16
17-23 August 2012
Contd from p 1
One Step Backward
The Police, in some measure, have reason to be proud of delivering in the last one year. The Traffic Police has been pro-active in pointing out specific trouble spots – and also proposing solutions to the civic Administration. That has led to one-way roads, removal of roundabouts, and levelling of speedbreakers. There has also been a relentless movement against drunk driving and over-speeding. On the crime front, serious violent, heinous crime – of murders, kidnappings – is not high. And a big inter-state car gang was brought to book. But Gurgaon is very vulnerable on the road. Snatchings and car-jackings are a daily norm – and done with brazenness and impunity.
EDITORIAL Atul Sobti
Comment
The ‘BMW case’ handling does no credit to the Gurgaon police; nor does the delay in closure of many other cases. The ‘ineffectiveness’ of the 50 policemen at Maruti, who seemingly could have prevented mayhem, will not be forgotten easily. Given the nature of crime in the City (versus even Delhi), and the profile of residents, it seems a very different type of policing may be more effective here – a more pro-active, more citizen-involved, more gender-friendly, more on-the-road force. The Police cannot also close their eyes to foreign ‘illegal’ immigrants; an Assam situation we may not have, but a warning it is. DHBVN struggles with power delivery, despite many well-meaning initiatives. Upgradations are announced with fanfare, and then not heard of. The black-outs were truly their blackest day. And keeping industry powerless in an industrial hub is being very myopic. Could DHBVN just work out a well-planned, loadshedding schedule, and then implement strongly? That would be just fine. Public Transport remains in short supply. Autos still rule the roost, and rule the laws – there is still no meter policy, even a year after sending a policy for approval to Panchkula. So much for Administration ! The new local buses hardly stick to a timetable, and are very infrequent. Worse, there are no bus stops – and again there is a 5-year plan promising LET T ER TO THE EDITOR The editorial “Coalition Dharma” in Friday Gurgaon of 10-16 August is timely. It has highlighted the drawbacks of coalition politics in India. Your observations that India is facing leadership crisis in the management of governance is quite valid. The aspirations of the fathers of the constitution have not been fulfilled even after 6 decades. There is breakdown of law and order due to nexus between politicians and criminal. The performance of UPA is not satisfactory and economic growth is declining despite assurance from the Prime Minister. There is political apathy among the citizens. It is difficult to predict the political scenario after 2014. In foreign affairs India’s relations with neighbours are not at all friendly. Prof. B. N. Mehrish
Very well written. Tina Sharma on the article, The World Has Shrunk Nice article Shilpy. Thanks for sharing such wonderful information. Sarman Joshi on the article, Gurgaon Healing There are enough Indian nationals without work. Throw these people from bangladesh out. Send them where they belong – Bangladesh. If there is a medical need they have, which cant be fulfilled; if they have a legitimate business in India, and they can get a visa, they are welcome. But if they are illegal, they have no business staying in India. Bharath on the article, The Invisible Foreigners
them. The inter-Stare Volvo buses, however, seem to have taken off well. Yes, we also have private cabs – and exclusive gCabs for women. The last mile connectivity with the Metro stations has been left to private enterprise – DLF – that has started a commendable service; which will be strengthened once the Rapid Metro starts in 2013. The Udyog Vihars are turning more Cyber Vihars. The death knell of Industry in the City has been sounded – and not just by the Maruti mayhem or power failure. Manesar’s future, too, is now suspect. Almost every industrialist and Industry Association is today unhappy with the HSIIDC – for having the poorest infrastructure, and doing nothing to maintain it – let alone improve. Even parking is a big issue, in an industrial area ! Hero Honda Chowk will be resolved only by Court action. And we do not know when the Plaza will not toll, and for whom. But we do have a new talking point – the GurgaonFaridabad 'highway'. Our woes are clearly not due to an issue of competence. It is due to the poor co-ordination (or the lack of accountability/sensitivity) among the ‘agencies’ administering the City, coupled with pathetic authority levels (financial and otherwise). The bosses sitting in Panchkula and Chandigarh are more than far removed – they seem not to care. The CM has no time or concern for this City – until a Maruti threatens. It is ironic that we may get our civic due when we start crashing….when it may well be too late. What will happen when Gurgaon II (sectors 58 to 115) starts taking shape? If civic services do not materially improve, the Summer of 2013 promises to be a battle on the streets. Meanwhile, in our Millennium cocoons we live with the high-rises of food (as we are fairly inelastic on this part of life's hierarchy); and with the suicides of young neighbours we really did not know – or ever see. u FAMOUS QUOT ES “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” Anatole France “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams “Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” Pamela Vaull Starr “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” T.S. Eliot “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Andre Gide “Life is either a great adventure or nothing.”
Helen Keller