But last week he made a statement that made my virtual Jairam Taj Mahal collapse like a pack of cards. He made the kind of statement that isn't exactly irresponsible, but ill-informed. Am sure, you know what I am talking about - his take on SUVs. He says that SUVs in India are criminal. Fine, he's right, as long as his reference is limited to dubious politicos and criminals hopping on them. But oh no, he made a blanket statement and in just that one fell swoop he has made the entire middle and upper middle class take potshots at him on "the social networks, poll meters on news websites and even made the SIAM wear Kevlar layered Jairam proof vests.
So why do I think Jairam Ramesh is wrong? To begin with, the modern day SUV is designed to be more forgiving to the environment and the modern diesel engine has come a long way in becoming efficient, score far lower emissions and are overall less damaging to the environment than ever before. But aiming the shotgun on SUVs is easy, even seasoned western world politicans have made the mistake and have had to cower down to populist policies. But Mr Ramesh needs to know more. Read the full report here.
Source: by Rohin Nagrani, Business Standard Motoring, New Delhi.
