Okay hate is a little too extreme a term for this. But it does convey the popular emotion. And I have found Bangalore criticism so common, I sometimes feel alienated! Why am I the odd man out?
Thinking on it over and over again, I came up with the following points in favor of Bangalore. Listing them in increasing order of importance.
The Weather: A lot of people think weather is the only good thing about Bangalore. I'd say it is one of the many. The temperatures never go beyond a certain range, remains low on humidity all the time, and it rains whenever the heat starts. Addictive for most north Indians - some people are even not able to stay in their home towns after living here for a while.
The People: May be it is just subjective, but most people I have met here, especially the locals, are good. They are considerate when it comes to language, reasonably uncomplicated in doing business, and quite modern about fashion and lifestyle.
Look at the linguistic diversity of the city - it is perhaps the most cosmopolitan city in India, all thanks to the tolerance and political wisdom of the ordinary Kannadiga. Bangalore holds the reputation of having 'no language problem' all over the country.
And the lifestyle - Bangalore is the city of decent drunkards, perhaps the only place in India where liquor is served in family restaurants. People might be bothered about isolated unfortunate events of moral policing on girls going to pubs, but the truth generally overlooked is that girls actually can go to pubs here. And that is because decency and tolerance is and has been the culture of the city.
Fashion - every other Bangalore boy sports a goatee, a pony or a french-cut. Not that this itself is a big thing, the special thing is the acceptance he gets from the elderly generation. How I remember the scorn and the giggle I faced after having shaved my mush for the first time!
The idea: Yes the idea of Bangalore. A less important city (its not one of the four metros) from the backward third world that grabbed the imagination of the people round the world. All by inviting and grooming a bunch of technical people. The city that helped break the myth that India is not a place for technology and innovation. The city that helped India get a meaningful 'future IT superpower' adage, while we were happy with the more cliched 'land of history and culture' thing. Everytime Barack Obama says (1,2) he wants to protect jobs in his country from coming to Bangalore, I feel great. We are a threat to the most powerful, a force to reckon with - wow!
My job: I have found hope of progress, recognition of my expertise, and a whole lot of opportunities here. I have a career here. And I am grateful.
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If you think I neglected the most important Bangalore issue - infrastructure and traffic, here it is. This problem is a problem of plenty - of too much growth in too little time. Its rather haphazard, random and erratic right now. Things will stabilize overtime, and hopefully, the government will do the needful. It too has to serve the 52 million people of Karnataka, so don't keep comparing it with Delhi. Remember, you too make the crowd you crib about!
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