Countries within a Country

Countries within a Country

Murali Murthy

Yet another incident going rounds on social media, where a Cab driver refused to turn on the AC and all of a sudden lost his temper and asked the Hindi speaking passenger to speak in Kannada or get down.

With people taking sides in this controversial topic of Common language usage Vs outsiders to learn local language if they want to reside in their non-home state. The discussion has equal merits on both sides, yet no clear common grounds, as pride and emotion towards our roots takes precedence.

Though the Cab driver's behaviour is no measure of Kannada pride, it's more of his own frustration that was expressed in the disguise of Language fight.

It's like the Political party saying Hindus are in danger, and they are the sole saviours of Hindus!

One side saying Bangalore is part of India and anyone is free to stay and migrate, and the localites have no right to question, yet they have the audacity to abuse Bangalore for its Traffic, weather and Kannadigas. They believe Bangalore is what it is because of the Migrants.

Building our own environment, customizing a foreign land as our own is the way we humans work.

When our Desis goto other countries, they form Kannada sanghas and Live the way they live here in Bangalore, making their own society and grow the group.

So much so, that they form specific caste/sub-caste sanghas, play Cricket on Rugby fields.

All these will naturally irritate and aid develop hatred amongst the localites there.

Even during my visit to Singapore, Dubai, I only found Indians everywhere, with Indian colonies, living like India there.

No wonder people from other states wants to live here importing their own language, food and culture.

Before we jump in and take sides in this conversation, one has to accept the fact that unlike other Countries, India has countries within a country. Each State has individual culture, heritage, history, language and loyalty.

We have border conflicts, water sharing dispute between many States of India, and the gravity of the conflict is no less than any two Countries having similar conflicts.

If any Maharashtrian moving to Bangalore and claims "We all are Indians and free to stay wherever we want and Bangalore is as much ours as Kannadigas" should sign on a petition to their State Govt to stop creating problems in Belgaum!

Similarly those Kannadigas claiming we all are Indians and Bangalore is part of India and we all are one nation, should sign a petition to their State Govt to give away Belgaum to MH.

And probably that's why we are called "Union of States" and not "United States"!

One practical suggestion by many in Social Media is to provide an option in the Ola/Uber App for customers to choose a Kannada speaking / Hindi speaking Drivers, and Drivers also to prefer Kannada / Non Kannada speaking customers!

Goa - Activating Beach Mode.

Goa - Activating Beach Mode

By

Murali Murthy

When in Goa, let your hair down and trust the Goan vibes, embrace what Goa has to offer and it will not let you down.

Though I don't have hair to let down, analogically I still did!

I have lost count of no.of times I have visited this little paradise, but every time she surprises with new ways to entertain, bestow fun to whoever goes to her for rejuvenation, to relax and to energize.

When people ask "Where are you going" and when the response is "Goa", the wide smiled reaction "Wow, nice..have fun" is enough justification to keep visiting and never get tired of Goa!

The plan was to go on a road trip, and Nidhi's Innova had enough and more space for 2 couples and 2 young adults.

We started the journey on a Wednesday morning by 6:30 AM, with enthusiasm, expectations of a good 3 days ahead and spark in our eyes.

After a quick Thatte Idli break at Tumkur, we hit the journey with full throttle, via Chitradurga, Haveri, Hubballi and stopped at Dharwad for Lunch.

The 2 lane roads were even more fun to drive with greenery, ghats, scenic views all the way till our destination by 6:00 PM.

Neena had recommended and booked Windflower Resort, at Varca. A beautiful beach resort that was more than well equipped to host us for the next 3 days.

We didn't waste any time, and took "Goa wears" out and hit the beach.

The Resort had a chic Bar by the beach, where we could sit endlessly, gazing at the beach and making pleasing conversations.

Day 2:

We had planned a full day outing.

Started the day from Immaculate conception church in Panjim.

The ladies didn't waste any opportunity to have some "girls time".

We then headed to Fontainhas area to explore the colourful, stunning streets by foot. The grand old houses with Portugal architecture still are retained and maintained well by the residents.

With heat and humidity making us sweat, puff and pant, we still had the enthusiasm to wipe the sweat and pose for the cameras. A chic Cafè gave us the respite and a break.

We then headed to Voltaire restaurant, a vintage restaurant that was extremely well kept and maintained.

Though the food was not upto the mark, the Air conditioned restaurant and beauty of the hotel compensated and provided us a good, relaxing, happy lunch time.

We had planned for a Dolphin ride, but as thick clouds had formed and a bit of rain, it was not conducive for a boat ride.

We cut short the plan, me and Nidhi convinced the ladies to head back to the Resort and laze around. The ladies were not happy at all as they wanted to do more and party.

The hidden agenda was that we had work, and we both had to sit in front of the Laptop for a couple of hours.

Later in the night, we made peace and went out to Benaulim beach to have dinner at Toso shacks.

Day 3:

The first half was planned to be for lazing around the Resort and some pool time.

We had calls to attend and while me and Nidhi holed up ourselves in the Room, the ladies had their relaxation at the Spa.

The second half was spent at Baga beach, starting off with a boat ride.

We then settled at Sam's beach Shacks. The sunset, the ambience, the music was way too perfect and gave us the real experience of a Goa beach party!

We had plans for late nighter at Candolim Beach, as the vibe, the streets, the lights, the Cafes are the best part we always liked about Goa.

After a quick shopping time by the ladies, we settled at Calamari. A place which had given us good times 10 years ago, it was more of a nostalgia to revisit the place.

And it didn't disappoint at all, infact the few upgrades they have done, made it even more lively.

The only problem staying at a place in South Goa, is the travel between South and North, it's around 50 KMs (1 hour) each way and makes it bit irritating at times. But the beautiful infrastructure, the scenery, the massive bridges compensate for the time lost on the road.

The last day was for some beach time, as we started the morning at the beach.

The best part of Varca beach is the sands - it just doesn't stick to your body, just shake it off and you are clean!

The worst part of any beach time is the sands that stick and refuse to go even after 2 baths. Even worse, when you take out the same washed beach wear for your next trip, the traces of the sand would still be there, and those uncomfortable settlements of the sands in the most secluded parts of your body are the discomforting part of an otherwise good beach play time.

Had leisurely breakfast and checked out of Windflower Resort and started our journey back to Bangalore.

We decided to take the Karwar, Shimoga route just to make the return journey more interesting.

The roads were undoubtedly beautiful, scenic Ghats along Jog Falls, Sagar stretch.

But as the weather man predicted and warned, heavy rains battered the entire stretch, making our travel time longer.

Yet another memorable Goa trip, with the same old beautiful people and best company possible for any trip.

Mahima and Sukruti had their share of fun.

Goa is an experience, Goa is a vibe, Goa is friends, Goa is Love, Goa is a feel. Every street, every shop, every wave, the millions of foot prints on the beach sands has a memory and a story to share. You have to just listen to the stories and leave back your own story for others to hear.