Mountains, waterfalls, streams and jungles
Which place am I talking about, any guess?
Home for some interesting tribes, like Tharus, Vanrawats and Jaunsaris
And blessed with the Hindu pilgrimage of Kedar Vadri, where people flock in search of religious quest and mental peace.
A place that epitomizes natural beauty, and has had famous residents like Jim Corbett and Ruskin Bond
Yes, you are right, I am talking about the “Devbhumi” (Abode of God) named Uttarakhand.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Arunachal Pradesh – The Picturesque Land of Dawn Lit Mountains
“The Land of Dawn Lit Mountains”, Arunachal Pradesh is captivating, enchanting and amazing
Representing an out-of-the-world natural beauty that one can imagine only in dreams.
A wonder of the world, Arunachal Pradesh is richly bejeweled with mountains, forests, streams and wildlife
And is the beloved home for Monpa, Nishi, Adi, Apatani, and a host of other interesting and hardy tribes.
A hub of Buddhism, the place boasts gorgeous and magnificent monasteries
Visit the place to taste real natural splendour and tranquility, and regain your mental peace.
Representing an out-of-the-world natural beauty that one can imagine only in dreams.
A wonder of the world, Arunachal Pradesh is richly bejeweled with mountains, forests, streams and wildlife
And is the beloved home for Monpa, Nishi, Adi, Apatani, and a host of other interesting and hardy tribes.
A hub of Buddhism, the place boasts gorgeous and magnificent monasteries
Visit the place to taste real natural splendour and tranquility, and regain your mental peace.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Calera’s “CO2-Cement” Claim. Is It Bankable?
I was thrilled to know that Silicon Valley start-up company Calera has claimed that it has invented a way wherein it can capture the carbon dioxide emissions from coal and gas power plants, before turning them into cement.
Now, if Calera (funded by noted Silicon Valley venture capitalist Vinod Khosla) can really do it, and that too on a mass scale, then it will be a double benefit for the world. On one hand it will reduce CO2 emissions, and on the other hand it will result in the production of a highly usable commodity. So it is everybody’s guess how important a development it can be. In fact, Calera has claimed that it has already drawn an investment of $15 million from world’s biggest coal company Peabody Energy.
However, there are some experts who are not ready to bank much on this claim. They feel that Calera will not be able to produce large quantities of cement that is both sustainable as well as environment-friendly.
Let’s see what happens. Only time can tell whether Calera will be successful in doing what many players have tried to do for around 15 years.
Now, if Calera (funded by noted Silicon Valley venture capitalist Vinod Khosla) can really do it, and that too on a mass scale, then it will be a double benefit for the world. On one hand it will reduce CO2 emissions, and on the other hand it will result in the production of a highly usable commodity. So it is everybody’s guess how important a development it can be. In fact, Calera has claimed that it has already drawn an investment of $15 million from world’s biggest coal company Peabody Energy.
However, there are some experts who are not ready to bank much on this claim. They feel that Calera will not be able to produce large quantities of cement that is both sustainable as well as environment-friendly.
Let’s see what happens. Only time can tell whether Calera will be successful in doing what many players have tried to do for around 15 years.
Bharti’s Zain Deal – Another Shining Feather In India Inc.’s Hat
Bharti’s successful taking over of the African business of Kuwait’s telecom major Zain has unfolded yet another glorious chapter in India Inc.’s history.
The $10.7 billion deal (the largest by any Indian company after Tata’s Corpus deal) reflects the emerging strength, confidence and ambition that characterize the present day Indian corporate players. Apart from playing a strong role in promoting Indian telecom sector’s business in the foreign market, this deal will also promote abroad the overall brand of the Indian corporate sector as a whole. In a nutshell, this deal has resulted in an international image enhancement for the already shining image of India Inc., and can be utilized to curve further niche in the global scenario.
What has added significance to this deal is that it is involved with the telecom sector. While any major international deal makes the global corporate fraternity to take notice of it, there are some sectors that create interest among so-called common people as well, i.e. people who are not likely to be interested about such deals. This happens when such a deal takes place in a sector that lies very close to the heart of common people (or common consumers), and telecom sector is one of these sectors. No wonder, Bharti’s successful taking over of Zain’s African business will not only enhance the international image of the corporate India, but will enhance the image of the India as a country, as well.
Congrats Mr. Sunil Mittal. You are one of my most favourite corporate personalities of India, with the other being Mr. Vijay Mallya. And I find personal charm and pleasure in each corporate success that you achieve.
The $10.7 billion deal (the largest by any Indian company after Tata’s Corpus deal) reflects the emerging strength, confidence and ambition that characterize the present day Indian corporate players. Apart from playing a strong role in promoting Indian telecom sector’s business in the foreign market, this deal will also promote abroad the overall brand of the Indian corporate sector as a whole. In a nutshell, this deal has resulted in an international image enhancement for the already shining image of India Inc., and can be utilized to curve further niche in the global scenario.
What has added significance to this deal is that it is involved with the telecom sector. While any major international deal makes the global corporate fraternity to take notice of it, there are some sectors that create interest among so-called common people as well, i.e. people who are not likely to be interested about such deals. This happens when such a deal takes place in a sector that lies very close to the heart of common people (or common consumers), and telecom sector is one of these sectors. No wonder, Bharti’s successful taking over of Zain’s African business will not only enhance the international image of the corporate India, but will enhance the image of the India as a country, as well.
Congrats Mr. Sunil Mittal. You are one of my most favourite corporate personalities of India, with the other being Mr. Vijay Mallya. And I find personal charm and pleasure in each corporate success that you achieve.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Pune Blast - R.R. Patil Once Again Proves His Inefficiency
After the 26/11 massacre of Mumbai two Home Ministers had lost their jobs – Mr Shivraj Patil in the Central Government and Mr R.R. Patil in the Maharashtra Government. After that the ruling coalitions at both the places contested elections, and won back their respective positions. While Shivraj Patil was not brought back to his old position by the UPA II at the Centre, the Congress-NCP coalition of Maharashtra surprisingly brought back R.R. Patil as the Home Minister of the State. It was a decision that understandably raised many eyebrows, with sporadic voices of criticism and disagreement. People were worried that Patil’s ineptitude would once again make the State to pay a dear price.
And that people were right that has been proved after the shocking Pune blast, which was again the result of an intelligence failure as had happened in the case of 26/11.
While the Home Minister may not be held responsible for each and every intelligence failure, in this case there is no doubt that there has been lapses on the part of Patil himself. The Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai has gone on record saying that the Central Government had warned the State Government – in February 2009 – about the possibility of one such attack in Pune. And R.R. Patil is saying that he had no knowledge of any such communication from the Centre.
If it is true that Patil indeed had the knowledge of any such communication, then he showed unpardonable callousness by ignoring the same, and should immediately be shown the door.
And if it is true that he really did not have any idea about any such information, then again it proves his own inefficiency. Why? Because in that case it is proved that the Maharashtra Home Department is being run in an unorganized manner, where proper sharing and subsequent analysis of critical information is not taking place. And it is the Home Minister himself who should be held responsible for the same.
So whatever the truth may have been, one thing is certain that R.R. Patil should be sacked with immediate effect. He clearly does not have the competence and efficiency that are required to occupy the crucial position of the Home Minister, and his holding that office actually poses a serious threat for the common people of the State of Maharashtra.
And that people were right that has been proved after the shocking Pune blast, which was again the result of an intelligence failure as had happened in the case of 26/11.
While the Home Minister may not be held responsible for each and every intelligence failure, in this case there is no doubt that there has been lapses on the part of Patil himself. The Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai has gone on record saying that the Central Government had warned the State Government – in February 2009 – about the possibility of one such attack in Pune. And R.R. Patil is saying that he had no knowledge of any such communication from the Centre.
If it is true that Patil indeed had the knowledge of any such communication, then he showed unpardonable callousness by ignoring the same, and should immediately be shown the door.
And if it is true that he really did not have any idea about any such information, then again it proves his own inefficiency. Why? Because in that case it is proved that the Maharashtra Home Department is being run in an unorganized manner, where proper sharing and subsequent analysis of critical information is not taking place. And it is the Home Minister himself who should be held responsible for the same.
So whatever the truth may have been, one thing is certain that R.R. Patil should be sacked with immediate effect. He clearly does not have the competence and efficiency that are required to occupy the crucial position of the Home Minister, and his holding that office actually poses a serious threat for the common people of the State of Maharashtra.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Toyota’s Scheduled “India Launch” Of Prius – A Life Threat For The Indian Consumers?
Toyota is scheduled to launch its hybrid car model Prius in India in March-end or the beginning of April.
It would have certainly been a great news for the car connoisseurs of India. However, there is an unfortunate factor that forces (or should force) everybody to wonder whether the launch of Prius should be welcomed at all.
The problem is, while on one hand Toyota is going to launch the said car model in India, at the same time it is recalling the same model from the markets of other parts of the world. Reason? A faulty brake system.
Now the question that naturally comes in mind is that if Toyota feels Prius to be misfit for a launch in other countries, then how can it go ahead with the plan of launching it in India? Shouldn’t it have launched the car in India only after rectifying the faults, something that it is going to do elsewhere? How can the Toyota management present the Indian car market with a faulty car model which it does not dare to launch elsewhere? Isn’t it a case of taking the Indian car consumers for granted?
And it must also be remembered that the fault in question is not an insignificant one. Using a car model with a faulty brake means fiddling with human life, wherein the driver puts both his own life as well as the lives of other people in the road at stake. So it means that for Toyota the issue of financial profit and loss is more important than the lives of its customers.
Actually the bookings for Prius already started in January this year. Now recalling the model will mean losing all those orders, which will be a huge loss for the global car major. It is certainly true that such a huge loss is a nightmare that any organization will try to avoid. But while an organization has 100% right to take steps to avoid financial loss, can it do the same at the cost of “life security” of its customers?
Such a blatant act of irresponsibility was certainly not expected from Toyota.
It would have certainly been a great news for the car connoisseurs of India. However, there is an unfortunate factor that forces (or should force) everybody to wonder whether the launch of Prius should be welcomed at all.
The problem is, while on one hand Toyota is going to launch the said car model in India, at the same time it is recalling the same model from the markets of other parts of the world. Reason? A faulty brake system.
Now the question that naturally comes in mind is that if Toyota feels Prius to be misfit for a launch in other countries, then how can it go ahead with the plan of launching it in India? Shouldn’t it have launched the car in India only after rectifying the faults, something that it is going to do elsewhere? How can the Toyota management present the Indian car market with a faulty car model which it does not dare to launch elsewhere? Isn’t it a case of taking the Indian car consumers for granted?
And it must also be remembered that the fault in question is not an insignificant one. Using a car model with a faulty brake means fiddling with human life, wherein the driver puts both his own life as well as the lives of other people in the road at stake. So it means that for Toyota the issue of financial profit and loss is more important than the lives of its customers.
Actually the bookings for Prius already started in January this year. Now recalling the model will mean losing all those orders, which will be a huge loss for the global car major. It is certainly true that such a huge loss is a nightmare that any organization will try to avoid. But while an organization has 100% right to take steps to avoid financial loss, can it do the same at the cost of “life security” of its customers?
Such a blatant act of irresponsibility was certainly not expected from Toyota.
The Questionable Arrest Of Gen. Sarath Fonseka Of Sri Lanka
It may be just a wild guess encouraged by something which is a plain coincidence. However, the world is predictably finding it very hard to believe that the ongoing government actions against the former Sri Lankan Army Chief Sarath Fonseka have nothing to do with his failed challenge to the re-election bid of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
As I said that it may be just a coincidence that the initiation of government actions against the war hero came close to the heels of his high-pitched “Presidential” fight against Mr. Rajapaksa. However, there are a couple of factors that are forcing the world to believe that all these government actions (including the controversial arrest of the beleaguered former army chief) are actually being carried out to “punish” the “audacious” soldier for daring to challenge the incumbent President in his re-election bid.
For example, let us look at this charge against General Sarath Fonseka that he had started plotting and conspiring against Mahinda Rajapaksa even when he was still the Army Chief. Fine. But in that case why did not the Sri Lankan Army take any actions against him at that very point of time? He was permitted to retain his office, and he eventually played a crucial role in giving the final blow to LTTE. There were no actions against him even after he quit his Army position. It is only after he contested against Rajapaksa and failed to “dethrone” the latter that the government has suddenly become aware of his illegal activities, and has started taking actions.
OK, it may be so that the government was unaware of Sarath Fonseka’s offensive activities when he was the Army Chief, and incidentally came to know about the same only after the recent Presidential election (the “coincidence” angle that I was referring to). But in that case the Sri Lankan government was expected to make it very clear to the nation as well as the world, thus leaving no rooms for any rumours. Was it very difficult for the government to understand that the timing of Fonseka’s arrest would raise questions and doubts in the minds of people?
Another thing that “apparently” reflects the Sri Lankan government’s vindictive approach is the manner in which the once revered Army Chief was arrested. The basic human rights principles demand that even when a petty criminal is arrested and taken into custody, it should be done with some dignity. And this former war hero was held by hands and feet, and dragged away by the Military Police. How humiliating it must have been for the person to be treated in this way by the same people who used to salute him till the other day. And after arresting him the government was seemingly not even eager to disclose his whereabouts, at least not initially (though later Fonseka’s wife was permitted to meet him).
Anyways, as I have said that all these may have been just a case of coincidence, sending a baseless smell of a foul play while the actual reality is completely different. If the former General has really done something wrong then he must be punished. And in that case the Sri Lankan government has certainly not done anything wrong by initiating actions against him.
However, the government must appreciate this fact that the timing of the actions is sending this message to the world that everything is not fair and square in this “Sarath Fonseka drama”. And, this doubt is gradually gaining ground. So if the Sri Lankan government is confident that it is on the right side of ethics, then it must carry out all the related activities with utmost clarity and transparency, while involving the global media in every step. This will ensure that there is no room for any rumour, with no chance for the Sri Lankan government’s credibility coming under question.
As I said that it may be just a coincidence that the initiation of government actions against the war hero came close to the heels of his high-pitched “Presidential” fight against Mr. Rajapaksa. However, there are a couple of factors that are forcing the world to believe that all these government actions (including the controversial arrest of the beleaguered former army chief) are actually being carried out to “punish” the “audacious” soldier for daring to challenge the incumbent President in his re-election bid.
For example, let us look at this charge against General Sarath Fonseka that he had started plotting and conspiring against Mahinda Rajapaksa even when he was still the Army Chief. Fine. But in that case why did not the Sri Lankan Army take any actions against him at that very point of time? He was permitted to retain his office, and he eventually played a crucial role in giving the final blow to LTTE. There were no actions against him even after he quit his Army position. It is only after he contested against Rajapaksa and failed to “dethrone” the latter that the government has suddenly become aware of his illegal activities, and has started taking actions.
OK, it may be so that the government was unaware of Sarath Fonseka’s offensive activities when he was the Army Chief, and incidentally came to know about the same only after the recent Presidential election (the “coincidence” angle that I was referring to). But in that case the Sri Lankan government was expected to make it very clear to the nation as well as the world, thus leaving no rooms for any rumours. Was it very difficult for the government to understand that the timing of Fonseka’s arrest would raise questions and doubts in the minds of people?
Another thing that “apparently” reflects the Sri Lankan government’s vindictive approach is the manner in which the once revered Army Chief was arrested. The basic human rights principles demand that even when a petty criminal is arrested and taken into custody, it should be done with some dignity. And this former war hero was held by hands and feet, and dragged away by the Military Police. How humiliating it must have been for the person to be treated in this way by the same people who used to salute him till the other day. And after arresting him the government was seemingly not even eager to disclose his whereabouts, at least not initially (though later Fonseka’s wife was permitted to meet him).
Anyways, as I have said that all these may have been just a case of coincidence, sending a baseless smell of a foul play while the actual reality is completely different. If the former General has really done something wrong then he must be punished. And in that case the Sri Lankan government has certainly not done anything wrong by initiating actions against him.
However, the government must appreciate this fact that the timing of the actions is sending this message to the world that everything is not fair and square in this “Sarath Fonseka drama”. And, this doubt is gradually gaining ground. So if the Sri Lankan government is confident that it is on the right side of ethics, then it must carry out all the related activities with utmost clarity and transparency, while involving the global media in every step. This will ensure that there is no room for any rumour, with no chance for the Sri Lankan government’s credibility coming under question.
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