“I was born in Chennai but spent the first 14 years of my life in the UAE, where my father worked. For most of my childhood, the desert felt like home, the place where I went to school, made friends, and built my earliest memories. But in 2010, my family decided to move back to Chennai. I was in my 10th grade then, and that’s when this city truly became mine

Everyone around me was surprised at how quickly I adapted after being in Dubai for so long, but for me, Chennai felt like a breath of fresh air, familiar yet new, structured yet free. It gave me a second beginning, a chance to rebuild my world from scratch. I’m now a Service Management Analyst at Accenture, settled here with my husband and our little baby girl. And I can’t think of a better place to call home.

Life has been kind to me, but also full of lessons, people, and moments that have shaped who I am today. My mother is the biggest one, my constant cheerleader and pillar of strength. She has taught me to meet every challenge with grace and to face life with a smile. Then there’s my school principal, who saw my potential before I did and convinced me to take up computer science instead of commerce, saying it matched my dreams better. My college life was another chapter of gratitude, getting into my dream college, meeting professors who pushed me beyond what I thought I could do, and mentors who guided me toward who I’ve become.

But the biggest turning point of my life came wrapped in disappointment. I was shortlisted for the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Group 2 interview, but I missed the final cut by just a few marks. Later, I even cleared the prelims for the Group 1 exams and gave the mains despite being severely unwell at the time. I didn’t make it to the next round.

For someone who’s always been outspoken and expressive, I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t able to speak my heart fully in that interview. It hurt because I knew how much effort I had put in. I kept replaying those few minutes in my head for months. But somewhere between the self-doubt and acceptance, I learned something important, that sometimes, fate has other plans. That destiny is bigger than a few marks or missed moments.

Those years of preparation were not wasted. They gave me discipline, belief, and resilience. I promised myself that I wouldn’t stay stuck in the loop of competitive exams for more than four years. When it was time, I pivoted. I took a job, pursued my MBA in Operations Management, and today, I’m proud to be working with one of the world’s leading MNCs. Looking back, I realise that the version of me sitting here today exists because of everything that didn’t go as planned.

And through it all, Chennai has been my constant. From the busy streets of Parry’s Corner, where I shop for Navratri and indulge in my favourite chaat, to the quiet temples of Mylapore that calm my soul. From long bus rides between Thiruvanmiyur and Anna Nagar during exam prep to late-night drives on OMR after a tiring workday, this city has held me through every chapter.

My favourite spot is Marundeeshwar Kovil in Thiruvanmiyur, a temple that has seen my prayers, my tears, and my gratitude. Every corner of Chennai holds a memory, Bessy Beach meetups, ECR cafés, crowded metro rides, they’re all part of my story now.

For someone who’s lived in different countries and cities, it still amazes me how Chennai feels like the only home I’ve ever truly known. Maybe it’s the people, maybe it’s the energy, or maybe it’s the quiet acceptance that this city gives you.

Whatever it is, I know one thing for sure, no matter where life takes me, a part of me will always belong to Chennai. And for now, I’m soaking up every bit of its warmth, its chaos, and its comfort, because this city doesn’t just give you a home, it makes you one.”