I have spent most of my life in Delhi, though I have spent a few years in other places too like , Bombay, Kota, etc. now I am in Bangalore for more than one year . As a business executive, I have travelled extensively all over India as well as around the world. This has given me an experience and a perspective to study , analyse, and take deep interest in people and places all over.
Bangalore I find is quite a remarkably different place. I list some of my observations and expect to receive your comments, bouquets as well as brickbats !
The size and shape of mosquitoes as well as cockroaches is different!. Mosquitoes you can barely see, bite very sharp. And cockroaches can fly!
Where are the birds! Bangalore despite being so green a city, has very few birds? In Delhi we used to wake up to the vigorous chirping of birds, pigeons will be making a racket on our air-conditioner. Sparrows, mynahs,pigeons,parrots, and peacocks and many other variety which I rarely ever bothered to notice used to be everyday site. In Bangalore, except for an odd crow, I rarely see any birds.
Traffic cops all over India are useless, but none to beat Bangalore. Some of the most inept,dumb & clueless traffic cops that I have ever seen!
Language is no problem, everyone knows Hindi, and/or English. There is no hostility towards Hindi, but there is a slight undercurrent of resentment towards Hindiwallas.
KPTC is perhaps only such organisation in India which shamelessly announces in the newspapers everyday of the year that there will be no power in XYZ areas, ( Which is 20% of the city) on a/c of maintenance shut-down, What kind of maintenance is this!
Bangalore has the highest number of auto-rikshaws,2 wheelers/mopeds, wine-shops, bars, restaurants, and Kalyan mantapas(choultries) in whole of India! Surprising considering the fact that it’s much smaller than the rest of the 4 metros, areawise and populationwise.
It’s the only city in India, perhaps in the world, where 60% of its population consists of people from outside! Not only non-bangaloreans but non-kannadigas! A real metro if there ever is one!
Bangalore weather, the much talked about asset is unpredictable, is comfortable but not healthy. Pollen count is the highest which promotes allergies,asthma,rhinitis. High humidity is ideal for arthiritis and also uninhibited growth of micro-organisms. I have never seen so much of fungus anywhere!
Bangalore water though quite clean and tastier, is ill suited for hair. Hairfall is a common problem. You rarely find women with long and thick hair.
Pace of life is very laid back and “take-it-easy” type. Nobody seems to be in any hurry to do anything! They have all the time in the world!
People in general are cool,withdrawn,reserved,proud,no formalities,no ostentatious behavior. But a Rs.10,000 heavy silk saree, well laden with gold and diamonds, but wearing rubber(hawai) chappals is perfectly normal!
Flowers! You get a variety of flowers and quite reasonably priced. Day in the life of a Bangalorean is never complete without flowers for Pooja, as well as for wearing in the hair. You see flowers all over Bangalore, that’s a nice sight.
Religiosity…people are pious,god-fearing,ritualistic and religious. Umpteen number of temples full of regular devotees, temple going is an every day activity. In addition to their homes, everyone has a miniature temple with an electric lamp and agarbatti stand, whether it be an auto,bus,taxi ,telephone -booth, milk booth.or kiosk.
Every house whether it be a hut or a bungalow, is spotlessly clean, every morning the frontage is washed and fresh rangoli put. It’s another matter that the garbage is dumped all over the colony and empty plots. That’s government responsibilty allva?
Corruption in public life whether be it KPTC,BWSSB,Police,BSNL,BMP,BDA, or any other is just as normal as anywhere else in the country!
10 years ago, food was a problem, no more now. You get all types of food, there is so much of craze for north indian food, and there are plenty of good joints in each and every corner.
Though having suffered utter neglect by successive governments for last 10-15 years(always an opposition govt!),city has prospered inspite of the politicians. With savy S M Krishna, the best CM in the country today, things are happening! God speed SMK!
I think this is enough to start with. But all said and done, Bangalore still is a safe,secure,and nice place to live, and still is one of the best places in India
