Indra's Drishtikona (Viewpoint) http://drishtikona.com My online journal with thoughts, opinions, comments and more.. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:22:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 http://www.drishtikona.com/http://www.drishtikona.com/images/favicon.gifDrishtikona en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site. Between Gay Ruling and Economic Survey http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/drishtikona/~3/GHtzGs25g0o/002479.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/religioussocial_issues/002479.php#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:22:11 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/religioussocial_issues/002479.php gay ruling was available on web. The gay ruling has been the top news both on TV as well as newspapers at least in English ones. But the contents in the reporting made me infer that it's because of the readers' choice. I couldn't understand the reason behind calling the judgment as 'a step towards globalization' and how 'we're really in the 21st century' with this ruling. As I went ahead into the newspaper, the headlines were varying. 'Party on, as gay nightlife lights up'. 'Gay Ho' rents air at Jantar Mantar.' 'They joined hands, kissed and cried as weightlifted.' And let me confess my vocabulary of English is pretty poor. I was getting confused with words such as 'gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and straight'. Is this enrichment and excitement necessary among the younger generation, well dressed men and women or so-called activists and the smart reporters from the media of different hues? Was the judgment so much a necessity to invite so many celebrities to go for their comments on it as well for crowding the court room and around? India becomes the 127th country to fall in line and so was the celebration. While the religious leaders don't consider it a part of God's plan, political parties are hesitant with Congress posing as neutral, BJP split, but the left doesn't wish to be left out this time. But the activists say, 'Battle's has been won, but the war has just begun.' Some question, 'Will Delhi HC order apply across India?' And some columnist also dug out the history and the traditional linkages from the ages when the gayness was out in open and not a matter of guilt.' And some predict Delhi to become gay capital. I did not know that gay count varies from 2% to 13% of population. Was the issue of gayness so much of a national importance that the economic survey became less important for the media to cover? Why does this generation follow every movement that is Western or more specifically American, be it management practices or gay rights? Why can't Indians remain Indians with its own oriental values? Why something that is very personal and private gets so much in out? I feel bad as I expect next generation to work on and raise voices against many things more important for the nation. Do these movements and the celebration suit to a nation with malnutrition at 46% for the children under three years of age? Do these activists celebrating the ruling throughout the night know that 60 million of Indians might have slept without a meal? Will this ruling bring any happiness to the one-third of India's adult population with a body mass index below 18.5, the cut-off for malnutrition, or will it any improve the conditions of about half the developing world's low-body-weight babies of India? A question at last: Did our freedom fighters get us our independence to produce these activists and media men? ]]> gay ruling was available on web. The gay ruling has been the top news both on TV as well as newspapers at least in English ones. But the contents in the reporting made me infer that it's because of the readers' choice. I couldn't understand the reason behind calling the judgment as 'a step towards globalization' and how 'we're really in the 21st century' with this ruling. As I went ahead into the newspaper, the headlines were varying. 'Party on, as gay nightlife lights up'. 'Gay Ho' rents air at Jantar Mantar.' 'They joined hands, kissed and cried as weightlifted.' And let me confess my vocabulary of English is pretty poor. I was getting confused with words such as 'gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and straight'. Is this enrichment and excitement necessary among the younger generation, well dressed men and women or so-called activists and the smart reporters from the media of different hues? Was the judgment so much a necessity to invite so many celebrities to go for their comments on it as well for crowding the court room and around? India becomes the 127th country to fall in line and so was the celebration. While the religious leaders don't consider it a part of God's plan, political parties are hesitant with Congress posing as neutral, BJP split, but the left doesn't wish to be left out this time. But the activists say, 'Battle's has been won, but the war has just begun.' Some question, 'Will Delhi HC order apply across India?' And some columnist also dug out the history and the traditional linkages from the ages when the gayness was out in open and not a matter of guilt.' And some predict Delhi to become gay capital. I did not know that gay count varies from 2% to 13% of population. Was the issue of gayness so much of a national importance that the economic survey became less important for the media to cover? Why does this generation follow every movement that is Western or more specifically American, be it management practices or gay rights? Why can't Indians remain Indians with its own oriental values? Why something that is very personal and private gets so much in out? I feel bad as I expect next generation to work on and raise voices against many things more important for the nation. Do these movements and the celebration suit to a nation with malnutrition at 46% for the children under three years of age? Do these activists celebrating the ruling throughout the night know that 60 million of Indians might have slept without a meal? Will this ruling bring any happiness to the one-third of India's adult population with a body mass index below 18.5, the cut-off for malnutrition, or will it any improve the conditions of about half the developing world's low-body-weight babies of India? A question at last: Did our freedom fighters get us our independence to produce these activists and media men? ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/religioussocial_issues/002479.php/feed/ http://drishtikona.com/archives/religioussocial_issues/002479.php Mayawati Means to Immortalize http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/drishtikona/~3/ejbMz7H09hg/002478.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002478.php#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:53:54 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002478.php Akshardham Templenear Noida that has some 1000 elephants sculpted in different panels. It appears to be a war between Mayawati and media. This time the issue relates to the expenses on building the memorials and 46 huge and costly statutes of Dalit icons, of her mentor and of her own. She doesn't even want to follow the norm that prohibits raising statue when he or she is alive. According to one report, 'construction in Lucknow alone is to cost Rs 2,681cr, plus Rs 270cr in maintenance'. Noida is also getting one memorial. Here are some questions: Will the project serve the dalits, the majority in BPL in any manner? Couldn't she use this huge money for educating the boys and girls of dalits in the best schools bearing all their expenditure to ensure their bright future? Will these memorials make her or her mentors immortals? Can't one day a person more whimsical than her bulldoze all the statues and memorials as it has happened in past? Now the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court have also asked Mayawati to explain installation of her statues. Interestingly none of the big political parties raised any noise against these projects earlier. Either they were afraid to annoy her or they were scared of hurting the dalit vote banks. Very lately, some politicians from Congress including Chidambaram have made some noises, but Mayawati doesn't wish to budge. But I and many must have another query. Why is she being blamed for perpetuating her legacy? Congress and its sycophants have kept on doing the same by naming the maximum number of programmes, projects, institutions, places, and perhaps everything after the Nehru and Gandhi (Indira and Not Mahatma). The latest addition in the huge list is the Badra-Worli Sea Link. Sarad Pawar got it named after Rajiv Gandhi to please Sonia. Is that not unethical for perpetuating the name of the family? Why can't the country come out with a consensual way to decide the name to avoid heartburns? Why is Mayawati so insensitive to these objections? Why can't she go by the judiciary that is getting headed today by a dalit? Does she consider herself above the established norms? Mayawati has different reason. According to her, she is creating the places of pilgrimage for Dalit saints and sadhus and for "mental empowerment" of Dalits. And Mayawati perhaps will never listen to the advice unless she knows that it will cost her election. ]]> Akshardham Templenear Noida that has some 1000 elephants sculpted in different panels. It appears to be a war between Mayawati and media. This time the issue relates to the expenses on building the memorials and 46 huge and costly statutes of Dalit icons, of her mentor and of her own. She doesn't even want to follow the norm that prohibits raising statue when he or she is alive. According to one report, 'construction in Lucknow alone is to cost Rs 2,681cr, plus Rs 270cr in maintenance'. Noida is also getting one memorial. Here are some questions: Will the project serve the dalits, the majority in BPL in any manner? Couldn't she use this huge money for educating the boys and girls of dalits in the best schools bearing all their expenditure to ensure their bright future? Will these memorials make her or her mentors immortals? Can't one day a person more whimsical than her bulldoze all the statues and memorials as it has happened in past? Now the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court have also asked Mayawati to explain installation of her statues. Interestingly none of the big political parties raised any noise against these projects earlier. Either they were afraid to annoy her or they were scared of hurting the dalit vote banks. Very lately, some politicians from Congress including Chidambaram have made some noises, but Mayawati doesn't wish to budge. But I and many must have another query. Why is she being blamed for perpetuating her legacy? Congress and its sycophants have kept on doing the same by naming the maximum number of programmes, projects, institutions, places, and perhaps everything after the Nehru and Gandhi (Indira and Not Mahatma). The latest addition in the huge list is the Badra-Worli Sea Link. Sarad Pawar got it named after Rajiv Gandhi to please Sonia. Is that not unethical for perpetuating the name of the family? Why can't the country come out with a consensual way to decide the name to avoid heartburns? Why is Mayawati so insensitive to these objections? Why can't she go by the judiciary that is getting headed today by a dalit? Does she consider herself above the established norms? Mayawati has different reason. According to her, she is creating the places of pilgrimage for Dalit saints and sadhus and for "mental empowerment" of Dalits. And Mayawati perhaps will never listen to the advice unless she knows that it will cost her election. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002478.php/feed/ http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002478.php Bihar: What Should I Celebrate? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/drishtikona/~3/R9fSxiJSFS8/002477.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002477.php#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:00:55 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002477.php well-done story giving the background of some of the star candidates of Anand appears in the national news magazine. Most of them are from the very low earning families, but interested in making a mark. Anand the mathematician, magician, humanist, or all in one facilitated them to get into coveted IITs. And he is doing that year after year. I don't know why he didn't aspire to become as rich as many running the coaching enterprises in every small and big towns of India, Kota being the most famous. Anand today has become global known celebrity? Is Anand not a good candidate for Padma award? Should Bihar not be proud of Anand and Avayanand, the IPS who parted last year? Avayanand has been now doing the similar coaching for the student of the minority in Bihar through Ahamadia foundation. Bihar has been known only for the wrong things, be it for Lulu's funny acts, the kidnapping industry, or corrupt and inefficient officers. But here was an officer who has created history of a sort. Pratyaya Amrit heads a state enterprise, the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL) that is creating record as PSU. BRPNNL completed 336 bridges in the last three years alone. It was a great performance as the Nigam had constructed 314 bridges during 30 years. Pratyaya is running the Nigam as one of the best CEOs runs with all the management practices employed these days to motivate the employees to perform the best. Why can't the other IAS take some lessons from Pratyaya? Why do most of them make accumulating money as the only mission of the life? Pratyaya can make anyone proud with his performance. But how can I forget to mention about the Haryana-cadre IAS officer Ajit Joshi, coming from the state of Maharashtra of Raj Thackray. Joshi inspired the people of Sonepat, a district know for their miserly ways and raised Rs 1.4 crore as donations to rebuild a Koshi-ravaged village populated by the extreme backward community of Musahars (rat-eaters). Why can Raj and others who spread divisive hatred among the Indians get some lessons from Ajit? And then I also come across the news of Nitish taking lead over rivals to perpetuate his rule through one of the master strokes for which he has become famous. How can his decision for the reservation in the state judiciary be push the state above other state? How long Nitish can keep on blaming Lalu's misrule for the ranking of Bihar among the miserable states? Nitish is certainly relatively better. But couldn't he do much more on development? Should I celebrate Nitish's reservation in state judiciary? Will it help any way to alleviate the miserable conditions of the deprived lots of Bihar? And instead of asking Mamta to probe into the performance of railways when Lalu was at the helm, Nitish would have requested Mamta to proceed fast with the two mega projects of railways in Chhapra and Madhepura that as per media report Mamta wishes to shift to West Bengal. Nitish could have done much more on education front- by asking the principals of the colleges of engineering, medicine and science to scale up and to improve brand image and ranking to attract students, by making school teachers more accountable, by trying to set up engineering colleges in every district headquarters and ITIs or polytechnics in every block for skill building, and by switching over to CBSE and dropping the state boards and deploying its employees as teachers. It is unfortunate that Nitish has neither been able to attract any major business house, nor done anything significant in the area of food processing sector or even tourism, textile related sector such as ones in Madhubani and Bhagalpur. I don't know what has happened to Nalanda International University Project. I again say Nitish is doing good work but something remarkable that can change Bihar pretty soon. I will have to keep on celebrating the successes of the individuals, courtesy reporter such as Amitava Srivastava. ]]> well-done story giving the background of some of the star candidates of Anand appears in the national news magazine. Most of them are from the very low earning families, but interested in making a mark. Anand the mathematician, magician, humanist, or all in one facilitated them to get into coveted IITs. And he is doing that year after year. I don't know why he didn't aspire to become as rich as many running the coaching enterprises in every small and big towns of India, Kota being the most famous. Anand today has become global known celebrity? Is Anand not a good candidate for Padma award? Should Bihar not be proud of Anand and Avayanand, the IPS who parted last year? Avayanand has been now doing the similar coaching for the student of the minority in Bihar through Ahamadia foundation. Bihar has been known only for the wrong things, be it for Lulu's funny acts, the kidnapping industry, or corrupt and inefficient officers. But here was an officer who has created history of a sort. Pratyaya Amrit heads a state enterprise, the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL) that is creating record as PSU. BRPNNL completed 336 bridges in the last three years alone. It was a great performance as the Nigam had constructed 314 bridges during 30 years. Pratyaya is running the Nigam as one of the best CEOs runs with all the management practices employed these days to motivate the employees to perform the best. Why can't the other IAS take some lessons from Pratyaya? Why do most of them make accumulating money as the only mission of the life? Pratyaya can make anyone proud with his performance. But how can I forget to mention about the Haryana-cadre IAS officer Ajit Joshi, coming from the state of Maharashtra of Raj Thackray. Joshi inspired the people of Sonepat, a district know for their miserly ways and raised Rs 1.4 crore as donations to rebuild a Koshi-ravaged village populated by the extreme backward community of Musahars (rat-eaters). Why can Raj and others who spread divisive hatred among the Indians get some lessons from Ajit? And then I also come across the news of Nitish taking lead over rivals to perpetuate his rule through one of the master strokes for which he has become famous. How can his decision for the reservation in the state judiciary be push the state above other state? How long Nitish can keep on blaming Lalu's misrule for the ranking of Bihar among the miserable states? Nitish is certainly relatively better. But couldn't he do much more on development? Should I celebrate Nitish's reservation in state judiciary? Will it help any way to alleviate the miserable conditions of the deprived lots of Bihar? And instead of asking Mamta to probe into the performance of railways when Lalu was at the helm, Nitish would have requested Mamta to proceed fast with the two mega projects of railways in Chhapra and Madhepura that as per media report Mamta wishes to shift to West Bengal. Nitish could have done much more on education front- by asking the principals of the colleges of engineering, medicine and science to scale up and to improve brand image and ranking to attract students, by making school teachers more accountable, by trying to set up engineering colleges in every district headquarters and ITIs or polytechnics in every block for skill building, and by switching over to CBSE and dropping the state boards and deploying its employees as teachers. It is unfortunate that Nitish has neither been able to attract any major business house, nor done anything significant in the area of food processing sector or even tourism, textile related sector such as ones in Madhubani and Bhagalpur. I don't know what has happened to Nalanda International University Project. I again say Nitish is doing good work but something remarkable that can change Bihar pretty soon. I will have to keep on celebrating the successes of the individuals, courtesy reporter such as Amitava Srivastava. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002477.php/feed/ http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002477.php BJP: Get, Set and Plunge http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/drishtikona/~3/eCqwsO-XBq4/002476.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002476.php#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:42:10 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002476.php print and digital media are presenting the miserable state in BJP. Its well wishers are missing its representation on many fronts. BJP's collective leadership or whosoever is in its driving seat must take immediate step to stop the deteriorating morale of its close followers and friends. BJP would have cashed on the recent personality clashes and internal debates at the recent party forum too. Its representative would have asked people present at different forum if a similar criticism of the leadership is possible in Congress, and explained the positive side of the expressions of differences as sound democratic demand. Can the critiques of BJP even dream of such open expressions of the opinions by the leaders of Congress Party? Should it not be considered as essential aspect of Indian democracy unlike Congress where everyone including prime ministers appears to be working as subservient to the first family? With Advani in perfectly sound health, the BJP or RSS must ask him to continue to head the party with all authority and force, to have formal and informal discussions with the top leaders of the party, chief ministers, and key RSS officials and to come out with a scientific and sound system of succession for the key positions such as party chief as well as leaders of opposition in both houses, chief ministers and various other political and government positions. The system of all the political appointments must become a brand and the party's unique differentiator against Congress system. Advani must complete the task before he ends his inning. Why should BJP drop its policies and ideologies that are sound and in national interest? Why should it copy what Congress does nakedly for appeasement of the vote banks? Instead why can't the BJP stalwarts such as Arun Shourie and Jaswant duo move around the country among the intellectuals and opinion builder groups and have debate about the contemporary Hindutva and Bharatiyata? Hindutva was always inclusive, secular and accommodating over the centuries. The country's Supreme Court also has explained Hindustva. It was not Hindutva that caused the damage; it was the successful and focused campaign of the media and opponents who call themselves secular that succeeded in blaming BJP for every silly incident in the country, be it in Karnataka or Orissa. BJP must appeal to its associates such as Shiv Sena, VHP, or Bajrang Dal to change, or BJP disassociates itself from them. Why should BJP be responsible for anything that any insane fanatic individual or arrogant group including those from Hindus does? BJP must find out an effective means to take care of these perceptions and handle media well. BJP leadership must keep the execution of the development projects as its main plank, put forward the good ideas and be critical if the execution is delayed. Let BJP be more vocal about the achievements of its chief ministers, Modi, Chauhan, Yeddyurappa and Raman Singh and the obstacles created by the centre such as one for Gujarat's anti-terrorists bill. BJP will have to bring a large number of younger generation icons in its fold by inducting celebrities from different fields, be it legal, education, NGOs, or industry. Why should not all the top leadership get involved in it rather than leaving it only for Mr. Advani? If Modi can become the darling of the industry, why can't others? Let the corporate houses be handled by the state the way they serve the society best. And I do also suggest that the leaders such as Rajnath Singh and Jaswant Singh must concentrate on their home states along with the local leaders. And finally BJP must not raise Varun to the national level as an answer to Rahul. It will again be nurturing unduly a Gandhi just because of the family background and not with sufficiently acceptable credentials. ]]> print and digital media are presenting the miserable state in BJP. Its well wishers are missing its representation on many fronts. BJP's collective leadership or whosoever is in its driving seat must take immediate step to stop the deteriorating morale of its close followers and friends. BJP would have cashed on the recent personality clashes and internal debates at the recent party forum too. Its representative would have asked people present at different forum if a similar criticism of the leadership is possible in Congress, and explained the positive side of the expressions of differences as sound democratic demand. Can the critiques of BJP even dream of such open expressions of the opinions by the leaders of Congress Party? Should it not be considered as essential aspect of Indian democracy unlike Congress where everyone including prime ministers appears to be working as subservient to the first family? With Advani in perfectly sound health, the BJP or RSS must ask him to continue to head the party with all authority and force, to have formal and informal discussions with the top leaders of the party, chief ministers, and key RSS officials and to come out with a scientific and sound system of succession for the key positions such as party chief as well as leaders of opposition in both houses, chief ministers and various other political and government positions. The system of all the political appointments must become a brand and the party's unique differentiator against Congress system. Advani must complete the task before he ends his inning. Why should BJP drop its policies and ideologies that are sound and in national interest? Why should it copy what Congress does nakedly for appeasement of the vote banks? Instead why can't the BJP stalwarts such as Arun Shourie and Jaswant duo move around the country among the intellectuals and opinion builder groups and have debate about the contemporary Hindutva and Bharatiyata? Hindutva was always inclusive, secular and accommodating over the centuries. The country's Supreme Court also has explained Hindustva. It was not Hindutva that caused the damage; it was the successful and focused campaign of the media and opponents who call themselves secular that succeeded in blaming BJP for every silly incident in the country, be it in Karnataka or Orissa. BJP must appeal to its associates such as Shiv Sena, VHP, or Bajrang Dal to change, or BJP disassociates itself from them. Why should BJP be responsible for anything that any insane fanatic individual or arrogant group including those from Hindus does? BJP must find out an effective means to take care of these perceptions and handle media well. BJP leadership must keep the execution of the development projects as its main plank, put forward the good ideas and be critical if the execution is delayed. Let BJP be more vocal about the achievements of its chief ministers, Modi, Chauhan, Yeddyurappa and Raman Singh and the obstacles created by the centre such as one for Gujarat's anti-terrorists bill. BJP will have to bring a large number of younger generation icons in its fold by inducting celebrities from different fields, be it legal, education, NGOs, or industry. Why should not all the top leadership get involved in it rather than leaving it only for Mr. Advani? If Modi can become the darling of the industry, why can't others? Let the corporate houses be handled by the state the way they serve the society best. And I do also suggest that the leaders such as Rajnath Singh and Jaswant Singh must concentrate on their home states along with the local leaders. And finally BJP must not raise Varun to the national level as an answer to Rahul. It will again be nurturing unduly a Gandhi just because of the family background and not with sufficiently acceptable credentials. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002476.php/feed/ http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002476.php Cat Comes to India http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/drishtikona/~3/xx8-VG7KF3U/002475.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002475.php#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:43:18 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002475.php
Images of Cat
Tata Motors first acquired and finally brought in the British icons Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) for Indian market. It is nostalgically historic moment for Tata as well as for all Indians. JLR is owned by an Indian company. My excitement has a different reason. I had visited the Jaguar factory in Coventry in 1982.
Interestingly as reported, 'Tata Motors reported on Friday its first annual loss in at least eight years, hit by slowing demand and losses at its Jaguar and Land Rover unit it bought in 2008'. It is because of the global meltdown that has affected the western world in the worst way, and that was the JLR's best market. Interestingly JLR has increased its sales in Russia and China even with the crisis world over in auto sector. Many a time, I keep on asking if India can become a world power in automobiles, particularly passenger cars. Today Tata Motors is the only major Indian player. Tata Motors was late comer in passenger cars. Tata Motors tried to push its first real passenger car 'Indica' in markets outside but it has hardly succeeded. However, the acquisition of JLR has certainly given hope for Tata Motors, as its product range has gone wider starting from to Nano to big cat Jaguar i.e. from micro-priced cars to one among the highly priced luxury ones. Nano could push Tata Motors as globally recognized car manufacturer. Its preproduction launches in the auto expos of developed country got exciting reviews. With the potential of its very high fuel efficiency and better emission control, it can take Tata Motors to its height. I am sure one day even JLR will outsource major manufacturing to low-cost India without affecting its brand. And Tata Motors will focus on getting higher in its quality ranking. Tata Motors has today all the resources including R&D centres and can afford to build the best to maintain and move to global class. Its JLR vehicles are gas guzzlers. It will need some breakthroughs in technologies or switch over to better high breed technologies to compete with global players such as Toyota and BMW. Somehow, I think Tata motors must promote younger leadership to plan the future products and run its operation rather than depending on superannuating heads who have already reached the plateau. However, it is for Ratan to decide. ]]>
Images of Cat
Tata Motors first acquired and finally brought in the British icons Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) for Indian market. It is nostalgically historic moment for Tata as well as for all Indians. JLR is owned by an Indian company. My excitement has a different reason. I had visited the Jaguar factory in Coventry in 1982.
Interestingly as reported, 'Tata Motors reported on Friday its first annual loss in at least eight years, hit by slowing demand and losses at its Jaguar and Land Rover unit it bought in 2008'. It is because of the global meltdown that has affected the western world in the worst way, and that was the JLR's best market. Interestingly JLR has increased its sales in Russia and China even with the crisis world over in auto sector. Many a time, I keep on asking if India can become a world power in automobiles, particularly passenger cars. Today Tata Motors is the only major Indian player. Tata Motors was late comer in passenger cars. Tata Motors tried to push its first real passenger car 'Indica' in markets outside but it has hardly succeeded. However, the acquisition of JLR has certainly given hope for Tata Motors, as its product range has gone wider starting from to Nano to big cat Jaguar i.e. from micro-priced cars to one among the highly priced luxury ones. Nano could push Tata Motors as globally recognized car manufacturer. Its preproduction launches in the auto expos of developed country got exciting reviews. With the potential of its very high fuel efficiency and better emission control, it can take Tata Motors to its height. I am sure one day even JLR will outsource major manufacturing to low-cost India without affecting its brand. And Tata Motors will focus on getting higher in its quality ranking. Tata Motors has today all the resources including R&D centres and can afford to build the best to maintain and move to global class. Its JLR vehicles are gas guzzlers. It will need some breakthroughs in technologies or switch over to better high breed technologies to compete with global players such as Toyota and BMW. Somehow, I think Tata motors must promote younger leadership to plan the future products and run its operation rather than depending on superannuating heads who have already reached the plateau. However, it is for Ratan to decide. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002475.php/feed/ http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002475.php मेरा गाँव, मेरे सपने http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/drishtikona/~3/MeXlGCiIgXY/002474.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002474.php#comments Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:43:13 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002474.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002474.php/feed/ http://drishtikona.com/archives/uncategorized/002474.php BJP’s Self-damaging Opposition to Education Reform http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/drishtikona/~3/m2rXNbUH5KM/002473.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/employmenteducation/002473.php#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:53:26 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/employmenteducation/002473.php dubbed 'the UPA's 100-day education agenda a rushed recipe for disaster and pro-rich. Let BJP not get transformed into the leftist mindset. I am also sure that whatever Murli Manohar stated is not the views of all the leaders of BJP. Otherwise how could Gujarat come out in favour of Sibal's views within so short a time? Sibal's proposals are worth positive considerations and must get all the best inputs from all who can contribute to refine for universal acceptability. BJP must point to the weaknesses in primary and secondary education in rural India-its infrastructure, its teachers, and its management. It would have come out with the ideas and ways to improve the effective enrolment to 100%, dropouts till class XII to zero, enhanced accountability and involvement of the teachers. It is only in rural India that are having maximum of the schools that are only primary, middle or secondary. Very few have all classes from nursery to class XII as it is in most of the schools in metros. Most of the students in rural India will have to sit for the board examination even after class X. The rural school will hardly have the benefits of accreditation as with single school there will hardly be choice, unless many small entrepreneurs or self employed young persons come for teaching at affordable cost. BJP as opposition and media must doubt over Sibal's promise to connect every rural school with broadband, and to effectively use it for providing the quality education to the children and if the school infrastructure with single teacher, and poor building with no electricity can make it happen. Can Man Mohan Singh find another Nandan Nilekani for making this happen? I wrote once to CM, Bihar to abolish the state boards and let every school switch over to CBSE courses. Most of the state boards remain out of date about the changes required for keeping the standard competitive. Simultaneously, the boards and its employees are only extra financial burden on the state's finance, besides making state education corrupt and transforming the teachers as union leaders or ghosts. How can the teaching requirement of a region be different to maintain its identity? Why should even the books and teaching curricula of science subjects and English be different? Will BJP oppose the bill on the right of free education to every child, entry of private schools in villages, or accreditation of the schools? Why doesn't it demand additionally for compulsory and intensive training and refreshment courses for every teacher in rural India and government schools? Will BJP oppose the law to prevent and punish malpractices such as donation or capitation fees too? Will BJP block the entry of foreign universities too in India and allow the outflow of students for no good reasons? Instead why should it not press for allowing only globally highly ranked universities from all over the world? I wish BJP to come out with positive gestures at least on education reforms with a clear thinking arrived at with its brain pool on education rather than allowing the old physicist to talk his notions on education. Let BJP know the nation what it wants, as the people of the country will like to know BJP's course of action on education reforms. Let BJP be more prudent in approach as responsible opposition. ]]> dubbed 'the UPA's 100-day education agenda a rushed recipe for disaster and pro-rich. Let BJP not get transformed into the leftist mindset. I am also sure that whatever Murli Manohar stated is not the views of all the leaders of BJP. Otherwise how could Gujarat come out in favour of Sibal's views within so short a time? Sibal's proposals are worth positive considerations and must get all the best inputs from all who can contribute to refine for universal acceptability. BJP must point to the weaknesses in primary and secondary education in rural India-its infrastructure, its teachers, and its management. It would have come out with the ideas and ways to improve the effective enrolment to 100%, dropouts till class XII to zero, enhanced accountability and involvement of the teachers. It is only in rural India that are having maximum of the schools that are only primary, middle or secondary. Very few have all classes from nursery to class XII as it is in most of the schools in metros. Most of the students in rural India will have to sit for the board examination even after class X. The rural school will hardly have the benefits of accreditation as with single school there will hardly be choice, unless many small entrepreneurs or self employed young persons come for teaching at affordable cost. BJP as opposition and media must doubt over Sibal's promise to connect every rural school with broadband, and to effectively use it for providing the quality education to the children and if the school infrastructure with single teacher, and poor building with no electricity can make it happen. Can Man Mohan Singh find another Nandan Nilekani for making this happen? I wrote once to CM, Bihar to abolish the state boards and let every school switch over to CBSE courses. Most of the state boards remain out of date about the changes required for keeping the standard competitive. Simultaneously, the boards and its employees are only extra financial burden on the state's finance, besides making state education corrupt and transforming the teachers as union leaders or ghosts. How can the teaching requirement of a region be different to maintain its identity? Why should even the books and teaching curricula of science subjects and English be different? Will BJP oppose the bill on the right of free education to every child, entry of private schools in villages, or accreditation of the schools? Why doesn't it demand additionally for compulsory and intensive training and refreshment courses for every teacher in rural India and government schools? Will BJP oppose the law to prevent and punish malpractices such as donation or capitation fees too? Will BJP block the entry of foreign universities too in India and allow the outflow of students for no good reasons? Instead why should it not press for allowing only globally highly ranked universities from all over the world? I wish BJP to come out with positive gestures at least on education reforms with a clear thinking arrived at with its brain pool on education rather than allowing the old physicist to talk his notions on education. Let BJP know the nation what it wants, as the people of the country will like to know BJP's course of action on education reforms. Let BJP be more prudent in approach as responsible opposition. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/employmenteducation/002473.php/feed/ http://drishtikona.com/archives/employmenteducation/002473.php