The Bangalorean Phenomenon – Namma Metro

Namma Metro, the very name suggesting the Indianization of this world class service. Presently, the Bangalore Metro stretches across just a few stations, from MG Road at one end and Baiyappanahalli at the other.Walked down from our abode to the Indirangar Station, not more than a couple of minutes away. Bought tickets. There were these tokens instead of the conventional tickets made of paper. One was supposed to keep the token on a heat sensor, so as to gain access to the platform. Waited for exactly 9 minutes and there it was, the brainchild of modern physics; the result of the collective efforts of many. With constant announcements, I’m pretty sure the importance of “minding the gap between the doors and the platform” was safely drilled into the minds of all the touristy passengers, if I may call them that!
Sitting inside, the reek of Bangalore turning into an international metropolitan was overpowering. Seeing the fleeting images of the city outside, the constant flash of illegal photography, the din of the Kannadiga passengers interspersed with constant multi-lingual announcements, the experience was made even more complete.

At the moment, more than the Metro services being an effective mode of transport for the average office-goer, it is more of a joyride, an opportunity to click a bunch of photographs with the family! It is said, with obvious truth, that upon completion, the endeavor will definitely play a major role in further reducing time and distances. However, for the time being at least, when one’s made use of this “privilege”, one can proudly brag about making use of the latest phenomenon, the talk of the town, Namma Metro..

RAHUL DRAVID : THE WALL

“The match is slowly slipping out of India’s hands, their only hope being Rahul Dravid”.  Well this is the usual din of a typical Australian encounter. Wickets slowly collapsing and the Indian batting lineup silently yet blatantly abused by the fast-paced intimidating Australian attack.

Rahul Dravid known for his solid defence and amazing technique complemented by grace and beauty is a treat to watch. Known for his cover drive and dependability, he never fails to perform. As cool as cucumber, he slowly splits open the foe and emerges victorious.

A true sportsman, seldom fallen prey to controversies, he always remained a “clean” cricketer. Brick by brick, with amazing and classy textbook cricket, the legend compiles an innings worth remembering.

A great reputation and an amazing track record supplemented the fact that he was a great player. He often adapted to the team’s requirements, gauged the seriousness of the scenario and played accordingly. He set a perfect example for the youngsters and always encouraged them.

All in all, he was a true team player and played in the spirit of the game. Kudos to the great ‘Jammy’ who was and I believe will always be remembered as an extremely loyal and committed member of the team. Here’s a toast to a legend in the game ! May you continue to win all your matches in your life ahead.

FLIGHT OF FANTASY

We were booked on a Mumbai-Kolkata flight. My brother and I got to the airport in good time. We finished our check-in and security formalities. We settled down in the plush departure lounge awaiting the departure announcement. Gate 4A said the boarding card and we were sitting right across it. Soon enough came the voice over the loudspeaker asking Kolkata bound passengers to head for boarding the plane. 

        We got into the waiting bus and were driven across the tarmac to the plane. The air hostess greeted us with a cheerful smile and directed us to our seats. We made ourselves comfortable and were waiting for the other passengers to settle down and then finally take-off. We seemed to be surrounded on all sides by a large number of Malayalis. I told my brother that maybe a large number of tourists were heading for a holiday to Kolkata. My brother told me that the North-East was a popular tourist destination and it was likely that all these people were proceeding to Kolkata and beyond.

        While we were browsing through the in-flight magazine, I saw two air hostesses looking towards us and having an animated discussion. I wondered why? My brother told me that it was natural and as per him the air hostesses were discussing how well behaved the two (us!)handsome young men were! I was quite happy with this explanation. I was getting restless and wondering why the flight was not taking off. We suddenly saw the air hostess approaching us with a big scowl on her face. My brother explained to me that she probably wanted to upgrade us to the Business Class. I was certainly looking forward to that. She came to us and asked us in not-so-friendly a tone, “Which place are you catching a flight to?” I thought it was a silly question but replied, “Kolkata!” A look of horror crossed her face and she rolled her eyeballs and screamed hysterically, “This flight is going to Calicut!” Realization dawned on me-that explained the unusually large number of Malayalee tourists to Kolkata!! The goof up, we were told, was on account of the buses for the Kolkata and Calicut flights standing adjacent to each other outside Gate 4A. We had been herded into the wrong bus by one of the ground staff. Truly, a case of missing the bus…

TO CELL OR NOT TO CELL?!

“Mom, Dad, I want a cell phone!” is generally what an average pre-teen would say. There is a lot of discussion doing the rounds in schools and sociology circles to decide whether or not to give a child a personal cellular phone. If yes, what would be the suitable age for the child to acquire a cell phone? Is there a suitable age at all?

         Well, some parents might try to make their kids understand by saying – “You are still too young to have one”; to which the answer would be prompt – “But all my friends have one and I fell so left out!” Well that is peer pressure for you. Once you have gone past the parental barrier and broken down their resistance and acquired your very first cell phone, you have entered “the cell cycle” and you are never able to get out of this tangled web! It is like a honey-trap, you get one, you want a better one! To begin with, you might be convinced to go in for an inexpensive, simple-looking, featureless but functional instrument, but it does not ever stop there!

        Sometime later, you might upgrade to another which would have some added features; still not satisfactory! About six months later, you might see an advertisement on the television which would tempt you to try compel your parents to buy it for you. A few months down the line, you realize it was just not worth the extra expense. In the meantime your friends have acquired something snazzier.....

        For most of us, the joy of showing off our new cell phone to our friends is incomparable. The definite advantage of getting a phone is that you are connected, you can keep in touch with parents and folks and, in a way it does make you feel safe. It does improve one’s social networking , to say the least.