A big City, A single Lady and no Curd Rice

As an aftermath to my year old accident, my knee has suddenly given up. And since limping is not such a good sight for my perceived image to the outside world, and being forced by the unbearable pain that has come as part of it, I decided to go and seek a doctor’s advice.

It was a noble decision, one would think, and so did I, when just after couple of days of physiotherapy and medicine I was again able to take my baby steps one at a time. But how optimistic I was about my speedy recovery! It just took me these exact 3 days to understand that it was not just medicine that is making me walk, it’s actually STRONG medicine that’s making me not to realize my pain. And it came with some extra - my stomach got thoroughly challenged with these medicines to the extent of almost giving up!

That’s how I started my day today. A few times in and out of my loo and I was already seeing butterflies.
Anyways, I still had to go to the clinic for the physiotherapy. So did I, though it was much later than my usual time of 9.30 AM.

When I finished with my session today, it was 2 PM. I suddenly realized I am terribly hungry. Having not eaten almost anything since morning, and given my delicate state of my stomach the only one thing I wanted to eat was some rice and curd!

Being already in Indiranagar, South Indies came to my mind – a nice, comfortable restaurant for all southern delicacies! So I call them up, make a reservation for myself, and yappiee I was ready to have my curd and rice, oops, curd rice.

You think it was that easy? Hang on then.

I reach my fav joint in next 10 minutes and wait for the manager to show me a place to sit. He comes in about 5 min, asks me if I had made a reservation and then politely tells me to wait some more. He comes back quick and suggests that I should go for the Ala Carta upstairs and not the Buffet they were serving on the ground floor. Since I was not to climb stairs as per the doctor’s advice, I chose to go for the buffet (hoping I will get my much desired curd rice there). He makes me sit outside once again telling me he is looking for a place and goes hiding inside.

Few minutes later, a girl, nicely draped in a saree makes a smiling appearance. The Manager gets out, calls the girl and tell her in very clear voice – “there is a single lady sitting outside. She wants to take the buffet. Talk to her and make her sit out side” and he disappears again.

“Make her sit outside” !!! Is that the way a guest is treated in a restaurant? The girl was visibly embarrassed, not yet baked or fried in this profession, seeing me hearing all that her manager has told her. When she comes to me with the order, I let her know of my desire – to walk out and go home.

So much for my curd rice!!!

Bangalore New Airport - Whats the big Hulla!

Whenever I go back home to Kolkata, I travel 30 Km to reach home, not because I stay away from the city, but because the airport was built a long time ago outside the city to avoid congestion. Even in NOIDA, people will still continue travelling through IG Intl Airport in Delhi, some 25-30 KM away, until they get their own. So, is the case in Ahmedabad, Pune or even Chennai, where people from, say, Ambattur have to travel a good 20- 25 Km to reach the airport. Mumbai is the only exception (or is it?)

So, whats the big deal with Bangalore new airport to be away from the city? Seriously, I am not sure. Is it bad to have a nice, big international standard airport with un-congested runways, plenty of baggage belts, better toilets (those in HAL doesnt need introduction!!) and social infrastructure etc? (there are plenty of other reasons, i am sure)

I guess the answer is NO. Then why is such a Hulla about it? So much politically correct statements from all industry leaders, and from someone who suddenly became a Leader of the Nation through a reality show! (gimme a break!)

Yes. I agree people will have trouble to travel to such a long distance. And that's because
1. they are used to a city centre airport for ages ( a luxury!), &
2. Bangaloreans are not used to travel long distance - here people change homes based on where they work.

So what is it that we should be concerned about (strictly as per me)?
WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW WE IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY FROM DIFF CITY POINTS TO THE AIRPORT.
And, this is where we need a task force. We really need to put all our collective intelligent brains together to find that solution. Volvo buses is just one option and its rather complicated, given their timings and those of host of domestic and international flights in all hours of the day - how does one travel to airport when she has to take a flight at 2 AM? I am sure there wont be any Volvo running at that time!

Lets start doing it NOW! we have only 2 days to find a solution !!!

Ok! I am back

I have been away for a long long time, so long that I missed this place so much! Its not because I didnt have anything to write - infact I had so much to write - I was just too busy in managing some other parts of my life. But how is it possible that I stop seeing beyond my tinted glass? I need to, always.

And therefore, I am here once again