'I Am Fed Up Of This Community'

If the middle class lives in secure communities, then how will things improve?

They are paying taxes. They are not getting away from their social responsibilities. The only thing is, they are taking less (from the state).

Aren’t you buying your way out of an urban mess?

In a way, yes. But if you say, don’t buy out, I reject that. That’s socialist thinking, I don’t believe in it. This could be a model. In fact, you should talk to the politicians. Why can’t they make this a model for the rest of the city?

If the movers and shakers opt out of sharing the problem that everyone else is facing, how will things improve?

I totally agree. At our community’s association meeting, I had brought a proposal that a certain amount of our corpus should be kept, five per cent or ten per cent, and we have a huge amount of money, for the things outside of Palm Meadows. It was shot down—because it was felt the association has been elected to take care of the interests of the community and should not do anything outside. The people who have bought their way into this comfort, they are very insensitive. You are talking to an example who is trying to do something. I shouted at people and stormed out. People have become so selfish that when they get in through the gate they behave like kings. They don’t realise there is resentment.

If that is how they behave, then don’t you think gated communities are a bad idea?

See it is human nature. If I can afford it, I will have it. You can say it’s right, or it’s wrong. You cannot deny people their comfort, if they can afford it.... But I totally agree that gated communities are creating a divide.

When the middle class evacuates a sphere, like education, or healthcare, doesn’t it go to the dogs?

I think you have a point, but the middle class has fled, not by its choice. It was forced. The outcome of this is bad, because if I am happy, my threshold is higher, I will not complain that much.... Ninety per cent people don’t do anything. In fact, people here (in Palm Meadows) are just busy counting money. They talk more about Obama than what is happening on July 22 (the day of the trust vote). I am telling you. I am really fed up of this community, and sometimes I wonder, am I getting the right kind of company for my kids?

So why are you living here?

I am not brave enough to be living on a street where I have to face all sorts of.... I mean, you know you cannot get out of your house in Bangalore. Because of stray dogs you cannot walk. Water comes once in three days. Power goes six hours a day. Here at least I can control the environment where I want to live. I can afford it, and I don’t feel guilty because I have done enough. Ninety-nine per cent have not done, and what you are saying applies very clearly to them.