And for a Friday in Mumbai, launch of Vande Bharat luxury train to Shirdi, some reminiscences….. some musings…..
Seeing off my little Granddaughter into the bus of Cathedral Nursery at Malabar Hill, reminded me of late eighties when I escorted her father into the same bus, same uniform, same bag, name tag around the neck and water bottle. Back then I had to rush back to get to my office. Now, I meandered lazily back home. Of course I am adequately engaged. But at my own pace, not answerable to anyone. One level nothing has changed; at another so much has changed. Same Malabar Hill but now the coastal road goes right into the tunnel underneath the Shoe House at Hanging Garden and emerges at Chowpathy on Marine Drive. So much has changed all over the city. In Flora fountain, the shabby buildings around the Fountain are all getting make overs. Take Ismail building; unbelievable. It’s now the Zara showroom. All four floors completely redone, 52000 sq feet with beautiful interiors with a fab collection of the latest designs. What a shopping experience; as best as in any part of the developed world.
Another great milestone this week is the launch of the Vande Bharat speed train by PM, from VT to Shirdi; a distance of 353 kms to the Saibaba temple at Shirdi covered in luxurious comfort in 5 1/2 hours. More importantly the evolution and development of Vande Bharat train is the vision and commitment of one man and his Team, Sudhanshu Mani, Former GM of Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. Encouraged and fully backed by the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the PM, the train was built with entirely indigenous technology. The train is a testimony to India’s engineering and design skills. With acceleration of 0-100 kms in 52 seconds, comparable with the best in the world, within three years the entire train was developed, tested and commercialised by ICF in cooperation with Indian Private Industry. The IPR is owned by ICF; no royalties to any foreign companies. As of date, 10 Vande Bharat trains are already running across cities in India. Encouraged by the success, Govt has ordered 400 more trains for introduction in next three years. A phenomenal achievement which every Indian can be proud of.
India is changing. Every city is undergoing transformations. Mumbai, as the commercial capital of the country, leads the way. Let us all support the growth, the participative way, the inclusive way, the SEEGOS way.