Namma Auto - No bargains for auto fare finally....

:: NAMMA AUTO -  No bargains for auto fare finally.... ::

I am not sure how many of us remember when did we pay for the autos based on the rate generated by meter ? Is the meter functioning in autos ? Why is it not being used ?? I know, it is easier to ask questions than answering it. But at last, we got some answers to it. 

The agitations against unfair auto fares started from the petition made by one Mr.Prahalathan Karunakaran via Change.org. The online petition has got more supporters and at last, the petition has landed the transport corporation and minister's office. They have assured of the rationalisation of the auto fares. But I am unaware of the developments of this petition after this and to my knowledge , nothing has been decided on these lines. 

Missing Meter Campaign by 

There after TOI has taken it up by their campaign titled "MISSING METER".  It has got good response from the readers and other activists and the matter has gone to court and they have urged the government to look after this issue.

Finally, we have got some good news by the name of NAMMA AUTO. Autos with the automated meters with the predetermined rates, GPS system, Panic button to support the safety of the passenger etc.,

 'Namma Auto', is a company started by two friends M.Abdullah & Mansoor Ali Khan, promises commuters a fair deal to get around the city.

Namma Auto, whose vehicles will use tamper-proof electronic meters, will charge 

• Rs.25 as the minimum fare for distances up to 2km and 
• Rs.10 for every additional kilometre after that

"The autorickshaw unions want the government to fix the minimum fare at Rs.30 for the first 2km and Rs.15 per km after that. But we felt it was too high," Abdullah said.

All Namma Auto vehicles will have a big bright yellow board on top so commuters can easily identify them. 

Abdullah says customers will not have to worry about their safety. Namma Auto's office in Teynampet is equipped to track all its autorickshaws on a big screen, with software designed by the company keeping tabs on all vehicles, said Abdullah, who runs an infotech firm with Khan.

Namma Meter

"All the vehicles will be equipped with GPS and GPRS tracking systems," he said. "This will allow us to track the location of all autos and even tell how fast they are moving."

"The meter will have a panic button. If a customer presses the button, the system will alert us immediately," Abdullah said.

The company offers a steady income to auto drivers and the chance to own the vehicles if they serve the company for at least three years.

Namma Auto will give drivers a choice of four salary schemes. They can choose to be paid as much as 

• Rs.18,000 per month with no share from the fare collected or 
• Opt for a pay of Rs.4,500 per month plus 30% of the money they collect as fare.

"After 36 months for the lowest salary band and 42 months for the highest, the driver will be given ownership of the autorickshaw," said Abdullah. "We will also pay them for fuel and maintenance."

The Team

Comparison of Fares :

Present fares fixed by govt on 2007: (Source : http://chennai.trafficpolice.co.in/2013/01/auto-rickshaw-fare-in-chennai.html)

Type of Vehicle	Charges
Minimum charge	Rs. 14/-
For next every 1 km	Rs. 6/-

Fares proposed by the Auto Drivers :

Type of Vehicle	Charges
Minimum charge (upto 2km)	Rs. 30/-
For next every 1 km	Rs. 15/-

Fares charged by Namma Auto :

Type of Vehicle	Charges
Minimum charge(Upto 2km)	Rs. 25/-
For next every 1 km	Rs. 10/-

It sounds beneficial, but will have to wait and watch how they are managing it in a long run.

Namma Auto is NOT a call auto, it is like just another auto which has a yellow board at its top. The one best thing about this Namma Auto is that, it has got the backing of the regular auto drivers and auto unions. Read the testimonial from Mr.Rajendran - CITU President :
" The new initiative has our support. Every auto driver wants a working meter to make their life better. We will do what we can from our part. Hope the government brings in order to regulate fares "

They are now recruiting the drivers. If you / your friends are interested please get in touch with them.

Waiting to have a ride in Namma Auto and will update this post soon. Mean time have a look at their TV Commercial here.


Website of Namma Auto : 
http://nammaauto.com/new

Facebook Page : 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Namma-Auto/481244135248370

Contact : 
2nd Floor, New No.5, Old No.3/1,
Poes Road, 1st Street, 
Teynampet, 
Chennai- 600018
044 6555 4040

References : Times Of India, Namma Auto FB Page & Website, http://chennai.trafficpolice.co.in/ 

Elphinstone Bridge - Name Reason

:: Chennai Factoids ::

:: Name reasons behind famous places in Chennai ::

Elphinstone Bridge from the Lens of ARAVIND KUMAR

:: Elphinstone Bridge ::

From the lens of PRASANNA

This place needs no introduction. This is a bridge which supposed to connect Santhome with Adyar. But  now this bridge connects us to NOWHERE :)  The ELPHINSTONE BRIDGE   was built in 1840 and it carried vehicular traffic till 1973. The pillars of this bridge were washed away by a flood in Adyar river and it doesn't stop the bridge from being used. It was in the year 1973 , when Thiru Vi Ka Bridge was opened, this Elphinstone Bridge was closed. Since then, this bridge is being used as a pedestrian bridge. 

Side View from the lens of Vinod VV

Heard that there is a plan to construct a new bridge to connect Beach (Foreshore Estate) with Adyar like the Sydney Bridge. But not sure of this information. If the information is true, then it will be a good thing and the bridge will be the scenic beauty alongside beach.


It is also worth to mention here that our Chennai Bloggers Club in Facebook is taking tremendous efforts in reviving this Elphinstone bridge and again am proud to be part of it.


Why this name Elphinstone Bridge ?

This bridge is named after John Elphinstone (13th Lord Elphinstone), the Governor of Madras.

Who is John Elphinstone ?

John Elphinstone (Img Source:http://madrasmusings.com)

The only son of John Elphinstone, 12th Lord Elphinstone in the peerage of Scotland, he was born on 23 June 1807. He succeeded his father as Lord Elphinstone in May 1813, and entered the army in 1826 as a cornet in the Royal Horse Guards. He was promoted lieutenant in 1828, and captain in 1832, and was a lord in waiting to William IV from 1835 to 1837. 

Elphinstone - Governor of Madras :

In 1837 he left the guards on being appointed Governor of Madras by Lord Melbourne; It was said at the time that his appointment was made in order to dissipate a rumour that the young Queen Victoria had fallen in love with him. He was governor of Madras from 1837 to 1842; he built a house at Káiti, in the Nilgiri Hills. On resigning his governorship in 1842 he travelled for some years, and explored Kashmir.

Elphinstone - Governor of Bombay :

He returned to England in 1845, and in 1847 was appointed by Lord John Russell to be a lord in waiting to the queen, an office which he held until 1852, and again under Lord Aberdeen's administration from January to October 1853, when he was appointed governor of Bombay. 

During this governorship the Indian Rebellion of 1857 broke out in 1857. Elphinstone checked attempts made at a rising at a few places in his presidency, and put down the insurrection of the Rajah of Sholapur. He discovered a conspiracy in Bombay itself, and he seized the ring leaders. and prevented the conspiracy from coming to anything. He sent many of his troops elsewhere.

Elphinstone & his contribution to education in Madras : 


The arrival of Governor Lord John Elphinstone in 1838 provided the impetus for Education in Madras. When Advocate General George Norton presented the Governor on November 1, 1839, a petition signed by 70,000 “native inhabitants,” which read in part, “We descend from the oldest native subjects of British Power in India, but…where amongst us are the collegiate institutions which, founded for these generous subjects, adorn the two sister presidencies?” Elphinstone acted promptly.

In six weeks he announced a University Board to set up a High School for the study of English Literature, a regional language, Philosophy and Science, as well as a College to which the high school students would move for higher studies in these subjects.

Presidency College (Source:wikimedia)

A preparatory school was almost immediately established in Edinburgh House, Egmore (it later moved to Popham’s Broadway) to prepare students for the High School which opened on April 14, 1841 in D’Monte House, now the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Egmore.

When the School was declared open by Elphinstone, he declared, “This is the dawn of a new era, rather than the opening of a new school.”

The first Principal was Eyre Burton Powell and the subjects taught were English Prose and Grammar, Arithmetic and Algebra, Moral Science, History, Mechanics, Natural Philosophy, the South Indian Vernaculars and, later, Political Economy.

Graduates were called ‘Proficients’ and the first Proficient was C.V. Ranganatha Sastri, who went on to become a Judge of the Small Causes Court. Other early Proficients included T. Madhava Rao and A. Seshiah Sastri, both later knighted, Basil Lovery, later Principal of Pachaiyappa’s College, and T. Muthuswami Aiyar, the first Indian High Court judge.

Madras University (Source: Wikimedia)

The faculty included Norton, J.D. Mayne, another barrister, and Talboys Wheeler, a chronicler of the historical.

The High School was elevated to a college in April 1853 and, further expanded, was named Presidency College in 1855.


The first college in South India, Presidency is from where the University of Madras sprouted in 1857, the University even occupying a part of the College’s premises for a while as its first home.


References : Wikipedia, The Hindu, Madras Musings, University of Madras Website,Chennaimadras.blogspot

International Museum Day (18th May) - Museums in Chennai

:: International Museum Day - 18th May ::

:: Museums in Chennai ::

What is International Museum Day ?

International Museum Day (IMD) is a celebration that held every year on or around 18 May, coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) since 1977. This day is an occasion to raise awareness on how important museums are in the development of society.

Every year a theme will be pronounced by ICOM and the theme for the present year 2013 is
"Museums (memory + creativity) = social change"

On this wonderful day, I have decided to write about the connection between Museums & Chennai.

What's Special for Museum Day in Chennai ?

Today, on the occasion of International Museum Day, Fort museum is adding two new exhibits to its open air gallery to engage children.

Image Source: The Hindu

Here is the excerpts of the Interview by Mr. K.Moortheshwari - Deputy superintending Archeologist , Fort museum for The Hindu magazine.

The original stone platform and pole used for the revolving cannons during the British era will now also have a life-sized model of a cannon with a revolving mechanism which children can operate.


Another highlight will be a ‘talking cannon’ with an inbuilt mp3 player. “The audio will take children through the history of cannons and spread the message of ahimsa and peace,” she said. Write-ups and information boards with trivia about various museums of the world will also greet visitors on Saturday.

This is in line with the theme of this year’s celebration ‘Museums (Memory + Creativity) = Social Change,’ whereby the museum housed in the Exchange Building at Fort St. George will showcase various exhibits that visitors, especially children, can engage with. 

Good thing is, the entry is free for all the fort museums today. So parents, if you want to take your kid to some good place on this vacation, go to Fort Museum and let the kids learn and enjoy at the same time.

List of Museums in Chennai : 

1. Government Museum : 

Location : Pantheon Road, Egmore

Source: wherewasitshot.com

Visiting Days : Saturday to Thursday
Visiting Hours : 09.30 to 17.00 hrs
About : The first Government-sponsored Museum in the country opened in Chennai in 1851. It is housed in the Pantheon Complex, and it is best known for two important collections:sculptures from Amravati and its famed Bronze gallery. Especially impressive are the Arms gallery, its prehistoric collection,its philatelic collection, its antique jewellery and the musical instruments collection.There are bronze sculpture from the later Pallava,Chola,Hoysala and Chalukya periods.
Contact: +91-44-2819 3238 (General) / +91-44-2819 3778 (Director of Museums)

2. Fort Museum : 

Location : Fort St. George Museum
Fort St. George, Beach Road

Courtesy: Ram N

Chennai

Visiting Days : Saturday to Thursday
Visiting Hours : 09.00 to 17.00 hrs
About :The museum displays collection of portraits and paintings of former governors of Chennai as well as of English royalty. Among the other objects on view are weapons, coins, porcelain and the communion vessels of the church.
Contact : 044-25671127; 25670854

3. Regional Railway Museum : 

Location : New Avadi Road. ICF, near ICF bus stand, Chennai-600 038 ( Perambur)
Visiting Days : Tuesday to Sunday
Visiting Hours : 10.00 to 18.00 hours

Source: The Hindu

About : The museum's collection includes both indoor and outdoor exhibits. The indoor galleries include various photographs detailing the early years of Integral Coach Factory and the Indian railways. The museum also houses a working scale model of trains and rare artifacts from the colonial days. This will be where new exhibits, planned for the museum's second decade, will be located.There is also an opportunity to view a video about Neal's ball token system which was used for signalling between trains and a coach in which Gandhi travelled.
In the museum's outdoor spaces, there are more than 40 different models of trains. An 1895 model of the Fowler steam ploughing engine made by Sir John Fowle for agricultural purposes and 1860s Double Decker coaches are some of the recognizable coaches displayed in the museum. The models also include: Coaches of Inspection car RA 30 made by Metropolitan Carriage and Finance Co. Ltd., Crane Hercules (used for emergency relief) and luxury trains coaches. Almost all coaches in the museum are accessible to visitors.
Contact : 044 - 26146267.

4. Sculpture Museum : 

Source: jopreet.blogspot.in

Location : Mahabalipuram / Mamallapuram
Visiting Hours : 09.00 to 17.30 hours
About : The Sculpture Museum contains over 3000 local sculptures in stone, wood, metal and even cement. Some fine paintings are also on display and the front courtyard is littered with sculptures.
Contact : NA





5. Vivekananda Museum : 

Source: touristlink.com

Location : Ice House
Visiting Days : Thursday to Tuesday
Visiting Hours : 10.00 to 12.00 & 15.00 to 19.00 hours
About :  It is housed in the famous Ice House in Chennai. Actually this building had been previously the storage place for the Ice which did not melt even when the temperature outside was very high. Swami Vivekananda preached here the noble philosophies of life and henceforth the Ice House was changed into a Museum in course of time.
Contact : 044-28446188

6. B.M. Birla Planetarium & Periyar Science and Technology Museum :

Location : Kotturpuram
Visiting Days : Tuesday to Sunday
Visiting Hours : 10.00 to 17.45 hours

Source: boffinnews.blogspot.in

About : The Planetarium houses a modern fully computerised projector which depics the heavens on ahemispherical dome. Visitors can have an information-rich travel through space. The Planetorium presents to the visiting public and students audio-visual programmes on various themes in Astronomy. This is built in memory of the B.M.Birla, the eminent industrialist. This is one of the most modern planetariums in India. B.M. Birla Planetarium is a part of the Science and Technology Museum. The museum attracts children and students.
Contact : 044 2441 0025

Conclusion : Museum is the place where the objects of historical, scientific, artistic, and / or cultural interest are exhibited. Instead of taking your kid for a vacation to a theme park again and again, lets drop in to any of these museums. I am sure you will have a doubt whether your kids enjoy this museum as compared with those theme parks. Though the enjoyment will be little lesser, these museums will educate our children more easily than what is published in the form of books.

References : www.tourmyindia.com, icom.museum,, www.chennai-madras.com, chennaifocus.wordpress.com, www.lonelyplanet.com, www.indianholiday.com

Karl Schmidt Memorial @ Elliots Beach (Besant Nagar) - Name Reason

Image Source: Wikimedia.org

:: Chennai Factoids ::

:: Karl Schmidt Memorial at Elliots Beach - Besant Nagar ::

Many of us have passed by this wonderful structure in the Elliots Beach , Chennai. There is a wonderful story behind this and to those who don't know the name of this structure, It is called as "Karl Schmidt Memorial".

The Karl Schmidt Memorial is an architectural landmark commemorating a Dutch sailor who drowned in 1930 while he trying to save the life of a girl.  According to historians, the Dutch sailor, who had gone to the beach, saw an English girl getting into the water who soon started struggling. In a successful attempt to save her life, he lost his own. The English girl, who Schmidt saved from the sea, attended a ball the following evening as though nothing had happened. The then governor, who was apparently angry with her, built the memorial to mark Schmidt's gallant act.

Image Source: Wikimedia.org

According to the experts, it was built using Bricks without a stone foundation. The improper and uneven base and the sea water and also poor maintenance have caused major damages to this memorial.

The memorial is the only heritage structure on Elliot's Beach. The memorial stone in the memorial reads,  "To commemorate the gallantry of K A J Schmidt who was drowned near this spot on December 30, 1930 while helping to save the lives of others."
.

Couldn't get any further details about this place and Mr.Karl Schmidt . We just crossed his 82nd Death anniversary on 30th December 2012 and still this place is not properly maintained. Whom needs to be blamed for making such a monumental place as a dirty litter place ? We should not blame the authorities for this, instead we should blame ourself for making it dirtier day by day. This structure is not just the memorial, it stands an alarm of the deadly nature of the sea.

It is worth mentioning here that The Chennai Bloggers Club, a group in Facebook where I am also a member, has made an initiative to send e-mails to ASI ( (Archeological Survey of India) requesting the ASI authorities to declare the Schmidt Memorial as a protected national monument and undertake its restoration. Click here to read the mail sent by one of our member Rajesh K (Destination Infinity) to ASI in this regard.

Source: Wikipedia, The Times Of India,

Why this Kolaveri ??? (Kolaikaran Pettai - Royapettah)

Image Source: The Hindu

:: Chennai Factoids ::

:: Why this Kolaveri ??? (Kolaikaran Pettai - Royapettah) ::


This is one such road where the listeners will laugh after listening to its name and residents hesitate to tell the name. 

The road name is "Kolaikaran Pettai 1st/2nd Street". It is located in Royapettah near Gaudiya Math. 

The meaning of Kolaikaran is Murderer. Now the doubt arises to you all that why this road has been named like this. That supposed to be the million dollar question. No one knows the exact reason behind naming this street as Kolaikaran Pettai. 

But there were so many assumptions and guesses going around the history behind this street name and I am listing them one after other.

1) Women, including cine artistes, practised Kolattam on an open ground located behind Pilot theatre around 50 years ago and hence it is named as Kola-Karan Pettai.

2) Some people is of the view that this area used to be a haven of dadas. Also, rival henchmen and innocents were held hostage and, at times, killed in this area and hence this name.

3) Another view is that, This area used to have many Kollais (gardens or orchards), so it came to be known as Kollaikaran Pettai (gardener's area), which lost an 'l' and became Kolaikaran Pettai.

4) After a quick research, writer and editor of city-based bilingual monthly Chennai Namma Chennai D.I. Aravindan offers another take. “This area was known for sculptors. They also broke and supplied stones required for construction works. Thus, the place was called Kal Udaikiran Pettai (area of the stone-breaker), and that eventually became Kolaikaran Pettai, courtesy non-Tamil settlers.”

5) Another view is that Kollargal pettai (por kollar = goldsmith) has become Kolaikaran Pettai.

This is the list which I was able to draw from few sites mentioned below as references. Am sure the list will add up even more further.

The residents have made all the efforts to change its name as they feel embarassed to use their street names. But all ended in vain, the road still being called as Kolaikaran Pettai.

Where the good street names has been renamed, why not this one? that too when the residents themself are not feeling good about it.. There should be some administrative issues in it which should be resolved as early as possible.

The only respite for this residents was, Actor Rajinikant once stayed in Kolaikaran Pettai. Before entering films, he took refuge at a low-profile lodge here, as people elsewhere had apparently refused to rent out houses to him.

References : The Hindu, The Week

Statues & Beyond - Veeran Azhagu Muthu Kone Statue - Egmore

Veeran Azhagu Muthu Kone Statue - Egmore
Image Source : Panoramio.com

:: Chennai Factoids ::

:: Statues and Beyond - Veeran Azhagu Muthu Kone Statue - Egmore ::

What : Veeran Azhagu Muthu Kone Statue

Where : Gandhi - Irwin Road - Nearer to Egmore Railway Station

Location of Statue. Source : Panoramio.com

History behind this statue :

 I am sure almost many of us noticed this statue whenever we go to Egmore railway station. But only few of us knows the person behind this statue.

‘Veeran Azhagu Muthu Kone' , also known as Alagumuthu konar’and Servaikarar (meaning as Head or Sevice provider to public) was a Indian revolutionary and Indian independence activist. He is regarded for having raised one of the first revolts against the British in India. 

Image Source: Peperonity.com

Kone belonged to a Konar family and was born and brought up in Kattalankulam, a village in erstwhile Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.

Many historians and school books tells us that the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 was the first freedom struggle against the British. But the fact is that, Azhagu Muthu Kone led a fight against the British 100 years before the Sepoy Mutiny and it has not got recognized. It needs to be incorporated in the History books since the school levels. Sad to see many people in our country doesn't even know the name of the man who initiated the revolts against British.

It was in 1750s, Azhagu Muthu Kone, the commander in chief of Ettayapuram belonging to Yadhava Community led and initiated the fight against the British. 

In 1756, in a bid to oppress the revolution, the British took over the kingdom and the king and Azhagu Muthu Kone went hiding in the forest.

Due to the betrayal of locals in Pethanayakanur, Azhagu Muthu Kone and his seven close aides were killed in a place called ‘Beerangimedu’ when they tried to fight against the British.

The right hands of 248 persons who were with the leader were cut off.

When : 

In the State Legislature on 29 April 1994, the Government announced to celebrate annually , in Tirunelveli the memory of Veeeran Alagumuthu Kone . It was done for the year 1995. 

Then the government named a Transport Corporation with headquarters at Pudukottai and Government buses were operated with the name “Veeeran Alagumuthu Transport Corporation” on 3 May 1996. On the same day a large bronze statue of Veeran Alagumuthu erected by the government near Madras Egmore Railway station. 

Source : The Hindu, Trueindian.info, wikipedia etc.,