Not a burning issue yet- Ranganathan Street, T.Nagar

Fire broke out at Saravana Stores in Ranganathan Street (no, not the one opposite Panagal Park). This had to happen at some point of time and I refer to my previous post on this. Luckily it happened early in the morning so that any loss of life could be averted.
We hope that atleast now the Government would wake up, take stock of the situation and put an end to these violations. Assuming this had happened during peak shopping hours (Aadi sale!!), the loss in terms of both life and property would have been phenomenal. It could have turned out to be catastrophic.

Srirangam trip

It was rather an eventful trip to Srirangam this weekend. After a long wait to realize this dream (??), an opportunity finally came through a friend’s marriage at Srirangam. After standing in the queue for over an hour at Koyumbedu CMBT, I could finally manage a ticket to Trichy on a SETC (State Express Transport Corporation) bus. With the scorching sun spitting venom and the temperature soaring in the direction of the sky, I could luckily manage a seat for myself in an AC bus.

The bus started sharp at 10 on a bright Sunday morning and so did the TV in the bus (it was a Video coach for god’s sake). In a journey spanning close to over 6 hours (with a short 15 mins lunch break at Tindivanam), the bus reached Srirangam at around 4.15 in the evening. The journey was fantastic with the roads being excellent for most part of the journey. I was a bit awestruck seeing a number of over bridges/ flyovers coming up on the highway (trust me, I could count atleast 10-12 of these)

It would have been totally unjust on my part and also that my visit to Srirangam would have not been complete if I did not visit the Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple. This temple is an architectural wonder, a real beauty. The Rajagopuram [see pic below] is a colossal structure combined with beautiful architecture. I was just wondering whether any DLF or a GMR could ever build such a lovely structure without deploying any sort of modern technologies. This Gopuram was built hundreds of years ago, during a period when the word “Technology” in itself was unknown. Then the Sannidhanam, with Lord Ranganatha Swamy is a rare position was even more mind blowing.

I rushed back to the Kalyana Mandapam for the muhurtham. By 10 the marriage was over and so was my Srirangam trip. I realized that it was time to return back to Chennai. I took a bus from Srirangam to the Trichy Central Bus Terminus. I initially boarded a non-AC deluxe bus, but was tempted when I saw the AC bus which just arrived in the adjacent platform. I immediately disembarked from the deluxe bus and got into the AC bus. The bus was supposed to start at 1, but what followed was something that took me by surprise, a Government bus being seized by a private party (heard that they had some Court Attachment Order in hand).

I was a bit baffled but nevertheless had to disembark from the bus and got into another bus waiting just behind. I realize that this is not the first time such a thing has happened. Sometime in 2007, a TNSTC bus had killed a passer-by and the legal heirs of the deceased had filed a case against the State Transport Corporation seeking compensation. The Court had ordered compensation payable to the victim and when TNSTC failed to pay up the compensation, the Court had ordered attachment of the buses.

The Order of the Court is inarguably correct. But my only feeling was that the buses should have been seized from the depot rather than from the bus terminus and moreso when the bus is loaded with passengers. Probably they never realize the amount of hardship and trouble it would cause to the general public (the passengers). I had no other choice but to disembark the bus. Luckily for me and others travelling with me, we could find another AC bus waiting for us.

Overall, the Srirangam trip was eventful. I hope to visit Srirangam again to explore the Ranganathaswamy temple better and perhaps also visit other nearby places and maybe also take a plunge in the Cauvery river (of course subject to Karnataka’s generosity)

On the East Coast Road

Driving down from Chennai to Pondicherry on the ECR was a pleasure in itself. It was but really dangerous especially having been narrowly missed by a bus. Still there wont be any regret clocking 100 kmph consistently.

This video was taken on our way back to Chennai. All that could be visible was the radium markers on the road and the headlight beams.

Sai video

Another favourite one

Odumba poora irundha adhukku peru mulai illa ne, kozhuppu!!

Ultimate. Isnt it??

My nephew. Very cute. Isn't he??

My nephew. Really cute!!

Government - Do we need one?

Of late the concept of being a 'Libertarian' has been the hot point of discussion. Everyone wants to be free. No one wants to be controlled by anyone. The question as to why at all there should be a government has arisen. There is a common feeling that everyone can mind his or her own life and therefore there is no need for any external force to exercise control over them. The idea of Capitalism has been implanted deep into their minds. They seem to be unanimously saying no to Socialism. They feel it is out of fashion, back-dated and irrelevant.

But I think one needs to understand the importance of Socialism. 100% of anything is bad. Socialism is bad, but at the same time Capitalism is not the answer to it in India. In India we need to understand the importance of having a Government and I hope can be best explained as below.

1.WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A GOVERNMENT?
This is a question that a specialist needs to answer, the simple reason being that everyone (a common man) wants the government to satisfy his or her needs. What is good becomes very subjective. In other words, if the Government satisfies ones needs then it is a good government, or else it is a bad government. So, it is basically the selfish motive of the people that guides them in deciding whether a Government is good or not.

The concept of a Government or something similar to it has evolved over a period of time, you can say right from the time Kings existed. In India, the King was considered to be the representative of the people and he was the person-in-chief to take care of the needs of the people. There was a certain degree of Rajdharma attached to him. This Rajdharma is nothing but the basic duties of a King, viz., Protection of the territory from external aggression as well as maintaining internal peace & security for better governance. But, over a period of time, with education being the need of the hour and with huge advancements in the field of Science & Technology, the basic duty of a State (Government) became much more than the aforesaid duties. The concept of a Welfare State thus developed.

2.WHAT IS WELFARE STATE?
One may ask as to what is a Welfare State. Well, as one knows, apart from the basic duties of Protection of the State from external aggression and maintenance of Internal security and order, a State has many more functions to perform like providing basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, water, primary education etc. All these functions are basically social functions which the State has to function. In a vastly populated country like India it is practically not possible for and individual to do all this.

One must also understand that in today's world, everyone is dependant on the other in one way or the other. So, it is equally important to understand that in other's welfare lies your welfare too and that's where the concept of welfare state arises.

3.WHY SHOULD I PAY INCOME TAX?
To be frank, this is a perfectly valid question for which there is no convincing answer. Even I agree to the fact that "why should I pay for someone else whom I do not even know?" and also strongly support to the view that every man must earn his bread rather than depending on others.

This is one of the major disadvantages of a Democratic set-up of Governance. The State in this case feeds the lazy and incompetent people and also does not adequately rewards Competent & Hard-working people. But you must realize that no system is perfect and some defects are bound to be there.

Regarding the answer to the question as to "why should I pay Income tax?" all that I can say is that the Government needs funds to carry on its social welfare programs and for this they need money and this is by way of Income Tax.

4. LEGAL ASPECTS AS REGARDING FREEDOM
One also needs to know the legal aspects as regards freedom as is relevant in India. According to Article 19(1) of the Constitution of India, it provides for certain freedoms available to every citizen namely, freedom of speech & expression, freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India, freedom to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India, freedom to form associations or unions, freedom to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.

However these are not absolute freedoms and are subject to certain restrictions as provided in Articles 19(2) to 19(6). These are known as Permissible Restrictions which may be enumerated as Sovereignty & Integrity of India, Security of the State, Public order, decency & morality, Contempt of Court, Defamation, Friendly relations with foreign States and Incitement to an offence.

Thus it can be said that with a Government control hovering over your head, it does not necessarily mean that one is being subjugated and that his freedom is restricted. It would be apt to understand that what freedom means to one would very much means the same to others also. In other words, if you have the right to enjoy your life freely, so do other people. To maintain equilibrium, the Government takes over this function.Thus, the Government by way of laws in NOT controlling your life, rather it is just ensuring that you live life your way without you causing hindrance to others from living theirs.

5.HOW ABOUT LEAVING THIS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR?
It is not a question of whether Private hands can do it, it is rather a question of will Private hands do it. It is worth noting that in today's corporate world, there is a concept of Social Responsibility growing up and Private hands also slowly lending their helpful hand to the Governments in the effective functioning of the Social and Welfare functions of the State

6.CONCEPT OF PRIVATISATION AND ITS EVOLUTION
Privatization is the latest trend in the Indian economy and it would be noteworthy that never before in Indian parliamentary history has there never before been a Disinvestment Ministry and a Minister incharge if it.It is a well known fact that Government control causes inefficiency and Privatization is the only cure to it. The Government has realized this and are thereby selling of loss making PSU's to Private Industries to revive such loss making units. There is a gradual shift from Socialism to Capitalism in India. However it is always advisable to have a judicious mix of both. It is to be noted that USA itself is not a 100% Capitalist Country.Therefore, Privatization is definitely there and will be there, but everything has a limit.

7.WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
The solution is simple. Everything has its own advantages and disadvantages. Government is always a must in every Country and total absence of Governmental control would lead to absolute chaos and anarchy.Instead of totally boycotting or opposing Governmental control, it would be better to think on how to make the Government accountable or how to wipe out corruption and red tapism or how to efficiently make use of the current system?Thus, instead of thinking in a single direction, one must start thinking in a broader sense and try to find solutions with the existing resources. Thus, it would be apt to conclude that Total Capitalism is not the solution to the problem in India, It would be like selling of a Company if you are unable to make profits. It would only show inefficiency rather than making sense.

Luck!!

Jay and Larry met for the first time in twenty years. "So, how's life been for you?" Jay asked.

"Not too good," Larry replied. "My first wife left with the plumber, Mr. Buttcrack, then my second wife turned out to be a lesbian and ran off with another woman and took all our savings ... my son's in prison for trying to kill me, my unmarried daughter got pregnant and had triplets, my house was hit by a low-flying aircraft, my vintage car rolled off the dock into the sea, I had to have my dog put down recently, my doctor says that I have an incurable social disease and to cap it all my business has just gone bust."

"Shoot, that sounds terrible," Jay said. "What business were you in?"

"I sold good luck charms," said Larry.

TOI Ad. Inspiring stuff

This is one awesome TV Commercial this. Very inspirational.



Really good!!

Pine trees of Kodai - 2007

Whose country is it anyways??

I wrote this article way back in 2004. However I feel this article is still worth the debate. Here it goes...

India has always been a place of great Tamasha. Yes, I am talking about the Indian elections. It has been great fun watching the politicians burning midnight oil and try to please the Indian `Voter' to secure himself his vote. To what extent they would go is unimaginable. Recently, I received a SMS from a hardcore anti-congress follower showing great sympathy towards the No.2 and also further reminding me that One Billion Indians could not find an Indian to be the Prime Minister of the country (when congress initially announced Sonia Gandhi to be our next PM). I am no Congress supporter nor am I a BJP-man (as people would rather prefer being called). To tell the truth, being mostly surrounded by hardcore BJP enthusiasts, its always a great temptation to resist from opposing it. This is a temptation which I cannot simply resist. The simple idea is that if you agree or concur with a person's opinion, the argument is closed and the subject is dead and buried. But to prove your point, you always need to substantiate them with facts and figures. God!! this is really a very tough task. Now where do I go for facts and figures myself. Well, there is always this newschannel NDTV 24X7 and Mr.Rajdeep Sardesai for me. So, may be that would always help me. Talking about NDTV 24X7 vis-à-vis The Great Indian Tamasha, my mind always went about as to how much money would they have earned in this venture of election coverage. All that Opinion Polls and the Exit Polls which they projected fetched them good TRP ratings but the actual result was what which hit the nation. The numbers were terrifying. BJP+ got 188 (BJP alone got 138), Congress+ got 226 (Congress alone could manage only 145) and rest went to the Communists and other regional parties. It was really disturbing to know that to learn that the `so-called' National level parties could manage only 283 of the 546 seats in the Lok Sabha. Day in and day out political analysts have been lamenting over the importance of a stable government and further warned that a hung parliament could only worsen the situation and weaken India's position in the global scenario.

It is significant to notice that India has been projecting herself as a Super-power by the year 2020. But with the way things have been going ,2020 seems to be a very very long time ahead. Just imagine people like Laloo Prasad Yadav, now a railway minister and Sharad Pawar who broke away from the congress party stating Sonia's foreign origin as a issue lending support to congress to form the government at the centre only shows that people like these are there only to satisfy their personal needs rather than cater to the need of the people. All these people are certainly opportunists and certainly don't seem to be inclined to contribute towards stability. This is probably not for the first time one is hearing about the concept of regional interests hampering national interest. But with regional parties like DMK, PMK, MDMK, RJD etc. coming to the fore at a National level, it certainly isn't a good sign of development. India has always been considered as one of World's largest democracy and is also respected worldwide. India has one of the largest written constitution in the world and is also the second largest populous country in the entire globe. Over the past few years India has been considered as a hub for Information Technology Developments and a large number of such jobs are being outsourced from the US to India.

Also a significant number of Software Professionals employed in the US are Indians. What then is the problem? one may ask. Yes,the problem is when India has been so phenomenal at a micro-level, then why not in the Macro-level? If Indians can be so good then why not India? Why is India still considered as a developing nation. A few serious questions need to be asked. Why is India still not a destination for foreign students? Why is India still not able to come up with a corporation as big as Microsoft or a Exxon Mobil? Why are cars still a luxury in India? Why are Indian people still voting for a person whom they know is not performing? The basic objective of the whole argument is to bring out the problems along with the solution that is plaguing the Indian people. Everyone in India, interestingly, knows what the problem is and more interestingly what is the solution for it. Yet,no one is able to do anything about it. This is something political. Our rulers know that PSU's are loss making units and are proving to be white elephants on them and they know that the solution to it is to hand them over to private hands for better management and control. Yet they will not do that because by doing so, people would lose their jobs and the government doing so would lose their valuable votes. Our rulers know that building an economy is more important than building a temple. Yet they lament over the issue of building the temple because they have to play the religion card to secure votes for themselves. They strongly feel that the sentiments of the people is much more important than anything in the world. This strongly illustrates the concept of political willingness. It is said that it is easier to wake up a man who is sleeping rather than a man who is pretending to be asleep.

Thus to conclude I would like to say that let us realize that we have to make the best use of the available resources. We cannot change things overnight. We have to make India a strong democracy. To make a better India we have to have a better stronger government. A Government which should be able to make economic reforms without any fear and should be solely aiming at the growth of the nation rather than satisfying to the regional needs of the alliance partners. People should discourage regional parties at national level and must vote for a stable government at the centre.

After all whose country is it anyway??

Now, its reservation in the Private sector!!

UP seems to taken the lead in implementing the much spoken about Reservation in the Private Sector. It would not be long before others jump into the fray.

I personally feel this would not do any good either to the “reserver” or the “reserved”, though I am unable to substantiate on this factually. But this would definitely help vote bank politics in India.

The Cat & the monkey story

3rd Test match - India vs. Australia, Perth Jan 16-20

Australia in their 1st innings

Symonds, when he was on just three, was dropped by Sachin Tendulkar at first slip off Irfan Pathan.

On 14, he got an inside edge to RP Singh and the ball appeared to be heading straight for middle stump, only to spin at right angles and just miss.

It is said a Cat has 9 lives. True, but

Andrew Symonds has _____ lives???

Any answers??

How much does a miracle cost??

I read this somewhere and was really touched by this Story. Here is goes-

Story told by Azim Premji Wipro Chairman during IIT Madras Convocation Speech

An eight-year-old child heard her parents talking about her little brother. All she knew was that he was very sick and they had no money left. They were moving to a smaller house because they could not afford to stay in the present house after paying the doctor's bills. Only a very costly surgery could save him now and there was no one to loan them the money.

When she heard daddy say to her tearful mother with whispered desperation, 'Only a miracle can save him now', the child went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jar from its hiding place in the closet.

She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully.

Clutching the precious jar tightly, she slipped out the back door and made her way six blocks to the local drug Store. She took a quarter from her jar and placed it on the glass counter.

"And what do you want?" asked the pharmacist.

"It's for my little brother," the girl answered back.

"He's really, really sick and I want to buy a miracle."

"I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist. "His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my daddy says only a miracle can save him. So how much does a miracle cost?"

"We don't sell miracles here, child. I'm sorry," the pharmacist said, smiling sadly at the little girl.

"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I can try and get some more. Just tell me how much it costs."

In the shop was a well-dressed customer. He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does you brother need?"

"I don't know," she replied with her eyes welling up. "He's really sick and mommy says he needs an operation. But my daddy can't pay for it, so I have brought my savings".

"How much do you have?" asked the man.

"One dollar and eleven cents, but I can try and get some more", she answered barely audibly.

"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven cents the exact price of a miracle for little brothers."

He took her money in one hand and held her hand with the other. He said, "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need." That well-dressed man was Dr Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery.

The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long before Andrew was home again and doing well.

"That surgery," her mom whispered, "was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?" The little girl smiled. She knew exactly how much the miracle cost one dollar and eleven cents .. plus the faith of a little child.

"Perseverance can make miracles happen "

This is what I call creativity.

Tata Nano & the people's car - but who are these people?

The expression 'Public' or 'People' is used indiscriminately both by polititians and corporates alike. Their respective ideas or products are thrust forcibly on the people under the guise of 'public interest' or the 'wish of the people'

Tata's 1-lakh car demonstrates just this. This is nothing but a criminal attempt by Tata (with great respect to Tatas & their noble/ priceless contribution to India's industrialization over the years since Indian independence) to push its miniature size unsafe car into the Indian markets with a sole intention to make gains. The worst part is they call it the "People's car". But who are these people? What will they gain out of this car? The very thought of having to look at the problem of jammed roads and lack of parking spaces in cities is really scaring. The increase in the level of pollution in cities is also a major cause of concern. This 1-lakh car is just going to make things worse for the nation.

From the business point of view this is killing competiton. We (Indians) accused Aussies of poor or no sportsmanship. Now what would you call this?? Just like the Aussies arrogant and unacceptable attitude of "win at any cost", this seems to be Tata's style of saying "Now I will sell my cars, at any cost".

Sydney fiasco - Indian media going overboard

There is no doubt that it was really sad seeing India lose a match which they could have atleast drawn (realistically speaking, had all umpiring decisions been correct, India could have actually won the match). Then the racism row, something that should have never happened. Harbhajan was handed a 3 match ban instantanly (amazing, super quick judgement - Saudi style)

Be that as it may, as it is on one hand things were quite heated up. On the other hand, the Indian media seems to be adding more fuel to the fire. The effect to this "adding fuel to fire" was quite visible when we witnessed one of Indian's most famous and familiar way of protest - "burning of effigies". The media was also prompt in reporting as to how Harbhajan's mom felt her son could never be wrong (it reminds me of the then famous 'Sehwag ki Maa' days) and how a conspiracy seems to have been hatched against her son. Moreover, never mind the official confirmation from ICC or the BCCI, the media had also started speculating the fate of the tour indicating that the tour might be called off.

As if the contributions of the print media is not enough, the visual media lead by CNN-IBN (one disgusting news channel) and TIMES NOW (yuk, english counterparts of Stars News in terms of content) were quite irrepressible and tried their best to make the discussions with so called "experts" on the topic more glamorous. Would you believe it, the expert opinions of Irrrrfan Khan (I donno how many R's his numerologist had recommended) and Mandira Bedi (after whom watching cricket was never the same again) on behalf of bollywood was also taken and quoted. I really donno what bollywood has got to do with this. Tomorrow a Rakhi Sawant would come, sit in the commentary box and tell us how Sachin should be playing his sweep shots or how Saurav Ganguly should be playing his cover drives. Really disgusting. NDTV, not to be left behind, are running an "India, Come Back" campaign on their website. Come'on NDTV, never expected this from you.

I wonder where the Indian media would want to take us at the end of the day. Biased views and irrational speculations guided by a commercial motive is todays media is about. Cricket is a sport that I have followed all through my life so passionately and it is really disgusting and disappointing to hear actors like Irrfan Khan or Mandira Bedi talk about cricket.

Not surprisingly Mike Coward in his article quite aptly termed the Indian media as a partisan and ropeable.

Chennai City traffic police - really funny

This was something that happened I happened to witness today and I found it quite funny.

There was this traffic sergeant near Raj Bhavan who suddenly jumped onto the road and stopped 7-8 speeding bikes. There was this biker who thought that it was beyond his dignity to stop. Now this sergeant was quick enough to get right in front of this "rogue biker". What is so funny about this you might ask. Ok, the funniest part is the question that our sergeant asked these guys seriously after uttering a few expletives.

ENNADA KUDICHITU RUNNING RACE-A OTAREENGA