3 events in recent weeks have gotten me thinking on what is going to happen to our country going ahead.
A few weeks ago driving into town on a Sunday, not once but twice now I've seen people break a signal DESPITE there being a very visible cop right after the signal. Both times when the cop has tried waving the car down post the signal the driver has just driven right past the cop !
Last week I was at my gym and hearing an old man who didn't get his treadmill slot on time rant "I've never used my power of being on the club committee. Now I am going to do it so that you people realise you can't take me for granted, blah-blah"
And also a few weeks ago while waiting in line to get my niece one of those hand painted tattoo things at a restaurant.....other parents coolly pushing their lil kids ahead of the waiting line for the tattoo !
This scant disregard for the law, abuse of power and basic courtesy is going to come back to bite us in the ass.
It may seem like a little rant of mine of 3-4 incidents but we see it time and time again day after day........we Indians love to bend rules to the maximum and just be oblivious to others. Be it breaking signals and drinking and driving to always cutting lines at airports, insisting on talking on the phone in planes, honking on no-honking day, throwing trash on the road.......we just love it.
It's all fine right now when India is the "hot" growth story and our time is now and blah-blah.
But believe me once the growth and good times slow down....we'll have a tough time. Bec we'll have this HUGE population a majority of which have no discipline and then we will be too far down the road to correct ourselves.
Change with all bad habits takes time. And the time to start is now !
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thailand....a visit....some thoughts !
I recently visited Thailand (Bangkok & Pattaya) through work and then a brief vacation. I was going back to the country after a long time. Last I went there was when I was 6 or 7 as some friends of mine who love to pull my leg would say.....A long time ago :O and therefore have no memories of that place.
Following are my observations.
The country is fabulous....from the lush fields of Chang Mai to the pristine waters off Koh Samui to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. All bound together by the warmth and respect of the Thai people who thought don't speak very much English.....are amazing friendly and respectful to tourists.
Pattaya is like Goa. Tons of tourists and lil bars and shacks. and lots of girls.
I did some water sports on Coral island and was amazed how well managed and efficient the full tourist thing is. Why can't Goa be like that ? Instead we always have confusion.
Bangkok with its great food, wonderful shopping and cheap (compared to other places) luxury hotels is a nice melting pot.
In the 7 nights that I was out almost till 3am. Not ONCE did I see a single fight at a bar over a girl or safety or even once read in the papers about rapes or anything of that sort.
In some weird way it seems the easy availability of women ensures crimes against women (probably arising out of frustration) is less.
Ohh and traffic is worse that Bombay....yet people stick to their lane and don't honk like maniacs.
Sigh ! So much to learn..............
Following are my observations.
The country is fabulous....from the lush fields of Chang Mai to the pristine waters off Koh Samui to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. All bound together by the warmth and respect of the Thai people who thought don't speak very much English.....are amazing friendly and respectful to tourists.
Pattaya is like Goa. Tons of tourists and lil bars and shacks. and lots of girls.
I did some water sports on Coral island and was amazed how well managed and efficient the full tourist thing is. Why can't Goa be like that ? Instead we always have confusion.
Bangkok with its great food, wonderful shopping and cheap (compared to other places) luxury hotels is a nice melting pot.
In the 7 nights that I was out almost till 3am. Not ONCE did I see a single fight at a bar over a girl or safety or even once read in the papers about rapes or anything of that sort.
In some weird way it seems the easy availability of women ensures crimes against women (probably arising out of frustration) is less.
Ohh and traffic is worse that Bombay....yet people stick to their lane and don't honk like maniacs.
Sigh ! So much to learn..............
Do you know............
............what's happening about the Jessica Lal saga ?
about Sunil More from the Marine Drive rape thing ?
those molesters from the Gateway of India 2006 ?
the molesters from opposite JW Marriot 2007 ?
Alistair Perreria of Carter road "I ran over 10 people" fame ?
the probe into the teen horribly raped in Goa ?
those 3 horrible young guys who hung a 2yr old with a telephone cord from the cooking class lady murder ?
Weren't all you guys livid when all of the above happened ? and commended the press for bringing up the issue ?
Where is all the concern now ? Or the follow up from the press ?
I'm taking odds one year from now....you won't know much about .......The girl who chopped her boyfriend into 300 pieces nor the man who murdered his 14yr old daughter in cold blood.
Try me....I'm giving good odds.
about Sunil More from the Marine Drive rape thing ?
those molesters from the Gateway of India 2006 ?
the molesters from opposite JW Marriot 2007 ?
Alistair Perreria of Carter road "I ran over 10 people" fame ?
the probe into the teen horribly raped in Goa ?
those 3 horrible young guys who hung a 2yr old with a telephone cord from the cooking class lady murder ?
Weren't all you guys livid when all of the above happened ? and commended the press for bringing up the issue ?
Where is all the concern now ? Or the follow up from the press ?
I'm taking odds one year from now....you won't know much about .......The girl who chopped her boyfriend into 300 pieces nor the man who murdered his 14yr old daughter in cold blood.
Try me....I'm giving good odds.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Tatas (Bawas) Rock !
Like all Indians this past week I watched as Ratan Tata kept his promise of a 1Lac car. How cool is that ???
I think its great that people who ride a motorcycle or scooter not because they want to but because they have to due to cost factors can now own a car.
I agree with Mr.Tata totally. By asking is it safe and worrying how so many Nanos will congest the traffic further we are missing the point.......a car will always be safer than a scooter ! crumple zones and airbags or not ! and instead of appreciating the man and company for making an affordable car for the truly middle-class....we blame him that he is going to congest roads !!! Is it his fault our 3rd rate excuse of a government hasn't invested in infrastructure ???
In other news, hats off to him again for opening a new Cancer hospital in Kolkata with 50 % (yes FIFTY) of the beds there available free to the poor.
In a time where Indians are popping left and right on the Billionaires list it is a matter of great shame that the only cancer hospital in Bombay is the one the Tata's started all those years ago. I suggest you drive past there one morning. Or even better stop and visit. And see the thousands of poor who come there for treatment. And how the staff and doctors selflessly helps them.
Bawas and their donations and giving rocks. No community has done as much for the poor of their own community as the bawas with their schools, hospitals, housing colonies and donations. Infact no community has done as much for Bombay. I am glad the east coast will now experience some of that.
I think its great that people who ride a motorcycle or scooter not because they want to but because they have to due to cost factors can now own a car.
I agree with Mr.Tata totally. By asking is it safe and worrying how so many Nanos will congest the traffic further we are missing the point.......a car will always be safer than a scooter ! crumple zones and airbags or not ! and instead of appreciating the man and company for making an affordable car for the truly middle-class....we blame him that he is going to congest roads !!! Is it his fault our 3rd rate excuse of a government hasn't invested in infrastructure ???
In other news, hats off to him again for opening a new Cancer hospital in Kolkata with 50 % (yes FIFTY) of the beds there available free to the poor.
In a time where Indians are popping left and right on the Billionaires list it is a matter of great shame that the only cancer hospital in Bombay is the one the Tata's started all those years ago. I suggest you drive past there one morning. Or even better stop and visit. And see the thousands of poor who come there for treatment. And how the staff and doctors selflessly helps them.
Bawas and their donations and giving rocks. No community has done as much for the poor of their own community as the bawas with their schools, hospitals, housing colonies and donations. Infact no community has done as much for Bombay. I am glad the east coast will now experience some of that.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
New Year's Molestation and the Law/Attitude problem in India !
Since everyone and anyone is talking about the Bombay molestation case of Juhu on 31st December 2007 I might as well give my 2 bits.
Yes its horrible, yes the guys should be caught, whipped, etc.
But why is it that like everything else in India we look only for the quick fix route ?.....be it our drains, roads, power, crime, etc.
Why do we never tackle the root cause or upgrade laws that were ok when they where created in the 50s and 60s updated to the 21st century ?
I mean its ridiculous that the police says...we can't do anything till the victims register a complaint (FIR). that's the law.
Ummmm....you guys are the upholders of the law ! the men in uniform. you are the people that are supposed to separate right from wrong. when you arrived on the scene couldn't you arrest the 3-4 men who had their hands on their women. You are your own witness to the crime.
Ohh and while all problems need a complaint....if you the ordinary citizen tries to help someone in distress there are 100 questions, forms and procedures that make it so difficult and inconvenience you that people in India are reluctant to help.
In the US or UK if you call the emergency services for a medical problem they will do their utmost to save you life 1st. Because that's their job. Whether you have been shot, blown up, had a accident or whatever. If your skin is black, brown, white or yellow is immaterial.
But in India ...you go to a private hospital and they 1st want to see your "gold" credit card. then only you will be treated. Heck ! let the guy die.
I've had the bad opportunity of seeing someone at Kandivili train station with a severed leg. But instead of rushing the guy to hospital he is lying in a stretcher and some railway guy is asking him...whats your name ? what do you do and all that ? I mean.....Wtf !!!
Also the case where some young kids rushed a guy injured on a bike on the highway to hospital and the cops questioned them ALL day ...bec as per they cops they could be the guys who banged him and brought him to hospital !
Really....as our country gets more populous and richer its this lack of discipline and bad attitude that is going to screw us up.
Ohhh and one more thing. We keep cribbing about racism in our new hindi movies and sports and this and that. But what about our own internal caste/hierarchy discrimination.
I know you'll say....that's only among the uneducated class.......but in return....I ask you this......
When the postman who comes to your house asks for water, do you ever give him water in the same glass that you'd give water to your cousin ?
Does your servant eat from one of the same sets of plates that you eat ?
Yes its horrible, yes the guys should be caught, whipped, etc.
But why is it that like everything else in India we look only for the quick fix route ?.....be it our drains, roads, power, crime, etc.
Why do we never tackle the root cause or upgrade laws that were ok when they where created in the 50s and 60s updated to the 21st century ?
I mean its ridiculous that the police says...we can't do anything till the victims register a complaint (FIR). that's the law.
Ummmm....you guys are the upholders of the law ! the men in uniform. you are the people that are supposed to separate right from wrong. when you arrived on the scene couldn't you arrest the 3-4 men who had their hands on their women. You are your own witness to the crime.
Ohh and while all problems need a complaint....if you the ordinary citizen tries to help someone in distress there are 100 questions, forms and procedures that make it so difficult and inconvenience you that people in India are reluctant to help.
In the US or UK if you call the emergency services for a medical problem they will do their utmost to save you life 1st. Because that's their job. Whether you have been shot, blown up, had a accident or whatever. If your skin is black, brown, white or yellow is immaterial.
But in India ...you go to a private hospital and they 1st want to see your "gold" credit card. then only you will be treated. Heck ! let the guy die.
I've had the bad opportunity of seeing someone at Kandivili train station with a severed leg. But instead of rushing the guy to hospital he is lying in a stretcher and some railway guy is asking him...whats your name ? what do you do and all that ? I mean.....Wtf !!!
Also the case where some young kids rushed a guy injured on a bike on the highway to hospital and the cops questioned them ALL day ...bec as per they cops they could be the guys who banged him and brought him to hospital !
Really....as our country gets more populous and richer its this lack of discipline and bad attitude that is going to screw us up.
Ohhh and one more thing. We keep cribbing about racism in our new hindi movies and sports and this and that. But what about our own internal caste/hierarchy discrimination.
I know you'll say....that's only among the uneducated class.......but in return....I ask you this......
When the postman who comes to your house asks for water, do you ever give him water in the same glass that you'd give water to your cousin ?
Does your servant eat from one of the same sets of plates that you eat ?
Friday, November 16, 2007
Indian Festivals : Hijack of City
I have just reached home in Juhu. It's taken me 2 1/2 hrs to travel 7kms. Yes you got those stats right ! Why ? Bec today is chhat......a Bihari festival. And every Bihari in town must head to Juhu beach.
Now I've lived in Juhu for 25 years, and till the last 5 the only Puja/festival celebrated was Ganapati. But now be it Durga Puja, Basi-Eid, Chhat, every festival and community ends up at Juhu Chowpatty ! And traffic and cleanliness of our neighbourhood is destroyed. Forget about the stuff dumped in the sea and the trash on the sands.
Why is it that we as Indians have zero tolerance for others when celebrating festivals ? Why can't we put ourselves in the other person's shoes ?
Be it spraying someone in an open rickshaw with colour on holi when he/she doesn't want it, to gleefully bursting crackers in the middle of the night even when you know your neighbour has had a newborn or someone is asthmatic to hijacking the right lane of the road with pedestrian traffic on these chhat type festivals with a "do what you want, we will walk everywhere we want" attitude..........why do we do this ?
And the less said about the planning by the authorities in curbing noise, pollution, crowds, giving people traffic advice the day before, the better.
think about any of our "Festivals". Think if some poor old person or little child having a serious health ailment needing emergency medical attention. Or someones house on fire. Now think if the location of these people's houses was......
a. Chowpatty on Ganapati
b. Mahim on Eid
c. Juhu on Chhat
and now tell me........what odds would you give those people ???
I'm not being mean and saying don't celebrate these age old festivals. But think of everyone else your inconveniencing. And therefore be tolerant.
And as for my ?. I'll give you a solution too. If I was chief of Police, I'd station a Ambulance and Firetruck every Kilometer depending on the festival and pocket of city that it affects.
Its time "celebrating" stopped being selfish and all about "I'm having fun" damm everyone else and more about the entire community/neighbourhood/city.
Well atleast that's my 2 bits on it !
Now I've lived in Juhu for 25 years, and till the last 5 the only Puja/festival celebrated was Ganapati. But now be it Durga Puja, Basi-Eid, Chhat, every festival and community ends up at Juhu Chowpatty ! And traffic and cleanliness of our neighbourhood is destroyed. Forget about the stuff dumped in the sea and the trash on the sands.
Why is it that we as Indians have zero tolerance for others when celebrating festivals ? Why can't we put ourselves in the other person's shoes ?
Be it spraying someone in an open rickshaw with colour on holi when he/she doesn't want it, to gleefully bursting crackers in the middle of the night even when you know your neighbour has had a newborn or someone is asthmatic to hijacking the right lane of the road with pedestrian traffic on these chhat type festivals with a "do what you want, we will walk everywhere we want" attitude..........why do we do this ?
And the less said about the planning by the authorities in curbing noise, pollution, crowds, giving people traffic advice the day before, the better.
think about any of our "Festivals". Think if some poor old person or little child having a serious health ailment needing emergency medical attention. Or someones house on fire. Now think if the location of these people's houses was......
a. Chowpatty on Ganapati
b. Mahim on Eid
c. Juhu on Chhat
and now tell me........what odds would you give those people ???
I'm not being mean and saying don't celebrate these age old festivals. But think of everyone else your inconveniencing. And therefore be tolerant.
And as for my ?. I'll give you a solution too. If I was chief of Police, I'd station a Ambulance and Firetruck every Kilometer depending on the festival and pocket of city that it affects.
Its time "celebrating" stopped being selfish and all about "I'm having fun" damm everyone else and more about the entire community/neighbourhood/city.
Well atleast that's my 2 bits on it !
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Life comes a full circle....almost
Last night I was at a close friend's house warming party.
It was great seeing him in his newly re-furbished house, cuddling with his girlfriend with whom he looks so much at ease, happy with his work and role there and just the overall all feel good factor.
Cut back 15 years ago when we were a bunch of 16 odd year olds I remember his Dad passing away. And then in an EXTREMELY cruel twist of fate his Mom passed away barely a year later.
I remember being very disturbed at the time with this low blow so to speak. There were tough days and difficult times after that but slowly I think its gotten better and built up to this one moment.
Hence last night it was great.....to see him all happy and things all around looking up. All the very best Dude ! You deserve it.
It was great seeing him in his newly re-furbished house, cuddling with his girlfriend with whom he looks so much at ease, happy with his work and role there and just the overall all feel good factor.
Cut back 15 years ago when we were a bunch of 16 odd year olds I remember his Dad passing away. And then in an EXTREMELY cruel twist of fate his Mom passed away barely a year later.
I remember being very disturbed at the time with this low blow so to speak. There were tough days and difficult times after that but slowly I think its gotten better and built up to this one moment.
Hence last night it was great.....to see him all happy and things all around looking up. All the very best Dude ! You deserve it.
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