CITY BICYCLES ARE A JOY TO RIDE WHEN WITHOUT GEARS

 

 

           

 

            Yesterday I was cycling. This has become a routine for me. For past decade I have been cycling to my office. My cycle is without gears. I was fast and rode past a fellow cyclist who was briskly peddling. He was a school going kid; may be in class tenth. I saw his tensed face, I could see that he was not enjoying the cycle ride at all. The road was straight and without any gradient. I noticed that his cycle had gears and I almost knew the thing; I saw his gear combination and confirmed that he was in the wrong gear, which made him peddle more.

 

            This is the case with most of the cyclist especially kids who have just started cycling. Their parents buy cycles having gears and broad tyres, may be because geared cycles are in vogue or may be out of affection thinking to buy best in the market or just because they want to simply splurge. Nowadays many cycle models come with gears. Infact it is difficult to find a modern light weight attractive looking bicycle without gears. The kids are not taught the correct usage of the gears and often end up selecting a low gear combination on a straight and level road. As a result on a level road, the cycle ride is slow, requires lot of peddling and riding becomes frustrating for the kid. Wrong selection of gears coupled with broad tyres, tire the kid. The kids should first experience the quantum of effort required for a level road, to negotiate a gradient and what to do on a slope only then would they appreciate the gear and its use. Only then would they be able to select correct gear for correct gradient. In any case city roads don’t require gears.

 

No wonder the geared broad tyred cycle originally designed for cross country and steep gradients when marketed by cunning shopkeepers to the city based gullible customers, resulted in good money for the salesman but a harrowing experience for the users who never got it right how to ride.

 

With geared broad tyred cycles the joy of cycling is no longer there. Worst thing is these bicycles are exorbitantly costly.

 

For city rides, the best bicycle is a light weight bicycle with thin tyres and no gears.

 

 

METRO MATTERS

 

As per the rough estimates, METRO RAIL concrete works is designed for a minimum life of 50 years and it is a collective responsibility of each one of us to ensure that the metro infrastructure is not degraded/ damaged by our lackadaisical approach. The corporation managing the METRO has a direct involvement in maintaining the concrete works and other infrastructure through their annual and continual maintenance plan, but we as citizens should also see to it that from our side none of the infrastructure is damaged and try to safe guard the national property. Even sticking of various advertisement banners (other than which is officially approved) could become an eye sore at the least and harm the concrete structure. We should therefore imbibe RASHTRACHAKSHU attitude and must stop or bring to the notice of the corporation any such acts which has a potential to damage the structure. By doing this we can assist the administration to tighten their procedures and ensure that the processes are in place to implement timely maintenance of infrastructure.

 

The photograph of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Metro pillar, shows that there is apathy towards their upkeep and maintenance. If one keenly observes the accompanying photograph, one can see ‘Peepal’ sapling has taken roots at the base of the pillar and on the other side. Invasive roots could initiate cracks in concrete structures. There are advertisement and printed fliers pasted on the pillar which are unauthorized. To curb this, there should be strict action on any kind of tampering of the pillars including unauthorized pasting of advertisement fliers. The place adjacent and near to the pillar is dirty not kept clean. This picture was taken from a pillar on MG Road as a sample.  

 

NOTICE THE SAPLING AND THE GENERAL UPKEEP

 

 

I urge the authorities to immediately look into the matter and fix the responsibilities for the lapses. The concerned department should be pulled up for the apathy and if proper procedures are not there they should be instituted to check the quality and maintenance of each pillar. Only then the metro line would be able to satisfactorily complete its designed life and enhance the safety of the users. I would be taking up with the BMRCL authorities very soon so that they become aware of the lapses in procedures.

 

I urge fellow citizens to keenly observe and proactively participate in maintaining our national assets. Observation and timely intimation to authorities would go a long way in preserving our national assets. Please become nations RASHTRACHAKSHU.

 

OROP ISSUE

 

Shashi Tharoor of Congress says “At a recent media conclave, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar hedged his bets, suggesting that ex-servicemen would get 80% of the promised pension, and adding that "100% satisfaction to everyone is never given in real life."  This is an utter travesty. Is Mr Modi prepared to stand before the nation and say that we should not believe anything he promises, but that he will try to deliver 80% of it? If the Kargil war had happened on his watch, would we have to be content with getting 80% of the heights back?” Remember Kargil was a requirement and 100 %  had to be met. Akhand Bharat is the demand and may not be fulfilled in near future.

 

I ask Shashi Tharoor if that was the case then under Indira Gandhi it was your government which brought down the pension (in 1973) from earlier levels and created the problem. If that is not enough it was your Government which was there in the UPA I and UPA II avtar for last 10 years and you were cabinet minister in that government – why was it not implemented? Let’s attribute it to your policy paralysis and when it has been declared by Modi Government as an implementation of poll promise, if not praising the step, the least is not to comment on it.  

 

OROP issue has been addressed by Modi Government in an appropriate manner. We must remember the difference between 'demand' and 'requirement'. The requirement of OROP is met. Demands are subjective and no one can satisfy ever growing demands in full. Gen Satbir and others are just politicizing the issue. Congress is supporting it as it wants to remain relevant in politics.

 

Gen Satbir, whatsapp rumor churners and other veterans at Jantar Mantar should pack up and start doing some constructive work rather than searching for employability by agitating for the sake of agitation.

AURANGZEB ROAD, LUYTENS, NEW DELHI

 

 

It is unfortunate that a prominent road in New Delhi is named after Aurangzeb, the most ruthless and cruel among the many ruthless and cruel Muslim rulers. Greatest oppressor, mass-murderer and who introduced jyzia tax. What a paradox – There is no road named after the great Chatrapati who fought all his life nailing Aurangzeb and ultimately Marathas were successful in uniting this great country when they unfurled saffron flag in Atak

 

What are we as a nation doing about it? Majority citizens of this country have already made peace with history or are numb to the insults inflicted upon our nation.

 

Time has come to review and correct this aberration of having road named after Aurangzeb. Bharat Ratna Dr Abul Kalaam people’s President, great visionary, eminent scientist, Karmayogi and role model to Gen Next breathed his last giving a lecture at IIM, Shillong on 27^th July 2015.

 

There would be many memorials built after the great man, but immediately let us rename Aurangzeb road by naming it after the great man, thereby erasing the memory of the tyrant Aurangzeb. This could be apt Shradhanjali to our nuclear man.   

RASHTRACHAKSHU

The primary duty of police force is crime prevention, investigation and maintenance of public order. This is necessary to achieve a broader objective of welfare of the individual and society at large.

We all know that police force is limited and if police doesn’t get last mile surveillance, the organisation would always fall short of its duty. Last mile surveillance cannot be achieved with the existing force levels unless the citizens pitch in. We should be ready to become watch dogs for police, to help them achieve their aim.

We are all very busy in our own world and family responsibilities keep us occupied. Although busy, many conscientious citizens keep observing things going on in our vicinity. Through various interactions with our neighbours we come to know about persons living in the colony. Sometimes we come across such actions of our neighbour, close associate or a family staying in our locality which go against our conscience as a person and unlawful as a citizen. These actions could be in the form any of the following - employing a child labourer, black money creation, corrupt practices or suspected antinational or terrorist activities. It can also cover flouting of corporation rules including illegal construction, encroachment, not paying property or commercial tax commensurate to the usage or any other illegal actions. Sometimes we are sure about their activities and sometimes we just suspect.  Many times we would like to talk to them but fear that they won’t listen. Majority of times as a result of our busy schedule we don’t take action or because we stay in close proximity and fear that giving a complaint would spoil the relationship or our stand would make it difficult for us to continue staying in our colony and so being peace loving, they avoid getting into trouble. In some cases, there might be very practical constraints of old age and therefore the indifference. Sometimes for some reasons the conscientious citizens may not want to get involved with police. Some would refuse to BELL THE CAT for fear of getting the identity revealed and exposing themselves to hate rage.

We all agree that if the wrongdoing or the suspected act is nipped at the bud then society could be saved from a larger wrong. If there becomes a constant fear of getting detected then many wrong doers would not indulge in such activities. A proactive citizen is a boon to the society. Remember inaction, silence and indifference towards wrong doings have made the evil to triumph. We should help police to help ourselves and thereby our society.

Would you like to BELL THE CAT?

Here is a forum called Rashtrachakshu (Eyes of the Nation) where conscientious citizens can help the society by informing us of your ‘FIND’ and we would do the rest. Your identity would not be revealed.

Following are the guidelines –

Please email your suspicion at rashtrachakshu@gmail.com . We would require your contact number and would contact you back.

At present we request conscientious citizens from only BANGALORE area contact us. We are also seeking conscientious volunteers from all over India to start this movement. Please feel free to contact us at rashtrachakshu@gmail.com . We request your contact number (s) and in a nutshell your background to proceed.

Lest I forget - Have you taken RASHTRAVRAT? Still not? Please read http://www.rashtravrat.blogspot.in/p/rashtravrat.html

FIRST YEAR OF MODI SARKAR

Modi Sarkar has completed one year. There would be many ‘for’ and ‘against’ views. Congress would ask ‘Kahan Hai Ache Din?’. English News Channels as always would be engaged only in such news items where there is a scope of garnering high TRP’s.

 

My take on first year of Modi.

 

Nation building cannot happen in one day. If we aspire for cleanliness, planning and modernization then in democratic set up patience is the word and for that one year is very less.

 

Laying the foundation is most important part of the building. It takes quite some time for people to start noticing the building construction above the ground level.

 

Some refuse to wait, more get frustrated and many remain skeptical. Only a very few hold on.

 

First few steps for building the nation have been taken by Modi Sarkar

 

Jan Dhan Yojana –

for financial inclusiveness for all especially rural and BPL families.

 

E-auction of natural resources –

more than anything else the process has been firmly established and thousands of crores of rupees corruption has been plugged.

 

Swach Bharat abhiyan –

This would take at least two generations. Cleanliness has been given due place by the highest authority and it needs to be lauded. We all like our surroundings to be clean but awareness at national level was missing. Swach Bharat Abhiyan has brought this back.

 

Black Money Act –

To deter those who launder money and stash in other country.

 

Defence Projects –

Almost all the pending big ticket Defense projects have been cleared. For last 10 years procurement and modernization had come to stand still. Whether it is production of submarines, acquisition of artillery guns, making light utility helicopters, fighter planes or air craft carriers, all issues have been addressed. It is a significant achievement.  

 

Foreign Policy –

With each foreign visit Modi Sarkar has ensured investments and geopolitic border talks with neighbours.

 

Disaster Management –

The reaction time shown by Modi Sarkar is unparalleled and requires a standing ovation. Be it timely help to Indians in Yemen or to Nepal.

 

Land Acquisition Bill –

Unless land is available, no industry can come to rural India. Industry brings in employment and regular income. Investments are waiting. 

 

Tail Piece - Transforming our country into a great nation requires an unswerving effort put in by generations together. It is a continuous process and therefore making our nation great and maintaining it should become our passion, our second religion, our national creed, our national culture and a second nature. For this we should give some time to MODI SARKAR.

OPPORTUNIST INSENSITIVE KEJRIWAL

             When I read it in news that Swami Agnivesh had alleged that Kejriwal wanted Anna Hazare to die during his ten day fast to have greater impact on the movement I rubbished it as a mere publicity stunt by Swami Agnivesh.

            On 22 Apr when Kejriwal was on the dais protesting against the ordinance about Land Acquisition Bill, a farmer committed suicide some meters away from the dais from where leaders were speaking against land ordinance. A few meters away from the stage, Kejriwal with Manish Sisodia and others kept watching the farmer screaming and hang himself with his towel. A crowd of around 2000 had gathered to hear the speeches.

            The news reports tells us that even after the suicide the speakers including Kejriwal continued with their rally even as farmer’s body was hanging from the tree. Even when the farmer’s body fell on the ground Kumar Vishwas and Kejriwal were unmoved. They tried to blame BJP that they had sent the farmer at the rally to sabotage the rally.

            That Kejriwal wanted to make a political drama out of the suicide was obvious. This only shows the power hungry Kejriwal’s cruel self and selfish motive.

            People around him have judged him by now (Yogendra Yadav and party) and others are getting the taste of his opportunism.

            Power corrupts and misplaced ambition makes a man cruel and selfish. Kejriwal has shown this and the people are urged to judge this man and halt him right now.

            I tend to believe Swami Agnivesh after this incident.