Minneapolis Life: Bundh

Today was a snow day in Bangalore. Well, not really, but it was the equivalent to our snow days in Minnesota. It was a Bundh (or strike) day. In the state of Karnataka, a bundh was called by various organizations in opposition of the direction of Karnataka to release 9,000 cu sec of River Cauvery water everyday to neighboring state, Tamil Nadu.

When a strike occurs in Bangalore, the whole city shuts down. Every store closes. The streets become deserted. It was the strangest phenomenon Silence. In a city of 8.5 million that never stops, people remained quarantined to their homes.

For Adam, it meant eyes glued to his computer and three cell phones all day, making sure Target India crisis plans were in place. In the afternoon, we walked around the block to take it in. No rickshaws. no trucks. no horns. Even the street dogs must have gotten the message. Ahhh, Peace. I guess this is another Bangalore paradox. Paradox or Irony? Alanis, can you help me out? Usually a strike includes violent protest, throwing rocks, and burning buses (thank goodness, it seems things were overall fairly safe). In reality, it was the most peaceful day I have experienced in Bangalore.

The irony didn't come from rain on a wedding day, which would be just unfortunate, really. But, situational irony did exist today on our walk. The skies opened up and it rained. It poured. The strike was against sharing water with their neighboring state, due to less rain this monsoon season. However, God provided with abundant water today and probably drenched a few protesters.

Peace on this Bundh day.