Saturday, June 2, 2007
Not Fair
Ethical advertising. Sounds contradicting ?
I was watching a Fair & Lovely ad a couple of days back. It was about a girl whom grooms kept rejecting because she is dark. It was plainly revolting to see HLL take advantage of the feelings of dark complexioned girls. As it is, explicitly and implicitly, we are bombarded with the idea that dark skin is bad.
Our film industry glorifies fairness of skin. Most successful models, newsreaders, anchors, male and female, in India are fair. Thus the idea that dark complexioned people cannot be beautiful/handsome has taken firm root in our minds. Matrimonial advertisements in the classified section looking for brides bear testimony to this fact. They invariably call for 'fair', 'white' girls.
Of course, crudely put, the basic objective of any commercial is to brainwash the average Joe and/or create a need where none exists. In that sense, I guess we need to cut HLL some slack. But one needs to draw the line somewhere. Commercials that aim to manipulate children or ones that play upon inferiority complexes of people are to be censured. Of course, one can always argue that they are not breaking any law. But then again, we are not talking law here; we are talking ethics.
We need to wake up to the fact that there is more to a person than just skin which is fair and lovely.
I was watching a Fair & Lovely ad a couple of days back. It was about a girl whom grooms kept rejecting because she is dark. It was plainly revolting to see HLL take advantage of the feelings of dark complexioned girls. As it is, explicitly and implicitly, we are bombarded with the idea that dark skin is bad.
Our film industry glorifies fairness of skin. Most successful models, newsreaders, anchors, male and female, in India are fair. Thus the idea that dark complexioned people cannot be beautiful/handsome has taken firm root in our minds. Matrimonial advertisements in the classified section looking for brides bear testimony to this fact. They invariably call for 'fair', 'white' girls.
Of course, crudely put, the basic objective of any commercial is to brainwash the average Joe and/or create a need where none exists. In that sense, I guess we need to cut HLL some slack. But one needs to draw the line somewhere. Commercials that aim to manipulate children or ones that play upon inferiority complexes of people are to be censured. Of course, one can always argue that they are not breaking any law. But then again, we are not talking law here; we are talking ethics.
We need to wake up to the fact that there is more to a person than just skin which is fair and lovely.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
An open letter to the Bangalore Police Commissioner
Subject: Traffic Scene in Bangalore.
Dear commissioner,
I think I speak for the majority of Bangaloreans when I say that the traffic scene in this city of ours has become horrible. While I admit that the unprecedented increase in the number of vehicles is largely to blame, I'm sorry to say that a significant portion of the blame must lie at your personal doorstep.
I find it shameful that drivers have all but lost any regard for the yellow line. Jumping red lights has become 'acceptable'.
Speeding, even when pedestrians are around, is common. And last but not least, usage (or should I say abuse) of the horn has increased phenomenally.
I fully appreciate that a policeman's job is totally thankless. My sympathies are with the common police constable who stands in the dust and pollution and controls traffic.
But I find it scary that the people seem to have totally lost any respect/fear for the police constabulary. Rules are flouted at important junctions even when Patrol vehicles are parked nearby. In fact, I suspect, the constables ignore, sometimes even encourage, the violation of basic traffic rules.
Vehicles with engines revving, start moving even when there are 4-5 seconds for the light to turn green. Pedestrians are left to fend for themselves. I don't have to tell you that in many countries abroad, this would be treated as a major offence, one that even would warrant a license revoke.
I'm sure all this must have been brought to your attention many times in the past. You may even have witnessed most of these occurrences yourself. Yet, I find it hard to believe that you are a mute spectator.
The traffic police must do more to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. I can give you an example. Margosa Road in Malleshwaram has been recently made two-way. Yet, there is no yellow line separating the opposing flows of traffic.
When the public sees that the police is not serious about its business, how can you expect it to be serious about obeying rules ?
I know I'm just a common man and I should not be lecturing you on how to do your job. But I have a few suggestions to make.
* Lobby with the Chief Minister to increase the salary of the Police Constable. I strongly believe the constable will do his duty more responsibly when he is adequately compensated.
* Come down heavily on traffic offenders. The current fines of Rs 50 or Rs 100 is ridiculously little. Road users should have the decency to obey rules. When it has become obvious that they don't have it, I'm afraid it just has to be imposed upon them, whether they like it or not. It is only when people realize that they risk associated with breaking a rule is too high, will they start to behave responsibly.
* Computerize and link the RTO offices of the state. Traffic offences of each individual should be digitized so that with just a swipe of a card, a constable should be able to view his/her complete history. Each offence should be penalized more than the previous one. As soon as the people realize that their records are available to the authorities easily, compliance will automatically set in.
* Red lights should be photo enforced.
* Usage of horns should be severely curtailed. I really don't know how this can be done. But I'm sure your good office can think of a way.
* Jaywalkers should be dealt with severely.
* The STOP sign concept that is prevalent in countries like the US should be introduced in India. I believe this will go a long way in reducing accidents at junctions. Please do whatever it takes to get this implemented. Bangalore may be a good place to start.
Sir, things are spiraling out of control. Soon it may be too late to take corrective action.
I beg you to treat this letter seriously.
Thanks for your time.
Krishna
Dear commissioner,
I think I speak for the majority of Bangaloreans when I say that the traffic scene in this city of ours has become horrible. While I admit that the unprecedented increase in the number of vehicles is largely to blame, I'm sorry to say that a significant portion of the blame must lie at your personal doorstep.
I find it shameful that drivers have all but lost any regard for the yellow line. Jumping red lights has become 'acceptable'.
Speeding, even when pedestrians are around, is common. And last but not least, usage (or should I say abuse) of the horn has increased phenomenally.
I fully appreciate that a policeman's job is totally thankless. My sympathies are with the common police constable who stands in the dust and pollution and controls traffic.
But I find it scary that the people seem to have totally lost any respect/fear for the police constabulary. Rules are flouted at important junctions even when Patrol vehicles are parked nearby. In fact, I suspect, the constables ignore, sometimes even encourage, the violation of basic traffic rules.
Vehicles with engines revving, start moving even when there are 4-5 seconds for the light to turn green. Pedestrians are left to fend for themselves. I don't have to tell you that in many countries abroad, this would be treated as a major offence, one that even would warrant a license revoke.
I'm sure all this must have been brought to your attention many times in the past. You may even have witnessed most of these occurrences yourself. Yet, I find it hard to believe that you are a mute spectator.
The traffic police must do more to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. I can give you an example. Margosa Road in Malleshwaram has been recently made two-way. Yet, there is no yellow line separating the opposing flows of traffic.
When the public sees that the police is not serious about its business, how can you expect it to be serious about obeying rules ?
I know I'm just a common man and I should not be lecturing you on how to do your job. But I have a few suggestions to make.
* Lobby with the Chief Minister to increase the salary of the Police Constable. I strongly believe the constable will do his duty more responsibly when he is adequately compensated.
* Come down heavily on traffic offenders. The current fines of Rs 50 or Rs 100 is ridiculously little. Road users should have the decency to obey rules. When it has become obvious that they don't have it, I'm afraid it just has to be imposed upon them, whether they like it or not. It is only when people realize that they risk associated with breaking a rule is too high, will they start to behave responsibly.
* Computerize and link the RTO offices of the state. Traffic offences of each individual should be digitized so that with just a swipe of a card, a constable should be able to view his/her complete history. Each offence should be penalized more than the previous one. As soon as the people realize that their records are available to the authorities easily, compliance will automatically set in.
* Red lights should be photo enforced.
* Usage of horns should be severely curtailed. I really don't know how this can be done. But I'm sure your good office can think of a way.
* Jaywalkers should be dealt with severely.
* The STOP sign concept that is prevalent in countries like the US should be introduced in India. I believe this will go a long way in reducing accidents at junctions. Please do whatever it takes to get this implemented. Bangalore may be a good place to start.
Sir, things are spiraling out of control. Soon it may be too late to take corrective action.
I beg you to treat this letter seriously.
Thanks for your time.
Krishna
Monday, May 7, 2007
Means or Ends ?
Lord Krishna, on many occasions in the Magnum Opus Mahabharata, put ends above means. A few instances come to mind first.
-Dronacharya was proving to be the nemesis of the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war. It was becoming clearer by the hour that, for the Pandavas to win, Drona had to go.
Meanwhile, Bhima kills the elephant Ashwathama and roars in delight that he has killed the mighty Ashwathama. Drona on hearing this mistakenly assumes that Bhima has killed his son Ashwathama. Unable to come to terms with his loss, he approaches Yudhishtira to confirm. Yudhishtira, on advice from Krishna, tells Drona that Ashwathama is indeed dead. And then whispers out of earshot of Drona that he doesn't know if Ashwathama is a man or an elephant. Drona, given Yudhishtira's reputation for speaking the truth always, is heart broken and becomes a spent force in the war.
-Jayadratha in the Kaurava army was instrumental in unjustly killing Arjuna's son Abhimanyu. An enraged Arjuna swore that he would kill Jayadratha before sunset the next day, failing which, would enter fire. The news of this vow spread like wild fire in the enemy camp. Jayadratha panicked.
The next day, by using an innovative protective human shield around himself, Jayadratha manages to keep Arjuna at bay for most part of the day. As Arjuna waged on, the day drew to a close and Krishna, in His infinite wisdom, realized that it was not going to be possible for Arjuna to get at Jayadratha. He held up his Sudarshana Chakra to cover the sun and blots it out.
The Kaurava warriors assume that sunset was upon them and start rejoicing at Arjuna’s imminent suicide, lowering their guard. At that crucial moment, Krishna advises Arjuna to take aim at Jayadratha and kill him.
Arjuna obeys Him and thus a catastrophe is averted.
-Krishna knew that man to man, Karna was a better warrior than Arjuna. He knew that left to himself, Arjuna would be overcome. During the course of the deadly fight between Karna and Arjuna, the former had just let loose an arrow which had struck the latter in his chest and had left him dazed. Karna, seeing that the iron was hot, got ready to strike. The arrow that he let loose was headed straight at Arjuna's neck. But Krishna pushed the wheel of His chariot into the ground, as a result of which the arrow took away Arjuna's crown and thus saved him.
The story is replete with such instances.
All the more reason I feel that even in our day to day life, it is acceptable to place ends above means, if the situation warrants it.
-Dronacharya was proving to be the nemesis of the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war. It was becoming clearer by the hour that, for the Pandavas to win, Drona had to go.
Meanwhile, Bhima kills the elephant Ashwathama and roars in delight that he has killed the mighty Ashwathama. Drona on hearing this mistakenly assumes that Bhima has killed his son Ashwathama. Unable to come to terms with his loss, he approaches Yudhishtira to confirm. Yudhishtira, on advice from Krishna, tells Drona that Ashwathama is indeed dead. And then whispers out of earshot of Drona that he doesn't know if Ashwathama is a man or an elephant. Drona, given Yudhishtira's reputation for speaking the truth always, is heart broken and becomes a spent force in the war.
-Jayadratha in the Kaurava army was instrumental in unjustly killing Arjuna's son Abhimanyu. An enraged Arjuna swore that he would kill Jayadratha before sunset the next day, failing which, would enter fire. The news of this vow spread like wild fire in the enemy camp. Jayadratha panicked.
The next day, by using an innovative protective human shield around himself, Jayadratha manages to keep Arjuna at bay for most part of the day. As Arjuna waged on, the day drew to a close and Krishna, in His infinite wisdom, realized that it was not going to be possible for Arjuna to get at Jayadratha. He held up his Sudarshana Chakra to cover the sun and blots it out.
The Kaurava warriors assume that sunset was upon them and start rejoicing at Arjuna’s imminent suicide, lowering their guard. At that crucial moment, Krishna advises Arjuna to take aim at Jayadratha and kill him.
Arjuna obeys Him and thus a catastrophe is averted.
-Krishna knew that man to man, Karna was a better warrior than Arjuna. He knew that left to himself, Arjuna would be overcome. During the course of the deadly fight between Karna and Arjuna, the former had just let loose an arrow which had struck the latter in his chest and had left him dazed. Karna, seeing that the iron was hot, got ready to strike. The arrow that he let loose was headed straight at Arjuna's neck. But Krishna pushed the wheel of His chariot into the ground, as a result of which the arrow took away Arjuna's crown and thus saved him.
The story is replete with such instances.
All the more reason I feel that even in our day to day life, it is acceptable to place ends above means, if the situation warrants it.
Parents shape us
Much, if not all, of what we are today is because of how we were brought up as a child. The way we maintain our personal hygiene, the way we behave towards our peers, (more importantly how we behave towards our subordinates), our moral values - virtually everything is a direct result of what our parents taught us.
Stories told to us when we were kids have a terrific impact on shaping our thinking. A child's education starts not from the day he starts school but from the day he is born. In fact, as Mahatma Gandhi said in his 'My Experiments With Truth’, a person learns more in the first five years of his life than he does in the remaining years he's alive.
One learns more from one's parents than one learns in school. And it is infinitely more valuable than bookish knowledge. It makes you who you are.
Not wanting to be judgmental, some of the habits and attitudes of people I've seen in my 6 years or so of professional career certainly leave a lot to be desired. I read somewhere the other day that seeing how one treats a waiter at a restaurant tells a hell of a lot about one's upbringing. That is so true. It is easy to treat your boss well. But can you give the same treatment to your subordinate - somebody who does not control your appraisal ?
Your true character is what you do when no one's looking.
Stories told to us when we were kids have a terrific impact on shaping our thinking. A child's education starts not from the day he starts school but from the day he is born. In fact, as Mahatma Gandhi said in his 'My Experiments With Truth’, a person learns more in the first five years of his life than he does in the remaining years he's alive.
One learns more from one's parents than one learns in school. And it is infinitely more valuable than bookish knowledge. It makes you who you are.
Not wanting to be judgmental, some of the habits and attitudes of people I've seen in my 6 years or so of professional career certainly leave a lot to be desired. I read somewhere the other day that seeing how one treats a waiter at a restaurant tells a hell of a lot about one's upbringing. That is so true. It is easy to treat your boss well. But can you give the same treatment to your subordinate - somebody who does not control your appraisal ?
Your true character is what you do when no one's looking.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Goodbye to fiction !
I'm done reading fiction. As much pleasure as reading Grisham, Archer, RK Narayan, Wodehouse gives me, I think it is time to move on. There is a treasure trove of autobiographies, biographies, World History, Political Science and religion literatures out there that is just waiting to be tapped.
So in line with this thinking, I've started with MK Gandhi's works. I finished reading his 'Indian Home Rule or Hind Swaraj' a few days back. I've started with his famous 'Experiments with Truth'. But I borrowed the book from the public library here in Charlotte and given that there is less than 3 weeks for me to leave the country for good, I'm not sure if i can finish it by then.
I don't know what suddenly made me realize that I need to start reading non-fiction, but I'm glad that something did.
But novels by authors like JHC, Wodehouse are addictive ! You can bet your last nickel that the temptation to go back to them will always be there ! And as the wag said, the best way to resist temptation is to give in to it ;)
But I'll be happy if, by and large, I can graduate to non-fiction.
It was Appa who was largely responsible for inculcating the reading habit in me. Thanks, Appa !
So in line with this thinking, I've started with MK Gandhi's works. I finished reading his 'Indian Home Rule or Hind Swaraj' a few days back. I've started with his famous 'Experiments with Truth'. But I borrowed the book from the public library here in Charlotte and given that there is less than 3 weeks for me to leave the country for good, I'm not sure if i can finish it by then.
I don't know what suddenly made me realize that I need to start reading non-fiction, but I'm glad that something did.
But novels by authors like JHC, Wodehouse are addictive ! You can bet your last nickel that the temptation to go back to them will always be there ! And as the wag said, the best way to resist temptation is to give in to it ;)
But I'll be happy if, by and large, I can graduate to non-fiction.
It was Appa who was largely responsible for inculcating the reading habit in me. Thanks, Appa !
In support of vegetarianism
As far as I'm concerned, there are just two kinds of people - vegetarians and non vegetarians. The latter are an overwhelming majority in this world. But the few who are vegetarians, remain so because of various reasons - religion, health, fear of Judgement Day retribution etc. But I am a vegetarian because of the simple reason that I abhor the idea of inflicting pain upon another animal just to sate my hunger. Also, my Brahminism has got nothing to do with my vegetarianism.
In other words, I'm veggie because I choose to be veggie; not because of religious compulsions.
But having said that, it is easier for children who are born into vegetarian households (as in my case) to adopt vegetarianism as a way of life as they grow up, than children whose parents eat meat. So I admire people (for whatever reason) who turn vegetarians. By extension, i cannot tolerate people (again, for whatever reason) who turn non-vegetarians.
Children who see a leg of mutton on their plate cannot comprehend that their dinner died a violent death. But that is not the case with people who take up meat-eating later on in their life. They are aware that the chicken had its throat slit and/or skinned alive. They know that great pain and misery was inflicted upon it. They just choose to ignore it or just don't care.
Personally, there is no way I'm letting my stomach become a graveyard for dead animals.
In other words, I'm veggie because I choose to be veggie; not because of religious compulsions.
But having said that, it is easier for children who are born into vegetarian households (as in my case) to adopt vegetarianism as a way of life as they grow up, than children whose parents eat meat. So I admire people (for whatever reason) who turn vegetarians. By extension, i cannot tolerate people (again, for whatever reason) who turn non-vegetarians.
Children who see a leg of mutton on their plate cannot comprehend that their dinner died a violent death. But that is not the case with people who take up meat-eating later on in their life. They are aware that the chicken had its throat slit and/or skinned alive. They know that great pain and misery was inflicted upon it. They just choose to ignore it or just don't care.
Personally, there is no way I'm letting my stomach become a graveyard for dead animals.
OBC quota implementation prevented
It is heartening to note that the Supreme Court has prevented the implementation of the OBC quota in higher educational institutions this academic year. The judiciary has been the 'final frontier', to use Waugh's words, in corruption ridden, caste-infested India.
But then again, the Congress led Govt is hell-bent on getting the OBC quota implemented. In their own words, they will use 'every constitutional and legal' means to get it done. I fear it is only a matter of time before they become successful. If not this academic year, then it will be the next.
What scares me is that the Congress is not alone in its nefarious intent. Not wanting to be seen as anti-OBC, all parties have come together in trying to push for it.
And the people too, barring sporadic student protests, seem to be welcoming it.
As one judge rightly noted, nowhere else in the world is there a competition to become backward.
Whatever the intent of our forefathers was, the caste system has become an albatross for India's development.
It is a matter of elementary common sense that reservation, if at all has to exist, should be based on economic condition and not caste based. But since when has basic common sense been a feature of Indian politics ?
But then again, the Congress led Govt is hell-bent on getting the OBC quota implemented. In their own words, they will use 'every constitutional and legal' means to get it done. I fear it is only a matter of time before they become successful. If not this academic year, then it will be the next.
What scares me is that the Congress is not alone in its nefarious intent. Not wanting to be seen as anti-OBC, all parties have come together in trying to push for it.
And the people too, barring sporadic student protests, seem to be welcoming it.
As one judge rightly noted, nowhere else in the world is there a competition to become backward.
Whatever the intent of our forefathers was, the caste system has become an albatross for India's development.
It is a matter of elementary common sense that reservation, if at all has to exist, should be based on economic condition and not caste based. But since when has basic common sense been a feature of Indian politics ?
Tendulkar should retire
It will no longer be possible for Tendulkar to retire gracefully. Everybody from former greats to two-bit journalists have begun asking uncomfortable questions.
Of course, India's shameful exit from the World Cup made it all the more difficult for him. But Kumble did it. It must have been tough for him but he did it.
I used to be a major fan of Tendulkar. I still am; make no mistake. He's one of the greatest. But while earlier, I used to defend Tendulkar tooth and nail when people used to criticize him for his inability to perform on big occasions, I no longer do. Now, I know that there is a lot of truth in it. It's sad but true.
His batting average will not reflect it at all, though. He still averages 40+ or thereabouts in his last 25 games. But ask yourself this: when is the last time Tendulkar single handedly got India out of a hole and to victory ? Makes you think a while, right ? Well, it shouldn't be that way. It just means it's been a while now.
There used to be a time when Tendulkar could walk into any champion team in any era. But now, he doesn't even merit a place in this Indian side. Indian one day side. In my opinion, he's still got some test match cricket left in him.
Tough as it may seem to say it, Tendulkar is over the hill.
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar should announce his retirement. Now is as good a time as any.
Of course, India's shameful exit from the World Cup made it all the more difficult for him. But Kumble did it. It must have been tough for him but he did it.
I used to be a major fan of Tendulkar. I still am; make no mistake. He's one of the greatest. But while earlier, I used to defend Tendulkar tooth and nail when people used to criticize him for his inability to perform on big occasions, I no longer do. Now, I know that there is a lot of truth in it. It's sad but true.
His batting average will not reflect it at all, though. He still averages 40+ or thereabouts in his last 25 games. But ask yourself this: when is the last time Tendulkar single handedly got India out of a hole and to victory ? Makes you think a while, right ? Well, it shouldn't be that way. It just means it's been a while now.
There used to be a time when Tendulkar could walk into any champion team in any era. But now, he doesn't even merit a place in this Indian side. Indian one day side. In my opinion, he's still got some test match cricket left in him.
Tough as it may seem to say it, Tendulkar is over the hill.
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar should announce his retirement. Now is as good a time as any.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Caste based reservation in sports !
The Punjab Govt is thinking of introducing caste based reservation in sports. Well, why not, I say. When you can have caste based reservations for admissions into educational institutions and for getting selected for jobs, I guess this is a logical extension.
Curiously enough, it no longer upsets me. Now, I only have a morbid curiosity to see how much farther our politicians will take this game and how much longer it will take our people to realize they are in fact being pushed further and further into an abyss.
Actually, you know what; it may be a good idea to see reservation being enforced in sports, especially in our national cricket team. If that happens, given the visibility the cricket team has in this country, maybe the people will witness the sudden dip in quality and be jolted out of their stupor. If that's what it takes to make our people see light, so be it.
Heck, no, wait a second. Even without reservation, the performance of the Indian team has hit rock bottom; so reservation may actually help !!!
So much for that idea....!
Curiously enough, it no longer upsets me. Now, I only have a morbid curiosity to see how much farther our politicians will take this game and how much longer it will take our people to realize they are in fact being pushed further and further into an abyss.
Actually, you know what; it may be a good idea to see reservation being enforced in sports, especially in our national cricket team. If that happens, given the visibility the cricket team has in this country, maybe the people will witness the sudden dip in quality and be jolted out of their stupor. If that's what it takes to make our people see light, so be it.
Heck, no, wait a second. Even without reservation, the performance of the Indian team has hit rock bottom; so reservation may actually help !!!
So much for that idea....!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Indian Home Rule or Hind Swaraj
I'm back to MK Gandhi. The earlier blog that I wrote on the great man made me think i should probably read more of his works. I finished reading his 'Indian Home Rule or Hind Swaraj'. The entire book is in the format of Questions and Answers.
I know that many Indians hold that the Mahatma was not all that great as he's made out to be. In fact many call him a villain. Personally, I hold the main in high esteem. So the idea was to read more of Gandhi's works so that I could arm myself with data when I wanted to counter such elements. But now I'm more confused that ever !
Check this out. The man was against doctors, he was against railways, he was against lawyers and hold your breath, against education as we know it !
Sample this:
"Railways, lawyers and doctors have impoverished the country, so much so that, if we do not wake up in time, we shall be ruined. It must be manifest to you that but for the railways, the English could not have such a hold on India as they have.....Railways have increased the frequency of famines, because, owing to the facility of means of locomotion, people sell out their grain, and it is sent to the dearest markets. People become careless, and so the pressure of famine increases....The holy places of India have become unholy. Formerly people went to these places with great difficulty. Generally, therefore, only the real devotees visited such places. Nowadays rogues visit them in order to practice their roguery"
I simply can't understand it. I mean, every new technology will have its pros and cons. Forget new technology; everything will have its pros and cons. How could he criticize the railways like this ? Even fire has destructive powers. So should we discontinue using it ?
Read his views on doctors. To say i was shocked is an understatement.
"Hospitals are institutions of propagating sin. Doctors have almost unhinged us. Sometimes i think quacks are better than highly qualified doctors. Let us consider the business of a doctor is to take care of the body....and to get rid of the diseases that afflict it. How do these diseases arise ? By our negligence or indulgence. I overeat, I have indigestion, I go to a doctor, he gives me medicine. I'm cured. I overeat again, I take his pills again. Had i not taken the pills in the first instance, I would have suffered the punishment deserved by me and I would not have overeaten again.....I have indulged in vice, I contract a disease, a doctor cures me, the odds are that I shall repeat the vice. Had the doctor not intervened, nature would have done its work (sic), and I would have acquired mastery over myself ...and would have become happy"
So is he saying we should live like cavemen ? I felt like laughing when i read his statement on vice. Many STDs can be transmitted by blood transfusions also. They can also be transmitted from mother to child in the womb. But for advances in medical science many innocent lives would have been lost. I fail to see how doctors and medical science can be bad for the society.
Then again, could it be that his words seem out of context now ? Could it be that India's progress in these past 75 years has made his ideas lose meaning ?
Now I'm more intrigued than ever. I simply have to read more of his works. My mouth is watering at the prospect.
I know that many Indians hold that the Mahatma was not all that great as he's made out to be. In fact many call him a villain. Personally, I hold the main in high esteem. So the idea was to read more of Gandhi's works so that I could arm myself with data when I wanted to counter such elements. But now I'm more confused that ever !
Check this out. The man was against doctors, he was against railways, he was against lawyers and hold your breath, against education as we know it !
Sample this:
"Railways, lawyers and doctors have impoverished the country, so much so that, if we do not wake up in time, we shall be ruined. It must be manifest to you that but for the railways, the English could not have such a hold on India as they have.....Railways have increased the frequency of famines, because, owing to the facility of means of locomotion, people sell out their grain, and it is sent to the dearest markets. People become careless, and so the pressure of famine increases....The holy places of India have become unholy. Formerly people went to these places with great difficulty. Generally, therefore, only the real devotees visited such places. Nowadays rogues visit them in order to practice their roguery"
I simply can't understand it. I mean, every new technology will have its pros and cons. Forget new technology; everything will have its pros and cons. How could he criticize the railways like this ? Even fire has destructive powers. So should we discontinue using it ?
Read his views on doctors. To say i was shocked is an understatement.
"Hospitals are institutions of propagating sin. Doctors have almost unhinged us. Sometimes i think quacks are better than highly qualified doctors. Let us consider the business of a doctor is to take care of the body....and to get rid of the diseases that afflict it. How do these diseases arise ? By our negligence or indulgence. I overeat, I have indigestion, I go to a doctor, he gives me medicine. I'm cured. I overeat again, I take his pills again. Had i not taken the pills in the first instance, I would have suffered the punishment deserved by me and I would not have overeaten again.....I have indulged in vice, I contract a disease, a doctor cures me, the odds are that I shall repeat the vice. Had the doctor not intervened, nature would have done its work (sic), and I would have acquired mastery over myself ...and would have become happy"
So is he saying we should live like cavemen ? I felt like laughing when i read his statement on vice. Many STDs can be transmitted by blood transfusions also. They can also be transmitted from mother to child in the womb. But for advances in medical science many innocent lives would have been lost. I fail to see how doctors and medical science can be bad for the society.
Then again, could it be that his words seem out of context now ? Could it be that India's progress in these past 75 years has made his ideas lose meaning ?
Now I'm more intrigued than ever. I simply have to read more of his works. My mouth is watering at the prospect.
The Bachan-Rai Wedding
Admittedly, celebrities command print space. Even in advanced countries like US, film stars evoke feelings of mass hysteria.
The Americans' obsession with stars like Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie has to be seen to be believed. But even by such standards, the Indian media coverage of the Bachan-Rai wedding was too much. Even otherwise stoic papers like Deccan Herald had the news on its headlines - not once but on successive days.
I know it is too much to expect of our hoi polloi to stay aloof from titillation and sensationalism. But what of our intelligentsia and our 'mature' press ? Didn't they know better than to splash the story on their front pages almost daily ?
I must say I'm disappointed.
The Americans' obsession with stars like Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie has to be seen to be believed. But even by such standards, the Indian media coverage of the Bachan-Rai wedding was too much. Even otherwise stoic papers like Deccan Herald had the news on its headlines - not once but on successive days.
I know it is too much to expect of our hoi polloi to stay aloof from titillation and sensationalism. But what of our intelligentsia and our 'mature' press ? Didn't they know better than to splash the story on their front pages almost daily ?
I must say I'm disappointed.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Narayan Murthy and the National Anthem issue
Clearly Narayan Murthy committed a faux paus when he tried to explain why the National Anthem was not sung when President Abdul Kalam visited the Infy campus. NRN's argument that he did not want to embarass non-Indians on the campus holds little water. In fact, I was shocked to read it.
But it is a glitch anyone could have made and we should forget it and move on. Also, to his credit, Murthy issued a public apology.
But the media anxious for eyeballs has predictably blown the issue out of proportion. And every politican worth his salt is playing the holier-than-thou game. And now an advocate has filed a FIR against NRN ! I'm convinced it is politically motivated.
When will the public realise that this is exactly what Indian politicans want. Some inconsequential issue to distract people away from real issues - poverty, lack of infrastructure, and lack of governance.
But it is a glitch anyone could have made and we should forget it and move on. Also, to his credit, Murthy issued a public apology.
But the media anxious for eyeballs has predictably blown the issue out of proportion. And every politican worth his salt is playing the holier-than-thou game. And now an advocate has filed a FIR against NRN ! I'm convinced it is politically motivated.
When will the public realise that this is exactly what Indian politicans want. Some inconsequential issue to distract people away from real issues - poverty, lack of infrastructure, and lack of governance.
Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
For all its advances in science, technology and human rights, the USA, untill not very long back(till the middle of the previous century), was following the barbaric practice of discriminating humans based on the colour of their skin. Blacks and Whites were segregated virtually in every aspect of public life.There was simmering discontent among virtually the entire black populace. But the white man occupied every high position and there was pretty much nothing that the negroes could do about it.
That is, until Rosa Parks happened.
The first day of December in 1955 proved to be a turning point in the history of black America. Parks refused to relinquish her seat on the bus to a white man. She disobeyed the bus driver's repeated requests. The law of the day was that a black should vacate his/her seat to a white person. This led to her arrest and subsequent trial.
What followed was one of the most famous civil disobedience movements that the world has witnessed and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The organiser of this boycott was, of course, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Rosa Parks' actions earned her a very important position in the annals of America's history.
Take a look here for Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
The Mahatma
Godse's text of self defence
http://ngodse.tripod.com/defense.htm
MK Gandhi is definitely to be revered for his role in India's freedom movement. His leadership and his initiative are without doubt commendable and nonpareil. And his title of 'Mahatma' is justified.
However, I've read articles about the man which paint a totally different picture. The set of people who criticise Gandhi subscribe to a school of thought which says that his 'persistent policy of appeasement towards the Muslims' was at the cost of Hindus. The locus standi he adopted which opposed the Indian Govt's decision to withhold the Rs 55 crore due to Pakistan just after partition is a case in point.
Yes, the concept of turning the other cheek sounds good in lecture halls and in moral science classes. But in international politics then, as indeed now in contemporary foreign policies, it doesn't work.
Will all due respect to the great man, a few of his beliefs were definitely flawed.
http://ngodse.tripod.com/defense.htm
MK Gandhi is definitely to be revered for his role in India's freedom movement. His leadership and his initiative are without doubt commendable and nonpareil. And his title of 'Mahatma' is justified.
However, I've read articles about the man which paint a totally different picture. The set of people who criticise Gandhi subscribe to a school of thought which says that his 'persistent policy of appeasement towards the Muslims' was at the cost of Hindus. The locus standi he adopted which opposed the Indian Govt's decision to withhold the Rs 55 crore due to Pakistan just after partition is a case in point.
Yes, the concept of turning the other cheek sounds good in lecture halls and in moral science classes. But in international politics then, as indeed now in contemporary foreign policies, it doesn't work.
Will all due respect to the great man, a few of his beliefs were definitely flawed.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Off with their heads !
I happened to see the Australia - South Africa game in the early stages of the 2007 world cup. The first thing that struck me was that the level of cricket that these two teams put up for show was simply beyond the capacity of India - and for that matter, Pakistan. The fitness levels of the young brigade of Australia are awesome. The ground fielding of South Africa is light years ahead. India looks pedestrian in comparison. An old ambassador parked next to a brand new Ferrari sports car.
I read an article in Cricinfo which suggested that what happened to Indian hockey 30 years back when Astro Turf was introduced, might be happening right now to Indian cricket. I think it hit the nail right on the head. In addition to the primary, basic requirements for batsmen like timing, placement and running between the wickets, qualities like strength, endurance, stamina and brute power are acquiring importance. India, a team packed with softies, I fear, is being left behind.
Sharad Pawar, immediately after India exited the world cup declared that drastic changes would be made. A couple of days later, the news doing the rounds was the Tendulkar might be asked to take over the captaincy !!! Is this what is meant by drastic ? Makes me want to laugh ! If it is drastic changes that the board wants to make, then drop Tendulkar and Sehwag. Ease out Ganguly. This present team needs to be dismantled ruthlessly.
Kumble took the right decision by retiring from the One day game. Hope the message percolates to Tendulkar. I think the Indian public is slowly coming to realise that they don't need heroes if they do not perform. I think the corporates are realising it now too. They are going in for shorter contracts with players and are including stricter clauses linked to more consistent performances.
75% of this current crop of jokers need to be asked to leave. Indian cricket, especially the one day version, needs fresh blood. We need more Dinesh Karthiks, more Uthappas. Neck out players who are unlikely to be around till the 2011 world cup. It would be ok even if a new-look team loses a few tournaments. The current team is losing them anyway. At least we'll know the new bunch will give 100%.
Is this a knee-jerk reaction to India's shock exit from the 2007 World Cup ? I think not.
I read an article in Cricinfo which suggested that what happened to Indian hockey 30 years back when Astro Turf was introduced, might be happening right now to Indian cricket. I think it hit the nail right on the head. In addition to the primary, basic requirements for batsmen like timing, placement and running between the wickets, qualities like strength, endurance, stamina and brute power are acquiring importance. India, a team packed with softies, I fear, is being left behind.
Sharad Pawar, immediately after India exited the world cup declared that drastic changes would be made. A couple of days later, the news doing the rounds was the Tendulkar might be asked to take over the captaincy !!! Is this what is meant by drastic ? Makes me want to laugh ! If it is drastic changes that the board wants to make, then drop Tendulkar and Sehwag. Ease out Ganguly. This present team needs to be dismantled ruthlessly.
Kumble took the right decision by retiring from the One day game. Hope the message percolates to Tendulkar. I think the Indian public is slowly coming to realise that they don't need heroes if they do not perform. I think the corporates are realising it now too. They are going in for shorter contracts with players and are including stricter clauses linked to more consistent performances.
75% of this current crop of jokers need to be asked to leave. Indian cricket, especially the one day version, needs fresh blood. We need more Dinesh Karthiks, more Uthappas. Neck out players who are unlikely to be around till the 2011 world cup. It would be ok even if a new-look team loses a few tournaments. The current team is losing them anyway. At least we'll know the new bunch will give 100%.
Is this a knee-jerk reaction to India's shock exit from the 2007 World Cup ? I think not.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
India's 'population problem'
I don't believe India's population is as big a handicap for the country as it is made out to be. There's another dimension to it which always gets overlooked. The population should not be viewed in isolation. Rather it always should be spoken of as the population per square area.
Not many people know that the people density is much more in, say, Singapore than it is in India. And Singapore does not have any natural resources, mineral deposits, forests, rivers etc, to speak of. So how is it that Singapore is more successful than India, which is blessed with abundant natural resources ? How is it that their per capita income is better than ours ? I think we just need to attack the problem smartly. There have been some basic flaws in our approach to urban planning these past 5-6 decades
Yes, I do agree that India's cities are overpopulated. That's definitely true. So, I think that the real issue is that rather than over-population, India's problem is that
its population is concentrated in pockets. The real issue is that our cities are splitting at the seams while other areas are underdeveloped and hence sparsely populated.
There's so much of hinterland in India that's just sitting there doing nothing.
Since there are just 5-6 metros in India, all the migration that happens from our rural areas happens into these 5-6 cities. And this is a load even cities with good
infrastructure can't withstand; and we all know what the state of our cities is. So what's the answer?
The obvious solution is control the population growth. But let's be practical. This isn't going to happen overnight. Though the rate of population growth is on the decline
in India, it is going to take decades for it to stabilise.
So we need to look at other alternatives. Satellite towns. I believe that holds the key to this problem. We need to develop satellite towns and cities. These new cities
should be self sufficient in all respects - hospitals, schools, public transportation, railway stations, parks, security, industries: in short, the works. People living in
these towns should find no reason to come to the parent city on a regular basis.
People who leave villages in search of jobs, as indeed current residents of our existing cities, should be convinced that their chances of finding a job or their quest for
a decent standard of living, in these new towns will be just as even as in a Bangalore or in a Mumbai.
There is tremendous scope for growth here. Building these new towns and cities will spawn a huge demand for cement and steel. Millions of jobs can be generated. New vistas
for economic growth can thus be opened up by pursuing this approach.
Our existing cities have reached a point where further investments in infrastructure is not yielding proportionate benefits to their burgeoning populations. We need a
massive paradigm shift to happen to our demography. Future investments need to happen in areas which would result in a more even distribution of our people. The setting up of SEZs is a step in the right direction. (I'm not going into the contoversy of displacement of people, this entails. That's beyond the scope of the issue
this piece is trying to address.)
SEZs, in priciple, are good. Industrialization of an area automatically guarantees the breeding of other spheres of growth which support it.
People are drawn to these areas and this in turn ensures the achivement of self sufficiency of the entire area.
These are the kind of measures that should be taken to address the 'population problem' that India faces.
Not many people know that the people density is much more in, say, Singapore than it is in India. And Singapore does not have any natural resources, mineral deposits, forests, rivers etc, to speak of. So how is it that Singapore is more successful than India, which is blessed with abundant natural resources ? How is it that their per capita income is better than ours ? I think we just need to attack the problem smartly. There have been some basic flaws in our approach to urban planning these past 5-6 decades
Yes, I do agree that India's cities are overpopulated. That's definitely true. So, I think that the real issue is that rather than over-population, India's problem is that
its population is concentrated in pockets. The real issue is that our cities are splitting at the seams while other areas are underdeveloped and hence sparsely populated.
There's so much of hinterland in India that's just sitting there doing nothing.
Since there are just 5-6 metros in India, all the migration that happens from our rural areas happens into these 5-6 cities. And this is a load even cities with good
infrastructure can't withstand; and we all know what the state of our cities is. So what's the answer?
The obvious solution is control the population growth. But let's be practical. This isn't going to happen overnight. Though the rate of population growth is on the decline
in India, it is going to take decades for it to stabilise.
So we need to look at other alternatives. Satellite towns. I believe that holds the key to this problem. We need to develop satellite towns and cities. These new cities
should be self sufficient in all respects - hospitals, schools, public transportation, railway stations, parks, security, industries: in short, the works. People living in
these towns should find no reason to come to the parent city on a regular basis.
People who leave villages in search of jobs, as indeed current residents of our existing cities, should be convinced that their chances of finding a job or their quest for
a decent standard of living, in these new towns will be just as even as in a Bangalore or in a Mumbai.
There is tremendous scope for growth here. Building these new towns and cities will spawn a huge demand for cement and steel. Millions of jobs can be generated. New vistas
for economic growth can thus be opened up by pursuing this approach.
Our existing cities have reached a point where further investments in infrastructure is not yielding proportionate benefits to their burgeoning populations. We need a
massive paradigm shift to happen to our demography. Future investments need to happen in areas which would result in a more even distribution of our people. The setting up of SEZs is a step in the right direction. (I'm not going into the contoversy of displacement of people, this entails. That's beyond the scope of the issue
this piece is trying to address.)
SEZs, in priciple, are good. Industrialization of an area automatically guarantees the breeding of other spheres of growth which support it.
People are drawn to these areas and this in turn ensures the achivement of self sufficiency of the entire area.
These are the kind of measures that should be taken to address the 'population problem' that India faces.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Forgive and forget !
Two defeats in three matches.
A team which was touted as title contenders is knocked out in the first round. The Indian team must be having nightmares about the kind of reception they will get at the airports when they return home. Fans will be baying for their blood.
Editorials will be written about what went wrong. Private TV channels will call experts to the studio and the matter will be discussed threadbare, ad infinitum, ad nauseam.
But this too shall pass. Public memory is short. Soon the next tournament will start. This team will manage a good performance and the cricket crazy Indian public will forgive and forget. And all will be well till the next shocker.
This is a vicious circle and the gullible public is caught in the vortex of it.
A team which was touted as title contenders is knocked out in the first round. The Indian team must be having nightmares about the kind of reception they will get at the airports when they return home. Fans will be baying for their blood.
Editorials will be written about what went wrong. Private TV channels will call experts to the studio and the matter will be discussed threadbare, ad infinitum, ad nauseam.
But this too shall pass. Public memory is short. Soon the next tournament will start. This team will manage a good performance and the cricket crazy Indian public will forgive and forget. And all will be well till the next shocker.
This is a vicious circle and the gullible public is caught in the vortex of it.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Blue Ridge Parkway 17 Mar 2007
We started out at 630 am. This being the first week of daylight saving, it was still dark. We hit I-85 in a new white Hyundai Elantra. We’d taken with us music cds and they were on at full blast.
You know, there is this thing about traveling in the mornings in India. There's something about the cool, chill, crisp air as it plays upon my face that gives me a high. But one can't really keep windows open when traveling on freeways in this country. For one thing, the noise of the wind would be deafening; moreover at this time of the year, it would be freezing.So I have to be content with letting the cool, chill, crisp air-conditioned air play on my face !
Blue ridge parkway, by the way, is a 500 mile long scenic stretch of asphalt that stretches across 3 US states (I think). It is not a freeway. In fact, it is just a 2 lane road with 45mph as its maximum speed.
I did some research before starting out. I knew that fall would be the ideal time to travel on it. But I'll not be here till fall. So March, it has to be. I discovered that Ashville would be my closest access point to the parkway. Ashville is around 2 hours from Charlotte.
Well anyway, back to our drive. We stopped at a McD outlet for our breakfast at around 830 am. After a refreshing meal of pancakes and the inevitable cup of coffee, we set out again. Reached Asheville at around 10ish.
We walked into an information center to find out how to get onto the parkway. Information centers in this nation are totally cool. The staff is always so friendly and so helpful; always a joke ready ! Why can't we replicate such things in India? You never get the feeling that they are doing us a favour by giving out information. On the contrary, you get the feeling that you are doing them a favour by taking time out to visit the place. Amazing !
We came out of the information center with a cartload of brochures and maps. They recommended to us a Folk Art center some 5 miles away to start our drive with. Not surprisingly, their directions to it proved to be accurate.
The folk art center turned out to be a Khadi emporium kind of a place with exhibitions of artifacts and pottery. In fact there was a potter at the place actually making pots. It was simply fascinating to watch. As i was going around the place, i happened to see a notice that appeared to say that the Blue Ridge parkway was closed because of bad weather. Immediately concerned, i make enquiries. Sure enough, I was told that the road was closed 8 miles up north and 38 miles down south. That was certainly a blow.
Anyway, there was nothing much to be done but head south to drive till we reached the barricade. The Blue Ridge parkway is along the Appalachian mountain ranges. The road itself was a narrow winding road. As we climbed, I could feel the familiar 'pop' in my ear. We were really climbing ! The views all along the route were something ! Of course we constantly reminded ourselves that this was nowhere near its best. Fall was the season to be doing this drive in !There were a lot of tunnels along the way. We could see streams and rivers all along the way amidst thick vegetation. This country is certainly blessed with abundant natural beauty !
We made a lot of stops along the way to take photos.It took us almost 90 minutes to cover the 30 miles. (On freeways, it would take around 20-25 minutes. Just gives an idea how leisurely we were driving). It took us a little less time to come back.
Having come back to Asheville, we headed back home. We stopped at a Burger King to have lunch. we reached home at around 5 in the evening.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Bangladesh beats India !
Well, there it is. The impossible has happened.
Bangladesh pulled a fast one over India. Now, we will see the inevitable chest beatings and the usual post mortems done by our eminent experts. And blogdom will see its fair share of frustrated bloggers with nowhere else to vent their ire.
Me included.
We are Indians, after all. Cricket is in our blood and no amount of good advise will rid us of it. Leave us to our doom, I say.
So here goes.
Bite the bullet and boot Tendulkar out. 'I might play the 2011 world cup', our hero says. I say he shouldn't be part of India's One Day outfit at all. Yes, India needs him for its test matches. But there is a lot of youth on the cricketing horizon in India as far as one day cricket is concerned, and it can do without the great Tendulkar.
Wonder what Dravid was thinking, taking Sehwag to the world cup ! This joker needs to go back to the drawing board and work his way up again. What is it with Indian cricket ? A man is only as good as his previous tournament. And Sehwag has had way too many bad tournaments leading up to the world cup. So how is it that he's still around? Only God can tell.
Poor Ganguly (figuratively speaking, of course. The good Lord knows he's anything but poor). He made a back door re-entry into the team. (He should never have been out of it in the first place, but that's another story) He's been delivering the goods almost everytime he's gone out to bat since his re-entry. And of course, that means the sponsors are back in his waiting room again. He must be one smug man. Let's leave him out of this discussion. The mud won't stick.
What is VVS doing in India? When will India learn to give a genius his due? He's been typecasted as a Test match specialist. Test match specialist, my foot ! He is one among only 3 players in this entire country who can play genuine, hostile pace bowling (Tendulkar and Dravid being the other two). Not to say anything about the slower variety. One day cricket, test match cricket, this man can handle everything, and then some. He must be wondering what else he needs to do to get selected. His world cup dreams went up in smoke.
They said this Indian team looks most likely to lift the cup. Well, this performance must have sent the bookies scurrying in all directions. Of course, the last world cup started on a somewhat similar note for India. And they made it to the finals. As they say, it is never over till it is over.
India may get knocked out early, but hey, Pakistan may get knocked out earlier. :-)
If nothing else, I'll sleep in peace tonight knowing that I've done my bit of chest beating and post morteming.
Monday, March 12, 2007
India Shining. Really?
I'm getting rather tired of seeing 'India smiling' and 'India shining' reports in various sections of the print media. No doubt, while it is good that we are looking at the glass as half full, we should'nt go overboard. Check these out.
-The vidharbha region in Maharashtra is witnessing farmer suicides like crazy. They are dropping like flies. The numbers are unbelievable.
-After 60 years of independence, more than half of India's arable land depends on seasonal moonsoon for irrigation.
-65% of our people depend on agriculture.
-No country in the history of the world has become a developed nation without moving, en masse, its people from agriculture to industry. What is India's track record in this area?
-More than 60 percent of children drop out of school before class 6.
-For all the surveys done till date, nobody really knows what is the correct number of Indians who are BPL(below the poverty line).
-Women are still abused in our society - domestic violence.
-Child labour thrives.
-Literacy is a pathetic 50 per cent, if that. Women literacy is best left unsaid.
-Infrastructure even in 'modern' cities is a joke. One good monsoon in bangalore causes all communication lines to be snapped. One good monsoon in Mumbai and its airport -the lifeline of India's economy - is marooned. It would be funny if it weren't so tragic.
-The media in India which is supposed to be the 'watchdog of democracy' needs to bring these things to the attention of the people. But what does it do? It thinks Aishwarya rai's love life is more important. Shilpa Shetty's racism charge is front page news. What irony !
The first step we need to take is accept that we have a problem. We seem to have a problem doing that. BJP's India shining campaign was and is unadulterated crap.Yes, there are a few individuals in the corporate sector who are billionares. Reliance is doing very well. Tata is doing well. Yes, the software sector is booming. But how many people in India depend on software for a living? About 10 lakhs? And what is India's population? 1 billion plus. Do the math.
But having said that, it is definitely good news that at least corporate India is on a roll; which is more that what could be said of it till not very long back. Let us keep up the good work. But let us not put the real issues on the back burner.
-The vidharbha region in Maharashtra is witnessing farmer suicides like crazy. They are dropping like flies. The numbers are unbelievable.
-After 60 years of independence, more than half of India's arable land depends on seasonal moonsoon for irrigation.
-65% of our people depend on agriculture.
-No country in the history of the world has become a developed nation without moving, en masse, its people from agriculture to industry. What is India's track record in this area?
-More than 60 percent of children drop out of school before class 6.
-For all the surveys done till date, nobody really knows what is the correct number of Indians who are BPL(below the poverty line).
-Women are still abused in our society - domestic violence.
-Child labour thrives.
-Literacy is a pathetic 50 per cent, if that. Women literacy is best left unsaid.
-Infrastructure even in 'modern' cities is a joke. One good monsoon in bangalore causes all communication lines to be snapped. One good monsoon in Mumbai and its airport -the lifeline of India's economy - is marooned. It would be funny if it weren't so tragic.
-The media in India which is supposed to be the 'watchdog of democracy' needs to bring these things to the attention of the people. But what does it do? It thinks Aishwarya rai's love life is more important. Shilpa Shetty's racism charge is front page news. What irony !
The first step we need to take is accept that we have a problem. We seem to have a problem doing that. BJP's India shining campaign was and is unadulterated crap.Yes, there are a few individuals in the corporate sector who are billionares. Reliance is doing very well. Tata is doing well. Yes, the software sector is booming. But how many people in India depend on software for a living? About 10 lakhs? And what is India's population? 1 billion plus. Do the math.
But having said that, it is definitely good news that at least corporate India is on a roll; which is more that what could be said of it till not very long back. Let us keep up the good work. But let us not put the real issues on the back burner.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
A colossal waste
Gold and diamond ornaments worth millions are regularly offered to presiding dieties at various shrines, especially in South India. What's the point, I ask. Is this some way of ingratiating ourselves to the Lord? A way of atoning our sins? Considering that many times this wealth is ill gotten, is it a way to silence our conscience?
Why can't it be put to better use? Why can not it be used to feed slum childern? Why can't it be used to build a hospital for the poor? Why can't it be used to support orphanages?
I read an article recently that something worth 50 lakh rupees was donated to Tirupati. That's 5 million, for God's sake, excuse the pun.
Let's see here: assuming it costs Rs 18 to feed one poor child for a day(that's a conservative estimate; given scale, I'm sure it will be much less), 50 lakhs can be used to feed 30 kids for 308 months. In other words, theoretically, that amount can be used to feed 30 poor children for 25 years !! Isn't this a colossal waste? I mean, it not as if the good Lord needs all this grandeur.
I'm sure He'll only be too happy to give up a diamond studded crown if it means that some poor child did not have to go to bed hungry and cold.
When will we learn?
Why can't it be put to better use? Why can not it be used to feed slum childern? Why can't it be used to build a hospital for the poor? Why can't it be used to support orphanages?
I read an article recently that something worth 50 lakh rupees was donated to Tirupati. That's 5 million, for God's sake, excuse the pun.
Let's see here: assuming it costs Rs 18 to feed one poor child for a day(that's a conservative estimate; given scale, I'm sure it will be much less), 50 lakhs can be used to feed 30 kids for 308 months. In other words, theoretically, that amount can be used to feed 30 poor children for 25 years !! Isn't this a colossal waste? I mean, it not as if the good Lord needs all this grandeur.
I'm sure He'll only be too happy to give up a diamond studded crown if it means that some poor child did not have to go to bed hungry and cold.
When will we learn?
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Good things happen in pairs.
Applies to any sphere of life. But I'm not about to talk about 'any sphere of life' here. I'm talking about FOOD ! Tamil, South Indian food with a flavour of Tirunelveli/Palghat in it.
Few things in life provide more delight to me than a Keerai poricha kozhambu (or Molagootal for our Palaghat brethern) and a Pulivenda saar. Hmmmm ! The smell of the roasted cumin seeds and rich grated coconut in the Poricha Kozhambu tingles the olfactory epithelium ! And what to say of the dark red, viscous PVS with mashed tomatoes floating on the top in a thin film of oil ! A slice of heaven. Anticipation of the meal provides almost as much pleasure to the palate as does the actual act of eating the combination of the porucha kozhambu and pvs with mashed rice, dhal and a hint of ghee.
Just when one starts to think that porucha kozhambu and pvs is the ultimate, along comes the combination of sambar and roasted potato/onion curry. The secret of rendering the potato/onion roast curry just so is known only to a select few. The science is eclectic. The colour of the end product is everything. Golden brown amorphous balls of potato and their underbellies with that touch of black suggesting crispiness. That requires the exact amount of oil and the exact quantity of heat. No wonder this science is known only to a few !
Now, on to the sambar. Sambar, by itself, is a gift to the gastric juices. Add pieces of drumsticks each three inches long or slices of long white radishes to the sambar, it becomes a dish which defies description. Fresh coriander to the sambar adds that extra something - the X factor. The smell of the sambar lingers in the palm of the hand long after the meal is over. Who needs pizza !!
I could go on and on. But this piece will never be complete without mention of the God sent combination of Vetta kozhumbu and Chenai Erisheri. I don't believe I have the words to describe it. I could say awesome. But it would fall short by several notches. So let me not even try ;)
God is in the details, they say. Similarly the essence of Erisheri lies in small details.A chenai erisheri with finely ground shredded coconut is not the same as a Chenai erisheri with coarsely ground shredded coconut. Does it make any difference at all, you might ask me. Ah, well, its like asking a wine connoisseur if there is any difference between toddy and vintage port. It amazes me that potatoes, chenai, coconut and pepper can come together with such devastating effect !
Few things in life provide more delight to me than a Keerai poricha kozhambu (or Molagootal for our Palaghat brethern) and a Pulivenda saar. Hmmmm ! The smell of the roasted cumin seeds and rich grated coconut in the Poricha Kozhambu tingles the olfactory epithelium ! And what to say of the dark red, viscous PVS with mashed tomatoes floating on the top in a thin film of oil ! A slice of heaven. Anticipation of the meal provides almost as much pleasure to the palate as does the actual act of eating the combination of the porucha kozhambu and pvs with mashed rice, dhal and a hint of ghee.
Just when one starts to think that porucha kozhambu and pvs is the ultimate, along comes the combination of sambar and roasted potato/onion curry. The secret of rendering the potato/onion roast curry just so is known only to a select few. The science is eclectic. The colour of the end product is everything. Golden brown amorphous balls of potato and their underbellies with that touch of black suggesting crispiness. That requires the exact amount of oil and the exact quantity of heat. No wonder this science is known only to a few !
Now, on to the sambar. Sambar, by itself, is a gift to the gastric juices. Add pieces of drumsticks each three inches long or slices of long white radishes to the sambar, it becomes a dish which defies description. Fresh coriander to the sambar adds that extra something - the X factor. The smell of the sambar lingers in the palm of the hand long after the meal is over. Who needs pizza !!
I could go on and on. But this piece will never be complete without mention of the God sent combination of Vetta kozhumbu and Chenai Erisheri. I don't believe I have the words to describe it. I could say awesome. But it would fall short by several notches. So let me not even try ;)
God is in the details, they say. Similarly the essence of Erisheri lies in small details.A chenai erisheri with finely ground shredded coconut is not the same as a Chenai erisheri with coarsely ground shredded coconut. Does it make any difference at all, you might ask me. Ah, well, its like asking a wine connoisseur if there is any difference between toddy and vintage port. It amazes me that potatoes, chenai, coconut and pepper can come together with such devastating effect !
Friday, February 23, 2007
Human Cloning
A lot of water has flown under the bridge since Human Cloning as a possibility was first conceived. There have been vehement protests against it - much of it justified.Man should not play God, they said. It will lead to chaos and confusion. The entire social fabric will collapse. Absolutely. I agree totally.
My personal opinion is we are making a mistake by going ahead with research on this.
But here's something we should stop and think about. It is never going to be possible to stop advances in science. The sooner we reconcile ourselves to this fact, the better it will be for all parties concerned. Whether these advances will benefit mankind is another matter. The bottomline is that passing legislations banning such research is not going to help. Even as you read this, you can be sure that research on cloning is going on in some lab in the world conducted by some maverick scientist(s).The question is not whether we should allow it. The question should be how are we going to deal with it when it happens. Again. it is not a question of 'if', rather its a question of 'when'.
So Governments around the world should be practical and wake up to this fact.
My personal opinion is we are making a mistake by going ahead with research on this.
But here's something we should stop and think about. It is never going to be possible to stop advances in science. The sooner we reconcile ourselves to this fact, the better it will be for all parties concerned. Whether these advances will benefit mankind is another matter. The bottomline is that passing legislations banning such research is not going to help. Even as you read this, you can be sure that research on cloning is going on in some lab in the world conducted by some maverick scientist(s).The question is not whether we should allow it. The question should be how are we going to deal with it when it happens. Again. it is not a question of 'if', rather its a question of 'when'.
So Governments around the world should be practical and wake up to this fact.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Manja Pai
Manja Pai
Any mama over the age of 60 who is in a state of rest or in uniform linear motion will always carry a manja pai unless compelled by external forces to carry something else.
For long, I have tried to find out what is it with these manja pais that makes strong men gravitate towards them. It can't be their style; the Lord knows there are other bags that are far more attractive. It can't be their strength as any mama worth his salt will tell you that you cannot put more than 1 kilo of potatoes into it. It can't be their size because u can't put anything bigger than a Tughlaq magazine into it. On one side of the MP in pale red letters, there usually is an advertisement of Ganesh beedi or Ramco cement - definitely not a sight for sore eyes.
So what, in the name of everything ugly, makes these people take them along wherever they go?I've spent many sleepless nights trying to think of a plausible answer. But all in vain. I even tried asking my Ambi mama (everybody has an Ambi mama) since when he has owned his manja pai and why he keeps it. He gave me a dirty look and did not answer. This was some 5 years back. I've never asked anybody else about it since.
Never been able to screw up enough courage.
I guess it will always remain one of mankind's deeply guarded secrets.
Any mama over the age of 60 who is in a state of rest or in uniform linear motion will always carry a manja pai unless compelled by external forces to carry something else.
For long, I have tried to find out what is it with these manja pais that makes strong men gravitate towards them. It can't be their style; the Lord knows there are other bags that are far more attractive. It can't be their strength as any mama worth his salt will tell you that you cannot put more than 1 kilo of potatoes into it. It can't be their size because u can't put anything bigger than a Tughlaq magazine into it. On one side of the MP in pale red letters, there usually is an advertisement of Ganesh beedi or Ramco cement - definitely not a sight for sore eyes.
So what, in the name of everything ugly, makes these people take them along wherever they go?I've spent many sleepless nights trying to think of a plausible answer. But all in vain. I even tried asking my Ambi mama (everybody has an Ambi mama) since when he has owned his manja pai and why he keeps it. He gave me a dirty look and did not answer. This was some 5 years back. I've never asked anybody else about it since.
Never been able to screw up enough courage.
I guess it will always remain one of mankind's deeply guarded secrets.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Utopia
Life on the fast lane has never held any fascination for me. Just take a look around you - there appears to be a mad rush on all the time. Right from the the break of dawn on monday till the sun sets on friday, every single day is just a whirr and a blur. This is what my typical day looks like.
I drag myself out of bed most reluctantly in the morning with every cell in my body crying for that extra 10 minutes. I dread swtiching on the bedroom light because i know it will prick my eyes ! But a man's got to do what a man's got to do ! I finish my toilet and get ready for office with hardly anytime for preparing lunch and eating breakfast. It's the same boring routine stuff at office. So i won't even try to describe it here. Lunch time is awaited eagerly, for it lets me take a break from reality; let my hair down, if u know what i mean. The first hour after lunch is the pits.
Science has never been able to figure out why a man feels more sleepy at this time of the day than when he's about to hit the sack at night ! I suppose it never will !
Well, the day goes right downhill from there on in. One interminable wait till quitting time. When it finally comes, i usually send up a silent prayer !The 3 hours or so before going to sleep must the best part of the day. Thank God for internet ! And thank God for music. And it's the same story repeated the next day. It's one big infinite loop.
So what would i rather be doing ? Well, for starters, i'd quit my job ! I'd rise with the sun; that's something I wouldn't like to change. However I don't know if you've noticed it but i never have the urge to sleep for 'that extra 10 minutes' when there's no office ! (I didn't used to be able to sleep a minute extra during summer vacation, when in school ! )Another of God's cruel tricks on the human race ! I'd move to the country - some idyllic village with a river nearby. Live in a big house that seems to go on and on. I'd like to lose track of time. No more sunday evening and monday morning blues. A place where I can treat mondays and fridays equanimously. No more worries about promotions. No more worries about career moves. No more concerns about what the Joneses are doing. Sleep under the open skies at night looking up at the twinkling stars and passing wafting clouds.No more worries about deadlines.
Utopia?
Of course ! Man, what a question ! :-))
I drag myself out of bed most reluctantly in the morning with every cell in my body crying for that extra 10 minutes. I dread swtiching on the bedroom light because i know it will prick my eyes ! But a man's got to do what a man's got to do ! I finish my toilet and get ready for office with hardly anytime for preparing lunch and eating breakfast. It's the same boring routine stuff at office. So i won't even try to describe it here. Lunch time is awaited eagerly, for it lets me take a break from reality; let my hair down, if u know what i mean. The first hour after lunch is the pits.
Science has never been able to figure out why a man feels more sleepy at this time of the day than when he's about to hit the sack at night ! I suppose it never will !
Well, the day goes right downhill from there on in. One interminable wait till quitting time. When it finally comes, i usually send up a silent prayer !The 3 hours or so before going to sleep must the best part of the day. Thank God for internet ! And thank God for music. And it's the same story repeated the next day. It's one big infinite loop.
So what would i rather be doing ? Well, for starters, i'd quit my job ! I'd rise with the sun; that's something I wouldn't like to change. However I don't know if you've noticed it but i never have the urge to sleep for 'that extra 10 minutes' when there's no office ! (I didn't used to be able to sleep a minute extra during summer vacation, when in school ! )Another of God's cruel tricks on the human race ! I'd move to the country - some idyllic village with a river nearby. Live in a big house that seems to go on and on. I'd like to lose track of time. No more sunday evening and monday morning blues. A place where I can treat mondays and fridays equanimously. No more worries about promotions. No more worries about career moves. No more concerns about what the Joneses are doing. Sleep under the open skies at night looking up at the twinkling stars and passing wafting clouds.No more worries about deadlines.
Utopia?
Of course ! Man, what a question ! :-))
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Power Shift towards Asia and India's challenges
The Global Leaders are dead. Long live the new Leader.The balance of power is definitely going to shift towards Asia. China is going to be a major player. India is not very far behind.
One hears of strides being made by Asian companies on the global arena. Lenovo, a Chinese company is now the proud owner of IBM's PC and laptop division. The TATA conglomerate is going global like never before. Indians like Mittal have never had it so good before.IBM has announced India/South Asia as a region. It originally had only 5 regions. This is its sixth. I believe that is ominous.So it's time for India to rock and roll, right? Hold on for a sec.
There is one thing that can (and i suspect will) impede India's growth - its infrastructure. I often think the growth that India has been showing over the past several months is built on a very weak foundation. India being such a vast country, growth has not been uniform; and I'm not just talking about the geography or the urban-rural divide here.Just to give an example, u need just one good storm in a city like Bangalore/Bombay for all communication to get snapped. Telephone lines get broken, airports get marooned and the railway network just collapses, not to mention anything about electricity. For industries like BPO where communication lines are the lifelines, this spells disaster. They lose face in front of thier clients.Bangalore came to a stop when Dr.Rajkumar died. Bundhs are commonplace in Calcutta. You can't let such things happen regularly and yet hope to continue to get MNCs to invest here.
Another example. Its common sense that broad and good roads are essential to a city. But has anybody noticed how roads are planned even in new cities that are coming up? They are narrow and as badly planned as ever. We just refuse to learn. And the drainage system ! Don't even get me started !
I often hear of 'intellectuals' comparing the growth story in India and China. They say China is streets ahead and that India is not doing things the way China does. To them, i have only one thing to say. India is a democracy unlike China. In China, the government has only to feel something for it to be made a law. No consensus is taken and concerns of citizens are given the go by. We all know what happened in Tiananmen sq.It is not like that in India. The route is circuitous and peppered with hundreds of hurdles-real and imaginary. And on top of that we have coalition governments at the center.So when u compare India and China, the effort that we need to make is hundred times more for the same results to materialise.
And that is India's real problem.
One hears of strides being made by Asian companies on the global arena. Lenovo, a Chinese company is now the proud owner of IBM's PC and laptop division. The TATA conglomerate is going global like never before. Indians like Mittal have never had it so good before.IBM has announced India/South Asia as a region. It originally had only 5 regions. This is its sixth. I believe that is ominous.So it's time for India to rock and roll, right? Hold on for a sec.
There is one thing that can (and i suspect will) impede India's growth - its infrastructure. I often think the growth that India has been showing over the past several months is built on a very weak foundation. India being such a vast country, growth has not been uniform; and I'm not just talking about the geography or the urban-rural divide here.Just to give an example, u need just one good storm in a city like Bangalore/Bombay for all communication to get snapped. Telephone lines get broken, airports get marooned and the railway network just collapses, not to mention anything about electricity. For industries like BPO where communication lines are the lifelines, this spells disaster. They lose face in front of thier clients.Bangalore came to a stop when Dr.Rajkumar died. Bundhs are commonplace in Calcutta. You can't let such things happen regularly and yet hope to continue to get MNCs to invest here.
Another example. Its common sense that broad and good roads are essential to a city. But has anybody noticed how roads are planned even in new cities that are coming up? They are narrow and as badly planned as ever. We just refuse to learn. And the drainage system ! Don't even get me started !
I often hear of 'intellectuals' comparing the growth story in India and China. They say China is streets ahead and that India is not doing things the way China does. To them, i have only one thing to say. India is a democracy unlike China. In China, the government has only to feel something for it to be made a law. No consensus is taken and concerns of citizens are given the go by. We all know what happened in Tiananmen sq.It is not like that in India. The route is circuitous and peppered with hundreds of hurdles-real and imaginary. And on top of that we have coalition governments at the center.So when u compare India and China, the effort that we need to make is hundred times more for the same results to materialise.
And that is India's real problem.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Vetta Kozhambu
Maamis might tell you that Aviyal or Chenai Erisheri are among the most complicated dishes to get right. That may be so. But VK ranks right up there among the top four or five.In theory its simple enough. This, in a nutshell, is what you need to do.
Take some water and put tomatoes and curry leaves into it.
Add sambar powder, puLi, and salt.Boil the hell out of it.
Once it's achieved the right PH and what scientists call the VK consistency, switch off the stove. Add coriander leaves.
Add mustard and whatchamacallit to hot oil and let the fireworks begin.
Add the mixture to VK for some more fireworks.
Add perungayam.
U're good to go.
To the untrained eye, this recipe looks innocuous enough. But the battle hardened professional would have spotted the flaw right away.How much water to add? That's the 64 million dollar question. I'm still guessing....
Oh, and yes, keep some hajmola tablets handy just in case.
Take some water and put tomatoes and curry leaves into it.
Add sambar powder, puLi, and salt.Boil the hell out of it.
Once it's achieved the right PH and what scientists call the VK consistency, switch off the stove. Add coriander leaves.
Add mustard and whatchamacallit to hot oil and let the fireworks begin.
Add the mixture to VK for some more fireworks.
Add perungayam.
U're good to go.
To the untrained eye, this recipe looks innocuous enough. But the battle hardened professional would have spotted the flaw right away.How much water to add? That's the 64 million dollar question. I'm still guessing....
Oh, and yes, keep some hajmola tablets handy just in case.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Filter kapi
Some people seem to have that knack of making the perfect coffee. Not too bitter, not too sweet, not too strong, not too light either, not too much milk in it-in other words, just about right ! The sound it makes when it is transferred from tumbler to davara about a metre apart is pure music.
(If the froth that forms on the top of the davara after the above mentioned transfer is not at least 2-3 cms thick, u know u have not done it right. )
Pause to drink in the aroma, mixed with the steam, the transfer leaves behind. Now, take the first sip, feel it burn its way down your throat and savour for a second the taste it leaves behind on your tongue. Then, and only then, take the second sip. Ah ! For a good cup of strong filter kapi... I've noticed there is a a lot of difference between the coffee available in Karnataka hotels and the coffee available in TN hotels(cities like Madras and Madurai). For one, the quantity in TN is more. And then, there is a subtle difference in the flavour. I feel it is 'lighter' in TN, but more aromatic. You don't get quite as much quantity in, say, a bangalore hotel. But it is definitely more 'thicker'. I've always wondered how it would be to mix a bangalore coffee and a madurai coffee in a big tumbler and taste it !
If there's one thing i miss here in the US, its the taste of genuine filter kapi, freshly brewed.
(If the froth that forms on the top of the davara after the above mentioned transfer is not at least 2-3 cms thick, u know u have not done it right. )
Pause to drink in the aroma, mixed with the steam, the transfer leaves behind. Now, take the first sip, feel it burn its way down your throat and savour for a second the taste it leaves behind on your tongue. Then, and only then, take the second sip. Ah ! For a good cup of strong filter kapi... I've noticed there is a a lot of difference between the coffee available in Karnataka hotels and the coffee available in TN hotels(cities like Madras and Madurai). For one, the quantity in TN is more. And then, there is a subtle difference in the flavour. I feel it is 'lighter' in TN, but more aromatic. You don't get quite as much quantity in, say, a bangalore hotel. But it is definitely more 'thicker'. I've always wondered how it would be to mix a bangalore coffee and a madurai coffee in a big tumbler and taste it !
If there's one thing i miss here in the US, its the taste of genuine filter kapi, freshly brewed.
What's wrong?
New Year violence-Girl molested. Such news reports are becoming too frequent for comfort.
The only way to prevent such things from happening is to ensure that the junta develops a healthy respect, nay fear, for the law and law keepers. That's what missing in India. Very sorely missing.Why else would the bus driver of the public transport company start his bus 10 minutes late? He knows that the travelling public has come to believe that 10 minutes late is quite all right. I mean, the poor driver is probably badly paid and let's not be too harsh on him. That kind of an attitude.The argument that Indians are bound by Dharma-a personal sense of right and wrong- and not law, is pure unadulterated bull shit. We have in our country the bastard who diverts funds meant for mid-day meal schemes. I mean how low can one get? Try to siphon off funds meant for poor innocent kids? The chap knows that he can get away with it too.That's the reason he does it right? See what I mean? We also have the doctor who thinks nothing of removing a kidney or two from the poor peasant who got admitted in the hospital for ankle pain. I mean it's just a farmer, right? Who cares? We have plenty more where he came from. We need to get our act right; and the sooner we do it, the better. I think we can safely assume that the legislators will not lift a finger. If you ask me India's only hope is the judiciary and the press. And a few committed individuals like Justice Venkatachala. And probably an NGO here and there.So can you and me do anything to stem the rot? Sure we can. If u see an injustice being done, shoot an email to your local newspaper. Doesn't matter if it doesn't get published the next day. Rest assured somebody has read your piece and it has probably set him thinking. And that person, being an editor, is all powerful in our current setup.
Our 'mature' citizens are beyond repair. U can't teach new tricks to an old dog. We need to start with our kids. Teach them in LKG that throwing bits of rubbish on the street is bad. Teach them that being punctual is hip. And of course stealing kidneys is totally uncool.We need the next generation to grow up with a totally different set of morals and values. That holds the key.
Then and only then would (as PGW would say) God would be in His heaven and all would be right with the world !
The only way to prevent such things from happening is to ensure that the junta develops a healthy respect, nay fear, for the law and law keepers. That's what missing in India. Very sorely missing.Why else would the bus driver of the public transport company start his bus 10 minutes late? He knows that the travelling public has come to believe that 10 minutes late is quite all right. I mean, the poor driver is probably badly paid and let's not be too harsh on him. That kind of an attitude.The argument that Indians are bound by Dharma-a personal sense of right and wrong- and not law, is pure unadulterated bull shit. We have in our country the bastard who diverts funds meant for mid-day meal schemes. I mean how low can one get? Try to siphon off funds meant for poor innocent kids? The chap knows that he can get away with it too.That's the reason he does it right? See what I mean? We also have the doctor who thinks nothing of removing a kidney or two from the poor peasant who got admitted in the hospital for ankle pain. I mean it's just a farmer, right? Who cares? We have plenty more where he came from. We need to get our act right; and the sooner we do it, the better. I think we can safely assume that the legislators will not lift a finger. If you ask me India's only hope is the judiciary and the press. And a few committed individuals like Justice Venkatachala. And probably an NGO here and there.So can you and me do anything to stem the rot? Sure we can. If u see an injustice being done, shoot an email to your local newspaper. Doesn't matter if it doesn't get published the next day. Rest assured somebody has read your piece and it has probably set him thinking. And that person, being an editor, is all powerful in our current setup.
Our 'mature' citizens are beyond repair. U can't teach new tricks to an old dog. We need to start with our kids. Teach them in LKG that throwing bits of rubbish on the street is bad. Teach them that being punctual is hip. And of course stealing kidneys is totally uncool.We need the next generation to grow up with a totally different set of morals and values. That holds the key.
Then and only then would (as PGW would say) God would be in His heaven and all would be right with the world !
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