On the beginning of a dry windy day, I start the seemingly monotonous walk to one of the many thriving coaching centers of Hyderabad. It would never be an overstatement if Hyderabad were to be called Knowledge Capital of India. Strewn across its vast area are hundreds of institutions of technology. Intermingling with new age optimism are throwbacks from the educational top strata, filling up the arts and science colleges. I do not claim to have watched many a Telugu movies to generalize, but from the handful that has garnered notice in Kerala, colleges form vital constituent. This emphasizes significance of temples of learning, fun and joy in a Telugu common man's real life as well as imagination.
Right outside my hostel, I walk past a school holding its breath for the explosive upheaval in 2 hours time. Apltly Ke$ha's sound roaring "This place is about to Blow!" in my ear. Slowly as I progress, I am not alone as both sides of the road fill with "prospective graduates", as an American would state. Hyderabad is slowly but surely breathing life as I near my destination. The locality slowly transforms from a shopper's stop in a mild residential backdrop to busiest motorcycle market. Yes! I never believed I would use that phrase, but motorcycles are sold and bought like vegetables in one busy street, of course showing no signs of the predicament at 6:30 in the morning.
Road sides are scattered with the homeless not yet awake to lead another hopeful day dreaming of a relief but probably ending in despair. Previous evening's rain, however slight, has done enough damage to the sewers for some to overflow. Say, hello to the smelly, mismanaged and uncared-for:the great Indian city drainage system. As I near my 'premises' for rest of the day, my ears ringing with the sound of Train or Katy Perry or the contemporary, my mind waders to the trudge back few hours later. The roads would be different, filled with different faces, different views. But that is for a different time, folks, as a Hollywood catchphrase goes "This is just the beginning."
