This article was all about, A railway station, financed and built by villagers near the suburbs of Indian capital, Delhi. Of course, I couldn't pick up the name of the village name etc. so when I came home, I tuned to BBC Internet Site. After reading the news article, I was so impressed with the determination of these villagers for making this happen on their own.
The BBC spokesman there interviewed few villagers, who were buying two or more tickets just so the railways can honor halting at their station. Some even buy the tickets even though they don't travel. They raised $45,000 to build the station. One of the villagers even took on his own to stay up late in the station for the safety of women (in case if any get down in their station at night). He was so proud to say in the native language that he wouldn't mind escorting them to their homes. He checks in to the station every morning and stays until late to promote safety for their station.
Many college students used to walk in the muddy roads to reach the city are ecstatic about the train station (or just a halt they call it). You hear this sort of thing in the movies, I was just moved with their determination and continued spirit to keep up with these efforts.
I am just quoting this from BBC Site, "We have been raising the demand [for a station] since 1982, but the railways told us they did not have funds. So, finally we decided to craft our own destiny" - I just have to say Bravo!
Go to any stadium and yell Somebody's Toyota is on fire, you will see half of the stadium running. If you correct yourself and scream No it's Honda, the other half of the place will become empty! That's how popular these cars are...
Jokes aside, ya'all know the latest ramblings about the Toyota recall due to a stuck accelerator pedal problem. This is the worst thing a brand name can do to itself. Especially a typical 4 member family at least owns one Toyota in this country because of it's reliability. Suddenly, I see that a can of worms open up with a series of accidents due to this recall. It became an excuse for some of the lousy drivers out there to say, Yeah, I rammed in to the tree because of the stuck pedal. Sorry Tiger Woods, you would have gotten away with that accident if it were a Toyota.
Toyota's sales already dropped by 16% before this recall was announced. Around the world they issued a recall for about 4.2 million vehicles and this may impact an already doomed financial picture.
When you look at all the crash pictures on the TV, the jingle, I Love What You Do To Me Toyota, leaves a bad taste in the mouth and raises a sudden urge to make out with Ford & GM!
Punxsutawney Phil, they call him and a tradition that goes all the way back to 1886. I heard today that Phil came out and saw his shadow ... you know what that means, 6 more weeks of winter. I am not all worried about this snow as much as I used to.
In the past, I always contracted out snow cleaning to some one and used to hate it when it's time to drive out in a foot of snow from the uncleaned drive way when he still didn't make his rounds in the neighborhood. I have a German rear wheel drive car and oh I hated to drive it in the winters. So, as much as the Groundhog Day is a tradition, I used to hate it when ever the weatherman stood in front of his map and talk about Phil. How nice for him, he gets all the attention from his useless weather reports from latest equipment, he also has to resort to Phil.
Not this year... Yes, I bought a real lean mean blowing machine (sounds kinky?) - so the first time it snowed this season, I was out there waiting for it. Second time I was glad it snowed so went out and cleaned my driveway and helped the neighbor with his walkway. Third time, driving back from work I was hoping that there wouldn't be a whole lot of accumulation for me to clean but came home and cleaned anyway. Fourth time, I almost slipped with it and somehow managed to clean the rest. Fifth time, right in the middle of cleaning I ran out of gas and the rest of it I had to shovel. I think the newness wore out and I am not looking forward to a whole lot of cleaning in the middle of a wintery mix and gusting of cold wind. Well, my thinking was that I will break even the first year after using it a dozen times. Now I feel I can live with out using it another half dozen times for the sake of my satisfaction.
Cleaning after cleaning with this snow reminds you of Groundhog Day movie isn't it? Yup déjà vu all over again when I say this, Happy Groundhog Day! :)
