Special Report
Economic Times (online edition)

About Chennai
V Balasubramanian


CHENNAI chutzpah? Come again, will ya? Bangalore boom and Hyderabad hype we’ve heard of. But Chennai? After all, the two big Bills (Clinton and Gates that is) gave it a miss. And even the domestic geek brigade roots more for Bangalore and Hyderabad than Chennai.

Hard to believe? Consider this: In a 1998 study, Nasscom rated Chennai as the best possible location for software investments. But, soon, the compliment vanished from the Nasscom site reportedly due to pressure from other states. And this year, in his budget speech, finance minister Yashwant Sinha talked about ``the young entrepreneurs at the forefront of the infotech revolution whether in Silicon Valley, Bangalore or Hyderabad’’. No reference to Chennai.

CHENNAI CHA CHA: But wait. Chennai, dear friends, is happening. Early this month, Prime Minister A B Vajpayee — while inaugurating the Rs 338 crore Tidel park (largest IT-park in Asia with 1.28 million sq ft built-up space) — said: ``I heartily congradulate the government of Tamil Nadu for this mega — or shall we say giga — achievement.’’

One giga compliment from Race Course Road may not a boomtown make. What does is the new, upbeat mood of the Chennai-ite. Ford India big chief and racing enthusiast Phil Spender gives the city full marks for hospitality. ``I find people are friendly and it is easy to live in the city,’’ he says. ``What also strikes me is the increasing recreational activities on offer. Besides Chennai leads the country in retailing.’’

Agrees fellow expat Y S Kim, managing director of Hyundai Motors India. ``Chennai is a quiet place,’’ he says. ``I enjoy the sprawling IIT campus, where I love jogging.’’

Okay, so the newcomers may be hooked to the city’s timeless charms but what about the old-timers? Spic chairman A C Muthiah, commends the city’s ``infrastructure and civic amenities which are improving’’ and lauds the way it ``has become an attractive destination’’. And well-known scientist Dr M S Swaminathan puts the boom firmly in perspective saying, ``Chennai is changing in some cases for the worse but in most cases for the better.’’

Not that there aren’t downsides. And its cheerleading residents are the fit to point them out. ``The city has deteriorated in areas like environmental hygiene and sanitation,’’ says Swaminathan. Spender, for his part, quotes teeing problems: ``I like playing Golf, but the present course does not match international standards,’’ he says. Also ``the present international schools do not have the critical mass to support the rising expatriat population and we need more flights for passengers coming from Singapore.’’

International environment doesn't stop at the gates of the park.

Step out of the park and you will find that everything is the same - international. Not surprising, since the city is Chennai. The only city which can proudly claim to have the following features:

• One international and one domestic airport.

• One all-weather seaport and one more shaping up just 25 kms away.

• 100% reliable and efficient telecom network

• Guaranteed Adequate power supply by State Electricity Board.

• Three Electrical and Electronic Estates.

• Well connected Air Road and Rail network that includes MRTS, providing more connectivity from and to the city.

• Around 240 engineering colleges, 19 universities, and the world renowned Indian institute of technology

• Schools which have produced the Ramanujams and Abdul Kalams, apart from special schools like American School and the Japanese school.

• Cosmopolitan life - style - the private beach houses and numerous beach resorts along the coast of the bay of Bengal, including a five star resort, stand as a testimony.

• Hundreds of restaurants and a host of three and five star hotels offer multiple cuisines, including Chinese , Japanese, Mexican, Continental, western fast food and the varied Indian treats.

• Some of the best medical facilities in Asia - the Madras Medical Mission,Apollo, Vijaya and Malar hospitals, to name a few.

• Foreign and Nationalized Banks at almost all the nooks and corners - American Express , Standard Chartered Grindlays Bank, Citibank, Bank of America, Honk Kong Bank, State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda etc.

• Financial Institutions like ICICI, IDBI and HDFC to accelerate industrial and economic growth.

• An environment which has attracted investments from Ford, Hyundai, and Alcatel.

• An array of plush shopping malls displaying everything under the sun.

• Exclusive clubs, Sabhas, golf courses, tennis courts, billiards , snooker rooms and a host of other recreational facilities available for the executives to wind off after a hard days work.

If you have been a visitor to Chennai earlier, you will agree that there is much more to the city than what words can express. And hearts can rejoice.

Also, Chennai's cost of living is relatively economic in comparison to the other metros.