2013 was Rock 'n' Roll!

I rarely write about my personal life in my blog and at this point I feel like sharing a few things.
After a tedious long year, I now recall, all the joys/odds and the ups/downs of 2013. It was an experience for itself. It all started with a bang on the new year's eve at our friend's place where we had an amazing time. Then, came running my best friend Pinku's wedding in February and there I see her getting married to the love of her life. I am so happy for the duo :-D Then started the rat race in her professional life of getting a transfer to the US when her husband flew right after their wedding. After a lot of efforts, she finally got the transfer and left to Boston in July! Though no one wanted her to get the transfer as much as I did, it still felt like I was missing something big in life. We both have spent more than 20 years together growing up, laughing and crying together, always having a shoulder for each other. I agree with you that there is Skype and Whatsapp! But it is nothing in comparison with the physical presence of a person.

Since then, I have no company for shopping, eating, laughing and dancing. I celebrated my birthday in July without her, like for the first time since we know each other. And so did she celebrate her's in August. The year seemed very long and boring since she had gone until I got busy with my wedding preparations. Yes! I got married to my childhood friend Sachin in November 2013 <3   Life is busy from then onward and now, I miss both my best friend and my little sister Anu (Both Sachin and I live with my in-laws).
After a long year, here we are in the new year, of which half of the first month is already over with so many new things happening around, in both personal and social life. By the way friends, I joined Yoga class and am having fruits for breakfast. Looking forward for some adventure and long trips this year.
Happy new year all!!

P.S: Some photos from 2013:

Jan 1st 2013 

Pinku's Bachelorette followed by her wedding :)

From our portfolios: March (left) and at the airport when Pinku was leaving: July (right)

My wedding: November

See you in the next post! :-D

Bangalore heights - No vertical limit

This is my seventh post since April 18th 2012, the day I started this blog. I really do not know why it took such a long time for this post.
Right now, every day's travel inside the city of Bangalore has induced me to write this piece. Those friends who have been seeing this metropolitan from the past 20 years might agree with what I am saying.

It is never good for a city to grow vertically instead of growing by area. Here, vertically' means the city loading up with tall buildings.The number of skyscrapers emerging today makes any common man debate. People who have been in Bangalore for years now, can see a phenomenal change in the past 10-15 years.The growing population, increasing number of vehicles, malls, theaters, apartments, IT sectors etc honestly terrifies me (Please don't judge me). Of course! You might call, all of these changes as 'Development'. But what it actually is, is quite subjective isn't it?

Let me give you some facts:

• There are around 40 skyscrapers in the city today, keeping 70 meter (21 floors) high building as the minimum.
• 50 more buildings are under construction where 153 meter (46 floors) building is the tallest.
• 10 more are approved but are on hold for various reasons. 
• One of the projects that is approved is estimated to be 660 meter (156 floors) high. Good Lord!

Now, all one needs to think about is whether what is happening currently, is a positive or a negative change. Firstly, let us find out the reasons for this high-rise boom.

Bangalore has always been a welcome city for outsiders and she never says NO to anybody who wants to settle here. That is how me and you have landed up here right! Reason why the silicon valley has drew people from across the nation is the job opportunities and economic growth of the city. There is a 47% increase in population from 2001 - 2011, the highest compared to other metros. Growing demand for accommodation has given a boom to real estate in the city. Space crunch in all the areas has given way to vertical development of buildings. Hence, the increase in IT spaces, huge apartments, malls, commercial complexes etc.

Threats we foresee:

Starting with water; Cauvery being the main source, it definitely cannot provide water only for Bangalore when 4 states depend on it. Even after the Govt. of Karnataka announcing that the builders should find their own source of water and not depend on the corporation for it, I am sure they will twist and tweak the rule, give bribe and some how manage to still construct the building unlawfully. Water problem is followed by electricity problem, increase in the number of vehicles, pollution, accidents, health hazards and a total rise in temperature due to cutting down of trees. Reports say that the glass facades in the high-rise buildings reflect heat and hence cause the temperature to increase by 2-3°C in the city. Phew!! At last the other crises we could face after considering so many elements are fire accidents, crime, terrorism etc.


I am sure most of you are well versed with the above information but how we act upon it is one thing which is debatable. I will leave it to you to ponder upon these issues for the night. See you soon with my next post.