Category: English

  • Circus for a Cup of Food

    Circus for a Cup of Food

    Baskar Seshadri

    It was an ordinary Sunday morning and people were busy in shopping, prayers, and vending on South Mada Street Mylapore.

    But this girl with her parents was there to perform a rope walk for their survival. Almost similar to what we see in a Circus. She must be around twelve years and am sure she may not be schooling like other children.

    Her day starts with a rope walk somewhere on the streets of Chennai to the beating of small handy banjos by their parents. She walks on and on back to back changing the direction.

    Her father places a plate under her foot and she manages to walk on that at a height of around ten feet above. Highest level of Focus and concentration and a determined walk it was .There was not a slip anywhere or any sight of wrong footing. Everything was perfect to the core. If only she could be hired for her excellent skills by an event manager in some programmes, she can survive better and keep her family happy afloat to fill the belly.

    My heart goes to them. I offered them Chai and little money, the best I could do.

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  • Mahatma Gandhi

    Mahatma Gandhi

    Baskar Seshadri

    It was an ordinary day for Mohandas. It was Friday and the life was usual for everyone. Mohandas got up at sharp 3.30am in Birla house and he has been staying there since september of 1947. The peacemaking ceremony had happened in this place among many persons. Attendant Brij Krishna was ready as usual with his nieces Manu and Abha. The prayer started at sharp 3.45 am on the dot. He had a simple massage and corrected the draft proposal he already made. He had his lemon juice. Later little honey and orange juice since he underwent a long fast only a month ago which had deteriorated his health. The completed document was almost his last will and testament in a way. He recollected about the Noakhali issue and the crisis of Rice in Madras to his secretary Pyarelal and then went to take a short nap. There were some heated speech by shyam prasad Mukherjee only few days ago and he had threatened to kill congress men on this. Mohandas was upset at this hate speech. He met as a normal practice his visitors which included blind refugees. A delegation from Punjab and Sikh came to invite and he suggested Babu Rajendra Prasad to be the President. He also had a meeting with Nehru and Patel since he did his peace making process between them.

    On the other hand it was Nathuram Godse who was staying in the retiring room Number six decided that he had a mission on his hand and he was among a big team who were in various points to execute in case of any failure from his end. Many may not be aware that there was an attempt on Jan 10 was later treated as a dry Run Mohandas love to be punctual and sadly on this day he was late by ten minutes since his secretaries decided not to intervene a discussion which was going on already .His famous Ingersoll was not worn by him and that could be another reason for his being late that day.

    To make it quick he chose a short cut and was moving to the prayer hall in the first floor There were normally twenty policemen to protect him which was arranged only few months ago after an attempt was made months ago Well before five Pm Godse reached Birla Temple and Apte and Karkare was there following him. He was in Khaki and engaged a tonga .The mission was on and they were all travelling towards the Birla House. Normally people used to form a passage track and on that fateful day it was not to be. Godse was getting ready with his Italian made Beretta pistol. Godse Pushed Manu aside and moved his way towards Mohandas. In the melee when the flower plates fell down she bent down to pick it. It was at this moment Godse picked his gun and shot Mohandas thrice one at the chest and two on the abdomen. It was a point blank range .Mohandas stood till third bullet was pumped on him and fell on the ground.

    The man who fought against the violence fell prey to his teaching and the prime age of close to eighty. All were over at 5.17 Sharp on the evening of January 30, 1948. The fragrance of flowers vanished and it became a smokey Gun Powder smell that filled the air.

    When Mohandas fell to the bullets he chanted just two times He Ram He ram and had his last breathe. That was his last prayer.

    There are versions to say that he did not say He Ram at all. His personal assistant Sri Kalyanam (still alive and resides in teynampet) says he fell and died and it was Manu and Abha who lifted him and kept his head on their laps.

    The whole world grieved. It was this man who preached nonviolence and it was the same who fell to the Beretta Bullets. Its shame on us that we killed him. Who also can be fondly called Bapu and its our own Mahatma.

    Our salutes forever to this Messiah.

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  • I saw the man who had served Mahatma Gandhi – Precious Moments in my Life

    I saw the man who had served Mahatma Gandhi – Precious Moments in my Life

    Baskar Seshadri

    Many of us may know Venkita Kalyanam the man who served Mahatma as his assistant for around five years and it was this man who was around Mahatma when Godse pumped bullets on that 30th January (Friday) of 1948.

    It was at this time Kalyanam who was just twenty years old rushed to break the news and went on to call the office of Vallabhai Patel and later to Jawaharlal Nehru.

    It was a small job which Kalyanam got for Rs sixty per month and he took that position after Mahadev Desai passed away. On that fateful day it was Kalyanam who served Gandhi his little food in the noon before he proceeded to Birla House.

    Kalyanam was a small time freedom fighter and did something against Britishers and was arrested for a while. He worked for an insurance company and then through a contact known to Devdas Joined the ashram.

    After the demise of Mahatma he also worked for few personalities like Nehru, Edwina and Red Cross.

    Incidentally Kalyanam was born on August 15 of 1920. Kalyanam would spend his time tending the plants and he has a big garden in Teynampet where he would love to spend time with plants. He was active enough to do the same till late 2010 then due to age factor he dropped the work and it was his assistant who is now doing there. Now he lives with his daughter and bedridden with a catheter support.

    I had the opportunity to see him last week in his place. I was already told that I cannot take long time with him since he is not too well. I went to him and said Namaskaram. He could not recognise any one since he has a vision problem to the acute stage but could see as an Image.

    He told me to sit and I hesitated but he ordered to sit and I was on the edge. I did not speak to him but was awestruck.

    This was the man who had seen Gandhi and other freedom fighters. What a moment in life to me? After few minutes I left the place and had a small chat with his family members. I am too happy that I have seen this man and was with him for a while.

    He will be celebrating centenary celebration next year. I feel the long mission in my life is complete. Heart filling memories with Kalyanam Sir. My Pranams.

    Please enlarge the photos for a better view . (The last photo below on right side is Kalyanam with Mahatma)

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  • குருந்தக் குன்றில் முச் சூலத்தை எவரும் அகற்றவில்லை

    குருந்தக் குன்றில் முச் சூலத்தை எவரும் அகற்றவில்லை

    மறவன்புலவு க. சச்சிதானந்தன்
    சிவ சேனை

    முல்லைத்தீவு மாவட்டம் குமிழமுனைக்கு அண்மித்தான குருந்தக் குன்றில் அருள்மிகு ஆதி சிவ இலிங்கேச்சரர் திருக்கோயில் மூலவரான முச்சூலம் நீக்கப்பட்டதாக வந்த செய்திகள் தவறானவை.

    குன்றின் உச்சியில் உள்ள சைவ வழிபாட்டு இடம் எந்தவித மாற்றமும் இன்றி அப்படியே தொடர்கிறது. குருந்தக் குன்று திருக்கோயில் அறங்காவலர் என்னிடம் தெரிவித்தார்கள். மேலும் விவரம் பெற விரும்புவோர் திருக்கோயில் அறங்காவலர் திரு சசிகுமார் அவருடன் தொடர்புகொண்டு விபரங்களை அறியலாம். +94767644290

    குருந்தன்குளம் அணைக்கட்டுக்கு அருகே மலையடிவாரத்தில் உடைந்த கட்டிடம் இருந்தது. நான் நேரில் பார்த்திருக்கிறேன். அங்கு புதிதாக ஒரு கட்டடத்தைக் கட்ட முயன்றதால் நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு.

    உடைந்த அந்தக் கட்டடத்தின் அருகே தொல்லியல் மாணவர்கள் பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் இருந்து வந்தனர். மேசைமீது புத்தர் சிலை ஒன்றை வைத்தனர் வணங்கினர். அந்த இடத்தில் நிலத்தைத் தோண்டவில்லை, நோண்டிப் பார்த்தனர்.

    அமைச்சர் வந்திருந்தார். படைப் பிரிவினரும் வந்திருந்தார்கள். புத்தபிக்குகள் எவரும் அங்கு வரவில்லை.

    படைப்பிரிவின் காப்பரண் நெடுங்காலமாகவே அங்கு உண்டு. படைவீரர் ஒருவரோ இருவரோ இருப்பார்கள். கடமைக்கு வராத நாள்களே கூடுதலானவை.

    சைவக் கோயிலுக்குச் செல்வதற்குத் தடை ஏதுமில்லை. பொங்கலுக்குத் தடையில்லை. வழிபாட்டுக்கு தடையில்லை. என அமைச்சர் அறங்காவலரிடம் கூறியுள்ளார்.

    முழுமையான தகவல் அறியாமலே முச்சூலம் அகற்றியதாகத் தவறான செய்திகள் வெளியாகி சைவ உணர்வாளர்களின் மனம் புண்ணாகியதே.

    வாரம்தோறும் ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில் குமிழமுனை வழியாகச் சைவ உணர்வாளர்கள் வழிபடு பயணமாக குருந்தக் குன்று சென்று குருந்த மரநிழலில் அமர்ந்து இருக்கும் சிவபெருமானை வழிபட்டு அருள் ஆசி பெற்று வருவார்களாக.

    Abrahamic machinations towards Buddhist Hindu discord

    Maravanpulavu K. Sachithananthan
    Siva Senai

    As has been in the past, Catholic and Missionary Christians are once again in the forefront of fermenting a rift, a conflict, a riotous situation between the Buddhists and Hindus in Sri Lanka.

    This time they have chosen a god-forsaken hill top off Kuizhaminai in Mullaitivu District to provoke Hindus against the Buddhists.

    Kuruntham Hill is in the midst of a reserved forest area on the banks of the newly reconstructed Kuruntham kulam tank-bund. On the top of the hill are remnants of archeological interest of a Hindu temple, Siva temple.

    A trust at Kumuzhamunai is maintaining the worship centre at the hilltop. They arrange for regular poosai. Also the villagers climb up the shrub grown, snake infested tree shaded trek-track, to pray with pongal on most full moon days. The climb is a rigorous task on slippery red sand gravel as there is no paved track or laid steps.  

    Prior to the violent conflict (period of 30 years) the government did not even know of this site. Post conflict era, the army out-post continues and a Buddhist statue for the army personnel has been installed. As usual for a victorious conqueror, Buddhist bhikkhus backed by the archeological department are claiming the hill as a repository of Buddhist relics.

    Recently there was an attempt to construct a hall for the archeologists to stay and work from. The prayer for an injunction by the temple trustees had a favourable response at the courts and the building activity was halted.

    Last weekend, a group of archaeology students from the Peradeniya University visited the hill led by a Minister and supported by the Army. It was part of a field study for the students. 

    They climbed about 2-3 meters to reach an old dilapidated building to explore the area. The Minister and the Army escort were there. There were no Buddhist bhikkhus at all. They did not climb to reach 40-50 m. high hilltop, where the Siva temple is situated. 

    Catholic and Missionary Christian groups based at Mullaitivu sent out hate messages saying that the Minister and the Army had severely damaged the Siva temple to build a Buddhist vihara there.  

    They use their inward remittances, build a network of social and other media outlets to fan the flames of hatred between Buddhists and Hindus. Especially those at Mullaitivu, demographically a miniscule compared to the vast Hindu population in the district, are so organised to work fulltime on non-ecclesiastical manipulations, machinations to meticulously inflame the passions of Hindus against Buddhists. This morning all the media, print, digital and social media carried in bold headlines that Hindus should rise against Buddhist hegemony.   

    Earlier, it was these ecclesiastes who led a procession to protest against the cremation of a Buddhist priest near a Pillayaar temple at Neeravi, Nayaaru off Mullaitivu.  The ecclesiastes (1) who describe the abode of Pillayaar as the abode of Satan, (2) who had a colleague at Mannar as one of the accused in the case on the demolition of the ceremonial Hindu arch at the 10,000 year or so old historical Thiruketheechcharam Siva temple, organised a procession (participants mostly from their parishes) relating to the cremation, saying that the Buddhists have desecrated a Hindu temple.

    I appeal to the Global Hindus to intervene. A representation from the Global Hindus to all those concerned to desist from promoting religious hatred. Sri lankan Hindus are recovering slowly from the hardships endured through a prolonged violent conflict. They are not, repeat not, prepared to be pawns in the malicious hands of those inciting Buddhist – Hindu discord towards another unwanted conflict.

    Abrahimic colonialism has not ended. It is on a divide and rule policy. Global Hindus should come to the rescue of Sri Lankan Hindus. We want to have peace within ourselves and with our neighbours. Enough is enough of these conflict mongering Abrahamists.       

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  • Krishna gana sabha

    Krishna gana sabha

    Baskar Seshadri

    We all could have felt bit disappointed that we missed a grand music season this 2021 due to Covid 19 but please kindly note how grandly it was celebrated almost fifty years ago in Krishna gana sabha.

    The image here refers to an advertisement in Kalki (Now only on online). There were good number of programmes throughout the period including good dramas of popular stage artistes of those days on this season and almost all the great popular celebrities had been chosen by the sabha and strangely and rightly to say that none of the names of the office bearers names had not been mentioned at all.

    I request friends to enlarge the image to see the names of the stalwarts to wonder how great geniuses this soil had produced. This griffith road where the sabha is still there later became Muppathamman koil street fondly being called by locals and later the Tamilnadu Government had renamed this street as Maharajapuram Santhanam salai.

    Please download the photo and enlarge if you can to get a better image.

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  • What a big heart it is?

    What a big heart it is?

    Baskar Seshadri

    Sevalaya is now a household name which has been functioning for almost three decades extending the best of their social services with the best support that pours from various sources like individuals and corporate companies. It was started with just five kids in a rented home in chennai and now it has service facility that is being extended in other parts of Tamilnadu like Trichy, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram. It is headed by Sri V Muralidaran with the able support from other office bearers/trustees and all these years they have been functioning on PS Sivaswamy Salai near Vivekananda college.

    Mr. V. Muralidharan, Founder and Managing trustee of Sevalaya

    Now the news is more Big. Mrs. Lakshmi Venkatraman a old resident of Mylapore who was so impressed with the service of Sevalaya had come forward to donate a flat belonging to her on Ananda Road near Abiramapuram. Its not just a donation but it was a real transfer of the deed of the property on the name of Sevalaya.

    A 1250 Square feet residential home is now being converted as an office and the service organization is to move there soon. The estimated value of the property in today’s realty market value is close to 1.75 Crores. What a big heart Mam to donate for such a lovely cause?

    Mrs. Lakshmi is quiet about all these media reports and she want to stay away from all the lauding reports. She is a writer who has been contributing since late eighties in Arts and Culture section of The Hindu and a critic too. When I approached her over phone for a small appointment she was too hesitant to speak on the said subject but I insisted her that she speak to me for a minute on the said cause. I literally fell at her feet and said it was greatest Generosity I had come across in the recent times. My Pranams Madam.

    She is the granddaughter of Late Justice Sundaram on whose name there is a road now near Nageswara rao park and Rama Rao road. One of the Greatest Moments in my life which had melted me on a public cause recently.

    Cover Photo: Mrs. Lakshmi Venkatraman

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  • Pottery painting

    Pottery painting

    Baskar Seshadri

    It was early this morning close to seven am (January 14, 2021). I could see a young cute girl assisting her mother in the pottery painting near the luz corner.

    She was bright and energetic to help her mother and she is Tejasvi. She was in full smile and was keen to do more painting all over the Pongal pots but was restricted by her mother fearing she may break by mistake.

    She was in her innocence and do not even know what it is to dream about. Her mother was waiting for someone to pick up the pots but there were no big takers. They were sleeping on the pavements since yesterday night to do the sale on the eve of pongal.

    Like many others Tejasvi is waiting for the school to open. She is to go to first standard. She should study well and not struggle like her parents and be on the pavement to eke the livelihood.

    I wish to see them this evening to give few masks and little money. I am never able to come to terms in life with this inequality among people. In tears

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  • Robusta

    Robusta

    Baskar Seshadri

    Almost fifty years ago when I was a lad my father used to make me work on a fascinating equipment which I loved most for reasons unknown at that time. But the fascination for the same is still even today. That simple equipment is the portable coffee powder grinding machine which we had in our house.

    My Father with his highest level of technical brilliance used to make something strange and innovative at the drop of the hat. This powder vending machine is normally fitted in a place and we used to rotate the handle to get the best of the powder.

    Since I was too young I can apply a little force but my dad in his late forties used to apply such a force to get the powder perfectly ground and I used to get wonderstruck both at the machine and the man. I could never get the way he did it.

    He used to get the coffee seeds well roasted in the shop and grind it little every week. For a while he loved chicory but later he dropped the idea and it was plain robusta.

    Later he insisted that coffee seeds Plantation A and peaberry be mixed at equal proportion and be roasted to be grounded later in the house, but on the same day.

    No fridge those days to preserve it safe in a cool place either.

    Coffee is life line since sixties to us like in any other family of Madras.

    Today when I chanced upon a bill of early eighties of Leo Coffee time rolled me back to those days of Old Mylapore. And the rate of a half kilogram of robusta was Rs 13.50 / from Leo. Today you can only get just a little chai for that. Much water had flown today under the bridge and I could see the same Leo and The Mada street but not my Father who passed away ten years ago.

    A pain no pill can cure.

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  • Lets Reap from REEP

    Lets Reap from REEP

    Seshadri Baskar

    There has been some news on the RTO approval of the garbage van being run on battery. The manufacturer (REEP Motors) nowhere claims in any place in the website that it is to be approved by RTO. It’s a battery run rechargeable electric vehicle and since it can be run only at a maximum speed of 25 kmph the question of RTO approval is not needed. It can be used only for a maximum of eight hours if charged fully and Probably the battery designed one (a Mosfet based one) do run at no noise level (its less than 75 Db) and the carrying weight and running speed makes no big difference on the continuous operations for about six /Eight Hours.

    The factory has its operations in Tamilnadu and has dealers too all over. It seems big bungalows and theme parks and large housing community has few of them for a short journey within the campus. In fact the vehicles that are being used in T Nagar Pondy bazaar area in smart city project may be the same it seems. And of course the license for the same is also not needed it is learnt. If the prices are brought down drastically it can be a best bet for fuel fired vehicles on the count of pollution/ Noiseless driving and of course for a safe and simple driving for a limited local drive.

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  • Time Flies and Mind Stays

    Time Flies and Mind Stays

    Baskar Seshadri 

    When I knocked the manager room glass door there was a instant reply — please do come. I went straight to that madam and showed my letter and document for withdrawal.

    Sir, please do sit for awhile. She called someone for a cup of coffee and made sure that it was placed in front of me.

    Madam, I don’t need this but an issue is to be sorted out since I am on a deputation here for a period of six months.

    She picked all the papers and after conversing with someone she solved my issue of withdrawals in just five minutes flat.

    Am honored by your service ma.. so so glad that you came to my rescue.

    Its my duty sir and if I don’t do it to Baskar sir aka csb who else will?

    Common, how do you know my name?

    Sir, you have forgotten my face and I had worked as your secretary for more than two years in mid of nineties..

    Oh… ou are Saroja then?

    No sir, I joined after she left…

    Sorry ma.. I am on tabs very often. I tend to forget very many things

    Its ok sir. I have no feeling on that count.

    Oh oh… sorry ma, what’s your name?

    Am Malathi…

    Ya, I got it.

    Ayyo, I have scolded you a lot and had made you embarrassed several times in connection with the impending work – sorry ma.

    So what sir, that exercise had helped me to do the current work better.

    Oh, I feel too shy and embarrassed now that these all come to my mind.

    How do you got selected? Any service commission?

    No sir, My husband died in the office when he was left with nine years of service and on humanitarian grounds they offered this.

    Oh. all that you say melt me a lot. Sorry Mrs Malathi, please excuse now for all the embarrassments I had caused two decades ago.

    No sir, your approach and perfection is now handy for the past two years. You have been working on perfectionism even those days and it had only matured. Credit still goes to you only for having shaped me to take up the assignment. I think of you every now and these days but never I dreamt I will have the pleasure to see you. She gave her card and on seeing that I was drifted back to early nineties.

    Can I take a break and drop you at home…? How is your son Karthik ? We all saw him at Apollo. When he was born…..?

    He is fine. More than the happiness of me seeing her as a bank manager the pressure she underwent those days was hitting my head.

    I gave my hand to her and said please excuse. She caught of both hands and fell at my feet.

    Malathi your patience is mighty. While in office and now at bank  and its time that I have to learn from you now onward.

    No sir, in this twenty years plus you have grown much and I may be trailing behind by now.

    You mean you ….oh no …no more sins on my head.

    I will invite you for a coffee this weekend. Please do make it.

    Sure, only coffee but no class for me.

    It was a peel of laughter then on…

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  • Tanker Foundation enters Twenty Eighth Year

    Tanker Foundation enters Twenty Eighth Year

    Baskar Seshadri

    It was in June 1993 Tanker Foundation was started by the managing Trustee Smt Latha Krishnaswamy in chennai and now after completing its twenty seven years of yeomen service its going to commence its twenty eighth Year. It had provided subsidised dialysis for more than three lakhs times to over one thousand Eight Hundred patients. It has provided the financial support to more than four thousands patients. They provide 5850 dialysis per month, of which 5629 are free of cost with valuable help from the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), Greater Chennai Corporation and other valuable donors. Tanker is supported by many individuals and corporate institutions.

    Additionally they have a dialysis unit at PIMS. Tanker supports Kerala Kidney research foundation and totally it has eleven subsidized dialysis units in tamilnadu. They extend the best of their services to those who are in need of dialysis . Corporate Hospitals charge a sky high rate for the medical service but Tanker our chennai based NGO is extending such a support which we all should cherish for ever in life . That too at a subsidised rate for the benefit of the poor and needy. Am Glad that i am a small part of Tanker Foundation.

    People who wish to extend the assistance to this institution can reach 044 – 28341635 and they are headquartered at T Nagar, 11 , Thirumurthy street. Please support them. After all Life is there to give, what all one can.

    Salutes to Tanker. We are with you as usual as always. In case of any assistance i can be reached at 98410 33888 too and i too can be of a little help

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  • COVID shield vaccination

    COVID shield vaccination

    Baskar Seshadri

    The dry run of covid shield vaccination had started today in all the seventeen centres of Tamilnadu and in chennai this is now happening in Rajiv gandhi Hospital and other prominent places and in most of the places its the health department officials who participated in the event.

    Here in mylapore and santhome the venue chosen was the primary health centre at Santhome near the eastern end of Appu street. The GCC workers cleaned the whole area right in the morning to ensure the area is neat.

    Medical staffs were present on the time and the GCC officials had canvassed on this and the priority for the vaccination is to be given only to front line workers in the beginning. All these actions are supported by the GCC and directorate of public health.

    Persons who opt for treatment has to submit some proof of document so that the vaccination details be entered in the register and he or she may not be eligible another dose of vaccine. Normal temperature tests and oximeter tests are being conducted before the vaccination as part of medial practice .

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  • Your Attention Please

    Your Attention Please

    Seshadri Baskar

    The Issue of the last mile connectivity between Velachery and St. Thomas Mount has been in the court for almost a Decade and many actions/meetings from the Government, Railways and the affected residents had never helped to see the light.

    The court interfered and increased the compensations to those who were affected but it was rejected by the people that it was not at par with the realty value of today. In between few politicians entered the scene who had been too active and tried their hands to drag the matter but the court had made a final say now.

    All the people concerned who were affected were given the compensation and the last beneficiary too received the payment as per the court order last week. Now the demolition work had started and the remaining portion of railing is to be started soon and based on the information i had received from a local it seems only a little length of Five Hundred metres work is pending to be completed which it seems may take a maximum of Six months.

    Assuming the work goes on at a good pace probably by mid of next year we can have the rail connection to Adambakkam and St. Thomas Mount mid of next year. Ist a real boon to those who live in the belt of Nanganallur , Velachery, St Thomas Mount and Adambakkam. And for a Mylaporean reaching tambaram will be a bed of roses. One can take the train here and alight at Mount only to take the next train to tambaram parallel to the area where he detrains .

    Congrats SR, We are waiting . .

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  • Azhisoor Srinivasachariar – Erudite Vaishnavite Scholar

    Azhisoor Srinivasachariar – Erudite Vaishnavite Scholar

    Baskar Seshadri

    Azhisoor (Azhagiya seyyur) Srinivasachariar is a erudite vaishnavite scholar residing in mandaveli and is a repute teacher practising for many decades. He was conferred Vaishnava Agama Ratna award. By Madras Sanskrit College a month back and was given given a purse for his contribution to the Sanskrit language. He is conducting the classes On Bhagavad Gita , Divya Prabandham and also conducts Kalakshepam regularly batch by batch in his office and house.

    He served in Sri Vedantha Desikar Devasthanam (Srinivasa perumal Temple, Mylapore ) for more than twenty eight years and got retired in the year 2000. Today he is one among the authority of the rigid rituals of Agama Sastiram and on Temple consecration especially connected to Vaishnavite Tradition. He has authored several books in both Tamil and sanskrit and still active at the age of 92. My Pranams.

    Prime minister who was on AIR on his Ma-ki-Bath spoke about this man and shared how he happy he was to come to know that Srinivasacharya who is 92 is active in doing his scholarly work. At the age of 85 He started learning computer and now types his works on system. He is highly acknowledged for his works on Gita and had authored good number of works.

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  • History Makes itself a History

    History Makes itself a History

    Baskar Seshadri

    St. Luke’s Church building on Mandaveli street junction may not be known to many Mylaporeans Its tucked at the end of Adam street and connect to Mandaveli street near the old Market area. It was an effort made by the renowned Wesleyan Mission long years ago and i have been seeing this building since my childhood days as that was my route to PS High school by walk way back in 1970’s .

    The maintenance was extremely bad those days and many did not consider it even for a heritage value and only in early 2000. The building was modernised a bit without any big changes and the appearance of the old version looked like a haunted place before that

    Strangely in that part of area there are few more buildings still now which looks even today like a Boot Bungalow. But the Managers here at Church managed to make it look better decades back.

    However this place was never put into frequent usage even then. With the emergence of Covid 19 the opening of this place is something rare and you can always find it locked. This comes under the CSI ambit and few historians had wrote about this entity in local tabloids those days. Few Years ago if i remember right that place acted as a good samaritan shop under the head of Rev Sailas Gnanadass and it was MLA Sri Nataraj who presided the shop.

    Keeping in mind the heritage value in its entirety it can be revisited by the concerned people to show the glory of the past. This coming January 14th 2021, This church is going to start its 107th Year of its existence. History is to be remembered not just in books but in the minds of the people more in the minds of locals who were part of such installations of those days. Few Photo Courtesy – V Sriram / DT Next. The cleaned tablets were shot by me and Posted here .

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