Carless day or Cars' day?

What is the benefit of Mumbai’s roads being carless only for a day? Is it to add one more day to celebrate which we have been celebrating a day for everything every year? I wish all days were carless days. However, cars get a holiday and rest. Cars and bikes cause more accidents. Even if a person is an expert driver, accidents may occur inadvertently. Electronic machines often play tricks. The more they make the cars electronic the more we can expect their failure. Actually Mumbai city needs 4lane roads for heavy and small vehicles to go separately. But where is the space? Mumbai’s roads make a wonderful sight as vehicles always move along brushing with one another like ants. But most of the accidents occur on highways and at night when roads become empty.

What is the intention of everyone buying a car nowadays? Is it for one’s own convenience or luxury or a status symbol to brag about—mere paas gaadi hai, bungla hai, tumhare paas kya hai? Designers are at fault. New designs and technology attract youngsters. Even school children want to drive. It is a thrill for these youngsters. But their thrill will not last long. If all cars were ambassadors not many would have wanted to drive. Some things should not be made attractive. Sita Devi’s desire to get a golden deer made her life miserable. I cannot help laughing every time I see the Fiat Linea ad. The ad shows the real behavior of a dad and kid. When toys at the shop’s window fascinate kid, dad drags him from there to walk along and when the Fiat Linea at the show room fascinates dad, kid gets irritated and pulls him from there.

I had a maid long ago. She would say proudly that her truck driver man would drink country liquor daily. Surprised, I asked her why he wanted to drink. She said it was for confidence and to calm the mind while driving. I suspect the same in Nooria Haveliwala’s case whether she was drinking for confidence for not being an expert driver. Otherwise, why should she want to drink while driving? Seeing her face doesn’t seem she would do such things arrogantly. It was foolishness on her part. I feel rather pity than hatred for her. These youngsters ape such a life style ignorantly despite having enough knowledge of everything. Not being modern and adventurous is a shameful thing for them. Whom to blame when we live on the edge? Messenger of death comes disguised as beautiful vehicles.