'My name is Madhu Varma. I am a survivor living in Hubli. I am broadcasting on all AM frequencies. I will be at the Court Circle everyday at mid-day, when the sun is highest in the sky. If you are out there.....if anyone is out there.....anybody.....please'.
My mutual hatred with Bangalore continued as the city kicked me out on the 8th of July 2010. Most unkindly this time. (**** you, Bangalore). A very, very last minute change saw me posted in Hubli instead. And after speaking to my friend who did a bit of research about the place online, I remember thinking "It has an airport. It can't be too bad."
Wikipedia: Hubli is a major city in the state of Karnataka in India.
You live bang in the middle of the place and you go around looking for a bar of Dettol soap. A sympathetic shopkeeper would offer you a soap called 'Det-Mex'. Well, it looks like a Dettol and even the first 3 letters are the same. You would be greedy now, if you wanted anything more.
And if you wanted to pass your time by doing some light reading, you would find all the books you always wanted to read. Second hand books on engineering, commerce and law. A reader's paradise. Wouldn't you agree?
Wikipedia: Hubli is well connected by air, rail and road.
Well, of course. Reaching Hyderabad by air is a simple matter of around 11 hours. You have a quick break at Bangalore or Bombay and arrive at your destination in no time.
And even if you take the road or the rail, all you need to do is change a station or two at some unheard-off places (which even Google would find difficulty in locating) and before you know it, you are there.
And before I go on singing my praises about Hubli, let me introduce my friend, Bailey. Bailey is a chap of few words but he always reflects my moods perfectly.
Me: This place is getting to me, Bailey. I don't know how much longer I can take this.
Bailey: * Looks half-empty *
Me: It's time for our daily walk, Bailey. Hop on.
Bailey: * Looks half-full *
I keeping replacing Bailey with a new himself everyday,but he never changes.
And when I crib about my stay here over the phone, I most often hear "Come on. It's only till the 20th August".
That's another 27 days, 23 hours, 53 minutes and 36 seconds.
The damn cosmos was created in lesser time. Anyway, whatever.
'My name is Madhu Varma. I am a survivor living in Hubli. I am broadcasting on all AM frequencies. I will be at the Court Circle everyday at mid-day, when the sun is highest in the sky. If you are out there.....if anyone is out there.....anybody.....please'.
S.O.S.
