‘I am a TamPunj and would not live anywhere else but Chennai’
A long-time resident of Chennai reflects on his life as a 'TamPunj,' describing his migration from Punjab to the city and his deep appreciation for its culture and community spirit. He highlights the city's safety, affordability, and the harmonious integration of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Why it matters
The personal narrative provides insight into urban social cohesion and the evolution of Indian metropolitan life over several decades.
I was born in 1946 in that part of Punjab that is now in Pakistan. My family moved to Coonoor before the Partition. In the 1960s, we needed to move out for work and education requirements and looked for opportunities in other places in the country but chose Madras since we had people in the city at the time. By 1965, we moved to Madras.
The people were so nice, soft-spoken, and extremely helpful. When I was new here, I didn’t know my way around and so if I asked for an address, people would walk with me and show me the place — even if it was two streets away. The city used to be so quiet, not much traffic. We could walk on Mount Road on Sunday afternoons. Now, there is traffic everywhere. The city has grown, Gen Z is here.
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