The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : When work was miles away

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

When work was miles away

Staff Reporter

With a row of holidays, Bangalore techies could not have asked for more

BANGALORE: Holidays in a row has energised him, the stressed, immensely traffic-jammed Bangalorean. The days had been earmarked at the year's beginning. They had been rounded off in his mental calendar. And when finally the mix of Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday combined to trigger a holiday spirit, the techie jumped straight ahead.

On the city's outskirts, the resorts beckoned, the country roads yearned for his footprints. He had to go, with friends and families in tow.

Transport had been arranged much in advance, the holiday agenda well set. The handycams fully loaded, the cameras ready to get into hyper-shoot mode, the techie boarded the bus. Work was miles away, the mind had to switch to a different gear. That it did with ease.

Off with dress code

The official coat, suit and boots had been tucked away. It was back to colour, in all its natural splendour. From Bermudas to half-sleeved shirts, straw hats to bulky boots, the fashion freaks had come prepared. Casual was in. And when the music set in, the travel bug had no reason to sit smug. Dancing in the bus was just the way to go.

Far away, the distant drums got louder. A resort near Hoskote had painted the hotel-resort border grey. Landing right on time, the bus delivered the crowd. Spreading out, the funsters made the place their home. From the sprawling cricket ground to the inviting swimming pool, they simply got into conquer mode.

This was no time to debate. It was the moment to celebrate. The holiday spirit had reached its zenith.

Even the games were customised, readymade. Customers only had to call. The fun industry was that lucrative. And the corporates, they were too willing to pay provided the entertainment was "value for money."

For the techie, it was time for food. The water polo game had tired him. The treasure hunt was hard work, and the game of cricket had tested his muscles. He had to eat like there was no tomorrow. Of course, he knew he had to be fit for the tug-of-war, the day-ender arranged by the resort. After all, there were some prizes to be won.

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