My recent trip to Bengaluru turned out to be both familiar and revealing…

When old friends and former colleagues meet over filter coffee, the conversations and the laughter both flow easily! It was wonderful to talk about work and life over crisp vadas, soft idlis and piping hot dosas. There’s something grounding about meeting folks who know you from a different time, I think.

Yes, traffic on many roads is quite intense. But slow-moving autos and long signals also make you notice that Bengaluru still has a lot of green to offer, through tree-lined avenues and pockets of quiet neighborhoods. Of course, its best feature remains the amazing weather that envelopes the city most months of the year!

I was also fortunate to experience a blissful morning, walking through the famous Lalbaug Botanical Gardens before the crowds came in. A visit to the nearby Buddhist temple also offered some moments of peace in the middle of a crowded metropolis. These days, it is such a luxury to find space to think, isn’t it?

Last but not the least is the 100 Feet Road at Indiranagar. What was once a regular stretch lined with small stores has now transformed into an upmarket hotspot filled with fancy restaurants, high-end boutiques and glossy cafes. I saw the same shift at HSR Layout and a few other places, making it clear that Bengaluru’s spending power is not shy anymore, but on full display, at least in these areas.

It had been a while since my last visit to the Garden City, and this trip allowed me a few days to catch up, unplug, and soak in the vibes. Bengaluru certainly seems to have evolved in ways both predictable and surprising.