Dear Bengaluru
Letter to my most favorite city
The next word that generally follows your name when I ask anyone is ‘pleasant weather’ or maybe ‘Traffic’. But to me, you are more than that. You are a sense of freedom, an independence, and happiness.
I never believed in little joys of life until I came here. You made me believe there is reason to smile at every corner of life, and I just need to look. I recently saw a post saying, “Bengaluru’s blooming pink,” with a picture of pink cherry blossom coloring your roads, only to know that the picture was clicked at just a couple of blocks away from my house. Stupid me! I need to move around more often.
My simple joys: A ride through HAL old airport road, with patches of sunlight falling on me,escaping through the canopy of tree branches. A cup of filter ‘kaapi’ at Aasha or podi idly and masala dosa in Rameshwaram cafe. Lazy day at Champaca reading books. Loosing myself in the alleys of Blossom book house. Frolicking to my heart’s content in Cubbon park. Exploring the streets filled with art in the heart of city (church street and MG road). Aromas from the Iyyengar’s bread basket at my house corner. Silly shopping at church street. Or just standing by the street and looking up to find the blues of the sky and greens of the trees fill my eye and marvel at the nature’s creative palette.
Bengaluru, I remember the day you welcomed a confuse little girl, me, into your arms. You nurtured me personally and professionally. You made me believe there is more to me than I thought of myself. You have shown me ways to pursue my passion and dreams. You introduced me to the people and world I never knew I needed. Thank you so much for bringing colors to my blank canvas. I can’t wait to paint a beautiful picture using those.
I am more connected to you than I can be with my hometown, to be honest. The reason might be because you are as multifaceted as I am. Well, Let me ask you a question: How can one city have such diverse titles? Garden city of India, Night life of India(city with most pubs), IT capital of India, Silicon valley of India, the most traffic congested city, city of lakes and more. You amaze me every single time.
The fact that you grow exponentially in every aspect and yet maintain yourself ecologically makes me love you more. Thanks for teaching me how to be myself and grounded, even when I grow apart and diverse.
I’ll wrap this letter by saying: Namma Bangalore, Namma weather, Namma blossom, and Namma home. Thank you for embracing me, my dear Bengaluru.
With love,
Vidya
Namma (Kannada) : Our
