Bengalore/Bengalure/Bengaloru.... spell it any way, its same. What a place to live, people call it an "air condetioned city" and its true. I came to this city in 1992 from a small village in Kadur taluk, to persue my Engineering. Since then, its my home and I like it here.
Thou things have changed a lot since 1992. Believe it or not there were no flyovers in Bangalore and I was never struck at any traffic signal. My College (UVCE) is located at KR Circle, its the biggest circle in Bangalore. I stayed in a free community Hostel called Jayadeva Hostel. It had two branches, one in Gandinagar, heart and soul of Sandlewood (Hollywood of Karnataka) and another in Vijayanagar. We were moved from one branch to another branch based on the total strength of hostel inmates. I guess its an effort to reduce the operational and maintenance cost.
Let me jump back to main theme of the blog. Like I said, Bangalore has changed a lot since 1992. The road connecting the Gandinagar to KR circle (Sheshadri Road) was a beautiful road with lots of trees on both sides of the road. Whenever I was in Gandinagar branch of my hostel, I used to walk on this road to my college. What a pleasure, its more because of the Boulevard and also some anticipation of seeing beauties near Maharani's College and Home science college on my way. There was a Centerl Jail opposite to Maharani's college , it kept us in check against doing any mischief. Now this road looks horrible, its not a boulevard, its a bald-road. My heart sinks whenever I drive on that road. No girls stand outside Maharani's college now, not because of insecurity for Central Jail being moved out of that place, but because the road is widened and very close to college compound wall. There is an underpass at the circle (Joining Sheshadri road and Palace road) . Literally no place to stand and chat with friends for college students (now its only inside campus). So this road has lost charm. Only good thing that you notice now is a big Freedom Park in place of Central Jail.
If you further drive down to KR Circle.... its altogether a new look. I had no trouble crossing that circle back then in 1992 (thou I was new to city and first timer for this big city and biggest circle). Now I bet, no one can cross that circle on foot without getting hit or yelled by any motorist. Many roads connecting to that circle have become one ways, including Sheshadri Road.
If you follow the post office road (Left turn at KR circle coming from Sheshadri road), it also has changed, its not so bad though. There is a new beautiful building called Vikasa souda now).
I wish I have an old picture of this place; I will try and get one posted here.
Got to get ready for office now,
Talk to you later
Shridhara.G.H
