Being a Software Engineer and a North Indian, my mind always duels on the Bangalore Vs Delhi-NCR debate. It may sound funny but I feel there are two fictious characters in my mind each supporting Delhi and Bangalore. I call them Ms Deni and Mr. Bang quite representative of the cities they support. One fine day on my way back home the battle of words started again between the two of them and I thought of penning down the conversation.
Mr. Bang starts the conversation, Bangalore makes you fall in love with its weather. Sometimes it gets to be a long tiring day and those packed traffic jams. But then all of a sudden you get kissed by the gentle breeze and pearl like rain-drops, phew! You get refreshed and forget how cruel the day has been. The weather in Bangalore acts like a cooling balm for all the headaches of the day.
Ms Deni nods sarcastically and speaks, if you had been in Delhi, then due to better infrastructure esp. the roads, you might not have struck in the traffic jam on the first place and reached home in time and spent a relaxed evening.
Mr. Bang looks confused and simply nods and agrees as Ms Deni starts her daily countdown of the goodies Delhi-NCR offers- Better infrastructure, more traffic rules, close proximity to my home town, less cost of living, good to taste North Indian food, festive joys and she sighs lots more.
Mr. Bang listens patiently and then a wicked smile comes on his face, he's got a point-- He tells Ms Deni about his acquaintance who used to cry as she was made a victim of eaves teasing everyday in public buses , railway stations, market places and where not. And I am sure many girls including you Ms Deni would agree to it.
Mr. Bang asks Ms Deni have you or any of your friends ever experienced eave teasing in Bangalore. Ms Deni thought for a while but her answer as Mr. Bang has expected was a plain “No”
Mr. Bang continues lots of my female friend’s infact feel much safer in Bangalore than in Delhi. And I think its because of the increased percentage of educated women in Bangalore, who know their rights and don't feel shy to sell vegetables on a vendor trolley or to become a bus conductor. The fact remains that when it comes to women safety, education and empowerment Bangalore definitely scores over Delhi.
Ms Deni laughs and exclaims you are talking about women empowerment have you forgotten about the women leaders of Delhi like Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Mrs. Sheila Dixit etc. Mr. Bang gets irritated and says Oh! Come on we are not discussing politics lets talk about real life in which you and me live.
Mr. Bang says talking about women education and empowerment brings me to think about IT industry. Many people won’t agree but I am sure many won’t deny as well and I personally too feel that being the IT Den the work culture in Bangalore is far more professional than in Delhi.
Ms Deni was getting hard hit by Mr. Bang's comments and then she knew it was time for her master stroke. She asks Mr. Bang, Is Life all about work and being comfortable? What about family and personal life?
Mr. Bang replies Bangalore does offer numerous weekend gateways and is situated close proximity to various popular holiday destinations.
Ms Deni smiles again and says But the fact that remains is that on weekdays when you reach home late at night due to the hour and half long traffic jam(which probably got extended today by another half an hour due to the rains) you hardly get time to spend with your family. And when you finally lie on the bed ready to call off the day, you are left wondering, Is life all about work & work & work? You can't attend your close friend's wedding, can't reach sometimes on a funeral, can't share in person your parent's joys and sorrows. Is it all they brought you up for?
Mr. Bang could see the winners gaze coming out of Ms Deni 's eyes and thought of reminding her of their last trip to Delhi.(On their last visit to Delhi, Mr. Bang had promised Ms Deni that he would try and look at Delhi with a new approach) You forgot what we saw, let me refresh your memories. You didn’t like the Delhi airport as compared to its Bangalore counterpart. When we went to have lunch; to your surprise you didn’t like it all. Then we were struck in an hour long traffic jam, we carried a fear of terror attacks while going through our favorite market places. Adding upon it was the heat of the summer which was making us loose our temper again and again.
Ms Deni contradicts and says it could have been a matter of chance. Now Mr. Bang starts clapping and jumping and exclaims that all the things in Delhi were falling out of place again and again.
Ms Deni was left lost with words and Oops, the driver blew the horn and I had reached my bus spot and Mr. Bang became the winner of the day.
