The Green Auto...

What comes to your mind when you hear the word auto rikshaw? If you are a true Indian, I am sure the words like "air pollution", "sound pollution" and "word pollution" (abuses) are synonymous to auto. If you are from a western country, "auto" word will bring back the memories of a roller-coaster ride for you.

Let us look at the state of affairs in Karnataka (especially Mysore and Bangalore). I was always wondering why there are so many KL (Kerala) registered autos in Mysore. Finally got to know from an auto-driver that Kerala has strict norms against the old autos, so they push all the old autos to Karnataka (Mysore being close to Kerala, it has become a natural place to dispose off the waste). But from last few years, even Karanatka government is pushing for Green auto - the one which runs on CNG, which will atleast help to reduce one of the pollutions autos are known for. But, looks like this initiative has not gone well with all the "Green auto" drivers. May be they are forced to shell out more to buy a Green auto. May be they cannot fill the tank with low cost fuel (a.k.a. Kerosine) anymore.

Anyways, while coming to office today, a Green auto caught my attention for the message it was carrying on its back. Look at the above image carefully for the message : "ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹಚ್ಚ ಹಸಿರಾದ ನಿರ್ಮಲವಾದ ನೈಸರ್ಗಿಕವಾಗಿ ಸ್ವಚ್ಚ ಗಾಳಿಯನ್ನು ಕೊಡುವ ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿದು ಮನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟಿ, ರಸ್ತೆ ಅಗಲೀಕರಣ ಮಾಡಲು ವೃಕ್ಷಗಳ ಮಾರಣ ಹೋಮಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ ನಮ್ಮ ನಿರ್ಜೀವವಾದ ಆಟೋ ಗಳಿಗೆ ಹಸಿರು ಬಣ್ಣ ಬಳಿದರೇನು ಪ್ರಯೋಜನ?" (What is the use of painting autos Green, when the trees are cut in the name of road-widening and consturction of houses?)

Well, I wanted to tell this driver that each one of us can really make a difference - however small it is, but did not dare to do it as I was driving alone in my car with AC on :-(

The war that we won...

India v/s Pakistan in Worldcup semi-finals. It was nothing but a war - with so much hype, publicity and tension. It was as if the reputation of both the countries were at stake on March 30th, 2011.

Every news channel, every news paper had this event as the main story. Pressure was too much to take, not only for players but also for lesser mortals like us. I just did not read the headlines and sports page for 3 days preceeding the semi-"Finals". I made it all up on 31st March, not missing a single word in newspaper or not missing a single comment on Facebook :-)

1996 memories were still "Green" in everyone's mind. We desperately wanted a repeat performance from "Blues". Uh, can we say, it was better than 1996? Atleast I feel so, but for that Aamir Sohail - Venkatesh Prasad war in 1996. There was no such on-the-field event to remember forever, but Sehwag's 5 Fours in an over of Gul come close to it.

Almost each and everyone had a special plan for this special day. It may be missing office, falling sick, catch up action at office itself or get-together with your friends to watch it on big screen somewhere. We had a special screening at our apartment too and wowa, it turned out to be a carnival time till 11:30 PM. So much of cheering, so much of dance, so much of fun. Kids especially had lot more fun. Summer holidays, no exam tension, getting-together with your friends in apartment till late in the night, uh it was really a day (or night) that the kids will remember forever.

Just hoping to recreate this atmosphere on Saturday too for the finals. Keeping fingers crossed and chanting - "Chak De India, Go India Go".