Jaal has just concluded an extensive survey in Bangalore which boasts of the first Silicon Valley in India that is Bharat. The survey included both sexes and persons of all age groups who could speak in any of the many Indian languages spoken in Bangalore including geekese. (It is also true however that Jaal came across some reluctance as far as Tamil is concerned and in fact very few responses were in Tamil.)
The subject of the survey was the recent, revolutionary, pathbreaking, pioneering, trailblazing, unique, exemplary and firm step of the State Government of Karnataka on the articles provision and general stores can stock and sell to their customers.
First we located a harried office-going housewife, who had just run out of pasteurised milk at home just as her mother-in-law was descending for an unspecified stay. When she went to the local store, the well known shopkeeper smiled his usual smile but shook his head when asked for a half litre of milk - cow's or goat's or even donkey's. He just said "no" but in an obvious gesture to help, offered a litre of chilled beer or a glass of the best wine. He did not understand nor appreciate the glare he received in return for his sympathy.
Next we buttonholed a ten-year-old boy who just did not understand why he was offered a bottle of beer when all he wanted was an exercise book to do his homework. He could not understand that the stationary shop could run out of exercise notebooks.
A middle-aged person had just got down from a bus and approached a shop to buy his favourite cigarettes. All he got in return was a lecture from the shop attendant on the evils of smoking and on the ban on smoking in public places. However, the attendant told him he could buy some beer or wine of any brand from the shop. Jaal was just watching the creeping bewilderment in the face of the person who just asked for a cigarette.
A maid servant appeared on the scene and started reading out from a long list of items to be bought from the store. The shopkeeper butted in and asked her to choose from wine or beer since almost all the things she required were out of stock.
Jaal also came across groups of delegates from other states of India that is Bharat who wanted to learn firsthand how the Karnataka experiment was faring. Jaal is quite confident that wine and beer will flow there even if there is no milk and honey to flow or even if the Kaveri dries up. Three cheers…er…beers to Bangalore.

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