Looking at the string of pieces on the devastation caused by the recession, many readers might be thinking that I am a pessimist. This is not the case. I believe that this recession will hopefully change things for good. Just that the present system will take a good beating.
On a tangential note, I am really impressed by efforts by social enterprises such as SammaaN in Patna. Do check this out. Very few people or corporations actually undertake initiatives that help improve the life of the comman man.
Wish something like this could happen in Kolkatta too -- the sight of human powered rickshaws is deplorable -- wish they get a better alternative soon.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
People Need To Change Their Ways...
People need to change their ways and control their excesses. Today's editorial in the Guardian (UK) discusses bankers' bonuses. We can only imagine what investors would feel when they read something like this:
Do read this piece. It's quite enlightening.
As for Merrill Lynch boss Mr Thain, he blithely splashed out $1.2m mid-crunch to redecorate his office. The bank may have been haemorrhaging both staff and money, but that was no reason not to spend $35,000 on a commode.
Do read this piece. It's quite enlightening.
Friday, 9 January 2009
The Satyam Fiasco
This has got to be one of the best satirical pieces I've read. Do read this article by Sidin Vadukut on livemint.com.
The Satyam fiasco has turned out to be the Enron of India, and believe me, it couldn't have come at a worser time.
Scams such as these happen every other day in our political landscape; however, our corporate honchos were believed to be clear of wrongdoings of such magnitude. As the economy goes into a further tailspin, we can only expect some more skeletons falling from the Indian cupboard.
On a different note, most of our politicians get away scot free after being involved in scams worth crores of rupees; what happens of Raju, only time will tell.
The Satyam fiasco has turned out to be the Enron of India, and believe me, it couldn't have come at a worser time.
Scams such as these happen every other day in our political landscape; however, our corporate honchos were believed to be clear of wrongdoings of such magnitude. As the economy goes into a further tailspin, we can only expect some more skeletons falling from the Indian cupboard.
On a different note, most of our politicians get away scot free after being involved in scams worth crores of rupees; what happens of Raju, only time will tell.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Punch Yourself To Make It To That Elusive 70%!
What does the Railways Tribunal want a victim to do? Punch oneself in the eye? Even a permanent speech problem and damage to the skull does not qualify for the all-important 70%!
Do read this report in Mid Day.
He lost Rs 50,000 as he suffered 1% less injury
By: Sneha Shah Date: 2008-07-08
Narendra Lodhia is not a student, but he knows the importance of one per cent. The 44-year-old damaged his hearing on July 11, 2006, when the 6.07 Virar-bound local he was in, blew up.
And, if being part of that disaster was not enough, the railway tribunal has refused to pay him the Rs 50,000 compensation, as he has suffered only 69 per cent injuries. The eligibility for compensation is 70 per cent.
"The blast and the deafening sound damaged my eardrums, cut one of my fingers and damaged my skull. The shrapnel injured my eyes and I have a permanent speech problem.
But the railway authorities have declared it to be 69 per cent and rejected my claim," said Lodhia.
Lodhia has certificates from JJ Hospital and Ali Jung Yavar Hospital at Bandra Kurla Complex about his disability, but the railway officials have not honoured them.
He's not alone
Lodhia who cannot hear without the help of hearing aids has also suffered professionally. He was working as a senior accountant with a religious trust in Mumbai Central during the time of the blast. According to him, the management brought in another person in his place and has not given him the due promotion.
According to former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who has compiled information on blast victims and has helped many get compensation, "Around 80 per cent of the victims have had hearing loss." There are around 65 people who have had successive surgeries for hearing loss, 200 people now depend on artificial hearing aids and 25 have undergone three to five surgeries in the last two years and are still unable to hear.
Do read this report in Mid Day.
He lost Rs 50,000 as he suffered 1% less injury
By: Sneha Shah Date: 2008-07-08
Narendra Lodhia is not a student, but he knows the importance of one per cent. The 44-year-old damaged his hearing on July 11, 2006, when the 6.07 Virar-bound local he was in, blew up.
And, if being part of that disaster was not enough, the railway tribunal has refused to pay him the Rs 50,000 compensation, as he has suffered only 69 per cent injuries. The eligibility for compensation is 70 per cent.
"The blast and the deafening sound damaged my eardrums, cut one of my fingers and damaged my skull. The shrapnel injured my eyes and I have a permanent speech problem.
But the railway authorities have declared it to be 69 per cent and rejected my claim," said Lodhia.
Lodhia has certificates from JJ Hospital and Ali Jung Yavar Hospital at Bandra Kurla Complex about his disability, but the railway officials have not honoured them.
He's not alone
Lodhia who cannot hear without the help of hearing aids has also suffered professionally. He was working as a senior accountant with a religious trust in Mumbai Central during the time of the blast. According to him, the management brought in another person in his place and has not given him the due promotion.
According to former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who has compiled information on blast victims and has helped many get compensation, "Around 80 per cent of the victims have had hearing loss." There are around 65 people who have had successive surgeries for hearing loss, 200 people now depend on artificial hearing aids and 25 have undergone three to five surgeries in the last two years and are still unable to hear.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
The Next Time You Feel Like Complaining About Mobile Bills...
The Next Time You Feel Like Complaining About Mobile Bills... Read This....
Zimbabwe: Mobile Network Operators Hike Tariffs 100 Percent
The Herald (Harare)
2 July 2008
Posted to the web 2 July 2008
THE country's three mobile network operators - Econet, TelOne and Telecel - yesterday hiked tariffs by slightly over 100 percent.
Econet Buddie intra-network now costs $143 million on average per minute during peak periods, while off-peak calls have been pegged at $136 million on average.
Calls on Liberty diamond, gold and silver now range between $137 million and $143 million per minute during peak period.
Charges for a call to other network subscribers was raised to $148 million and $140 million during peak and off-peak respectively.
International calls to fixed receivers in group one, which comprises European countries was raised to $256,7 million from $130 million previously.
SMS service, the cheapest and most popular mode of mobile communication is now going for $21 million up from $10,7 million locally while international messaging is at $82,521 million.
NetOne subscribers now have to part with $116 million every time they make a call to another NetOne subscriber, $120 million to Econet and $126 million to Telecel subscribers. A local SMS has been pegged at $50 million.
Calls between Telecel subscribers at $100 million per minute are now the cheapest. Regional calls made from a Telecel subscriber now range between $196 million and $250 million for both mobile and fixed calls.
A local Telecel SMS attracts $50 million intra-messaging and $60 million when messaging to other subscribers.
Subscribers using prepaid services are still struggling to get recharge cards with NetOne subscribers being the worst affected.
According to service providers, the problem was largely caused by the hike in the tariff structure and hence supplies outstripping demand.
Telecommunication providers say the current network congestion is the result of subscribers extending talk time because of the "low tariffs".
On the other hand, Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority still maintains that, "low tariffs are not the major cause of congestion".
Of course, the figures are in Zimbabwean Dollars.
Zimbabwe: Mobile Network Operators Hike Tariffs 100 Percent
The Herald (Harare)
2 July 2008
Posted to the web 2 July 2008
THE country's three mobile network operators - Econet, TelOne and Telecel - yesterday hiked tariffs by slightly over 100 percent.
Econet Buddie intra-network now costs $143 million on average per minute during peak periods, while off-peak calls have been pegged at $136 million on average.
Calls on Liberty diamond, gold and silver now range between $137 million and $143 million per minute during peak period.
Charges for a call to other network subscribers was raised to $148 million and $140 million during peak and off-peak respectively.
International calls to fixed receivers in group one, which comprises European countries was raised to $256,7 million from $130 million previously.
SMS service, the cheapest and most popular mode of mobile communication is now going for $21 million up from $10,7 million locally while international messaging is at $82,521 million.
NetOne subscribers now have to part with $116 million every time they make a call to another NetOne subscriber, $120 million to Econet and $126 million to Telecel subscribers. A local SMS has been pegged at $50 million.
Calls between Telecel subscribers at $100 million per minute are now the cheapest. Regional calls made from a Telecel subscriber now range between $196 million and $250 million for both mobile and fixed calls.
A local Telecel SMS attracts $50 million intra-messaging and $60 million when messaging to other subscribers.
Subscribers using prepaid services are still struggling to get recharge cards with NetOne subscribers being the worst affected.
According to service providers, the problem was largely caused by the hike in the tariff structure and hence supplies outstripping demand.
Telecommunication providers say the current network congestion is the result of subscribers extending talk time because of the "low tariffs".
On the other hand, Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority still maintains that, "low tariffs are not the major cause of congestion".
Of course, the figures are in Zimbabwean Dollars.
Monday, 7 April 2008
English Learning
Conversation overheard at a hotel
Waiter A: Arrey sunaa kya. Mainey kal Behraambaag mein ek board dekha. English seekhney ke liye. 600 rupiyah mahina.
Waiter B: Abey jaa. Mein teen hazaar rupiya dekar nahi seekh paya aur tu 600 rupiye mein seekh jaayega?
Waiter A: Arrey nahi sachhi mein. Ek Sir aayega waha par padhaney ke liye. Suna hai who accha padhaata hain.
Waiter B: Abey tu Sir ki baat karta hai. Hum logo ko to ek Madam aakar sikhaa ti thi. Hum log madam se nahi seekh sake to tu Sir se seekh lega. Aur who bhi 600 rupiye mein. Tera dimaag to tikhaaney hai? Aaya bada English seekhney.
Then, they veer away a bit from near my table to attend to other customers. A while later, they resume their conversation.
Waiter B: Sun, ek kaam kar. Mere books mere paas abhi tak rakhey huey hai. Tu mere paas aaja. Mein tujhey 150 rupiye mein English sikha deta hu.
Waiter A: Arrey sunaa kya. Mainey kal Behraambaag mein ek board dekha. English seekhney ke liye. 600 rupiyah mahina.
Waiter B: Abey jaa. Mein teen hazaar rupiya dekar nahi seekh paya aur tu 600 rupiye mein seekh jaayega?
Waiter A: Arrey nahi sachhi mein. Ek Sir aayega waha par padhaney ke liye. Suna hai who accha padhaata hain.
Waiter B: Abey tu Sir ki baat karta hai. Hum logo ko to ek Madam aakar sikhaa ti thi. Hum log madam se nahi seekh sake to tu Sir se seekh lega. Aur who bhi 600 rupiye mein. Tera dimaag to tikhaaney hai? Aaya bada English seekhney.
Then, they veer away a bit from near my table to attend to other customers. A while later, they resume their conversation.
Waiter B: Sun, ek kaam kar. Mere books mere paas abhi tak rakhey huey hai. Tu mere paas aaja. Mein tujhey 150 rupiye mein English sikha deta hu.
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Puppy On The Road
In present times, just about everyone seems to be very busy. Everyone is rushing to reach somewhere (although few people are actually punctual). No one has the time to stop for anything. But then, there are exceptions. Today morning while on the way to my office, I was touched by the gesture of a private bus driver.
As I was passing by Mumbai University, I heard this bus screech suddenly on the other side of the road. It was a pleasant surprise, as I saw a tiny, very tiny puppy (could fit into one hand) near the front tyre of the bus. The driver had stopped just in time. The cleaner got down from the bus and put away the puppy to its safety.
Few people actually take the pains to do such things. If we all can start doing such things everyday, the world would be a much better place.
“Tum Zameen walo par rahem karo, Aasmaanwaala tum par rahem karega.” (Have mercy on those who inhabit the earth, and the Almighty will have mercy on you.)
As I was passing by Mumbai University, I heard this bus screech suddenly on the other side of the road. It was a pleasant surprise, as I saw a tiny, very tiny puppy (could fit into one hand) near the front tyre of the bus. The driver had stopped just in time. The cleaner got down from the bus and put away the puppy to its safety.
Few people actually take the pains to do such things. If we all can start doing such things everyday, the world would be a much better place.
“Tum Zameen walo par rahem karo, Aasmaanwaala tum par rahem karega.” (Have mercy on those who inhabit the earth, and the Almighty will have mercy on you.)
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