Hyderabad

The trip to Hyderabad got fixed suddenly and hence had to send Shraddha off to Coimbatore. Had a good night's sleep in the train and landed at some place which was not called Hyderabad but some Andhra name, nevertheless Hyderbad.

Somehow Hyderabad reminds me off Chennai, although culturally they are distinctly and sometimes starkly different. The same kind of streets,noise, dirt, (Betcha these two cities along with Mumbai has to be the dirtiest few in India), loud colours, explosion of traffic, highly intrusive signboards and hoardings, huge movie posters and cut outs dotting the entire landscape, all kind of brands starting at you all time. It is amazing how almost all the available place is taken up by hoardings and advertisments.

But what is unmistakable in both these cities is the level of energy, something which is sorely missing in Bangalore. Somehow you get a feeling that people out here struggle much above their limits and outreach themselves far ahead of their own expectations. There must be far too many struggle and survival stories compared to any other place.

I am put up somewhere after 'Charminar'. Needless to say I am surrounded by Muslim Culture and People. Very different experience, indeed. What is also very distinctly seen is profusion of Marwari Pawn Brokers, I guess, feeding on the poverty around the place. The Muslim architecture everywhere is a treat to the eyes. Most of it's decaying,dirty, smelly yet unmistakably romantic. Of course, I haven't expr the olden era but yet can't help feeling nostalgic.

Had a great day training the guys at Hyderabad. Was not prepared but was on full flow the entire day. Was very keyed up to talk to the panel on telephone, but that did'nt materialise. Let's hope for the best, though.....