Another day gone waste!

The opposition parties of the state assembly had called for all vehicles to be off road today to protest against the recent hike in petrol prices.

The result.

(a) Kochi looks totally deserted as shops have their shutters down, droves of cattle move on the desolate roads and enthusiastic children play impromptu cricket/ seven tiles on the side roads. The otherwise noisy atmosphere is quiet and the all round stillness is prominent as it's bright and sunny after a long lapse!

(b) Train services seem to have also been hit because the manned level cross, that I've to traverse through to reach my workplace, has been open since morning without interruption.

(c) There must be immense suffering for the average citizen in that urgent medical help, a quick movement required to sort out grave personal issues or the requirement to be at a place for a job interview might have gone for a toss with no remedy or succour.

(c) Loss of productive man hours and the resultant loss of economy.

(d) Mindless damage to public property and the resultant loss.

And who takes the blame?

No one!

Why don't people understand that there's nothing achieved through these mindless activities? And see their act of cowardice - they've enforced a 'hartal' without calling it so because of legal repercussions!

Why can't the parties - across the political spectrum - put a ban on such activities and give their rank and file a meaningful, ethical direction?

Tailpiece.

A couple of questions.

1. Will the prices that have gone up come down, ever? ........ Never.

2. And when we know that fuel costs in India are the highest compared to what it is in the world market. Then why does the costs keep going up? ......... To cover up the government's inefficiencies!