I was asked to go Chennai for some discussions with the Indian officials in this city. This was a rather last minute arrangement and visa application, flight confirmation etc fortunately went on rather speedily with any problems.
The city of Chennai came into being due to a strategic necessity and historical accident. It symbolises the rise of British power in South India by setting up and consolidation of the East India Company in the seventeenth century with its headquarters at Fort St. George in Chennai as a trading centre.
Today the civil service headquarters is still in Ford St.George. The British are said to have built Fort Saint George, the present seat of power, in 1640. It was named after the patron saint of England. I read that the growth of the city is significant and closely linked with the development of British Institutions and administration. In short, Chennai city was the chief centre from which the British rule expanded in the sub-continent and it remains a standing monument of British contribution to India. Chennai city has acted as an important centre of culture and education in South India and has been the cradle of many movements which have played an important role in the history of the sub-continent.
The port of Chennai is providing trade links with Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Bangladesh, Ceylon and other far eastern countries. Chennai is also one of the most important industrial cities of the sub-continent. As a district of the State it ranks third after Coimbatore and Salem in so far as the number of factories is concerned but stands at the top in case of employment and productive capital and first in revenue. It, however, ranks second in terms of industrial out-put next to Chengalpattu. Chennai city enjoys an eminent position in the country in film industry and Kodambakkam, known as the Hollywood of Chennai, has a number of studios engaged in the production of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, andHindi movies which are quite popular.
Here are some shots I took as I walked around the Ford St George area. There's also a museum there but was closed on the Friday I was there.
The above building is where most of the Secretaries of the Government of Tamil Nadu are. Rather interesting architecture and surprisingly cooling inside the building.
Inside the building, people wait for their turns to see the Secretaries to the Tamil Nadu Government.
I had lunch at one of the vegetarian canteens there in the area. It was bustling with people as the food offered was good and cheap. For a mere 50 cents (US), one can get a decent meal.
I stayed in the Residency Towers Chennai. It is a nice hotel, the reception staff is very courteous and helpful. They always offer a smile. The breakfast was also good, mainly Indian local dishes but I enjoyed it. What impressed me were the waiters who are also very customer centric and the service is also fantastic. They served me fried eggs, even make toasts for me. Highly recommended.
The city of Chennai came into being due to a strategic necessity and historical accident. It symbolises the rise of British power in South India by setting up and consolidation of the East India Company in the seventeenth century with its headquarters at Fort St. George in Chennai as a trading centre.
Today the civil service headquarters is still in Ford St.George. The British are said to have built Fort Saint George, the present seat of power, in 1640. It was named after the patron saint of England. I read that the growth of the city is significant and closely linked with the development of British Institutions and administration. In short, Chennai city was the chief centre from which the British rule expanded in the sub-continent and it remains a standing monument of British contribution to India. Chennai city has acted as an important centre of culture and education in South India and has been the cradle of many movements which have played an important role in the history of the sub-continent.
The port of Chennai is providing trade links with Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Bangladesh, Ceylon and other far eastern countries. Chennai is also one of the most important industrial cities of the sub-continent. As a district of the State it ranks third after Coimbatore and Salem in so far as the number of factories is concerned but stands at the top in case of employment and productive capital and first in revenue. It, however, ranks second in terms of industrial out-put next to Chengalpattu. Chennai city enjoys an eminent position in the country in film industry and Kodambakkam, known as the Hollywood of Chennai, has a number of studios engaged in the production of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, andHindi movies which are quite popular.
Here are some shots I took as I walked around the Ford St George area. There's also a museum there but was closed on the Friday I was there.
The above building is where most of the Secretaries of the Government of Tamil Nadu are. Rather interesting architecture and surprisingly cooling inside the building.
Inside the building, people wait for their turns to see the Secretaries to the Tamil Nadu Government.
I stayed in the Residency Towers Chennai. It is a nice hotel, the reception staff is very courteous and helpful. They always offer a smile. The breakfast was also good, mainly Indian local dishes but I enjoyed it. What impressed me were the waiters who are also very customer centric and the service is also fantastic. They served me fried eggs, even make toasts for me. Highly recommended.
And what is Chennai without all those yellow color 3 wheeler - the auto rickshaws. You gotto ride on it to experience what life is like on one of these noisy machines. I tried it a couple of times - indeed a hair raising experience and hold your breadth!!
The Chennai I remembered....
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