Amandeep Grewal's blog
Deflated Parking
During my recent trip to India I stopped over in New Delhi for few hours. I was not able to resist the temptation to visit my favorite Aurobindo Place Market where I used to hang out with my friends. The moment I got out of the car in the parking lot I saw an amazing notice painted on a big board. The two lines just about sum up the fact that resident associations in India now have the authority to frame rules for traffic and parking on their own. Now that is called empowerment. I could not resist thinking about some smart guy having a mobile air pump and making money. Unfortunately I did not have sufficient time to see the two hour threshold pass. I wish I had the power to deflate few things myself. Also for the first time I appreciated that my mobile had a decent camera.
Caught in crossfire
The tribals in central India are caught between the government and the Maoists. Perhaps for the first time media is openly writing about the serious problem. Me and co fellow David Lehr had the opportunity to spend two days in this area in December and swiftly passed through the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College.
Wi-Max For the Jungles
Having worked in Chhattisgarh for three years, the forests of Bastar always remain a source of interest. I found an interesting article about the use of technology and some of the innovative projects being undertaken by the Government.
Update Bastar: War against Naxals
War against Naxals that backfired
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2005 12:11:34 AM ] NEW DELHI
The policy of involving a local populace ill-prepared to fight against Naxalites has had its first major negative fallout: Over 10,000 people in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, faced with Naxal retaliation, have fled their homes. What was attempted in over 200 villages in the Bastar region, security experts, amounted to throwing lambs to the wolves, because the police is not around, or does not reach on time, to back up the villagers' fight and protect them when Naxals retaliate.
Be prepared for the shock
Some real stuff about the transition from India to Stanford
1. Be prepared to fly for 19 long hours and wonder every second why you have such long legs.
2. Be prepared about something called as the social security number. I know you dont have it and you wont have it for a month. But you would long for it each passing minute.
