In search of Ananda Illam

It was a dusty day in the torrid month of May. The Chennai heat was taking a toll on its people. But my fellow Chennaities had long mastered the art of battling the sun. Equipped with towels around their shoulders, they would instantly wipe off their brows filled with sweat (not necessarily a sweet sweat with labor ;-)). Little boys were shouting at the top of their voices to sell off their water packets (pity their age ...but they were small time entrepreneurs...Dhirubhai in the making!!!!)…..which were selling like hot cakes then...but the intense competition forced them to bring out their best marketing skills, to at least ensure break-even.

With all this happening around me, I was standing at the bus stop with a constant glance towards my watch. I was late as usual (Bad habit no.1) I was supposed to reach a place at 1.30 pm and here I was at the bus stop at 1.15 pm, desperately waiting for the bus. Suitably bypassing my ever-fatal mistake of being late, I chose to foul mouth the government for not having a good public transport system. “God, can I have the bus immediately, I have an hour ride more….” I mumbled to myself.

Ding Ding!!!! There comes the bus ….making its way through the intense crowd of people. Finally I make it to the bus. I have always heard my elders say, “Time is precious. It vanishes away in moments!!!” I wondered if that could happen now, and my one-hour journey went off in minutes. (Crazy thought thou!!!!)

My journey was to a little known place in Chennai, 'Ananda Illam' (‘Ananda’ meaning happiness in Tamil, ‘Illam’ being home ‘). I was going there as a part of CSR (corporate social responsibility) group. (This is something that most IT companies do to just show off their good will towards people)

After an hour’s journey, I finally reached the said bus stop. But as one habit had shown its effect, it was the turn for my other habit (absent mindedness) to pop up its ugly head. I had forgotten my cell phone at home (glad that I had one) and also the address of that place. So, I set out in my search for my way to ‘Ananda Illam’ (literally too!!!)

To be continued ...