Bangalore

If you still don’t believe me and find it preposterous hearing ‘Bangalore is the best city in India’ – here is something for you.

Bangalore has emerged as the best Indian city among New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, according to a latest worldwide survey of cities by global HR consultancy Mercer.

I have been waging a long lone war with manoos, Delhites, who for some reason defy and snubs my ‘Bangalore best’ tag, claiming theirs to be the best. J

According to Mercer survey, ’2009 Quality of Living global city rankings’ for 215 cities, Bangalore has topped the list among Indian cities, while the country’s financial hub Mumbai has witnessed a drop in rankings this year mainly due to a decline in stability and security conditions.

Top rankers in the Asian region are Hong Kong at eight and Tokyo at 12. At 26, Singapore is up six places since 2008.

Dhaka ranks among the lowest in the Asian region at 197, while Baghdad ranks the lowest in the world.

I am so proud of being a Bangalorean, and Kudos to the city and locals who are stupendously courteous in their character and are the most peace-loving regional community in India.

There are so numerous reasons why one should fall in love with the city.

1) Climate – It has a really salubrious weather and trust me till the day I travelled North, I never knew the meaning of ‘heat waves’ or ‘cold wind’. The climate in Bangalore is always moderate and suiting any type of being.

2) Growing metropolis – Bangalore is home to some of the most well-recognized colleges and research institutions in India. Numerous public sector heavy industries, software companies, aerospace, telecommunications, and defence organisations are located in the city. Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India because of its preeminent position as the nation’s leading IT employer and exporter.

3) Literacy – Bangalore has the second highest literacy rate (83%) for an Indian metropolis, after Mumbai. You would surely be surprised hearing some English even from the hawkers and fruit vendors. Go to the schools, and you will find toddlers speaking fluent English, better than westerners. Thats why you see this ‘call-center’ bug have caught up with them.

4) Love for nature – People is very nature friendly and hence you find one small mini park at every corner of a road. Some of the flower trees include Jacaranda, Gulmohar or Mayflower, Parijatha, Moulmein Rosewood and Hibiscus.

With an estimated population of 5,300,000 in 2009, Bangalore is the third most populous city in India and the 28th most populous city in the world.

Interesting facts about Bangalore.

1) Bangalore has the highest number of 2-wheelers in the world.

2) Bangalore has the highest number of pubs in India.

3) Bangalore is considered the fashion capital of the East comparable to Paris.

4) Bangalore has produced the highest number of professionals in USA – almost 60% of Indian population abroad are from Bangalore.

5) Bangalore is the only city in India with maximum number of temples, mosques, churches & gurdwaras.

6) Bangalore has the richest people in India. The line of poverty is the least of all cities of the world.

7) Bangalore was the first city in India to receive electricity.

If you have never visited the city or India, now is the time. Make sure Bangalore stands first in your entire itinerary. Promise you will love it. In case you need help or suggestions, hit the contact button.

Adios ~ SAM

Despite all hitches, Namma Bengaluru, continues to rock!!

Been few months that I was out of Bangalore, and here on my journey back to my lovely city, I have been once again captivated by its beautiful charm, lovely weather and green clean. May be nothing flamboyant, but still I was taken aback by the quick developments that has been taking place.

They say Bangalore is a ‘Garden City’ and frankly I have never felt it. But YES! I should confess that it was after my ‘breaking out of the nutshell’ that I realize its original value.

It was patently something different I was witnessing on my arrival in Bangalore Railway Station. From there the rest was just breathtaking. Oh! I dint mean the skyscrapers or the high-end stuffs. Just the basics, which was very much lacking in the city, not just Bangalore, apparently you see it everywhere, all corners of India. The litters, potholes and screwed up roads.

Wondering if the developments have something to do with Politics or politicians? Or may be the response of Bangaloreans to the global call? I dont know..but one thing is sure, It is DIFFERENT!

The govt. is strenuously working to make the city clean and developed. Trees were neatly pruned, roads organized, and everything easily navigable.

I must confess, my short-while stay in our capital Delhi has been very appalling. The Indian government must take stern steps to keep the country dignified — at least the capital.

It is hard to believe that the center of India is not only unclean but also lacking a friendly behavior  – to people, Businesses, corporations or the Foreign tourists.

Ok…Back to the capital of Karnataka – Bangalore, India’s third most populous city and fifth-most populous urban agglomeration.

I am indebted to the govt. and all those who have been assiduously working. Not to mention, the people in the city, who are more understanding, loving and hospitable.

As a large and growing metropolis, Bangalore also has some of most well recognized colleges and research institutions in India. Numerous public sector heavy industries, software companies, aerospace, telecommunications, and defense organisations are located in the city.

And yes, the booming IT is also noticeable. Bangalore – called the Silicon Valley of India, has contributed 33% of India’s Rs. 144,214 crore (US$ 33 billion) IT exports in 2006-07.

In addition, thanks to the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), which has come up with innovative ideas, latest being the red-colored Volvo buses with AC.

The city is also home to some of the best and growing educational institutions. Indian Institute of Science, which was established in 1909 in Bangalore, is the premier institute for scientific research and study in India. If you dint know, the first printing press was established in Bangalore in the year 1840 and the first English bi-weekly too.

The dream of “Clean Bangalore, Green Bangalore” is now clearly visible in the booming Bengaluru. Well, time to pack your bags and pay a visit. You’ve got a New York coming here buddy! So make sure it’s a one-way ticket!!

In case you are visiting the first time, make sure you see some of the tourist attractions: Vidhana Soudha, LalBagh, Forum Mall, Bangalore Palace, St Patricks Church, HAL, ISKCON, Brigade Road..etc