Alternate Energy is the only way
While we are wriggling uncomfortably on our seats, chalking out ways to combat this new price hike so that our monthly budgets are least affected, very few of us really feel that time has come to find new sources of energy. Hike in fuel prices means not only transport, but practically every thing we buy off the shelf is going to be that much dearer. The food we eat travels on an average of 2000 kms before reaching our table! And it needs oil to do so. Not only this, the petrochemical industry which manufactures medicines and plastics is also going to be effected by this hike. So everything, from computers to mobile phones to aspirin is going to feel the wrath of this hike.
The common man of India has very few options at his disposal! Either he switches over to public transport, which of course where ever it exists, is already in an extremely dismal state. Switch over to bicycle! This socialist approach to our transportation needs is met with a vociferous and disdainful refutation from the cash crunched but highly egoistic middle class. The mode of transport we use has become a status symbol for us, so even when the burra sahib goes for his early morning jog, he does it on his loyal ambassador.
The long cherished dream of an electric car for the common man finally got fulfilled when in 1994 the Reva Electric Car Company came up with a solution, the battery powered mini car called Reva. But Reva is like a child learning to walk in the ruthless menagerie of macho oil guzzling behemoths. The hope that government will intervene in favor of such eco friendly endeavors is all but wistful thinking.
In some countries, hike in petrol prices has resulted in lowering of demand for petrol. The reason being, people widely started endorsing alternative sources of energy, thus brining the forces of Free Market in action. A reduction in demand eventually led to a fall in prices. But in case of India, the demand is already so high, that any such effect on fuel prices is a far cry.
So, where does this finally lead to? Certainly fuel prices will not come down in the near future. What the government can do however is to at least spend a part of this price in development of alternative sources of energy and make a sincere effort to encourage private entrepreneurs to venture in this area. This is the only way how we can finally come out of this vicious circle before it completely ruins our economy.
The common man of India has very few options at his disposal! Either he switches over to public transport, which of course where ever it exists, is already in an extremely dismal state. Switch over to bicycle! This socialist approach to our transportation needs is met with a vociferous and disdainful refutation from the cash crunched but highly egoistic middle class. The mode of transport we use has become a status symbol for us, so even when the burra sahib goes for his early morning jog, he does it on his loyal ambassador.
The long cherished dream of an electric car for the common man finally got fulfilled when in 1994 the Reva Electric Car Company came up with a solution, the battery powered mini car called Reva. But Reva is like a child learning to walk in the ruthless menagerie of macho oil guzzling behemoths. The hope that government will intervene in favor of such eco friendly endeavors is all but wistful thinking.
In some countries, hike in petrol prices has resulted in lowering of demand for petrol. The reason being, people widely started endorsing alternative sources of energy, thus brining the forces of Free Market in action. A reduction in demand eventually led to a fall in prices. But in case of India, the demand is already so high, that any such effect on fuel prices is a far cry.
So, where does this finally lead to? Certainly fuel prices will not come down in the near future. What the government can do however is to at least spend a part of this price in development of alternative sources of energy and make a sincere effort to encourage private entrepreneurs to venture in this area. This is the only way how we can finally come out of this vicious circle before it completely ruins our economy.
posted by Gautam @ 7:30 AM
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