Adopting cultures and lifestyles not belonging to the native land has always been a normal phenomenon to Chennaites. As long as the old setup doesn't lose it's identity to the new trends, there is nothing wrong in replacing certain vintage practices and embracing new drifts to lead a life that suits the age. Clinching on to old is not bad but neglecting the modernization is not good either. So moving away from all those clichéd theories, let's discover those healthy modernization adopted by Chennai.

The one thing which takes the first place in this so called modernization effort is the concept of staying away from home. Not because of family problems but for convenience. We have heard of this is in foreign countries, when children reach their adolescent age; they move out of their house, foot their bills and have an individual existence. Here in Chennai too, this trend has caught on to a wide extent. Name it accessibility to work place or independence, staying away from home is not an unfamiliar concept now. "I study in Chennai only, but I stay in a hostel which is closer to my college to save on my travel time." says Jayashree, a Post Graduate student.

The eating habits seem to have taken a vital portion of this imported trend. Dieting and change of cuisine is one right example which can be quoted here. People either diet or binge on Chinese, continental food. It's not to show off, but the genuine change in taste buds. So second in the list is change of cuisine. Now, come week end, people set out to have their favorite momos or sushi…

This might no more sound a new thing as it has captured that irreplaceable position among every class of people. It is the mobile phones. To stay connected with people is the need of the hour. Mobile phone once called a luxury is now a necessity. "When the usage of mobile phones was banned in my college, we were handicapped. Not because of the thrill it renders while messaging during class but for the genuine sake of feeling connected with close ones" sadly remarks Aarthi, a student of a popular women's college in city.

The list is long with items like pubs, discotheques, Valentines Day celebration, dressing sense etc… It is important to note that Chennai has been kind enough to accommodate new currents flowing along side the regular ones. The most conservative yet experimental city that embraces modernity!

SOWJANYA.S