>>Here, especially in Texas, businesses are bound to >>provide (if they want to survive) parking places to >>get customers, but in India that >>theme/consideration is not even there - and it's ok
You Texans are indeed spoilt :) This idea of business providing parking is not true in Boston, particularly downtown area. There is a huge Macy's in downtown with no parking (well there are private parkings at an astronomical charge of $6 an hour). In India (at least Mumbai), this concept is catching up. Major shopping malls like InOrbit, Crossroads and departmental stores like Shoppers Stop, Big Bazar etc do provide parking , though sometimes at a fee. >>but the road condition in the areas that my folks >>live in India is, in no way comparable to any place >>in the US. Thats my perspective only - and I >>believe its an unbiased, uncompetitive one - on >>what I see. I had the same perception until I saw Boston winter. Some roads in/around Boston can sure compete with Guwahati roads. However, I am no way comparing US roads to India >>But the pollution and road condition that exist in >>those cities in India is just not comparable. I believe, one of the major factors of this condition in India is population density. After being in Boston for 1+ year , I am tending to believe that population density is directly proportionate to traffic, road, pollution etc. Even though it is a debatable topic, I firmly believe that the number one step India need today is controlling population. > But with Nano and other similar affordable vehicles> coming up, sure the only option to "move around" in> Indian cities will be to walk ..... even the bus will> not move. >>That simply is my point too, Krishnendu. They need good and expanded roads, not cars. >>Everybody complains about it, but it has been sort of a status symbol to have atleast a Hyundai Santro in front of the house. >>Here, especially in Texas, businesses are bound to >>provide (if they want to survive) parking places to >>get customers, but in India that >>theme/consideration is not even there - and it's ok as long as the traditional way to go there is maintained - public transportation. One side of that tradition has been changed - more and more of those cars are coming up - but same old narrow and dusty roads are still there. It reminds me of the movie where Anil Kapoor wanted to be the CM for a month to change things into the right direction. There are pot holes and uneven roads in other countries, yes, but the road condition in the areas that my folks live in India is, in no way comparable to any place in the US. Thats my perspective only - and I believe its an unbiased, uncompetitive one - on what I see. We are a little spoilt here in Texas - everything is huge. But the pollution and road condition that exist in those cities in India is just not comparable. I love and am proud of the country that I'm originally from, but can't ignore the facts that my own two eyes could see. In order to make spiritual progress you must be patient like a tree and humble like a blade of grass - Lakshmana > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:31:19 -0800> From: krish_gau at yahoo.com> To: assam at assamnet.org> Subject: [Assam] Tata's Nano - any innovation or waste of consumer's money> > Alpana-ba> > Improving road condition and road to vehicle ratio is> definietly one of the highest priority for India.> > However, street parking, public parking near markets> etc are a common problem in Boston as well. The same> goes true for Veranda's as well. In Boston suburbs 2> Bed condos with no balcony sell for 250K even in this> dull real estate market. The price is much higher in> city.> > In fact, my view on driving in America changed> completely during my current stint in Boston (after> the earlier stints in sleepy towns of upstate NY and> in KY). > > Driving is a nightmare with red light jumping, lane> violation, traffic jam, pedestrians (jay walking) etc.> The only element missing is cows, authorickshaws and> thelas :-) ... even giant potholes are common,> particularly after winter.> > It takes me 50 mins to drive 10 miles from work to> home even though both my work and home are in Boston> suburbs (need not travel through Boston city). > > The plus is, now I am pretty confident that I can> drive in India with ease :) > > But with Nano and other similar affordable vehicles> coming up, sure the only option to "move around" in> Indian cities will be to walk ..... even the bus will> not move.> > > > > From: "Alpana B. Sarangapani"> > <absarangapani at hotmail.com>> > To: <assam at assamnet.org>> > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:48:54 -0600> > Subject: Re: [Assam] Tata's Nano - any innovation or> > waste pf consumer's money> > > > This is good...> > > > ...it would be even better if road conditions were> > better. I've seen people having to park on the> > street (that includes posh areas in Delhi, MP, Tamil> > Nadu, Karnataka, and Assam, of course). Many don't> > even have a proper verandah, leave alone a> > space/garage inside their compound. > > > > A country where public transportation has been so> > good (that includes Taxis, Rickshwas,> > Auto-Rickshwas, 'Trackers' and what not!), more than> > private cars, the road space/condition needs to be> > taken care of first. And parking space near the> > markets? As you know!, that's another nightmare! > > > > If I was a current resident of India, I would still> > prefer going by a bus to places. But I understand> > the economy has been booming...the only thing is> > that every issue that contributes towards having a> > quality living needs to be taken care of, be it by> > the government itself (if that is not done by the> > government), or by the influential business> > magnates/tycoons/groups. > > > > My two cents' worth. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In order to make spiritual progress you must be> > patient like a tree and humble like a blade of> > grass> > - Lakshmana> > > > > > > > > > > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:28:38 -0800> From:> > jaipurschool at yahoo.com> To: assam at assamnet.org>> > Subject: [Assam] Tata's Nano - any innovation or> > waste pf consumer's money> >> >> http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Ratan-Tata-unveils-Rs-1lakh-Nano/259912/>> > > Umesh Sharma> > Washington D.C. > > 1-202-215-4328> > [Cell]> > Ed.M. - International Education Policy>> > Harvard Graduate School of Education,> Harvard> > University,> Class of 2005> >> > http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu> > info)> > http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)> >> > > > > www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are> > used )> http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/> > > >> > http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/> >> > ---------------------------------> Support the World> > Aids Awareness campaign this month with Yahoo! for> > Good>> > _______________________________________________>> > assam mailing list> assam at assamnet.org>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org> > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________> Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > _______________________________________________> assam mailing list> assam at assamnet.org> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org _________________________________________________________________ Watch Cause Effect, a show about real people making a real difference. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
