 Bharathi Salai or Books Salai?
 'Bharathi Salai' would make most people blink. They do not know where it is. But its old name Pycrofts Road is easily recognised. This road is said to be the abode of Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning. Name any book and you can get it here. School or college books unavailable anywhere in India can be bought at the bookshops on Bharathi Salai. If by chance a book is not available, they can immediately offer an alternative book in its place.
Turn left where Bharathi Salai meets the Marina and you come to Presidency College, an institution rich in repute and traditions. About 40-50 years ago, many young men were determined to study only in the Presidency College - or not at all. Students from various places outside the city would rent a room in Triplicane and prosecute their studies in the college. For their food? Triplicane's messes, of course! The lives of these students have been narrated in the stories of "Mouni". Large buildings like Victoria Hostel, A.M.M. Mansion, Venkateswara Mansion are mentioned in the stories. These mansions (actually buildings which let out rooms to lodgers) provided the lodging facilities and the messes met their food needs.
Across the road from the Presidency College is the Marina Beach. There was a time when this broad sandy beach was beautiful and clean. Today, look at the number of buildings, memorials, statutes - and policemen! People used to visit the beach even at 10 or 11 o' clock in the night. Today it is advisable to leave with your family before dark.
Let us scan Chennai again…
Ashokamitran
(Translated by Sujatha Pradeep)
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