A Walk in the Beach

Marina Beach Dec 2013

It is 6 am in the morning and I am in Marina Beach, perhaps the longest one in India. Sun is not out yet. It is hidden behind clouds. Morning does not evoke any serenity let alone the morning magic one expects. It is warm and humid and a restless feeling comes over. I walk some distance away from the shore as it is really dirty there.

There were many odd sights- some depressing, some funny and a few uplifting.

There are many saplings along the path with tree guards.  The guards protect them from animals and vandalism. Amma (Jayalalita, the chief minister) is everywhere. You cannot escape her presence. Amma’s poster is on every guard with a message urging public to grow more trees. Benign, smiling Amma perhaps is protecting the trees. I am reminded of North Korea where leaders look down on you wherever you go.

Along the path there are many statues. Avvayar,Bharati Dasan, Bharati , Kannagi, Periyar, Anna … all facing the road  and their backs to the glorious sea. Shivaji Ganeshan, Tamil actor, due to some reason does not find a place in that row but occupies a position in the midst of roads. He has funny attire - all golden and looks grotesque. (Recently Madras high court has asked the government to remove the statue as it is obstructing the traffic) There are some vacant spots perhaps reserved for the future or perhaps they have run out of great Tamil personalities. In Hyderabad NTRamarao ,chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, in his prime, also put up many statues of Telugu greats – Kshetrangya, Annamacharya etc and skeptics believe that all resemble him.

There is a man walking with an artificial leg. I pass him admiring his courage. I also meet a lady leading a man, a few years older, by hand as he has some difficulty in walking. Then there are burkha clad, hijab wearing Muslim women walking along. They do not want fresh air in the morning even though it is hot and humid.  I wonder if they had to face resistance even to come out like that. Then there is a man looking at the hidden sun and offering his prayers. Cure of Diabetic  by herbal juice is doing good business so also various healthy fruit juices. Aloe Vera seems to be the favourite. And some are busy bargaining for fresh greens.

Now sun appears on the horizon crimson and moon like. Above the ocean it hangs and looks serene. It is a marvelous sight and you are stuck for words. You forget the surroundings.

Birds are in hundreds. Mainly crows but there are sparrows and other birds too looking for food. There are left overs of many eating joints of previous evening and a few functioning already in the morning to provide food for hungry souls tired after a few minutes of strolling. Garbage, dust, dirt, litter, plastic, paper, decaying food all assault you and you feel angry and sad. There are some old people still on the pavement covering themselves with bed sheets and trying to sleep. There are some children running around. Children have no hope and old look utterly crushed. It makes you very sad.

I could opt out and find some Gym with tread mill. But I prefer to walk outside. I imagine the beach at once clean, no litter, no garbage, and no smell. White – brown expanse of clean sand to walk and the vast sea ahead to gaze.

Dream gets punctured soon. I am confused. Looking at the terrible environment and even more the frightening conditions of people I scream silently – why should we be deprived of clean air and water and what does the suffering humanity mean?