INSIGHT INDIA - BANGALORED PAVEMENTS

Welcome to Bangalore! India's IT hub. And a franticity of infrastructure developments. Take one fascinating example. The brand new pavements. A potential tourist attraction. Come with your cameras. Take pictures. But don't try to step up and walk on them...without a walking stick. In places you may have to climb heights of over a foot. And the height varies unpredictably through the length of any pavement. In addition similar ups and downs and other impediments are provided on the pavement. To test your agility. And nerve. Locals prefer to walk on the road and risk the haywire traffic. But those pavements are beautiful. To look at. Solid concrete. Obviously, the more the concrete dumped on them, the higher the cost of the project. That should make some people very, very happy.

So...if you want to see some of the finest, user-unfriendly pavements anywhere, don't go anywhere else. Come to globalized Bangalore. Don't forget your camera, pal. And a walking stick. (More INSIGHT INDIA stories at www.myspace.com/india_realities)

INSIGHT INDIA - CROSSING A BANGALORED STREET

Here's how to cross a busy street in a globalized Indian city like Bangalore. Yes, even at a clearly-marked zebra. Before you take a step it's advisable to look LEFT, RIGHT, BEHIND and UP. Why UP? you'll surely ask me. Is it because of the heavy helicopter traffic of software CEO's flying to work? No. That's still exceptional. But a falling tree branch or live electric cable is not tOO exceptional. Specially in the rains. Besides, by looking UP you are signalling to the Almighty that you're about to cross...and commending yourself to His protection.That's called double insurance.

Remember this safety routine. LEFT. RIGHT. BEHIND. And UP. And, once you've crossed safely, don't forget to say a brief: 'Thank you, God!' (More India Insight stories at www.myspace.com/india_realities)


[Pradeep says: 'What about looking DOWN? What about potholes?' I assumed potholes were impossible at a clearly-marked zebra, even in globalized Bangalore. But I could easily be wrong. A pothole of thanks to you, Pradeep!]