Anand Nataraj

Posts Tagged ‘madurai’

Last week went for a days outing with my friend who wanted to introduce me to his Friend who wanted to invest in some Software Company. Since that person was in Theni we thought having a meeting in some adjoining hill station would be a nice spot and we freezed on Meega (Cloud) Malai (Mountain).

We started from Madurai by around 5 PM on thursday and we reached Theni by 6.45 PM. There we picked the investor friend and brought all snacks, food and spirits from Theni. En route to Madurai was a highly scenic with Lust Green Fields, Mountains, Lake and in-between small towns where in you can get all local stuff. I came across this Karupatti Mittai (Chocolate) which is hand made and famous in this District. Then there was this temple where every vehicle which passes by stops and offers prayers and donation.

By the time it was 8 o clock in Theni and we proceeded to MeegaMalai which was some 4 KM from there. On the plains of the Hill there was a Check post set by forest department and we were told entry is closed after 6 PM onards. Since one of my friend is an Advocate we were let in because Advocates in Tamil Nadu enjoy unrealistic benefits. We were told road to the hill was bad but after driving a certain distance we found that there was litrally no road at all. Then we were caught on another place where there is a Panchayat check post where in they collected Rs.50/- for entry. Still i cant figure why we paid that money as we found there was nothing done by Panchayat.

Then we reached the hill top by 10 o clock and we had to wake up a Hotel Owner whom we were asked to contact to get a room. Then he took us to a Panchayat Guest House and we were told that was the best guest house in the place. We paid Rs.500/- for a day and the room was mediocre. That day we slept after having Dinner.

Next day we went to Pechiammal Hotel and had our Breakfast. Then we went to a Dam and from there we went to a Tea factory. This factory and the entire hill was leased by Brooke Bond and subsequently it was sold to some Indian company. There are nearly 5000 people working in this factory and they were given facilities like houses, schools, medical aid, subsidized food etc. This entire hill belongs to the company until 2046 when the lease expires. We were told roads and facilities were of high standards when it was under the control of Brooke Bond. Today there are litrally no roads.

Also the company is not interested in developing infrastructure which will lead too much inflow of tourist. So, until this company is there this Hill will always be isolated. But in general we were happy as we were given access to explore the factory run through plantations and then we also had business discussion and there was noting for me to complain about.

The very evening we reached Madurai and it was business at night as usual.

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Went to a Hospital in Madurai to see one of our employee who got admitted. He was in ICU and went in to see him. Sadly a guy next to his bed was die’ing and this happened in front of my eyes.

On enquiry the man was trying to board a running train and he slipped to catch the handle and fell down injuring his head.

When he was dieing his wife was with him watching him die and we were watching the monitor where pulse was falling. Doctors tried their level best pumping his heart. Atlast they declared him dead.

It was a very miserable experience in my life where in i watched a human die & seeing his wife handling the situation was even sad.

God mist be crazy to expose me to such experience.

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Normally i’m a unplanned person and i never planned my travel ahead. So, most of the time i’m left with no other option than to travel in Bus. Also the distance of Railway station from my house in Chennai and Bangalore made me not to even think of traveling in train.

But in Madurai my house is less than a KM from the Railway station and also my friends say Train travel is much cheaper. Only then i realized Train is 300 – 400 times cheaper to Bus travel.

Then i booked my tickets to Madurai a day before in Tatkal and thankfully my tickets got confirmed. I was such a nerd that i didn’t know any nuances of railway terms and for everything i had to call my friend and disturb him.

Then i got a parcel for my lunch and i boarded my train. It was so crowded that people were standing and traveling and every time i got to stand near the door to stretch my legs i return to see someone sitting in my seat.

Then it was time to befriend fellow passengers and talking to them about their profession, where they belong to etc. Then we exchanged phone numbers and not even a single person has called me ever since.

In eight hours train reached Madurai and the Journey was mixed bag as i didn’t have any like minded fellow passenger. But i enjoyed the experience of traveling alone in a Train.

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I’m a Big fan of Thala Ajith and i didn’t have an opportunity to watch his movie in madurai where people go crazy for a Mass hero like him.

Though i missed that excitement i got some snaps of banners displayed by his fans. Madurai folks are know for their innovating writing skills and also for publicity stunts.

I’m posting some snaps for you to cherish;

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Stated with high energy from the temple city of Madurai. Cogzidel Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has accomplished a milestone in its journey to glory. Here are some of the synopsis for CT;

• Started by a team of 7 energetic individuals.
  • Major Karthik
  • Sathick Basha
  • Senthil Guru
  • Bala Krishnan
  • Boopathi
  • Bala Murugan
  • Anand Nataraj
• Developed 2 Open-source products RBS & Beatz with more than 50,000 downloads till date.
• Developed Low cost specialty template selling website CogzidelTemplates.Com with more than 1,00,000/- downloads of free and low cost templates.
• Benefitted by low overheads in a Tier II city and passed the benefit to the customers.
• Inducted Mr.Kannan as director and into the core team.
• Served more than 400 customers in a short span of 18 months.
• Today we are into expansion spree and we have inaugurated our Chennai office with 30 seats.

I’d like to thank all the clients, all present and past employees, vendors and all stake holders who have contributed to this success. I wish to get same support from all the Cogzians to reach more milestone in future and reach great heights.

Here are some snaps taken during the office warming ceremony and inauguration by our CTO Mr.Kannan;

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Since Madurai doesn’t have a beach only entertainment for people is this eco-park other than movies and temple. Park is spread over an area of 8.5 acres. Last year when I was feeling bored with hardly any places to visit. I was taken to Major Karthik to this place.

For a person from Chennai there is no excitement. But I was enjoying seeing on how locals were enjoying with what they have. It is a big park maintained by corporation of Madurai. Some of the attractions in the park are;

• Artificial pond
• Boating
• Fountain show
• Lots of walking space
• Lust green environment
• Kids play area

Though these are much less attraction compared to a person from a metropolitan city. One can pass time by seeing kids enjoying their day out; mom’s running behind their kids, lovers at their peak of romance et more. Also there are lots of philosophies displayed at every spots.

Again I must thank my PRO Mr.Major Karthik for taking snaps of the place and sending it to me. He is helping me a lot to blog these days.

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One of the latest findings in Madurai is this joint CaneCan which is opposite to Germanus Hotel. We found it once while driving that way and we wanted to give it a try and when we got in we were in for a surprise.

There was a huge list of flavored sugar cane juice. This was something new for me and I immediately jumped in and tasted 6 varieties of cane juice. There are the available flavors and the bolded ones are my favorites;

• Natural cane juice
• Lemon cane juice
• Ginger cane juice
• Lime & Ginger cane juice
• Salt & Pepper cane juice
• Mint cane juice
• Chilli cane juice
• Honey cane juice
• Mango cane juice
• Pineapple cane juice
• Orange cane juice
• Strawberry cane juice
• Litchi cane juice

Other important aspect to be noted in this joint is the importance they give for hygiene. Their suppliers wear gloves and they use disposable paper cups. Also cane’s are washed and keep in a refrigerators and it is served cool without using crushed-ice which is always unhygienic. 

Other important thing which impressed me is the testimonial which they get it from customers in a stick-it which will be displayed. Also one can see their joint being covered in almost all famous magazines in Madurai.

This is a small joint opposite to Germanus Hotel and can be easily located. This is a must visit joint in Madurai. Now this joint has become my desert point after having my dinner as it is near to my house and I normally walk to the joint.

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It is true that we don’t realize the importance of things we have in hand. we miss it only when we loose it or when we are away from it.

Likewise i use to curse madurai when i was there a year back. i thought my life is gone there. but over days i got the opportunity to penetrate into their culture and got linked with lots of people, lot of hangouts, lots joints etc.

Its been three months since i’ve been to madurai and now i really miss the place, miss my friends out there, miss Pandiyan Hotel, Big Cinemas, Coffee Float, Cafe Coffee Day and my taste buds long to have Dosai’s from Ayyappan Tiffin Center, Amma mess, ice-creams of tornado, flavors of sugarcane juice, Padaneer et more.

Because of my work schedule in chennai I’m not sure when i’ll be making to madurai soon. but when i visit madurai next it will definitely be for 15 – 20 days as i dont want to miss the experience this time.

Love you Madurai!! Miss You!! Miss Anjaanenjan Annan!!

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Azhagiri, fondly called as Annan (elder brother) the elder son of Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi is bastioned in Madurai for last 3 decade. We can see him dictating the rules in the city.

Last year when I first visited Madurai there will be his banners all over the city. I’ve seen roads dug to fit his banners and hoardings. In Madurai there is a rule not to have banners, but that doesn’t apply for this gentleman.

What ever the case is I heard he started doing good things after becoming a Member of Parliament for first time & a central minister.

But on a funny side I use to see his image in all marriage banners, ear piercing function banners, on bikes & cars. With the help of my PRO I’ve taken some snaps for my readers. Hope you all will enjoy it .

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Interference of Bureaucrats over businesses in India is a growing concern. There is not a proper forum to condemn their arrogance & ill-treatment. There are several instances where in we are affected because of bureaucrats.

Two days back one of our employee has put in his papers. He boldly says that he have put fake experience and has got a job in another company. Not only he has broken his bond he is also not prepared to give one month notice which he agreed while signing his agreement with the company.

When the HR team conveyed things seriously to him, there was a call from Labour Commissioner & Madurai north zone Labour Inspector asking to relieve the person smoothly. When the HR told them about company policy the officers has said that they have helped break several bonds & notice period with TVS group.

They repeatedly called HR and has literally blackmailed him asking if they had to come in person. This is all because the mother of the candidate is also a Labour Inspector. Now Labour officers have intruded unnecessarily into a matter which is totally unnecessary to them.

I don’t know when politicians talk about promoting entrepreneurism in the society. How can that be achieved with unnecessary influence from Bureaucrats which is totally not their mistake.

Most of the company have to live with their shit fearing unnecessary harassment by the officials. We could have taken legal action against the candidate and the concerned officials. But  it will be like throwing a stone in a piece of shit it makes the entire area stink. So, we have left it for now.

Since i didn’t take it legally and teach such people a lesson i thought i can at-least write this blog and reduce my anger.

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