[ Sajith M ]

Arghh!!! WTF. That summarizes my reaction.

Okay, so assuming that you have just returned from Mars, here is a quick summary. Effective today (November 01, 2006), Bangalore will be known as Bangalooru. This is supposed to be the state government’s gift to the people on the 50th anniversary of Karnataka state.
Oh! thanks for the un-pronounceable gift. Can i return it Mr. Chief Minister?

For note, I think Bangalooru is utterly un-pronounceable and has (sort of) a rural sleepy village feel to it as compared to relatively well know, well pronounceable and cosmopolitan sounding Bangalore. Just my personal thoughts, I think at least some people would be able to pronounce it.

Btw, I am sure that the government did not have anything better to do when it thought of this wonderful plan. I mean, hey its just a matter of getting the name right. Once the name is right, the infrastructure will take care of itself. And of course, the same applies to other problems of Bangalore like the law and order situation, increasing regional chauvinism etc etc

So does this mean that Bangalore too disappears into history – just like Bombay and Madras? Or does it mean that people will continue to be Bangaloreans in Bangalore and Bangalooru will be restricted to the government world?

Link 01: Bangalore, names and Nehambal by Neha Viswanathan.
Link 02: Everything is in a name by Aviraj.

Posted under: City Life , Bangalore , Uncategorized
Tagged with: Bangalooru, Bangalore

To give you a quick summary, If you are driving a two wheeler (irrespective of engine size and bhp) in Bangalore City limits, you are supposed to wear a helmet. For now the pillion riders don’t need to wear a helmet.

As a person who always wears a helmet while riding, you would expect me to perhaps welcome this move..
And why as a person who anyways wears a helmet, am I opposed to this new regulation you might ask?

The biggest argument given in favor of wearing helmets is that it will reduce serious head injuries. And I sort of agree with it. However,

1. Is there anything to prove that helmets do actually bring down the number of serious injuries?
2. Will someone take count of injuries after this rule comes into effect, and repeal the law if its not working?
3. Is it not also a proven fact that in most two wheeler accidents, it is the pillion rider who ends up being more seriously injured?
4. Won’t improving the road conditions (potholes, bad lights etc) help in reducing accidents and (subsequent) injuries more than imposing helmets?

And why do our governments (the ones we are supposed to elect as adults) treat us the same way as some kindergarten kids. Why do we need to be told what to wear and what not to wear? [rant]What to drink, what not to drink; when to drink, when not to drink; when to sleep, when not to sleep (sorry, looks like we don’t have a law about the last one yet)[/rant]

The beauty of this rule is that it ignores the causes for deaths and injuries (bad roads), and focuses on the remedies (helmets). And somehow it makes it look like our law makers don’t think that citizens can think for themselves. Ah, well…

Posted under: City Life , Bangalore , Uncategorized
Tagged with: accidents, bad roads, Bangalore, deaths, head injuries, helmet, injuries, road conditions, two wheeler

Shopping at Big Bazaar, Hosur Road is a nightmare. Its perhaps the best example of what type of stores not to visit. Getting parking space is impossible, the billing queues never ending, and finally the difference between the listed price and MRP too miniscule to compensate for the effort and time you have to put in.

Sometime it makes me wonder how does Big Bazaar stay in business with the absolutely pathetic shopping experience that they provide, but guess I am missing something as others don’t quite see it that way and the place is always crowded with shoppers.

Link: bangalore- shoppers’ paradise or? by Usha Vaidyanathan on Bangalore MetroBlogging.

Posted under: City Life , Bangalore , Uncategorized
Tagged with: Big Bazaar, nightmare, pathetic, Shopping, shopping experience

What if the average Bangalorean is least bothered about which state Belgaum belongs to, that sure is no deterrent for Kannada Chaluvali Paksha and Karnataka Rakshna Vedike from calling for a 12 hour strike (6AM to 6PM) to protest against UPA government’s ‘step motherly’ treatment in border row with Maharashtra. Ah well…

So we have a daylong strike paralyzing normal life across Bangalore (and perhaps whole Karnataka), thanks to Kannada activists defending the status of Belgaum as an integral part of Karnataka. Btw, if you thought that the near complete shutdown was because people were passionate or seriously concerned about Belgaum issue, then you are mistaken. It was mostly due to the fear psychosis and forced shutdowns.

Thankfully, this time the police was actually present on the streets. This I believe was the reason the bandh went off peacefully, and we did not see a repeat of incidents that took place following Rajkumar’s death.

The traffic was pretty low, and I was able to cover the 22 Kilometers from HSR Layout to HRBR Layout (Kalyan Nagar, Banaswadi) in less than 20 minute while being able to take a few snaps on my way.. I would have loved to put up the photos that I managed to get showing cops doing the rounds (and thanks to them we did not have any untoward incidents today), but none of them came out well.. so here are the ones that I managed.

Posted under: City Life , Bangalore , Uncategorized
Tagged with: bandh, Bangalore, Belgaum, Karnataka, strike

Shamelessly copied from Bangalore Pains by Prayukth Jayarajan

Bangalore, Sept 07: By our Business Correspondent: An US multinational selling bullock carts is planning to start a unit near bangalore. Though Hyd and chennai were in the race, Bangalore won due to the fuel price situation here which makes it more attractive for the company in selling their vehicles.

A beaming CM kumaaaraaswaaamyy announced this at a press conference in the city today. He said that he was really concerned about bangaloreans and that’s why he has “fought” to get this plant here. These bullock carts will take bangalore in to the “20th” century he announced. when reminded of the mistake he pretended not to hear the question. He also said that he will continue suffering by travelling in his merc benz as he wants only the common bangaloreans to enjoy while he “suffers” in his air conditioned merc.

The bullock cart company has big plans for the city. The body will be brought in a semi-knocked down condition and the engines (read bulls) recruited locally. The co is hoping to break even by the first year itself considering the condition of roads and the price of fuel here. The co will also set up grass filling stations at major junctions where people can purchase fuel (read grass) and it has already tied up with major credit card companies for payment. Online payment option is also available.

The bullock carts will come with a standard kit and can be spruced up to a jazzy version. Two models will be released inniitially one with gears and another one having automatic transmission. CM kumarasawwaaamyyy has promised to extend all tax benefits to these vehicles and has said that all Government class 10 employees will have to use these.

The co has also entered into an agreement with an Indian firm for providing post sales service. The network will be available in Bangalore initially and then across the state. Users will be given sms on the status of their bullock carts while the servicing is going on and the first service after 100 bales of hay is free.

Posted under: City Life , Bangalore , Infrastructure

On 09 August, 2006 (Wednesday), I went to Cafe Coffee Day (M. K. Ahmed Supermarket, HSR Layout, Bangalore) along with a friend of mine.

Now normally, I go to CCD on weekends but in this particular case I had a redemption coupon that entitled me to free Cappuccino and it was not valid on weekends.

Okay, so I have this coupon that says it is to be presented before billing. So both of us settle down and order two Cappuccino (two coupons) and a Chocolate Doughnut.

I present the coupons to the guy taking orders and he returns them to me after looking at them for sometime. So I am led to believe that he knows what he is doing and that I will not be billed for the same.

Anyway, he gives me the bill (Rs 81.00) and I again tell him about coupons, he asks me to give the coupons while I pay the bill. Well, sounds fine by me.

So we finish our coffee and I go ahead to pay the bill. I present the bill along with the coupons (remember, the guy earlier told me to do so) and the guy at the counter tell me “Sorry Sir, but this has already been billed. You should have presented the coupons before billing”.

Oh well, I tell him that the other guy had told me to do what I did. But he continues to stick to his “before billing” stand. Anyway, I just pay by cash and get out of the place.

Twice I told the guy taking the orders that I would be using the coupons and finally, I end up having to pay while having the coupons. Now, I just end up wondering if this was not an attempt to cheat me.

Summary: I would avoid CCD if I can. I have never had such a problem at Barista (have not tried others), and probably it’s best for me to avoid CCD where I can…

Posted under: City Life , Bangalore , Uncategorized
Tagged with: Cafe Coffee Day, CCD