Hey
Chennai - the most happening city !
Well, it probably is not, but however that is how I choose to describe my most favorite city. There is always a passion for Chennai that I have had. Coming to think of it, Chennai is not where I was born or raised until I was 18. I did my graduation at Chennai and I have possibly spent very less time at Chennai than I have outside it. However, my love for Chennai has never waned and never will. The movie Minnale has the dialogue - ennadhaan irundhaalum Madras maadhiri varumaa- and I have passionately watched this scene a hundred times.
Coming to the point, I have always wondered why is it that Chennai has almost never been the most favorite destination for most groups in India. The state of Tamilnadu in general and Chennai in particular is possibly ranked third or fourth in most of the areas - services, manufacturing, tourism, education etc etc., - but it is not the No.1 overall.
It will be interesting to note that Tamilnadu is the third largest economy of India; 78% of the population live above the poverty line (when the national average is 64%); 232 Engineering Colleges and a higher school enrollment rate (higher than Kerala, btw); 92% road connectivity and 42% urbanisation and surplus power; about 10 Central ministers for a decade; 54% of population are in working age (22-55); 16 of the 30 districts are listed in the top 100 districts of India - and inspite all this and much more accolades to its credit, why is Tamilnadu not the No. 1 destination for investors ? (couresty: India Today)
Is it true that Chennai has not advertised itself in a bigger way ? Well, Chennai has top car manufacturers established - Ford & Hyundai - it is the Detroit of the east. The top 15 IT companies have their development centers at Chennai. BackOffices of hundreds of Internation institutions & Banks (including World Bank) are setup at Chennai. We have had stable state governments most of the times. Have we not projected our success stories well ? Tamilnadu lost the tourism race to Kerala, IT race to Karnataka, publicity race to Andhra. When Tamilnadu is rated No.3 in overall investor delight state behind Maharashtra and Gujarat, how can it not be a No. 1 in the South India overall ?
A novel project has been started to discuss on this. Every three months about 15 icons who are leaders in their own areas are invited to discuss on this subject and come with positive suggestions on how to make a positive difference. The good thing about Chennai (and Tamilnadu) is that the people will and can make the difference. Unlike states that are heavily dependent on the state governments to support every small movement, the people of this land are empowered and capable to make progress. While it is true that with the changing state goverments during every elections many of the policies are altered and becomes inconsistent, at a general level, the people can come together to bring the progress that is needed.
And as Venu Srinivasan (MD of TVS) says at some point of time the New York of the east should be Chennai, not Shanghai.
We have ambitions. We have the support. We have the infrastructure. We have the capabilities. We have a vision. Transformation of all this vision into a reality isnt far away.
Chao...
Chennai - the most happening city !
Well, it probably is not, but however that is how I choose to describe my most favorite city. There is always a passion for Chennai that I have had. Coming to think of it, Chennai is not where I was born or raised until I was 18. I did my graduation at Chennai and I have possibly spent very less time at Chennai than I have outside it. However, my love for Chennai has never waned and never will. The movie Minnale has the dialogue - ennadhaan irundhaalum Madras maadhiri varumaa- and I have passionately watched this scene a hundred times.
Coming to the point, I have always wondered why is it that Chennai has almost never been the most favorite destination for most groups in India. The state of Tamilnadu in general and Chennai in particular is possibly ranked third or fourth in most of the areas - services, manufacturing, tourism, education etc etc., - but it is not the No.1 overall.
It will be interesting to note that Tamilnadu is the third largest economy of India; 78% of the population live above the poverty line (when the national average is 64%); 232 Engineering Colleges and a higher school enrollment rate (higher than Kerala, btw); 92% road connectivity and 42% urbanisation and surplus power; about 10 Central ministers for a decade; 54% of population are in working age (22-55); 16 of the 30 districts are listed in the top 100 districts of India - and inspite all this and much more accolades to its credit, why is Tamilnadu not the No. 1 destination for investors ? (couresty: India Today)
Is it true that Chennai has not advertised itself in a bigger way ? Well, Chennai has top car manufacturers established - Ford & Hyundai - it is the Detroit of the east. The top 15 IT companies have their development centers at Chennai. BackOffices of hundreds of Internation institutions & Banks (including World Bank) are setup at Chennai. We have had stable state governments most of the times. Have we not projected our success stories well ? Tamilnadu lost the tourism race to Kerala, IT race to Karnataka, publicity race to Andhra. When Tamilnadu is rated No.3 in overall investor delight state behind Maharashtra and Gujarat, how can it not be a No. 1 in the South India overall ?
A novel project has been started to discuss on this. Every three months about 15 icons who are leaders in their own areas are invited to discuss on this subject and come with positive suggestions on how to make a positive difference. The good thing about Chennai (and Tamilnadu) is that the people will and can make the difference. Unlike states that are heavily dependent on the state governments to support every small movement, the people of this land are empowered and capable to make progress. While it is true that with the changing state goverments during every elections many of the policies are altered and becomes inconsistent, at a general level, the people can come together to bring the progress that is needed.
And as Venu Srinivasan (MD of TVS) says at some point of time the New York of the east should be Chennai, not Shanghai.
We have ambitions. We have the support. We have the infrastructure. We have the capabilities. We have a vision. Transformation of all this vision into a reality isnt far away.
Chao...
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