‘Media deterring youngsters from entering politics’

Hibi Eden is the typical new age politician - smart, suave and coherent. At just 27, Hibi is the youngest MLA to be elected to the 13th Kerala Assembly. People of the Ernakulam constituency are excited that the son of their veteran leader late George Eden is all set to strengthen his roots in the state politics.

In a catch up with Yahoo! India's Clint Thomas, Hibi speaks on matters political and personal, and need for more youth in politics.

How challenging was it to take on a seasoned politician like Sebastian Paul and win by a huge margin of 32000 votes?

Sebastian Paul is a senior politician who had contested with my father and for whom I have great respect and admiration. As a youngster, it was definitely a challenge to take on such an experienced and socially connected politician. So, ever since I started my campaign, I was very meticulous about the strategy. The key campaign tool was meeting maximum voters in person within nine days, which turned out to be incredibly effective. But it is the people who regularly keep away from voting who voted this time and helped me win. On top of all, I was born and raised here, I know every nook and corner of the constituency. So I had developed a beyond-politics-relationship with the people here, which was a decisive factor in the success. However, I never expected to get such a large margin. Normally, here it is around 10,000 votes plus.

What is your mission as an MLA?

I certainly appreciate the confidence the voters have entrusted in me. The fact that they have elected me by a margin of 32000 votes increases the sense of responsibility in me. So my prime area of focus will be the development of the Ernakulam constituency. While Ernakulam boasts as a ‘metro constituency’, the truth is that there are places where people lack even drinking water. There are two islands that are not connected to the city. Other major issues in Ernakulam include transport and traffic woes, pathetic sewage system and mosquito menace. So, my priority will be finding a permanent solution to these issues.

What values do you uphold in politics?

Uncorrupted, unbiased and humble service to the people.

In politics, who is your role-model?

My dad, of course.

You have observed your father as a politician so closely. Now, is there anything you would want to do differently from him?

He had his own logic and method, which cannot be imitated by anyone. He was not just a politician to the people of Ernakulam, he was one of them, so close to everyone’s heart. The greater accomplishments he made, the humbler he was. That’s one quality I want to copy from him.

What’s your view on the need for more youngsters in politics?

It's easy to criticize the system from the outside, but what is harder and more important is to be part of the system and help make changes there. Currently, the media is peddling negative propaganda against politicians and the political system, which intimidates the youth from entering politics. However, the common people believe a change in the system is only possible through young hands. Hence, the young generation needs to act against corruption as well as for the environment in a large realm to live up to their expectation.

As a child, did u want to be a politician?

No, never. I developed a penchant for politics only while in college. From KSU unit secretary during pre-degree to President of National Students Union of India now, age was the significant factor behind my success.

Is Hibi’s win a strong reply to Achuthanandan’s ‘Amul Baby’ remark?

Laughs. I don’t think the ‘Amul Baby’ remark has any impact on today’s voters. LDF or UDF, if the candidate is young, victory is guaranteed.

About life outside politics?

I love listening to songs and watch almost all Malayalam movies. I’m a foodie and like exploring new food joints. Moreover, I have a lot of friends and enjoy hanging out with them whenever possible.

Rapture in a Tea Cup: A Day out in Munnar

By Clint Thomas – August 4th, 2010

I’m blessed to be born in the picturesque valley of Nedumkandam, which is just a stone’s throw away from Munnar. So ever since I started blogging here, I wanted to bring the beauty of this heaven on earth to you through the lens.

Munnar, which means confluence of three rivers, was the summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. In the late 19th century, A.H. Sharp planted the first tea bush and since then tea has been the main agricultural crop in the region. Today, the hills around Munnar are blanketed with best-in-class green tea bushes. With its sprawling tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains and cool air, it’s no surprise that Munnar has been rated the second-best Asian travel destination for 2010.

If you are a true admirer of nature who has a passion for driving, Munnar is your dream destination and cruising along winding smooth roads across mist-sheeted lush green tea gardens is the finest experience you can ever have.

Around every corner is another stunning view. You do not need a map or a guide; all you need is a good pair of shoes and the curiosity to see what is around the next bend. You need not necessarily be a shutterbug; random clicks can get you incredible photographs.

On the way to Munnar, some 22 kms before reaching there, I stopped by Anayirankal dam, a vast expanse of water surrounded by green carpeted hills covered with tea gardens. The distant view of the reservoir follows you for another 15 kms and it’s an excellent location for photography.

The dude who poses here is Varayadu or Nilgiri Tahr, stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered mountain ungulate listed in schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Eravikulam National Park which has the highest density and largest surviving population of this species is situated hardly 14 kms from Munnar town. Know more about this endangered species

Does this picture suggest land’s end? It virtually is. This is Top Station, which is 41 kms uphill from Munnar. Located at the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu, this spot offers an ‘awebreathtakingsome’ panoramic view. Strolling down this pathway with steep abyss on both sides is adventurous, rather risky, but the view you get there is one of a kind.

At every other corner you will find women with baskets full of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Don’t forget to bargain and buy tender carrots, passion fruits and wild tomatoes, all farm fresh and delicious.

Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats situated at a height of 2,695 metres (8,842 feet) above mean sea level. It is located in the southern part of Eravikulam National Park, fifty kilometers from Munnar. It is also the ideal place for wildlife travelers and nature lovers. It literally means “Elephant forehead”.

13 kms away from Munnar, Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialised dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss project. More than 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. The Mattupetty Lake and Dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a gorgeous picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations, Kundala Lake and the echo point are other attractions in the vicinity. A boat cruise on the lake is the best way to enjoy the leisure.

Bristling with wildlife and crystal clear streams, the enticing charm of Munnar is simply irresistible. The area has many attractions within a short distance of the town of Munnar, including the Sandalwood Forest of Marayoor and the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Now, a word about the car that took me along the winding mountain roads… Maruti Alto may not be a performer in the High Range, but it handles well, corners seamlessly and the power steering leaves you comfortable and confident across back to back hairpin bends. No wonder Alto is the favourite car of the High Range.

If you have questions, you can ask me on Twitter

More pictures on Flickr

All about Munnar | Distance Chart | How to Reach Munnar | Accommodation |

http://in.yfittopostblog.com/2010/08/04/rapture-in-a-tea-cup-a-day-out-in-munnar/

Maruti Swift vs Nissan Micra

Nissan kinda tested our patience before rolling out the Micra. But they didn’t disappoint. A competitively priced and versatile Micra has been rolled out into an overcrowded B-segment. Although there are more than five hatchbacks that the Micra faces tough competition from, the most challenging contender is none other than the emperor in the segment, the Maruti Swift.

Swift has been here for a while, without receiving considerable facelifts. We all agree Swift is a supercool cart, however, like most cars in the car world, after a while some of its freshness is lost. At this juncture, Micra storms in with very retro, bubbly-cute looks, great quality and fit-finish, very well-appointed interiors and a handful of unique features such as self-folding mirrors, key-less entry, push start/stop button on the top-end version and airbags even on the base variant.

The most alluring feature of the Micra is its incredible interior space. Micra, which is 20mm longer than Swift, offers better legroom, shoulder room and boot space. The twin-bubble dashboard of the Micra benefits from micro grain technology, which reduces the plasticky feeling. However, the Swift’s dashboard is commendable and better than Micra, although it is just a hue of black on the inside.

Under the bonnet, The Micra is powered by an 1198cc three-cylinder motor that develops a maximum power of 75bhp at a whooping 6,000 rpm. Three-cylinder engines are infamous for idle vibration but Nissan has come up with a unique technology (oval rotation of the crank pulley) which has considerably cut down idling vibration. Moreover, the Indian version has been tweaked for optimum fuel efficiency and lesser emissions. The Swift on the other hand has a four-cylinder 1.2-litre K Series unit that is refined, torquier and more powerful than the Micra. Micra accelerates from standstill to 100kph in just under 15 seconds and onto a top speed of 160 kph. Meanwhile, the Swift’s acceleration is more swift and 0-100 is just 13.5 seconds. Top speed is better too, at 165 kph.

When it comes to ride and handling, Micra outshines the Swift, thanks to its 60 mm longer wheelbase, wheel-at-each-corner chuckability and good aerodynamics realised by the uniquely shaped cabin with a slightly raised roof end. The compact suspension built for the V-platform absorbs plenty of punishment handed out by our roads although there is some amount of body roll. Yet, when compared to Micra, Swift has more engine refinement and it’s more happy to cruise at top speeds in highways with minimum NVH levels. Again, Micra emerges as a champion in the city as third gear offers a wide enough power band. However, Micra’s gear shifting is slightly rough when it’s much slicker on Swift. Braking on both cars is good, but it’s the Swift that tends to brake with more confidence.

In short, the Swift has better dynamics, a better engine and is more refined. Moreover, for dependability and after-sales support, no one can touch any car from Maruti stable. But it’s the Micra that appears to find the sweet-spot with its brilliant ride quality, unique features and interior space. Micra is more efficient too, 14.05 kpl as against 13.05 kpl for the Swift, overall.

If you have questions, you can ask me on Twitter

Also read:

• 2010 Suzuki Swift Spied On
• Nissan Micra: Road Test And Review

How to Find the Best Used Car

In the earlier post we discussed how to clear up your car buying confusion. Most of us have agreed that buying a used car is often the best and most financially efficient choice. However, out of the excitement of getting a car, many used car buyers don’t look close enough at the pre-owned vehicle or they look at the wrong things. I don’t want your story included in the list of used car tragedies, so here are ten commandments on examining a pre-owned car.

1. Carefully examine the body, look for fresh paint jobs or different colors of paint on the body panels. Open the bonnet and look at the paintwork so that you can make out if the car has been repainted or not.
2. Under the bonnet, look for oil leaks and use the dipstick to check the amount of oil. If the level is low, the car hasn’t been looked after properly. Examine the surroundings of the oil filler cap, if you find a white substance it is an indication of a damaged head gasket, replacing which is going to be darn expensive.
3. Check the tyres and the spare tyre to ensure they’re in good condition with plenty of tread. If the tyres are bald, you can bargain up to Rs 1000 per tyre. Worn tyre edges indicate problems with the wheel alignment.
4. Check for acid wear and tear around the battery areas. If the battery is not new, there is another chance of decreasing the price of the car by Rs 2,500.
5. Another very important thing to assess is the suspension. Push down on top of the wing each side just once and release, the vehicle should go down and come back up once and stay put. If the car bounces up and down and appears soft, the shock absorbers are faulty. While test driving the car, listen for any ‘thud’ sound coming from the shock absorbers. Replacing them is going to be incredibly expensive, so what I would suggest is, try another car if the suspension is defective.
6. Get inside, check the kilometre reading of the car and calculate with the year of manufacture. There is always a possibility of Odometer tampering irrespective of the meter being mechanical or electronic.
7. Personally speaking, clutch is the most challenging part of a used car. Because, if the car has done more than 50,000 kms, you don’t know when the car is going to break down in the middle of the road due to clutch failure. Unfortunately, there’s probably no practical way to measure the degree of clutch wear. Yet, you can refer this link to get an idea on How to Diagnose a Slipping Clutch.
8. Check ALL electrical components, lightings, dippers, cabin lights, indicators and tail lamps, stereo, windshield washer and wiper and especially, Air Conditioner.
9. Start the engine. It should start at the first attempt without any hiccups. The engine should idle seamlessly without clattering or metallic sounds. With the engine idling, turn the steering wheel right and left and ensure there’s no play in the wheel before the tyres start to turn.
10. Test drive is the most important part of examining a used-car. Drive it for 4-5 kilometers in different road conditions, paying attention to the synchronization of the steering wheel, brake pedals, clutch, and the gear shifts. Drive with AC on/off while climbing a slope, there shouldn’t be an abnormal drop in power when the AC is on.

These Ten Commandments can be condensed into one single dictum: Hire a good mechanic and have the car inspected by him.

Got queries? Let’s discuss on Twitter

The following video will give you a better and comprehensive idea of how to inspect a used car.

NB: An ideal used car is less than five years old and has less than 50000 miles on the odometer.

2010 Suzuki Swift Spied On

Auto spies never cease to amaze me; this time with the spy shots of the 2010 Suzuki Swift prototype. Slated to break cover at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the refurbished version of Suzuki’s best-selling model is expected to be Swift by name and swift by nature. In spite of the heavy camouflage, it’s very clear that the new Swift will retain its curvy looks. The stylishly revamped head and tail lamps are clearly evident in the spy shots.

These spy shots have been doing the rounds since mid 2009. Now, a Hungarian website has released more revealing shots of the new Swift [see the gallery below]. A curvier rear, a pronounced slot for the license plate and the ‘waterfall’ tail-lights and more rounded rear-view mirrors are easily recognisable.

According to Autocar, the new Swift is expected to offer more passenger space, with an increase in the wheelbase very likely. The car, however, still sports a non-independent suspension at the rear. The engine that powers this car is also likely to be carried over – it’s an evolution of the K-series (K12) motor that powers the current Swift and Ritz. Variable Valve Timing is expected on the European car, and this could come to India as well, just like it did with M16A on the SX4. Suzuki will also continue with the very successful 1.3-Multijet from Fiat, or DDiS. What is clear, however, is the fact that Suzuki seems to have gone the VW way – its new model is very evolutionary.

Got queries? Let’s discuss on Twitter

Vespa All Set To Re-enter Indian Market

The iconic Vespa, which made waves on almost every Indian road for many years, is set for yet another comeback, with unmistakable appeal and practicality combined with comfort and modern design. After its first entry into Indian soil 50 years back, Vespa surely has had a lot of fame on its side before ‘Hamara Bajaj’ spoiled its party.

The board of Piaggio & Co has announced its plan to invest nearly €30 million over two years to set up a 1.5-lakh capacity plant that will produce a model specially developed for India, the world’s second-largest market for motorcycles and scooters. Most probably, the model will be from the LX125 model range and the cute little wasp (Vespa means wasp in Italian) will be making its presence felt in the domestic circuit in its new avatar by 2012.

See more Vespa LX125 pictures on Flickr

Welcome To The New Era Of Affordable Mercs

We’ve all oohed and aahed over the iconic three-pointed star. But how many of us have been lucky enough to get behind the wheel of one? Guys, and gals of course, your dream to own a Merc could soon materialise, thanks to a completely new, front-wheel-drive architecture or MFA (Mercedes Front wheel Architecture).

The move to MFA will radically cut production costs and enable the company to bring vehicles that are cheaper than the A-class models. Dr Bharat Balasubramanian, VP, Group & Advanced Engineering, Daimler AG, confirmed that the “MFA will usher in a new era of affordable Mercs.” He also confirmed that models spun of the MFA platform “would be more suitable for India”.

According to Autocar, from now on, all small Mercs will be based on the flexible MFA platform that can support a wide range of wheelbases and configurations. The MFA has also been designed to support a fuel-cell power train and clearly green technology can easily be incorporated. The MFA will spawn a wide range of models. The next-gen A and B-class, expected in 2010/11, will use the MFA and be made in Hungary. Other body styles on the MFA include a coupé, cabrio, MPV and a small SUV.

So people, let’s all have our fingers crossed for a feature-filled, yet affordable Merc. However, the question is, will Mercedes-Benz which is synonymous with luxury ruin its brand identity with the move to launch cheaper cars. Post your comments below.

Got auto-related queries? Let’s discuss on Twitter