SPARE A THOUGHT AND REGRET!

BY MUHAMMAD WAJIHULLA

“In previous generations, America’s standing economically was so much higher than everybody else’s that we did not have a lot of competition. Now you have got billions of people from Beijing to Bangalore to Moscow, all of whom are competing with you directly.” 

This statement by Obama made Bangalore one of the most distinguished cities globally. This not only gave a boost to the already flourishing city but through this, it recognized India as a major threat to the developed Nations. Today Bangalore is known by various names, it is globally recognized as the Silicon Valley of India. A place blooming with IT companies and educational institutions we have people pouring in from every corner of the world to get a job in this city. 

The city has seen development and progress like no other city in the country. Economically speaking, there is no end to the way this city has progressed. Today Bangalore makes it as a major economic centre with an economic growth of 10.3%, second fastest metropolis in India. Forbes considers Bangalore as one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

A never seen sight in 1990s Bangalore!

But all this fame and recognition that this city enjoys came at a heavy price that pinches every Bengalurean. Was it really worth it? A question that haunts every Bangalorean. I have been a part of this city from the time the doctor cut of that umbilical cord. My entire childhood grew up watching this city transfer from a garden city to a globally frustrating city. During the Pre-Independence era Britishers visited Bangalore to relax and enjoy its lush green beauty and today people from all across the world travel to witness the city sweating with increase in Temperature and Pollution.

Bengaluru houses more than 1.25 crore people, from 2001 to 2011 the population of the city is increased by a whopping 41.7%. What is more depressing is that more outsiders have seeped in than the rightful inhabitants. We today are roughly 30% of the total population. The immigration that has taken shelter in this city has not valued it or taken care of it like they should have - you can call it ignorance or typical immigrant mentality! 

The Bangalore I knew was a clean, beautiful and quiet place. It was known for its pleasant weather, the lush green atmosphere that surrounds you. The journey from my house to my cousins house in BTM Layout was like a once in a month family picnic. We never knew what traffic was, our small roads were sufficient for us. But today it all looks like a dream. If we spare a thought we realize that the city has thought us three things- its three core values ‘Live, Love and Forgive’”. The city has learnt to live with those who don’t belong here, love them despite their ignorance and forgive them for they know not what they have done. 

Sorry if I have hurt the sentiments of anybody with this piece, all I wanted to convey was my frustration seeing this city melt every day. It hurts to see that this is no more the place where I grew up. And for those reading, if you are not from here- treat the city as your own and see the difference! The embrace you will feel is more peaceful than any you would have felt before.

OH PLEASE, NOT ON THE ROADS!!!!

BY CHAITANYESH RUDRACHARYA

We Indians have created a niche for ourselves and even impressed others with our multi-faceted talents. No doubt, but how is it when it comes to our civic sense? Oh, pathetic! And that must be a candid mea culpa! 

It was Koramangala. To be precise, in front of the landmark Forum! I was on my way to meet a close friend.  The thoroughfare was chock-a-block with traffic! Vehicles-from behemoth buses to cantankerous cars to those indisciplined autos- were spitting smoke, good enough for any rider to suffocate to death! 

Weaving thru this horrible traffic, honking my horn sporadically, I went on riding my Dazzler. I was happy that I could find some way to progress thru the road, for the thoughts of meeting my friend had occupied my mind. It was after a long time that I was meeting her and I had a myriad of issues to discuss with her. As I was accelerating and braking concomitantly, the smoke only increased, creating a hazy atmosphere on the road! 

I soldiered on, and so did other riders and drivers! In front of me was a BMTC bus. This bus was waiting for another bus in front of it to give way to it. And to its left side, there was some space, enough for me to occupy.

I switched off the engine, for I knew it would take some more time for the traffic to clear. And here is where the entire drama unfolded! 

A passenger who was sitting by the window-side on the bus, with his earphones completely rooted in his ears, just put his head out of the window! I was watching him and I was puzzled as to why he was doing it!

And as I kept watching him, he hawked (cleared his throat) and spat directly on the road! That round mass of bolus or saliva crashed itself onto the road, splattering itself all across!

PHOTO COURTESY: http://exhibits.hsl.virginia.edu/alav/campaigns/

I was just inches behind the impact of the saliva on the road. And our man, completely lost in conversation or listening to music on his cellphone, withdrew his head and closed the window! 

That very moment, I knocked on the window pane, drawing that fellow’s attention to what he had done! And trust me, he did not have even an iota of remorse for what he had done! Had I been even a centimetre closer, I would have been bathed with his saliva, and also the embarrassment and agony of going through the predicament! 

By this time, the bus moved ahead and that spitter had moved away, untraceably far from his conscience! For he did not feel what he had was wrong nor did he feel what he had was a rarity! But I had to swallow and stomach his uncivilized act and that brute continued his journey!  

Frankly, let’s admit it! We Indians are not known for our civic sense, and you can add road sense and even hygiene to that list! Men and even dogs urinating on the roads, or cows spraying cow-dung on the road with a painter’s precision, uncleared garbage, the smell of drains; all these are a common sight! Many a time, we don’t even care about these things. Close to Sulabh Shauchalayas or even parks, we can see men urinating and dogs defecating. And at a stone’s throw distance, you can see delicious bajjis, bondas and even pani puri being sold! People would have made a beeline to devour them, not even waiting to glance at the unhygienic conditions around!

PHOTO COURTESY: THE HINDU

For us, I reiterate, these quotidian happenings are not worth pondering. But when we Indians emigrate to other countries, we gift the denizens of those countries these very habits that we indoctrinate in ourselves! Some years ago, in Australia, I vividly remember, a number of Indian immigrants were foulmouthed and even attacked with blunt weapons. There was massive outrage in India, for it was natural. 

But what actually led Australians to take that extreme step? This question had gone into the bowels of my heart! 

While I was ruminating on this particular question, I happened to watch a TV debate on the same. One of the former High Commissioners to Australia, a participant on the debate spilled the beans. Without any hesitation, he told the anchor that Indians behaved most ill-mannered in that country. Just like in their homeland, some NRIs would play loud music on the trains, spit on the same and even roads, thus infuriating the aborigines.

India has been the land of spirituality for ages. And cleanliness, proverbially and practically, is next to godliness! Hygiene, physical and mental, is a sine qua non for any progress in a country! 

We have managed to send satellites to Mars and even Moon, but alas! We have not gone to that toilet on the roads! So near yet so far!  

And this is irony personified!

PROTEST AGAINST PROTESTS!

BY ADITHIMANASA

Effigies burnt, tyres ablaze, people sitting on the roads, cooking food on the streets, shouting slogans!

Picture courtesy- newindianexpress.com

This is how people protest against any issue. All these antics not only lead to traffic congestion but also cause a lot of inconvenience. Ambulances with the siren on for hours have to wait for the angry mob to let them go. Employees get late for office and students are late for schools. Petrol and diesel is wasted like water!

Various organisations and committees come alive only during protests. Sound pollution is also caused when they decide to bring loud speakers along! After the press and media cover the issue (take bytes of the protesters and capture their stunts) the protesters go back home. End of the day there are the streets are full of litter strewn around. Posters, flags, buntings, banners, tyres, footwear, clothes and burnt effigies of course! But what about the solution? When such angry protests do not yield anything positive, then why protest in the first place?

Picture courtesy- www.thehindu.com

All said and done, protesters 'end their fast/ protest' and return to their nests. They are least bothered about the problem being solved. They only want their voice to be heard. Don't they feel ashamed of themselves when they see the entire drama on TV or see the photographs in the newspapers? Do they really feel proud of their 'wild' behaviour?

Agreed; non-violence cannot be the approach every single time. You need to be aggressive at times so that your woes are noticed by the concerned authority. But why break your head when you 'really' are not bothered about the solution? Why not protest in a novel way? A protest which is harmless yet effective. Why not think out of the box and get your problems noticed? Why do the protesters get noticed and not their problems?

Picture courtesy- www.livemint.com

I have seen people calling up their family and telling them "Look! I'm on TV" Is that why they are protesting? Is that why they are fasting? So that they can come on TV? People who go to watch a football or cricket match at a stadium too behave the same way. But they are NOT on a mission! They have all the rights to enjoy. But what about the protesters’ ideals?

One cannot force anyone to change their mentality but one can indeed try to make a change. One can be an inspiration to others. One can be an example! It is in the hands of those people who protest... to set a good example or be a bad example. Protest... not for publicity but for the injustice done. See to that things are set straight.

Only a handful of them take to the streets when they are left with no option. Rest join them in their protest only to have fun. Will there be ever an end to people ‘staging’ protests? Will any protester come up with a harmless idea? If yes, then Abou ben adhem... May his tribe increase!