Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, Steffi Graf , Nadal or Federer
The Bangalore Turf Club had been hitting the headlines of all the major newspapers for a number of reasons and it seems that the government of Karnataka is planning to construct a park once the Club is shifted.But why is the Government of Karnataka only interested in more Parks? There are already a number of parks like the the Lalbagh Park, Cubbon Park and Bannerghatta National Park and as such there is no need for more parks to be built as these parks would bring in more litter and would also attract unsocial elements and illegal dealings in the form of drugs and other illegal activities. The Government of Karnataka should turn this vast area of land into a Spots Club as this would help our future younger generations. Don't we like to see someone like Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, Steffi Graf , Nadal or Federer in the offing? I would like to see the Bangalore Turf Club being converted into a Tennis Club for Lawn Tennis and a slight name change would be enough for this purpose!!
BANGALORE A DREAM CITY –
By Manu Nair Bangalore,
Situated on the Deccan Plateau is endowed with a salubrious climate, never too hot, never too cold or wet for long, the year round. The four-season weather pattern of Northern and Eastern India is not easily felt here, as it is green all over, with tall and shady trees. It is as if this city of over five-and-a-half million people is camouflaged by greenery. Roads and lanes are lined with trees of every sort that particularly in summer, they burst with flowers of various colours. Bangalore rightfully earned its reputation, as The Garden City. It is truly cosmopolitan and home to many cultures and languages. Besides being the capital of Karnataka State, it's a hub of industrial activities. Many of the major national and international companies have their shops here. Products range from silk, fabrics, handicrafts, tools and machines, watches, heavy earth moving machinery, aircrafts, electrical and electronic goods and every bit of information technology and IT enabled services. Bangalore in fact is the home to giants in IT that it is also called the Silicon Valley of India. Quality educational facilities from primary to post graduate levels in arts, science, commerce, law, engineering, medicine, agriculture and at super professional levels exist. Pioneering research institutions, some of them jewels of the nation are housed here with their immense resource of scientists and technologists. Entertainment, hotel and tourism industry flourish in Bangalore with innumerable facilities. World class hospitals and medical centres are also available. Bangalore is well connected by roads, rail and by air traffic. No wonder, Bangalore is a preferred city to live in and work. Singapore is an extremely prosperous island city-state connected to Malay Peninsula by a causeway (a little longer than a km). It is about 616 sq.km in area with three million people. Literacy is very high, so also, the per capita income which is at least a hundred times more than that of Karnataka. Roughly 77% of the population is Chinese, 15% Malays and 6% of Indian origin. Singapore is the largest centre of trade, industry and shipping in South East Asia. International trade and finance is at the core of the economy. Singapore is altogether glamorous, strikingly clean, green and beautiful with plenty of shops, entertainment centres and business establishments. Naturally, the city is busy with traffic that it is unwalkable. Jay-walking is strictly prohibited, pedestrian cross-walks are inadequate and the traffic signals are too long. Cleanliness comes at a big price. Stiff fines are imposed on littering. Chewing gum is banned. Public toilets are clean and many. The roads are clogged with automobiles, comparable to those of Salsette Island (Mumbai). But, traffic management on Singapore roads is superior to that of any Indian city. Traffic controls and restrictions in Central Business District and the Area Licence Scheme are subjects of technical discussions. Yet, road accidents and casualties are high, the children and the aged are most vulnerable. Traffic regulations are stringent. Focused on Bangalore was Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, the dynamic former Chief Minister of Karnataka with a vision to transform Bangalore into the best of Asian cities by the year 2004-2005 on lines with Singapore. Been highly educated he wanted to transform Bangalore in the lines with Singapore. He was the right person to take Bangalore forward. The Government needs be a facilitator rather than an executive at a project. Once the infrastructure is there, the people will do the development on their own. The Government shouldn't interfere and throttle private enterprise. IT business in India bloomed because it was least controlled and influenced by the bureaucracy in the Government. But now could Bangalore be called the Garden City as the garbage are strewn on almost all the roads, traffic jams are an everyday affair, the metro rail has created more problems as we will lose out on the flavours of the Coffee and the sweet dishes which does water our mouth, across the Indiranagar and CMH Road. We will also miss the so called advertisements like the one on the Kurl- On (Indiranagar, Blr.) –“We have curtains for all windows except Microsoft Windows”. Potholes and pits have risen on almost all the roads.
A pity that the pedestrians would have to walk on the road risking themselves from the busy oncoming traffic too. Clubs and pubs are essential enjoyable part of city life. Bangalore is dotted with exclusive clubs, old and new for the benefit of the affluent. Bangalore is littered with pubs where alcohol and food is relished by a large section of the upper crust of the society. The pubs are frequented by the youth, both men and women. These are meeting places for both good and evil. Intoxication leads to crime and unruly behaviour. Nowadays, the Govt. insists on closing the pubs by 11p.m. to reduce crimes and drunken driving. The response is mixed.. Liquor is a major source of income for governments, be it in Singapore or Bangalore. Almost everyone agrees that Bangalore roads are very poor in standards. Somebody even suggested a guide map of potholes, humps and channels across the road will help. There is no disputing the fact that the existing roads in Bangalore need constant attention in maintenance by the concerned authorities. Potholes and pits have risen up on almost of all the roads. The drains on either side of the road get clogged. The water on the roads even otherwise cannot find its way into the drains.
Accidents do occur when there are many who don’t obey the rules by jumping signals especially by the two-wheeler riders which is becoming quite famous in Bangalore. Autorickshaw drivers take people for granted by asking for extra money above the meter but once in a bluemooon you will find a autorickshaw driver who will take you to the right destination, give back the exact balance but he will also observe you closely if you offer a smile to them they would be happy and would talk to you and even pray for you too! Repeated complaints by the people to cover the drainage near the RBANMS Ground near Shree Complex on St.John’s Road has fallen on deaf-ear potholes .If a student falls in this drain would the Student or would the Authorities be responsible? The green cover in our city has been lost since many trees are cut for one reason or the other but are we replacing these trees? No in these places tall and multi-storeyed buildings do rise up.
Yes Mallus (Malayalees) are living in Bangalore, but would they stay for long……..
Can Bangalore be transformed in another Singapore? And could time tell…….NO?
Off to New Zealand next year as Bangalore would be a city of HAVOC!
But the youths need to be proud of the city, 'THE GARDEN CITY' for its own individuality for the city has opened up challenges for the youth to THINK & ACT
THE OTHER SIDE OF BANGALORE
Bangalore the dream city…….. Remember……….surprised …..Part 2…… not likely!
The traffic volume was at its lowest ebb during the year 19998 but recently it has increased tremendously. At that time there were efficient traffic authorities to manage the traffic as not that of today, within or less than 20 minutes we could reach our destinations. Quite right Bangalore had been different those days where we use to hold cricket match practices on the main roads of Koramangala in order to prepare for tournaments which were held in stadiums and parks only, the tournaments were only for 22 overs each side.
Poverty is yet another feature prevailing in Bangalore and Karnataka, as it can be seen that the poor people do not have enough milk to feed their babies and neither from their mother’s breasts too (as a kid which I had also experienced on).
The lakes have almost subsided as earlier we had about 400 lakes and an equal number of tanks but now you could literally count the lakes and tanks on your fingers and indeed now we talk about rain harvesting? Where is the land or the space to do so?
Because of the above disappearance of the lakes and tanks the migratory birds are a few now. The Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Lores,White Eyes, Garblers, the Fly Catchers, the Stone Curlew, Black Bucks, Babblers, the Redheaded Merlin the Redstart, the Jungle Bush Quail, Wood Shrike, White browned Bulbul, Crow Pheasant and the Grey Partridge have disappeared from the city………naming a few………Few ? The disappearance of tank beds has been also responsible for their disappearance. Little Grebe & Green Heron are not visitors anymore! Rightly so, Bangalore has been a result of poor planning and management on hand as the lakes are filled with rubbish.
Education has been another feature. The middle class and the poor people in India are forced to study in inadequately equipped schools where there are no playgrounds and no toilets. Those fortunate enough to undergo education do not find teachers ready to teach them. Has enough been done for the teachers? Do we need to propagate education if this is the situation?
Thefts, robberies and crime have been other prevalent features of Bangalore. Bangalore has now turned into the city of crimes as the girls working in the call centres are either kidnapped or murdered. Elderly people, even sisters and daughters are not left alone which maybe either due to money or revenge. ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ prevalent earlier is not in prominence as the police have turned a blind eye towards the criminal activities of the criminals. Cases are not often registered by the police. The ‘Hoysala’ which was the main attraction is nowhere in the picture in the present days.
The citizens of Bangalore have become too lazy as they can now easily acquire money for themselves but have forgotten their love & compassion towards others for them to reach to their current position which been of primary importance. Money has been the necessary Evil corresponding to the Competitiveness Spirit of all the people of Bangalore. Political gimmicks have also added its flavour to Bangalore. Will our so called the younger generation see Bangalore………………as Singapore?
Namma Bangalore is known as the dream city, garden city, pensioner’s paradise, the silicon valley of India, granite capital, air conditioned city, pub city, the living city, the fashion capital, floricultural capital. But are these enough? Could we not do better by adding more names to the list?
Bangalore sure has a long way to go to become Singapore in the years to come!
HELMET- THE RIDERS' CONCERN
Copyright Protected
Prakasha, admitted unconscious at NIMHANS with a head injury was pronounced dead a few days hence. He was well built, in his thirties, employed with the Govt. and liked by his colleagues. The helmet-rule was very much in force, the streets looked as if waves of commandos were on urgent missions. The traffic was thin, being the early hours of the day when Prakasha on his moped drew up at a wayside petrol pump, hung up his helmet on the handle bar, collected fuel and moved on. The moped tripped over the speed braker nearby, he fell headlong and that was the last his relation with the helmet that lay still fixed on to the bar. Somebody called it a freak accident, some others fate and yet others pondered 'Had he worn the helmet!'
Having made up his mind to dwell over the helmet-rule, the writer walked about for an hour on the main roads and the streets of a well laid-out part of the city to have a close look at the two-wheeler attributes. The pedestrians and other road users are taken for a ride. The first law that the speed of the vehicle must be controlled by its own condition, the condition of the road and the nature of traffic like the buses, trucks, cars, cattle and dogs, and pedestrians across is thrown to the wind. A good many of the two-wheelers ride zig-zag, do not keep to their own side of the roads at the junctions, some immediately cut from right to left or otherwise and also most of them try overtaking from the left. And, what distress that damsel is in to fly past so low, ground hugging with her dupatta fluttering in style and get caught in the wheel of a vehicle? It is almost by a whisker that others escape from rash riders. Hardly a few riders wear helmets. The pedestrians need helmets more, the way the two-wheelers navigate the streets. These observations are not meant an affront to the law-abiding, cautious many, older riders. Every invention, old or new is fraught with dangers, both to the owners and the public. Rules, regulations and conventions are set forth from experience of the use of these inventions to minimise, if not altogether avoid the possible dangers. Powered two-wheeler in general is an unstable rolling device which owes its temporal stability to speed within limits. Accidents happen because somebody in the complicated system of traffic does not go by the rulebook, need not necessarily be the rider. The rider must remember that he is the most vulnerable in the traffic system primarily because he rides on an unstable equilibrium. Pedestrians, quite a number of them illiterate and poor in a country like ours do not appreciate why they should abide by any rule of the road at all. More people are here on the road at any point of time compared to the advanced countries.
Accessibility by roads being generally poor in our country, more and more people throng to the available roadside to make a living. Road users are varied from cattle to modern high-speed limousines. Potholes, humps and channels (cut across the road) are constant sources of dangers for one and all. Unscientifically designed speed breakers (a host of them until recently on Bangalore streets) could easily off-balance a scooterist. Poorly lit roads at night and high beams of the on-coming traffic are irritants. Drunken driving and talking over the cellphone while in motion are other causes of accidents. Traffic signals are inadequate in numbers and in quality. Two-wheelers are seldom equipped with direction indicators to make known the rider's intentions to others. If all these drawbacks are taken care of, accidents can be reduced to a great extent.
Even in a scenario of minimum accidents taking place, the intensity of the suffering of the victims must be reduced. Head injury and consequent death or permanent disability is the worst that could happen to two-wheeler riders. Many scientific papers and statistical data have emerged from the work with NIMHANS that wearing helmets would lessen the intensity of brain damage. Overwhelming evidence and commonsense dictate the advisability of a hard protective cover over the head to save from possible brain damage in accidents. (Look, your favourite cricketer wears it too as it saves them from bouncers thrown at them).
Some people argue that the poor quality of helmet itself can cause brain injury in case of a fall or collision. True, but, the country is sufficiently advanced in material sciences and manufacturing technology to make safe helmets. Earthquakes do not kill people, but the buildings they live in do. People do not cease to live in houses on that count. Likewise, the use of helmets.
Wearing helmet is cumbersome, uncomfortable and uneasy for some. That is a valid point. Comfort and feel-good factor are essential to safe and relaxed riding. If the helmet is forced on their head they may have no alternative to abandoning the vehicle, once for all.
A mobike is a poor man's transport. Adding another thousand rupees compulsorily by way of a quality helmet to the galloping cost of the vehicle and its insurance cover is unfair to the consumers. Judging from the enormous number of two-wheelers on the street, a compulsory helmet-rule evidently favours the helmet industry. Should the Government promote such undue trade practices to help the producers squeeze out more money from the consumers? The law should at least look fair and even, and not again
another avenue for corruption.
Let the industry and the Government educate the rider on the benefit of wearing the helmet. Let the demand be controlled by the market forces and not by forcible intervention by the Government with other over-riding considerations.
If you want your life to be saved it is better to wear the helmet while riding a two-wheeler as there are the dare devils on the run and your life is most valuable! The traffic personnel need to impose heavy fines for the riders of two wheelers who do not wear helmets. Helmets are not a fashion to be worn by the motorcycles either on the handle bar or behind as to protect the number plates of the two wheelers as not to be noticeable by the traffic personnel. This is done on due purpose!
manunairjournalist.rediffiland.com
The Bangalore Turf Club had been hitting the headlines of all the major newspapers for a number of reasons and it seems that the government of Karnataka is planning to construct a park once the Club is shifted.But why is the Government of Karnataka only interested in more Parks? There are already a number of parks like the the Lalbagh Park, Cubbon Park and Bannerghatta National Park and as such there is no need for more parks to be built as these parks would bring in more litter and would also attract unsocial elements and illegal dealings in the form of drugs and other illegal activities. The Government of Karnataka should turn this vast area of land into a Spots Club as this would help our future younger generations. Don't we like to see someone like Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, Steffi Graf , Nadal or Federer in the offing? I would like to see the Bangalore Turf Club being converted into a Tennis Club for Lawn Tennis and a slight name change would be enough for this purpose!!
BANGALORE A DREAM CITY –
By Manu Nair Bangalore,
Situated on the Deccan Plateau is endowed with a salubrious climate, never too hot, never too cold or wet for long, the year round. The four-season weather pattern of Northern and Eastern India is not easily felt here, as it is green all over, with tall and shady trees. It is as if this city of over five-and-a-half million people is camouflaged by greenery. Roads and lanes are lined with trees of every sort that particularly in summer, they burst with flowers of various colours. Bangalore rightfully earned its reputation, as The Garden City. It is truly cosmopolitan and home to many cultures and languages. Besides being the capital of Karnataka State, it's a hub of industrial activities. Many of the major national and international companies have their shops here. Products range from silk, fabrics, handicrafts, tools and machines, watches, heavy earth moving machinery, aircrafts, electrical and electronic goods and every bit of information technology and IT enabled services. Bangalore in fact is the home to giants in IT that it is also called the Silicon Valley of India. Quality educational facilities from primary to post graduate levels in arts, science, commerce, law, engineering, medicine, agriculture and at super professional levels exist. Pioneering research institutions, some of them jewels of the nation are housed here with their immense resource of scientists and technologists. Entertainment, hotel and tourism industry flourish in Bangalore with innumerable facilities. World class hospitals and medical centres are also available. Bangalore is well connected by roads, rail and by air traffic. No wonder, Bangalore is a preferred city to live in and work. Singapore is an extremely prosperous island city-state connected to Malay Peninsula by a causeway (a little longer than a km). It is about 616 sq.km in area with three million people. Literacy is very high, so also, the per capita income which is at least a hundred times more than that of Karnataka. Roughly 77% of the population is Chinese, 15% Malays and 6% of Indian origin. Singapore is the largest centre of trade, industry and shipping in South East Asia. International trade and finance is at the core of the economy. Singapore is altogether glamorous, strikingly clean, green and beautiful with plenty of shops, entertainment centres and business establishments. Naturally, the city is busy with traffic that it is unwalkable. Jay-walking is strictly prohibited, pedestrian cross-walks are inadequate and the traffic signals are too long. Cleanliness comes at a big price. Stiff fines are imposed on littering. Chewing gum is banned. Public toilets are clean and many. The roads are clogged with automobiles, comparable to those of Salsette Island (Mumbai). But, traffic management on Singapore roads is superior to that of any Indian city. Traffic controls and restrictions in Central Business District and the Area Licence Scheme are subjects of technical discussions. Yet, road accidents and casualties are high, the children and the aged are most vulnerable. Traffic regulations are stringent. Focused on Bangalore was Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, the dynamic former Chief Minister of Karnataka with a vision to transform Bangalore into the best of Asian cities by the year 2004-2005 on lines with Singapore. Been highly educated he wanted to transform Bangalore in the lines with Singapore. He was the right person to take Bangalore forward. The Government needs be a facilitator rather than an executive at a project. Once the infrastructure is there, the people will do the development on their own. The Government shouldn't interfere and throttle private enterprise. IT business in India bloomed because it was least controlled and influenced by the bureaucracy in the Government. But now could Bangalore be called the Garden City as the garbage are strewn on almost all the roads, traffic jams are an everyday affair, the metro rail has created more problems as we will lose out on the flavours of the Coffee and the sweet dishes which does water our mouth, across the Indiranagar and CMH Road. We will also miss the so called advertisements like the one on the Kurl- On (Indiranagar, Blr.) –“We have curtains for all windows except Microsoft Windows”. Potholes and pits have risen on almost all the roads.
A pity that the pedestrians would have to walk on the road risking themselves from the busy oncoming traffic too. Clubs and pubs are essential enjoyable part of city life. Bangalore is dotted with exclusive clubs, old and new for the benefit of the affluent. Bangalore is littered with pubs where alcohol and food is relished by a large section of the upper crust of the society. The pubs are frequented by the youth, both men and women. These are meeting places for both good and evil. Intoxication leads to crime and unruly behaviour. Nowadays, the Govt. insists on closing the pubs by 11p.m. to reduce crimes and drunken driving. The response is mixed.. Liquor is a major source of income for governments, be it in Singapore or Bangalore. Almost everyone agrees that Bangalore roads are very poor in standards. Somebody even suggested a guide map of potholes, humps and channels across the road will help. There is no disputing the fact that the existing roads in Bangalore need constant attention in maintenance by the concerned authorities. Potholes and pits have risen up on almost of all the roads. The drains on either side of the road get clogged. The water on the roads even otherwise cannot find its way into the drains.
Accidents do occur when there are many who don’t obey the rules by jumping signals especially by the two-wheeler riders which is becoming quite famous in Bangalore. Autorickshaw drivers take people for granted by asking for extra money above the meter but once in a bluemooon you will find a autorickshaw driver who will take you to the right destination, give back the exact balance but he will also observe you closely if you offer a smile to them they would be happy and would talk to you and even pray for you too! Repeated complaints by the people to cover the drainage near the RBANMS Ground near Shree Complex on St.John’s Road has fallen on deaf-ear potholes .If a student falls in this drain would the Student or would the Authorities be responsible? The green cover in our city has been lost since many trees are cut for one reason or the other but are we replacing these trees? No in these places tall and multi-storeyed buildings do rise up.
Yes Mallus (Malayalees) are living in Bangalore, but would they stay for long……..
Can Bangalore be transformed in another Singapore? And could time tell…….NO?
Off to New Zealand next year as Bangalore would be a city of HAVOC!
But the youths need to be proud of the city, 'THE GARDEN CITY' for its own individuality for the city has opened up challenges for the youth to THINK & ACT
THE OTHER SIDE OF BANGALORE
Bangalore the dream city…….. Remember……….surprised …..Part 2…… not likely!
The traffic volume was at its lowest ebb during the year 19998 but recently it has increased tremendously. At that time there were efficient traffic authorities to manage the traffic as not that of today, within or less than 20 minutes we could reach our destinations. Quite right Bangalore had been different those days where we use to hold cricket match practices on the main roads of Koramangala in order to prepare for tournaments which were held in stadiums and parks only, the tournaments were only for 22 overs each side.
Poverty is yet another feature prevailing in Bangalore and Karnataka, as it can be seen that the poor people do not have enough milk to feed their babies and neither from their mother’s breasts too (as a kid which I had also experienced on).
The lakes have almost subsided as earlier we had about 400 lakes and an equal number of tanks but now you could literally count the lakes and tanks on your fingers and indeed now we talk about rain harvesting? Where is the land or the space to do so?
Because of the above disappearance of the lakes and tanks the migratory birds are a few now. The Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Lores,White Eyes, Garblers, the Fly Catchers, the Stone Curlew, Black Bucks, Babblers, the Redheaded Merlin the Redstart, the Jungle Bush Quail, Wood Shrike, White browned Bulbul, Crow Pheasant and the Grey Partridge have disappeared from the city………naming a few………Few ? The disappearance of tank beds has been also responsible for their disappearance. Little Grebe & Green Heron are not visitors anymore! Rightly so, Bangalore has been a result of poor planning and management on hand as the lakes are filled with rubbish.
Education has been another feature. The middle class and the poor people in India are forced to study in inadequately equipped schools where there are no playgrounds and no toilets. Those fortunate enough to undergo education do not find teachers ready to teach them. Has enough been done for the teachers? Do we need to propagate education if this is the situation?
Thefts, robberies and crime have been other prevalent features of Bangalore. Bangalore has now turned into the city of crimes as the girls working in the call centres are either kidnapped or murdered. Elderly people, even sisters and daughters are not left alone which maybe either due to money or revenge. ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ prevalent earlier is not in prominence as the police have turned a blind eye towards the criminal activities of the criminals. Cases are not often registered by the police. The ‘Hoysala’ which was the main attraction is nowhere in the picture in the present days.
The citizens of Bangalore have become too lazy as they can now easily acquire money for themselves but have forgotten their love & compassion towards others for them to reach to their current position which been of primary importance. Money has been the necessary Evil corresponding to the Competitiveness Spirit of all the people of Bangalore. Political gimmicks have also added its flavour to Bangalore. Will our so called the younger generation see Bangalore………………as Singapore?
Namma Bangalore is known as the dream city, garden city, pensioner’s paradise, the silicon valley of India, granite capital, air conditioned city, pub city, the living city, the fashion capital, floricultural capital. But are these enough? Could we not do better by adding more names to the list?
Bangalore sure has a long way to go to become Singapore in the years to come!
HELMET- THE RIDERS' CONCERN
Copyright Protected
Prakasha, admitted unconscious at NIMHANS with a head injury was pronounced dead a few days hence. He was well built, in his thirties, employed with the Govt. and liked by his colleagues. The helmet-rule was very much in force, the streets looked as if waves of commandos were on urgent missions. The traffic was thin, being the early hours of the day when Prakasha on his moped drew up at a wayside petrol pump, hung up his helmet on the handle bar, collected fuel and moved on. The moped tripped over the speed braker nearby, he fell headlong and that was the last his relation with the helmet that lay still fixed on to the bar. Somebody called it a freak accident, some others fate and yet others pondered 'Had he worn the helmet!'
Having made up his mind to dwell over the helmet-rule, the writer walked about for an hour on the main roads and the streets of a well laid-out part of the city to have a close look at the two-wheeler attributes. The pedestrians and other road users are taken for a ride. The first law that the speed of the vehicle must be controlled by its own condition, the condition of the road and the nature of traffic like the buses, trucks, cars, cattle and dogs, and pedestrians across is thrown to the wind. A good many of the two-wheelers ride zig-zag, do not keep to their own side of the roads at the junctions, some immediately cut from right to left or otherwise and also most of them try overtaking from the left. And, what distress that damsel is in to fly past so low, ground hugging with her dupatta fluttering in style and get caught in the wheel of a vehicle? It is almost by a whisker that others escape from rash riders. Hardly a few riders wear helmets. The pedestrians need helmets more, the way the two-wheelers navigate the streets. These observations are not meant an affront to the law-abiding, cautious many, older riders. Every invention, old or new is fraught with dangers, both to the owners and the public. Rules, regulations and conventions are set forth from experience of the use of these inventions to minimise, if not altogether avoid the possible dangers. Powered two-wheeler in general is an unstable rolling device which owes its temporal stability to speed within limits. Accidents happen because somebody in the complicated system of traffic does not go by the rulebook, need not necessarily be the rider. The rider must remember that he is the most vulnerable in the traffic system primarily because he rides on an unstable equilibrium. Pedestrians, quite a number of them illiterate and poor in a country like ours do not appreciate why they should abide by any rule of the road at all. More people are here on the road at any point of time compared to the advanced countries.
Accessibility by roads being generally poor in our country, more and more people throng to the available roadside to make a living. Road users are varied from cattle to modern high-speed limousines. Potholes, humps and channels (cut across the road) are constant sources of dangers for one and all. Unscientifically designed speed breakers (a host of them until recently on Bangalore streets) could easily off-balance a scooterist. Poorly lit roads at night and high beams of the on-coming traffic are irritants. Drunken driving and talking over the cellphone while in motion are other causes of accidents. Traffic signals are inadequate in numbers and in quality. Two-wheelers are seldom equipped with direction indicators to make known the rider's intentions to others. If all these drawbacks are taken care of, accidents can be reduced to a great extent.
Even in a scenario of minimum accidents taking place, the intensity of the suffering of the victims must be reduced. Head injury and consequent death or permanent disability is the worst that could happen to two-wheeler riders. Many scientific papers and statistical data have emerged from the work with NIMHANS that wearing helmets would lessen the intensity of brain damage. Overwhelming evidence and commonsense dictate the advisability of a hard protective cover over the head to save from possible brain damage in accidents. (Look, your favourite cricketer wears it too as it saves them from bouncers thrown at them).
Some people argue that the poor quality of helmet itself can cause brain injury in case of a fall or collision. True, but, the country is sufficiently advanced in material sciences and manufacturing technology to make safe helmets. Earthquakes do not kill people, but the buildings they live in do. People do not cease to live in houses on that count. Likewise, the use of helmets.
Wearing helmet is cumbersome, uncomfortable and uneasy for some. That is a valid point. Comfort and feel-good factor are essential to safe and relaxed riding. If the helmet is forced on their head they may have no alternative to abandoning the vehicle, once for all.
A mobike is a poor man's transport. Adding another thousand rupees compulsorily by way of a quality helmet to the galloping cost of the vehicle and its insurance cover is unfair to the consumers. Judging from the enormous number of two-wheelers on the street, a compulsory helmet-rule evidently favours the helmet industry. Should the Government promote such undue trade practices to help the producers squeeze out more money from the consumers? The law should at least look fair and even, and not again
another avenue for corruption.
Let the industry and the Government educate the rider on the benefit of wearing the helmet. Let the demand be controlled by the market forces and not by forcible intervention by the Government with other over-riding considerations.
If you want your life to be saved it is better to wear the helmet while riding a two-wheeler as there are the dare devils on the run and your life is most valuable! The traffic personnel need to impose heavy fines for the riders of two wheelers who do not wear helmets. Helmets are not a fashion to be worn by the motorcycles either on the handle bar or behind as to protect the number plates of the two wheelers as not to be noticeable by the traffic personnel. This is done on due purpose!
manunairjournalist.rediffiland.com
