When I read this news in Yahoo today, my heart felt very heavy.
Bombay is the commercial capital of India. One of the beautiful spots in the city is the Marine drive (who cares if the official name is Nethaji Subash chandra Bose Road). I can't imagine the Queen's Necklace, as it is fondly called, without its lights!
India is not self-sufficient in power (besides several basic things). Bombay used to be one of the better cities as far as the power situation went. But, looks like even Bombay is suffering now.
India has a vision 2020 Program. I hope they choose the right prescription lenses to take care of basic necessities of life.
25 comments:
That is why I said Chennai is scoring over the other cities. Tamilnadu has become a power surplus state and with the abundant human resources it provides, all kinds of companies in all kinds of industries are making a beeline over there and good, old Madras is slowly and silently stealing a march over its northern brothers.
Adengappa - IMHO, please don't compare any cities.!! :)
Thennava Mannava -
Appanae...Chennai nagaril kazhuva kooda thanni illai appa!
Power surplusah? Kilo enna vilai?
Power cutai pattri dhayavu seithu , makkalai kettu parkkavum.! Kosu pudungal thaangalayamae.!!
Its not about comparisions...Just probable similarities..
Ji, I don't know when your last trip was, and even now I checked with my parents one week after they went there and indeed the power does go off some times but comes back immediately. Reg. the surplus power, I read an authoritative article on that on the web (if I find the link, I'll send you later). Don't discount namma Chennai - it is always springing surprises :-)
prob this gives a hint to big organizations to save electricity than abusing it
adengappa,
No problems.
Jaganlee, I feel sad about the deteriorating conditions relating to power /water supply/transportation etc.
Look at the public transport corporation buses in Bombay. BEST is the acronym for bombay buses ( Bombay electric supply and transport). Used to be wonderful. Now?
I wish the govt. takes care of (atleast) the basic needs of common man.!
Thennavan,
I am not sure where your parents live. If the powersupply is good I am glad..! If there is surplus why not share it or make money.?
I look forward to your link.
Reflex, Politics affect everyone's everyday lives ( Including the Politicians). They might not realize it today, but it will certainly come back and haunt the future of these same politicians.
I remember in Bombay ( 1985).the voltage will never drop. Standard 220 Volts. No power cuts then.!! ( Even those days TN sucked).
TATAs were doing a wonderful job.
Me - I agree.
Sometimes the frequency of power cut might also depend on the area. I've known people who live in Bombay, who've mentioned that their area has frequent power cuts. I've lived in Ghatkopar for a few months in 1988 and there were regular power cuts. Ofcourse, overall Bombay might have been good. But so were many areas of Chennai. Power has not been much of an issue in Chennai. Water has, but that has been much improved thanks to Rain Water Harvesting, Veeranam and a good rainy season last year. Homes are getting corporation water, we dont have to buy from private tankers.
Ji, found one of the links at least. India Today had written about it (in passing, while discussing the other merits of Tamilnadu) and Cogito had covered it in his post. Here it is: http://cerebralshangrila.blogspot.com/2005/03/what-ails-tamil-nadu-it-is-third.html
It is not just bombay..my mom has been complaining that in Madras our area has been facing this problem from the begining of this year...
u know what a striking contrast with the way people handle power cuts there in India and here?
last month our area's power supply was cut coz a squirrel got stuck in a transformer or somehting of that sort..next month we received a bill along with a letter of appology and giving out their insurance number to call up if any life threatening damage had happened...i was compeltely flabbergasted
Narayanan, Great posting. I think the India 2020 will become a reality, since the Indian diaspora is more active nowadays compared to even 10 years back.
I hate to sound cynical but why is everyone suddenly thinking about power problems in India - is it because Bombay's Marine Drive with those huge bombastic light have been switched off...
Guys, there are villages in India which don't have elecricity even now. The residents of Bombay can still survive with just the minimum and switch off those needless lights on the billboards. Thatz just bullshit to care about the lights on the Marine Drive and the queens necklace (endru thanniyum indha raniyin mogam), when there are so many villagers who are still in darkness.
Anonymous, I lived in Antop hill in 1984-85. Absolutely 0 power cuts.
I do agree that some pockets tend to loose power more than the rest (Why?)
The same thing applies to Chennai too. The suburbs have these problems. In the city where big people live,power is restored fast,unless its a major problem.
Remember the power cuts that happen due to some problems in Andhra, karnatake ..I mean the big ones...that sucks.!
By the way, does rain water harvesting help.? How is the situation in Adayar etc.?
And remember like the last anonymous has said, what happens to our villages? Anyone cares?
Thennavan,
Thanks for the link.
Interesting.
IBH, There are some pockets which get decent supply. I've seen that myself.
Funny, the squirrel incident. Never imagined these things happen.
I hope we get 220 Volts power 24 by 7. Umm Vision-2020
Venky, Let's hope so. I'll be happy if that happens.
Anonymous, I am sorry to see the villages being neglected.
If the cities aren't taken care of, it will affect industry ( most are around big cities), tourism etc.
Imagine New Delhi with no lights! Come on..Its our capital..!!
Villages have to be taken care as well..I agree.
Agriculture is 70% of the economy and it is carried out predominantly in villages. You are not bothered by power cuts there but you are bothered about power cuts in New Delhi because of tourism and image crisis that it is our nation's capital.....I don't blame you but you live in capitalisitc America....
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