IBNLive Chat: 'Bangalore should not be Bangalored'

GROUND WORRIES: Ramesh Venkateswaran, Director, SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysore, says the new Karnataka government has to address infrastructure woes.

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Keywords: Growth, Bangalore

What are the priorities that lie before the new government that comes to power in Karnataka? What can the common man expect - better governance, political stability or more jobs? Can the new govt bridge the Bangalore vs rest-of-Karnataka debate?

In order to get an answer to all these questions and more, IBNLive.com organised an online chat with Ramesh Venkateswaran, Director, SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysore.

Here we reproduce the full text of the chat.

Rama: I feel that new govt should make locals feel happy and Kannadigas should get due respect in Karnataka. What’s your take on it?

Ramesh Venkateswaran: Without doubt local people must be acknowledged and respected in their respective states. The greatness of India has been our ability to accept people from all over the world and across various cultures. In fact another greatness has been that these people from across cultures in our country have accepted our ways of life and have been absorbed in the mainstream of India. This is a strength that not many people can boast of and we must take full advantage of it. Cross-fertilisation of ideas and philosophies are important for growth and development and thus I believe that across the country we must encourage the live and let live approach. I am sure many of us Indians are not happy when the US or other countries put caps on visas, restrict work permits for Indians etc. Should we do it for our own people? We will lose out on the essence of the rich culture and heritage that is India.

Ravi D: Why is Karnataka not able to develop fully? Why is Bangalore only developing? Why is there no industry (manufacturing and IT) outside Bangalore?

Ramesh Venkateswaran: I think this is about the larger policy and vision of a government. There are so many small places in the country that have developed because of initiatives taken by various governments. It does call for long-term vision and planning and of course the need to invest in the long term.

Gehna: What is your opinion about the new government and how positive are you about this government bringing a positive outlook for the current education sector?

Ramesh Venkateswaran: I have no opinion of the new government since it has not come in! A lot of what the new government will bring in will depend on the kind of position they have - the extent of majority they enjoy etc. Karnataka has the good fortune of having some excellent educational institutions. We must cash in on these - by getting better infrastructure and also ensuring adequate checks and balances to ensure that people get good quality education at all levels.

Aamitk: Should we not expect the next govt to connect Mysore with Bangalore with a new age mode of transportation, for example the speed train?

Ramesh Venkateswaran: Aamit, the government has been talking of an expressway – it’s taking years. We should first look at a very planned development map for Mysore - education, research, IT, tourism etc. When this happens the speed train corridor will make sense.

Sridhar: Hi Sir, am an ex-SDMIMD guy. Just wondering what will be the situation if JDS gets 30 odd seats with no political formation getting majority. I want your comments on infrastructure, Bangalore dream and the overall importance of Karnataka in Indian political scenario.

Ramesh Venkateswaran: Dear Sridhar, the issue is not only about JDS getting 30 odd seats but about any party getting a majority. All indications are that this will not happen. Going by the past record of coalition governments in Karnataka, it will be unfortunate for Karnataka if we do not get a majority government. We have seen the state of infrastructure and development in the last few years - flyovers, Metro, BIAL , NICE corridor , power etc. I think we need to seriously take stock of these factors - we are not only losing out within the country. More importantly we are losing out in the international race - this will indeed be unfortunate considering the tremendous way in which Karnataka and Bangalore made an impact in the world. Bangalore should not get Bangalored!