It’s very amusing to be near your loved ones, pick a phone
or just land up ringing your girl friends doorbell. But all is not so easy when
you travel to a new city and start feeling like a lonely soul on a huge island.
This is what I faced when I landed myself to the IT city Bangalore. The picture
pasted in my mind was of mechanical robots, laptops, machines, prompt behavior
and a spic and span city. Yes, many of which were true but once I started
living inside this ecosystem some facts were stark enough to be ignored.
The first thing I missed was the RUSH, the mad adrenaline
rush which the Dilliwallas breathe
through every day, every minute. A drive to ‘kill’. Yes, I said Kill, they are
sharp. Working in Delhi is like a threat on your neck. If you don’t do the
work, another five people are ready to do the same job, declaring the conquest
loud. Right opposite to this was the
crowd at my advertising firm. Thoughts were more important here than actions.
So many thoughts were blown away in smoke at the verandah that watches were
never worn. Day started at ten and filter kaapi
kept the thoughtful mind intact. All was at ease here; while the Delhi people
were busy throttling each other’s throat. Submissions could be late but what
mattered was the content.
Apart from the work culture of 11 to 7, Bangalore was slow
and easy to digest. The weather, traffic sense (which is now non-existent) and
the warmth of the natives could never be missed. Bangalore has always been the
right mix of culture and technology, it all depends which part of the city you
survive in.
Travelling by public
transport in Delhi was always a nightmare, and only God would help if you lose
your way. The last thing to expect while in Delhi was help. But is a life worth
living without a little chaos? The busy streets of Janpath and CP, the colors
so vibrant, the aroma of chats and kebabs, the authentic food streets of
Chandni Chowk and the immediate peace at Lotus Temple are to be reckoned with
warmth. The philosophy behind zest for
life is different for both the cities. While one enhances the everyday flavor
of life, living life to the fullest, the other tells a different tale, of
living it at the edge!
