[sustran] Tata Nano: Criminalizing Mobility or Mobilizing Crime

[Hassaan Ghazali]

Friends,

There was a time when a Model T rolled off the Ford assembly line every few
seconds. I do believe that was probably the most exciting and the most
positive time for the US economy. Now, it seems Tata's mobility breakthrough
has everyone on the edge and I am surprised to see so many negative
sentiments being expressed within South Asia. I don't remember so many
issues abounding when Daimler-Chrysler's Smart car came out. Regardless of
the fact that the Smart car was probably one major reason for the eventual
divorce between Daimler and Chrysler, how does the economic and social
disparity between the developed and developing world create the context to
despise such an incredible product?

Shall we all begin by shunning technology which aims to empower the masses
or shall we encourage its uptake and ensure that the whole suite of
technological constructs (institutions, policies, regulatory oversight,
etc.) are also provided.

Regards,

Hassaan


-- 
Institutional Development Specialist
Urban Sector Policy and Management Unit (The Urban Unit)
Planning & Development Department,
Government of the Punjab

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