Weaving happy stories

Melting pot

Pranjal Medhi was watching Kannada film ‘America America’ on television a few years back, when the thought of coming to Bengaluru to pursue his studies struck him. For the young man hailing from Jamugirihat, a small town in Assam, pursuing education in the field of technology here was like a dream come true.

Following his postgraduation, he stayed on to make a career in Bengaluru. Now working as a team lead with applications development in Accenture, Pranjal only has the best to say about the city. He lives here with his wife Deepti Timungpi, who works in administration and facilities with Larsen & Toubro.

From a more focussed approach towards academics to the inclusive nature of the people here, Pranjal is impressed by almost everything. “Bengaluru is a land of pleasant stories. There are good people and bad people everywhere. But we have only happy tales in the city to recollect,” he says. He remembers his time in college and how he had many Bengalureans as friends. “The people here embraced me wholeheartedly. They were open to different cultures. In fact, Bengalureans are the most welcoming people around,” he says.

As in any other place, there were ups and downs too, but the couple is grateful that their friends were very supportive. “From the disturbing times in 2012 till today, whenever anything has happened, people have protected us,” he says.

Recollecting many incidents where neighbours stood by them, Pranjal vouches that Bengalureans reinforced the couple’s belief in ‘unity in diversity’. “There was a time when a localite banged into a few vehicles including mine. The tendency to support one’s own people is common but our neighbours stood by us. This was a life-changing experience,” he says.

Deepti, who hails from Kheroni in Karbi Anglong, found the weather to be a pleasant surprise. A strong believer in the saying, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’, she feels that this is what has helped them. “When you give respect to people and accept their culture and ways, they are bound to accept you too. I love the way festivals are celebrated here,” she says.

“I respect the traditions that people follow here. I have tried to learn Kannada and I speak whatever few phrases I can, which has helped people open up to us,” she says. “Once when I was in a bus, I nearly missed my stop and called out ‘Anna! Stop maadi’. I saw a number of people looking at me with accepting smiles and positive comments,” she adds.

The city has everything, be it transport options or good educational and job opportunities, she says. “After a few months of adjusting, I fell in love with the city.” Deepti feels safe here and says that people always rush to help if the need arises.

Their weekends are about spending time together at Elements Mall, visiting restaurants like ‘Zingron’ and ‘Adyar Ananda Bhavan’ or even shopping at flea markets and Commercial Street. “Food is a diverse experience here. There was a time when ‘dosa’ was new to us. Now South Indian meals are a necessity,” says Pranjal.

The couple can imagine no better place to settle in than Bengaluru. “Whenever we are outside, I miss things here. This is our home now,” says Deepti.