The growing digital divide

Do you sense the growing digital divide? The rich are getting richer, the poor - pooer? I am off on a short vacation to rural India. While we in Bangalore are complaining about the lack of connectivity to the new airport, someone in this village may actually be thanking his stars that he has a "kuccha" road to walk on. We did switch off our lights for some hours yesterday to celeberate Earth Day, in this village, you get electricity - low voltage and erratic for a few hours only per day. Entirely dependent on the weather gods, fragmented land holdings, lack of proper education, sanitation - things you and I take for granted, life isnt' pretty in rural India.
It is scary that at this rate, a farmer's family may no longer wish to farm (migration to Urban India, will do little to help the situation), little do we realise that we in urban India are so dependent on our rural brethen. Without them, perhaps we would not be eating our daily bread or rice or idlis or whatever.
Writing off farm loans is a short term solution. Corporate farming seems better, provided the farmer continues to own his land.
Anyway, this trip promises to be an eye opener for me.

There is something about VADA PAV

There is always a dumb smile on my face, when I am asked to go to Bombay (Mumbai). Irrespective of how long the aircraft has had to circle in the air, of how bad the traffic is, of how the roads continue to be dug up, there is something about this city - it is still home.

And this time, a colleague provided a special treat, a bagful of Vada pavs during one meeting, since this meeting was soon after lunch, only I seemed to devour the goodies (you just don't' get them in Bangalore - Bengaluru).

Golden and hot and sprinkled with the spice called gun power. Nothing beats it. I had them not only during the meeting, but also over dinner. Alas there were none left for breakfast the next day.

Laden with cholesterol and fatty stuff, who cares? Vada pavs made my day. Thank you "S", I hope you read this post. "S" had promised to treat me, after reading my signature line in my gmail account - A friend is one who takes you out for lunch even if you are not tax deductible and of course my constant whining over our office chat box that there are no decent Vada pav's available in Bangalore.