Myths about Bangalore you must know about and think
Hi guys. I am a Software Engineer working in Bangalore from past two years. Looking at this great city in and out, I wan’t to share a few thoughts here. The people who visited this place once in a while can tell you few gossips about the city.
Those gossips are actually myths and will make you think about the great city in a prejudiced way. Here I wish to discuss the reality how I perceived it. There is no doubt Bangalore is a classic city. My opinions will strengthen it.
Vivid and vibrant cultures, diverse languages and overwhelming hospitality are fueling this beautiful garden city. Below are the myths which we usually hear from our relatives and friends all the time.
Cost of living is high in Bangalore
This is one single statement you get from friends, family friends and relatives. When you actually get a job offer(any kind) in Bangalore and you are from the other city, first thing that comes in your mind is “Bangalore is costly, let me calculate equivalent earnings there and decide”. This is a myth which is created by people who cannot control their expenses. There are many people living happily in the Bangalore with average wages. It depends on “where you live and how you live”.
When some one steps into this metro city, they search for a nice(not that easy) PG(Paying Guest) facility. It is a herculean task to find a cheaper & better PG in online sites like housing.com. Finally one ends up with selecting a below par PG paying the relatively high price. A clever guy do search for rooms with cheaper rent while staying in PG and share it with his good friends.
For example, Indira Nagar is a well known residential area in Bangalore. It is famous for it’s insane rents and commercial places. Tippasandra and Halasuru are areas closer to it where we can find decent communities with rent 40% lesser than the Indira Nagar. Just a few minutes walk will make us reach the Metro Stations. So one should actually roll up his/her sleeves and search for a good house/PG. Make as many friends as you can and ask for reviews of theirs. Shortcuts like online websites will end you up in a pathetic dormitory where bed bugs will dance on your back in the night time.
Bangalore is just filled with Software Folks
There is a funny proverb circles in the Bangalore
If you throw a stone randomly in Bengaluru, chances are, it will hit either a dog or a software engineer
It is true that IT companies are more prominent and active in Bangalore. Apart from them major banks, industries and many other institutions lies in the Bangalore city. These organizations are creating opportunities for hundreds of thousands of employees. The real estate, logistics and other government bodies are also functioning in a large scale in the metro city.
The places like White fields, Electronic city, Koramangala & Bhana Shankari are usually hubs for huge IT parks. But in other places like KR Puram, KR Market, Jaya Nagar, JP Nagar, Nagara Bhavi, Marathalli you can see the amalgamated people from all the classes. Comparing to Hyderabad, Bangalore did a great job in pushing software companies to every nook and corner of the city. In Hyderabad, majority of the IT companies are in Hitech City, Gachibowli area.
Bangalore summers are always cool
It is true that summers in Bangalore are pleasant than other metro cities in India. Bangalore is way better compared to cities like Hyderabad, Nagpur and, Pune. That advantage made Bangalore a retired people paradise. But from past two years, the temperatures raised drastically due to huge cutting down of trees in the city for real estate purposes. Immense traffic is also main culprit in the change of climate in Bangalore.
In the last year’s winter, either people waiting for train in the Metro Train station or walking on the road, a cool breeze used to hit them on the face. That actually boosts the moral and gives pleasantness. It continues usually to the summer. But last years summer in Bangalore is never seen before by the local folks. Temperatures went up to 38*C. Breeze stopped. Temperature is increasing as the green cover over Bangalore is reducing.
Kannadigas are conservative
This is a complete myth in my opinion. Cauvery dispute and other news might injected a bad dose of opinion about a kannadiga, but the reality is not of that kind. Kannada people are friendly, they are open to everyone and every reform. I surprise about their patience about migrants. It is true that in Bangalore, Kannadigas are fighting hard to protect their culture and language.
As an outsider, if one planned to stay in the city for a longer run, it is his/her responsibility to respect the traditions and language of the Karnataka. I am a Telugu guy. I can read Kannada font without any help. But coming to speech, I try to speak in Kannada with Taxi drivers, Vegetable sellers and hotel personnel. I see happiness flashing in their eyes when I speak in their own mother tongue. I am not saying every one should learn it. Hindi and English will be enough in Bangalore. But if you wan’t more edge and make your fellow Kannada brother cheerful, bother him with Chennagidiyaa? (How are you? in kannada). Learning a new language is not bad for health.
Bangalore Traffic will kill you
It is true that Bangalore traffic is quite squeezing. But from the past two years the emergence of Namma Metro (Metro Rail) is been a boon to the city. Two important routes are laid to connect different parts of the city.
- From Bayapanahalli to Mysore Road (Metro Line 1)
- From Nagasandra to Puttenhalli (Metro line 2)
I usually go by Metro rail to my office in MG Road. Seriously it takes only 5 minutes. if you travel by bus, it takes around 25 minutes because of multiple signals and annoying traffic on the road. In the initial days of metro run, only few software folks used to consume the metro service. But now all sections of people became aware of it and making good use of it. Hyderabad and Kochi don’t have such a luxury yet. Few stations are still under construction in Metro line 2. If that is done, a Bangalore urban folk can cover a good area of city with a limited use of city bus & taxi.
From Indira Nagar to Majestic railway station, time of journey will be one and half hour by bus. If you hail a metro train, you will reach within 15 minutes. It is a drastic improvement one can see.
The glory of Bangalore will never fade away. Young people, active communities like Ugly Indian, Trekking clubs and diverse social sections make Bangalore a wonderful place to live.
Once I wen’t to a barber shop and chatted with the barber while he is trimming my hair. He said “Sir, Bangalore is a place for the retired people once. But now it is a place for working men. There are lot of opportunities the Bengaluru(Bangalore) city is creating every year. A good craftsman will be awarded well here. But for lazy non-working people this is not the right place.”
May be the barber’s words are true. I think the activity and curiosity are pushing this historic city beyond it’s limits :)
