Efficient service delivery is more important than doing away with ‘sir’ and ‘madam,’ say citizens
The Hindu
Citizens believe that although the service industry has improved, there is more room for progress.
Even as the governing committees of more local bodies continue to do away with the self-aggrandizing titles of ‘sir’ and ‘madam’ and rush to pat themselves on the back for their perceived moral high ground, many citizens wonder what the hullabaloo is all about as they find it a mere cosmetic reform. Ever since the Mathur panchayat in Palakkad set a model earlier this month, local bodies across the State seem to be in a race to follow suit and not everyone is impressed. “Personally I don’t care about addressing elderly officials by ‘sir’ or ‘madam’ as it’s a general gesture of show of respect. What’s more important is to get the service delivered efficiently and without the officialese associated with government offices. The service delivery has definitely improved from what it once used to be though there is still room for much progress,” said Govind P., a young auditor.Hampi, the UNESCO-recognised historical site, was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire from 1336 to 1565. Foreign travellers from Persia, Europe and other parts of the world have chronicled the wealth of the place and the unique cultural mores of this kingdom built on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. There are fine descriptions to be found of its temples, farms, markets and trading links, remnants of which one can see in the ruins now. The Literature, architecture of this era continue inspire awe.
Unfurling the zine handed to us at the start of the walk, we use brightly-coloured markers to draw squiggly cables across the page, starting from a sepia-toned vintage photograph of the telegraph office. Iz, who goes by the pronouns they/them, explains, “This building is still standing, though it shut down in 2013,” they say, pointing out that telegraphy, which started in Bengaluru in 1854, was an instrument of colonial power and control. “The British colonised lands via telegraph cables, something known as the All Red Line.”
The festival in Bengaluru is happening at various locations, including ATREE in Jakkur, Bangalore Creative Circus in Yeshwantpur, Courtyard Koota in Kengeri, and Medai the Stage in Koramangala. The festival will also take place in various cities across Karnataka including Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.