Talent aplenty

This picture was taken a couple of days ago at the Chennai office of a data analytics firm. The office itself was very interesting - very open plan, with split level seating and the feeling of abundance as one walks through. 

On this mezzanine area, the posters are up, speakers are set and the console is all ready to be worked on. A couple of hours after this photo was taken, this spot was pulsating with the energy of several teams auditioning for a place in the finals of their company's "Got Talent" event. Chairs, except a few, were pushed aside for the employees to find place to watch their colleagues show off their moves. 

The finals is scheduled in mid-July. The teams need that time to put together a brand new set for their show and to rehearse it. It surely can't be held here - there will not be enough space for the cheering crowd!

Another park

As has happened with a lot of other agglomerations of manufacturing units, the industrial estate at Ambattur has seen factories being replaced by swank office buildings housing new-age businesses. This space is owned by the Ambattur Clothing Company and was probably used by one of their factories. 

But now, it has the Ambit IT Park, with over a million sqft of space. That makes it one of the sought after addresses of this western suburb, but given that Ambattur itself still remains a lower priority choice (compared to the OMR) for companies, Ambit IT Park does not have the same bustle about it as seen at Tidel Park or at Ascendas.

The other big difference? Unlike at Tidel or even at Ascendas, where trying to get to the food court  involves convincing 4 layers of security, the words "food court" fast-tracks you through into Ambit, because the food court there clearly says they welcome the 'public'!

Training Centre

The Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers' Association (AIEMA) is celebrating its golden jubilee this year. That's a bit surprising, because, just a little distance away from this building complex is a foundation stone saying that the Industrial Estate was inaugurated on July 3, 1965. It is quite likely that the Association pre-dated the formal Estate; Ambattur is one of those suburbs of the city that pre-dates the creation of the city of Madras itself.

The Technology Centre of the AIEMA came up a while after the Estate itself began functioning. It appears to have been set up with a lot of foresight; even 30 years after it began functioning, it seems to have quite a bit of space. Space enough for it to have its own exhibition area as well as grounds for outdoor events.

The golden jubilee celebrations appear to be in full swing. It would be nice to get there for an event or two!