Mac or Mad

McDonalds Promo

…. As if the entire neighbourhood of Anna Nagar (a suburb of Chennai) was starving without food for months together and thanks to the new store launch of McDonalds at the neighbourhood reduced the starving, crossed my mind when i saw the crowds / queues waiting outside the store on the day of the launch (coinciding with the American Day – July4th) to get in.

Someone said Ronald McDonald is the 2nd most recognised figure (after Santa Claus) in this universe.

See God ….

Children

… in the smiles of the Children, said a leader. Its definitely true when you see their smiles, from this bunch of children in the streets of Egmore. They seem to be more happier lot, care free and with full of life.

Could we do something to better their lives? the thought lingers in one’s mind.

Are you missing your childhood?

Skate Skate

…. but the kids of these ages might not miss their childhood’s, since their lives are lived by their parents. Everything they do is as per a timetable, eat, sleep, wake-up, school, tennis, karate, music, cricket coaching, dance and more such activities. Now skating.

A roller skating rink at Marina.

Commoner, Week 7

Suresh

Suresh, was one from the gang of brats who acted as our guides to the Tirisulam Hills, Chennai. They showed us the way to a small hillock, to a diving pond where they go swimming, an adventure to bring down an empty nest from a tall tree and more.

Life behind a mask

Masks & PP's

…. these are some of the products in sale at various public places to attract the kids (or the kid in you), along with balloons, caps, plastic toys, soap bubble, flute & drums complete the line-up of stuff.

Instant attraction & priceless satisfaction on the kids face are the results of these.

Live

Satellite Van of a TV Channel

…. the satellite vans which are an essential part of the process to bring the news & current affairs “Live” from the place where its happening. These media companies have these vans in many major cities where these LIVE actions break out, but also they move these vans quickly to the nearby towns / cities / villages in case of need.

One such Van from a Regional News Channel parked for covering an event in the city.

Commoner, week6

An Young Citizen

An young child in front of the vegetable shop near the Mylapore tank (Chitrakulam). He was playing next to the shop run by his parents on a Sunday morning and gladly posing for the Cameras, like a seasoned celebrity.

Photos & Hows its made

Shutterbugs in action (c)ramaswamyn.com

How does one get a picture about the city with a new angle, about new faces / people, about some monuments of Chennai, about the new happenings of the city?

If these shutterbugs don’t risk their lives like this collage of photos, where would you get some lovely candid shots?

Chennai Pride 2009

Chennai LGBT Pride 2009

… Chennai had the 1st march my the Lesbians, Gay, Bisexuals & Transgenders (Shortly LGBT) yesterday at the Marina. The march started at the Labour Statue at 4pm till the Gandhi Statue.

Some background about the Background on why June & Pride marches are together here.

1098

Child Labour Helpline

… is the phone number to call, if you have to complain about the use of Child Labour in any commercial / domestic situations. Most of us know the use of Child labour (kids less than 14 years) is a punishable offense, but many wouldn’t know where to complain.
The procedures, Information’s all listed here about most of our queries about Child Labour.
The Government agencies site, which details the same also here.

Function @ Home

Announcing the Function

As an Hindu custom (this side of the country) they plant a tall stick (with Mango leaves / Coconut) at the front yards of one’s home to announce the arrival of a Marriage (mostly) in a few days at their home. This serves multi purpose, one people in that street come to know about the festivity that’s about to happen, even for people who walk-in unannounced this serves as an announcement et al.

One such scene here in the city, with the auspicious month about to get over fast.

Thirst Brigade

Marketing Van of 7Up

7Up's Marketing Van - Upclose

An unique way to popularise your product, especially this summer extending beyond May & the Agni Natchathiram’s. 7Up’s come out with this Unique vehicle called Lemon Brigade in lines of a Fire Brigade Van, just that here one quenches the inner fire called thirst.

Drop Boxes

Most of the Services companies (telecom, insurance, credit cards etc) have their Monthly Cheque’s collected through various means like NetBanking transfers, Cash Paid at the branches, People collecting them from your home / office.

But they also place their Cheque drop boxes at various locations (mostly in some shops in the neighbourhood), these at times are not very safely placed or you’re not too comfortable in dropping your cheques and worried about the service getting suspended because of the cheque not reaching safely. One such example here.

Ability

Ramps, Were?

Rather than waiting for the International day for Differently Abled on Decemeber 3rd every year, i hope we make the public areas in our city accessible to the differently abled people (or People with Disability – PwD). If you notice there are a very few buildings in the city with an access Ramp for the people with Mobility challenge, even the few which have these have an issue when it comes to the accessing of Rest Rooms, various floors, passages in the same building.

This makes the PwDs hesitant or avoiding going out or being on their own at various public places. Though there’s an act for Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 talking about non-discrimination in built environments and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) having drawn up guidelines regarding a barrier-free environment way back in 1998, the situation still continues unchanged. Also we have just talked about people with Mobility Challenge, the situation for people with Hearing, Vision and other challenges too need to be treated equally.

Idly & Dosa

ID @ Sathyam

Was surprised when the Sathyam Cinemas started this eatery inside their premise, called ID (short form for Idly Dosa?). But the quality, pricing, and the ambiance has been so refreshing and good, i’ve been there several times.

A must check out for many foodies, especially the vegetarians. Check out the Kasi Halwa, Pongal or the Appam with Coconut Milk.

Commoner, Week #5

Ezhumalai

Ezhumalai studies at Triplicane, and was helping his folks on a sunday at the Marina Beach by selling the Tender Coconuts. He readily agreed to pose for a snap. Was happy to hear he was studying and sunday’s he was just helping the ends meet at home.

University of Madras

Map of the University of Madras Campus

University of Madras, founded by 1857 was the modeled by then London University. With the motto being “Learning Promotes Talent”, has several departments in its campus like some interesting ones Anthropology, Crystallography & Biophysics, Jainology, Saiva Siddhantha, Polymer Science to name a few.

Seen here is the Campus map of the University.

Humane

People for People

…. A lots of volunteering is now happening, mostly unannounced. Most of the weekends i get to see some volunteering, be it like this, or many educated, employed people congregate to help the others who are either physically challenged, or poverty stricken or unable to foot their educational expenses.

A welcome change in the mindsets, its now evident to help in more than one ways (and not just offering money) and be a socially responsible individual.

This van was seen near P H Road (EVR periyar Road) Opp Govt Fine Arts College.

Gentleman’s Game

A Game of Cricket

…. a cricket match in the neighbourhood is in progress. The common game many kids play at the street corners across the Country is Cricket.

Mostly with some strange rules like “one pitch” catch, only off side runs, if the ball goes out of the street or compound its considered “out” and many such games which the situation commands (or the obstacle commands). Probably its considered “out” when it goes to one particular house only (who doesn’t return the ball if it falls in their compound).

This scene was taken at the School in Tirisulam Hills.

Calculate

23 Meter Boxes

… the amount of electricity used by these offices / shops. Was amazed to see 23 Meter boxes in a single complex and that’s not the end of it & this was just on one wing of the building.

The consumption of electricity has gone up way above the usual, irrespective of Earth Hours and save electricity campaigns, people have been consuming the limited resource without giving much attention to the dwindling resource.

Scene at Ramanathan Street, T Nagar.

Babu

Babu Jagajeevan Ram

The statue of Babu Jagajeevan Ram near Marina Beach. He was a freedom fighter and a most important social reformer for the backward classes. This Champion of Social reforms, was also elected to the Indian Parliament.

P.s.: Whats the connection between Crows & Statues?

Egyptian walls

Govt College of Fine Arts

The Walls of the Government College of Fine Arts adorning such beautiful paintings. Who else could have these paintings on their walls! This Lovely college which had many styles and contemporaries in various art forms thrive in creativity.

Probably their students should be given a free hand to paint the walls of many public compound walls in the city to eliminate the eye-sore called “Wall Posters”.

Commoner, Week 4

Shankar

This is Shankar, the Garland Maker at Pondy Bazaar, T Nagar.
One could spot his shop just opposite Naidu Hall at Pondy Bazaar.

Stones in the Path

Primary Education

This message in the compound wall of a Primary School says “In the age to get educated, why go to break stones (for livelihood)”.

At the wake of about 50 Corporation schools to be closed in the city due to poor patronage, the need to put the children from the poorer community to schools is very high. Though the urge in their families is to get an additional hand supporting their livelihoods from the crutches of poverty is tempting, than putting their kids at schools.

This scene from a Primary school of the Panchayat of Tirisulam.

KGV

King George V

…. alias King George V aka George Fredrick Ernest Albert and his statue at the Panagal Park, T Nagar.

He was the only Emperor of India (of the British Empire) to be present in his own Delhi Durbar. His Coat Of Arms are these.

You could see the Nose Cut he suffered in Chennai here.