Why I could not see the Chennai Air Show?

Chennai is a city that pulses with energy, particularly during events that bring people together. One such occasion was the much-anticipated air show organized at Marina Beach, a spectacle that promised breath taking aerial displays and a chance to marvel at aviation prowess. I had been eagerly looking forward to it for days, especially watching the air displays from far away from my place of work. However, life, as it often does, had other plans.

The Morning Match

The day began with a local cricket match in Medavakkam. As the sun rose, I found myself caught up in the excitement and tension of the game. We battled hard under the glaring sun, our focus solely on the match. Time slipped away quickly, and before I knew it, the clock was ticking down. The match was still in progress when I made the tough decision to leave early, knowing I had to catch a train from Velachery MRTS station at atleast by 10:30 AM.

The Race against Time

I hoped that the morning traffic wouldn’t be too terrible since it was a Sunday, and that I could still make it to Velachery in time to catch the train. But as I navigated through the roads, it became painfully clear that most people from that part of Chennai had decided to go to the airshow from Velachey MRTS. The roads were clogged, and every turn seemed to lead to more delays. I glanced at my watch, and the minutes were slipping away. In a moment of frustration, I decided to park my car midway and attempt to walk the remaining distance (around 750m) to the station. I knew it was a gamble, but I had to try. As I walked for around 300m fortunately though, a share auto also precariously driving on the opposite side gave me a lift for the last 500m to reach Velachery MRTS station.

A Crowded Station

As I approached the station, I was met with a sight that made my heart sink, People were leaving the station in droves, clearly having decided that it was futile to even attempt to board a train. They had made up their minds that the crowd was insurmountable. I felt a flicker of doubt creeping in. Was I making a mistake by trying to board the train? The platform was overflowing with people, all eager to make their way to the air show. Everyone there were navigating the throngs of people, all with the same destination in mind. The sheer volume of passengers was intimidating. 

Yet, the thrill of the air show was too strong to ignore. I pushed through the crowd, determined to get a ticket. Miraculously, I managed to get one amidst the chaos, a small victory in what was quickly becoming a challenging morning.

The scene of crowded Velachery station!!

Crowded Velachery station from which at the end you can see people leaving!!

The Wait for the Train

With ticket in hand, I joined the throngs waiting for the next train. Each passing minute felt like an eternity as I watched train after train arrive, only to see them packed beyond capacity even before they arrived. This was because people were already getting into the trains in the opposite direction to reach beach again from Velachery. I waited anxiously, hoping that the next one would have enough room for me. However, one by one, the trains came and went, each one filled to the brim. I could feel my enthusiasm waning as I stood there, surrounded by the growing frustration of others who were also trying to get to the air show. After what felt like an eternity, I finally managed to squeeze myself onto a train at 11:50 AM. Yet, my relief was short-lived. After boarding, we were met with another wait. The train sat idle, and we didn’t budge for what felt like ages. It became increasingly clear that the delays were adding up, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of impending disappointment.

Completely packed trains leaving Velachery!!!

The Decision to Turn Back

At 12:15 PM, the train still had not moved. I looked around at the faces of my fellow passengers, all of whom were wearing expressions of impatience and concern. It was then that I made the tough call: I couldn’t just sit there any longer, as I thought that even if the train started now, then by the time I reach the airshow destination, it would be finished. So, I made my way back through the crowded carriages and exited the train, my heart heavy with the weight of unfulfilled anticipation. The excitement that had fuelled me earlier in the day had been replaced with a sense of disappointment.

Reflecting on the Day

As I started to go back home, I couldn’t help but think about how much I had looked forward to the air show. Unfortunately though, it was not to be. Sometimes, we plan and prepare, only for circumstances to shift beyond our control. It was a reminder that while we can strive to reach our goals, life’s unpredictability can lead us down different paths. As I arrived home, I decided to find solace in the knowledge that there would be other events, other opportunities.

Conclusion

Missing the air show at Marina Beach was disappointing, but it was also a reminder of the beautiful unpredictability of life. Had I not had the match I would have easily made it to the air show easily along with my wife (who had gone there with other apartment friends). Though I didn’t get to witness the event I had longed for, I learned a valuable lesson in patience, flexibility, and resilience. How common people brought their young ones and disappointedly they were taking them back. It would have been greatly disappointing for the kids.

In the end, it was a day that would stay etched in my memory, not just for the missed opportunity but for the experience of navigating through the unexpected. And who knows? Maybe next time, I’ll not only make it to the event but also enjoy every moment of it. Until then, I’ll keep dreaming and planning for the next adventure that awaits me in the vibrant city of Chennai.

The planning for the event by the govt. etc is a different story as such and it is heart breaking to note that an event which should otherwise have been a great event saw 5 people lose their lives. So many things could have been better around the event, unfortunately they were not.

This was my experience as such, and written with a little helpfromchatGPT!!!