I was visiting Chennai after three months. Primarily to attend the Upanayanam ceremony of my brother`s grandson on 27th June. As I found I could attend a couple of get-togethers of a few groups with which I am associated, and meet most of my friends, I decided to reach Chennai on 21st June, and return to Coimbatore on 30th June. Though I had invitations to stay with my children, this time I decided to stay at the guest house of the Gandhi Nagar Club because I wanted to be independent and not bother my children. Besides, by staying at the guest house I could entertain my friends and also meet my walking friends at the Bessy, every morning.
While it was a joy to meet all my friends and
relatives during the short visit, the sweltering heat in Chennai hit me badly.
After experiencing the salubrious weather in Coimbatore, when I got out
of the aircraft at Chennai at 3.30 pm, I could not bear the searing heat of the
sun that welcomed me.
After checking into the guest house and spending
a pleasant time with my son`s family, who had come to meet me, I had to rush to
a dinner meeting of the 41 club (an association of ex-Round Tablers with the
motto `May the Hinges of Friendship Never Rust`) at the Cosmopolitan Club. The
next morning I attended the AGM of SHARAN, a Senior Citizen group consisting
mostly of NRI parents, with the motto, `For Mutual Support`, at the Gandhi
Nagar Club. On Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of attending the 66th
Installation meeting of the Rotary Club of Madras South( RCMS), held at GRT
Grand Hotel in T.Nagar. I was a member of RCMS for 47 years and the 31st
President ( 90-91). From June 25th
to 27th, I was busy attending family get-togethers associated with
the Upanayanam. In between, I was also visiting a few close friends and
relatives. The trip ended with the Breakfast meeting on 29th at Tag
Centre organised by my good friend R.T. Chari, where I thoroughly enjoyed the
lec dem on `A Pictorial Tour of Mahakumbh 2025 - A Spectacle Once in 144 Years
by Mr V R Ajitkumar. It was a brilliant presentation on Mahakumbh where the
speaker walked us through the Mahakumbh, describing the mind-blogging efforts
that had gone into organizing the mega event by the UP government at Prayagraj.
At the end of the 10-day trip, I felt exhausted.
Apart from the hectic schedule, the humidity in Chennai made me feel miserable.
A few friends quipped," You were living in Chennai for 50 years. Why
are you complaining now?` To which my answer is,”I did not have the opportunity
to experience an alternative. An air-conditioner addict in Chennai, I
have managed two summers ( March to mid-May) in Coimbatore without an air
conditioner in my flat”.
I am not only enjoying its beautiful weather 10
months of the year but also the pollution-free atmosphere in the community
where I am living. Besides the wonderful friends I have made here make me feel
like part of a happy family.
Though I have become a 100% Coimbatorean, I
cannot say goodbye to Chennai yet, as I would have to attend important
functions of family and close friends in the future. However, I have decided
that in future my trips would be only for a day or two to attend specific
functions and return to Coimbatore the next day. I have had enough of Chennai!
Though I still have the enthusiasm to do things,
my energy levels are going down. While the mind says `think young`, the body says,
`enough is enough, respect your age and restrict your activities`. I have
decided to respect my body!
