Nano -- Good or Bad?

Tata nano created a sensation not only in India, but throughout the world, when it was unveiled in Jan 2008 during Auto Expo in New Delhi by Ratan Tata, CEO and Chairman of Tata Motors. After initial delays due to agitation at the factory site in West Bengal, this Rs 100,000 (approximate US$ 2,000) car was commercially launched on March 23, 2009 in Mumbai.

Right from the day this car was unveiled, many people have been criticising this wonderful car on the pretext that it will increase congestion on the roads and increase air pollution. I have seen several such articles, even in the newspapers published in USA and Canada. There is no doubt that more cars on the road will lead to more air pollution, however, the western countries don't have the exclusive privilege to create air-pollution. Until recently, about 18 million new cars were being sold in USA every year. Other than the lip-service, there has been no serious effort to reduce the number of vehicles on the road or to introduce electric or natural-gas powered vehicles.

All people have a basic right to travel in reasonable comfort. If a reliable, comfortable, fast and reasonably priced public transit system is available, most people automatically get inclined to leave their cars at home. Singapore offers an excellent network of subway trains, buses and cheap taxis, and therefore people don't feel the need to own a car. A similar public transit system does not exist in any city of USA and Canada. In Toronto, though a good transit system is available, it discourages people to use it for short distance, as the ticket price is the same whether one travels two kilometres or thirty. Because of this reason, it is cheaper, convenient and saves me time to use a car to go to my office than going by bus.

Instead of criticising Nano, let us look at its great feature. Nano has an excellent fuel efficiency of over 23 KMs per litre. It is a matter of honour for the country that world's cheapest car has been designed in India, and Nano has potential to be exported in large numbers. Besides, Nano may replace highly polluting two-stroke scooters and auto-rickshaws from Indian roads. Three cheers to Nano!

Earth Hour 2009

The Earth Hour 2009 starts at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2009. The organisers (www.earthhour.org) want people around the world to switch off the lights at 8.30 p.m. for one hour to show support for action on climate change and reduce carbon emission. It's a very good idea. Will I switch off the lights in my house on March 28? Probably, no? Why? Rather than doing something good for one hour a day in a year, it is much better if we do it every day -- and I want to fall in the second category. We can play our part  in reducing our environment footprint by doing simple acts, such as switching off lights and fan when leaving the room, turning off the computer or/and monitor when not needed, using fan instead of air conditioner, walking instead of driving the car for short distance, etc. I am sure you can find many other ways to conserve energy. 

North American people consume a lot of energy to heat their homes in winter and cool during summer. To conserve energy, the building industry has been bringing out better building materials and the Governments at all levels are promoting the new building technologies. While this will definitely save some energy, but do you know that average size of a north American home has more  than doubled in the last 25 years! If a person can afford a big home he/she would gladly go for it. Sometimes two or three people live in homes as big as 5,000 sq. ft, 10,000 sq.ft. or even bigger. Former Vice President of USA, Al Gore, won the Nobel Peace prize in 2008 for his efforts in bringing the effects of the global warming to the attention of the world through his documentary film -- An Inconvenient Truth. But do you know that he lives in a big 10,000 square-foot mansion and consumes more than 10 times the electricity consumed by an average home in that area. 

Look at the mansion Al Gore's lives in. If USA consumes 25% of world's energy, Al Gore is doing more than his share. In Mumbai, Inda, Mukesh Ambani is making his contribution by building a 173 metres tall tower, equivalent to a 60 storeyed building for a family of six! 

Let us downsize our needs and do our part in saving the earth. 

Rickshaw Puller

Though I had seen rickshaw pullers in Hindi movies, my in person encounter with rickshaw pullers took place in 1981. It was my first visit to Kolkata (then called Calcutta). I still remember the scary taxi ride I took from the Dum Dum airport to the hotel at 11 pm at night when my contact did not show up at the airport. Other than the name of the hotel (Hotel Tri Star -- no it was not a 3-star hotel!), I had no knowledge about Kolkata. The taxi ride appeared to be never ending, and a couple of times I though that today I am going to be robbed or in the worst case robbed and killed! Well, nothing of that sort happened, and my contact was waiting for me at the hotel -- there was a communication gap.

Next day, while going to an office, I saw rickshaw pullers on almost every road. I felt a little uneasy on seeing a human being pulling another human being. In the evening, I had to go somewhere, so I asked my host for directions, and he advised, "Take a rickshaw, and he would take you where you want to go." I told him that I could not imagine sitting in a rickshaw while another person, perhaps weaker than me, pulling me. My host did not buy my argument, but at last gave me direction, and I walked to my destination. I stayed in Kolkata for two weeks and later visited it again a few more times, but could never had a courage to ride a rickshaw.  

Many people feel that it is inhumane for a human being pulling another human being. Why? May be because we have seen animals pulling carts and when we see a human pulling a cart, we feel that we have degraded that person to an animal. I also used to think like that, however, now my thinking has changed a little bit. To survive, we all sell whatever we have -- physical power, brain power or intellectual power. A worker working in the blast furnace department of a steel mill works in very hot environment, even hotter than the hot summer period a rickshaw puller encounters on the road. However, the steel plant worker is suitably compensated and is a respected member of the society. On the other hand, a rickshaw puller and others doing similar low end jobs do not get any respect from the society or suitable compensation. Have a look at the following picture where a well-built person is being pulled through the flooded streets of Kolkata. Do you think that the rickshaw puller, who is selling his manual labour is being paid a reasonable fare?

In general, most people feel that rickshaw pulling presents a bad image of the Kolkata and this should be stopped. In fact, in 2006, the West Bengal passed a law to ban rickshaws on Kolkata streets. However, even after more than two years since that ban, nearly 5,000 licensed and 18,000 unlicensed rickshaw pullers continue to ply rickshaws on the Kolkata streets. In fact, many people oppose the ban on the ground that rickshaws provide environment-friendly mode of transport in very densely populated Kolkata city. Of course, the livelihood of 23,000 families too depend on rickshaws, whom the West Bengal Government has not been able to provide any alternate employment. Let us see what happens in the future.

Give Children a Chance

When I was in school, whenever a teacher used to see that a student has not done anything not to expectation, he/she used to get annoyed. In most cases, the end result was that the student used to get physical punishment, including slapping and spanking, even before being given a chance to explain. In those days, the situation was no different in homes -- if parents noticed a child doing anything they did not like, many times, they would first beat the child and later ask for explanation. Well, these days, children don't get much physical punishment at then hands of adults when they make a mistake (or the adults feel that the children have made a mistake), still many times, they are not given a chance to explain. I remember a few such incidents from my childhood.

In my primary school, the task of ringing the bell (in fact, banging a hammer on a hanging metal disc) was usually assigned to students. Our teacher used to ask any student to ring the bell, and students used to consider it a privilege and were always waiting for this opportunity. One day during the recess, I was standing near the bell and two teachers were passing by. I felt that one of teacher wanted me to ring the bell, so I ran as fast as I could and used all my power to ring the school bell for the first time in my life. The teachers got annoyed since he did not ask me to ring the bell, so he took me to the Principal's office, and I got severe beating from the school principal -- I was never given an opportunity to explain!

When I was 8 years old, my younger brother, Suresh fell sick, which made him cranky. At night, my mother brought some coins and gave it to him to play with, while I was watching. He kept playing with the coins for sometime. Out of curiosity, I picked up a twenty five paise coin. Next day, I took that coin to my school. During the recess, I showed that coin to my neighbour, Bharati, who was my classmate. Other that admiring the coin and showing it to my classmates, I had no plans for that coin. After the school, Bharati told my mother that I had a coin. On learning this, without asking for any explanation, my mother gave me a severe beating that I still remember. She thought that I had stolen that coin!

I remember another very interesting incident when I had just moved to Grade 6. It was a Sanskrit class and the teacher was a typical pundit who used to wear dhoti-kurta and had a long bodi (बोदी) on his head. So, Guruji was sitting on a chair in a relaxed mood and his bodi (बोदी) was hanging behind the chair. This scene fascinated me, so I told this to Prathivi, the student sitting next to me. Prathavi, instead of enjoying the scene went to Guruji and told what I had told him. However, Guruji thought that Prathivi was telling him that his bodi (बोदी) is hanging behind the chair. Guruji got very angry and started beating Prithivi so badly that the entire scene is still fresh in mind. Prathivi was spared only after Guruji was exhausted. I was lucky that Guruji never gave a chance to Prathivi to explain anything, otherwise I would have received that beating. Prathivi came back to the desk and warned me that he would see me after the school. Prathivi was much bigger and stronger than me, so I had no chance against him in the forthcoming fight. Fortunately, our class room was on the ground floor and the windows did not have any bars. I think you got it. Yes, as soon as the bell rang, while Prathivi was waiting at the door, I jumped out of the window and ran to my house.

Every day, so many incidents take place around us, but we see only what we want to see and listen only what we want to listen. We usually feel that what we see is true and the coin does not have the other side. The children are more vulnerable in this situation to present their point of view. Let us give them a chance. They need encouragement, not beating!

Even in 21st century, school students in many developing countries continue to get beatings from their school teachers for not studying up to their expectations. But, have you heard about a child who was not even a student, yet got beating for not studying! Jhanda Singh was grazing his buffalo near a school. The buffalo entered the school and hit the bicycles. Falling bicycles confused the nuffalo and it stated running all over the school ground and caused more damage. While Jhanda Singh was trying to control the animal, a teacher came out of the class and asked him, "Which class you study in?" Jhanda Singh replied, "Sir, I don't study in any class." Teacher was already angry and now got very mad, and gave Jhanda Singh a good beating. Well, that day, Jhanda Singh took a vow that whatever happens he would ..... If you think that he vowed to go to the school to study, you are wrong. He vowed that whatever happens, he would not let his animal enter the school area.

Chinese Krishna?

Look at the following picture published on a Chinese calendar. 

When I saw this picture a few days ago, the very first thought that struck my mind that this is Chinese Krishna. I remember having seen similar pictures of Krishna either sitting on a cow or standing near a cow playing flute. When I enquired about this picture with a Chinese, he told me that when shepherd boys in villages take the animals for grazing, they do play flute while riding or sitting on cows and other animals. What a similarity with India! Here is a beautiful picture of Lord Krishna. 

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One day, a person's wife disappears. He waits for a few days, but when she does not return, he goes to Shri Ram Temple and starts praying, "Hey Ram! Please get my wife back." He keeps praying for hours and finally Shri Ram appears. While pointing towards Hanuman, Shri Ram says, "Please contact him. He helped me find even my wife."

We Celebrated Holi

Though, this year (2009), the Holi festival falls on March 11, we celebrated it yesterday at Vedic Cultural Centre, commonly known as Arya Samaj (आर्य समाज), Markham. In Canada, most festivals are celebrated on weekends, and the holi was exception. As compared to the holi celebrations I witnessed in New Delhi during the earlier part of my life, the celebration in Vedic Cultural Centre was quite formal. People come to the centre in the evening dressed in their nice colourful dresses, as they are not worried that someone may spoil their dresses with Gulal (गुलाल) or water balloons. We bought tickets were seated in the banquet hall like basement of the Vedic Cultural Centre.

Ritu (Savita) and Shalini at the Holi Dinner

After light snack consisting of Chaat Paapri (चाट पापडी) and Idli (इडली), the children presented very good live entrainment. Here is a small 29 second clip from the Kathak dance.

The children's program was followed by bolloywood songs and dance, enjoyed by young as well as old generation. Here is a small 22 seconds video of people dancing on the floor.

We were served delicious dinner prepared by volunteers of the Vedic Cultural Centre. The quality of the food was better than that served in several Indian restaurants I have visited recently. In all, it was an evening worth remembering.

We are responsible for the mess we are in

These days, Canadian and American news papers and financial forums/discussion groups are full of stories where people describe that they are in financial mess. Whether a person earns $30,000, $60,000, $100,000 or more, he/she is in financial trouble with zero savings and lots of debt. These people blame everyone but themselves for the situation they are in. Well, current economic downturn might have compounded their problems, however, I feel that these people are themselves to be blamed for the financial mess they are in. In my opinion, the basic reason for the north American people's problem is that they live beyond their means. They don't understand the difference between the desire (want) and need. They want to have everything -- a new car every three years, a new TV, luxury vacation at least once a year, eating out in restaurants every week, moving to a bigger house every couple of years, and so on. Somehow, they feel that their living standard must continue to improve and they must continue to acquire new luxuries. If they don't have money they will take expensive loans on credit cards, and then more loans, and so on, until everyone stops giving then loan.

In Canada and USA, most people want to have everything of their own -- their is no concept of sharing. For instance, most people living in the suburbs of Toronto want to have their own swimming outdoor pool, if they have space to build one. These people spend thousands of dollars to build and maintain these swimming pools that they can use only two-three months in summer, but would not like to use a nice indoor heated public summing pool for $2 per use. Similarly, each of their child must have a separate bedroom, separate computer, separate iPod, separate bike, separate sports equipment, and so on.

New car, new house, new clothes, and so on is fine if we have extra money. But, why should I get tempted to buy a new car when I see a new model, if my existing car is running fine. I think most people follow this typical behaviour because other are doing like that. I remember that my son, when he was in Grade 1 or 2 once drew Nike logo on his shoes, may be just to feel better that he too had Nike shoes. When I was in Grade 6, I created a homemade booklet to collect stamps because other students in my class used to collect stamps. This copycat behaviour may be acceptable in the early period of the life, but if continues in the adult life, it leads to problem. Why should I copy what others are doing? Why should I buy a new car because others are replacing their car every three years? I should do it only if I have ready cash and my current car is giving me trouble. In case, my car is running fine and I have a lots of extra cash and I want to get a new car, that may be acceptable but acquiring a new car on loan when the current one is fine is sure no-no.

I decided to write this blog after reading the story of Ana Tacan on the Internet. The family bought earning about $60,000 a year bought a house for $135,000 in 2001. And then continued to increase their expenses by taking loan agains the house and ultimately lost the house. You can read the full story by clicking here.

Fortunately, the first generation immigrants from Asia are financially better organised that an average north American. These people are a little conservative, do not generally acquire credit card debt, and try to payoff their home mortgage as soon as possible. However, the second generation immigrants almost follow the footsteps of average American!

Making Campsite Reservation

We go to camping every year during August for a few days. Last year we went to Awenda Provincial Park. (I have recently uploaded a few photographs from that camp.) Spending a few days with the nature in the camp is very refreshing. Ontario Government operates several provincial parks and some of these are so popular that these are always booked. The booking for the campsite opens five months in advance, and all popular camp grounds get completely booked within the first hour. Since our friends also go with us for camping, we need to book three adjacent or nearby sites, which causes further problems. For this year's camping, we had to book on March 1st. The booking opens at 7 am and one can book on phone or through the Ontario Parks' website. Since the booking opens for thousands of campsites at 7 am and everyone tries to make the booking at the same tine, getting the phone connection to the booking office is only by chance. To improve our chances, we decided that my friend, Narayanan, his wife Usha, me and my wife would try the number simultaneously from our land line and cell phones. That reminds me the movie Lage Rahoo Munna Bhai, where ten people were trying to get connection to the radio station to enable Munna Bhai to be the first to answer the quiz on Mahatma Gandhi. Well, ultimately, I got the connection at around 7.10 am and was able to book three campsites in the campground of our choice -- Arrowhead Provincial Park. I will write more about our stay there after I come back from Arrowhead Provincial Park in August. 

Booking a campsite also reminded me of my adventure in booking railway tickets during peak travel period in eighties and nineties. Indian Railways used to open bookings at 8 am, 90 days in advance. Thus, one had to carefully calculate back 90 days from the required date of travel taking into consideration the number of days in different months and lineup outside the booking office at least one hour before the booking starts. I used to go to the Sarojini Nagar booking office, and the Tea Stall outside the booking office used to do brisk business. The campsite booking experience was somewhat similar to the Railway ticket booking, except that we did not have to lineup and we were in the comfort of our home making bookings over the phone.