Essays

Slumdog Professors

2010-05-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

There was this intriguing post in some random blog which talked about a professor outsourcing grading papers over to countries like India where somebody who spends more time in giving feedback can evaluate papers.

The professor, Dr. Chandru Rajam says

“I like to half-jokingly point out that a mother is outsourcing childcare to a daycare provider. If you can entrust the care of your infant to a third person, any form of outsourcing should be fair game.”

Thus far so good - then comes this stupid conclusion from the author.

I am in complete agreement with Dr. Chandru Rajam. I think outsourcing grading papers is a tremendous idea. I also think outsourcing Dr. Chandru Rajam is a tremendous idea.

I am quite sure I can find better teachers at Virtual-TA willing to work for 10-20% of what Dr. Chandru Rajam makes. Heck, even 33% would be a bargain.

I am not sure what the author's understanding is of the teaching-learning in universities. Its either that his understanding is way off the mark or that the author is suffering from a severe 'Slumdog Millionaire' syndrome. This syndrome is perceptible amongst Americans whose opinions of India are based on a painted canvas of poverty, deprivation and the Taj Mahal.

You may be a vendor of a world class product/service based out of India - but its hard to deal with a Western customer for whom that doesn't matter and his entire sales negotiations revolve around his perception of how many "cents" you are paying your employees.

I can put it down as just a few cheap customers bargaining for that additional few dollars - but this trend is not gonna stop until India achieves a level of wealth for its masses and achieves a respected image in the global media (as opposed to say, China) - and our professionals are not viewed as 'cheap' slumdog professionals but as skilled professionals who can command their price in the market. A few more decades and we will show you how its done!

C. K. Prahlad

2010-05-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

I have listened to his speech once when he had come to India - and had merely known him as the author of the book about business models in the rural areas. His recent demise made headlines and along with the news, I came to know a lot of things about him - odd tidbits like the 'C' in his initials stood for my hometown Coimbatore (nice surprise) to extensive obituaries penned by the who's who of the business and academic world.

The more I read about him, the more I was impressed. From the description of him as an academic, he definitely was one I would have loved to have as my professor.

There are some professors who teach you something that you barely remember after coming out of college. And there are those whom you are grateful to for their passing on skills that prove valuable to you later on. And then comes the rare breed of those who make people consider academics as a possible career choice. Like RaviC and CK.

Bellweather of the Chennai summer

2010-04-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

It is summer in Chennai when traffic-policemen start sporting airy khaki topis instead of their usual blue hats.

Picture - here.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

2010-03-16T04:03:00.000-07:00

I had bought a CD almost a year ago titled '10 hours with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan'. I had seen the tracks once and never really listened to it - a slight feeling of dismay when several tracks ran well over 20 minutes!

Started listening to some of them last weekend. His voice is mesmerizing. And completely bowled over by the lyrics too - the track Allah hoo lights upon Creation beautifully thus...

ye zamiin jab na thii, ye jahaaN jab na thaa
chaaNd suraj na the, aasmaaN jab na thaa
raaz-e-haq bhii kisii par ayaaN jab na thaa
jab na thaa kuch yahaaN, thaa magar tuu hi tuu

The time when there was neither land nor the world
nor moon, sun or the sky,
[and] when truth was not known to anyone.
At that time there was nothing except you

And another track 'Ali Ali Maula Ali' goes further -

tan par Ali, Ali ho zubaaN par Al Ali
mar jauuN to kafan par bhii likhna Ali Ali

My body chants Ali, so does my tongue
[and] when I die, then write Ali on my shroud.

patthar pe alam deen ka gaaRaa jisne
lalkaar kar Marhab ko pichaaRaa jisne
[One] who implanted the flag of faith on the rocks
[One] who challenged Marhab and defeated him.
Translation from: http://nusrat.info/
I loved the extremism of these singers in declaring their love for their beloved. How beautiful it would be if all the extremism in the world were only extremism of one's emotions towards their beloved and not extremism of harmful action at one another.
Beautiful Qawwals! But without my appreciation of the classical music , I sometimes wait for Nusrat to come over the lyrics part just to listen to the beauty of them. The music and Nusrat's voice are out of this world - in those ages, whatay wonderful platform they developed to pass down their beautiful thoughts. I cannot but say thanks to the lineage of musicians and Sufis who have given this to me.

Avatar

2010-01-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

Watched the movie Avatar twice. Consider it the best piece of post-modernist art I have ever laid my eyes on.

The way the Na'vi people have been portrayed shows extraordinary care. The depth of the Na'vi's understanding of nature, themselves and their deity Eywa is in strong contrast with the juvenility of the humans' approach. For instance, Jake prays a half-doubtful prayer the night before the battle to the wishing tree - at which Neytiri remarks that Eywa doesn't take sides, she just keeps the balance of Life.

Avatar abounds in symbolism - for instance, traditional wisdom is the 'hometree' which is thoughtlessly brought down at the Colonel's command. Not a frame or a line is wasted without showing the contrast between the Na'vi way of life and the human approach. The human manager calls the Na'vis as 'monkey-men' whereas the Na'vi call the humans 'dreamwalkers'.

The American foreign policy seems to have been parodied in more than one instance: the Colonel grimly announces that they are gonna fight 'terror with terror' when all that the Na'vi's have are bows and arrows and only ask to be left alone. The corporate manager complains bitterly that the 'monkey-men' (referring to Na'vis) don't seem to want education, medicine, roads and all that the humans are willing to provide. A plunder of epic proportions is clothed among niceties when it has the simplest of reasons i.e. selfishness - the Colonel says they are gonna be 'humane' in their mission to clear up the space for mining operations.

Loved this movie. Hope James Cameron doesn't take another decade for his next one.

Tamil Writing

2009-10-08T07:42:00.001-07:00

Have been reading a few contemporary Tamil writers. I confess I didn't know that the contemporary Tamil writing (prose, poetry, short stories, etc.) was so prolific and that I had a less than favorable opinion of writers & publishers. Visiting the Chennai Book Fair stalls, I had thought of publishers of Tamil books as lacking in skills and taste and the writers as vendors of second-hand ideas. Even a cursory glance at a few writer's books and their blogs proves me wrong.

I made the acquintance of a Tamil poet/writer in one of my recent trips, Ajayan Bala. He writes at http://ajayanbala.blogspot.com/. I recommend www.jeyamohan.in for anyone interested in contemporary Tamil writing. Charu Nivethitha and Ajayan Bala are two other writers whose blogs I read sometimes. I consider Charu's writings as ideally suited for regaling oneself and not worthy of any serious thought.

One aspect of writers that I find distasteful is the extent to which they go to disagree (quarrel?) with their peers. For instance, I chanced upon a post in Charu's blog - it was apparently from a reader of his blog and it spoke of another writer in unprintable language. Charu had posted that on his blog and given that a reply too - and I came to know that he and the other writer din't get along well and such verbal duels on blog posts and in writer's conferences were quite common. This I have observed in other Tamil writers whom I know, they refer to the others disparagingly and in responding to ideological debates, ad hominem attacks are the norm. Their interest in personal quabbles renders their moral authority in presenting opposing viewpoints questionable. Quite sad.

B. Jeyamohan

2009-03-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

I recently came to know of a contemporary Tamil writer through his work in a recent Tamil movie - Naan Kadavul.

Then, started reading his blog.

Consequent to my political 'atheism' - after both the Right and Left readily demonstrated their inability to present anything convincing after the economic depression and the ever ongoing drama in Indian politics - I started loving Jeyamohan's unclassifiable views towards politics, religion and art.

May his tribe increase!

'I have done this before'

2009-01-25T07:16:00.001-08:00

The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee was given additional charge of Finance Minister due to the operation on the PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh.

When he said 'I have done this before', one was left wondering whether he meant the heart operation... or the shuffling of ministries?

TN prefers 'change'

2009-01-15T22:53:00.000-08:00

The Government of India has a pretty bleak record on basic amenities. Even within metros and Tier-II cities. The UNICEF says a million (i.e. ten lakhs) infants die every year in India and 40% within a week of their birth. There is so much lacking in the infrastructure for basic amenities here.

The other day, in the middle of the city, people had to put up with party workers occupying and digging up roads (to install a dais and a series of banners) for a few days. The reason - the TN Govt. was launching a new scheme.

Apparently, if you are a ration card holder and qualify for certain conditions, you get free ingredients to make sweet Pongal from the Govt. viz. jaggery, rice, cashews... FREE!

Its interesting what kind of society the Govt. is intent on rearing for the next generation. The kind of family which looks up to the government for free new clothes on festivals, free ingredients for sweets, free TVs to watch special programs. If we keep at this for a decade more, we will eventually reinvent a warcry from the last century - 'FREE'dom is my birthright! Elsewhere when Obama leads Americans towards Change, people in Chennai will still be looking expectantly at the Government for some loose change. By the way, wasn't the existing political philosophy of the state founded on something called the Self-Respect movement? I forget.

Slums next to Teynampet signal still have lanes lined with human feces. Basic healthcare is non existent. Clean drinking water is not free. When all these essentials are not free, Bravo! to the TN Govt. for their free jaggery and cashews for Pongal.

Oh, yes. Its marketing, alright. Election year. But spending on marketing, when the raison d'être of the Government is violated doesn't make much sense, does it? What next? Free pegs at the local TASMAC? Free Gold Flake Kings for Below Poverty Line families?

I just learnt that the origins of this scheme were in 2002 under the previous ADMK regime. Its like both fronts are vying for the top spot!
Ranting like this won't help even a little bit, I know. Crap.

Poo (Movie) 2008

2008-12-25T21:59:00.001-08:00

A head turner - had a sense of watching a true rural movie after a long time (since Bharathiraja, and yes - ParuthiVeeran is of a different genre!) Vijay from the fraternity agrees.

Unexpected script. Sasi has shown some real class here and there. (for instance, the scene where the sad father looks at three characters from the entrance to his house, each look conveying volumes of script).

Its definitely not a tear jerker - and I didnt feel the movie dragging as many reviews did or as my friend complained '25 years late in Tamil cinema'. The clue I think lies in the child-like debutant actor Parvathy and her skillful acting. She carries the film on her slender shoulders easily - she literally appears on every frame. The variety of emotions that she depicts makes it a rare performance for any actor in recent Tamil film history, let alone debutants. Brilliant cameos by the guy acting as Srikant's father and other minor role playing actors. Srikant has a rather forgettable role.

The biggest let down in the movie is the music - a subject as fresh as this deserved a better score!

Spoilers ahead-
Now, the topic could easily be classified as a mushy young love tale. But it is not - there is more to Mari's tale. An upwardly mobile society where lower middle class families fight traditional village bonds in their quest for 'the next higher social level'.

Sasi gives the viewers the full sense of impending gloom right from Mari's child like love by leaving no room for suspense. Thangarasu's father is willing to upset his sister to marry off his son to a wealthy family because he feels that society has no respect for 'hard work or grey hair'. Mari's happens to be one of the hearts that get broken under the Juggernaut of progress of the Indian middle class.

This extraordinary chase for the 'next higher level' is reflected in the father's pain when he hears that his son's salary is not going to be as high as he expected.The tragedy that happens when the best laid plans fail to yield happiness is not the tragedy of Mari alone, it is of an entire Indian middle class.

Another aspect is the hidden sea of emotions with which each main character enters matrimony. Thangarasu, Mari and the new wife of Thangarasu all three enter wedlock with a sea of hidden emotions that their other half could not have guessed. This proves to be their doom. The best laid of plans of men and mice...

Why I unfollowed Guy Kawasaki

2008-12-22T04:57:00.000-08:00

Recently I stepped in to the world of twitterers and their tweets. I linked to Guy hoping for some of glimpses of his opinions. Don't mistake me - I still hold 'The Art of the Start' to be the bible for anyone even THINKING of starting ANYTHING. But he really pissed me off.

Its not the inane self centered tweets ('I am late to work again' etc.) that characterises Guy's twitter persona. He mostly tweets about 'almost interesting' outside links ('Top 10 this-that') that are hard to classify in to a particular category.

Two reasons -
1) The sheer volume of tweets - like a burst of enemy machine gun fire within the space of a few seconds, crowding out tweets from everyone else. This one borders on plain bad manners.
2) His constant pitch for his latest venture, AllTop in his tweet-bursts. I checked that out once - and I am not interested.

Wonder how he has so many followers on Twitter. Guess people have lots more patience than I do.

Recession is Good?

2008-12-17T06:25:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe how the US economic think tanks are still in denial about their failed corporations - They still do not get the fact that the failed corporations (e.g. Lehman, AIG) failed for a reason - bad management. They are too much identified with the problem and taking it personally. They still talk about investor confidence and the public not being ready 'to handle a catastrophe' unless the Govt steps in and helps rescue these corporations (e.g. auto makers). This is not even feigned socialism, this is just their failure to accept the current situation with their judgment clouded by super inflated images of themselves. Somebody at the helm needs to set an example and accept failure gracefully - can the President elect do it ?

Schiff puts it beautifully - recession and loss of jobs is nothing but the market forces adjusting themselves. True, loss of jobs are painful. But one can't celebrate freemarket capitalism till yesterday and shed tears about job loss in the economy the next. Recession is good. It will free up capital and resources and offer them to a better management to take up the reins and for the economy to flourish. If handled well, the US could come out of this recession with top-class corporations making the best products and services within a few years replacing the likes of GM. I think of it like the body having a high temperature or fever to flush out antibodies. One feels that the sooner this sinks in and the Govt starts acting accordingly, the sooner and less painful the recovery will be.

Combined with the perspective of Perot on the fiscal policy of US (http://perotcharts.com), I am convinced that a period of conscious recession (conscious is the key word here) will do the US economy a great deal of good and will show to the rest of the world its maturity as a free market economy. Trying times for Uncle Sam!

Did NDTV kill NSG commandos?

2008-12-05T23:36:00.000-08:00

A few days of 'HOT' live news, 'We condemn..' press releases (interestingly by politicians and bigwigs who kids are all safely abroad away from the terror-stricken streets of metros), center spreads and editorials about the resilient spirit of India in general and Mumbai in particular. A society desperate to find victory in the sacrifices of a few heroes to relieve the pain from the appalling failure of the overall establishment.

On the other side of the fence, a mirror image of facts being reported but with the same underlying emotions. The Pakistani media accuse India of pretty much the same things that the Indian & world media have done of Pakistan (i.e. blood thirsty fundamentalists, seek an enemy in our country to hold their country united etc. etc.) But the Pakistani media has stooped to newer depths leaving the Indian counterparts far behind, that it outrages even one's normal sense of professional press conduct, leave alone ideals like nationalism. A 'zionist' plot by Indo-Israeli intelligence to target Pakistan? Within just hours after the incident when even details, let alone evidence was awaited ? - Seriously dude, this is stretching journalistic license like India rubber !

A blind upsurge of right-wing views immediately all over - and the vociferous call for Indians to be 'mard' while letting our sanity be hijacked by harmones. The Government establishment of course has a long way to go to address the question of terror.

Meanwhile, of great interest has been the activities of the media - which scavenged the attack sites to lick the last human bone of the victims to squeeze the last drops of juicy sound bytes for viewership - to put it very mildly.

Barkha Dutt came out with self-righteous anger at the allegations levelled against NDTV ('the last succour for justice to the common man' etc. etc.) All she does in her defence is leave the blame at the Govt's door after saying it is 'grossly unfair and saddening' to be left at NDTV's door. Come on! its like saying 'I technically did not break any rules because the Govt. hadn't the sense to put any!'

The NSG has a different opinion obviously and has alleged that the media coverage caused significant damage to their operations including the life of one of their commandos.
I hate what NDTV has done in this case - with all due respect to them being the last recourse for justice in this country blah blah blah... in the end they have proved they are another bunch of TRP-crazy madmen with no sense of responsibility in a situation that requires sensitivity and humane handling.

On the larger question of terror - lets just say, quo vadis India, Mr. Chidambaram?

Chennai's Day of Shame

2008-11-13T08:48:00.000-08:00

The story here.

In an inexplicably sickening scene, a posse of TN police officers watch on silently without taking any step to prevent the manslaughter - standing technically correct on the other side of the fence. In my career, I am familiar with instances of cowardly acts of self-preservation, a hall mark of bureaucrats. But in law enforcement? - this beats comprehension.

It is possible that there could be legal wrangles that can technically stop law enforcement, but this is uncondonable behavior - and weakens the confidence of the populations in the police force, no the system of governance - to say the least.

My city's day of shame.

Surprise Element

2008-08-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

From a movie writeup in the Hindu, Friday Review (On Location).
"Watch out for the elephant that is a surprise element, said a unit hand."
I am looking forward to it.

A Lion among men

2008-08-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

" — We shall crush the stars to atoms, and unhinge the universe. Don't you know who we are?"

Scarcely the words one would expect out of a saintly young ascetic, especially one who doesn't know where his next meal is going to come from. In fact, almost half of Swami Vivekananda's writings become a General at war leading his armies, rather than a renunciate monk.

Hailed as the man who discovered India, one can scarce believe that such a man as this walked on this earth whose words were as thunderbolts on a tottering society.

"Tell them to brush aside their illness by mental strength, and in an hour it will disappear! ", he thundered about a disciple suffering from an illness. "Off with it! Tell them to meditate for an hour at a stretch".

"Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success." he said.

Impractical wisdom ? Too idealistic ? He set out proving this sort of naive, conventional wisdom true along with bunch of penniless monks in 1886, from a dingy house in Baranagore and set up a massive service organisation (including schools and hospitals) with over a 100 missions across India and several more around the world. No mean achievement; actually something that would make any entrepreneur proud. In fact, most entrepreneurs nowadays actually find the making-that-idea-your-life-part trying, very.

The attraction that persons like him wield over others is most likely this: One cannot classify such people under any head. They stand out with their clarity of thought and vision wherever they go. ("To ask you, Swami, for your credentials is like asking the sun about its right to shine", said a Harvard Professor) He is probably the only spiritual (?) figure of any major religion (how else to describe a chap like this?) who spoke at such length about Manliness and Fearlessness.

Here is a monk, who breaks all stereotypes one may have of religious preaching types and wrote to his fellow monks from America thus:
"A few cameras, some maps, globes, and some chemicals, etc., are needed. The next thing you want is a big hut. Then you must get together a number of poor, indigent folk. Having done all this, show them pictures to teach them astronomy, geography, etc., and preach Shri Ramakrishna to them. Go to their cottages, from door to door, in the evening, at noon, any time and open their eyes. Books etc., won't do — give them oral teaching." He taunts the overly religious monks, "Can you do all this? Or only bell-ringing?" :)

One is left with a feeling that had he lived a few years more, the landscape of this part of the world would have been very different. Tragedy that he couldn't find enough regiments within the teeming millions of India. So'ham. So'ham. His war cry still rings clear.

(Photo courtesy: www.vivekananda.org

Brevity

2008-07-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

I am lost in the beauty of how some people put almost unintelligible ideas (for befuddled minds like mine) in crisp observations that hit you. Spent some time ROTFL over such a laconic one.

A: There is only silence. There is nothing to say about it.
B: Yes. All talk about silence is mere noise.

What clarity of thought can produce ready wit such as this! He should truly be the master of his mind. Dickens would have matched the brevity of observation with "Volumes could not have said more."

All the more funny because a world renowned neuro-scientist in his book waded through a chapter of neuroscience lingo (explaining terms like 'qualia') trying to push the same idea.

From here
"VSR writes "the problem of qualia is not necessarily a scientific problem...your scientific description is complete. It's just that your account is incomplete epistemologically because the actual experience of electric fields [for a fish] or redness [for a colourblind person] is something you will never know...there is no such barrier, no great vertical divide in nature between mind and matter, substance and spirit...this barrier is only apparent and...it arises as a result of language. This sort of obstacle emerges when there is any translation from one language to another" (p. 231)"

SAD's unkind cut to Sikhism

2008-07-12T02:51:00.000-07:00

The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) have said that the PM should have consulted Sikhs on the India-US nuclear deal before seeking their support. "The Sikh Prime Minister of India has never consulted us (the community) on this issue. Then, how can we support him?". More here.
Of all the arguments SAD could have possibly summoned to refuse support to the PM or highlight their importance in this clearly and solely political issue, it sadly has chosen the excuse of religion.
The most recent, vibrant and flourishing religion in world history doesn't require such sad guardians who cannot treat an issue on its own merit. Its indeed an unscrupulous political outfit's unkind cut to the religion.

Untitled.

2008-06-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

From my cold, dead hands...

திருவாசகத்தில்... (In Thiruvaasagam...)

2008-06-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Decad IV, verses 42, 44

Partial translation would convey:
(44) 'when spring-time's arrows of love pin one down, evern moon beams will sear' - without thinking of this, one becomes curd under the churning stick of the guiles of the doe-eyed. Without seeking to enter honey of bliss in the city of Shiva; to relish the life within, in food and clothes I indulge.

Easily wound-worthy topics

2008-05-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

Kamal's upcoming Dasavatharam is in trouble from an outfit apparently in possession of a full time lease of Vaishnavite Dharma. More here. Basically, they are seeking a ban on the film's release until the offending scenes are removed (pertaining to historic periods where sects of devout Hindus, read Vaishnavites and Saivites apparently are shown clashing).

As a Kamal fan an avid follower of Tamil movies and as a member of an uncared-for sect of society for whose feelings no organisation (religious or otherwise) has till date stood up and filed even a PIL , I wish to seek a ban on such petitions which hurt, wound and offend my feelings as a movie fan. This petitioner wants a ban on the offensive petitions by such organisations and suggests that they be commended to the care of medical professionals in consideration to their delicate feelings which are only too easily wounded and hurt at the most innocuous of circumstances. Curiously circumstances which have till now been caused exclusively by high budget movie releases alone.

Related video, in Tamil: Kamal replying to his detractors (when a bunch of people were hurt and wounded miserably in their feelings for Tamil Culture by his movie "Sandiyar")
Response.

Meanwhile, I am also praying to the presiding deity (Lord Vishnu, i think) of the aforesaid organisation to ignore my opposition to its president's petition and bless the fans like me with a well-made movie which is worth a watch.

Am seriously considering declaring support for some cause or the other (Culture is hot these days) and get into business filing PILs and petitions. Culture is a very wound-worthy feeling, dont you think?

Whom are you kidding?

2008-04-29T02:41:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I love cricket. I love IPL. They are doing a great deal of good for Indian cricket (and yeah... Chennai Super Kings have won all the matches they have played till now ;) )

But its beyond doubt that the Bangalore team is named after a popular liquor brand. Almost everyone who has had the drink/seen some of RC's other music CD and music show ads would have noticed it. Mr. Vijay Mallya, the liquor baron owns the brand Royal Challenge (after Shaw Wallace merged with UB) and incidentally the Bangalore IPL team as well.

Now, what is NOT surprising is that they are getting away with the name Royal Challengers. Thats fine. Apparently there are no clear laws on surrogate advertising in this country and thats the leeway the Govt. in its wisdom has chosen to provide.

But whats IS surprising is that according to media they 'are hitting back' at the Health Minister for speaking on this issue. Apparently, IPL wont 'take it lying down'. Hello ? When you first fiddled with the ban on liquor ads and ventured to advertise through surrogate categories, its sheer impudence for the CEO of IPL to pull off a 'How-dare-you-blame-holy-me?' stunt. Come on dude, whom are you kidding? After all, its the IPL leadership that decided in the first place to take a shot at this surrogate advertising chance.

Its not new for the UB group with their Kingfisher ads. I understand there is a lot more money involved in this IPL team. But it would be bad PR for the IPL if in its zeal to safeguard stakeholder interests, the IPL leadership portrays the issue as a Politicians Vs. Wronged IPL spat.

The Health Minister's real motive in this issue is not clearly known. But his activism on tobacco and liquor kind of are in line with his portfolio of Health, it seems. A bit too much of activism over public health alright (unakkaen akkarai, yaarukkum illaatha akkarai?), I hate to admit it, but that bugger is right.

The Broken Compass

2008-04-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

உடைந்தது வழி காட்டி என்று தெரிந்தும்
அடிக்கடி பார்க்கும் மனமே - இனி
மெயக்கப்பலை யார் பொறுப்பில் விட என்றறியா
மாலுமியின் கதி யார் பொறுப்பரோ !

Knowing its broken, whats the point
of looking repeatedly at our broken compass, my mind?
Now who will bear with the sailor's plight on
what to trust his vessel with?

திருவாசகத்தில்...

2008-03-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

A beautiful question

2008-03-08T03:17:00.000-08:00

This thing of beauty,
Without being able to understand, what is this?
Without the crutch of Reason, what is this?
Why a public spectacle everytime with this?
How am I to know if this is actually so?
What will my perplexity afford to anyone?
Am I to be a baby who knows not what it wants?
Mercy please.

Isha Foundation

Religion

2008-03-08T01:46:00.000-08:00

Am a big fan of the Simpsons series. Along with Seinfeld, it is one of the few TV shows that are actual critiques of human life and behavior.

When I read in the newspapers about religions and sects arguing, fighting and dissenting, I am reminded of Bart's quote in one of the episodes.

"The little, stupid differences are nothing next to the big, stupid similarities."

:)

Latest being the now famous fight recently between Dikshidars and Saivaite devotees in the Chidambaram temple.

The Great Indian Dream

2008-03-08T01:43:00.000-08:00

"My aim is to study my son and marry my daughter"

This single line summarizes the aspirations, dreams and the general tumultuous life that the Indian middle class carries on.

ARR's 'listen-alone-at-night' release

2008-02-05T11:03:00.000-08:00

I am in a similar situation in my career as I was quite some back here... a perpetual feeling of being chased by time and an urgency of goals. Other than that, although one knows its just the mind playing tricks with you, why isn't there any respite from that confused insane monkey that just refuses to throw anything down but drags along everything it has savoured! The assuring fact is that the Force accompanies me. Enough of self rant.

Teaching to students in Chennai has been a revelation to me. I simply love the time I spend teaching... much to the amusement of my father who is a headmaster.

Meanwhile, AR Rahman comes up with another of his 'Turn-off-the-lights-at night-and-listen-to-this-on-your headphones' variety of songs. Its Khwaja mere Khwaja from Jodha Akbar. The previous offering from ARR along this genre was Al Maddath Maula from Mangal Pandey. Al Maddath Maula provoked a rahmaniac orthodox Hindu friend of mine declare 'After listening to that in the night, I was so moved, I had to listen to Thiruvasagam by Ilayaraja to convince myself it was just the music that moved me!' . I donno what this genre is... is this Qawwali?

But unlike Al Maddath Maula where the song vibrates with the intense longing of the singer to reach peace in one's mind from the bondages of life, this Jodha Akbar song is relatively less intense. Its 'just' sung in praise of someone and not the passionate cries of a Seeker of the earlier song. The earlier composition with its frenzied background sounds impressed listeners of its intensity. The Jodha Akbar one is refreshingly and elegantly bare in its soundscape.

So long...

An earful of molten lead

2008-01-22T05:36:00.000-08:00

Heard the song "Rangu Rangamma" in the recently released film Bheema. Wasn't there anyone at the recording studio who couldn't point out that Kailash Kher's rendition of lyrics was murderous? There was little style (leave alone sufi style). But the substitution of meaning thanks to the singer's oblivious pronunciation !! ('Igniting desire' became 'Igniting best wishes')

If Harris Jeyaraj couldn't realise these as a music director, he deserves a spoonful of molten lead in each of his ears. Just the same fate he subjected his listeners to.

Too much

2007-11-28T00:07:00.000-08:00

Got this in an email forward.

"Fundamentally, you are seeking a relationship because you want to be happy, joyful. Or you are trying to use the other as a source of your happiness."

"If your body goes in search of a relationship, we call this sexuality.
If your mind goes in search of relationships, we call this companionship.
If your emotion goes in search of relationships, we call this love.
If your energies go in search of relationships, we call this yoga. All these efforts are just to become one with something else, because somehow being who you are right now is not enough."

- Jaggi Vasudev

More of the article here.

Fly:soup :: Na. Muthukumar :ATM

2007-11-13T08:41:00.000-08:00

Certainly Kavignar Vaali is a doyen of Tamil poetry. I have all due respect to his epic series in Ananda Vikatan.

But consider this:
Rahman' composition for Tamil movies is now only a fraction of the number he used to do five years ago. And of these little few, these are the lyricists whom he worked with in the last six movies.

Anbae Aaruyirae (2005) - Vaali
Jillendru Oru Kadhal (2006) - Vaali
Godfather (2006) - Vairamuthu
Guru (2007) - Vairamuthu
Sivaji (2007) - Vaali, Vairamuthu & others
Azhagiya Tamil Magan ATM (2007) - Vaali

Far cry from the days when Rahman wouldnt go beyond Vairamuthu for any of his compositions. Gone are the days when music lovers could look forward to even so-so movies (disappointing case in point, Anbae Aaruyirae by S. J. Surya) for the musical treat of Vairamuthu-ARR combine. Now we have to listen to the finest music director in Tamil music and his choicest singers and musicians crooning 'Nee Marilyn Monroe scanning/cloning (whatever that was)...' Blasphemy!

If ever there was a rift between Rahman and Vairamuthu, it has lasted long enough. Vairamuthu had said once "I agree wholeheartedly that Rahman is a great composer. But I do wish his music would not totally swamp my lyrics to the extent that nobody can make them out"

But hasn't Rahman himself said, "Lyrics lend immortality to a melody. The eternal, evergreen hit songs are always the ones with profound lyrics; lyrics that remain true and meaningful even after years."

Hasn't Vairamuthu's lyrics themselves paid tribute to music? "Innisai mattum Illaiyendraal naan Endro, endro iranthiruppaen" (But for sweet music, I would be dead)

I am not saying that Vaali doesnt do justice to his lyrics. Some of his songs (Jillendru oru kaadhal) were actually good. But personally I do feel that his idea of 'peppy' music a tad too flippant. Disagree ? What to say when one of the finest compositions of late (ATM) is interspersed with references to mixies and chutneys ? Even good lyrics in the album (Madurai-ku pogaatha..) are just that. Good. There is not even a hint of competition between the lyrics and the music in vying for the listener's attention.

Only hope is that Mani Ratnam or somebody of like stature talks sense into both ARR and Vairamuthu and does a favor to listeners like me. Till then we only have tracks of Alaipayuthe, Kandukondaen2, Jeans, Sangamam and the like to console ourselves with.

A.J.Anto's Mind Space: A Ball Can Change the World

2007-11-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

A.J.Anto's Mind Space: A Ball Can Change the World

A spontaneous post on Isha by friend Antoji (I have been part of couple of such occasions in Delhi and Chennai).
Totally Agree.

How to name it?

2007-10-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

A: Is laughter your only response to situations; or
am I the funniest man alive ?

B: :)

A: ?

Think aloud post

2007-10-02T23:54:00.000-07:00

An introspective think aloud post without the context and background. Could not help it. Caveat reader! :)

How one feels and what one is supposed to do sometimes go against each other. Then the balance between emotions and the intellect is very important especially in such trying times. If either of them affects actions to a large degree, there is chaos. How you feel is truly an essence of what you are and nobody else can realise that emotion as truly and uniquely as you do. At the same time, what one is supposed to do is from social mores and norms and there cannot be a quarrel about that. With two seemingly valid courses of action, one can be really be flummoxed. The longer you remain in this flummoxed state, emotions will get stronger and the imprecations of intellect, shriller.

Thiruvalluvar asks that tasks that increase happiness should be completed even if they result in suffering in the course of their execution. When it comes to taking action, clearly he gives importance to the intellect over emotions.

Swami Vivekananda says one should have a harmonious balance between the emotions (heart), intellect (head) and action (hand). How to reach this elusive balance is left to the seeker.

What we want is to see the man who is harmoniously developed . . . great in heart, great in mind, [great in deed] . . . . We want the man whose heart feels intensely the miseries and sorrows of the world. . . . And [we want] the man who not only can feel but can find the meaning of things, who delves deeply into the heart of nature and understanding. [We want] the man who will not even stop there, [but] who wants to work out [the feeling and meaning by actual deeds]. Such a combination of head, heart, and hand is what we want. There are many teachers in this world, but you will find [that most of them] are one-sided. [One] sees the glorious midday sun of intellect [and] sees nothing else. Another hears the beautiful music of love and can hear nothing else. Another is [immersed] in activity, and has neither time to feel nor time to think. Why not [have] the giant who is equally active, equally knowing, and equally loving? Is it impossible? Certainly not.

- "Worshipper and Worshipped", Swami Vivekananda

I go with Thiruvalluvar on this one. Feelings may give overall direction for one to take, but the actions that one performs in reality shall always be directed from the head, not the heart.

N.B.
thought I was too old for such lessons :(

How to name it?

2007-09-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

When one has views that are very different from the surroundings, the misfit becomes very evident. Take for instance the case of a chap who has quit the firm but has to serve the notice period. Taking a step backwards from work (it could be a weekend break at home or a trip to Amritsar for instance), there is a moment of clarity when one realises where one's life is slowing leading to. As my friend from Kanpur would say "Arre bhai, main kounsi gali mein aa chuka hoon !". Fundamental questions about what motivated one to work in the first place start begging for answers. Definitely not money (that was a sitter, if you knew my payslip). Standing among peer-circle? Need for appreciation? 'kick' from working?

One feels awkward and there are the inevitable unpleasant situations in the initial stage, but later on there is only humor from the workplace. When colleagues try their old routine of well tested work instruments (read mental games, verbal jousts, pathetic pranks and other patented methodologies) on the person who has quit and fail to evoke the usual reaction, they are confounded by the impudence. Suddenly professional values are dusted off the shelf and quoted to bring the lost man to his senses. Meanwhile the person who has quit is in splits at the sight of the devil charging him of disregard to "values" and all copyrighted nice-to-own-up things (which are in a state of suspended animation for the still serving colleagues)

The only downside is that one cannot share the view with others so that they can also partake of the fun. It would be too crude to upset their feelings actually. (Also, it is in the firm's HR policy prohibiting one from encouraging others to quit when leaving.)

Havent mentioned the best part. The feeling of liberation and of living life on one's own terms. The feeling that limitations that held one back are only of the mind. And that everything in this world is for the taking if only because one's spirit wanted it. The belief that every wish other than those tainted with fear of failure shall be granted.

As Bharathi said
"No Fear, No Fear, There is no such thing as fear.
Even when the sky breaks and falls in pieces on your heads
Even when each and every single person on earth opposes you
Even when people look down upon and deride you
No Fear, No Fear, There is no such thing as fear"

Why?

2007-09-12T03:04:00.000-07:00

Why not?

Jedi Gurus

2007-09-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite Starwars characters, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn is a maverick Jedi Knight. His quotes remind one of teachings of Indian philosophy.

Some quotes from The Phantom Menace

Qui-Gon to Obi-Wan: Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel, don't think. Use your instincts.

Qui-Gon to Obi-Wan: Don't center on your anxiety, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs.

More here on religious (or spiritual) themes in the Starwars series:

More quotes by Qui-Gon here.

Bharathi

2007-07-23T01:25:00.001-07:00

Got this from a friend. He said Bharathi hit him so hard that it pained. Me too.
Donno which collection of songs this poem comes in.

தேடி சோறு தினம் தின்று
பல சின்னஞ்சிறு கதைகள் பேசி
வாடி துன்பம் மிக உழன்று
பிறர் வாட பல செய்கை செய்து
நரை கூடி கிழப்பருவம் எய்தி
கொடும் கூற்றுக்கிறையாகி மாயும்
சில வேடிக்கை மனிதரை போலவே
நானும் வீழ்வேன் என்று நினைத்தாயோ?

- மகாகவி சுப்ரமணிய பாரதி

To seek my morsels to eat daily
To mouth many a small quibble
To lose peace; to feel grief
To act and cause many around to ache
To grey in hair and attain old age
To fall prey to horrible Death and depart
Like many a laughable man on this earth
Did You think I too would fall like that ?

- Subramanya Bharathi

P.S. Excuse the translation.

Work

2007-07-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

When I see people feeling guilty for having had the simple joys of life (e.g. sleeping 6 hrs a night / watching a movie on a weekend), it makes you think. Glorification of this as ownership of the project at the workplace is unfair and stupid. Happiness shall never be mortgaged for responsibility.

Kolkata

2007-06-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

My colleague Srinivas commented as we walked out of a building and a wave of Kolkata weather hit us, "Its like a wet furnace". Couldnt agree more.

Musings on Gita

2007-06-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

After much reading and listening about the Gita, thought I had got atleast the basic idea of Krishna's epic advice to Arjuna.

Recently, after reading the book "Encounter the Enlightened", a collation of speeches by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, felt the discourse of Krishna taking a new meaning.

The passage in question:

Question: Yes, I have a doubt. In the battle of Kurukshetra, why did Lord Krishna compel Arjuna, who had laid down his arms? He did not want to fight his own kith and kin, why did he compel him to fight?

Jaggi:
...Even on the battlefield, he was willing to slaughter almost everyone.
It was only five or six people - his grandfather, his Guru, his brother, his friend - except for them, he was willing to slaughter everyone else.
In truth, Arjuna had not given up violence. He only wanted to save these few people; He was willing to kill the rest. So that's why His teaching is like that.
I want you to understand what importance Krishna gives to one man's realization.
If you realize and in the process, ten thousand people die, it is okay; it is of so much value to the world.
It is that value that he is establishing.
Source: Encounter the enlightened-Conversations with the Master

Agreed the speech makes little sense without the context of what Jaggi's Isha Foundation is doing. More at ishafoundation.org. But have to think aloud lest this sinks into oblivion to the bottom of the muddy pond that my mind now is.

The trite phrase that invariable pops up in many a spiritual text / discourse is "to free oneself from action". Nice to hear. But that makes no sense since one's existence (including actions of self and others) is invariably experienced only through the mind driven by the five senses of the body.

Jaggi Vasudev's intent is to make a person explore the inner self and reach a natural state where the person does not identify oneself with actions/situations/one's mind. Confessedly an experiential feeling, little is forthcoming on this natural state from either Jaggi / Isha volunteers about what this is. I am willing to buy that stand since I have neither the inclination or the time to read about the quality of experiences (natural or otherwise) in another chappie's life communicated to me through the questionable medium of my mind and a more questionable medium of the English language.

Now as I understand that Jaggi imputes, Krishna was egging Arjuna to take the route to this natural state at the cost of a bloody war. The value given to one man's realisation is of note here, considering that those that did have changed the course of history (E.g. Christ, Buddha, Shankaracharya... etc.)

Recommended reading: Encounter the Enlightened - Conversations with the Master (Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev)
This book and Jaggi Vasudev make more sense to me than any of the other literature of this nature I have ever read.

Beautiful language

2007-05-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

Telugu is a language of very cute sounding verbs !

A director's perspective

2007-04-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

ஏதாவது ஒரு வகையில் நாம் எல்லோருமே மன நலம் பாதிக்கப்பட்டவர்கள் தான்
- இயக்குநர் பாலா.

'One way or the other, all of us are mental patients.'
- Bala, Film Director

Excuse the translation.

Reflection

2007-04-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

The biggest examples of illogicality in this world lie in reasons that men give themselves when they make life's choices.

The Firm

2007-03-03T05:33:00.000-08:00

Saturdays and Sundays are when the real work gets done.

Beautiful prose

2007-03-01T03:41:00.000-08:00

Loved this prose from an acquaintance's blog:

"Gradually the threads dissolve, the strings come undone. We become footnotes in someone else's life, remembered fondly in the middle of drying dishes on a warm Wednesday night. In the end, this is all we're reduced to, this is what we're left with."

(Source:Sine-Qua-Non)

PC and his Quotes

2007-03-01T03:24:00.000-08:00

PC in his budget speech of 2005-06

Mr. Speaker, Sir,

182. One of India's proudest sons, Dr Amartya Sen, argues in his book "Development as Freedom" that development is a process of expanding the real freedoms that people enjoy. He says, "Growth of GNP or of individual incomes can, of course, be very important as means to expanding the freedoms enjoyed by the members of the society. But freedoms depend also on other determinants, such as social and economic arrangements (for example, facilities for education and health care) as well as political and civil rights." The UPA Government accepts this ethical dimension to the discussion of economic issues, and in this Budget I have attempted to reflect that dimension. More or less the same idea was articulated two thousand years ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar who said:

"Pini Inmai Selvam Vilaivu Inbam Emam

Ani Enba Nattirkku Iv Iyndhu"

(Health, wealth, produce, the happiness that is the result, and security

These five, the learned say, are the ornaments of a polity)

PC in his budget speech of 2006-07

I am aware of the severe difficulties faced by farmers in the last two years. Ours is a compassionate Government. I also have severe fiscal constraints. When faced with a dilemma, I usually turn to my favourite poet-philosopher, Saint Tiruvalluvar. Writing over 2,000 years ago, he said:

"Karumam Sidhaiyamal Kannoda Vallarku

Urimai Udaithu Iv Ulagu"

(The world is his who does his job

With compassion)

PC in his budget speech of 2007-08

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have devoted the last 15 minutes or so to agriculture. There is no dearth of schemes; there is no dearth of funds. What needs to be done is to deliver the intended outcomes. Saint Tiruvalluvar watches over us and warns:-

"Uzhavinar Kai Madangin Illai Vizhaivathoom

Vittame Enbarkum Nilai"

[ If ploughmen keep their hands folded

Even sages claiming renunciation cannot find salvation]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirukkural

The Man in the Car

2006-11-21T23:48:00.000-08:00

Driving from Gurgaon to Delhi gives scope for a lot of reflection. On a bike, one gets to drive through a maze of cars stuck in traffic. In the morning you can find a variety of people going to office. Men of all kinds: the worried and impatient young executive in his worn out Alto, the suave and well dressed senior manager/CEO in the backseat of his corolla reading the ET. Nondescript analyst-consultant types like me on the TVS Victors and the like.

Basic point of the post is: life is not looking great. If ALL goes well (and God knows what all it will take), I would still at the end of it all be the Man in the Car, nothing more nothing less.

I have a dream

2006-11-01T04:57:00.000-08:00

I have a dream of a world where the poor and deprived take full benefits of ICT in receiving basic services like health and education. a world where the poor and deprived feel empowered to demand accountability and make the democracy participatory and more meaningful.

And the private sector has to wrest the monopoly of the Government in provision of basic public services while accepting all norms of accountability that the Government operates under.

S Gokulakrishnan

Quote on War

2006-09-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

Quote

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.

John Stuart Mill

Big brother

2006-09-09T01:47:00.000-07:00

Some observations on the psyche of government officials.

Seniority within the organisation is no indication of leadership or personal qualities. One could be promoted to the very top while striving to cover one's a** all the time.

Personal commitment or volition to any task could be unheard of.

The biggest threat that can emanate from the lips of an official (at which they expect the listener to cower and run is "I can write a note on this to the department..."). Situations where this fails to frighten the listener completely flummoxes them.

At times, they fall into the habit of referring responsibility to a primordial omnipotent entity called 'Government' in case they want to absolve themselves of the issue at hand.
(E.g. 'The Government will decide upon what to do...', or 'The Government will take this up...')
Sometimes they refer to it lovingly as if it were alive.

N.B. These are the defining characteristics of organization culture. There are always exceptions.

Misfired stir

2006-08-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

How I wish the RTI would cover the committee meetings and decision making of political parties too ! They cannot be shrouded from public scrutiny and at the same time allowed to affect public lives in the way the latest OBC bill has done.

Why does the PMK and DMK get away with pushing the Govt. into non exclusion of the creamy layer. If there is a sound reason, I cannot see it.

Even though at the outset everyone agreed that the affirmative action of the GoI was misdirected, the media and the Youth for Equality(YFE) chose to harp on concepts like equality and merit in opposing the OBC bill rather than focus on the issue of beneficiaries which could have got them support from all of educated India who instead stood as on lookers viewing the protests as largely driven by self-interest.

Southbound

2006-08-21T00:43:00.000-07:00

Had a refreshing trip down south. Visited Mumbai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Chennai and Kozhikode recently. Loved the drive from Coimbatore to Kozhikode and back. Kerala under rains is a beauty to look at. Not good for the poor roads though. The state of the checkpost at Kerala-TN border is pathetic. For godssake, there are people waiting for hours to pay tax if only you will let them... tax administration has to go a long way in becoming citizen friendly.

IIM Kozhikode is ossum. But cannot figure out what the Govt. seeks to achieve by isolating the student community from the city and society.

Trip had an unpleasant finish when I lost my wallet. Funny part in Coimbatore when sitting in a car park in a pensive mood and a palmist in sunglasses comes up and says "Palmist sir... hand reading paarkreengala ?" I replied "Nee ennanaa solrathu... enakkae theriyuthu neram seri illai.. !" ("What is there for you to say ? I know it, I am having a bad time")

Revisiting old poem

2006-07-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

This is a poem from an anthology(Purananooru) of 400 pieces on 'the exterior' or public life. A translation is given from here.

Every Town a Home Town

Every town our home town,
Every man a kinsman.

Good and evil do not come
from others.
Pain and relief of pain
come of themselves.
Dying is nothing new.
We do not rejoice
that life is sweet
nor in anger
call it bitter.

Our lives, however dear,
follow their own course,
rafts drifting
in the rapids of a great river
sounding and dashing over the rocks
after a downpour
from skies slashed by lightnings-

we know this
from the vision
of men who see.

So,
we are not amazed by the great,
and we do not scorn the little.

-- Kaniyan Punkunran

"Good and evil do not come from others. Pain and relief of pain come of themselves."
-- indicates emphasis on personal choice and belief in consequences
of personal decisions.   Existentialism ?

"Dying is nothing new. We do not rejoice that life is sweet nor in anger call it bitter."
-- okay..."we are not amazed by the great, and we do not scorn the little."
-- moralistic, then its not nihilism.

Enigmatic little poem.

N.B.

2006-07-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

The penetrative mind of a well intentioned politician is worth more than all the gold in all the treasuries on earth.

random thought after last fortnight's news headlines.

Spirit of resilience(?) and Mr. Kasuri's audacity

2006-07-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Salaam Bombay. The way the city got its act together after the terrorist attack is inspiring. But however we may want to look at it, Mumbaikars spirit of resilience is basically driven by a need to get on with life since they cannot afford to do otherwise.

Mr. Kasuri's statement linking the Mumbai blasts and the Kashmir dispute sounds innocuously matter-of-fact, but it is far from ingenuous; not from him and definitely not at this juncture. Removing the diplomatic niceties, in political terms, it simply says 'see, if India wants this stopped, it has to come over to the negotiating table on Kashmir'. 'This kind of incidents can make India address things India doesnt want to address' This point is painfully close to the truth, but this hint from Mr. Kasuri on how to respond to a terrorist attack is closer to thuggery than the high office he holds.

Things like these cast dark clouds on otherwise well intentioned peace talks. India would not want to seem pressurised into peace talks, which will put the other side at an advantage in negotiations. But there are enough people within the Pakistani establishment to whom valid motives can be ascribed for overthrowing peace talks.

A more significant challenge would be to stop the stupidity of right wing extremist reaction to these incidents from within India itself. I wonder if the word 'Shiv Sainiks' has been coined cleverly to derive some divine legitimacy to their actions from the public. If it is Congress-'men' and DMK-'cadres' why not Shiv Sena-'members' ? Sainik is a revered word; not to be appropriated for lending legitimacy to right wing extremist purposes.

On food, medicine and books

2006-07-06T05:24:00.001-07:00

Is it right of a human deny aid to another's hunger, pain and illiteracy claiming the sufferer's inability to pay his profits as the reason?

In India, an entrepreneur can accumulate profits out of all the above three plagues on society. In advanced free market economies, one would expect the market to manage services in all the three, right ? But interestingly the strongest voice for free market, the US, has support programs which preclude undue profiteering in all the three sectors. Are we Indians missing the essence of 'free market'?

M. S. Swaminathan wrote about India "The growing privatisation of food and water security systems is already leading to an unequal social bargain. The poor will not be able to withstand the tragedy of distress sales and inundation by low-cost foods and fruits from rich countries whose agriculture is driven by heavy inputs of subsidy, capital, and technology." Ever wondered why US farmers dont commit suicides like these Indian farmers in AP and Vidharba. The Bengal famine of 1942 happened not due to grain shortage but because grains were locked up in private trader's godowns.

In healthcare in India, most medical supplies and equipments (even glucose drips) fetch margins of around 300% to the manufacturer. Why has the invisible hand failed to bring efficiencies ? seriously, I dont know.

Excellent public school systems are run by the government in fully capitalist economies to ensure basic education. All medical facilities are government funded by countries like US and Canada. One can walk out of hospitals after treatment without any other thought other than convalescence.

Let us not get this wrong. Excellent private run institutions exist in all three sectors in western countries. I wouldn't be surprised if the best facilities in these three sectors are privately run. But the government has ensured access to food security, healthcare and elementary education first.

Don't stupid, unemployable rural people get ill and feel hungry? Or are they stupid and unemployable because they fall ill and go hungry too often and are unable to improve their lot?

Homebase

2006-06-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

From David Copperfield on having one's own establishment.

"It was a wonderfully fine thing to have that lofty castle to myself, and to feel, when I shut my outer door, like Robinson Crusoe, when he had got into his fortification, and pulled his ladder up after him. It was a wonderfully fine thing to walk about town with the key of my house in my pocket, and to know that I could ask any fellow to come home, and make quite sure of its being inconvenient to nobody, if it were not so to me. "

- Charles Dickens

Not having an address is a weird problem. Staying in company guesthouses here and there is convenient: homely food, laundry, A/c and all that but one is nevertheless bugged by that fact... All billings are to be done to my official address, cell cos have taken me off their network since I cant give them a verifiable address and one never knows where one's next base is going to be.

Despite all problems which are attendant on running an own establishment and even though I may not be using that place to a large extent, I prefer to have a homebase where all the bills come and where friends can be welcomed at ease.

N.B. homebase is not a word yet... but its nice.

Fanaa

2006-05-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

In a remarkable movie which beautifully portrays the conflict between a man's conscience and a woman's endearing belief in love, the director's urge to send a message across wins in the end.

A word and a song...

2006-05-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

First the song:
The song I was listening to was from the Tamil movie Nanda and starts off 'Kalliyadi kalli...'
A rough translation of a section of it is as follows:

"Consider that there is no sea in between us....
the nations are the same...
Tamils are Tamils everywhere..."

Was kind of surprised that such a bold avowal was let off easily by the authorities though it was a movie on Sri Lankan refugees. It sounded like a cheap shot using identity politics rather than a mature artistic approach to the issue. Also, it is one of the modern day ambiguities in geopolitics but its strangely disturbing when popular art pushes such issues into public conscience. Have got used to issues like these handled by sensational newspapers and relegated to Page 5 International sections rather than listening to it as music.

Came across this word while going through some websites on Bahrain...

Irredentism : an international relations term that involves advocating annexation of territories administered by another state on the grounds of common ethnicity and/or prior historical possession, actual or alleged. It is a feature of identity politics and cultural and political geography.

... and that completed my circle of vapid thoughts.

Citizens or customers ?

2006-05-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Are students customers in an educational setup ?
Are people customers in a governmental setup ?

I instinctively say no to both the questions. Though student unions and e-government supporters can mention the word 'customer' in every sentence, my whole being revolts at that notion. What a horribly narrow minded view should one have to describe the relationship between a student and a teacher with a term which primarily means a person involved in a monetary exchange for goods/services offered. Similarly, can anyone buy good governance or the acumen of statesmen for the price paid as taxes? Amidst all the crap that is flying around since the current medico's strike, there was a surprisingly mature statement from the Arjun Singh when he said "we are concerned as the agitating students are our children too.." The veracity and intent can be questioned but that is not the point. That is the feeling of overarching responsibility and bonding that a Government should have with its people and that feeling towards the Government surpasses all monetary measures...

Quote

2006-05-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

"There are no good or bad memories... only convenient ones." someone said this to us during our induction to my job. Was wondering if this applies to identities too. There are no strong or weak identities... only convenient ones. A friend of mine once said that India on account of being invaded so many times has become a boiling pot of different identities. I am sure the average number of identities per individual is the highest in this part of the world.

Does the transience of all identities indicate that the Goal should be the transcend all identities?

N.B. abstained from examples in this case since examples seem restrictive rather than explanatory.

Of Singhs and Sikkimese

2006-03-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

Ah, the touch of the keyboard on fingertips at last. Just back from a trip to Amritsar and then to Sikkim over the last fortnight. Visiting these places and seeing their culture was an exhilarating experience. Also were a 1000 km drive from Delhi-Amritsar-Delhi in a friend's car, a 3 day trek to an altitude of 13000 feet and a 50 hr train journey through the heartland of India.

Both Punjab and Sikkim have a history of conflict in merging with the Indian union now followed by peace. Sikhs have a history of undergoing suppression and injustice since the Mughal days (also painful in their memory is the military's entry into the Golden temple in 1984 which they have recorded in graphic detail in the musuem in the Golden Temple). Now peace rules in both Punjab and Sikkim (more like tourism rules in the latter). Lead to some questions about one's cultural identity and affiliation to the Indian identity. Was pretty intrigued by a signboard by the the Archaelogical Society of India in Yuksam which read "A country's identity is determined by its cultural heritage". Each region has a history and culture of its own... what exactly is the heritage that contributes to the Indian identity as opposed to a regional cultural identity? Unity in Diversity is easier said than engaged with in reality. Am dangerously close to sounding like a separatist but none is more convinced of my patriotism than I am; am proud of the fact that India has found the systems to hold unity in the midst of diversity. And India has a few lessons to teach the rest of the world. Met some foreigners in Tsukha in whose view governments across EU are grappling with a similar issue of cultural assimilation of immigrants (from Asian and African countries) in their metropolises.

Amritsar has a touching and calming influence on its visitors. In the Golden temple premises, there is a soothing influence which I have found in few holy places in India. Was reminded of my acute ignorance of Sikh culture and history during the visit. The Wagah border pantomime was interesting. On the Indian side, slogans of "Bharat mata ki jai" rent the air. On the Pakistani side, slogans of "La illahi yill Allah" were echoed. Actually my confusion on cultural, religious and national identities began there. Wasn't the Indian cry a reiteration of national identity whereas the Pakistani side's one of religious identity? Thereupon my friend Madhu opined that "Bharat mata" could be construed by others as a strongly Hindu symbolism for the Indian state. Give up level.

Think Kerala stole the tagline "God's own country" from Sikkim. The beauty of the hill state is breath taking. Nepali is the most common spoken language along with Bhutia. Tourism is the biggest revenue earner. The Indo-China border was only a drive away from Gangtok but it required a permit and special clearance for our French cotraveller Erwan. So we luckily chose a trek to Dzongri from Yuksam. Visited the Buddhist monastery in Rumtek where the current Karmapa is yet to be crowned. Again acutely reminded of my ignorance of the history of the region. The people are very friendly and are amazingly fluent in English whereas their Hindi is rusty.

Pleased with this blog since it started somewhere and ended nowhere, a true mark of originality! The issue of identity and its importance to an individual is intriguing. One thing I do realise is that concept of identity is being used with great effect by political parties to rally support. And so on this discordant note this blog shall end as it truly reflects my mind after witnessing the kaleidoscope that is India.

Memory dump:

2006-02-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

1) The transition from being a student to an employee. How do IIMA grads fare in that aspect ? What is required and what is not ?
(this after meeting seniors who come down here for PPTs and Chaos)
2) Thinking about
(a) companies to pick and why?
(b) companies not to pick and why ?
(c) running away from certain companies
(d) companies that will do (c) to me
(e) My own Company Inc.
3) Rang De Basanti
4) Mahabharata, Idealism vs. Reality
5) < Censored for explicit material >
6) Work for impending project deadlines

Of Soundscapes and Melodies

2006-01-19T23:10:00.000-08:00

Google defines

melody: specifically, the topmost line or voice

soundscape: an acoustic environment or an environment created by sound

Came across this interesting word called soundscape when reading a review of AR Rehman; the article said his music is influenced by that of Ennio Morricone (of The Good The Bad and The Ugly fame). This single word conveyed how the music of one relates to the other. One of those exquisite occasions when the medium transcends the message.

Listening to the two greats of Tamil music, Ilaiyaraja and ARR, one can immediately sense two different approaches to creating music. For me, Ilaiyaraja is the melody maker and Rehman, the soundscapist.

Both are just segments of a fulfulling musical piece... lyrics and vocalists being other important ones. But seems like the areas of specialisation of both musicians are different. With singers like SPB, Ilaiyaraja revelled in creating soulful tunes and melodies. ARR's focus is on creating a soundscape: choosing the base sounds for the song carefully. Running the risk of sampling bias, here are a few songs:

1) church bells tolling in 'Mukkaala, Mukkabula' - Kathalan

2) the barren effect and sounds in the song describing famine in 'Maari mazhai peyyatho' - Uzahavan.

3) more prominently, the rail tracks in 'Chaiyya chaiyya' - Dil Se

ARR uses brief vocal pieces for opening a song ('Chikku bukku', 'Maargazhi thingal', 'Mettupodu' etc) during which (and for a while after) he does the soundscape before launching into the main vocals.

'Sundari kannal oru' - Thalapathi

'Muthalvanae' - Muthalvan

Both are similarly situated songs of Ilaiyaraja and ARR respectively. Probably it's a misplaced comparison, but the difference between the two is too strong. The first one uses tunes and vocal improvisation of SPB to communicate the full pathos of personal life. In the second, ARR takes it upon himself to build the thick base of sounds to indicate conflict with personal life and leaves the rest of the job to Vairamuthu.

Imagine an artist labouring on a lake, a few trees, shrubs and a distant bird before painting the girl with a pitcher. Thats what ARR does to set the soundscape for a song. But with Ilaiyaraja, the image of the girl with the pitcher is so expressive that you don't have to be told where she stands.

Music & Kites

2006-01-14T11:45:00.000-08:00

Listening to songs by ARR and Vairamuthu in a dark room with a good speaker system and letting them slowly fill inside you is an ossum high. One has barely recovered from the lyricist's subtle allusions in Tamil when the musician pushes ahead with his orchestrations. Some of the songs in my list are:
1) Kannodu kanbethellam - Jeans
2) Soukiyamaa - Sangamam
3) Mettupodu Mettupodu - Duet
4) Maargazhi thingal - Sangamam
5) Ithuthaan Kathal - Puthiya Mugam
Warning: Overdose is injurious to your sense of reality

Uttarayan and Lohri as Pongal and Bhogi are called here respectively are on. Today went to Core House to meet Handaji and see the kite flying which is traditional here. From the terrace of the seven floor building I could see a million kites in the sky. Good sun, kite flying lessons, nice jalebis.

Don Quixote

2006-01-03T00:50:00.000-08:00

Read an abridged version of Don Quixote and a few critiques on that. Surely a piece of literature that has survived this long and been translated into almost all languages should have something in it. I remember reading the original a few years ago as a tale of a mad knight and his squire and couldnt finish it since only one volume was available. Btw, imagining all the books I must have read without realising the true meaning of is a scary thought.

Don Quixote is this stupid, well meaning, idealistic old gentleman who is drunk with visions of a chivalrous and honor-based society and sets out to be a knight-errant. Was it madness ? or was it another form of wisdom that declares war in defence of one's ideals ?

He fails miserably though and ends up in his deathbed as a chastened person. Even his squire Sancho is not a convert to his idealism. After becoming a reasonable man, he loses all his reasons to live. A critic refers to this as the world's betrayal of an idealist for the sake of materialism. No wonder, when the Cuban revolution ended, the first book printed and distributed by the Government was Don Quixote. They read a communist message in this book !

The question is: Why did Don Quixote end in a tragic failure ? will Quixotic fervor help in solving any problem facing society? Cervantes' greatness as an author lies in the fact that Don Quixote endears himself to the reader without once having to explain his ideals and despite all his foolish antics. This book reads like an appeal to that little bit of idealist in everyone to be Quixotic once a while.

IOCL

2005-12-31T13:21:00.000-08:00

IOCL has taken some steps to check irregularities which took the life of Mr. Manjunath a month back. Felt good reading it.
New Year celebrations afoot here. Liquor sells for 600% its normal price.
Sometimes the reasons for prohibition in Gujarat seem a bit suspect.

गुलाम अिल

2005-12-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

नफरत़ो़़ के तीर खाकर दोसतो के शहर मे
हमने िकस िकस को पुकारा येह कहाँणी िफर सिह ।

Manjunath Incident

2005-12-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Manjunath incident evoked some noises from the media. There were some protests and meetings in different parts of the country. IOCL has provided Rs. 26 lakhs to the affected family and placed his photograph on its homepage. Some CEO's have ventured articles in Business World about this issue: but these are the 'untouched' companies (like consulting) who do not face corruption issues on a daily basis. But the angst is that the industry in general has remained mute. Paying compensation is the easiest thing for a company like IOC to do in this situation. Does it seem like a PR debacle to be tackled and celebrated later ?

BPOs in Bangalore showed more character when the next day of the rape, they came together with a plan for increased security for their employees. There was a real threat to their business though hadnt they done this. But the response from the Indian industry to the Manjunath incident has been disheartening for fresh MBAs. Its not that some companies are untouched by corruption that they need not respond to this incident.

What next ? There are opinions about whistle blowers act which feel its not needed and what is needed are administrative reforms, not legislative ones.
As for the companies, could there be a realisation that ethical practices are more profitable in the long run and should be given a chance ?

Interesting Read

2005-11-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

Discovered a blog of my batchmate Shubhang. The post about affirmative action is one of the most sensible I have read.

The term came to a close today. Probably for the first time in my life I am feeling blue about a course ending ! Got #$@%ed today in a group presentation. Was left wondering about motivations and reward mechanisms in general after that. A perpetual feeling of being chased by time and an urgency of goals is plaguing me (another lifetime first btw).

Pix

2005-11-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

Here you go !

Arbit

2005-11-03T11:47:00.000-08:00

There can be no love where there is fear. And there can be little sense where there are emotions. Excitement doesnt really mean that truth is at hand. Actually, its quite possible that one loses sight of truth when passions gain hold of the mind. One's excitement about the truth is not quite an alibi enough for missing the truth.

Next time you see an excited man shouting "Eureka!", it could be just a naked madman who has no idea what a fool he is making of himself.

A Desert trip

2005-10-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

We visited Rajasthan last weekend. Jodhpur's impressive Mehrangarh fort tired us with its beauty. Unfortunately for my friend who wanted to breathe in the beauty of every sculpture on the hill, the other two of us werent the sculpture-breathing variety. We were more interested in observing foreigners being flummoxed into taking auto-rides and buying Indian spices at princely prices.

The practice of grafting has developed into an Art form. One could find auto wallahs, hoteliers, guides, restaurants, antique sellers, gift shops taking turns in extracting money from foreign tourists in various ways. But it was a small dilemma whether to intervene or not. Arent even airlines in India charge differential rates for foreign nationals ?

The magnificient palace of the Jodhpur Maharajah impressed me for all the wrong reasons. While the plaques and exhibits in the museum sing praises about his drought relief measures for the poor in 1930's, His Highness's concern for the poor didnt come out very strongly in the middle of the Officer's parties, hunting trips and flying clubs. BTW, the Maharaja's method of drought relief was to build a 350-room palace in sandstone providing employment to peasants in the process. Now thats what I would call truly multipurpose.

Rajasthan has breathtaking beauty in its historical monuments. The sand dunes in Jaisalmer are a sight to see. A picture I took of my friends there.

Politics and Business

2005-09-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

Watched an unusual movie called the Motorcycle diaries(2004). Unusual because of the narration and its being one of the few non-Hollywood foreign movies I have watched. Its a story about a young Argentinian Doc who along with his friend sets out on a trip across South America in his old Norton 500 motorcycle. The movie ends with a note that this guy later went on to become the famous leftist revolutionary Che Guevara. Disclaimer: Despite what a friend of mine used to insinuate in college, I do not hold communist views. Fact is I dont know what exactly communism stands for.

One interesting thing is that Che is not a celebrated or popular cult figure in India. I remember seeing one picture of him in a roadside youth club in Coimbatore once. But he is absent from our political scene; he is not revered or mentioned by any of the leftist parties in their political rallies or speeches.

During the trip, young Che is disturbed by the fact that economic interests which drove colonialism destroyed most of indigenous culture in Latin America. For instance, in Peru, he is stuck by the fact that the magnificient Inca civilisation was demolished to make way for the modern day Lima, simply because one of the warring sides had gun powder. Noam Chomsky tells us that the fate of native Indians in North America was not less cruel. The understanding is that economic interests driven by businesses widen the gap between the rich and powerful few and the deprived masses.

Seed of War: "Is there any man, is there any woman, let me say any child here that does not know that the seed of war in the modern world is industrial and commercial rivalry? -- Former American President Woodrow Wilson

“[T]he prosperity that companies like Microsoft now enjoy could not occur without having the strong military that we have.” -- Defense Secretary William Cohen

This blog is not the usual left vs. right debate that every one comes to hear about now and then. I was struck by the complicity of business interests in American politics and the National Security Council's plans to maintain this sphere of influence to protect American business interests. In fact, Noam Chomsky alleges in his book "What Uncle Sam really wants?" that America went to war with developing countries to prevent them from setting a good model of development without aiding American business interests. He calls this the Threat of a Good Example. Che Guevara's dream to create "one, two, many Vietnams" is interesting in the view of American policy makers' fear of a good model of development which did not involve American businessmen. But in reality, despite America's failure in Vietnam, the only example that Vietnam can now stand for is one of liberalisation and successful opening up to external trade. There could be a lot of debate on the rationale of America's military involvement in a lot of countries (explicit or CIA-backed) post WWII. The fact is that most of the American populace including the war veterans still do not understand the rationale of the Vietnam War or the Iraq War. Was there just an ideological intent of preventing Communism or was it a plan to prevent any Government from succeeding in meeting the people's needs without American investment and trade?

Even if we agree that the communist plan is really decadent and unsuitable that China itself has thrown it away, isnt the US model of business-driven foreign policy dangerous for the Third World ?

What the US is NOT doing:

1) Interfering in other countries to support the spread of democratic ideology.

The US supporting the Shah of Iran in a coup to overthrow the democratic government of Mossadeq.

2) Using its military power to prevent human rights violations across the world.

A list of US war crimes post WWII themselves qualify as human rights violations.

What is the US actually doing?
If we dont consider the business angle, the whole of US foreign policy will appear to be a series of mistakes and goof ups since 1945. But considering the benefits they have brought to the US business community, all of the US operations make tremendous sense. Be it the control of oil resources in the Persian Gulf or the liberalisation of African countries to act as sources of raw materials and markets for US corporations.

Where does India fit into all this?

Since we downplayed the socialist angle in our economics, probably we dint attract much of US attention. Though there are stories making rounds in the newspapers about Congress receiving support from the CIA in Kerala and West Bengal to keep the Communists in check.

Since 1991, the IMF-forced-liberalisation and reforms have opened up the Indian economy to foreign investment. The quality of services to the urban populace have definitely gone up. But have the really needy people, the "poorest of the poor" really benefited from economic reforms ? Or has the gap between the classes just gotten wider ? Through GATT and WTO, India is being forced to support IPR and product patents in pharmaceuticals. The current situation is that the Indian poor can afford a lot of medicines unlike our neighbour Pakistan because India has developed its own pharma industry where some companies have discovered cheaper ways of making drugs than their foreign counterparts. If in the future, the product patents come into practice, in the worst case, the cost of these drugs will go up and the Indian poor will die unable to afford costly drugs. This is barely the free trade that one is taught with ferverent zeal in Economics courses.

Is this an example of US arm-twisting a country into opening up avenues for its industry to set foot at the cost of real development for the poor and the defenceless? This is a very naive logic that has been discussed lots of times by economists everywhere but surprisingly I havent heard of a good counter logic in favour of the GATT reforms in pharma.

What about Indian politics ? The business lobby here is getting a stronger say in Government policies. The American model of lobbying and using the Government to push business interests might well be underway here too. The nexus between Politics, foreign policy and Business is gaining hold in India also. It cannot do much harm to other countries though considering the relatively weak position of India vis-a-vis the other economic powers. But with growth, the tendencies to exploit and make profits at the cost of weaker peoples/countries will turn into a very real threat to Indian policy makers.

Gokulakrishnan S

2005-09-07T16:23:00.000-07:00

This is a blog I started writing some time back. Was waiting for some ideas to complete this and now I realise that is not going to happen soon.

Groups and Identity

Watched two Aamir Khan starrers recently. 1947- The Earth and Mangal Pandey. Don’t know why I suddenly wanted to watch two films linked to the Freedom struggle.

In the first one, young Mangal Pandey faces a dilemma about his identity, his religious one in a society where people could be excommunicated for using greased cartridges and another of an honorable soldier in the Company’s service. Then later the story goes into how the entire matter shifted from being about grease and rifles to something about honor and self respect.

In the second, a ice candy man suddenly sides with a mob of his religion to take revenge on a girl who refused to take him.

“Any trait, biological or cultural, can become an emblem of collective identity. Biological, linguistic, religious and political traits often are identified by the believers as denoting their distinctiveness.” - Caste, Nationalism and Ethnicity: Jacob Pandian.

1) Groups are very scared about losing their distinctiveness and hence try to preserve the group’s symbols fanatically.
2) Group members restrict entry to their group for the same reason.

There are so many powerful symbols of groups around us that it is no point trying to attack the groups. What it does to men’s behavior is of interest. Humanity’s greatest crimes happened when men formed groups which set out doing things against humanity (Cleansing a country of Jews, Seeking religious freedom through a new country etc).

What binds men together?

The fact that they both were born in the same geography?

Or because an official put down their names together in the same list when they joined any organisation?

Because the other spoke the same tongue as he did?

Why do men boo, ridicule and refuse to cooperate with each other?

The fact that both were born in different geographies?

The fact an official put down their names in different lists when they joined the organisation?

Because the other cannot speak his tongue?

"Mr. Pickwick and company found themselves in Eatanswill amidst a crowd which was either decidedly Blue or unquestionably Buff. After hurrahing along with the mob for Mr. Slumkey, Mr. Pickwick, in a low tone said, 'Hush. Don't ask any questions. It's always best on these occasions to do what the mob do.'

'But suppose there are two mobs?' suggested Mr. Snodgrass.

'Shout with the largest,' replied Mr. Pickwick.

Volumes could not have said more."

There is no saying what a mob will not do. Mobs are made up of people who identify themselves with a particular identity. I for instance can identify with a dozen things. I am a man, an Indian, speak Tamil, an engineer, student, Anna University alumnus, a blogger, from Section D, belonging to Dorm 21, LEMmer etc. Others I am sure can come up with a dozen more including identities of their place of work, residence etc.

Are there any non negotiable values that rise above all identities and loyalties a man is burdened with? My friend once told me there are no non negotiables in life. “Even sell one’s wife if need be” were his exact words. I don’t share his skepticism. Then how does this apple cart of society carry on without toppling? Maybe because of the fact that every group is faced with a counter group which ensures peace. When faced with a mob with a common feeling of revenge and intent of vandalism, there arise counter groups like the Army which have values such as courage and honor to keep in check another group from realizing objectives.

(not completed)

Gokulakrishnan S

2005-09-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

Out of the City

Had a eight day holiday and went to Coimbatore. The weather was inviting. I made two trips, one to the Isha Yoga center near the Velliangiri foothills and another to the Thirumoorthi dam and waterfalls near Udumalpet. The bike ride to and fro was enjoyable and the scenery enroute was simply great. To cap it all, my return to Ahmedabad was through Konkan railways and the greenery all through the route was amazing.

The worst thing that can happen on such trips is to be accompanied by another person who is more enthusiastic about the scenery than you are. My friend Ranga would announce the sighting of each and every rivulet, waterfall and stream on the route from within the train. My another friend killed my appreciation of the scenic beauty near Velliangiri hills by stopping the bike every ten feet to take snaps of far-off waterfalls, farm houses, washerwomen washing clothes, a tractor and an ant hill, to name a few.

Only when I moved out of the city limits did I fully realise the imposing presence of civil administration. The things we take for granted within the city premises seem prominent and self assuring in rural areas. I avoided the highway and took a route through small villages and was surprised to see the governmental yellow-and-black colors adorning Primary Health Centers, veterinary hospitals or some revenue offices in even very small hamlets. It may be the pre-assembly election year symptoms, but road laying was going on in a major way in many small village roads. Very assuring to see the wheels and cogs of the Govt. machinery going around.

Gokulakrishnan S

2005-07-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

What’s in a name?

Saw a movie on Sardar Patel. Excellent portrayal of the character by Paresh Rawal was easily the highlight of the movie. The story takes one through the entire political career of Sardar. His legendary mental acuity in dealing with problems during tumultuous times of Partition and Independence was portrayed beautifully.

At one point, he signs an agreement with Lord Mountbatten for the autonomy of Hyderabad banking on the Nizam’s vazirs to refuse it. He was true. The spirit of invincibility around him made him the Iron Man. He had the foresight to look beyond Nehru’s misgivings (so says the film) in handling integration issues to the Indian Union and India’s foreign policy, especially with regard to the UN and Kashmir. But most impressive of all was the way the Government machinery worked wonders during Partition handling a million refugees in a week under two visionary leaders, Nehru and Patel (who to compound matters, had such serious differences of opinion on the question of muslim settlements that Gandhi had to interfere and make peace).

I believe that the Government is a missionary organization with the charter to server the Constitution. One finds systems which were meant to work fine in independent India fumbling today. Police, the Government, BSNL, Govt. cooperatives...

The drive to labor and strive was meant not to be motivated merely by money. That drive requires a figurehead, a living symbol of the organisation's values (like Dr. Kurien in Amul and Richard Branson in Virgin) When that figurehead dies, the organisation starts stumbling and people are no longer driven by non-mercenary values; soon the entire organisation is in shambles. The role of the top man in such organisations is vital. Some organizations realize the power of the top man in inspiring the entire workforce so much that they gave titles and accessories. This helps to transfer the imageries associated with the leadership across different types of leaders and their tenures. (An Admiral in full uniform, the Pope)

When Dettol wants to use its brand value of health and security to introduce soaps, it names it Dettol again. An Admiral who is sweared in today inspires the same confidence and security as did the earlier one. The “Admiral” brand transfers these attributes from the incumbent to the incomer.

==================================================
Navy Dettol

==================================================

Admiral Agrani ASM Dettol Antiseptic

Admiral Manvendra PVSM Dettol Soaps

Are these concepts of branding more pervasive in our lives than we think? What’s in a name anyway?

Gokulakrishnan S

31/07/05

2005-07-24T04:37:00.000-07:00

Promotion and Politics

A famous US tobacco company wanted its brand to be used by women. Scared by a possible public backlash to tobacco ads targeted at women, it started showing women in its ads standing beside smoking men. The next series of ads carried a subtle message: the woman saying "Blow some my way..." to the male smoker. Only after none complained about this ad did the company release its next series of ads featuring women holding cigarettes.

Though the method might be interesting, one cannot but recoil at the disregard of the company to public health in its bid to increase sales. The point is that promotions, when effectively carried out can give anyone an enormous sphere of influence. Sometimes even enough to make the public do things they would revolt if told normally. Think this is outrageous? Read on.

Yesterday, was watching a documentary by one Rajiv Patel on the Gujarat Riots. The file name was marked 'very disturbing'. It traces the events that happened in areas in and around Ahmedabad from February 2002. Graphic accounts and interviews of riot victims follow. It was boring after a while. The stories are the same: arsonists with cellphones and swords. After all the terrorist attacks and riots that are shown on TV, one does get detached about such events.

All of a sudden, there is Dr. Praveen Togadia on the screen addressing a rally in Ahmedabad during the riots. I had never seen his photo and was curious. He is referring to the Godhra incident and drawing analogies from the Mahabharata to a visibly enchanted audience. When he speaks of the destruction they would wreck on 'them' the public cheer and applaud. As he tells how each locality would pay for Godhra, the crowd cheers after him.

Another scene opens with teenagers waving flags in village awaiting the Chief Minister during his Gaurav Yatra (Pilgrimage for Honor). They shout into the camera: Praise God and **** the muslims. On arrival, the CM talks about how Gujarat is maligned and Gujarati people are considered as vandals by the world. 'Hence the need for this pilgrimage of honor!' he says.

If a person were thought of as a brand, actually what was happening over there may be likened to a campaign aimed at boosting brand image. Like a P&G or Colgate giving a special offer during the lean season. Stung by national criticism over the riots, Modi takes out a campaign across Gujarat to fight for Gujarati pride. Any possibility of any sound ideological rooting for such actions is laughable considering the sheer scale of damage caused. Boy, if one were hoping for some good to come out of this ideology, it would have to be a miracle like bringing heavens onto the earth.

Was it all a massive promotion campaign calculated to give personal returns ?

If the left parties are worried about large private corporations indulging in anti-people measures, they should be having stomach ulcers about these politicians who work with the entire state machinery behind them to do their marketing.

The documentary ends with a kid in school talking to the camera about his accomplishments with the alphabet. What would he become ? A soldier... definitely.

And then ? Will go shoot all muslims.

Why ? Because they use bad language.

I am a muslim, will you spare me?
There was no reply.
God save us all.

Gokulakrishnan S

2005-07-16T22:09:00.000-07:00

Blogging

What is this creature called blog doing to people's lives ? Have seen people using blogs for various purposes. Sidin uses it as a vent for his literary pieces. Some chaps use blogs to publish their poetry. One guy in IIMA actually records classroom events verbatim. Some use it as a very frank record of private feelings. Some have picture blogs.

What bloggers are doing is leave a psychographic trail behind them everytime they blog. I daresay there would be parsers in the future which would gobble people's blogs and give ratings on psychological indices. These blogs should contain much more data to psychological testing than what one speaks in the 30 mins one spends in the counselling room.

Why voice feelings ? Had a big discussion (euphemism for argument/fight) with a friend about why people should express their opinions. Was stumped for a while in search of reasons why people's opinions matter in public domain. But am convinced it does. For one, its the basis of democracy everywhere. In corporations, the problems of Abilene paradox and groupthink can be avoided if ANY ONE chap speaks out about his reservations. Because all problems are not programmed decisions, there is a scope for gut feel and instinct to aid decisions.

Then the issue of credibility of the source crops up. It may sound like a harsh truth that any information is taken to be only as reliable as its source is perceived to be. Fair enough.

If cellphones and email are evening out information asymmetry, blogs are removing barriers between feelings across cultures. I know exactly how my software-engineer-friend in Chennai felt about Mallika Sherawat yesterday night and how an artist in France felt about Alizee today. Exactly like how you are reading what a lazy-blogger-on-a-weekend feels about blogging right now. yaaaawn...

Gokulakrishnan S

160705

P.S. The time below is IST.

2005-07-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

Privatisation?

Privatisation: Good or Bad ? The generic, plain vanilla topic one inevitably comes across in atleast one GD during CAT prep. How distant and lifeless the entire thing seemed then.

But now I just had a reality check:
One has to put major fight to get a train reservation during summer along important routes like the Konkan railway, you know why ? - Because the railways runs a SINGLE train to Mumbai per day through that route. And it is proud that its the largest employer in the world and a thousand other facts.

Cannot call anyone on my cellphone after 9 pm because 'Network busy' on BSNL.

We get lousy water supply, often undrinkable in our Metro cities.

Dont feel like writing about The-Corporation-a-devil-by-Noam-Choamsky argument anymore. But I do know that privatisation of Railways in Britain and municipal water supply in Argentina have been working fine. Am plain sick of Government organisations which do not do what they set out to do: Serve the people.

Or has it ceased to be a question of governing philosophy and become a plain change in operating environment ? These organisations when envisaged after independence attracted the best talent in the industry and worked fine. And probably the debate about capitalism-vs- socialism has no relevance right now. Its just a matter of who is better equipped to serve the people?

Till privatisation occurs, all these Government organisations will be just overfed and overweight companies which wallow in public funds. Severe headache. Over and out.

Gokulakrishnan S
150705

2005-07-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

Systems or People ?

We have heard about people with internal and external locus. (funda: http://moodle.ed.uiuc.edu/wiked/index.php/Locus_of_control)
Another set of loci I found was system locus and people locus (Naming mine). It keeps popping up everywhere I go.

We are discussing road infrastructure and poor safety standards in India and a senior Govt. employee-cum-student in class bellows, "You cannot blame the traffic policemen saar... the roads are like that. We have so many villages that people keep crossing highways... " It was okay for India to have too many road fatalities because you know, we have illiterate junta on the roads who deserve to die! Road planning ? Why does a third world country require such sophistications ?

Another was when I was fighting with an IBM salesman who had got our order for laptops- when I mentioned that his competitor was giving a better turnaround time, he stopped me with a mortally-wounded glance, "Dont call HP my competition, sir. Their laptop will break down and is not comparable to IBM R52... " How the heck do I care what you think, you bugger, HP gives a damn good deal for me and I do compare it with IBM ! What caught his attention was a customer who WOULDN'T listen and understand; the inefficiency of his supply chain was lost on him. This incident actually stunned me because I kind of had a respect for salesmen for being sharp and tuned in to customer needs.

Another instance happened when we people bidded for our courses next term on a software and people kind of screwed up due to last minute pressure. I was arguing that the system was flawed since eligible junta missed out on courses because of tension and pressure. I actually saw people squarely blaming the losers for losing their cool ! And no, it was not important that ability to keep one's cool was not a criteria for course selection. And of course the blamers had got all their courses. In fact they were proud to have won their courses and scarcely realised that they were seconds away from losing themselves.

Any system administrator (read manager, politician, General, Admiral, Policeman) has two options when something goes wrong:
1) Blame the junta who does something wrong. 'Nothing will ever work as long as there are ppl like this !'
2) Factor in the outliers and plan the system to work accordingly. This is naturally a trade off between optimality and flexibility of the system.

I see a lot of people around me doing the former. This kind of locus needs to be evaluated for people who enter top posts, the IAS for example... so that people get into jobs where they dont pain others. Its high time we designed systems to accomodate people and not bug people to fit into inefficient systems which we dont want to give up.

Gokulakrishnan S
120705

2005-07-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

Role of a CEO

Mr. Narender Murkumbe, CEO, Shree Renuka Sugars gave a speech yesterday. An entrepreneur, Mr. Murkumbe made a point about how CEO's should look outside the company: 'scanning the environment' was his phrase. His story of gritty entrepreneurship deserves a biography not a blog.

In organisations of great scale, I found it difficult to imagine the chief commandant sparing time for conventions, trade fairs and confederations. But at the end of the speech, I realised that it is what successful CEOs do.

The role of a CEO in a company is not too different from that of a Captain in a ship. Huge as the task of running of a ship is, the Captain rarely looks at the day-to-day activities. While the loyal lieutenant runs everything in the ship from the engine room to the canteen, the Captain locks himself in his cabin and charts a course for navigation. The fate of the entire organisation depends upon the CEO's foresight and strategy. And in many cases, it is usually the difference between the success and failure of a company. Now I realise why the top guy in any company is paid obscene amounts. He is responsible for global stuff like 'organisational culture', 'mission' and 'vision' of the company that makes the difference between the also rans and the truly great companies.

Would carry the analogy further and liken competition to storms and stuff but that would be too corny. :)

BTW, Mr. Narender is an electronics engineer, IIMA grad and started a sugar factory in Belgaum and made it big. url: http://www.renukasugars.com/index.html

2005-06-28T02:47:00.000-07:00

Symbolism (Contd.)

After the last post, I came across a quote by someone. I forgot the source. Its about a village in Scotland where a company had made plans to diversify. To show what it wanted to mean to its employees' lives, a company official pointed to the village church and said, "That church is just a building which nobody generally visits on weekdays; people gather only on Sundays to sing songs and go away... But that church defines the relationship between every man and wife and every father and son in this village." Whether the company achieved such an effect among the community is a different question. But it underlined the fact that certain symbols have surprising power in society and in people's minds.

2005-06-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

Brands and Symbolism

I recently attended a wedding near Coimbatore. There are few places on this earth where symbols are more pronounced than in an Indian wedding. The bride and groom were greeting guests with evidently tired faces. The bride's father was overseeing the feast in the hall and herding the guests who had turned up in their best jewels and dresses.

The very fact that a man and wife turn up together at a wedding seems a statement of their connubial bliss. Compounded by the statement of their affluence in the jewels of the wife. Add to it the size of the gift or amount of money they have brought to the bride. The very fact that it is an arranged marriage indicating the honor and well kept customs of the family. The number of dishes and sweets indicating how well the father has cared for his daughter. I have heard of family feuds starting in a marriage feast where the coffee had a little less sugar or the idly a bit over cooked. When one attacks the coffee, it's not seen by the father as a question of merely the drink alone but as a question of how well he has treated his daughter.

When Mahmud of Ghazni looted temples, he must have had little idea of the repercussions of his actions centuries afterwards. His acts must have been a mere optimisation of his returns to leading a costly army in a strange land. His excesses with the ladies anyhow we will overlook for the purpose of this essay. Temples of those days were laden with jewels and jade. But they were also the epicenter of the local economy. Gifts and lands were given to the temple administration by kings and merchants and the local market thrived because of a temple. They also promoted art, culture and literature those days. Add to it the pilgrims who come for spiritual ends, we have a complex symbol of the life of those times. Attacking a temple hits not only the economy but also at the psyche of the people. No wonder why the right wing Hindu organisations are still smarting.

What are famous brands but symbols? Some mystic figures which stir emotions that we never knew existed before. The power that a brand exerts on the human psyche is both surprising and frightening. Marketing managers in a way fiddle with these latent associations in our mind to influence our purchases. The logo, the promotions and even the color of these brands are chosen painstakingly to catch the small space in the retail estate our minds and in a sense make a claim for a symbol which will endure in our heads.

Gokulakrishnan S

2005-06-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

20th June 2005

Ahmedabad

Why haven't I blogged till now ?

1) To start of blogging seems to imply a commitment to page viewers; a deadline to be met and I didnt want to be caught in such a trap. Nevertheless the virtues of putting your thoughts to paper (or HTML) arent lost on me. Hence I would write only when I felt like putting my thoughts on paper or something realllllllly exciting happens (e.g. I win the lottery)

2) Some great man said, "To start writing, one should have something to be said and a good enough reason to say it".My reasons are a) To give a structure to my thoughts over time b) To develop my writing skills.

So here I go. A few days ago on a TV channel, a literary critic was blaming the TV and cinema for looting literature oftop quality writers. When I read some of my friends blogs, I say TV serials and films aren't the only ones to blame.

Gokul.