Building strong ties

It’s not just the pleasant weather of the City that brought Parash from Assam to Bengaluru. Ample job opportunities and that Bengaluru is like home to him, as he has many friends living here, helped him settle in well. He works with Schneider Electric India Pvt Ltd and lives with his wife Priyanka and daughter Priyanshi. They say that the City has only been a positive experience.

With roots in Rajasthan, Parash says that he grew up in Tinsukia, Assam. And his family moved to Surat, Gujarat six years back for better business opportunities.  “So I have cultural ties with different places, which is different from Bengaluru,” he says with a smile. “My district is known for its tea production and wood-related products. Besides the wood industry, businesses dealing in garments, electronics and hardware for tea industry form the commercial base of the place,” he adds.

The main attraction in Tinsukia, he says, is the Shiv Dham Temple, with a pond in the middle. “The Tilinga Mandir (bell temple), located at Bordubi, about 9 km away from Tinsukia is another famous temple here. This temple is known for its numerous bells (‘tilinga’) tied on to the branches of a giant peepal tree by devotees whose wishes made at this temple are believed to have been fulfilled.” He adds that another interesting feature of the area is the Asia’s oldest oil-refinery, The Digboi Refinery, which is located a few kilometres from Tinsukia.

He says that unlike in Bengaluru, there aren’t many people living in the place he is from. About the relationships they share in the City, Priyanka adds that it’s more about friends here than family.

“Everyone knows everyone in Tinsukia. When we have a gathering at home, people from all across the place come home. But here, friends become your family,” says Priyanka, who is from Guwahati. She adds that Bengalureans helped her adjust well.

“Here, people mind their own business, unlike back home where everyone is so connected that they know about everything in a matter of time,” she says.

“People are conservative both in Assam and Gujarat. But in Bengaluru, there is a mix of people and thus, the mentality is very different. It’s an open-minded city, which helps add to the experience,” says Parash. He adds that there is so much to do in Bengaluru, which makes the stay more fun.

“Activities like gaming arenas and bowling alleys, which are new to me, make the City more exciting. The biggest reason for me to move to Bengaluru was that it is considered one of the safest places, compared to other cities like Delhi and Mumbai.”

The couple have adjusted to the South Indian cuisine and enjoy ‘dosa’ and ‘idli’ in their diet. Of the places that Parash likes hanging out at, when he has some time, Brahmin’s Coffee Bar, Taaza Thindi, MTR and CTR top the list. “We also love visiting the VV Puram’s food street as it has so much to offer,” says an excited Parash.   Bengaluru has charmed many and he says that the weather, being one of the biggest advantages, is as pleasant as in Assam. “The people are very friendly and non-Kannada speaking ones rarely face any issues here,” he says. Of the other things that are nice about Bengaluru is that the latest technology is available in the City.

“Many of my friends have settled here and it’s just like home now. The best part about the people here is that they are so inclusive. My Kannadiga friends call me and my family to their homes on all the important festivals like ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’, ‘Dasara’ and more,” he says. Priyanka adds that apart from family, she doesn’t miss much.

“Though not all festivals are celebrated in the same grand style, everything else is great about the City. We are very grateful and feel blessed to be here,” she says.