VIZAG matters - Sohan Hatangadi's Blog

The art of torturing audiences I n the cooler months of the year a number of meetings, seminars and workshops are held in the city. Subjects ranging from Architecture to Zoology, from spiritual to spirits, from mundane to magnificent are all discussed in conference rooms and meeting halls by the erudite citizens of our learned city and by visitors from afar. Engineers, doctors, lawyers, managers, accountants, scientists, all meet to share their thoughts and expound their views. Some of these meetings are in closed group of invitees or paid seminars while others are open to public. Some seminars are held in the best hotels of Vizag while others are held in moderately priced venues. Different folks, different reasons Many Vizagites love to attend such events and they do so for different reasons. Some attend to garner knowledge and become wiser. Others, generally elderly men attend so that they may take a nap in the back seat of an air-conditioned hall. It is said that some...

Being practical is being smart Published in The Times of India on 21st December 2014 Every morning our heart leaps with joy when we read about the wondrous developments that are planned for Vizag. Apparently we are going to be a smart city. The mental imagery of this idea is quite enticing. I can visualize eager young executives riding gleaming Metro coaches and the BRTS to work and back. Stylish hospitals delivering babies, who go to smart schools and universities, get qualified, and go on to work in factories and ITES companies. Tourists descending on Vizag and spend bushels of money, they go swimming, wind surfing and sun bathing in swim suits. Our elderly, fortified by excellent health services, sit at the beach (with their binoculars, ensuring that the sun bathers in swim suits are safe). All citizens living in clean green living spaces with parks and houses like in Singapore. Children play in the park and the sound of their laughter permeates the air. What a glorious wonder...

What does our Andhra University say about us? When we think of Universities, what generally comes to mind is, imposing buildings, green lawns, old trees, a dignified island of academics. Peaceful, distinguished and clean. But, when it comes to Andhra University what comes to mind is ramshackle buildings, poor maintenance, filth and dirt. Don't believe me? Just visit the Convocation theater  toilet. You would rather go in the bushes than go into the loo. Library Andhra University Library Compound The famous D.V.S. Krishna library is a poor imitation of its past. The structure needs urgent attention both inside and outside. Look around the lawns. A couple of vending carts have taken the role of a library cafeteria. Several people eat and drink here. Thousands of plastic tea cups and  plates are scattered all over the compound. What type of people create the garbage? What type of people allow this hideous apology for a canteen to run here?  Are they reall...