"Fraught with danger"

Many a man has been slaughtered for executing their duties diligently. The brutal killing of Jyotirmoy Dey is yet another addition to the endless list of such men.

A journalist by profession, Mr Dey was engaged in criminal investigation for a news paper. A thread in one of his investigations became his noose. To such an atrocity the first reaction of public would be an outright criticism and the second one would be a piece of advice to shun such a profession as a career option.

                But think carefully, is there any profession in this world that is not fraught with danger?

One would have to think very hard to find an answer to this questionand if one does so the answer would be that there is no such profession that guarantees safety and security. Be it police or civil, public or private every profession has some kind of inherent danger because there are always areas of conflicting interest. As everyone is playing a zero sum game, the victory of one is the defeat of the other. Human beings as adamant as they are lead the conflict to grave outcomes in some cases. Some people lost their families and friends in the 2008 terrorist attack that jolted Mumbai including the GM of the Taj hotel. He might have joined the hotel industry for any reason but safety must not have been in his mind at any point of time.

                Police men die in combating terrorists, the defence personnel die in battles saving their nation, pilots die in crashes, miners die in mine traps and divers die in deep dives. The modes of death may be different but the end result is the same.

When we are destined to die anyway, why do we care about the way of death? With no fear of whatsoever we should execute our duties with full conviction and honesty.

Institution that make money but don't admit so.....

For a country like that of India which has a population of more than a billion the development lies in the intellectual growth of people. Having more than fifty percent of its population below thirty five the demographic changes are in favour of the youth. But the education infrastructure to educate and train this huge number of people is insufficient here. Especially in higher education India lags much behind its foreign counterparts. It has less than fifty percent literacy rate when it comes to higher education.

To fill the gap the government has allowed the not for profit institutions, but are such institutions actually working actually without profit? I guess not. So how do they deceive the government, the tax authorities and of course the students.

The quality of teaching and administration gets affected by their nepotism as many of the resources employed to run the show are organised by the relatives and friends of the owners.

Posts such as the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, the director or the deputy director are reserved for the close relatives like son, daughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law or at least to their cronies. While earning hefty packages they make sure that the sole objective of earning more and more profit is being met both in short and long run.

The quality of services provided in the campus also gets affected as the service provider has to meet multiple objectives besides earning profits. Most important thing for them is to share a large pie of their profit with the management. The end result tis that the payer gets inferior service for dear money. For example in an outsourced canteen, the contractor has to share his profit with the corrupt management, effectively raising the cost of production and finally leading to a substandard quality food being served to the students. But the transaction turns very prolific for the management who doesn’t have to pay any tax.

The same applies to the quality of the professors who work at very less salary and under very inflexible environment as the decision making lies with a handful of people.

The cost of education in such institutions remains higher than the unaided autonomous institutions without any substantial improvement in the quality of education. The owners earn huge money deceiving everyone.

The solution lies in allowing the “For Profit” institutions that while openly earning profits would be transparent with every stake holder. And the students would be much more informed before engaging as they are not with any of today’s  pseudo-non-profit-making –institutions.

A Dog's pride

Doing a research about the foreign breeds of dogs in India I came to know some startling facts about their lifestyle. Besides our Indian dogs there are more than a 100 foreign breeds of dogs available in India that include the Great Dane, the Rottweiler, the GSD, the Golden retriever and the bulldog to name a few. There are different breeders available in India for different breeds. The task of the breeder is to provide an environment conducive for the breeding and than to take care of the puppy and mother once it is born.

The puppy care starts from day one like that of a human baby. The care includes prenatal and post natal vaccination. It has to be vaccinated for 9 deadly diseases the number of vaccinations is nearly the same as that of a baby, not to mention the fact that many babies in India are still born at homes without any medical supervision and even after great efforts of the Ministry of Health Lakhs of babies still miss the necessary vaccinations.

The food for the puppies has certain nutritional value including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins similar to the food recommended to babies.  Notwithstanding the prescription both the mothers and the babies in India suffer from mild to severe malnutrition in large numbers.

The cost of dog food in net sales value may range anywhere from Rs 150/ kg to 600/kg depending upon the country of processing, which can be higher than that of many sweets like “Badam Burfi” that we buy and gift on Diwali.

There are puppy cards issued by the designated clubs for pets in India. A card would have the dogs breed and the ancestral history. Microchips are implanted into their bodies for identification to search in case of theft. All this is happening in a country where the identity of a common man is lost in a mass of 1210 Mn.

There are personal care products like Tooth paste, odour neutralizer, bathe soap, shampoo and fur oil available. Many villagers still dream about these products.

There are toys, fashion accessories and designer clothes available for dogs for which an average Indian kid craves.

There are insurance products available for dogs that cover damage starting from minor accidents to death and companies like Oriental Insurance, United India Insurance, National Insurance and Bajaj Allianz general insurance have taken the lead. These insurance companies must have realized that the next big opportunity lies with dogs and not with men as all eligible men seem to have been insured.

There are dog shows and dog seminars being organised in India which get good media coverage.

Recently one company in Chandighar showed a treadmill for dogs in a dog show.

The cost of purchase of puppy could be anywhere between Rs.15000 to 50000 depending upon the breed, progeny and the age of the puppy, which could be higher than that of a child who had been trafficked from Bangladesh.

The per anum cost of maintaining a dog could range from Rs 24000 to 50000 which could be higher than the per capita income in India which hangs at Rs 46492.

After all this research I realized that it’s not too bad to be a dog especially a foreign one.

The sandy beaches of Pondicherry

Last week I travelled to Pondicherry for an official work. I was put up in a hotel hardly 100 m away from the beach so I planned to make use of this opportunity to have an early morning view of the sea. Next day early morning after a brief struggle with my laziness I pulled myself out of bed to head to the sea. It was 5:30 am when I started from my room and in 5 minutes was facing the mammoth Indian Ocean. Sea was not so violent and the sound of the waves was soothing. I could feel as if it was calling me in but thanks to my fear I dared not ventured into the sea. Also because of the boulders and stones kept on the shore people rarely venture in to it.

 Contrary to the Pondicherry weather the breeze was cool and pleasant. The scene was breath taking as the sun had just arisen and the rays were golden red. Though humid the air was fresh. I was not the only one appreciating the beauty of the early morning sea there were more than a hundred people. People could be seen up to 1 km stretch of the beach.

True to the image a Podicherry there were a few French too. The French are so closely knit into the fabric of Pondicherry that if one were to think of it weaving it without them the fabric would loose its sheen.

Some of the fishermen were returning from the sea with their prized fish. Some people were having a brisk walk while some were running. Some were simply sitting while some were doing yoga. Some could be seen sipping coffee at the only beach restaurant which opens very early in the morning. For some it was the only time when they meet their buddies. The morning visit to the beach seemed to be an important part in the lives of these people.

The only disturbance was the persistent caw of a large number of crows.  They were feeding over the scraps and leftover food from the dustbins that were open.

There was a board which read that Pondicherry is not the same when you litter, to make the visitors aware of the cleanliness that they should maintain.

 There were a few coconut water vendors too making a quick buck, I also tasted a little sweet coconut water that too without straw exactly as many south Indians prefer. The water might have spilled over my clothes a little but I liked the style.

By 6 30 am I was feeling the palpable heat of the sun and I left for my hotel.

Flexibility to hire and fire

Manufacturing sector in any country supports its economy in general and provides endless employment to thousands of people in particular. Though the fruits of success might not have been distributed equally between the executive class and the labour class still the hard work done by each class has been commendable lately.

                                But in return of its hard work especially in SMEs the labour class has not been getting the benefits it deserves.  This is not the outcome of one day but the result of the changing trends in the manufacturing sector. Gone are the days when from food to transport and factory to dealership network every thing was managed by the parent company. Today is the time for taking least responsibilities with maximum gains. From all these changes worst affected is the labour class.

The plight of the present day working class is the result of the rigid working environment and frequent rifts between different labour unions and their respective managements till the first half of the last decade.  In pursuit of maintaining least manpower many companies have either outsourced the labour intensive work or the labourers. As lesser the number of employees on the payrolls of the company lesser is the energy and money spent to keep them satisfied.

This wariness among the companies has created poorest of poor in the working class. In a bid to supply manpower at least cost the contractors pay less to their labourers, some times even without meeting the state stipulated minimum wages norms. Many times workers in such situations have to work for more than 8 hours to earn a decent living.

If the past class of workers had been more accommodating to adapt themselves to the changing dynamics of manufacturing sector, more people would have been getting a decent living in this sector.

The philosophy of labour unions was that they would not do more work unless paid more. Rather it should have been that they would work more and demand more.

Under the aegis of labour unions scores of people never reported to work let alone doing any work and inefficiency was rampant.

Under the juggernaut of labour unions many companies bled to death. The unions which were mooted to maintain a healthy work environment and reconciliation between the aspirations of the management and the labour class have created a situation in which there are hardly any unions. Today more and more companies are outsourcing their labour even if it happens at a higher cost.

The action of the companies is justified as any company exists for earning profit and the rates of any input including labour should be defined by the law of demand and supply. The social security is the responsibility of the state. The private sector on its part should honestly pay taxes to support the state in meeting its objectives.

To support the growth in manufacturing sector the government should liberalise labour laws further.

Proximity for love or love for proximity

The subject of love between individuals of opposite sex has been debated and discussed numerous times but it still remains the most interesting subject.

Love as I define is a mere attraction between the people of opposite sex (in normal cases) caused by their social, physical and biological needs. And the lovers change with time depending among other things upon the proximity.

Have you ever wondered if you were the only men or women available on a deserted island with the person you admire the most, what would be your fate? Nothing but you would be having all that you always dreamt of with the same person. But the same is also applicable in case of a person you hate the most. Because what is important is not what you want but what is available.

Some people would argue that like minded people come together but my argument is that how do you find a like minded person in the same class or same colony or same company. It’s because we always select the one that is closest and easily available. And also how is it possible that the most beautiful girl of the class is found to be the most like minded girl by many of her class mates and vice versa.

If love was not because of proximity those who are away from their girlfriends/ boyfriends would not live in a constant fear of getting dumped, because there is always a better option available.

Love has more to do with loss of logical ability of a person than with anything else. Loss is more for the people who fall in love at first sight. They do more insane things than the sane ones. For example they would wow to leave the whole world to gain the confidence of that one person. Suddenly that one person means more to them than anything else. A Hindu boy who hardly goes to the temple would go to a church; those who don’t have bikes buy them and those who do, upgrade their status to car of course depending upon the choice of their partners. In the attempt to impress a special individual hobbies are changed and new habits are cultivated. They would talk over phone full night skipping sleep and stand in sun or in rain to get a glimpse of their loved ones missing everything.

For that one person they would wow to leave their parents who have been by their side since their birth.

In some cases you would be used and reused before you realise this fact.

After a brief period of silliness and craziness everyone comes back to terms with reality.

But most people come out of such illusions and smile at their frivolousness later in their lives.

There is nothing special about love, it just another phenomenon happening to everyone at a particular age and for those who have not been able to marry their loved ones don’t worry because your spouse would act in the same way and perform exactly the same things as your lost lover.

How is communism holding some states back?

My encounters in Malda district of West Bengal reinforced the fact that the communism is a cancer for any state.

                Just a few months away from elections the political colours in the state were ripe when I visited one of its towns called Malda. After a long lull the politicians were haunting the streets. A few yards away was the square considered to be most auspicious for starting one’s political campaign.

The words of the speakers were resonating in the ears of all those who were as far as two km from this place. The speakers were of those old types that would create more disturbance than the desired sound. 

Not to my surprise the agenda of the campaign was neither employment nor growth. Like the olden days the politicians of WB are still clinging on to issues like sale of stake in PSUs by the central govt and the culmination of nuclear deal.

As known to everyone they are against to any kind of privatization, they must be awarded for creating a kind of cynicism among the youth against the private sector. No wonder big organisations have all left the state. Kolkata which was once hub of Jute industry harbours a small no of Jute mills today.  

                 The main source of employment is Rikshaw pulling or vending as small shopkeeper. The hand pulled cart which are a blot on human dignity are still ferrying there.  On the road the Ambassador is still available in a large number.

Child labour is rampant with small restaurants and lodges having the highest density of child labourer. Either the age of labour class is very high, above 40 or very low, below 15, because the cream of the labour force migrates to greener pastures where there are higher wage rates. In fact there is no enforcement of minimum wages.

During my 3 months of stay in WB there were 5 “Bands” called for by different parties.

Malda like the rest of WB has vary fertile land as forms a part of the delta, still it reels under poverty thanks to the politics.

There were no fast food chains in Malda not because the people there didn’t like fast food but because some self styled association go on strike claiming that it would cause loss of business for small vendors if some chain wants to setup their business there.

The ongoing legislative assembly elections hold the key of transformation of the state but it is too early predict anything.

Apologies to my Bengali friends if they dont like it, this note is not to offend anyone neither is it meant to question the greatness of West bengal, its culture.  But anyone who has been there would agree with me if not fully to a cartain extent.

Some things are good in Madurai

Notwithstanding the harsh sun, the loneliness and the distance from my family & friends, lately I have liked Madurai, the place where I came two months back for my new assignment. Some incidents have brought a paradigm shift in the way I thought about the people here. Earlier I thought that they would be rude to outsiders but they have been much more welcoming than I thought. People are well mannered.

One day I was riding a bike and because of my mistake another bike rider fell down from his bike and got injured. I was shocked and ran to him, by the time I reached near him there were some people helping him to stand on his feet. He suffered minor scratches. I apologised to him, he said no problem. I gave him some money for bandages and repair of his bike and moved on after apologising once again. The matter was over in less than five minutes.

Think about the same incident taking place in some where in north India, after the accident the first instinct would be to run away. If I would stay there even for a minute I would get a few tight slaps even before I could come out of the shock that too not from the guy who fell from his bike but from a third person who would in no way be related to him or from the accident. And then I would be forced to give money to him. There apology would not have counted and resolving the issue would take at least one hour.

Another incident I was in my office cab on a traffic signal suddenly I something banged the vehicle from behind, turning back we realised the indicator of the car had been broken because of the impact between the cab and a truck behind us. Neither the cab driver nor the truck driver felt it necessary to waste time over discussing it. In north, first they would exchange some “Godly” words and then they would call all their relatives as if there was a great mishap. Some times some of the relatives would come and without knowing anything about the incident they would try to hit the other party.  During all this drama there would be a traffic jam. The issue would be resolved by the police constable who would take hundred rupees from both.

Here in a bus when a seat vacates the person standing nearby would ask to others before sitting himself. At other places people would run from one end of the bus would run to the other end just to get the seat. When a lady passenger boards a bus some one or the other would stand up and offer his seat.

During this brief period, here, I have not seen any girl teasing in fact females are respected very much, no wonder the girl to boy sex ratio is much higher in south than in north. Here women roam around like free birds. Most of the women work without any guilt or fear.

All these things can happen only in dreams in North.

Not Only Mangoes from Malda

Recently I had been to Malda for a brief period of one month; Malda is a small town in the North Bengal. When one says Malda what comes to your mind? Magoes right? But I have something else to tell you about this place.

One evening I was in one small markets of Malda, I was buying fruits. Together with buying fruits I was enquiring about the places, the culture and the people of this town. Suddenly my eyes sat on a man in the age group of 35 to 40 years who was keenly observing me. I then realized my dressing, language and body language was conspicuously identifying me as an outsider. For the fruits I offered a note of Rs. 100 but the vendor had no change. In a moment the stranger who was observing me sought an opportunity to break the conversation and offered the much needed change.  The transaction was over but the man was still there he wanted to converse with me for some more time. As I have become more receptive to the world I din’t mind that either.

His queries started, “What’s your name”? “Where are you from”? “Don’t you think it’s a little cold here”? Are you married”?  T o the last question my answer was yes though I was not married.Then the final question how do you manage without your wife? I said I was fine. But he was reluctant to leave me he finally said that he was at my service if I need anything any day any type etc. Its not costly sir, you can pick the one you like.

        During all this drama I realized that I was walking very fast and I had covered half the distance to my hotel room. I politely declined his offer for what if I get mugged, or contract some disease and also for moral reasons. Basically he was a pimp trying to trade the pleasure of sex for money with some the many young unfortunate girls who are brought into West Bengal from neighbouring countries and states like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and north eastern states of India.

                  All this drama brings to the fore the persistent problem of prostitution which is continuing since ages. Is it ethical? Should it be legalized? If yes what would be the consequences? Is there any other underlying this problem, I think yes the sever unemployment and illiteracy.

                             If only the parents of these hapless girls were gainfully employed they would have been happily living away from all this mayhem at their home breathing in free air. On our part all we can do is to avoid indulging in such transactions and providing employment through other means.  

A heartening change in Delhi

A few days back I had an opportunity to see a change in Delhi that would make at least a few of us very happy. I was on Anand Vihar (Delhi) bus stand when I saw an old man in the uniform of bus driver with a very beautiful girl in a red bus; the girl was one of those kinds with whom you would fall in love at first sight. She was wearing tight blue jeans, white sneakers a black over coat of knee length and a black Dupatta around her neck. She was very fair, had long silky hair and dark black eyebrows. Basically she was the centre of attraction around. After enquiring about the route of that bus I got into it, as I was the first one to board that bus I didn’t bother looking for the conductor hoping that he would come and give me ticket. I sat in the first row and waited for the conductor. All along I was thinking about this beautiful girl hoping if I could start conversation with her. But I could not gather the courage to go and sit beside her.  After some time I started looking for the conductor meanwhile some more people had boarded the bus. I was amazed to see one guy walking up to her and talking to her, but when I had a closer look I was surprised to see that the beautiful girl was none other than the Bus conductor. I went to her with a smile and took my ticket. I was very happy not because I could at last talk to her but because what I had witnessed was one of the very odd events in the northern part of India which is full of male chauvinists. It’s not that the girls are out rightly denied to work out doors, but the kind of work she was doing was very different from the ones usually done by girls. I was seeing something that I had seen long time back in Bangalore. But after a few moments my enthusiasm faded, more and more eyes were ogling at her as the number of passengers increased, unfettered by the stares she was doing her job. But how long could some one bear this, she passed a firm signal by scolding a young boy of around 17 in her typical haryanvi tone. Once again I was looking at her but this time not to appreciate her beauty but to see how she was managing all this. To the woes of her not so welcome admirers she called some one over phone and started talking. It didn’t take long for some of us to realize that she was talking to her boyfriend. May be she was talking to her boy friend but this might also be true that she was just pretending to do so. During all this drama my destination came and I got down from the bus after having a brief glimpse of her.

All this incident bring two major aspects of our culture in north India one that positive changes are happening and two people still have the prejudices against women.

Though these changes will go in a long way towards the empowerment of women especially in a male chauvinist India still I feel that people need to change their behaviour and attitude towards women who work outdoor. They also have freedom to do any work which is dignified at least in their eyes.

Without bothering too much about other things I feel good that at least something is moving in right direction.