December is cold at Chennai. Mind you, not 'cold' as in North India (Delhi was 4-deg-Celsius yesterday night), but cold as in comparison to the other three seasons that we have in Chennai, namely hot, hotter and hottest.
Today was another cool morning, when you find it really tough to drag yourself from bed. And
the overnight rains did not make the task of leaving the covers and getting ready for work any easier. I hit the road to work around 8AM and the weather is pleasant, with the sun not to be seen. I take the left turn at Loyola college onto the scenic and green tree-lined Sterling road.
On the pavement, a little ahead of me, I see a young girl (late teens) walking towards Loyola college. She has a sprightly walk and is dressed in a nice top / capris - the epitome of a typical modern girl. Just before the Eatalica restaurant (serves Italian + American, hence the name), there is a sort of 3-road T-junction.
And like it is all over Chennai (not sure if it is just Chennai or all Tamilnadu), this junction also has a small idol of Lord Ganesha built into the wall adjoining the pavement. I am told this is because Ganesha somehow has the power to prevent accidents at 3-road junctions.
Anyway, as the girl comes in front of the idol, she turns around, folds her hands in prayer,
bows her head for a moment and keeps walking. It all happened in a few seconds and while
I drive past her, she has resumed her brisk walk. I have seen people cross themselves while passing a church (I do this religiously) or dab their lips with the fingers while going by a temple.
But this is an action usually associated with the elderly or atleast with those aged 30+. The current generation is not normally associated with such belief in the power above. They are infact often accused of being materialistic, selfish, arrogant, lacking respect for elders, almost
no belief in the Almighty (of any hue whatsoever) and of chucking Indian traditions out in
favour of western ones.
Looks like this is a very wrong generalisation, as the actions of this young girl made clear.
You sure can be modern and yet hold on to tradition at the same time.
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