Here are some photos from the road--literally, as these were taken from our moving vehicle, often at speeds of 110 kph! Some scenes will make Sukh homesick. Some will make readers cringe. Others will inspire future visitors. Some may cause you to ask, "Are you really just in Saskatchewan?"
Above is a near miss approaching! We had many of them as cars passing cars were being passed by another car--and a bus was coming at us. It is definitely a credit to all drivers that we drove a total of nine hours on these highways, many only two lanes, and we did not see one accident.
There are vehicles of all sorts on the roads as well as pedestrians. The slower ones, like tractors, horse or water buffalo drawn carts, bicycles and tuk tuks just move at their own pace. Everyone else just moves around them--with a lot of horn honking.
People make do with whatever means of transport they have. That is impressive, though it is difficult and often not safe.
I am not sure if there are any laws about the loads on vehicles but if there are, they don't appear to be followed. People riding in the front seats of cars are supposed to wear seat belts, but not those in the back. We all belt ourselves in very securely when we ride no matter what seat. Cautious Canadians!
Bicycles and motorbikes are loaded with all types of things. Here are some sticks being transported-- and this is a small load. The camera just wasn't ready for the bicycle with a ladder being held upright, or the motorbike on which the passenger was holding a window, about 10 feet x 2 feet.
There is a law requiring the use of helmets. It is good to see that this driver complies, but the usual site is the bareheaded lady riding on the back.
As mentioned, people use what they have for transportation. This is not just a rural scene but one found in the city as well.
These women are most amazing. Again, the camera wasn't ready for some really good photo ops but this gives some idea of the heavy loads they carry on their heads!
These signs are leading up to a toll booth. The father of our UFV guru in India, Gurneet, is the owner of the company that makes all of these expensive signs in the Punjab.
The new four or six lane divided highways that are being constructed are privately owned. So, between Chandigarh and the India - Pakistan border, we went through seven toll plazas.
Tolls ranged from 22 to 38 rupees for a one-way trip.
Usually, there was someone trying to sell something to the people in the waiting vehicles. Often it was this fresh coconut.
Much road construction is happening. These divided expressways should keep people safer though occasionally we saw someone heading in the wrong direction.
All along the route, we saw these chimneys at the brick plants. Maybe Jack Robertson could get a job here!
Brick construction is very popular, even for fences around rural properties.
Here it is, Saskatchewan, India! Very flat and fertile land. Harvesting and planting is going on at the same time. The Chandegarh Tribune ran a story about the probability of very good winter crops this year because the monsoons were late and the soil is still moist.
This looked like a vegetable crop of some sort.
Beautiful, huge houses dot the farmland. These appear to be very wealthy farmers.
In contrast are the accommodations of what probably are the migrant farm workers. Often these makeshift shelters were found beside construction sites as well.
Entrepreneurship is alive and well. The roadsides are populated with stands selling everything. These are inflatable toys and some have stuffed animals.
The name Punjab means five rivers. Apparently, five (punj) and water (aab) have Persian origins although the number five in Punjabi is panj.
There are actually six rivers in the Punjab but the sixth, which runs along the western border, is not counted for some reason.
This is the Beas River and it is in the area of the dera where we visited Mohini.
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| Sugar cane! Lots of it is still growing and being harvested. Roadside carts squeeze out and sell the juice. |
Occasionally, there is a sign of American fast food. I'm not sure how KFC can create a vegetarian menu but McDonalds is moving in that direction in India.
No sign of Tim Horton's yet but our students know of them. Maybe one of them will have the first franchise.
I am not sure WCB would approve of this worksite. This is another example of the people doing what they have to do with the equipment and materials they have. They are masters at improvising. Even my dad, Matt Kallio, would have been impressed, and he, too, was a master!
Of course the highway goes through many villages. In this one, an entrepreneur is selling another popular item--coloured plastic tubs and buckets.
The Canadian connection is strong in the Punjab. There are many, many "agents" who will help students connect with Canadian educational institutes.
We know the best one, though. And if it is a BBA the student wants, it can be done at UFV Chandigarh!
