Greetings from India.

Nepal is waiting for a big one, too, and I look for the death and destruction to be the same as was experienced in Gujarat. Buildings in Nepal and many in India for that matter are poorly constructed with little or no supporting steel -- just like BirGorkha. But we rent the building so have no say regarding construction methods.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
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Himalayan Imports Archives (33,000 + posts)
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino:

Uncle,
Its not just the lack of reinforcement. Most of the structures that collapsed in Gujarat did have steel reinforcement. What they did not have much of was cement. Prelimnary investigative tests have shown that the buildings that collapsed were made of a 'concrete' which was more or less composed of sand! Most of the builders in Gujarat are either politicians or are hand in glove with the politicians and skirt building bye-laws with impunity.
To make matters worse, reports are now coming in that the monetary aid being sent is being siphoned off by the politicians. Nothing new I am afraid but it nevertheless still pains me to see how some people can be so base.
These are, by and large barring a few exceptions, the sort of people who run the government. Yet this country manages to progress slowly. Imagine the heights we could have scaled if it were not for such scum.
Pardon the monologue. Though I love the country of my birth I simply cannot keep looking at it through rose tinted glasses.
Rustam.
Click to expand...
 
Never yet came across a politician who couldn't be improved out of all recognition by just 5 seconds work with a good, sharp ang khola...
 
Agreed, Tom!

Bhanis, India and Nepal are the same in very, very many ways a few of which you mentioned. The aid sent seldom gets to those who need it in either country.

The building that houses our factory is made of brick and MUD with no steel as are many of the buildings in Nepal and India. It has absolutely no chance against a good sized earthquake.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (33,000 + posts)
 
Rustam,

I sympathize and feel the same pain. I was born in the Philippines, though I have lived in the USA all my life. I thought that with the ousting of the Marcos regime, all would change.

But, given a few years and some innovative administrations, we are back to the same type of political system of cronyism and graft.

I know that most politics precludes total honesty and integrity. But, it just seems that allowing things to happen harms everyone in terms of foreign investment, capital, and making a successful economy. How can you operate, in the long term, if no one trust you?

.02

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Watakushi Wa Shinajin Desu
DeathDancer
 
D.D.;
If you are looking for examples of dishonesty,betrayal, immorallity, lying, graft, lousy leadership, add infinitu. Then you need look no further then the past 8 yrs. of the Klintonistas....and he/she are still doing it!!!!

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, and
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Ron,
Bremerton, Washington
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Originally posted by DeathDancer:

Hi DD,
Nobody is going to stop Politicians from siphoning off money. We in India have become so used to it as a way of life that the common consensus now is, "Okay, keep your share but at least get things done."
To an extent that is happening now, since 1990, with the increased privatisation of the economy.
However, when they start pocketing aid meant for earthquake victims and such, then they are going a bit too far.
Foreign investment will not stop because what the overseas companies pay as graft is just a drop in the ocean when compared to what they earn.
Rustam.
Rustam.
Click to expand...
 
The government corruption is one of the main fuels for the Maoist movement in Nepal. I never lived in India but I'd guess it has a similar effect there. The crooks are everywhere, including here, but they seem to be more flagrant -- and greedy -- in poor, developing countries.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (33,000 + posts)
 
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