You might think what is the connection between these 2 topics but let me explain ...
As part of summer break, took a week long trip to Dubai - visit to Dubai will be an eye opener for any Indian. The city has transformed itself within the span of 10-15 years and what you see now is a glitzy, clean city, which can be compared to any city in the western world. Cities in the western world have taken time to evolve but Dubai is built on nothing but sand. You will be surprised to hear that city now depends on tourism for revenue generation - not oil. This place doesn't have any natural resources, not much natural water, no natural forests, no heritage/age old structures but still attracts visitors in droves.
They have beautifully done free-ways, well done wide city roads, greenery, parks which make you really wonder whether you are in the middle of a desert, enough water, well planned walkways etc. Basically, a city where you can live without struggling with infrastructure issues.
One of my friends said once - India is a young democracy and it will take time to get to the state of western democracies. Looking at Dubai, I really wonder whether that is true. Dubai was built and is getting built in a short amount of time, doesn't have democracy like India has. However, is a world class city. Agreed, they built all of these on oil money but India has enough money as well - we have large number of educated, tax paying citizens, richest businessmen, richest temples, tons of heritage structures (which are truly visitors delight), enough natural resources, very good climate etc etc. However, we don't even have a single world class city, with world class infrastructure! New Delhi is the capital but a visit to old Delhi will scare you away. Bangalore is the IT capital but full of pot holed roads, uncontrolled, unplanned growth.
Now, coming to the elections part - this is the only hope India has. Congress was given almost 50 years to change the country but things changed at snails pace. Corruption took away what can be changed and only politicians got rich. Hopefully, a government led by Modi will get a chance this time, with a majority, so that they can take drastic decisions to change things. Country has seen things change in Gujarath and same model needs to apply in other parts of India as well. This is very relevant for R2I folks since we have seen best of the world and know how things can be different and our hope is always to see a progressive India. When a country like UAE without democracy, natural resources can build such Dubai, why can't India do it? After all, the city is built using Indian labor itself!
As part of summer break, took a week long trip to Dubai - visit to Dubai will be an eye opener for any Indian. The city has transformed itself within the span of 10-15 years and what you see now is a glitzy, clean city, which can be compared to any city in the western world. Cities in the western world have taken time to evolve but Dubai is built on nothing but sand. You will be surprised to hear that city now depends on tourism for revenue generation - not oil. This place doesn't have any natural resources, not much natural water, no natural forests, no heritage/age old structures but still attracts visitors in droves.
They have beautifully done free-ways, well done wide city roads, greenery, parks which make you really wonder whether you are in the middle of a desert, enough water, well planned walkways etc. Basically, a city where you can live without struggling with infrastructure issues.
One of my friends said once - India is a young democracy and it will take time to get to the state of western democracies. Looking at Dubai, I really wonder whether that is true. Dubai was built and is getting built in a short amount of time, doesn't have democracy like India has. However, is a world class city. Agreed, they built all of these on oil money but India has enough money as well - we have large number of educated, tax paying citizens, richest businessmen, richest temples, tons of heritage structures (which are truly visitors delight), enough natural resources, very good climate etc etc. However, we don't even have a single world class city, with world class infrastructure! New Delhi is the capital but a visit to old Delhi will scare you away. Bangalore is the IT capital but full of pot holed roads, uncontrolled, unplanned growth.
Now, coming to the elections part - this is the only hope India has. Congress was given almost 50 years to change the country but things changed at snails pace. Corruption took away what can be changed and only politicians got rich. Hopefully, a government led by Modi will get a chance this time, with a majority, so that they can take drastic decisions to change things. Country has seen things change in Gujarath and same model needs to apply in other parts of India as well. This is very relevant for R2I folks since we have seen best of the world and know how things can be different and our hope is always to see a progressive India. When a country like UAE without democracy, natural resources can build such Dubai, why can't India do it? After all, the city is built using Indian labor itself!
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| View of the city from Burj Kalifa |
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| Another view of the city from Burj Kalifa |
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| Yet another view of the city from Burj Kalifa |
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| Abudhabhi skyline - buildings are so nicely done, not just a heap of concrete! |
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| Gold Souk - everything that glitters is gold or dimond ! |
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| Burj Alrahb in Dubai |
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