My Xratchboard

623 cc 2 cylinder Bosch
4 speed synhromesh transmission
580 kg kerb weight

On.. no no no.. this is not a Bullet or Royale Enfield..
its 4 door small wonder… The People’s car.

If you are the eldest among the siblings, you would exactly know how BMWs, GMs, Fiat must have felt on the Day 1 of 74th Geneva Auto Expo this year! There was elegant RR, Monstrous Hummer, stunning Lamborghini,beautiful Porsche but the crowd was happy to wonder around this cute kid from India…
The Nano… People’s Car, Indian’s shaan!

I wonder, was that a sweet dream? Has some one woken me up even before the start of a fairy tale? An Indian Tale!!!

I definitely was not waiting for the keys of Nano. I wasn’t waiting for Nano so I can take my family to outing! I was, and still I am waiting for Nano because I feel extremely proud of this rebellious kid … rather I felt… Not any more.

Since Tata has unveiled Nano at Delhi Auto Expo, it has been in news for all sorts of news; the hotest topic being the price tag. The 1 Lac Car has already won hearts on millions of Indians and most of them are already making mental note that someday soon, I will be driving behind those wheels.

Then, at Geneva Motor Show, automakers all over the world wondered how Mr. Ratan Tata managed to keep this little kiddie within “The People’s” reach. They marvelled upon the Supply Chain Model, Tata has put futured. They compared Mr.Tata with Ford. Now they are waiting for this Indian revolution in the automobile industry. They are waiting for the little wonder to roll out of its hometown… Singur……@#%@@%^##$@

No! No!… Correction here.. is it Singur? or Patnagar? or Pune? oh wait.. did i hear somewhere its Sri Lanka? Whats going on? hey anyone listening??? Whats their Problem? why is everyone shouting about 400 odd acre of land?

I wonder, why the state, once capital of commerce for India, is not happy to let Mr. Tata in? It, at the first look, seems to me the perfect choice to start the engine of a rusted train rolling, which has not seen any industrial growth since many years.
Tatas are not coming alone, they are bringing in the whole bunch of suppliers who has tuned themselves in to roll out Nano with the awesome price tag. I wonder why Ms. Banarjee is so reluctant to give land to this Legendary man! I wonder, why Ms. Medha Patkar rush every time to protest when she hears the word “displaced”. I wonder why the protestant can not understand the simple equation.. Industrialization = Job Opportunities = Growth = prosperity = Vote Bank (I have no doubt so ever that the first word every politician has learnt is “vote” )
Yeh! yeh! i know, Ms. Banarjee would not have got any political mileage if the plant would have started without any agitation. But, still, I dont see her getting it even now!

I wondered why is there so much resistance when the young generation of Bengal is looking eagerly for the windows of opportunities the _People’s_ Car is going to open for them. The elder one’s looking for a guaranteed pay.

But then came the reactions from the displaced. Few wanted more compensation. Few were worried about their future as they don’t know anything other than farming! Yeh! They definitely got a point! Why does Tata really want a land fertile enough to sow seeds n grow crops?
Why to waste such a fertile land for the industrial purpose when I have barren land?
But then, Do I have water to run the plant in those areas? What about the road conditions and transportation facilities? Maharashtra Government has invited Tata’s to set up the plant near Pune! But Mr. CM, from where are you going to supply power? Are we going to see more hot days and dark nights? I hope the Nanos rolling out of Pune will manage to survive the FEW pot-HOLEs remaining on the National Highways!

Does Bengal or Maharashtra have the infrastructure to even invite Mr. Tata?
Or are they waiting for the guest to cook his own food and willing to eat whatever is remaining?

The issue is not about farmers in Singur, neither about the singur plant. The issue is about the willingness… willingness to dream about prosperity.
If you cant even dream, how will you motivate yourself to take a step towards achieving those?

Today, there is bandh, nishedh for farmers because they are forced to sell their land at higher prices! But, no one is willing to help the farmers who are suffering due to lack of water, poor seeds, lower selling prices, inadequate facilities.
You want Tata’s to return the land, but what infrastructure are you providing in case the plant is set at remote location?
Give barren land, build canals, build roads, improve transportation, provide essential facilities. I dont think, any industrialiest would mind that!
Channelize your efforts for betterment through co-operation!

BUT NO! WE WANT BANDH! (And media want some sensetional news! )

The whole world is watching the drama, and probabaly laughing at us!
When a small baby chew its thumb innocently, people smile at it.. when the grown up boy do the same.. people will still smile at him as well.. but this time laughter is different! They laugh not at the boy but at his parents as well.  The parents are supposed to teach manners to the boy! Are we listening?

This can not go on… let’s dream…
lets dream of that India, which has learnt not to chew its thumb.. because it hurts!

Let this be the Nano reason for the change which is left undue since long…