When I was a kid of around 12 years of age, there was a competition in Economic Times, where they asked quiz about Switzerland. We did not win the competition, but it was great fun answering the questions. And the biggest aid we had was the Encyclopedia gifted by my uncle. Well, I can be considered to be lucky the treasure trove at my disposal. Considering the state of libraries and other resources available at the time in the small scale city in which I grew up, it was gold mine.
But not many were lucky like me. Even I remember struggling to complete the different projects given to me in school just due to lack information and means to access the information.
As I grew to went to college, the main difference I found between the students from Bigger cities and other places was the exposure they had to information at very young age. It caused the difference between an outgoing smart students good at oratory etc and an introvert, shy student who is equally intelligent but with small city background.
But not anymore. At least the middle class families even in villages afford the luxury of a computer and a net connection of decent speed. With tools like wikipedia, google search etc, there is not much advantage that a big city student has over the smaller city cousin. Well, the children will need the attention to check the journey down the wrong path, made easier with the advent of Internet. Every invention is a double edged sword and it is upto us to be careful.
Hence the title. Internet the second best leveller (next only to death :) )
Monday, November 27, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Canadian Experience
Big buildings, fast cars, nice people (the best among the Caucasians I have ever met ), and lot of money.
This is the experience I had in the first 2 days of Montreal, Canada. Second largest city in Canada after toronto, this is a beautiful place with old buildings and skyscrapers residing harmoniously. All was idyllic in this place except for the weather (its damp and cold right now). Or so I thought.
On the third day as I walked out of the hotel for a quick lunch, a lady approached me and my collegue and started speaking in french. When she realised that we dint know french, she swicthed into english effortlessly. She wanted some money as she had lost her job and dint have enough to eat. She was crying.
In this "developed" country, a lady was begging on the road. She had lost her job may be at no fault of hers. No social security net to rescue her. No food to eat. And had to beg on the road to unknown strangers in that damp and cold day. I am not even sure she had someplace to sleep warm.
Money doesnt buy everything. But at the very least it should give enough heart in people to provide certain level of security. Here, almost everybody has more than enough to spare for every poor person in the country if not the world a decent shelter. Then why is that not being provided? Capatilist nature of society? Or just plain natural greed?
Pathetic.
This is the experience I had in the first 2 days of Montreal, Canada. Second largest city in Canada after toronto, this is a beautiful place with old buildings and skyscrapers residing harmoniously. All was idyllic in this place except for the weather (its damp and cold right now). Or so I thought.
On the third day as I walked out of the hotel for a quick lunch, a lady approached me and my collegue and started speaking in french. When she realised that we dint know french, she swicthed into english effortlessly. She wanted some money as she had lost her job and dint have enough to eat. She was crying.
In this "developed" country, a lady was begging on the road. She had lost her job may be at no fault of hers. No social security net to rescue her. No food to eat. And had to beg on the road to unknown strangers in that damp and cold day. I am not even sure she had someplace to sleep warm.
Money doesnt buy everything. But at the very least it should give enough heart in people to provide certain level of security. Here, almost everybody has more than enough to spare for every poor person in the country if not the world a decent shelter. Then why is that not being provided? Capatilist nature of society? Or just plain natural greed?
Pathetic.
Monday, October 30, 2006
"Play on our Strengths"
The greatest physicist of the past century won the Noble for Photoelectric effect. It simply states that every element has a stable state and this stable state can be different for different atoms. If the atom is excited by external means, the atom moves into another state but only momentarily. They return to the stable state almost immediately.
Similarly every community has its own characteristics. These characteristics have been developed over past few thousand years as a result of interaction with natural environment, historical events and for small part character of original community. Hence we have "the straight" German, Tight Upper lipped British, Hard working East Asian, Economiser Jews etc. Similar I would like to attribute Indians as the Rebellious Free-Thinker.
In 2-3 thousand years of history India has never united. It was always a amalgamation of different thoughts and practices. Different people with different cultures were welcomed. Their identity was neither dissolved into common pool, nor were they kept separated from the community as a whole. And even then we had a common thread of culture running among all of us.
India was the only country in the world where "monotheistic" religion was never developed. May be thats because of our rebellious attitude. Majority of us do not want some person like Pope from Vatican or Mulla from Jamma Mashjid to be sermonising us on what to do and what not to. We had 100 different flavours of Hinduism based on some common foundation.
And may "pluralistic" attitude which might have caused us not to progress beyond a point. The Western definition of progress meant mass production, and mass production meant big investment. This also meant that 99% people follow the 1% of the leader. This was the east Asian economies grew as they have the culture of "dumb follower" of the leadership.
But times are changing. The cost of implementing new ideas is dramatically reducing day by day. We have knowledge revolution ahead of us. Here the mass production wont hold sway. Here the winner will be one with a good IDEA. And this should be the to our strengths.
May India become a super power soon.
Amen.
Similarly every community has its own characteristics. These characteristics have been developed over past few thousand years as a result of interaction with natural environment, historical events and for small part character of original community. Hence we have "the straight" German, Tight Upper lipped British, Hard working East Asian, Economiser Jews etc. Similar I would like to attribute Indians as the Rebellious Free-Thinker.
In 2-3 thousand years of history India has never united. It was always a amalgamation of different thoughts and practices. Different people with different cultures were welcomed. Their identity was neither dissolved into common pool, nor were they kept separated from the community as a whole. And even then we had a common thread of culture running among all of us.
India was the only country in the world where "monotheistic" religion was never developed. May be thats because of our rebellious attitude. Majority of us do not want some person like Pope from Vatican or Mulla from Jamma Mashjid to be sermonising us on what to do and what not to. We had 100 different flavours of Hinduism based on some common foundation.
And may "pluralistic" attitude which might have caused us not to progress beyond a point. The Western definition of progress meant mass production, and mass production meant big investment. This also meant that 99% people follow the 1% of the leader. This was the east Asian economies grew as they have the culture of "dumb follower" of the leadership.
But times are changing. The cost of implementing new ideas is dramatically reducing day by day. We have knowledge revolution ahead of us. Here the mass production wont hold sway. Here the winner will be one with a good IDEA. And this should be the to our strengths.
May India become a super power soon.
Amen.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Advantages of being a Marathi person in Karnataka
This is purely from personal experience.
1. I know 1 language more than other marathi or kannadiga.
2. I have twice the number of friends.
3. I am comfortable to roam around in double the area.. i. e. Karnataka and Maharashtra.
4. I can take up job and still feel at home at Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur etc
5. Since I know one dravidian language, learning other dravidian languages is easy. I learnt Telugu in 6 months to quite a good extent.
6. I can comfortably watch twice the number of Good Movies, read twice the number of Good Books.
7. Enjoy good food.. from Ukadiche Modak to Obbattu, from Bajrichi Bhakri to Ragi Mudde.
And all this without any extra trouble. I dont even remember how I learnt to speak, read and write kannada. And I never felt being out of place either in Karnataka Or Maharashtra.
And I notice most of the people making noise are those who are Maharashtrians in Maharashtra or Kannadigas in Karnataka.
And what about so many non-localites getting settled in all parts of the country from Mumbai to Bangalore, Chennai to Mangalore, Pune to Kokatta. So is solution is to make all cities as "Union Teritories" ? This is the age of globalization and universal language (English) is used in all these
cities.
While people are free to use their mother tongue at home, studying one more extra language will not cause any harm.
Linguistic divide of the state was a mistake.. and politicians want to take even more advantage of this. I apeal to all Maharashtrians staying out of Maharashtra and Kannadigas staying out of karnataka to speak out against this politization of the issue and spoiling peace and prosperity in
both of these 2 states.
1. I know 1 language more than other marathi or kannadiga.
2. I have twice the number of friends.
3. I am comfortable to roam around in double the area.. i. e. Karnataka and Maharashtra.
4. I can take up job and still feel at home at Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur etc
5. Since I know one dravidian language, learning other dravidian languages is easy. I learnt Telugu in 6 months to quite a good extent.
6. I can comfortably watch twice the number of Good Movies, read twice the number of Good Books.
7. Enjoy good food.. from Ukadiche Modak to Obbattu, from Bajrichi Bhakri to Ragi Mudde.
And all this without any extra trouble. I dont even remember how I learnt to speak, read and write kannada. And I never felt being out of place either in Karnataka Or Maharashtra.
And I notice most of the people making noise are those who are Maharashtrians in Maharashtra or Kannadigas in Karnataka.
And what about so many non-localites getting settled in all parts of the country from Mumbai to Bangalore, Chennai to Mangalore, Pune to Kokatta. So is solution is to make all cities as "Union Teritories" ? This is the age of globalization and universal language (English) is used in all these
cities.
While people are free to use their mother tongue at home, studying one more extra language will not cause any harm.
Linguistic divide of the state was a mistake.. and politicians want to take even more advantage of this. I apeal to all Maharashtrians staying out of Maharashtra and Kannadigas staying out of karnataka to speak out against this politization of the issue and spoiling peace and prosperity in
both of these 2 states.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Human, the Great Conquerer
Not long time, Aids was held in horror and infection meant slow and painful death, not only of the victim but many times of his/her partner, and quite a few times children too. It was argued that it was a punishment of God for non-virtuous living. And almost everybody used to tend to agree. It seemed so unconquerable that people believed that no one but God could create such a thing.
But not anymore. The third generation drugs are now so effective that if used regularly, the patients can lead an almost normal life. The children will grow up normally, can get married and also have children. The probability of children of HIV mothers being HIV positive has gone down less than 50% already.
Even though HIV has not been cured as such, but bringing it under control in some 20 years or so is a big achievement in itself. We can expect that next few years will bring in vaccine for HIV and a cure for it too.
So conquest of plague of 19th century, influenza in 20th century, HIV in 21st century.
Long live the curiosity. Long live the progress.
--
Rahul Vaidya
[ http://reasonablethoughtsfromme.blogspot.com/ ]
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same
-- Oscar Wilde
But not anymore. The third generation drugs are now so effective that if used regularly, the patients can lead an almost normal life. The children will grow up normally, can get married and also have children. The probability of children of HIV mothers being HIV positive has gone down less than 50% already.
Even though HIV has not been cured as such, but bringing it under control in some 20 years or so is a big achievement in itself. We can expect that next few years will bring in vaccine for HIV and a cure for it too.
So conquest of plague of 19th century, influenza in 20th century, HIV in 21st century.
Long live the curiosity. Long live the progress.
--
Rahul Vaidya
[ http://reasonablethoughtsfromme.blogspot.com/ ]
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same
-- Oscar Wilde
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Leasons from Roman Empire
Roman empire ruled over half the known world for as long as 600 years. May be a longest period for any empire of that size including the british empire 'On which the sun never sets'. Even though it was an 'empire' in the sense that it had a king, for a long time the king had only nominal power. And the empire was really at peace most of the time without tyrants who were common in history all over the world.
Roman history can be split into 2 parts: Roman Republic when a senate was strong and Roman Empire when king was all powerful.
During Roman Replublic, the senate was chosen by people but was generally made up of very inteligent and educated of the people. They had enough knowledge to rule. Also the election was not restricted by birth or money nor by nationality. Hence every citizen of roman empire whether italian or not had an equal chance to become a senator and gain respect. Thouhg this was an ideal way of governing, after around 300 years of success, ambitious senators and generals started looking for gaining more power through absolute monarchy. Thus started the Roman Empire with Julius Caesar
Speciality of Roman Empire: They ruled for 300 years..long enough considering may monarchies of this size were broken in 1 or 2 generations. Some unique points:
1. The heir to the empire was NOT present emperor's son or any relative.
2. The heir was chosen from general public, one who showed capablities to rule well.
3. Even when in the last stages when the "tenets" were broken, there was no case where same family ruled for more that 2 generation. And only 2 instances where son actually succeded the father.
4. There were many instances where a person from obscure person became emporers based only on their capability.
Are these the secrets of the success of Roman Emperor? Are we providing equal opportunity to everybody? Are our politicans really the ones most suitable to rule?
What can India learn from it? What can we do to spreat "PAX INDIANA"?
Open debate.
--
Rahul Vaidya
[http://reasonablethoughtsfromme.blogspot.com/ ]
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same
-- Oscar Wilde
Roman history can be split into 2 parts: Roman Republic when a senate was strong and Roman Empire when king was all powerful.
During Roman Replublic, the senate was chosen by people but was generally made up of very inteligent and educated of the people. They had enough knowledge to rule. Also the election was not restricted by birth or money nor by nationality. Hence every citizen of roman empire whether italian or not had an equal chance to become a senator and gain respect. Thouhg this was an ideal way of governing, after around 300 years of success, ambitious senators and generals started looking for gaining more power through absolute monarchy. Thus started the Roman Empire with Julius Caesar
Speciality of Roman Empire: They ruled for 300 years..long enough considering may monarchies of this size were broken in 1 or 2 generations. Some unique points:
1. The heir to the empire was NOT present emperor's son or any relative.
2. The heir was chosen from general public, one who showed capablities to rule well.
3. Even when in the last stages when the "tenets" were broken, there was no case where same family ruled for more that 2 generation. And only 2 instances where son actually succeded the father.
4. There were many instances where a person from obscure person became emporers based only on their capability.
Are these the secrets of the success of Roman Emperor? Are we providing equal opportunity to everybody? Are our politicans really the ones most suitable to rule?
What can India learn from it? What can we do to spreat "PAX INDIANA"?
Open debate.
--
Rahul Vaidya
[http://reasonablethoughtsfromme.blogspot.com/ ]
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same
-- Oscar Wilde
Monday, July 17, 2006
Call for Majesty of Indian State
Majesty of Indian State. A term used by an author and reused by many to indicate the "Proactive" action against the perpetrators of violence. Examples: Israel and United States of America. Reason: It gives terrorists something to fear. Result: Not even a single act of terrorism in USA since 9/11.
Difference: USA is not in close proximity of its enemies. And it is far more powerful than all the rest of the world put together. India is in close proximity of the its worst enemy, and the enemy's power is comparable with India's. (Whether you like or not, that is true).
Fact: Who has decided that majesty lies in the show of power. Its a typical stone-age logic which fortunately Indians never believed in. Today the games are played in the brain rather than on the field. Every time an industry comes to India, Everytime an Indian gets global recognition in his chosen field, Every time somebody praised India's peace loving past, India is winning. What is more important for us as Indians is that we should show the world that inspite its duplicity in action by helping Pakistan to wage a proxy war, we dont balk under its pressure.
Time will come when the world will support us and Pakistan will have to stop the violence. Majesty lies in that rather than waging a futile war which will starve millions of Indians. That will be our real victory when India will be an leader which Pakistan can only dream of following on the path to prosperity.
History: We were ruled by the British for nearly 300 years. For an outsider we were taking it with an laid back attitude. But internally India was seething. And come 1942, Quit India movement gained momentum and the British not only had to free India, but free most of the other countries in Asia and Africa as well. The Majesty lies not in how a Bully (US) boxing weakling(Iraq, Afghan), but in how a country which rose to the call and freed the whole world along with itself. That is the real Majesty of Indian State.
Difference: USA is not in close proximity of its enemies. And it is far more powerful than all the rest of the world put together. India is in close proximity of the its worst enemy, and the enemy's power is comparable with India's. (Whether you like or not, that is true).
Fact: Who has decided that majesty lies in the show of power. Its a typical stone-age logic which fortunately Indians never believed in. Today the games are played in the brain rather than on the field. Every time an industry comes to India, Everytime an Indian gets global recognition in his chosen field, Every time somebody praised India's peace loving past, India is winning. What is more important for us as Indians is that we should show the world that inspite its duplicity in action by helping Pakistan to wage a proxy war, we dont balk under its pressure.
Time will come when the world will support us and Pakistan will have to stop the violence. Majesty lies in that rather than waging a futile war which will starve millions of Indians. That will be our real victory when India will be an leader which Pakistan can only dream of following on the path to prosperity.
History: We were ruled by the British for nearly 300 years. For an outsider we were taking it with an laid back attitude. But internally India was seething. And come 1942, Quit India movement gained momentum and the British not only had to free India, but free most of the other countries in Asia and Africa as well. The Majesty lies not in how a Bully (US) boxing weakling(Iraq, Afghan), but in how a country which rose to the call and freed the whole world along with itself. That is the real Majesty of Indian State.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
24 hours
Everybody has only 24 hours in a day.
One has to choose between family, Friends, work, hobbies, leisure etc etc. And there is no right way of distributing the time among these things. What is correct for one might be entirely wrong for the other.
And if wrongly distributed, life can be highly frustrating, not only for oneself but also to others around.
Hence the most crucial thing is to distribute the time to your satisfaction and not anybody other's. That's the secret of Happy and fruitful life.
One has to choose between family, Friends, work, hobbies, leisure etc etc. And there is no right way of distributing the time among these things. What is correct for one might be entirely wrong for the other.
And if wrongly distributed, life can be highly frustrating, not only for oneself but also to others around.
Hence the most crucial thing is to distribute the time to your satisfaction and not anybody other's. That's the secret of Happy and fruitful life.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Karmanyewadhikaraste ma faleshu kadachana!
Poorva Karma.. I think it is a beautiful concept from indian philosophy which serves 2 purposes:
1. It brings in a kind of fear in people doing sins. Many people for eg. todays politicians do lot of sins thinking that they cannot be touched. Also almost everybody has some or other chance of doing some thing bad with nobody knowing about it. The "Karma" concept helps to bring more social harmony by stating that karma will revenge itself.
2. It gives solace to people who are wronged by people they or law cannot touch. Almost all of us are surely negatively affected by the corruption, philandeering etc. Yet we cannot do anything and thinking that he will pay for it himself surely helps.
I have my opinion that philosophy was built to increase the social harmony and social happiness as a whole. And the Karma concept surely fits the requirement perfectly.
People might and will disagree.. But this is my point of view.
1. It brings in a kind of fear in people doing sins. Many people for eg. todays politicians do lot of sins thinking that they cannot be touched. Also almost everybody has some or other chance of doing some thing bad with nobody knowing about it. The "Karma" concept helps to bring more social harmony by stating that karma will revenge itself.
2. It gives solace to people who are wronged by people they or law cannot touch. Almost all of us are surely negatively affected by the corruption, philandeering etc. Yet we cannot do anything and thinking that he will pay for it himself surely helps.
I have my opinion that philosophy was built to increase the social harmony and social happiness as a whole. And the Karma concept surely fits the requirement perfectly.
People might and will disagree.. But this is my point of view.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Is Western Civilization imploding under its own weight?
Last week, there was a demonstration in from of Oxford University. The site for the new animal laboratory where, if all goes fine, there will be a laboratory for testing new drugs on animals. The demonstration was by the Animal Lovers who dont want the tests to happen.
United States survey findings suggest that more than 50% of the people in the US don't believe in the Darwin's theory of Evolution.
George Bush, under the pressure from the leading right conservatives, has stopped funding projects doing research on Stem Cell cultivation which hold the big promises not only for cloning but also to cure to many diseases like Diabetes, kidney failure etc.
The British public has been taking a lot of pride in believing that they are the most righteous among the human race. But now that conscience is getting in the way of scientific enquiry. The only way they have to keep their domination is this highly competitive world is to keep their lead in technological advancement.
The American public is on the opposite track. They oppose the Stem Cell research as they think that humans would not take over the God's job. And stem cell research is not the only thing. Many of the US citizens are losing interest in science and technology in general. The US scientific research is now more and more dependent on the foreign scientists. Mainly from Asian countries like China and India. However, with the resurgent Asia, this will be helping India and china more than US as the scientist bring back the technical know-how.
And the socialist Europe is more interested in making their lives easy with big pensions and less work. Last year the french workers were on strike to reduce their weekly working hours from 38 hours to 36.
With the native citizens losing interest, how long can Western Countries sustain the lead they have taken over the rest of the world in past 300 years is anybodies guess. Hope they will lose it soon.
United States survey findings suggest that more than 50% of the people in the US don't believe in the Darwin's theory of Evolution.
George Bush, under the pressure from the leading right conservatives, has stopped funding projects doing research on Stem Cell cultivation which hold the big promises not only for cloning but also to cure to many diseases like Diabetes, kidney failure etc.
The British public has been taking a lot of pride in believing that they are the most righteous among the human race. But now that conscience is getting in the way of scientific enquiry. The only way they have to keep their domination is this highly competitive world is to keep their lead in technological advancement.
The American public is on the opposite track. They oppose the Stem Cell research as they think that humans would not take over the God's job. And stem cell research is not the only thing. Many of the US citizens are losing interest in science and technology in general. The US scientific research is now more and more dependent on the foreign scientists. Mainly from Asian countries like China and India. However, with the resurgent Asia, this will be helping India and china more than US as the scientist bring back the technical know-how.
And the socialist Europe is more interested in making their lives easy with big pensions and less work. Last year the french workers were on strike to reduce their weekly working hours from 38 hours to 36.
With the native citizens losing interest, how long can Western Countries sustain the lead they have taken over the rest of the world in past 300 years is anybodies guess. Hope they will lose it soon.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Farmer Suicides: Another Perspective
Village Money Lender: A Well known villain since the days of Normans in England. It culminated in the form of Holocaust in World War 2. Centuries of pented up anger was used during those 10 years trying to exterminate the European version of the local "Sahukar". But are they really that bad? After all they are also in the business to make a living..and for that matter make a living as comfortable as possible.
Any news story in India regarding a suicide must and should mention the high interest rates being charged by the loan sharks. Obviously bigger institutions don't do that. That's why the village money lender should be a villain. But there are number of differences the way the Village money lender and the Banks/Financial institutions operate.
1. Money Lender faces a greater risk of total loss of money in the case of the failure of the crops. The farmer with no "Immediate Value" Security cannot but keep only the land in lieu for the money. If the crop fails, the farm is not salable as the legal process takes far too long.
2. If the crop fails, mostly it will fail in all the nearby areas. The money lender with limited spread of money is faced with total loss of existence. This is not the case with bigger institutions.
With the above mentioned causes, it is but inevitable for the money lender to charge higher interest rates as long as he can recover it. This makes proper business sense as he is taking far greater risk.
Instead of blaming the lender for being too harsh, it will be better if government can provide some insurance to the money lender on the money lent. This will lead to reduced interest rates ask the risk is mitigated. Instead of providing Minimum Support Price which is often politically motivated and reaching the undeserving Rich Farmers, this will help the genuine small farmers.
Instead of blaming the money lender, bring him into the folds of accountability. This will be more beneficial to the really deserving farmer population.
Any news story in India regarding a suicide must and should mention the high interest rates being charged by the loan sharks. Obviously bigger institutions don't do that. That's why the village money lender should be a villain. But there are number of differences the way the Village money lender and the Banks/Financial institutions operate.
1. Money Lender faces a greater risk of total loss of money in the case of the failure of the crops. The farmer with no "Immediate Value" Security cannot but keep only the land in lieu for the money. If the crop fails, the farm is not salable as the legal process takes far too long.
2. If the crop fails, mostly it will fail in all the nearby areas. The money lender with limited spread of money is faced with total loss of existence. This is not the case with bigger institutions.
With the above mentioned causes, it is but inevitable for the money lender to charge higher interest rates as long as he can recover it. This makes proper business sense as he is taking far greater risk.
Instead of blaming the lender for being too harsh, it will be better if government can provide some insurance to the money lender on the money lent. This will lead to reduced interest rates ask the risk is mitigated. Instead of providing Minimum Support Price which is often politically motivated and reaching the undeserving Rich Farmers, this will help the genuine small farmers.
Instead of blaming the money lender, bring him into the folds of accountability. This will be more beneficial to the really deserving farmer population.
Friday, May 05, 2006
What Public Wants.
Given a choice between a toilet facility and a TV (assuming both are inaccessible presently), what will be the natural choice of Layman?
Of course a TV. That is more important. " Kyunki saas bhi..." has to be watched. Even at the cost of suffering agony and embarrassment daily morning.
And whichever government is elected in Tamil Nadu, free TV is what people are going to get. Even though 60% of homes in Tamil Nadu do not have access toilets. Even though 55% people do not have access to bathrooms.
People prefer TV stars to personal Safety.
Howe true, "Television is the opium of the Masses".
[The author is so impressed by the Business Line article, that he has imbibed some of the ideas into himself and into this article. Please Please.. dont cancel my contracts..Hahahaha]
Of course a TV. That is more important. " Kyunki saas bhi..." has to be watched. Even at the cost of suffering agony and embarrassment daily morning.
And whichever government is elected in Tamil Nadu, free TV is what people are going to get. Even though 60% of homes in Tamil Nadu do not have access toilets. Even though 55% people do not have access to bathrooms.
People prefer TV stars to personal Safety.
Howe true, "Television is the opium of the Masses".
[The author is so impressed by the Business Line article, that he has imbibed some of the ideas into himself and into this article. Please Please.. dont cancel my contracts..Hahahaha]
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
On Reservations!!!
Whenever there arises a conflict between masses and law, it the law which always has to make way.
When there are reservations in other academic institutions, why not in IIMs and IITs? It was a foregone conclussion that someday the mass demand for such a reservation had to be heard.
Why should there not be reservation for the people who are socially backward? There is always an argument that the higher caste poor should not be differentiated from the socially backward. But, arent the higher caste poor better off than there lower caste bretherens?
For example, a bramhin from a poor section of society is sure to have some or other relative who is educated. Somebody who can give proper advice, who can sponsor the studies, somebody to look at as an ideal. How many OBCs will have the luxury of an educated relative? How many of the OBCs know the value of education? How many can get a good advice on career decissions? (I know somebody who chose mechanical over computer science just because he was adviced to. Will this ever happen to a Bramhin for example?).
After thousands of years of deprivation, this is the minimum we can make.
Another argument is why reservation is higher education when the basic schooling is not proper. If the government is not ready for a straight forward development, then let the upside down happen. Something is better than nothing.
When there are reservations in other academic institutions, why not in IIMs and IITs? It was a foregone conclussion that someday the mass demand for such a reservation had to be heard.
Why should there not be reservation for the people who are socially backward? There is always an argument that the higher caste poor should not be differentiated from the socially backward. But, arent the higher caste poor better off than there lower caste bretherens?
For example, a bramhin from a poor section of society is sure to have some or other relative who is educated. Somebody who can give proper advice, who can sponsor the studies, somebody to look at as an ideal. How many OBCs will have the luxury of an educated relative? How many of the OBCs know the value of education? How many can get a good advice on career decissions? (I know somebody who chose mechanical over computer science just because he was adviced to. Will this ever happen to a Bramhin for example?).
After thousands of years of deprivation, this is the minimum we can make.
Another argument is why reservation is higher education when the basic schooling is not proper. If the government is not ready for a straight forward development, then let the upside down happen. Something is better than nothing.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Does he deserves reservation?
He is son of an Professor in a premier institute of India. (Those of you who know my educational background will know which institute as well).
He has got the best primary and secondary education.
He has got the best career guidance anybody can get as all his fathers friends are Doctorates.
He has been brought up in an academic environment where almost everybody is a doctorate or a aspiring doctorate students.
Yet he fails to perform well in the exams. Is it because of his caste?
Does he deserve the reservation?
He has got the best primary and secondary education.
He has got the best career guidance anybody can get as all his fathers friends are Doctorates.
He has been brought up in an academic environment where almost everybody is a doctorate or a aspiring doctorate students.
Yet he fails to perform well in the exams. Is it because of his caste?
Does he deserve the reservation?
Thursday, April 27, 2006
A case for Privatization
An not so pleasant experience with United India Insurance.
I have a policy for my 2 wheeler from a branch of United India Insurance company from branch Y. Now my office has shited and I wanted to renew the policy. Office Y is 20 kms now from my office. Also all UII offices dont work on saturdays. Hence I decided I will renew the policy in office In which is hardly 3 kms from my office. I try to call up In and nobody recieves the call.
I reach the office and I am refused to renew the policy. Reason? Bcos they cannot cater to whole of the city. They serve only people who stay nearby..Ha. Another reason, Theirs is not networked branch, hence she has to fill in all the details herself . Another very very valid reason.
I call up Y. They say In might or might not renew the policy. No rules here. Depends on managers " marzi".
Anyway, I am happy that I dont have to suffer such inconviniences for most of the things. eg. Banking, Life Insurance Telephone etc etc. What if people are losing their job. They deserve it.
P.S.I have complained to UII on their website. Lets see what their response is.
I have a policy for my 2 wheeler from a branch of United India Insurance company from branch Y. Now my office has shited and I wanted to renew the policy. Office Y is 20 kms now from my office. Also all UII offices dont work on saturdays. Hence I decided I will renew the policy in office In which is hardly 3 kms from my office. I try to call up In and nobody recieves the call.
I reach the office and I am refused to renew the policy. Reason? Bcos they cannot cater to whole of the city. They serve only people who stay nearby..Ha. Another reason, Theirs is not networked branch, hence she has to fill in all the details herself . Another very very valid reason.
I call up Y. They say In might or might not renew the policy. No rules here. Depends on managers " marzi".
Anyway, I am happy that I dont have to suffer such inconviniences for most of the things. eg. Banking, Life Insurance Telephone etc etc. What if people are losing their job. They deserve it.
P.S.I have complained to UII on their website. Lets see what their response is.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Of biodiversity and mass production
Somebody had said " When there is a conflict of interest between a Law and Interest of the Masses, it is the masses which has to eventually win."
Today there is a big conflict between the laws governing the conservation of forests and the welfare of the masses living around the forests. The forests are the obstructions for the expansion of there fields, they hold wild animals which attack their fields and live stock, the forests contain immeasurable wealth in terms of flora and fauna which is 'so near yet so far'.
Today is a capitalist society where money is everything. One with money however far from nature will (it seems) lead a happy life, while a poor person even in the very lap of nature's best will remain hungry and lead an unhappy life. Thus the motivation for people to break the countries laws is getting bigger and bigger in terms of monetary benefits. Bigger the motivation, more the number of criminals living of the forest illegally. And the motivation is bound to get bigger and bigger and so the destruction is going to be larger and larger. And more and more animals are going to get extinct.
The laws have to change as they are in conflict with general interest. And as anybodies guess this is going to be the end of the forests..may be in 50 years, 100 years? or even 10 years.
But there is hope. Teach the local citizens the ill effects of over-using forest. Show them the state of similar lands around the world and MOST importantly teach them how to maximize the benefits without destroying the nature. And even more important is to make sure that the benefited are not only the local elites but almost everyone.
And wait and see the forests flourish.
Today there is a big conflict between the laws governing the conservation of forests and the welfare of the masses living around the forests. The forests are the obstructions for the expansion of there fields, they hold wild animals which attack their fields and live stock, the forests contain immeasurable wealth in terms of flora and fauna which is 'so near yet so far'.
Today is a capitalist society where money is everything. One with money however far from nature will (it seems) lead a happy life, while a poor person even in the very lap of nature's best will remain hungry and lead an unhappy life. Thus the motivation for people to break the countries laws is getting bigger and bigger in terms of monetary benefits. Bigger the motivation, more the number of criminals living of the forest illegally. And the motivation is bound to get bigger and bigger and so the destruction is going to be larger and larger. And more and more animals are going to get extinct.
The laws have to change as they are in conflict with general interest. And as anybodies guess this is going to be the end of the forests..may be in 50 years, 100 years? or even 10 years.
But there is hope. Teach the local citizens the ill effects of over-using forest. Show them the state of similar lands around the world and MOST importantly teach them how to maximize the benefits without destroying the nature. And even more important is to make sure that the benefited are not only the local elites but almost everyone.
And wait and see the forests flourish.
--
Rahul Vaidya
New blog added on 27th January in [http://reasonablethoughtsfromme.blogspot.com/ ]
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same
-- Oscar Wilde
--
Rahul Vaidya
New blog added on 31st March in [http://reasonablethoughtsfromme.blogspot.com/]
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same
-- Oscar Wilde
Friday, January 27, 2006
Thank God!!! No Bharat Ratna award this year
The list of "Padma" awardees was announced 2 days back.
Some of the notables are Adoor Gopalkrishna, Mahashweta Devi, A. K. Hangal etc who have achieved excellence in their own fields. They have also shown consitently that the talent is not just a "spark in the pan" but is deeply seated within them. They have strived to not only achieve excellence in theirn own fields but also to generate social awareness regarding various issues and in turn make india progressive. My sincere and hearty congratulations to all of them.
Some of the others including Infy chief Nilekani and TCS chief S. Ramadorai. Even though I respect their talent and dedication towards transforming their organisations into global giants and one of the best, do they really deserve "Padma" awards. May be may not be.
And lastly some of the shameful inclusions include Telugu actor Chiranjivi and tennis Player Sania Mirza. Chiranjivi has played 'Mass Roles' in most of his movies (few exceptions but not worthy of noting anything here) with the only intentions of satisfying the mad desire of the public to see ridiculous stunts and 'semi clad' dances. This disrespect for the profession in which he is in surely does not deserve a padma award.
Sania Mirza has great potential to transform into a world class player. But it is hardly less than one year since she came into limelight. And how many tournaments has she won? This false and (too early) recognition of her talents might as well be an obstacle in her path to success. Just because she is a girl and beautiful by tennis standards does not mean that she should be given undue awards. Especially since her co-awardees include those who got jyanpeeth decades back, and another who is a recognised filmmaker all over the world for many years now.
Bharat Ratna is the highest of the awards given by the Indian government. I am happy to note that at least, Bharat Ratna has been spared from such degradation by playing vote politics.
Some of the notables are Adoor Gopalkrishna, Mahashweta Devi, A. K. Hangal etc who have achieved excellence in their own fields. They have also shown consitently that the talent is not just a "spark in the pan" but is deeply seated within them. They have strived to not only achieve excellence in theirn own fields but also to generate social awareness regarding various issues and in turn make india progressive. My sincere and hearty congratulations to all of them.
Some of the others including Infy chief Nilekani and TCS chief S. Ramadorai. Even though I respect their talent and dedication towards transforming their organisations into global giants and one of the best, do they really deserve "Padma" awards. May be may not be.
And lastly some of the shameful inclusions include Telugu actor Chiranjivi and tennis Player Sania Mirza. Chiranjivi has played 'Mass Roles' in most of his movies (few exceptions but not worthy of noting anything here) with the only intentions of satisfying the mad desire of the public to see ridiculous stunts and 'semi clad' dances. This disrespect for the profession in which he is in surely does not deserve a padma award.
Sania Mirza has great potential to transform into a world class player. But it is hardly less than one year since she came into limelight. And how many tournaments has she won? This false and (too early) recognition of her talents might as well be an obstacle in her path to success. Just because she is a girl and beautiful by tennis standards does not mean that she should be given undue awards. Especially since her co-awardees include those who got jyanpeeth decades back, and another who is a recognised filmmaker all over the world for many years now.
Bharat Ratna is the highest of the awards given by the Indian government. I am happy to note that at least, Bharat Ratna has been spared from such degradation by playing vote politics.
Monday, January 09, 2006
[Book Review] Bihar: by Vijay Nambisan
"Unfortunately you have to live in Bihar to love it"
"I will be dead by 40"-- Pushpa, House maid in the home of the author.
"We fell short of crackers for deepavali, so we burst local made bombs"-- Kishan, local friend of the author.
"Don't complain unless the corruption reaches the 60% mark" -- Union Minister to journalists when they complained that some minister is highly corrupt.
BIHAR by Vijay Nambisan gives us real insight into the life of the common biharis and some insight into why it is in such a state as it is today. It goes against the populist intellectual approach of Laalu bashing, and instead indicates that he is a symptom and not the disease afflicting Bihar.
Staying in a highly safe enclave in a highly violent town (named only as M____) where his wife is a surgeon in a missionary hospital. This hospital being donated by the local big shot is the reason why the hospital is safe. Seeing life in Bihar while being safely out of harms way(not very unlike observing poisonous snakes kept in a airtight glass container) is not the best way to comment on Bihar. However it still is a real sample of true life.
Starting off with the sad description of the 'richest' state which is today among the 'poorest', predicting that all of India will be in same situation in near future. Describing the floods during the monsoon and draught in the summer which follows year after year, the well and flourishing feudal system, the boldness of the crime makes us wonder whether people there were left behind the march of evolution.
The state of the road and the railways, the poverty of the people, Lalu's antiques make the situation pathetic. However.....there is still hope.
The author quickly draws us to the few uncommon people who still have hopes and greats dreams of changing Bihar. The story of a typical bramhin teaching and taking pride of his 'lower class' students is truly amazing especially in the caste based hierarchical society of Bihar. The Principals and teachers seem to be the beacon towards the change inspite of carrying the dead weight of the red tape and corruption. They seem to be the one and the only hope of bringing Bihar back from chaos.
There are some unrelated narration on the state of missionaries and the conversions. The state of the hospital run by the missionaries with more ambitions that just serving the people. The discrimination of Malayalee nuns towards non-malayalee nuns. And a short and sweet description of his experiences of Marwadi marriage in Bihar.
Overall the book is worth a read. May be even worth a buy.
--
Rahul Vaidya
New blog added on 5th December in [http://reasonablethoughtsfromme.blogspot.com/]
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same
-- Oscar Wilde
"I will be dead by 40"-- Pushpa, House maid in the home of the author.
"We fell short of crackers for deepavali, so we burst local made bombs"-- Kishan, local friend of the author.
"Don't complain unless the corruption reaches the 60% mark" -- Union Minister to journalists when they complained that some minister is highly corrupt.
BIHAR by Vijay Nambisan gives us real insight into the life of the common biharis and some insight into why it is in such a state as it is today. It goes against the populist intellectual approach of Laalu bashing, and instead indicates that he is a symptom and not the disease afflicting Bihar.
Staying in a highly safe enclave in a highly violent town (named only as M____) where his wife is a surgeon in a missionary hospital. This hospital being donated by the local big shot is the reason why the hospital is safe. Seeing life in Bihar while being safely out of harms way(not very unlike observing poisonous snakes kept in a airtight glass container) is not the best way to comment on Bihar. However it still is a real sample of true life.
Starting off with the sad description of the 'richest' state which is today among the 'poorest', predicting that all of India will be in same situation in near future. Describing the floods during the monsoon and draught in the summer which follows year after year, the well and flourishing feudal system, the boldness of the crime makes us wonder whether people there were left behind the march of evolution.
The state of the road and the railways, the poverty of the people, Lalu's antiques make the situation pathetic. However.....there is still hope.
The author quickly draws us to the few uncommon people who still have hopes and greats dreams of changing Bihar. The story of a typical bramhin teaching and taking pride of his 'lower class' students is truly amazing especially in the caste based hierarchical society of Bihar. The Principals and teachers seem to be the beacon towards the change inspite of carrying the dead weight of the red tape and corruption. They seem to be the one and the only hope of bringing Bihar back from chaos.
There are some unrelated narration on the state of missionaries and the conversions. The state of the hospital run by the missionaries with more ambitions that just serving the people. The discrimination of Malayalee nuns towards non-malayalee nuns. And a short and sweet description of his experiences of Marwadi marriage in Bihar.
Overall the book is worth a read. May be even worth a buy.
--
Rahul Vaidya
New blog added on 5th December in [http://reasonablethoughtsfromme.blogspot.com/]
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same
-- Oscar Wilde
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