engine and drivetrain No 02s in Mumbai (Long and Arguably OT)

[Armond]

Statistics for American high school students give rise to concern for our student's education in math and science. Less than 40 percent of U.S. students take a science course more rigorous than general biology, and a mere 18 percent take advanced classes in physics, chemistry or biology. Only 45 percent of U.S. students take math coursework beyond two years of algebra and one year of geometry. And 50 percent of all college freshmen require remedial coursework.

Meanwhile, both India and China have made dramatic leaps in educating their middle classes - each comparable in size to the entire U.S. population. Compared to the U.S., China now produces eight times more scientists and engineers, while India puts out up to three times as many as the U.S. Additionally, given the affordability of their wages, China and India are now preferred destinations for increasing numbers of multinational high-tech corporations.

I have seen and experienced both worlds and have come to realize that materialism does not equal success and happiness.

[vinceinIL]

Otis, great post!

It's interesting to hear what it's really like there as opposed to a glossed over, cleaned up version. A friend who's into vintage Beemers goes there every year for a charitable effort, and he makes jokes about little old cycles carrying 4-5 people, and the general driving riding conditions.

You did a great job of describing the conditions!

Thanks for enlightening us!

vince

[mcaden]

Otis,

Thanks for your thoughtful post and I think the timing of it -- e.g., around Thanksgiving -- made perfect sense. All of us have much to be thankful for...

As an aside -- and to go back on topic -- I vaguely recall an article in a BMW magazine (Bimmer?) within the last two years discussing two owners struggles to keep and maintain their modified BMWs in India. Ring a bell anyone?

Safe travels.

-Marc

[Mike Self]

Western Hemisphere, after Haiti) looks positively 1st world in comparison.

But it isn't. Lotsa poverty there too--but nothing like India. And I only saw a half dozen BMWs in the ten days I was there.

Nice writing, Otis.

Cheers

mike

[Lebowski]

Wow, not what I would have expected for an Otis Thanksgiving post... but a great read and perfectly timed.

With all of the the ill-will floating around the FAQ lately I really appreciate such an insightful post Otis. This is the stuff that reminds me why I love the forum despite the bad apples...

[NickVyse]

As far as I'm aware there are no imports in India, everything you see is made in the country, and the controlling interest of these companies is Indian owned.

What you failed to note was what wonderful people they are (and in the Worlds second most populous country this is obviously going to be a generalisation) - generous, life loving, hard working, humerous and tolerant. There is a lot wrong with India but there's a hell of a lot that's right.

Love it.

[02Les]

As far as I'm aware there are no imports in India, everything you see is made in the country, and the controlling interest of these companies is Indian owned.

What you failed to note was what wonderful people they are (and in the Worlds second most populous country this is obviously going to be a generalisation) - generous, life loving, hard working, humerous and tolerant. There is a lot wrong with India but there's a hell of a lot that's right.

Love it.

I believe Harleys (the bikes, not the bar I frequented in Shanghai) are imported, which is why they are double the US price, and only the elite can afford them.

[TobyB]

Now if you REALLY want culture shock, come home via Monaco...

... the world's not a fair place.

t

[Otis]

Further stuff ...

I've tried to take pictures, but let's face it, I'm no Brad Day. So, rather than subject you to my lousy photography, I thought you might be interested in seeing car-parts/pick-and-pull - Mumbai style! This video shows the famous Chor Bazaar - the "Thieves Market." It's not my video; I yanked it from YouTube (sorry), but it gives a good idea of what it's like in the market. In reality, it's 100x as crowded and 100x louder on a weekday (this video must have been shot on a Sunday or Holiday). Everything you could possibly imagine is for sale here - subject to your haggling skills. You name it, it's here!

Less car-related, this is a pretty good short film on the Dharavi slum area; being YouTube, there are other links on the right-hand side that show and tell, as well. The entire Dharavi area is slated for redevelopment - which is a politically charged and controversial issue here, since the area represents entire cottage industries, with an off-the-books economy estimated at $500 million (leather, pottery, recycling, laundry). Tomorrow, I will take a walking tour of the area.

Finally, back to car-related topics: Below are some net-found pictures of the Premier Padmini cabs. They are everywhere here; they are so homely and ugly, they are cool. Technically, the government has ordered the older ones off the streets, for scrap, but multiple legal appeals keep them rolling. Taking one is a real experience! In keeping with their 30-plus age, the Premier Padminis are:

• Hard to get in/out of; doors open only so wide, people only so thin.

• Upholstered for maximum heat in summer and mustiness in monsoons.

• So hot on the cab floor that you may have to raise your feet.

• Not rain-tight.

• Sluggish up hills, often croaking mid-slope, forcing you to get out, or "peddle faster."

• Not air-conditioned.

Yet, they:

• Are everywhere.

• Run on rims (yesterday I saw one running on not one, not two, but three flat tires - down the freeway).

• Almost never refuse a fare.

• Are slow and, therefore, feel safer than the auto-rickshaws. Speed limits never exceed 50 km/h.

• Allow smoking, but the driver warns that the ashtray can come off in your hand.

I'm guessing that the bottom picture must be the Mumbai equivalent of a Padmini Q-Tip contest - none of the cabs look this nice! Still, I wish I could smuggle home one of the roof-rack models ...

[Otis]

PS - Sorry to respond to my own post, but check out the autorickshaws. Dig that engine ...

[ray_]

PS - Sorry to respond to my own post, but check out the autorickshaws. Dig that engine ...

I found it interesting that the autorickshaws have the side mirrors mounted on the inside -- to contend with driving in tight quarters I presume!

Cheers,

Ray

[jmon0261]

Mr David. I came across this on the Vintagent vintage motorcycle site.

http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2010/11/chai-racers-in-mumbai.html

Not sure of the origin of this Scooter wannaBmw

[mtriple]

Post of the year. Growing up in a third world country myself (now a US Citizen) I can totally understand what you are talking about here. I haven't been back for twenty some years and I hear that things are getting worse and the gap is widening by the minute between upper and lower class. Middle class is struggling big time. Although not as bad as India, things are pretty jacked up there nowadays. Sad..

I am grateful to this country for taking me and giving me the education and the wonderful life. Now I have my own family, raising 3 kids and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Once again, thanks Otis for posting this reminder to all of us.

Hamada

[FunElan]

I read this post when it was posted and thoroughly enjoyed it and agreed with many of the comments said here. In fact I still enjoy it as it sends a strong message. Recently, at my university, I hung out with a girl from Mumbai, or what she calls, Bombay. Apparently her parents are in politics so her time spent there is well off. She very much enjoys India and can't wait to go back.

Kind of random, but I thought it was an interesting divide, between my reading of the post and my conversations with her.

[HarryPR]

For some reason I hadn't seen this post.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Otis!

Sometimes I complain because of the high crime rate, overpopulation, high prices and government corruption here in Puerto Rico, but reading something like this makes me feel very fortunate.