Essays & Short Stories

Learning life’s lesson on a busy street

Walking down 8th Cross Vyalikaval, Malleshwaram, Bangalore. Photo credit: Sruthi R.

It was a lazy Sunday, when I decided to a break from my office routine and explored my surroundings after an extended lockdown. My excitement level was on top since visiting my favourite place after a long time – 8th Cross Vyalikaval, Malleshwaram, Bangalore. It is a street dabbed with shops on both sides. The street is always busy in the midst of a silent Malleshwaram.

When I started walking, I can smell the aroma of butter melting on a masala dosa at Hotel Janata. My eyes rest on the splendid view of the beautiful Kanchipuram sarees at Varamalakshmi Saree House one side and Amar Jyothi Handlooms to the Shesha matching centre on the other side.

The look has been vibrant since we can find all colours of flowers, vegetables, fruits, glitters of accessories and makeup products. It’s a complete shopping destination where one can find everything that they wish for at a nominal price hence it’s also a favourite for many.

Vendors with their display at the 8th Cross Vyalikaval, Malleshwaram, Bangalore. Photo credit: Sruthi R.

I can experience true happiness as the smiles appear on the vendors’ faces on the street when their first sale is achieved. The street has never differentiated the people based on their economic background.

I can see people bargaining with them thinking that they are saving money, not realising that these vendors depend on the commission they get from sales to sustain their livelihood. I can only imagine their plight during a busy day if it starts to rain! It is then I realised how every rupee we earn is so important to us and to these vendors as well.  

I can feel the divinity as I passed by the Kanika Parameshwari Temple and Raghavendra Swamy Mutt. Finally, with a handful of goodies after street shopping, a darshan at the temple and with a pack of popcorn I returned home with a smile on my face.

A dose of divinity on a busy street. Photo Credit: Sruthi R.

Contributor: Sruthi Ravinarayanan

About our Writing Program Student
Sruthi is working as Test Engineer in Mindtree Bangalore. She is interested in writing blogs and learning new languages. Currently, she speaks six languages – English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.
When she’s not learning something new, she loves dancing, singing and spending time with her pets.

The Lifestyle Portal

Tanya is a graduate in Sociology from Sophia College, Mumbai, a post-graduate in Communications and Media from SNDT Women’s University in Mumbai and holds a Master's Degree in Journalis & Mass Communications from Chandigarh University. A former writing mentor and a seasoned lifestyle writer, Tanya writes columns on The Lifestyle Portal of life and living.

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