23, Shyamlal Marg
Delhi-110054
June 15, 2007
My dear Pradeep,
I am pleased to infonn that I have been appointed a PGT (Economics) in your school and am expected to take up my job by July 1 at the latest. Since I have no idea of the working conditions and the availability of amenities in Chennai, I need your guidance on some points.
Would my unfamiliarity with Tamil cause any difficulty ? Are the people from the north willingly accepted by the locals ? What about the domestic help ? Would it be easily available at an affordable salary ?
My biggest worry is the accommodation ! How much will a two-room set cost ? Will I have to pay any deposit to the landlord ? Will getting Tinu admitted to a good nursery school be difficult ?
Are there any specific food items from this side, that won’t be easily available in Chennai ? Should I bring along my inverter and its batteries ?
I shall be eagerly awaiting your reply.
With best wishes from my parents,
Lovingly yours,
Anil Dutta
Response to cousin to his letter.
2/41, Rajaji Marg
Chennai-600001
Tamil Nadu
June 21, 2007
My dear Anil,
I am immensely happy to know that you have been offered a job in my own school. The news is more heartening, as it would give us a chance to serve together and share our personal problems jointly. Heartiest congratulations, indeed ! I know that since completing your B.Ed, after post-graduation in May, you had been job-hunting desperately and the present assignment is a welcome relief, indeed ! As for the city and the school, where you are going to work, there is nothing to worry on any account. Chennai is a beautiful city with a lovely beach and immensely loving and affectionate people. The school too is known for its high standard and old history. The present offer of job, therefore, should be taken as a lucky reward by you.
Regarding your points of inquiry, my answers are as follows :
Yes, it is possible to manange even without the knowledge of Tamil, as most people understand English and Hindi.
- Local people easily mix with persons from other states. As Chennai is a metropolitan city, it has a great population of non-Tamilians, living and working peacefully since long.
- Yes, domestic help is easily available at affordable salary.
- There are staff quarters on the school campus itself. You should negotiate for one of them with the Principal.
- I would advise you to travel light, as everything is available in the city.
- Not very far from our school, there is ‘KIDDY CORNER’, run by a missionary. It has a very good standard and is run on a no-loss, no-profit basis, Since the headmistress here gives preference to the children of the teachers from our school, Tinu should have no problem in getting admission on your arrival.
- Power cuts are frequent in Chennai too. It is advisable to bring your inverter and its batteries.
Hope you are satisfied with the over-all picture, given by me. However, I shall be glad to hear from you again, in case you want to know about anything else, in particular. My regards to respected uncle and aunt.
Yours sincerely,
Pradeep
