Our city has lost its character: Laxman

Our city has lost its character: Laxman
The Times of India

Bangalore: Suvarna Karnataka might usher in Bengalooru, but cartoonist R K Laxman feels that Bangalore will stick on. “ Pe o p l e will continue to call it B a n g a - lore,” he said. Laxman visited Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan (PSBB) Learning Leadership Academy on Thursday and interacted with the students.
“There has been a thorough deterioration in Bangalore, which has lost all its character. Garbage everywhere, meaningless buildings and cinema and toothpaste posters everywhere are destroying the beauty of the city.”
Laxman had also visited Mysore, the city where his brother R K Narayan and he had spent their wonder years. “Only the Chamundi hill is still there. I remember climbing the stairs as a boy. Now it’s far more crowded,” he said.
Appreciating the idea of a statue of Narayan in Mysore, Laxman also suggested that a street be named after him and an award be constituted for talented authors in Narayan’s name.
Union railway minister Lalu Prasad inspires Laxman the most. From Karnataka, it’s former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda. “Gowda’s face, features and his habit of dozing off everywhere is unique. I had met him once, but I doubt he would remember — he must’ve been asleep!” chuckled Laxman.