We have spent almost a month now in Colombo dock yard. Our vessel Allcargo Laxmi is still undergoing special surveys and the related repairs.We have had chance to visit the city and walk the roads and roam the markets and bazaars. I cannot help mentioning few pertinent and prominent points in comparison to our own country, India. The points worth noting are:
- Pedestrians have the right of way over the vehicles. Instinctively, I stopped to avoid running the risk of being run over by an approaching vehicle, when I was crossing a road. But the vehicle stopped and motioned me to continue crossing the road. Wow! So our 'insignificant; neighbour has lesson to teach us. We all know that, in India we not only run the risk of being run over by speeding vehicles, we also stand the chance of being reprimanded by the drivers for the mistake of crossing the road.
- I also noticed that the vehicles engage in lane driving. They never hurry to overtake and nor do they honk needlessly. I realized the conspicuousness of the absence of honking, as I enjoyed long walks on the road pavements, which of course were not encroached upon by illegal vendors and hawkers.
- The literacy rate in Sri Lanka is 98%. Unbelievable! I do not have the exact rate of literacy in India, but I am sure that it is nowhere near 98%. No use sending satellites in space and firing missiles.
- All Sri Lankans have access to drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities.
- Health care and education up to graduation level is absolutely free. One can pursue engineering or opt for medicine and choose to become engineer or doctor free of cost. In words of the IRS surveyor: "It does not matter whether one wants bandage for an injury to finger or needs to undergo bypass heart surgery, the treatment is free.
I think there is no harm learning a thing or two from our little known neighbour. Our ministers and babus can speak to their counterparts and ask them about their management and administrative techniques.
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