Punjab government’s recent directive to ban the use of ACs in offices needs to be lauded. Though it was done to cope with shortage in electricity supply, yet such bans have to be imposed for our own good. This decision was seconded by the Haryana government. Likewise, all state governments and the central government have to follow suit.
Not only to reduce consumption of electricity, ACs have become a menace to the surrounding climate. For the comfort of the rich, no government should allow use of devices which are harmful to nature and absorbs high electricity. To make things worse, now we have ACs running in cars as well, which provides comfort inside and are cause of discomfort to people outside. The amount of heat generated by these AC units is the biggest contributor to the increasing heat in our surroundings. Therefore banning use of ACs is not just a solution to manage electricity but also a major deterrent for global warming.
It does not take rocket-science to understand that ACs are harmful because they consume high electricity and cause harm to our surroundings. This is high time that the rich stop talking about global warming and its effects sitting in AC comfort. These devices should be banned immediately to avoid any further damage.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Rahul Gandhi: The unlikely minister
Will Rahul become a cabinet minister? Will he become the PM? … During the last Lok Sabha elections there was a great deal of hoo-hullah in media anticipating Rahul Gandhi’s role in this government. Every political analyst, senior journalists and media of all hues anticipated and predicted that Rahul Gandhi will probably become a cabinet minister. Some also went ahead with the audacious prediction that Rahul Gandhi will take over as PM of the country mid-way during the current Lok Sabha session.
Well, JoH could not write then because a dedicated computer with net-connection was a luxury which he could not afford. He does not know how Rahul was reacting, if at all he watched these on TV. In this regard, JoH has a few questions in his mind; if someone can help him with answers to these…what is Rahul Gandhi’s position within The Congress (I)? Considering his present position, how does Rahul gain (Means in terms of self value-addition) by accepting a cabinet berth? Why would Rahul Gandhi destabilize Manmohan Singh as the PM of his own party? What is of priority to Rahul…a cabinet post, the PM post or strengthening The Congress (I)?
If he wants, when ever he wants and which ever way he wants, he can get things done through ministers of his own party…Therefore, JoH strongly feels that Rahul’s continuance in strengthening his party, developing and maintaining his grass-root contacts are more important for him in the present scenario, rather than binding himself with a cabinet post or even The PM’s post. Either of these won’t enhance his stature because either of them is only a subject of his choice. Positions like a cabinet post or even becoming a PM maybe unfulfilled dreams for lesser mortals like JoH, but for Rahul? Na…na. He has grown with the allocation of such portfolios.
Observing Rahul remotely (because one uses a remote to surf channels…hahaha) on TV, JoH feels that the personality of Rahul Gandhi is not to be tied down by mundane routine jobs and customary duties. He would rather prefer able candidates within Congress (I) to run the day-to-day activities of governance and himself play the role of strengthening his party and increase his grass-root contacts…because, his real identity, strength and future lies in this.
At the end of it, to all the readers…JoH is an insignificant existence in this world of luminaries…therefore, a humble request…please correct him if he is wrong…he is willing to learn.
Well, JoH could not write then because a dedicated computer with net-connection was a luxury which he could not afford. He does not know how Rahul was reacting, if at all he watched these on TV. In this regard, JoH has a few questions in his mind; if someone can help him with answers to these…what is Rahul Gandhi’s position within The Congress (I)? Considering his present position, how does Rahul gain (Means in terms of self value-addition) by accepting a cabinet berth? Why would Rahul Gandhi destabilize Manmohan Singh as the PM of his own party? What is of priority to Rahul…a cabinet post, the PM post or strengthening The Congress (I)?
If he wants, when ever he wants and which ever way he wants, he can get things done through ministers of his own party…Therefore, JoH strongly feels that Rahul’s continuance in strengthening his party, developing and maintaining his grass-root contacts are more important for him in the present scenario, rather than binding himself with a cabinet post or even The PM’s post. Either of these won’t enhance his stature because either of them is only a subject of his choice. Positions like a cabinet post or even becoming a PM maybe unfulfilled dreams for lesser mortals like JoH, but for Rahul? Na…na. He has grown with the allocation of such portfolios.
Observing Rahul remotely (because one uses a remote to surf channels…hahaha) on TV, JoH feels that the personality of Rahul Gandhi is not to be tied down by mundane routine jobs and customary duties. He would rather prefer able candidates within Congress (I) to run the day-to-day activities of governance and himself play the role of strengthening his party and increase his grass-root contacts…because, his real identity, strength and future lies in this.
At the end of it, to all the readers…JoH is an insignificant existence in this world of luminaries…therefore, a humble request…please correct him if he is wrong…he is willing to learn.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Nandan Nilekani: The project manager and his problematic client
What JoH admires about the promoters of Infosys is their PR and positioning skills.
Sometime back, Mohandas Pai, the HR Director of Infosys in a televised chat with Vikram Chandra of NDTV had said that “…some top managers of Infosys have expressed their desire to take sabbatical for sometime and work in the social sector. Infosys will however pay them fifty percent of their salaries…” And last Thursday, the news came that Nandan Nilekani has resigned from Infosys to take up a government sponsored social assignment… and now he will build his own team for this job. The following articles/stories were built around the “huge social responsibility plank” Had Mohandas given a hint then? Could Vilram Chandra have broken the news then? Can we expect to see more senior level managers from Infosys to join Nandan?
Anyway…sincere congratulations to Nandan for being offered the responsibility and having accepted it (As if Nandan personally knows JoH and will be very happyJ). Without exaggerations, this news in effect means that Nandan has been appointed as “The Project manager” by the government of India or GoI (In industry lingo “by the client”.) and now he has to deliver on the job. In the process, the GoI (or the client) has allocated a budget using which Nandan will hire his team and resources for the job. He will also have to float tenders by which some of his competitors till now will be able to participate in the job.
This should not be new for Nandan as he must have handled several business-critical projects for clients of Infosys and must have had varied client-experiences. In this case, he has embarked on a socio-political project where he is sure to face political music. By virtue of our country’s diverse demography and political mix, he sure cannot expect a smooth ride. The biggest challenge will come from the GoI (or his client) itself depending on their understanding, seriousness and resilience to opposition political pressure…nonetheless, all the best to Nandan for his huge “social-project.”
While the world will scan Nandan in his new role…JoH will wait to see his move on completion of this project…
Sometime back, Mohandas Pai, the HR Director of Infosys in a televised chat with Vikram Chandra of NDTV had said that “…some top managers of Infosys have expressed their desire to take sabbatical for sometime and work in the social sector. Infosys will however pay them fifty percent of their salaries…” And last Thursday, the news came that Nandan Nilekani has resigned from Infosys to take up a government sponsored social assignment… and now he will build his own team for this job. The following articles/stories were built around the “huge social responsibility plank” Had Mohandas given a hint then? Could Vilram Chandra have broken the news then? Can we expect to see more senior level managers from Infosys to join Nandan?
Anyway…sincere congratulations to Nandan for being offered the responsibility and having accepted it (As if Nandan personally knows JoH and will be very happyJ). Without exaggerations, this news in effect means that Nandan has been appointed as “The Project manager” by the government of India or GoI (In industry lingo “by the client”.) and now he has to deliver on the job. In the process, the GoI (or the client) has allocated a budget using which Nandan will hire his team and resources for the job. He will also have to float tenders by which some of his competitors till now will be able to participate in the job.
This should not be new for Nandan as he must have handled several business-critical projects for clients of Infosys and must have had varied client-experiences. In this case, he has embarked on a socio-political project where he is sure to face political music. By virtue of our country’s diverse demography and political mix, he sure cannot expect a smooth ride. The biggest challenge will come from the GoI (or his client) itself depending on their understanding, seriousness and resilience to opposition political pressure…nonetheless, all the best to Nandan for his huge “social-project.”
While the world will scan Nandan in his new role…JoH will wait to see his move on completion of this project…
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Naxals/Maoists: Creation of mindless governance
The recent incidents in Lalgarh near Jhargram, West Bengal by Maoists / Naxals, brought back some memories…
In 1988-89, when Joy of Having or JoH went to work in the Champaran districts of Bihar, he had come face-to-face for the first time with the reality called “Naxals.” During one of his adventurous trip beyond Narkatiaganj, a sleepy hamlet near the Indo-Nepal border, covered by dense forests, he had met a group of people lazing in the backyard of what appeared to be a school building. At a first glance these people appeared to be downtrodden villagers or poor students from adjoining villages in their lungis, folded trousers and vests.
JoH was taken there by a local acquaintance named Dinkar Verma. After the initial exchange of pleasantries and his introduction, what they showed him was enough to understand the gravity of the situation. Hidden in a box and buried under ground were a large number of stenguns, semi-automatic rifles, sophisticated foreign made revolvers, pistols, and grenades, besides others. At that time their collection of arms would have put our security forces to shame.
After leaving that place, JoH had asked Dinkar who were those people and what were the arms for. Dinkar only gave JoH a silent smile and whispered not to mention this to anybody. Later JoH learnt that those people were “Naxals/Maoists.”
Having studied and lived in Hazaribagh, Giridih and Dhanbad districts, now in Jharkhand, JoH had often interacted with these people, now called Naxals, shared meals with them and enjoyed the warmth of their simple hospitality. Oops, not to forget using their sexy bow and arrows. Simple questions like…“Kuch khane ko hai? (Is there anything to eat?)…would bring out a broad smile of disbelief on their faces. It was because they could not believe that a “babu” will eat with them. Amidst them JoH felt absolutely secure, because they would give their lives to protect him.
Today, JoH is sad because he knows how one of the purest and simplest tribe of existing mankind, have been forced to become “Naxals” or “Maoists.” These people were primarily known as “Santhals” or “Adivasis” who lived in the most backward areas of Bihar (Now Jharkhand), Bengal, Orissa, Andhra and MP (Now Chattisgarh). Though backward in terms of development, these areas are undoubtedly the richest by virtue of abundant natural resources including Coal, Mica, Iron Ore, Bauxite, rich forests and natural habitat.
These tribes, despite living in the heart of abundant natural resources for ages have never made commercial gains from them. They only depended on and used these sources for their day-to-day survival, worshipped these natural resources and were fiercely protective about them.
Since Independence, these mines were owned by private owners who exploited the richness of these natural resources. Illegal mining was rampant and these local people were ill treated and exploited to the hilt. Their source of survival was snatched from them and they were made to feel as total outsiders in their own land. Post ‘70s when the government took over these mines, they hoped that things will change for better but things became unbearably miserable for them. Their girls and women were raped at will, men treated like slaves and also killed brutally at the drop of a hat. The culprits were the very people who were supposed to protect them. With no hope of justice and no where to go, those simple hearts were forced into armed revolt and are now termed as “Naxals” or “Maoists.”
It is an irony that a classmate of JoH is presently posted as a CRPF Commandant in Champaran to fight these Naxals/Maoists…JoH often wonders…will his friend kill these people who have been subjected to years of injustice…or will he be…
In 1988-89, when Joy of Having or JoH went to work in the Champaran districts of Bihar, he had come face-to-face for the first time with the reality called “Naxals.” During one of his adventurous trip beyond Narkatiaganj, a sleepy hamlet near the Indo-Nepal border, covered by dense forests, he had met a group of people lazing in the backyard of what appeared to be a school building. At a first glance these people appeared to be downtrodden villagers or poor students from adjoining villages in their lungis, folded trousers and vests.
JoH was taken there by a local acquaintance named Dinkar Verma. After the initial exchange of pleasantries and his introduction, what they showed him was enough to understand the gravity of the situation. Hidden in a box and buried under ground were a large number of stenguns, semi-automatic rifles, sophisticated foreign made revolvers, pistols, and grenades, besides others. At that time their collection of arms would have put our security forces to shame.
After leaving that place, JoH had asked Dinkar who were those people and what were the arms for. Dinkar only gave JoH a silent smile and whispered not to mention this to anybody. Later JoH learnt that those people were “Naxals/Maoists.”
Having studied and lived in Hazaribagh, Giridih and Dhanbad districts, now in Jharkhand, JoH had often interacted with these people, now called Naxals, shared meals with them and enjoyed the warmth of their simple hospitality. Oops, not to forget using their sexy bow and arrows. Simple questions like…“Kuch khane ko hai? (Is there anything to eat?)…would bring out a broad smile of disbelief on their faces. It was because they could not believe that a “babu” will eat with them. Amidst them JoH felt absolutely secure, because they would give their lives to protect him.
Today, JoH is sad because he knows how one of the purest and simplest tribe of existing mankind, have been forced to become “Naxals” or “Maoists.” These people were primarily known as “Santhals” or “Adivasis” who lived in the most backward areas of Bihar (Now Jharkhand), Bengal, Orissa, Andhra and MP (Now Chattisgarh). Though backward in terms of development, these areas are undoubtedly the richest by virtue of abundant natural resources including Coal, Mica, Iron Ore, Bauxite, rich forests and natural habitat.
These tribes, despite living in the heart of abundant natural resources for ages have never made commercial gains from them. They only depended on and used these sources for their day-to-day survival, worshipped these natural resources and were fiercely protective about them.
Since Independence, these mines were owned by private owners who exploited the richness of these natural resources. Illegal mining was rampant and these local people were ill treated and exploited to the hilt. Their source of survival was snatched from them and they were made to feel as total outsiders in their own land. Post ‘70s when the government took over these mines, they hoped that things will change for better but things became unbearably miserable for them. Their girls and women were raped at will, men treated like slaves and also killed brutally at the drop of a hat. The culprits were the very people who were supposed to protect them. With no hope of justice and no where to go, those simple hearts were forced into armed revolt and are now termed as “Naxals” or “Maoists.”
It is an irony that a classmate of JoH is presently posted as a CRPF Commandant in Champaran to fight these Naxals/Maoists…JoH often wonders…will his friend kill these people who have been subjected to years of injustice…or will he be…
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Chaotic Jeans…
Hahahaha…JoH just can’t stop laughing. He is laughing on the issue of “jeans-girls” which reached its peak in UP and reported by all media. While this issue has been debated in different shades of seriousness across the country…what happened in UP can at best be described as funny.
It all started with girls wearing jeans to colleges…some guys eve teasing them…the girls complain to the college administrations…since the frequency of such complaints increases, the college administrations in a joint decision passed a stricture that girls are banned from wearing jeans in colleges. Hahahaha…The story does not end there…”Kahani mein abhi twist hai ”…wait. The UP administration headed by Baheen Mayawati ji (Since JoH is presently staying in Lucknow, he has to correctly address her to safeguard himselfJ) came to know about it and promptly revoked the decision with stern warnings to the college administrations. Hahahaha…so much for jeans.
Though her government came as a respite for these “jeans-girls”, JoH thinks that the “jeans-girls” should take learning from Baheen Mayawati ji. Has anyone ever seen her wearing jeans? Yet she rules a state known for its bad characters and she commands some of the best known alleged criminals of the state. Can any of them “eve-tease” her? On the contrary even the hardened criminals address her as “Baheen Mayawati ji.” This is despite the fact that she is the most widely displayed lady (Only after Smt. Sonia Gandhi) through posters, leaflets, banners, hoardings and of course the TV channels…Oops, now also her crorepati statues.
This is pun intended only…all “jeans girls” should be free to use their discretion…
It all started with girls wearing jeans to colleges…some guys eve teasing them…the girls complain to the college administrations…since the frequency of such complaints increases, the college administrations in a joint decision passed a stricture that girls are banned from wearing jeans in colleges. Hahahaha…The story does not end there…”Kahani mein abhi twist hai ”…wait. The UP administration headed by Baheen Mayawati ji (Since JoH is presently staying in Lucknow, he has to correctly address her to safeguard himselfJ) came to know about it and promptly revoked the decision with stern warnings to the college administrations. Hahahaha…so much for jeans.
Though her government came as a respite for these “jeans-girls”, JoH thinks that the “jeans-girls” should take learning from Baheen Mayawati ji. Has anyone ever seen her wearing jeans? Yet she rules a state known for its bad characters and she commands some of the best known alleged criminals of the state. Can any of them “eve-tease” her? On the contrary even the hardened criminals address her as “Baheen Mayawati ji.” This is despite the fact that she is the most widely displayed lady (Only after Smt. Sonia Gandhi) through posters, leaflets, banners, hoardings and of course the TV channels…Oops, now also her crorepati statues.
This is pun intended only…all “jeans girls” should be free to use their discretion…
Thursday, June 11, 2009
My Mother and Women's Quota in Parliament
Yesterday or maybe day before, I was stumped by my mother with a critical question. In the evening I was watching the news bulletin on NDTV which was airing the fight for women's quota in the Parliament. My mother was chatting with one of the bhabis from the neighbourhood. My mother suddenly started laughing, forcing me to ask "What happened?" The conversation that followed is as under:
Mother: What is this fight all about?
Me: This is about quota for women in Parliament.
Mother: What is the current quota?
Me: Nil
Mother: Then how are these females there (Refering to women MPs standing for the camera)
Me: They are either elected for Lok Sabha or nominated to Rajya Sabha.
Mother: If they are elected why can't other women be elected?
She promptly left to make tea for the bhabi. Her abrupt ending of the subject left me wondering, about the apathy of a middle-class lady towards women's quota in Parliament. To take this further I nudged the bhabi who has done her masters in Economics. She also laughed and responded by saying, "Bhaiya we don't have so much faltu time for all these because after this I have to go home and take care of household chores. This is OK with ladies like these who have enough backing to support them and also they need something to spend their time with."
Does this mean that a bunch of ladies (some of whom are not even elected) can decide on the future structure of Parliament? To my mind, whoever is raising such issue and wasting critical time of Parliament should be asked to first visit some remote places in Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, NE, Bihar and MP. Look at the plight of women there. They don't have clothes to cover themselves. Women there are grossly under-nurished and a majority of them suffer from some disease or the other. My humble submission to all the honourable MPs who wish to do something for the upliftment of women, please don't waste your time and the valuable time of Parliament. There are pressing problems which needs to be taken up on priority and more importantly there are enough women competent enough to compete for the Parliamentary seats. Please understand that naturally women have the inherent talent to manage the resources for the desired objective. Therefore, if women decide to increasingly participate in Parliamentary proceedings, they will.
It is actually not surprising to see people like Brinda Karat advocating this reservation policy because for people like her India is only the metros and upmarket life-style. A simple question--"What would have happened to people like these if nomination to the Upper House becomes stringent?" Please do not look for short-cuts and frivolous issues...let us talk and work for real issues.
Mother: What is this fight all about?
Me: This is about quota for women in Parliament.
Mother: What is the current quota?
Me: Nil
Mother: Then how are these females there (Refering to women MPs standing for the camera)
Me: They are either elected for Lok Sabha or nominated to Rajya Sabha.
Mother: If they are elected why can't other women be elected?
She promptly left to make tea for the bhabi. Her abrupt ending of the subject left me wondering, about the apathy of a middle-class lady towards women's quota in Parliament. To take this further I nudged the bhabi who has done her masters in Economics. She also laughed and responded by saying, "Bhaiya we don't have so much faltu time for all these because after this I have to go home and take care of household chores. This is OK with ladies like these who have enough backing to support them and also they need something to spend their time with."
Does this mean that a bunch of ladies (some of whom are not even elected) can decide on the future structure of Parliament? To my mind, whoever is raising such issue and wasting critical time of Parliament should be asked to first visit some remote places in Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, NE, Bihar and MP. Look at the plight of women there. They don't have clothes to cover themselves. Women there are grossly under-nurished and a majority of them suffer from some disease or the other. My humble submission to all the honourable MPs who wish to do something for the upliftment of women, please don't waste your time and the valuable time of Parliament. There are pressing problems which needs to be taken up on priority and more importantly there are enough women competent enough to compete for the Parliamentary seats. Please understand that naturally women have the inherent talent to manage the resources for the desired objective. Therefore, if women decide to increasingly participate in Parliamentary proceedings, they will.
It is actually not surprising to see people like Brinda Karat advocating this reservation policy because for people like her India is only the metros and upmarket life-style. A simple question--"What would have happened to people like these if nomination to the Upper House becomes stringent?" Please do not look for short-cuts and frivolous issues...let us talk and work for real issues.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Mukesh Ambani didn't learn
Saturday's Delhi The ToI carried a small news on how Mukesh's SEZ project has hit the wall with SC declining to extend the land acquition deadline for his company. What caught my imagination are two things...one being a negative news from business perspective, how The ToI has quiently placed it in an obscure manner...good PR (Some are friends...:) and more importantly, Mukesh has not taken any learning from The Tata fiasco with their Nano project in West Bengal. He tried to acquire farming land and not non-farming land from farmers. Today, money can't buy you everything...the farmer community is increasingly becoming empowered and knowledgeable and more importantly Reliance still seems to belive that it can bull doze its way with all the resources available. Sorry this is the age of Inclusive Approach....which our Hon. PM and Rahul Gandhi has understood. Hope next attempts will be more realistic...
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