After picking up my cousin from a small village in Mandya district, we were heading towards Bangalore. At the outskirts, a massive green board read “Welcome to the Garden City”.
My cousin was excited as it was her first visit to the city. She looked forward to seeing the greenery the board promised. She enquired about the green places in the city. I just nodded, knowing that the once famed green cover was on its way out.
As we entered the city trees were being cut on either sides of the road for widening the street. My cousin was shocked.
Over a week-long stay in the city, she witnessed sights such as manholes and trenches in the middle of roads, open drains infested with maggots, garbage piled up at every corner, cattle left free to wander on roads, barren lands, apart from massive buildings.
On the way back, as we passed by the road sign again, she turned to me and explained that she understood the meaning of the silent nod.
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