No Traffic Police, No Speed Barrier - A Dangerous point on Greams Road

No Traffic Police, No Speed Barrier - A Dangerous point on Greams Road, originally uploaded by WanderingGene.

This is the part of the Greams road that is just in front of Apollo Heart Centre. The Greams lane branches out from here and reaches Apollo Main Hospital. Just opposite side is the Ramaswamy street and the main hub of guest houses where most of the inter-state and international Apollo patients find there shelters during the treatment processes. Traffic is usually heavy on this road. Patients, attendants, school children, and usual city commuters are always in need of crossing this point of the road. Strangely though, there is no traffic police controlling the point. Worst even is the fact that there is not a single speed barrier on the road here which is extremely dangerous. City corporation must take necessary measures immediately for the safety of the patients and the commuters, otherwise accidents can happen anytime. During my staying here I have witnessed such an accident where a patient attendant was died in a hit-and-run car accident in July'10. She was attending her sick mother who was under treatment in Apollo.

Apollo Chennai Andrology Lab - An Important Workcenter on the Test-Tube-Baby Assembly Line

Apollo Chennai - Andrology Lab, originally uploaded by WanderingGene.

The process of Apollo Chennai IVF treatment.: looks like hundreds of couples are pushed through in a mass production approach. That approach to IVF seems to work much better for the Apollo and the IVF doctor(s) than it does for the eggs, the embryos, or the infertile couples.

Chennai Commissioner's Office - do not Expect any Sympathy

Chennai Commissioner's Office, originally uploaded by WanderingGene.

If you need visa extension, buy a new pair of shoes and start visiting this office called "commissioner's office". If you have a patient in Apollo whose visa needs to be extended do not expect any sympathy from this office. The officials there find after-launch-napping is more important. than your appeal for even patient-visa extension.

Please do not Spit Here - Stairway Corner of a Road Side Building

Please do not Spit Here - Stairway Corner of a Road Side Building, originally uploaded by WanderingGene.

Chennai is Dirty and Nasty, one of the reason probably is, quite often people give a damn about civic norms and behaviors. You will see people coughing on your face without protecting their mouth and will not bother to say "sorry". It is quite unbelievable that Tamil Nadu state claims to have a literacy rate of 80% but the behavior of the commuters of the very capital, Chennai, do not conform to that claim.

No wonder why they would spit in this corner of a stairway irrespective of whether the property owner is crying or not.

"Atithi" Saves the Bengali Patients of Apollo Chennai

A bengali restaurant named "Atithi" in a corner of apollo chennai., originally uploaded by WanderingGene.

Fish and Rice is what bangalees called food for launch or dinner. Idly-Dosa-Samber is definitely a no no for bangalees especially for long duration. "Atithi" comes to rescue you if you have to stay for a while near Apollo. It is managed by bangalees, menu is for bengali cuisine, and you will definitely feel that you have some "proper" launch or dinner or even breakfast.

Fruit Shop on Greams Road - Calm, Cool and Juicy

Fruit Shop on Greams Road - Calm, Cool and Juicy, originally uploaded by WanderingGene.

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle on the Greams road the "fruit shop" is a place where I could find some peace. The inside definitely contrasts with the environment outside. Feel the chill, enjoy some music even and have some juicy moment. That's what "Fruit Shop on Greams Road" is all about.

Apollo Motto - Tender Loving Care

Apollo Motto - Tender Loving Care, originally uploaded by WanderingGene.

"Tender, Loving, Care" - too good a slogan to be true at Apollo now a days. It has almost lost it's significance as the increasing pressure of patients has degraded the quality of care. Doctors and Professionals are suffering from superiority complex that is getting reflected in their attitude towards patients and attendances. Some of them even don't know they are rude and irritating and so do not qualify to be a Doctor.

Ramblings on Things in and around Chennai and Apollo Hospitals

In July and August 2010 I visited and stayed in Chennai, India as a medical attendant of my wife as she was under treatment at the Apollo hospitals off Greams road. I have shared with you some of my experiences and observations that I thought might be helpful for you, especially in shaping your expectations, if you are thinking about coming here with a similar purpose. So here are my ramblings on things in and around Chennai and Apollo.

Marina Beach, Chennai, India

Marina Beach, Chennai, India, originally uploaded by WanderingGene.

Sandy Marina beach is one of the longest sea beach in the world. But it is far from beautiful. Ugly, noisy, heavily populated and polluted. But when you concentrate on the wavy sea and the sky above, suddenly it turns out to be wonderful.

Apollo Commemorative Stamp by Govt of India

Apollo Commemorative Stamp by Govt of India, originally uploaded by WanderingGene.

Bravo Apollo! Thousands thumbs up for your contribution to humanity!! Let billion hearts beat, let billion lives feel your touch. Let there be lives, full of joy, because of you.