Banking on Bangalore - Leon Menezes
The software capital of the world is not just a city of geeks but of party loving people who have no less than 500 clubs to choose from Jetting off to Bangalore isn't a very normal occurrence so when my trip got confirmed, I was naturally excited. I'm one of those lucky ones who have a boss who sits outside of Pakistan. Lucky because he isn't here breathing down my neck (although in this day of e-mails and mobile phones it's just as easy to get an electronic kick-in-the-pants). On the other hand, having to travel to any place with a visa requirement can't be that bright a prospect for a Pakistani.
My trip was as pleasant as they come - the only thing I could complain about was the transit times. The flight to Bombay was on time and PIA's service was very good. Immigration and Customs at Bombay were longish because of the rush but otherwise brisk and professional. Another pleasant surprise was the lack of mobs outside the Bombay airport. Being used to fighting one's way out of the local facilities had prepared me for something similar. How refreshing.
After changing terminals to catch the flight to Bangalore I decided to grab a quick lunch at the airport restaurant. This was a rather nice place with an old-world charm. The service was courteous - almost to a fault - as I shall explain. The meal I ordered came promptly and after a while the waiter came by to check on how things were. I commented that the fish was slightly undercooked, whereupon he asked if he could change it for me. Since I had nearly finished, I politely declined. He then went and got the manager who also apologised and offered to change it. When I refused again and asked to settle my check, they informed me that the meal was complimentary because it wasn't up to my standard! They also brought a comment card so that I could record my experience. What next, I wondered.
Next was the check-in for the flight to Bangalore. I had never heard of Jet Airways but wow, what a surprise. Efficient check-in, an excellent business class lounge and the most impressive in-flight service one can imagine. Having travelled the world for many years, this was easily one of the best flights I've taken. Frequent flyers on Jet Airways will tell you how the flight attendants will greet you by name and take your meal order in a manner that would make the finest restaurants blush. My observation was that the girls were extremely pretty. This just goes to show what privatisation and competition can do for you.
Bangalore is a pleasant city, bordering on the quaint. It reminds one of old parts of Karachi and Rawalpindi but is not as crowded as either. The city was known as the "Garden City" but is now called the software capital of the world. Almost every major computer company has a presence there and, because of the money pouring in, banking and financial services have also taken off. Skyscrapers are coming up in the main city areas but efforts are made to retain the "look" of the place. A cosmopolitan population ensures a great level of tolerance as Hindus, Muslims and Christians live and work without distinctions.
It is precisely this make-up of communities that make "Bangalories" so genteel. It's somewhat like the atmosphere in Singapore and Sri Lanka where communities celebrate each other's festivals. An appreciation develops for the differences while it is easy to recognise the similarities. No one community claims to be dominant.
There are, of course, a few nut cases who want to disturb the peace. These people have actively campaigned against foreign investors (especially the foodwallas) with the aim of blackmailing them. The campaign was almost successful until local produce suppliers realised that they themselves would be the biggest losers if investors pulled out. Now the focus has shifted to target all the "outsiders" who have made Bangalore their home as they want the local language to get preference over English and Hindi.
The hotel I stayed at was a treat. Plush interiors combined with a sophistication that was understated. There was a personal valet to take care of the little things and fine restaurants that catered to a variety of tastes. I have had the opportunity to visit India on a few occasions and have always been impressed by the standard of their service industry. If I may make a sweeping judgement here - the hospitality industry in India is far and ahead of any other country because everyone seems so eager to please. It is this element alone that makes one overlook any other shortcomings.
I am told on authority that there are over 500 bars in Bangalore and more than 100 cinemas. That makes for a lot of diversional activity that the young and the restless can indulge in. The bars have their own personalities but the ones favouring good old-fashioned rock music are in the majority. The great thing about this city is that no matter how many bars one visits (don't look at me that way), no one misbehaves. With the affluence of the natives and the influx of visitors good eating and shopping are also plentiful.
Work kept me indoors till after eight in the evenings but we did manage to check out a few interesting spots. Fortunately for me, my boss is an excellent host so I was well looked after. On the second night there was a farewell for a colleague to which I was invited. One of the guests, also a colleague, asked where my residence in Karachi was. He mentioned that a cousin of his lived in the vicinity. One thing led to another and it turned out that his relations are all acquaintances of mine! The world is getting smaller by the minute.
Getting back involved an equally long transit at Bombay but with all the formalities involved, it's best to have sufficient time in hand. What a pity travel between our two countries is so difficult because I sincerely feel that more frequent interactions will lead to a reduction in mutual suspicions.
The software capital of the world is not just a city of geeks but of party loving people who have no less than 500 clubs to choose from Jetting off to Bangalore isn't a very normal occurrence so when my trip got confirmed, I was naturally excited. I'm one of those lucky ones who have a boss who sits outside of Pakistan. Lucky because he isn't here breathing down my neck (although in this day of e-mails and mobile phones it's just as easy to get an electronic kick-in-the-pants). On the other hand, having to travel to any place with a visa requirement can't be that bright a prospect for a Pakistani.
My trip was as pleasant as they come - the only thing I could complain about was the transit times. The flight to Bombay was on time and PIA's service was very good. Immigration and Customs at Bombay were longish because of the rush but otherwise brisk and professional. Another pleasant surprise was the lack of mobs outside the Bombay airport. Being used to fighting one's way out of the local facilities had prepared me for something similar. How refreshing.
After changing terminals to catch the flight to Bangalore I decided to grab a quick lunch at the airport restaurant. This was a rather nice place with an old-world charm. The service was courteous - almost to a fault - as I shall explain. The meal I ordered came promptly and after a while the waiter came by to check on how things were. I commented that the fish was slightly undercooked, whereupon he asked if he could change it for me. Since I had nearly finished, I politely declined. He then went and got the manager who also apologised and offered to change it. When I refused again and asked to settle my check, they informed me that the meal was complimentary because it wasn't up to my standard! They also brought a comment card so that I could record my experience. What next, I wondered.
Next was the check-in for the flight to Bangalore. I had never heard of Jet Airways but wow, what a surprise. Efficient check-in, an excellent business class lounge and the most impressive in-flight service one can imagine. Having travelled the world for many years, this was easily one of the best flights I've taken. Frequent flyers on Jet Airways will tell you how the flight attendants will greet you by name and take your meal order in a manner that would make the finest restaurants blush. My observation was that the girls were extremely pretty. This just goes to show what privatisation and competition can do for you.
Bangalore is a pleasant city, bordering on the quaint. It reminds one of old parts of Karachi and Rawalpindi but is not as crowded as either. The city was known as the "Garden City" but is now called the software capital of the world. Almost every major computer company has a presence there and, because of the money pouring in, banking and financial services have also taken off. Skyscrapers are coming up in the main city areas but efforts are made to retain the "look" of the place. A cosmopolitan population ensures a great level of tolerance as Hindus, Muslims and Christians live and work without distinctions.
It is precisely this make-up of communities that make "Bangalories" so genteel. It's somewhat like the atmosphere in Singapore and Sri Lanka where communities celebrate each other's festivals. An appreciation develops for the differences while it is easy to recognise the similarities. No one community claims to be dominant.
There are, of course, a few nut cases who want to disturb the peace. These people have actively campaigned against foreign investors (especially the foodwallas) with the aim of blackmailing them. The campaign was almost successful until local produce suppliers realised that they themselves would be the biggest losers if investors pulled out. Now the focus has shifted to target all the "outsiders" who have made Bangalore their home as they want the local language to get preference over English and Hindi.
The hotel I stayed at was a treat. Plush interiors combined with a sophistication that was understated. There was a personal valet to take care of the little things and fine restaurants that catered to a variety of tastes. I have had the opportunity to visit India on a few occasions and have always been impressed by the standard of their service industry. If I may make a sweeping judgement here - the hospitality industry in India is far and ahead of any other country because everyone seems so eager to please. It is this element alone that makes one overlook any other shortcomings.
I am told on authority that there are over 500 bars in Bangalore and more than 100 cinemas. That makes for a lot of diversional activity that the young and the restless can indulge in. The bars have their own personalities but the ones favouring good old-fashioned rock music are in the majority. The great thing about this city is that no matter how many bars one visits (don't look at me that way), no one misbehaves. With the affluence of the natives and the influx of visitors good eating and shopping are also plentiful.
Work kept me indoors till after eight in the evenings but we did manage to check out a few interesting spots. Fortunately for me, my boss is an excellent host so I was well looked after. On the second night there was a farewell for a colleague to which I was invited. One of the guests, also a colleague, asked where my residence in Karachi was. He mentioned that a cousin of his lived in the vicinity. One thing led to another and it turned out that his relations are all acquaintances of mine! The world is getting smaller by the minute.
Getting back involved an equally long transit at Bombay but with all the formalities involved, it's best to have sufficient time in hand. What a pity travel between our two countries is so difficult because I sincerely feel that more frequent interactions will lead to a reduction in mutual suspicions.
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