Gandhi Ji and Sustainable Transportation

Yesterday, India celebrated the 144th birth anniversary of its greatest leader, Mahatma Gandhi, a visionary whose fundamental principles and vision are universally applicable – especially to sustainable transport. As an individual working in this field, I felt I must share my interpretation and compiled wisdom about Gandhi, his philosophy, and its relevance to the sustainable transport sector.

Gandhi was strong supporter of cycling and walking, who can perhaps be credited with starting the sustainable transport movement in India. In his book Hind Swaraj, he defined the principle of sustainability as, “More from less for more”. I would like to share a few anecdotes about Gandhi, and some of his famous quotes, because they reflect his concern and vision for a great cause: sustainable urban mobility.

Gandhi’s daily routine embraced sustainable modes of transport

Gandhi’s daily routine included walking nearly 18 kilometers (11.2 miles). He averaged 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) during the Dandi march, and walked a total of almost 80,000 kilometers (49,710 miles) throughout his campaigns from 1913 to 1938. That’s enough to walk around the world twice! Gandhi loved walking and often called it the “prince of exercises”. As a student in London, he saved money by walking several miles every day.

Gandhi also had a strong passion for cycling. When he moved to Ahmedabad in 1915, he rode his bicycle from Gujarat Vidyapith to Sabarmati Ashram. In Johannesburg, South Africa, he was the first person to oppose and protest a law which discriminated against people cycling on the streets. He wrote in the journal Indian Opinion opposing a move by the Johannesburg Town Council requiring every native who held a cycle permit and rode a cycle within the municipal area to wear a numbered badge on his left arm. Interestingly, two post-independence laws, the Delhi Municipal Act of 1960 and Punjab Cycle Rickshaw Act of 1976, kept similar restrictions and licensing systems in place for cycle rickshaws until this year – they were recently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of India.

Using walking to organize

Gandhi’s famous Salt March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, began with the Dandi March on March 12,1930. This march became an important symbol of the Indian independence movement. As he traveled on the 24-day-long, 390 kilometer (240 mile) march to produce salt without paying a tax imposed by the British, a growing number of Indians joined him along the way. When he broke the salt laws at 6:30 am on April 6, 1930, it sparked widespread acts of civil disobedience against the British Raj salt laws by millions of Indians. Simply put, Gandhi used walking as a tool to organize his fellow Indians.

Gandhi continually emphasized the importance of walking and cycling. When asked for advice, he once told someone, “I hope you are careful about eating. You may use a bicycle, but you should also walk daily”. After a small incident on bicycle Gandhi wrote to his friend about bicycle maintenance, “The bicycle incident yesterday was not a happy one. A carpenter will always keep his tools ready for use. A typist will keep his typewriter in good repair and a rider will keep his horse in good stead. Similarly a bicycle should always be kept clean, oiled and ready for use. Otherwise don’t have a bicycle at all”. Another time, Gandhi wrote to a friend, “If, however, you are determined to work in the city, you should stay in the city. You are not strong enough to go to the city and return on bicycle”. With this comment, Gandhi referenced the size of cities and their human scale.

Applying Gandhi’s principles to urban planning

Today’s urban planning is dominated by motorized vehicles, and as a result, the distance we travel between work and home is constantly increasing. The quote above from Gandhi reflects his concern for better urban planning, and where people should live. Today most of our Indian cities face similar challenges. Gandhi’s principle, “More from Less for More” (MLM) is all about getting greater performance from fewer resources for more people, and not just for bigger profits – this principle should be followed with the goals of creating a more equitable society and realizing a sustainable future for mankind in mind. That’s what Gandhi would want us to aim for in today’s urban planning.

It’s impossible to imagine what might have happened if had India followed Gandhi’s ideals on sustainable transport and urban planning from its founding, and given support to the local informal sector, which includes non-motorized transport. Although it’s sad to see that none of the principles given by Gandhi are currently being adopted into India’s transportation policies, it’s not too late to implement them. It’s time for India to revive the spirit of our cities by examining the strengths and weaknesses our own existing transport system, rather than blindly accepting all western models. It is high time we act in order to create a sustainable future for our present and future generations by practicing the principles of someone whose vision was way ahead of his time.

Navdeep Asija
Founder, Ecocabs
contact@ecocabs.org

"The educated man must realize that he has more obligations than privileges, more duties than rights. The educated man should be delighted to serve, and not desire to dominate. For, service is the best way to use one's skills, intelligence, strength and resources"

Picture Courtesy: http://plip.com/samantha/india/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/dsc06158.jpg

HC bats for eco-cabs

Considering pollution free vicinity for city beautiful, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday made it clear that it was in favour of expansion of non-motorised transport system in Chandigarh. 

The court's observations came during the hearing of a petition on the running of eco cabs in the city. A division bench of High Court asked UT chief architect and Chandigarh Municipal Corporation to hold meeting with Navdeep Asija, instrumental in designing and introducing the eco cabs in Fazilka. The High Court has also asked the civic authorities to put a status report on the introduction of eco cabs and non-motorized transport system in the city. The case now would come up for next hearing on October 25. 

During a hearing on March 2 last year, the High Court division bench had also favoured for making Sector 17 a vehicle free zone to solve the chaotic situation here especially after 4 pm. The bench had also suggested making some parts of each Sector vehicle free zones on rotational basis. The administration could start from Sector 16, where VIPs including bureaucrats and judges live.

Later, in a bid to comply with the High Court directions the civic body constructed pedestrian paths between three parking lots in Sector 17. These parking lots connected with raised 10-feet wide pedestrian paths for shoppers to walk across the plaza, by crossing the parking lots.

http://www.dailypost.in/chandigarh/4147-hc-bats-for-eco-cabs

Floods wash away claims of administration : Fazilka Floods

Gaurav Sagar Bhaskar, 16th September 2013

AN HT SERIES ON BUILDING A BETTER CITY TOGETHER

NDRF HAD TO BE CALLED IN THIS YEAR TO FAZILKA; NOTHING SEEMS TO MOVE THE ADMINISTRATION TO GO BEYOND AD HOC MEASURES

FAZILKA: All claims of the Fazilka administration to prepare the area to face floods are washed way every year, as destruction and submergence of villages remains routine due to the Sutlej river.

Indeed, it remains a huge question mark on functioning of the administration that flooding continues every year. When questioned, officials are usually found clueless or in search of a new excuse to furnish before the media.

This year, 20 villages in Fazilka sub-division and 11 in Jalalabad sub-division were flooded and more than 20,000 acres were submerged.

Maujam, Dona Nanka, Ghurka and Haskalan villages were the worst-hit and several schools remained closed due to the floods.

Mohar Jamsher village, encircled on three sides by Pakistan, was cut-off from the rest of the nation this year due to the floods.

In fact, the administration that claims to be working on a permanent solution to the floods issue struggled to even arrange adequate equipment for flood and relief. The situation took a turn for the worse and the National Disaster Response Force was called-in.

Flood victims and those hit by the disaster have demanded and will continue to demand a per manent solution to the mess.

Till then, the victims have demanded enhanced compensation from the Rs 5,000 an acre for damaged crop handed-out, if the damage is more than 75 per cent.

The damage paid seems especially light when we consider that only Rs 3,000 is paid for crop loss between 50-75% and Rs 2,000 for 25-50% loss.

No compensation is paid for damage less than 25%.

"The drainage system of the area needs to be streamlined. This year, more than 13 villages were submerged and 30 were submerged due to the overflow of a drainage channel," said Fazilka BJP block president Manoj Tripathi.

"A lot of money is spent on the so-called strengthening of embankments of the river Sutlej. Why is the state forest department not launching a special forest drive," said Navdeep Asija, social activist.

"A comprehensive plan worth Rs 5.32 crore has been chalked out to permanently resolve the issue of flood fury for the residents of the area." Surjit Kumar Jiyani, Punjab Cabinet Minister and MLA Fazilka.

"The union government should review the crop damage compensation policy by taking in view the welfare of poor farmers residing in border area" Manoj Jhinja, a local resident.

"Had government paid in time heed towards the importance of forest and save the local Badha lake, the area could have never bear the brunt of flood. Its Ironical that instead to come forward and save the Badha Lake, Punjab government had allowed the cutting of as many as 400 full grown trees to commercially exploit the lake area. It is a flood caused due to the apathy and rampant exploitation," Captain (retd) MS Bedi.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Bathinda/Fazilka-border-residents-bear-flood-fury-annualy/SP-Article1-1122585.aspx

Sukhbir asks admn to complete girdawari fast

The Punjab government has requested Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to regulate the discharge in the Sutlej river so that further escalation of floods in this area could be checked. Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said this during a tour of the flood-affected villages of Fazilka and Jalalabad areas on Thursday.

Addressing the flood affected people after conducting the survey of 26 affected villages of this area, Sukhbir said that they had also requested the BBMB to warn in advance before release of water so that people could be evacuated to safety.

Asking the local administration to draw up a comprehensive plan for flood-affected villages, Sukhbir said that each village would have one nodal officer, who would coordinate the relief operations, distribution of compensation, besides providing medical aid to the ailing.

It would be the sole responsibility of the nodal officer to look after the needs of flood-affected village allocated to him/her, he said.

He also sought the expeditious completion of girdawari (estimation of loss) once the water recedes so that timely compensation could be provided to the affected.  He also issued instructions to assess the loss to property, livestock and human lives (if any).

Asking officials to ensure adequate supply of fodder, Badal asked the doctors to vaccinate the livestock. He also asked the health department to organise camps to provide immediate medical relief to the flood affected population.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/bathinda/Sukhbir-asks-admn-to-complete-girdawari-fast/SP-Article1-1111530.aspx

Didn't want Punjab to cede Abohar-Fazilka to Haryana: Barnala

BARNALA: Failure of the implementation of Rajiv-Longowal accord is still haunting Akali leadership after 28 years. Surjit Singh Barnala, who was the Punjab chief minister at that time, said he didn't resign to force the Union government to implement the accord as he didn't want the areas of Abohar and Fazilka to be given to Haryana in return for Chandigarh being made the capital of Punjab.

Barnala had accompanied Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, the then president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), to sign the accord with late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on July 24, 1985. The octogenarian is often accused of not resigning from the post of CM, in reaction to the accord not being implemented, for his lust for power.

Clearing the air over his decision, Barnala told TOI on Saturday, "I was not hungry for power; rather I wanted to save the Punjabi-speaking areas of the state from being transferred to Haryana. The then Haryana CM Bhajan Lal was making efforts to get Abohar-Fazilka belt to be transferred to Haryana. The Bishnois and other people from Haryana were sent to Abohar and Fazilka to join their relatives to make it appear like a majority Hindi-speaking area."

Third front deliberations on Longowal's death anniversary

Not too enthusiastic about joining hands with the Congress, former Punjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala said the Sanjha Morcha will explore the options of forming a third front on Sunday during the 28th death anniversary event being organized by his party SAD (Longowal). "Janta Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav, former Assam CM Prafulla Mahanata, senior leaders of CPI and CPI (M), and PPP chief Manpreet Singh Badal will come to Longowal. A strategy could be devised to proceed further on the making of a third alternative in Punjab," he stated.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Didnt-want-Punjab-to-cede-Abohar-Fazilka-to-Haryana-Barnala/articleshow/22043872.cms

Swollen Satluj inundates border fencing, BSF posts in Ferozepur, Fazilka

FEROZEPUR: Water knows no geographic boundaries. This has been proved right with water overflowing from gushing Sutlej spreading across miles of land across the barbed fencing, erected at the international border in Ferozepur and Fazilka districts.

Flooding of border villages, situated along the Satluj embankment area, has damaged barbed fencing along the Indo-Pak border at several points. In certain pockets, floodwaters made the Indo-Pak zero line disappear in the Fazilka district, sources said.

Though the wire fencing has not suffered much damage in a large area along the border, sources said there were certain pockets, where it had suffered irrevocable damage and would need replacement. Nearly 10 border observation posts (BOPs) along the border have been surrounded by floodwaters while their bases have been submerged. These included BOPs at Pattan Wali, Bachiter, GG 3, GG2, MF Wala, Bahadur Ke and Samaske in Fazilka sector and Tapu, New Mohammadiwala and New Gazniwala in Ferozepur sector, they said.

Besides, nearly 80% area around the barbed wire fencing has been submerged and partially damaged in the two districts. At some places, nearly 12-feet high barbed fencing has been fully submerged. "Floodwaters have affected barbed fencing in a 30-km stretch at the border falling in Fazilka sector while in Ferozepur sector, nearly 10 km of fencing has been inundated," sources said.

In Fazilka, Pakistani authorities have shut the gates of Sulemanki head works resulting in backflow of Sutlej waters near Sadiqi joint check post. This has led to submerging of the meeting hall on the Pakistani side, where flag meetings between officials of the two nations are held.

Sources said that in order to thwart any intrusion bid through the damaged fencing and swollen Sutlej river, the BSF has deployed its water wing to conduct round-the-clock patrolling in the river, running along the border, in the two districts. The wing comprises motorized fiber boats, loaded with floodlight system, weapons and other necessary equipment needed for patrolling.

Meanwhile, the headquarters of BSF, Punjab frontier, has increased the number of personnel in these border districts. "Boat nakas have been set up at strategic points. More temporary observation posts have also been set up to check intrusion as the water has spread to some fields along the international border," a BSF official said, requesting anonymity.

R P S Jaswal, DIG and senior PRO, Punjab Frontier, said the water wing had been doing an arduous but commendable job, safeguarding the border. In times of floods, boat nakas cannot be put up but boat patrolling continues, he said, adding that the water wing has been trained specifically to meet all types of challenges during floods.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Swollen-Satluj-inundates-border-fencing-BSF-posts-in-Ferozepur-Fazilka/articleshow/21989213.cms

ਮੇਰੇ ਰਿਕਸ਼ੇ ਤੇ ਬੇਠਿਆਂ, ਨਾ ਭੁਲਾਈਆਂ ਜਾ ਸਕਣ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਕੁਝ ਸਵਾਰੀਆਂ - Experience of Rickshaw Pilot from Amritsar

What a wonderful Start of the Day 

Today i met Mr Rajbir Singh, a a multifaceted rickshaw pilot from Amritsar, who is also a wonderful writer as well. He writes on various social issues. Three years back he started writing and publishing his conversation with his passengers in series . Very interesting experiences, few unforgettable moments and bond of love he shared with his passengers. True depiction how our society think about rickshaw. He starts his day with Gurbani and continue his journey in the narrow streets of walled city Amritsar...A very learned man additionally he offer his free services as Tourist Guide. All thanks to Zee Punjabi TV for facilitating this meeting. Sharing with you the copy of eighth episode of series "ਮੇਰੇ ਰਿਕਸ਼ੇ ਤੇ ਬੇਠਿਆਂ, ਨਾ ਭੁਲਾਈਆਂ ਜਾ ਸਕਣ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਕੁਝ ਸਵਾਰੀਆਂ " published in Rojana Spokesman on 4th August 2013. 

I am sure you would love reading it time and again.....

Will share with you couple of other episodes also.
Online You can see at : http://www.rozanaspokesman.com/epaper/fullpage.aspx?edition=main&yview=2013&mview=Aug&dview=04&pview=13

Independence vs. Dollar and “We the Indian”

Today, we all are worried about Price of Dollar vs. Rupees, but as a matter of fact, we are indirectly or directly responsible for it. Do you think, it's the American Economy which is booming, No, but our economy which is going down. Let me explain it here, just have a look at the Fortune 500 list of 2013, out of Top 10, 8 companies are either Oil or Car Manufacturer. This is as per their "New World Order" Plan. We all know, oil transactions are in dollars. In the recent past, our imports have increased up to 140% and our export are limited to just 30-40%. Major part of the import is oil and cars other energy needs. This is how some of the fancy economist fucked up to the name of "Globalization". Now, every Indian actually can contribute to set it right.  How?

Second Graph indicating that how cycling and walking trips have gone down, against the car occupant trips from the year 1998 to 2005 (Ian Roberts, 2011). Our policy makers, planners, engineers are actually working day and night to boost or support car centric development by making policies/infrastructure in order to support only motor transport. Our cities are expanding, we are forced to travel more and we call it as "Improved Mobility". They have totally changed our cities design from "Human Scale" to "Car Scale". As a result, our dependency on car and oil has increased in the recent Past like anything. The illusions, which we call it as development, 'globalization' or any other fancy name, is actually meant to kill us as well our country.  Valuation of our Rupees is in terms of gold but US currency is just a white paper. They can print as many as anyone needs to Purchase Oil, because long back they had an agreement with Gulf to sell petrol in Dollars only. You can do Google on "Derivative Trading" to understand it in a better way. So, I request my fellow Indians for the better financial health of our country and sustainability of this planet, Undo this "New World Order"; reduce our daily car usage/oil , use it wisely, start living in a neighborhood which provides you better access to Public Transport or not in a area, where  cars are parked on the footpaths. 

Let's Walk and Cycle…

Living on the Edge... School Chale Hum...Mohar Jamsher Village School Flooded

School Children of Mohar Jamsher. Mohar Jamsher is Last Indian village on India Pakistan Border. Their School is flooded with water and now they are moving to some other place for Classes./Home. Hats of to the Students and Teachers of this School. We must learn lesson of Unity and Discipline from these Kids... 

Every year during monsoon they have to shift their school, celebrating 67 years of Freedom..every years few crores are being spent under emergency flood protection measures..rest is a story...(Few dams which are protecting cities, were made during British Time, Post Independence only repair)..

No matter what, we have dedicated teachers like Savikar ; you have won the heart of many of Us. Trust me, country needs dedicated Teachers like you....

"We The People" - Independence Day Celebration at Sadqui Border Fazilka

Independence Day Celebration at #Fazilka border. The Wire in front define India-Pakistan Border, the #Radcliffe line. The crowd gathered here giving us a very loud and clear message . Dear Politicians of both the sides, you are failed to represent and act upon the true sentiments of the people living across both the sides. We understand only one language and that is "Love". Improve people to people contact, Peace would be there. Be careful uncle Sam may not like this solution.

#IndependenceDay, #Sadquiborder

Picture : Sarhad Kesri

 — in Fazilka, Punjab.

Aslam and Shiv : A Story of Love - Chandigarh Ecocabs

आज़ादी के शुभ दिवस पर आईए मिलिए हमारे दो हिन्दुस्तानी भाइयो से, असलम और शिव, पिछले बीस सालो से चंडीगढ़ के सेक्टर 18 C में रिक्शा चला रहे है, इकठे रहते है, इकठे खाते है, बारी से हर रोज एक दूसरे के लिए खाना बनाते है । एक ही गाँव से है और यहाँ भी एक दूसरे के सुख दुःख के साथी । इनका मजहब सिर्फ प्यार और इंसानियत , मेहनत करते है अपने और अपने परिवार की रोजी रोटी के लिए । इन दोनों की महबूबा भी एक हे है, हमारा प्यारा "रिक्शा" । चलिए और कुछ नहीं तो इन्ही से एक अच्छे देशवासी बन के कैसे रहना है सीख ले, देश प्रेम के साथ धर्मी माँ से भी प्यार । शाम की खाने के महफ़िल में कभी जा के देखिये, सीवाए प्यार के कुछ और देखने को नहीं मिले । हमें गर्व ज्यादा कुछ तो नहीं लिए साहिर लुधियानवी जी की लिखी चंद लाइने आपके नाम;

तू हिन्दु बनेगा ना मुसलमान बनेगा
इन्सान की औलाद है इन्सान बनेगा ।

नफरत जो सिखाये वो धरम तेरा नहीं है
इन्सा को जो रौंदे वो कदम तेरा नहीं है
कुरआन न हो जिसमे वो मंदिर नहीं तेरा
गीता न हो जिसमे वो हरम तेरा नहीं है
तू अम्न का और सुलह का अरमान बनेगा ।
ये दीन के ताजिर ये वतन बेचने वाले
इंसानों की लाशों के कफ़न बेचने वाले
ये महलों में बैठे हुए ये कातिल ये लुटेरे
काँटों के एवज़ रूह ए चमन बेचने वाले
तू इनके लिये मौत का ऐलान बनेगा ।
Chandigarh Ecocabs
http://chandigarh.ecocabs.org/

Happy Independence Day : तू हिन्दू बनेगा न मुसलमान बनेगा

तू हिन्दु बनेगा ना मुसलमान बनेगा 
इन्सान की औलाद है इन्सान बनेगा  ।

अच्छा है अभी तक तेरा कुछ नाम नहीं है

तुझको किसी मजहब से कोई काम नहीं है

जिस इल्म ने इंसान को तकसीम किया है

उस इल्म का तुझ पर कोई इलज़ाम नहीं है

तू बदले हुए वक्त की पहचान बनेगा ।

मालिक ने हर इंसान को इंसान बनाया 
हमने उसे हिन्दू या मुसलमान बनाया
 कुदरत ने तो बख्शी थी एक ही धरती 
हमने कहीं भारत कहीं इरान  बनाया

जो तोड़ दे हर बांध वो तूफ़ान बनेगा ।

नफरत जो सिखाये वो धरम तेरा नहीं है

इन्सां को जो रौंदे वो कदम तेरा नहीं है

कुरआन न हो जिसमे वो मंदिर नहीं तेरा

गीता न हो जिसमे वो हरम तेरा नहीं है  

तू अम्न का और सुलह का अरमान बनेगा ।

ये दीन के ताजिर ये वतन बेचने वाले

इंसानों की लाशों के कफ़न बेचने वाले

ये महलों में बैठे हुए ये कातिल ये लुटेरे

काँटों के एवज़ रूह ए चमन बेचने वाले 
तू इनके लिये मौत का ऐलान बनेगा  ।

 (धूल का फूल-1959)

Source : http://sahir-ludhianvi.blogspot.in/2011/06/1959-tu-hindu-banega-na-musalman-banega.html

Green rickshaw ride a phone call away

Upgrade to the new cycle rickshaw. It is lighter, faster, bright green (in colour and benefits), has safety belts, low-floor footboard, FM radio and also the day's newspaper.

And this fancy rickshaw ride is just a phone call away. Radio cabs have been around for long, but now Ecocabs—a new initiative by an urban mobility expert Navdeep Asija—will provide dial-a-cycle-rickshaw service in Chandigarh.

Ecocabs seek to draw on the existing unorganised network of cycle rickshaws, which are the most preferred mode of short-distance travel in most cities across the country. The phone numbers of Ecocabs rickshaw pullers are available on the Ecocabs website (www.chandigarh.ecocabs.org) and there is an Android app available as well (Chandigarh ECOCABS on Google Play Store).

"Rickshaws are the most eco-friendly and economical mode of transport and in a world beset by environment degradation and pollution, they provide much-needed respite," says Navdeep Asija, founder president of Ecocabs.

Asija says around 25,000 rickshaws transport close to 5 lakh people in Chandigarh itself, thereby saving 75,000 litres of fuel.

The Ecocab rick is no ordinary cycle rickshaw. It doesn't use any wood and is made of hollow steel pipes, unlike conventional cycle rickshaws. Since it weighs only 65-70kg, (the traditional models weigh 90-95kg) it is easier to negotiate for the rickshaw operator as well. 

And then there are the fancy add-ons. Apart from an FM radio, each rickshaw has tourist information booklets and also a newspaper. The rickshaws have been designed keeping in mind the safety and comfort of the passengers and the rickshaw pullers, says Asija, who is also pursuing a PhD in transport systems from Delhi University.

Asija also pioneered Rickshaw Tourism in Patiala through his Patiala Green Cabs in association with Punjab Tourism. Under this model, rickshaw operators are trained as tourist guides who also escort tourists to popular spots in the city. Asija plans to replicate this model in Chandigarh as well.

"Non-motorized transport such as rickshaws have a great role to play in urban mobility, especially in a city like Chandigarh. We would welcome and support even more advancements in the rickshaw technology, such as solar-powered rickshaws and electric rickshaws," says K K Sharma, adviser to the Chandigarh Administration.

Asija started a dial-a-rickshaw service in Fazilka using traditional cycle rickshaws in 2008. "I hit upon the idea back in June 2008. My mother had to go to the market one day, but there was no one at home to take her out," he says.

"So she cancelled the plan. In the evening, when I got home she asked me to get her the phone number of some local rickshaw puller so that she can step out whenever she wants to. And I thought dial-a-rickshaw service would be a fantastic idea and a boon for all mothers who were dependent on other family members for mobility," says Asija.

The young entrepreneur, who has a degree in transport engineering, then did a basic survey and found Fazilka already had a network of formal and informal rickshaw stands. He then decided to connect them via phone and a network of call centres.

A similar survey was conducted when he started Ecocabs in Chandigarh. "I divided Fazilka into five zones mainly north south, east, west and central. Then with the proposal, I met the founder and patron of our organisation Graduates Welfare Association Fazilka. He like my idea and decided to take it up further," says Asija.

In 2011, Graduates Welfare Association, Fazilka, received the National Award for Excellence in Urban Transport for improving urban mobility in the town through the dial-a-rickshaw service.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court took suo motu cognizance of the scheme and ordered its implementation across the region.

At present the scheme has been successfully initiated in 22 cities of Punjab with the help of district administration and local NGOs.

There are 9 Ecocab call centers in Fazilka where a user can call for a rickshaw. Each rickshaw puller is equipped with a mobile phone for direct calling facility and the bookings can also be made through its Android phone app.

In Chandigarh—where Ecocabs was launched on June 25, 2013—however, there are no call centers. Mobile numbers of rickshaw pullers sector-wise (Chandigarh is divided into sectors) have been uploaded on the Ecocabs website.

 Close to 60 lakh people travel by cycle rickshaws in Punjab. The ubiquitous cycle rickshaw is the source of livelihood for some 3 lakh families in the state. The Ecocabs project is also one of the biggest employment generating and environment project in the city.

http://newindianexpress.com/magazine/Green-rickshaw-ride-a-phone-call-away/2013/08/11/article1724943.ece

Friendship Day ?

यह कार्ड बेचने वाली और मोबाइल कंपनियो ने माँ, बाप के बाद अब दोस्ती जैसे पवित्र रिश्ते का भी व्यापारीकरण कर दिया है । भाई मेरे दोस्त तो जिंदगी भर के लिए है, एक-आध दिन उनके नाम पर सेलिब्रेट करना शायद मेरे दोस्तों और दोस्ती की तौहीन होगी । मेरे लिये तो साल के 365 दिन भी मेरे यारों के लिये कम है । सभी ने कुछ न कुछ लिखा है तो मेरी तरफ से भी यह चोरी की चार लाइने मेरे कमीने यारो के नाम .. 

यकीन पे यकीन दिलाते हैं दोस्त;
राह चलते को बेवकूफ बनाते हैं दोस्त;
शरबत बोल के दारू पिलाते हैं दोस्त;
पर कुछ भी कहो साले बहुत याद आते हैं दोस्त!

Need to install crash barriers, say experts

Mohit Khanna
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 2

The registration of a case against the bus driver has not gone down well with road safety experts. They have also demanded installation of crash barriers on all bridges in the state.

An expert, Navdeep Asija, said, "The driver alone was not at fault. Our roads are designed with zero tolerance to human error. One mistake and drivers as well as passengers end up facing a life-threatening situation."

About the construction of the particular stretch on which the accident occurred, Asija said, "The width of the road is enough but the bridges are narrow. No warning sign or reflective tapes are present on the bridge parapet or on its railing."

Moreover, a majority of the old bridges on canals and rivers in the state had iron railing, which should be replaced with crash barriers, he said. Another expert, currently working with the state government, said in the absence of reflectors, a driver may not be able to see the railing while driving at night.

"While the police was quick to register a case against the driver, who may have died, it did not take any action against the construction company for failing to install crash barriers," he said.

Fatehgarh Sahib Senior Superintendent of Police Gurmeet Singh said, "If found at fault, action will be initiated against the construction firm as well."

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130803/punjab.htm#9