Developers are picking up new patches of land (or old buildings) faster than a cat can lap up the milk in it's bowl. Construction signs and dust is everywhere. Chennai Metropolis is getting a massive face lift. One area that seems to have gone in the opposite direction is Foreshore Estate. Growing up, I have fond memories of my parents taking me to Foreshore Estate Beach every evening. We would play on the white sand, make castles and simply run around. There used to even be a bridge along the beach that went across the Adayar River to the Theosophical Society.
Today I took a walk along the same Foreshore Estate. It has changed- better or for the worse. But what is unique is that it has been untouched by development. No developer evacuating the residents offering them great apartments in Oragadham or Guduvanchery.
Growing up the beach used to be desolate with an occasional car and a handful of kids running around. Today, there are 100's of tents that double as huts and houses for migrant population that are building up Chennai. These folks do not have to worry about electricity shutdown, or sewage backing, or broadband access is too slow, or have to pay the monthly rent. The rent is free, air-conditioning is provided by the waves of the Bay of Bengal, sewage is the Bay, trees provide the firewood and the job provides the minimum food required. These rent-free folks do not need the basic necessities of Chennai called an Inverter (see my story next week on purchasing an inverter). Irrespective of whether the Chennai Electricity Board is able to provide electricity, they get lights, A/C, hot water and TV service. Lighting is provided by the Sun and the Moon, the Bay provides a massive swimming pool, beach is the exercise gym, ogling service at the street edge and an evening of city-lights. What we city-slickers pay $100-600 to enjoy a quiet weekend is their daily way-of-life. So, should we jealous of them or do we love our stressed-out, time-starved lives?
I loved just walking on the beach road. Yes, it did stink and there was slush everywhere, but life was going on like normal households. The kids were bursting crackers, ladies cooking and the men sitting around chatting. It got me to think about much lower their stress was, and all the great amenities around them.
On a side note, I have found my perfect walking route. Ok, so it is not quiet, or pristine or clean. But it has a long walk along the beach road, which is all that I really care about.
Today I took a walk along the same Foreshore Estate. It has changed- better or for the worse. But what is unique is that it has been untouched by development. No developer evacuating the residents offering them great apartments in Oragadham or Guduvanchery.
Growing up the beach used to be desolate with an occasional car and a handful of kids running around. Today, there are 100's of tents that double as huts and houses for migrant population that are building up Chennai. These folks do not have to worry about electricity shutdown, or sewage backing, or broadband access is too slow, or have to pay the monthly rent. The rent is free, air-conditioning is provided by the waves of the Bay of Bengal, sewage is the Bay, trees provide the firewood and the job provides the minimum food required. These rent-free folks do not need the basic necessities of Chennai called an Inverter (see my story next week on purchasing an inverter). Irrespective of whether the Chennai Electricity Board is able to provide electricity, they get lights, A/C, hot water and TV service. Lighting is provided by the Sun and the Moon, the Bay provides a massive swimming pool, beach is the exercise gym, ogling service at the street edge and an evening of city-lights. What we city-slickers pay $100-600 to enjoy a quiet weekend is their daily way-of-life. So, should we jealous of them or do we love our stressed-out, time-starved lives?
I loved just walking on the beach road. Yes, it did stink and there was slush everywhere, but life was going on like normal households. The kids were bursting crackers, ladies cooking and the men sitting around chatting. It got me to think about much lower their stress was, and all the great amenities around them.
On a side note, I have found my perfect walking route. Ok, so it is not quiet, or pristine or clean. But it has a long walk along the beach road, which is all that I really care about.
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