protests and strikes

We've had more than our fair of share of protests to put up with. Yet, our politicians simply don't seem to grow up. Who gets killed or even injured in police firing? The poor and the innocent. Hyderabadis are sick and tired of political parties doing this to the citizens--picking up a cause or latching on to it, as may be the case and going berserk in the name of 'protest'. For the past few days it's been the Leftists, with the Telugu Desam merrily jumping on their bandwagon.
What do we Hyderabadis have to say? Who's asking?

Leaders and activists of Left parties for relay hunger strike

Hyderabad takes lead in protests

Bandh today: TDP extends support to Left parties

CPI-M demands action against cops for Andhra firing

'smart' city....what about citizens?

Hyderabad is all geared up to introduce multi-application smart cards soon.
These cards, which will double as driving licence and vehicle registration documents will also bring up--thanks to hand-held readers, the history of previous traffic offences, tax and insurance data and and related information on the driver.
The city's turning 'smart' if this bit of news is to be believed, but what about the worthy citizenry? Thereby hangs a litany of woes, which I'll save for another day. The only thing I'll whine about today is what our political parties are doing to Hyderabad--in terms of worsening things. They paralyze traffic for the flimsiest of reasons, creating hopeless snarls. The Left parties say they're doing it to get land for the landless. Others have other reasons. What do our 'netas' think of pressing in their cadre as traffic volunteers to show their protest, instead of getting them caned and fired upon by the police and paralyzing traffic? Idea worth publicizing? What say folks?

see also:

Hyderabad opts for smart system

Smart cards for motorists by October, The Times of India

Biometric tracking gives a tamper proof identity to villagers
Biometric tracking gives a tamper proof identity to villagers, Jaya Menon - Chennai

Pay but don’t touch – Security, Satisfaction, and Expectation
Arby’s rolls out ‘contactless’ payment cards

Hyderabadi roads

We're back with the same refrain--Hyderabadi roads and the attendant chaos that goes in the name of traffic. A longtime Mumbaikar (Deepak DeSouza) wrote to the DC yesterday complaining of the utter absence of pedestrians' rights in Hyderabad. His grievance is spot on.

Where are the 'footpaths', one may ask? In no other city does such chaotic traffic go unregulated, as Deepak rightly points out. That's sadly true. One simply has no place to walk--if one doesn't depend on any mode of transport, that is, such as a car/bike/auto/pushcart/bus/truck etc. The sidewalks have been taken over by 'nature's callers' and hawkers or more often, simply don't exist. Hyderabad's traffic police continues to wink blissfully at the anarchic movement of all and sundry on the streets. One would have expected an aggressive, pro-active campaign from the traffic authorities to bring some sanity on to the streets, but the big question is--where are they, Hyderabad's traffic police, I mean?
On a different note, if you're web-savvy, there are enough tools to navigate you. No longer do you need to ask in the local lingo-"yeh rastaa kaaN jaata?" And get the tongue-in-cheek retort--"kaiiN naiiN jaata bhai, bachpan se dekhruN... aap jaareN jaaN kaiiN jaareN." There are web-tools to help you get there--"jaaN kaiiN aap jaareN", that is.....be it Charminar, Gachhi Bowli or Nacharam!

Ganesh Chaturthi in Hyderabad

Ganesh Visarjana in Hyderabad

Hyderabad for over nearly three decades now, has emerged as a major centre for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. There's a large community of artisans in Dhoolpet and adjoining areas that depends for its livelihood, on making idols of Lord Ganesh for the festival and start making them months ahead.

This year, they seem to be unsure whether to use synthetic colours in making the idols, as they have doing traditionally or comply with the State Government's directives and use herbal colours, intead. The demand, as always is huge--at least 15,000 Ganesha idols have to be made for the festival in September, if not more. The State Government's directive on using herbal colours is meant to prevent water bodies from getting polluted. Artisans say herbal colours are not easy to get and what is available is of inferior quality. Artisans apparently have no problem using herbal colours, but do face a problem when it comes to procuring them. The truth, as all of us do know, is that water bodies do get polluted to indescribable extent on account of the immersion of thousands of idols. All of us need to do our little bit to make the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi more eco-friendly and 'organic'. The least the government can do is make organic, non-toxic colours available to the artisans through organizations like the National Green Corps.

See also:

Hyderabad artisans mull over use of herbal colours on Ganesha idols