TecHalli: It's Hyd techie, who coined name for Bengaluru

Ananda Mahindra, popular industrialist and non-executive chairman of Mahindra Group, took everyone by surprise recently when he threw up a Twitter challenge, asking people to suggest a worthy local name to replace Sillicon Valley of India as Bengaluru, the home to India's largest tech hub, is currently known. He roped in Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani as co-judge to select the winner of this unique competition. Interestingly, Srinivas Reddy Patlolla, who works as senior delivery manager at Nisum here, came up with the winning name 'TecHalli'.

"Why should we copy somebody?

We can always identify ourselves by our own name and culture. Today, world is a global village. Halli means village in Kannada. TecHalli is a combination of technology and village. It's the best name for Bengaluru," Srinivas Reddy tells Bizz Buzz. Here is what he says.

You are not much active on Twitter. What made you to take part in Anand Mahindra's contest?

I always been a Mahindra fan. I now own Mahindra XUV500. All along, I have been using Mahindra vehicles only. I love their vehicles. I always followed Anand Mahindra on Twitter. When I responded to his challenge, I didn't think my suggestion would turn out to be the winner. I casually answered as Anand Mahindra asked for a local name.

How did you come up with 'TecHalli' name?

When I was thinking about the new name, technology came to my mind as Bengaluru is known for technology. Halli means village or settlement in Kannada language. So, I came up with 'TecHalli' for Bengaluru. Here I don't want to take Halli as a village, but a settlement or anything where people live. Today world is global village. There is not much difference between rural and urban when it comes to technology. Technology has gone to villages.

The presence of technology in villages is more visible now as people are able to work from remote areas. Covid-19 pandemic has shown to us that we need not live in cities anymore to work. Furthermore, most of us have roots in villages.

Being Hyderabadi, how do you know Kannada word 'Halli' and what association do you have with the Bengaluru city?

My parents come from a village called 'Buchnelli' near Zahirabad. It is close to Karnataka border and people use to call our village as Buchnhalli in Kannada. My parents and villagers are familiar with the Kannada language. So, whenever I visited my village, I used to hear the Kannada language and came to know the 'Halli' word. Coming to Bengaluru, I travelled to the city many times on office work and I also went to meet my friends, who settled in that city.

What was your feeling, when Anand Mahindra announced your name as the winner on Twitter?

I didn't believe it first. I thought it was some kind of a joke or a troll. Then, I received a message Anand Mahindra and Nandan Nilekani. Lots of people congratulated me through direct message and Mahindra Rise, the official handle of Mahindra Group, had congratulated me and took my details to send the prize (A scale replica of Pininfarina H2 Speed supercar)

Some are opposing proposed name for Bengaluru, what do you think about it?

Why should we copy somebody? We should always identify ourselves by our own name and culture. That way, TecHalli is an apt name. Today, the world is a global village. So, there is nothing wrong in using 'Halli' in the name. Obviously, everybody will not accept the title. Of course, they are entitled for their opinion. But Bengaluru is synonymous with technology and Halli has a rich identity in Kannada. Sadly, we have forgotten our Sanskrit language and went after English, but I think everything again boils down to our roots and culture. Sanskrit has a prominent place in our culture.

If someone comes up with similar challenge for Hyderabad city, what names will you suggest?

It is tough to come up with a replacement for Hyderabad. Bhagyanagar or Nizam names are related to names of persons. Such names will not be attractive. 'Cyberabad' name is good as Hyderabad is also home to an IT hub.