India's oil curse
Venkatesha Babu -
Friday, June 06, 2008 12:52 PM
In the roulette wheel of oil, India unfortunately has drawn the short straw. To the west of India, a number of countries like Iran, Iraq and of course Saudi Arabia have won god's lottery in the oily scheme of things. With India having to import more than three-fouth's of its energy requirements, the situation is only likely to get dire. Yesterday my maid said something which really made me think. "Just two months back we got a gas stove after years of burning kersone and now, government has hiked price. While I was overjoyed that all our food will now not have the burnt kersone smell, I think we will have to go back to it."
In a similar vein a friend told me how ours was the first generation which enjoyed 'luxuries' like cars, airconditioners, bigger homes, in short the Indian dream. With energy prices shooting up and most analysts speaking of oil crossing $200 a barrel, the lifestyle which most middle class aspire (and which in the West even the poor mostly enjoy), may slip away. What irony ! After years of Nehruvian socialism just when India starts doing well, this new impediment. There is even talk of oil production having peaked and it is all downhill from here. Only a technological break through can help poor countries like India to reduce their dependence on oil.
The wife — who has the ability to see the humourous side of things — said pricey petrol means, a little less use of the car and a bit more walking 'so that you lose your generous love handles.' For those short sabzi and kriana shop journeys i decided to get the trusty but a bit rusty two wheeler readied by my mechanic. When we naturally chatted on the petrol price and India's ill-luck in not having enough of it, Syed, my mechanic in his chaste Urdu mixed Hindi said "Kismat Gaand marage toh, Kudha Kya Karage ?" (loosely translated : When fate has conspired, what can god do ?)
On an envious note, how I wish that we have an alternate to oil and really want to see how the Arab and Gulf countries — rich in wealth but poor in democracy, human rights (specially women's rights) actually cope. They have had a free ride over the last 30 odd years. Wealth of the world is being transferred to them because of the black gold underneath their desert sands. Post November US presidential elections hope oil returns to $ 30 which it was before George W (43rd not the 41st) took over instead of the present $130 a barrel.
Also what use is Centre raising prices if state's go back on it ? Either State or Centre, it is I and you dear reader who is going to pay.
Dang. Will keep it short otherwise might be using up more energy.