"Halloween City in the USA" and "Detroit of Asia"

  Long before I came to the US in the late 90's, during our college days in Chennai, one city in the USA that we used to proudly associate with was Detroit. Chennai was often called the Detroit of India (or even Detroit of Asia) whereas Detroit was "the Motor City of the world".

  Within couple years of obtaining my Engineering degree from SRM-Chennai, one of the top "Multi-National Corporations" closer to the college campus in Chennai that some of us thought about applying for was "Ford Motors". As far as I know, Ford and Hyundai were the first two entrants that set up their manufacturing plants in Chennai in the mid 90's and now I believe almost all of world-class Auto makers have one manufacturing unit in Chennai. It’s no secret that the continuous auto industry growth and the reasons for the rise of Chennai in the auto sector are its proximity to the port, business-friendly governmental policies and abundance of qualified manpower.

Chennai was nicknamed as "Detroit of Asia" but the current economic state of true Detroit is worrisome. While a lot of people are preparing for Halloween celebrations by decorating their houses, schools and towns to be an haunted attraction, in a way, one true Halloween city in the USA now is distressed Detroit with condemned buildings and ruins.

  With the on-going transformation plan, a Vibrant Detroit has been all set to emerge but I often used to think why not one of the 400+ billionaires in the USA match funds if 10000 or so locals raise funds for meaningful development projects. With a fighting spirit, Detroit will regain its lost glory, if not as a "Motor City" but as a "Future City" that raised from its ashes and serve as a model for Washington DC as well?? I wish that this happens.