Close to my heart

I am ashamed that being a Kannadiga-Bangalorean myself, I did not write about an issue I am genuinely concerned about, all this while. It took someone who has just moved into Bangalore to bring out the plight of a local Kannadiga in Bangalore! And he has done a remarkable job!

Do read it here.

An excerpt(I simply couldn't resist putting it here!)--

"It’s probably the only city in India where the natives account for less that 30% of the population. It’s the only city where cinema theatres screen films in as many as five languages. It’s probably the only city where a person from another state can go about his business for years, without knowing a word of the local language.

And that seems to be a matter of concern for the Kannadiga. Every Kannadiga I’ve spoken to since my return to the city has wasted no time in reminding me how very few non-Kannadigas seem to make the effort to learn the local language. Why is it such a big deal? Are they fanatics? Not by any stretch of imagination! But they are concerned that while that city has provided opportunities to the outsider, the non-Kannadigas haven’t reciprocated by ‘blending’ in. Which to a great extent means learning the local language."

I have a few things to add. It's easy to point out the flaws in Bangalore (that have surfaced mainly due to the large number of people the IT industry has brought to the city). It's easy to curse auto-drivers and policemen and declare that they all treat localites and the others differently. It's easy to criticise the decision the Kannada film industry took to save itself. But, don't you all agree that it's also easy to live in this friendly city amongst the hospitable Kannadigas wihtout even knowing their tongue? Something that would be unthinkable in some other cities.

But, there's one way of reciprocating. For the goodwill shown and the hospitality endowed - learn the local language. So please, all non-Kannadigas reading this, make an effort to learn the language of the city you wish to make your home. Before putting German and French on the agenda, put Kannada on it. It's the least you can do.

Thanks Karthik, once again. :)

Of marriage..

Marriage and Love seem to be the hot topics in the blogosphere currently, so says this post; and incidently that happens to be the topic of this post too.

Last evening's news featured a couple in Ohio that has been married for the last 82 years! The man's 101 and the woman a 100 years old. When asked the secret behind the successful marriage they didn't say the expected, read "trust, love, care and share". The man said, very frankly, "She's been feeding me well!" and the woman said, "He never puts me down, always lets me do what I want to".

With our first marriage anniversary a couple of months away, I wonder what has made it work wonderfully for us. Friendship and patience mainly. And there's one thing I've realised - there's no definite formula, you have to find what works for you, and stick with it.

Funny...

Saw this on a Car sticker:
Support Search and Rescue. Get Lost!

And this on a piece of equipment in the gym:
Consult a physician before beginning a new exercise program.
Use Common Sense. Stop if you feel giddy, dizzy or faint.
Very direct; aren't we?

This at a fast food joint:
Timings:
Monday 9.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Tuesday 9.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Wednesday 9.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Thursday 9.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Friday 9.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Saturday 9.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Sunday 9.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.

Surely, they didn't know what to do with the rest of the page if they said
'All days of the week 9.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.'