The morning opened to deserted streets, closed shops and no sign of human beings, save for an occasional pedestrian, in and around the port of Kochi. This was because the combined might of the trade unions of the Cochin Port Trust had called for a hartal in protest against the impending commissioning of the spanking new 'Supertanker berth facilities' at Vallarpadam, nearby. It's needless to say that the epicentre of the port operations will shift over to the new hub. The unions' stand is that, with the high level of automation being achieved at the new premises, the threat of reduction in manpower and consequential job loss, will not be permitted. What a way to receive a new project which, undoubtedly, is going to change the landscape of the existing city and perk up a whole lot of new allied and complimentary industries!
Only we can do it! Trust us, mallus, to come out with 'innovative' ideas! What's the use of being literate when in a larger sense we're sadly uneducated?
My workplace is smack in the heart of Kochi and hence, the situation brought about by the 'hartal' could be felt, unadulterated. It was a taste of politics, the Kerala variety, right on my face after a lapse of over 10 years!
Some things never change, huh!
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