Cat sent by parcel - Survives!

Cat sent by parcel - Survives

Here's a one suitable for "Ripley's Believe it or not!" - A true life story of a cat being sent by post/parcel, travelling a few hundred miles before being found out - alive and enjoying the trip!

Read on:

• http://www.young-germany.de/news-verwaltung/news-singleview/article/5824dcdb40/cat-gets-sent-across-germany-via-post.html?no_cache=1

Apparently, cats do seem to have nine lives!!!

Regards,

N

---

Passenger-friendly Platforms @ Central Station

Passenger-friendly Platforms @ Central Station

I've had the opportunity to see the evolution of Central station, Chennai over the years. For at least the past 3-4 decades, it used to become increasingly difficult for passengers, especially senior citizens, to navigate the platforms without the assistance of the omnipresent (and, most unfortunately, omnipotent - at least within the precincts of the railway stations) porters.

Hence, it was indeed a most pleasant surprise a few days back when I had the occasion to catch a train at Chennai Central Station for a whole host of reasons:

• Firstly, the platforms were surprisingly spic and span
• Secondly, the floors of the platforms were smooth without being slippery, enabling people to use their trolleys
• Porters were still available for those who needed them, and a few of them whom I approached were actually polite and courteous - both in absolute terms and in relative terms in comparison with the (in)famous Autowallas of Chennai
• Quality of food & beverages - have certainly improved beyond recognition vis-a-vis what used to be available in yester-years
• The displays of arrival and departures - pretty visible compared to what used to be the case

In the midst of all the Public-sector battering that is increasingly fashionable in these "post-reform" years, here's another example of what can be achieved by the public sector folks with the right kind of leadership, motivation and a bit of competition (in this case from both the inter-city buses and low cost airlines).

Certainly brought a big beaming smile on my face.

Thanks a ton to all the folks who made it feasible.

Regards,

N

---

Incredible Car-driving

Incredible Car-driving

Got this clipping from an uncle of mine. Watch this incredible display of driving skills:

• http://www.wonderfulinfo.com/wvideos.php?vid=27

Guess that these folks are fit enough to drive on Velachery Main Road, Chennai!

Regards,

N

---

Drunken Wheelchair Driving!

Drunken Wheelchair Driving!

I wonder whether we should be smiling about it - After all,

• Driving on city roads is bad enough - nothing to smile about;
• Drinking (especially drinking too much) causes all kinds of negative consequences
• Drunken driving - a deadly combo - designed to kill
• Being on a wheel chair - certainly not a cause for smiling by itself.

But then, ... ... ... ... it is not every day that one comes across instances of someone in a wheelchair being accused of "Drunken driving of one's wheelchair" ... ... ... Read on:

• Canberra, Australia - http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2345430,00.html
• Berlin, Germany - http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2233116920070522
• Toronto, Canada - http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E4D91F30F93BA35755C0A9619C8B63

Regards,

N

---

Want a proof of "Shining India"?

Want a proof of "Shining India"?

Wé've had anecdotal evidence about the kind of prosperity that Indians have achieved post-1991, post-liberalisation.

However, the fact that this economic prosperity has had other positive side-effects like increasing the average height of Indians is rather interesting.

Read on and be happy - A nice article by Udayan Ray in Outlook Money:

• http://www.outlookmoney.com/scripts/iih021c1_new.asp?sectionid=10&categoryid=75&articleid=7488

Regards,

N

---