Sentient Being...

Today i had a conversation with the rickshaw wala about Oil Politics in the World.
It started quite innocuously with him asking why the rains were delayed this year. i figured he was curious enough to merit an explanation about the cyclone in Oman and how it was affecting our monsoon. Then he asks whether the oil production in Oman was affected. i said ya, but it'll be okay in a few weeks.

Few seconds later, "We get our petrol from Oman??" i said, maybe, we get it from all over the world.
"This Reliance-weliance found petrol in Rajasthan or something, no?" i said, ya, i think so.
"Then why we have to get it from outside?" Well, for one we can't produce enough and also the oil we get here is too expensive to convert to petrol.

The topic is rested for a while. In the meantime, i ask him where he's from etc etc. Turns out he's from Rajasthan and barely studied till 7th standard.

Then again he starts, "Why can't something else be used instead of petrol. Now we use gas in rickshaws, why can't gas be used?" Hmm. Good question. Tried to explain how America has the same number of cars as the rest of the world and getting any serious savings on petrol will need them to switch fast to CNG or something... mumble mumble

The explanation doesn't seem convincing. He asks me about HYBRID CARS! Apparently he saw an electric car on the road.
"They run okay no? And they save so much petrol!" Nod nod. Awe. Surprise.
And then the final bomb. "They should make every car run on electricity, lot of problems will be solved. All this drilling-willing for oil doesn't need to be done no?? You educated people should think about all these things." Nod nod. Guilt.

And then promptly he cuts two lanes to his left and yells at the passing cars in the choicest of shudh Hindi abuses.
This guy should be in government...