I am now officially settled in Gurgaon. It has been over 45 days now, and a lot has been seen and done in these days. My first impression of the city wasn't too good- and am still trying hard to like it. Gurgaon gives an impression of a talented, but unattended child. Pockets of developments are overshadowed by vast wastelands, and lack of public transport(!!) and sewer lines is just the starting...
But not all hope is lost. I see the creme de la creme of indian professional scene here. I see good schools. (My kids are going to Scottish High and D.P.S. - so far, so good. ) I also see some great fashion around. I see Huda working on roads and sewer lines. I see Metro coming up. But yet, the final feeling is of disappointment..
I've been to a number of shopping malls since shifting here. Gurgaon, afterall, is hailed as India's mall center. I also went to the Galleria ( a mid-sized open baazar) and sadar, the authentic old Gurgaon market. One, though , acutely feels the lack of town planning in every step. A good middle- class market, like Karol Bagh/Lajpat Nagar in Delhi or Jaynagar 4th Block/ Gandhinagar in Bangalore is completely absent. Good, inexpensive dining options are absent. I wonder if I need to explore some more.
Gurgaon feels like an example of imbalance between private aspirations and Government apathy. Posh, multistoreyed, luxury apartments overlook vast empty lands with stagnant water breeding Dengue mosquitoes. The ever prevelant gap between the haves and the have-nots seems much wider here. Or have I turned more observant??
But not all hope is lost. I see the creme de la creme of indian professional scene here. I see good schools. (My kids are going to Scottish High and D.P.S. - so far, so good. ) I also see some great fashion around. I see Huda working on roads and sewer lines. I see Metro coming up. But yet, the final feeling is of disappointment..
I've been to a number of shopping malls since shifting here. Gurgaon, afterall, is hailed as India's mall center. I also went to the Galleria ( a mid-sized open baazar) and sadar, the authentic old Gurgaon market. One, though , acutely feels the lack of town planning in every step. A good middle- class market, like Karol Bagh/Lajpat Nagar in Delhi or Jaynagar 4th Block/ Gandhinagar in Bangalore is completely absent. Good, inexpensive dining options are absent. I wonder if I need to explore some more.
Gurgaon feels like an example of imbalance between private aspirations and Government apathy. Posh, multistoreyed, luxury apartments overlook vast empty lands with stagnant water breeding Dengue mosquitoes. The ever prevelant gap between the haves and the have-nots seems much wider here. Or have I turned more observant??
