A sad day for the memory of Jamshetji...

Jamshetji Tata was a visionary - he wanted India to be a leader in technology,science and research too and spent a considerable amount of effort and money to lay the cornerstone for Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore at the turn of the century.

Have we made progress? yes, to the extent of releasing the world's cheapest car. Very unfortunately. Tata Nano is released to the market recently. No doubt Nano may be better than some of the two wheelers and autos that ply on the streets of India, it is a far cry from a eco-sensible car that is the need of the hour in the world today. This applies even more so in asian countries, where possession of car is identified with a status symbol, a Nano is exactly what lot of people are waiting for but that, as usual, is far from what is really needed in the world today. I am not even going to talk about the lack of security here(of course how much can you give for 1 lakh?)

The rest of the world is working away on other things:
Loremo car - 150mpg. for less than $13,000 same price as normal compact/subcompact car in US!
Piagio hybrid scooter!
Aptera - 300mpg car! You can preorder today in California.

May be India can become a leader in pollution too!

If Tata had spent time in making Indica an equivalent of Toyota Prius or better with indigenous technology, that would have made India proud! And to promote that, could have asked the government for subsidies so it could be sold cheaper to people...And those who can afford 1 lakh to buy Nano could be persuaded with a loan program by Tata (e.g. 1/3 down and the rest in monthly payments or whatever) for such a car.

PS: Disclaimer and : I do own a SUV and regret it every day...I do avoid driving it whenever I can..