My.Tryst.With.Insanity

Hazare Khwahishen Aisi, KI Ek Par Pawar to Nikle !

2011-04-13T12:15:00.003+05:30

The Jan Lokpal Bill is being touted as the solution to the menace of corruption. A fierce proponent of the Bill in Anna Hazara, has been catapulted to national stage, ostensibly representing the aspirations and concerns of the soporific The Indian Middle Class. Despite the neat and honest intentions of the civil society to bring about a radical change in the crumbling, debilitating, archaic system, there are some vested interests which have raised their hood to the detriment of the cause of the bill.

During the agitation, Swami Agnivesh, often touted as a protégé of the government, was getting too prominence despite more elaborative works done by the like of Ramdev, who have espoused voice against corruption. As he already is a mediator between the Govt. and the Maoists, there is semblance to the fact that he propagates the interest of the incumbent government. Besides, the Lokpal committee having two people belonging to the same lineage is also a waste of resource. Even if one of the Bhushans’s were there in the team, it would have not deprived the Lokpal committee of their valuable inputs. I especially feel that the co chairman Mr. Shanti Bhushan, with due regards to the pioneering work in laying the foundation of the Lokpal Bill, is too senile to play as a defendant to the gymnastics of the government to derail the process. Similarly when Anna Hazare said that there is a need to constitute the committee comprising people who understand law, what sense does it make to have Swami Agnivesh in the team. Is the law degree that he earned from Calcutta University , still such a strong argument? Would not have been better to have a voice in the committee that would have been fearless , represented the conscience of the people, Swami Ramdev!

During the course of the agitation, what was a bit disappointing was the fact that there was no tangible opponent against which you are pitted. Systems, Procedures are created by humans and not vice versa. When we fight the system, there are bound to be people who are resistant to change and as agitators we should be targeting them. Taking their support and even thanking them, makes a complete mockery of the agitation. However you cannot alienate the whole political class at the same time by branding them corrupt, a sweeping statement that is bound to ruffle feathers, amongst those who are still a rarity in politics, i.e. honest politician, funnily an Oxymoron !

Finally one funny thing. At the peak of the agitation, the support that poured in from all quarters, must have been bemusing to the fasting Anna. When the people who are your opponents, at whom you are taking potshots, also take side with you, one must be left wondering who are we doing it against! It is like a wedding procession with all its grandeur, marching towards the brides’ venue, but the brides’ family too joins the troupe and when they reach the venue, realization dawns in, where are the people to make the arrangements. J

Job Shop @ B-School

2010-04-07T11:36:00.002+05:30

India , newly struck by materialism ,has a unique tendency to judge success or failure of education especially of MBA with the pay packages offered . The trend has become so perverse that it brings out synergies between the recruiters , the employers and the institutes to inflate the packages to the benefit of all but the aspiring MBA candidates , who once inside the hallowed portals of B-Schools are in for a reality check .
As India is a newly capitalised society , we are yet to come to terms with the repercussions of the contents of the job. Because we have been subjected to the precincts of government job , we take many things for granted when we opt for private sector jobs . But that extrapolation does not always hold true. Add to it the peer pressure , the social prestige of quoting exorbitant audacious salary figures , people finally give in to it .

I am not here to preach the virtues of government job over private sector job. For it will be out of bias , that my opinion might not be completely objective . However my contention is that we now need to move over and look beyond the numbers . We need to judge a job qualitatively , giving due weight age to the profile , the suitability . After all a job is a key lock mechanism . Your not fitting job profile does not make you unfit for work . Therefore it is hardly surprising that people who opted for the highest paying jobs are , in the not so distant future looking for a change desperately or worse off quit their job with a malice towards the corporate world .
Things might look rosy from distance and they are to an extent but as there is a saying that there are no free lunches , we should also be aware of the risks inherent .
In the end , it is the personal capability , the skill set and to an extent the fortitude that will take an individual to places .

Price for Failure ! Too big to Pay , Is it Really So ?

2009-05-24T16:08:00.003+05:30

A student committed suicide after he failed in his Class 12 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) mathematics examination in Patna police said on Sunday.

Mohammad Tabish Imam, 17, hanged himself on Saturday in his Manas path residence here after failing in the exam. He was a student of Shivam Public School.

A police officer said the case is being investigated.

Imam's father Mohammad Akhtar said, "My son was depressed after failing in mathematics. He, however, got 72 per cent over all in the examination."

A neighbour Sunil Prasad said Imam was a hard working boy and was shocked after failing in mathematics. "Examination failed him in life also," Prasad said.

It is one of the most depressing stories oft repeated , where students succumb to peer , parental and expectational baggage to out do others . It reflects a traumatic , decadent system at work that rates mental aptitude in a span of three hours by the yardstick of your vomitting all that you have inside you.

When God created humans and gave us the faculties to think , was it destined that some so called more mortals of us shall dictate , measure the mental faculties we posses . Is an examination , that is so uniform in structure , well designed enough to gauge all our calibre.
Some of the biggest contributors to the world of academics have been the ones who not just shunned but decried it . Some like Einstein have earnestlty attempted to redefine the precints of education as an end to a means of continuous knowlwdge enhncement.

As a matter of fact to succeed in world , what we are measuring in the confines of classroom is hardly of any relevance that will be required to equip ourselves to face the onslaught of world.

Also the government of the day needs to actively promote the concept of vocational training of equipping people with the requisite skills to empower them as truly competent human resources that are assets.

The stigma of failure can be lessened by giving another opportunity to reappear in the exam in the same year , atlest two more times , so save a precious year from being wasted. These days , the level of questions is such that , a month of intense preparation shall be enough to secure pass marks.

Now comes the more pertinent question , How does the afflicted party come to terms with it? I believe the first and the most important factor is your mental toughness . A person who shows resilience in the face of the most ardous times is destined for success . The change has to come from within , there has to be a sense of urgency prevailing , understanding the magnanimity of the problem . Passing it under the carpet , is not doing justice to the causes of failure .

Then comes the seriousness followed by a quiet yet steady effort piling up to prove a point of excellence . And remember , the most successful people are those who to accomplish what they strive come out of their comfort zone , achieve their goals and then recluse back to old self. We should be smart enough to attend the call of the times .

And how much whatsoever tough the going be , always the worst case of failing again should be deterrent enough to keep complacency at bay .

Eventually , it has been proved times immemorial , that success cannot elude the one to whom it belongs. Make yourself that coveted one .

For it is better to deserve and not receive than to receive and not deserve.

The Elections 2009

2009-05-20T01:43:00.008+05:30

The elections to 15 th Lok Sabha came to a spectacular end . It lay shattered many of the myths of psephologists who predicted doom , prophesying emergence of third front as the kingmaker .

In the end , the elections were a tame win for the Congress led UPA , with third front left tattering while NDA scrambling for cover after one of the most vituperative elections campaigns .

These elections went the way they actually went , primarily for the reasons that most of the analysts hogging all the limelight on audio visual media , do not care to put before the gullible media .

OBC Quota : Though the issue raised much hue and cry , with protest erupting all over the country from the pro and the anti lobby , it in a way marked the commitment of UPA to bring about inclusive growth . With springing of so many IIT 's and IIM's , day in day out , an urban voter that might have felt alienated by the divisive caste politics found some succour .
NREGA : It was a well conceived , however equally ineptly executed scheme that made a sincere effort to bring the ostracized rural folks back into the mainstream . In fact a preliminary analysis of the elections results show a high correlation of the scheme success and the electoral dividends reaped by the incumbent . In fact at states , where the Congress gained was , the support wave was mainly directed as a token of angst for its tardy implementation.
LK Advani Vs Manmohan : In the battle of titans, it was Manmohan who won handsomely from the electorates . May be the baggage of the past was too much for Mr. Advani , despite having one of the best credentials for the top job , to shackle the voters inclination .
Inertia : The problem with Indian electorates or the Opposition parties is that they do not believe in creating public. On issues of concern , haranguing rather than debating is the medium of transgressing information . And Indian youth especially living in the urban landscape , just does not want to get himself deeply embroiled to get to the root cause . In that case , status quo serves well and the incumbent gains . To throw a government , a strong undercurrent , has to be nurtured , which was a grand failure of the opposition despite so much pressing and failures on governance and implementation .
Polarisation : The anti minority polarisation was led by the cunning Mr. Naveen Patnaik , abetted by media by repeatedly snaring up Godhra , and the final cross of the albatross was Mr Varun Gandhi vilification of the Muslims . With regional parties failing to provide a viable alternative , the vote that anyways would have never come to BJP , consolidated to Congress .
Youth (Rahul and Priyanka's Appeal ) : The Gandhi clan once again succeeded in prevaricating its youth focus while BJP , despite brimming with intelligentsia drawn from IIT amd IIM's like Sudheendra Kulkarni , struck an election campaign devoid of age , sex appeal to woo the youths. I am pretty sure most of the women and majority of men would have been floored by dapper looking Rahul and equally if not pretty Priyanka . The kind of united face presented to the volleys of questions raised , and the rebuttal from all corners , put BJP in a spot .
Media : A cursory look at the media brings to light the inherent media bias for anti BJP . It only reinforced in the course of election with too much praise on qualities like honesty when it cannot be a selection criteria for a PM . steering the economy in the times of most difficulties .
Extreme of Centre : BJP's constant harping of ideological and terror issues failed to strike a chord with the voters looking for more tangible promises at least on the face of it . BJP will now have to do a lot of introspection that despite being the natural party of governance , it failed to carry the message to the voters . Also the election slogan of BJP , failed to strike a chord with the rural brethren , who still are struggling to make both ends meet. A more simple , inclusive , policy oriented slogan would have been more voter acceptable .
Price Rise , Still not Wise : Why was not price rise an issue . It was for the taking , it could have resonated with the masses , who have taken a beating on account of unprecedented surge in prices of essential items .
Incumbency Gains : Schemes like Loan Waiver , Pay Commision also hepled the Congress the tweak the anti incumbency at the cost of fiscal discipline , which culminates in the amendment of FRBM .

Now that the fort has been lost , the Dream shattered , is it the end of bipolarity in Indian National politics . Will BJP now come under severe infighting and Congress reap the benefits of Incumbency .

The answer is

Short Term : Yes

Long Term : No.

To answer the second , BJP still is the most viable alternative . It has to groom its second run leadership , turn soft on core ideological issues , propagate the right wing ideas intermingled with the best drawn from left , give due weightage to grass root work as source of mobilizing public opinion .

On the positive side , the states where it is incumbent are hot spots of action. Every state needs to be converted ob Gujrat model as source of Good Governance .

And now that the Congress , has been entrusted with the mandate , it will be sooner rather than later when crushing impact of the failed , populist monetary policies coupled with failing revenues on account of economic slowdown starts eating into it.

What seeds of Fiscal mismanagement , they have ploughed , they shall now start bearing thorns and will pinch them like anything . Now that the Congress strategy of making Manmohan a night watchman for 2014 , will start crumbling , the new power equations , with appeals from the PM to have Rahul in the cabinet being displayed through public media , will become more glaring and hopefully more intolerable , for BJP to leverage it .

It will be an opportunity that should not need an invitation to be grabbed . And for the time being , it is best to lie low and set the house in Order .

Elections 2009 : A Curtain Raiser

2009-05-12T23:36:00.004+05:30

The most celebrated festival of democracy is drawing to a close . It was a phenomenal event considering the span and the depth of coverage , the magnitude of the cycle and the stakes that were at stake to salvage and for others tarnish their reputation .

And now that the curtains have drawn , I will miss the excitement severely . Tough there is every likelihood of wait for the next elections being in months only a few rather than 5 yrs as stipulated .

In this election new interesting facts and happenings took shape that were to say the least intriguing . Elections I believe are the reflection of society we are currently in , as well as they have a big influence in shaping the views and ideas that we nurture to shape the future . In effect , I will like to do complete recap of the events preceeding elections 2009 .

The just concluded state elections , where the scoreline drew at 3-2 , in favour of congress , set the tone of the things that were to come by . The people of India by and large had shown their support for the incumbent , and the Indian media as always gauging the pulse from a sample suffering from selection bias , extrapolated to declare Congress led UPA , the winner . Theories were formulated by the journalists planted in the media by the Congress , to do reverse engineering , taking refuge in bogus words like Secularism , Gandhi Dynasty , Manmohan Singh's Honesty to sail them through . Even the most wishful thinkers could have hardly imagined to market NREGS , an utter administrative failure as a success , but Marketer and Money power even made that remote possibility look dangerously realistic .

Mr. Rahul Gandhi and his ilk , as usual were the cynosure of eyes of the media . With prince charming , and his utterly butterly sister , giving media bytes , it was a delight to listen and watch the two in action . In fact all those proponents of Nature Vs Nurture debate must have shifted to the side of nurture seeing the meteoric rise of Rahul Gandhi , from his days of incipiency as a politician .

Mr. L . K . Advani , showed that despite age , his mental alertness and his sharpness was still unbeatable . He has set a new standard for younsters that age is just a matter of mind rather than of biology . In fact at many fronts his team of bright and enterprising web content managers unleashed a promotional campaign that besides being informative set the tone for probing discurssive debates . It also led into the oblivion , the erstwhile master of divisive politics Mr Lalu and Mulayam . Unable to cope with the changing times , they were pushed on the backfoot.

Another limelight stealer was Varun Gandhi , who bought to fore the vengeance afflicted Mayawati and his mean administration. It also made Indians feel insecure that in a country like India, calling for the protection .

The election results debunk the theory that sops in an election year do not work. The largesse that was showered on farmers , aam aadmi at the cost of fiscal prudence has paid a return on capital , that can even put to shame the smartest , meanest bankers now defunct at Wall Street.

The theory of some faint correlation between public angst , media coverage , performance when in power and the election outcome , has become inexplicably contrived with each factor , outdoing the other in making the things comples like never before.

Mothers Day

2009-05-11T00:53:00.006+05:30

It is one of the most enduring relationships that has finally become a prey to the commercial exploiters . Every now and then , newspapers are awash with doting children eulogising their parents for the virtues they have imbibed in them from parenting. The things have come to such a passe that it has become ridiculous , overtly over expressive , exaggerated and aggrandized .

It has struck me why only mothers who are in the business of glam world always highlighted as success . Is it because they make an appealing read for one and all . Why not the poorest of woman , a destitude who is struggling to make both ends meet not higlighted , not as success story but as the horrors of motherhood , the pain and the agony when one is not able to give to their child what by Law of Nature bound to be their destiny ,Care and Nurture .

Every individual , is a success in his own right . Assigning success to only those who are wealthy , is doing injustice to the concept of affection that ought not be measured in terms of success but the journey and the overcoming of great hindrances .

Mothers Day , was celebrated with all the fanfare just the preceeding week . All those mothers , exemplified as page 3 phenomenon , were the ones who hogged the limelight . It sounded so funny to hear them preach the virtues of love , affection when they themselves have outsourced it to nannies , manning their wards . As a mother , when one is staying away from the child , the child is being done an irreparable damage. Even a young toddler , incipent in his cognitive skills , is accustomed to get impatient when the mothers , always maketed as a go getter in the corporate world , should be heading for home .He is missing the warmth , the concern , the empathy , the tender love being showered by his only soulmate , leaving a deficit that is irrevocable.

All these manufactured , concocted stories of mothers playing dual role to the perfect are sources of great discomfort to the ones who are actually the brunt of working woman . For them it is a guilt that they are not able to match their peers with a finesse .

I think the concept of super human beings is just a concocted piece of work . Humans have to have their shares of failures , their agonies.

How to Increase Voters Turnout !

2009-05-10T00:30:00.004+05:30

In India , the Festival of Democracy , the Celebration of Empowerment , the Election is no longer a mass event . It is left to the confines of MBA Prospects struggling to find jobs to come and vote en mass in the hope that the new government will initiate development works to kick start the economy , the Government Employees looking for the best deal on offer for wage revision from the plethora of manifesto promises , and the omnipresent Aam Aadmi .

The young Turks of the country are however laggards when it comes to polling , for the heat is too much for the cloistered brats to undertake the herculean task of voting . However , with some liberal EC directives , the polling process can be made more interesting , more involving and more participative .

I suggest a list of initiatives for the same :

Make the entry a Couple Entry . However for Stags , some strong incentives in the form of exciting offers on Bharat Matrimonials can be offered to lure them .
Allow DJ's to set up stands , to attract the crowds and keep them entertained .
Screen all the Slug fest that transpired during the campaigns , selecting the choicest of the invectives to see to it that the voters can connect with their electorates .
Instead of a an indelible mark on the middle finger , some exciting offers such as Tattoos on the most seductive part of the body should be introduced . It will in effect promote the local craftsmen and their waning ilks .
Offer lucky draws in the form of Tax concessions , filming of election sloganeering films , and a vow to promote it on Doordashan (Let DD finally do some national service) .
The mall crazy GenNext can e lured by the offers of attractive discounts on presenting the mark of Baptism . Shoppers that might be included to en cash on the craze can be Sun Cream Manufacturers (For Men and Women, who ventured out in the blazing sun , would like to have the damage to their glowing skin undone ) , Trendy Umbrella Designers for that archaic protection from the sun , Trendy and Hip Hops Sun Glasses looking to flaunt it at the polling booth .
Election Commission can commission celebrities as Brand Ambassadors , for promoting election as means of empowerment.
In fact some schools have come up with a novel idea of Grace Marks for the child , who makes sure both his parents make their presence felt at the polling booth .
In fact attendance at polling booth can be marketed as lesson where we are ahead technologically , by the extensive usage of EVM , when the World's superpower still adheres to ballot papers .
Showing up at election booth can be a great way to learn how diversity , empowermnt , celebration of emancipation especially of the long suppressed and still disciminated has come a long way from the days of Raj .
On the election it should become the duty of the pretty looking damsels , and heart stopper beauties , to flock the polling booth in the most glaring , gaudy style quotient for that will keep the men , young and old , interested for a visit to the polling booth .

Show Your Middle Finger !

2009-05-07T12:00:00.011+05:30

It is the season of Middle Finger . It is being shown by anyone to anyone with reputation of either party a matter of least consideration . Lets recapitulate who all have been leading the charge .

Mr. Obama showed his Middle Finger to proponents of Free Trade with the removal of Double Taxation Avoidance Tax Treaty . His Middle Finger will punch a deep hole in the money minting Indian Outsourcing industry .
In IPL , Kolkata Knight Riders , expressed their solidarity to the cause of Middle Finger , by losing a streak of matches , much to the pain in the ass of KKR , owner Shah Rukh Khan .
Bachhan and his extended family (excluding Amar Singh) , were found posing their Middle Finger to the shutterbugs , waiting anxiously for India's biggest brand to become the face saver when on the same day , the whole of Mumbai showed their Middle Finger to the much touted , over hyped , Save India from Indian Politicians Campaign . Mumbai voted a dismal low of 42 % , even beating Dada with a string of low than lower scores.
Dhoni and Harbhajan , showed their Middle Finger to the Sports Awards by not attending them . Mr Dhoni went a step ahead , he dangled his Middle Finger , pointedly towards Mr Bacchhan , by not responding to his greetings on Mr Dhoni's felicitation by the Government
Tech Mahindra , under the steward ship of Mr. Anand Mahindra , showed their big , erect , pointed Middle Finger to the suitors , lining up for ceremonial marriage with erstwhile Jhootham , but now Satyam .
The economy was not left behind far either . It slapped a face on the Optimists , who still believe the World Economy will go down further , taking the cause of Pessimists , who felt it cannot go worse further .
In Political arena , it is Middle Finger all around . Mr. Naveen Patnaik , staring his Middle Finger to BJP , the electorates of Bihar , supposedly as per exit surveys , will be showing their middle finger to Lalu and his ilk , Mr. Rahul Gandhi showed his Middle Finger to all his allies in one go by his "From the Heart" press conference , Mr. Pawar Prime Ministerial aspirations were shown the Middle Finger , and Kasab's antique to depict himself as a Juvenile was shown the Middle Finger by the court .

Now that the Middle Finger Bug is all around , even we should express solidarity with their cause . We the Indians now under oath , should show up ass on the Polling Day , at the nearest election Booth , so that when time comes for the shutterbugs to press the flash , even we can , with that dumb celebrity like ever gleaming , encapsulating all the excitement , visible post baptism , can too show

Our Big Middle Finger

Cast Your Vote , Not Vote Your Caste .

MBA :Retrospection

2009-05-06T00:54:00.004+05:30

As an MBA in the making , these are the times of real pain. With dreams in our , we had entered the hallowed portals of India's premier B Schools , of making a mark , of marking our money . And so far the journey has bee disappointing . It might sound on the hinge of pessimism , but the matter of the fact is this recession has taken its toll .

Education as a medium financial emancipation is over hyped especially in the Indian context , where the economy is struggling to be on the extreme of centre . On one hand education imbibes in us virtues of ethics , social well being , on the other hand the vagaries of business compel us to throw all our limitations to the cemetery , deeply buried .

MBA education is not about knowledge , it about skills , of people management , of networking , of Quid Pro Quo , of being counted one amongst them in the group , of not letting your cards open and yet baring from others , of stabbing in the back , of leading and laying people , of using gender as a means to promote business interest , of taking apolitical stand on issues , of having myopic view of the benefits , of letting society come later before the self .

But I have learned another aspect of the education , and that is all the above mentioned traits are proper pieces of shit . MBA education is knowledge based , however it is a different matter altogether that we hardly invest time and effort as well as the mental faculties to come to terms with the subjects being delivered . Everything is let pass under the garb of being too frivolous , too menial without any technical challenge to the cognitive brain . But these are mere excuses. What is actually happening is that the exact impact is not being established , it is being by passed . In business even the slightest of information can be path breaking if it is analyzed in its totality . It can drive organizations to strategically shift their business goals ,alter their mission statement .

We need to develop that skill , that bloody aptitude to look through things , drive the change and all along use information to our advantage by applying the fraudster skills of regression to infer pre determined conclusions.

Regression modelling , one of the most dreaded subjects on MBA curriculum , are an aid of giving objective proof to what is supposed to be subjective . It is a potent weapon that with all its might can be flexed to an extent that despite spiralling prices , deflationary fears among policy makers become a pain in the ass.

Dogs of Kolkata : Kolkata Diaries II

2009-05-05T00:27:00.004+05:30

Kolkata is least expected to stick to the high virtues of hygiene and cleanliness . Everywhere you go you find streets littered with stubs of burnt cigarettes , the tiny plastic vessels that once were filled with fragrance tea , licked to the hilt by the tea connoisseur. The stray cattle is as omnipresent as are the humans . With almost the most diverse diseases afflicting them , they represent the neglected side of the city , which is finding it hard to provide care to more humanly brethren .

So on my jog , every now and then , on the track of concrete at Salt Lake GD Park , I see what Abhishek Bachhan saw when he ran in the meanest streets of Walled City with an iPhone pumping adrenaline . Dirt , Uncleanliness and the Civility of the Dogs , Stray ones.

In Kolkata , individualism has ceased to exist. The taxis , the Cabs , the Workers are unionized and this has rubbed onto the stray cattle. One hardly finds dogs in solitude or in the company of humans ,they always on lookout for the carnal consummation . However one thing striking about them is even they are oblivious of the surroundings , consummating right in front of more amorous humans , barking every now and then to make their presence felt , and warding of intruders who may unleash hell aka the Animal Farm.

These stray dogs are well bred when it comes to reciprocating hugs and affection showered on them now and then by passers by who especially at tea stalls are more than willing to share their tits and bits of confectionery. It astonishes me how even the dogs , under duress have turned to vegetarianism to keep them barking enough . Some more caring , Maneka Gandhi types even care to bring especially cooked food to feed them where they assemble as ritual , fuelling suspicion in me of it being and Anti Bone meet .

As a jogger it has always bothered me to have a stray dog , follow me with the ill intention of stripping me of some of my flesh. But even here the dogs are oblivious . In fact to my utter surprise some of them have even lent me way while they came in direct collision of my course .

In Delhi , it is next to impossible to postulate that . The difference between the two cities is striking and it takes in its fold the fauna too .

Allegations Verbatim Countered .

2009-05-02T23:51:00.006+05:30

I am in the habit of sharing the minutest of political information that is worth deciding the political landscape of the country. Being a active supporter of the BJP , I intentionally mailed across a list of action items that BJP plans to implement if elected to power.

And Oh Boy, it let loose a plethora of hate mails , some even not finding the contents of the mail not profound .But one of the more interesting and thorough mail , was from RGB . It was heartening to see that the future of India is so concerned about the politics . Though the mail countered what I was propounding , it never the less raised relevant and probing questions.

One of the question concerned the implementation aspect considering that the promises the manifesto made were already incorporated in the five year plans. It is valid to argue that these are fake manifesto promises , designed to beguile the electorates.

I think otherwise . The political party here is promising of deliverance , not of resetting the limits. If we look at the record of the incumbent government , on implementation it has faltered badly. CAG has castigated it for lapses in implementation of hugely popular NREGS , with a strike rate of 5 %. On the front of infrastructure development , the road construction has been lackaisdasical with project completion of just 40% , compared to 99% in 2004. Some may argue on absolute count , even then it fares poorly. It amounts to construction of 5 km/day from 11 km/day in 2004.Even on airport construction , the investments have come from the private sector at a time of booming economy, but with the caveat of hefty user charges which in the times of recession will severely hurt the already fragile aviation industry. Even the much touted Sagar Mala project is in total doldrums.

Next comes the question of financing the projects. If the government can borrow 2,45, 000 crores to finance its fiscal mismanagement , it should without any hitch borrow to fund infrastructure. China recently announced a massive fiscal stimulus of $600 Billion , which has helped to revive it faltering economy. The BJP manifesto promises to start metro services in 25 cities. To the uninitiated it may look unreasonable to concurrently proceed project implementation. But technically and financially it is very much feasible. Even the much touted DMRC , has costs of around 11,000 Cr, with Central government contributing only 34%, the rest financed by State Govt and JBIC (Japan Bank of International Co operation). Also the point to note is that DMRC was a pioneering concept , in the most expensive place with the most challenging engineering at work in the most hostile ventured environment.Now that expertise has been developed , costs of cloning should be less , economies of scale shall be realized subsequently .A replication of the project will be a booster for the economy in terms of creating jobs and spurring demand. Also the cost will be incurred subsequently and not at one go , therefore with revenues multiplying despite a minor chunk of the population paying taxes, funding will be challenging but achievable.

On the front of tax limits , exempting people with income in excess of Rs. 3 Lacs, is better than spending huge amounts spurring demand by way of subsidies. I have an inkling the manifesto mentions only the give ways not what will be taken back. But never the less , it will be spectacular for it will be streamlining and right targeting of the intended beneficiary.

Even the much touted railways seems more like fudging of accounts . An analysis of the balance sheet reveals Pension Funds earn marked , have been netted to income statement inflating profits. As a traveler , the prosperity of railways is still to trickle down. In fact the revenue break up reveals more than 2/3rd of revenue coming from freight. And ask any industry insider , how the railways induces them to freight charge them. I still see uncleanliness , trains running behind schedule , outdated wagons and engines chugging along. Track renewal , Introduction of high speed connectivity are still a distant far.

Another booster has to come in the form of inland river system and this is where interlinking of rivers will come into play.The total project cost of 2.5Lacs Crores might be intimidating , through innovative financing it is achievable for it entails huge pay offs in terms of savings. As for the funding , if we can pay 2,80, 000 Lacs Cores to breathe life into ailing nuclear producers in the US in the name of technology transfer , we need to set our priorities right.

In the end , I would say that it must be kept in mind that a Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Small Step , A Step called Foresight.

Mr Murthy .. A Study in Contrast

2009-04-21T22:24:00.002+05:30

Before I write anything , let me first set the record straight .. I abhor Congress , I detest Manmohan Singh more than Arjun Singh , and Sonia Gandhi is not even worth for my antgonism.

Mr. Narayan Murthy off late has been making judgmental statements sitting on the bench . He is proposing some of the most ridiculous theories and just because of his stature in the media , he is highly being acknowledged. In fact a point to point rebuttal is not even imaginable by the sycophant media.

Though I read a criticism of Mr. Murthy at the height of educational reservations protest, my judgment was too clouded to pay any heed for the person criticizing Mr. Murthy was prophesying reservations as a tool to social equality. It is not that I support reservations, in fact I oppose it more vigorously, the point of reconciliation is empathy as well as diligent attempt to appreciate others concern.

In hindsight I believe Mr. Murthy is too egoistic, too capitalistic and too opportunistic to stand for the post of a public servant. For a person who has worshipped capitalism, practiced one of the most exploitative outsourcing industry albeit ostensibly raising India's stature globally has his own set of limitations to look for society benefit especially in times when IT industry per se is in stress.

He espouses causes which makes him a political maverick, another Ellsworth Toohey in search for that Howard Roark but does not want to get into bad books of any political party. He plays himself to the audience’s desire offering his bits itsy bitsy now and then. On the question of his being in the fray, he dodges the question on the ground that he is too old to take an active plunge. I can see the hypocrisy of the man.

Recently one of the boys from Kolkata joined Infosys and unfortunately succumbed to rigorous academic schedule. In stead of offering any sympathies, Mr. Murthy in his typical sly attitude flicks the question into a news controversy of the efficacy of having independent candidates contesting elections. In fact he goes on to offer his support for them. But is it support for the ideas they or corporate comrade at display is anyone’s guess.

As a seasoned corporate tycoon , does he think the lot of independent candidates will bring about the paradigm shift they profess to bring. Do they have in them, the political as well as human capability to manage the transformation from corporate ladder where the trigger of pink slips which makes people sweat whereas no such terror terms are even heard of in public institutions.

The point is as responsible and fortunately more influential corporate czar, what should be propagated should be practical. After all any maverick will tell you that without the big two of political parties, government formation is not possible. As a man who has his ideology firmly regimented in team culture , it is more surprising that what he preaches is not what he is practicing.

10 Reasons why Elections rule over IPL !

2009-04-19T01:10:00.007+05:30

Here we go

1) The Suspense : In IPL , players stick to their teams for the tenure of the tournament , while no such restriction applies to political candidates who can switch parties under the garb of secular credentials. They keep the electorates guessing.

2) The Fashion Quotient : Crcket has become regimented in the dress code for players . Can we expect players coming to play with turbans on , in dhotis with zips or even in shorts . In political arena it is all possible.

3) The Money : In IPL we loosen our purse strings to feel the action live , however in electioncampaigns we are paid to bear the ignominy of curse ridden exhortations.

4) The Lure of Filmstars : With filmstars turning into poltical campaigners , the IPL is even losing out on this front. In IPL it will be preposterous , to imagine hand folding shah rukh khan pleading to support his Kolkata Knight Riders , in poltics you can aspire for a jadu ki jhappi with sanju baba for supporting SP.

5) The Audible Verbal Duels : Sledging is what goes on between players while the audiences are left wondering. In politics it is a no holds barred game . What you say is only a starting ground for what will eventually come in tomorrows headlines.

6) The Moderator : ICC has been relegated , even the much publicised Harbhajan Slapgate has been dumped . However the EC has newly acquired advsory responsibilities and it has indiscriminately exersiced it . So the question will be , who's next in the line of fire, can that be said in certain terms for IPL !! :(

7) Even the much coveted hugs from film stars to players are becoming subjects of media glare . Preity Zinta , Shilpa Shetty no doubt would be delightfully hugged and reciprocated to pump up the adrenalin or semens levels , but dude they are our paymasters and that too bleeding profusely after season one. Play safe is the best way. And what about the Indian Culture , we are not yo yo , atleast we can prettend to be not ones . In elections there is family drama unfolding which can even put to shame K kween Ekta Kapoor. Where can you see wily Arjun Singh campaigning against his own daughter for the altar of his commitment to party . It is a lesson for all those who have missed shiv khera's inspirational talks , what comes first family or duty ? It is duty officially , actually it is family . (Arjun Singh feels sorry and cries in public and shows a soft corner for Varun G)

8) Modi Vs Modi : It is Lalit Vs Narendra , and as per past results the former is a bigger entertainer as well as impressive rabble rouser though poltically both are left to be on the right.

9) IPL is a struggle based only on regional entities but elections are a struggle on account of caste , age , urban & rural aspirations , religion , regionalism , idealogy , fundamentalism , job creation , terror fear , hindutva agenda , personal animosity (not one gandhi vs the other ) , ...

In short it becomes more entertaining.

10) And yeah elections affect our future but not IPL , though it is not a major reason to affect the priority order after all we Indians grow despite the government.

Before he changed the World , the World changed him

2009-04-18T23:57:00.012+05:30

Che Guevera (Fuser) is all over the place atleast photogenically if not idealogically. Whether that be the T- Shirts worn by GenNext always in search of an easy way out or the sensuously revealed denim deprived butts of women with IQ of an amoeba in . He has become more of an icon for the looks which never the less rugged , masculine encapsulate what men desire to inculcate and women aspire when they consummate : a wild rage.

Motorcycle diaries is just not another attempt to capture the man and his brave ideas. It is more than that . It aims to capture the philosphy , the enthusiasm , the supreme confidence , the concern and the empathy for the downtrodden. His zeal is at display all through out the film , more so when we account for the fact he criss crosses the country on a rickety motorcycle, THEMIGHTY ONE, traversing across one of the most rugged terrains , to learn explore the continent he belongs to and to bed as many damsels as possibly possible.

His honesty , his commitment , his dilligence is commendable. As illustrated , even under the most tiring circumstances , he clings on to the money given to him by his sweetheart for that coveted american frock , that was a rage down south of America . Che however parted his most priced belonging not for his desires but for his cause he so strongly espoused . In fact his queationing of rituals , made him a harbinger of hope , a spark in the darekened lives of people ostracized by society and left to the mercy of few selfless yet human , doctors. I still can vividly play the moments , when on his penultimate night with the leprosy victims , he swam across the dangerously turbulent river to be with his brethren in whom , they a glimmer of hope , an ignition of life towards the fag end of the wig . His simple beliefs of giving joy was a formidable course of action which cultivates in him organizing the soccer match. The mood of the crowd was electric and even IPL spectators would not have matched the enthusiasm that was flowing in the crowd , as well as rubbing on to the players who had just forgotten to walk upright .

Che was not an extra ordianary man . He was an ordinary man with unflinching commitment to his cause . He was an icon who saw hope as the stimulus for his struggle against oppresors. To him means was not important , the destination was and he openly espoused violence as a medium of change.

I still vividly remember the unfolding of the events , frame by frame with the doctor who helped him in his march to the southern tip of America . Impressed and pleased with them , the doctor offered them to review a book he had been compiling all his professional life to have it published one day as a work of art . It was an attempt to get the compliments he yearned to listen . Che's friend willingly played to his host wishes yet Che remained unmoved . He criticized the compilation vehemently , did not mince to derate the pathetic grammar usage as well why the reader felt so aghastly once going through it. In effect he spoke what he felt , and whatever he felt , he never kept to himself. I think this was the biggest ingredient in his making of a rebel ,an anti establishment dude who went to great limits to serve his ideas and philopshies.

In fact the history will not be replete with instances where a current state minister goes to the rescue of people pursuing guerilla warfare to actively involve himself in their struggle and be eventually be executed by the CIA, in field . It is one of the most pertinent reasons to make America , a sore for the communists.

In fact the the other highlight of the movie is the learning that at times the destination is not of much significance if in the course of journey one starts deriving pleasure from the process. Though at the begining of his adventure , the overridding feeling in Che must be to reach the rendzvous , safe nd sound to retract to his family eagerly waiting for him. However once there , the urge to start the return journey just does not seem to exist. The journey has bought mutationary changes , the man is not the same anymore , things are the same but the perspectives have developed . The infancy of beliefs has given way to an idealogy of belief, resounding faith in oneself and a fire within to be the medium of change.

Motorcycle diaries is not just the story of Che. It can be the story of every one of us if we imbibe the lessons that nature has conspired to teach us.

"Wandering around our America has changed me more than I thought. I am not me any more. At least I'm not the same me I was." ~ Guevara at film's end.

In every threat , there comes an opportunity , and an opportunity comes only to those who are ready to grab it. And grabbers are those who cling on to any low hanging fruit before anyone else does . Naturally question comes how to identify the timing , pat comes the reply why stop jumping ! :)

Kolkata Diaries !

2009-04-17T23:01:00.003+05:30

The city of joy has infectious things about it. Besides being lazy , a perfect anti thesis to the enterprsing spirit that surges across the southern states and an air of antiquaty , it is unlike any other metro . With marwari and bengali community dominating the demographic profile it reperesents an eclectic culture that imbibes the best as well as the not so best from what they have to offer.

Culturally, Kolkata is second to none. With magnificient architectuaral marvels standing across the landscape , it lends credence to the raj that once manifested in all its grandeur. The tuk tukkia , ferrying passengers while emitting the obnoxious smoke is an environment's nightmare. However the emergence of cab service souldering the dead man's burden , primarily serviced by modified maruti van is a perfect example of car pooling , the benefits of which we are preached but never as a practice pursue. And how can one dare miss out the trams and metro . Trams though have long outlives their utility are still chugging along as if they have the mandate to carry the legacy of jams , ill planning and honesty of tram conductor forward.

For a person from north india , another striking feature is the level of pseudo intellectualism at display. It seems like the city is at war preserving what indeed does not belong to it. The past however splendid , whatsoever glorious it may be cannot be a substitute for the present. Coming lasltly to the men and more importantly the women , you see and you awe , why the bounty of beauty is bestowed on them . No wonder bong babes rule the roost in bollywood . My judgement is the perfect mingling of modernity with a rich culture is what makes them so attractive . Even the weather , in all its monstrosity , makes them bong babes smokingly appealing over the baking earth .

However despite what Kolkata is , reality is the city is sinking . May be the citizens will deny the fact , a rudimentary analysis brings to fore the lack of success stories of signifance.

Though CPI might have done good work in implementing the utopian ideas of equity , with a strong land distribution movement , now is the time to move over . Capitalism has to be embraced . The noose of trade unions has to be broken albeit not completely. Work as an ethic has to be promulgated only then we can see kolkata on the move again. It not only has to carry the burden of itself but of the entire north eastern region that somehow has been delinked from the mainstream. Concepts like Salt Lake , need to be replicated .

The problem as i can see electorally is that there is too much of a disconnect between the rural and urban cenrrs. With the numbers favoring the rural brethren , what suits them runs the show in urban centres creating a highly disillusioned society , highly dissatisfied and gruntling along.

The stronghold of red flag is so severe that nobody raise its voice . It has unleashed a terror for it empowers people at the cost of fear of law . The amount of helplessness you see on the face of a policeman makes us remember MMS .

Undoubtedly the city is yearning for a change and whether it be Mamta or some crooked politician ,it is not bound to be a another red flag bastion.

The Uncertainity over Certainity !

2009-04-16T00:27:00.004+05:30

We have been conditioned to objectivity. Whether that be while writing the MBA entrance exams or the IIT JEE exams in the new avatar as single stage selection process . We have been made to believe that numbers are the most definite way of making your point . They leave so scope for ambiguity and reflect the intellectual as well as the depth of the person making the point.

But that was before we entered B Schools, before we listened to endless debates on the economy prior to elections. All the valid arguments of objectivity stand upside out . Why is it so ? Why a practics that has so well stood its ground , become so ineffective.

The problem is that numbers alone are not enough. At another level , it is the relative comparison that reveals the true picture . And from here things start to get as messy as possible. What should constitute a standard comparison measure , what yardstick b used to make the comparison and in case of conflict what needs to be given precedence . These are the questions of intense delibrations as well require exersicing of our discretion that makes the thing so very subjective . Can yardsticks be developed to replace the ambiguity . The answer is objectively a big no but subjectively it is worth attempting for.

Even in the most dreades field of market research , the reports , the forecasting and the prediction are all an interplay of objective as well as subjective decision making . And as is The chain is as strong as the weakest link , it cannot be denied for this too. So why bother with all this . Why not let the world take its own course . If success had been ours , then why were we not able to predict the financial crisis , the magnanimity of the greed played out by erstwhile coveted i bankers.

The flaw dear is not in them but in us that we play into their tricks. What they show , we believe without bothering to check the precedents . We cannot have only positives , it is life and there can be nothing without its share of vulnerabilities. In our endeavour to flaunt our smart decison making , we bury the associated risks and when the risks stare glaringly in face we take refuge in the invisible hand.

From the stable of Certainly Yours,

Samarth Gupta

Slugfest or SlugFeast

2009-04-15T03:02:00.005+05:30

This is pure exhilarating stuff. For the past week or two , a dramatic paradigm shift has taken place where the celebrities have been relegated to the hermit . What Shah Rukh Khan is saying about IPL , whom Shilpa Shetty is marrying , is Preity Zinta single or ready to mingle with Santwal , what tactics our publicity hungry Rakhi Sawant is upto would have been headlines grabbing stuff. Debates , Experts would have jumped in to lend perspective . But not now , it is not their time , for it is Elections 2009.

It is the most colorful affair in the political itinerary studded with choicest leg pulling , allegations , accusations and frivolous emotional rhetoric. It is the Dance of Democracy where russle and tussle of politics , the good , the bad and the ugly is unleashed before us.

I am told by my mother , that in olden times , for our grandparents especially grand mothers it was an occasion , a festival where the trip to the election booth was studded with folk songs recitation , bridal wear as the dress code . It might look a bit apologetic now , but what it highlighted was the true emancipation of women . The women confined to the four walls found an expression to make themselves count , have their say in the selection of the supreme CEO of the country.

Now that Uncle Sam has smitten us , how can we be far behind in eulogizing the benefits of presidential type of debate between the two prime ministerial aspirants. It is in the interest of democracy that it should happen so that the people can decide whom should they vote for. The argument put forth by the weakest prime minister ever to rule a country , is admission of the fact that the debate is not tilted in his favour. By putting forth arguments such as Advaniji is a great public speaker , the prime minister has sent a message that only garnishing matters , the content is all farcificial . Does he think the electorates of India to be so gullible. Nowhere people judge debates on the oratory skills especially on political platform . Had that been the case the world's best debaters would have been rooling the roost. It is the content and the structure that decides the course of debate . Good public speaking does not precede substance but follows it .

And even if assuming , MM Singhji does not match the oratory prowess , is it not his duty to make himself capable enough to compete. As a PM , you are not supposed to do the manual work but lead the nation , build public opinion . Is it not a hindrance which the MM Singhji is openly unaashedly flaunting.

I see a more sinister design in his campaign. I see that by highlighting his wekness , he is trying to create a sympathy wave to counter the the volleys of the opponents.

As for priyanka , what an immaturity she reflects ? Is congress only designated by her ? Is she anywhere in the electioneering but for campaigning for his brother whom she sees a potential PM material . It is a this lacuna between power and accountabilty that has severely crippled the country.

As for Rahul gandhi , the dude is proper dud. You just got to hear his speeches . The content , the ehortations are so decadent , that it smacks of lack of substance , lack of innovativeness . For how long you can keep praising your family and enlisting its virtues of having laid their lives fighting terrorism ? Does the argument stand ground considering the fact they never went to the battlefield , lived in the most protected or cloistered surroundings . I think this (Con)gress is just the antonym of (Pro)gress.

About Mr Arjun Singh, he has mastered the art of shirking commitment in any of his statements. The statements are open to interpretation reflection of the rebel in him as well as intrerpreted by some of his sychophants as his statesmanship. Remebering AS, one thing comes to my mind. At the peak fervour of Reservation agitation , the media hifglighted that MM Singhji was not a party to the Central Educational Institutional , 2007 just as Mrs Sonia Gandhi. It was his personal agenda to manoevre his political career. What a lie , What a lie ! If this guy cannot get tickets for his son and daughter and yet go to the extent of campaigning against his own blood citing himself as a true guardian of his coomitment to Sonia, would that have not stopped him from pursuing the most divisive agenda of reservation if vetoed by MM Singhji.

It is a matter of fact that India's largest hindu majority has been relegated by the heads of the government who happen to be from the minority one a sikh while the other at least by faith a christian.

The Shivraj Patil of Delhi : Shiela Dixit

2009-04-12T01:13:00.006+05:30

It is strange that for continuously 11 yrs , Mrs Shiela Dixit has been running the government and emerged stronger after every election. To a naive it might seem like the victory of the development politics while to the uninitiated it may be attributed to the fault of the opposition of not being able to provide a viable alternative.
Lets try to put things in perspective and dispassionately analyzse where she has struck the nail . To begin with Delhi , the capital of India always had the first mover advantage. For it represented the pride of India and any foreign dignitary carried the impression that Delhi left on the indelible memory. Successive governments therefore never reined in the purse strings to make Delhi a truly world class city. Infact it acted as a magnet for the whole of North India, where the Human Development Index is such abysmally low that people immigrate to Delhi in search of menial jobs and even worse inhuman living conditions.No wonder the the civic infrastructure was bound to crumble and it did. So why is Mrs Dikshit still a favorite ? This is where the messy politics comes in ... it is deflection of the responsibilty to MCD which is being run by the opposition.
Coming to taking credits , she can even put to shame the left leaders who attribute the financial thawing rather than fearful meltdown to their adamant aggressive agenda while being an outside supporter of UPA. Mrs Dikshit , without blinking takes all the credit for Delhi Metro whicj is unjust considering the fact it is a corporation that is solely out of the purview of government and is run as another corporation. On the issue of transportation , sh undoubtedly has done a good job of constructing one flyover after another and following it with one over the other. But the essence of flyoever is smooth traffic flow and despite her best claims it is not the cure to the problem. Turning to security , she has been crying hoarse of granting Delhi complete statehood to solve the policing issues. One minute .. who is stopping you when you have your very own government at the centre ? Has the delhi assembly even taken the first step to make the recommendation?
Coming to amenities like Electricity , Water and Sanitation, the situation is just not upto the mark . Privatisation of distribution and transmission at the heavy cost of subsidization is not eliminating wastage but transferring annual losses to annual subsidy grants to the private players.
On public transportation front , Bluelines still continue to be meance and despite her rhetoric of banning bluelines they continue to play havoc with lives of road user. DTC , supposed to be the public carrier is not even in the fray of being near a probable alternative to private vehicles. Though new busues are being bought for the government is flush with funds , thanks mainly to VAT , Service taxes , and Income Tax fear that the government has been on a splurging spree.
Housing problem still remains acute with satellite towns the only option to buy flats as the DDA has not lived upto its duty of constructing dwellings to fills the increasingly widening demand supply deficit. Even the much hyped Commonwealth Games is turnig out to be a farce . The preparations are grossly inadequate , the misaapropriation of funds in anyones's guess and the damage to the environment is irrevocable. On the environment , the credit goes to supreme court for sticking to its stand and making all the public transport vehicle srun on CNG. I will tell you something intersting , you just take a Bluline bus , get into a convival consersation with the consuctor and the startling facts start revealing. The owners of blueline buses operate as proteges politicians and police officers which is refelcted in their utter disdain for the law.
On the edcation front , the government might be making big promises but the ground reality remains shak a laka. If you just keep in mind the small geogriphical area , the massive funds generated and correlate the commensurate development you can realize the enormity of the sham. And Delhi voters being the most gullible , naive , scoring lowest on the maturuty index just play subservient to the cunning ways of Mrs Dikshit.

MBA : A Perspective

2009-03-29T14:29:00.004+05:30

In India, we have the habit of overdoing things. Whether it be Cricket, Bollywood or even for that matter IT industry. It is in some way a reflection of the depleted society we are living in where there is a serious dearth of heroes ,a vacuum that has to be filled by political figurehead. We aggrandize even the minutest of our achievements , revel at others success as if all the gains are to acrue to us. A similar is the fate of ours with MBA education.
For a developing country like ours , we are always in search of tokens , reaffirming that India has finally arrived on the world economic map. Though benefits derived from the fruits of development should be guiding us in this respect , we just have never had the opportunity to experience it ourselves for they never percolated so deep down the stratum.
And now that the dream has gone sour , it seems we are just back to square zero. Things that were iconic are now being relegated to the backyards.
MBA is just one of the victims. To begin with MBA education like Engineering is not a noble education. It is all about making money for yourself and your business. Society comes in but only in extraction of resources. So when we put MBA education in hallowed portals , we just were not prudent enough.It was naivety to say the least.
This current economic recession has brought in a much needed rationalization. Earlier every Tom , Dick and Harry was a financial whiz , tantamount a runner on crutches challenging Usman Bolt to full country marathon. It was bound to fail , it had no reason whatsoever to be successful. And now that it has happened why are we crying foul? It is because we do not work on Logic, we see a third force coming to our rescue to bring Orderliness.
Our media has played a pivotal role in setting the mess we are in. Journalism has become subservient to government and business agendas. A true reflection is that neither the journalist led by our very own DD News exhibit neutrality and objectivity in reporting events. Even before the trial begins, the judgment is pronounced at the altar of public opinion. And who builds public opinion , again the media. So what they preach is what they get , a classic example of Cob Web Phenomenon.

The Real Fighter : Shibu Soren

2009-01-12T22:33:00.005+05:30

Few people can replicate what Shibu Soren has accomplished. Even fewer would have the morals so low (if any) to have made a return to politics after unceremoniously being thrown out of office. And no one can present a picture a candor and calm as he maintains despite the very clinching evidence of his wrongdoings.He is "GURUJI", and why not he should be. He has inspired a breed of rogue, crass league of politicians whose moral decay and corruptible value system has made politics a challenge for the honest upright Indians striving to bring India back to its days of glory.

For the uninitiated , a brief of his political (mis)deeds are documented for which tangible evidence has been collected by the ever alert Indian media.

May 23, 2004: Joins as Union minister for coal & mines

July 24, 2004: Resigns after non-bailable warrants are issued in the Chirudih massacre case

Nov 27, 2004: Returns as Union coal minister after getting bail in the case

March 2, 2005: Quits Union cabinet, sworn in as Jharkhand chief minister

March 11, 2005: Steps down after losing confidence vote

Jan 29, 2006: Back in Cabinet

Nov 28, 2006: Quits after conviction in Shashinath Jha murder case.

Aug 22, 2007: Acquitted in the case

Aug 27, 2008: Sworn in as Jharkhand chief minister

Jan 12, 2009: Quits after losing the Tamar by-poll

The person inflicting the humiliating loss happens to be one from his own party peer. Even his record is so maligned , that convicts charged with Rape, Murder and Dacoity would be having a glimmer of hope of returning to the civil society.

Our "GURUJI", is a quintessential power monger who has lost all the sanity and morality to pursue his goals of clinging to power. It is a matter of immense humiliation , disgrace that it our lot to ruled over by such devious scoundrels . It is even more worrisome that political compulsion is preventing the justice play truant to the course of law.

Why I am Happy to Not get to IIMA

2009-01-11T16:52:00.007+05:30

Not getting to IIM , Ahmedabad though not delibrately has been a fabulous thing that could happen to me . In its trails it has bought a change so urgently needed . It has led to an image makeover , an evolution of cognition beyond the realms of excellence and some hard grounding to the vacillations and vagaries of life.

Coming back to the point(s), the list is limited , but I shall make every attempt to stretch it for my merriment......

At such a ripe age , exposing myself to the rigour of academics would not only have been harmful , but fatal likely. Though hard work never killed anyone but why take chances.
A new wave of education is emerging in India of campuses that are virtual, where the cart is kept before the horses. I can proudly claim to be an output of the system. Having spent , squandered (more appropriately) in India's finest sprawling campus at Roorkee, a change should be welcome .
John Milton's Paradise Lost , it is better to reign in Hell than to Be Reigned in heaven , aptly captures the mood to be counted among the best without laboring much.
With the economy in recession, it would have put more pressure or categorically put more humiliating to not manage a High Paying I- Banking dream job , that from the very outset seemed improbable considering my limited abilities. I will now at least reason to stand my argument a chance to sustain logic.
Not having a campus comes with its set of merits. And one that begets your attention is the relaxation to arrive late in lectures albeit TPG, RG. An inveterate ritual for me , it would have landed me short of attendance in WIMWI every now and then.
Cost consideration, also support my involuntary decision to not get through WIMWI . With tuition fees set exorbitantly, it would have strained my limited resources to fund my MBA that increasingly is losing its sheen thanks mainly to the crookedness of once mighty but now defunct i-bankers of the ivy leagues.
Not being the very best , compels you to learn how to prevaricate. It is a different experience altogether to stand your ground despite yourself being not convinced of the flimsy nature of your argument. It is one of the most important lessons , which only not going to WIMWI could have taught me.
At my current institute , it dawns upon you how age is fast catching up with you when the majority of the class would not have seen the light of the day while I was on the verge of abanding suction milk bottles to be taken over my milk teeth. It makes you sombre , responsible and above saintly of the lot.
In WIMWI, I would have severely missed the City of Joy , whose attraction goes beyond the intellectual stimulus to the hormonal erotic stimulus the ever dapper looking , exquisitely dressed bong babes provide in glittering streets and corridors of City Centre of Kolkata.

How Winters Have that Sensuous Charm.

2008-12-20T00:11:00.004+05:30

Having grown up in Delhi and having put up major tenure of my stay in North India , winters occupy a special place in my heart and mind. The warmth of the quilt , the serving of hot steaming tea , the ringing of Christmas bells and the jubilation and festivity of new year grandeur add th xing to the mood. Moreover the winters are the time when I start appreciating the bounty of nature's beauty in all its might unleashed but previously not taken cognizance by the ever sub concious mind. Then how else can you explain that sunlight so omnipresent but registered and taken delight only in winters. Wow what an ecstasy it is to get your body served the warmth in the countering presence of chill.
Winters more than for anything else is well rounded for bringing an aura of laziness , of a laid back attitude . It is the period of time where we realize that getting immersed in the daily chores is not the sole purpose of living. Making money, constant bickering over minutest of things just do not let us see the big picture of charm , splendor that lies untrodden by our tangent eyes. The pain of leaving the warmth of the quilt to face the might of winters in all its Armour equipped fully is a nightmare we fantasize avoiding. The coyness of having every one of our loved ones in our company watching a movie with all the winter gears on , is a delight.
Talking of winters how can we forget the blinding that engulfs Delhi. It is heavenly gift bestowed on Delhi . With visibility playing truant , cancellation of flights is too small a price to pay for the picturesque delight we see unfold before our eyes if we are on late night or early morning drive. It makes you secluded from the world , you can afford to be yourself , the world is not watching you. Strolling through the fog brings a degree of adventure into our lives devoid of anything remotely linked to adventure.
Especially winters are the time when whole of North India is out in the open , blazing its frozen body under the glowing firmament in the sky that plays hide and seek , much when the desire is there for it to not do it. Talking of winters and sun , it would be unpardonable to not mention the goodies of groundnut, jaggery products that awash the markets as well as the pockets of children , who on their mother's insistence play obedient and dutiful child.
Winters of Delhi have a regal charm associated with them . The end of Raj has not completely brought the legacy to an end. Infact whatever traces remain , I have a lurking feeling they find a vent out in the winters. There is definitely a theory but it is too loosely bound , mentioning it now would amount to inchoate talk.
Winters are the time when events such as fairs , book festivals are scheduled on a regular basis to make people come out . In Delhi Trade Fair is another big catch for the ones looking to get a glimpses of the future of trade and commerce. It brings to the city a businesslike ambiance that to the abhorrence of average Delhite we decry Delhi of in comparison to Mumbai.
Another common but more ugly side is the stark contrast people at the struggling end of making a decent living feel . Rudimentary shelters , insufficient infrastructure to fight the vagaries of nature and lacuna in the winter clothing's feel the pinch all the more severely. Every now and then the news channels relay people succumbing to frost bite. In a civilized society , this is such a bad commentary on the state of affairs. It is a reminder of the stark differences that exist in our society when a group of people barely clothed enough to fight winters , letting the heat of faintly glowing garbage remains provide comfort ,albeit temporary to them.

How to Remove Genuine Windows Notification from WIndows XP Operating System

2008-11-24T18:17:00.004+05:30

It is one of the most irritating things cropping up every time we start the Windows XP , for those who still believe Bill Gates as Satan. This notification however does not find any listing in the Add/Remove program utility, hence it is extremely difficult to remove it from the list of programs. However there is a way to circumvent it. But a word of caution before proceeding further:Do create a back up of your registries in case of anything goes awry.
So here we go

Go to Start menu
Execute the Run command
In the window , type 'regedit'.
A window opens up listing all the registries.
Ctrl + F and search for 'wgalogon'.
Delete the registries by deleting the whole folder.

Simple You are Done With the Menace

Hope this works , it worked in my case.

Happy Surfing.

Academic Mediocrity

2008-11-22T02:04:00.002+05:30

Ever since I entered the precincts of B-School, I was always fascinated by academic excellence. It was deep rooted ideology where I desired to counted not among the best but the very best. A feeling of ecstasy used to run down my spine with the sheer mention of academic brilliance. The very thought of great minds at work with their stupendous effort leading the charge of developing the world we desire for, just made the field of academics a fascinating one. To be a part of the world where we still are not guided by the whims and fancies of an eccentric corporate beast, just seduced me.
But it was never so easy to begin with. As the ones who shall be leading the intellectual brigade , one needs to be thorough with whatever he is pursuing academically with a proof. And that proof is CGPA on the higher side, an abhorrence for corporate culture , leftist leanings and ascetic lifestyle. On a scale of 10, I will score the highest on all the parameters but the first one. Having identified this as my weak link , I wanted to have the first mover advantage. But as is incorrectly Well Begun is Half Done, I just lose the zing in the end. Even the system must share certain blame where dishonesty does not lead to competition of equals but of unequals.

My Weekend Sojourn.

2008-11-16T23:51:00.008+05:30

At this ripe age , I am finally doing what I should have done ages back. I am flirting with fire, i am flirting with seduction or to say it blatantly I am try to woo fairer gender. Accompanying me here are my batch mates and my fully nurtured frustration.
As a religious schedule , I reach out to City Centre looking dapperly dressed, The most Hip and Happening place in the Salt Lake, if not whole of Kolkata. And Oh My Mime, there you realize the fury of God's creativity. Items , Babes just line up to show what they have : Assets and we just do not let them down. It is quite obvious I seem to think , that why men in their prime in the company of other men be milling in the crowd had it not been "Dostana". But I have a feeling , they enjoy it. Knowing very well whats on store why would you play with fire. Boy they play and play amazingly well.
Ladies from all genre are a treat to watch. At times it becomes extremely difficult to not ogle at maternal ladies still in their prime with meticulously dressed sarees and that deep cut neck blouse that keeps male hormones working overtime. You just cannot stop wondering why Bong Babes are still ruling the roost in Bollywood. The answer is "They Just Have No Competitor".

To understand the magnanimity of the prowess of these Bong Babes , one of my friends aptly quotes "Bengal ! Improving India's average". Infact when we stare at their assets , there is lurking feeling that they just relish it. At times we the hunter is hunted , but this is what adds to the Bong babes Sensuous charm.

Sitting at one of the most prominent balustrades just overlooking the Tea Junction, we are unleashing the terror of eve teasing. Not a single damsel passes which is not registered by our probing amorous eyes. At times we just do overdo things much to the annoyance of their male counterpoints. However justification is easily derived from Keats "A Thing of Beauty is A Joy Forever".

Our flirt with ridiculity has taught us a lesson that we always wanted to be taught . Brain * Beauty = Constant. Then what else would explain cogently the fact that their boyfriends are a just a shade of them. The babes are silken , lustrous , sensuous ,while the blokes are just another brick in the wall. Is it the money power that is dictating it. We have that sniff that it is exactly that.It should not be any other reason, therefore money commands power , MBA delivers it and once rejuvenated for academics excellence we head straight to our places reinvigorated to make the best of the time before we come back again.