Last Sunday I and two friends, two other success aspirants, contemplated over our prevailing indolence and lassitude and concluded that we needed some stimulation to do away our sluggishness and start out to prepare to prepare to be prepared for the occasion called life. So we the young dreamers of becoming a great manager, a shrewd businessman or a high risk-taking entrepreneur searched for some stimulant. Finally we the wannabe the next Jack Welch, the next Warren Buffet and the next Richard Branson unanimously came to a decision. We decided to visit the campus of one of the premium Business School at national rank which happens to be at a local distance from our university.
After guzzling a good amount of fuel and raucously howling over few kilometers the auto rickshaw dropped us at a fair enough distance from the main entrance yet demanded full disbursement of the high enough fare. We walked the joining distance. Rather say, we sauntered, enthralled even by the peripheral boundaries. While we sauntered, few guys and even fewer gals swiftly passed by. Relative to their pace we appeared akin to an imprudent toddler ignorant that he was perambulating on a race track while the race was still on. Each passer by exuded confidence in steps, blazed shiny dreams in eyes and sanguine hope on face.
We paused a while facing the entrance, now mesmerized with the boulevard lying down. A long spotless and pothole less wide road bordered by, inverted conical shaped, shady green trees, each faithfully impossible to tell apart from others and thus communicated the consummate dexterity and acute meticulousness of the gardener. It appeared to be welcoming us and we responded according to our presumptions and stepped inwards only to be blocked by the guard or say an army sentinel trained to unwelcome the unfamiliar and uninvited faces.
Seeing his grim face, face to face and looking into his cold eyes, eye to eye, and affronted by a lofty depressing build silhouetted by a striking concourse was like being waked up in-between a marvelous dream with lots of blonds and brunettes. Though he did not voiced a sole word, yet every nuance on his grim face with cold eyes on a lofty depressing build tacitly conveyed us that he was interested to know the purpose of our visit, of we the unfamiliar faces in his very own very familiar workplace. I inanely told him that we have to go in, as if so far he was oblivious of this very key detail. He returned back a laconic ‘What for?’. The way in which he terse, made it apparent that lacking any defined intention we were not allowed in.
While I was busy googling my mind for a plausible excuse, one of my ambitious friend rambled ‘We have to meet someone in’. Next obvious question was ‘who?’. But this one coming from another individual, whose uniform and intonated accent certified him as a senior to the sentinel. This time I didn’t troubled googling out a suitable name rather I gawked at my ambitious and liar friend. He was an adept liar indeed; within nanoseconds he baptized the nameless virtual person as Vinay Pathak (a product of nanotechnology). But to our shock the senior associate happened to have a record of each student with all minutiae.
He offered us the database to figure out the dorm and room number of ‘Vinay Pathak’. We tensely drew nearer. My ambitious adept liar friend explored the list to find any ‘Vinay’ or any ‘Pathak’. He stopped at a name ‘Bijen Patnayak’, turned to me and asked ‘Saurabh. Was his name Bijen Pathak or Bijen Patnayak’. I silently admired his intelligence and said ‘I am certain of Bijen but not of patnayak’. Luckily the semi deaf guard and his even hearing impaired senior failed to appreciate the difference between ‘Vinay’ and ‘Bijen’.
So finally we were apprised of his dorm number (D-53) and courteously welcomed into the campus. Though we didn’t bother to meet this savior name, yet every face which I witnessed in made me wonder if he was Bijen Patnayak. Anyway we were back to business and crammed our vacant fuel reservoir with loads of motivating fuel, and swiftly (no sauntering) leaved.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Audacious hopes amid bleak time
Barrack Obama offered his worried countrymen a change from troubled times. He hoped audaciously to change the itinerary of things towards a prospective future, to recuperate the lost repute, to stabilize the ‘New world’. He allayed and overcame there colored apprehension with the heartening and inspiring phrase ‘YES WE CAN’. Americans demonstrated an awe-inspiring response and vindicated why they are titled the New World. This has been a great achievement for ‘US of A’ in general and Obama in particular. But with great victory comes great expectations. People have bestowed their faith in Obama’s words by empowering him. With great power comes great responsibility. Few of the daunting tasks beforehand are rescue world economy, tackle climate change and revive the United States. An elaborated view of these tasks could be as follows-
GUANTANAMO
The World will applaud if Mr. Obama keeps his promise of closing the Guantanamo detention camp but that will not fade away the Islamic extremist.
IRAQ
After training a decent Iraqi army, which has boosted the confidence of Iraq government, the assurance to withdraw combat forces seems attainable. But still Iraq is far from stability. Given the lack of space being provided to the pre-dominating Sunnis by present Shia dominated Iraqi government the possibility of a civil war can not be discarded.
IRAN
It will be easier said than done for next president to restrain Iran from developing nuke power, which in spite of all US coercion and economic sanctions is yet busy enriching its uranium store. Mr. Obama is willing to initiate talks with Iran. Given Iran’s interest in energy exports from Gulf nation, hostility with Taliban and security of Iran itself the chances of fruitful talks are fair enough. An Iran in peace with US implies abating of Iran’s nuclear pursuit and lessening its voice for dissolution of Israel and it might end it support for Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Yet given Iran’s unsurpassed record US must be vigilant.
AFGHANISTAN
Winning the war in Afghan would prove even harder. Given discontent of Afghani people with its inefficient and corrupt government chances of restoring peace there looks dim. Mr. Obama may hope that US policy of counter insurgency which worked in Iraq may work in Afghanistan.
PAKISTAN
One of the most worrying fronts is Pakistan which is being used by afghan insurgents as a sanctuary. The US-Pak relations have gone scratchy under Musharaffs time and are further deteriorated under Asif Ali Zardari. Pak is at the verge of democratic collapse because of political crisis, an economic crisis, a jihadist insurgency, a coup prone army having links with Taliban. Only time will tell whether or not, Obama will take a tough stance against it as promised.
To be continued.......
GUANTANAMO
The World will applaud if Mr. Obama keeps his promise of closing the Guantanamo detention camp but that will not fade away the Islamic extremist.
IRAQ
After training a decent Iraqi army, which has boosted the confidence of Iraq government, the assurance to withdraw combat forces seems attainable. But still Iraq is far from stability. Given the lack of space being provided to the pre-dominating Sunnis by present Shia dominated Iraqi government the possibility of a civil war can not be discarded.
IRAN
It will be easier said than done for next president to restrain Iran from developing nuke power, which in spite of all US coercion and economic sanctions is yet busy enriching its uranium store. Mr. Obama is willing to initiate talks with Iran. Given Iran’s interest in energy exports from Gulf nation, hostility with Taliban and security of Iran itself the chances of fruitful talks are fair enough. An Iran in peace with US implies abating of Iran’s nuclear pursuit and lessening its voice for dissolution of Israel and it might end it support for Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Yet given Iran’s unsurpassed record US must be vigilant.
AFGHANISTAN
Winning the war in Afghan would prove even harder. Given discontent of Afghani people with its inefficient and corrupt government chances of restoring peace there looks dim. Mr. Obama may hope that US policy of counter insurgency which worked in Iraq may work in Afghanistan.
PAKISTAN
One of the most worrying fronts is Pakistan which is being used by afghan insurgents as a sanctuary. The US-Pak relations have gone scratchy under Musharaffs time and are further deteriorated under Asif Ali Zardari. Pak is at the verge of democratic collapse because of political crisis, an economic crisis, a jihadist insurgency, a coup prone army having links with Taliban. Only time will tell whether or not, Obama will take a tough stance against it as promised.
To be continued.......
Audacious hopes amid bleak time contd.
MIDDLE EAST
Engagement in Palestine-Israel which galvanizes the whole Muslim world can not be overlooked by the incumbent of oval office. Obama has supported the Jewish state and seeks it security sacrosanct. But at the same time he had shown more empathy for Palestine than former US presidents. Whether he can transform this support for Israel and empathy for Palestine into a peace initiative is another matter.
EUROPE
Shifting to Europe, to many in Europe Obama offers a chance to restore relationships with US. The Two Lakhs Germans who gathered at Berlin to welcome him vindicate this belief. Yet Europeans are tired of supporting US in Iraq and Afghanistan. They would like to preserve NATO but they are now more apprehensive of their own security with Russia invading Georgia.
RUSSIA
America can no longer overlook Russia’s grudging compliance. But with a nuke powered Russia controlling gas supplies of Europe and its arms sales to likes of Iran and Venezuela and its ability to veto any move of Security Council Russia has plenty of ways to cushion its troubles. It would be interesting to watch whether Mr. Obama stations a missile defense in Poland or not.
CHINA
Rise of developing nations in general and China in particular is going to be a matter of deep concern. Predictions are that china may overtake US in terms of economy and military supremacy. US had been using China’s saving to buy what China makes. Now they need a quick reversal of policy. Also it will be hard for US to persuade the developing nation for carbon control, given the fact that average American propels four times more pollutants than an average Chinese.
In the nineteenth century Britain ruled the globe. The two world wars led to a power transition and US emerged as the leading force of 20th century. Sometime in this century the balance of power will change again. Mr. Obama now has to prepare for the day when America will no longer be the superpower. To maintain the transition peacefully and still being able to propagate the ideals of liberal democracy and free market will be the mark of a truly great President.
Engagement in Palestine-Israel which galvanizes the whole Muslim world can not be overlooked by the incumbent of oval office. Obama has supported the Jewish state and seeks it security sacrosanct. But at the same time he had shown more empathy for Palestine than former US presidents. Whether he can transform this support for Israel and empathy for Palestine into a peace initiative is another matter.
EUROPE
Shifting to Europe, to many in Europe Obama offers a chance to restore relationships with US. The Two Lakhs Germans who gathered at Berlin to welcome him vindicate this belief. Yet Europeans are tired of supporting US in Iraq and Afghanistan. They would like to preserve NATO but they are now more apprehensive of their own security with Russia invading Georgia.
RUSSIA
America can no longer overlook Russia’s grudging compliance. But with a nuke powered Russia controlling gas supplies of Europe and its arms sales to likes of Iran and Venezuela and its ability to veto any move of Security Council Russia has plenty of ways to cushion its troubles. It would be interesting to watch whether Mr. Obama stations a missile defense in Poland or not.
CHINA
Rise of developing nations in general and China in particular is going to be a matter of deep concern. Predictions are that china may overtake US in terms of economy and military supremacy. US had been using China’s saving to buy what China makes. Now they need a quick reversal of policy. Also it will be hard for US to persuade the developing nation for carbon control, given the fact that average American propels four times more pollutants than an average Chinese.
In the nineteenth century Britain ruled the globe. The two world wars led to a power transition and US emerged as the leading force of 20th century. Sometime in this century the balance of power will change again. Mr. Obama now has to prepare for the day when America will no longer be the superpower. To maintain the transition peacefully and still being able to propagate the ideals of liberal democracy and free market will be the mark of a truly great President.
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Color of Money
Indian social order is one which is fundamentally classified into various intricate echelons. The foundations of these stratifications are plentiful. Broadly the society has been divided on religion basis, and then re-divided on caste root, then again subdivided on economical factors. The term ‘Broadly’ verbalize that the list is not exhaustive, and given the umpteen ramifications and scriptures of the segregation it could never be. The most despondent divisor had doubtlessly been caste system. There is nothing so unique in India, nothing as all-pervasive in India as caste. A great deal has been debated over its genesis, and even more on it’s dismantling. But we still lack the fundamental information on how and why it was introduced and we still lack the imperative knowledge on how it should be brought to a conclusion (read end).
The Hindu caste system is based on an assumption that lies at odds with the assumption of Western democratic ideals: that all people are created equal. According to classical Hindu perspective people are born with different intellectual and spiritual qualities and capabilities. These differences dispose different people to different sorts of occupations and responsibilities in society. There are theories illuminating how the Vedas advocated the division of society on the basis of work in order to effect specialization which later on was restructured on birth basis. If that is to be accepted then given razor sharp specialization of todays highly competitive world we don’t need it anymore and should shorn it off.
The only purpose which the caste system seems to dole out in the 21st century India is to serve as a decisive tool in the hands of the valueless demagogue to divert the flow of votes. The Mandal commission and recent reservation hullaballoo are shining example.
The societal is such that even in a well educated family where the head has been taught that racism is an immoral concept the lessons of this system are tacitly passed to the younger ones. One is straightforwardly or circuitously made conscious of his position in the social hierarchy. One is taught what he should lay his hand on and what Untouchables thing one should avoid. Given the narrowing economical gap between the different castes (due to reservations) one is confronted with situations where you have to play host to an untouchable guest, so people developed the practice of maintaining separate utensils to serve them.
Everything alienated to avoid any physical contact. One marvels is there something which is above these social boundaries. Something such, which is permeable through the walls of these social barriers. Something which is not minded even it is being transferred from an untouchable. Yes there is one thing in my observation. We just accept it happily. We may mind giving it back to them. No its not respect or submission from there part and not any other abstract object. It’s purely materialistic. In fact it is the pedestal of materialism. Its polish seems to over shine any shadow of prejudice on caste basis or whatsoever. Its color is so glinting and lucrative to let you care about any discrepancy. Such is the color of Money.
The Hindu caste system is based on an assumption that lies at odds with the assumption of Western democratic ideals: that all people are created equal. According to classical Hindu perspective people are born with different intellectual and spiritual qualities and capabilities. These differences dispose different people to different sorts of occupations and responsibilities in society. There are theories illuminating how the Vedas advocated the division of society on the basis of work in order to effect specialization which later on was restructured on birth basis. If that is to be accepted then given razor sharp specialization of todays highly competitive world we don’t need it anymore and should shorn it off.
The only purpose which the caste system seems to dole out in the 21st century India is to serve as a decisive tool in the hands of the valueless demagogue to divert the flow of votes. The Mandal commission and recent reservation hullaballoo are shining example.
The societal is such that even in a well educated family where the head has been taught that racism is an immoral concept the lessons of this system are tacitly passed to the younger ones. One is straightforwardly or circuitously made conscious of his position in the social hierarchy. One is taught what he should lay his hand on and what Untouchables thing one should avoid. Given the narrowing economical gap between the different castes (due to reservations) one is confronted with situations where you have to play host to an untouchable guest, so people developed the practice of maintaining separate utensils to serve them.
Everything alienated to avoid any physical contact. One marvels is there something which is above these social boundaries. Something such, which is permeable through the walls of these social barriers. Something which is not minded even it is being transferred from an untouchable. Yes there is one thing in my observation. We just accept it happily. We may mind giving it back to them. No its not respect or submission from there part and not any other abstract object. It’s purely materialistic. In fact it is the pedestal of materialism. Its polish seems to over shine any shadow of prejudice on caste basis or whatsoever. Its color is so glinting and lucrative to let you care about any discrepancy. Such is the color of Money.
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