The recent announcement of the Delhi Government regarding restriction on the use of private 4 wheelers on certain days is sudden and is fraught with hardships to be faced by those who have just one car. The solution to pollution problem is not an algebraic construct where you get an answer by solving one equation.
Of late Delhi, the national capital of our country, seems to be slipping into a city of aberrations. Prince Hamlet need not confirm that something is wrong with Delhi. Life is becoming more difficult, more unfriendly and more risky (particularly when you are on the roads whether driving or walking). When you are on the road you are under constant stress till you reach your destination. If perchance you overtake or inadvertently fail to allow the vehicle behind yours to overtake, you invite great risk and even a possible threat to your life. The term ‘road rage’ as discovered by the media has diluted the gravity of crime on the road. Traffic rules are not being followed by many especially when there is no traffic police around. Young and old drivers, cars and buses not to speak of e-rickshaws, bikers and scooterists freely jump traffic lights thereby risking not only their own lives but also the lives of others. This kind of dangerous situation is of our own making. Police alone cannot solve this problem; it needs the cooperation of all. We must change the attitude of our people and help the police to establish sanity on the roads and enforce rigid observance of traffic rules in order to provide greater safety to drivers and pedestrians. The entire public transport system needs an overhauling, and loop holes have to be immediately plugged in. Overcrowded buses are a common sight; most conductors need training in basic courtesy. Metros no doubt provide good services but seem helpless at Rajiv Chowk where it becomes painful to get off or get in. Taxis are no better. Their rates are exorbitantly high. Auto rickshaws are far from satisfactory. Quite a good many refuse to go for a short distance by meter unless of course there is traffic police around.
This is the ground reality. The recent announcement of the Delhi Government regarding restriction on the use of private four wheelers on certain days is sudden and is fraught with hardships to be faced by those who have just one car. The solution to pollution problem is not an algebraic construct where you get an answer by solving one equation. We need to make our public transport system more efficient, friendlier, and more comfortable. The policy of the odd and even number sounds immature although the motive behind is laudable.
According to Longinus ‘Where wealth is measureless and uncontrolled’ extravagance gets chronic, and in turn it begets a myriad of undesirable changes in the society coupled with a devaluation of our social, moral and spiritual values. We have yet to build our country on a sound democratic ethos. Ideally our aim should always be to change every proletariat into a bourgeoisie, the superman of Nietzsche.
On Sidelines
In contrast to Delhi, the North-Eastern states of Bharat offer a soothing and enjoyable winter. The sky remains deep blue, for there is hardly any pollution. You breathe fresh and pure air. The grass is greener over there. In Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, the sun doesn’t hide behind the clouds. There is always a bright sunny morning. You store a lot of latent heat that keeps you going comfortable in the night.
In Meghalaya during December, the bells in the churches ring loud. The echoes of ‘jingle bells’ resound from every hill and valley. Christmas, one of the major festivals of Meghalaya, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and solemnity.
Besides Christmas, Meghalaya also celebrates Shad Nongkrem, Seng Kut Snem, Behdeinkhlam and Wangla. Wangla is also known as the festival of 100 drums and is celebrated by Garos wherever they reside. It is generally held from September to December and lasts for several days. It is celebrated with a view to giving thanks to the gods and goddesses called Misi Saljong. Wangla is also known as Pattigipa Ra Rongipe. People invoke the Sun God to bless them with a rich harvest. Berberique
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