From the callous IT capital to the in-secure financial capital.

I happened to visit KR Market (Bangalore) yesterday. And was it a beautiful experience. A few images are attached for review.

Muck and dirt was about 1.5 to 2 inches thick on the ground and it was impossible to walk from one side of the bus-stop to the other. We saw a small family with a husband-wife, and a baby struggle to negotiate the dirt, and the oncoming buses to reach the footpath, and catch their bus.

My family often prefers to take public transport. It is not that we cannot afford an auto or a car. My whole family just feels that it is more prudent to take advantage of public transport when available. So, there we were – mother, father, and myself negotiating through what is a major metro transport hub of our “IT capital”. Not once did we feel out-of-place in that location (Dirt, muck, heat, rain, and population is a part and parcel of our country), but all three of us agreed that it did not have to be so bad. This bus-stand has been by far the worst my family has seen; it is not so bad even in our village.

BTW, my post about muck in KR Market may seem to be quite disconnected with the goings-on in Bombay… Quite the contrary, I see that the same cause is responsible for something as simple as a “dirty bus station” and something as esoteric and complex as “national security”. There is no dearth of blogs pointing out the reasons for various “ills”. These observations [1, 2, 3] make for interesting reading regarding the latest security fallacies in our nation.

We have loosened our Govt. on several small issues, and now it is effecting more significant areas of public space. Callous attitiude by everyone has always killed people or at the very least, made an average Indian citizen lead a pathetic existence. This cancer has now become so significant that the threat to our living is very direct and obvious.

My Bombay Bleeds

The city I grew up in.
The city I walked my way to school, college, and to life…
The city I love.

The early settlers who built it out of the sea prospered from its bounties as a natural port. The later businessmen benefited from its location as a central hub, and established rich industries. Ordinary folk recieved in Bombay a sea of opportunity that gave them prosperous lives. Authors, artists, and musicians got in Bombay a base to reach out to millions accross the country.

Bombay graciously served as the host of several pre-independence struggles. Tilak died in her arms (He gave her the “Ganesh Chaturthi, and the Pandals”). Bombay also hosted the self-serving divisive politics of many an individual who callously benefited from her largesse. Bombay burnt in 1992-93 for a Masjid-Mandir political struggle. Bombay provided herself as a “show-piece” target for terrorists; she served as the venerable host for several of their senseless acts. On 26th Nov 2008, the world saw how vengeful some of her guests were.

This city has helped several people, and in helping several find their destiny, it has begun to bleed. Who will now help my beloved city?

Bombay has always welcomed everyone. But, who would welcome Bombay, with all of her responsibilities?

Will Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, or any one else take her place? Will they please stand up next in line to recieve the numerous accolades, and the associated risks?

Or will there be a day when the risks will die a permanent death, and only accolades remain? I wish that this would be the case.

Till that day, my love – continue to bleed. And we will bleed with you.

Events in Bombay

I called one of my close friends who is living in Mumbai. She lifted the phone, I asked if she and some of our other friends were safe. Once the brief confirmations came through, I ended the call saying: “My stomach feels uneasy, I cannot talk.”