GATEWAY TO THE NORTH. Review on Chandigarh

Chandigarh has recently ranked consistently in Top 5 places for Locating your business and despite its expensive nature and posh crowd, attracts migrant population in numbers and is steadily becoming the Bangalore of the North

I came across three other reviews on Chandigarh which give you some fair idea of Chandigarh but no way complete the picture. This review may not do so either but it will atleast bring it closer. Chandigarh was a city which was envisaged by our first Prime Minister who wanted to give India a planned city, a modern city. The famous french connection of the city is in full flow even now with a number of french centers in the city as well as a lot of British centers presence as well. It can be attributed to the heavy rush of immigrants and those who wish to study abroad from Punjab and Haryana. Despite being capital of two states, Haryana and Punjab; Chandigarh is unlike any other city in north or even India. Some people call it Beverly Hills of India, well Iam not so sure but it has similarities.

The reasons which set apart Chandigarhian way of life are:

1) Beautifully planned (well northern sectors)- The city till around 30-31 sectors is beautifully planned and wide roads are there. As we move to southern sectors approaching Mohali, the whole system kind of rots. Still it is better than most cities in India is a small consolation. Each sector has a sector market and hence a market is approachable in walking distance. And fairly large number of users do use the walk route. The pavements aside the roads are also used well. Most of bus stands are well maintained and buses ply on time (a minute here or there). All northern sectors are plush and green and civic ammenities are well maintained. Parking is a problem in commercial sectors but not acute. And the best part is that there is a school (CBSE affiliated and well maintained) every two-three sectors. A perfect family life and not hard or on very fast run.

2) Crowd: Chandigarh attracts the poshest of people from Punjab and Haryana. They are usually very modern in outlook which can be seen in the dresses the youth wears and also most of population in literate and speaks English. People are friendly and warm but younger generation is getting colder.

3) Service Sector: It helps because not much large manufacturing concerns are centered in over here. There is an Infosys campus and also the new Quarks center. While both of them are in Mohali as is the new Heart care hospital but it is approachable in less than 30 minutes from anywhere in Chandigarh. The city also hence sees less pollution and also lesser demand for immigrant population for work in factories. Recently the call center boom along with number of software units coming up have made it a perfect place for employment although with considerably less salaries.

4) Posh Sub-urban areas: Mohali and Panchkula are well maintained cities in themselves and are easily approachable from Chandigarh. While Mohali is an upcoming Industrial and IT center, Panchkula with its proximity of Shivaliks is ideal for Retired people and those who prefer the laid back style. But this results in value added services and those come at a price. Infact it is second most expensive city for living after Bombay. And it has fewer job opportunites than the nearby Ludhiana or Delhi.

5) Tourism: Chandigarh is not the usual tourist place either. If you like to see way of life and are prepared for 2-3 hours drives , then only venture in Chandigarh. It has Simla, Chail, Solan, Patiala, Nangal Dam and Kasuali all less than 3 hours drive away. At Chandigarh you can see the Rock Garden where waste has been used with considerable creativity, visit the rose garden, check out the life in Punjab University and you will be shocked to see life ala Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in some places, many art galleries and centers (not regularly but some time of the year usually vacations or winters), the lake (nothing special just good picnic time) and take a look at spectacular Mohali stadium. Accomodation is expensive and only two 5 star hotels are there. Some good 4 star hotels are also there and you would not repent the service in Chanidgarh. You may like to shop till you die in Sector 17 market, an equivalent of connaught place. But all these items, you can have anywhere. Be there just for the lights and dazzle. Visit the local emporiums for more finer tastes. There are all sorts of bhavans for that: Kisan Bhavan, Pnachayat Bhavan, Kashmir Sabha and even a Bihari Place. It is a fantastic place to try Punjabi cuisine in cosmopoliton style.

Life in Chandigarh is peaceful largely due to efficeint state run administration. All the government offices are surprisingly well maintained and up to date. SBI, the telecom dept. and the central bus service are few examples. The city has no direct rail connection and hence you will never be stopping for a train to pass somewhere. Nearest railway station is around 3 kms. away and the road to it is in terrible condition in rains. Airport service is just existent and thats it. UT says it cant do anything about it since it is not under its control. A city where u can see the famous punjabi geri (boys on bikes and cars chasing girls on bikes and cars) and also meet people who will sit with you and talk to you for hours and hours but where sadly I did not even knew my neighbor.

It is a unique city almost not an Indian city atall. Nothing exotic or ancient about it but still a marvellous place to be in.