Sunday, August 24, 2008

Say no to NaNo

For the first time,I feel like rendering full support to Mamta Bannerji’s effort; in de railing the Nano project. While our reasons for opposing its factory set up are different, I for one will be extremely pleased if the much celebrated Nano project gets delayed-even better if its gets called off altogether. On the one hand it is considered a technological marvel but on the other it spells doom for the Indian roads. There is no doubt that by realizing the dream of an ‘aam aadmi”,Mr Tata will make history.However what he doesn’t realize is the havoc it will create on the already burdened infrastructure. I am wondering if he as an honorable citizen is not concerned about the complete incapacity of our roads to handle volumes that the Nano hopes to achieve.
Does a business exist only for its self serving purpose or does it realize its impact on society and infrastructure?
Developed countries tax self owned cars heavily such that the dependence on mass transportation is increased and the pressure on roads/parking lots is minimized. Are politicians, bureaucrats, businessman even thinking of the picture as a whole or is this a piecemeal game? I don’t expect the government to do systems thinking but would it be asking for too much of a savvy businessmen like Mr Tata?

Quite like the cellphone, the Nano will also become the prized possession for those who could only dream of it. Merely selling a piece of metal should not be the sole aim of the Tata Group, the Nano should also make way for itself. Or will it be like an irresistible dessert that always find room for itself in the stomach no matter how stuffed it may be??Perhaps Mr Tata should have invested more moolah in R&D and given its Nano a pair of wings.Rather than compete for road space, the Nano could then jam the airwaves alongside the cellphone!

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