Traffic Signals

Maybe it is the initial rush of thoughts that were in my mind over the past few weeks, but here’s another post, despite promising myself that I would post only once a week – so that there’s no writer’s block.

For the Mumbaikars, have you noticed how people start moving their vehicles slowly ahead at the traffic signals? Especially the motorcyclists and auto rickshaw drivers, who are normally halfway through the road even at the red light, jamming up the oncoming traffic.

Idling at those signals, I always wonder why they do this. And is there some way that we can stop it.

And I realised that one of the key reasons why they do it is actually the placement of the signal. Nearly all our junctions have two sets of traffic lights – sometimes even three. One set is placed at the spot where traffic ought to stop – at the stop line. And the second is placed on the opposite side of the road – on the other stop line of the oncoming traffic.

People can see that light, and hence start moving ahead even earlier, knowing fully well that they will possibly be the first to move when it turns green.

Add to that the LED informing us about the time left, and we have given our local Schumachers all the incentive they need to start breaking the rules on the stop line.

Just wondering – would it not be helpful if those indicators and the second set of signal lights were removed from all junctions? To some extent, the drivers who move forward may wait as they won’t be able to see the signal change. And secondly, for whatever it is worth, electricity consumption by the traffic signals would be down by half.

Just Wondering

Just wondering...

Is this year’s F1 Championship already buttoned up?

Thank You

Thank you everyone, Thanks a ton for your comments, advice and words of encouragement!

I can’t name a single person as the e-mails were too numerous, and writing individual names would take up a lot of space.

A heartfelt thanks to all of you again!

Normally, whenever someone does something, there is an inspiration behind it – or a reason.

One of the inspirations behind me starting a blog is a young lady who I have never met; who I don’t even know.

One fine day, a long time ago, I got an e-mail from my cousin Junaid, which was a forward from this young lady, who had a question. While replying to it, I also marked a cc to this lady. Since then, I’ve been an avid reader of her blog.

Thank You, Ms. Mifrah Abid.

People may want to visit her blog - http://mifrahabid.wordpress.com/

My first blog - with thanks

Hi there everyone!

After weeks of deliberating, here's my first blog. Just an introduction about myself and what my blogs are going to be all about -

I'm pretty bad at introducing myself, but still, here goes.

Mubin Khan, 41 years old, stay in Navi Mumbai, work in Mumbai in Media Sales. Also have worked as a media planner and media buyer, and dabbled in research. Like my field of work (media), like cricket (most Indians do - yawn!), passionate about Islam and about religions (have studied comparative religions - Hinduism and Christianity). Get hugely irritated about a lot of things that one sees on the streets daily - and you'll soon know what I mean by this.

Enough of I, me, myself. Here's what my blogs are going to be about-

I'm going to write about topics that concern me - and make me the person I am. Also, about things that bug me, and things that hopefully I can do something about - change for the better, hopefully. These would mainly cover my country, city, religion, work and passions. So there you are - my blogs would cover India, Mumbai/Navi Mumbai, Islam, Media (planning, buying, selling and research) and training and coaching.

It is an accepted fact that people generally like to inaugurate any new venture at the hands of some VIP or the other; whether a film star or a politician. And then there are all the "Thank You" speeches. So why should I be different? Let me also inaugurate this blog with none other than the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra. And here's my "Thank You" speech...

Thank You, Mr. CM, for giving us a dream - a dream of the city of the 21st century! And thanks for giving us such amazing reasons in the last century to convince me to move here - lock, stock and two smoking barrels!

Thanks, Mr. CM - for giving us this amazing city, where there is no electricity for 3 hours daily. Thanks for preparing our children for the harsh world that awaits them.

Thanks Sir, for giving us training for the Moto GP through the dug up roads. The road between Sectors 5 and 6, Koparkhairane is dug for the past 2 months, ostensibly to put in a new water pipeline. I'm not exaggerating - 2 tankers have nearly overturned, 1 truck had its load thrown off, a lady broke her leg, and the road is not repaired yet! Hutments have sprung up, local goons have already broken the pipeline and started stealing water - and all this within 300 meters from the Ward Office, and the Ward Officers do not know!

Thank You for the video parlour and liquor store within 20 meters from a school (I thought there was some law about it somewhere?). Makes life so easy for all of us, na!

And we are seeing this daily and grinning and bearing it! Thank You, Mr. CM, for teaching us patience!

Thank You Sir, for the unruly auto rickshaw drivers who stop as they wish, using 3/4th of the road (no jokes!!!) leaving less than a lane for traffic at Teen Tanki, right outside the police chowky, while there is not a single policeman to be seen!

Thank You Sir, for the 90 minute drive from office weaving through trucks and tourist buses who make it a point to use 2 lanes on the right side at Vashi Bridge, while there is a police van standing right at the start of the bridge.

And lastly, Thank You Sir, for charging me Rs.30 everytime I have to go into Mumbai and Rs.30 everytime I return home (which is daily), just for the privilege of staying in this wonderful city of the 21st century.

(Disclaimer: This is not a personal note to the present CM. He was not even in politics when I was swayed to move to this city. And also, despite all the above, Navi Mumbai is a lovely place to be in - just get used to sharing your living space with stray dogs and mosquitoes - that's all!)