Anna Nagar

—  neighbourhood  —
Anna Nagar Tower
Anna Nagar Location of Anna Nagar in Chennai and India
Coordinates	13°05′05″N 80°13′04″E / 13.0846°N 80.2179°E / 13.0846; 80.2179Coordinates: 13°05′05″N 80°13′04″E / 13.0846°N 80.2179°E / 13.0846; 80.2179
District(s)	Chennai
Parliamentary constituency	Chennai Central
Assembly constituency	Anna Nagar
Zone	Kilpauk
Ward	66-68
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)

Anna Nagar (Tamil: அண்ணா நகர் ), formely known as Naduvakkarai,^[1] is a neighbourhood in the metropolitan city of Chennai, India. Named after the Tamil leader C. N. Annadurai, it is located in the north-western part of Chennai and forms a part of Egmore-Nungambakkam taluk. It is one of the prime residential areas in Chennai.

Anna Nagar was developed by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board in the early 1970s following the World Trade Fair in the area in 1968. The board developed residential plots, apartments, commercial complexes, wide roads, school zones, bus terminus and large parks.

The roads in Anna Nagar are designed based on matrix structure similar to roads in developed countries in the western world; all the roads are laid parallel and perpendicular to each other. In addition, a standardized naming nomenclature is adopted. In Anna Nagar, 2nd, 4th and 6th Avenues run East-West and 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th Avenues run North South. All the streets are interconnected to these avenues. Anna Nagar is the first township and the only township in Chennai to follow standard addressing system followed in the western world. Areas expanded after the formation of the initial 1970 layouts do not follow the standard nomenclature.

One of the main attractions in Anna Nagar is the Annanagar Tower. The large arch in the southern part of Anna Nagar called the Anna Arch was built in the 1980s, when Anna Nagar still had areas of undeveloped land. The road from the arch leads to the Round Tana (round about) which is a major landmark and for all practical purposes, the centre of Anna Nagar. Other important landmarks include Chinthamani, Blue Star, 14 shops, Thirumangalam junction, Anna Nagar East, and Anna Nagar West bus depot.

Anna Nagar has a number of well established schools and colleges, places of worship, shopping areas with both independent shops and chain stores and numerous restaurants. 2009 also saw the opening of a McDonalds and a KFC outlet, both on the busy 2nd Avenue. There are also a number of mid size hospitals and nursing homes catering to the local population.

Location in Context

History

Anna Nagar originated as a suburban village called Naduvakkarai.

Schools in Anna Nagar

C.S.I. Jessie Moses Matriculation Higher Secondary School

Jessie Moses was founded about 30 years back by Miss. Jessie Moses. The school has advanced greatly over the years. The motto of this school is "Founded on Rock", 'the Rock' being Christ. The medium of instruction in all classes is English. The languages taught are Tamil and Hindi. French is also offered as a language in the High School and Higher Secondary Courses from Standards VIII to XII.

Velammal Matric Higher Secondary School

A part of Velammal Educational Trust known to most of the people in Tamil Nadu, recognized by Govt. of Tamil Nadu and an ISO 9001-2000 certified institute having a strength of 15000 children, 2nd largest school in Asia in terms of strength. The school is well known for its strict discipline and dignity. The medium of instruction is English.The school has produced State and District rank holders.

Chinmaya Vidyalaya

A part of the Chinmaya Mission of India, this CBSE affiliated school is guided by the religious principles of the Chinmaya Mission community.

Dayanand Anglo Vedic Schools (DAV)

In Mogappair (near Anna Nagar) some parts of the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System (DAV) are located. There are two CBSE affiliated schools having boys and girls wing on different campuses on the Mogappair main road. In addition to it, a Tamil Nadu Matriculation affiliated school which is a Co-Ed based school is also present, located in the inner part of the Mogappair. These schools have produced National and State level results respectively.

Jaigopal Garodia Vivekananda Vidyalaya

Jaigopal Garodia Vivekananda Vidyalaya is a non – profit service institution striving to promote the cause of man – making education. The school endeavours to give culturally graded to a Higher Secondary School in 1984.

Acquisition of knowledge without losing the perspective of character-building, coupled with stress on patriotism and devotion to God is the lofty goal, that J.G.V.V. has set for the students. “Striving for Excellence” is the watch word of the J.G.V.V’ians.

Kendriya Vidyalaya

A CBSE affiliated school which belongs to the Kendriya Vidyalaya group.

Krishnaswamy Group of Schools

Also known as Sri Krishnaswamy Group or M.A. Krishnaswamy Group, it is well known for its low fee structure that helps students of the poorer families get good quality education. It is based on the matriculation board.

Leo Matriculation and Higher Secondary School

Located in the western extended part of Anna Nagar, since 1986.

State Bank Officers' Association School & Junior College

Main article: SBOA School & Junior College

The SBOA School & Junior College is managed by the State Bank of India Officers association. Founded in 1978, SBOA is well-resourced and is CBSE affiliated. It is among the highest achieving schools of Chennai. It has held many ranks, records and achievements in the National level in both the 10th standard exams (AISSE) and the 12th standard exams (AISSCE).

State Bank Officers' Association Matriculation and Higher Secondary School

Founded in 1983, this school is also managed by the State Bank of India Officers association. The "SBOA Matric" is also well-resourced and is Matriculation/ State Board affiliated. It was first founded in the same campus as the above school in 1983 when Anna Nagar required a Matriculation/ State Board affiliated school with standards as high as the SBOA CBSE. In 1994 it moved to its present location.

The SBOA Matric also holds some high records in the state level TNHSE exams (12th standard), including the famous "triple-centum" and the "quadruple-centum" cum state rank-holders in the history of Higher Secondary exams in India.

State Bank of India Officers' Association Model Matriculation and Higher Secondary School

The SBIOA Model School was founded in 1998 in the SBOA CBSE school campus to meet the growing demands of the Anna Nagar people for another Matriculation school with the high SBOA standard of education. It was later moved to its current location in Mogappair West.

Valliammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School

A Matriculation board, co-educational school located at three different campuses: Anna Nagar (Main Campus), Aminjikarai and Shenoy Nagar. Valliammal was initially established in 1968 and it followed the CBSE system until the 1980s, when it switched to Matriculation board. Its main campus is located near Chinthamani, a prime location in Anna Nagar.

Chennai Public School

Chennai Public School is a day school situated in Anna Nagar West Extension, Chennai. Catering to students from Play school to Year 12, it is spread over a 75,000 sq. ft. artistically built up learning space with state of art infrastructure in 24 grounds campus with lush greenery and modern amenities. Chennai Public School is committed to providing holistic education in a safe environment. It offers a host of activities and opportunities that are designed to promote excellence, success, confidence and self esteem.

Chennai Public School is a very special place where a "mission" drives the management that inspires all our students to continuous inquiry, courage, optimism and integrity.

Being new school, no one has an idea of the performance of the school, however the school campus is good.

Shanthi Colony and its Neighborhoods in Anna Nagar

Shanthi Colony - Initially developed by TNHB as a residential colony and is located in 4th Avenue. Today it is a sprawling commercial street with the colony transformed with many shops and other establishments.It is a highly sought out upscale Residential as well as commercial property in Anna Nagar.

Kurinji Colony, Jawahar Colony, Mangalam Colony and Nalanda Flats - Another TNHB development located in 4th Avenue and 7th Avenue, which are now part of a most sought out Residential colonies in Anna Nagar, with their proximities to major schools, Thirumanagalam Junction and upcoming sprawling Metro Zone.

Anna Nagar Tower

One of the main attractions in Anna Nagar is the 138 feet (42 m) tall Annanagar Tower, officially known as the Visveswaraya Tower, built for the 1968 World Trade Fair, by B. S. Abdur Rahman. Its main entrance is from the 3rd Main Road. It is popular with morning walkers and joggers, and with families and young people in the evenings to play and relax. For a nominal fee one can walk to the top of the tower from where excellent views of the city can be seen. The tower and park are now renovated and has a skating rink. Currently, it boasts of a good turnout of children who come in for practising their skills on roller skates. There is also a group of regulars who practice silambattam - an ancient Tamil martial art form - here. From atop the tower one can have a panoramic views, and the rapidly changing skyline of the city can be appreciated.

Anna Nagar Roundtana

The famous Anna Nagar Roundtana located at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue is a sprawling and burgeoning high-scale commercial neighborhood. This was initially developed for the Madras EXPO during the 1970s and was named "Round Turn Over", whose name has colloquially changed to "Roundtana" with the use of Tamil Language.

Politics

Anna Nagar (State Assembly Constituency) is part of Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency).^[2]

Chennai Sangamam

Anna Tower park is one the official sites around the city hosting activities of the annual week long celebrations of the Chennai Sangamam. This is held during the month of January over the Pongal week since 2007 and has been growing in popularity over the years.

ToastMasters

Wordsmiths Toastmasters Club, affiliated to Toastmasters International meets every Saturday in Towers Club, adjacent to the Anna Nagar Tower park.

Locality Newspapers

Anna Nagar has its own set of local newspapers in circulation. The oldest and widely circulated of them is Anna Nagar Times, a weekly newspaper in English distributed free to all households. Apollo Times and Anna Nagar Mail are other newspapers in circulation.

Modern Auditorium

A modern auditorium in Anna Nagar is under construction and will be completed in January 2011. The auditorium is being constructed at a cost of INR 170 million and would have seating for 1,500 persons and parking facility for 500 vehicles. The auditorium is being built on a 3-acre land.^[3]

References

1. ^ Krishna, M. J. (March 13, 2003). "Naduvakkarai Nostalgia". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/03/13/stories/2003031300740300.htm. 
2. ^ [1] List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies; 2008-10-08, Tamil Nadu, Election Commission of India
3. ^ [2]

JGVV== External links ==

• [3] CSI Jessie Moses School