Garden City - Parched Throats

The Hindu prints " Not all citizens have access to safe drinking water in Bangalore. Yet the BBMP uses more than 160 lakh litres of borewell water for its parks, medians and junctions everyday"!
Appalling.
Reason - Treated water likely to cost more.

I consumed tap water in my kitchen for 2 days and was down with stomach infection and fever. This forced me to look for bottled water. Most of the people do likewise.

The treatment plants are not located close enough to the parks. They have fancy plans to build new plants, start rainwater harvesting etc. I pray it is accomplished before any further damage. On second thoughts, does it really matter? I can survive on bottled water. Should I be worrying about the thousands I see on the streets and in the slums?
I can afford to move around the town and appreciate the green gardens and well maintained traffic junctions. Do they earn enough to spend Rs 50 on a 20 litres bottle of water?

I would rather like to watch Disney's Tarzan and Jane than worry myself silly over all this.

Patna - Over the Years

(I picked this photo from the internet, I wish I had the time to go out and click one for myself this time I visited Patna).

Patna is a quaint city( I wouldnt even call it a city, it is that small). It is the capital of a quaint state called Bihar. One of the least progressive states in the coutry. Situated on the river Ganges and one of the oldest inhabited places in the world, I have known it over the years as a place with lots of people and unplanned roads, yet I am proud of it.

The history of Patna starts from around 490BC. It has seen the Lichavis, Maurayans, the Palas, Guptas, Mughals and English to name a few.

I have seen it simmer in the summer months, freeze in the winters and flood during the monsoons. Even today when I visit Patna, I see it exactly as it was 20 years back, with the exception of a few new roads and flyovers. The mornings start early, as a huge percentage of the population is from the lower income groups and they have to struggle to make ends meet. The fact that the administration has been excessively passive and insouciant and blatantly corrupt for long years did not help us much.

People who work hard and turn around their fortunes invariably move away to greener pastures.

There are absolutely no institutions for higher studies(we had some, but with the creation of Jharkhand nothing remains). Schools I must say are very good and it is because they maintain very high standards till the higher secondary level, that a big percentage of Biharis get into the IITs and the Civil Services. Although schools take very good care that science and math skills are sharp and polished, one aspect they prove inept at training students is verbal and written communication. Very few schools have competent teachers to develop students' skills in the languages.

The roads are narrow, traffic unregulated, dust and mosquitoes abound. Vegetable vendors, flour mills, sweet sellers, shops, kirana stores, electricians, doctors, quacks have tiny little places strewn about the town. You wont find many shops selling designer and branded stuff. It is advisable to shop in bigger cities that have newer stores.

There is so much about Patna that does'nt appeal to the aesthetic senses. Yet there is so much that attracts me to it. I will not delve into all the finer strands and sinews that bind me to the place because it will take more than the space of a blog to relive and recount. Yet once you venture out into the streets, look at the setting sun, see the dew drops forming, butterflies flitting, the clear starry skies, the simple people, the tangled locks of children on the streets, the dirt, the birds flying to their nests, the beetles on the leaves, the smell of fire on a winter evening, the smoking asphalt and mirage on a summer afternoon, the huge swelling river, you will for once believe you are in a different world.

Going Home :-)

My brother's wedding is on 24th of January. Everyone(Maa, papa actually!Just the two of them) at home is running every which way. Last minute guest lists and shopping lists are being drawn up. The house has been re-painted, trees trimmed, caterers have been engaged, hotel rooms have been booked. Cards have been sent out, phone calls by the dozen have been made. My parents are in a frenzied state! They do not even have the time to talk to me! They dont even remember who I am! They are not even aware that I am living the life of a 'refugee' in Noida, with all my belongings already sent to Bangalore!

The groom reaches on the 20th of January along with our sibling in Bangalore(I have had long discussions with him , regarding his views on the subject. Have not been very successful. One of the most reticent grooms! On being asked about his attire - "I have got a coat, a tie, a nice shirt, trousers, cufflinks and shoes! The rest will be arranged by ma." I give up!)

I will be home on 21st(finally), after long battles and much 'sword brandishing' on either side(me and my boss).

Our eldest brother and his legal wife(my 'bhabhi' :-) will reach on 22nd January. Then will our troop be complete (not quite)! Now that I have got some time to breathe, I think I am very excited and looking forward to the occasion. On second thoughts, I am worried because I have not shopped for any dresses except one. I will leave it to ma to fix something for me.

4 days to go!

Destination - Bangalore

Area: 365.6 sq.km. Altitude: 914.4 m (3000 ft) above sea level

Geographical Location:Latitudinal Parallels: 12° 57' NLongitudinal Meridians: 77° 37' E

Climate:Unlike other parts of India which are extremely hot in the summer months, Bangalore enjoys a relatively mild climate year round. March to May (warmest months)June to September (rainy - South-West Monsoon)November to December (rainy - North-East Monsoon)December to January (coldest months)

Temperature:Highest maximum of 37 degree Celsius to lowest minimum of 14 degree Celsius

This is where I am headed and the next two pictures show what I dread.

I have heard it is a decent city. Home to about 6 million people, it is the fifth largest city in India. It is the Information technology capital of India with nearly 1000 software units. Karnataka Government offers special Incentives for Investors in the IT field. Information technology is an Industry and not a commercial venture.
On the cultural front, Bangalore is very tolerant. People are warm and ready to help anytime you need them. One problem is that some of the Green grocers, and laundry staff do not understand either English or Hindi. The second problem is I do not understand Kannada. The dress code is determined by the weather(which is mild to warm). Eating joints close around 11 pm through midnight. Taxi drivers, hair dressers, porters expect a 10-15% tip. Same applies to restaurants.
From my experience of the city, it is extremely difficult to navigate through the traffic. It may take more than 1.5 hours for a distance of 12-14 kms.
It is better that I do not add to the congestion on the roads and use public transport instead, till the time the situation turns for the better.

After a practical analysis of my destination, I will assess the impractical significance of the city:
Foremost, I am looking forward to living in Bangalore. I have seen it attract intellectuals from remote corners of the nation and keep them.
It is a city, which has not yet come to terms with its modernity completely. It is tremendously progressive, but never lets the ground out of sight.