Time to move on. I’ve been here nearly a month, and it has been an interesting, maddening, tedious, fun, experience. A city focused on the future that just isn’t sure how and when it is going to get there.
The Hindu newspaper published an editorial this week about the closing of a number of schools because they were ditching the local languages in favor of English instruction. I think this is a specific example of the greater paradox that is modernising India:
It’s a paradox, but the most regressive policies are pushed through in precisely those places that are supposed to be the hot spots of India’s emergent economy. In Delhi, schools may be selaed as they represent a commercial activity. In Mumbai, bar girls are prevented from practising their profession, presenting them with a stark choice: prostitution or destitution. And in Karnataka, the state that embodies India’s IT hopes, the government has banned 2,100 educational institutions because they use English as a medium of teaching. In each of these cases, the empire is striking back…Karnataka seems determined to revisit the old parable about climbing a tree and sawing off the branch one is sitting on.
Indian democracy in action. I hope to write a little blurb about my impressions of India vs. China, the two countries everyone is watching and expecting to chart the course of this century. The differences are stark.
I’m ready to go. So farewell, you aspiring, frustrating, exhilirating and exasperating city. Some parting shots:
The state capital of Karnatka, where Bangalore is based. Here, the craziness of the byzantine Indian political system in action.
My favorite coffee shop. Run by the Indian Coffee Cooperative. Now that is what you call “old school”.
And speaking of old school. This is still fairly common in the streets of a city that claims/aims to be the center of technology of the 21st century? Which century is this again? Walking around here, you are never quite sure.
Religion is intricately woven into daily life. Every kind of religion and worship in a great big jumble that is India.
And lots of small scale enterprise. Is this the Indian Starbucks? Precious, but I’m avoiding the food and drink at these places like Typhoid. Unfortunately, ’cause I love dumps like this!
The child laborers are cute too. But shouldn’t he be in a Nike or Katie Lee factory somewhere? He could be doing more of his part in the global economy.
Men are very affectionate with one another here. Holding hands, walking arm and arm. It’s very common in this whole part of the world. But the interactions between men and women seem to be very regulated. A lot of separation between men and women in the public sphere.
Infrastructure, anyone? This is very common. Walking on the makeshift sidewalks, a.k.a. obstacle courses. Definitely not for multi-taskers; got to watch every step. And leave the Manolos at home.
Crowds. Sometimes I feel that the Indian population is actually under-counted. A scene of thousands at the train station.
Trying to get a glimpse of a national Cricket match. I’ve never been surrounded by such a love of Cricket. I tried to watch some, but have no damn idea what it is about. I do like the outfits and the setting, though. Very colonial.
Bangalore is referred to as “The Garden City”, but there are only few examples why. Most of the parks are very scruffy and a little sad. But an escape from the traffic, nonetheless.
So long, Bangalore!
May 2, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Its really interesting to read your blog and most of them are facts. But the funniest part of it you have never discussed about the family bonding we Indians have. We are religious, but we have time for our family, we respect our elders and obey them. Just not that, India and Bangalore just have taxi drivers and illeterate people. There are more number of other people also. If you had got a chance to walk through busy streets of bangalore.. you might have realised it. You cant even dream the number of Engineers and Doctors pass out from college every year. While listing out what is odd in Bangalore and India, you never thought of jotting down whats good in Bangalore. I must feel that you are unfortunate that if you couldnt find those.