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Thursday, September 14, 2006

Eighth wonder of the world

Is there any race going on for the eighth wonder of the world? With Disneyland in California claiming to be the eighth wonder and now an amazing roadway Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road in UAE, convinces me of countries and organisations vying to claim the eight wonder.

Governments of the world are employing dedicated efforts to claim the eighth wonder of the world. Where does India stand here? Is it even making any attempt to build an eye-popping monument or infrastructure in addition to Taj Mahal? This is a wake-up call for the Government of India to emerge from the chronicles of corruption and stream to quickly improve and build a spectacular marvel of excellence in engineering.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Human-less work force

At most of the common places in London or may be in the whole of United Kingdom IT is playing a big role. I am talking of the positions in India like apartment security guard, bus conductors, ticket collectors, motor man, etc.

Yesterday, I had been to a place called Bow Church by DLR (Docklands Light Railway). The fully automated trains on this line are driverless. Coincidentally, I was able to grab the front seat in the very first coach, a place where motor man sits. I was amazed at the way DLR was being operated. Though, there is an operation board, it is generally locked up. Occasionally, you may find a PSA (Public Service Agent) roaming around in the train and if need be, monitors the operation with minimal intervention. Running on elevated track, many liken DLR to a roller coaster ride as the train climbs and swoops its way through Docklands to Greenwich.

How much time before this becomes a reality in an Indian city like Bombay? Bombay is in extreme need for human-independent mode of transport. Transport strikes will become nightmares, once such systems are implemented.