The United States is going through a debate where many of their roads are being torn apart. That's right. Their paved roads are being turned into gravel.
Of course the numbers are very small as of now but economist Paul Krugman has chosen to highlight this as the decline of a nation. He says:
We’re told that we have no choice, that basic government functions — essential services that have been provided for generations — are no longer affordable.
Of course, the reason why some roads have been turned to gravel in the US is that they are no longer in use. Highways provide better rides and connectivity and these back roads that were important at some time are no longer used regularly.
Still for most of us in India this system would NOT come as surprise. Here we have been turning paved roads into gravel every year. That way contractors and politicians make money regularly. And they can claim that they have created thousands of jobs each year.
Wonder what Krugman would say about our system?
Showing posts with label Fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fun. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 17
Sunday, August 9
Counting crows and exterminating monkeys
Who would worry about crows? They may be a nuisance to some, but with the urban sprawl increasing in cities we have seen a reduction in many of the avian species, crows being no exception.
However in Tokyo people have been obsessed about bringing down the crow population. They were convinced that crows are a nuisance and they needed to be exterminated. So successful has been this campaign that at one point they claimed that 85 percent of the crows had been exterminated using traps.
But they underestimated the intelligence of the birds. They are now back with a vengeance. Older crows have learn to avoid traps and suburban crows, are commuting into the city at mealtimes.
And the costs for extermination - $5.3 million in extermination costs—about $50 per dead crow. WOW ! That's more than double the daily wage of a beneficiary of the NREGA.
Many times cities often indulge in such hair-brained policies when it comes to animals. In Delhi it has been an obsession with monkeys, Banglore is concerned about stray dogs and Mumbai wants to catch every leopard.
Often times there are bigger urban problems and challenges facing our cities, but we pretend that somehow if we get ourselves rid of the “animal” menace we will lead better lives. The media is no less – no sooner is ONE person attacked by a monkey or a dog in Delhi they paint a picture of how we are in DANGER (as if it is a nuclear attack about to happen) of our civilization disappearing.
Remember the animals are just confused. They cannot make head or tail of what is happening around them. One moment there is a forest where they live and the next moment we are telling them to disappear in the name of progress. Much like the American Indian in this story of Tintin whose land is taken away from him.
However in Tokyo people have been obsessed about bringing down the crow population. They were convinced that crows are a nuisance and they needed to be exterminated. So successful has been this campaign that at one point they claimed that 85 percent of the crows had been exterminated using traps.
But they underestimated the intelligence of the birds. They are now back with a vengeance. Older crows have learn to avoid traps and suburban crows, are commuting into the city at mealtimes.
And the costs for extermination - $5.3 million in extermination costs—about $50 per dead crow. WOW ! That's more than double the daily wage of a beneficiary of the NREGA.
Many times cities often indulge in such hair-brained policies when it comes to animals. In Delhi it has been an obsession with monkeys, Banglore is concerned about stray dogs and Mumbai wants to catch every leopard.
Often times there are bigger urban problems and challenges facing our cities, but we pretend that somehow if we get ourselves rid of the “animal” menace we will lead better lives. The media is no less – no sooner is ONE person attacked by a monkey or a dog in Delhi they paint a picture of how we are in DANGER (as if it is a nuclear attack about to happen) of our civilization disappearing.
Remember the animals are just confused. They cannot make head or tail of what is happening around them. One moment there is a forest where they live and the next moment we are telling them to disappear in the name of progress. Much like the American Indian in this story of Tintin whose land is taken away from him.
Saturday, March 28
My Dentist and the Metro
So I made my infrequent trek to my dentist fearing the worst. As usual it was a small case of cleaning my teeth and fixing a loose cap but I was worried.
So I settle into the chair and she begins by asking why I haven't been regular. That is the one question that I was avoiding. In between her poking around, me spitting and then asking me to shift up a little more, I told her I had shifted to Karol Bagh. You know the standard explanation about how my parents had left the city and shifted back.
There. I said it. The dreaded K word that makes South Delhi people screw up their eyes. (Karol Bagh? Where is that? Isn't that near Rajouri Garden?)
Not this one. She smiled and said - You know pretty soon you can come here by the Metro.
I was stumped. What could I say? Of course with the Metro connecting up South Delhi one could technically travel anywhere on it.
But come to the dentist? That is one ride I will not be taking with a smile on my face !
So I settle into the chair and she begins by asking why I haven't been regular. That is the one question that I was avoiding. In between her poking around, me spitting and then asking me to shift up a little more, I told her I had shifted to Karol Bagh. You know the standard explanation about how my parents had left the city and shifted back.
There. I said it. The dreaded K word that makes South Delhi people screw up their eyes. (Karol Bagh? Where is that? Isn't that near Rajouri Garden?)
Not this one. She smiled and said - You know pretty soon you can come here by the Metro.
I was stumped. What could I say? Of course with the Metro connecting up South Delhi one could technically travel anywhere on it.
But come to the dentist? That is one ride I will not be taking with a smile on my face !
Monday, February 23
Auto drivers - Delhi vs Mumbai ?
Freakonomics is debating why there is a huge difference in the way auto drivers in Delhi and Mumbai behave. In Delhi they quote an obnoxious sum to you and then negotiate. Some even refuse to go to certain places unless paid a premium. In Mumbai they are ready to go wherever according to the meter.
Respondents have put forward some reasons:
1. There are too many autos in Mumbai and there is competition between them. In Delhi there is a scarcity of autos and therefore the customers suffers.
2. Mumbai has strong auto unions who ensure that fares are regularly increased according to their demands while in Delhi this process takes a very long time and when the hike put in place it is too late in terms of the running costs of the vehicle.
I agree with both points of view but a major factor is the difference in the working culture of each of the cities. Mumbai is a product of English, Parsis, Sindhi and Gujarati communities that ran businesses over the last 100 years. They have a more practical approach where they do not want to spend time haggling about travel rates. This has taken a strong root and even new migrants find it convenient. The auto drivers are also happy with this system since they are paid well.
In Delhi most people start with an attitude that they are being charged too much and try to reduce the price. In buses many people often lie to the ticket guy about where they have to get off. Even on the Metro I have seen people trying to buy a ticket for an earlier station and then getting caught at the exit.
Also there is a habit of haggling. People actually enjoy the process of negotiating and feel happy when the price comes down even notionally. The shopkeepers and auto rickshaw drivers know this. So they quote a much higher price. If you ever approach an auto guy everyting is negotiated - price, route and even where he will drop you.
However in recent times many auto drivers have started charging reasonably or going by the meter in Delhi. One reason might be stricter enforcement. The other of the coming of the Metro. In many of the routes along the Metro where there has been a drop of people traveling by autos. Therefore they are willing to take you for a reasonable price.
Another trend is that some autowalahs have shifted to parts of Delhi where the Metro is still to reach. This has meant that there are more autos in that area and they are competing for more or less that same number of passengers. So they are again forced to compete thus giving passengers an edge while negotiating.
However come evening most of them still open with a high price and play the negotiating game. Since it the last trip before they head home, they want to make the best of it, they tell you !
Respondents have put forward some reasons:
1. There are too many autos in Mumbai and there is competition between them. In Delhi there is a scarcity of autos and therefore the customers suffers.
2. Mumbai has strong auto unions who ensure that fares are regularly increased according to their demands while in Delhi this process takes a very long time and when the hike put in place it is too late in terms of the running costs of the vehicle.
I agree with both points of view but a major factor is the difference in the working culture of each of the cities. Mumbai is a product of English, Parsis, Sindhi and Gujarati communities that ran businesses over the last 100 years. They have a more practical approach where they do not want to spend time haggling about travel rates. This has taken a strong root and even new migrants find it convenient. The auto drivers are also happy with this system since they are paid well.
In Delhi most people start with an attitude that they are being charged too much and try to reduce the price. In buses many people often lie to the ticket guy about where they have to get off. Even on the Metro I have seen people trying to buy a ticket for an earlier station and then getting caught at the exit.
Also there is a habit of haggling. People actually enjoy the process of negotiating and feel happy when the price comes down even notionally. The shopkeepers and auto rickshaw drivers know this. So they quote a much higher price. If you ever approach an auto guy everyting is negotiated - price, route and even where he will drop you.
However in recent times many auto drivers have started charging reasonably or going by the meter in Delhi. One reason might be stricter enforcement. The other of the coming of the Metro. In many of the routes along the Metro where there has been a drop of people traveling by autos. Therefore they are willing to take you for a reasonable price.
Another trend is that some autowalahs have shifted to parts of Delhi where the Metro is still to reach. This has meant that there are more autos in that area and they are competing for more or less that same number of passengers. So they are again forced to compete thus giving passengers an edge while negotiating.
However come evening most of them still open with a high price and play the negotiating game. Since it the last trip before they head home, they want to make the best of it, they tell you !
Sunday, December 28
Fun with a GPS
Since I am a big fan of maps, I knew that the first time I encountered a GPS it would be fun. On our trip to San Fransisco, Savita offered to take us to Muir woods. As soon as she pulled up in her car, I noticed a small square object sticking out from her windscreen. She punched in the destination and the thing started speaking back to her.
In India a GPS device is often associated with security and surveillance. But a GPS is a real help when you are new to a city and do not know the roads well. A standard device offers real-time voice support for every road turn and informs the driver about the current location as well as locations to be arrived at. It could also give you nearby points of interest such as ATMs, petrol pumps or restaurants. It is like a knowledgeable grandfather - and it also scolds you when you take a wrong turn or overshoot your destination.
In the grid plan based cities of Amrika this works. In a city like Delhi it can be confusing since the route chosen by the GPS may not be the ideal one - there might be a traffic jam or the road may have been shut down for repairs. I do not know whether there are systems which are updated regularly, but most people in the US use a combination of GPS and Google maps to get to a new place. There is no question of getting off and asking someone - something we do here often.
It does provide with you with entertainment. On our return Savita ended up at Lombard Street which is a the crookedest street in the world. With hair pin bends and twists and turns many times over you can barely control the car. The funny thing was on the GPS it showed up as a straight road !
We had to drop Aditi off at a museum and then wanted to catch up sitting at a cafe. I asked her whether there was a place where we could get good chai. I had not had boiled tea in a long time. On our way we passed a Pakistani joint but Savita did not know the way back. Nor did she know the road. And the GPS did not have the name of the restaurant in its database.
So we used the device in an innovative way. We punched in a destination which would take us away from the museum but in the same direction we came from. Once we had driven long enough, we punched in the museum again. But this time it took us through a different route and we never spotted the restaurant. Driving through the city and looking around we kept laughing at this idea of being dependent on a machine but even the GPS not knowing what we are looking for. It was like being in a video game. We were about to give up when we spotted another franchise of the same restaurant. Now for some desi chai.
Maybe the product could become a hit in India if it was sold as a gaming device...
In India a GPS device is often associated with security and surveillance. But a GPS is a real help when you are new to a city and do not know the roads well. A standard device offers real-time voice support for every road turn and informs the driver about the current location as well as locations to be arrived at. It could also give you nearby points of interest such as ATMs, petrol pumps or restaurants. It is like a knowledgeable grandfather - and it also scolds you when you take a wrong turn or overshoot your destination.
In the grid plan based cities of Amrika this works. In a city like Delhi it can be confusing since the route chosen by the GPS may not be the ideal one - there might be a traffic jam or the road may have been shut down for repairs. I do not know whether there are systems which are updated regularly, but most people in the US use a combination of GPS and Google maps to get to a new place. There is no question of getting off and asking someone - something we do here often.
It does provide with you with entertainment. On our return Savita ended up at Lombard Street which is a the crookedest street in the world. With hair pin bends and twists and turns many times over you can barely control the car. The funny thing was on the GPS it showed up as a straight road !
We had to drop Aditi off at a museum and then wanted to catch up sitting at a cafe. I asked her whether there was a place where we could get good chai. I had not had boiled tea in a long time. On our way we passed a Pakistani joint but Savita did not know the way back. Nor did she know the road. And the GPS did not have the name of the restaurant in its database.
So we used the device in an innovative way. We punched in a destination which would take us away from the museum but in the same direction we came from. Once we had driven long enough, we punched in the museum again. But this time it took us through a different route and we never spotted the restaurant. Driving through the city and looking around we kept laughing at this idea of being dependent on a machine but even the GPS not knowing what we are looking for. It was like being in a video game. We were about to give up when we spotted another franchise of the same restaurant. Now for some desi chai.
Maybe the product could become a hit in India if it was sold as a gaming device...
Wednesday, May 7
First you move along the centre...
... and then you steer left.
At least that's what the new improved plan is for the BRT. The stretch that has been built till Moolchand will have buses in the centre and then the buses will have to move to the left lane like the rest of the city.
When I had written earlier that there were problems with the BRT, I did not expect this kind ogf a solution. can you imagine the kind of confusion that would happen at the Moolchand crossing. When the light you will have buses trying to move left and cars cutting across to the right.
As if the roads aren't dangerous enough already !
At least that's what the new improved plan is for the BRT. The stretch that has been built till Moolchand will have buses in the centre and then the buses will have to move to the left lane like the rest of the city.
When I had written earlier that there were problems with the BRT, I did not expect this kind ogf a solution. can you imagine the kind of confusion that would happen at the Moolchand crossing. When the light you will have buses trying to move left and cars cutting across to the right.
As if the roads aren't dangerous enough already !
Thursday, April 17
The Butterfly Effect
Or how the lighting of a torch many months ago has affected our lives in far away Delhi.
Some time back the Olympic torch began its journey no one could have predicted a huge traffic tamasha it would create on this day. Or did we know it already? As wave after wave vehicles went past you, you felt like you were a supporting cast in a disaster movie. Everyone was running away from the monster. The Chinese Torch.
How is it that we have become the IT superpower but cannot manage our traffic for a torch relay?
Actually we could have done several things. The Delhi government could have declared holiday. Offices could have declared half day or worked late. But this kind of innovative thinking is what we expect only from other countries. The end result is that we are stuck on the road for something in which we are not even going to win a medal !!!!
Some time back the Olympic torch began its journey no one could have predicted a huge traffic tamasha it would create on this day. Or did we know it already? As wave after wave vehicles went past you, you felt like you were a supporting cast in a disaster movie. Everyone was running away from the monster. The Chinese Torch.
How is it that we have become the IT superpower but cannot manage our traffic for a torch relay?
Actually we could have done several things. The Delhi government could have declared holiday. Offices could have declared half day or worked late. But this kind of innovative thinking is what we expect only from other countries. The end result is that we are stuck on the road for something in which we are not even going to win a medal !!!!
Thursday, February 7
Those (fat) wonderful men on their flying machines
Walking across India Gate I came across this strange sight - scores of policemen waiting on their motorbikes.
As they drove past, I realised that it was part of some parade practice and half of these were traffic poilicemen !
As they kept this drill for hours I panicked - Who was managing the traffic on the roads ????
No wonder this city needs a Metro !
Sunday, January 6
Optional Metro announcement to liven up the journey
Thank you for choosing the Delhi Metro. TING !
At present we are Rajendra Place (or palace in the local dialect)
an office complex created to rival Nehru Place
now looks like it is dying
since everyone is moving to Gurgaon
TING !
As we move
to your right you can see
all the tuition and competitive schools
along Pusa Road
that were so famous during the 90's
TING !
Pickpocketeers have been identified
in the station
(this is a real message and I do not understand why they have it so I have appended my suggestion)
please keep a dummy bag
so that you can fool them
TING !
We have now arrived at Karol Bagh
the market which refuses to change with the times
the shops still look the same
in most shops the owners still insist that there can be no bargaining
but drop the price to half when you walk away
TING !
We are now five minutes away from Rajeev Chowk (CP to the politically unconcious)
on your right (if your are facing the front)
is the large statue of Hanuman
staring at you
it took twenty years to build this monstrous thing
with the scaffolding coming off only a year back
TING !
Someone is trying to get into the train
when the doors are closing
please identify this person
and hand over to the Metro personnel
otherwise the train will not move
TING !
If Sitara Devi is till on the train
please get off at the next station
You were day dreaming when your family got off at Karol Bagh
TING !
Now we are nearing Rajeev Chowk
as you get off please push hard
those wanting to get in will want to enter first
and then you may not get a chance to get off
Once you step onto the platform
please try to look composed
post the pushing and shoving
since our close circuit cameras will be watching you
Have a good day and return for the same excitement in the evening.
At present we are Rajendra Place (or palace in the local dialect)
an office complex created to rival Nehru Place
now looks like it is dying
since everyone is moving to Gurgaon
TING !
As we move
to your right you can see
all the tuition and competitive schools
along Pusa Road
that were so famous during the 90's
TING !
Pickpocketeers have been identified
in the station
(this is a real message and I do not understand why they have it so I have appended my suggestion)
please keep a dummy bag
so that you can fool them
TING !
We have now arrived at Karol Bagh
the market which refuses to change with the times
the shops still look the same
in most shops the owners still insist that there can be no bargaining
but drop the price to half when you walk away
TING !
We are now five minutes away from Rajeev Chowk (CP to the politically unconcious)
on your right (if your are facing the front)
is the large statue of Hanuman
staring at you
it took twenty years to build this monstrous thing
with the scaffolding coming off only a year back
TING !
Someone is trying to get into the train
when the doors are closing
please identify this person
and hand over to the Metro personnel
otherwise the train will not move
TING !
If Sitara Devi is till on the train
please get off at the next station
You were day dreaming when your family got off at Karol Bagh
TING !
Now we are nearing Rajeev Chowk
as you get off please push hard
those wanting to get in will want to enter first
and then you may not get a chance to get off
Once you step onto the platform
please try to look composed
post the pushing and shoving
since our close circuit cameras will be watching you
Have a good day and return for the same excitement in the evening.
Sunday, October 28
things to do in metro during morning rush hour
1. Stare outside the window hoping that you will find the answer to your boss's questions written on a hoarding
2. Put on earhones and retend the cell phone in your pocket is actually an i-pod
3. Stitch a sweater (don't do this in summer) for your nephew/grandson/neighbour's son
4. Hold hands and smile at each other
5. Read a letter from your boy friend which says - "I'm v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v .v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v sorry. I love you. Have faith in god....."
6. Read the same letter while standing behind the girl
7. Check the metro map for the 10th time to figure out when you have to get off, although you do the trip everyday
8. Squat
9. Read a book while standing up (this is me)
10. Stand at the wrong door and push your way out when the station comes as if you has just discovered a bomb in the train
2. Put on earhones and retend the cell phone in your pocket is actually an i-pod
3. Stitch a sweater (don't do this in summer) for your nephew/grandson/neighbour's son
4. Hold hands and smile at each other
5. Read a letter from your boy friend which says - "I'm v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v .v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v sorry. I love you. Have faith in god....."
6. Read the same letter while standing behind the girl
7. Check the metro map for the 10th time to figure out when you have to get off, although you do the trip everyday
8. Squat
9. Read a book while standing up (this is me)
10. Stand at the wrong door and push your way out when the station comes as if you has just discovered a bomb in the train
Thursday, August 30
Wednesday, August 15
beware of trapping your hands
i don't know what is funnier
bunnies travelling on the Paris metro
or printing signs for them in different languages???????????
Wednesday, June 27
New York City Subway Smell Map
There are maps and maps. This one takes the cake. When will Delhi have one?
Saturday, June 23
Urban Legend
Heard this exchange in a car at ITO.
"See - that is the new metro extension which will eventually go to NOIDA"
"This one ?"
"In south Delhi metro will even reach Lajpat Nagar"
"When?"
"That I do not know - but those guys are going to have it bad"
"Why?"
"As it is they have a water problem. After the metro comes there will be no water."
At this point i intervened.
"Why? What's the connection?"
"Ask anybody, wherever the metro has been built the water levels have gone down."
I could not even think of a counter punch. I went down and stayed on the mat, laughing. After all I had to catch the metro from CP to reach home in time to pump water to my overhead tanks.
"See - that is the new metro extension which will eventually go to NOIDA"
"This one ?"
"In south Delhi metro will even reach Lajpat Nagar"
"When?"
"That I do not know - but those guys are going to have it bad"
"Why?"
"As it is they have a water problem. After the metro comes there will be no water."
At this point i intervened.
"Why? What's the connection?"
"Ask anybody, wherever the metro has been built the water levels have gone down."
I could not even think of a counter punch. I went down and stayed on the mat, laughing. After all I had to catch the metro from CP to reach home in time to pump water to my overhead tanks.
Wednesday, June 20
how to give directions using the metro
A new trend. People give directions to their office using the metro pillars.
For example - turn left at pillar 114 or take right on the traffic light after pillar 120.
Coming Soon : postal addresses (opposite pillar 144 or near pillar 157). That will be the day.
For example - turn left at pillar 114 or take right on the traffic light after pillar 120.
Coming Soon : postal addresses (opposite pillar 144 or near pillar 157). That will be the day.
Wednesday, June 6
whats that under your seat?
Thursday, May 17
Wednesday, December 27
metro manners
two signs that one sees at the metro
DO NOT CROSS THE YELLOWLINE
and inside the train
DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE GLASS
well i could see a lot of people breaking them today
i can understand when you do it absentmindedly
but most of these guys think they are either supermen
or invisible or something
at the karol bagh station another funny thing
the doors are closing
and in jumps a guy and gets stuck between the closing doors
and he stays there the doors are confused
and making a funny warning sound
and his friend on the platform
is pushing him in
and they are laughing it off
finally the doors open
they get in
the door remains open for longer
a guard pops his heads
and scolds them
a prolonged silence as everyone stares at the boys
and then the doors close again
DO NOT CROSS THE YELLOWLINE
and inside the train
DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE GLASS
well i could see a lot of people breaking them today
i can understand when you do it absentmindedly
but most of these guys think they are either supermen
or invisible or something
at the karol bagh station another funny thing
the doors are closing
and in jumps a guy and gets stuck between the closing doors
and he stays there the doors are confused
and making a funny warning sound
and his friend on the platform
is pushing him in
and they are laughing it off
finally the doors open
they get in
the door remains open for longer
a guard pops his heads
and scolds them
a prolonged silence as everyone stares at the boys
and then the doors close again
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