Monday, December 19, 2005

Non!


So it's that easy? A city of 6.5 million people can be renamed just because one litterateur felt like it would be the right thing to do and a myopic chief minister was only too happy to give his blessings? Firstly, the whole exercise seems pointless. Bengalooru is simply Kannada for Bangalore just as Dilli is Hindi for Delhi. In Chennai's case, Tamilians had always been referring to the city as Chennai even as the rest of the country called it Madras. But in Bangalore's case, it is just the same name pronounced differently. So if the state government's policies are to be consistent, they will have to rename Mangalore as Mangalooru, Mysore as Mysooru and Chickmaglur as Chickmaglooru. This will most certainly involve various costs in terms of both time and money.....costs that the indebted state government can do without! Moreover, there is an implicit message that is being sent out to all the talented people from all across India and the world moving into Bangalore when the local appelation becomes the city's official name. A message that says that the Garden City is not as welcoming as it once was.
If names of places can be changed simply according to certain politicians' whims sans any referendum, I shudder to think of all the possibilities open to Sonia, Laloo or Advani followers to impress their 'leaders'....all MPs and MLAs have to do to ensure themselves a lucrative portfolio the next time is to name their constituency after their party president or the latter's kin (eg. Rabrinagar, Rahulpura !!!!).
One attenuating factor is that, looking around us, we know that the change in name is not going to matter significantly; Bangalore will remain the liberal pluricultural city that it has always been. We only have to ensure that the wrong signals that are attempted to be conveyed from the name change do not really reach the intended targets.

6 comments:

Kaavya said...

Ah, how can they think of such things i dont know. And i aggree, its just a matter of local pronounciation. And another thing i dont get is why people dont understand that the same thing can be pronounced in different manners in diffferent languages..... well, i never really understood the 'its a proper noun, u can pronounce it any way ...' rule people pout.
How can one excuse one's lack of flexibility in the obicularis orus with 'proper noun'!!!!
I'm a bangaloeran through and through and proud of the hospitable attitude that prevails here. I do believe it is conducive to growth. and that it is the primary reason for the massive economic contribution it is making for our country by the inflow of employment.
But i do not agree with the attitude of our 'guests'. Our hospitality does not imply a lack of respect for our language and our culture. and theres only so much slander that one can tolerate. hence the 'topi' factions and the random bundhs.
well, its their wake . people are bound to realise someday that giving respect to the Romans will do you good in Rome.
As to the cost involved. . . {shudder}
im just imagining how much not only the government, but the people, various businesses, and institutions will have to spend on a simple matter of spelling? I applaud that rant. and second it.
Hurray to bangalore. (just flashed to me... writing bangalore in hindi would be bangalore. so blame that rather than english. . . )

Unknown said...

as shasa has made a blog post of her own by comment, I shan't scare away other bloggers from commenting.

Merely, gr8 post (duh) I second any non supporters of the so called "Bengalooru" (I mean, going on their lines, it should be "Bendakaalooru")

Great going!

Padma said...

Thank you Shasa, for the sincere, heartfelt response!
Estel, merci beaucoup!

nothing said...

voice of reason!! merci.

AKBET25 เว็บพนันบอลออนไลน์ said...

AKBET25 เว็บพนันบอลออนไลน์ ที่ดีที่สุดในไทย สมัครกับเว็บตรงไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ สมัครง่าย ได้เงินจริง slot pg ฝาก-ถอน ออโต้ 30 วิ บริการตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง

PG JOKER มีโปรโมชั่นมากมาย  said...

PG JOKER มีโปรโมชั่นมากมาย ให้คุณได้เลือก สิทธิพิเศษ สำหรับสมาชิกสุดพิเศษของพวกเรา เมื่อลงทะเบียนสมัครสมาชิกใหม่ รับโบนัสโดยทันที ของยอดฝาก เกมสนุกแถมได้เงินไม่อั้น พีจีสล็อต เว็บเดียวเท่านั้น