Take for example entertainment. It is beyond doubt that despite so many options for entertainment cropped up, films are the only affordable entertainment for the masses. But what has happened, multiplexes have replaced uniplexes. Now in most of the big cities you will hardly find an uniplex and multiplexes are in the closer vicinity of home. Initially when the government permitted demolition of single screen theatres to be replaced with multiple screen theatres, it had allowed a tax holiday. That means the entire earning goes to theatre owners and exhibitors. The cost of a ticket is simply ridiculous. If a family of 4 goes to watch a movie in a multiplex, it will cost more than Rs1000 for the tickets only that too in the front rows. To rub the salt on wound, water bottle is for Rs40 , a plate of Samosa around Rs60. Okay we understand cost of machines, maintenance of theatre has gone very high so the ticket is very high but what about eatables and drinking water, is there any justification in charging 4 to 5 times that of the normal price?
Similarly, take example of air traveling. Due to changed business environment, one has to deal clients in distant places so traveling by air to save time is no more a luxury. But the big players in the airlines business either killed no frill airlines by taking over them or made them crippled. So who is the sufferer I the process, a business traveler who want to travel by air to save time. A Delhi to Mumbai flight now cost some where around Rs10,000. Which is on a much higher side. In USA, domestic air ticket cost almost same as a train ticket and the airlines earn on turnover. We have created truly world class airports at Delhi and Mumbai, these privately owned airports are charging very high fees for ground, taking off and landing from airlines, which ultimately pinch the pocket of end user. Fine, you are charging for smooth, swift landing and taking off operation. But how we may justify charging 50 to 100 rupees for coffee or 50 rupees for a bottle of water. At Mumbai International Airport if you have choosen to come by auto rickshaw, then you have to walk almost 15 minutes more to reach Departure lounge. So you do not want the affluent people to be disturbed by the sight of auto rickshaw !
There are countries who have created separate airports in the vicinity of city from where the cheaper flights operates. So can't we also think about on the similar lines, giving relief to those who want to reach faster but do not want to spend exorbitant prices.
My point is very simple, we have to create a society in which uber riches and commoner should live in harmony. Gone are the days when prosperity of a person was measured by his investments in social welfare like construction of Dharmshala, Sarai, Watering Holes, Charitable Hospitals, Schools and Colleges. Now a days, prosperity is measured with the size of car, Yatch, personal plane or dining at uber restaurant or a vulgar show of throwing levish parties.
Can this new government try to do something tangible in that direction.
.jpg "A Gumnam Actress Strips Nude to Protest Auto/taxi Fare Hike")
