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

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Reporter's Diary

Lying low

FESTIVAL TIME is the time for our city fathers to lie low. Most of the corporators, who are always hooked to their snazzy cellphones, are scared of receiving a call these days. They are also avoiding people visiting their homes and offices, thanks to the approaching Ganesha festival.

The corporators are worried that most of the people, who come to see them or call them during festival time, is only for "contributions." "Every month there is some tournament or a special puja or a wedding in our wards. People expect us to contribute in large sums to each and every occasion. But how much can we give?" said a senior corporator.

The "contribution" does not end at the ward level. Attenders, drivers and gardeners at the BMP offices too expect "bakshish" from the members during festival time. "That is why we are trying to avoid going to the BMP head office, receive calls or even meet people," the member added.

Now, did we hear someone ask what is the contribution of these corporators to the city's development?

Overenthusiastic

PASSENGERS ARRIVING at the Bangalore City or Cantonment railway stations are now no longer at the mercy of autorickshaw or taxi drivers. Even at the usually unearthly hour (for a Bangalorean) of 6 a.m., the pre-paid auto counters manned by the police are active and helping the long line of passengers impatient to reach their destination.

The fares fixed are reasonable enough, the driver is handed a receipt to be signed later by the passenger and the autorickshaw and driver details are noted down in a register.

Even if by chance you leave behind an item or baggage, it can be easily traced and got back.

At times, police do get a bit carried away in their eagerness to be helpful. If you are alone, you may be requested to share the auto with another passenger whose route may be very different from what you have in mind, even if the locality is almost the same.

Low profile

A POPULAR restaurant at the intersection of Bhagwan Mahaveer Road (Infantry Road) and Cunningham Road had an interesting guest on Monday.

The guest arrived with his family members and was seen by a few media persons as he was leaving the restaurant in a car. He and his family members got into the car. The guest chose to sit by the side of the person driving the car. Normally, you know, important persons choose to sit in the rear seat.

Now the VIP: Very important point, that is. The car was a private vehicle. The person had apparently chosen not to use his official car.

The Government gave this important person a Skoda car after he recently assumed charge. Personal work, personal car is the theme. Pray, who is he?

It was N. Santosh Hegde, the new Lok Ayukta.

Afshan Yasmeen,

K. Satyamurty,

Govind D. Belgaumkar

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