Chennai’s instinct to care for one another deserves celebration, says MP Thamizhachi

“What I love most about Chennai is how it feels like home even to someone who has newly arrived. This sense of belonging is in every street corner. I love that I can start my day watching the sunrise at Elliot’s Beach, stop by a temple or church that has stood for centuries, then step into a place buzzing with young minds — a start-up hub or a campus like the erstwhile Queen Mary’s College,” says DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian.

‘Strangers unite’

People here have an unshakable habit of showing up for their neighbours, environment, and community. In South Chennai, I have seen strangers unite to protect the Pallikaranai Marsh, artists rally to revive cultural spaces, and people come together to support fisherfolk after cyclones.

The city blends civic pride with personal responsibility, whether it is planting saplings, cleaning beaches or lending a hand in times of trouble. This isn’t just charity but a way of life, rooted in empathy and solidarity. That is what truly defines Chennai beyond its beaches, food, or art. It is the heart of our people.

(As told to N. Sai Charan)