R2I - 1 Year later - Part 2
Posted on January 16th, 2008 by Chitra
3 months ago I wrote the part 1 of how things were after a year of R2Iing. And here’s the 2nd part, a “tad” late. 
- Politicians: The thing about them, I realise is that they are all the same; culture, nationality, race, nothing seems to matter. Before going off to the US, I used to get bugged about the politicians here, then went there and saw how I wasn’t terribly impressed there either. And back here, the story continues. Hard to get interested in current affairs when you have to be interested in what the politicians do!
- TV: I do miss the American channels. The good thing is, a lot of the sitcoms and American shows are telecast here on Star World or other Star channels. But, I don’t seem to want to watch them like the way I did there. The thing of the matter is, I don’t want to watch Indian TV too. In the process, I don’t watch any TV at all, which has been the best part!!! I am thrilled that the children’s TV shows from the US are available on the Indian TV. When we were returning, I was kind of trying to figure out the shows that were on TV here, ‘coz I was quite keen that the kids get to watch then. I am glad that Dora and Diego shows are here. I kind of feel bad that Barney is not here; that would have been wonderful for my second child. I totally liked Barney for my daughter when we were there. She learnt a ton of things from that show. We do get Blues Clues - but only once a week I think, and many from Disney. Most of Nick and some from CeeBeeBees (British). So, overall that is covered well. I just only wish we would got Barney too.
- The driver, we kind of hit a jackpot because he is so very reliable as a person. But, of course the downside is the hours he keeps, the no.of days he is running off to his native village, his emergencies etc. But, we keep working around all that, because he is wonderful with the kids. And I wouldn’t trade him for anybody else solely based on that one plus. He also doesn’t give us an attitude. I am almost grateful to him for that!!
- The ‘no sidewalk’ thing that I had spoken about 6 months after returning - While in the US, I enjoyed going for morning walks with a couple of my neighbors. And it was a nice time to be with the girls, enjoy some early morning air, and get some exercise. In the first few months I was here in Bangalore, I didn’t really feel like stepping out for a walk - one for the lack of sidewalk and the other for the lack of company. Hub and I can’t go together because somebody has to stay with the kids. So, I kind of put it off for a while and didn’t gain a thing by doing so. Now, for the last few months, I have started doing it again by myself and very early in the morning. I am anyway a very early riser. I am up, usually, before 5. So, I just wait to see the light of the day. We have a campus nearby where we have lots of nice walking tracks. There are a lot of other morning walkers too. So, I am out around 5.45 or so, when there is hardly any traffic, make it to the campus, and get back even before the kids and hub are up. It is a work around, but I am not complaining about that anymore. Goes to show, that there are ways and means to overcome some of the things. Of course, if I have to step out during other times and with the kids, it is a bit of a scary task. Still.
- The other very obvious change in the Indian society is how sexually active people seem to be, before marriage and outside of marriage! And I would think more than ever before. Very often I hear about pre-marital, extra-marital, while in school etc. This has been a stark difference to how it was when I was growing up, which is what 15 years ago or so! Even now, it is not that I have numbers or survey results to back what I am saying, but I get to hear so much so often. While I am pretty liberal in my outlook, not typically wanting to have an opinion about what other people are doing; and I am not even talking about the morality issue here. With pre-marital sex, the complications are many if one is not careful. And extra-marital, well nothing has to be said about deteriorating marriages and their impact on society. My interest in the matter is the impact all of this is going to have on how I raise my kids and what I have to do when. Well, I guess we will figure it out when we cross that bridge, huh! This is mostly just an observation.
- In the end, I am very happy with the R2I choice. It has been good for the kids and the grandparents. I can’t think of any better reason. Well, and the fact that I get so much more time for myself.
Your opinions are welcome, as always!
Filed under: Infrastructure, Sidewalks, 1 year later, sex TV Politicians Driver, Family, Life, R2I, Children, Cars, Bangalore
[…] Dear people, here’s the promised part 2 of the one year after returning to Bangalore topic. Read it here. […]
Reg Kids TV: One thing I have been doing much (much) more than when in the US is buying DVDs for the kids (and myself as well ;)). Many of the shows (even things like Barney that dont come on TV) are available in DVD form and they are quite affordable. I have been buying these for the kids pretty much on a regular basis, and over time they have build up quite a collection that, now, they can watch whatever they want anytime.
One channel I badly miss is Food Network - it used to be my favorite there. There is nothing that is even very remotely similar.
Hi Chitra
Visiting ur blog after quite awhile now. Still trying to settle down here. My biggest complaint is I don’t get enough time with my kids like I used to get there. There are lot more things that need my attention. The other thing i miss is the lack of silence. There are very few places that is perfectly silent (except maybe leaves rustling and birds chirping).
Hope you have a great year ahead.
nice to read and appreciate your analysis on each issue no doubt as it is said in hindi “kuch pane ki liye kutch khona padtha hai”. I am happy overall you are happy on return that is very important and yes it takes some time to adjust. nice to know u are on track in most of cases and morning walks are indeed are good and whole day u feel fresh. about the issues on pre martial/extra martial sex etc., I agree with u it spoils/ruins the very happy families. people get into such affairs really without knowing the repercussions and repent later.
Driver part yes u r lucky to get one is so committed and trusted. It is very rate to get such people. hope u have checked up his details and confirmed.
all the best have a nice day out and happy stay on R2I
Kept checking this space every now and then for the 2nd part and here it is finally.
I find that it is easier to do your own thing outside India in the sense that you are anyway ‘different’ so anything goes, while if you are living in India there is more pressure to conform. Thats my perception - will wait and watch to see how this bit turns out when we r2i.
Any thoughts about schools Chitra? Your earlier posts about pre-schools were very informative, and probably one of the reasons I put my son in Eurokids when we returned. He will be in LKG next year - continuing in Eurokids because I was unable to find a shool close by which didn’t put undue academic pressure. I know I’m in for a rough time 2 years from now to get him into 1st standard….sigh…. Any thoughts on Brigade school, JP Nagar?
I have nothing to say, except More power to you! it’s very heartening to read your updates, and I hope to see myself in a similar place several years from now.
Keep writing, you’ve a cheerleader in me. 
Hi Chitra,
I just bumped into your website recently. We are considering R2I-ing to Bangalore in a year or so.
And most probably to Sarjapur-Outer ring road.
Can you enlighten me on good residential gated communities and good alternative schools in that area. I was so much in favor of ‘The Valley school’ but the commute from that end of town seems too much. Any inputs on this will be appreciated. Thanks
Gowri Sivaprasad, yes the DVDs help.
I miss HGTV. 
Vidya, yes the silence is probably something that we can never get here. I hope you have settled in by now.
Thanks praneshachar.
Good point Choxbox. I try to not conform, because it is not something I can do. Also, my kids are watching me. I don’t know if conforming is what I would want the children to learn from me. I think we must do our own thing as long as we are not hurting anybody in the process.
Veena, I am glad Eurokids is working out for you. There have been varied experiences for different people and not all of them are positive. Another post that will cover the differnet experiences.
The Brigade school is fairly new and so it is hard to say anything because they do not have a track record, so to say.
The girl from Ipanema, thanks!
Meera, there are many gated communities in that neighborhood and large ones too. Most of them give you all the added facilities. Some are occupied, and others are under construction. All the big builders have some project or the other in that neighborhood. The good thing would be for you physically come down and take a look before making a call. All the best with the house hunting.
The best part is Sarjapur also offers many “alternative” schools. Many are mostly western and international in their approach. I was considering ‘The valley school’ also but it is very far from where are. I have listed some of the schools in that neighborhood - http://r2blore.chitra-aiyer.com/2007/01/a-list-of-good-schools-in-bangalore.html . Do check them out. All the best with the school hunt too.
chithra..
which school do ur kids go to now?still eurokids??
btw do u happen to know any gud tailors around..guess its asking for too much..around indiranagar???
maybe topic for another post??hehe
take care