We Bangloreans need to rejoice. The pre-event hype and the subsequent glee, bordering almost on the hysterical, over the launch of WiFi hubs in the city give one the impression that all our problems on earth have been solved. But this euphoria can only be ephemeral, as one would soon realise that one's attention had been needlessly diverted. The back-breaking roads are still there, the non-existent foothpaths haven't reappeared, the stench of garbage has not been replaced by fresh air, and the nightmarish traffic still chokes the roads. So, what are we supposed to rejoice about?
True, WiFi hubs are more than welcome in a city that rightly prides in calling itself the IT Capital of India. True, affording First World luxuries are as important as dissipating Third World malaises. But if one were to come down, even a tad, to earth, one would understand that we are being led up the garden path by an establishment that is bankrupt, literally and otherwise. The BBMP is steeped in debt, it is barely able to even start resolving the issues that the city finds itself mired in.
If Opposition parties accuse the ruking regime of trying to sidestep issues, there would be a ring of truth to it. Instead of actually acting (on issues), it is trying to put up an act. Neither the state government nor its municipal arm are able to provide us bread; so they want us to have cake.
