Ananth

@thekaipullai @thekaipullai you are a brilliant storyteller! Thank you

I started watching the movie "Thaai Kizhavi" on Hotstar the other day, which is set in the heart of Tamil Nadu, I encountered a very unfamiliar name for a character. The character's name was "Pennycuick" Now in a land where language is an emotional topic where people sever relations, friendships and even give their lives for Tamil, a Scottish first name for a Tamil guy seems a little out of place. Some may even call it a blasphemy. How an odd Scottish Surname, whose origins lay in the town town of Penicuick near Edinburgh, became a symbol of pride and honour, 8000 kms away on the other side of the globe in Southern Tamil Nadu, is an amazing story. It is a story that also tells you the real meaning and purpose of life. It makes you understand that all the worldly things like power, prestige, position and money that we crave for, is just a mirage that we are chasing. The real glory lies someplace else. And it starts with one man. John Pennycuick (1841 - 1911) John Pennycuick was born in Pune in the year 1841, as the fourth son of Brigadier John Pennycuick, a soldier in the British army. However at the age of 8, a great tragedy befell him and his family. In 1849, in the second Anglo Sikh War, his father and his elder brother Alexander, were killed in action fighting the Sikhs in the battle of Chillianwala. When a kid sees his father and brother killed by the natives they are supposed the rule, the normal course of action is to grow up into a into a rabid Indian hating racist white man, who would have spent the rest of his life cursing India. But John Pennycuick was a better man than that. He wanted to do something that would leave a legacy behind him. And luckily for Tamil Nadu, he did. If you have ever seen a physical map of India, you will see a contiguous mountain range that separates Tamil Nadu and Kerala. These are called the Western Ghats. Now the Western Ghats, despite all their beauty and splendor, have one small problem. If you had been attentive in your sixth standard geography class, you would have known that Kerala receives most of its rain from what we call the South West Monsoon winds, which flow in from the Arabian sea. Most of the lush, beautiful, God's own country poster type greenery, is because of the abundant rainfall provided by these winds. Unfortunately, despite being in close proximity to Kerala, Tamil Nadu gets almost zero benefit from them because of these imposing ghats The problem is acute especially in the districts of Theni, Madurai, Dindigul and Ramnad. In Geography, we call it the Rain Shadow region. In the mid 19th Century, the British recognized this problem. They understood that their rapidly growing cities of Cumbum, Theni, Madurai, Ramnad etc, could not be supplied by the miniscule waters of the Vaigai River. They needed to do something drastic, to avoid a catastrophe. Their solution was the River Periyar in today's Kerala. They thought, if they could divert that river with a dam and a tunnel, and make those waters flow into the River Vaigai, the entire area from Theni to Ramnad could be transformed from an arid wasteland to an agricultural heaven. They even finalized a site at the confluence of the River Mullai and Periyar. They called it, the Mullaiperiyar dam. Unfortunately, this was not a computer game where two clicks and one prompt could build a structure that would divert the water. This was real life. And in the 1800s, real life was infinitely more difficult what it is today. The first proposal for this dam came from the Maharaja of Ramnad in 1789. Realizing the cost of the dam would be greater than the total value of his kingdom, he gave up Then the British tried their luck in 1850. But when the first teams saw the malarial swamp and the pestilential land that they had to live in, they turned around faster than Pakistanis in front of an Indian army battalion. Between 1860 to 1882, four different proposals were sent for the construction of this dam, but each time it was rejected citing impracticality, affordability, lunacy and sometimes, all the three. Then came a Certain John Pennycuick. Serving as an officer in the Public Works department, in 1887 he landed in this desolate area to take charge of building the dam. First problem he faced was the access to the site. The entire dam needed 80,000 tons of limestone and motorable roads, cranes and automobiles were at least 40 years away. So he built a ropeway and then used bullock carts to transfer the limestone to the dam site. Then there was the issue of diseases, especially Malaria. He stumbled across a local arrack that ostensibly prevented it. Pennycuick issued them to all the labourers working on the dam. They were high, happy and malaria free. Slowly, the dam started taking shape. But then the biggest issue was the River Periyar itself. It realized that someone was trying to control it. So it started rebelling. It blew away all the coffer dams that were trying to restrain it. And when this flooding happened once to often, the British guys decided that it was time to cut their losses and run. They stopped funding for the Mullaiperiyar dam. But Pennycuick was not the one to stop at trifling issues like stopping of funds. He sold his wife's jewelry and personally funded the rest of the dam. And finally in 1895, the dam and the tunnel needed for diversion, was ready. Through the 173 feet dam, 3000 ft above sea level, and a 1.5 km tunnel cut thru the mountains of western ghats, 3000 cusecs of water finally flowed into Vaigai. The water problem of Theni, Madurai and Ramnad, was finally solved. Today the Mullaiperiyar dam, irrigates more than 2 lakh acres of farmland. More than 50 lakh people directly depend on it, either for agriculture or drinking water. The districts of Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Ramnad, have transformed from arid regions with frequent draughts to agricultural hotspots. In the last 125 years it has benefitted. directly or indirectly. more than 100 million people. It has made Theni, Madurai and Ramnad the cities that they are today. One dam, built by the vision and perseverance of one man, 131 years later, is still benefitting generation after generation John Pennycuick could have taken the easier path in life. He could have gone back to Britain and lived a lavish comfortable life. He could have hated us Indians for killing his father and brother. He could have been a bitter man for the rest of his life. But he didn't. He decided to do benefit the land that he didn't even belong to. He wanted to alleviate the lives of people who were not even from his actual country. He wanted to bring succour and happiness to a lot that probably hated him. He built the dam despite knowing he would neither be recognized for it, nor benefit from it financially. He helped very same set of people who were responsible for the deaths of his father and brother. What he did, transcended race, religion, caste and identity. It towers above stuff like region and language Today Pennycuick isn't just a name in Theni district. It is a matter or pride and honour. Their bus stand is named the John Pennycuick bus stand. People, as shown in the movie, are named Pennycuick. There have been thousands of rich men in Theni and Madurai after Pennycuick. There have been hundreds of leaders, politicians and officers who have trod on that land. But none inspire the following and regard that Pennycuick has, 115 years after his death. John Pennycuick proves to all of us, that you can earn money, buy cars, build houses, go to Universities abroad and float thermacol sheets on rivers, but respect and legacy, is the ultimate currency. Because in 2026, you don't remember the MP / MLA of Madurai / Theni. You don't remember their Ivy league degrees. You don't remember their family legacy. You don't remember their mansions and money. They are all forgotten in the sands of time. But you have and will always remember, John Pennycuick. P:S: Today, we talk about North India / South India, Hindi / Tamil etc. Sometimes I wonder what would Pennycuick from heaven feel about all of this. P:P:S: Once when someone asked why Pennycuick was doing this idiotic stuff, he said ""I am going to be only once in this earthly world, hence I need to do some good deeds here. This deed should not be prorogue nor ignored since I am not going to be here again"

@BolaNaBC @talk2anuradha Highest income tax rate is 39.2 % includes surcharge and cess applied on the base tax rate. The larger point is that there is no safety net available from the government and that is largely accurate.

@talk2anuradha Really? Oracle employees paid 50% - 60% in taxes?!?! Are you really this misinformed and stupid?! The highest tax rate in India is 30% IIRC. Stop making 💩 up, you 💩 for 🧠!!

> 45 years old > working at Oracle > kids in school > paying home loan every month > wife & parents dependent > gets fired over an email at 6 am Paid 50-60% taxes all his life, yet not a single govt helpline number where he can call to get some help. A ZERO safety net system!

Long awaited law to provide a firm legal standing and ability to enforce rules to protect the common people who buy apartments @CMofKarnataka

@abierkhatib @HausdorffMedia That was boorish behavior and she was not allowed to speak. There was a good discussion to be had if it was done properly.

For those who missed the interview Piers did with @Hausdorffmedia, here’s why she’s taking legal action agains… He smoked her so badly, she’s suing him now 🤡

Bengaluru Metro's Phase 1 was planned in 2006, the Detailed Project Report projected 15 lakh daily passengers Actual ridership 15 years from then is just 4 lakh, that's just 27% of projections One of the biggest deterrent in this area is the lack of last mile connectivity 5/10

@Amara_Bengaluru @IamViruLover Ok if that is your standard I am asked to pay 200 for 4 km. That's daylight robbery. 150 is standard for a 3 km ride to metro station in Whitefield. Please don't extrapolate from your experience. Bangalore has a significant last mile problem and bike taxis is one way to solve.

@IamViruLover Yes I have recently paid 20-30-40 rs extra. Lets not call everybody kallaru saar. Come on.

Just because your stomach is full, you have no right to snatch somebody else’s food. Why do Auto drivers deny to go with the meter on? Not just because they think they can demand for few extra bucks but because we have a failed law and order machinery. Governance died long ago. Lets accept we have a broken system. How much do you think Ola and Uber charge? Are they charging only the amount that typically shows up on the meter? Not at all. So, we are okay to pay via these apps but dont want to pay the extra 20-30 rs that the driver demands? Look at it from the drivers angle. Not many of them even own autos. They rent autos on a daily rental basis and they have to pay the owner a fixed amount, irrespective of how much money they earn. What about their health and wellbeing? Auto driver’s seat is completely against the science of ergonomics. Most of them suffer from terrible back pain and our great pothole ridden roads add more pain. They breathe the bloody polluted air resulting in respiratory disorders. If the fall sick for a week, how would their family eat? How will they pay their children’s school fees? How will be pay the home rent and auto rent? Thousands of Auto Drivers have migrated to Bengaluru in the last few decades, dreaming to give their children better education, dreaming of having 2 proper meals a day. The rich who can afford to travel in imported cars and talk to the clients in millions dont understand the value of a few hundreds these daily wage drivers struggle to earn. Are all Auto drivers well behaved - Ofcourse not. Punish the guilty. Build a system where every professional is compelled to abide by the rule of law. But dont try to paint the entire community with the same brush. They all deserve to live, deserve to lead a good life like how each one of us aspire.

@BMTC_BENGALURU wide bodied buses on narrow roads especially at peak hours is harassment of the residents. @MALimbavali can you as our elected representative solve the problem!!

Hi @MTF_Mobility @MALimbavali @BMTC_BENGALURU Can you please explain the reason why BMTC buses are causing traffic congestion in a very small road , kodigehalli main road to hoodi halt maps.app.goo.gl/oQKfy5M3hTjX7m… What are you doing to fix the issue?

@ChristinMP_ Don't blame the driver. He's forced to drive on this temp road or spend 30 minutes driving through narrow roads in residential areas causing jams. @BMTC_BENGALURU please acquire land to have a proper bypass of the electric substation

Bengaluru: A major tragedy was averted after a train hit a BMTC bus near Sadaramangala. The rear of the bus damaged but there were no passengers onboard. The conductor suffered minor injuries. The incident, involving depot-51 bus KA-57-F-6000 en route to Kadugodi, occurred around 10am on Jan 26 after the driver allegedly left bus on railway track while reversing on a parallel road @BMTC_BENGALURU @SWRRLY @drmsbc @DrmBengaluru

@RajivMagal @ChristinMP_ Mistake is on the part of @BMTC_BENGALURU who have setup a depot with no proper approach road and bus drivers are forced to take this temp railway path else go through narrow roads

@ChristinMP_ Clearly the mistake on the part of BMTC driver... who must be punished!

@b50 Binge watching 3 body problem. Cant miss one.

In any eight episode OTT series, just watch the first two and last two episodes. The middle four are a waste of time. Exceptions are there but this is how bad things are.

@TOIBengaluru there is a story of bad planning by BMTC causing misery to thousands of commuters. BMTC planned a bus depot in an area connected by narrow 20 or 30 ft roads and chose to send wide bodied buses to this depot. Ultimate irony no routes actually serve this area. DM pls

This adds 10hours atleast each week with our and school children's commute. No response from BMTC on their I'll thought decision to situate a Depot in an area with narrow and winding approach roads. @TOIBengaluru need your help on this.

@siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar @RLR_BTM Government is formulating a law to ban bike taxis under pressure from the auto mafia. Fair enough, nurture your vote bank if you want. But don’t destroy public transport in the process. Bengaluru’s biggest mobility crisis today is not bike taxis. It is the complete absence of reliable last mile connectivity. When people have no viable option to cover the final 3 to 5 km, they end up using personal cars, adding thousands of extra vehicles to already choked roads. Private autos charge unreasonable fares. Feeder buses are missing. Walking is unsafe. And yet the city wants to call itself a global tech hub while basic public transport gaps remain untouched. If the government is serious about reducing congestion and improving mobility, start with this: 🚍 Launch frequent and reliable last mile feeder buses 🚍 Connect tech parks, residential areas and metro stations 🚍 Make it affordable, predictable and safe Call for action: ➡️ Bring mini BMTC feeder buses immediately for Sarjapur, Carmelaram, Mahadevapura, Bellandur and other underserved corridors. A simple step like this can ease traffic, reduce dependency on cars and make public transport truly usable. Bengaluru does not need bans. Bengaluru needs solutions. Fix last mile connectivity first. @blrcitytraffic

@1filtercoffee Guys, it is a disappointing experience. Confused order takers, delayed accompaniments, degraded food quality unseasoned stew. Neither fine dining nor a traditional south Indian restaurant.

“Are you ready for a bigger and fancier new Filter Coffee near you? Here is a sneak peak for our loyal customers and fans! Watch this space for more!” #TFC #NewTFC #LiveEthos

@livemint Look at the devil quoting scriptures. . So you will not change your policy of not limiting subscription to one email id, not warning before paying or stop sending messages to renew even though the subscription is there.  scamming people and then cite policy. 'Be the change😂

#GandhiJayanti2025: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, it's time to reflect on his profound teachings that left an indelible mark on humanity. Here are some inspiring quotes from Mahatma Gandhi’s speeches 👇 livemint.com/news/trends/ga…

@pvsubramanyam The government should do its bit by giving tax breaks for R&D instead of post facto measures like PLI or raise taxes slightly to offset the revenue forgone. R&D becomes an incentive for efficiency and building competitive advantage rather than just licensing knowhow.

Almost all YouTubers KNOW that Indian companies should spend more on research, and create our own Google, and Nividia. Yes, I agree, it is so simple. Shut down your channel and set up a research company.

@GaushithS @GBAChiefComm @GBAoffic @MALimbavali @WFRising @DKShivakumar @PCMohanMP @CMofKarnataka Add to it the BMTC buses take this road as the access to the depot is blocked by the railways work. Crossing this road takes an hour sometimes

In karnataka its not road Tax its Death Tax. Accidents are invited here by the authorities from past one month we are facing trouble here Hoodi kodigehalli main road @GBAChiefComm @GBAoffic @MALimbavali @WFRising @DKShivakumar @PCMohanMP @CMofKarnataka

@GaushithS @GBAChiefComm @GBAoffic @MALimbavali @WFRising @DKShivakumar @PCMohanMP @CMofKarnataka This road was constructed last year on 11th September 2024 (see the post by @MALimbavali ) and in less than a year the road has been dug right in the middle of it and has been left in a most irresponsible state. Sheer waste of tax payers money.