A week in Chennai

After surprising my parents with my arrival, we decided to bring them with us to Chennai where I had the Visa appointment scheduled. Upon finishing the immigration formalities, we had planned to take them on a pilgrimage down south and to Shirdi (a little towards north of India). My famous note comes to my mind - LIFE HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE BUSY MAKING PLANS !!! My parents were aged when I left to USA 4 years ago, they continued to age in my absence which I was totally oblivious of ! It was a pleasant surprise to them no doubt, but for me it was a total shocker to see them old and weak. They traveled only on my suggestion; probably I would not have done that in their place. They admit it was definitely troublesome for them to travel but it was all worth it since they got a surprise visit from me. God bless them with much more years, more than anything a peaceful and healthy life ahead.

We arrived in Chennai and took up a service apartment (if anybody needs more information on this, please email me, i will be more than glad to share) and it was like setting up a new home. Groceries, vegetables, etc. A special mention has to be made here about inflation. I was not able to beleive what I was seeing and spending. My friends who had recently visited had warned me, but was ignored by me completely. We did not see a single person who came to the mall or a restaurant from not removing a Rs. 500 currency note which at some point of time was quite a big thing to carry or flaunt in your purse !!! The 500 Rupee currency note is no longer a big deal. Every other person in Chennai is changing one for a purchase or at an eatery. I was wondering whether it was due to inflation or people’s earning which has increased, when enquired with a friend – he says BOTH!!! I did not know where to look from that answer. Nobody knows the importance of NOT having money better than me. It can be either from a situation of NO money at all or losing money after having a lot of money, I have undergone both the situations. May people learn to spend wisely and save a bit for the rainy days as well. Once we set up the house, Mom began her cooking process - dont they get tired of feeding their children ??? I was flabbergasted by her energy levels even though she was unwell and tired. We used to go out and come back for Lunch, Dinner as normally how we would live life in our home town Bangalore. I was beginning to feel the trousers slightly growing tight - you know where :- ) Wait... one cannot wear trousers in Chennai on a holiday, it was my shorts :- ) We flew out from 0 degree to 40 degree Celsius straight !!! My US colleague Betty even commented “why do you guys need to pack clothes, all you need are a couple of sleeveless top and a shorts " which was so true. Chennai was/is hot, humid and dusty due to the metro rail project as in the other cities of India. Not that I am complaining or comparing, but would like to see some real fast progress without any political bottle necks to see the country through. Huge cut outs of movie stars, politicians and aspiring politicians still prevail and dominate most of Chennai roads & bylanes. Autorickshaws are still playing a havoc and cause most of the damage to your pocket. Hope someday, they learn their lesson and be more professional and ethic oriented.

One day into my Holiday of contemplating as to how best I can spend the days with my parents, we got a shocker too soon. My father amidst 40 degrees of heat was feeling cold and started shivering. I did not know what and how to react in the first place; did I commit a blunder of having them over??? Lot of thoughts were going on in my mind, even though Chennai is a second home to me, I drew a complete blank as to what to do next. At that exact time, my friend Vidya’s aunt called in to check whether we had arrived safely and wanted to invite us over for dinner. I expressed my unavailability and quickly latched on to her for support by explaining her our situation. She suggested Vijaya Hospitals which was right next door but I was completely unaware due to the circumstantial problems of mine. I thanked her and promised her a visit at a later point of time, quickly called Vijaya Hospitals and took him there. They immediately took him in, ran some tests and diagnosed some kind of lung infection. By the time we reached the hospital, my Dad had kind of settled down, with a couple of injections and tablets, he was alright and was set free with a promise that he would undergo further tests in Bangalore.

We had our Visa interview on Wednesday which we were always dreading till now, but due to other issues, it had taken a complete back seat. I had to travel from Thirumangalam to Anna Salai, but had decided not to make the auto fellows richer any more, hence tried to take a share auto or even a bus, hence left early. I met an elderly gentleman by name Mani on my way to the bus stand, he suggested me a share auto stand which was nearby and walked me right into it as well. While walking he claimed to working at TVS Lucas for more than 25 years and took a VRS to marry of his daughter! Isn’t Dowry a crime? I began to wonder, thanked him, took his number, he wished us good luck and assured us that he would pray for our well being as well. He also has son who is into hotel management, may God bless that family and settle them soon.

The Visa interview was as smooth like putting a sharp knife on butter, more questions were directed to me than my beloved, which she was happy about. I cracked a couple of one liners at the officer and got away with an approval :- ) we came back home, had another feast cooked by Mom and left for some shopping. This is where we ended up buying nothing but spent a good deal studying the economy. But I was glad to see a lot of people in a book store at the mall, meaning people are getting into the habit of reading which seems to be a great sign of progress. That night, I insisted that we would cook for my parents which they reluctantly agreed. We cooked Potato curry and Chapatis (wheat tortillas), not too sure whether they liked the taste but they ate and said it was nice which was a great relief for Shweta & me.

It’s Thursday and Shweta is travelling to her native (I am all excited of being a temporary bachelor). She got picked up by the cab driver and left. I saw her off and came in only to see some red colour stains on the floor of the home, when traced to the origin, I was shocked to see my father’s toe bleeding. When enquired, he has completely ignored the wound and thought it would cure by itself miraculously. Good luck with his diabetes I told and immediately rushed him to a nursing home nearby for a thorough investigation. The duty doctor lets me know that they have to perform a minor surgery to arrest a major damage!!! Well, what should I say, I came to India to give them a surprise, finish my immigration and take them around; here I was taking them to hospitals and performing all sorts of tests. Not that I am complaining, because I feel it’s the nice thing to happen since I was around to take care of them at the right time. But it still hurts at some point of time. The surgery went well; he was discharged in a couple of hours and was asked to come back for a cleanup and dressing every day. Back to mom cooked meal :- )

After meeting a couple of clients in Chennai for my India business, a few friends called in late in the evening and we decided to meet, jammed up in Hotel Aruna Inn where the pub is having a great ambience. We were the first to enter and started talking about economy, Sachin Tendulkar, salaries, inflation, US & India life, etc. The best thing about having a drink in a Chennai bar is you get a lot of freebies which include Idli upma, sundal, green salad, boiled peanuts, hot snacks… man, and you will be half filled before you order the actual meal. Had a good time and wound up with a sumptuous dinner, kind of a criminal act considering that a great meal could have been cooked at home by Mom, then again, need to give a respite to Mom as well you see :- )

Thank God its Friday – went to the hospital for my Dad’s dressing, fortunately nothing more was serious, he was kind of doing alright but definitely was advised more care and cleaning everyday even when he reaches Bangalore. My parents wanted some worshipping items which will be a luxury otherwise, hence took them out and they purchased to their heart’s content – sometimes we try to give them an expensive phone/watch/tv, but little things like these would be missed which we would not have been aware of at all. Glad was able to do this and wound up for the evening.

It was Saturday and time to part with my parents and move on to my other set of parents home towards the coastal line of Karnataka – Mangalore – Karwar belt.

Next topic would be – One week on the Karnataka Coast !!!