The Two Forums
There was, or rather is, a city called Rome, which was one of the first centers of civilization (until a certain teutonic barbarian pulled off, as I believe, the biggest deception in history, in the 3rd century. Strange as it may sound, at least a billion people are still fooled about it. But lets leave that for a future post … ).
At the heart of Rome was the Forum – a place where temples, government buildings, the senate, … basically all the important buildings were located. The popular comic series, the adventures of Asterix the Gaul, contains references to the Forum, though its not actually portrayed.
In contemporary times, there is a city in India called Bengaluru or Bangalore, if you like, which is known the world over as the IT capital. Around half the population, including myself, are immigrants from other lands.
Recently when I’d been home in Panaji, all that my cousins were asking me was about the pubs, discotheques and malls of B’lore. The idea they all have of B’lore is that its full of these places, and that it is a ‘bold’ place where, well, anything and everything goes. One really cannot blame them for having these notions. Hailing from Goa, I understand perfectly well, what its like to have your homeland ruined and its image tarnished by tourists.
It is a fact that B’lore has a large population of ‘young’ people working in the software industry, many of whom come to B’lore and start earning, just after (engineering) college. The vast majority of us lives away from our families, and also experience freedom (out of distance?) for the first time.
It is important to note that most of the engineers who graduate from Indian schools are, well, not the most disciplined in the world. I don’t even want to talk about it. Imagine, what would happen when such people get their hands on cash and the lifestyle they can now support. Trust me, the result is chaos. I personally know people who cannot live without going to malls, the movies, amusement parks and the like on a regular (even daily) basis.
This kind of lifestyle is exemplified by one place in B’lore, quite un-aptly named ‘The Forum’. Typical weekend talk: “Lets all meet at forum at 19:00, ok?” “Cool.”
Oh sorry, its more like through SMS, “lets al mt @ 4rum @ 7, ok?” -> Send to many.
posted by The ManU man at 12:41 PM
3 Comments:
Hi,
I agree with the views that you have posted here. It is a conservative point of view, but nonetheless correct in argument. I cannot see myself defending a "mall" lifestyle, but still I find solace in the fact that it is like a "trial-and-error" lifestyle, where some people are content with trying it out for some time and getting rid of it once they have had their share of "fun". But eventually, I would say that it is all a part-and-parcel of urban development.
Hey! Thanks for the feedback.
First and foremost, freedom is not an excuse for disorder.
The issue here is that engineers are indisciplined right from college. It sure takes a lot to end that.
I am available 12x7,365 to debate on this, offline. :)
Hi,
I think i disagree with u on this one, the famous mall phenomenon is not restricted to Bangalore, or India for that matter.Malls arethe favourite hang out place and after school activity hubs for kids in US of A.
Atleast here in India we do it when we are of age.
And What has discipline got to do with it?
I am posting three interpretation of the word here (dictionary.com is the source)
1. Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order.
2. A systematic method to obtain obedience: a military discipline.
3. A state of order based on submission to rules and authority
And as per all three its clear that the whole world is a rebel cos it does not comply with your standards.
Imagine if u are made the King of this world for one day ,what would u do to make forum a better place.How would u change it so there exists discipline in that place?and How many ppl do u think will attend this forum (pun intended )of yours.
In the end ,
"It isn't about finding a perfect society. It's seeing an imperfect society perfectly.”
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