Bangalore bytes...

The first thing that strikes a visitor to Bangalore has long been its pleasant weather and greenery, which of late, has been replaced by traffic snarls and crowded shopping malls. Its difficult not to get taken in by all the goods on display to satiate every possible human need. For a while, it seems fascinating, and yet, in a short while it seems like more of the same thing. What also surprises me is that although Bangalore seems like a huge city, it didnt feel like that. Over the weekend we went to a few malls (window shopping, our favorite pastime!), and at one of them, caught our very own Yuvraj Singh, in town to unveil the latest XBox version, apparently a game coming up soon in Yuvraj's own theme too. Hmm, watch out gaming freaks, something interesting coming up soon. :)

On the culture scene too, Bangalore has plenty happening on any given day, be it Carnatic music concerts or stand up comedy by Russell Peters, running to packed houses in the following days. Other cities could take a leaf out of Bangalore's books, when it comes to entertainment and relaxation. Bangalore on the other hand, could learn from other cities about traffic management (ahem, I can't remember one city with decent traffic management-Chennai? nope..Ahmedabad used to be a traffic free city, but now they also have to rely on flyovers and stuff to ease traffic congestion in major areas of the city)..well the A(hmedabad) B(angalore) C(hennai) of the cities I've lived in are facing traffic issues, will we do something about it?

Driving in the city these days, any city, is a source of constant worry for me. I see nutcases driving at top speed on busy highways, even in the peak traffic hours. Chennai is notorious for its auto wallahs, with whom we have picked up many a fight..too many to even recall out here. Its time the government got strict with citizens like me and you, who dont think twice before crossing the road on foot, or on a vehicle, driving past speed limits, cutting thru traffic, travelling on crowded buses...the list is endless. At one point or another we have risked our life and limb, or of those travelling with us, when we drive on the road.

Lets all of us, make our cities a source of joy for each one of us. Let us do something everyday to make our city a better place to live in. :)