Two sides of a modern city

Madurai is one of the most ancient cities in India [Tamil Nadu]. With lots of temples in and around the city, it takes up the name 'TEMPLE CITY'. There are some temples left unfinished due to the inroads of foreign rule in the seventeenth century. A river by name Vaigai runs across the city. The people of Madurai live in two environments diametrically opposed to each other. Materialism has grown to such an extent that the economic divide between the new urban rich and the poor is growing. The city administration is bogged down by corruption and inefficiency. Police force often forgets their role. The media in English and Tamil publish reports about the unsocial activities of the thugs. Inspite of the things bad in the environment, there is a hope in peoples' cultural activities. There is a music academy, a history club, several colleges, institutes -- all buzzing with activities. Madurai is witness to two extremes. Lovers of Madurai are invited to share their thoughts on both. One day we read about a bajan[Hindu Choir] and on another day about a street brawl and murder 'in the broad daylight'. We hear Gandhi memorial lectures on one side of the city, and on another side strike by janitors working in the city Corporation.