Bengaluru - dynamism and apathy, going hand in hand
Images: Chaitrapallavi and Google images

Bengaluru - dynamism and apathy, going hand in hand

Bengaluru is the most dynamic city in the world: World Economic Forum Report

I have had reminiscent days, after reading about it in news and social media. It definitely feels good to live up to the fact that I am part of this city, have lived most part of the life and will continue to. The word 'Dynamic' is very apt. If anything, today this city is extremely dynamic with multiple dimensions to it.

I hail from the ‘Basavanagudi’ part of Bengaluru, the heart or core of the city. Another part of the city which constitutes to the core is ‘Malleswaram’. These two localities kindled R K Narayan's creative mind and he gave 'Mal-gudi' to us, when i learnt about this in my teens that Malgudi was fictitious and was a combination of Basavanagudi and Malleshwaram, i was thrilled and my heart swell as i lived and hailed in 'Gudi' part of his imagination.

Further, the tell tale stories of how glorious Bengaluru and Mysore used to be added to my imagination. And literally speaking, I grew up in this city in serene green environs, cold December mornings, hospitable, polite neighborhood, with people who were god fearing for the most part. They all envied about what the city offered - nature, culture, educational and research institutions, public sector units and most salubrious climate as a cherry topping.

I starting living ‘the city’ as I started my career, covering the happenings in Bengaluru as a journalist, learnt about its history, consciously became aware of its ethnicity and culture. Truly, enjoyed making those stories on the people, places and initiatives of the state.  As I lived the city, I saw the city grow with a new IT identity. Companies making inroads, independent houses converted into office spaces, lakes die, roads widen, cropping up of fly-overs, beginning of pub culture, rise of multi-story buildings and bureaucratic promises of making the city at par with international metropolitans. The list is endless.

Further, got a bigger picture and a deeper perspective when I moved and lived in different cities in different countries.  It kind of all fell in place. I started understanding what roots were. And as I came back and forth every year visiting family and peers, the changes in the city started becoming more evident. Clearly, I didn’t like it, if the infrastructure remained underdeveloped for the most part; the good old charm had started vanishing. And already enough is said about the chaotic traffic and safety.

But, even then the city is breathing life, giving livelihood, and offering cultural diversity. Certainly, it has become a Global city where the essential linkages and bindings to have an effect on global affairs. That apart, it provides dreams, exposure, opportunity and variety to Indians. In a nutshell, a competitive economic landscape. And this economic landscape is a mere co-incidence; there hasn’t been any conscious effort for visualization. I guess it ended with Kempegowda, founder of Bengaluru.

But, as an inhabitant and denizen, I am constantly searching the old Bengaluru and am sure many are doing so too. And believe me; it’s still there in a few pockets but not for too long. Today, Bengaluru is at the threshold with think tanks marking a year to say that by 2020 this city will be unlivable.  A study by IISc reveals that there has been a 525% growth in built-up area in last 40 years with a corresponding 78% decline in vegetation and water bodies.

All we have at this point of time is ‘Dynamism’ and now ironically acknowledged and ranked by a renowned real estate consultancy firm. Should we be celebrating? At present Bengaluru is Dynamism and Apathy going hand-in-hand.  But what happens when the Dynamism fades away? 

A fair percentage of population in Bangalore are global travellers, I am sure there are lot of learning and understanding of how global cities operate. If we do not emulate, we will make it to the list of ‘Dead Cities’ in the world.

Vijay Kumar

IIMA Alum | Global Enterprise Solutions Architect - Digital Software & Platform Engineering | Strategic Leadership Technologist | AWS | Ex-IBMer | Author | Mentor

7y

What a city

Mahesha Hiremath

Solve real problems in minutes with AI on Grahnumb.

7y

Bangalore won't die.

I can relate to the helpless and restless feeling one get when they visit their hometown which they fondly called Bangalore/Malgudi 😊 Yet, love this city. There are still pockets which are the same as it used to be. Hope they don't change before our kids get to see. Lovely read Pallavi.

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