A City We Chose, A Team We Loved: Why RCB’s Victory Felt Personal

 Not Born Here, But We Belong. Like so many others, I came with dreams in my eyes—to build a life, a career, a future. And over the years, this city became my home. I built my career, started a family, bought my first house, my kid is born and is growing up in this very city.

When RCB won last night, I cried. Yes, I cheered like any true fan, I waited for too long, from shouting "Ee sala cup namde" to feeling "Ee sala cup nandu"—something shifted. A whole generation of us, who came here as outsiders, have given our love to this city. We may not have been born here, but we belong here.

It hurts when someone asks, “Why do you support RCB? It’s not your native team.”
Because this city gave us more than just jobs—it gave us identity, confidence, and self-belief. Many of us came here with heartbreak, with hopes of starting again. And Bangalore gave us that chance.

India is built on the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. We’re proud to be part of a country where many languages and cultures exist together. But when we don’t speak the local language, we are often made to feel like we don’t belong. The fear of being treated like an outsider follows us—in autos, in markets, sometimes even in daily conversations.

Yes, the city is crowded. The roads are broken, traffic is endless. But please don’t blame us. We didn’t create the congestion. We only came because this city offered opportunities like no other. We didn’t turn the Garden City into a concrete jungle. In fact, we’re paying taxes , casting our votes, buying homes at whatever prices are quoted because we can’t bargain in the local language.

We often end up living in corners of the city that are far from the well-developed parts—where there are no good roads, parks, or even clean water. But still, we don’t complain much. Because deep inside, we love this city.

Bangalore is our Karmabhoomi—our sacred land of work and purpose. So yes, when RCB won, I cheered and I cried. Even if some don’t call me a true Bangalorean, my joy is real. My love is real. This is home.