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This is an adaptation from one of the Malayalam dailies published in Kerala. I am unable to recollect which daily it was and the date. The attempt is to translate the idea to English.
Except for the national highways most of the roads that criss cross the small state are in a bad shape. Maintenance of the roads is an ongoing affair. Even the national highways in a few stretches have no comparison with the well maintained highways in the neighboring states.
Kerala is showcased as God’s own country. Attracted by its charm an American family, husband and wife with their eight year old son Michael visited the state. They enjoyed their stay in the houseboats. The backwaters were a revelation. They roamed the misty mountains and the tea plantations inhaling the fresh air. Kovalam beach was a pleasant surprise. The travel was in a hired car.
On their journey from one tourist spot to another they traversed one of the state roads. The driver was carefully maneuvering the vehicle. Pot holes were aplenty. There was no alternative for the driver to circumvent them. The vehicle was falling into the pot holes one after the other. The passengers were lifted out of their seats consistently as the vehicle negotiated the pot holes. Whenever the vehicle fell into the pot holes the driver heard Michael calling out one, two, three….. in progression.
The vehicle had to stop at a toll gate on the way. The driver handed over Rs.3.00 as the fare. A receipt was issued. Michael had a look at the receipt out of curiosity. The trip continued. Michael went on calling out the numbers.
It was a great relief when they reached the destination. The view was panoramic. Michael blurted out, “3 DOLLARS FOR 135 JUMPS IS VERY CHEAP.”
Except for the national highways most of the roads that criss cross the small state are in a bad shape. Maintenance of the roads is an ongoing affair. Even the national highways in a few stretches have no comparison with the well maintained highways in the neighboring states.
Kerala is showcased as God’s own country. Attracted by its charm an American family, husband and wife with their eight year old son Michael visited the state. They enjoyed their stay in the houseboats. The backwaters were a revelation. They roamed the misty mountains and the tea plantations inhaling the fresh air. Kovalam beach was a pleasant surprise. The travel was in a hired car.
On their journey from one tourist spot to another they traversed one of the state roads. The driver was carefully maneuvering the vehicle. Pot holes were aplenty. There was no alternative for the driver to circumvent them. The vehicle was falling into the pot holes one after the other. The passengers were lifted out of their seats consistently as the vehicle negotiated the pot holes. Whenever the vehicle fell into the pot holes the driver heard Michael calling out one, two, three….. in progression.
The vehicle had to stop at a toll gate on the way. The driver handed over Rs.3.00 as the fare. A receipt was issued. Michael had a look at the receipt out of curiosity. The trip continued. Michael went on calling out the numbers.
It was a great relief when they reached the destination. The view was panoramic. Michael blurted out, “3 DOLLARS FOR 135 JUMPS IS VERY CHEAP.”
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