Doing our bit...

I have used company transportation to commute to office during my corporate days in Bangalore for approximately a decade. 

I used my car when I had to take my parents out, particularly my father. After his attack, way back in 2001, he seemed a little feeble and fragile and so we avoided bus. My mother, on the other hand, likes long bus rides just like me. Give her a window seat; she will wear her collar (Spondylitis) and happily enjoy the trip.

For me, my car was just a temporary need, like my washing machine or the geyser. It bothered me to see people drive 30 – 40 kms every day to reach office, or when someone needs a car even to pick grocery or vegetables, though the shop is just 2 - 3 kms away from home and mostly offer home delivery.

I actually faced real Bangalore traffic when I had to come to office from my village home, after I moved to the outskirts in 2012. Before that, for ten years my old home was just 3 kms away from my office. It was ridiculous to see dozens of cars near Silk Board, Hosa Road with just the owner driving and their laptop bag in the side seat or back seat. 

Don’t they seriously realize they are solely responsible for traffic, pollution, environment hazards and health concerns? When I see many women, use stoles to cover head and filter the air they breathe using the same stole, it immediately makes me wonder about children who are exposed to this, on a daily basis.

A little inconvenience in public transport, a little sweat, a little planning to car-pool, a little waiting for bus or a little early departure from home to reach on time, an occasional bus ride at least once in a while, can actually create a huge difference.

I lost my father in 2011 and since then I hardly need the car. It still stands majestically, in the parking space, more as a memory of what I had bought it for in the first place – to take care of someone. 

That age old question beaten to death in multiple forums still needs attention - Are we not responsible to take care of future generation?

It is only when most of us start using public transport will the authorities take into consideration the potential revenues it can generate and make it better to accommodate more and build quality standards around public transport.

It was great to read about Nandan Nilekani, former CEO of Infosys using a bus on 4^th March this year – doing his bit. I immediately subscribed to his website to know more.

I am doing my bit too.

Are you? Will you?

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P.S – My car is chauffeur driven as I cannot drive, which gives me the solace that the few times I take out my car, some hard working guy is making an extra buck for his family - that is great guilt neutralizer actually:)