Comments on: In the ‘city of the future’ http://imaginingindia.com/2008/12/16/in-the-city-of-the-future/ Across the world, Nandan is recognized as one of India's most successful software entrepreneurs and as the co-founder of Infosys, among India's premier companies in the IT sector. Now meet Nandan, the author. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:47:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Mohan http://imaginingindia.com/2008/12/16/in-the-city-of-the-future/#comment-333 Mohan Mon, 12 Jan 2009 05:44:44 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=592#comment-333 I am surprised that most of the commenters above failed to get the drift of Nandan's point. He is not suggesting that Bangalore is without problems. Instead, it is ground zero of New India precisely because it is here that you can get a glimpse of the kind of problems that India will have to address in future (and, as he said, tentative steps towards solving those problems). I am surprised that most of the commenters above failed to get the drift of Nandan’s point. He is not suggesting that Bangalore is without problems. Instead, it is ground zero of New India precisely because it is here that you can get a glimpse of the kind of problems that India will have to address in future (and, as he said, tentative steps towards solving those problems).

]]> By: Harshal Baviskar http://imaginingindia.com/2008/12/16/in-the-city-of-the-future/#comment-133 Harshal Baviskar Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:34:19 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=592#comment-133 Can you change to font to something more readable?! Sans fonts are more readable on computer screen, while the one you have chosen is best for print.. Can you change to font to something more readable?! Sans fonts are more readable on computer screen, while the one you have chosen is best for print..

]]> By: Swati http://imaginingindia.com/2008/12/16/in-the-city-of-the-future/#comment-126 Swati Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:33:39 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=592#comment-126 I am wondering whether the picture you have painted is real Bangalore? compared to what this city was during 70s and 80s today's Bangalore does not even comparable with the shadow of Bangalore. IT, BT and other Industries have brought prosperity to a section of people but other larger sections have to pay the price in the form of spiriling cost of living, congested infrastructure, sky rocketing land / housing expenses. The middle class families who used to stay in the heart of city (perhaps in rented houses) have to move out as they cannot afford the rents anymore. A person working with a public sector Bank (which used to be a very fancy job even 20 years back) has to shift atleast 25 kms out of city thanks to the high rental values in the city! Just try to get into heart of residential locations away from the main road, you will still find people living in unhygenic conditions, congested roads, no drinage, no drinking water (I found such locaty just off 100 ft road Indiranagar!). Every day when I travel to office and back I pass through some villages which reminds me of my child hood environment (nothing has really changed and these villages are just behind the all happening electronic city. The picture you have given is of the Bangalore that belongs to the upwardly mobile, young educated and fortunate ones. But majority of Bangalore especially the above 50, middle class, working class not so fortunate people who are still struggling and chasing the dream of getting a share of the successful Bangalore. Like the saying goes 'there is always darkness beneath the lamp'. While what the new industries, entrepreneurs have done to build brand Bangalore and help to improve atleast a section of Bangaloreons is laudable, much needs to be done to really reach "ground zero" position. I am wondering whether the picture you have painted is real Bangalore? compared to what this city was during 70s and 80s today’s Bangalore does not even comparable with the shadow of Bangalore. IT, BT and other Industries have brought prosperity to a section of people but other larger sections have to pay the price in the form of spiriling cost of living, congested infrastructure, sky rocketing land / housing expenses. The middle class families who used to stay in the heart of city (perhaps in rented houses) have to move out as they cannot afford the rents anymore. A person working with a public sector Bank (which used to be a very fancy job even 20 years back) has to shift atleast 25 kms out of city thanks to the high rental values in the city! Just try to get into heart of residential locations away from the main road, you will still find people living in unhygenic conditions, congested roads, no drinage, no drinking water (I found such locaty just off 100 ft road Indiranagar!). Every day when I travel to office and back I pass through some villages which reminds me of my child hood environment (nothing has really changed and these villages are just behind the all happening electronic city. The picture you have given is of the Bangalore that belongs to the upwardly mobile, young educated and fortunate ones. But majority of Bangalore especially the above 50, middle class, working class not so fortunate people who are still struggling and chasing the dream of getting a share of the successful Bangalore. Like the saying goes ‘there is always darkness beneath the lamp’. While what the new industries, entrepreneurs have done to build brand Bangalore and help to improve atleast a section of Bangaloreons is laudable, much needs to be done to really reach “ground zero” position.

]]> By: आलोक http://imaginingindia.com/2008/12/16/in-the-city-of-the-future/#comment-122 आलोक Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:29:17 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=592#comment-122 The India that you imagine - does everybody speak English there? The India that you imagine - does everybody speak English there?

]]> By: Infosys Co-Founder Nandan Nilekani Discusses the City of the Future | Big Winner http://imaginingindia.com/2008/12/16/in-the-city-of-the-future/#comment-118 Infosys Co-Founder Nandan Nilekani Discusses the City of the Future | Big Winner Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:03:10 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=592#comment-118 [...] Link: In the “City of the Future” [...] [...] Link: In the “City of the Future” [...]

]]> By: Kumar http://imaginingindia.com/2008/12/16/in-the-city-of-the-future/#comment-114 Kumar Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:29:19 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=592#comment-114 Nandan, The arguments you've made for Bangalore being 'city of the future' or 'ground zero' fly against the reality in Bengaluru. 1.The planning and current state of progress on the ring roads and the Metro rail expose the inefficiency of resource usage. 2.The narrow roads in the heart of the city do not compare favorably with other cities in India (especially Hyd and Chennai) Moreover, I would like your thoughts on the question of whether we should focus all our energies on cities like Bangalore, or try to develop multiple Bangalore of the early 80's across the country? I mean, shouldn't we try to spread industry, esp. non-polluting ones like IT into the hinterland, than clogging up an already clogged city infrastructure? Please do imagine the new India by all means.But because we are imagining, we should atleast try to think BIG on a scale that befits the nation, rather than just wax eloquent on the positives in our home towns. Nandan,

The arguments you’ve made for Bangalore being ‘city of the future’ or ‘ground zero’ fly against the reality in Bengaluru.

1.The planning and current state of progress on the ring roads and the Metro rail expose the inefficiency of resource usage.

2.The narrow roads in the heart of the city do not compare favorably with other cities in India (especially Hyd and Chennai)

Moreover, I would like your thoughts on the question of whether we should focus all our energies on cities like Bangalore, or try to develop multiple Bangalore of the early 80’s across the country? I mean, shouldn’t we try to spread industry, esp. non-polluting ones like IT into the hinterland, than clogging up an already clogged city infrastructure?

Please do imagine the new India by all means.But because we are imagining, we should atleast try to think BIG on a scale that befits the nation, rather than just wax eloquent on the positives in our home towns.

]]> By: Sukesh http://imaginingindia.com/2008/12/16/in-the-city-of-the-future/#comment-113 Sukesh Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:50:11 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=592#comment-113 1. A lot depends on definition of 'New India' that you mentioned. Is it India that is rapidly going for urbanisation forgetting villages, or is it India where inequality between poor and rich is growing, or is it India going towards local prosperity, or is it India globalising itself in connection with emerging markets... 2. All the cities have their own advantages and disadvantages. Some have good economic outlook others have good social outlook. Depends on perspective how you see it. 3. When world is so global that we connect from anywhere to anywhere, I don't think terms like 'ground zero' to some geographical locations will hold strong. 1. A lot depends on definition of ‘New India’ that you mentioned. Is it India that is rapidly going for urbanisation forgetting villages, or is it India where inequality between poor and rich is growing, or is it India going towards local prosperity, or is it India globalising itself in connection with emerging markets…
2. All the cities have their own advantages and disadvantages. Some have good economic outlook others have good social outlook. Depends on perspective how you see it.
3. When world is so global that we connect from anywhere to anywhere, I don’t think terms like ‘ground zero’ to some geographical locations will hold strong.

]]> By: Prasanna Govindankutty http://imaginingindia.com/2008/12/16/in-the-city-of-the-future/#comment-111 Prasanna Govindankutty Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:32:00 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=592#comment-111 Not sure if I entirely agree with you entirely. Like it or not, Bangalore has its advantages due to its leading position in IT. However, we are all aware that companies are priced out of Bangalore and have established in other cities and states, thus giving them the same opportunity that Bangalore had. So they are all catching up. That means, they are all going to be competing to be the city of future. Examples include all the so called "tier 2 cities". In any case, I think a single city cannot define the imagination of a new India. I wish entrepreneurs in other cities and metros also start thinking and acting towards enabling affordable education, urbanization, and ultimately modernization (not westernization), so that we have a solid infrastructure for solid governance and implementation of reforms. Not sure if I entirely agree with you entirely. Like it or not, Bangalore has its advantages due to its leading position in IT. However, we are all aware that companies are priced out of Bangalore and have established in other cities and states, thus giving them the same opportunity that Bangalore had. So they are all catching up. That means, they are all going to be competing to be the city of future. Examples include all the so called “tier 2 cities”. In any case, I think a single city cannot define the imagination of a new India. I wish entrepreneurs in other cities and metros also start thinking and acting towards enabling affordable education, urbanization, and ultimately modernization (not westernization), so that we have a solid infrastructure for solid governance and implementation of reforms.

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