Long before the concept of flyovers was infixed, subways have been in existence and proved their worth, but in a completely different way altogether…. I realized this recently when I am making frequent trips to Bangalore. The subway which we use between the railway station and Kempegowda Bus Stand is one of the busiest subways I have ever seen. It is always hustling and bustling with commotion. Its kind of a whole world in itself. One can find all types of hawkers selling fruits, cigarettes, handkerchiefs, flashy watches, electronic gadgets, eatables, clothes, books, route maps and even human flesh!!
As you enter the subway, everyone looks up to you with eyes full of anticipation. The handicapped children spread their hands and keep bothering you until you get out from there. The pickpockets wait for a chance to strike. The hawkers try to prove their stuff as the best. And the common Indian hawaldar is busy fleecing them. As you move on, the strong aroma of smoke changes to ripe fruits’ to foetor urine and even sweat. You brush along with people of different caste creed and culture defying all barriers. As you move up the stairs, the whores sitting on the stairs try to attract you so that they may get a couple of notes to light the fires in their kitchens. As you move out and enter the silicon city of India it seems that in a couple of minutes you have made the journey between two Indias- one that is tied with a leash, ready to make a leap at the world and conquer it, and the other being the leash itself………
As you enter the subway, everyone looks up to you with eyes full of anticipation. The handicapped children spread their hands and keep bothering you until you get out from there. The pickpockets wait for a chance to strike. The hawkers try to prove their stuff as the best. And the common Indian hawaldar is busy fleecing them. As you move on, the strong aroma of smoke changes to ripe fruits’ to foetor urine and even sweat. You brush along with people of different caste creed and culture defying all barriers. As you move up the stairs, the whores sitting on the stairs try to attract you so that they may get a couple of notes to light the fires in their kitchens. As you move out and enter the silicon city of India it seems that in a couple of minutes you have made the journey between two Indias- one that is tied with a leash, ready to make a leap at the world and conquer it, and the other being the leash itself………
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