Bangalore in Transition: The 2000s Chronicles
Bangalore in the early 2000s was a city in transition, straddling its genteel past and the rapid changes brought about by the IT boom. The mornings began with a sense of optimism, accompanied by the freshly launched Radio City 91FM. The chirpy voices of Sunaina Lal and Darius on the “Breakfast Show” set the tone for the day as I boarded the Infosys-Pushpak bus at Banashankari. The journey to Electronics City was a snapshot of a city growing faster than its infrastructure could keep up. The ride was smooth until Silk Board, but beyond Bommanahalli, the traffic snarls caused by the construction of the elevated highway became a daily test of patience. Koramangala, once a quiet suburb, was buzzing with activity. The under-construction Forum Mall stood as a symbol of the city’s evolving lifestyle, drawing curious onlookers. Big Bazaar, a novelty then, became a favorite among old-timers, offering an alternative to the more modest FoodWorld. These changes hinted at the city’s growing cosmopol...