tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163200.post2501090057147282963..comments2023-10-30T08:17:47.608-07:00Comments on delhibelly: who needs decent roads and a working sewer when we can have F1 and the commonwealth games?Jason Overdorfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06482980090381357314noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163200.post-56179611717164290162007-07-19T20:53:00.000-07:002007-07-19T20:53:00.000-07:00(1) Yes, I guess I am saying that a city like Delh...(1) Yes, I guess I am saying that a city like Delhi should build a working sewer before it increases the burden by building a thousand new highrises, hotels, etc. Just as if I was building a house, I'd say build the foundation first, not start with the roof and then hoist it up on jacks while you put in the foundation, basement and lower floors. I'm not saying NO development, but certainly I am saying that the concentration of resources and attention is ass backward.<BR/><BR/>(2) I'm somewhat facetious in suggesting a boycott. If it was accomplished only by readers of this blog, I think it would have a net effect of zero. However, I do think it's an interesting idea, if someone were to take it up as the impetus for a mass movement. When I was in Bihar, a community of laborers were picketing one of the constituencies and shouting "No development, no vote," and I believe they received much more attention than they would have done if they'd chosen one candidate or the other.<BR/><BR/>An even better protest, of course, would be for everybody to refuse to pay taxes, whether that meant going to jail or not. But I'm afraid that's even less likely to happen.Jason Overdorfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06482980090381357314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163200.post-34524082453797414152007-07-19T04:28:00.000-07:002007-07-19T04:28:00.000-07:00I wonder would boycotting change the statistics th...I wonder would boycotting change the statistics that much. We middle class people traditionally do not vote. Considering only 3% of the population pays taxes this really is too insignificant a minority to consider for having a say in what the government does with the tax money don’t you think.<BR/><BR/>DevasisDevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00500309576492945401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163200.post-87468920957524476212007-07-18T14:06:00.000-07:002007-07-18T14:06:00.000-07:00Jason,And if commonwealth games don't happen, all ...Jason,<BR/><BR/>And if commonwealth games don't happen, all this problems will be solved? <BR/><BR/>Much of Delhi's infrastructure, crumbling as it is, owes itself to the 1982 Asiad games. Most of the infrastructure which would be created for Commonwealth games: stadia, roads, flyovers would not disappear but continue to be used for long time. <BR/><BR/>Cities don't develop in vacuums. By your argument, should India try to attract industries or give up its development process till it can ''fix'' all the problems? <BR/><BR/>Btw, if the government markets the games well, it can actually return a profit as it has happened elsewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163200.post-1855312937627535302007-07-18T11:17:00.000-07:002007-07-18T11:17:00.000-07:00amen to that. the direction in which national urba...amen to that. the direction in which national urban renewal funds OUGHT to be directed are overseen for heaven-alone-knows what. neither does money go into making aesthetic stadia (plural for stadium?) nor is it used to better our infrastructure. 'tis a shame for crying out loud!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163200.post-8053311490119206552007-07-18T07:37:00.000-07:002007-07-18T07:37:00.000-07:00I can't agree with you more! The real estate price...I can't agree with you more! The real estate prices (both rental and sales) in Bombay are higher than Manhattan, London and Paris, but the infrastructure and the building that you may be looking at doesn't even come close. Why pay the same amount when you can't step out of your house and take a walk - no side walks, garbage (and er... crap) where sidewalks do exist... plus even if your neib doesn't have these issues, you'll be eating fumes on your lovely stroll...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163200.post-50042844958691181202007-07-18T07:09:00.000-07:002007-07-18T07:09:00.000-07:00more to the fancy list - tallest tower of the worl...more to the fancy list - tallest tower of the world in noida, mumbai to be shanghai, eGovernance, laptops for ministers, Wi-fying of Noida toll bridge, biggest mall of the world in gurgaon...it's about time a Michael Moore like person made a movie on this contrasting lifestyleAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07300354056524280914noreply@blogger.com