Ranganathan Street

It was too crowded because it was a weekend. It’s considered to be one of the best street shopping area in Chennai. One can get anything we want for our daily need over there. There are also many branded shops. I went to one of the clothing shop and had a word with the owner, he said that Ranganathan Street is most busy during festival days like Diwali, Pongal, Aadhi etc. And always bubbling with action on weekends.

. I also came to know that in Ranganathan Street one can buy pencils to diamonds at affordable prices. There are shops on both sides of the street. And multi storied shops as well as small ones huddled together. Interestingly all will have good business. It is always full of people. It may seem dirty but it is a very busy area with economic activities happening all around.

“Millions of dress to be sold, yet people want to dressed minimum. They call it ‘fashion’.”

“Every stepping stone is so important, so as every foot too. Guard your steps and foot, so that you wont regret.”

“I wonder, do these street vendors poop in their bed room? That is better than garbage the street.”

“Streets are our property. Guess what? You can use the street , but with our permission. We set the rules here,and you obey.” attitude.

“So you say this is the place where you can get all the stuffs I need?"

“Can’t find a better place to take a nap.”

“You say customer is a king. So tell me who is the vendor then? If he is the provider for the king then you should call the vendor an emperor.”

“It’s the place for retail blessings. If any of you need blessings in smaller scales please visit here.”

“I am hungry and thirsty. Not the hunger you feel and no water can quench that. it’s all towards eternity.”

“Marketing God’s too. A new method of spiritual money management system. It happens only in India.”

“Everyone needs a role model to imitate. A model who doesn't scold, criticize or punish them. Yeah our rules our own ways.”

“I know it’s the world of franchisees and super markets I can buy super quality goods from there. But I can’t buy truth and love.”

“I carry hope. I carry Love and I carry my family on my shoulders. You just see the other side of the story."

“Guess what? All these are blessings from above. I love to believe so though it’s the truth.”

“Sarva shiksha abhiyan? Then who will earn for my livelihood?

“You think this is just a vegetable? It’s my heart morons, so huge right?.”

“Fruit of the earth, work of their hands. But who set the price for these? Poor guys.”

Happy women , greenery life.

This maybe the expensive diet plan for you to reduce the excess fat. How ridiculous it is, this is my only way to struck my hunger down”

“Wow, he is the richest man in the world. I am not kidding, just check the price of onion in the market.”

“I can say that your life is a multicolored fabric you wear different colored clothes on different days. It’s all about one thing- being repetitive is boredom."

“Sometimes I feel we are like a toy or puppet in someone else’s hand. We do all sort of stuffs to make us happy, yet we end up in sorrows.”

“A good leader is a good follower, obedient disciple and a man of no grudge. One who follows properly, will lead properly.”

Marina

Marina beach in Chennai is longest beach in Asia. The beach is really very long which is evident by the view itself. One has to walk a fair bit through sand to reach the beach.

 In the early morning I saw many activities going on there like jogging, walking, patrolling cops on their horses, some of the peoples are walking with their pet dogs, some others are doing yoga, all the kids there are getting training like stunts, karate, kick boxing, skating while some other kids are practicing dance, some families standing near the sea shore to see the beautiful sunrise. While taking rest on the sand after the photo shoot, as many unknown people approached me and then  some offering to read my palms, some vendors offering to sell their products and some seeking alms. It ‘s always lovely to see the tides and waves which kisses the sea shore. To some extent the entire area is kept clean. You can also see some wooden boats parked here and there.

I have seen and experienced in spending a lot of my leisure times on the shore of marina beach. It was a different feel that I can enjoy both in the early morning and evening times. Neatly and tidy platforms which are recently reformed by the government for pavement walking on the early morning times. I found a lot to eat, sightseeing and so on. I saw many children’s are playing over there. I saw many lover’s sits and talks in the hide of boats. And many police men helping the visitors. And I saw swimming pools also there near marina beach.

And I found that this beach is not suitable for swimming or playing in water, since the water is polluted a lot. I saw a lot of road side shops for evening snacks. To keep the beach clean government should develop a food court and do not allow others to take food and plastic bottle at beach.

Hawkers and food item sellers are creating all garbage, specially balloons.

By creating a food court government can earn more money and they can maintain the beach.

I saw many beggars there. And they are disturbing the other families private time. Actually government should be take care about it.

“Daughter learn from me, the waves of life are hard. If you fear, it will swallow you. If you fight it will obey you. Because women is the reason for all good things in the world.”

“Life is like a wheel. We think that it carries us away, but the truth is it brings us back where we have started.”

“Not a practice of arrogance, but a fight for existence. For my sisters who dream for a fearless tomorrow.”

“I never meant to spoil your fun family time. Let me be a little bit selfish. So that I can have at least a small meal before the sun goes down.”

“We serve you. We protect you. You are safe and secure.”

“We wait for this time, we going to breadth fresh air. Never know how to thank you Master.”

“We just laugh at our country’s child labor laws in mockery. Just to prove the inefficiency of our country. Yeah. We are the living examples.”

“Just wanted to make know all the people who lives in huge mansions with no peaceful sleep. A shade is enough for me, because my dreams ends here.”

“You know what, invention of wheel marked the beginning of civilization, means more speed. More civilized.”

“Rules are made to be violated or else they no longer remains rule- Indian Citizen”

“Footpath for you. Bed path for us.”

“I always mock at you people, you guys are educated, rich and too ambitious; by the way how many of you can sleep peacefully as I do ?

“I know I have to work restless to make the Beach clean. Yet I am happy. I am doing this for mother nature and future generation.”

“If you think I am too young to do this, just imagine what can I do if I am at your age. Yeah. We are the new generations.”

“Planning to spend more money to clean this beach? Who will clean our lives then? Even we belong to the so called future generation.”

“Surrounded by God’s who brings fortune and prosperity. Yeah I am the richest among all. Atleast I can breadth.”

“Just imagine if I were a rich man’s kid and posses all these skills? I am sure. I would be a facebook hero by then.”

“Many of them are like me. The sea was my destination, but I was held by death just a few inches away from my destination. Open your eyes, run fast and reach your goals before you close your eyes.”

“Many of us like partially blind. They always admire the blurry reflection than the true beauty of the sun. And yeah. They love to believe partial facts than actual truth.”

“Ground is just a place to rest folks. Soar up in the skies. We have miles to go.”

“I am not disabled. I am just differently able. I may move slowly, but I will reach my goal.”

“I am the night watcher. I know more truths than you know. Because I see things when you are asleep.”

Kasimedu

The kasimedu fishing harbor was built in the mid 1970 s in Royapuram, Chennai, Tamilnadu, one of the oldest parts of the city. In reality, much of the activity here is informal, with auctions and business deals working on trust and following generations of accepted practices. About 1000 mechanized trawlers and 500 catamarans put out to sea during the fish months and bring back around 150 tons of fish a day. The industry employs about 10,000 peoples.

Kasimedu provides sea foods for entire Chennai area, as well as cities further away. The building of the harbor turned kasimedu into an industry town, where as entire family of five or more depends on fishing for its livelihood.  The men go out to sea. The women clean and sell the fish.

I had a word with the owner of a boat. I asked whether they are getting this much of fishes every day. He replied during the trawling ban boat crews repair nets and shoot the breeze. And it’s a crucial stage for the families in Kasimedu. Everyday transactions worth 9crore to 12crore take place in kasimedu. Both wholesale, retail and export business takes place in kasimedu. I noticed that carpenters are one of the few groups who benefit from the ships being dry docked. I saw many carpenters working in the boats which were parked in the shore side. These fishes are exported to Europe, Iran and Russia.

The market remains open from 2 am. Fishermen  bring freshly caught fishes, crabs, prawns etc. Business people from Restaurants purchase here because of its comparatively lower prices.

The places is unhygienic and I saw many fishermen drinking alcohol in the early morning itself.

“We differ in color, genus, type and class. Yet we leave peacefully in water. Learn from us man. We are against racism.”

“They call us Squids and we are like snipers in the sea. Look how we are here in land. Everyone is mighty in their comfort zone.”

“If you would have seen how we survive for life at least one time, you never do this cheap bargain for a buck or two.”

“It’s our life, it’s our own life. You might frown because we smell fishy. Remember, it’s all to make your platter exotic and you know what our reward is.”

“Sir, trust me. This is the best ever fish you can ever get.”

“Do you think I am happy? It’s not because I am greedy, even I too have few mouths to feed.”

“Not enough for us. Guess mother Sea is angry with us.”

“Take all the treasures and empty me. So that I can go accommodate more. Yeah. Only an empty pot can be filled, so as your mind too.”

“Always skeletons are funny or scary. Imagine flesh without a skeleton.”

“Happy are they and would be happier if they would have known the real market value of their catch.” 

“And this waiting always puts a meaning in my life, strengthens my hope for tomorrow and pacify me saying my son will come back.”

“Surely, ice will keep the fish fresh. But what will keep this ice clean. Moreover it’s indirectly the people’s diet.”

“Sir please, it’s our effort and pain. We don’t want any gain from this. But atleast something for our kids meal”

“Does the way so dirty, does it stink? But what about the taste of fish? Can’t resist.”

 “I know your ways are muddy and thorny.”

“You know what, man is a social animal. But this Government thinks we are just animals. So they give us the best environment to live in.”

“You guys think this keeps us cool? Never. They are for fresh after death.”

“When my friends in the deep sea said that, land is full of crazy people. I never thought that you guys live upside down.”

“Who cares it stinking body? All I need is money. . Then money.  And money.”

“You call me mother Ocean, you fish the precious treasures from me. Yet you treat me like a whore. Still I won’t curse you”

“Oh rageous Ocean, Let the lightning flash. Let the thunder roll. Let the hard rain fall, we will master you.”

“I know I am beautiful. But, you have set your eyes on my flesh”, as you did with those innocent girls.

“You think this is colorful? But it’s nothing more than our blood and sweat.”

“Get set for the cleaner, sharper and deeper catch. It’s all hope.”

“It’s not the net you see I mend, but my hunger.”