I’m in Venice

Nah, its just Bangalore which feels like it.


This is the view from my house as I write this post.

The highest ever rainfall in Bangalore has taken its toll on me.
I was stranded at my house since sunday till yesterday morning without power.
I managed to get out yesterday for a while, only to be stuck again today after yesterday’s rains.
Atleast the power supply seems to be holding up and I have my wifi.

It’s about time I move out of here. The city infrastructure is worse then baghdad. I send 2 -3 hours
everyday in traffic, do not have the freedom to go where I want and when I want and I just never get
parking space in the city.

51 Comments

  1. khoj · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Now I am thinking twicve about coming home for Diwali ..hope rains clear up soon!!

  2. gromhellscream · October 26, 2005 Reply

    am I allowed to say …

  3. acmurthy · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Where will you go?

  4. admin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Maybe Mysore or BR hills 😉

  5. Anonymous · October 26, 2005 Reply

    BR Hills!

  6. admin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    It’s our system that is flawed. As they say of Democracy gives you the freedom to choose the wrong leader. In our elections, you have the option to choose your party.. but do I have the option to choose Mr. S M Krishna as teh CM or Mr. Jayakar Jerome as the BDA head ? I don’t.

    Deve gowda still runs the show and there is no way people like us can take him out.

  7. mekin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    I think the problem stems from the fact that urban & rural parts make up a whole and are treated “in a similar way”.

    Make a city like Delhi a state and see what happens .. Delhi has brilliant infrastructure and you can commute at average speeds of 40 kmph or more ..

    Deve gowda is ensuring more votes from rural Karnataka by bitching about IT & bangalore & infrastructure projects ..

    As NRN has suggested there needs to be a different body that manages a metro.. and not the state gov.

    Till that happens .. or till bangalore gets a chandrababu naidu for 5 years .. (i dont see either happening) .. i doubt there will be improvement

  8. mekin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    eg say factory’s workers face lot of problems.. n hence to solve them they do strike.. just like that.. we ppl are facing unbearable problems cause of poor infrastructure.. why cant citizens all unite.. n do a strike against the govt?

    How would a strike help ?

    Has any strike helped in a factory ? .. i doubt it … and in that case .. the factory is directly impacted by the strike .. here the gov or the political party are hardly impacted .. because they are evaluated once in 5 years .. and most votes & seats come from outside the city ..

  9. mekin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Let me know if secuprise is moving to BR hills .. and if you have an opening … any kind of job will do 🙂

  10. prathapbn · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    I meant though the traffic n other infrastructre problems are out of control.. i see ppl hardly caring abt.. theyr helplessly just keeping mum.. Its a ppl’s govt they have everyright to go and ask “why the hell.. infrast.. is so bad?’

    since govt, BMP is so corrupt n all know it.. they wont solve the problem.. unless citizens organizations put pressure on the govt to set the problem right..

    why not.. Non-coopearion in the form of strikes could be one of the weopens.. we can take non-cooperation to much higher levels..
    Ok.. may be its tough to bring a turn around through such tactics.. we need to try.. “Something is better than nothing’..

    In that way citizen’s orgs are not that strongly voiced.. Still a long way till ppl have more say.. but we need to start.. i see ppl not much bothered abt it.. they just lead thier life.. (also refer my previous post..’ppl’s more say’)

  11. aish11 · October 26, 2005 Reply

    U r only facin a percentage of what Mumbai suffered on 26 July.Atleast u were home.Tht day,Many Bombayites were stranded at wrk/on the roads.

  12. admin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Well it took me about 5 hours to reach home last evening that too fully wet. But yes, mumbai was lot worse I agree 🙂

  13. fiery_fiona · October 26, 2005 Reply

    🙁

    frns had been keeping me updated about the drowning city…

    shay.. was planning a visit soon…

    hope it dries up before that!

  14. preets · October 26, 2005 Reply

    well heard mysore aint any better for the past couple of days…
    but yeah again much better than bangalore in some regards.
    pray everything comes to normal at the earliest.

  15. creamanups · October 26, 2005 Reply

    I always thought it’s our population which is a hindrance to our development. But looking at china, I don’t think that’s a problem which cannot be overcome. It’s the corrupt government and bureaucrats who are making our life miserable. Something needs to be done.

  16. anomalizer · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    do a strike against the govt

    So that we may stall the traffic on days when it does not rain?

  17. brainz · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    some morans in Hyderabad, are now extending invitations to Narayana Murthy and other IT bigwigs to set up shop here. The issue these morons dont understand is, that we should build infrastructure first and then invite people to set up shop here.We already have our fair share of issues and these guys think its the best time to woo IT industry to Hyderabad.

    Its like do you move into a unfinished house? No right, it should be same with IT companies.

  18. jace · October 26, 2005 Reply

    I’m trying to get an invite to Kerala this weekend. It’d be nice to get out of here for a while.

  19. mythrandyr · October 26, 2005 Reply

    It’s about time I move out of here…

    I felt the same… so I did move out. After being in Bangalore for nearly four years, and seeing the city go from bad to worse, I came to the conclusion that the only place in India that I will willingly settle down in is Bombay.

    I felt a deterioration in Bangalore, not only in terms of the infrastructure, but also in the way the local Kannadiga population would treat non-locals like myself. It reminded me of the anti-north sentiments in Chennai! *sigh*… Chennai actually got better with time… but Bangalore is going the opposite way.

    I miss my friends in Bangalore… but I have not regretted moving.

  20. Anonymous · October 26, 2005 Reply

    You must be in the 6th of the 7th sector. Those areas got flooded badly. It was worse on Hosur Road.

    Need to boot these morons out in the next election. Will definitely go out and vote against them, even if I have to swim to reach the polling booth!

    Kartik

  21. kewldeaf · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Yes true. Deve gowda thinks Naryana Murthy doesnt know how to manage infrastructure. And remember the buggers who say they will dig out majestic bus stand and construct underground metro or something like that. Do they mean dig out the pots and leave rain water accumulate there ?

    Sick. This country is full of sickos… 🙁

    Yeah something need to be done. But what ?

  22. shortindiangirl · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    I hope you all voted.

  23. ashwinne · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    Hyderabad will also get Bangalored, thats all!

  24. yashwanth · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    I guess its high time govts start functioning like business corporations with the remote control in the hands of the aaam junta.
    If the elected representative doesnt deliver … he/she gets fired ….
    I don knw if any such thing exists anywhere else … but its us who keep quite when the guy whom we elect vanishes and rakes in a million and comes back after 5 years .. i guess its high time these guys have annual reviews of what theyve done and what needs to be done .. etc etc …
    The construction companies need to be blamed too for the horrible roads .. *the salarpurias, the rmzs .. etc etc
    Devegowda seems to be talking a lot of rot these days .. .wht the %#$% did the sleeping #@$!%$ do when he was sittin * correction sleeping in the parliment…I think he’s just pissed of coz he thought he owned the max land in blore…
    And yea.. its high time guys who play simcity or caeser run the show rather than old faggots who just think about themselves and nothin else ..

  25. shortindiangirl · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    I don’t mean to deny the variety of other problems there are, corruption included, but I always feel that people collectively disengage their own responsibility in the state of affairs.

    Not enough of the educated, literate urban population votes or gets actively involved. People so easily get apathetic, and start making incoherent noises about how their vote, or their individual powers are completely useless. About how all choices are useless etc. etc. With the result that people with ideas and energy, intelligence and analysis are sitting at home and talking about, instead of being out there educating people around them, being involved, getting others to vote, protesting, voicing displeasure etc.

    Politicians also figure out their voting base is not primarily urban.

  26. shortindiangirl · October 26, 2005 Reply

    I think people’s apathy is as much an issue as the corruption.

  27. shortindiangirl · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: No use chap!

    > unless somethin revolution of honest administration happens..

    I don’t think that is realistic untill much more people get involved.

  28. admin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    I don’t blame blr for the rains.. but the city itself. You really should spend a day in mysore to see how nice it feels like there.

  29. admin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: No use chap!

    It’s a chicken and egg situation that we have right now. But at the end people like DG will run the show.

  30. admin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Hey, I didnt know you moved there for good.

    But you know, we are running out of places too. 10 years ago when my folks moved to blr, it was coz blr had a bright future and we saw it as a better place then any other city in India.

    *sigh*

  31. admin · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: 🙁

    its not just the rains. Get ready for some kickass traffic jams.

  32. skarra · October 26, 2005 Reply

    If you are anywhere near Calicut, do drop me a line. You can sack with me for a night or two and go around. Wayanad is about an hour from here and some other kickass places are very accessible as well.

  33. mythrandyr · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Haven’t moved to Bombay yet… right now in London for a few yrs. But I definitely wont be coming to Bangalore, not if I can help it. (never say never… someone up there just loves making you eat your words!)

    But you know, we are running out of places too..
    I know what you mean. When I came to Bangalore, I really liked the city. But I have seen such changes in just 4 yrs. I started feeling like an outsider there… a feeling I never had before.

  34. Anonymous · October 26, 2005 Reply

    Re: No use chap!

    Well, just when I was begining to miss the city

  35. prathapbn · October 27, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    In my vacubulary strike = (non-cooperation with + pressurize the govt + speak out against govt’s failures)..
    may not be just slogan shouting and hoarding carrying.. we need check the govt’s actions.. ppl need to involve in politics.. not just elected representitives..

  36. prathapbn · October 27, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    Large votebank is rural for any party.. most rural ppl are not truely educated n fall for gimmick assurances n bribes n vote.. in urban though most ppl are educated.. since they are less in number.. thier vote makes no difference..

    So cleaning our politics.. is really a huge issue.. many other things like ‘education’ etc get related to it..

  37. sriniram · October 27, 2005 Reply

    I guess I’ve been lucky, there is no flooding either where I live or where I work, nor on the route between the two locations.

  38. sriniram · October 27, 2005 Reply

    The last I saw of Mumbai, it made me real glad I was living in Bangalore.

  39. prathapbn · October 27, 2005 Reply

    People need POWER!

    Soln is difficult but not impossible.. lets analyze.. how did these ppl politiciana and breurocrats become so corrupt.. they have POWERS!! which you and me dont have!!
    and you and me who have participated in thier election even dont have the POWERS to moniter thier work!.. No maintanance.. Can a product be bugless without mentainance..?!
    So once they thrive in a atmosphere where they have all the authority n nobody looking at them.. they misuse that POWER n hence corruption..

    They have created a ‘Corrupt Administration’ only through POWER.. If ppl get as much POWER as politicians n buerocrats then bringing a ‘Non-corrupt administartion’ simply should not be a problem.. Ordinary Ppl should press more POWER..

  40. prathapbn · October 27, 2005 Reply

    true.. theres no united ppl’s voice against corrupt administration..

  41. preets · October 27, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    oh its almost getting there…just a matter of time i guess.

  42. khoj · October 27, 2005 Reply

    The story is the same through out the country , maybe with exceptions of Delhi n NCR…

    U guys should come to Pune.. All Potholes have taken the size n shape of manholes..
    But a good thing has been the protests and formation of a group called BetterRoads .http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BetterRoads/

    However what results this group delivers will hopefully be seen soon.

  43. jace · October 27, 2005 Reply

    Trip not happening. No transport available.

    But since the rain appears to be easing up, maybe I’ll do a bike trip.

  44. mekin · October 27, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    I totally accept what you say ..

    And i think more of us should participate in citizen movements like janagraha ..
    but i do not think strikes are a solution – even if they achieve the goal, the cost is too high most often

    Fighting politicians, the government, corruption and the system .. is not easy …

    A simpler solution to me is .. to spread the good that IT can bring to rural india (karnataka to start with) .. so that they at least do not believe the BS from politicians that IT is bad for them and for the country ..

    in the ideal world that we all believe in … education & enough knowledge for all is a basic premise .. and that does not hold true …

    I mean if Mr. Bush could get in again .. in a nation that is “educated” .. whats the hope for us ..

  45. mekin · October 27, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    I did ..
    but now i dont know who i should have voted for ..
    primarily because the central government is decided based on regional issues & strengths .. like TN & Ap did .. the last time

    this term .. bjp’s non-co-operation and raising baseless issues .. and their internal issues make them a bad choice ..
    Left – i feel should never be at the centre (or at the state/rural levels)

    congress .. with current leadership .. – i am happy about .. but i have my doubts that if they come in with a majority .. it will be someone from the nehru family who is at the helm .. and not the current PM who i believe in ..
    Not to imply .. that the nehru family folks cant lead – just that i havent seen them lead .. & lead well .. Mr. Manmohan singh .. i have ..

    lets see..

  46. shortindiangirl · October 27, 2005 Reply

    Re: People need to wake up!

    Yes, we should be out there, aware and educated both ourselves and the rural population we are disconnected from.

    > I mean if Mr. Bush could get in again ..
    > in a nation that is “educated” .. whats the hope for us ..

    Errr. We’re smarter.

    And I don’t mean to be facetious. Americans have never been educated to be exposed to other cultures and countries. Indians INEVITABLY are. I think that is a profound different. While they are literate, the level of propoganda that is available to them is much higher.

    But there’s another thing. Bush has legitimate belief systems that many Americans share. While his executions and actions based on those beliefs have been stupid and people have been stupid to see that, simply sharing those beliefs and having voted for him as a result is not stupid, despite your or my complete disagreement with most of those beliefs.

    Importantly, the people, as a result of being educated, are better aware of who they voted for, why and how he’s changing their country. Can we say the same about our leaders ?

  47. themadman · October 28, 2005 Reply

    So you work in Pune, huh? 😉

  48. sriniram · October 28, 2005 Reply

    hmm… Bangalore’s not gone that wet, has it?

    I live on Infantry road and I work in Rajajinagar – none of my usual routes to work are congested or water logged. I guess I’m just plain lucky.

  49. Anonymous · October 30, 2005 Reply

    Crazyness! How do you live it everyday?

    http://www.sines.blogspot.com

  50. admin · October 30, 2005 Reply

    Bangalore is dead. Time to bail out.

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