What Am I

Tavika on Anagha, my first cousin's daughter on her first birthday - Dated: 27th April 2021

2022-01-31T21:36:00.004-05:00

అనఘానగరాగం శ్రావ్యానంద కరమౌ

షణ్ముఖస్మితం శశాంకమంద్రమౌ

అనఘాద్భుత చారిత్ర భరతాధిపత్యమౌ

శారదాచంద్రమూర్త్యాంగనఘాయత్రి వర్థిల్లౌ

Verse on SPB on his demise - Dated: 28th Sep 2020

2022-01-31T21:30:00.005-05:00

సంగీత ఝరి..

ఎటువంటి ఝరికి అయినా, దానికి స్వరూపం ఇచ్చేది దానికి ఉన్న అవధులు, అవే లేకపోతే, ఝరి అనంతమైపోయి ఉనికిని కోల్పోతుంది.

మన తెలుగు పాటలకు, ఒక నా లాంటి సామాన్యుడు పాడుకో గలిగే తెలుగు పాటల ఝరికి ఒక అవధి, బాల సుబ్రహ్మణ్యం గారు.

ఈ అవధి, ఒక అడ్డంకి లా కాకుండా, ఈ ప్రవాహానికి ఒక సారూప్యం ఇచ్చింది. గత కొన్ని దశాబ్దాలుగా తెలుగు పాట రూపు, బాల సుబ్రహ్మణ్యం గారు లేకుండా ఊహించుకోవడం కూడా కష్టమే.

“స”, “ప” లు జనరంజకమవ్వాలంటే భాష మరియు భావాల “బ”లిమి కలవాలి అని,

“SPB” ని అమ్మవారే మనకి అనుగ్రహించారు.

ఆయన స్ఫురణే ఈ ఝరికి స్ఫూర్తి!!

ఆ మహానుభావుడికి ఇదే నా పదాంజలి!!

- వంగర శ్రీరాం

Tavika on my first cousins on father's side - Dated: 3rd Nov 2021

2022-01-31T21:28:00.004-05:00

ఈ విజయదశమినాడు అమ్మవారు,

ఆశ్రిత వత్సలాయై

అనుజ్ఞానందకరమై

లలిత ప్రియ కమలాంకృతురాలై

మృదుల గమనురాలై

పాద పద పద్మముల క్షమప్రియాయై

రాజ్యమెల్లల లక్ష్మి స్ధితాయై

సాహితి సంపదల సమకారిణ్యై

శ్రావ్య వచన సంభ్రమాకృతురాలై

శ్రీ పధంబులందు పద్మాలంకృతాయై

వైష్ణవాంఛితురాలై

వినయ విధేయతలతో సంపూర్ణురాలై;

మనందరినీ ఆశీర్వదంచుగాక.

ఇట్లు,

మీ భవదీయుడు,

వంగర శ్రీరాం

Tavika on Sri rama navami - Dated: 21st April 2021

2022-01-31T21:26:00.003-05:00

ఈ విజయదశమినాడు అమ్మవారు,

ఆశ్రిత వత్సలాయై

అనుజ్ఞానందకరమై

లలిత ప్రియ కమలాంకృతురాలై

మృదుల గమనురాలై

పాద పద పద్మముల క్షమప్రియాయై

రాజ్యమెల్లల లక్ష్మి స్ధితాయై

సాహితి సంపదల సమకారిణ్యై

శ్రావ్య వచన సంభ్రమాకృతురాలై

శ్రీ పధంబులందు పద్మాలంకృతాయై

వైష్ణవాంఛితురాలై

వినయ విధేయతలతో సంపూర్ణురాలై;

మనందరినీ ఆశీర్వదంచుగాక.

ఇట్లు,

మీ భవదీయుడు,

వంగర శ్రీరాం

Tavika on my first cousins from mother's side on Dusshera - Dated: 15th Oct 2021

2022-01-31T21:25:00.002-05:00

ఈ విజయదశమినాడు అమ్మవారు,

ఆశ్రిత వత్సలాయై

అనుజ్ఞానందకరమై

లలిత ప్రియ కమలాంకృతురాలై

మృదుల గమనురాలై

పాద పద పద్మముల క్షమప్రియాయై

రాజ్యమెల్లల లక్ష్మి స్ధితాయై

సాహితి సంపదల సమకారిణ్యై

శ్రావ్య వచన సంభ్రమాకృతురాలై

శ్రీ పధంబులందు పద్మాలంకృతాయై

వైష్ణవాంఛితురాలై

వినయ విధేయతలతో సంపూర్ణురాలై;

మనందరినీ ఆశీర్వదంచుగాక.

ఇట్లు,

మీ భవదీయుడు,

వంగర శ్రీరాం

Tavika to Mugdha on her Birthday - Dated: 12th Nov 2021

2022-01-31T21:18:00.004-05:00

ముదములలరించు ముగ్ధ కు -

ముద్దుగారే అన్నమయ్య పద ముగ్ధమనోహరమై,

ముద్ద మందార పోతన పద్యమనుజ్ఞేయయై,

మధ్యమావతి ముచ్చటల శ్రీదేవీరాజసమై,

మామ ధన మోహన మాల వ్యాఖ్యాత్యంబర పరమై,

మాధవ మదినిల్పు వ్యాస భాగవతి వంశాంకురమై!!

ఇట్లు,

శుభాశీస్సులతో,

పెదనాన్న,

వంగర శ్రీరాం

Tavika to my uncle Bhagavati Hari Sastry - Dated: 2nd Nov 2021

2022-01-31T21:17:00.003-05:00

సప్త పదుల స్ఫురణల సరసన;

విక్రమ క్రీగంటి క్రీడా కృపార్ధుడవై,

శ్రాష్టః సతి సత్సంగ సంభావితుడవై,

శతపత్ర సహస్రుని స్తుతి మీర శత సంవత్సర శతానందుడవై,

హారికవై హరిని హర్షించుగాక ఈ హరి! -

ఇట్లు

భవదీయుడు

వంగర శ్రీరాం

Tavika to Sirivennela Sitarama sastry on his demise - dated: 1st Dec 2021

2022-01-31T21:13:00.004-05:00

సిరి వెన్నెల సీతారామశాస్త్రి “కలా”మ తల్లికి, ఇదే నా అశృ శబ్దాంజలి -

సిరి సిరి మువ్వల సిరిసరసి సూర్యభానమే “సి”కారమై,

రేపటి తూర్పు రుచిని రేచీకటికి రమించిన రాగమే “రి”కారమై

వేకువ విశ్వనాధ భస్మ షాహి వెల్లువైన వేదామృతమే “వె”కారమై,

నాన్న మన్నన వంటి సిరివెన్నెల నాదమే “న్నె”కారమై,

లలిత కళల లావణ్య లాస్య లిఖితలే “ల”కారమై

సరస స్వర సుర ఝరీగమనమే “సీ”కారమై,

తొలి తొలకరికి పులకరించిన తెలుగు తీపే “తా”కారమై,

రసఝరులు జాలువారే రుద్ర రాగాభిషేకమే “రా”కారమై,

మలయా నిలయుడైన ముక్కంటి మంత్రజపమే “మ”కారమై

శివ సన్నిధికై విరుచుకుపడు సురగంగ శ్వాస ఛలనమే “శా”కారమై,

సాగిన సాధన సార్ధకమొందగ సీతారామ సవ్వడలే శా”స్త్రి”కారమై!!

- వంగర శ్రీరాం

Tavika to Vinayak Viswanadha on his birthday - Dated: 12th Dec 2021

2022-01-31T21:12:00.007-05:00

చతుర్దశాబ్దాల చిందులు నిండిన ఘడియన

చతుర్దశ భువనాధిపతి విశ్వనాధ క్షేత్ర పునఃనిర్మాణ శుభదినాన

చతుర్విధ ఫల పురుషార్థాలు సిద్దించి చాతుర్మాస దీక్షితుడవై

చతురశ్ర శ్రీచక్ర నిలయుడై చిరంజీవిగా వర్ధిల్లు విశ్వనాధ వినాయకా!!

- ఇట్లు

నీ మిత్రుడు

వంగర శ్రీరాం

Tavika to Shankar Surya Bommakanti on his birthday- Dated: 14th Dec 2021

2022-01-31T21:11:00.005-05:00

నలభై రెండు వసంతాలు చిలికిన సూర్యుడికి

నెక్కంటి కంటి కంటబడునే బొమ్మకంటి!!

Tavika to my first cousin Bharat on the occasion of his wedding - Dated: 28th Dec 2021

2022-01-31T21:10:00.000-05:00

భవ్య భావీ భవై భోగ భావమె!

భువనాంబుధి భారతోద్దరణి భాగీరధి ప్రభవై

భవానీ భవ బ్రోవ భువైభవమై

భార్గవ భావ విభావరి సంభావితులై

భరత వైష్ణవైక్యమే భాగవతోత్తమం భవత్!!

- వంగర శ్రీరాం

Tavika on Sankranthi - Dated: 14th Jan 2022

2022-01-31T21:08:00.003-05:00

వుత్తమ లలిత సంగతులిచ్చు శంకరసుత ఝరి పంపగ,

కరి మకరి సంక్రాంతి నొరవంగ శ్రీనివాసునొదలి,

కోటి దీపికల బాలకృష్ణెత్తిన కనుబొమ్మ కంటిచూపు కరువవ్వ,

సీత చూడ శ్రీరాముని రాధడుగంగ కాదన శాస్త్ర పరమే!

Oomph and Thump

2020-02-27T03:34:00.001-05:00

Silence!!! Noise cancellation on!! Bose in play!!

And, I walk down to where she is.

There it was, like a tiger sleeping with little care about the presence.. I take a pause looking at her!!

The exhaustion of the previous outing not visible, lying at peace as it always used to be, as if, those 15 sft of peace and tranquility have been occupied by her somewhere.

As, I approach her, I realize the masculinity in the beauty and cant stop but adoring about whats in store.

I search for my pockets and happy to see her turn herself into me, and the sweet sound of transition from sleep to wake up.

As I make her turn from left to right and mount her.. wait!! I missed something.

Since our last outing, she requires a dressing which I give her and then turn her from left to right and mount her. Which was the first step.. yes, mounting her and then turning her from left to right, after the smooth twist with my fingers.

And, then, I swing my contents so that they are placed on her rear and give a small nudge with my right leg, and she gives an oomph sound clearing the air out of her.

I smile :)

We both realize that we are ready now, waiting anxiously for the next thing. Air is fueled!! Not satisfied, I give another nudge and making the air more energetic and now there is no looking back.

I give in and give it everything I have.

Then,

starts the thump
thump
thump
slowly initially and with ever increasing cycles, till it reaches a stable state.

I vibrate along with her and excited, I push her more and the cycles increase..

I bend down to feel the vibrations and the sounds while giving more push.

I close my eyes and listen carefully, if I am skipping a beat and if the thump is consistent with her prior ones.

Satisfied!!

I relax!

Settle down and let her take over me!!

And then I woke up. As dawn approaches, I realize that it was a dream and start my day with that thump in the heart!!

PPAs: Renegotiation vs Delayed Payments vs NPA - Second Part - Solution

2019-09-04T23:27:00.002-04:00

In continuation with my previous blog on the catch-22 situation of renewable energy companies in Andhra Pradesh, India, a probable radical solution as detailed below, may be explored by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Renewable plants boast about their ability to serve the green agenda but are still dependent on subsidies and one of the subsidy being offered to them is the "must run" category.

What if this "Must run" category is revoked.

None of the plants would fall in the Merit Order Despatchability Curve and scheduling them will only be subject to the discretions of the DISCOM.

While this would definitely send a wrong signal to the investors, but DISCOMs are unable to make good of any pending payments, and hence they might as well explore a legal way to get around.

And what happens when the MUST RUN category is revoked. There is no fixed/variable price component difference in Solar/Wind. 95% is a fixed cost component. Hence, technically the Govt. may not be obligated to pay the whole tariff to the costly renewable PPAs that they have inherited. At the same time, the provision of the 2003 Electricity Act aren't clear on the payments to renewable energy companies if their MUST RUN category is revoked.

What is "MUST RUN"? TO put simply, GOvt. is obligated to consume the power from renewable power companies as and when they generate power at the agreed upon price in the PPA. Even if the market prices are less at any given moment, due to the "MUST RUN" category of renewable plants, DISCOMS will have to consume power from the renewable companies and can schedule power from other sources subsequently. In the case certain contracts with thermal plants, if the cost of power procurement from them is more than the running price in that moment, Govt. may not want be obligated to buy power from them.

Hence, by removing the "MUST RUN" subsidy, GOvt. will probably bring renewable companies on par with their counterparts and if they are costly Govt. can legally ensure that they are no longer obligated to buy power from them.

There is definitely a precendence in India that the MUST RUN category can be revoked. Madhy Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission did it in 2017. (Link)

That said, a so-called forward looking Govt, cannot do away from the MUST RUN category for short term gains. But, how will the renewable plants be compensated in that situation? It is an interesting facet that will definitely have long term ramifications.

This is a radical solution to a problem that is right now headed towards loss for all parties.

PPAs: Renegotiation vs Delayed payments vs NPA

2019-09-04T23:09:00.000-04:00

This is in the context of the recent attempts of Andhra Pradesh state Government, in India to renegotiate the PPAs of existing Solar/Wind assets.

To give you a brief context, the previous Government encouraged renewable power installations in an attempt to encourage green power generation in the state inspite of the government's financial conditions in not such a great condition. The new Govt., came and alleges that the contracts with those renewable assets would be renegotiated as the Govt. cannot afford payments to those companies and also that the contracts were awarded only to a few companies that had alleged relationship with members of the previous regime.

AP govt has been insisting upon renegotiating the PPAs that have been signed as it is unable to honour the high cost contracts, inspite of the recommendation from govt of India to not do so.

Is there any merit in the approach by AP. Before we get into further analysis, if we take a peek into the ground reality:

Govt of AP doesn’t have the funds to honour the high cost PPAs
If they can’t honour the payments, the agreement are deemed to be void due to the payment delays.But no power developer would terminate the agreement in India as the legal proceedings would take forever making it unviable for them to sustain
As is the case with most electricity boards, as long as the PPA remains, most power developers hope to get the revenue some day. In the interim, utilities continue to incur higher losses and will pass on the burden to next Govt. who will have no option but to depend on schemes like UDAI to survive through the losses.
Without the payments and the eventual inability of the power companies to pay the dues, the lenders will have to face increased NPAs. And as the NCLAT proceedings continue to navigate in un-chartered territories each stakeholder is left in a state of limbo to make ends meet.

Hence, what is the best solution.

Isn’t it in the best interests of the two key players i.e. the buyer and supplier of power to renegotiate the contracts mutually by taking the other stakeholders into cognizance.

Instead of everyone going through losses and battling it in courts, they can mutually come to terms with the reality on the ground and make good of what can be acheived.

So, what is the big problem?

Once it is done, this will set a precedence and may hamper the confidence of the investors, as every contract may eventually be renegotiated and will question the sanctity of the contracts and hence the viability of the investments.

This is the only concern. Regulator has a tough situation at hand.

Govt is unable to pay.
Developers want the contract to remain but are not receiving their payments
Lenders and investors are also concerned about the future payments whereas they are not receiving any payments now.

The bigger question is if there were kickbacks in awarding the contracts. Every person who has ever dealt with Government contracts realize that there would be some kind of exchange of benefits (tangible/intangible).

Truth be told, Govt should be held accountable and if not it should be termed as bankrupt and allow for a clean slate. It will effect every one.

Also, this is an important use case for govts. on how to manage investor confidence and yet manage to ensue their agenda.

In the interim, High court has awarded a stay order against Andhra Pradesh government to do any re-negotiations. Things have definitely taken wrong turn and investors have definitely become wary of the future of these contracts.

It'd be interesting to see how things unfold, as this might redefine the growth strategy of renewable energy in India.

Ram will never return to Ramjanmabhoomi

2018-07-18T00:50:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time, as per the mythology, Ram let go of his wife Sita because a washerman questioned his behavior about accepting Sita. Leaving aside, the multiple beliefs about this event, Ram said that the person who is running the show should always be the person to look upto and not have any allegations against him.

Now, Mr. Modi, leave aside all the allegations, how can you be happy at the spate of rape incidents. How can you live and sleep with peace when things like these happen.

What has happened to your boasted large chest which gave you lot of pride. Has it shrunk because you cannot deal with things like this..

We all know that you will shift the blame to the local govt. who is responsible for the civic law and order. But, the IPC sections are in your jurisdiction, the overall education and the value driven things are in your hands.

Even the openly known Nirbhaya case had to wait for 6 years to finally disallow the capital punishment. How will you stand and teach every one.

How will you address the angst in public about these things. Will lynching work?

And, BTW, where the %$^& is your BJP youth organization or ABVP who have the time to parade with black flags against some swamiji and now are sitting like a 0&^%& when it really matters.

Why clamour about Ramjanmabhoomi in this case. What for?? TO get to power?? And power to do what?? to rule people or to be their servant?? and if being their servant is your motto, your values should have told you to act.

In this movie Leader, the protagonist resigns because he had to protect a rapist to safeguard his govt.

What is wrong with you Modi and the contemporaries that you have become so aloof.

Death

2017-11-04T04:49:00.001-04:00

PS: This was drafted a long time ago, but never published it.
The only inevitable thing in one's life. My Mother-in-law just expired.
Suddenly, there is no one to blame. Honestly!!

Most of us consider death as a punishment, whereas it is a liberation from suffering for that person.

She died due to kidney issues but once the issue was diagnosed she didn't last long and now to think of it she relatively died peacefully, as she didn't have to bear the suffering that most go through with kidney transplantation and various other things..

It is the near and dears' loss, because you have no one to look upto, no one to blame to.
It is my attachment (positive/negative) that is lost.

I was too concerned, how my wife and others would deal with it, especially my father in law.. I am surprised how things shaped out.

Suddenly, I felt so close to death and yet felt too indifferent as if I will never be affected.. It is inevitable, yet Iam dying to address my immediate needs as if they are gonna last forever.

How to deal with it..the confusion!!!

My identity!!

2017-11-04T04:44:00.000-04:00

If you think that you are what you think you are then you are totally screwed.

My exposure to certain things, is really messing with me about my identity in the digital world. As they say, the identity in a digital world is your mail ID, your bogs, your web foot print, my bank balance (which is also a digital entry) and all the stuff associated.

But ,through these soc alled social media and various other fraternity, I am no longer the beholder of my identity. I am wat I am perceived through these media. My projection of the same in these apps, and the analysis done by various technologies about me and my presence in these locations determines who am I and what am I capable of.

This left me perturbed because suddenly my space is no longer my own, and its a mirage created that my identity is well being protected. Should it matter, I don't know.

I am a novice, but I am as disturbed as Edward snowden was with the amount of awareness he had about it. I do not control myself in the digital space, it is some one else owning my data, some one else tracking me and some one else perceiving me and deciding my set of actions.

Did I sign up for it? Yes and No. yes because I agreed to the privacy policy. No, because somewhere deep in the privacy policy it is written that your activity, including my location, browsing history and every other digital activity can be monitored and I never had the patience to read the fine print and cannot really be blamed for the lack of impatience to read the policy.

Most apps, that seek information when being installed or any other information are inherently trying to steal the data and make an image of yourself and sell the same to other agencies for monetary benefits and in the process, no one really cares what happens to you.

The impact of it will be felt when someone encounters the wrong side of things. Even Aadhar, I am signing up for sharing my data to the extent of ensuring peace and ease, but not when I am being policed for no reason at all.

Not sure, where to draw the line.

Federer

2017-01-29T13:52:00.001-05:00

He wasn't certainly his vintage best. He used to look much more composed, much smarter, fitter ..
(So, was I at that time :) )...
All hope was lost until 2 weeks ago. Since 2012, it felt as if the god has decided to come down to earth and stay and live on earth. Everyone could beat him on the court, which he ruled for so many years .. yet, he felt coming back as if there was something that he owed to the courts and at the end the courts would seek their vengeance by not letting him conquer them again.
Every court and every year continued to be the same. From one mortal to another, everyone was able to deprive the god of his jewels, which he was trying so desperately.

It took his two daughters' mischief to make him break a tissue in his bone and go on 6 month rest. Suddenly, the courts came alive as every one of these mortals have started conquering the crowns, without the original king in foray any more.

There was another king of clay, who was also trying to come to his own terms, similar to how an emperor feels when his massive army is not wiling to fight and wants to lurk around.

Comes today, and both the kings have decided to fight it out to get, what was traditionally theirs. And the superior prevailed.

Federer the god prevailed in the Australian open 2017, and breaking the jinx of almost 5 years of wait for the 18th grandslam title. I spoke to various people who were hoping every time that he is in finals that somehow he would get there. But, somehow 2017 began on a tone which is very refreshing to sports..

Trump is still there to play the spoil sport.

I was jubilant when I finally saw the hawk-eye showing that the forehand shot from Federer wasn't wide off the court and I jumped along with Federer and so did the whole world.. (my world)

Nadal was very upset, but even he realized that his presence in the court for 5 sets, was largely due to the unforced errors from Federer, otherwise the game would have been over within 3 hours and wouldn't have played out the deserved match that it turnedout to be.

Both their legs and age and looks tired.. but there is this one shot of Nadal, which showed his fierceness and then in the other shot Federer reclaiming his composure..

Both seem to have gotten back their best abilities... And this time on, I am looking forward to Federer vs Nadal match... for, the kings have decided to finally play!!

Missing Laptop!

2016-02-15T04:17:00.001-05:00

We miss people and we get attached to lot of things.

If you may not call it obsession or anything, I am typing these words for the last time from the laptop which has given me company through some of the best times in my life.

It shared all the pain and joy of me and I could only convey them through this laptop.

It allowed me all the skype sessions, chats, gossips, photos without which the reflection of my personality was empty.

This is only witness to the cries, smiles, songs, videos that has shaped my past 5 years.

I can easily write the last few lines from this laptop and totally dedicate this song to this machine alone.

"...jo mukaam woh phir nahi aate ..."

Wishing adieu to this one machine, which meant so much to me!

Currency Manipulation subsidy!

2015-08-11T18:56:00.003-04:00

Chinese foreign exchange reserves stand at $3.65 trillion. US foreign exchange reserves stand at $113 bn!

Chinese debt stands at ~$5.2 trillion. US debt is ~$18.3 trillion!

Yet, China choses to devalue its currency by more than 2% w.r.t USD!

The devaluation raises some questions.

The WTO norms seek for gradual removal of subsidies and also the other economic barriers surrounding any trade between nations. But isn’t the currency devaluation a form of subsidy being extended by the Chinese Govt. to its industries. Subsidies are generally extended in the form of tax exemptions, lower credit or moratorium periods or relaxed accounting guidelines. But an exchange based subsidy (Currency manipulation subsidy) is something that the Chinese Govt. is exploring, if not the first time, to its full potential.

Why Can’t other countries chose to do so. Because most of the other countries have a mix of imports and exports and by de-valuating their currencies they are risking the increase in imports and hence inflation. China has lot more exports than imports and hence can afford to do so. Chinese in a single shot have gone ahead of their competitors by more than 2%!!

Now, what does it mean for markets around the world. For sure, all the goods from China would become sweeter and more companies would vie for that. Increased discounts in USA and other countries as they have a bigger leverage now.

Countries like India which are trying to compete by establishing their manufacturing basis will find it increasingly tough to do so. Already the devaluation alone is expected to increase the imports of Steel to India from China by ~17%. At best countries can aspire to become assembly stations of the manufactured goods from China.

Even for countries like USA, you’d hardly find the possibility of any rise in local manufacturing thwarted by this.

Is it any good for other nations at all?

For any country which is planning to import, this is probably the best thing. And all other exporting nations which are trying to compete with China, this is a big big news!!

What about China? Is it good for them?

Yes and No. Yes because the export oriented industries will continue to benefit. No, because suddenly credit in USD becomes costlier and increased cost of commodities will have its impact on inflation and costs of goods. One would have to wait and watch, if the increased revenue from exports will outweigh the rise in costs. Credit and loans for companies will not be a real issue as China will ensure that most of the industries that are significant to its economy continue to receive credit at lower rates thereby taking away that risk.

What does it mean for Energy and other industries?

Since most of the commodities are traded in USD, it may not really impact a lot to commodities. More so, Chinese will continue to tap more into their own local resources and so it may be at best a good news for local mining and other companies in China. For sure, the supply chain and logistics industries will probably see a major shuffle in the short term to medium term range.

What about USA?

Many listed companies in US will continue to produce more goods from China as this will show a positive increase in their bottom lines. But any revival in local manufacturing industry will take a big hit. Expect to see big discussions/debates about this subsidy in the upcoming US presidential elections, since a weaker Chinese currency would mean lesser jobs within US in the conventional industries.

Looks like, overall its a smart move to alleviate any immediate fears about its economy. It’d be interesting to see how other countries will respond.

Technical parameters at the mercy of commercials ..err Politics

2015-07-16T10:54:00.005-04:00

Any one who has basic understanding of power plants would know that every equipment and the power plant as a total requires how much power to run.

For example: a standard 270 MW plant would require so much, a super critical 800 MW boiler would burn so much coal etc.

One wonders though why would the total consumption for a power plant change so much.

As usual, the ambiguities come from one of Reliance for one of the largest power plants in the world (Sasan UMPP)

Here is a brief history of the estimates given by Reliance on its expected coal consumption:

In 2007, when Sasan was awarded to Reliance it initially quoted that it would require 16 mtpa (million tonnes per annum) to run its plant
In 2007, Reliance quoted that it can mine 25 mtpa of coal from the mines it was awarded. This was 9 mtpa more than the requirement.
As per the approved mine plant, Reliance was allowed to use 4 mtpa beyond the requirement of the plant
In 2014, NDA government cancelled the coal license to the tune of 5 mtpa from Reliance. Remember this should still allow 20 mtpa to be mined and that should be more than sufficient for the 16 mtpa requirement
In 2015, Reliance states that it underestimated the coal requirement, which now stands at 19 mtpa. And since it was allowed an additional 4 mtpa as per the mining plant, it now claims that the new coal block be allotted.

I wonder if there is any plant whose coal consumption increased by 25% than previous estimates. And that too for one of the most efficient plants!!

Prize deserved .. or not?

2015-07-16T10:35:00.000-04:00

When Obama was given Nobel peace prize in 2008, there were lot of critics who questioned it, for Obama has hardly done anything at that time.

he was awarded the peace prize for his campaign and the quote of "We need change!".

That was 2008. Here comes 2015. Has there been a change.

On the contrary, republicans continue to run the show in senate and continue to stop any bill that Obama is trying to pitch. And it has been doom for quite some time now.

That said, here are a few deals that might tilt many people towards Obama deserving the Nobel peace.

One is the cuba deal.. by extending the lifeline and ending the embargo Obama has shown that if 60 years of embargo could change nothing, there is a need for change.

The second is the Iran deal.. In spite of Iran not bowing down a huge, Obama went ahead and has completed a deal (may be due to geo-political reasons), but the attempt to negate war with negotiations has been done with greater push.

And of course there was the Iraq troops pull out and the Afghanistan troop down.

One chink though remains in his armour - The Guantanamo bay. I hope he even completes this and then he can certainly claim his award.

But everything at one side and now the threat of ISIS on the other hand. ISIS is the biggest terrorist threat to the world now. Had the Iraqi pull-out been partial and gradual, the progress of ISIS would have been very limited. Did Obama bite the bullet in that context? Only time will tell.

"OMG" says the bear

2015-05-11T18:54:00.002-04:00

When Saudi Arabia decided to not decrease the production levels, the bears were really happy. Things became bearish.

You must have understood whom am I referring to.

Of course, the bears in stock market! If that is what you thought, sorry brother, the world is much bigger than just the bears in stock market.

I am referring to the actual bears, the wildly beasty bears.

Why would bears have fun when Saudi doesn't reduce its production.

And, I meant not even the normal bears... the bigger and beastier Polar bears!!

Bears were really happy that the oil prices reduced, thereby the production in Arctic circles would have not happened at the same pace. Hence the ecological balance would not have been disturbed beyond the already created ruffles.

While the bears slept through the winters happily and were ready to come out and enjoy the spring, so did the oil prices. And suddenly the biggest predator of all time became active in the polar regions.

Who can be bigger than Polar bears in the polar regions. Who else.. Humans!!

We've started digging the arctic circle again. One of the largest companies got the approval to start its exploration in arctic circle.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article20689662.html

With this, comes the inevitable! The increased possibilities of destruction in the fragile ecology.

I wonder. How can a US court give approval to drill oil & gas in Arctic circle. Don't the primary occupants have a say on what should be done under their feet. For example, wouldn't it be fair for a human to go to arctic circle and seek the permission of say the penguins/polar bears or other primary inhabitants of the region.

Sorry, I forgot that .. I am on top of the food chain and hence have every rights to veto the requests of those animals.

After, all this .. I think the Polar bears will continue to laugh. Just that, their feet would be under water instead of "on ice".

They'd be laughing to the human's incessant desire to damage their own well being, and in the process affect every other entity on earth. They'd pray ... "OMG please spare these humans, as they are consumed by their own desires" .. please my god!"

Acquittal

2015-05-11T18:31:00.001-04:00

An enticing article written by Arundhati Roy in Outlook on Prof. Saibaba

http://www.outlookindia.com/article/professor-pow/294265

Isn't it ironical that it's been an year that the person mentioned above has been in prison without bail and no charge sheet, whereas our beloved Salman Khan and of course the goddess of many, Ms. jayalalita are acquitted .. (Yeah, I got it .. Salman Khan isn't acquitted, but do you think he won't be!!)

Oh, I forgot! Mr. Ramalingaraju is released on bail.

ok, I will stop. I will not go down that route.

I have no idea about Prof. Sai baba, but the way he is kept under prison is something that questions our ethos. But I also felt sad that I cannot stand up to him.

I am also one amongst the millions, living and eventually dying in vain.

I shouldn't be acquitted on my unbecoming attitude!!

PS: Yes, I have started becoming conscious about my web foot print and hence the diplomatic undertone.