A crucial conversation at the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF) 2025 sought a middle path in the heated insider-outsider debate that frequently dominates the city's social media discourse. The discussion featured Malini Goyal, CEO of Unboxing BLR, and Prathibha Nandakumar, a noted poet and activist. They explored the complex dynamics of migration, identity, and the evolving soul of India's tech capital.
The Outsider's Perspective: Catalyst for Change
Malini Goyal, author of the book 'Unboxing BLR', shared her personal journey to the city. She revealed having mixed feelings initially. "Whenever I visited Bengaluru, I felt there was nothing special about the city. Yet, I would always see newspaper headlines about startups, tech companies, and multinational corporations based here," she recounted. It was this curiosity about the contrast between perception and reality that ultimately drew her in. Like countless others, she settled down and never looked back.
However, Goyal highlighted a significant challenge. She pointed out that for many who move to Bengaluru for work, the relationship with the city remains purely transactional. There is often a lack of deeper understanding and emotional investment in the local culture and history. This, she emphasized, is a gap that needs to be bridged for a more harmonious urban fabric.
Preserving Roots in a Multi-Layered Metropolis
Prathibha Nandakumar provided the insider's viewpoint, reflecting on how Bengaluru has managed its explosive growth. She described the city as having acquired many layers. "On one side, we have UB City, while on the other, we celebrate traditional events like Annamma Utsava. We have managed to maintain our customs and practices while also embracing modern technology," she observed. This coexistence, she suggested, is a unique characteristic of Bengaluru's identity.
Nandakumar directly addressed the tense insider-outsider dynamic, noting it is more pronounced and nearing a boiling point in Bengaluru compared to cities like Mumbai or Kolkata. Yet, she presented a progressive solution. "To adapt to a changing Bengaluru, we need diverse perspectives from those who have come from outside. While we will always identify as Kannadigas, instead of expecting migrants to fully assimilate, we should strive for mutual harmony and respect," she asserted. This call for mutual respect over forced assimilation formed the core of her argument.
Migrants and the Reshaping of Bengaluru's Economy
The dialogue also shed light on the substantial economic impact of migration. Both speakers highlighted the emergence of a significant parallel economy in the service sector, largely driven by migrants. A growing number now work as gig workers, contributing to a new economic layer that has fundamentally transformed the city's personality and daily functioning.
This transformation underscores the undeniable role of newcomers in Bengaluru's ongoing evolution. The discussion concluded that the city's future depends not on choosing between insider and outsider narratives, but on forging a new, shared story. The path forward lies in combining the fresh, innovative perspectives of newcomers with the deep-rooted cultural stewardship of long-term residents, all within a framework of mutual understanding.
