BlackBerry for traffic offenders!

Bangalore's traffic cops have been issued BlackBerry devices to better manage the chaotic and helter skelter traffic. I have serious doubts this will work. It is not technology that will bring about change. One may have the best hitech gadgets but if the cop on the street is corrupt then nothing will change. How many times haven't we seen traffic cops regularly pocketing cash to look the other way from HTVs and other chronic traffic offenders? The issue is not the cop but the fact that he is paid peanuts and treated like shit. And we expect him to be a paragon of virtue and probity. Alongwith modern gadgets the police department should also pay their men very well, send the best of them abroad to see how their counterparts work, equip them with modern motorcycles and patrol cars and most importantly inculcate a sense of pride and professionalism in the force so that educated middle class youngsters will be motivated to join the force. The police dept needs to take a 360 degree view of the traffic situation in Bangalore city and chalk out short, medium and long term strategies encompassing modernisation of equipment, training, pay and allowances and dialogue with the public. Just providing Blackberry devices will not help. I will take a bet these will be consigned to the dustbin in less than 6 months time!

High speed rail link and expressway to BIA

It was indeed amusing to read in the papers this morning (Mar 13 '08) that the government is planning to build a high speed rail link to the BIA (Bengaluru International Airport) along the Bellary Road as well as an elevated expressway parallel to each other. Can you imagine the complete, utter chaos on the ground while this goes on? Just building one flyover is so chaotic for our Palike and infrastructure companies and they have the audacity to dream of such plans where the construction of two mega projects will go on simultaneously at the same spot? Sometimes the Press needs to closely examine all this bombastic rhetoric and see if it stands up to reason. They just can't report whatever tripe the bureaucrats and politicians dish out on a regular basis.

By the way has anyone in the Karnataka government even thought of merging the high speed rail link and the expressway? There are many examples of such multi-purpose infrastructure which can serve both rail and road transport. The construction can be double decker with the high speed rail on one level and the road on the second level. Both objectives can be accomplished at one go instead of two separate agencies trying to execute some grandiose plans on their own with no co-ordination and of course spending thousands of crores of public money. As we say in Kannada - 'Whose father, what goes?'

It is imperative that the Karnataka government now sets up a nodal authority to plan and execute all infrastructure projects leading to the BIA instead of several stakeholders trying to do their own thing which could lead to tremendous wastage of resources and over capacity. Even worse it will divert precious resources from other equally important infrastructure projects for the city and the overall development of the state.

Letter to Editor (TOI) 11.08.02: Noise pollution

Dear Sir,

This is with reference to the news item regarding sound pollution and the provisions under the various Acts. Is there no provision to curtail the deafening noise from auto rickshaw exhaust pipes? Why are the RTO and Police not acting on this issue? One should only travel for a few minutes on Bangalore's roads to be acquainted with this problem. Also, what is the role auto rikshaw Unions play in this? Can they not advise their members against noise and air pollution? Are the Unions only for demanding higher meter fare and calling for bandhs & strikes when their demands are not met? Don't they have any such thing as a conscience when it comes to the general good of the public?

It's high time polluting auto rickshaw owners and drivers are brought in line. One cannot understand why the Government is so weak and pusillanimous when it comes to taking a tough line against consistent and habitual offenders. Don't they have a duty towards ensuring the health and well being of the tax paying public? There are many offences in this country which are ignored just because the offenders happen to be from a lower income group. So, if auto drivers modify their silencers and adulterate petrol to squeeze more mileage out of each litre of petrol they are probably excused by the Police because they are only trying to make ends meet. Same case for owners of ancient lorry, maxicabs and mopeds - just because they are from a poorer section of society they are allowed to go scot free even at the cost of public health. It's high time the Govt and its relevant depts wake up from their slumber and give the tax payer his due at least in terms of better air quality and a decent standard of living.

Letter to Editor (TOI) 19.10.02: Bangalore Times 5th Anniv Issue

Dear Sir, congratulations on the 5th anniversary of the Times. It was really wonderful to read the 5th anniversary supplement of the Bangalore Times dt Oct 19. While I was reading Mr. Allen Mendonca's article - Love you folks - I came across this sentence which describes Lalbagh and the lake within it as 'The looking glass lake stretching adjacent'. I can't imagine how Mr. Mendonca can even refer to the lake which is now almost 95% covered with weed and is a huge breeding ground for mosquitoes as a 'looking glass lake'. That too inspite of the number of letters in the papers from members of the public and articles in the papers about the huge mess which is the Lotus Pond and the Lalbagh lake.
I am surprised that Mr. Mendonca, who is one of the few people who espouse environmental causes and the general interest of the public at large, could commit such a gaffe!

Letter to Editor (TOI) 03.11.02: The Lokayukta's directive regarding Lalbagh

Dear Sir, it was most heartening to note that the Lok Ayukta has taken serious note of the lapses in the maintenance of the lakes in Lalbagh and has asked the Horticultural Dept to submit a report post haste, as reported in the Bangalore Times on the 2nd.
While thanking our good luck that we have such a conscientious and upright person as the Lok Ayukta, one cannot help but wonder as to what our Honorable Ministers are doing? Isn't it the job of the Minister for Horticulture to pull up his department's officials for laxity? Why should we have the Lok Ayukta look into these matters which is basically the Executive's job? Are Cabinet Ministers just supposed to sit back and enjoy the comforts of high office? Isn't it the business of the Health Minister to regularly monitor the Govt Hospitals, isn't it the business of the Transport Minister to monitor the working of his department or isn't it whichever Minister's business to be accountable to the people regarding the working of the city muncipalities? At this rate, the Lok Ayukta will be swamped with far more cases than it can handle and will find it extremely difficult to take the cases to their logical end - to punish the guilty.
It is high time we think of doing away with the Council of Ministers if all they do is cut ribbons, make pompous speeches and periodically remind us of our religious, linguistic and caste differences. We do not need people who do not add value to our lives! God knows when any of our mainstream political parties will have the guts and conviction to take a serious look at the way our system functions and undertake the serious task of amending the Constitution to be in tune with the times. The Westminister system has failed abjectly to deliver the goods - it is high time someone blew the whistle and overhauled the system for a better tommorow for our children where every public official, elected or appointed, is truly accountable at the altar of performance and effective governance.

Letter to Editor (TOI) 29.05.03: Free to air but taxed to death!!

Dear Sir, your edit Radio SOS highlights the completely lopsided and blinkered vision of the government. While one aspect is the killing burden of the licence fee which ensures the medium stays crippled, the other facet is the ban on broadcasts of News and current affairs on private radio channels. It is difficult to comprehend the government's wisdom in restricting News to the govt owned All India Radio when one can tune into any foreign radio station on SW radio and obtain the latest news. Not just that, cable TV brings in the absolutely latest from across the world in gory, technicolor detail which can impact the audience's minds much more than radio! So, where is the logic in banning News on private FM radio stations, all of who are based in India with local production and broadcasting facilities? If the idea is to just breathe some life into All India Radio, which is anyway on its deathbed, then the ban needs to be challenged in the courts, since it infringes on the citizen's fundamental right to information. Also, as you rightly put it, when the government is so reform oriented when it comes to telecom, television and information technology, one wonders why it is hell bent on killing the FM radio sector which has great potential for education and entertainment. Its high time Prasar Bharathi is remodelled on lines of the US FCC to serve as an independent regulator for all services using the airwaves. Radio stations should be allowed to be set up as freely as internet web sites subject to availability of spectrum and suitable guidelines monitored by the regulator. Why should the government impose prohibitive licence fees on something which is freely available and further why should the government curtail my right to information irrespective of the source? Isn't the govt infringing on the citizen's fundamental right to liberty of thought, expression and belief, enshrined in the Constitution?

Letter to Editor (TOI): 31.10.03: Janaagraha

Dear Sir, it was most disappointing to read the news item regarding the BCC Council's tirade against the Janagraha movement. On one hand we have a person who is spending his hard earned money for the good of society and on the other you have so called people's representatives who think nothing of trashing his efforts. Most surprising was the reaction of former Mayor Mr. Chandrashekhar, who one thought belonged to a more progressive genre of politicians. Given the lack of transparency in the BCC's financial matters and the inept and corrupt ways of its officials, one would have thought the duly elected Corporators would whole heartedly support a movement such as Janagraha. This outburst has now blown away the fig leaf of respectability which the BCC Council once upon a time commanded. It doesn't take too much intelligence to figure out who will be the losers if Janagraha succeeds in making the whole system transparent and responsive. It's high time the Chief Minister publicly supports Janagraha and silences the naysayers once and for all!

Contributed to Times City Campaign (TOI) 08.08.04: Decongest Bangalore - some simple but elegant solutions!

Dear Sir, This is in connection with the Times City Campaign on decongesting Bangalore's roads. By now it must be evident to our politicians and city planners that the root of the problem is the lack of an efficient mass transport system. It is imperative that an MRT system which combines rail and bus services is introduced in Bangalore. The BMTC should be merged into the Bangalore Mass Rapid Transport Company which will ensure optimal usage of transport facilities. For instance, commuters should be able to travel long distance from say Yeshwanthpur to Jayanagar 9th block by the MRT train and then travel within Jayanagar by buses which depart from the MRT station. Since the trains and buses will be operated by the same company a single ticket to the final destination can easily be worked out. Once this system is in place the government should gently persuade people to use public transport by steeply increasing vehicle registration and road tax and toughening driving licence requirements and tests. This will drastically cut down the number of vehicles on the road and ease traffic management and parking woes. It will also mean fewer road accidents and clear passage to emergency vehicles. The central business districts such as the MG Road-Brigade Road- Residency Road-Commercial Street and the Majestic areas should be declared completely traffic free. All types of motor vehicles should be stopped outside these areas and parked in multistoried parking lots. These roads should be laid with cobblestones and should be accessible to the public through underground rail stations. Once they get out of the rail stations people should be able to commute within the district by walk, bicycles or battery operated carts. Street side cafes,open air markets, music and art should be encouraged on these streets, especially MG Road which is broad and has a raised promenade abutting the parade grounds. This will mean a safe and vibrant night life for the young and old, men, women and children. The MRT should be accessible to passengers at the city railway station, the Subhashnagar bus terminal and the HAL Airport. Autorickshaws must be restricted to the areas outside the CBD. To make them safer and more accountable, each auto should prominently display the driver and owner's details alongwith the driver's name and photograph. This should be placed next to the auto meter where it can easily be seen by the passenger. The back window of the auto should be transparent for safety reasons. Another very important initiative to reduce air pollution by motor vehicles would be to introduce CNG in a big way. The government should first aggressively push through CNG infrastructure in Bangalore and then lay down a deadline for autos, buses and trucks to switch to CNG. This has borne results in New Delhi and there is no reason why it cannot be replicated here. Bangalore has the privilege of hosting some of the world's most hi tech companies. It is high time the government also becomes one and works towards making Bangalore the No.1 city in India. It is within our grasp but does the government have the vision and the guts to do it? Lets hope the politicians and bureacrats wake up and work with the public to reclaim Bangalore for the future generations.

Letter to Editor (TOI) 15.09.04: Jayakar Jerome deserves better!

Dear Sir, I am anguished at the most humiliating and shabby manner in which an outstanding and competent civil servant such as Jayakar Jerome has been transferred out. In one stroke the Government and the political parties have sent out a clear signal to bureaucrats that merit and performance does not count. What is important is how much you accomodate your political masters and how you co-operate with them to further their political ambitions. What is even more amazing is the fact that Jayakar Jerome was the star of the previous Congress government which is a coalition partner of the present government and not a single Congressman has raised a voice of dissent against this. Which proves that politicians of all hues and shades just will not tolerate anyone who threatens to upset their patronage and corrupt ways. Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that Mr. Jerome enjoyed the unstinted support of Mr. Krishna alone and was not someone who was liked by the rest of the Congressmen in the state. Isn't the sterling perfomance put up by the BDA over the last 4 years not proof of Mr.Jerome's honesty, integrity and capability? From an organisation which was synonymous with corruption and which typified all that was wrong with government organisations in this country, Mr. Jerome turned it into one of the finest and most accountable organisations, so much so that its credit rating is higher than the Government to which it belongs!Is this the way he is rewarded for his efforts? Does coming to power over a fractured mandate means undoing whatever good was done by the previous dispensation? If the present government is serious about developing the villages and the rest of Karnataka it should seize the opportunity and appoint more officers such as Jayakar Jerome to key posts so that they carry on the good work going on in Bangalore while they can devote their attention to fulfilling their election manifestos. But our politicians will not do that because it is here in Bangalore that money and power resides and not in Gulbarga or Mangalore and they can't have someone who is a thorn in their flesh. It is time we the people got together and persuaded the Government to reinstate Jayakar Jerome as BDA Commissioner so that the BDA completes all the work entrusted to it by the Krishna administration and takes Bangalore to new heights. Bangalore is not Mr. Deve Gowda's personal fiefdom for him to run it as per his whims and fancies. Politicians are given a mandate to perform for the good of the city, state or country and not to settle personal scores and vendettas. Mr. Jerome deserves better than this! If Mr. Krishna can raise above his 'political' self and risk sticking his neck out for the city he loves so much he should speak with Sonia Gandhi and ask her to crack the whip in Karnataka. I mean doesn't the Congress party have any self-respect left?

Letter to Editor (TOI) 23.09.04: Speculation at the NYSE

Dear Sir, it was quite amusing to hear PM Manmohan Singh's promises at the NYSE regarding India's infrastructure development, especially so when we Bangaloreans suffer daily the lethargy and misplaced priorities of his party's state government in the fastest growing city in Asia. Let alone initiate new programs and plans, even maintaining and expediting projects currently underway seems to be a Himalayan task. As regards long term infrastructure projects witness the tardy progress regarding the Bangalore International Airport and the Metro Rail. Bangalore is bursting at the seams and the establishment is in deep slumber so much so that the temples of comtemporary India - Wipro and Infosys- alongwith many others have vowed not to expand their businesses anymore in Bangalore. In present day America and Europe Bangalore epitomises the emergence of India as a future powerhouse and the pathetic state of affairs in this city of the future is proof enough that the Government, whether at the State or Centre, really does not walk the talk. One visit to Bangalore, which is probably one of the most prosperous urban centres in the country, will prove to American investors the ground realities and the serious gap which exists between the perceptions of Dr. Singh and many of his party colleagues who head state governments. Given the very high visibility Bangalore enjoys and its pre-eminent position as modern India's showcase to the world it is time Dr. Singh picked up the phone and asked the CM to get his act together, otherwise his utterances at the NYSE will be considered as nothing more than mere speculation!

Letter to Editor (TOI) 12.06.05: Gowda - the whistle blower!

Dear Sir, it is probably for the first time that Mr. Deve Gowda has said something noteworthy. His objections regarding the Bangalore Metro Rail are timely and merit serious consideration. Let's be honest and face the facts - can the present government which cannot even complete 2 regular flyovers, be entrusted with a critical infrastructure project such as the BMRT which involves co-ordination of several civic agencies, acquisition of land across the city, huge funds mobilisation and other equally onerous tasks ? Of course, expecting this administration to come up with an integrated transport system for the city which makes the optimal use of buses and the MRTS is a distant dream. Given the complete lack of a spirit of nation building amongst our current crop of politicians, it is not difficult to imagine what will be the fate of Bangalore if a few years after the project starts the ruling party in the state changes and the project grinds to a halt. Can one imagine the nightmare of the Airport Rd. flyover and Jayadeva flyover replicated several times over across the city? Even the very thought is scary enough to cry a halt to the BMRTS project. We need all political parties to come together and commit themselves to the implementation of this project irrespective of which ever party is in power. Otherwise, the consequences of a failed MRTS will be catastrophic for Bangalore! Let all stakeholders think this through and then implement - we have waited all these years, a few more months will not make much of a difference.

Letter to Editor (TOI): 28.06.05: Road sense?? .....What on earth is that?

Dear Sir, it was interesting to note the new Police Commissioner's observation that Bangaloreans lack road sense. He is bang on target and summarised the whole chaotic situation on the city's roads in one phrase. However, it is high time he also realised that good road sense does not come only from awareness but from 2 other sources: The first is a very tough driving licence regime. Nowadays I wonder if any DL holder is even aware of the basic rules of driving such as giving way to the traffic on the right, not overtaking from the left, not crossing yellow lines, the priority when approaching a main road from a cross road, the priority at traffic circles and so on. This has to be fixed on a war footing. It is also imperative that auto drivers, maxicab drivers and BPO cab drivers need to be trained to follow traffic rules. Like Mumbai's taxi drivers who follow traffic rules impeccably, Bangalore's auto, maxicab and BPO drivers also need to set an example to the general public with good traffic sense. Auto unions and other transport unions need to be roped in and told to get their act together in reining in their drivers. The second point which will influence Bangaloreans' road sense will be a ruthlessly efficient implementation of the traffic rules. Currently, Bangalore's traffic cops are a joke! They are doing a great job but are hopelessy outnumbered in terms of headcount and technology. At many traffic intersections one has to actually hunt for a traffic cop and figure out what he is signaling. This can be really dangerous at times. Bangalore is home to perhaps the most hi tech companies in the world but our public infrastructure is woefully inadequate and hopelessly outdated. Other countries have been using red light cameras, speed cameras and yellow line monitors for more than 25 years now while Bangalore is still stuck in a time warp. The only innovation in the last 20 years has been the countdown timers at traffic signals! Just increasing awareness will not help-it needs to be backed up by an effective driving licence regime which makes it really tough to obtain DLs and a ruthless, no nonsense implementation of traffic laws on our roads. Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh will do well to present and push through an integrated traffic management plan to the government incorporating inputs from the main stakeholders such as the BMTC, BMP, Bangalore Police, the IT cos., Auto and cab unions and the NGOs representing the public. There is only so much you can do with converting all roads into one ways and building flyovers. Desparate situations need desparate measures, let's see if Mr. Singh will rise to the occasion!

Letter to Editor (TOI) 31.8.05: Bengaluru Mahanaraka Palike!!

Dear Sir, one wonders whether to appreciate the High Court order to BCC to clean up the public toilets or to wonder what our elected representatives and municipal officials are doing? If the petitioner has to move the High Court to get public toilets cleaned up, she would have probably first approached the local municipal officials, then the local corporator and then gone on to the Courts out of sheer frustration. Indeed this is the case with most of the city's maintenance and upkeep. What exactly are the civic officials and elected Corporators doing? The apathy and indifference on their part only indicates that public officials are not accountable and are not assessed on their performance. They get their salary and bribes irrespective of whether they deliver the services or not. If this is the state of affairs and Courts have to step in to stem the rot it is probably time for the Government to supersede the 'Bangalore Mahanaraka Palike' and place the various parts of the city under the stewardship and custody of the Honorable Judges of the High Court. The citizens of Bangalore will be eternally thankful for this!

To The Editor (TOI) 10.9.05: BJP in Karnataka - why the paralysis?

Dear Sir,This is in connection with the news item that more IT firms have decided to boycott the 2005 Bangalore IT exposition. The absence of a vocal and strong Opposition party in Karnataka has inadvertently led to the citizens and industry associations adopting an aggressive stance and demanding action from the Government. The reality today in Karnataka is that the opposition is within the ruling coalition (notably our esteemed former PM) and not from the BJP. It is tragic to note the BJP's complete abdication of their role as a responsible party in opposition. Bangalore is going to pieces and not a single word is spoken from the BJP camp. Has the BJP's rank and file lost all their fighting spirit and the ability to connect with the public? Or is it that the BJP feels the pain of Bangalore's crumbling infrastructure is a non-issue? Karnataka has the dubious distinction of being ranked 4th most corrupt in the country. Predictably, the BJP had nothing to say about it. In other countries that would have been reason enough to start an agitation and bring down a Government. What exactly is going on with the BJP? It is high time they pull up their socks and hit the road with a clean governance campaign. The job is cut out for them but will they rise to the occassion and deign to govern mere mortals like us or will they keep deluding themselves and the public that the BJP is God's own party?

Updated on 15.09.05:

Dear Sir, my question below was answered by BJP leader Mukhyamantri Chandru's adopting a completely antagonistic stance as reported in the papers today. The BJP had one chance to seize the opportunity and strive to make a difference, now with Chandru's outburst they have lost that chance also! What a sad day for our city....we don't even have a choice anymore!! It is the same bunch of pigheaded, backward looking politicians in all political parties across the spectrum!

Letters to Editor (TOI) 21.10.05: Broadcasting objectionable images on TV news

Dear Sir, I was watching the Kannada news last night on TV (Udaya News) and was horrified to see on screen the body of a lady who was murdered in Kolar. Doesn't the TV channel have any consideration for the dignity of the departed soul nor any sensitivity to the feelings of the relatives and family of the deceased? How can they display in full gory detail the unfortunate lady's body with blood all over her? Photographing and videographing the body for police investigations is one thing but displaying such images on public television for the sake of rating points is repulsive and should be strongly discouraged. It is high time TV channels evolved a code of conduct which will help avoid brodcast of such objectionable images in the larger interest of society.

Letters to Editor (TOI) 04.11.05: Non payment of taxes

Dear Sir, it warmed the cockles of my heart to read in this morning's TOI that Bangaloreans are now seriously contemplating non-payment of taxes if the government continues to ignore their pleas. I fervently hope this resolve will translate into action and will not just remain as rhetoric. Non payment of taxes should be combined with a series of other measures such as gheraoing elected representatives such as corporators, MLAs and MPs. It is they who have failed the citizens of Bangalore. If they are conscientious and do their job well most of our problems will be solved. But no, they are too busy fighting to retain their kursi and the power and pelf that it brings. We should lay siege to their homes, dig up the roads in front of their houses, cut the electric power and water supply to their homes and unload tanker loads of sewage water into their plush homes. And this should start with Deve Gowda's home - SPG or no SPG. These elected representatives think they can get away with anything just because they hide behind security and legislative privileges. While they espouse the cause of the rural masses they want to live in Bangalore and enjoy all that it has to offer but do not lift a finger to contribute to its development. What have the citizens of Karnataka and Bangalore got themselves into by electing this motley bunch of losers? And god forbid if they win the ZP elections come December! We can kiss Bangalore goodbye because it will be overrun by Hagar the Horrible (Deve Gowda) and the Huns (JD-S)!

Letter to Editor (TOI) 29.12.05: NRN - free, frank and fearless!!

Dear Sir, one should really admire NRN's guts. He has gone where no Indian businessman or industrialist has gone before and criticised the political class for what they are. Everything NRN has said about our politicians and their ilk is 100% true and he will find probably 99% of the country agreeing with him. It is true that anywhere on this planet politicians are generally a despicable lot but it's only in this country that politicians are the dregs and more alarmingly seem to come from the dregs of society. We have come a long long way from the intellectual giants and titans who used to represent us at our municipal bodies, legislatures and Parliament. One of the main reasons for this could be the complete distancing of ordinary middle class Indians from politics. All of us love to talk politics, all of us have our own reasons why our country is so backward in so many areas, all of us talk about corruption and the way corrupt bureaucrats, politicians and policemen suck our blood but not one of us wants to join the mainstream political parties and make our presence felt. We believe we have completed our democratic responsibility by voting whenever the elections happen and then expect to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our voting labours. It is now very evident that unless we exercise constant attention and vigilance on how our elected representatives are performing our democracy will be a sham. The situation today is that when we vote in a candidate it's like giving him a license to loot and plunder. To my mind one of the most important actions for the youth of today is to wholeheartedly participate in mainstream politics. The urban and semi-urban middle class have to join political parties such as the Congress, BJP or JD in hordes and be heard in these parties through internal elections which will ensure the parties field only deserving individuals as their candidates. The other important reform should be the disqualifying of candidates contesting elections based on caste and linguistic considerations. The media should also exercise responsibility and stop giving a caste slant to all the political reporting they do. Expecting our MPs & MLAs to reform themselves and amend laws to make our democracy deliver is mere day dreaming. It's time the long suffering Indian public shakes off its inertia and does something about setting things right. Things may not change in our times, but there will at least be hope for the future generations!

Letter to Editor (TOI):08.03.06:Security at KSRTC terminal at Subhashnagar

Dear Sir,

In the wake of the dastardly terrorist attacks on soft targets such as temples and railway stations we should exercise more vigilance at public places. I was shocked by how lax the security is at the KSRTC Bus Terminus at Subhashnagar. There are no policemen in sight at all and there are a few private security guards here and there. Given the huge volume of passenger traffic not every passenger can be frisked nor can every piece of luggage be scanned. However, there have to be constant multilingual announcements on the PA system and the CC TV asking passengers to be alert for unaccompanied baggage or parcels and to immediately report the same to security personnel. There should be armed policemen who should be allowed to make random checks of baggage and to ask questions if they find baggage lying around suspiciously. Also in the buses the conductor should ask each passenger to identify his baggage and only then move from the terminal. Basically we need to wake up to this threat and change our perspective. Anything can happen anywhere anytime. And the softer the target the better it is for the terrorist to make his ghastly statement. This can be foiled only by being alert and prepared.

Letter to Editor (TOI): 12.3.06: Feeder services to Bangalore Metro

Dear Sir, It is heartening to note that our Honourable CM is thinking of feeder services to the proposed Bangalore Metro. To fully utilise the efficiency of the Metro and to overcome some of its limitations in terms of reach a feeder system is vital. This can be achieved by involving the BMTC and asking it to redesign the existing bus service network by making it more Metro centric. There could be 2 types of bus services- one could be the long distance Volvo services which will run along the ring roads and the second one could be the feeder services which start and terminate at Metro stations. For instance feeder buses could ply into interior Jayanagar from the Jayanagar Metro station. These feeder buses could be mini buses of the kind which BMTC currently uses for its grameena sarige service. The Metro stations should also have multistoryed car parking facilities where people can park their vehicles and take the Metro to the CBD area or to the other end of Bangalore. This should be facilitated by a smart card which allows the passenger to park and ride and top up the card via ATMs etc. The objective should clearly be to maximise the utilisation of the Metro and reduce congestion in the city thereby improving the quality of our lives. The above mentioned proposal is not rocket science and has been in existence for close to 15 years now in people friendly countries such as Singapore, the UK, Germany and other countries. Realignment of BMTC's transport network will definitely be a cheaper proposition rather than monorail.

Do our politicians truly represent us?

Nowadays the more I read newspapers and watch TV the more I feel that our politicians in India hardly represent the people they claim to represent. They are completely out of touch with the aspirations of the people especially the youth. And of course the Leftists are in a time warp with their head stuck in the mud. Even several decades after the world's bastion of Communism - the late Soviet Union - unceremoniously dumped the dogma of Lenin , Stalin, Khurschev and the other venerable members of the Soviet gerontocracy and China which has very clearly and very successfully demarcated economy and politics, our Communists are still espousing antiquated principles of Socialism and Communism. When will they ever realise that the lot of the working class can only improve by rapid economic growth - be it industrial or agricutural? Doesn't it make sense to create far more demand than supply in the labor market? Won't that put the worker in the driving seat as far as bargaining goes? Witness the IT and BPO industries which thankfully came about post-cold war and are not hobbled by the limitations of Trades Union. No one can argue that workers in those industries have the upper hand over management. In fact the traditional definition of management and labor is stood on its head in many IT and BPO organizations thanks to ESOPs and ESPPs. Would our IT industry be the star performer it is today if it were unionized and the INTUC, CITU, HMS and so on were allowed free run there? No way!!

The most amazing thing is that the commies get elected repeatedly in West Bengal and that too with thumping majorities! Hopefully the reforms brought about by Buddha da will give people in WB a sneak preview of what can be if there is a political party which is more business friendly and in tune with the times. Of course one can argue that there is really no choice amongst our political parties and the Leftists in WB are better thanks to their relatively 'clean' images. How I wish our respected Leftists - Messrs. Yechuri, Karat et al - imbibe the China model and keep their politics and business separate. Just because you are business friendly and promote a culture of meritocracy and competetiveness does not mean you are anti-people. Politicians at the national level need to rise above narrow regional and dogmatic considerations and have the vision and guts to lead from the front. They have been elected to take charge and make a difference not prolong the status quo and take us backward.

Even with all the limitations of our imperfect democracy and our lilliput politicians our country has grabbed the attention of almost everyone on the planet! Imagine what we could have achieved if we had politicians who had the vision, the values and the intellectual prowess to make a difference for the greater cause of nation building! It is now time for a renaissance.

Is it futile to even hope for such a transformation?