Coimbatore - A place that was, is and will always be close to my heart. I really don't know when I took it there. Coimbatore was introduced to me as my cousin's place where we used to go in annual vacations. Earlier I preferred just because we can watch so much of movies there. I was always a rebel just because I felt we kids were given secondary treatment while my cousin Prakash was their darling,who walked away with all his wishes fulfilled at our cost. but that didn't deter me from falling in love with Coimbatore.
I wanted to do my UG in Kumaraguru Engg. College, but settled for Bharat Engg. College, Chennai and VMKV Engg. College, Salem respectively. Then came my PG. I got a call for GD in Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore. To be really frank that was the first time I came to meet the "real" Coimbatore guys. They were very down to earth with no attitude problems. They were not "high headed" like Chennai guys or "dumb" like Salem guys. I stuck a bond with them instantly. I still remember the people of my GD batch - Praveen, Smitha, Senthil, Krithika, Prem and me were the team of six. I had been with them for just 5-6 hrs, but I couldn't forget them either. I didn't get through the GD. Then I got an admission for MPIB, not MBA from PSGIM. I didn't think twice to accept a new course just because I am going to spend next two years in Coimbatore. Even today if I pass by Bharathiyar University, I stand there for a couple of minutes to recollect and enjoy those happy hours.
My two years in PSGIM were really wonderful, so much that I wished that mustn't come to an end. But it did. It is in Coimbatore I opened up as a person, had very nice people as friends, say Preetha, Gurumurthy, Srimathi, Gowshaliya, Balamurali, Ashok etc... Despite my day to day problems like meeting expenses, assignments, etc, I had a total peace of mind, something unconditional. It started triggering me that I must settle down in Coimbatore.
That opportunity came after a brief bitter days in Chennai. I really don't know how humans live in Chennai. The climate is bad, water and pollution are sick. The "I know everything" attitude of Chennai-ites make things still worse. I think since Chennai has a wider exposure and offices than any other city in Tamilnadu, Chennai-ites bear this they are the "be all, end all" attitude. The only thing I find good in Chennai is the money they offer and shopping. Since I couldn't relate to Chennai, I missed Coimbatore badly.
When I got a job in Coimbatore, even though the salary offered was Rs.1000/- less than in Chennai, I didn't think twice to pack my bags to Coimbatore. This time I looked Coimbatore with a different perspective and loads of love. Coimbatore is beautiful from its core rooted in its simplicity. It doesn't decorate itself to look beautiful. Since it is the second largest city in TN, you can get all higher end sophistications, yet the life is very simple. Natives of Coimbatore are simple and sweet in heart. They respect others and are sensitive to their concerns unlike being detached from neighbours. (My boss in Coimbatore, who was a metro brought up termed this as nosey and found it intrusive). They are modern in lifestyle yet conservative in traditional values. Above all I love the Coimbatore Tamil, which addresses everyone with respect. I was the happiest person in Coimbatore and thats when I coined my signature term "Life is beautiful... Love it.... Live it.... Enjoy it".Metro brought ups complain that Coimbatore hadn't got many hangouts like pubs, discotheques and shopping malls. I admit that and glad that Coimbatore hadn't got them many. They are for those who are unaware of the nature and devoid of natural beauties. Coimbatore has beautiful & divine Marudhamalai, scenic Pollachi, Valparai and Thirumurthy Hills. If you want to enjoy a different culture, Palakkad is there in an hours drive. Athirampally, Vazhacchal and Alappuzha are there nearer to Coimbatore. You will never feel that you are running out of picnic spots in weekends.
My tenure in ABT was really nice. I was in between lots of nice people like Kutty Sir, Vijayalakshmi, Praveen, Ambika, Babu, Soumya, Shabna. I loved my office. It is when I started cooking, feeling a complete bliss. May be God thought I am getting laidback, I was under circumstances to look out. I recieved two offers almost simultaneously one in Coimbatore and another here. I chose this one.... purely out of love for Coimbatore. I know this small separation will help in staying long in Coimbatore. I must make some money and settle down in Coimbatore.
I have many dreams planted in Coimbatore soil. I must build a beautiful home in Kalveerampalayam, calm residential area in the foot of Marudhamalai Hills, put my daughter Divya in Kendriya Vidhyalaya, Puliyakulam. Atleast to drop and pick her from the school, I must have another car. For these house and car, I must earn more and soon. I am in the earning process. I must come back soon to Coimbatore. Coimbatore.... just give me a small place in your lap for me to rest in peace. I admit I had some not so pleasant memories in Coimbatore, my career went nowhere, my love life took a beat, yet Coimbatore is the loveliest place I had ever lived.
