This morning, we went to an Independence Day event at school. As you are all aware, the weather around the world is becoming increasingly erratic. There are cloud bursts, flash floods, earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, etc., happening all around us. But we in Bangalore, who are blessed with a wonderful climate most of the year, are busy fighting for petty things in this beautiful city. We have to just carry our umbrella, jacket and sunglasses because the weather is unpredictable, but that’s it.
The heat in Delhi is bad, but we, in Bangalore, open our umbrellas within a minute of the sun’s appearance.
The humidity in Goa is killing, but we, in Bangalore, cannot tolerate even a little moisture in the air.
The people in Mumbai go to work even during the monsoon season, but we, in Bangalore, get a holiday when the weatherman issues a red alert.
We are definitely spoilt for choice, but how are we welcoming newcomers into the city? Are we creating an infrastructure that allows them to live here comfortably? Do we have a proper system in place so that one does not have to go running around the city when they need something specific?
A non-Bangalorean who has come here for work has forgotten the real meaning of ‘smooth roads’, is traumatized if they don’t know Kannada and is miserable driving 30 km through messed-up traffic every day. Business advertisement boards are ruined if they don’t display the information in 60% Kannada. Malls are forced to shut until they display their names in Kannada.
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Once I wanted to go to the mall with my baby. It was pouring, so I had one hand holding my baby against my waist and the other one balancing an umbrella. I walked to the rickshaw stop and asked some of them if they would go to my destination, which was merely a few kilometers away. They began quoting such exorbitant prices that I was forced to go back home and wait for hubby to pick us up.
Being a person whose roots are half from Karnataka, even I was forced to cry while looking for a rickshaw on my birthday. Hubby decided to take the car to work, so I decided to take a local rickshaw and meet him for dinner (again with my daughter in tow). There was no Uber or Ola back then. Instead of helping a mother get to her destination, they said they didn’t want to go there. I had to walk for kilometers before I got a kind driver who finally took us to our destination.
After that, I swore I’d walk but not take a local rickshaw if I could help it. After that, another time, I had even walked 5 km back home because I didn’t get a rickshaw. This time, no one was with me.
As per recent research, Bangalore has become the second most stressful city to live in. I won’t be surprised if it has already topped the list this year.
What amuses me the most is that despite the city’s lack of hospitality towards its fellowmen, on 15th August every year, a flag is hoisted and the national anthem is sung. Besides important buildings being lit up with the colours of the Indian flag, there are cultural performances, patriotic speeches and grand parades.
BUT…
From our side, from Bangalore, Karnataka, with our actions throughout the year, are we truly displaying unity in diversity?
This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop for the theme Happy Independence Day!
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hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
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15 Comments
Once people are in power they forget the need for accountability and providing good infrastructure. This is a reminder that we should use our vote wisely and make the ones responsible answer for their actions.
Good thought…but this is not just for bangalore, but all states in India. Outsiders have to blend in or face the consequences.
Wow, that is sad!
So glad you voiced your thoughts aloud, Cindy. You’ve shed light on topics that politically correct people prefer to avoid. Diversifying is what seems to be the order of the day, while talking about unity!
Hardly get to see Unity in Diversity…. Now its only a phrase and people are after each other to drag down. That’s the sad reality.
I just finished reading your reflections, beautifully written and deeply thought-provoking. You pose that tension between unity and difference so gracefully; it made me pause and reconsider my own assumptions. Thank you for bringing this conversation back to heart.
The experiences that you have had are a living proof of how we need a stronger structure to set an example of true unity in diversity.
I can relate so well to your thoughts, Cindy. The politicians are dividing us more and more every day, while they are hypocrites mouthing the Preamble but actually there is no equality anywhere in India.
I find the new Bangalore sadly unwelcoming right from the changing weather. But having said that, except for terrible infrastructure, we have much to thank for.
The recent developments of harming business houses based on name board is disheartening but my Kannada is sketchy despite me being here for more than a decade, yet I have been lucky that I meet less parochial people. I couldn’t have managed in my own home state without knowing Tamil! That is the beauty of Bangalore.
On the whole, I find lots to be thankful for in our own country.
We land at the airport and get free trolley and porters too . We go to public toilet and often walk away without paying. Both of the above is exorbitant in the foreign places and thanks to no water policy , the latter is quite unhygienic with toilet paper strewn around!
True, Chandrika. There are many good things about living in India. Plus, we have helps here unlike many other countries. But, we do need a good infrastructure and decent ethics. It’s getting worse by the day.
Rickshaw wallahs in Delhi-Noida are equally corrupt. I often wonder whether they are keen on working and earning or not. Walking with a baby was so tough. But cities across the world have become cruel, the focus is on money and money alone. We don’t fulfill the basic criteria of being human.
Your post is a great reminder that true patriotism isn’t just about a day, but about how we treat people all year long.
What a hard hitting question it is!
I felt so bad that you had to walk 5 km with a baby because no one was helpful.
Workers migrate to different parts of India , everyone should be welcome.Yet we make fun of North east people, Biharis when they come to Delhi or drive away non-marathis from Maharashtra and so on. Vested interests promote regional unity over accepting diversity
Instead of unifying us, our diversity is beginning to divide us, and that is a sad state of affairs.
So true, Marietta!