Thursday, June 26, 2008

Euro fever?

"That's a special tower for transmission of secret messages". Once these words had been whispered, it was a big risk to ask anyone what it actually was, because you could then be the target of sustained cross-examination. This was the considered wisdom during school days, when this building came up to mark the centenary of the Madras Port. Therefore, like many other everyday sights, the 'football' on top of this building remains an unexplained oddity.

The Chennai Port Trust does encourage a lot of sporting activity; it is however improbable that they have placed this as a monument to their football legacy. Though I took this photograph a few weeks ago, I thought I would post it only after I have better information about what that globe is all about. Now, I feel that I would not get any wiser - the few people I have asked are irritated at me, for having teased their curiosity - and so, I hope posting this photo will at least bring up some plausible theories as to the purpose of the topping.

It is also Euro fever in a way: was watching the Germany - Turkey match last night when I remembered this photo!



Added on July 6, 2008: I've found out what that globe is for. A cousin who works for the Chennai Port Trust tells me that the globe houses a meteorological radar and other met equipment, since the docks need data on a more real-time basis than what the Met department provides!

8 comments:

Viswanathan said...

Did you ask Shobhachechi?

Dan said...

That is definately housing some sort of communications equipment. My guess is that there is a microwave dish inside that dome.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Since photography is a relaxing hobby for me I am not surprised that my pics often are of relaxing scenes. Thanks for noticing it and thanks for visiting my blog!

Shantaram said...

>> Ottayan>> No, I haven't; I must, I must.

>> Dan>> Thanks for dropping by! Will remember to let you know if I ever find out what's inside the dome!

LVISS said...

Could it be a water tank?

magiceye said...

Dan's theory seems most probable.

Hey... have posted a picture of a sparrow on my blog just for you as you have not seen one for a long time in Chennai :)

Shantaram said...

>> Ravindran>> Never thought of that!

>> Magiceyed>> Yes, Dan seems to be the man. And am excited about your sparrow photo - going there right now...

Anonymous said...

this time u beat me to the post with this ... i'd taken a night shot of the port trust and was wondering all along these years whats this "ball" all about ....

all the best spain today !!

Shantaram said...

>> Ram>> :) I still have some catching up to do :D