The forgotten landmark

I remember the first time i had been to Moore market here in Chennai.It was back in 2000.Moore market is popular for the books sold here,mostly they are used books.The piracy of books sold in platforms across the city stems here.I am now a regular here mainly for taking home college books.But i also do not miss out to shop on the platforms outside the main building.They house the best of fiction and non-fiction.One of such shop owners now welcomes me...his eyes glitter as he meets an old friend.I was actually there this week to buy my 3rd semester books but couldn't resist the invitation set up by my 'old friend'.I didn't want anything in particular.I ended buying only 1 book('The monk who sold his Ferrari').I am always astonished by the knowledge of books these shop-owners own.I am unsure whether some of them actually do read the books.I ask for 'Jonathan Livingston seagull' and i get the reply 'Oh...i had only one copy of it which was sold last month.There's not much people opting for that...so i decided to take it off the stands.I'll have one for you when you come here the next time!'He laughs..
But the Moore market itself today represents a sorry state.It looks forgotten despite some crowd coming in and going out.It stands lonely giving a sick look.It once looked like an empire...before my birth.All i knew was that a fire demolished the place and it has been sick ever since.I didn't know the cause of the fire and i googled.Surprisingly,nobody knows yet.
The place in fact looks pathetic now.4 or 5 shops along the platform outside the building and a dozen book shops inside it,a few shops selling fishes(I don't want to call those Aquariums!)in the upper part of the building,a juice shop and 2 or 3 wine shops on the road leading to the market are all that is left.This definitely is a forgotten landmark.