A Day in Bangalore during Karnataka Bandh (4th October 2006)

I was doing a night shift supporting US yesterday (3rd Oct). We were all asked to leave from office by 5:00 AM in the morning so that if there are any protests or issues after 6 in the morning.

We all left office (mine is near to Brigade Road) and started off home (Mahalaxmi Layout, Near ISCKON). Passing the Gangarams and Times of India offices, I am surprised to see the traffic on the streets at 5:00 AM. I guess people were making it to office before 6 similar to us makin it to home :)

I reached home, on my way picked up milk and newspaper just incase to make sure we dont miss it. Greeted my mom a good morning and pulled my bedspread over to have a good sleep and dream about my girl.

As usual I get up at 1:30 PM. I see that my dad and bro are at home and was surprised (coz i had forgotten it was Bandh :D). I realised it was Bandh when I saw that my bro had put on some DVD and my parents were watching it so much of concentration. My uncle who usually is very busy and doesn have time even to drop in to my house.. was watching the movie and having his lunch!!!

I joined them watching the movie after my bath and breakfast (mom had prep MTR Rava Idly!! ummm i like it!!). I had got some old DVDs of NTR's mythological hits and my bro had put on one of them coz my dad likes them. I finished the movie and everybody dispersed. My parents and bro went to have a nap.

I was all alone in the hall, started to surf channels and see that none of the channels other than KANNADA are showing up! I started to search all the Bands VL, VH, UH and then i called up my cable operator in a hurry only to know from him the same Bandh Gyan and that today no other channels other than KANNADA are being telecasted in karnataka. What crap is this?? Then, I decided that i will atleast go to office. I may get some *LIKE MINDED* people bored at home who made their way.

Meanwhile, I put on the GHAJINI DVD (telugu) that I had got and started to get ready. Lest did i realise it was intermission and 1 hr 20 mins passed by since i was all set, eady to go to office. I switched off the TV and set my fot out of my house.

I started my bike and zooom in my bike, oops!! i had forgotten my mobile.. I went back, picked up my mobile and started to office at 4:45
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw!!!! the streets are so calm.. so quiet.. feels joy to ride bikes when you have no one on the streets. Usually am in a hurry to get to office and speed. Today I decided that I will take my own time to reach office..

Lots of people at ISCKON!! wondered if people really are so religious or jus thought to make it a picnic on a Bandh :).. beautiful gals crossing either sides of the main road.. enjoyed the scene for a few moments and almost reached the KSDL circle.. took a deep turn around the circle..

Hmmm.. the streets of Malleshwaram.. as usual.. cool and calm.. but today.. there are no people also on the streets! reached the 18th cross Bust stop!! oh my god!! its empty! a place which is very busy and difficult to cross at 5:00 PM; I could cross it in a few seconds..

Now.. the best.. the Sanket tank.. so many people.. wonder if they ever bothered to visit the sankey park after it was renovated!! it was good to see people in the park with their kids.. the best part is.. am sure.. the young couples felt it a little embarrising to be around them.. i could not sight a single "love" couples around.. its ages since I had seen small children make it to the main road on their bicycles.. Sooper!! it made me remind of Bangalore of those mid 90's

Even though I was jus in my high school at that time, I do remember how calm and safe the main roads were for us to ride bicycles.

The best was yet to come!! I enetered MG Road!! my god!! I expected to see the usual traffic and crowd atleast here!! it bein in the centre of the city.. but i was wrong.. very few bikes on the road and one or two cars speeding to their desinations!

It was a good 35 mins ride from my home to office which I usually take only 20 mins even during the busy hours!!

I hope we could *CELEBRATE* this Karnataka Bandh atleast once in a month! This will atleast remind us of the old good Bangalore..

I eventually got to office, met some colleagues and same old work :(

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