A lot of things changed. Hotter Lucknow changed to colder Lucknow (But, folks still prefer to sit and eat in the corridors of the mess instead of sitting inside - reasons being different then and now)
Mobile operators tell even a half paise has a value. Hail the competition! Tatkal system in trains changed. Railways charge only for the journey leg instead of full ticket; and you can book tatkal just 2 days in advance instead of 5 previously. WL e-ticket in trains is considered as ticketless travelling as they are automatically credited back. Bus fares increased in Tamilnadu. Oil, rice, fruits and vegetables (in general most of the food items) increased. A big super-market chain has opened a branch in my home town Rasipuram, pleasantly surprised to see shopping carts and multiple billing counters. NH7 (Kanyakumari-Varanasi) is done four-way in Salem-Namakkal leg - now that it takes only 35 minutes by bus from Namakkal bye-pass to Salem bye-pass. B-TRAC has put directions and new sign-boards in many junctions in Bangalore. The link road to Salem Central bus stand has been laid new.
Some of the things unchanged: Delhi Metro Airport Express line is still under construction, Bangalore traffic is still chaotic, Trichy-Tanjore stretch is still cumbersome. "Dr". Vijay still acts in formula based masala movies, the latest being "Vettiakkaran" which unfortunately I saw in a theater. Government office asks you to come back after two days for the work because the person responsible for keeping the challans is on leave. Bank employees still do not have enough common sense; they refuse to reimburse an authentic payment and suggest alternative non-practical workarounds. Wait in an office for 2 hours only to realise that your presence is not required at all and could have been communicated to you much earlier.
