Monsoon Mayhem

Well...what a start to the monsoon in Chennai!!! Its been an ocean so far and all hell has broken loose as usual whenever it rains in this city. Water water everywhere...and not a drop to drink. Im not here to talk about the worst shower or the best monsoon spell...im just here to tell you about how it feels to be in Chennai at such times...

Firstly, a rain drop in chennai is like a start to a major celebration and covers the Headlines of the newspapers and the top stories in news channels. People hit the streets and venture to experience the monsoon breeze and smell the wet sand that evokes a lot of sentiments. Its basically a festival short of Diwali for a celebration even if it drizzles in Chennai...you can imagine the festivities when the monsoon sets in. Its such a relief and makes life just lighter and a gives us a little something to celebrate about. For people in Bangalore, its like a daily ritual...boring...hahaha (okay okay no backlashes)

Secondly, Chennai is one of the most toughest places to be when it rains (I am not competing or comparing to Mumbai). To be honest, walking around or even driving around is a nightmare...but again, the show goes on. Ranganathan Street is a good example. The best place to be in such times is in office or at home. The perfect moment being sipping a hot cup of tea and a bowl of pakoda...what can I say...just perfect. If youre in office, unwind, daydream of duets or walk around to enjoy the weather...the boss can wait for a while according to me...try this out, youll not get fired. Thinking about crushes, love, friends, hits and misses blah blah...wherever your mind and heart can take you. Sales guys can have a break at the nearest Nair Tea kadai! Others can go to the Vending Machine.

Next, the best way to travel in Chennai at these times is by our very own PTC or MTC - the bus. The monster vehicle that makes its way in all the sea of water and vehicles to reach its destination with ease and elan...Never in chennai should you take out your two wheelers...the moment you do so...youre doomed. The abuses we give and take are in the air and no ones listening. You cant see your vehicle's tyres and you dont know where the next pothole is. The buses are the best, but wait, theres a twist here too. I am not the only person thinking of doing this...its the whole city. I must admit, we are quite united in what we think as the best way to get out of a mess. We do it as a team. The whole city rides on the bus and makes it virtually impossible to even hold on to a railing of the bus (leave alone getting in). The bus is at a mighty tilt and rides brave through the storm and comes out victorious (how inspiring to see such a beast beat the people's misery to pulp). Few days back, the ride that usually takes 30 mins, on that rainy day took me 2 1/2 hours ( i had to change buses too and take a different route).

The drainage system in the city is so bad that what is supposed to lie beneath is up on the surface, ending up with all the water that comes from the left, right, centre and above. I wouldnt want to accuse the government of doing nothing but of the contractors who failed to secure the city from such disasters...wonder who ate the money...something to think about. The incomplete constructions and destructions also add up to the agony of the city and makes life even worse in the eyes of the senior citizens. Yelling cops with knee boots dumping some sense into pedestrians to walk safe...the point is that the footpath is as distrought as the roads. Too many corrupt compromises have resulted in a literally hollow city with too many loopholes. Enough of my ramblings of a fed up citizen...

Finally, some fond memories. I still remember our PT Class getting cancelled due to the rains, the government declaring a holiday fearing rains on a day when theres sunshine, swimming our ways to school on a working day when it poured, hoping some of our teachers would be absent, playing cricket on those wet roads, catching a cold, jumping on the pool of water near our walls, paper boat competition, playing trump cards etc. The monsoon does bring back a lot of memories. There are surely many more than what I have listed.

Make sure you enjoy this monsoon, because it will take another year till we see another. With the change in the climate, we dont even know when it might arrive and with what it might come. Be aware of your surroundings and stay safe. Beware of cut wires, bad roads and dug corners. Take precautions and enjoy the weather. Smile people, this is Chennai's moment of glory...