What Was Won and  Lost in Dubai

After India’s convincing win over Pakistan in cricket in Dubai yesterday , The Indian Express today  carried the front-page headline “ India wins hands down over Pak, skip the handshake: For Kin of Pahalgam victims, Armed Forces “  The sports correspondent’s  report  mentions that at the end of the game the Indian captain walked away without shaking hands with Pakistani players or their captain . Obviously, one cannot shake hand with one’s  hands down!

 Yes,  the mood of the team and that of most in  the country is that this cricket win is the true decider of   Operation Sindoor against Pakistani terrorists,  which after  four days of hostilities ended with  both armies agreeing to a ceasefire , notwithstanding  President Trump’s repeated claim that he  brokered  this  ceasefire.

The question arises  why  the winning in a sporting event  should be considered  to decide the winner  in the case of  conflicts between nations over issues like terrorist attacks, border disputes,  etc,.  The Government of India and the BCCI  were not against India playing Pakistan in Dubai; only a faction of a regional political party and some members of the victim of Pahalgam massacre protested against the match. Even  after a major shift in India’s relations with Pakistan  marked by significant tension and hostility after Pahalgam, the diplomatic relations between the two countries have only resulted in  a limited presence of  staff in their respective embassies and   not a total abandonment

There is a famous  saying that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton, implying that the discipline, leadership, and values earned by British officers in public schools like Eton provided the foundation for their victory in the Napoleonic wars.

With reference to sports, it  may be said that apart from the above qualities,  a team’s respect for the overall  aim and purpose of sports and observance of courtesy and etiquette on the field is as important  if not more  than winning.  Nations use  sports  and sportsmen as ambassadors to promote goodwill and friendship . This alone represents the spirit of playing the  games and the reason why the late Jawaharlal Nehru exhorted the sportsmen to play the game in the spirit of the game.

 

Before the advent of ODI and T20 formats  cricket  matches  were of 5 days duration and  called TEST Matches as they were considered the ultimate test of a cricketer’s skill, endurance and temperament.  Implied were also the players’ gestures of friendship, empathy and mutual respect. Cricket was called a Gentlemen’s game  for features like accepting the Umpires’ decision as final, a dress code of white flannel for players and some rare cases of foul language.  A shining example of  concern and extraordinary empathy was that exhibited  by the West Indies captain Sir Frank Worrel and his team mates when the  Indian cricket captain Nari Contractor sustained a severe head injury while facing a bouncer from Charlie Griffith in 1962 .

In the past, India’s win over Pakistan in cricket  were  celebrations merely as a sports victory and not for  any    other reason.  

In  Dubai ,  we won a game of cricket  but lost its spirit.

 

 

 

Finally, the Cat is Out of the Bag

In my last blog titled  A Nation of Ungrateful Citizens, I wrote, “In the wake of the  announcement last week  of the new GST rates,   full - page by  advertisements  are appearing in  newspapers, mostly by the automobile industry,  joyfully thanking our Hon'ble Prime Minister for the visionary GST reforms turning this moment into a nationwide celebration”.

I thought that this was a spontaneous and unsolicited response by a grateful automobile industry expressing its delight at the reduction of the GST rate in their case. But in today’s edition of The Economic Times, in the Just in Jest” column, the cat has been let out of the bag. For it says, and I quote,

 “ The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has reportedly asked carmakers and 2-wheeler makers to display posters showing a comparison of pre-new GST and post-new GST rates at all dealerships. That makes obvious good sense.
After all, who doesn't like being overtly told about things getting cheaper than before. But another interesting 'suggestion' made by the ministry is that these before-after posters carry the photograph of Narendra Modi.

Auto execs are now apparently getting posters designed and sending them to the ministry for approval before display.

The prime minister as a car salesman-which is essentially what such posters will amount to-is nifty marketing. As prime influencer, his face should also serve as a quality control marker.”

One would think that at some point this trend will appeal to other sectors as well, spilling over to include posters carrying the photos of chief ministers too. White goods and FMCGs carrying pictures of popular political leaders is a ready-made solution to pick up pre-Diwali consumption.

 

Refrigerators at Lucknow stores with Adityanath's photo; real estate hoardings in Kolkata with the looming image of Mamata Banerjee; coaching centres across the country with Shashi Tharoor's visage adorned with the curvature of mirth.

MHI has certainly unleashed a heavy idea that can appeal to a Neta-friendly nation.”

 

What next to expect after PM’s photo in free ration bags in UP, in Covid vaccine certificates and now in car advertisements?

A Population of Ungrateful Citzens

 In the wake of the  announcement last week  of the new GST rates,   full - page by  advertisements  are appearing in  newspappers, mostly by the automobile industrry,   "joyfully thanking our Hon'ble Prime Minister for the visionary GST reforms turning this moment into a nationwide celebreation". The " love's labour lost"  of the esteemed GST Council comprising the Central and State Finance Ministers and others has gone without a word of appreciation and thanks . Even the common citizens, the ultimate bearers if this indirect taxation and who have been greatly benefitted in the reformed regime of GST have not expressed a word of gratitude. They may not have a representative  organisation like industry associations or ferderations or adveertisement budget to afford full page advertisements , but they could atleast have let their gratitude published as  Letters to Editor in newspapers.  

Briefly,  the 0%reformed rate  "ensures basic necessities and critical services remain affordable and accessible to ALL  CITIZENS", while the 5% rate is  "designed to keep everyday items affordable and accessible for the "GENERAL POPULATION" . This is somewhat confusing . For instance,  if  one buys fresh milk attracting 0 % GST, he/she  is a citizen but when the same person  buys a tube of toothpaste at 5%  does he/ she become just one of the general population?  Which of the two is inclusive of the other  ?   

As a wag in my group of senior citzens remarked with his tongue in cheek that the date of commencement of  the  reformesd rates of GST has been carefully chosen as 22nd September marking  the passing of the ongoing Pithru Paksha, a period not condusive for good events! 

 Victory Beyond Boundaries: South Africa’s Test Championship Win and the Power of Unity

South Africa's triumphant victory in the ICC World Test Championship is not just a sporting milestone — it’s a moment of profound historical and cultural resonance. For a nation that once stood divided by the cruel lines of apartheid, today’s victory is a stirring testament to how far South Africa has come, and a beacon of hope for the world.

Decades ago, South Africa’s name was synonymous with racial segregation and systemic injustice. The apartheid regime institutionalized discrimination, denying opportunities and dignity to millions based on the colour of their skin. Sport, like all aspects of life, was strictly divided. Non-white athletes were marginalized, excluded from national representation, and robbed of the chance to shine on the world stage.

Fast forward to today, and we see a different South Africa — one that strives, with all its imperfections, toward inclusivity and unity. The national cricket team’s win is symbolic not just for the trophy it brings home, but for the diversity and togetherness it represents. This was a team led with conviction by a non-white captain — a powerful contrast to a painful past — while a non-black batter stood out as a star performer. It was not race or religion that defined their roles; it was merit, teamwork, and the shared dream of excellence.

The victory becomes a celebration of more than just cricket. It is a living, breathing example of what a nation — and indeed, what humanity — can achieve when it chooses unity over division, and inclusion over prejudice. The pitch became more than just a field of play; it became a field of hope.

This South African team shows the world that greatness has no colour, talent knows no race, and leadership transcends historical divides. In their unity, they send a message far beyond the boundaries: that a just, equal, and harmonious society is not only desirable, but possible.

At a time when many corners of the globe still grapple with discrimination and division, this victory offers a lesson: the strength of a nation lies in the diversity of its people and the fairness of its systems. Sport, as always, remains a powerful mirror — reflecting not only our struggles but our most promising potential.

Let this win be more than just a statistic in cricket history. Let it be a reminder — that when we set aside prejudice and embrace each other as equals, we all win.

Promoting Sale of One's Book - A Strategic Approach

 

 

Promoting Sale of One’s Book  – A Strategic  Approach

 

In 2021, I published my Memoir*.  What prompted me to undertake this venture was  the pressure on me by a long -time friend and colleague who had published his Memoir, saying that only this will reveal to  his children and grandchildren his family history and legacy though this was not the reason in my case since I belong to a  closeknit family.

 The difference between an auto-biography and a memoir is while  the  former is a comprehensive account of one’s entire life,  the latter focuses  on a specific aspect, theme etc., that profoundly shaped the author. I chose the Memoir mode since my life and career took some unexpected turns.

A few copies were sold soon after publication, with Amazon taking the lion’s share of the sales  revenue and leaving with me very little . My book had a Foreword written by a retired IAS officer and ex-CEO of Prasar Bharti who later was also  an MP. A few lines of praise by two highly respected Professors of Mumbai University and a leading Management Institute respectively were also printed on the back cover. However,  its brand value and sales  did not pick up. Therefore,    I introspected and concluded that  those who  did not buy the book    knew me well enough to desire to know anything more about me,   while those who did not know me   thought perhaps  that I was too insignificant a person to  know about .

It was then I hit upon the following strategy to promote my book and increase its sales.

As said earlier,  I belong to a large family with siblings, their spouses and children and grand children both on my maternal and paternal sides. They are mostly blessed with at least three living generations including extended family members like my co-brother- in - laws’ son -in -law and his parents and siblings and so forth. As a close-knit family from even my parent’s lifetimes,  we would   gather  on every conceivable event like marriages, 60^th , 70^th and 80^th birthday celebrations, Griha pravesams, Valaikappu / Seemantham  ( rituals during first pregnancy), Mudi irakkal ( first tonsure of the child)  , Kaadu Kutthal, ( ear -lobe piercing) , wedding anniversaries etc.  to mention just some examples. Even 13th day funeral obsequies would serve as a good  reason to assemble!  On such  occasions,  there will be  exchange of gifts between the hosting family and the attendees. Some gifts are obligatory  by tradition and custom like the maternal uncle’s gift to the  niece on her marriage or the groom’s gift to the bride’s brother who helps him Pori-Edal  ( puffed rice consigned to holy fire) at weddings.

My strategy concerns the return gift from the host. It is always a pair of Jarigai Veshti ( gold threaded laced Doti) for the male and Pattu Pudaivai (silk saree) for the female relative . Although one’s presence is a must to receive the return gifts,  sometimes ,as in our case with  age deterring  travel, the gifts are  sent per messenger. Over the years we  have collected about  dozens of  Veshtis and  sarees. . Our use of these gifts has long since ceased and they occupy much space and require maintenance . No matter how much we try to palm them off  to other  relations and friends visiting us,  the stocks are  not depleted. There is also the risk of some being returned  to the very persons we got  from!

I have therefore thought of asking my relations and friends  inviting us to their  functions not to burden us with  return gifts of dhotis and sarees. Instead,  they   buy as many  copies  of my Memoir,  costing the equivalent of  their budget for our dhotis and sarees,  and distribute them to the guests at the functions. This will  boost the  sale of my book and also save the   expenses on our  hotel accommodation  and transportation if we were to attend.

This strategy is not my original and patented idea. So far as boosting the sale of one’s books is concerned, two eminent persons have preceded me with this strategy.  One was a Governor of a State who in his capacity as Chancellor of a University in the State asked that several  copies of his book be bought and distributed   to the delegates attending some Convention. The University could not refuse payment to the publisher presented the bill  .The second forerunner of this strategy is the noted Economist who served as Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India. He ordered a public sector bank to buy two lakh copies of his book at a cost of Rs. 7.25 crore for  distribution  to customers and others.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander .  

________________________________________________________

*Accountant to Academic- An Unmapped Journey- A Memoir- A.V.Raman ; Publishers Notion Press; Available with Amazon and Flip cart

War and Peace

 Yesterday evening when there was discussion in our group of senior citizens on Ukraine’s drones downing about 40 fighter planes inside Russia , a member wondered how Russia would respond with its known military power including nuclear weapons. In a flash I asked should the response be confined only to a military action and is not Peace  a response  to war. 

What follows is my article taking assistance from Chat GPT

                                       Peace as a Powerful Response to War

In the face of ongoing conflicts like Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine, it is easy to assume that war must be met with war, force with force, and aggression with retaliation. But history offers a different truth—peace is not just a moral ideal, it is a powerful and effective response to war. Far from being a sign of weakness, the pursuit of peace often demands greater courage, deeper vision, and stronger leadership than war itself.

While violence may yield temporary control or revenge, it rarely leads to lasting stability. In contrast, peace—when built on mutual understanding, compromise, and justice—can transform societies, heal deep divisions, and create a future free from the cycles of destruction.

The Power of Peace: Lessons from History

1. Egypt and Israel: From War to Peace (Camp David Accords, 1978)

After decades of hostility and multiple wars, including the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Egypt and Israel stood at a crossroads. Instead of perpetuating the cycle of conflict, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat made a bold move—he traveled to Jerusalem and addressed the Israeli parliament, a dramatic gesture of reconciliation. This led to the Camp David Accords, brokered by U.S. President JimmyCarter .

Outcome: Egypt became the first Arab nation to officially recognize Israel. In return, Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula    pact: Though controversial, this peace has lasted for over four decades. It proved that even the most entrenched conflicts can be resolved through dialogue and compromise.

2. South Africa: Peace Instead of Civil War

In the early 1990s, South Africa was on the brink of civil war. The apartheid regime had created a deep chasm of racial injustice and violence. But leaders like Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk chose a different path: peace through negotiation.

Strategy: The dismantling of apartheid, establishment of democratic elections, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Impact: South Africa avoided a bloody civil conflict. The peaceful transition became a global model of how forgiveness and justice can go hand in hand.

3. Northern Ireland: The Good Friday Agreement (1998)

The conflict in Northern Ireland, known as “The Troubles,” spanned over 30 years and claimed more than 3,500 lives. Yet in 1998, through multi-party negotiations and the involvement of international actors like the United States, the Good Friday Agreement was signed.

Key Elements: Power-sharing government, disarmament of paramilitary groups, and reforms in policing and civil rights.

Impact: While not perfect, the agreement drastically reduced violence and brought a measure of political stability to the region.

4. France and Germany: From Bitter Enemies to Partners

After centuries of warfare—including two world wars—France and Germany chose reconciliation instead of rivalry. Through the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (the precursor to the European Union), these former enemies became economic and political partners.

Outcome: Instead of conflict, Europe witnessed an unprecedented era of peace, prosperity, and integration.

Lesson: Economic cooperation and shared interests can overcome even the deepest historical animosities.

Reflections for Today's Leaders

Israel and Palestine

Decades of violence have not resolved the core issues of land, security, and identity. A peaceful resolution, likely involving a two-state solution or a shared governance model with international support, would demand painful compromises. Yet only peace offers a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in dignity and security.

Russia and Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has devastated cities, taken thousands of lives, and destabilized global politics. A peaceful settlement—based on sovereignty, borders, and mutual security—would be complex, but it is the only path to preventing perpetual conflict in the region. Post-war reconstruction and reconciliation, as seen in Europe after World War II, is possible if the will for peace prevails.

Conclusion: Peace Is Strength

History is clear: wars may end through victory, but peace lasts through wisdom. Leaders who choose peace are not capitulating—they are investing in a future beyond destruction, beyond hatred. They are building bridges where others build walls.

 Yesterday was an immensely fortunate day in my life. In the morning, through Sankara TV, I had the privilege of witnessing Sri Sathya Chandrasekharendra Saraswati being appointed as the new Peethadhipati of the Kanchi Math in Kanchipuram, following Vedic scriptures and traditional rituals. 

At such a young age, his renunciation of worldly and familial ties to embrace the life of a sannyasi and take on this great responsibility is a profound sacrifice. 

Equally remarkable is the sacrifice of his mother, who, having nurtured her youthful son, released him from family ties to undertake this significant duty. She and the other family members are truly worthy of admiration.

 நேற்று என் வாழ்வில் மிக பெரிய அதிர்ஷ்டமயமான ஒரு நாள். காலையில் சங்கரா டிவி மூலம் காஞ்சியில் ஸ்ரீ  சத்ய சந்திரசேகரேந்திர சரஸ்வதி அவர்கள் காஞ்சி மடத்தின் புது பீடாதிபதியாக வேதசாஸ்திரங்கள் மற்றும் பல ஸம்ப்ரதாயங்கள் முறைகள்படி நியமனம் பெற்றதய் காணும் பாக்கியம் பெற்றேன்.

இந்த இளம் வயதில் அவர் உலகம் மற்றும் குடும்ப பந்தக்களைகளை எல்லாம் களைந்துவிட்டு ஒரு சந்நியாசியாக பொறுப்பு ஏற்றது மிக்க ஒரு தியாகம் .

அதே சமயத்தில் அவருடைய தாயார் தான் பெற்று வளர்த்த ஒரு வாலிப வயது மகனை ஒரு மிக பெரிய பொறுப்பை ஏற்க குடும்பத்திலிருந்து விடுவித்தது மிக அரியதொரு தியாகம் ஆகும். அந்த தாயரும் மற் ற குடும்பத்தினரும் மிகவும் போற்ற தக்கவர்கள்.

 

 

 

Crowd Management – Demand Vs. Supply Approach

·      By A. V. Raman*

The human tragedy due to the stampede at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, has occasioned yet another opportunity to relearn the existing administrative approach from the supply side for managing huge and massive crowds converge at a spot.  The other occasions were the stampedes at Tirupati, The Chennai Air Show and at Hathras in UP last year when many human lives were lost due to poor crowd management.  

 

 Huge crowd gatherings are not new in India. Any occasion is good enough; fairs and festivals, religious discourses, pravachans, sporting events etc. Massive crowds from all over the country gather. Political rallies too gather huge crowds by providing free transport and other incentives. In recent times, the national passion for cricket has also become a big crowd puller.

 

 Organisers of these events obtain permission form Local Administrations and the latter provide facilities like drinking water, toilet, temporary accommodation in tents, special buses and trains to and from the site, first-aid, general medical and sanitary services to control spread of diseases like cholera, etc.

 

With our growing population, increased per capita income and improved transport services, crowds swell in large numbers posing enormous problems for Local, State and Central level authorities for providing facilities to any degree of adequacy. Further, there is the unpredictable risk of the crowd getting into a frenzy to rush to the temple for darshan at the auspicious moment or to river front for the pious dip or to the spiritual guru for his personal blessings. There can be no lack in anticipating these exigencies in crowd management. There must also be a Plan B alternative strategy if the crowd suddenly becomes restive. There would also be problem of law and order when anti-social elements get into the fray.

 

In its publication “Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering” in 2014, the National Disaster Management Authority too lists only precautions and provisions for managing crowds from the Supply side.

 

Therefore, it is time now to address the crowd management from the “Demand" side. In a nutshell, this would comprise policy initiatives to regulate and control the number of the crowd as attendees in fairs and festivals. For instance, promotional campaign to attract crowds   by providing incentives for more and more buses, trains and planes to the sites should be discouraged.  Instead, some additional fares should be charged as a dis- incentive in order maintain safety and comfortable standards of travel. Another option could be to stagger the fairs in two or three segments spread over a month. For instance, the Shahi Snan (Bath) in Kumbh Mela could be on two days of the same Shukla/Krishna Paksha "Thithis" occurring at monthly interval... These ideas may not be brushed aside even if they ruffle feathers in some quarters. An over-emphasis for the comfort of the rich and powerful may be avoided even if it unsettles the power equation.  A dispassionate understanding and cooperation of religious and social groups should dispel any objection if they realise the implication of an unrestricted crowd, the limited resources for provision of safety and comfort and the grave risk of damage to life and property if crowds are not regulated and even if necessary restricted in number. The ideas here are by no means novel. The have been tried and tested as, for example, in UK during football games attracting unruly crowds in trains, cars and buses. In fact, even during the current Maha-Kumbh in Prayagraj some of these steps have been announced like No VIP Passes, No prolonged stay after the dip, etc. Regrettably they are post- tragedy actions and not preventive steps.

 

The Chembur Mama

                  by A.V. Raman*

If you happen to have seen a white-haired man about 70 years old in the Central Avenue area of Chembur in Mumbai between Diamond Garden and Chembur Rly. Station wearing “Veshti”, a loose-fitting T Shirt with a US institution/company monogram and a [AR1] cloth bag in hand, you have met the typical Chembur Mama.  Mostly hailing from Palakkad in Kerala, he has lived in Mumbai for well over 50 years, first in Matunga as bachelor and patron of South Indian Concerns (popularly called The Concerns). After his arranged marriage with a “young and accomplished girl well trained in household affairs”, he moved to his own flat “600 sq. One BHK” bought for Rs, 80000 with a loan of Rs 40000 from Govt of Maharashtra in a four storeyed building in the then developing Chembur
When he first arrived in Mumbai in early fifties with his Matriculation certificate and 45/120 words speed in typing/ shorthand, he was grabbed by the private companies owned by Gujaratis and some British Companies with offers of jobs in Sales or Accounts Departments as he was proficient in English and Mathematics. The modest salary was wisely spent and saved. He recollects those sunny days, “Eight annas got you a breakfast of 2 idlis, one vada, one dosa with unlimited sambhar and fresh coconut chutney and a steaming cup of coffee in Rama Nayak's while a book of monthly meals coupons was just Rs 22. Transport to and fro offices in South Mumbai were in the Local suburban trains costing as little as 2 annas”.  He and his wife, now called Mami, limited the number of offsprings to two or three.

Now the children have grown: the elder son is CA, married and has moved over to his own flat in the adjoining Ghatkopar/Deonar, the only daughter is married and lives in USA with her husband. The younger son is an IIT/IIM product and works as a professor in a US University. Though the elder son asked the parents to move to his abode, Mami privately told Mama that the offer is not without strings as she would be made to baby-sit their grandson. She wanted to be the queen of all she surveys which would not be possible living with daughter-in-law. Mama never having said NO to the boss all through his married and working life meekly agreed.

Mama like most of his contemporaries is a simple man with clean habits. Long ago soon after his first job he was tempted to smoke once, choked and resolved never to smoke again. Drinking was considered a sin and even as a marketing man he entertained the clients but he sipped only soda. He regularly performs Sandyavandanam and after retirement has joined the Veda Classes to learn to recite the Rudram, the Chamakam and the Suktams. He visits the Sri Ramar Koil every as it gives him the needed daily walk of about a mile or two which he says is good for “body and soul”.

 

In spite of his long living in Mumbai he has not learnt to speak Marathi but feels none the worse as he is well understood by the Chembur vegetable shopkeepers, grocers, general merchants and jewellers with whom he interacts Tamil spoken in a Malayalam intonation and accent. Even his asking for “kai vaccha banian” (banian with sleeves) is understood by the shopkeepers.
   .

He is member of the famous The Fine Arts Society and attends, with Chembur Mami in consort, all its music programmes, dramas and dance recitals and  the pair making  the average age of the audience at  something 55+.  The Mami is a few years younger than the Mama; her ubiquitous presence in the Katcheris, in bright kanjivarams and dazzling diamond ear-tops gold jewellery would draw attention to her. She is adept in using the cell phone and the internet and is financial adviser to Mama for investments in gold (ornaments), apartments and stocks, in that order.

 

The quiet stream of their serene life occasionally gets disturbed like when their professor son in USA announced his decision to marry his co-professor, a Chinese American. After some initial jolts and consultations and clarifications with his daughter and son-in-law Mama gave his consent. As he told his wife “It is far more wise to accept a foreign mattuponnu, than losing the son for ever”. They attended the wedding and Mama is not tired of telling how the foreign mattuponnu took care of his “Amavasya tharpanam” and the night “palaharam” of fruits / tiffin) during the few days they stayed in the US after the wedding.

All said, the Chembur Mama is embodiment of peace within and without.

 

---

 [AR1]

 

Dehi’s Madrasis -Then and Now

 

 

Till about the early sixties, New Delhi was just a central government city.  The inhabitants were mostly government servants living within a radius of two miles from Central Secretariat. High ranking Government servants like Secretaries, Joint Secretaries etc. lived in aristocratic bungalows while the lower rung officials like Clerks and Stenographers lived in smaller quarters around the popular middle class Gole Market area

 

     In this great city lived the “Madrasis”- an appellation invented by the North Indians to describe all people belonging to the south of the Vindhyas. Almost all of them were government servants except some essential service providers like school and music teachers, vadhyars (religious pundits) and cooks. With many Subramanians and Ganesans, distinction was made either with reference to the Ministry where they worked or in the Square where they lived, like Finance Subramanian, Defence Ganesan or Wilson Square Ramasubban and Lawrence Square Sivaramakrishnan. If two Sethuramans were in the same Finance ministry, then the distinction was based on the division / department, such as Expenditure Sethuraman versus Capital Issue Sethuraman or their honorary positions in cultural and social organisations like Bhajana Samaj Krishnan or Karnataka Sangeetha Sabha Ramamurthy. There were also nick names given and recognised by the whole community like Bonda Srinivasan, Typhoid Krishnamurthy, and Driver Devarajan and so on.[AR1] 

 

    When it came to r career in government, the Madrasis earned the unenviable reputation as honest, sincere, hard- working, efficient and with absolute integrity. The price that was paid for such appreciation of work was their neglect of leisure time happiness on holidays with family and friends. Many of them would have spent decades living in Delhi but not had had the time to v see the dime a dozen historic monuments abounding New Delhi like the Kutb Minar, the Red Fort, Purana Kila etc.

 

     However, they were united by some social, cultural and religious institutions such as The South India Club, The Madrasi School, The Karnatak Sangeetha Sabha, The Vaishnava Siddhantha Sabbha, The Saturday Bhajana Sabhas, The Navaratri Golus and of course the Irwin Road Pilliar Koil and its adjacent Hanuman Mandir and the Baird Road Kali Koil. Other than congregations during marriages, temple festivals etc there was not many social family visits. Integration with other communities was next to nothing they collectively enjoyed the confidence of the Punjabi shopkeepers to get credit payment facility.

 

    Among the uniting institutions, the Madrasi School, which was also the Alma Mater of this author, occupied a predominant position. It was here that the children of all Madrasis irrespective of the status of the parents, whether a Joint Secretary or an Upper Division Clerk, or the child of a Sastrigal or a cook, came for studies. With no dress code or uniforms all children studied in an environment of equality and fraternity. The teachers, both male and female, were exceptionally devoted to their profession, took avuncular interest in each student and were kind hearted. Till the fifties there was only one school at Reading Road, now Mandir Marg. Even when there was no bar for students from other regions or linguistic groups for admission, the Madrasa School remained exclusively a Tamil school.

  

     The Madrasis were a powerful group in the Central Secretariat. Their network was strongly knit and mutually helpful. Any special treatment or facility in AIIMS, Safdarjung and other government hospitals were arranged by the Madrasi Jt. Secretary, in Health Ministry, while his counter- part in Civil Supplies Department took care of additional allotment of sugar and maida for weddings. Acquiring of land and construction of the many temples in the sixties and seventies in New Delhi was mainly because of the initiative and strength of this group which at one time had the Hon’ble President of India as Patron. Even the introduction of Leave Travel Concession for visiting home towns by Central Government Servants and their families was said to be the brainchild of some Madrasis in the Home and Finance Ministries as alleged by North Indian employee since its substantive requirement of home town should be not less than 400 kms away could not be complied with by them!

 

Most of these Madrasis have retired by now.  Many continue to live in Delhi in DDA and other housing colonies in the faraway Dwarka and Mayur Vihar and their post- retirement activities and interest are confined to within these areas mainly centring the local temple.  Many of their children as next generation Delhi’s Madrasis, hold high positions in government, corporates, defence services MNCs and eminent doctors, scientists and engineers, lawyers and accountants.

The Tamil population in Delhi now is around 10 lakhs against  only some 60000 in 1980. This exponential increase is both on account of increase in the size of the city itself as well as the increase in Tamil immigrants. The Delhi described above  was defined by the areas under New Delhi Municipal Committee and Delhi Metropolitan Corporation and included what is now called as Lutyens Delhi and other Government colonies like Lodhi Colony, R.K. Puram, Moti Bagh , Sarojini Nagar and other non-government settlements like Karol Bagh, Patel Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Jangpura , Munirkha, Naraina, , Pankha Road . Today, Delhi covers the entire National Capital Region and includes the far- off satellite townships of Haryana and UP where too the Tamil community has settled in huge campuses

In its composition too , the Delhi  Tamil community now includes only fewer  government employees and a large number employed in corporate sector and as self-employed persons . There is also a perceptible change in their lifestyle. To quote Narain Ganesh ( TOI dated 15th Sept 2002) “So what’s an average Delhi Tamilian or DTam like? It is a wide range from the vibhooti-kumkum sporting dhoti clad Karolbagh veterans to hanky topped disco damsel boogying till the wee hours, to suave corporate honchos. Most Tamils, however, fall somewhere in between, adding value to corporates, media groups and the art world”.

Most of the then Tamils were hard put to speak Hindi . I remember my uncle having difficulty to count beyond 20 in Hindi and would say” dho upper bees “for 22, while another relation was ingenious enough to ask for “gobar ka roti “for cow-dung cake! Today, however  the Tamil youngsters speak fluent Hindi, though in a Dravidian accent  like  “Kafer” Market “ Gafer” Market! Also more women now , particularly the younger ones and those working as domestic help , wear the  salwar and the  kameez and not  sarees. .  Their ability to speak English and Hindi has widened their job market.

Culturally, the Tamils still live in their cocoons. The plethora of temples in almost every area where they live, serves  the place of congregation on festival days with  Malai Mandir, the temple devoted to the Tamil Deivam Murugan,  still  the major attraction. On days like Thai Poosam etc., the crowd is huge with hundreds of “Kavadis”,like in some famous Murugan temples in Tamilnadu. A notable feature is the number of persons from other regions and communities like Panjabis, Bengalis, and Marwaris coming to Madrasi temples. A cross cultural and community  integration indeed. Bhajana Samajs, and Music Clubs are now limited to catering to fewer numbers while many  “Rasikar Mandrams “ (fan clubs) of famous cinema actors like Rajani Kant, Kamal Hassan , Vijay have sprung up .

Madrasi hotels and restaurants too  have mushroomed; many   Madrasi  Stores selling typically south Indian specialities like appalam, vetrili, pakku, seeakai powder and textile Stores selling sarees and veshtis, travel agencies to book train and air tickets are other ventures indicating the shift from employment to entrepreneurship.

Integration with other communities through marriage is more  common now than before , with  educated and salaried Tamil boys and girls marrying spouses from other regions. After all,  who will not like to marry the intelligent, hard working and  simple living Tamil groom/bride ?

 

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 [AR1]