The Biz of Coding

Premier IT show promotes Brand Bangalore

by Ujwal Tickoo on October 29th, 2006

Despite Karantaka Government’s announcements to change Bangalore’s name to Bangaluru this years IT show in Bangalore proudly proclaims "Brand Bangalore is the Best".

Of course, Bangalore’s Brand Management is not an issue that concerns those politicians who are eager to burn Karnataka’s Tax Payers money on the name change to appease primarily a rural population.

 Emotional or macho statements like: We changed Bangalore’s name to a Kannada name and served beloved Karnataka — are very useful during election campaigns. They don’t benefit anyone economically or in other tangible ways. Problems of Poverty, illiteracy, poor infrastructure, weak educational infrastructure in rural areas, water scarcity stay put whether or not Bangalore is renamed Bangaluru. But how do you easily divert people’s attention? Rename Bangalore to Bangaluru and build the "pride" of Karnataka. ha ha ha…all is temporarily warm and fuzzy.

The same money could have been better spent in upgrading the quality of schools in Karnataka’s villages or promoting Karnataka’s culture, or the Kannada language, or Kannada movies or a host of other relevant actions. Then there are a host of things that could be done — just to fix much that is missing in Banaglore – and this is a list compiled by India’s leading newspaper Times of India.

The name change however will be the loudest claim that a politician can voice in front of rural voters — in the next elections. Apart from the erratic performance of India’s cricket team — there are a few more issues that make me feel hurt – even an angry and embarrased Indian — Bangalore’s ignored needs by its own elected politicians is chief amongst them.

POSTED IN: IT, India, Indians