Bangalore mein hai woh baat

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><script language="javascript">doweshowbellyad=0; </script><br />BANGALORE: Bangalore has metamorphosed into a cosmo-cultured metro driven by Ts like IT, BT and morphed into something a veteran Bangalorean won’t recognise.<br /><br /><img align="left" src="/photo/582629.cms" alt="/photo/582629.cms" border="0" />The skyline has changed with highrise apartments that squeeze in the ever-growing professionals streaming into the city.Real estate value has tripled in the last 10 years. With the city’s borders being pushed outward every day, tech parks and satellite towns branching out, the construction industry is on a never-before high. While the dotcom bust did hit the market wagon and sent it rolling downhill, the BPO industry revived it in a second wave and everything was all sunrise again. Looping flyovers, MNC offices with glass facades are multiplying.<br /><br />Commenting on the IT impact on Bangalore and the attitude of its people, Nandan Nilekani, CEO, president and managing director, Infosys Technologies, said: “The IT wave has created hope and ambition. People are excited by the opportunities before them, and are proud of India’s success in the global marketplace. Bangalore, being the Silicon Capital of India, is gripped by an energy which is driving change and development in this city.�<br /><br />Noted historian Suryanath U. Kamath observes the nuances in changing attitudes influenced by the West, individualism, and 29-year-olds earning more than their parents do after 30 years of work experience. “People call their family members by name, something unheard of in Bangalore a few years ago. Pubs have been here for several years now, but while they were considered a bad habit earlier, today even young women don’t hesitate to frequent them. Disposable income flows like the beer.�<br /><br />Language has changed too. English slang, with words not found in dictionaries, peppers everyday conversation. Young graduates practice and perfect the rolls in their Rs for the UK and US accent, and other such call centre-trained responses. Added to that is the SMS wave that has hit the city with mobiles and packages going dirt-cheap.<br /><br />A city that’s driven by more than just caffeine, petrol, booze and money, Bangalore has also become a Western cultural hub. Concerts international rock, classical Indian, contemporary dance are all embraced. “Bangalore brings together the best of two worlds. On one hand it is still a green city, the weather is excellent and it is a great place to live. At the same time, there is a huge amount of development in terms of infrastructure and amenities which will make Bangalore truly world-class,� says Nilekani. <br /><br />“It demonstrates a high degree of inclusiveness, where people from all over the world, from different religious, cultural and economic backgrounds are welcome and can feel at home.�<br /><br />While earlier Tamilians and Marwaris were the ones moving into the city, now it is a pot-pourri of the North Indians, Bengalis, Biharis, Malayalis, Punjabis, and a whole range of <span style="" font-style:="" italic="" text-decoration:="" underline="">firangs</span>.<br /><br />Naturally, spending power and label-mania has spurred the opening of global chains, branded wear and jewellery, pizzas, bandwidth and bus shuttles, and a culture of take-home and door delivery, high rents, coffee and tea bars, eating-out and multi-cuisine restaurants, liberal low-interest loans for homes, cars, two-wheelers. Phew!<br /><br />Change has its price tag, and Bangalore is paying it. Frayed nerves, stressed-out professionals, lungs choked with asthma and lead, potholes. If everything is 24/7- work, restaurants, ATMs, calls from UK and US customers to call centres, entertainment, pubs, FM radio - so is the tension and pressure to deliver. <br /><br />Hyderabad breathes down Bangalore’s neck.<br /></div> </div>