Swachh Bharat

The residents got together on 26th January our Republic Day to launch Swachh Bharat waste management in our layout.

From left going clockwise, Ramesh, Gokulan Nair, Philip, Xavier, his wife Anita, son Micheal and Ron Jacob.

We agreed to do our bit in source segregation of waste, composting of the organic portion and safe disposal of the recyclable waste.  A good start.  Philip with his wealth of knowledge in organic gardening - he has a wonderful and bountiful garden - will guide us on best practices for composting.

Efforts will be made to meet once a month to collectively gather and dispose the litter in the layout in phases.  Arun the layout supervisor from the developers side has agreed to participate with the help of the security guards in this effort.

If you own a site,  pitch in!

About the residents Association

From the early years, I made several attempts to get an association going.  Primarily the idea was to get the developer to complete his works and hand over the layout to the Panchayat.  This did not come to fruition because we did not have the numbers.  Or for the matter sufficient impetus.  So, while the built homes went from two to nearly nine at the time of writing this, the need for an association did not grab the attention of the residents.

Meanwhile, a local estate agent who works with a BEML employee pushed ahead to get an association formed with an interest to further their own interests.  They roped in the developer and asked us to join.  We asked that the bye-laws and memorandum be made in English as well in addition to Kannada so that there is transparency and any site owner from anywhere else in the country can read and know what is in it.  This was not forthcoming and in fact selective pages of the document was made available which did not give us a full picture of who and how the executive committee would be elected.  As indeed they should.

However they did go ahead and register an association but not a single member who has actually built a house and lives here is a part of it!  In the absence of the developer engaging with the residents living in the layout, the association at best is an exercise to meet their own vested interests.

Some photos of our home

Here are some pictures of our home taken last year.

What about security?

This is an often asked question.  And a valid one at that.  Given that the layout is more than 200 acres and less than ten percent built up, there is concern about ones safety.

Well, we have been here for nearly seven years now.   When we built our house, there were no more than three other houses.  Of course we were not concerned about security since we do not have have a fear mindset.  Mind you, this is in spite of the fact that we have had a daylight robbery in our home in Vignananagar where we stayed before coming here.  With my wife at home tied up, threatened and locked in the bathroom.  Traumatic time that was.  And there were eight robberies in one year in that area!

But what we found is that the outskirts of the city are much safer than in the city.  We did not loose a single nail even though so much of our construction material was lying around when the house was being built.  The developer has always had some security personnel posted.  They keep changing quite often and frankly seem quite incapable of dealing with any serious security issue.  The way I see it, quite decorative really.

However, if you should know, this is a really safe area.  Neither we nor the other residents of the layout ever had a problem.  And now, seven years down the line, more houses have come up, an apartment complex is under construction and a villa project is underway as well.  Adds to the safely factor if numbers make you feel more secure.

Early on, I remember driving into the layout and finding it in pitch darkness with hardly a light in the entire area.  We loved it but scary for most people.  But now, it is quite well lit up with all the growing activity.

So feel safe and if you want to build your home and stay here, don't worry there is nothing to worry.