With the advent of the new millennium, urbanization has seen a steep amelioration. Cities are being dwelled and are filling up at a stupefying rate. But, cities tend to have an uncanny charm, the life brings out a gamut of facets that leave any of its inhabitants wondering (subject to the fact that they do get time to ruminate over it). Cities are the places where the anomaly of being claustrophobic and agoraphobic can strike you simultaneously. Every city has its distinct flavor that gives it an identity. The flavor can be- the ethnic culture, density of population,natural environment, people's temperament or just simply the way they'd like to spend their day if given a wish.
And that's how the urbane Indian differs from one another. A Mumbaikar may be poles apart from a Delhite, a Hyderabadi may be distinct from an Ahmedabadi and an Udaipuri may be different from a Nagpuri. Of course we all are united under the umbrella of avenues that clearly chalk out we all are one, but the differences are conspicuous. But our focus is not to draw out these differences, instead focus on the flavor of one specific city:one which lies right at the center, one which is the heart of this nation, one which is juicy as an orange. Ladies and Gentlemen, lets all get together to say - NAMASTE NAGPUR.
My association with the city is like an inextricable knot. I was born here and it used to be my summer vacation destination as my maternal grandparents stay here. Now, like every other kid i used to be very excited to visit grandparents each summer. It wasn't exactly swashbuckling for me to have had any adventurous escapades like the ones described in many literary short stories. So i caught no goons, found no treasure, did not fall from a hill down in the countryside or did not meet a sweet girl who'd wait for me to visit each summer. But, i simply cherished the fact that i'm visiting another city and i would get to roam around.
Now, Nagpur didn't strike at first as the place that'd be tailor made to enjoy vacations with not many places to visit or hangout(as a young school going kid). But i adored the month i spent here because of people swarming all around sitabuldi, the soothing air at telangkhadi, the serenity at koradi and ramtek temples, the delicacies at haldiram's and of course all the mollycoddling i got at grandma's place. The vivid childhood memories still leave a smile on my face. But never did i think back then that i'd be coming back to this city for my graduation. But i did come, and after having spent the last four years of my life in this city, i've fallen in love with it.
It is one of the very few cities of the country that has seen a metamorphosis so drastic and the makeover is continuing in the right direction to make the city a pride of not only Vidarbha or Maharashtra, but also of the entire country. The lush green trees on the boulevards, the roads as smooth as cheese, the burgeoning skyscrapers coming up,increase in the retail malls, multiplexes and food joints and still people aggregating at Shankar Nagar tapri for poha,samosa and chai is a testimony to the fact that Nagpur does not believe in moderation. It believes in being extreme and doing everything with aplomb. In the coming series of articles, we'll discuss Nagpur not just as a city, but the entire spirit of being a Nagpurian: The challenges we face, the opportunities we have and the pride we need to instill in ourselves. So get set for a roller coaster ride to visit or rather revisit our very own Nagpur. Here we go.....
Author
Krishnakant Jonnalgadda blogs at www.ourintellect.blogspot.com
Quote of the day
If death meant just leaving the stage long enough to change costume and come back as a new character...Would you slow down? Or speed up? - Chuck Palahniuk
