Walkathon - Walking Classes Unite, Sept 21

As someone who walks the Chennai main roads and by lanes often and as part of day to day life, I am normally skeptical about any media event for a walk (or the much hyped marathon). But, today's event sounds different as it seems to bring some people who actually want to regain walking spaces for themselves. See the Link

Last week, while at the Adayar Poonga I also came across another similar initiative by a high profile political entity for cyclers. When I suggested that there should be some move to bring those who cycle to work as a group that can voice its concerns, this gent said that it was way off for now. Currently he seems to want to promote cycling as a cheaper energy transport. So, while he cycled back from the meeting to his house, his car was driven back home by his driver!! Like the idea ad. says, 'What an idea sirji!?'

Afterwards: Looks like there were about 300 people. I couldn't make it thought very much wanted to. The partner did and she reports that the turn out was below expectation and the organizers were rather caught unprepared when the walk ended much ahead of its schedule at 6 itself. And, as I feared, she also reported that many of those who walked looked like they normally don't really commute anywhere by walking actually! Alas! another 'What an idea Sirji'!!

Madras University: A Colonial Institution celebrates it 150 years!

Madras University was started like a few other universities in the country by the Britishers to impart education that would shape and reduce Indians to be good slave citizens. Faithful to the rulers of the State is a dictat of all slave institutions and the university is no exception. To celebrate its 150 years, it has decided to give Doctorates to the rulers. So, we have not one but three doctorates being honorarily conferred on the CM, PM and the power behind the PM. 

God and everyone else except the University authorities know that none of these three need it.

The PM has been conferred a Doctorate by the British Universities themselves, he even told them that if they were 'to come in again (as colonial rulers) they would get a better reception' when he spoke accepting the Doctorate. After exhibiting such loyalty to the British and being conferred something by them, nothing can add value to him further. 

Karunanidhi must have been given doctorates by every University in Tamilnadu at some point in time, it could even have been made into an education policy if he so desired. He monopolises the term 'kalaignar' (artist) for too long making it impossible to prefix it to anyone else without loading all the political connotation along with it in TN. Maybe posters in TN will get longer with a  list of all the Universities alongside the Dr before his name by his devotee followers. So, it may read, 'Dr (MU), Dr (MKU), Dr (MSU), Dr. (TPU).......Kalaignaar Karunanidhi' henceforth.  Poor Ramdoss has long since conceded this too by asking his followers to call him 'Maruthuvar' instead. His political posters are the only places in TN where a Dr is called as 'maruthuvar'. Everywhere else, 'Doctor' is always called 'Dr', it is even Tamizh.


 I have no clue why Sonia Gandhi has to be conferred Doctorate! though I tried to think of reasons, I couldn't come up with any. Is it because she is the Nehru family head now? the Raj-Mata of sorts? that she listened to her 'inner voice' once in her life and gave up the throne? why?



Whatever may be the reasons, it is a shame that the University can only think of display loyalty to the powers as the mainstay of its 150 year celebration. It just shows that it has continued the job of subsurvience to the powers of the day long since the British have gone. One can only wish it cease its slavish existence at this occassion.