Ranchi: Whats New...Whats Not

During my last trip to Ranchi in August 2010, I noticed that the city has changed a lot. I left Ranchi in the year 2001. Though I have visited the city 4-5 times since 2001, Ranchi looked very different this time around. Following are some of the changes I noticed;

Positive Changes

1. Late Night Movie Show: This was unthinkable in 2001
2. Multiplexes: To the best of my knowledge, there is one already operational and a few more are in line
3. Nice Restaurants, Pubs and Coffee Shops: Now the foodies have the option of italian, mexican, thai food in Ranchi!!! On top of that there are several other places (pubs, coffee shops) to hang-out. I wish all these places were there back in 2001
4. Great Hotels: I have not been to all but I have been to Capital Hill and Chanakya BNR. Both of them are great hotels. Chanakya BNR has a great value for money. Can you imagine a double bedroom with facilities like any 4 star hotel at a rate of 1700 per day!!!

Negative Changes

1. Traffic: It has become pathetic. The number of vehicles on the road has increased but roads have not become any wider. Hence, total chaos
2. Old shops have disappeared: Some old shops with nostaligic value have disappeared and have given way to big complexes
3. No longer a laid-back small town: The relaxed charm of the city has disappeared

What has not changed....and may never change

1. Dharnas, protest marches and bandhs
2. Electricity problem
3. Pollution

Today is the last day of the vacation. Am just back from a trip to my hometown, Ranchi. On the last day of every vacation and before joining office, I start feeling jittery. Its the unknown.....the potential "bombs" in the outlook mailbox, that make me nervous. I remain on verge of a massive heart attack during the time that outlook takes for updating the mailbox!!! Today....for a change I am not too nervous. I will be lying if I say that I am not thinking about the "bombs". But today, there is another emotion that is overpowering the usual nervousness. I am missing my parents like crazy. I can feel the rock of gibraltar right on my chest and I want to cry my heart out (yes macho men, I cry like a baby and I am not ashamed). I am not feeling motivated to go to the office at all. Why do we work? What is all this for? What are the priorities? My parents are on top of my priority list (it should be the case with everyone's priority list, isnt it?). When I was leaving for the security check at Ranchi airport, my papa had this look in his eyes....I cant describe the look but it made me curse myself for not being with my parents, not helping them with everyday stuff...not being there. I am feeling very helpless. But I want my ma-papa to know that I am not feeling this way just because today I am homesick. I feel this way each day of my life. I love you papa-ma and I am missing you like anything.