[Assam] Tata's Nano - any innovation or waste of consumer's money

Thu Jan 10 15:42:44 PST 2008

>>Here, especially in Texas, businesses are bound to
>>provide (if they want to survive) parking places to
>>get customers, but in India that
>>theme/consideration is not even there - and it's ok 

You Texans  are indeed spoilt :)  This idea of
business providing parking is not true in Boston,
particularly downtown area. There is a huge Macy's in
downtown with no parking (well there are private
parkings at an astronomical charge of $6 an hour).

In India (at least Mumbai),  this concept is catching
up.  Major shopping malls like InOrbit, Crossroads and
departmental stores like Shoppers Stop, Big Bazar etc 
do provide parking , though sometimes at a fee.

>>but the road condition in the areas that my folks
>>live in India is, in no way comparable to any place
>>in the US. Thats my perspective only - and I
>>believe its an unbiased, uncompetitive one - on
>>what I see. 

I had the same perception until I saw Boston winter. 
Some roads in/around Boston can sure compete with
Guwahati roads.  However,  I am no way comparing US
roads to India 

>>But the pollution and road condition that exist in
>>those cities in India is just not comparable. 

I believe, one of the major factors of this condition
in India is population density.  After being in Boston
for 1+ year ,  I am tending to believe that population
density is directly proportionate to traffic, road,
pollution etc.  Even though it is a debatable topic, I
 firmly believe that the number one step India need
today is  controlling population.

> But with Nano and other similar affordable vehicles>
coming up, sure the only option to "move around" in>
Indian cities will be to walk ..... even the bus will>
not move.

>>That simply is my point too, Krishnendu. They need
good and expanded roads, not cars. 

>>Everybody complains about it, but it has been sort
of a status symbol to have atleast a Hyundai Santro in
front of the house. 

>>Here, especially in Texas, businesses are bound to
>>provide (if they want to survive) parking places to
>>get customers, but in India that
>>theme/consideration is not even there - and it's ok
as long as the traditional way to go there is
maintained - public transportation. One side of that
tradition has been changed - more and more of those
cars are coming up - but same old narrow and dusty
roads are still there. 

It reminds me of the movie where Anil Kapoor wanted to
be the CM for a month to change things into the right
direction.

There are pot holes and uneven roads in other
countries, yes, but the road condition in the areas
that my folks live in India is, in no way comparable
to any place in the US. Thats my perspective only -
and I believe its an unbiased, uncompetitive one - on
what I see. 

We are a little spoilt here in Texas - everything is
huge. But the pollution and road condition that exist
in those cities in India is just not comparable. 

I love and am proud of the country that I'm originally
from, but can't ignore the facts that my own two eyes
could see. 

In order to make spiritual progress you must be
patient like a tree and humble like a blade of grass
- Lakshmana

> Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:31:19 -0800> From:
krish_gau at yahoo.com> To: assam at assamnet.org>
Subject: [Assam] Tata's Nano - any innovation or waste
of consumer's money> > Alpana-ba> > Improving road
condition and road to vehicle ratio is> definietly one
of the highest priority for India.> > However, street
parking, public parking near markets> etc are a common
problem in Boston as well. The same> goes true for
Veranda's as well. In Boston suburbs 2> Bed condos
with no balcony sell for 250K even in this> dull real
estate market. The price is much higher in> city.> >
In fact, my view on driving in America changed>
completely during my current stint in Boston (after>
the earlier stints in sleepy towns of upstate NY and>
in KY). > > Driving is a nightmare with red light
jumping, lane> violation, traffic jam, pedestrians
(jay walking) etc.> The only element missing is cows,
authorickshaws and> thelas :-) ... even giant potholes
are common,> particularly after winter.> > It takes me
50 mins to drive 10 miles from work to> home even
though both my work and home are in Boston> suburbs
(need not travel through Boston city). > > The plus
is, now I am pretty confident that I can> drive in
India with ease :) > > But with Nano and other similar
affordable vehicles> coming up, sure the only option
to "move around" in> Indian cities will be to walk
..... even the bus will> not move.> > > > > From:
"Alpana B. Sarangapani"> > <absarangapani at
hotmail.com>> > To: <assam at assamnet.org>> > Date:
Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:48:54 -0600> > Subject: Re:
[Assam] Tata's Nano - any innovation or> > waste pf
consumer's money> > > > This is good...> > > > ...it
would be even better if road conditions were> >
better. I've seen people having to park on the> >
street (that includes posh areas in Delhi, MP, Tamil>
> Nadu, Karnataka, and Assam, of course). Many don't>
> even have a proper verandah, leave alone a> >
space/garage inside their compound. > > > > A country
where public transportation has been so> > good (that
includes Taxis, Rickshwas,> > Auto-Rickshwas,
'Trackers' and what not!), more than> > private cars,
the road space/condition needs to be> > taken care of
first. And parking space near the> > markets? As you
know!, that's another nightmare! > > > > If I was a
current resident of India, I would still> > prefer
going by a bus to places. But I understand> > the
economy has been booming...the only thing is> > that
every issue that contributes towards having a> >
quality living needs to be taken care of, be it by> >
the government itself (if that is not done by the> >
government), or by the influential business> >
magnates/tycoons/groups. > > > > My two cents' worth.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In order to make
spiritual progress you must be> > patient like a tree
and humble like a blade of> > grass> > - Lakshmana> >
> > > > > > > > > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:28:38
-0800> From:> > jaipurschool at yahoo.com> To: assam
at assamnet.org>> > Subject: [Assam] Tata's Nano - any
innovation or> > waste pf consumer's money> >> >>
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Ratan-Tata-unveils-Rs-1lakh-Nano/259912/>>
> > Umesh Sharma> > Washington D.C. > >
1-202-215-4328> > [Cell]> > Ed.M. - International
Education Policy>> > Harvard Graduate School of
Education,> Harvard> > University,> Class of 2005> >>
> http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu> >
info)> > http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)> >> >
> > > www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are>
> used )> http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/> > > >> >
http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/> >> >
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_______________________________________________>> >
assam mailing list> assam at assamnet.org>> >>
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> > > >
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