My relationship with Chennai started about 25 years ago when I came here to take charge as the Chief of Suburban police in 1994. The suburban areas that came under my surveillance then have become parts of Greater Chennai now. Starting with Kathipara flyover to Chengalpattu in the south, Tada in the north, and covering OMR and ECR, all the way up to Muttukadu. My office was located at St Thomas Mount.
Those days, ECR and OMR were secluded places where arrack used to be illegally brewed and sold. I still remember going for early morning raids to bust these rackets. The way these stretches have developed today is unbelievable, from being remote suburbs to becoming hubs of employment and entertainment.
I subsequently moved on from suburban Chennai to its heartland as the Joint Commissioner of Chennai North and South, under the able leadership of Mr.Vijayakumar, who was the Commissioner then. Those were the days our team comprising the present Tamil Nadu DGP Mr.Tripathy neutralised several anti-social gangs in the city. I remember our rounds around the city incognito. Today, Chennai is a lot more peaceful.
Many memories of Chennai come from our rescue operations during natural calamities. Be it the cyclone in 1994 when a ship hit the shore in Thiruvottiyur, the Tsunami in 2004 or the deluge of 2015 when I was Coastal Chief. I, along with 40 marine commandos, rescued more 1,000 people stranded in Mudichur and Varadarajapuram. The one characteristic that stood out during these calamities was the way the city and its people came together to bring it back to normal in no time. Such is the spirit of Chennai.
Being a fitness freak, I love running, cycling, swimming and even surfing. In fact, the first time I started swimming in the ocean was in Chennai in Covelong. I have even sailed from Chennai to Kanniyakumari. These days, I cycle along the OMR from Madhya Kailash, all the way up to Mamallapuram, at times extend the trip to Puducherry. I stop in places like Mudaliyar Kuppam and the historic Alambara Fort where we relish food prepared by the fisherfolk with the day’s catch, before continuing our ride.
I also love to cycle on Outer Ring Road, a fantastic stretch between Nemilichery and Vandalur. During December and January, these routes feel like somewhere in Europe. I participate in marathons that happen in the city around the year, and occasionally go fishing at the Royal Madras YatchClub.
For me, Chennai is the best city for fitness enthusiasts.
Those days, ECR and OMR were secluded places where arrack used to be illegally brewed and sold. I still remember going for early morning raids to bust these rackets. The way these stretches have developed today is unbelievable, from being remote suburbs to becoming hubs of employment and entertainment.
I subsequently moved on from suburban Chennai to its heartland as the Joint Commissioner of Chennai North and South, under the able leadership of Mr.Vijayakumar, who was the Commissioner then. Those were the days our team comprising the present Tamil Nadu DGP Mr.Tripathy neutralised several anti-social gangs in the city. I remember our rounds around the city incognito. Today, Chennai is a lot more peaceful.
Many memories of Chennai come from our rescue operations during natural calamities. Be it the cyclone in 1994 when a ship hit the shore in Thiruvottiyur, the Tsunami in 2004 or the deluge of 2015 when I was Coastal Chief. I, along with 40 marine commandos, rescued more 1,000 people stranded in Mudichur and Varadarajapuram. The one characteristic that stood out during these calamities was the way the city and its people came together to bring it back to normal in no time. Such is the spirit of Chennai.
Being a fitness freak, I love running, cycling, swimming and even surfing. In fact, the first time I started swimming in the ocean was in Chennai in Covelong. I have even sailed from Chennai to Kanniyakumari. These days, I cycle along the OMR from Madhya Kailash, all the way up to Mamallapuram, at times extend the trip to Puducherry. I stop in places like Mudaliyar Kuppam and the historic Alambara Fort where we relish food prepared by the fisherfolk with the day’s catch, before continuing our ride.
I also love to cycle on Outer Ring Road, a fantastic stretch between Nemilichery and Vandalur. During December and January, these routes feel like somewhere in Europe. I participate in marathons that happen in the city around the year, and occasionally go fishing at the Royal Madras YatchClub.
For me, Chennai is the best city for fitness enthusiasts.
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