The magic of hopelessness

Are we really catching up with China? In his article, Partha Iyengar, the Research Vice President at Gatner Inc. writes

WITH NO DISCIPLINE OR ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE BUREAUCRATS AND POLITICIANS, IT IS NOW FOR THE PEOPLE TO GIVE THEM A WAKE-UP CALL

He compares

ALL this talk about India catching up with China is just a pipe-dream. The Chinese can put up a complex multi-tier flyover (like the one in the picture) in 6 months and in Pune, we can’t even get a simple straight elevated road done in 3 years!

He rightly chastises Pune Municipal Corporation by saying

The latest gem of an example that starkly brings into focus the lack of capabilities is the PMC’s absolutely ludicrous statement that ALL the roads are in the same pathetic state because they were surprised by the early arrival of the rains.

How early were the rains? One week. And this in a country whose engineering talent in places like Bangalore, Pune etc is the talk of the world today.

Blows apart the claims

And when any comparison with China comes up, our political clowns trot out the time and tested — ‘‘but we are a democracy’’ fig leaf.

Raises many valid questions

How do these people get away with these moral crimes? Why can’t we get more active and try and make these people accountable? What do we need to do to have a Baramati or Nagpur happen in Pune? What can be done to try and achieve this in our city?

And also offers a few answers. Some are workable, some are not. But I strongly recommend you read the article The Magic of Chongqing or hopeless leadership in Pune?