Chancey illa is a word very dear to the heart of every person who has lived in Chennai. It means "even if you search for a place like this, you won't find it." Chennai is a city where you find tranquility with love.

You may ask, "Why should I listen to you?" And I would tell you all about how it now feels like my forever home even though I wasn't brought up in Chennai. Chennai has been a city that has redefined culture for me. It has redefined serenity for me. It has redefined uniqueness for me. Chennai finds in herself a beautiful balance of modernization, all the while being true to herself and her roots. She welcomes you, embraces you, and, above all, nurtures you. From the filter coffee to the serene beaches, it energizes your mind and soothes your soul. It brings you closer to yourself, even if you go a little farther to do so in the first place. Chennai is a feeling, and no amount of words can do it justice.

I wish that all of you could experience this feeling—this feeling of uniqueness.

With an open heart,

Saranya Dhawan

Local Committee President

Meet Madras

Chennai (earlier termed as Madras) is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, it is one of the largest cultural, economic and educational centers of south India. According to the 2011 Indian census, it is the sixth-most populous city and fourth-most populous urban agglomeration in India. The city to get her with the adjoining regions constitutes the Chennai Metropolitan Area, which is the 36th-largest urban area by population in the world. The traditional and de facto gateway of South India, Chennai is among the most-visited Indian cities by foreign tourists. It was ranked the 43rd-most visited city in the world for the year 2015.The Quality of Living Survey rated Chennai as the safest city in India. Chennai attracts 45 percent of health tourists visiting India, and 30 to 40 percent of domestic health tourists. As such, it is termed "India's health capital". Chennai has the fifth-largest urban economy of India.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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