Crawl before you Run

On 23rd July 2011 one high speed train was hit from behind by another in Wenzhou district of South China. Till the time I am writing this on 30th July 2011 death toll has risen to 40 with several others critically injured. This crash involved bullet trains which run at a maximum speed of 150km/hr much slower than the Beijing-Shanghai or Beijing-Tianjin route trains which run at a maximum speed of 300km/hr. This train accident stirred some serious discussion regarding the necessity vs. obsession with high speed mode of commutation. When India is trying to keep pace with its perceived rival’s development blitz, will it be a scrupulous move to embrace the high speed trains? And what India needs learn from the accident, which along with many remorseful feelings leaves many hidden lessons? One more thing which made news in recent time in China was the sacking of its Railway Minister which was indicted on corruption charges. Both the events frame a more meaningful and comprehensive scenario in Indian context.
In recent Railway budget of India government has put proposals for its ambitious project for dedicated freight trains corridor and high speed rails. The move was welcomed with a gung-ho in Indian media and flourishing business class. But when analyzing the situation more minutely one finds this proposal more a desperate move to keep pace with World Class Economy tag than a serious effort to develop the sound infrastructure for future demand. Although India has proved its calibre for developing and successfully running the complicated local metro rail networks for almost 9 years in Delhi Metro Project, its success in maintaining the main railways network has always been under scrutiny. The local metro and long distance high speed trains will surely differ on many fronts, which can pose serious questions not only to the safety of travellers in high speed trains but also to economic interests in operating it.
Almost at the same time when the Railway budget was announced, biggest scam in Indian history was exposed by media and public petitioners. This exposure precipitated the scams revelations one after another and exposed the vulnerability of Indian policies to corruption. Commonwealth scam, food scam, 2G scam, NRHM scam, mining scam are some of the recent reminders of failure of Indian system to keep the massive infrastructure and development projects under constant vigil. In a scenario when Corrupt Leader is more of a certificate of amassing huge wealth than a taboo for a political leader, how it can be guaranteed that crucial project such as High Speed train network development can be implemented with complete sincerity and without compromising the quality of work. Chinese Railway Minister sacking also conveys a strong message for us because when in a country like china where corruption draws very serious implications by law unfair practices were adopted by its authority for siphoning of a part of huge money allotted for rails project, how can we expect a leader in India doing its duty sincerely when he or she knows the ineffectiveness of Indian System in punishing the perpetrators.
There are more important and urgent requirements than building the high speed train links. Traditional rail network needs a massive up gradation regarding its safety as well as capacity. Building a high speed network which will be undoubtedly out of reach of common man will help some specific segment of society but on broader context this segment has other viable options with them for faster mode commutation such as air travel, whereas the traditional mode of rail Commutation is used by almost each and every Indian and its development will boost the travel and tourism industry. Last but not the least government has a lot to do on local public transport and Road transport. Indian cities trying to cater to demand of overwhelmingly increasing urban population are finding it difficult to manage its public transportation system and are choking under the immense pressure. There is no use of high speed rail road network if you cannot travel inside a city. Roads are crumbling under ever increasing vehicle counts. National highways which count 2% of total Indian Road Network accounts for 40% of traffic are under constant need of up gradation. Indian government should first work on these basic issues before going for its dream world project.
Change is always good but how much and when must be measured prudently. When all conditions are strikingly clear and workable government must not ignore these basic requirements in the name of world class development. Crawl before you walk or in this case run.

Terrorism...

It was very unfortunate that my broadband connection was out on 2nd may 2011 and i was not aware of the Bin Laden's death till one of my friend told me during dinner. My friend is one of the creature who is least interested in the national and international events, related to politics. When i say politics, i strongly convey my message that it must include terrorism, uprising in middle east and Arab world and some other hot issues, i would like to describe later. His interest in the news and discussion with me on this issue, ignited many thoughts in my usually at rest mind.
i was astounded by the way Osama's death must have affected the American public. The way it must have emotionally brought all Americans to verge of tears and the political mileage ruling party will get out of this event. I am by no mean doubting the operation carried out by the elite US force or the intentions of the Obama's "Justice has been done" historical speech. what i am doubting the unanticipated failure of the hyped astuteness of the most wanted human being after Hitler.
The man who was directly or indirectly was responsible for the devastation of at least two countries, was caught like a chicken in the coop, not easily digestive news.
when you have so much to gain or something colossal to lose, you become bold and brave. And i think that's has been done here at least from one side. someone who was being criticized at almost all fronts by the public which was till now die hard fan of his charisma, was suddenly no hero. Something need to be done to regain the status. and what could be the easier than the staged execution of the most wanted man by all Americans. a man who had no mean other than the video tape to communicate with real word and at the other hand a man who had the best media in the world on his behest. A man which can not be even believed if he is real him, and the other man has agencies which can prove a day as night. Then who will be the winner of the phony war is very clear.
It is a bless if Laden is actually dead but if he is not then this is again a well planned orchestration by a superpower, as it has always done.

Indian God: Truth or Myth

I can memorise the day i started reading English in school, but i cant memorise the day i first time heard the story of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Ramayana and Mahabharata are embed in a normal Indian life at least a north Indian life, that its hard to give a thought about it in routine life. Everything which we know is taken for granted same is the case of these epics. We were never given concrete proofs for the veracity of it. Or more correctly i must say that we never had the concrete proof to prove the veracity of these epics. What makes these great works so uncertain and makes Hindu religion's greatest writings look like a story book. Have you ever contemplated? Though i am not a research erudite but what i am going to discuss with you are my thoughts. And I, by no mean, intend to disgrace any religion. I will use some comparative reasoning for corroborating my facts that's all.
Whenever I read an article related to Bible, i wonder is it a mere story. And when i read Ramayana or Mahabharata events, i wonder is it real happening. Difference is that i doubt the very source of my own religion epics, and after discussing with my so many friends and colleges i think it is the case with most of the Hindu population or at least the youth. At least some historical evidences are present to prove the great ancient Indian culture, through stone writing and foreign royal visitors. These accounts make a thing sure that our Indian Culture was second to none in its values and richness. And these epics also depicts the same thing, but link is missing.
Link for making the chain to be intact is missing. These epics, presumably happened in the prehistoric time and maintained by the oral description depicts same story as told by foreign visitors and stone writing in thousand BC. But link which is essential to bind the scattered pieces together are hard to find.