#PriceofLiving

“10 years ago when I came to Bangalore it was much cleaner & greener”; said my uncle who recently visited us from US. I knew wouldn’t be able to defend that one, for what he said was absolutely true. Not just Bangalore but most of our cities today battle with congestion. Congestion due to traffic, due to people moving into the city in search of their livelihood, congestion due to waste.

Our cities have not just grown in last decade, but the growth has been so rapid that the only excuse we hear is: “What could we do, we just couldn’t plan for it.” We blame Politicians & their governance; bureaucrats, municipal corporation officials, contractors and even #corruption. This is no new story, and certainly not a Bangalore or for that matter India Story. It is the Growth Story. The story which we don’t like hearing. The story which we don’t want to believe. The story which comes with a “Price”.

Nothing comes easy, nothing comes free as they say. My father-in-law, in search of job moved from small village in Kerala to Bombay. He joined a reputed news paper co as journalist. At peak of his career he was offered an option to relocate to Bangalore. He sought time to think and an option to see the city before he could decide. Bangalore, he felt, was too cold in terms of weather, too slow in terms of city life and that it certainly wasn't the city where he felt ‘comfortable’ in terms of working life. He thought he would rather prefer retiring in Bangalore later someday. My parents too had never thought of moving out of Bombay, for the maximum city had offered them everything in Maximum. Transfer or relocation in those days was considered a matter of comfort in terms of “Quality of living”.

I moved out of Mumbai in 2005, 10 years after the city became Mumbai from being called Bombay. I would never have thought about moving out if not for my father’s insistence and an irresistible employment opportunity. The only consideration then was the “Cost of living”. I made a choice of becoming an #Hyderabadi from being a #Mumbaikar, with a thought that I am moving from the #costliestcityinIndiatolive to the #happiestcityinIndia. When someone asks me today about moving, the only thought that comes to my mind is the #price I have to pay for it. The issues of losing greenery, air and water pollution and human safety persists everywhere.

“Can nothing be done about this?”, asked my colleague who is potentially relocating elsewhere for a better opportunity. I did not want him to lose hope so I did say that, he need not worry and things aren’t as bad as it seems or is being portrayed by some sections within media.

‘Things aren’t as bad as they seem’, yes it is true for today. But what world are we creating for ourselves for tomorrow?

Things can certainly change. 

• If you think that by allowing odd-even numbered cars to be driven in Delhi, pollution can come down, it may have an impact; but we need more,
• If you think that by banning sale of diesel cars can do miracles, it might; but we need more,
• If you think by planting more trees it can make cities like before, you are right, it will; but we need to find space to plant millions of them in and around places we live, work,
• If you think  Passing of  #ParisClimateChangeResolution can be a game changer, it very well may be; but we definitely need specific action by each one of us to make an impact.
• We need more of everything! Every small act of yours would count! Success is SUM OF SMALL EFFORTS, repeated day In and day out!

Together let’s bring in that change before we have to pay the #Priceofliving!

Stay Healthy & Stay Blessed

Gopal Iyer