An idyllic world!

The city of Bhilai, in many ways, reminds you of a time long forgotten. It takes you back to the days of your childhood. Where cities were not as crowded, had more open spaces, and the world was not as connected.

Bhilai, situated near the center of India, is a planned township revolving around the 60 year old Bhilai Steel Plant. Its by no means a small town with a population the size of San Francisco. The Steel Plant itself seems to stretch for miles on. And why not, given that it supplies steel for pretty much the entire railways in the country. A cabbie told me it would take an entire week to see the full extent of it. There are so many advantages of a planned city. Broad roads, wonderfully spaced out houses punctuated by green spaces and parks, provisions to handle changes in traffic loads and a very simple town and road naming scheme to ensure that it is unlikely that you will get lost.

The community there consists almost entirely of employees and families of the steel plant. Most of the younger generation I guess tends to leave for more urban pastures but there is also a steady influx of people from all over the country. As a result of which, the town is a great representative of the cultural diversity of India. Also just driving around for two days, it looks like the place has a great school system in place. Schools like DAV and Delhi Public School are quite rare in small town India. Of course, there is a barrage of coaching classes catered toward IIT and other engineering admissions.

The pace of life also seems a bit more laid back. Traffic conditions are quite manageable. And for an industrial town, the pollution is quite minimal. Quite the refreshing contrast to all the major cities in India today. It occurs to me that this would be a great place to grow up as a kid. Every house has a sizeable backyard and enough space on the streets for playing cricket and other such sports. The houses are also set far enough away from the main roads to afford them peace and quiet. Great schools mean your education isn't compromised and the cultural diversity provides you with an upbringing that no amount of travel in India can provide you. Now if only your parents were employees of the Steel Plant!!!!

Given that steel isn't going away any time soon, its a place that will sustain in its current state for many years to come.