Back to Aamchi Mumbai

Its been a real good weekend. Have not stepped out of the house even a bit, just spending time with my lovely wife Minal and adorable son Evaan. Reached home back from a relatively long trip to KL and then Dubai only on early Friday morning. Was too tired and did not go to work, almost slept till the evening and then started working. Could not do much and decided to leave it for Saturday. Saturday morning was just work, work and work. Finally finished the strategy presentation I was working on for this Bahrain client and on the communication strategy for the Justice Party in Malaysia.

Having got work out of the way we all had a jolly good time last nite. Minal got a bit tipsy with half a glass of black dog and her sister Jaya maxed the dumb charades session we were playing with her 'Anda Upna Upna'. We finally slept at around 2.30. Utpal stayed over and was responsible for making breakfast. I'm telling you my wife and sister-in-law are going to turn him into a seasoned cook. Lunch was an amazing Batti party. Waz amazing given the awesome rainy weather. So in short have been having a really kewl and peaceful fun filled weekend, after quite sometime though.

But what actually got me logged on today was this ongoing global debate on fuel price rise (over $ 130 now) and its impact on the Indian economy. After having held it back for so long the Indian government finally raised the prices marginally bringing about some relief to the oil companies, much to the charging of the Left who are just looking for a credible excuse to exit the UPA and cut their so called losses. One thing is sure this price rise is definitely going to increase commodity and all other prices across board. Don't ask me what this will do the inflation which is already over 8.2 per cent, what with a hardening of interest rates just around the corner.

My point being that economists have been drawing up all different scenario's based on which side of the fence they lie left, right or centre. To me the solution is not very complex. The bane of the entire issue is crippling fuel prices which has already started even adversely effecting other sectors and spoiling the wonderful growth story we have been enjoying thus far. Why not just minimize or try and completely eliminate this source from the picture. All that needs to be done is that

Step I
Oil companies need to immediately switch to LPG/CNG as a source for auto and other fuel. This can easily be done as there are huge reserves of gas that can be commercially exploited. The only thing that needs to be done is that conversion kits need to be installed across the country on a war footing

Step II
We need to start commercially exploiting other bio-fuels such palm oil and oil from the Jathropa plant. CISR has said that this can be easily done as the plant is grown very fast in arid areas which our country has in plenty. the technology has also been extensively tested on cars including the ultra refined Merc.

Step III
Along with bio-fuels we also need to start exploiting alternate sources of energy such as solar, wind and hydro electricity. We have the necessary technology and know-how we just need to step up the game.

Step IV
Our nuclear energy programme should be made into our central energy source. Why are we so focused on Uranium. The entire scientific community has openly stated that Thorium, which is available in abundance in India and is also a non-fissile source, can be effectively used. The use of this fuel will not just eliminate the need for a 123 deal with the US (something that has caused a lot of heart burn and to me an utter waste of tax-payers money), but would also reduce our energy import bill ten-fold.

Imagine the combined impact of all the above on our fuel security and the overall national economy. Imagine an Indian budget where fuel imports accounted for only 20-30 or even 10-20 per cent of the total imports. Its not impossible guys, its extremely feasible if only our great politicians / technocrats have the will and show some direction.

I just wish that there are some other souls like me who think the same way and somewhere down the line we can start collectively articulating this philosophy, igniting a positive change.

Think we have had enough of heavy stuff for the day so will log of and get back with some lighter stuff tomorrow.

Cheers