Poachers involved in the killings of tigers at Madhya Pradesh’s Panna Tiger Reserve enjoy support and co-operation from the very people who are supposed to protect those amazing animals from them – the forest staff.
This painful (but probably not very shocking) fact came to light after the state government was forced to share a report submitted to it in January 2011 by the Filed Director, Panna Tiger Reserve. The government was forced to share the report after an application to that effect was filed by RTI activist Ajay Dubey.
Hopefully the state government will take necessary steps to ensure that Panna does not experience what happened to Sariska. And yes, will the government now accept the Central Government’s proposal for a CBI enquiry into the matter?
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Ms. Manusmriti Of India Becomes The 4th Generation Cop, Makes World Record
Ms. Manusmriti of India has made world record by becoming the 4th generation cop in her family. Manusmriti, who has joined India’s elite Indian Police Service (IPS), comes from a family which has been serving the Indian police force generation after generation since 1921 (which means for 90 years).
Her great grandfather Harihar Prasad Verma had joined the police force of the Indian state of Bihar as a Constable in 1921, i.e. when India was under the British rule. He was followed by his son Arbind Prasad (Manusmriti’s grandfather), who joined the Bihar Police as an SI (Sub Inspector) in 1952. He was again followed by his son Kamlendra Prasad (Manusmriti’s father), who joined the IPS in 1981. He is an IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, and is now serving as the Director of the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, New Delhi.
And now Manusmriti has lived up to the legacy of her family by joining the IPS. She has joined the Union Territory cadre. She and her father have also made the record of being the only serving father-daughter IPS duo. A bright student, Manusmriti is an alumnus of Delhi’s St. Stephens College and London School of Economics.
However, there has been an example of a 4th generation cop in Canada as well. There is one David Stewart who joined the police force of Vancouver in Canada on 23rd September, 2011. And he is reportedly the 4th generation cop in his family. However, his family has been serving the police force for 82 years, i.e. eight years less than the number of years for which Manusmriti’s family has served the force.
A bagful of congratulations, Manusmriti. The nation wishes you all the best.
At the same time let us wish all the best to our Canadian friend David Stewart. Both David and Manusmriti have lived up to the legacy of their respective families, and we sincerely hope that both of them will prove themselves to be the assets for the police forces of their respective countries.
Her great grandfather Harihar Prasad Verma had joined the police force of the Indian state of Bihar as a Constable in 1921, i.e. when India was under the British rule. He was followed by his son Arbind Prasad (Manusmriti’s grandfather), who joined the Bihar Police as an SI (Sub Inspector) in 1952. He was again followed by his son Kamlendra Prasad (Manusmriti’s father), who joined the IPS in 1981. He is an IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, and is now serving as the Director of the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, New Delhi.
And now Manusmriti has lived up to the legacy of her family by joining the IPS. She has joined the Union Territory cadre. She and her father have also made the record of being the only serving father-daughter IPS duo. A bright student, Manusmriti is an alumnus of Delhi’s St. Stephens College and London School of Economics.
However, there has been an example of a 4th generation cop in Canada as well. There is one David Stewart who joined the police force of Vancouver in Canada on 23rd September, 2011. And he is reportedly the 4th generation cop in his family. However, his family has been serving the police force for 82 years, i.e. eight years less than the number of years for which Manusmriti’s family has served the force.
A bagful of congratulations, Manusmriti. The nation wishes you all the best.
At the same time let us wish all the best to our Canadian friend David Stewart. Both David and Manusmriti have lived up to the legacy of their respective families, and we sincerely hope that both of them will prove themselves to be the assets for the police forces of their respective countries.
Friday, October 28, 2011
AFSPA Withdrawal – Omar To Take Full Responsibility If Something Goes Wrong
For last some days J&K CM Omar Abdullah has been very vocal about his demand for the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from at least some parts of the state.
This demand, allegedly a ploy to win cheap popularity, has brought the 3rd generation Chief Minister of the state into direct conflict with the armed forces, with the latter being strongly opposed to any such step. And this view of the latter is shared by the nation as well, with the ground situation seemingly not being favourable for any such step.
However, the young and handsome Chief Minister is defiantly sticking to his guns. He seems to be quite confident that the so-called draconian law has now become irrelevant for certain regions of Jammu & Kashmir. And he is apparently determined to get those regions 'liberated' from the clutches of that law.
Fine. If the honourable Chief Minister feels that way, then it is OK. But let there be one condition. Let Omar sign an agreement that if there is an escalation in the terrorist activities in the concerned regions after the withdrawal of AFSPA, then he has to take the full responsibility for it and immediately resign from the position of Chief Minister, and also has to arrange for compensations to be paid to the kith and kin of the security personnel and common people who will be the victims of that escalation.
Are you game, Mr. Chief Minister?
This demand, allegedly a ploy to win cheap popularity, has brought the 3rd generation Chief Minister of the state into direct conflict with the armed forces, with the latter being strongly opposed to any such step. And this view of the latter is shared by the nation as well, with the ground situation seemingly not being favourable for any such step.
However, the young and handsome Chief Minister is defiantly sticking to his guns. He seems to be quite confident that the so-called draconian law has now become irrelevant for certain regions of Jammu & Kashmir. And he is apparently determined to get those regions 'liberated' from the clutches of that law.
Fine. If the honourable Chief Minister feels that way, then it is OK. But let there be one condition. Let Omar sign an agreement that if there is an escalation in the terrorist activities in the concerned regions after the withdrawal of AFSPA, then he has to take the full responsibility for it and immediately resign from the position of Chief Minister, and also has to arrange for compensations to be paid to the kith and kin of the security personnel and common people who will be the victims of that escalation.
Are you game, Mr. Chief Minister?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A. Raja’s Ridiculous Attempt To Drag The PM’s Name Into The 2G Controversy
It is really shocking to see that how the former Telecom minister Mr. A. Raja is trying to drag the honourable prime minister’s name into the 2G Spectrum controversy.
Mr. A Raja’s desperation to defend himself is understandable. But he must realize that espousal of any baseless reasoning to wash his hands off can hardly dilute the charge against him. Rather such acts will leave his image to be murkier.
He has said that the prime minister (and the then finance minister Mr. P. Chidambaram) knew about the steps he was going to take about the 2G Spectrum allocation. OK, accepted. But does that establish this that they are equally responsible for the scam? No. We must realize that knowing about the administrative or policy decision of a ministry is something, and realizing the possible outcome of that decision is something else. To study a policy decision and identifying its possible outcome is actually the responsibility of the in-charge of the concerned ministry (i.e. the concerned minister), as he has hands-on connection with the day-to-day activities of the ministry. We can at most say that the prime minister should have sensed the outcome of Raja’s decision, but we can never say that he should must have sensed it. At the end of the day it was Raja’s responsibility to sense the outcome, and back out from the controversial decision that resulted in the scam. That he did not back out from his decision naturally naturally reflects this feeling that he had actually identified the irregularities in his decision, but still went ahead as he had his personal gains in mind.
Mr. Raja must realize that the prime minister can not set up a Group of Ministers for each and every issue, then it is meaningless to have dedicated ministers for the government ministries. Besides, if the prime minister is to mind the pros and cons of every decision and step of a ministry, then what is the role of the ministers-in-charge? Are they there only to execute prime minister’s orders? Cannot they take independent decisions? They have to independent decisions, and will have to take full responsibility for the outcome. Therefore, sorry Mr. Raja, you have to face the music alone. Please do not try to drag the name of your honest prime minister, who is an asset for this nation.
Mr. A Raja’s desperation to defend himself is understandable. But he must realize that espousal of any baseless reasoning to wash his hands off can hardly dilute the charge against him. Rather such acts will leave his image to be murkier.
He has said that the prime minister (and the then finance minister Mr. P. Chidambaram) knew about the steps he was going to take about the 2G Spectrum allocation. OK, accepted. But does that establish this that they are equally responsible for the scam? No. We must realize that knowing about the administrative or policy decision of a ministry is something, and realizing the possible outcome of that decision is something else. To study a policy decision and identifying its possible outcome is actually the responsibility of the in-charge of the concerned ministry (i.e. the concerned minister), as he has hands-on connection with the day-to-day activities of the ministry. We can at most say that the prime minister should have sensed the outcome of Raja’s decision, but we can never say that he should must have sensed it. At the end of the day it was Raja’s responsibility to sense the outcome, and back out from the controversial decision that resulted in the scam. That he did not back out from his decision naturally naturally reflects this feeling that he had actually identified the irregularities in his decision, but still went ahead as he had his personal gains in mind.
Mr. Raja must realize that the prime minister can not set up a Group of Ministers for each and every issue, then it is meaningless to have dedicated ministers for the government ministries. Besides, if the prime minister is to mind the pros and cons of every decision and step of a ministry, then what is the role of the ministers-in-charge? Are they there only to execute prime minister’s orders? Cannot they take independent decisions? They have to independent decisions, and will have to take full responsibility for the outcome. Therefore, sorry Mr. Raja, you have to face the music alone. Please do not try to drag the name of your honest prime minister, who is an asset for this nation.
Friday, July 22, 2011
General Election To Be Held In Egypt – A Good News, But…
It was really heartening to know that Egypt’s Military Council has announced the holding of general election in Egypt in October 2011.
The common Egyptians fought tooth-and-nail to overthrow the dictatorial Mubarak regime. And after that it was understandably frustrating for them to be under the Military Council. It is certainly true that the setting up of the Council was an inevitable decision, as one such caretaker entity was required to run the show till a popularly elected government could take charge. The common Egyptians also realized it, and accepted the development as a stopgap arrangement.
However, of late their patience was running out, as they probably felt that the Military Council was not sincere about holding general election at the earliest. They were not ready to wait for a popularly elected democratic government, their cherished wish, and their displeasure was oozing out through various activities and incidents. Now they must be feeling relieved and happy that at last the military council is going to hold general election, the occasion that they have awaited for so many days.
However, there is one issue that is preventing some people from becoming completely happy and relieved. The Military Council has barred international monitors from observing the poll, and has chosen Egypt’s judiciary to play that role.
I hope everybody will agree that it would have been better if the Military Council gave international monitors to observe the poll process. Probably the Council top brass feels that if international monitors observe the poll, then it will not be in line with Egypt’s national pride, or even sovereignty. But the Council should remember that if the election takes place under the supervision of international monitors, then its transparency and credibility will be unquestionable. Otherwise, people (both from Egypt and outside) might feel that the Military Council has manipulated the election, to ensure that its favourite party/coalition comes into power. Given the sensitive nature of the upcoming general election, if the elected government suffers from even a grain of credibility deficit, even then it can be disastrous for its stability.
So, I feel Egypt’s Military Council should change its decision and permit international observers to supervise the election. I humbly request Egypt’s military bosses to reconsider their decision in this regard. I also remind them that such a decision will also give a huge boost to the Egyptian army’s image.
The common Egyptians fought tooth-and-nail to overthrow the dictatorial Mubarak regime. And after that it was understandably frustrating for them to be under the Military Council. It is certainly true that the setting up of the Council was an inevitable decision, as one such caretaker entity was required to run the show till a popularly elected government could take charge. The common Egyptians also realized it, and accepted the development as a stopgap arrangement.
However, of late their patience was running out, as they probably felt that the Military Council was not sincere about holding general election at the earliest. They were not ready to wait for a popularly elected democratic government, their cherished wish, and their displeasure was oozing out through various activities and incidents. Now they must be feeling relieved and happy that at last the military council is going to hold general election, the occasion that they have awaited for so many days.
However, there is one issue that is preventing some people from becoming completely happy and relieved. The Military Council has barred international monitors from observing the poll, and has chosen Egypt’s judiciary to play that role.
I hope everybody will agree that it would have been better if the Military Council gave international monitors to observe the poll process. Probably the Council top brass feels that if international monitors observe the poll, then it will not be in line with Egypt’s national pride, or even sovereignty. But the Council should remember that if the election takes place under the supervision of international monitors, then its transparency and credibility will be unquestionable. Otherwise, people (both from Egypt and outside) might feel that the Military Council has manipulated the election, to ensure that its favourite party/coalition comes into power. Given the sensitive nature of the upcoming general election, if the elected government suffers from even a grain of credibility deficit, even then it can be disastrous for its stability.
So, I feel Egypt’s Military Council should change its decision and permit international observers to supervise the election. I humbly request Egypt’s military bosses to reconsider their decision in this regard. I also remind them that such a decision will also give a huge boost to the Egyptian army’s image.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Agreement – The End, Or The Beginning?
Is the signing of the tripartite Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) agreement the end of the around 3 decades old Gorkhaland problem? Or is it a signal step towards the formation of a separate Gorkhaland state?
West Bengal Chief Minister Miss Mamata Banerjee and Union Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram have clearly said that there is no question of accepting any proposal to divide Bengal. The GTA agreement has been signed only to boost development in the Darjeeling area (as if it was impossible without this agreement), and not to smoothen any process to divide Bengal that has already faced the brunt of division once at the time of India’s partition in 1947.
Significantly, during the signing of the agreement, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supremo Mr. Bimal Gurung also did not utter a single word about the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state (though he did not categorically say that they have dropped that demand, either).
All this may be taken as a sign that the GTA has been successful in placating the grievances/feeling of discrimination/etc. of the so called sons of the soil (sorry, all of these local people are not indigenous to Darjeeling), and now they are no more interested in having a separate Gorkhaland state.
However, the matter might not be that simple. While Bimal Gurung himself did not say anything about Gorkhaland demand, the occasion saw many of his supporters raising slogans like “We Want Gorkhaland”. More importantly, on the sidelines of the signing of the agreement, a couple of GJM leaders told journalists that the GTA agreement was not going to put an end to the struggle for Gorkhand state. Rather that demand will very much remain in place, and in fact that is their ultimate goal.
I feel before the signing of the GTA agreement Mamata Banerjee should have got an official assurance from the GJM leadership that after the agreement they would drop their Gorkhaland demand. That (or something like that) would have been a better thing to do. Unfortunately, Mamata did not bother to do anything like that in a hurry to get the agreement signed and claim credit for resolving a long-standing issue.
Anyways, I feel that immediately the West Bengal government and GJM should jointly issue a media statement, wherein they will clarify their stand and view on this. Otherwise there will be room for rumours and false hopes, which is not very appreciable. The common people want to know the truth, and they must be told the truth. It is a sensitive issue, and there must not be any confusion over anything.
And yes, GJM must drop its demand to bring Nepali-speaking parts of Dooars and Terai under GTA. This is simply too much.
Finally, a bagful of congratulations to my friends, brothers and sisters of Darjeeling for getting an autonomous body for themselves. I may not appreciate the idea of Gorkhaland. I may be uncomfortable even with the signing of GTA agreement. But I certainly appreciate the grievances/ethnical sentiments, etc. that have made you support the Gorkhaland movement. (It is only that I feel that Gorkhaland is not a must to address your demands and aspirations.) I sincerely wish that GTA becomes successful in addressing your grievances, demands and aspirations. And yes, I also hope that GTA pays equal focus on the development of every ethnic community (the Gorkhas, the Lepchas, the Bhutias, etc.), instead of remaining obsessed with one or two community/communities.
Darjeeling has always lied very close to our (Bengalis) heart, and we will keep loving this beautiful place (and its inhabitants) whether it remains under the West Bengal government or GTA or any other entity. An average Bengali’s bonding with Darjeeling is purely emotional, which has nothing to do with the political status of that place. We will always love Darjeeling. And we will always love and adore the people of Darjeeling, even if they perceive us as their enemy, or even oppressor.
And, sorry to say, for us Darjeeling will always remain Darjeeling, and not Gorkhaland. Never!
West Bengal Chief Minister Miss Mamata Banerjee and Union Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram have clearly said that there is no question of accepting any proposal to divide Bengal. The GTA agreement has been signed only to boost development in the Darjeeling area (as if it was impossible without this agreement), and not to smoothen any process to divide Bengal that has already faced the brunt of division once at the time of India’s partition in 1947.
Significantly, during the signing of the agreement, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supremo Mr. Bimal Gurung also did not utter a single word about the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state (though he did not categorically say that they have dropped that demand, either).
All this may be taken as a sign that the GTA has been successful in placating the grievances/feeling of discrimination/etc. of the so called sons of the soil (sorry, all of these local people are not indigenous to Darjeeling), and now they are no more interested in having a separate Gorkhaland state.
However, the matter might not be that simple. While Bimal Gurung himself did not say anything about Gorkhaland demand, the occasion saw many of his supporters raising slogans like “We Want Gorkhaland”. More importantly, on the sidelines of the signing of the agreement, a couple of GJM leaders told journalists that the GTA agreement was not going to put an end to the struggle for Gorkhand state. Rather that demand will very much remain in place, and in fact that is their ultimate goal.
I feel before the signing of the GTA agreement Mamata Banerjee should have got an official assurance from the GJM leadership that after the agreement they would drop their Gorkhaland demand. That (or something like that) would have been a better thing to do. Unfortunately, Mamata did not bother to do anything like that in a hurry to get the agreement signed and claim credit for resolving a long-standing issue.
Anyways, I feel that immediately the West Bengal government and GJM should jointly issue a media statement, wherein they will clarify their stand and view on this. Otherwise there will be room for rumours and false hopes, which is not very appreciable. The common people want to know the truth, and they must be told the truth. It is a sensitive issue, and there must not be any confusion over anything.
And yes, GJM must drop its demand to bring Nepali-speaking parts of Dooars and Terai under GTA. This is simply too much.
Finally, a bagful of congratulations to my friends, brothers and sisters of Darjeeling for getting an autonomous body for themselves. I may not appreciate the idea of Gorkhaland. I may be uncomfortable even with the signing of GTA agreement. But I certainly appreciate the grievances/ethnical sentiments, etc. that have made you support the Gorkhaland movement. (It is only that I feel that Gorkhaland is not a must to address your demands and aspirations.) I sincerely wish that GTA becomes successful in addressing your grievances, demands and aspirations. And yes, I also hope that GTA pays equal focus on the development of every ethnic community (the Gorkhas, the Lepchas, the Bhutias, etc.), instead of remaining obsessed with one or two community/communities.
Darjeeling has always lied very close to our (Bengalis) heart, and we will keep loving this beautiful place (and its inhabitants) whether it remains under the West Bengal government or GTA or any other entity. An average Bengali’s bonding with Darjeeling is purely emotional, which has nothing to do with the political status of that place. We will always love Darjeeling. And we will always love and adore the people of Darjeeling, even if they perceive us as their enemy, or even oppressor.
And, sorry to say, for us Darjeeling will always remain Darjeeling, and not Gorkhaland. Never!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Let There Be “Shoot-At-Sight” Orders Against IM And LeT Operatives
I know it is very difficult for the Indian government to implement, as there are issues like communal sentiment, etc.
However, if the government has to enhance its anti-terror operation, then I feel it should immediately issue “shoot-at-sight” orders against the members of Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (a.k.a. Jamaat-ud-Dawa). And I hope technically it will not be very difficult, as both the organizations are now banned by the Indian government.
I understand that the proposal seems to be somewhat harsh, and also appears to be a knee-jerk reaction to the recent Mumbai blasts. However, I will very confidently say that there is no other way. Whenever police arrests one member of any of these banned organizations, it has to waste a lot of time and energy to gather evidence and prepare a chargesheet against him. Until and unless a proper chargesheet is not filed, the person cannot be prosecuted. And he keeps enjoying a happy life in the custody.
More importantly, both IM and LeT have a huge membership. If police takes so much time to tackle one member, then how can it tackle the entire organization?
Prosecuting an arrested terrorist through legal process is a lengthy procedure, which delays his punishment to a huge extent (just recall the examples of Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab). Terrorism is now like an ever expanding tumour for India, and we have to wipe out as much chunk of the problem as possible by spending as little time as possible. We have to be fast and swift, ruthlessly cutting down each and every branch and fruit of the two venomous trees – IM and LeT. And in that case there seems to be only one way out – instantly gunning down an LeT or IM operative the moment police can have a hand on him.
The idea might not appeal to so-called intellectuals who are obsessed with catchy words like “Human Rights”, “ethics”, “morality”, etc. Well, I have due respect for the philosophy of “Human Rights”. But I am sorry to say that I do not feel it to be more valuable than the lives of my fellow Indian citizens.
However, if the government has to enhance its anti-terror operation, then I feel it should immediately issue “shoot-at-sight” orders against the members of Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (a.k.a. Jamaat-ud-Dawa). And I hope technically it will not be very difficult, as both the organizations are now banned by the Indian government.
I understand that the proposal seems to be somewhat harsh, and also appears to be a knee-jerk reaction to the recent Mumbai blasts. However, I will very confidently say that there is no other way. Whenever police arrests one member of any of these banned organizations, it has to waste a lot of time and energy to gather evidence and prepare a chargesheet against him. Until and unless a proper chargesheet is not filed, the person cannot be prosecuted. And he keeps enjoying a happy life in the custody.
More importantly, both IM and LeT have a huge membership. If police takes so much time to tackle one member, then how can it tackle the entire organization?
Prosecuting an arrested terrorist through legal process is a lengthy procedure, which delays his punishment to a huge extent (just recall the examples of Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab). Terrorism is now like an ever expanding tumour for India, and we have to wipe out as much chunk of the problem as possible by spending as little time as possible. We have to be fast and swift, ruthlessly cutting down each and every branch and fruit of the two venomous trees – IM and LeT. And in that case there seems to be only one way out – instantly gunning down an LeT or IM operative the moment police can have a hand on him.
The idea might not appeal to so-called intellectuals who are obsessed with catchy words like “Human Rights”, “ethics”, “morality”, etc. Well, I have due respect for the philosophy of “Human Rights”. But I am sorry to say that I do not feel it to be more valuable than the lives of my fellow Indian citizens.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Some Appeals To Mr. Milind Deora, The New MoS – Communications & IT
Hi Milind (or shall I say Mr. Milind Deora?),
A bagful of congrats for getting selected as a member of the Council of Ministers. While becoming a Minister itself is a thrilling experience, what must have made you more thrilled is that you have been made an MoS at the Ministry of Communications & IT. What I feel, after going through some of your newspaper articles, that you take a special interest in Telecommunications gadgets, like cell phones. And you seem to have some definite plans as far as that field is concerned. In that case your ministerial appointment has provided you with a golden opportunity to realize your plans, right?
Anyways, without taking much of your time, I will like to come to the point straightaway. I have some appeals, and with your kind permission I dare to place them before you.
i.) Please try to inculcate some professionalism in the functioning of MTNL and BSNL. Even at this age of high cell phone penetration the basic telephony still enjoys a significant popularity. And when common people think of basic telephony, they usually think of the government players (i.e. MTNL and BSNL) and not the private players. So it is very crucial that MTNL and BSNL upgrade their customer service, which can be called “just average” at its best.
ii.) Please take strict measures to ensure that porn site viewing in cyber cafes comes to an end, or at least gets reduced.
iii.) Please ensure that your ministry keeps a vigil on the social, health and other impacts of the various value added services offered by cell phones.
iv.) (Most important appeal) Finally, can you please conceptualize something like an “e-mail and snail mail combo”? What I mean is like this –
Suppose I want to send an e-mail to Mr. X, who does not have an e-mail ID and is not e-mail friendly in the first place. So I send the e-mail to the post office that is located nearest to his residence. The post office people take out a print of the e-mail, and then deliver the hard copy to Mr. X’s residence in a way snail or postal mails are delivered. Is something like this possible? Sorry if my plan sounds stupid.
OK, so these are some my wishes which I dared to share with you.
Congrats to you again, and a bagful of wishes for a successful ministerial career.
A bagful of congrats for getting selected as a member of the Council of Ministers. While becoming a Minister itself is a thrilling experience, what must have made you more thrilled is that you have been made an MoS at the Ministry of Communications & IT. What I feel, after going through some of your newspaper articles, that you take a special interest in Telecommunications gadgets, like cell phones. And you seem to have some definite plans as far as that field is concerned. In that case your ministerial appointment has provided you with a golden opportunity to realize your plans, right?
Anyways, without taking much of your time, I will like to come to the point straightaway. I have some appeals, and with your kind permission I dare to place them before you.
i.) Please try to inculcate some professionalism in the functioning of MTNL and BSNL. Even at this age of high cell phone penetration the basic telephony still enjoys a significant popularity. And when common people think of basic telephony, they usually think of the government players (i.e. MTNL and BSNL) and not the private players. So it is very crucial that MTNL and BSNL upgrade their customer service, which can be called “just average” at its best.
ii.) Please take strict measures to ensure that porn site viewing in cyber cafes comes to an end, or at least gets reduced.
iii.) Please ensure that your ministry keeps a vigil on the social, health and other impacts of the various value added services offered by cell phones.
iv.) (Most important appeal) Finally, can you please conceptualize something like an “e-mail and snail mail combo”? What I mean is like this –
Suppose I want to send an e-mail to Mr. X, who does not have an e-mail ID and is not e-mail friendly in the first place. So I send the e-mail to the post office that is located nearest to his residence. The post office people take out a print of the e-mail, and then deliver the hard copy to Mr. X’s residence in a way snail or postal mails are delivered. Is something like this possible? Sorry if my plan sounds stupid.
OK, so these are some my wishes which I dared to share with you.
Congrats to you again, and a bagful of wishes for a successful ministerial career.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Hey Subhasis, Hearty Congrats For Your Debut Novel – “Those Were The Days”
As a person of little (or better to say no) caliber, I have nothing as such to boast of. So naturally I need to depend on reflected glory, which I manage to gather by trying to get close to talented and successful people who have carved a niche in various fields.
And trust me, I am really lucky in this respect. While god has not given me any quality to stand out from the crowd, he has certainly given me quite a number of friends to feel proud of.
And the latest one in that group of friends is Subhasis Ghosal, the sharp and intelligent software engineer-turned-marketing communications professional who was my colleague at Espire Infolabs, New Delhi around 4-5 years back. And while he quit Espire before I did, we had already cemented a life long friendship which is, needless to say, still there.
A man with equal command on software domain and creative activities, Subhasis had already started working on a novel when I was working with him at Espire. He told me that the novel was based on student life, and he would take some idea from his own student life. I was thrilled that he was writing a novel, and wished him good luck, and was at the same time doubtful about whether it would at all see the light of the day.
I kept touch with him after he quit Espire and moved to Pune with his new job. Whenever we would communicate through Facebook, SMS or phone call, I would ask him about his job, his family, etc. But never I would ask him about his novel, as, honestly speaking, I had forgotten about it.
It was just one or two months back that Subhasis told me, during a Facebook chat, that he was through with the novel, and it would be published soon. And then the other day I got the good news. His novel, named “Those Were The Days”, is out in the market. My beloved friend Subhasis is now an author.
Congrats dear. A bagful of hearty congrats. Only I know how happy I am. And I sincerely hope that “Those Were The Days” is just the beginning, to be followed by many other works. Let your passion for novel writing always be with you.
And trust me, I am really lucky in this respect. While god has not given me any quality to stand out from the crowd, he has certainly given me quite a number of friends to feel proud of.
And the latest one in that group of friends is Subhasis Ghosal, the sharp and intelligent software engineer-turned-marketing communications professional who was my colleague at Espire Infolabs, New Delhi around 4-5 years back. And while he quit Espire before I did, we had already cemented a life long friendship which is, needless to say, still there.
A man with equal command on software domain and creative activities, Subhasis had already started working on a novel when I was working with him at Espire. He told me that the novel was based on student life, and he would take some idea from his own student life. I was thrilled that he was writing a novel, and wished him good luck, and was at the same time doubtful about whether it would at all see the light of the day.
I kept touch with him after he quit Espire and moved to Pune with his new job. Whenever we would communicate through Facebook, SMS or phone call, I would ask him about his job, his family, etc. But never I would ask him about his novel, as, honestly speaking, I had forgotten about it.
It was just one or two months back that Subhasis told me, during a Facebook chat, that he was through with the novel, and it would be published soon. And then the other day I got the good news. His novel, named “Those Were The Days”, is out in the market. My beloved friend Subhasis is now an author.
Congrats dear. A bagful of hearty congrats. Only I know how happy I am. And I sincerely hope that “Those Were The Days” is just the beginning, to be followed by many other works. Let your passion for novel writing always be with you.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Mamata’s “Revolutionary” Decision – West Bengal To Have 6 More Official Languages
Mamata Banerjee-led TMC-Congress government of West Bengal has taken an “innovative” and “revolutionary” decision.
From now, apart from Bengali and English, West Bengal will have 6 more “second” official languages - Urdu, Punjabi, Nepali, Ol-Chiki, Oriya and Hindi.
So from now onwards every government communication will be printed in all these languages, the Calcutta Doordarshan will have news programme in all these languages, and so on. Wow, what a revolutionary step by our firebrand Chief Minister.
However, I am such a nagging person that instead of appreciating this step for promoting communal harmony, I rather find the decision to be a bitter ill to swallow. I am so sorry.
Actually, I completely fail to understand the logic behind declaring 6 more languages as the second official language fails me. There are some loopholes in the government’s logic, which I cannot ignore.
For example, the government has said that Punjabi has been chosen as an official language to recognize the fact that the Punjabi speaking community has made a huge contribution in the development of the state. Besides, the Punjabi community has a sizeable presence in West Bengal, that too for several years.
Nobody can dare to contradict the logic that Punjabis have really played a very appreciable role in the in various developments of West Bengal, especially in the field of trade & commerce (courtesy their legendary entrepreneurial skill).
But if by that logic the beautiful Punjabi language can be given an official status, then why not the same be done to the Rajasthani language? Punjabis of West Bengal have been staying here for many years, and the community has also played key role in the economic and other developments of the state. But in that case why Rajasthani (the language of Marwari community) was left out? Marwaris have also been in the state since the days of Jobe Charnock and Sirajdaulla, and have played a very significant role in the overall development of the state, with the main area again being the field of trade & commerce. In fact, if today we try to think of any Calcutta based industrialist, then the two names that will obviously come in our mind ar R.P. Goenka and Harsh Neotia (both Marwaris).
And by what logic was Oriya (one of the world’s richest languages) selected? With due respect to Oriya friends who stay in West Bengal (and we cherish their presence), Odisha or Oriya community has historically not played that much a significant role in any aspect of West Bengal’s development and growth, (though since ancient days we have had cultural and business relations with that region). Nor it is so that the educated and erudite Oriya community has any sizeable presence here. (I wish more Oriya friends made West Bengal their home).
Every community should enjoy equal right/prestige/honour on the soil of every Indian state, with the so-called “sons of the soil” enjoying no special status. But this is certainly not the way to offer the “equal treatment”. Rather I find this decision of the West Bengal government to be a big joke.
By the way, I hope nobody will misunderstand me. While opposing the selection of a language as West Bengal’s official language, I have only questioned the cultural and historical logic behind it. And by no means I have tried to show lack of respect to those languages and their speakers.
Thank you so much for reading the post. You have honoured me.
From now, apart from Bengali and English, West Bengal will have 6 more “second” official languages - Urdu, Punjabi, Nepali, Ol-Chiki, Oriya and Hindi.
So from now onwards every government communication will be printed in all these languages, the Calcutta Doordarshan will have news programme in all these languages, and so on. Wow, what a revolutionary step by our firebrand Chief Minister.
However, I am such a nagging person that instead of appreciating this step for promoting communal harmony, I rather find the decision to be a bitter ill to swallow. I am so sorry.
Actually, I completely fail to understand the logic behind declaring 6 more languages as the second official language fails me. There are some loopholes in the government’s logic, which I cannot ignore.
For example, the government has said that Punjabi has been chosen as an official language to recognize the fact that the Punjabi speaking community has made a huge contribution in the development of the state. Besides, the Punjabi community has a sizeable presence in West Bengal, that too for several years.
Nobody can dare to contradict the logic that Punjabis have really played a very appreciable role in the in various developments of West Bengal, especially in the field of trade & commerce (courtesy their legendary entrepreneurial skill).
But if by that logic the beautiful Punjabi language can be given an official status, then why not the same be done to the Rajasthani language? Punjabis of West Bengal have been staying here for many years, and the community has also played key role in the economic and other developments of the state. But in that case why Rajasthani (the language of Marwari community) was left out? Marwaris have also been in the state since the days of Jobe Charnock and Sirajdaulla, and have played a very significant role in the overall development of the state, with the main area again being the field of trade & commerce. In fact, if today we try to think of any Calcutta based industrialist, then the two names that will obviously come in our mind ar R.P. Goenka and Harsh Neotia (both Marwaris).
And by what logic was Oriya (one of the world’s richest languages) selected? With due respect to Oriya friends who stay in West Bengal (and we cherish their presence), Odisha or Oriya community has historically not played that much a significant role in any aspect of West Bengal’s development and growth, (though since ancient days we have had cultural and business relations with that region). Nor it is so that the educated and erudite Oriya community has any sizeable presence here. (I wish more Oriya friends made West Bengal their home).
Every community should enjoy equal right/prestige/honour on the soil of every Indian state, with the so-called “sons of the soil” enjoying no special status. But this is certainly not the way to offer the “equal treatment”. Rather I find this decision of the West Bengal government to be a big joke.
By the way, I hope nobody will misunderstand me. While opposing the selection of a language as West Bengal’s official language, I have only questioned the cultural and historical logic behind it. And by no means I have tried to show lack of respect to those languages and their speakers.
Thank you so much for reading the post. You have honoured me.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
NY-based Indian Diplomat’s Daughter Arrested For Crime She Did Not Commit, Real Culprit Let To Go Scot Free
It is an unfortunate incident that cannot be expected to take place in a city like New York.
Krittika Biswas, the 18 years old daughter of a New York based senior Indian diplomat, was arrested and suspended from high school for a crime she did not commit in the first place – sending sexually explicit mails to her teachers.
Krittika Biswas is the daughter of Debashish Biswas, the vice consul at the Consulate General of India in Manhattan.
On February 8, 2011, this bright student of John Bowne High School was paraded out of her school in, hold your breath, handcuffs. And that was followed by the ordeal of spending 28 hours in a dark cell.
However, later the school Principal Howard Kwait identified a male student to be the real culprit.
Naturally, now the charges against Krittika were dropped. However, now two interesting (read more unfortunate) things happened.
Though now the real culprit was identified, he did not have to face any legal action like what innocent Krittika had to face. Reason? Well, the school did not want to press charges against him. (Why? Is there any racial angle in this story?)
More interestingly, even after the baseless charges against Krittika were dropped, school officials insisted to keep the hapless girl detained in a suspension centre for more than one month. Reason? Well, I suppose only the almighty has the answer.
Now Krittika is suing the New York City administration for $1.5 million for the wrongful arrest and the subsequent harassments. I feel the amount is quite low given the strong blow that her self-respect sense suffered.
I sincerely hope that the US government will take serious note of the issue, and will ensure that all the people directly or indirectly responsible for Krittika’s nightmarish experience are brought to book.
Krittika Biswas, the 18 years old daughter of a New York based senior Indian diplomat, was arrested and suspended from high school for a crime she did not commit in the first place – sending sexually explicit mails to her teachers.
Krittika Biswas is the daughter of Debashish Biswas, the vice consul at the Consulate General of India in Manhattan.
On February 8, 2011, this bright student of John Bowne High School was paraded out of her school in, hold your breath, handcuffs. And that was followed by the ordeal of spending 28 hours in a dark cell.
However, later the school Principal Howard Kwait identified a male student to be the real culprit.
Naturally, now the charges against Krittika were dropped. However, now two interesting (read more unfortunate) things happened.
Though now the real culprit was identified, he did not have to face any legal action like what innocent Krittika had to face. Reason? Well, the school did not want to press charges against him. (Why? Is there any racial angle in this story?)
More interestingly, even after the baseless charges against Krittika were dropped, school officials insisted to keep the hapless girl detained in a suspension centre for more than one month. Reason? Well, I suppose only the almighty has the answer.
Now Krittika is suing the New York City administration for $1.5 million for the wrongful arrest and the subsequent harassments. I feel the amount is quite low given the strong blow that her self-respect sense suffered.
I sincerely hope that the US government will take serious note of the issue, and will ensure that all the people directly or indirectly responsible for Krittika’s nightmarish experience are brought to book.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Grassroots Activism And Digital Activism - Complementary To Each Other
Grassroots activists often look down upon and mock at digital activists.
I appreciate and respect the “hands on” approach of grassroots activists. Given the fact that it is they who actually run a movement on the ground, there is no doubt that they form the most vital part of a movement’s lifeline.
However, while taking justified pride in their role, they should also appreciate the significant role played by digital activists in bringing an issue to the world’s notice, thereby generating public support and sympathy in many parts of the world.
The fact is that grassroots activism and digital activism are complementary to each other. And it is only through a combined presence of the two that a movement can become most likely to be successful.
Digital activism can draw public sympathy and support for a cause, but that sympathy and support will wither away if there are no grassroots activists to tap that support and utilize it in furthering the movement on the ground.
On the other hand, if there is only grassroots activism and no digital activism, then those grassroots activists will have to fight for their cause without the world sympathizing with them and their cause. And in that case they will be deprived of a strong moral support that often plays a key role in a movement.
I appreciate and respect the “hands on” approach of grassroots activists. Given the fact that it is they who actually run a movement on the ground, there is no doubt that they form the most vital part of a movement’s lifeline.
However, while taking justified pride in their role, they should also appreciate the significant role played by digital activists in bringing an issue to the world’s notice, thereby generating public support and sympathy in many parts of the world.
The fact is that grassroots activism and digital activism are complementary to each other. And it is only through a combined presence of the two that a movement can become most likely to be successful.
Digital activism can draw public sympathy and support for a cause, but that sympathy and support will wither away if there are no grassroots activists to tap that support and utilize it in furthering the movement on the ground.
On the other hand, if there is only grassroots activism and no digital activism, then those grassroots activists will have to fight for their cause without the world sympathizing with them and their cause. And in that case they will be deprived of a strong moral support that often plays a key role in a movement.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Few Humble Suggestions To Ms Girija Vyas, President, National Commission For Women (India)
Dear Madam,
Your organization, National Commission for Women (NCW), is a significant and crucial body that is playing a very valuable role in upholding the cause of the respectable womenfolk of our land. It is courtesy the presence of NCW that a number of women from cross sections of the society are being able to fight against various injustices committed against them, thereby managing to safeguard the honour and dignity of their life. Every right thinking citizen of India appreciates the valuable service offered by NCW, and takes great pride in its presence on the Indian soil.
However, I sometimes feel that there are certain occasions when NCW might get vulnerable to misuse and misutilization, without even realizing it. Such incidents are sure to malign your organization, not withstanding its noble objectives.
If you do take it as an audacity, then I will like to present just a couple of humble suggestions which may help you to ensure that there is no misuse of your organization.
a.) NCW must ensure that on the occasion of a normal household arguement a lady can not blackmail her husband/in laws by flaunting her personal contacts with NCW officials and functionaries. I hope you will accept that it is not a good practice for a lady to make remarks like “I know Ms. XYZ of NCW. I will just call her tomorrow”, while having a somewhat normal argument with her husband/in laws.
b.) You must ensure that when a lady visits NCW office for some official or other work (and not to lodge any complaint), then she is not entertained to make any verbal complaint against her husband/in laws while having a casual chat with any NCW official. If she tries to do something like this, then the concerned NCW official must not entertain it. Rather she should tell that lady that if she really has a genuine complaint to make, then she is welcome to lodge a formal, written complaint with the appropriate person. Otherwise, that lady may later blackmail her husband/in laws by saying things like “Today I told Ms. XYX of NCW everything when I visited their office. She was very angry, and has said that she will ensure NCW takes strict action against you people”.
c.) When a lady lodges a complaint with NCW, then, after recording the complaint, NCW may do the following two things – c.) 1.) – It may verify the genuineness of the complaint before taking any action against the accused, And, c.) 2.) – Even after it finds that the incident mentioned in the complaint is true, it may try to find out the root cause, which eventually resulted in that incident. For example, NCW finds that a lady was indeed slapped by her husband as she has mentioned in her complaint. Now, before taking action against her husband, NCW may try to find out whether there was some very strong provocation from the lady which made her husband to slap her at the heat of the moment. It may have been so that the lady was abusing her in laws in a very offensive language, which made her husband lose patience (after all, he is a human being). Worse, it may have been so that the lady had pounced on her husband and was physically assaulting him, and the husband had to slap her back simply for self defence.
So madam, these were just a couple of suggestions that I dared to make, with this hope that the same might help NCW to be further effective in its actions. I again hope that you will not count my action as an audacity.
I want to highlight that my coming up with these suggestions does not mean that I have any doubt about the competence of NCW officials.
I will also like to highlight that I do not claim to have any personal experience as far as the situations/scenarios - that I have mentioned above as examples - are concerned.
Please accept my heartfelt respect and regards and share the same with each and every member of NCW. Please always be there and be a strong support for our mothers, sisters and daughters, who genuinely need your help. I wish you people all the best.
Your organization, National Commission for Women (NCW), is a significant and crucial body that is playing a very valuable role in upholding the cause of the respectable womenfolk of our land. It is courtesy the presence of NCW that a number of women from cross sections of the society are being able to fight against various injustices committed against them, thereby managing to safeguard the honour and dignity of their life. Every right thinking citizen of India appreciates the valuable service offered by NCW, and takes great pride in its presence on the Indian soil.
However, I sometimes feel that there are certain occasions when NCW might get vulnerable to misuse and misutilization, without even realizing it. Such incidents are sure to malign your organization, not withstanding its noble objectives.
If you do take it as an audacity, then I will like to present just a couple of humble suggestions which may help you to ensure that there is no misuse of your organization.
a.) NCW must ensure that on the occasion of a normal household arguement a lady can not blackmail her husband/in laws by flaunting her personal contacts with NCW officials and functionaries. I hope you will accept that it is not a good practice for a lady to make remarks like “I know Ms. XYZ of NCW. I will just call her tomorrow”, while having a somewhat normal argument with her husband/in laws.
b.) You must ensure that when a lady visits NCW office for some official or other work (and not to lodge any complaint), then she is not entertained to make any verbal complaint against her husband/in laws while having a casual chat with any NCW official. If she tries to do something like this, then the concerned NCW official must not entertain it. Rather she should tell that lady that if she really has a genuine complaint to make, then she is welcome to lodge a formal, written complaint with the appropriate person. Otherwise, that lady may later blackmail her husband/in laws by saying things like “Today I told Ms. XYX of NCW everything when I visited their office. She was very angry, and has said that she will ensure NCW takes strict action against you people”.
c.) When a lady lodges a complaint with NCW, then, after recording the complaint, NCW may do the following two things – c.) 1.) – It may verify the genuineness of the complaint before taking any action against the accused, And, c.) 2.) – Even after it finds that the incident mentioned in the complaint is true, it may try to find out the root cause, which eventually resulted in that incident. For example, NCW finds that a lady was indeed slapped by her husband as she has mentioned in her complaint. Now, before taking action against her husband, NCW may try to find out whether there was some very strong provocation from the lady which made her husband to slap her at the heat of the moment. It may have been so that the lady was abusing her in laws in a very offensive language, which made her husband lose patience (after all, he is a human being). Worse, it may have been so that the lady had pounced on her husband and was physically assaulting him, and the husband had to slap her back simply for self defence.
So madam, these were just a couple of suggestions that I dared to make, with this hope that the same might help NCW to be further effective in its actions. I again hope that you will not count my action as an audacity.
I want to highlight that my coming up with these suggestions does not mean that I have any doubt about the competence of NCW officials.
I will also like to highlight that I do not claim to have any personal experience as far as the situations/scenarios - that I have mentioned above as examples - are concerned.
Please accept my heartfelt respect and regards and share the same with each and every member of NCW. Please always be there and be a strong support for our mothers, sisters and daughters, who genuinely need your help. I wish you people all the best.
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Thrilling And Educative “User Testing” Event, Courtesy Teekha Web
As an Internet enthusiast, I will cherish for a long time the nice experience that I had yesterday (15th May 2011). So which experience am I referring to? Well, yesterday I had the opportunity to attend, and be part of, a “User Testing” event conducted by “Teekha Web”, the upcoming online solutions consultancy launched by a bunch of passionate and energetic Web enthusiasts, who eat, sleep and breath WWW.
The concept of “User Testing”, as they explained to me, entails conceptualizing and designing the outline of a web site by strictly keeping in mind the target user. Well, people may say that there is nothing unusual about it, as the target audience is kept in mind while preparing every web site. That is in fact one of the basic rules of web site preparation. True! But as a former content writer I know that this focus on target audience is given mainly while preparing the web site contents (such as text and its language, images and pictures, etc.). But usually not much focus is given on user friendliness in terms of “navigation designing”. It is very common for web site makers to forget to judge whether their web site is easy to navigate, where the user will be able to easily detect the appropriate links, before clicking on the same and accessing exactly those web site pages that contain the information/data that they are looking for.
And it is precisely this factor that is emphasized on in this “User Testing” concept. As per this concept, before actually getting into preparing the web site content, the content preparation team should sit together and conceptualize the web site home page through the eyes of the target audience. They will discuss among themselves (a la brainstorming) and try to identify each and every information/data that the target audience will like to have in the web site. And they will give equal focus on how the links to those data are to be put on the web site, so that the target audience has no problem in detecting/identifying those links and click on them. The basic tenet of the “User Testing” concept is that it is not enough to put necessary information/data in the web site. But you should also ensure it that the target audience has no problem in identifying the links to those data. If the links to those data get lost in the “jungle” of various confusing links, etc., and the target audience fails to access the information/data that they are looking for, then the presence of those information/data in the web site becomes meaningless, right?
I in fact had the “hands on” experience to be a part of this “User Testing” practice. I joined a team that was conceptualizing the home page of a hotel, and enjoyed the experience like anything. While it left me nostalgic by reminding me the experience I used to have as a content writer, I also enjoyed the thrill of learning a new but key concept of web site preparation.
I profusely thank “Teekha Web” team for the great experience (which was both educative and thrilling), and wish them all the best.
The concept of “User Testing”, as they explained to me, entails conceptualizing and designing the outline of a web site by strictly keeping in mind the target user. Well, people may say that there is nothing unusual about it, as the target audience is kept in mind while preparing every web site. That is in fact one of the basic rules of web site preparation. True! But as a former content writer I know that this focus on target audience is given mainly while preparing the web site contents (such as text and its language, images and pictures, etc.). But usually not much focus is given on user friendliness in terms of “navigation designing”. It is very common for web site makers to forget to judge whether their web site is easy to navigate, where the user will be able to easily detect the appropriate links, before clicking on the same and accessing exactly those web site pages that contain the information/data that they are looking for.
And it is precisely this factor that is emphasized on in this “User Testing” concept. As per this concept, before actually getting into preparing the web site content, the content preparation team should sit together and conceptualize the web site home page through the eyes of the target audience. They will discuss among themselves (a la brainstorming) and try to identify each and every information/data that the target audience will like to have in the web site. And they will give equal focus on how the links to those data are to be put on the web site, so that the target audience has no problem in detecting/identifying those links and click on them. The basic tenet of the “User Testing” concept is that it is not enough to put necessary information/data in the web site. But you should also ensure it that the target audience has no problem in identifying the links to those data. If the links to those data get lost in the “jungle” of various confusing links, etc., and the target audience fails to access the information/data that they are looking for, then the presence of those information/data in the web site becomes meaningless, right?
I in fact had the “hands on” experience to be a part of this “User Testing” practice. I joined a team that was conceptualizing the home page of a hotel, and enjoyed the experience like anything. While it left me nostalgic by reminding me the experience I used to have as a content writer, I also enjoyed the thrill of learning a new but key concept of web site preparation.
I profusely thank “Teekha Web” team for the great experience (which was both educative and thrilling), and wish them all the best.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Apa Sherpa – A Steady “Climb” of “Himalayan Success”
The living “Everest Legend” Apa Sherpa has done it again. Boasting the record of scaling Mt. Everest for the most number of times in the world, this jewel of the respectable “Sherpa” community again climbed the world’s highest peak on May 11, 2011, for the 21st time. This time he scaled the peak as a member of Eco Everest Expedition 2011. Eco Everest Expedition 2011 is an initiative aimed at cleaning the litter at Mt. Everest that was left behind by earlier climbers. The initiative also focuses on generating mass awareness on the possible impacts of climate change.
Now in his early 50’s, this pride of the Asian mountaineering community scaled Mt. Everest for the first time in 1990. And then he made it his practice, eventually establishing himself as the man to scale the peak for more times than anybody else.
Apart from being a legendary mountaineer, Apa Sherpa also enjoys the honour of being Nepal’s ambassador to promote tourism. He is also the founder of Apa Sherpa Foundation, the organization which is dedicatedly working for providing better education to Sherpa children located in rural Nepal. The Foundation is also working for the preservation of Sherpa language and culture.
Please accept a bagful of heartfelt salutations, sir.
Now in his early 50’s, this pride of the Asian mountaineering community scaled Mt. Everest for the first time in 1990. And then he made it his practice, eventually establishing himself as the man to scale the peak for more times than anybody else.
Apart from being a legendary mountaineer, Apa Sherpa also enjoys the honour of being Nepal’s ambassador to promote tourism. He is also the founder of Apa Sherpa Foundation, the organization which is dedicatedly working for providing better education to Sherpa children located in rural Nepal. The Foundation is also working for the preservation of Sherpa language and culture.
Please accept a bagful of heartfelt salutations, sir.
Friday, May 6, 2011
One Day The Entire World May Become A Single State
A time may come when the entire world will become a single state
And I have a feeling that one day it will happen, though the idea may sound absurd on today’s date.
There will be a single World Government, running the affairs of the entire globe
Spanning from Africa to America, and Asia to Europe.
There will be no “countries”, but only “administrative divisions”
And people will have no “nationalities”, as there will be no “nations”.
Every person will have only one identity – that he is a World Citizen
No matter originally which place he is from - the USA or India or Kenya or Yemen.
There will be no “international border”, as the entire world will be a single country
With various regions of the world being like the branches of the same tree.
There will be no war, as there will be only one country with not a second one to challenge its “territorial integrity”
And people across the world will enjoy a life of peace, harmony and unity.
The entire global fund will be spent on development, with not a single pie being wasted in war preparation
There will be no “war psychosis”, as that is impossible when the entire world has only one nation.
Words like “patriotism”, “nationalism” and “nationalist feeling” will be completely obsolete
And people will find such feelings to be ridiculously “parochial” and “narrow-minded”.
All the people across the globe will live as a single community
Working together for the world’s over-all development with dedication and integrity.
Just imagine what a beautiful place the world will be, if my dream becomes a reality
I know the dream sounds to be Utopian, but cannot we take at least some baby steps towards a Global Unity?
And I have a feeling that one day it will happen, though the idea may sound absurd on today’s date.
There will be a single World Government, running the affairs of the entire globe
Spanning from Africa to America, and Asia to Europe.
There will be no “countries”, but only “administrative divisions”
And people will have no “nationalities”, as there will be no “nations”.
Every person will have only one identity – that he is a World Citizen
No matter originally which place he is from - the USA or India or Kenya or Yemen.
There will be no “international border”, as the entire world will be a single country
With various regions of the world being like the branches of the same tree.
There will be no war, as there will be only one country with not a second one to challenge its “territorial integrity”
And people across the world will enjoy a life of peace, harmony and unity.
The entire global fund will be spent on development, with not a single pie being wasted in war preparation
There will be no “war psychosis”, as that is impossible when the entire world has only one nation.
Words like “patriotism”, “nationalism” and “nationalist feeling” will be completely obsolete
And people will find such feelings to be ridiculously “parochial” and “narrow-minded”.
All the people across the globe will live as a single community
Working together for the world’s over-all development with dedication and integrity.
Just imagine what a beautiful place the world will be, if my dream becomes a reality
I know the dream sounds to be Utopian, but cannot we take at least some baby steps towards a Global Unity?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
“Mukhtaran Mai Gang Rape Case” Verdict – The Pakistan Judiciary Makes A Mockery Of Itself
The Pakistan Supreme Court has made a shocking mockery of the entire Pakistan judiciary including itself, and certainly of justice as well, by acquitting all but one accused in the infamous Mukhtaran Mai Gang Rape Case.
A resident of Meerwala village in the Muzaffargarh district of Pakistan, Mukhtaran Bibi (now widely known as Mukhtaran Mai) was gang raped on the orders of a local tribal council of the Mastoi Baloch clan.
The harrowing incident was actually the final outcome of a series of incidents. It all began when Mukhtaran’s brother Shaqoor, who is from Tatla clan, was accused of having an affair with Salma (aka Nasim), a lady from Mastoi Baloch clan. This resulted in tensions as the Mastoi Baloch clan is more rich and powerful than the Tatla clan, i.e. the clan of Shaqoor and Mukhtaran.
However, the trial court came up with the verdict that there was no supporting evidence against Shaqoor’s “misdeed”. But as everybody knows that in Pakistan’s tribal areas Kangaroo courts are more powerful than formal judicial organs, Salma’s family decided to take the law in their own hands. They abducted Shaqoor, and got him sodomized. This now further resulted in a series of charges and counter-charges. And finally came that fateful day, when, empowered with the backing of a local tribal council, Salma’s brother Abdul Khaliq and his aides dragged Mukhtaran inside a stable and garg raped her for full one hour. And yes, that was not all. After that she was paraded naked in the village in full public view.
The hue and cry raised by the Pakistan media and civil society forced the government to initiate actions. The trial court came up with the verdict that the accused were indeed guilty, and awarded death sentence to them. But the accused appealed to the Lahore High Court, and the latter acquitted five of the six accused on the basis of “insufficient evidence”. It was in 2005.
Within days of the Lahore High Court verdict the Supreme Court of Pakistan took suo moto cognizance of the case. And on 21st April 2011, after 6 years, it has come with its loan awaited verdict which upholds Lahore High Court’s verdict – acquittal of all but one accused.
There is probably hardly any doubt that Mukhtaran Bibi will remember 21st April 2011 as a day equally “black” as the day on which she was gang raped by some beasts in the garb of human beings. On that fateful day she was raped by miscreants. And on the “Judgment Day” she found her hope for justice to be raped by the weak judiciary of her country. She had waited for 6 years to see those bastards finally getting punished for the heinous crime that they dared to commit. Instead, now she will have to bear the pain of watching them moving freely, an experience that will far aggravate the pain of bearing the memory of her harrowing experience.
It may have been so that the Judiciary did not have enough evidence to punish the accused. But would it have been so difficult for the honourable judiciary to gather some key evidences, if it were really sincere about it? And yes, what was the role of the investigating agencies? How could they fail to collect enough evidences given the fact that the crime was committed in full public view? Was it simply a case of professional incompetence? Or is it so that they were not serious about the investigation in the first place?
There should be immediate initiation of investigation to find out whether a section of the government connived with the accused. And, if anybody is found to be guilty, then he should be awarded with strongest possible punishment, which will act as a deterrent for other “potentially” erring government functionaries.
The Mukhtaran Mai gang rape case verdict will remain as a “black chapter” in the history of Pakistan’s judiciary. It is a different matter that the history of the said judiciary is already replete with a number of “black chapters”, and is likely to have more.
A resident of Meerwala village in the Muzaffargarh district of Pakistan, Mukhtaran Bibi (now widely known as Mukhtaran Mai) was gang raped on the orders of a local tribal council of the Mastoi Baloch clan.
The harrowing incident was actually the final outcome of a series of incidents. It all began when Mukhtaran’s brother Shaqoor, who is from Tatla clan, was accused of having an affair with Salma (aka Nasim), a lady from Mastoi Baloch clan. This resulted in tensions as the Mastoi Baloch clan is more rich and powerful than the Tatla clan, i.e. the clan of Shaqoor and Mukhtaran.
However, the trial court came up with the verdict that there was no supporting evidence against Shaqoor’s “misdeed”. But as everybody knows that in Pakistan’s tribal areas Kangaroo courts are more powerful than formal judicial organs, Salma’s family decided to take the law in their own hands. They abducted Shaqoor, and got him sodomized. This now further resulted in a series of charges and counter-charges. And finally came that fateful day, when, empowered with the backing of a local tribal council, Salma’s brother Abdul Khaliq and his aides dragged Mukhtaran inside a stable and garg raped her for full one hour. And yes, that was not all. After that she was paraded naked in the village in full public view.
The hue and cry raised by the Pakistan media and civil society forced the government to initiate actions. The trial court came up with the verdict that the accused were indeed guilty, and awarded death sentence to them. But the accused appealed to the Lahore High Court, and the latter acquitted five of the six accused on the basis of “insufficient evidence”. It was in 2005.
Within days of the Lahore High Court verdict the Supreme Court of Pakistan took suo moto cognizance of the case. And on 21st April 2011, after 6 years, it has come with its loan awaited verdict which upholds Lahore High Court’s verdict – acquittal of all but one accused.
There is probably hardly any doubt that Mukhtaran Bibi will remember 21st April 2011 as a day equally “black” as the day on which she was gang raped by some beasts in the garb of human beings. On that fateful day she was raped by miscreants. And on the “Judgment Day” she found her hope for justice to be raped by the weak judiciary of her country. She had waited for 6 years to see those bastards finally getting punished for the heinous crime that they dared to commit. Instead, now she will have to bear the pain of watching them moving freely, an experience that will far aggravate the pain of bearing the memory of her harrowing experience.
It may have been so that the Judiciary did not have enough evidence to punish the accused. But would it have been so difficult for the honourable judiciary to gather some key evidences, if it were really sincere about it? And yes, what was the role of the investigating agencies? How could they fail to collect enough evidences given the fact that the crime was committed in full public view? Was it simply a case of professional incompetence? Or is it so that they were not serious about the investigation in the first place?
There should be immediate initiation of investigation to find out whether a section of the government connived with the accused. And, if anybody is found to be guilty, then he should be awarded with strongest possible punishment, which will act as a deterrent for other “potentially” erring government functionaries.
The Mukhtaran Mai gang rape case verdict will remain as a “black chapter” in the history of Pakistan’s judiciary. It is a different matter that the history of the said judiciary is already replete with a number of “black chapters”, and is likely to have more.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Congrats To Gujjars For “Simple Marriage” Resolution
It was really heartening to see how leaders of Gujjar community passed a resolution to keep marriage a low-key affair. The notable and praiseworthy resolution forbids vulgar show of wealth in marriages, while also prohibiting the use of guns and liquor on such occasions.
This is undoubtedly a pleasantly startling move, given the fact disturbingly ostentatious marriage ceremonies have now become so common in North India. People unhesitatingly use wedding ceremonies as a tool to display their money power, stooping to the level of competing with one another in terms of glitz and glamour. Under such circumstances it is not too much to say that this resolution of the Gujjar community leaders represents a ground-breaking move.
I also heartily appreciate the prohibition of use of gun in wedding ceremonies. This practice of gun firing, something so common in North Indian wedding ceremonies, is already frowned upon by a large section of the society. I regularly come across news of accidents (including fatal accidents) in wedding ceremonies resulting from gun firing. And therefore it is a welcome step in itself to ban the use of gun in Gujjar weddings.
A bagful of congratulations to Gujjar community leaders for coming up with this significant resolution. It is a powerful initiative to cleanse the rich North Indian culture of needless extravaganza. North Indian wedding ceremonies are quite glorious and colourful, and they do not need any “artificial” extravaganza to appear more glamorous. In fact, doing away with such extravaganza will help the North Indian wedding ceremonies to display their real self, which is a captivating combination of magnificence and liveliness.
This is undoubtedly a pleasantly startling move, given the fact disturbingly ostentatious marriage ceremonies have now become so common in North India. People unhesitatingly use wedding ceremonies as a tool to display their money power, stooping to the level of competing with one another in terms of glitz and glamour. Under such circumstances it is not too much to say that this resolution of the Gujjar community leaders represents a ground-breaking move.
I also heartily appreciate the prohibition of use of gun in wedding ceremonies. This practice of gun firing, something so common in North Indian wedding ceremonies, is already frowned upon by a large section of the society. I regularly come across news of accidents (including fatal accidents) in wedding ceremonies resulting from gun firing. And therefore it is a welcome step in itself to ban the use of gun in Gujjar weddings.
A bagful of congratulations to Gujjar community leaders for coming up with this significant resolution. It is a powerful initiative to cleanse the rich North Indian culture of needless extravaganza. North Indian wedding ceremonies are quite glorious and colourful, and they do not need any “artificial” extravaganza to appear more glamorous. In fact, doing away with such extravaganza will help the North Indian wedding ceremonies to display their real self, which is a captivating combination of magnificence and liveliness.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Achieving 33 Per Cent Green Cover Is Impossible For India – Jairam Ramesh
Are you an Indian “green enthusiast” eagerly awaiting the day when the Indian government will be successful in realizing its target of bringing 33 per cent of Indian ground under green cover or forest cover?
Well, in that case it is time you heaved a sigh of pain.
The Environment & Forests Minister Mr. Jairam Ramesh has been very candid in saying that the Indian government’s aim to achieve 33 per cent green cover for India is impossible. Reason? Well, mainly two factors are playing the spoil sport – the size of the population and the developmental issues.
Mr. Ramesh has said that instead of running after the elusive goal, it is better India focuses on retaining the 21 per cent forest cover that it enjoys at present.
Interestingly, Mr. Ramesh has also admitted that 40 per cent of that 21 per cent forest cover is open and degraded land, and is not exactly worthy of being called “forest”.
Mr. Ramesh’s acceptance of the harsh fact might have broken many of our hearts. But it is better we appreciate his honesty, and wish and encourage him that he manages to retain and nourish the 21 per cent forest cover enjoyed by our beautiful motherland.
Well, in that case it is time you heaved a sigh of pain.
The Environment & Forests Minister Mr. Jairam Ramesh has been very candid in saying that the Indian government’s aim to achieve 33 per cent green cover for India is impossible. Reason? Well, mainly two factors are playing the spoil sport – the size of the population and the developmental issues.
Mr. Ramesh has said that instead of running after the elusive goal, it is better India focuses on retaining the 21 per cent forest cover that it enjoys at present.
Interestingly, Mr. Ramesh has also admitted that 40 per cent of that 21 per cent forest cover is open and degraded land, and is not exactly worthy of being called “forest”.
Mr. Ramesh’s acceptance of the harsh fact might have broken many of our hearts. But it is better we appreciate his honesty, and wish and encourage him that he manages to retain and nourish the 21 per cent forest cover enjoyed by our beautiful motherland.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Europe Is Considering A Nuclear-Free Future – A Welcome Thought
Will the recent tragedy in Japan, that has made the country face a possible nuclear disaster, eventually push European Union (EU) to go for a nuclear-free future?
Well, there seems to be a possibility, if a recent observation by EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger is anything to go by.
Shocked with what is happening in Japan, EU has decided to test the resistance level of its nuclear power stations, to judge whether there is any possibility of a nuclear disaster in case those power plants face a situation like what is now happening in Japan. It is in this context that Mr. Oettinger has said that EU should check whether it can stop depending on nuclear power, in the near future, to address its power needs.
It is a welcome thought, Mr. Oettinger. It will be really great if EU can go ahead with this plan. It is something that should be given serious considerations by every country in the world. And I suppose it is OK to part with nuclear energy even if we find that will create deficiencies in addressing power needs, and other requirements. It is OK to pay the moderate price that we are supposed to pay if we stop depending on nuclear power. But it is disastrous to pay the price that we will pay if the nuclear power develops problems. Let us not fail to learn a very crucial lesson that lies beneath the disaster that our Japanese friends are facing today.
Well, there seems to be a possibility, if a recent observation by EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger is anything to go by.
Shocked with what is happening in Japan, EU has decided to test the resistance level of its nuclear power stations, to judge whether there is any possibility of a nuclear disaster in case those power plants face a situation like what is now happening in Japan. It is in this context that Mr. Oettinger has said that EU should check whether it can stop depending on nuclear power, in the near future, to address its power needs.
It is a welcome thought, Mr. Oettinger. It will be really great if EU can go ahead with this plan. It is something that should be given serious considerations by every country in the world. And I suppose it is OK to part with nuclear energy even if we find that will create deficiencies in addressing power needs, and other requirements. It is OK to pay the moderate price that we are supposed to pay if we stop depending on nuclear power. But it is disastrous to pay the price that we will pay if the nuclear power develops problems. Let us not fail to learn a very crucial lesson that lies beneath the disaster that our Japanese friends are facing today.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What is ENGLISH?
E = Expressive
N = Necessary
G = Global Harmony Facilitator
L = Lovable
I = Internationally Understood
S = Sweet
H = Hearty
N = Necessary
G = Global Harmony Facilitator
L = Lovable
I = Internationally Understood
S = Sweet
H = Hearty
Monday, March 14, 2011
Fight Back, “The Land Of The Rising Sun”
A combined attack of a major earthquake and tsunami – for any other country it would have been a major blow
But the country in question is Japan, which is known for not letting any disaster make its morale low.
“The Land Of The Rising Sun”, Japan managed to stand up from the shambles of Hiroshima bombing
It is a strong-willed nation, for which fighting back a disaster with grit is not a new thing.
History bears the proof of the determination and courage that the Japanese community personifies
And there is hardly any doubt that the great country will overcome the present disaster with aplomb and ease.
The entire world’s sympathy, love and wishes are with you - our beloved Japanese friends, brothers and sisters
Fight back with your natural courage, by displaying for the umpteenth time the indomitable spirit of the Japanese mass.
Your ancestors faced Hiroshima bombing, and constructed a new Japan from the rubble of that devastation
Repeat that valour of your ancestors, and prove once again the resilience and buoyancy of your great nation.
(I wrote this poem on 14th March 2011 following the devastating Tsunami and earthquake in Japan that shook the world).
But the country in question is Japan, which is known for not letting any disaster make its morale low.
“The Land Of The Rising Sun”, Japan managed to stand up from the shambles of Hiroshima bombing
It is a strong-willed nation, for which fighting back a disaster with grit is not a new thing.
History bears the proof of the determination and courage that the Japanese community personifies
And there is hardly any doubt that the great country will overcome the present disaster with aplomb and ease.
The entire world’s sympathy, love and wishes are with you - our beloved Japanese friends, brothers and sisters
Fight back with your natural courage, by displaying for the umpteenth time the indomitable spirit of the Japanese mass.
Your ancestors faced Hiroshima bombing, and constructed a new Japan from the rubble of that devastation
Repeat that valour of your ancestors, and prove once again the resilience and buoyancy of your great nation.
(I wrote this poem on 14th March 2011 following the devastating Tsunami and earthquake in Japan that shook the world).
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Pilots With Forged Certificates/Documents Should Be Charged With Attempt To Culpable Homicide
Recently a lady pilot of IndiGo was found to have forged her marksheets of DGCA Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) test, thereby getting a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and eventually a job with a top commercial airline. In fact, there have been two more such cases that have come to light, wherein a person has got pilot’s job by furnishing forged certificates/documents.
And these three incidents are not isolated incidents. It is not very rare for us to come across news of such frauds, wherein incompetent people are found to have gathered CPL though unfair and illegal means.
I personally feel that such people should be charged with attempt to culpable homicide. They themselves know it pretty well that when they fly a commercial airline, they very much put the lives of the passengers in danger (apart from their own lives). And I do not feel that it is too much to demand that such elements are charged with attempt to culpable homicide. Such a strong charge is also likely to play an effective deterrent for the shameless people who indulge in such crimes.
I appeal to the concerned authorities (Directorate General of Civil Aviation, etc.) to have a serious thought on this issue.
And these three incidents are not isolated incidents. It is not very rare for us to come across news of such frauds, wherein incompetent people are found to have gathered CPL though unfair and illegal means.
I personally feel that such people should be charged with attempt to culpable homicide. They themselves know it pretty well that when they fly a commercial airline, they very much put the lives of the passengers in danger (apart from their own lives). And I do not feel that it is too much to demand that such elements are charged with attempt to culpable homicide. Such a strong charge is also likely to play an effective deterrent for the shameless people who indulge in such crimes.
I appeal to the concerned authorities (Directorate General of Civil Aviation, etc.) to have a serious thought on this issue.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Pakistan’s Stupid Demand To Involve A Third Party In Kashmir Dialogue
During the recent Foreign Secretary level talk between India and Pakistan, the latter again raised the apparently justified but actually baseless demand to involve Kashmiris as a third party in dialogues over the Kashmir problem.
It is a demand that has been raised for quite a number of times by both Pakistan and Hurriyat Conference. And, as I said, though the demand appears to be a justified one, in reality it is simply a stupid demand that does not even worth any consideration.
But why is it so? Simple. Even if India and Pakistan try to involve the common Kashmiris in the dialogue process, how can they go for the same? They cannot literally invite the mass of that region to participate in the dialogue process, right? Rather, the mass has to be represented by an appropriate entity.
Fine. Now Pakistan might say that it and India can find that representative of common Kashmiris in Hurriyat Conference. In fact, Pakistan actually refers to Hurriyat Conference every time it talks about involving the common Kashmiris as a third party.
Now comes the crucial question. How can India accept that Hurriyat Conference is indeed the true representative of common Kashmiris? Where is the proof? Neither the leaders of Hurriyat Conference have ever contested (and won) any election in Kashmir nor they enjoy any other kind of recognition that qualifies them as the true representatives of common Kashmiris. An organization cannot be accepted as the true representative of the wishes and aspirations of a community simply because it claims itself to be the same.
Secondly, even if it is taken for granted that Hurriyat Conference leaders do have some influence and acceptability among the Muslim Kashmiris, it is well known that they have absolutely no acceptability among the Hindu and Buddhist Kashmiris. I hope that Pakistan has the basic courtesy to accept that Muslim Kashmiris are not the only representatives of the common people of that region. The Hindu and Buddhist Kashmiris are also to be counted, right? And in that case Hurriyat Conference cannot claim itself to be a true representative of the common people of Kashmir, as its acceptability is confined only within a certain section of the Kashmiris.
So, at the end of the day we find that there is no organization that can claim itself to enjoy acceptability among all sections of Kashmiris irrespective of religious background. So even if India and Pakistan try to involve a third party as the representative of “wishes” and “aspirations” of the common people of Kashmir, they cannot be successful in that “noble mission”. Because no such organization or entity exists in the first place. It is high time all relevant stakeholders accepted this “harsh fact” with a “broken heart”.
It is a demand that has been raised for quite a number of times by both Pakistan and Hurriyat Conference. And, as I said, though the demand appears to be a justified one, in reality it is simply a stupid demand that does not even worth any consideration.
But why is it so? Simple. Even if India and Pakistan try to involve the common Kashmiris in the dialogue process, how can they go for the same? They cannot literally invite the mass of that region to participate in the dialogue process, right? Rather, the mass has to be represented by an appropriate entity.
Fine. Now Pakistan might say that it and India can find that representative of common Kashmiris in Hurriyat Conference. In fact, Pakistan actually refers to Hurriyat Conference every time it talks about involving the common Kashmiris as a third party.
Now comes the crucial question. How can India accept that Hurriyat Conference is indeed the true representative of common Kashmiris? Where is the proof? Neither the leaders of Hurriyat Conference have ever contested (and won) any election in Kashmir nor they enjoy any other kind of recognition that qualifies them as the true representatives of common Kashmiris. An organization cannot be accepted as the true representative of the wishes and aspirations of a community simply because it claims itself to be the same.
Secondly, even if it is taken for granted that Hurriyat Conference leaders do have some influence and acceptability among the Muslim Kashmiris, it is well known that they have absolutely no acceptability among the Hindu and Buddhist Kashmiris. I hope that Pakistan has the basic courtesy to accept that Muslim Kashmiris are not the only representatives of the common people of that region. The Hindu and Buddhist Kashmiris are also to be counted, right? And in that case Hurriyat Conference cannot claim itself to be a true representative of the common people of Kashmir, as its acceptability is confined only within a certain section of the Kashmiris.
So, at the end of the day we find that there is no organization that can claim itself to enjoy acceptability among all sections of Kashmiris irrespective of religious background. So even if India and Pakistan try to involve a third party as the representative of “wishes” and “aspirations” of the common people of Kashmir, they cannot be successful in that “noble mission”. Because no such organization or entity exists in the first place. It is high time all relevant stakeholders accepted this “harsh fact” with a “broken heart”.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
ULFA Peace Talks – A Significant Step Towards Stability In Assam
The Indian government’s peace talks with the leaders (of the Arabinda Rajkhow faction) of ULFA (United Liberation Front Of Asom), to be held on 10th February 2011, is going to be a key step forward towards restoring peace and stability in the picturesque north-east India in general and Assam in particular.
ULFA has been a frontline outfit in the terrorist and insurgent activities in Assam, and one of the most dreaded outfits in the north-east as a whole. And it is undoubtedly a significant, if not historic, development that today it is going to have unconditional peace talks with the Indian government. That the outfit is genuinely sincere about the dialogue that can be understood from the fact that it has dropped its sovereignty demand as a pre-condition for any talks. In fact, when ULFA dropped this pre-requisite for talks, that was a highly notable development in itself.
It is more-or-less obvious that the Paresh Baruah faction of ULFA will try to create problems for the talks. ULFA’s Central Executive Committee has threatened to take disciplinary action against him if he defies the outfit’s decision to hold talks with the Indian government. But honestly speaking that does not seem to deter him if he wants to create problems. However, even if he tries to create problems, hopefully that will fail to get the talks derailed as a whole. After all, the majority of ULFA cadres have realized the futility of walking the road of violence and bloodshed. By walking that path throughout the life, today they find that they have achieved only one thing – keeping themselves deprived of a normal life. So now they also desperately want to come back to a normal life. And therefore they will undoubtedly work hard for making the peace talks a success.
A bagful of good wishes to both the parties (The Indian government and ULFA) from each and every Indian citizen.
ULFA has been a frontline outfit in the terrorist and insurgent activities in Assam, and one of the most dreaded outfits in the north-east as a whole. And it is undoubtedly a significant, if not historic, development that today it is going to have unconditional peace talks with the Indian government. That the outfit is genuinely sincere about the dialogue that can be understood from the fact that it has dropped its sovereignty demand as a pre-condition for any talks. In fact, when ULFA dropped this pre-requisite for talks, that was a highly notable development in itself.
It is more-or-less obvious that the Paresh Baruah faction of ULFA will try to create problems for the talks. ULFA’s Central Executive Committee has threatened to take disciplinary action against him if he defies the outfit’s decision to hold talks with the Indian government. But honestly speaking that does not seem to deter him if he wants to create problems. However, even if he tries to create problems, hopefully that will fail to get the talks derailed as a whole. After all, the majority of ULFA cadres have realized the futility of walking the road of violence and bloodshed. By walking that path throughout the life, today they find that they have achieved only one thing – keeping themselves deprived of a normal life. So now they also desperately want to come back to a normal life. And therefore they will undoubtedly work hard for making the peace talks a success.
A bagful of good wishes to both the parties (The Indian government and ULFA) from each and every Indian citizen.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Plain Hypocrites: That Is All That Can Be Said About The People Of Jammu & Kashmir
Whenever there is any reported or alleged killing of any innocent civilian by the Indian security personnel in Kashmir, the people of the Valley immediately swing into “protests”. They take out processions, do squatting in front of government offices, clash with police and security personnel wherein they hurl stones at the former, and so on. (And naturally all these get so enthusiastically covered by the Pakistani media). On the other hand the separatist leaders start giving their reactions to the media, especially electronic media, expressing their “shock” and “anguish” over the “appalling” actions of the Indian security personnel.
Nobody is supporting the killings of innocent civilians in Kashmir by Indian security personnel. Such incidents are undoubtedly despicable. But what is very strange is that while the people of Jammu & Kashmir are so enthusiastic about expressing their anger over the alleged killings of innocent civilians by the Indian security personnel, they never utter a single word when such killings are conducted by terrorists. On such occasions not a single voice is heard, neither from the separatist leaders nor from the common people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Just take the latest example of two sisters being killed by terrorists at Sopore. Terrorists dragged the two girls out of their home in broad daylight, and gunned them down mercilessly. But there has been absolutely no reaction (like protests, etc.) on the part of the people. Not many months back a toddler fell victim to irresponsible stone pelting by a bunch of so-called protesters, when the baby was being taken to a doctor by his parents and their car came across those protesters (read hooligans). But even then there was no voice of objection from any quarter, neither the separatist leaders nor the common people.
The selective reaction of the separatist leaders can be understood, as we all know that they are just pet dogs of Pakistan, and their loyalty to that country’s government prevents them from criticizing heinous activities of those terrorists who are sponsored by that very government.
But how come the common people of Jammu & Kashmir are so selective in expressing their protest? Why do they remain completely silent on such occasions, while they are so smart in protesting against such (alleged) activities by the Indian security personnel? Shall we conclude that they do not find the killings of their fellow Kashmiris that painful if those killings take place at the hands of terrorists?
Shame on the common people of Jammu & Kashmir for their naked hypocrisy and double standard.
Nobody is supporting the killings of innocent civilians in Kashmir by Indian security personnel. Such incidents are undoubtedly despicable. But what is very strange is that while the people of Jammu & Kashmir are so enthusiastic about expressing their anger over the alleged killings of innocent civilians by the Indian security personnel, they never utter a single word when such killings are conducted by terrorists. On such occasions not a single voice is heard, neither from the separatist leaders nor from the common people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Just take the latest example of two sisters being killed by terrorists at Sopore. Terrorists dragged the two girls out of their home in broad daylight, and gunned them down mercilessly. But there has been absolutely no reaction (like protests, etc.) on the part of the people. Not many months back a toddler fell victim to irresponsible stone pelting by a bunch of so-called protesters, when the baby was being taken to a doctor by his parents and their car came across those protesters (read hooligans). But even then there was no voice of objection from any quarter, neither the separatist leaders nor the common people.
The selective reaction of the separatist leaders can be understood, as we all know that they are just pet dogs of Pakistan, and their loyalty to that country’s government prevents them from criticizing heinous activities of those terrorists who are sponsored by that very government.
But how come the common people of Jammu & Kashmir are so selective in expressing their protest? Why do they remain completely silent on such occasions, while they are so smart in protesting against such (alleged) activities by the Indian security personnel? Shall we conclude that they do not find the killings of their fellow Kashmiris that painful if those killings take place at the hands of terrorists?
Shame on the common people of Jammu & Kashmir for their naked hypocrisy and double standard.
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Posco Clearance By The UPA Government – Why Are You Now Silent, Ms. Mamata Banerjee?
The Union Ministry of Environment & Forest’s conditional clearance for the controversial POSCO project has brought the hapless minister Mr. Jairam Ramesh into an eye of storm. He is being severely criticized from various quarters, including environment activists. And, apart from being criticized, he is also being accused of being a hypocrite. The reason? Well, critics are saying that the initial sternness shown by Mr. Ramesh over this issue was just an eye-wash, and the ultimate softness shown to the said project was pre-planned.
However, personally I feel that if the POSCO project has really brought into the “limelight” the hypocrisy of a person, then that person is nobody else but Ms. Mamata Banerjee.
Just recall the way this “fire brand” leader and aspiring West Bengal Chief Minister spoiled the proposed “Nano” project in West Bengal, a project that could have brought such a significant boost for the ailing economy of the state by creating a plethora of jobs. And what were Ms. Banerjee’s complaints against the project? Well, she had mainly two complaints. No. 1 – the project was about to use fertile agricultural land. No. 2 – it was going to displace local people from their ancestral lands.
Now let us have a look at the POSCO project. It is going to use (read exploit) around 75% of forest land. And it is going to displace (read uproot) a huge number of indigenous people from their ancestral lands.
So how can you now accept your government’s approval for POSCO project, Ms. Banerjee, when you opposed the “Nano” project for virtually similar reasons? Why do not you now go to the proposed site of POSCO project, and mobilize the local tribal people in the way you mobilized villagers at Singur against the proposed Nano project? And if you cannot do that, then at least you should resign from your ministerial position and pull your party out of the UPA coalition.
Come up with any of these two actions, and prove that you are not a hypocrite. It is an open challenge to you.
However, personally I feel that if the POSCO project has really brought into the “limelight” the hypocrisy of a person, then that person is nobody else but Ms. Mamata Banerjee.
Just recall the way this “fire brand” leader and aspiring West Bengal Chief Minister spoiled the proposed “Nano” project in West Bengal, a project that could have brought such a significant boost for the ailing economy of the state by creating a plethora of jobs. And what were Ms. Banerjee’s complaints against the project? Well, she had mainly two complaints. No. 1 – the project was about to use fertile agricultural land. No. 2 – it was going to displace local people from their ancestral lands.
Now let us have a look at the POSCO project. It is going to use (read exploit) around 75% of forest land. And it is going to displace (read uproot) a huge number of indigenous people from their ancestral lands.
So how can you now accept your government’s approval for POSCO project, Ms. Banerjee, when you opposed the “Nano” project for virtually similar reasons? Why do not you now go to the proposed site of POSCO project, and mobilize the local tribal people in the way you mobilized villagers at Singur against the proposed Nano project? And if you cannot do that, then at least you should resign from your ministerial position and pull your party out of the UPA coalition.
Come up with any of these two actions, and prove that you are not a hypocrite. It is an open challenge to you.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Three Types of Friends/Relatives In Terms Of How They Treat Us
From what I have experienced in my life, I feel we can broadly classify our friends/relatives into three types in terms of how they treat us.
Some friends/relatives treat us like a staple food. They genuinely love us and keep touch with us all the time, even when there is no need to do the same.
Some friends/relatives treat us like an essential commodity. They might not love us that much, but still keep touch with us as they feel they might need us anytime for their own interest.
And then there r some friends/relatives who treat us like a medicine. They will look for us only when they need us, and will never bother to keep touch when they have no need to do the same.
Some friends/relatives treat us like a staple food. They genuinely love us and keep touch with us all the time, even when there is no need to do the same.
Some friends/relatives treat us like an essential commodity. They might not love us that much, but still keep touch with us as they feel they might need us anytime for their own interest.
And then there r some friends/relatives who treat us like a medicine. They will look for us only when they need us, and will never bother to keep touch when they have no need to do the same.
Friday, January 28, 2011
The “Mass Movement” Chain Reaction Unleashed By Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution
It seems that now famous “Jasmine Revolution” of Tunisia has unleashed a chain reaction of pro-democracy mass movements, which is gradually spreading its sphere across the Arab world.
Barely a few days had passed after the Revolution dethroned Tunisia’s once all-powerful President Zine Al-Abedine Ben Ali, when the global media came up with the startling news of Egypt’s “heir apparent” Gamal Mubarak’s fleeing to the U.K. The reason – a massive mass uprising in Egypt against his extra-constitutional influence in the country’s governance.
And then, just today (28th January 2011) I read about a mass protest that has erupted in Yemen, demanding the ouster of the country’s President for 30 years, Ali Abdullah Saleh. (Saleh had become the President of the then North Yemen in 1978, and became the first President of reunified Yemen in 1990, the office that he holds till date).
It is really interesting to note how an apparently internal matter of a country can eventually have international political ramifications, thus significantly affecting the political scenarios of other countries. Such incidents always enjoy special attention from current affairs enthusiasts in general, and life long students of Political Science in particular.
Barely a few days had passed after the Revolution dethroned Tunisia’s once all-powerful President Zine Al-Abedine Ben Ali, when the global media came up with the startling news of Egypt’s “heir apparent” Gamal Mubarak’s fleeing to the U.K. The reason – a massive mass uprising in Egypt against his extra-constitutional influence in the country’s governance.
And then, just today (28th January 2011) I read about a mass protest that has erupted in Yemen, demanding the ouster of the country’s President for 30 years, Ali Abdullah Saleh. (Saleh had become the President of the then North Yemen in 1978, and became the first President of reunified Yemen in 1990, the office that he holds till date).
It is really interesting to note how an apparently internal matter of a country can eventually have international political ramifications, thus significantly affecting the political scenarios of other countries. Such incidents always enjoy special attention from current affairs enthusiasts in general, and life long students of Political Science in particular.
Friday, January 21, 2011
“Hi, Nice Meeting You” – Height Of Social Anomaly
I am genuinely sorry if I do not sound to be appreciative of social pleasantries. I may even sound to be a bit harsh and rude, somebody who does not have any idea about the value and significance of social decorum.
But I just cannot help saying that I feel odd about a way people now-a-days greet one another after getting introduced – “Hi, nice meeting you!”
There was a time when people used to say “Hello” and “Hi”. There was also the custom of saying “How do you do”, apart from some other forms of greetings.
Then, around 12-13 years back (if I am right) came this style of saying “Nice meeting you”. And now it has become the most common way of greeting one another after getting introduced for the first time.
So exactly what is the problem that I have with it?
Well, I find it to be a bit weird, and I will try to explain why it is so.
Let me ask you something. Suppose you have been given an apple (or any other fruit, or food, or beverage, etc.). Now, first you will consume it, and only then you will say “Wow, it was nice having it!” Right? Certainly you will not say anything like that before having it. Because you cannot appreciate a food item before even consuming it. It is common sense.
Similarly, isn’t it so that you should say “Nice meeting you” to somebody only after interacting with him at least for some time? How can you say something like that immediately after being introduced to him? How can you appreciate an experience (in this case the experience of interacting with that person) before even having that experience?
So this is my problem with this expression/way of greeting.
Could I make myself clear, dude?
But I just cannot help saying that I feel odd about a way people now-a-days greet one another after getting introduced – “Hi, nice meeting you!”
There was a time when people used to say “Hello” and “Hi”. There was also the custom of saying “How do you do”, apart from some other forms of greetings.
Then, around 12-13 years back (if I am right) came this style of saying “Nice meeting you”. And now it has become the most common way of greeting one another after getting introduced for the first time.
So exactly what is the problem that I have with it?
Well, I find it to be a bit weird, and I will try to explain why it is so.
Let me ask you something. Suppose you have been given an apple (or any other fruit, or food, or beverage, etc.). Now, first you will consume it, and only then you will say “Wow, it was nice having it!” Right? Certainly you will not say anything like that before having it. Because you cannot appreciate a food item before even consuming it. It is common sense.
Similarly, isn’t it so that you should say “Nice meeting you” to somebody only after interacting with him at least for some time? How can you say something like that immediately after being introduced to him? How can you appreciate an experience (in this case the experience of interacting with that person) before even having that experience?
So this is my problem with this expression/way of greeting.
Could I make myself clear, dude?
Friday, December 31, 2010
The Indian Government Extends Visa-On-Arrival Facility – A Step Likely to Boost Tourism
The Indian government has extended its Visa-On-Arrival (VOA) facility to four more countries, viz. The Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (all ASEAN countries).
Before this the government offered this facility in January 2010 to five other countries, viz. Singapore, Japan, Luxembourg, Finland and New Zealand.
Some key features of the said facility –
It will initially be available at the airports of New Delhi, Calcutta or Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.
It will allow a traveler a single entry facility with a validity of 30 days.
A passenger will have to pay a fee of $60 for availing the facility.
One passenger will be allowed to avail the facility for not more than 2 times in a calendar year. And there must be a minimum gap of 2 months between the two occasions when he will avail the facility.
Before this the government offered this facility in January 2010 to five other countries, viz. Singapore, Japan, Luxembourg, Finland and New Zealand.
Some key features of the said facility –
It will initially be available at the airports of New Delhi, Calcutta or Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.
It will allow a traveler a single entry facility with a validity of 30 days.
A passenger will have to pay a fee of $60 for availing the facility.
One passenger will be allowed to avail the facility for not more than 2 times in a calendar year. And there must be a minimum gap of 2 months between the two occasions when he will avail the facility.
Monday, December 27, 2010
My “Time-Efficient” Way To Read Newspaper
I love to keep regular track of all that is happening in the world, I mean all those incidents and developments that we collectively call current affairs.
At the same time now-a-days I do not get that much time to devote to reading the daily newspaper. There was a time I used to read newspaper like anything, virtually covering every sentence of every page (note: I said “virtually”). This habit of “eating the newspaper like a hog” was there with me till the beginning of my professional life. And then I realized that I had entered a life where I could not afford to give so much time for newspaper reading. Because in the morning I am in a hurry to get myself ready for the office. And when I come back, that time I like to have some quality time with my family rather than reading the newspaper.
But at the same time I did not want to give up my passion for keeping myself updated of all the latest news across the world, ranging from global politics to Indian corporate scenario.
So I have started following a simple formula, which I think many of you people also follow. And what’s that?
Well, it is actually something very simple. After opening the newspaper I just keep running through all the news. What I mean is that while reading a particular news piece, I never go through the entire news. Rather I quickly go through just the first 2 or 3 paragraphs. And you bet, I manage to get at least a gist of the news from that around 3 paragraphs. And then I quickly rush for another news piece. Sometimes I even manage to gather the basic news just by looking at the headline.
And, in this way I manage to finish the entire newspaper in around 15-20 minutes (sometimes I may take around 30 minutes, though), without compromising on reading any of the news pieces of my interest.
In case I overlook or miss any key part of a news piece, I get it “rectified” through another method. During lunch breaks or coffee breaks at office I discuss various current affairs issues with my colleagues (albeit in a casual manner). And then I manage to gather a key part of a news piece that I missed while going through it in the morning newspaper.
I suppose I am not alone who follows this formula of reading newspaper. Many of you also do the same, right?
At the same time now-a-days I do not get that much time to devote to reading the daily newspaper. There was a time I used to read newspaper like anything, virtually covering every sentence of every page (note: I said “virtually”). This habit of “eating the newspaper like a hog” was there with me till the beginning of my professional life. And then I realized that I had entered a life where I could not afford to give so much time for newspaper reading. Because in the morning I am in a hurry to get myself ready for the office. And when I come back, that time I like to have some quality time with my family rather than reading the newspaper.
But at the same time I did not want to give up my passion for keeping myself updated of all the latest news across the world, ranging from global politics to Indian corporate scenario.
So I have started following a simple formula, which I think many of you people also follow. And what’s that?
Well, it is actually something very simple. After opening the newspaper I just keep running through all the news. What I mean is that while reading a particular news piece, I never go through the entire news. Rather I quickly go through just the first 2 or 3 paragraphs. And you bet, I manage to get at least a gist of the news from that around 3 paragraphs. And then I quickly rush for another news piece. Sometimes I even manage to gather the basic news just by looking at the headline.
And, in this way I manage to finish the entire newspaper in around 15-20 minutes (sometimes I may take around 30 minutes, though), without compromising on reading any of the news pieces of my interest.
In case I overlook or miss any key part of a news piece, I get it “rectified” through another method. During lunch breaks or coffee breaks at office I discuss various current affairs issues with my colleagues (albeit in a casual manner). And then I manage to gather a key part of a news piece that I missed while going through it in the morning newspaper.
I suppose I am not alone who follows this formula of reading newspaper. Many of you also do the same, right?
Uttarakhand Government’s Blatant Violation Of Indian Forests Protection Act
Uttarakhand’s Lachchiwala reserve forest area is witnessing shameless felling of lush green trees, with the number of felled trees having already crossed 300.
And this massacre of trees is being done at the behest of the state government itself. Reason? Well, it is being done for the development of a herbal garden that will be spread over 5 acres of the forest area. In fact, this herbal garden initiative is reportedly a dream project of the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
Unfortunately, the state government has completely overlooked (or given a damn to) this fact that this mindless felling of trees of kukat, kher, semal, sheesham, silver oak and kaju has completely violated the Indian Forests Protection Act of 1927.
Is the Uttarakhand government being run by ministers and bureaucrats who are not adequately aware of the laws of the country? Or is it so that they give a damn to those laws that cross the path of their own ideas and ideologies?
And this massacre of trees is being done at the behest of the state government itself. Reason? Well, it is being done for the development of a herbal garden that will be spread over 5 acres of the forest area. In fact, this herbal garden initiative is reportedly a dream project of the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
Unfortunately, the state government has completely overlooked (or given a damn to) this fact that this mindless felling of trees of kukat, kher, semal, sheesham, silver oak and kaju has completely violated the Indian Forests Protection Act of 1927.
Is the Uttarakhand government being run by ministers and bureaucrats who are not adequately aware of the laws of the country? Or is it so that they give a damn to those laws that cross the path of their own ideas and ideologies?
Gujjars’ Quota Agitation: Isn’t It A Contempt Of Court?
I do not know how much right I am. But I personally feel, very strongly, that the ongoing Gujjar agitation for quota hike is a case of contempt of court. Their quota hike demand has been declined not by the Rajasthan government, but by the Rajasthan High Court. And by openly refusing to accept the Rajasthan High Court’s verdict, the Gujjar agitators have shown strong disrespect for the Indian judiciary. And I feel it qualifies, at least to some extent, to be a case of contempt of court.
I would have understood if there were no democratic way to challenge the Court’s decision. But that is not the case. The Gujjar agitators had the opportunity to appeal in a higher court challenging the Rajasthan High Court’s decision. But instead of doing that they went for certain disruptive activities in the name of protests and agitation.
There is another issue that I want to highlight here. One of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution is the “Freedom to assemble peacefully without arms”. And it is this fundamental right that many pressure groups, etc. use (and exploit) while launching their protest/agitation. And these Gujjar agitators are also using precisely this fundamental right to launch their protests.
However, we often forget that while guaranteeing the fundamental rights, the Indian Constitution has also mentioned that no such right is “unlimited”. And no person/group of people can exercise a fundamental right that will hamper the fundamental right of other people.
By disrupting the train movements the Gujjar agitators are depriving the train passengers of one key fundamental right guaranteed by the same Indian Constitution – “Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India”.
More significantly, can such an assembly be called a “peaceful assembly” which resorts to activities like disruption of train services, thereby creating so much trouble for so many innocent people?
I would have understood if there were no democratic way to challenge the Court’s decision. But that is not the case. The Gujjar agitators had the opportunity to appeal in a higher court challenging the Rajasthan High Court’s decision. But instead of doing that they went for certain disruptive activities in the name of protests and agitation.
There is another issue that I want to highlight here. One of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution is the “Freedom to assemble peacefully without arms”. And it is this fundamental right that many pressure groups, etc. use (and exploit) while launching their protest/agitation. And these Gujjar agitators are also using precisely this fundamental right to launch their protests.
However, we often forget that while guaranteeing the fundamental rights, the Indian Constitution has also mentioned that no such right is “unlimited”. And no person/group of people can exercise a fundamental right that will hamper the fundamental right of other people.
By disrupting the train movements the Gujjar agitators are depriving the train passengers of one key fundamental right guaranteed by the same Indian Constitution – “Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India”.
More significantly, can such an assembly be called a “peaceful assembly” which resorts to activities like disruption of train services, thereby creating so much trouble for so many innocent people?
Thursday, December 23, 2010
India’s Parsi Community Is Facing Extinction, Thanks To Their Own Fault
India’s respectable Parsi community – a community to which our country owes so many stalwarts from so many fields – is on the verge of extinction.
So why is the community on verge of extinction? Well, I suppose we all know the reason. The reason is an alarmingly low fertility rate that has been plaguing the community for quite some time now.
But why does the community suffer from such a disturbing fertility rate? I suppose that is also known to more-or-less all of us.
There are mainly two reasons.
The first reason is a general trend of late marriage in the Parsi community. This practice of late marriage naturally impacts the fertility potential of Parsi women, eventually resulting in a steady decline in the Parsi population.
However, the second factor that has contributed to the current status of Parsi population is more significant. It is actually an archaic practice that is, in a blunt language, very unhealthy. It is a practice of strictly precluding a Parsi man or women from marrying outside his or her community. And what will happen if a Parsi person marries somebody from outside his/her community? Well, in that case he/she will face Excommunication. In plain speak, he/she will be banished from the Parsi community.
For several generations the Parsi community has been following this practice of intra-community marriage, and today probably every Parsi man has some sort of blood relation with every Parsi woman. And so the marriage between them will obviously bear the risk of adversely affecting the health of their child.
It is high time that our Parsi friends shed off their flawed idea of ethnic purity, and look beyond their own community for matrimonial relationships. They must remember that no matter how old a custom or practice is, it cannot be more important than the survival of their community. After all, what is the meaning of adhering to a custom when it poses a threat of extinction to the very community that is practicing it?
I earnestly appeal to the elders of the Parsi community to “banish” this archaic custom of excommunicating Parsis who marry people from outside their own community.
The Parsi community has been a very resourceful community for India, and our motherland cannot afford to lose it.
(Note: I sincerely apologise in advance if anything in this write up hurts the religious or ethnic sentiment/emotion of any Parsi friend).
So why is the community on verge of extinction? Well, I suppose we all know the reason. The reason is an alarmingly low fertility rate that has been plaguing the community for quite some time now.
But why does the community suffer from such a disturbing fertility rate? I suppose that is also known to more-or-less all of us.
There are mainly two reasons.
The first reason is a general trend of late marriage in the Parsi community. This practice of late marriage naturally impacts the fertility potential of Parsi women, eventually resulting in a steady decline in the Parsi population.
However, the second factor that has contributed to the current status of Parsi population is more significant. It is actually an archaic practice that is, in a blunt language, very unhealthy. It is a practice of strictly precluding a Parsi man or women from marrying outside his or her community. And what will happen if a Parsi person marries somebody from outside his/her community? Well, in that case he/she will face Excommunication. In plain speak, he/she will be banished from the Parsi community.
For several generations the Parsi community has been following this practice of intra-community marriage, and today probably every Parsi man has some sort of blood relation with every Parsi woman. And so the marriage between them will obviously bear the risk of adversely affecting the health of their child.
It is high time that our Parsi friends shed off their flawed idea of ethnic purity, and look beyond their own community for matrimonial relationships. They must remember that no matter how old a custom or practice is, it cannot be more important than the survival of their community. After all, what is the meaning of adhering to a custom when it poses a threat of extinction to the very community that is practicing it?
I earnestly appeal to the elders of the Parsi community to “banish” this archaic custom of excommunicating Parsis who marry people from outside their own community.
The Parsi community has been a very resourceful community for India, and our motherland cannot afford to lose it.
(Note: I sincerely apologise in advance if anything in this write up hurts the religious or ethnic sentiment/emotion of any Parsi friend).
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
AI Domestic Loses Spot To IndiGo – Another Indication Of Indian Domestic Passengers’ Preference For LCC?
An Indian civil aviation sector watcher may not find it very striking to know that Air India Domestic has lost its 3rd position in terms of domestic market share (the 1st and 2nd positions are held by Jet Airways and Kingfisher respectively).
But it is certainly at least a bit interesting to note that AI Domestic has lost its 3rd position to IndiGo, an LCC (low-cost carrier), and India’s youngest LCC for that matter.
IndiGo had been breathing on AI Domestic’s neck for quite some time, and finally overtook the latter in November 2010.
For some of us it may appear to be just an insipid piece of market data. However, as an ordinary watcher of the Indian civil aviation sector I feel that it is yet another implication that Indian domestic passengers are developing more preference for LCCs. We must not forget that both Jet Airways and Kingfisher have LCCs (JetLite, Jet Konnect, Kingfisher Red). And there are ample reasons to believe that their LCC services have contributed a lot in helping these airlines to occupy the top two market positions.
I feel Air India should introduce a domestic service of its international LCC, AI Express, at the earliest.
But it is certainly at least a bit interesting to note that AI Domestic has lost its 3rd position to IndiGo, an LCC (low-cost carrier), and India’s youngest LCC for that matter.
IndiGo had been breathing on AI Domestic’s neck for quite some time, and finally overtook the latter in November 2010.
For some of us it may appear to be just an insipid piece of market data. However, as an ordinary watcher of the Indian civil aviation sector I feel that it is yet another implication that Indian domestic passengers are developing more preference for LCCs. We must not forget that both Jet Airways and Kingfisher have LCCs (JetLite, Jet Konnect, Kingfisher Red). And there are ample reasons to believe that their LCC services have contributed a lot in helping these airlines to occupy the top two market positions.
I feel Air India should introduce a domestic service of its international LCC, AI Express, at the earliest.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Possible Extension Of Deadline For Phasing Out Expat Pilots In India
The Indian government is likely to extend the 31st July 2011 deadline for phasing out expatriate pilots. If that happens, then it will be a great relief for the Indian carriers, who have been very vocal about their dependence on pilots from foreign countries.
The Indian carriers and cargo airlines have said that they will collectively require 2,665 expat pilots till 2015. And they have also made it very clear that in case their demand is not met, then they will be forced to ground a huge number of their collective aircrafts. Needless to say that if that happens, then it will have a very adverse impact on the Indian aviation scenario.
However, while the Indian carriers have lobbied for a 5 years extension for the deadline, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has made a recommendation to the Indian government for an extension of 2 years. And it is a 2 years extension that the government is currently considering, though a final decision in this regard is still pending.
Presence of a huge number of expat pilots is certainly not a comfortable scenario for wannabe Indian pilots with licenses from Indian training institutes, as it severely shrinks their employment opportunities. Under that circumstance, they will certainly not be able to welcome a decision to extend the deadline for phasing out expat pilots.
However, the Indian government certainly cannot afford to have a situation where all the Indian carriers will be forced to ground a huge number of their total aircrafts overnight, eventually resulting in a temporary but serious disorder for the Indian civil aviation market.
Then there is also the question of security. Many Indian airlines fly such aircrafts that can be flown only by expat pilots. And the Indian pilots cannot overnight be given the responsibility of flying those aircrafts until and unless they have picked up the necessary expertise. It is a question of passenger security.
So now the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry has to espouse a balanced approach. On one hand it has to offer the necessary extension as sought by the Indian carriers. But at the same time the government must ensure that the Indian carriers start taking steps so that soon they are able to employ Indian pilots. For example, the carriers may start training Indian pilots on how to fly those aircrafts that reportedly can be flown only by expat pilots.
The Indian carriers and cargo airlines have said that they will collectively require 2,665 expat pilots till 2015. And they have also made it very clear that in case their demand is not met, then they will be forced to ground a huge number of their collective aircrafts. Needless to say that if that happens, then it will have a very adverse impact on the Indian aviation scenario.
However, while the Indian carriers have lobbied for a 5 years extension for the deadline, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has made a recommendation to the Indian government for an extension of 2 years. And it is a 2 years extension that the government is currently considering, though a final decision in this regard is still pending.
Presence of a huge number of expat pilots is certainly not a comfortable scenario for wannabe Indian pilots with licenses from Indian training institutes, as it severely shrinks their employment opportunities. Under that circumstance, they will certainly not be able to welcome a decision to extend the deadline for phasing out expat pilots.
However, the Indian government certainly cannot afford to have a situation where all the Indian carriers will be forced to ground a huge number of their total aircrafts overnight, eventually resulting in a temporary but serious disorder for the Indian civil aviation market.
Then there is also the question of security. Many Indian airlines fly such aircrafts that can be flown only by expat pilots. And the Indian pilots cannot overnight be given the responsibility of flying those aircrafts until and unless they have picked up the necessary expertise. It is a question of passenger security.
So now the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry has to espouse a balanced approach. On one hand it has to offer the necessary extension as sought by the Indian carriers. But at the same time the government must ensure that the Indian carriers start taking steps so that soon they are able to employ Indian pilots. For example, the carriers may start training Indian pilots on how to fly those aircrafts that reportedly can be flown only by expat pilots.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Do We Have A Tunneled Vision Of Development?
Do we all have a tunneled vision of development, wherein we confuse “development” only and only with “infrastructural and economic development”, while giving little or no importance to the other aspects of human society?
Areas like science & technology, transport, telecommunications, trade & commerce, real estate, etc. are key constituents of human development. There is simply no doubt about it. But they are not be all and end all of human development. Equally important are areas like social cohesion, family values, interpersonal empathy and respect, compassion, camaraderie, etc. In fact, these are probably more important. Because it is these characteristics that help the human civilization to remain humane, rather than turning into just a civilization.
Unfortunately, now-a-days we are only obsessed with economic and infrastructural development, while being almost completely indifferent to the development of humane qualities. Interest in the latter is mostly confined within some research analysts, experts and academicians. When they publish their research papers, reports, etc., highlighting the sorry state of these qualities in the modern world, we just express some “intellectual regret and concern”, and then get back to our usual world of so-called development.
Friends, the humane qualities that comprise the cornerstone of human society are steadily on the wane. And it is high time we addressed that bleak scenario. Otherwise soon our civilization will turn into a civilization like the ones of the aliens of Hollywood sci-fi movies, i.e. a highly (technologically) developed civilization with no room for emotion and other soft feelings.
Let us not forget that an ideal human civilization is neither exclusively head-specific nor exclusively heart-specific. Rather, it adheres to a balanced attitude where both human head and human heart enjoy an equal importance.
Areas like science & technology, transport, telecommunications, trade & commerce, real estate, etc. are key constituents of human development. There is simply no doubt about it. But they are not be all and end all of human development. Equally important are areas like social cohesion, family values, interpersonal empathy and respect, compassion, camaraderie, etc. In fact, these are probably more important. Because it is these characteristics that help the human civilization to remain humane, rather than turning into just a civilization.
Unfortunately, now-a-days we are only obsessed with economic and infrastructural development, while being almost completely indifferent to the development of humane qualities. Interest in the latter is mostly confined within some research analysts, experts and academicians. When they publish their research papers, reports, etc., highlighting the sorry state of these qualities in the modern world, we just express some “intellectual regret and concern”, and then get back to our usual world of so-called development.
Friends, the humane qualities that comprise the cornerstone of human society are steadily on the wane. And it is high time we addressed that bleak scenario. Otherwise soon our civilization will turn into a civilization like the ones of the aliens of Hollywood sci-fi movies, i.e. a highly (technologically) developed civilization with no room for emotion and other soft feelings.
Let us not forget that an ideal human civilization is neither exclusively head-specific nor exclusively heart-specific. Rather, it adheres to a balanced attitude where both human head and human heart enjoy an equal importance.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Do You Want To Change Train At Rajiv Chowk Delhi Metro Station?
I usually travel by Delhi Metro while going to and coming back from office. And every day while going back to my Noida home from Gurgaon (where I have my office), I have to get down at Rajiv Chowk metro station to catch the Noida bound train from there. It may be mentioned here that Rajiv Chowk acts as the “connecting station” for trains headed towards either Noida or Anand Vihar or Dwarka, the route named “Blue Lines”.
Now, almost everyday at Rajiv Chowk metro station I come across people who want to catch trains headed towards either Noida or Anand Vihar or Dwarka, but are clueless about it. They keep asking people, and run from here to there.
Please permit me to offer some directions to them. I hope it will be helpful for at least few commuters.
You want to board Dwarka bound Train?
That you have to catch from Platform No. 4. After getting down at Rajiv Chowk station, just climb the staircase and go to the upper part of the station. Now ask people about the platform for Dwarka bound train. Or you can ask them about how to reach the Platform No. 4. Once you reach Platform No. 4, just wait for you train.
You want to board Train headed towards Noida/Anand Vihar?
That you have to catch from the Platform No. 3. After getting down at Rajiv Chowk station, just climb the staircase and go to the upper part of the station. Now ask people about the platform for Noida/Anand Vihar bound train. Or you can ask them about how to reach the Platform No. 3.
After you reach Platform No. 3, wait for you train. But remember one thing that it is a common platform for both Noida bound and Anand Vihar bound trains. Both of them pass through this platform, and have a common route till Yamuna Bank station. So before boarding the train, make sure about it that you are boarding the right train.
There is an electronic display board, which displays the destination of the forthcoming train. Keep an eye on the same.
However, if after boarding the train you come to know that you have boarded the wrong train, do not panic. As I have told you that trans headed towards both Noida and Anand Vihar have a common route till Yamuna Bank station. So if you have boarded the wrong train, get down at Yamuna Bank station and wait for the right train.
Remember – If the Yamuna Bank station falls on the right side of the train, then it is a Noida bound train. And if the station falls on the left side of the train, then it is heading towards Anand Vihar.
Now, almost everyday at Rajiv Chowk metro station I come across people who want to catch trains headed towards either Noida or Anand Vihar or Dwarka, but are clueless about it. They keep asking people, and run from here to there.
Please permit me to offer some directions to them. I hope it will be helpful for at least few commuters.
You want to board Dwarka bound Train?
That you have to catch from Platform No. 4. After getting down at Rajiv Chowk station, just climb the staircase and go to the upper part of the station. Now ask people about the platform for Dwarka bound train. Or you can ask them about how to reach the Platform No. 4. Once you reach Platform No. 4, just wait for you train.
You want to board Train headed towards Noida/Anand Vihar?
That you have to catch from the Platform No. 3. After getting down at Rajiv Chowk station, just climb the staircase and go to the upper part of the station. Now ask people about the platform for Noida/Anand Vihar bound train. Or you can ask them about how to reach the Platform No. 3.
After you reach Platform No. 3, wait for you train. But remember one thing that it is a common platform for both Noida bound and Anand Vihar bound trains. Both of them pass through this platform, and have a common route till Yamuna Bank station. So before boarding the train, make sure about it that you are boarding the right train.
There is an electronic display board, which displays the destination of the forthcoming train. Keep an eye on the same.
However, if after boarding the train you come to know that you have boarded the wrong train, do not panic. As I have told you that trans headed towards both Noida and Anand Vihar have a common route till Yamuna Bank station. So if you have boarded the wrong train, get down at Yamuna Bank station and wait for the right train.
Remember – If the Yamuna Bank station falls on the right side of the train, then it is a Noida bound train. And if the station falls on the left side of the train, then it is heading towards Anand Vihar.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sri Lanka Scraps The Tamil Version Of The National Anthem
The Sri Lankan government has scrapped the Tamil version of the island nation’s national anthem – “Sri Lanka Matha”. From now onwards the anthem will be sung in all official and state functions in only Sinhala language.
This is the latest proof of the current Sri Lankan government’s blatantly discriminatory attitude towards the hapless Tamil citizens of that country, for whom Sri Lanka has always been a “step motherland”.
It seems Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa (the CEO of Sri Lanka Pvt. Ltd.) was a very poor student of History at school. Or probably he has never studied History at all. Otherwise he would not have been so poor at learning lessons from the recent History of his country.
All I can say is that the way the ethnic Tamils of Sri Lanka are being discriminated against, the birth of another Prabhakaran is just a matter of time.
This is the latest proof of the current Sri Lankan government’s blatantly discriminatory attitude towards the hapless Tamil citizens of that country, for whom Sri Lanka has always been a “step motherland”.
It seems Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa (the CEO of Sri Lanka Pvt. Ltd.) was a very poor student of History at school. Or probably he has never studied History at all. Otherwise he would not have been so poor at learning lessons from the recent History of his country.
All I can say is that the way the ethnic Tamils of Sri Lanka are being discriminated against, the birth of another Prabhakaran is just a matter of time.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Is Gmail Eating Into Yahoo Mail’s E-mail Market Share?
That Yahoo could not succeed as a search engine only because of Google that is well known. In the Internet world there is only one search engine, and that is Google. In fact, we so much identify Internet searching with Google that while suggesting somebody for searching some information in the Internet we rarely say “Search it in the Internet”. Rather, most of the times we precisely tell him “Look for the information in Google”. I feel even Ms. Carol Bartz herself prefers Google to Yahoo while looking for some information in the Internet.
However, while it failed to achieve the desired success in the search engine business, Yahoo had established itself as arguably the most preferred e-mail service provider. Every second person that I would meet used Yahoo! Mail (some of them also had accounts in Rediff, Hotmail, etc. But Yahoo! Mail was their main tool for e-mail communication). Rarely I would come across people who would use other e-mail services, like Hotmail.
However, for last 2 years or so I find Gmail has been fast expanding its hold on the e-mail market. Every second Yahoo! Mail user I know has “logged into” Gmail. And more startlingly, a good number of them have already started using the latter as their premier e-mail communication tool. And yes, let me mention that I have noticed this spread of “Gmail mania” among those people as well who had previously been using e-mail services other than that of Yahoo.
So I was just wondering whether Gmail is pushing Yahoo! Mail to a relatively less significant corner of the e-mail service market, turning it from the “Emperor of e-mail service market” into one of the various “courtiers”?
However, while it failed to achieve the desired success in the search engine business, Yahoo had established itself as arguably the most preferred e-mail service provider. Every second person that I would meet used Yahoo! Mail (some of them also had accounts in Rediff, Hotmail, etc. But Yahoo! Mail was their main tool for e-mail communication). Rarely I would come across people who would use other e-mail services, like Hotmail.
However, for last 2 years or so I find Gmail has been fast expanding its hold on the e-mail market. Every second Yahoo! Mail user I know has “logged into” Gmail. And more startlingly, a good number of them have already started using the latter as their premier e-mail communication tool. And yes, let me mention that I have noticed this spread of “Gmail mania” among those people as well who had previously been using e-mail services other than that of Yahoo.
So I was just wondering whether Gmail is pushing Yahoo! Mail to a relatively less significant corner of the e-mail service market, turning it from the “Emperor of e-mail service market” into one of the various “courtiers”?
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Gemini USB Optical Mouse – Do You Find It Convenient Enough?
Well, I do not mean to launch any campaign against Gemini USB Optical Mouse. Nor I am trying to malign it.
However, there is one thing that I will like to highlight. Every time I use a computer that has a Gemini USB Optical Mouse attached to it, I find it very inconvenient for use.
So what exactly is my problem with that brand of mouse? Well, actually the left and right keys in this mouse are not prominent. And that makes it difficult for me to have a proper grip, eventually resulting in a nagging problem when I try to click any of the two keys.
I reiterate that I am not trying to spread any bad word about the product. I just felt that I should let the manufacturers know about the inconvenience that I am facing, as it may help them identify some rooms for development.
I would also love to know whether other users of the product face the same inconvenience while using it.
However, there is one thing that I will like to highlight. Every time I use a computer that has a Gemini USB Optical Mouse attached to it, I find it very inconvenient for use.
So what exactly is my problem with that brand of mouse? Well, actually the left and right keys in this mouse are not prominent. And that makes it difficult for me to have a proper grip, eventually resulting in a nagging problem when I try to click any of the two keys.
I reiterate that I am not trying to spread any bad word about the product. I just felt that I should let the manufacturers know about the inconvenience that I am facing, as it may help them identify some rooms for development.
I would also love to know whether other users of the product face the same inconvenience while using it.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Let’s Ban Diesel Vehicles In And Around The Himalayan Region
The ongoing climate negotiations in Cancun have brought back into focus the debate that whether soot or “black carbon” is contributing to global warming, and having adverse impact on the health of Himalayan glaciers.
Indian Minister of Environment & Forest Mr. Jairam Ramesh has understandably opposed the developed countries’ attempt to include the “black carbon” issue in the main framework of the climate negotiations. It is quite evident that the developed countries have raised this issue to divert attention from their own drawbacks as far as addressing the greenhouse gases emission is concerned. Besides, Mr. Ramesh has rightly pointed out that India’s “black carbon” emission percentage is too negligible to create any serious impact on the environment.
Moreover, it is practically impossible for the Indian government, at least till near future, to restraint certain soot producing practices like burning of wood or cow dung. The poor people of India who are into these practices cannot overnight be provided with any affordable alternative. It is a practical problem that the government of India cannot wish away.
However, if there are reports of soot posing a threat to Himalayan glaciers, then the same cannot be completely ignored. And I feel that the government of India can take at least one step in that regard, which is banning of one soot producing practice in and around the Himalayan region. And the soot producing practice that I am referring to is the use of diesel vehicles.
I know that the government cannot overnight ban the use of diesel vehicles in that region. But it can certainly be done in a phased manner. Initially the government can at least try to restraint the use of such vehicles in that area. Then, slowly but gradually it can go for complete ban.
Of course there are some factors that will hinder the implementation of any such step. One such factor is the inevitable rise in the transport cost in that area if there is a complete shift to petrol vehicles from diesel vehicles. However, hopefully the government will be able to address that as well, through ways like subsidies, etc.
Indian Minister of Environment & Forest Mr. Jairam Ramesh has understandably opposed the developed countries’ attempt to include the “black carbon” issue in the main framework of the climate negotiations. It is quite evident that the developed countries have raised this issue to divert attention from their own drawbacks as far as addressing the greenhouse gases emission is concerned. Besides, Mr. Ramesh has rightly pointed out that India’s “black carbon” emission percentage is too negligible to create any serious impact on the environment.
Moreover, it is practically impossible for the Indian government, at least till near future, to restraint certain soot producing practices like burning of wood or cow dung. The poor people of India who are into these practices cannot overnight be provided with any affordable alternative. It is a practical problem that the government of India cannot wish away.
However, if there are reports of soot posing a threat to Himalayan glaciers, then the same cannot be completely ignored. And I feel that the government of India can take at least one step in that regard, which is banning of one soot producing practice in and around the Himalayan region. And the soot producing practice that I am referring to is the use of diesel vehicles.
I know that the government cannot overnight ban the use of diesel vehicles in that region. But it can certainly be done in a phased manner. Initially the government can at least try to restraint the use of such vehicles in that area. Then, slowly but gradually it can go for complete ban.
Of course there are some factors that will hinder the implementation of any such step. One such factor is the inevitable rise in the transport cost in that area if there is a complete shift to petrol vehicles from diesel vehicles. However, hopefully the government will be able to address that as well, through ways like subsidies, etc.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Congrats To India For Showing The Guts To Attend Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony
It is really heartening to know that my beloved motherland India is going to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony In Oslo (Norway), where the imprisoned Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo will be bestowed with the award in absentia.
The shameless Chinese government had started arm-twisting the various governments of the world, ultimately forcing many of them to decide to give the ceremony a miss.
However, the government of India has remained committed to the age old ethics and values that India stands for, and has decided to attend the award ceremony in full defiance of China’s veiled threats.
I wholeheartedly congratulate our government for this bold step.
The shameless Chinese government had started arm-twisting the various governments of the world, ultimately forcing many of them to decide to give the ceremony a miss.
However, the government of India has remained committed to the age old ethics and values that India stands for, and has decided to attend the award ceremony in full defiance of China’s veiled threats.
I wholeheartedly congratulate our government for this bold step.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Assange – The Information Warrior With A Cause
Our dear Assange, you are a gutsy information warrior with a noble cause
You are the “Internet Knight” who has made all the world powers to suffer such a huge image loss.
We all salute your dedication, determination and courage
You are one of the greatest things to have happened in this Internet Age.
Words fail me to hail you. All I can say is that you are simply great
You will always remain a darling for the global civil society, I assure you mate.
You are the “Internet Knight” who has made all the world powers to suffer such a huge image loss.
We all salute your dedication, determination and courage
You are one of the greatest things to have happened in this Internet Age.
Words fail me to hail you. All I can say is that you are simply great
You will always remain a darling for the global civil society, I assure you mate.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Giving Due Space To Each Other – A Key Constituent Of A Successful Married Life
Must a person force his/her spouse to take interest in something simply because he/she takes interest in it? No. Never.
A husband must not force his wife to take interest in software, simply because he himself is interested about it. Yes, he may try to generate relevant interest in her, but should appreciate it if she keeps showing her lack of interest.
Similarly, a wife must not force her husband to take interest in Western Classical music simply because she herself is passionate about it. Again, she may try to generate relevant interest in him, but should appreciate it if he keeps showing his lack of interest.
In fact, this mutual respect for each other’s liking and disliking should be maintained even at the “micro level”. For example, while spending a Sunday evening at home, the wife may watch a TV programme that she is fond of. But she must not insist her husband to watch the same when he is more interested to spend the time by reading a thriller. Similarly, the husband may watch a sports channel on TV if he loves watching it in his spare time. But he must not insist his wife to join him, when she is eager to play her piano.
Let us not forget that a key constituent of successful married life is giving due space to each other. In plain speak, it means giving your husband/wife the opportunity to just remain himself/herself, free of any compulsion to change so that he/she can “gel” with the spouse. A person should always remember that his/her spouse is married to him/her, and not to his/her hobbies/interests. And therefore the spouse does not have any compulsion to take interest in the latter.
A husband must not force his wife to take interest in software, simply because he himself is interested about it. Yes, he may try to generate relevant interest in her, but should appreciate it if she keeps showing her lack of interest.
Similarly, a wife must not force her husband to take interest in Western Classical music simply because she herself is passionate about it. Again, she may try to generate relevant interest in him, but should appreciate it if he keeps showing his lack of interest.
In fact, this mutual respect for each other’s liking and disliking should be maintained even at the “micro level”. For example, while spending a Sunday evening at home, the wife may watch a TV programme that she is fond of. But she must not insist her husband to watch the same when he is more interested to spend the time by reading a thriller. Similarly, the husband may watch a sports channel on TV if he loves watching it in his spare time. But he must not insist his wife to join him, when she is eager to play her piano.
Let us not forget that a key constituent of successful married life is giving due space to each other. In plain speak, it means giving your husband/wife the opportunity to just remain himself/herself, free of any compulsion to change so that he/she can “gel” with the spouse. A person should always remember that his/her spouse is married to him/her, and not to his/her hobbies/interests. And therefore the spouse does not have any compulsion to take interest in the latter.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Dear Facebook, I Am So Indebted To You
You help me to find out all my long lost good friends
The people who many years back used to occupy in my life such a prominent place.
You help me keep touch with my beloved friends, cousins and relatives
We keep ourselves updated about our respective lives with so much comfort and ease.
You help me find out wonderful new friends, who share my hobbies and interests
Whether it is blogging, poem writing, reading or chess.
Trust me dear, I love you so much as I am really so indebted to you
I hope you will soon become more interesting after having features that are new.
The people who many years back used to occupy in my life such a prominent place.
You help me keep touch with my beloved friends, cousins and relatives
We keep ourselves updated about our respective lives with so much comfort and ease.
You help me find out wonderful new friends, who share my hobbies and interests
Whether it is blogging, poem writing, reading or chess.
Trust me dear, I love you so much as I am really so indebted to you
I hope you will soon become more interesting after having features that are new.
Monday, November 15, 2010
An Appeal To The Delhi Metro Rail Authority
Dear Sir,
I am a regular commuter of the Delhi Metro Rail services, and I must say that I find it to be a manna from the heaven for the Delhites. Every person from Delhi (and other parts of NCR) will unhesitatingly admit how his or her life has become significantly easier with the introduction of Delhi Metro service. The commencement of Delhi Metro service simply marks a golden chapter in the public transport infrastructure of the National Capital Region.
However, certain issues have already started raising their heads. And while these issues are not that serious in nature, nevertheless I will love you to take not of them and address the same, lest they turn serious in the future.
Some issues created by the commuters
Male passengers are often being found to occupy seats meant for ladies, even when a lady is found standing. I do not think it is a good excuse to occupy a lady’s seat that there is a separate bogey for women.
The rule of not playing music inside the train is not being followed by some passengers, which is creating problems in hearing the announcements on the forthcoming station.
Some passengers are having things like coke and snacks inside the train, even through it is prohibited. It is mainly observed during the evening (when people are going back home from office). And it is mainly being done by, well, female passengers (I am so sorry if I hurt any lady by highlighting this).
Passengers are often being found to be sitting on the floor of the train, even though it is not permitted.
Some lacunae on the part of the Delhi Metro Rail people
Sometimes the announcements on forthcoming station are not there, leaving passengers confused about the station the train is going to enter next. And what is worse is that sometimes there is wrong announcement about the forthcoming station, thus making it more confusing for the passengers.
Sometimes the train gets stuck up in a station, or in the area adjacent to it. And it remains in that condition for at least 5-7 minutes, and sometimes even for more time. It is very irritating especially in the morning, when people are going to office and naturally every moment is valuable.
Sometimes I have found that the CISG personnel are not that serious about checking a passenger if he is a regular face in that station. This is a bit scary, as terrorists may try to use this as an opportunity.
So these are the problems that I wanted to share with you. I am a die-hard admirer of Delhi Metro Rail, and will love it to be impeccable and perfect. This explains why I shared these problems with you, as I felt that it would help you to make Delhi Metro Rail service more perfect, something that you also want.
Regards
Raja Basu
Noida
I am a regular commuter of the Delhi Metro Rail services, and I must say that I find it to be a manna from the heaven for the Delhites. Every person from Delhi (and other parts of NCR) will unhesitatingly admit how his or her life has become significantly easier with the introduction of Delhi Metro service. The commencement of Delhi Metro service simply marks a golden chapter in the public transport infrastructure of the National Capital Region.
However, certain issues have already started raising their heads. And while these issues are not that serious in nature, nevertheless I will love you to take not of them and address the same, lest they turn serious in the future.
Some issues created by the commuters
Male passengers are often being found to occupy seats meant for ladies, even when a lady is found standing. I do not think it is a good excuse to occupy a lady’s seat that there is a separate bogey for women.
The rule of not playing music inside the train is not being followed by some passengers, which is creating problems in hearing the announcements on the forthcoming station.
Some passengers are having things like coke and snacks inside the train, even through it is prohibited. It is mainly observed during the evening (when people are going back home from office). And it is mainly being done by, well, female passengers (I am so sorry if I hurt any lady by highlighting this).
Passengers are often being found to be sitting on the floor of the train, even though it is not permitted.
Some lacunae on the part of the Delhi Metro Rail people
Sometimes the announcements on forthcoming station are not there, leaving passengers confused about the station the train is going to enter next. And what is worse is that sometimes there is wrong announcement about the forthcoming station, thus making it more confusing for the passengers.
Sometimes the train gets stuck up in a station, or in the area adjacent to it. And it remains in that condition for at least 5-7 minutes, and sometimes even for more time. It is very irritating especially in the morning, when people are going to office and naturally every moment is valuable.
Sometimes I have found that the CISG personnel are not that serious about checking a passenger if he is a regular face in that station. This is a bit scary, as terrorists may try to use this as an opportunity.
So these are the problems that I wanted to share with you. I am a die-hard admirer of Delhi Metro Rail, and will love it to be impeccable and perfect. This explains why I shared these problems with you, as I felt that it would help you to make Delhi Metro Rail service more perfect, something that you also want.
Regards
Raja Basu
Noida
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Key To Language Preservation - Speak It In A Liberal Way
The rapid globalization has resulted in an all-pervasive spread (or intrusion) of the English language. And it is a common knowledge that it has threatened the survival of a number of languages in the world. (However, the languages that are getting extinct or are on the verge of extinction are actually victims of inadequate speakers, and not of the “invasion” of the English language).
So how to address this situation?
Well, an ordinary person as I am, I have decided to show the audacity of presenting some suggestions.
I feel there is a very simple solution for the problem – the native speakers of a language should keep speaking the language in a liberal way.
Now, what do I mean by speaking a language in a liberal way? Well, it means speaking the language without getting too much conscious about its purity and sanctity. Rather you should accept the ground reality, and speak the language by borrowing certain terms and words from the global language, i.e. English.
Let us be practical. Evolution is part and parcel of every aspect of human civilization, and human language is no exception. Your love for your language is understandable. But if you follow a puritan attitude, and try to speak the language without any touch of the modern world, then that will be more threatening for the survival of your language. Because if a language (or for that matter any form of socio-cultural expression) tries to deny evolution by remaining stagnant, then its very survival gets threatened. Because stagnancy is in direct conflict with survival. A language has only two choices - either to evolve and grow, or to die a gradual death. There is no room for the third choice, i.e. maintenance of a so-called purity (read stagnancy).
And why should you feel that borrowing words from the English language will reduce the sanctity of your language? Rather it will further enrich your language. I can give the examples of three languages of India, all of which are known to be rich (actually all Indian languages are rich). These three languages are Hindi, Urdu and Bengali. Significantly, all these languages have borrowed a huge number of words from various other languages. In fact, Urdu itself was born as an amalgamation of seven languages. As a native speaker of Bengali I know how proud we are about our mother language. But incidentally the Bengali that we speak today is embellished with a number of words from Portuguese, Arabian, Persian, Hindi, Urdu, English and many other languages. The so-called pure Bengali that was spoken by our forefathers is long extinct. But we do not feel that by borrowing words from other languages we have reduced the sanctity of our language. Nor we have any embarrassment about it. Rather we feel that the “intrusion” of non-Bengali words into our language has further enriched our already rich language, and has also made it sustainable.
And yes, we modern Bengalis use many new English words/terms/expressions which our predecessors would not use even just 30-40 years back, like “globalization”, “global warming”, “Information Technology”, and so on. And in general the use of English words while speaking in Bengali has increased a lot. But this practice has neither threatened the survival of our language nor has reduced its sanctity. If we would refuse to include these modern words and terms in our language, then it would have reduced the expressive quality of Bengali. We would find it difficult to express ourselves in our mother language, and would be forced to resort to other languages completely. And it is in this case that the survival of our mother language would have been threatened. And why has the use of English words increased? Well, it is a direct result of globalization, which we can not avoid.
In fact, English itself has always been open to change, and has borrowed a lot from other languages, starting from Latin and Sanskrit to French, German, Hindi, and so on (the list is actually endless). And it is actually this that has made that language so rich and expressive. English would not have become the global lingua franca if its native speakers still tried to speak it in the way it was spoken during the days when England was called Albion. Why, today’s English is so different from even the way it was spoken at the time of William Shakespeare.
So my friends, let us take pride in our respective mother languages, and speak the same with pride and passion. At the same time let us not have any flawed sense of pride, which will make us too much puritan about our language. Let us be open to change, and let us make our language both sustainable and further enriched by freely borrowing from the English language. It will not reduce the status of our language in comparison to that of English. Because English itself is indebted to many of our languages.
Shed your flawed idea of lingual purity, and be open to words and expressions from English (and other languages). That will not only ensure the survival of your beautiful mother language, but will also make it more rich, more lively and more vibrant.
So how to address this situation?
Well, an ordinary person as I am, I have decided to show the audacity of presenting some suggestions.
I feel there is a very simple solution for the problem – the native speakers of a language should keep speaking the language in a liberal way.
Now, what do I mean by speaking a language in a liberal way? Well, it means speaking the language without getting too much conscious about its purity and sanctity. Rather you should accept the ground reality, and speak the language by borrowing certain terms and words from the global language, i.e. English.
Let us be practical. Evolution is part and parcel of every aspect of human civilization, and human language is no exception. Your love for your language is understandable. But if you follow a puritan attitude, and try to speak the language without any touch of the modern world, then that will be more threatening for the survival of your language. Because if a language (or for that matter any form of socio-cultural expression) tries to deny evolution by remaining stagnant, then its very survival gets threatened. Because stagnancy is in direct conflict with survival. A language has only two choices - either to evolve and grow, or to die a gradual death. There is no room for the third choice, i.e. maintenance of a so-called purity (read stagnancy).
And why should you feel that borrowing words from the English language will reduce the sanctity of your language? Rather it will further enrich your language. I can give the examples of three languages of India, all of which are known to be rich (actually all Indian languages are rich). These three languages are Hindi, Urdu and Bengali. Significantly, all these languages have borrowed a huge number of words from various other languages. In fact, Urdu itself was born as an amalgamation of seven languages. As a native speaker of Bengali I know how proud we are about our mother language. But incidentally the Bengali that we speak today is embellished with a number of words from Portuguese, Arabian, Persian, Hindi, Urdu, English and many other languages. The so-called pure Bengali that was spoken by our forefathers is long extinct. But we do not feel that by borrowing words from other languages we have reduced the sanctity of our language. Nor we have any embarrassment about it. Rather we feel that the “intrusion” of non-Bengali words into our language has further enriched our already rich language, and has also made it sustainable.
And yes, we modern Bengalis use many new English words/terms/expressions which our predecessors would not use even just 30-40 years back, like “globalization”, “global warming”, “Information Technology”, and so on. And in general the use of English words while speaking in Bengali has increased a lot. But this practice has neither threatened the survival of our language nor has reduced its sanctity. If we would refuse to include these modern words and terms in our language, then it would have reduced the expressive quality of Bengali. We would find it difficult to express ourselves in our mother language, and would be forced to resort to other languages completely. And it is in this case that the survival of our mother language would have been threatened. And why has the use of English words increased? Well, it is a direct result of globalization, which we can not avoid.
In fact, English itself has always been open to change, and has borrowed a lot from other languages, starting from Latin and Sanskrit to French, German, Hindi, and so on (the list is actually endless). And it is actually this that has made that language so rich and expressive. English would not have become the global lingua franca if its native speakers still tried to speak it in the way it was spoken during the days when England was called Albion. Why, today’s English is so different from even the way it was spoken at the time of William Shakespeare.
So my friends, let us take pride in our respective mother languages, and speak the same with pride and passion. At the same time let us not have any flawed sense of pride, which will make us too much puritan about our language. Let us be open to change, and let us make our language both sustainable and further enriched by freely borrowing from the English language. It will not reduce the status of our language in comparison to that of English. Because English itself is indebted to many of our languages.
Shed your flawed idea of lingual purity, and be open to words and expressions from English (and other languages). That will not only ensure the survival of your beautiful mother language, but will also make it more rich, more lively and more vibrant.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
“Most Of The People In North-East India Are Muslims”
It was around 9 am today, i.e. 6th November 2010. I had boarded Delhi Metro from the AIIMS metro station (up to which I had come by bus from my Noida home). I was about to get down at the Sikanderpur station in Gurgaon, from where my office at Phase-V in the Udyog Vihar locality is easily accessible by auto.
Being the next day of Deewali, the train was much less crowded in comparison to the other days, and I soon got a seat. Just beside me were sitting two men in their early 40s. They were constantly chatting, touching various topics. It was basically one person who was making “expert” remarks on various issues, while the other person was nodding approvingly with a smile on his lips.
After having discussions on various topics, such as the Indian media, economy, etc., they ultimately picked up a discussion on the various Indian communities and their characteristics.
I had got engrossed in the compilation of O’Henry short stories that I was carrying (I usually carry a book or magazine while traveling in metro rail), when a certain remark made by the “expert” guy drew my attention.
“Most of the people in North-East India are Muslims, especially in Assam”.
I was really “impressed” with the man’s “knowledge” about the various Indian communities, and I was sure that I would get to hear more of such “gems” from him. So I got more attentive to their discussion, while keeping my eyes on my book. And then, after some more discussions on the various ethnic communities of India, came this one –
“Bengalis and Biharis are the topmost scoundrels (he used a Hindi word which I cannot use) of all the Indian communities. You will find them everywhere”.
I was all ears, when suddenly the “expert” got a call from somebody at his cell. And before he was through with his long conversation, the Sikanderpur station arrived, forcing me to get down. What an abrupt end for an interesting experience.
Being the next day of Deewali, the train was much less crowded in comparison to the other days, and I soon got a seat. Just beside me were sitting two men in their early 40s. They were constantly chatting, touching various topics. It was basically one person who was making “expert” remarks on various issues, while the other person was nodding approvingly with a smile on his lips.
After having discussions on various topics, such as the Indian media, economy, etc., they ultimately picked up a discussion on the various Indian communities and their characteristics.
I had got engrossed in the compilation of O’Henry short stories that I was carrying (I usually carry a book or magazine while traveling in metro rail), when a certain remark made by the “expert” guy drew my attention.
“Most of the people in North-East India are Muslims, especially in Assam”.
I was really “impressed” with the man’s “knowledge” about the various Indian communities, and I was sure that I would get to hear more of such “gems” from him. So I got more attentive to their discussion, while keeping my eyes on my book. And then, after some more discussions on the various ethnic communities of India, came this one –
“Bengalis and Biharis are the topmost scoundrels (he used a Hindi word which I cannot use) of all the Indian communities. You will find them everywhere”.
I was all ears, when suddenly the “expert” got a call from somebody at his cell. And before he was through with his long conversation, the Sikanderpur station arrived, forcing me to get down. What an abrupt end for an interesting experience.
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