Cannot imagine Gauri was shot in Bengaluru, says Rohini Nilekani

BENGALURU: The city might be facing a crisis in terms of public infrastructure, but the crisis that has disturbed its nature is journalist/activist Gauri Lankesh’s murder and celebration of Jnanpith laureate and playwright Girish Karnad’s death by some, philanthropist and social innovator Rohini Nilekani said here on Friday.
“I never expected Gauri could be shot in her own home and someone could say something good about Karnad dying.We need to preserve Bengaluru as the oldest city, the city with much diversity, of looking forward and not back,” Rohini said
She was speaking on Bangalore’s Shapeshifts: A Personal Journey, organised by Shoonya — Centre for Art and Somatic Practices. The session by Rohini was about the city’s growth beyond recognition, the problems of immigrants and her husband, Nandan Nilekani’s experiences when he contested in 2014 against veteran BJP politician, Ananth Kumar from Bengaluru South .
Rohini shared anecdotes from the time she went campaigning for her husband and had to face remarks from citizens, party members and even opposition party workers. “After that, my respect for politicians has gone up by 500%. Though I would not want to emulate their practices, the immense work and expectations seem impossible to manage,” Rohini said, adding that she is glad her husband lost the elections. “I receive a lot of flak for saying so. But I think he is more useful in other systematic state policy initiatives,” she said.
Rohini also spoke about how her involvement in resident welfare associations has widened her understanding of the city. Though Bengaluru is growing ‘like a teenager on crazy growth hormones’, she feels residents must preserve the city’s diverse cosmopolitan spirit.
A member of the audience said she felt like a true Bengalurean even though her elders had moved to the city from Tamil Nadu, while another person asked Rohini what she thought about Kannadigas feeling isolated in a city growing with a large influx of ‘outsiders’.
“I understand your dilemma. Kannadigas, Bengalureans have given us a refuge, a space to think to explore ... This is a place where personal, spiritual and career growths are nurtured and I am grateful to be a Bengalurean,” she said. “No matter how unfamiliar Bengaluru becomes, we have a lot to do to keep the idea of the city alive,” she said.