A Speed Bump

I think I haven’t revealed where I live. I’m posted in Bhopal. Yes, duty calls. I expected this city to be at par with most state capitals in India. SOO not the case (even though, I’ve not been to most states). I was quite disappointed. Still am from time to time. Getting used to it though. Madhya Pradesh being one of the biggest states in India, I thought “Bhopal should be decent”. But nope. Looking at a map, it seems like one of the smaller districts of MP. It’s a small town. HUUUUGE change from Delhi (yes, that’s where I’m from). The difference was obviously understandable. But. BUT. Bhopal (as people always say) has its charm. Beautiful lakes. Lots of green cover. But all of this (in my opinion) is overshadowed by bad roads, even worse highways (continuous blame game between the state and Centre on the conditions of roads, one blames the other and vice-versa). 

Oh! How lovely they look

Public transportation is crap. Not “public” friendly at all. The government imposed a strict rule for all autorickshaws to have working meters and to use them, or face a penalty.  I use an auto every single day. Not even one auto driver voluntarily agrees to go by the meter. Not one. Buses are shady as hell, that’s all I can say. 

The other thing about living in a place like Bhopal is that an “outsider” really stands out in a crowd. Especially if you look a little different (I’m from North-east India. Totally different facial features. I’m serious). Even if you speak excellent Hindi and go about doing your own thing, you WILL stand out. But, thinking about all this, you realise this  happens mostly with the younger adult generation. The older (wiser?) people I’ve come across are the nicest people. No strange vibes, just limitless warmth.

So I’ll get to the point of this blog. I thought I’d list out what I’ve seen. Different experiences, perspectives, things I’ve noticed in my three-month stay in Bhopal. I always say “So far, so good”. Let’s take a look and see if it’s really been that or just “so far (from home), (not) so good.”

AUTOWALA

• Auto guys charge like craaaaazy! Well. I guess that’s the case in A LOT of places. So I guess it’s okay.
• Autos are awesomely decorated with colourful patterns and this rather odd-looking furry seat cover. Definitely a plus. Would make for some great photos. (If only I had a digital camera)
• Roads. As I’ve said before. WOW! You’d find such disparity (can’t think of another word) between roads is huge. A kilometre stretch would be totally different from the next kilometre. Old Bhopal is really bad.
• There’s a whole different air/atmosphere in Old Bhopal as compared to New Bhopal. What I’ve seen of New Bhopal is extremely commercialised, while old city is just dusty and disappearing (seems like it’s literally getting really old).
• I’ve heard Bhopal has a lot of people-stalking-people cases. And a lot of internet love crimes sorta things. Apparently. Also, from the stories I edit, I’ve realised there are A LOT (a disturbing amount) of “chain snatching cases”. Men on motorcycles driving by and snatching gold necklaces from women. How odd. No I don’t wear necklaces and no gold. Thankyouverymuch. Saved from this one.
• Okay again about autos. (I should’ve made this list about autoriskshaws instead) Bhopali auto speed: dead slow or deadly fast. (I was trying to do some fancy play on words thing, kinda think it failed hehe) You can never calculate how much time you’re going to take to reach wherever you’re going.
• The following point I thought I’d write a post about. May be the next post. I’ve noticed that Bhopalis and people visiting Bhopal react the same way when they see a mall. Yes, there’s one fancy. I mean FAAAAANCY mall in Bhopal called DB City Mall. It’s a big deal. And yes, I do secretly love it. My Fridays are spent at DB City. I don’t need to go anywhere else, other than may be New Market to this awesome shop called Sanghamitra. Oh how I love that shop! :D Going back to the reaction. People are in awe of that mall, not kidding. I met up with a friend of mine (from Leeds) at this mall. She couldn’t believe that there was an “ACTUAL Body Shop” at the mall.

All these are what I think. I may be wrong or totally spot on. And it’s just a three-month review. The longer I stay, I’m sure some of these are bound to change and I hope to add more (as always) to the list. Also, I had a few more points that I was thinking about while writing the others. But I totally spaced, can’t remember.