"There is a sense of disquiet and a feeling about impending doom about the deteriorating quality of life in Bangalore. The more things seem to change, the more they seem so fleeting and insignificant in the larger chaos of our urban lives.

A random poll among citizens threw up a host of issues. Citizens wake up to infrastructure woes in terms of pot holed roads, overflowing drains, half complete flyovers coupled with long daily commutes and grid locked traffic. One in four Bangalore household has locked up on an average around Rs.
40,000 advance towards a site layout project, the fate of which is uncertain. If this is the dismal present, what hope for the future? Does anyone care? Are we "like this only"? What can an average Bangalorean do?

For one, we can sit up and take note when people do make a difference. By celebrating and saying thank you to government officers who have made a difference to Bangalore. One officer for example is Jayakar Jerome, the former BDA Commissioner. He could have done nothing and we would not have noticed. He turned around a moribund, about-to-be-closed organization into a robust, functioning body. And in the process the city benefited - be it commuting over the completed outer ring road, the Hebbal or Hosur flyover. Lalbagh has a new lease of life after 100 years. Over 50,000 Bangaloreans got sites with clean titles allotted. Jerome has now moved on, as is the way with Government.

But as Bangaloreans, we can show that we care. That when someone does stand up to make a difference, we can stand up and acknowledge.

It is time citizens said a simple thank you. It will show that Bangalore cares and that Bangaloreans are willing to celebrate anyone who makes a significant difference. And there are many out there.

Bangaloreans can show that we care. Through a positive symbolic gesture. By making the effort to show concern about the future. It could be about any aspect of living in the city we all care about.

Bangalore can show it cares. By coming to Queens Statue, MG Road at 6.30 p.m. on Friday, Aug 20, 2004. With a candle, or a diya, or a torch. To symbolically show our gratitude for those who have made our daily lot a little better. And show our concern for the future of the city.

Bangalore can show it cares. By spreading the word around. Queens Statue, MG Road. 6.30 p.m. Friday, Aug 20. With a light that shows you care.
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