Bangalore is so hot

That's no understatement. This morning I walked around some places in the city and it was burning. And it's just March. People in other cities of India have a feeling that Bangalore is a paradise. That's almost the truth during the cooler months. But definitely not during summer.

Long back, I am, told this city was pleasant even during summer. Actually many houses did not even have fans. But now it's difficult to survive without fan or good ventilation. Feel like sitting and sleeping in A/c. But I don't know how good that is.

Petrol costly, but affordable

With yesterday's budget raising duty on petroproducts, petrol and diesel prices across the country have gone up.

In Bangalore, because of additional local taxes, the burden on the consumer is much more. Petrol will cost Rs 53+ diesel Rs 39+. And yesterday night itself, people where filling up their tanks, creating artificial shortage and marketeers were hoarding it.

Ok it's really hard. But I don't think people in Bangalore are so poor that they can't afford to pay the extra amount. Look at the malls, pubs, restaurants: they are all overflowing with people. People are paying huge amounts of money and eating and drinking outside as if nothing is available at home!

Then, look at the sort of cars people have. One guy even told me he upgrades his car every 3 years. See, people have money. These are the people who are cribbing! Shame!

Indians have long been pampered. The rich Indians, that is. We have still not got out of the spoonfeeding culture. Rich just blow up the money for themselves but when govt asks for a bit, for the development of the society, the rich suddenly have problem. They have enough money to waste, but no money for the society's welfare.

This spoonfeeding culture has also bread lot of cynicism. If we need good quality public life, people have to be ready to pay for the benefits. The govt subsidies have to go. Let them be there, only for the really poor and the needy.

It's a good idea for the govt to remove the subsidy on petroleum products. The money saved can be used for real welfare measures.

Let us all -- rich, poor or whoever -- pay for the benefits comforts we enjoy. Free lunches are ok as a token one-off gesture. Doesn't help in the long run. This is the only way our city, our state and our country will develop.

Advertisements stuck on walls

The sight of advertisements printed on paper and stuck on walls, lamp posts, tree trucks, etc all across Bangalore city is very irritating and ugly.

It just shows how small businessmen take the administration totally for granted. It also exposes the utter lack of efficiency of the corporation -- BBMP -- officials. This is not the way a great city like Bangalore should look.

The authorities should call the telephone numbers on these ads and ask them to remove the notices. In case of violation, they should levy a fine.

The policy should be well-publicised and officials should make sure it is adhered to.

Bangalore overcast

Expecting heavy rains anytime or at least by evening. Must be the impact of depression on India's east coast. Bangalore gets good northwest monsoon, and it rains rather heavily September to November. I hope the Bangalore corporation has adequately cleared the drains. Or elese we are going to have massive flooding all over the city.

Ulsoor Lake

The other day I was passing by the Ulsoor lake. It gives one such a wonderful site and a great place to relax and refresh oneself.

How I wish this place was promoted by the Karnataka Tourism Development Corporation as a tourist spot.

Wikipedia entry on Ulsoor lake is here.

The administration can spruce up the area; charge a nominal amount for entry to the area; have well-maintained food courts, play areas etc & print pamphlets chronicling the history and development the centuries-old lake.

Man falls into hidden drain, washed away

A couple of days back, when it was raining heavily in Bangalore, and
the roads were flooded, an elderly gentleman had to rush back early
home from his office as his wife had taken ill.

As bad luck would have it, near Fraser Town, he steered his motorcycle
to an area on the road where there was water. Little did he realise
that there was a huge drain left open by careless civic officials.

Before he could realise, he plunged into the big drain in which water
was gushing. Some people who saw it, tried looking for him. But the
force of water was such, he and his motorcycle had been swept away.

The next day, the motorcycle showed up a few metres away. A search led
to the unfortunate man's body as well.

When I read this news in the paper, I was so moved. Still no one in
Bangalore has heard a word of apology or regret from any civic
official. No effort to find out how that drain was left open, or who
could be responsible for that.

If Mr Yeddyurappa and his BJP wants to make Bangalore a
well-administered model city, and if they want to score well in the
upcoming civic polls, then he must make sure that there is
accountability in city's administration. Remember, monsoon is
approaching and a number of roads in Bangalore are going to get
flooded.

Bangalore, Karnataka vote for BJP

I am glad that BJP won in the three urban seats in Bangalore. No wonder, actually. The two other parties -- Congress and JDS -- are in a mess. Both, especially JDS, ruined the good city during the past 5 years. BJP during the past one year has been trying its best to develop the city.

It must now treat this verdict as one of confidence vote and deliver on the trust reposed in its MPs. It should put Bangalore and suburbs on the fast track to progress. It should also guard against anti-BJP forces, who are out to make life difficult for it.

BBMP elections are around the corner. Winning elections is one part. But Bangalore, being a global city, needs to look like one. And BJP should take it upon itself this comtment to the people of the city in particular and nation in general.