Pregnant with Vikas..

India was impregnated with Vikas in 1991, There is continuous debate over who the father is, P.V. Narsimharao dressed in Pant shirt promoting liberal economy on Doordarshan was perhaps the first impression of the changes that are to follow.

Response of India at the Arrival of Pepsi can only be compared to cravings of pregnant woman. India wanted more. Finally India was having what west always had, sweetened carbonated water. Our desires ran wild with Cordless phones , color TV,VCRs, Air conditioners which mostly were seen either in Hindi movies or at that neighbour's house who looked like a villain from Hindi movie.

We no longer wanted to give PP number to our relatives who always called after 10:00 pm afterwards as the rates were half after that. Possibly some people India enjoyed the journey from home to the neighbour's bedroom where Lungi clad Villain Uncle, Maxi and chunni clad Auntie and lock clad phone was waiting for me. I did not enjoy it to say the least.

Thanks to the Vikas Every Indian had their own phone soon along with color TV that was no longer a privilege followed by cable TV, the rented VCR, Chetak scooter, Campa Cola and Vividh bharati died. We were no longer just a Virgin market the conquest was successful.

Motorola Mobile phones with 16 Rupees 30 second incoming and outgoing call was more precious than ancestral Jewels. The FDs for Engineering college admission were no longer necessary. Mobilink pagers were hanging onto belts like Guns on Cowboy. MTV videos were the Cool things and we were learning lyrics of Michael Jackson's songs. He even visited once also which perhaps was bigger event than today's Mars mission.

Now the Ultimate Goal was Car that we had seen covered with neat plastic wrap in the Parking of Villain uncle which was taken out either in marriage season or when somebody in the mohalla had heart attack. Villain uncle always made sure that we are saaf before he allowed us in his towel clad car. Sadly uncle lost that pleasure also as the Vikas was in second trimester now, everybody in mohalla had cars.

Long story short,India is glowing with pregnancy, the world is admiring, India is unison with the world with the help of internet. Excitement is at the peak as we have smart phones, cars credit cards and what not.

Sometime I wonder what did India do to deserve such good fortune? Who is the father of Vikas? Politicians or Capitalist? or both? Vote banks are busy taking selfies, watching Sitcoms while enjoying American food with Aerated drinks.All seems hunky dory on Japanese cars. But As one of the many who has seen this transition is slightly worried about India.India that was just a teenager that didn't have the strength or physical attributes to be pregnant with anticipation of billion people. Non metaphorically speaking we have managed to convert this country into a market that consumes whatever is thrown at her. People of India are not ready to deal with propaganda thrown at them via facebook and whatsapp. We choose leaders not on merit but on strength of the PR muscle. We drive Audis on Kachcha rasta and yet aspire for Ferrari. We may have bullet trains in future but we still don't have proper roads or hospitals for all citizens of India.

I am worried about the Vikas that will come out of the womb finding mother can't feed her.I am worried Vikas will not have proper healthcare. worried about Vikas that will not have decent Education. Worried about Vikas as he may not survive the expectations of the father(s).Vikas may have the upper body strength of wrestler but polio may not allow him to walk....

How dare you keep a Delhiite away from his beloved fuel guzzlers!

The whole universe is full of small particulate matters but Delhi is a bit extra since we like everything richer in the midst of this large urban village. And why not, we love to show off that beast of a metal that guzzles diesel and spews venom. We simply love it because its energy drink comes cheaper and has been inflation free! Our generosity in calculating the cost of ownership of new improved diesel cars has led to increased lead, sulphur oxide, carbon monoxide in Delhi’s air but it is still Ok because what use are air purifiers then? Our idea of universe being “I and me” has made our belief stronger that cancer and lung disorders happens only in some stupid distant neighbourhood – ‘sannu taan kuch nahin ho sakda’!

Enough about Delhiwallahs because we know that we are practical people; our calculations never go wrong. Our cars don’t pollute. It is always the government’s refinery that adds ‘mitti da tel’ in fuel or the trucks which commit the serious crime of bringing essentials such as food, medicine and other redundant to our city’s perimeter. How dare they pollute the city, but please keep the supply line on!

Thankfully, our governments remain one with us, displaying enough unwillingness to take any proactive step. Sadly, courts have played spoilers by giving a tight rap on its back or at times even resorting to twisting of ears! So bad! Thus, despite nobody wanting it, CNG came on the scene.

The progression of the country is such that after the introduction of such a marvellous technology we have managed to spread the CNG to near about 50 cities of India. It is a great achievement that too in only 20 years!! One hears of other small states feeling jealous of Delhi for having so many choices of fuel whereas, they have only petroleum or bullock carts. I am hopeful that one day the progress aka “Vikas” will reach them too, but they have to wait for their turn. They should know that nothing happens overnight.

 Anyways, we somehow managed to remain seduced by diesel, as government could not sustain the subsidy load and network expansion cost of CNG stations. Who cares, this was never on our priority list. Everything was still going fine but all of sudden some nerds designed this silent kill joy called ‘Electric Vehicles’. Oh God, how will driving ever be the same again. This noiseless, non-polluting, will suck the fun out. On top of it, they have the audacity to ask the government to facilitate the process of faster adoption of E Mobility. So how will it possible for beefed up Bollywood heroes to look cool on Tesla or E2Os of the world! Electric bikes may be frugal and efficient, but can you really shoot Dhoom 5, 6 or 7 on those? And look at their nerve, they now want charging infrastructures and that too, right next to our petrol pumps! What is the world coming to! I will rather prefer to choke on pollution! How dare you keep a Delhiite away from his beloved diesel guzzlers!

Manu Sharma