It's been quite a while since the grandly organised Formula One (hereby referred to as F1) got over, right here in India. It was a grand affair, and a big success, no doubt. It'll bring in cartloads of investments to India, that is for sure. F1 is a popular, a hugely popular sport around the world. Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 boss, is considered a god in many quarters, for giving the world a status sport other than derby or golf.
But a few points make me believe that we are speeding in the wrong direction.
Here's why...
The Indian leg of the F1 was an event watched by millions around the world. However, have we given a thought to the fact that billions more couldn't care less about it? Agreed, it's a really massive thing. The amount of money it involves, makes it a really big affair. But my main point of contention is this? What if the amount of money spent on building this entire Budh International Circuit, and organising this Grand Prix, was spent somewhere else? Human development, to be precise??
India is developing country. With 1.3 billion stomachs to feed, it is the second most populous nation after China, and one of the densely populated nations of the world. We don't fare much on the Human Development Index either (134 among 187). Keeping these parameters in mind, here's what I ask. Are we really, as a nation, well- placed enough to organise an event this big for a small section of the society, when majority of the others can't even afford a decent car??
Here's another point of view.
We have all heard of global warming. What exactly is it?
Global warming is the phenomenon where greenhouse gases from combustion of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases, which allow insolation (incoming solar radiation) to enter the earth's atmosphere, but not escape, thus heating it up.
Sorry for the science FAQ, but it's better to hand out some trivia before continuing, right?? Anyways, the point is that the vehicles we drive everyday burn these very fossil fuels to run. The result being that everyday, a lot more amount of these greenhouse gases are being added to the atmosphere than can be offset by the vegetation, which after all, is limited, thanks to deforestation. Add to that competitive racing events like F1, MotoGP etc, and what do you have? A ready made doomsday recipe.. Need I also mention that all the fuel reserves of the world might end within this century? So unless we find any other suitable alternative soon enough, we might see that possibility happen sooner, maybe 50 years... That's pretty soon eh? In this scenario, can we really afford an F1, where thousands of gallons of fuel are used up in a single day??
Now, fuel is not the only resource used here, is it? What of the tonnes of metal used to produce the cars? Now as we know we have the largest constitution in the world with the largest number of non- followers, naturally, child labour, though 'illegal', is still utilised. And mining is no exception. How is it that people in slums don't have a metal sheet over their heads, but there is enough metal to race around race- tracks??
My suggestion for this? Preposterous as though it may sound, my proposal is that we put on hold all such events like this, only till the time we have a self sustainable economy and a truly renewable source of energy with which to drive cars...
Now again, as I said earlier. F1 will bring in loads of FDI. But at what price? Workers dying before they even reach middle age, thanks to various diseases acquired through exposure to radioactive or harmful minerals; depleted natural resources; not enough food to feed the needy and not enough material to house them. Is that really economic development? Is FDI enough to raise a nation to greater heights??? I beg to differ.
But a few points make me believe that we are speeding in the wrong direction.
Here's why...
The Indian leg of the F1 was an event watched by millions around the world. However, have we given a thought to the fact that billions more couldn't care less about it? Agreed, it's a really massive thing. The amount of money it involves, makes it a really big affair. But my main point of contention is this? What if the amount of money spent on building this entire Budh International Circuit, and organising this Grand Prix, was spent somewhere else? Human development, to be precise??
India is developing country. With 1.3 billion stomachs to feed, it is the second most populous nation after China, and one of the densely populated nations of the world. We don't fare much on the Human Development Index either (134 among 187). Keeping these parameters in mind, here's what I ask. Are we really, as a nation, well- placed enough to organise an event this big for a small section of the society, when majority of the others can't even afford a decent car??
Here's another point of view.
We have all heard of global warming. What exactly is it?
Global warming is the phenomenon where greenhouse gases from combustion of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases, which allow insolation (incoming solar radiation) to enter the earth's atmosphere, but not escape, thus heating it up.
Sorry for the science FAQ, but it's better to hand out some trivia before continuing, right?? Anyways, the point is that the vehicles we drive everyday burn these very fossil fuels to run. The result being that everyday, a lot more amount of these greenhouse gases are being added to the atmosphere than can be offset by the vegetation, which after all, is limited, thanks to deforestation. Add to that competitive racing events like F1, MotoGP etc, and what do you have? A ready made doomsday recipe.. Need I also mention that all the fuel reserves of the world might end within this century? So unless we find any other suitable alternative soon enough, we might see that possibility happen sooner, maybe 50 years... That's pretty soon eh? In this scenario, can we really afford an F1, where thousands of gallons of fuel are used up in a single day??
Now, fuel is not the only resource used here, is it? What of the tonnes of metal used to produce the cars? Now as we know we have the largest constitution in the world with the largest number of non- followers, naturally, child labour, though 'illegal', is still utilised. And mining is no exception. How is it that people in slums don't have a metal sheet over their heads, but there is enough metal to race around race- tracks??
My suggestion for this? Preposterous as though it may sound, my proposal is that we put on hold all such events like this, only till the time we have a self sustainable economy and a truly renewable source of energy with which to drive cars...
Now again, as I said earlier. F1 will bring in loads of FDI. But at what price? Workers dying before they even reach middle age, thanks to various diseases acquired through exposure to radioactive or harmful minerals; depleted natural resources; not enough food to feed the needy and not enough material to house them. Is that really economic development? Is FDI enough to raise a nation to greater heights??? I beg to differ.
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