Ravin Chandra's Blog

"The Big" Bazaar "Maaza Experience"

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:20:00 +0000

Well readers this is the story about me and my friends Athul & Gokul. We were so damn happy when we met each other after a gap of 6months... well that story goes that way.

We thought of hanging out the next day. We went to Big Baazar, not to shop just to check out wassup? .. After spending some time we thought of buying Maaza. Well we took it to a counter.... the story starts.....

1st counter: long queue bro .. go to second one. Sure! My buddy, Athul went to the second one.... waiting... Me n Gokul just went through the first floor completely.

2nd counter: buddy's waiting... we came back.. he's still in the queue

BTW.. ITZ HAF AN HR NW... LOL!! :D

We moved to a counter which read "less than 3 items"... good..

Err.. no another half an hour.

I just went to another counter.. which has just been opened.. Finally we can open the bottle.. again we were wrong....

"Sir there is this card.. while you shop you get some points and all.....".. the lecture goes... my friend Gokul fills the form... another 15 mins...

When the ordeal was over.. one and a half hours.

Big Baazar rocks! If it was some small Baazar... we could've finished the drink 1hour 20mins earlier..... so who rocks???

Sorry for the delay in posting

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:52:00 +0000

Readers, I'm sorry for the delay in posting. I'll post soon. Please keep visiting.... meanwhile, take a look at my photo blog also www.ravinsphotoblog.blogspot.com

2011 Census: A Brief Summary

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:49:00 +0000

According to the provisional results of the 2011 census, released on 31^st March 2011, India’s population as on first March 2011 was 1210million. This is a humongous population, than the size projected by experts and professional organisations.

Population Growth

Between the census years 2001 and 2011, the absolute addition to the population was 181 million. The average annual growth rate was 0.33% points less than the rate observed during 1991 – 2001. If the fall in growth rate over the last two decades continues, then there is every reason to believe that, the rate of growth of population would be much lower in the coming decades.

Though the growth rate has declined compared to the previous decade of 1991 – 2001, there was only a marginal decline in the absolute number of people added to the population total. This is not unexpected as there is still a growing number of women entering the reproductive ages (the result of high fertility in the past). This inbuilt tendency for India’s population to grow will continue at least until the middle of this century.

The average annual growth rate of population declined in all major states except in Tamil Nadu, it may be the result of growth in net in-migration into Tamil Nadu during 2001 – 2011. The other notable in-migration major states are Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat. In contrast, Kerala continues to be a net exporter of people to elsewhere in India and overseas.

Literacy

The provisional population figure of 2011 census shows a marked improvement in literacy rate. The effective literacy rate (literacy rate in population aged above 7 years of age) increased from 64.8% to 74% over the decade 2001 – 2011. Although the improvement was significant for both males and females, females gained more than males (increase of literacy rate from 75.3% - 82.1% for males and from 53.4% - 65.46% for females).

Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir had a lower achievement level in literacy in 2001, ranking low at the bottom; they all stood at higher ranks with respect to improvement in literacy during the decade 2001 – 2011. On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan performed poorly with respect to other states.

Gender Composition

The overall sex ratio at the national level has increased by 7 points to reach 940 at census 2011 as against 933 in census 2001. This is the highest sex ratio recorded since 1971 and a shade lower than 1961. Increase in sex ratio is observed in 29 states/Union Territories. Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and Gujarat have shown decline in sex ratio as compared to census 2001. Kerala with 1084 has the highest sex ratio followed by Puducherry with 1038 while Daman and Diu has the lowest sex ratio of 618. The most important contributor to overall increase in sex ratio is improvement in survival rate among women.

Decline in Child Sex Ratio

As was the case during the 1990’s the increase in population sex ratio was almost entirely due to the increase in sex ratio among the population aged 7 and above. But the sex ratio for the population aged 0-6 years continued to decline from 945 females per 1000 males in 1991, to 927 in 2001 and further down to 914 in 2011. In spite of an increase between 2001 and 2011, Punjab and Haryana have the lowest sex ratio (less than 850) among 0-6 year olds in 2011. All the major states except Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu recorded increase in male population in their under seven population. The largest decline was in Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Conclusion

The provisional population figures of the 2011 census do suggest that India’s population growth is slowing down. Although the total population size exceeded more projections, the growth rate has slowed compared to the 1990’s. This is largely due to further declines in fertility throughout the 2000’s in the populous states in Northern India.

Studies have consistently shown that the long-term solution for eliminating discrimination against female discrimination against female children lies in bringing about transformative changes in social institutions and family. The continuous gains in female literacy over last two decades are signs that far-reaching social changes are under way. Early 20^th century experience shows that secondary education for all is essential for women’s empowerment. In women’s empowerment lie the answer to India’s population and developmental problems.

sorry readers..........

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:08:00 +0000

sorry to keep you waiting.... i'll be posting soon

Water Pollution

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:20:00 +0000

Water Pollution, contamination of water by foreign matter such as micro-organisms, chemicals, industrial or other wastes, or sewage. Such matter deteriorates the quality of the water and renders it unfit for its intended uses.

MAJOR POLLUTANTS

The major pollutants of water are the following:

• Sewage and other oxygen-demanding wastes (largely carbonaceous organic material, the decomposition of which leads to oxygen depletion).
• Infectious agents.
• Plant nutrients that can stimulate the growth of aquatic plants, which then interfere with water uses and, when decaying, deplete the dissolved oxygen and produce disagreeable odours.
• Exotic organic chemicals, including pesticides, various industrial products, surface-active substances in detergents, and the decomposition products of other organic compounds.
• Petroleum, especially from oil spills.
• Inorganic minerals and chemical compounds.
• Sediments consisting of soil and mineral particles washed by storms and floodwater from croplands, unprotected soils, mine workings, roads, and bulldozed urban areas.
• Radioactive substances from the wastes of uranium and thorium mining and refining, from nuclear power plants, and from the industrial, medical, and scientific use of radioactive materials.
Heat may also be considered a pollutant when increased temperatures in bodies of water result from the discharge of cooling water by factories and power plants.

EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION

Notable effects of water pollution include those involved in human health. Nitrates (the salts of nitric acid) in drinking water can cause a disease in infants that sometimes results in death. Cadmium in sludge-derived fertilizer can be absorbed by crops; if ingested in sufficient amounts, the metal can cause an acute diarrhoeal disorder and liver and kidney damage. The hazardous nature of inorganic substances such as mercury, arsenic, and lead has long been known or strongly suspected.
Lakes are especially vulnerable to pollution. One problem, eutrophication, occurs when lake water becomes artificially enriched with nutrients, causing abnormal plant growth. Run-off of chemical fertilizer from cultivated fields may trigger this. The process of eutrophication can produce aesthetic problems such as bad tastes and odours and unsightly green scums of algae, as well as dense growth of rooted plants, oxygen depletion in the deeper waters and bottom sediments of lakes, and other chemical changes such as precipitation of calcium carbonate in hard waters. Another problem, of growing concern in recent years, is acid rain, which has left many lakes in northern and eastern Europe and north-eastern North America totally devoid of life.

SOURCES AND CONTROL

The major sources of water pollution can be classified as municipal, industrial, and agricultural.
Municipal water pollution consists of wastewater from homes and commercial establishments. For many years, the main goal of municipal sewage disposal was simply to reduce its content of suspended solids, oxygen-demanding materials, dissolved inorganic compounds (particularly compounds of phosphorus and nitrogen), and harmful bacteria. In recent years, however, more stress has been placed on improving the means of disposal of the solid residues from municipal treatment processes. The basic methods of treating municipal wastewater fall into three stages: primary treatment, including grit removal, screening, grinding, flocculation (aggregation of the solids), and sedimentation; secondary treatment, which entails oxidation of dissolved organic matter by means of biologically active sludge, which is then filtered off; and tertiary treatment, in which advanced biological methods of nitrogen removal and chemical and physical methods such as granular filtration and activated carbon adsorption are employed. The handling and disposal of solid residues can account for 25 to 50 per cent of the capital and operational costs of a treatment plant.
The characteristics of industrial wastewaters can differ markedly both within and among industries. The impact of industrial discharges depends not only on their collective characteristics, such as biochemical oxygen demand and the amount of suspended solids, but also on their content of specific inorganic and organic substances. Three options (which are not mutually exclusive) are available in controlling industrial wastewater. Control can take place at the point of generation within the plant; wastewater can be pretreated for discharge to municipal treatment systems; or wastewater can be treated completely at the plant and either reused or discharged directly into receiving waters.
Agriculture, including commercial livestock and poultry farming, is the source of many organic and inorganic pollutants in surface waters and groundwater. These contaminants include both sediment from the erosion of cropland and compounds of phosphorus and nitrogen that partly originate in animal wastes and commercial fertilizers. Animal wastes are high in oxygen-demanding material, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and they often harbour pathogenic organisms. Wastes from commercial feeders are contained and disposed of on land; their main threat to natural waters, therefore, is via run-off and leaching. Control may involve settling basins for liquids, limited biological treatment in aerobic or anaerobic lagoons, and a variety of other methods.

Lowest Child Sex Ratio Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 01:57:00 +0000

Child sex ratio, measures the number of girls for every 1,000 boys in the 0-6 years age group.

According to the 2011 census of India we can find the worst child sex ratio ever, after India became independent. The child sex ratio of India stands at 914. And what exactly does this mean? Indian's are still preferring male child over the female child. Does female foeticide, abortion etc... exist? It is really a question worth asking.

so what can we do?

India still lags behind in basic education and health facilities, and there lies the solution too Educate the masses and provide them good health facilities. Educating the girl child is very important too.

I'll upload a detailed analysis of India's Census 2011 in a few days.

The Era of Psycho's

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 02:11:00 +0000

Yesterday, I experienced it.... A total traffic block. No space to move, everyone waiting to move a centimeter.

Enter Psychos....

These people just can't wait in line.... violating the traffic rules they drive through the wrong side and they seem to enjoy their heroism... if it was motorbikes alone, one could understand..... but it was pathetic even cars, SUV's, pick up trucks ... yeah!! they were all hero's and those obeying the rules - dumb fools!

finally after an hour something happened and we could move.

If this trend continues, I'm sorry to say that We won't ever be a developed nation.

Hail Psycho's!!

Bajaj slams Hero Honda....

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 09:35:00 +0000

Bajaj has did it!!! and I just can't believe it.... They're using stupid marketing strategies.... Just Check the video below. They're comparing Discover 150 with the Hero Honda Splendor. Hero Honda always have been a big rival of Bajaj........ and now Bajaj is taking things to the next level... Just Check out the video

Road Development Process.....{direct from Nalanchira}

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 01:46:00 +0000

Trivandrum,Kerala: The MC(Main Central) Road Development and Widening - The sacrifices made by people for a better tomorrow.

Many media's and others may think I'm going to blame this project and the state government...... Sad news for those who think so. I'm just placing pictures to prove that this generation young, middle aged and old are willing to sacrifice their time, .......
for such a cause ................

But surely, the Govt could have done it better. They should have improved the roads running parallel to the MC road for easy transportation.

Some more pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 01:44:00 +0000

Mar Ivanios College.... View from the college auditorium

Rock 'N Roll

from the college canteen

My Snapshots....

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 02:33:00 +0000

I caught this on my way to Nagercoil

Just Before the rains.........(A man and his son speeding home)

Evening is the best time for photos

Human Development Report 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 01:32:00 +0000

United Nations has released its HDR 2010

Human Development Report 2010 —20th Anniversary Edition

The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development

The first Human Development Report in 1990 opened with the simply stated premise that has guided all subsequent Reports: “People are the real wealth of a nation.” By backing up this assertion with an abundance of empirical data and a new way of thinking about and measuring development, the Human Development Report has had a profound impact on development policies around the world.

This 20th anniversary edition features introductory reflections by the Nobel Prize–winning economist Amartya Sen,............................ click here to read

Pocket Banking

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 03:56:00 +0000

THE MOBILE REVOLUTION PROMISES TO MAKE BANKING, AS EASY AS A PIE...

Mobile phones have found a place in every market and nearly on every individual’s pocket. I intend write about banking on the move. In this era of USB 3.0, SSD’s ... it seems irritating to wait and especially in banks, where things seems to move in a slow pace. Happy News!!.. We no longer need to wait in long queues or even maintain a cheque book. Thanks to mobile banking and online banking; this has revolutionized banking. Now one can recharge mobiles, pay bills, buy movie tickets etc... from mobile phones.

Pay Using Mobile Phone

Obopay is an application that allows you to pay using mobile phone. It’s ‘Easy Money’ option is just like a top-up for your mobile. Obopay has tied up with Nokia. All you have to do is walk into a Nokia priority store and pay cash, this amount will be credited to your obopay account. You may use this amount to pay using your cell phone. Another service named ‘Easy Send’ allows you to transfer money from person to person or pay merchants for their products or services. To activate this service, you will have to go to a Nokia priority showroom and download the application. Then you’ll have to fill a ‘know – your – customer’ form (as per RBI rules) to open a Yes Bank account. This service will be activated within 48 hours. Sadly, Obopay services are currently available only in Pune and Chandigarh.

Another payment option using mobile phone is ‘mCheck’, which most of the users know. Through service you can securely pay for your phone bills, flight tickets, insurance premiums, online shopping etc... mCheck integrates with your Visa/ Master Card, Credit/Debit Card, allowing you to make payments through your phone. It allows you to key- in details for a credit or a debit card, and for each transaction it demands which card to be used. After selection of cards, transactions must be authenticated using the mCheck PIN number.

Compared with ‘Pay Mate’, mCheck and Obopay are newer services. Pay Mate links your cell phone to your existing bank account or Credit/Debit card, letting you pay for online purchases and much more. When you wish to make a transaction online or offline, all you have to do is share your mobile number and you will receive a sms confirming the status. You can have more than one account linked with Pay Mate. If you do not wish to transact using your credit card or debit card, you can even purchase a Giftmate voucher, which allows you to transact using a pre-paid balance.

‘Pay Mate’ has also introduced a Green Money Transfer Service in association with corporation bank and Tata Teleservices. It is a person to person mobile money transfer. A person who wishes to send money has to go to a Tata Green PCO and submit in cash, the amount to be transferred and follow the procedures as they tell you. Currently services are limited to registered customers of Kerala and Karnataka.

Mobile Banking

Almost all major banks now offer customers the convenience of mobile banking at no extra cost. Earlier; what the banks offered were just sms alerts regarding transactions and checking balance, you can now carry out full-fledged banking transactions. How to start mobile banking?.. A big question? Not really... It’s quite simple. Just follow m-banking link of your bank and download the application. Then follow the rules. You can conduct transactions to a maximum of Rs.50,000 per day(this may vary from bank to bank ). Mobile banking is 99.9% safe, as it is user specific and requires a four digit pass- code, just like an ATM, the application blocks itself on feeding three consecutive wrong pin entries. In case you loose your phone, call the 24 hour customer care and request them to block the application.

Money Manager

With online and m-banking, one is bound to spend more when disposable money is available with you anywhere. To solve this concern, there is an online application by the name ‘Intuit Money Manager’ (www.intuitmoneymanager.com). It helps you to monitor your transactions, and allows you to monitor your transactions, and allows you to consolidate all your financial accounts. You can map your spending trends and can even fix your budget; when you reach the limit, you will receive a sms or email alert asking you to stop spending. You can even monitor your stocks with this application. This application is available with a 90 day free trial and Rs.365 for an annual subscription. Another website which offers the same services is perfios.com. As of now, this service is free. The best part is that the application even allows mobile access.

DID YOU Know.......?

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:15:00 +0000

The World Health Statistics 2010, released by WHO (World Health Organisation) has placed India in an unbelievable position. India has the highest number of Tuberculosis (23% of the world’s patients), Leprosy (54% of the world’s patients), Pertussis (29% of the world’s patients), Polio (42% of the world’s patients), Tetanus (22% of the world’s patients) and Malaria (55% of the world’s patients). It is the second highest in measles, the fourth highest in Japanese encephalitis and fourteenth highest in cholera. It has highest percentage of the world’s underweight children below the age of five years (43.5%). This is all far in excess of the percentage of world’s population, that India supports. To no other country goes the dubious distinction of being the first in so many areas.

GLOBAL WARMING AND OCEAN

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:07:00 +0000

Did you know that ocean absorbs nearly half the volume of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) produced in the world? You might be happy to hear this! But friends it will cost dearly. First the marine life; scientists estimate that the marine life would vanish by 2100 (Really nearer than we think). This is because, as the amount of CO₂ in the water increases, oxygen dissolved in the water goes on decreasing. Oxygen is an essential component even for the marine life. Another impact – ‘The Coral Reefs’; one of the main tourist attractions known all around the world…… What will happen to these reefs? They’ll die too!! This is already occurring at an alarming rate. We need to check this immediately.

What should we do???

Do what we are supposed to do. You know it perfectly (For those who don’t know what to do it is wise to kill yourself rather than kill the already Burning Planet).

Some scientists and researchers are trying hard to save the dying coral reefs. What they do is: They take a fresh and living part from a dying coral and create a mini coral garden in the shallow waters of the sea. After a certain period they are ready to be transplanted in the seabed. This is a good venture; we should really be proud of them.

IT IS UP TO US TO CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING. IF ALL OF US CONTRIBUTE TO CHECK THE GALLOPING RISE IN GLOBAL WARMING; THE TOTAL CONTRIBUTION WILL SURELY BE 100%.

START YOUR ROLE NOW!!!!!

Without Greenhouse Gasses??? Hey we need it!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:36:00 +0000

Without the greenhouse effect, life on Earth would not exist. The Sun emits radiation to the Earth. If we could imagine a flat surface at the top of the atmosphere, that radiation is about 340 watts per square metre (340 W/m^-2). Just over 100 W/m^-2 is reflected out again by atmospheric aerosols and clouds, and the Earth’s surface, leaving some 240 W/m^-2 that heats up the surface of the Earth. The system must be in balance—energy “in” must equal energy “out”—so the Earth needs to re-radiate this amount back into the atmosphere. But the amount actually re-radiated depends on the Earth’s surface temperature: the hotter the surface is the more it will emit radiation. The outgoing radiation takes the form of “long wave” infrared thermal radiation. If the system balanced “naturally”, then the Earth’s surface would have a temperature of about –19°C (-66° F) since at this temperature 240 W/m^-2 would be emitted. Obviously, something else must be happening because at such low average temperatures life would not exist. The Earth’s surface is very much warmer than this “natural” level (around 15° C/59° F) and hence far more radiation is emitted than the 240 W/m^-2. What happens is that a lot of the Earth’s re-radiation bounces back to the Earth’s surface because it gets absorbed mainly by water vapour and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. Water vapour, CO₂, and a few other minor gases act like a “blanket”. The balance is secured as follows:
Incoming solar radiation: + 340 W m^-2 Reflected from clouds, the Earth’s surface, etc.: - 100 W m^-2 Net incoming radiation absorbed by the Earth = + 240 W m^-2

Outgoing radiation: - 420 W m^-2 Greenhouse effect: + 180 W m^-2 Net outgoing (thermal) radiation = - 240 W m^-2

LAST WEEK’S GOOD ARTICLES IN “THE HINDU”

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:35:00 +0000

(WITH REFERENCE TO TRIVANDRUM EDITION)

SUNDAY AUGUST 1

“Life can begin at 60; it is in your hands” (open page, by S. Ramachandran)

MONDAY AUGUST 2

“Climate Change In The U.K – India Partnership” (op-ed page, byPremila Nazereth Satyanand)

“Plan Progress Should not Suffer for Want of Funds” (Business Review page by P.A Seshan)

ALSO CHECK OUT THE INTERVIEW WITH VISWANATHAN ANAND in the Op-Ed page

TUESDAY AUGUST 3

“General Kayani’s quiet coup” (Editorial Page by Praveen Swami)

“Defining Prosperity Down” (Paul Krugman, page 11)

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 4

“South East Asia and Health Related Millennium Development Goals” (op-ed page by Jai P Varain)

THURSDAY AUGUST 5

“A Green Ban” (by The Editor – Editorial Page)

“The west’s distorted view of Afghanistan” (op-ed page, by Priyamvada Gopal)

“Sponge Species Sheds Light on Animal Evolution” (Science and Technology Page, by R. Prasad)

FRIDAY AUGUST 6

“Water Through Pakistani Eyes” (Editorial Page, by Ramaswamy Iyer)

“Waste – Pickers oppose U.N plan” (op-ed page, by John Vidal)

SATURDAY AUGUST 7

“US puts down roots in Iraq” (Editorial Page)

“Overcoming the Malthusian Scourge” (Editorial Page by Jeffrey Sachs)

A must watch video for teenage girls.......by Taylor Swift

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:10:00 +0000

This really brings out the true picture.... Also the lyrics are just awesome.

Watch the Video HERE
Lyrics: (from elyrics.net)

Fifteen lyrics
Songwriters: Swift, Taylor Alison;

You take a deep breath and you walk through the doors
It's the morning of your very first day
And you say hi to your friends you ain't seen in a while
Try and stay out of everybody's way

It's your freshman year and you're gonna be here
For the next four years in this town
Hoping one of those senior boys will wink at you and say
"You know, I haven't seen you around before"

'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen feeling like there's nothing to figure out
Well, count to ten, take it in
This is life before you know who you're gonna be
Fifteen

You sit in class next to a redhead named Abigail
And soon enough you're best friends
Laughing at the other girls who think they're so cool
We'll be outta here as soon as we can

And then you're on your very first date and he's got a car
And you're feeling like flying
And you're momma's waiting up and you're thinking he's the one
And you're dancing 'round your room when the night ends
When the night ends

'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
When you're fifteen and your first kiss
Makes your head spin 'round
But in your life you'll do things greater than
Dating the boy on the football team
But I didn't know it at fifteen

When all you wanted was to be wanted
Wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now

Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday
But I realized some bigger dreams of mine
And Abigail gave everything she had to a boy
Who changed his mind and we both cried

'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen, don't forget to look before you fall
I've found time can heal most anything
And you just might find who you're supposed to be
I didn't know who I was supposed to be at fifteen

Your very first day
Take a deep breath girl
Take a deep breath as you walk through the doors

© SONY/ATV SONGS D/B/A TREE PUBG CO; TAYLOR SWIFT PUB DESIGNEE;

Food Inflation in India

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:23:00 +0000

I am not targeting this article for Economic students alone, so I will try to make it simple and easy to understand yet strong.

A GENERAL INTRODUCTION

So to begin with, I must describe to my readers what inflation is?.. Inflation in simple terms can be defined as a general rise in price level. And for budding economists I will put forward the definition given by Wicksell, Hansen and Keynes: ‘Inflation is the result of excess demand over full employment’. Also one by Caul Bourn who says: ‘Inflation is a situation where too much money chases too few goods’. Inflation may arise because of two main reasons: 1. Demand increases over the supply of goods and services (Demand pull Inflation). The demand for goods and services increases well above its supply..... naturally price rises. 2. Cost Push Inflation – A situation where price rises on account of increasing cost of production for any reason. When price of various factors of production like land, labour etc... increases, cost of production is bound to increase and so is the case with finished final goods and services. Let me also inform you that there are two measures of Inflation that are commonly used. 1. Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI).In

India

we use WPI as the common measure of Inflation. Let me not bore you with more economic facts and get to the point straight away......

Food Inflation based on the WPI for food articles & food products reached double digits in April 2009 and have crossed the 20% level by December. We must have in mind that Inflation in retail level is more important than the wholesale level because it is what matters in the case of consumers. This is true in the case of all Economies. In order to maintain the consumption pattern or level, Indian consumers should spend about 20% more on food compared to previous years. This is surely going to worsen food and nutrition deficiency, which remains at a very high level.

THE GENERAL TREND OF INFLATION

The average annual inflation based on the WPI (1993-94) was close to 6% during 1994-95 to 2004-2005. But during these periods, food inflation varied between 4% to 7% and comparatively it was lower than that of normal inflation rate. But the scenario changed after 2005; food prices increased at much faster rate than non-food items.

It is to be noted that food inflation touched near to 20% in January 2010. The annual average of food inflation during the period 2006-2009 was very much higher than that of ordinary inflation. Statistics show food inflation was 80% more than ordinary inflation during this period. The highest inflation is observed in the case of pulses and the lowest in the case of edible oils. Now let me throw some light on the reasons behind the current food inflation.

FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD INFLATION

The acceleration in food inflation towards the end of 2009 have been caused by several factors , relating to a shock in supply, trade, global prices, food management, speculative activities and demand.

(1)Production

India

, food inflation commenced accelerating in the beginning of 2008, even though production was double than that of the domestic demand. But a major portion of this did not enter domestic market (supply). As global price soared in 2007 and 2008, exports seemed attractive. The share of exports in domestic production of food increased from 6.2% during 2003-04 to 2005-06 to more than 10% during 2006-07 to 2008-09. This resulted in the seeping in of global prices to the domestic market to a certain extent. The main cause of an increase in food prices during 2008 was the influence of exports led by high global prices.

Global food prices cooled down considerably during 2009. The FAO Food Price Index in 2009 was 20% lower than in 2008. In contrast to the global trend, domestic food prices followed a rapid increase through 2009. The main factor underlying high food inflation during 2009 and beyond is that, growth in food production during 2008-09 fell short of demand. Contributing to these woes large parts of the country experienced deficiency of 2009 southwest monsoon resulting in draught, which caused considerable loss to kharif output. According to the advance estimates issued by CSO, food grain product in 2009-10 is estimated to decline by 8% and oilseeds and sugarcane by 5% and 11% respectively. The decline in food production was bound to occur since we have no mechanism to promptly correct the imbalance in demand and supply.

(2)Trade and Global Prices

Changes in international prices exert direct and indirect influence on domestic prices. However this influence varies greatly across commodities. The prices of edible oil in

India

turned out to be lower than that in 2008, even though the domestic production fell by 5%. Imports which meet around 40% of domestic demand for edible oil is the major factor holding edible oil prices at low level.

Then how come the prices of rice, wheat, egg, sugar, pulses, meat, fish etc... have not decreased? In commodities like pulses, the global market is very thin. The total trade in pulses is around 10 million tonnes, out of which

India

imports about 30%. The global market does not seem to be having the capacity to meet

India

’s rising demand for pulses.

The lack of cooperation between the centre and the states further complicates the likelihood of a quick execution of the import option to meet the domestic shortage, as was seen in the case of sugar recently.

CONCLUSION

It is relevant to ask whether proper food management could check this high inflation levels.

India

needs to be stronger in food management like keeping more buffer stocks and utilising it properly. Proper implementation should be in order and the gap between desired action taken and actual action taken should be minimised to a great extent.

India

needs to invest heavily in expanding storage capacity for various types of food in public and private sectors. A food market regulator should be established to check hoarding and speculative trade. To keep food inflation at low levels,

India

must develop improved technologies for raising food production to meet the ever increasing demand.

The Finnish Move!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 08:15:00 +0000

The government of Finland has announced that 1Mbps broadband access will be a fundamental right, starting from July 2010. The move comes as a precursor to a larger plan to ensure that all the citizens have access to at least 100Mbps connection by 2015.

It is the first country to have done so. The government now considers broadband fundamental enough that it cannot be provided as a commercial profit making venture alone.

Global Warming Will Not be Halted by Current Human Civilization, Warn Scientists

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:47:00 +0000

Nearly 90 percent of climate experts say that current efforts to reign in global warming will fail to prevent an average temperature rise of two degrees Celsius, according to a poll conducted by the British newspaper The Guardian.

The paper sent the survey to all 1,756 participants in a March climate conference in Copenhagen, and received 261 responses from 26 different countries. Two hundred of the respondents were climate researchers, while 61 worked in fields such as industry, economics or social sciences. They included authors of the groundbreaking 2007 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as laboratory directors and university department heads.

Many of the papers presented at the conference presented evidence that the world's climate is likely to warm faster than previously anticipated.

In the survey, The Guardian asked researchers whether it was still possible to prevent global temperatures from rising to two degrees above pre-industrial levels. This is the threshold that has been set as a target by most climate activists and policy makers, and forms the basis of most planned or suggested emissions cuts.

Average global temperatures have already increased by 0.8 degrees since the Industrial Revolution, and would continue to increase another 0.5 degrees even if all burning of fossil fuels ceased tomorrow.

Sixty percent of survey respondents said it was still technically and economically possible to cut fossil fuel emissions enough to prevent a two degree increase. Only 14 percent, however, thought that such cuts would actually occur.

Even among those who believed that a two degree temperature increase would be averted, many admitted that they based this belief on hope rather than on evidence.

Forty-six percent of respondents said that a temperature increase of three to four degrees was most likely by 2100. Twenty-six percent said that temperatures were more likely to rise only two to three degrees, 13 percent predicted increases of four to five degrees, 10 percent predicted increases of two degrees or less, and 5 percent predicted increases of six degrees or more.

How monsoon impacts the Indian economy

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +0000

The much-awaited South West monsoon has hit the Kerala coast. The showers are a blessing for the country, which witnessed the warmest year in 108 years.

With the meteorological department forecasting a normal monsoon this year, there is optimism for India's trillion-dollar economy.

After last year's drought, (though a normal rainfall was predicted) this year's 'normal' monsoon would help boost the agricultural output and bring down the rising inflation.

The monsoon accounts for 80 per cent of the rainfall in India. Even if the monsoon is delayed by few days, it can have an adverse effect on the economy as about half of India's farm output comes from crops sown during the June-September rainy season.

Monsoon is a key to determine agricultural output, inflation, consumer spending and overall economic growth.

While a normal rainfall signals growth and prosperity, a below normal rainfall could spell disaster making food more expensive, aggravating the power, water shortage, hitting industrial production which in turn will put more pressure on the government's kitty.

Economic consequences of Global Warming

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:27:00 +0000

Calculations of the economic impact of global warming are very difficult to make. Some economists speak of a cost of two euros per tonne of carbon, whereas others suggest 50 euros. Among the various figures put forward, one estimates that global warming might cost up to one percentage point of economic growth. It is worth noting that banks, insurance companies, farmers and developing countries are likely to be the most exposed. However, depending on the capacity of adaptation shown by the economy and by political organisations and on possible technological revolutions triggered by the challenge of climate change, a more optimistic outlook is not to be entirely excluded.

IMF AND ITS NEW STAND

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:43:00 +0000

Recession brings the question of protectionism in our minds. Another question which still remains in academic studies of Economics is: ‘Should we keep a check on foreign capital inflows’. Brazil has already imposed a 2% tax on capital inflows during late 2009. And why did they opt for such a move? I’ve already mentioned it in one of my recent articles: INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM. I can explain it once more once again: - Large forex inflows caused a huge appreciation of the Brazilian currency (Real). Due to this appreciation their export competitiveness saw a downfall. This might be a bit difficult for some to understand so let me explain it with an example: Suppose 1$ = 50Rs (Indian Rupee). We know that India is a major exporter to U.S. Now imagine that Indian currency has appreciated and say, the exchange rate has come to 1$ = 30Rs. U.S needs to pay more now. At the same time while we think India must be reaping a lot, India is actually facing a bigger competition now. It is because the U.S may get a cheaper alternative for the goods they purchase from India. Thus India’s export competitiveness is undermined.

Till last year IMF was against taxing of capital inflows, because it would be a hindrance to the self adjusting economy. (IMF of course gave freedom to every economy to decide their stand on this). As economies all over the world are emerging from recession, larger amount of inflows are quite normal. This happens because developed economies seek investment in developing economies because of the laters economic growth rate and trend.

The IMF has recently revisited their belief of “Opposed Capital Controls” and states controls are sometimes justified as a part of the policy framework for an economy seeking to tackle surging inflows. IMF’s study reveals that those economies which had put restraints on capital inflows has seen a less sharp decline in GDP.

IMF’s new stand shows that they are seeking to understand ground realities and help economies to move in the right path.

Georgian media takes things to the ultimate level

noreply@blogger.com (Ravin) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:58:00 +0000

“Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has been assassinated, Russian tanks are advancing on Tbilisi and opposition leaders have seized power”; reported Georgian television station on 13^thMarch 2009. This was followed by fleeing of many nationals, heart attacks and so much of havoc. And when they realized it was fake angry protests followed.

The Imedi television before airing the report announced:- “ It was a stimulation of what might happen if Georgian society is not consolidated against Russia’s aggressive plans. However many viewers missed the warning and watched in horror the 30 minute hoax report broadcast. It used archive footage of five day war in August 2008, when Russian forces crushed Georgian armed attempt to retake the breakaway territory of South Ossetia.

An angry crowd gathered outside Imedi to demand the closure of TV station controlled by Mr Saakashvili’s allies. I Russia, the Georgian TV report was denounced as a provocation.