central university, headquartered in Chennai to impart maritime education in India.

—– RIYA HARAN ——

Chaat is an all time favourite of all age groups. Whether you are hungry or not, there’s always space for chaat in your tummy. One such amazing place for chaat is the Vaishnavaas chaat house located on Ormes road in Kilpauk. This place is more than 20 years old. It’s a very small joint and could be a tough spot on the move as it doesn’t have any fancy hoardings. The Pani Puri, sandwiches and puff here is to die for. Adding on to this is the masala thumbs up.
Murukku cheese sandwich- Personally my favourite dish here. This is a hit in this store since almost everyone ordered a plate of it. It has a generous amount of grated cheese, veggies in between small, crunchy murukkus.

Cheese bhujia puff- Cheese with bhujia? Two of my favourite items together. The puff is grilled a bit and has an amazing taste.

Khakra sandwich- A new dish which is gaining a lot of popularity now a days. It has capsicum, cucumber, tomato and onions chopped and mixed along with mayonnaise and placed between two cheese khakras spread with chutney. It’s has a yummy taste and a must try for those who haven’t tried it yet.

Overall I’d rate this place a 3.5/5. Do visit this place if you haven’t because the chaat is yumm. And if you have, don’t forget to drop in your favourite dish in the comments section.

~Muskaan Shah

Reliving childhood and playing board games is the basic motive of M.A.D. House. This is my go-to restaurant for literally anything. This restaurant is located on the Kilpauk Garden Road. They have a nice ambience with swings and a small rooftop where you can just go and chill while the food is getting prepared. In addition to this, they also have a variety of board games and cards. You know a name a game and it’ll be there. The food is also pretty good. The portion size isn’t too big and serves 2 perfectly. Just that the dishes take a lot of time to get prepared. Theresa a small tea lounge and ice cream shop adjoining the restaurant.
Mix pasta- This pasta is literally the best pasta you would have ever eaten. It’s perfect for those who like both red and white sauce. It’s neither too tangy, nor too cheesy.

Peri peri fries- Hand cut potato fries topped with the spicy peri peri masala is a total bliss.

Nachos- Nachos served with salsa sauce and cream is every child’s favourite.

Brownie with ice cream- Vanilla and chocolate? Perfect combination. Like how a meal is incomplete without a dessert, M.A.D. House is incomplete without this dish. This is one of the signature desserts of this cafe and it tastes amazing. The hot brownie just melts in your mouth and it feels like heaven.

I’d rate this place a 4/5.Do visit this place and rejuvenate your childhood days with the amazing games. Do drop in your favourite dish (as well as your favourite game) in the comments section below and also describe your experience!

~Muskaan Shah

What can one say about Indian museums that hasn’t been said before? Some of the most stunning examples of art from antiquity kept in rather sad conditions of public display. The Madras Museum is no exception, sadly. Its musty exhibits and ill-maintained display cases however contain some of the country’s greatest art treasures. A particular highlight is the Chola Bronzes section, with several magnificent Natarajas on display. Some outdoor displays also have great examples of ancient statuary and sculpture from across South India. Another section has some fine and rather famous paintings too but displayed in the most sad fashion, with bad lighting.

The bronze showcase is the best kept and displayed of all of them. 
Poor lighting, lack of labels and information in some displays, dilapidated surroundings, and lack of air conditioner in most of the buildings puts this at a lower level than most museums out there. 
It has a wide variety and some wonderful treasures but you are going to pay in comfort for having to seek those out. 
The heat is incredible and mostly unbearable after a certain amount of time. Basic facilities like drinking water and toilets are hard to find. 
Absolutely no state of the art displays or even TV screens showing video are used at this museum.

When will the government spruce up such places and aggressively promote heritage and history to the largely apathetic students who are usually marched past these exhibits? One can only hope !

~~~~ RIYA HARAN

The great memorial was built in memory of the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at his death place. He is the one who initiated India into Information Technology in 1980s and laid foundation for millions of Indian youth to have careers in this sector in India and many countries around the globe. He also revolutionized Communication in India by bringing phone / mobile to the hands of the commoners as compared to it being a luxury affordable only to the rich in 1980s. The memorial has well maintained and guarded lawns and trees. It has seven pillars representing the seven codes of non-violence preached and practiced by great Indians from emperor Ashoka to Mahatma Gandhi. The memorial boasts of the tallest national flag post in India. It was a great sight to watch the flag fluttering in the evening breeze. The memorial has at its center a picture of Rajiv Gandhiji with a red stone spot where he shed his blood . My heart was heavy and felt for the leader who ushered in modernity in India. On your way out, you will see reliefs in the style of Mahabalipuram depicting Indian nature – Himalayas, Ganga, flora, fauna ; rural life ; factories ; bus / trains and Science & Technology with satellites, towers and rocket .

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This memorial is around 40 Kms from Chennai on Bangalore highway at Sriperumbudur. This place is blossoming into an industrial hub. A ‘must-visit’ if you cross this on your way or you are one of the Chennai local residents .

——- RIYA HARAN