JOIN USAshish Khare and wife Vasudha from Madhya Pradesh made Bengaluru their home after falling in love with the pleasant nature of the city. He works as an administrator with a city-based hospital while Vasudha is a homemaker.
Ashish hails from Panna, the ‘City of Diamonds’ while Vasudha’s hometown is Chhatarpur near Khajuraho. “Comparing to the city I come from, the roads are cleaner and better maintained here,” points out Vasudha with a smile.
Ashish completed his schooling in Jabalpur and pursued his MBBS in Jaipur. He has also worked in Indore, Mumbai and Jaipur before moving to Bengaluru in 2015. Vasudha did her schooling in hometown and worked as an assistant professor in her home town before moving to Bengaluru in 2016.
“This is the perfect city when it comes to better opportunities for technology-based professionals. I’m glad to be here and explore life on a personal and professional level,” she says.
It was a better job opportunity that brought Ashish here. But there were many pleasant incidents during his stay here that made him want to stay on. “All the big hospital brands have a place in Bengaluru which definitely enticed me to stay on.
The people here too make you feel so welcome. I remember when I was searching for a house, I came upon a nice place but I didn’t have the funds to pay as deposit.
The rent also seemed a little above what I could afford. I spoke to the landlord and she agreed. I remember asking her to remove the ‘To Let’ board and she did so instantly. That is how accepting people are,” he narrates.
Another interesting character of the city is its festival celebrations, he says.
“Despite being a modern city with a huge cosmopolitan crowd, the traditions here are followed in a pious manner. Also, practices like having meals on a banana leaf, show how closely connected people are to their roots,” he says.
Vasudha points out how she also loves the shopping options here. “There is so much to learn about the city — from the local markets to the streets. Also, the stories one hear from people who have been working here are inspiring,” she says.
The couple have also been travelling in and around the city, exploring it. “We have been to ISKCON and Nandi Temple which have so much to offer. That apart, it is interesting to see how through the year, there are a number of exhibitions happening in the city, especially that of textiles and handicrafts from across the country,” says Ashish.
“Be it home decor items or those for daily needs, the variety is plenty,” he adds.
When it comes to food, South Indian cuisine is their favourite. Vasudha says, “I remember visiting ‘Halli Manne’ in Malleswaram and relishing the food. Ashish who loves ‘idli’, adds, “From ‘vangi bath’ to ‘puliyogre’, there’s so much to binge on here.”
When the duo have some time to spare, they like to go to restaurants or hang out at green spaces. “We loved visiting the Lalbagh Botanical Garden during the ‘Flower Show’ and the ways the trees have been nurtured here,” she says.
Ashish is of the opinion that proper policies should be implemented to restore trees and green spaces. “The interesting part is how even fitness equipment are installed in parks to encourage fitness habits,” he says.
“We love everything about the city and would like to be here for good,” he adds.