Former resident of Malleswaram

Born and Raised in the Neighborhood

I was born in Chhaya Nursing Home in 1986. It no longer exists, in its place you'll find Cloud Nine Hospital. My education has largely been in Malleswaram itself. I went to Vidya Mandir High School and then MES College, where I completed my Bachelor's degree around 2007.

A Wave of Nostalgia

There are so many little anecdotes that come to mind when I think of Malleswaram. I currently stay near the airport, and when I learnt that such an event was being organized, I felt I had to come because I wanted to live this moment. And whenever I enter Malleswaram from any side, I feel as if the air changes. There is a distinct wave of nostalgia, a different sense of belonging. It's like journeying through time. It's a beautiful feeling. Yes, there's a lot of development happening, but it hasn't changed the soul of the place.

The Shopkeepers Who Cared

I still remember my days at Vidya Mandir. We were friendly with most of the shopkeepers nearby. There was Jalaram's, Mangalore Stores and many other small shops—they were all very fond of the school kids. Sometimes, if I tiptoed into Mangalore Stores, the shopkeeper would give me a snack or something to munch on. The shopkeeper at Jalaram's would sometimes give us pencils and pens on credit—they were pretty sweet.

There were days I had to rush home and couldn't wait for my shared auto. You'd see someone already seated, and they'd squeeze in—front, back, wherever there was space—and hang on for the ride home. Sometimes, I'd be in a real hurry to get back home. I lived on 17th Cross. The Jalaram's owner would hand me a ₹10 note and say, 'Take an auto and go home.'

What We've Lost

I don't think this kind of camaraderie, trust, or value system exists anymore. Nowadays, we don't need it, really—you have Paytm and all that. But back then, we had these little moments of personal connection with others. These are the small things that brought me closer to Malleswaram. My doctor was here, and all the little services and essentials I needed while growing up were in Malleswaram.

Simple Joys

I used to walk down to 8th Cross. Ramanand Stores is still there. He still makes pizza—a very rudimentary pizza, not a genuine pizza—but eating that, which was about ₹10 at the time, was a real joy. And the ₹5 MDR softy on the opposite side, near Devi Prasad—simply excellent. That softy was something we truly cherished.

The Aroma of the Market

Then you'd walk down the market lanes with those gunny bags overhead—Malleswaram had its own charm. The aroma of vegetables, fruits, root vegetables, and greens—even now, I get goosebumps thinking of it all. I'm 38, but I do miss those good old days. Even now, part of Malleswaram still lives on.