This Is Not Progress

There are two stories in the papers today that illustrate the fact that India is not progressing.

By “progress” I mean moving forward.

India is not moving forward.

The first story is how Mumbai flooded up as soon as the first (highly predictable) monsoon rains hit the city.

This happens in Mumbai year after year.

And no one is “responsible”.

The buck, as it were, stops nowhere.

There are politicians, there are bureaucrats, there is a corporation, there are other authorities – but there isn’t anyone responsible for Mumbai.

I therefore propose that the first article of the Constitution of the Second Indian Republic shall read thus:

Every habitation with a population above 500 shall elect a Mayor, who will be responsible for the smooth conduct of all business in his area.

We need not write more than that in the Constitution for “smooth conduct of ALL business” means no flooding, no garbage, and the protection of street hawkers and vendors.

Let us continue to the second story that illustrates India’s regress:

High airfares because of high taxes on ATF have drastically lowered the number of new fliers – especially from the small towns, who used to take short-haul trips by air to the nearest city and back.

The unsafe railways, and the even more unsafe roadways, are being “promoted” by official policy.

This is not progress.