Every time I come back from Mumbai, I heave a sigh of relief that I live in Bangalore
Every time I come back from Mumbai, I heave a sigh of relief that I live in Bangalore.u00a0
Except the last time I landed a couple of days ago.u00a0
Somehow Mumbai seemed cleaner, the air was breezier, the traffic moved in its right lanes, and the government functionary; who I met for some paper work was polite and efficient.
Cut to Bangalore with its chaotic traffic snarls, inefficient bureaucracy and a baking summer redolent with dust and fumes.u00a0 The trees are getting scarcer, a free flowing road is completely non-existent and our infrastructure isn't crumbling, it's crumbled!
u00a0
The night life in Bombay of course was always better than we ever had in Bangalore. The bars and the Bellinis are somehow swisher. And the crowd that trickles in "early" at 11 p m seems so much more urbane than our motley crew at Ice or at Blue.u00a0
|
|
TOO COSTLY: In Bangalore, you have only some leering auto guys who won't turn a hair before they strip you of all your earthly assets file pic |
In our grotty little corner of the world that used to be called Pub City, but is now a grime-infested, crime-riddled poxed out backwater, our complacency that we are Garden City Residents is as fizzy as stale draught we either have to do something so that our city pulls itself out of its sloth or mire ourselves deeper in the slime.u00a0
It speaks loud and clear for Bangalore that 50 lakhs was stolen right from under the cops' noses at the DGP's office. Bangalore cops are only good for one thing getting their palms greased.u00a0 If they spend less time arresting kids who go to rave parties or trying to chase us out of pubs at 10. 45, and concentrated more on axe-toting murderers who seem to be sprouting faster than BPO executives, it would certainly help.u00a0
In Mumbai, people don't drink and drive, because you have an option of public transport: enough honest cabbies and rickshaw wallahs who will take an unaccompanied woman home late at night, and charge them by the meter. In Bangalore, you have only some leering auto guys who won't turn a hair before they strip you of all your earthly assets and a woman traveling alone? Naah! Forget it.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Sure, the apartments are smaller and grimier and more expensive in Tinsel Town. But at least you can do the interiors up the way you want to. Try calling a carpenter home in Bangalore and you'll end up banging your head on the wall not the nail on its head.u00a0
The only thing that Bangalore still does better is filter coffee. But I guess, the next time I go to Mumbai, those wily guys will have a frothing, aromatic dabra ready.
