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July 22, 2003

Driving India Crazy

Thanks to Anita for pointing out a fascinating feature cover-story from last week's The Week (India's best-selling weekly news magazine)
Some snippets from the feature: bq. "Overtaking an autorickshaw, I see its driver put his foot out of the vehicle as if to kick my scooter. I slow down to avoid it, but a friend tells me that it is an accepted sign for a right turn. The autorickshaw drivers here signal with their feet." bq. "People open their car doors while driving to spit pan juice. Most vehicles here have a generous red sprinkling." The article - called Driving India Crazy points out that around 215 people die EVERY DAY on India's roads. It seems that in India - all roads lead not to Rome - but to Hospital - or The Morgue. So if you think you have experienced road-rage or traffic chaos in London - then you need to read this article.

Posted by jag at July 22, 2003 06:24 AM

Comments

I live in Cal...Calcutta! I don't drive I cycle! Its the quickest way to reach my office! For having an all terrain bike helps me take it over dividers, pavements (don't the yanks call it sidewalk?) semi-closed drains, roads which resemble moonscape, and which are being given to NASA to test Mars Landers to generate fund for the city council etc. The maneuverability of a cycle helps me adroitly skirt sudden "thelawala"s.
The good thing about Cal roads is the complete history of surface transportation from Phaetons, hand rickshaws to the tube (we call it Metro here) can be viewed here. Horns are extension of the driver's mouth and they do believe in carrying out a vociferous conversation!!
Now is this all mad?? Umm dunno...to me its the only living proof that Miracles happen! For nothing less then a miracle would unsnarl the traffic snarls...and miraculously they get unsnarled!!

Posted by: Avi at August 5, 2003 07:53 AM

Wow. It's not at all mad. And I propose that it's not just living proof of a miracle - I go further and suggest that it is art ...

Calcutta eh? Awesome.

Posted by: Jag at August 5, 2003 10:36 AM

Isn't all Art a miracle? But Art is a form of self expression...would hate to think that traffic snarls are any form of self expression...other then misplaced testosterones! Hmmmm you have a valid point!

Posted by: Avi at August 6, 2003 09:53 AM

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