BELLARY

Bellary? the new place of assignment for a stint of three yrs threw up many questions n left me wondering. Tried all that one could do to get that cancelled. It did not suite from any angle. Think it always happens that way u ask 4 North n active place u land up down South to keep u r heels cooled n vice versa. The only thing that I knew about Bellary was, two prominent political personalities had their waterloo here some time back. Another event it routinely figures on national News is I think, annual “Mahamatak abhishek” at a Jain shrine near by. To locate the place it actually needed an auto pilot of Google Earth. All the efforts to loc it in “Trains at a Glance” — a favorite companion of those who r on constant move and have to trot across the country low cost failed. Even the Govt of India’s official web site listed it as a district but no map or any other details. The reasons I learnt later on reaching.

Having failed in securing reservation on only train available from Khandwa, the closest on main rail route KK Exp had no option but to rely on my credit card to get on board Jet flt from Indore to Mumbai. Was lucky to get ticket at Mumbai for 1330h Indian flt at discounted rates at Mumbai. Wait gave me ample time to scan thru all the complimentary News Papers kept there. Indian announced at last moment, the 1330 pm flight Mumbai – Bangalore has been cancelled and merged with 1930 pm flight. All my dreams to travel exec class on a spot fare ticket of Rs 2855/- were shattered. The worry of missing the Hampi Exp from Bangalore to Bellary was engulfing me. Someone has rightfully coined a phrase “You can’t have a Cake and Eat it too”. Attendant at the Indian counter was more than willing to transfer me on a Jet flight scheduled from Mumbai at 1430hrs.

Having moved from IA terminal to other found a sea change in décor n dos. Having checked in, still had ample time at hand, n long since had my last cigarette, the hunt was successful in locating a smoker’s corner in a restaurant on 2nd floor. Mr Wagh of Bridgestone was kind enough to lend me a light, I having been stripped, of my lighter on a previous airport courtesy stepped-up security post 7/11 proved to be good companion 4 discussions over a wide canvas of issues, both current and pre Independence. In flight chose to chicken over ½ Dosa n Vada and did not repent on the choice made.

On landing found Wini’s (my li’l sis) mobile shut, luckily on intuition had called up Shanu (my SIL) from Mumbai n had correct add or else would have resulted in wastage of time, money n effort, what add I was carrying was the old one they moved out long back. At prepaid taxi counter the computer was down and was handed a manuscript receipt 4 Rs 400/- only to learn later that actual charges r Rs300/-. Think it was a trick to organised fleecing. Have retained the receipt in my travel pouch, sure enough shall get a chance to settle the score sometime soon. Few hrs of chit chat n nice helpings of Biryaani brought me closer to final stage of the journey. A quick maneuvering by rick driver with a few detours may be to help meter run more ensured we were well ahead of time n few more time with Manoj.

The Humpi exp ride was nothing much to talk about but 4 peaceful sleep it offered onboard. The butterflies in the stomach 4 arr in a new place woke me up much before scheduled arr and impatience brought me to door of the compartment to enjoy the breeze of dawn. All along on either side was a vast expanses of barren fields with a very few having standing crops with water being pumped out of wells a rare sight up North still facing the wrath of rainy season n floods all over, either the cropping pattern is different or this was the area which suffered lack of rains, the later proved to be true when I was educated that this area is often referred to as — “Deserts of Karnataka”. The houses in the villages and outskirts of the towns carried typical South Indian look — a courtyard with a few coconut trees. The striking difference was the boundary walls which unlike usual fencing of barbed wires or a masonry walls were mostly made of “Black Kaddappa Stones”, the ones normally used on kitchen platforms until more in thing the “Granite” replaced in modern apartments’, slabs of 5 ft n something lined up made the boundary of most courtyards’.

A car was waiting 4 me at the station so no difficulties faced in reaching n finding place early in the morning. The town still appeared at sleep unlike the NE states where, day generally starts with whistles of pressure cookers in the neighborhoods n one did not need an alarm clock 2 wake u up.
The place turned out to be a small town in N Karnataka bordering Andhra. Roughly eight hrs journey (over ni) from three well known towns in South India — Bangalore, Secunderabad n Belgaum. Mid of no where no major rail route passes by. The town I found dusty n sleepy not much vigor in the mkt place as well. Most of sign boards only reminded me the hot Jalebis in the central India. Not only the stationary buildings alone even the plants I found had a red tint on them even most daily workers I found carried same tint.

Reason — the select few of the area r 2 busy digging up mountains n flattening the hills, in an effort to fill their own coffers. The difference between the have-nots (the majority) n haves (not less in numbers either) appears to be toooo wide. The Haves don’t live in houses but mansions n villas, that 2 can b an under statement n each one more spectacular n magnificent than other both in looks n sizes. Each with a high double boundry wall n a fleet of cars parked may even put some old-time Royals to shame. The haves r busy selling it’s Iron n manganese ore rich soil on an average I vouch at least 35 – 40 train loads of it is going out from here. My office n residence is on two sides of the railway track n reason 4 earlier post “Interruptions”. One more thing I found in abundance here is — the Curry Leaves. Ask 4 anything b it rajhama, Bhindi or any of Chicken delicacy I am yet 2 find a dish that does not have not a few but plenty of them. So b sure 2 select u r palate while eating out. Today only sighted a US Pizza Delivery boy on a scooter shall try n locate the outlet soon n hope no curry leaves in it! One good thing, though bordering Andhra the use of chilies though on higher side but, still palatable.

True to it’s description earlier there’s not much happening n activities at work n town so gives a lot of time to oneself to indulge in to personnel interests. Thanx 2 this I could start the blog!! The final regret due to commitments n obligations had 2 leave Rachana n rahul behind hope get opportunities time n again 2 get back.

# a long pending draft on the pad finally got over 2day.