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A Journey Through Kindness: The Tale of Muthukumar and the Magic of Kolli Hills

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In a world full of people constantly sacrificing happiness over fulfilling job expectations, accumulating wealth, and living a respectful life that the society demands, finding individuals who embrace an effortless and relaxed way of life has become a rare and remarkable phenomenon. Muthukumar, a ticket distributor for the Tamil Nadu State Transportation Corporation (TNSTC), appears to be in his late forties or early fifties. Clad in a light blue shirt and dark blue pants, he stands about 5 feet 3 inches tall, with light brown skin and a fair complexion. His clean-shaven face, adorned with an ordinary mustache and neatly combed salt-and-pepper hair, radiates warmth. His most striking feature, however, is his ever-present, welcoming smile—a smile that seems to instantly connect him with every passenger who steps onto his bus. I first encountered this incredible personality during a journey from Namakkal to Kollimalai. From the moment he greeted me with a polite nod, I sensed there w...
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Chennai’s Obscene Obsession With Biryani - A Threat To Traditional Culinary Heritage

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I recently moved to the Greater Chennai after a period of 4 years. My second first impression of the city was one of uneasiness. Each day, a huge chunk of people migrate to the city from different parts of the country. Skyscrapers are sprouting up every nook and corner, obscuring the green carpet of the town. People are seemingly busy round the clock to make both their ends meet. Most top companies operate 24x7 keeping the city life busy and active. The city is undoubtedly bustling with so much energy, but something that caught my eyes raised so many questions – is it heading the right direction? I was commuting to office in a public transport on a sunny day, and I happen to secure a window seat that allowed me to get a perfect view of the city. As the journey progressed, I couldn’t help but notice multitude of restaurants on the roadside. Most of them sell nothing but Biryani. A city is identified with what it provides to the residents, and Biryani has become an inevitable identity to...
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Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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My Intense Moments At Coimbatore Railway Station

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I waved goodbye to my friend who was travelling to Chennai in Cheran Express, and I was waiting on the floor between Platform 1 and 2 at Coimbatore Railway station, watching the display board before me for the announcement of Platform number of train bound for Kanyakumari.  It was around 11:15 PM, and the weather was a bit cold and pleasant due to the heavy downpour an hour ago. A lady in her fifties with two bags of luggage appeared to be confused and perplexed about something came to me hesitantly and asked if I could help her find out on which platform her train would arrive. Her slang and accent suggested she was a Malayali woman. I immediately asked her for the train number, and she took her mobile out and showed me the seat number and PNR number. There was no detail about the train number. I said, “This is not the train number.” She was staring at me with an innocent and ignorant face and asked in her Malayalam minced Tamil, “What to do?” Pitying her helpless situation, I too...
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A One Day Trip to Unwind With Your Family at Swamimalai (Yelagiri Hills)

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Worried about your fitness? Fed up of maintaining diet to size up your figure? Bored up of visiting malls, movie theatres on weekends? Tired of starring at your computer monitor at the workplace? A simple, easy trek can rejuvenate your spirit and give an alternate experience of life. Many are afraid to go on a trekking due to the challenges it presents on the journey: fear of wild jungle, fear of bodily strength, fear of getting stranded in an unknown place etc. But I assure you, this trek could change all your assumptions, and this can even be your first step to begin your adventure. Swamimalai, a small hill, lies on the mountains of Yelagiri close to the scenic village ‘Mangalam’. We left from Chennai by bus around 1 am in the early morning and reached Jolarpettai at dawn. A bus from there took us to Yelagiri in an hour. As the vehicle ascended through precarious bends, it gave goosebumps at every turn. Beaten by the cold spell, we yearned for the sun to show its full glor...
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Location: Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu 635853, India
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Mythical and Mystical Town Rameshwaram

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During my schooling, I never missed an excursion except the one which was to the holy town Rameshwaram. Since then, it was lingering in my mind that I must not miss to set foot on this mysterious island. The day finally dawned, and here I am at the land known for Teertham, pristine beaches, unabating fishermen dispute and a significant landmark in the Hindu mythology of Ramayana. Connecting the mainland from the island is the majestic Pamban Bridge and the railway track, which are built across the sea stretching two kilometers. The joy is ineffable when travelling on the train through the bridge with the breathtaking view of the blue ocean. View of the Pamban Bridge at dusk Pilgrims mostly from Northern India converge to this historical site mainly to perform religious rituals, believing to be cleansed of past sins and mistakes, as Rama did after battling the mighty Ravana. The town reverberates with the chants of ‘Hare Ram’ throughout the year. But over enthusiastic involv...
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Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India
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Hidden Treasure by the Shores of Bay of Bengal- Tharangambadi

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As they say, unplanned trips are often more exciting, my visit to Tharangambadi was totally unexpected. It was mid-afternoon; the sun was ungraceful, pouring all its fury upon the earth. Reaching the spot emaciated, I found the King’s street that leads to the Fort Dansborg (aka) Danish Fort. As the name suggests, the street is indeed structured to be used by a king with architectural bungalows and centuries old churches. King Street that leads to the Fort A Christian Church on King Street A colonial building opposite to the Fort As I walked through, vivid imaginations ran in the back of my head. Back then, four centuries ago devoid of modern transport services, explorers sailed across the sea all the way from Europe to the shores of Bay of Bengal in Tharangambadi to establish their settlement. View of Fort Dansborg from the sea Fort Dansborg majestically overlooking the sea is the major attraction for the tourists from all over the world, as it stands as the monum...
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Location: Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu, India
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Spiritual awakening at the coastal district (Nagapattinam)of Tamil Nadu.

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Vailankanni Old Church What draws all men and women to historic religious places? What is the purpose of converging in a particular location to experience spirituality? I was on a trip to witness it. My first visit was to Vailankanni Basilica located on the seashore of Nagapattinam district. Being an iconic landmark for Christianity, this holy place attracts people of all religions. Ardent devotion to Mother Mary is evident in the vicinity. Multiple churches have been erupted and the imposing architect is a resemblance of British art forms. Large amount of hotels and lodges have sprung up to accommodate the ever-flowing devotees. And never to forget that Tsunami took its toll on December 26, 2004, leaving an air of melancholy around the region. Water Tank at Nagore Dargah My next step was to Nagore Dargah, an Islamic holy place that too attracts devotees from other religions. The mosque has multiple entries that one might get lost inside the building. At centre placed t...
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Location: Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India
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