A CHINA vs INDIA INSIGHT THAT WILL ONLY PLEASE THE CHINESE

The Beijing Olympics was a seamless spectacle. Detractors say it's the result of regimentation. The discerning see in the flawless show China's determination to put in every possible effort to succeed as a nation. Nicholas D. Kristof, in his NYT article on the Games, comments that success has carried some young Chinese beyond self-confidence to cockiness.

Self-confidence? Yes. Cockiness? Maybe, among some youth. But as nations, that is the significant difference between China and India. Some years ago, as India's clout in IT and BPO grew, the then national government proclaimed INDIA SHINING to the world. China's advance began circa 1978. Silently. They let their work do the talking. When their products flooded markets everywhere, the world realized China was shining. The Olympics has reinforced that idea.

India meanwhile has gone on to celebrations. Endless singing, dancing, fashion and movie award shows! And other forms of celebrations! For those who have the money. The Nero-like unreality and insouciance of this celebratory mood is obvious when it is placed in perspective against the World Bank's recent estimate of India's ignored reality. India has a third of the world's poorest, about 40 % of the population living under the $1.25 income per day poverty line, and about 75% living below the $2-a-day level.

Who has the recipe for sustained growth? India or China? (For more INDIA REALITIES stories, please check out www.myspace.com/india_realities)

BANGALORE'S 'UNWALKABLE' PAVEMENTS

I have blogged earlier about Bangalore's amazing pavements. Now a study has confirmed that Bangalore has some of the most walker unfriendly pavements even among Indian cities. The experts considered walkable space and obstructions on footpaths.
The average non-expert observer will notice in addition:
1. Potholes and bad maintenance of footpaths. Obviously, due to money swindled away.
2. New pavements at varying heights, even up to a foot and a half high. Obviously, the more the concrete dumped, the more the money that can be swindled.
3. Wherever possible, beauty-loving homeowners convert the public footpath in front of them into enclosed private gardens.
4. If there is some walkable space that is where someone must park his car/scooter/bicycle as obstructively as possible.
All this, in a country notoriously lacking in courtesy to pedestrians! And who cares for the handicapped? (For more INDIA REALITIES stories, please check out www.myspace.com/india_realities)