An open letter to Dr Pachauri

Dr Pachauri

I am a citizen of the modern world, and am concerned about the various environmental issues that we face. I attempt to reduce the use of my car, my airconditioners, I attempt to buy washing machines that save water, refrigerators that dont have CFC, and try to keep my child aware about these issues.

Unfortunately, I am getting rapidly disillusioned with you and your ilk, based on the statements that you are quoted as making and the lifestyle that is reported that you lead.

First, I hear that you (who are writing reams on carbon footpirnts) take four flights up and down from the US, in order to attend a club cricket session and match.

Second, you now object to the Tata Nano on the grounds of its environmental damage? I'm sorry but this enrages me. I have no idea about the quality of the Nano (and for all you know its a lousy car), but to object to an inexpensive car, on the grounds that more Indians can afford it, seems to me completely elitist and selfish.

So, never mind that you can go jetting around the world as you fancy, but oh the masses, let them not have a car. That sounds like a very colonial attitude to have, dont you think? We want the developing world to cut back on greenhouse gases, but oh no, dont ask us to raise the price of oil or anything that will cramp our lifestyle.

So, instead of asking the government why public transport is so poor, or pushing for state transport corporations to make their buses "green", you choose to attack the private sector, which is a sitting duck.

Remember the time when some righteous environmental body showed pesticide in a bottle of Coke (or was it Pepsi?) What a hue and cry. About what? How many Indians drink that stuff, and how often? Did anybody tell us that our milk, water and juice all also had the same level of pesticide also, most probably? Conveniently forgotten.

Maybe I am completely wrong, and have completely misunderstood your opinions. I sincerely hope so, because then the credibility of the so-called "pro-green" lobby in India will be restored in my eyes ( which you might or might not consider important in the first place).