Gandhinagar (Adyar)
Encyclopedia
Gandhi Nagar is a neighbourhood in Adyar
Adyar
Adyar may refer to:* Adyar — a locality in Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India* Adyar River — a river in Chennai city* Adyar, Karnataka — a town in the state of Karnataka, India* Adyar, Bhandara, Maharashtra...

, in the southern part of the Indian city of Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...

. Its bordered by the Adyar river
Adyar River
Adyar or Adayar, originating near the Chembarambakkam Lake in Chengalpattu district, is one of the two rivers which winds through Chennai , South India, and joins the Bay of Bengal at the Adyar Estuary. The 42.5 km-long river contributes to the estuarine ecosystem of Chennai. Despite the high...

, Katuribai Nagar, Indira Nagar
Indira Nagar
Indira Nagar is a posh neighbourhood in Chennai, India.Indira Nagar was developed by Tamil Nadu Housing Board in late 1970s and early 1980s.TNHB developed residential plots,apartments,commercial complexes,wide roads,school zones,bus terminus and large parks.Indira Nagar is an excellent example of...

 and the Buckingham canal
Buckingham Canal
The Buckingham Canal is a long fresh water navigation canal, running parallel to the Coromandel Coast of South India from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh to Villupuram District in Tamil Nadu. The canal connects most of the natural backwaters along the coast to the port of Chennai...

. Today Gandhi Nagar is a commercial hot spot having relatively good transport and other facilities.

History

Gandhi Nagar has more than 150 years of history. The most oldest things in Gandhi Nagar are the Pilliar Kovil and the St. Patrick's School. The St. Patrick's School has a well documented history.

St. Patrick's School

St. Patrick's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, a Centenarian Institution of great renown, was founded in 1875 by Irish Brothers to cater to the educational needs of the sons of British settlers in Madras, and a few Indian boys, whose parents wanted them to have the benefits of a Western education. It is managed by the Patrician Brothers who have some of the finest schools in India and abroad.
The dawn of this century, set off the process of expansion of the school at a quicker pace. The School has grown to colossal proportions and has done its best to maintain the highest standards of education. It has moulded and shaped the lives of generations of students.

The main objective is to impart sound religious, moral, literary and scientific education aiming at the harmonious development of the child.

First transport

The first residential (non academic) inhabitants are people from a tiny town called Sadhuranga pattinam (சதுரங்கப்பட்டினம்) or Sadras as its called. They came from Chengulpet to Gandhi Nagar via Buckingham canal via boats that was propelled by wind under favorable conditions or the boats were pulled by humans with rope from boat tied to their waist. At that time in 1942, Gandhi Nagar had lush paddy fields and was used for agriculture and was bordered by Guindy forest (which has almost disappeared now).

First families

The Alwaris family is said to be the first family who resided in Gandhi Nagar. The next was the family of Mudaliar Brothers. The Mudaliar Brothers consisted of Mr. S.K.Ramachandra Mudaliar and Mr. S.K.Puniyakoti Mudaliar. They worked in Triplicane
Triplicane
Triplicane also has the famous powerful Ellamman temple in SMV Koil street. A beautiful Sundaramurthy Vinayagar temple is right opposite to the Ellamman Temple....

, but bought vast lands in Gandhi Nagar as their building construction flourished. In one of their lands stands the old cancer institute
Adyar Cancer Institute
Adyar Cancer Institute is a cancer specialty hospital situated in the city of Chennai, India; founded by Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy on June 18, 1954. Land was donated by Mr. S.K.Puniyakoti Mudaliar.-Several firsts:...

, which was donated by Mr. S.K.Puniyakoti Mudaliar.

Mr. Puniyakoti Mudaliar built first independent flats in Gandhi Nagar. The Mudaliar brothers construction industry recruited people from Sathurangapattinam (Sadras), the first workers settled on banks of Adyar River, this settlement was later called Malligai Poo Nagar.

Malligai Poo Nagar (மல்லிகை பூ நகர்)

The Mudaliar Brothers (S.K.Ramachandra Mudaliar and S.K.Puniyakoti Mudaliar) were building contractors. They needed manpower to execute their projects. Hence people (primarily from Sathurangapattinam) were bought in. They settled on the banks of Adyar river. The laborer settlement attracted more people, thus a community was formed and was named Malligai Poo Nagar which means Jasmine flower settlement.

Business

  • The Grand Sweets and Snacks
    The Grand Sweets and Snacks
    The Grand Sweets and Snacks is a sweet shop and eatery based in the city of Chennai, India. It is famous for its sweet dish called Akkaravadasal which is distributed free-of-cost as prasadam to customers....

     - Located on 2nd Main Road is 'the' star attraction of Gandhi Nagar. Although these days, the traffic congestion caused by this and other business are adding to the nuisance value.
  • Sri Krishna Sweets
    Sri Krishna Sweets
    Sri Krishna Sweets is a popular Indian sweet manufacturer and eatery based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. It is most noted for its Mysorepa. There are about 18 branches in Coimbatore city alone.-History:...

  • Spencer's Daily
  • Sangeetha's Desi Destination - Vegetarian Restaurant
  • Odyssey - Books and gifts
  • Nuts and Spices
  • Cup and Saucer
  • Kaya Skin Clinic
  • Basics - Mens wear showroom
  • Naihaa
    Naihaa
    Naihaa is an Indian retailer of women and children's wear and wardrobe store based in the city of Chennai.-History:...

  • Kumarakom - Kerala cuisine restaurant
  • Ravi's Executive Parlour - Men's stylist & hairdresser

Temples & Religious Institutions

  • Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswami Temple
  • St. Louis Church
  • Good food

Schools

  • St Patrick's
  • St Michael's Academy
  • Kumararrajah Muthiah Higher Secondary School
  • Kumari Rani Meena Muthiah College of Arts and Science
  • Ranimeiyammai
  • Bala Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School
    Vidya mandir
    Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School is a school in India, situated in the southern city of Chennai. Founded in 1956 by M. Subbaraya Aiyar, Smt. Subbalakshmi Ammal and Mrs. Padmini Chari, the school recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. It follows the Central Board of Secondary Education...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK