Thursday, 17 April 2008 Side- effect

Thursday, 17 April 2008

Side-effect

I've been very busy with my work and hardly any time left for me. Thoughts are getting rusted and by the time it comes out, rust will make it lose some of its weight. Never mind the fact of the matter will not get wiped out.

Some people are proud to live in the capital city of a country. But, my staying in Delhi has so many side-effects. I think side-effect is not the appropriate word. Anyway, my everyday problems I've put under the heading 'Side-effect'.

I live in one of the posh areas in South Delhi. My morning has to start early to be followed by the groan for water. Summer days have jumped in. Suddenly the heat is unbearable and with that the water supply has deteriorated. Most of the days there is no water. We have to depend on the water tankers to fill our tanks. The Delhi Jal (water) Board supplies water through tankers. But the problem is not solved. On the tankers blue background it is clearly written in white, 'Free water supply' (in Hindi) as the Jal Board is looked after by the Government. The tragedy is, the water supply is faulty and the drivers make it sure they are paid some money in return for the said 'Free Supply'.
Still then people take pride to live in Delhi without water.

Delhi does have the good side of it. It has good roads, well-maintained gardens scattered throughout the city, lots of places to see and of course the heavy traffic not to take with a smile. Someone coming to Delhi for a couple of days will love the city with all its grandeur. But being a part of it, I can only say, 'a life to face with different colours, with a sweet, sour and bitter taste'.

Let me go back to the other minus factor. This city will very soon crunch under the pressure of the rising number of four wheelers. Road rage and parking problems go hand in hand. Accidents have gone up and many innocent lives lost.

Every alternate day people quarrel in our block for parking spaces. Reason: each family has at least a couple of cars, big and small alike. Space is limited. With population rise and increasing number of cars where this city is going to God alone knows.

Today the Olympic torch is to pass through the streets of Delhi. The Tibetan protestors are out there to create a problem. Till now the torch bearers have not started their run. Many of participants have opted out. Just a 'wait and watch' situation for me. The news channels are busy with their quota on the 'News of the day'.

Trouble, trouble everywhere and in every thing. And with it is the rising inflation. If I just look back I still remember those old days when life was easy enough to live and enjoy. We, as children had all the time to study and play. Now there is only time to study and a lost childhood. For that I blame the parents who are so demanding and interfering in the lives of their children. They want to chalk out the child's future giving no choice or breathing space to the young one.

Now all I can think is, 'Where are we heading to? A better and beautiful world or a lost world?'

The sun is moving towards the west. The heat is beating hard. Cannot predict what the night will be like.