The document discusses the debate around preserving the old identity and culture of Malleswaram, a neighborhood in Bangalore, India, versus allowing new development. It notes that while Malleswaram was traditionally a residential area known for its temples, culture, and markets, in recent years it has experienced rapid changes with new malls and high-rise apartments. Some long-time residents want to restrict this pace of change to prevent losing what makes Malleswaram unique. However, others argue change is inevitable as the population grows. The document concludes that restricting change does not mean preventing it, but rather guiding development in a way that considers residents' well-being and allows Malleswaram to modernize while maintaining its historic
Patient Counselling. Definition of patient counseling; steps involved in pati...
Malleswaram
1. Should the invasion of the new be restricted to preserve the old?
ANU: My neighbor has lived in Malleswaram for sixty years. When I asked him what
Malleswaram meant to him he said, “Oh, it’s a classic, old neighborhood. It’s full of
temples cultural activities and roadside eateries.”
When I asked my classmate who lives in Indranagar what Malleswaram meant to her
she said, “Malleswaram is the place where Mantri Mall and Orion Mall are right?”
SIMRAN: Things are definitely changing for Malleswaram. What once was a purely
residential suburb for the survivors of the plague of 1898, Malleswaram is now
beginning to adopt a new commercial identity. We believe that the invasion of the new
must be restricted and the old must be preserved.
Why is preserving the old so important? The old is who we are, where we come from
and why we are here. It is our pride. It displays the values we prize so greatly. We need
to protect the old.
Malleswaram used to be known as Kaadu Malleswara, not only after the forest
surrounding it but because of the temple situated there. They represented the two facets
of Malleswaram’s unique identity- its greenery and its religious nature. Today,
Malleswaram is probably one of the last places in Bangalore where trees line the
streets. The temple was built in the 17th century by Shivaji’s brother Venkoji. Many
other temples have arisen since then, as well as several churches and mosques,
making Malleswaram a religious hub of Bangalore.
SHIVAM: Malleswaram was also known as the cultural heart of Bangalore. With
theaters like Chowdiah and Seva Sadan, music dance and theatre flourished.
Malleswaram boasts of famous residents. From Nobel Laureate C.V Raman and
Bharathratna winner Dr. C N R Rao to athletes Prakash Padukone (whose badminton
academy is also situated here), Malleswaram is almost buzzing with celebrities.
Malleswaram also houses distinguished organizations like the Indian Institute of
Science, the Raman Research Institute and the National Institute of Advanced Studies.
Malleswaram is especially known for its bustling markets. The streets of 8th Cross are
perpetually fiiled with shoppers. From shoes to coffee powder, this street has it all.
All of these are facets of the suburb that it wouldn’t want to lose. They form its identity.
However, as the time passed, Malleswaram has experienced several changes, mainly
due to the increase in population. The roads have become wider to accommodate the
heavy traffic. The large and spacious bungalows have been replaced by sky high
apartments. Malls are overshadowing the street markets. The new has certainly
invaded.
This invasion isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Fast food restaurants have made outdoor
dining easier and cleaner than ever before. Music and Dance performances have
become more international, introducing the residents to a more global culture. The malls
have made stores more accessible where people don’t have to drive for miles to get to a
shop. Malleswaram is keeping up with the rest of Bangalore.
2. TRISHA: So what is wrong? The main problem is that all of these changes have been
concentrated within the last five years. If Malleswaram continues to change at this rate,
in twenty years it could be completely unrecognizable. The residents don’t want that.
They want Malleswaram to retain it’s old world charm. They are not against any change,
they simply want the change to be gradual and not rob them of their identity.
The sudden changes have also led to several negative consequences that never
existed before. More apartments meant that more waste was generated and not
managed efficiently. Trees have been cut by the dozens to make way for infrastructural
projects.
Water is a huge problem. There has been a rise in water and sewage problems in
Malleswaram. Brigade gateway and Mantri Greens apartments are already depending
on tankers for their water supply. There has been a switch from using Cauvery water for
drinking purposes to bore-well water. The purity of the ground water has also decreased
over the years.
The crime rate of Malleswaram has also increased over the years. The recent bomb
blast has made residents question the security of the suburb. Chain snatching and pick
pocketing are frequent occurrences. With apartments having more than a hundred
residents, people do not even know who their neighbors are. Compare this to the times
when people could walk on the roads without the traffic knocking them down or their
chains being snatched.
ANU: The only solution to this issue seems to be to restrict the change. It is here that
we would like to define what exactly restriction is. Restriction is not a synonym for ban. It
would be futile to try and stop the invasion of the new because change is inevitable.
However, if the changes are allowed to continue at such a rapid pace, the suburb is
sure to face negative consequences. The change must be logical and allowed after
enough discussion with the residents.
Restricting change is not a new concept. The residents of Malleswaram have already
raised their voices against unfavorable changes.
Citizens of Malleswaram and Bangalore protested against expanding the road beside
Sankey Lake. It was a massive movement. Residents of all age groups participated in
the protests. A candle light vigil was held on the 17th of July where about 170 people
assembled, despite the drizzle. Their actions resulted in a stay order being issued by
the Karnataka High Court, unfortunately hours too late from saving 17 trees. However,
the prevented the construction of a six lane corridor that would have cut about 150
trees.
Another such attempt to restrict change was during the construction of Mantri Mall.
Residents were upset with the problems the construction of a new mall brought.
“On weekends and holidays we can't even venture out of our home. Parking of vehicles
on our street by others makes it difficult for us to take out our vehicles. ” said S.
Prakash, a resident of Malleswaram.
Srinivasa Murthy, an MES College professor, said, “I'm amazed as to how such a vast
area has been given to [Mantri Developers] to build a mall and apartment complex. We
have lost the canopy of the trees on Sampige Road.”
3. Other successful attempts by the residents to restrict thoughtless change were the
preserving of H.V Nanjudiah’s house by turning it into a school. They prevented Nobel
Laurete C.V Raman’s house from being destroyed to widen 15th Cross road.
A recent victory of restricting change has been preventing the iconic flower market from
being converted into a parking lot.
So in conclusion, Malleswaram needs to preserve the old. The only way to achieve this
is to restrict the new. This doesn’t necessarily mean preventing the change from taking
place, it means using our heads to make sure that the change adds to the well being of
the society living in Malleswaram.