Peeking out of the airplane window from amidst the fluffy, cotton-candy resembling clouds, I was trying to get a glimpse of the city I never dreamt being a part of. Five years ago, I had come down to Bangalore in a hunt for colleges. Clinging to my mother’s arm, I was wondering how the city was going to treat me.
Today, I proudly say that the day I arrived in Bangalore was indubitably one of the most blessed days of my life. The city and the people accepted me with open arms.
As a child, I used to hum a song, “Joy isn’t something 'till you give it away, It all comes back to you” – and staying here I have realised how true these lines are. I do agree about the day to day problems people face - broken slabs on the footpath, price hike and garbage dumps. But for one day, leave aside your agitation and look around at how beautiful the city is, how beautiful you all are!
Yellow and purple flowering trees, whistling wind, mesmerising fragrance of jasmine flower in your hair, swirling sashaying (half) sarees, long preserved beautiful culture and most importantly a city of some of the most intellectual and humble people one could ever come across. A big thank you to all those who returned a smile when I smiled at them, all the aunties who cooked for me, all akkas and chechis who shouted at me when I missed my meals, the BMTC bus drivers who patiently explained the different routes, temple authorities who invited me to light lamps during diwali when I terribly missed home,
the flower vendors who always said, "It is nice to see you”, auto-wala bhaiyyas who laughed and explained that “Meter Beko” was incorrect, the violin teacher who patiently dealt with the harsh unmelodious tune of my violin and many more people for their unconditional help, love and motivation. It is you who make the city so precious!
It is impossible to express in words how beautiful the city is and how wonderful you all are. I know there are many more people like me who have experienced the warmth of this “Abode of happiness”. Wonder how many of you will fathom my feeling when I say, “I am terribly going to miss being a part of Bangalore!”
(The writer is a resident of Vasantnagar)