The Albany Gazette - Athiya Agarwal Reflects on the Culture and Community of Chennai

I was born in Chennai and have lived here my whole life, and I cannot imagine living anywhere else!

I think Chennai should be celebrated because it has the best of everything – the best of traditions, the best of people, who are warm and caring, the best of culture with its music and dance heritage and its cinema, and the best of beaches, especially our magnificent Marina, where I go for a walk every day. One of my favourite things to do is to have coffee in Mylapore, near the Kapaleeswarar temple and do a bit of roadside shopping. I also love the music festival; in fact, if I hadn’t become an ophthalmologist, I would have been a singer!

While I have a deep personal connection with this city as it is my home in every way, professionally, too, this city has given me a great journey. As an ophthalmic surgeon, I am committed to my goal of helping eradicate treatable blindness in rural Tamil Nadu. In my own way, I hope to contribute to the health and well-being of the people of this wonderful State.

Chennai is not just the city I live in, it is a part of who I am.

(As told to Zubeda Hamid)

(N.Miller--TAG)