Bengaluru Blues: Navigating the City’s Chaos and Challenges
Having lived in Bengaluru, I find it painful to say that the city will not improve the quality of life. I arrived in August feeling similar to Shahrukh Khan’s character in the Hindi movie Swadesh, who returns to India to bring about change.
I would catch up with my friends, visit my favourite restaurants, and see local movies. I wrote down a list of things to do, calendared them, and started executing the tasks from day one. I never listened to my sister, who asked me to slow down and relax. I contacted Seenappa, my local Man Friday, to drive me around. Seenappa is an auto driver familiar with the local routes and distances. He is fearless and drives my car with great ‘finesse’. He is not afraid of the oncoming traffic, side traffic or the vehicles behind.
On the first day I visited my dentist, I knew what lay ahead. The usual twenty-minute drive took me two hours, a stark example of the ‘taxing’ experience of navigating Bengaluru’s traffic. The drive was a great stress test, and my frustration reached its first peak. Seenappa assured me I should take it easy and learn to live with this ‘taxing’ experience.
It rained heavily the next day — heavily is a mild word. It rained cats and dogs, and water overflowed all over the streets. I could not make out a road and a drain. The situation did not deter the Bangalore citizens. They came out in ‘motorcycle’ loads and splashed the ‘drain’ water or the rainwater all over the place. Seenappa saw my helplessness and anxiety and suggested that I close my eyes and sit tight while he was driving. He has seen many passengers taking out their rosaries and praying to reduce their anxiety. If I were familiar with any meditation technique, it would help, according to Seenappa.
Though my car has slowed down over the years, Seenappa assured me of safe passage to the destination. Seeing my resignation and frustration, he indulged me in conversations to bring me up to speed on local politics, movies, and restaurants. Being a great PSPK fan, he hoped the Power Star would change his state and country with his dynamism. Learning to accept delays and living with them is an inevitable part of life, and I should live with them.
Seenappa wondered whether I had read Brent Fisher’s essay “Cultivating Patience: Strategies for Managing Frustration and Waiting.” He heard two passengers talking about this in one of his auto rides.
Within two days of my arrival, I realised I could execute only one task daily. I also changed my strategy — I invited people to meet me at my residence or one of the cafes at the Elements Mall, a popular shopping and entertainment destination conveniently within walking distance of my home.
As the weeks unfolded, I adapted to Bengaluru’s relentless pace. The initial frustration waned as I embraced the city’s vibrant culture and resilient spirit. I learned to navigate the traffic patiently, finding solace in the conversations with Seenappa and the shared experiences of fellow commuters. Inviting friends to the nearby Elements Mall became a cherished routine, allowing me to connect without the ordeal of long commutes. Through these adjustments, I discovered that while the city’s challenges were formidable, my perspective and willingness to adapt transformed my experience, turning frustration into acceptance and appreciation.
