The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : What else can young people do?

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Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

What else can young people do?

Deepika Arwind

They have sought out new forms of entertainment

Go Karting has attracted many youngsters
Gaming has caught many young people’s fancy

Bangalore: Fifteen years ago, local sport still only implied cricket, football or basketball, and entertainment meant going for a movie or watching a play. Over the years, in urban centres, the line between sport and entertainment has blurred; young people have sought out new forms of both and fads have been created. While there are those who spend time and money on both as just a hobby, there are also those who pursue them seriously.

Go Karting is a sport that has attracted many youngsters like Deepak S.

“I have been Go Karting since I was first introduced to it by my friend in Delhi five years ago, and then I would go at least twice a month in Bangalore,” he says.

Mr. Deepak says that now the frequency of his expeditions has decreased.

“I have started working now so I don’t find enough time and company to do it. But just a year ago I would spend Rs. 1,000 to 2,000 on it,” he says.

Shafeeq Mohammed K. says that he is charged Rs. 200 for six laps at his Go Karting strip. On an average, Mr. Mohammed, who is very fond of adventure and “new-age” sports in general, would spend Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 on his leisure hobby. But now work has got him too.

Thrill

Why does Go Karting thrill them so?

Because of the speed and technique, say both youngsters. “The risks are not too many; a good Go Karting strip ensures our safety,” adds Mr. Deepak.

The pool

Speaking about his passion for snooker, 18-year-old Vishal Dubey says he started going to snooker parlours three or four years ago.

“A lot of young people would hang around in such places and my friends and I started going there too,” he says.

He finds himself spending Rs. 1,000 to 2,000 for four or five sessions a month.

There are other “sports” like gaming that have caught many young people’s fancy. “When I get bored of my PlayStation, I like to compete with my friends in gaming parlours,” says Samira John, who considers herself an avid gaming fan, and does not mind spending a few hundred rupees on every visit to a gaming parlour.

Like Mr. Mohammed who enjoys water sports, Ms. John too goes to Goa once a year because that is one of the things that is impossible to pursue in the city.

Party culture

Before the night deadline was imposed on the city, one of the “club capital’s” favourite pastimes was party going. It still continues to be so. Abhishek Moolachandani says that he frequents clubs at least once in two weeks, if not more.

“It was better before; but my friends and I still go because where else can you just dance and lose yourself amongst so many people?” he ponders.

“Of course, I try and save up through the week and prefer spending at a club,” adds Mr. Moolachandani.

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