Folks, this question is really meant to be tongue in cheek for the 20th century grads of the city. Especially the ones who haven’t stayed in BBSR for many years now; or for the ones who have stayed on but have hardly ventured out and have restricted themselves – figuratively speaking - to only a few watering holes.
So many times, I have heard people getting confused about whether they are waiting in CRP Chakka [I mean Square] or Jayadev Vihar signal [thankful not behind the wheel]. With the population percentage growth growing rapidly I am dreadfully waiting for the day, when visitors compare the time spent at traffic signals with those in Haji Ali crossing in my previously amchi Mumbai. That day certainly, I will want to recede further to some other village - aka Koraput or something. Even though there are a few snarling roads / alleys and frustrating crossings now – I hope no one ever compares BBSR to CTC one day [I know this Cuttacki / BBSR fight emerges again – though am not sure if there any ardent CTC fans any longer…Hands Up, pls :p]
But there are good things too. The notorious Patia has become the hub of upwardly mobile IT professionals or aspiring IT professionals. Next to the mines @ Keonjhar, I would guess this 5 square KM must be having one of the highest per-capita in the state and would probably be giving Chandigarh [which has the per-capita income of the country] a run for its money.
Mr Patnaik, teaming up with the erstwhile BMC super-woman Aparijta Sarangi, gave it a nice facelift. The awesome threesome of opportunity to quick money for select few, a mass of hanger-bys to ape the west [body language and dressing sense – unfortunately sans the aspiration or work ethics] and a good deal of consumable surplus. All this, on a small base. [Mind BBSR is still a very small city by India standards. Its population of about 10-15 lakhs wouldn’t even come on the top 100 of the country. And density wise it will be way way below – say outside top 500.] That’s why all these change stands out to someone who has come to BBSR 2-3 times in the last 5 years. They have seen it change.
The best part about BBSR, is still the evening summer breeze. Though it sometimes seems to be a bit threatened – at least one is scared of it dwindling. Considering the erratic climate or significant adverse change over the past 12. Apart from the breeze, from the ‘misnomer’ developmental perspective is large tracts of land available over a 30-40 KM stretch. That has helped created expansion of the city, including housing an IIT, AIIMS, NISER and many other institutes of national repute and the burgeoning private higher education industry. Good schools are still not in adequate numbers, seems there is space for at least a dozen more.
Why am I writing all this?? Folks, be clear. If you think you are from BBSR. Better realize that you are not. Apart from the breeze, still sleepy people [mostly], relatively less crowded roads/crossings [compared to metros / CTC] -. at least most of the roads / crossings for most of the day, few old eating joints and same old Puri to got out for a break [thankfully they all exist to give a deceptive sense of familiarity] almost everything has changed.
As you get off BBSR station or airport you are sought out in Hindi, acceptable summer afternoons have changed to smelting hot summers [I cant imagine guys cycling 30 KM a day anymore in Apr/May]. The teeming and eager to be known as contemporary student crowd – tens of thousands of them – makes the hand-in-hand and all the works associated give it a Pune look and the behenji dressing has been transformed to westerners [and also how they ride pillion and everything else associated with an ‘emancipated woman’]. Scores [probably hundreds] of new nagars and colonies – if one were to note the addresses where auto drivers drop their customers to from the station – I am pretty sure, we 20th century grads, wouldn’t know 70 per cent of them. Then of course the mining money has ensured every top model car or SUV is available in BBSR the day it is launched in metros. I remember about 10 years back – where an Indica taxi was an eye candy.
And the crowds, for old timers – its is depressing [even though it may seem to be a sign of having arrived for some] considering that way its going to be 10 years hence. BBSR aping the rest even in terms of wait in traffic lights will kill all charm. The only real good, sustainable positive change are the number of well maintained parks. Which really were conspicuous by their absence 15-20 years back [mark-me, well maintained is what I said]. Not to mention the real estate absolute and growth rates. Not to mention the IT boom and the concomitant real estate boom – where every non resident Oriya in the globe had to have a property in BBSR; exactly the same way every Bong world over needs to have relative in amar Kolkotta. The prices will be competing with places 80-100 KM from Nariman Point, am sure. Yup BBSR has changed. Nowadays when I venture out, the see the numerous news twists and turns emerging from nowhere, both to deceive and surprise.
But then BBSR is BBSR for the people who have grew up here and have fond memories of friendships and flirtations. And of course khatti and bhanga n baja. Like every city is to its ‘erstwhile’ [;)] habitant. Its like ones one school – where every one finds it difficult to believe how anyone else’s school or school life could have been better. Ours/mine has to be the best – the bragging one hears about school / schooling in the after years [especially in the not so sober moments of people who were relative sober in school] can beat of bravery and foolhardiness awards in history and posterity in one sitting. Yah, ones ole city – in that sense is like ones school. Am BBSR evokes the same feelings for the people says its their own. But many times, I find telling myself is it the same place I grew up. Is it the same place, I used to find it a village [albeit cosy one] every time I used return from a metro.
Junta, who haven’t come for a decade or more and if you carry the same ole references – get ready for a wake-up shock as soon as you land.
Bhubaneshwar
July 17, 2010
So many times, I have heard people getting confused about whether they are waiting in CRP Chakka [I mean Square] or Jayadev Vihar signal [thankful not behind the wheel]. With the population percentage growth growing rapidly I am dreadfully waiting for the day, when visitors compare the time spent at traffic signals with those in Haji Ali crossing in my previously amchi Mumbai. That day certainly, I will want to recede further to some other village - aka Koraput or something. Even though there are a few snarling roads / alleys and frustrating crossings now – I hope no one ever compares BBSR to CTC one day [I know this Cuttacki / BBSR fight emerges again – though am not sure if there any ardent CTC fans any longer…Hands Up, pls :p]
But there are good things too. The notorious Patia has become the hub of upwardly mobile IT professionals or aspiring IT professionals. Next to the mines @ Keonjhar, I would guess this 5 square KM must be having one of the highest per-capita in the state and would probably be giving Chandigarh [which has the per-capita income of the country] a run for its money.
Mr Patnaik, teaming up with the erstwhile BMC super-woman Aparijta Sarangi, gave it a nice facelift. The awesome threesome of opportunity to quick money for select few, a mass of hanger-bys to ape the west [body language and dressing sense – unfortunately sans the aspiration or work ethics] and a good deal of consumable surplus. All this, on a small base. [Mind BBSR is still a very small city by India standards. Its population of about 10-15 lakhs wouldn’t even come on the top 100 of the country. And density wise it will be way way below – say outside top 500.] That’s why all these change stands out to someone who has come to BBSR 2-3 times in the last 5 years. They have seen it change.
The best part about BBSR, is still the evening summer breeze. Though it sometimes seems to be a bit threatened – at least one is scared of it dwindling. Considering the erratic climate or significant adverse change over the past 12. Apart from the breeze, from the ‘misnomer’ developmental perspective is large tracts of land available over a 30-40 KM stretch. That has helped created expansion of the city, including housing an IIT, AIIMS, NISER and many other institutes of national repute and the burgeoning private higher education industry. Good schools are still not in adequate numbers, seems there is space for at least a dozen more.
Why am I writing all this?? Folks, be clear. If you think you are from BBSR. Better realize that you are not. Apart from the breeze, still sleepy people [mostly], relatively less crowded roads/crossings [compared to metros / CTC] -. at least most of the roads / crossings for most of the day, few old eating joints and same old Puri to got out for a break [thankfully they all exist to give a deceptive sense of familiarity] almost everything has changed.
As you get off BBSR station or airport you are sought out in Hindi, acceptable summer afternoons have changed to smelting hot summers [I cant imagine guys cycling 30 KM a day anymore in Apr/May]. The teeming and eager to be known as contemporary student crowd – tens of thousands of them – makes the hand-in-hand and all the works associated give it a Pune look and the behenji dressing has been transformed to westerners [and also how they ride pillion and everything else associated with an ‘emancipated woman’]. Scores [probably hundreds] of new nagars and colonies – if one were to note the addresses where auto drivers drop their customers to from the station – I am pretty sure, we 20th century grads, wouldn’t know 70 per cent of them. Then of course the mining money has ensured every top model car or SUV is available in BBSR the day it is launched in metros. I remember about 10 years back – where an Indica taxi was an eye candy.
And the crowds, for old timers – its is depressing [even though it may seem to be a sign of having arrived for some] considering that way its going to be 10 years hence. BBSR aping the rest even in terms of wait in traffic lights will kill all charm. The only real good, sustainable positive change are the number of well maintained parks. Which really were conspicuous by their absence 15-20 years back [mark-me, well maintained is what I said]. Not to mention the real estate absolute and growth rates. Not to mention the IT boom and the concomitant real estate boom – where every non resident Oriya in the globe had to have a property in BBSR; exactly the same way every Bong world over needs to have relative in amar Kolkotta. The prices will be competing with places 80-100 KM from Nariman Point, am sure. Yup BBSR has changed. Nowadays when I venture out, the see the numerous news twists and turns emerging from nowhere, both to deceive and surprise.
But then BBSR is BBSR for the people who have grew up here and have fond memories of friendships and flirtations. And of course khatti and bhanga n baja. Like every city is to its ‘erstwhile’ [;)] habitant. Its like ones one school – where every one finds it difficult to believe how anyone else’s school or school life could have been better. Ours/mine has to be the best – the bragging one hears about school / schooling in the after years [especially in the not so sober moments of people who were relative sober in school] can beat of bravery and foolhardiness awards in history and posterity in one sitting. Yah, ones ole city – in that sense is like ones school. Am BBSR evokes the same feelings for the people says its their own. But many times, I find telling myself is it the same place I grew up. Is it the same place, I used to find it a village [albeit cosy one] every time I used return from a metro.
Junta, who haven’t come for a decade or more and if you carry the same ole references – get ready for a wake-up shock as soon as you land.
Bhubaneshwar
July 17, 2010
Absolutely true. When I visited BBSR recently after 17 years, I was completely suprised by the look of the city as all has changed...i mean alls changed for good. I was unable to recognise the locations, like I couldnot recognise Jaidev Vihar Chowk, Rupali Chowk.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to mention the sumptuous Dalma..:)..and reg ur post, I so do agree to what u have written..I have seen BBSR grow unbelievably in the four years I spent..I miss the place soo much!...:)
ReplyDeleteThere is a way to have the cake and eat it too. Some of the cities like Boston have exclusive residential areas/clubs which are very 'private'. You can't get in unless you are related to some of the long standing families. You basically treat newcomers as uncouth mongrels :)
ReplyDeleteCreate exclusive clubs where only old money or old contacts can get you in and make them the source of envy.