Changes some take for granted that I don't.

I got asked by a friend of mine yesterday when I mentioned the auto driver and his mobile phone:

-So, what’s the big deal? An auto-rickshaw driver isn't allowed to have one?
-That's not what I said; it’s great that he has one! It’s great that this is all happening.
-My driver gets more calls than I do (she's one of those breed of young Indian professionals who never learned to drive, but needed a car, so the cost of the driver was factored in).
-You misunderstand me, I've just come back, after 4 years, and while all these changes may have been happening and your used to it now, to me its like, a huge deal!

I am fascinated by the change, its all happening so fast and I think that's the point of view that's going to allow me to see opportunities and possibilities that others in the middle of all of it can't.

I'm on a bus to Mysore right now (Firstly, Internet while traveling -when did you ever think that was going to happen, its cheaper, more available and more accessible here than it is anywhere in the UK).

• First there was the semi fast bus. Ashoka Leyland Rexene sofa seats.
• Then there was the super fast. Rexene seats that were set back in recline a bit.
• Then there was the deluxe. Aircraft style seats. With great KSRTC logos all over them.
• Followed by the super deluxe. Not sure, but it was better somehow. Oh yeah, curtains!
• Super deluxe ac. Add Air Conditioning, sealed windows and tinted glass
  and now... comes...
• The VOLVO service.
• I am on the Bengaluru Mysuru Volvo Service. The creme-de-la-creme of the fleet. A/C, Reading Lights, Seat Pockets with magazines. A strap to hold your bottled water. Plush Seats, Curtains, actually a tasteful colour scheme. They give us tickets using wi-fi palm top ticketing systems. Soon I'll be able to purchase any KSRTC bus ticket online. I wish I could claim my laptop was wi-fi due to the bus. But hey. In time. In time. Ha! I just got served a bottled water and asked if I wanted a blanket!

And the news has Lallu Prasad Yadav, our most Dehati (Home grown Indian) of Dehati politicians, and he’s talking about high speed railway corridors for trains to travel above the 300KMPH mark.

Don't tell me I can't set out to bring my own advances to my own field in this country. I refuse to believe it.

Post note: I forgot to mention the Video Coach Phenomenon somewhere that were in almost all those busses. And they just put a Kannada movie which is now blaring in the speaker above my seat. At least the movie has subtitles, but reading them on the 15 inch TV screen 15 rows ahead of me, is a bit... challenging. Blaring movie with songs on the interstate bus - somethings never change do they?