The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Reporter's Diary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 20, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Reporter's Diary

With every passing year, the perception of threat during religious occasions is escalating.

If the city police used hi-speed dome cameras and deployed hundreds of plainclothesmen during the Chithrai festival this year, they used doorframe metal detectors to frisk the participants of the Vinayaka Chathurti procession, organised by Akhila Bharath Hanuman Sena in the city on Sunday.

Braving heavy rain, hundreds of police personnel marched along with the processionists from Vilakkuthoon to the Vaigai riverbed, through Masi and Veli Streets.

Constables with binoculars were positioned atop high-rise buildings to keep a tab on mischief-mongers.

* * *

A few weeks ago, the Corporation swung into action and repaired the damaged roads.

The potholes were filled. Thanks to the visit of President A.P.J Abdul Kalam.

The speed, with which the works were executed, was lauded by the public.

However, the same roads are now severely damaged. Now the people expect the same verve from the Corporation in repairing them.

Though the roads cannot be completely blacktopped, owing to the `evening rain', it could be filled with sand or rubbish materials. Besides, caution signs could be put up in places where there are holes, feel road-users.

* * *

People often talk about the need for eliminating inequality. But whatever said and done, inequality exists in one form or the other.

On the other day, what happened at a fish sale outlet only reaffirmed that the problem was with those perpetrated it.

The stall is known for selling quality fish of various varieties on all days. Hence, people flock it, especially during weekends, when there will an unprecedented rush. The owner has provided all facilities, including for cleaning fish.

On that Sunday, the person, who was cutting the fish, was lethargic. Irritated, a customer requested him to the cut the fish into finer pieces.

Before anybody could realise what was happening, he retorted: "If you want me to cut properly, get me a costly fish and not such a cheap variety. If you cannot afford, keep your mouth shut." It stunned everybody.

The customer spoke to the man in charge of the shop, but in vain. Another customer quipped that one's riches should not be judged by the cost of the fish he bought.

* * *

(Contributions from

S. Vijay Kumar,

M.R. Aravindan

and T. Saravanan.)

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News Update

Stories in this Section

`Express fares are beyond low-income group'

Elaborate security for idol procession

`Financial support for scientific research must'

Retired teachers to petition President

Around the City

In Madurai Today

Reporter's Diary