THE BYSTANDER

Life in metro; for most of us is becoming unsocial day by day. Open up news paper in the morning; you sure to find some news of crime or nuisance done by anti-socials. We are used to it. But the story of family suicide hitting the headlines; may still surprise you! These are the acts committed by un-socials. Modern life and society robbed us the community culture long back; iota of it still used to exist in the form of religious celebrations like Holi, Diwali or Dusherra. Off late ever that is also waning. Now a day; we hardly find our friends, kith and kins visiting our homes on such occasions. Thanks to cellular revolution; keeping in touch telephonically became or wishing someone occasionally became accepted norm initially. Now facebook does the things; leaving us totally cut-off from family and friends. Some feels it’s the last nail in the coffin of relationship! Unless someone is in need; rarely comes the phone call; keep afar visiting physically. Without our knowledge; many ...

Somewhere I read; some wise guy drew conclusion after discussing a lot about human faith and  dependence on God; that man created the God! My poor memory does not help me to recapitulate his whole narration but this, his last sentence cast a permanent impression even in my dull brain. In fact history suggests since ancient times where ever human civilization developed in whichever form, they had their own God. Chinese had their own; so the Mayas or Aztecs ;despite of their civilization proliferated on either side of Pacific! In fact , in the initial stages of civilization mankind felt quite unsecured and vulnerable before wild animals and natural calamities. To hunt or fight they needed strength; that was physical and to brave flood or thunder storm they needed stamina; that was mental.  For both they looked for placebo and that was God. Well; I don’t want to be dragged into the charge of blasphemy; after all the God is great to provide us unique elixir in terms of ‘ho...

THE BYSTANDER: Driving with electricity

One million plug-in hybrid vehicles on America's roads by 2015 – what seemed utopian just a few years ago is now President Obama’s stated goal. The world’s rising demand for energy, limited oil resources as well as stricter environmental and climate protection regulations are causing us to rethink our driving habits in order to achieve sustainable transportation and  energy efficiency . Electric vehicles, powered largely by electricity generated from renewable sources of energy, meet these objectives extremely well. Electric vehicles are destined to eventually conquer the last great bastion of conventional fuel consumption – road traffic. Green transportation: Electric cars and vehicles in urban traffic Particularly in  cities , quiet, emission-free electric vehicles are ideal green transport solutions. Public urban transportation, such as trams and trolleybuses has been part of our lives for many decades. Electric cars and vehicles are the only f...

THE BYSTANDER: Whopping Compensation of Rs1 Cr. for Medical Negligence

I was just transferred to that small district town. As a bachelor I found it was difficult for me to get a modest accommodation on rent. My colleges were all quite supportive, promised to find out one. But even after a month they too failed to find a hovel for their young boss. Their hesitation to disclose the reason for the failure of their sincere mission turned me bit curious. I asked Burrababu , calling him into my chamber considering this would offer required confidentiality. Frankly disclosing uncomfortable situation with my purse after meeting the hotel bills for a whole month; I pleaded staying in hotel for discharging my duties would finally land bankrupt! Mind you; salary in 70s with government job was not so lucrative. Burrababu understood my point; then submitted prudently that as a eligible bachelor I am not eligible for accommodation on rent from any good Samaritan. Just think my plight! Getting married was a long drawn process as far as arranged marriages are con...

Aging being a natural process; we all age but few are aware of this. Here is a story I received; narrates the embarrassment of this natural precess : .... Several days ago as I left a meeting at our church, I desperately gave myself a personal TSA pat down.  I was looking for my keys. They were not in my pockets.  A quick search in the meeting room revealed nothing.  Suddenly I realized, I must have left them in the car.  Frantically I headed for the parking lot.  My wife, Diane, has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in the ignition.  My theory is the ignition is the best place not to lose them.  Her theory is that the car will be stolen. As I burst through the doors of the church, I came to a terrifying conclusion.  Her theory was right.  The parking lot was empty.  I immediately call the police.  I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen. Then I made the most difficult call of all, "Honey," I stammered.  ...