in case you haven't guessed what "v" stood for, it is "vehicle" ... yes, the word which we take for granted when we step out of the house for the office or any other daily grind which require travelling.
the personal vehicle, has got so much ingrained in us especially in Pune that we have forgotten the walk and the ubiquitous bicycle for short distance commuting. This and the PMC comissioner's one day a week "No Vehicle day" missive to his team in the Corporation prompted us in PTC to message out a similar weekly Wednesday "No vehicle" day.
the gauntlet was picked by many and people from as far as Kothrud and Sinhagad road tried coming by bicycle or on the much maligned PMT bus to the office at Kalyani Nagar and Weikfield.
... and it is 11 weeks since that first attempt, some have got new bicycles and discovered the joy of beating the four wheelers not to mention the "feel good" factor at having saved on fuel and burnt a few calories as well. some have found new routes to their houses, discovered shops they never thought existed, and found scenery which was usually a blur in their motorised vehicles.
we have also got ourselves a t-shirt with the "No Vehicle Day" printed across ...
the monsoon has brought in some pessimism but the weather is more beautiful than ever to commute without a vehicle.
hope this lasts a lifetime ...
