The India Diaries 2005, continued...

[mcgillianaire]

India, as I mentioned earlier, is a very cheap country. Especially if
you think in dollars. Occassionally however, bargain-prices aren't
always a good thing. Take for example my experience at a supermarket
last week. I asked for and got the most economical batteries in the
world. Rs. 7 (16 cents U.S.) for a Zinc Chloride AA. As was my luck,
the bloody thing didn't even last a night. Value for money, perhaps?

----

There are also things which are not so cheap, in a relative sense.
Petrol and Diesel are good examples. Three years ago India bowed to WTO
pressure and instituted a market-friendly price-mechanism. Since then
there has been a more than usual series of fuel-price hikes. To be
sure, I've never really paid attention to this problem but this summer
was different. Last month's hike affected me directly. I am now forced
to pay Rs. 20 extra each day for those damn auto rickshaw journeys.

Over a period of 5 weeks that doesn't add up to much. About $17. But
that's $17 less to spend on the internet or tasty delights. I feel like
the exploited common man.

----

India is also one of the few countries, to my knowledge, where diesel
is more popular than petrol. Of course, it stems from the simple fact
that diesel is cheaper. However judgming by the pace of the ongoing
invasion of foreign cars, "the time they are a changing." Slowly but
surely. The days of petrol-vandees (Tamil for vehicle) being associated
with only the elite are probably on their last legs.

----

Meanwhile, I recently read an interesting article about the plight of
Keralite nurses in the US and UK. Local desis don't want to marry them
apparently because nursing is considered "the dirty profession." If
you're single, desi and ready to mingle get in touch with your local
NHS district hospital. Suitable brides are waiting patiently.

----

The scorching Madras heat continues and water shortage is still a
problem. Luckily, the Central Government has promised a desalination
plant by 2007. All we can do is pray. Like the saying goes, "Hope for
the best, Be prepared for the worst."

Till next time,

Meilleures Salutations, Mit Freundlichen Grûssen & Kind Regards,

Nandri Vanakkam. (Thank You and Goodbye)

Comments

[smilingbuddha.livejournal.com]

Diesel is cheaper for a reason.... it is highly subsidized by the govt. because the agricultural community uses it for irrigation and other purposes.

[mcgillianaire.livejournal.com]

Aha. The only other person I asked about this said there was no real reason for the difference except it had always been the case since he could remember (he's about 50-ish now). But your reasoning seems highly plausible. I'll need to investigate further I suppose. But thanks! :)