PM's visit: City dwellers have many questions to ask

Vasudha Zora NT

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi ar - rives here today to inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express as well as the newly-built Terminal 2 and the Kempegowda statue at the Kempegowda International Airport.

Here are some views shared by citizens of the city, in their address to the PM:

Rahul Basu (1), a musician and human resource professional, said, "I feel Indians should be more directed towards skill building, technology, revamping the whole education system a nd making it more secure and secular.

Also, a lot of aggressive investments in the field of technology and renewable energy would help. It is okay to incentivise local conglomerates but competition from international players will only improve the overall quality of service. Lastly, here is an opportunity for the government to prioritise promoting communal harmony. "

Ashwin Mukhija (2), an engineer living in Ejipura, said, "I have a few questions for the ruling party. - 6 years after demonetization, what has been the impact of it considering that there is more cash in circulation now than in 2016? - how are you planning to combat India's constantly slipping rankings in Global Hunger Index, as well as the increase in unemployment? - India has consistently and objectively become worse for minorities. Have you taken cognisance of it and if not, what will make you do it?"

Christopher, a foreign national living in Bengaluru and hailing from Norway, shares his view on the city to say, "India is a land of surprises and wonders. As a person from the West, living here in Bengaluru, there are lots of facts that immensely surprise me. To list a few, people from different faiths live in harmony and peace.

Despite having a huge population, Indians are disciplined in various aspects of life, food varieties from regions within India and the sweets, how ultra-rich people live life king size, technology disruption like UPI, NEFT, etc. Also, certain factors that annoy me can be bettered over time. Traffic indiscipline, lack of civic sense in terms of cleanliness, road situation and pollution.

Sumitra Pranesh (3), a house help living in Cubban Park, said, "The city is in a shambles. My annoyance not end at walking on bad roads but dismays me is the lack of care by any of these politicians and government authorities.

While all this happens, there is not much communal disharmony and social injustice in the country, which is an epicentre of multiple cultures and religious assemblies. I request the PM to focus on the poor citizens of our country as the rich do not need help as much as they do."

Sreejith Gopalan (4), a local IT professional, said, "The PM's impact is, well a bolstered confidence of the nation as a whole where India and Indians are viewed through a different lens across the globe. To a great extent, wholesale corruption in the upper echelons of political dispensation has been curtailed. Earlier, it was one scam after another.

Internal security as a whole has been tightened as compared to days when bomb blasts was commonplace, surpassing the UK in GDP numbers, due recognition to common folks via the Padma Awards, and awarding lackeys who would further the political ambition of their masters. A well-known figure in the different community,

Lee said, "The PM has left nothing but terror and destruction. His governance has made life harder for minorities in the country and now the world knows that too. I hope the BJP loses power."

Prashant Nagesh (5), a plumber living in Banashankari, said, "Just because the PM is coming to town, I have had to spend extra on travel fare and take many diversions that cost a lot when my economic status is so vulnerable and fluctuating so more than anything, it is a nuisance to me."

Ankit Jha (6), an election strategy consultant, public speaker and podcaster, said, "I think he's one of the greatest leaders to have walked the earth. Turns out, he's coming to inaugurate a terminal that will be used to fly.

I guess it's safe to say that he may not be too sure of what he is inaugurating. I also have to fly tomorrow, so I expect him to wrap this up quickly and save some ‘nariyal’ for my breakfast ‘chatni’. I am looking forward to having a Terminal confusion and indifference soon.