The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Reporter's Diary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Reporter's Diary

Of footwear and bus travel

WHAT HAPPENS when a commuter, whose footwear are soaked in slush, refuses to board a bus, lest she carry the dirt in it, and the conductor is reluctant to let her miss the bus?

Recently, a girl was waiting for a bus in the city centre to reach her house on the outskirts of the city. As she went to board the bus, she stepped on a slushy area. As her footwear were dirty, she said that she would not get into the bus. As the driver pressed the gas pedal, the conductor stopped the bus. She enquired with the girl why she was not getting into the bus. She said she would not would not like to carry all the dirt into the bus. The conductor said: "You first get into the bus."

"But my footwear is dirty... "

"Nothing doing, you first get into the bus," the conductor ordered.

She obeyed reluctantly. "How can one miss the bus just because one's footwear is dirty?" the conductor murmured.

Dress like a Bangalorean

THE RAIN gods spared the Bangalore Habba. It was only on the last day on Sunday that some drizzle spoiled the fun.

Occasional rain during winter is not new to the city. In fact, most people used to go around with an umbrella or wearing waterproof jackets, complete with a hood, from October till March. It all changed when the tech sector attracted employees from other cities and States, where such weather was unheard of and umbrellas were perhaps looked down as unnecessary impediments.

While one still sees a few people with thin T-shirts and Bermudas on the streets, most are either tourists or newcomers. Others keep up the tradition of either being in suits, blazers or at least a windbreaker jacket; caps optional. It helps to dress like a typical Bangalorean or should one say, Bengaloorian?

Celebrating New Year

THE FUN-LOVING nature of our fellow citizens will now have enough opportunities to celebrate.

The weeks ahead are filled with enough events and parties to launch something or other and anniversaries of things already launched.

The New Year Eve, which used to see some unruly behaviour in the central business district, has become a more subdued event in recent years.

Thanks to the polite but firm hand of the police and the people themselves moving away from roadside celebrations to parties indoors, at hotels, clubs or even homes. In the newer suburbs, parties are jointly organised by apartment owners' associations, on rooftops or lawns and without disturbing others.

The festive spirit need not necessarily be "shared" with others who would rather go to bed before the clock strikes midnight.

Govind D. Belgaumkar,

K. Satyamurty

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