LIFE IN BANGALORE: MY MUSINGS

IT was a cold and pleasant morning on February 21, 1982, when I arrived in Bangalore for the first time as a student from Jadavpur University in Kolkata on an educational tour. We visited J L Morrison (India) Ltd, went on a city tour, and travelled to Mysore during our three days at the New Modern Hotel in Visveswarapura, Bangalore. As I roamed into the city, I was captivated by the mild temperature, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and the sizzle of steam rising from the dosa pan.

IN 1985 (Feb 9), after almost three years, I had the privilege of travelling to Bangalore as a faculty member (lecturer, SCS College of Pharmacy, Harapanahalli) in order to present a scientific paper at the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress held at Bangalore Palace Ground. My friend and I stayed at Hotel Select in Shivajinagar on that occasion.

I had a great time walking along M G Road, VV Puram, and other beautiful places where you could feel the amazing disciplined traffic and the expansive tree-lined walkway. The one thing that really stood out to me on both occasions was the courteousness of Bangalore residents on both occasions. Both were part of a group visit to Bangalore and held special memories for me.

ON November 4, 1986. I relocated from Harapanahalli, Karnataka to Annamalai university, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu. From 1986 to 2010, I visited Bangalore city once a year, twice a year, or occasionally once every two years as an evaluator for Bangalore University or its affiliated pharmacy colleges. In addition, I have visited several leading pharmaceutical companies in and around Bangalore city on several occasions as a reviewer for an institute-industry collaborative project (viz Cipla Ltd., Astra Zeneca, Juggat Pharma, Kanpha Labs, Eros Pharma, Micro Labs, Karnataka Antibiotics and pharmaceuticals Ltd).

I encountered innumerable individuals, including academics and professionals, who were not merely polite on the surface but rather genuinely warm and caring. Bangalore, to me, was a beautiful city with an idyllic climate, wide leafy streets, and hole-in-the-wall eateries surrounded by numerous gardens filled with flora and fauna.

IN the Majestic area, which is referred to as the heart of Bangalore, I used to stay at so-called budget hotels close to Ananda Rao Circle. I can still clearly recall the early mornings when I would typically disembark from the train at the city junction and walk the half kilometre to hotels (such as Hotel Sheetal, Suprabhat, Rajmahal, and Royal Lodge). Several of Bangalore's busiest roads and areas are just a few short blocks away from these accommodations. Reasonably enough, I only had a connection to the Central Bangalore District of Bangalore (CBD). The Sapna Book House in Gandhinagar, the Chickpet area near Kempegowda Road, and the V V Puram area were my favorite places to spend my evenings. I frequently sat with college hosts and co-evaluators at the renowned Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), where I had coffee and dosas—a true Bangalorean breakfast staple. I remember vividly the hospitality prof Shivananda extended to me whenever I visited Bangalore University work. I used to enjoy a great stroll along MG Road, a major shopping avenue, which is shaded by cool trees. While retuning back to my working place I peeped into Hongkong market (famous for foreign goods), Gandhinagar; Chickpet; and a Sri Suriya bakery; and buy a few items to carry home.

DURING that period, Sarjapur Road, Bellandur, Outer Ring Road, Marathahalli and even Whitfield were considered outskirts of Bengaluru.

NEW CHAPTER: ?On 11 June 2014, my wife, daughter, and I landed in Bangalore and checked into Ujjal residency, Mathikere Main Road, Yeshwanthpur for the purpose of my daughter joining Samsung's induction program. Both of us were excited about the opportunity of our daughter settling in the Marathahalli area following the induction program, but we were also a little anxious. After all, the Marathahalli area was well-known for its terrible traffic, unpredictable weather, cramped paying guest (PG) rooms, and daily commute to work. I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Sudhakar, a PG owner, who provided my daughter and her friends with an impromptu "PG" accommodation and all the assistance they required.

AT least once a month, I travelled back and forth between Chidambaram, where I work, and Bangalore, where I stay with my daughter at Marathahalli. I have seen constant activity where the region (Marathahalli or Whitefield) has been able to adjust to the expanding infrastructure and the constantly increasing number of techies. Its expansion of diverse population, lifestyle, languages, cuisine, and culture is incredibly accommodating and accepting, allowing people to pursue their unwavering goals.

AFTER nearly thirty-two years living on the Coromandel Coast and in a small town of Tamil Nadu, I moved to Bangalore, saying goodbye to hot and humid weather, academic life, and traveling between Chidambaram and Bangalore.

AS of now, we live in an apartment complex called Sobha Dream Acres (where my daughter has a unit), nestled at the junction of the Whitefield area, within the heart of IT corridor, surrounded by open space everywhere, a MIG apartment in a luxury setting away from the main road (approx. 3 KM). With sleek, modern buildings and traditional aesthetics amid serene green spaces, this apartment complex with residents from all over India offers harmonious living experienc. As well, all modern amenities (banks, ATMs, drug stores, Apollo clinics, supermarkets, and cafés) are present, though access to the main road and modern markets is challenging. Almost five years ago, I moved to this neighbourhood of this city to embrace a new chapter in my life after retirement.

IN November mornings when the sun seems softer in Bangalore and rays shine through the windows of my apartment and I sip a cup of green tea, listening to the sweet chirping of tiny sparrows and occasional melodic cuckoo calling, and the hum of distant train movement - I've become accustomed to this beautiful place.

TOGETHER with my family, the city has become an integral part of my life. There are many more things to appreciate in Bengaluru despite the traffic bottlenecks, potholed roads, and inadequate water supply.

PEOPLE: Living in the city and travelling by public transportation, such as the metro, I have witnessed the politeness of the people there as well as their genuine cosmopolitanism. In many parts of the city, I am able to communicate in Kannada, Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, and English among many others. The people of Bangalore come from all over the nation as well as a sizeable chunk as expats and helps to make it a thriving cosmopolitan metropolis. The city welcomes everyone, regardless of their background or nationality, and everyone will get along with each other.

THE FOOD: The food in Bangalore is unquestionably one of the best aspects of living here, especially for people like us. I have visited Bengaluru's dining culture quick-service restaurants (QSR) a fair number of times to sample a variety of breakfast classics like Bene Masala Dosa, Rava Idli, Thatte Idli, and Vada, and as well as breakfast staples such as Bisi Bele Bath, Kesari Bath, or Khara Bath at MTR, CTR, Vidyarthi Bhavan, Brahmin's Coffee Bar, Veena Stores, Rameshwaram Café, and Paakashala. These quick-service eateries have minimal (or no) seating, affordable pricing, and a small menu with a few signature dishes. However, the city isn't all about South Indian cuisine - it has a melting pot of both Indian and global fine-dining restaurants. I stumbled upon an Andhra restaurant called Nagarjuna in Whitefield one afternoon. The next time, I ended up at a Bengali restaurant (Oh Calcutta) on Church Street in Bangalore. As far as cravings are concerned, Bangalore knows how to satisfy them. Bangalore's coffee shops (home to chic coffee shops) aren't just places to pick up a quick cup of coffee, they're parts of their creative city where brainstorming happens over a coffee in a cozy ambiance with fast food options. With friends, I have been to Matte Coffea on Church Street a few times for a quick coffee and quiet time after I got out of the MG road metro. The city has a warmth not just in the temperature, but in the coffee shops as well. Further, I am sure if you are a foodie, you will be thrilled to know that Bangalore has a plethora of ice cream parlors, grillrooms, great buffets, microbreweries, dessert and bake shops, bars and pubs to choose from.

THE WEATHER: Bangalore is located in the middle of the southern peninsula, almost equidistance between the western and eastern coasts and receives rain from both SW and SE monsoons. It is located atop Deccan Plateau at a height of over 3000 ft above sea level (even higher than Dehradun). We walk every day in drizzle in the mornings and evenings (temps remain in the 20's) and cool weather at night (temps rarely fall below 15℃). ?Yes, it is the same throughout the year except for April, when it averages 34℃. In some days, I've woken up to a cool breeze, and by afternoon, it's been a bright, sunny day and ended it with a downpour for a few minutes. It is a city where we experience winter, summer and rainy seasons in one day. This temperate climate is one of the reasons?its biggest boon, and it is a great place to live.

URBAN CHARM: I was literally lost my first time at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden! Getting out of the garden took me nearly an hour. I enjoyed spending time sometimes with family and other occasions with friends for long walks amid sub-tropical flora & fauna, going for buggy ride, climbing the rocky foundation (oldest peninsular gneiss), walk through the glass house during biannual flower show. Lalbagh is a place of rarity and wonder, spanning 240 acres in the heart of city. On another occasion, we walked toward the Cubbon Park after taking the metro to the Cubbon Park metro station. With its expansive green spaces, such as Cubbon Park (100 acres of land with a variety of plants and trees), Lalbagh, Bugle Rock Park, numerous public gardens, and tranquil environment, Bangalore truly lives up to its nickname as a "Garden City." In many areas of the city, there are lovely tree-lined roads and still many lakes, and water bodies. You will always be near nature no matter where you live!

BOOKSTORES: What really amazes me, in spite of the digital revolution, is how popular physical bookstores are in a city on a booklover's paradise – Church Street. Every time I have the opportunity to visit Church Street, I begin by visiting Blossom Book House, followed by Bookworm bookstore and end my book browsing with a cup of coffee at Indian Coffee House. I often visit Bookworm, which has a special section for Bengali books, to look for the newest releases and take in the exquisitely laid out books in various aisles of my favourite areas. A discussion of bookstores would be incomplete without mentioning the famous and iconic Select Book store, which is situated in a side alley off Brigade Road, a short distance from the Blossom. Rare and old books are stacked haphazardly throughout the tiny space, making Select Book House a haven for bibliophiles looking for titles even beyond Google's reach.

THERE is no surprise that people usually complain and overlook the positive aspects of a situation. However, there is something for everyone in Bangalore. In fact, the city is amazingly comfortable if you consider it. What is essential is to embrace the ethos, swalpa adjust maadi (please adjust). The city of Bangalore has become Namma Bengaluru to me, and I have come to love it.