Thumbs up for IT

Party-poopers want closing time to stay
Thumbs up for IT
Deccan Herald

State of Bangalore, an AC Nielsen survey initiated by CNN-IBN and Deccan Herald revealed that while most Bangaloreans acknowledge the IT industry’s contributions to the City’s development, an overwhelming majority wanted a check on the City’s party culture.

The present deadline of 11:30 pm is not practical in a cosmopolitan culture like ours. They should at least extend the deadline to midnight.

- Yusuf Arakkal, Sculptor

IT City, Pub Capital. In Bangalore, sobriquets could be apt and amusing at the same time. This could be an endorsement of the theory of many Bangalores within one Bangalore.

State of Bangalore, an AC Nielsen survey initiated by CNN-IBN and Deccan Herald revealed that while most Bangaloreans acknowledge the IT industry’s contributions to the City’s development, an overwhelming majority wanted a check on the City’s party culture.

To the question “Do you feel that the IT community has done enough for the City’s development?”, 58 per cent of the respondents replied in the affirmative. While 37 per cent said the sector had not contributed enough to the City, five per cent remained indecisive.

According to Sumati, Communications Manager in an IT firm, an ambiguity concerning its role in the development process is holding the IT industry back from taking the initiative. “The IT industry wants to help, but they don’t know how. There is no roadmap made available to them, on where and how to invest in infrastructure projects,” she says.

“The IT community is only shouting itself hoarse, but doing nothing about the City’s development. If they feel Bangalore is not livable, why don’t they shift out of here instead of just threaten to do so?” wonders Anasuya Misra, a housewife. She feels that the IT industry should show more initiative, and participate in development projects rather than be armchair critics.

How late is late?

This one might come across as a twist. Figure this out. The Pub Capital doesn’t want the party to spill over into midnight, according to the survey.

The question: “Is it right to close down pubs/discos and restaurants at 11:30 pm?” The answer: An overwhelming yes, with 79 per cent of the respondents approving of the deadline. Nineteen per cent said no, while two per cent were undecided on the issue.

“Time limits should not be set by coercion. If the police fears that there will be more accidents due to drunken driving, they should ban the sale of alcohol after a particular time,” says Ramu Aravindan, a Communications Designer.

He, however, feels that food joints should be allowed to remain open, for those working odd shifts.

“Keeping deadlines for pubs and clubs is an outdated idea. We must come to terms with the fact that times have changed and adjust to it. Those working in call centres, IT companies and hotels keep late hours and even they are entitled to entertainment and social life after work,” says Abe Gowda, a cartoonist. He feels that if the police see law and order problems from keeping pubs open late, it reflects their own inadequacy. “Isn’t Mumbai, which has such a rocking nightlife, safe?” he asks.