JustGist

Words of Wisdom

2009-12-22T20:44:00.000-08:00

The way to do, is to be - Lao Tzu

No one has to change, but everyone has to have the conversation -- change will come out of it

I would rather have my mind open by wonder than closed by belief

The exclusive sign of KNOWLEDGE is Teaching - Aris

You are not a human being having spiritual experience; you are a spiritual being having a human experience

It is a mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it

As beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder; foolishness does so in the mind

Improving PDS in India

2009-12-15T00:26:00.000-08:00

Problem: Loss of food quantity to Corrupt, Adulteration Pilferage. the current estimate is about 8mil tonnes, which is about 57%.

Solution: There is a three stage strategy to reduce the loss of food quantity.

Pre-packaging by Government
Reporting, through electronic media, of inventory movements at the retailer
Barcoding of Ration Cards and electronic Finger Printing of consumers @ Point of Sale

1) Pre-packaging by Government

Currently the Govt gives a bag of 100kgs of Rice, Wheat, Sugar to the retailer. the retailer in turn sells it in loose quantity to the consumer. This system allows the retailer to Adulterate or Pilferage (by selling lesser quantity using faulty weights).

I believe all this together cost at least 30% of loss to the Govt.

Government should prepack the items in units of 50gms, 100gms, 250gms (prepack quantity can be determined based on varying factors) and send them to the retailer. The packing should be tamper proof.

The cost of setting up the packaging unit will be much less than saving of 30% food quantity through this process.

2) Reporting, through electronic media, of inventory movements at the retailer

Currently the reporting system at the retailer is manual. This introduces mistakes, delays and allows the retailer to fudge the quantity amounts easily.

A simple daily electronic reporting system devised to be updated via telephony will be very effective in reducing the mistakes and fudging of quantity amounts.

3) Barcoding of Ration Cards and electronic Finger Printing of consumers @ Point of Sale

This is the most important one; although the most difficult one. Maybe it can be piggybacked on the Unique Identity Card project.

Currently the Ration Cards are totally misused and quite a lot of them are duplicate. The misuse is not only by counterfeiting them but also by the retailer in case of dead citizens (even some alive ones).

If we Barcode the Ration Cards, counterfieting will reduce a lot or atleast get caught quickly. Further if we capture the Finger Prints of consumers @ Point of Sale (solution already piloted for NREGA) whilst buying items using their Ration Cards. We can develop a database of member's Finger Prints against a Ration Card, and validate periodically.

Finally

The Govt of India needs to introduce a carrot for the state governments to improve the PDS system. Something of the lines of JNNURM, improve and get rewarded!

Who next?

2009-09-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

RahulG should follow his mother's footsteps and avoid becoming the Prime Minister of India.

SoniaG's manoeuver has paid rich dividends to both the Country (in form of Dr. Singh's leadership) and the Indian National Congress!
Her decision allowed her to stabilise the Congress party. The second facet of this move was to choose a man of high integrity and more importantly high acceptance as the Prime Minister of the country.

Dr. Manmohan Singh's integrity has proved to be a hit with the Indian populace and his accpetance within the Congress party (maybe due to SoniaG's backing OR his own credentials) has kept the Congress leaders from fighting among themselves for the top job!

It would be worthwhile for Rahul to consider this option in the long term interest of India and Congress as well!
If Dr. Singh can continue (and every breath in me hopes he does) "Who next?" has a no brainer answer, in case he chooses not to continue then the search should begin for "Who Next?" from now!
One name that does come to mind is Montek Singh Ahluwalia!

I do not mean to raise aspersions on Rahul's ability, but one thing I learnt in Chess is dont hesitate to sacrifice the queen in interest of the country!

Rahul can play a much bigger role in building the support base required for governing this huge country! The facilitiation of the partnership within the TRINITY of, Government, Political Party and the Citizens is much more an onerous responsibility to carry over than the post of Prime Minister!

I dont know whether this was the intention in SoniaG's, but she achieved the first two of the TRINITY and is well ahead on the third aspect! Rahul has the potential and the charisma (apart from the surname) to placate all the three!!!

Homosexual Rights

2009-05-16T21:48:00.000-07:00

I will never understand what makes a guy choose another guy over a woman! But then I also do not understand why God chose the Male Sea Horse to play the motherly role.

It cannot be termed wrong, just because one does not understand it!

Probably even you won’t understand it, as I don’t, but to term it wrong just shows our CLOSED mind! Unfortunately I have heard some people refer homosexuality as a Disease! This is very unfortunate and erroneously judgmental!

Foremost: Why do we see any relation from the perspective of sex? If two people like each other and want to spend time (could be 2 hours or a lifetime) with each other, how does it matter, WHAT IS THEIR GENDER?

If we see a homosexual relation MINUS the SEX then you will never find a problem in two people liking each other and wanting to be partners!

Does sex play such a big role in our mind that we SHUDDER at some of our fellow beings for having a different orientation than ours?

Article 377 of the Indian Penal Code: Un-Natural Sex

I can understand why this article exists and will add that it should exist until we have specific articles covering all the illegal and immoral (read Paedophilia) acts some people indulge in! Having said that, I would like the government of India to append, from time to time, the exclusions of the term “Un-Natural Sex”.

The term “Un-Natural Sex” is often used for any act which does not lead towards procreation!
Given that definition, I can guarantee that 80% of heterosexual people break this law day in day out! If the authorities are not pursuing them, then singling out homosexual couples is just a sign of Prejudice and Fear of Unknown!

Enjoy and Let Enjoy…

After General Elections 2009

2009-05-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

General Elections 2009 are just over and we are waiting for the results. These are really weird elections due to the sheer amount of uncertainty involved!

My previous posts would tell you I am a passionate Congress supporter. Having said that, I have never had such a low confidence vibe from the whole election phenomenon for Congress. Please do not misunderstand, I yet feel Congress will get there to form the government, but the whole “low confidence vibe” thing is about many a things amiss in the Congress campaign.

BJP’s major issue is “Hindutva” ideologue (for now). Although I am not sure how long that will serve as the main differentiator. The earlier the Congress realizes it, the better!
What is really working for BJP is,

the anti-Congress sentiment
smaller (compared to Congress) and more professionally run organization (although this may not last after Advani’s exit)
their non-existence in confrontation with most regional parties (BJP is almost absent from Kerala, TN, AP, West Bengal, etc.). Whereas Congress is everywhere and hence in opposition with some of the major players in their respective states

Congress has to get its act together on many fronts,

building professional Organization
During the campaign I came across many “nay-sayers” calling Congress a privately run firm. I actually think it is time that we need to take a cue from many “privately run” firms and improve on our professionalism and organizational efficiencies.
I trust Rahul Gandhi has started experimenting on these lines as far as Youth Congress is concerned.
Another area to explore will be the use of technology
I personally feel BJP used the technology much more effectively than Congress did. Being an area of my personal interest, this is something I would like to see Congress grow exponentially!
Delivering on people’s expectations, as incumbent governments at both State and National level. There has to be a trail of VISIBLE success stories to be created around the incumbency! We all have read about Mr. Modi’s success in Gujrat. The obvious answer I have for Mr. Modi’s success is,
1. Even Hitler was a brilliant administrator, DOESN’T mean we elect a monster. People of Gujrat need to understand the long term damage over their short term greed in choosing Mr. Modi.
2. The Gujrat success has not been proved to percolate down to the poorest and hence doesn’t read very inclusive.
Although the point is, it is necessary for Congress governments to perform developmental leaps to shed their SUPPOSED no progress in 60 years. (to whoever says, Congress has not performed, I would like to ask so where did all the “Middle Class” come from, because from what I hear the rich were only getting richer and poor much poorer)

All in all much work to do! Hoping to be a part of this revival!

A Concept for Indian National Congress

2009-02-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

I think Rahul Gandhi should initiate and with personal accountability lead 1 or 2 pan-India social projects. NOT MORE than 2 otherwise he will spread himself thin.

Projects should be such that,

a) They MUST be of ongoing nature; even weekly implementation is ok but certainly NOT SPORADIC in nature

b) These projects should touch the lives of Indians in a direct way

c) These projects shoud become the CONGRESS touch point towards the citizens of India; This will solve the age old problem of POLITICIANS appearing once in 5 years

d) they NEED to be branded in the same way across INDIA; maybe under the Indian Youth Congress or AICC banner but certainly NOT regional Congress outfits.

e) The reporting structure and his personal involvement will increase his (Rahul G) touch points with various grassroot workers

f) This will be a brilliant way of assimilating a humongous database about the CURRENT tidings from the different parts of India.

Cleanse thy DIRTY pond

2009-01-18T03:33:00.000-08:00

“for the people of the people by the people”. This definition of Democracy is evident to show that it has NOTHING to do with politicians. In fact this is one of the reasons the world over politicians have tried to change democratic ways of functioning as soon as they come in to power.

As the definition puts it, Democracy is WHOLY and SOLELY the responsibility of the people. It is futile / stupid / ignorant to blame politicians ONLY.

In India the ONE thing that has always worked (and worked brilliantly) is DEMOCRACY. Democracy has an uncanny way of bringing forth politicians that WE as people DESERVE. We say most of the politicians are Corrupt, Democracy turns around and asks “so?! Most of the people are corrupt, who will represent them?”

Politicians are also people and come forth from the people. If the pond is dirty then the drops of water from that pond CANNOT be clean. There is a chance that a flower might bloom in this dirty pond but it does not cleanse the pond. The pond has to go through the rigors of cleansing itself.

I will try to be a clean drop in this dirty pond…

WHY Indian National Congress?

2009-01-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

BJP – There is no way I can be a part of an organization which defies the secular fabric of my national Constitution by its continuous usage of "ONLY majority" (read HINDUTVA) wins policies. BJP alleges that some of the Congress activities are bias towards a particular religion. This is very strange and hypocritical coming from an organization which opts itself to be the representatives and manifestation of majority HINDUTVA forces.

CPI – I have respect for the individuals in the Communist party. There integrity is of very high standards. Although their concepts / policies are EXTREME in the direction we should be travelling.
Hence the direction is right but the policies are extreme to the extent that they work against individual capabilities and potential.

Local Parties - (ShivSena, AIADMK, Samajwadi Party…) By definition these parties have restricted their views to local politics. These parties cannot think about India because they are too sold out on their LOCAL existence.
How can Shiv Sena ever think about the South Indians, being in the Indian Parliament, when their initiation in politics was to drive them out of a Maharashtra?
Being a part of Indian Parliament one has to think FIRST about India and then about “your” locality, which will be very difficult for these parties!

BSP, RPI – These are similar to BJP, in that their very basis is an insult to the secular fabric of our Constitution. They divide Indian populace rather than unite them.

NCP – Hmmm Why choose to swim in a pond when whole ocean is welcoming you?

Needless to say …

I PROMOTE Indian National Congress zealously, passionately!!!

OUR politicians, OUR society

2008-11-30T20:23:00.000-08:00

Indian society has NO right to ask anything of their politicians.

We admire the army for their ethos and culture but DO NOT implement an iota of it whilst living our own life. The only place for religion/caste in army is an army personnel's home. When they are together they belong to the nation, they are INDIANS.

Democracy assures that we GET the politicians we DESERVE. Our needs/greed and practices (corruption, lack of unity, divisive nature) are only amplified amongst politicians.

ONLY when the Indian SOCIETY learns, understands, ACCEPTS this and hence corrects it within themselves, then and only then they have a right to ask questions to politicians.
A great saint once said, "Be the change you would like to see in others".

Till then we all shall suffer ...

Affirmative Action OR Reservations

2008-10-01T02:17:00.000-07:00

Affirmative action (or Reservation) is like Pocket Money!
Whilst growing one needs it (and must have it) but any long term dependance on it is harmful to the beneficiary!!!

Affirmative action (or Positive Discrimination) in a Socialist country is a necessary and an accepted outcome. Like all the legislations it is created towards uplifting effect on the society. Although in India its weak definition and ill-usage has had divisive effect on the country and its population. In its current form it will only ascertain a divided India, VOID of Indians (most citizens are interested in being part of SC/ST lists first than being Indians).

All future legislators should learn from this. It would benefit the future society if legislations are drafted to lapse after a certain period. This will give the future society a chance to change the legislation suitable for their time, obviously after checking for the success or failure of the previous legislation.

The following changes should make the affirmative action accessible to wider audience in India,
(within Economic Incentive e.g. Jobs, Reduced Loan rates)
Affirmative action can be availed by every third generation after first instance.
(within Education Incentive e.g. Admission towards Post graduation or Higher Studies)
Affirmative action can be availed by every second generation after first instance.

I sincerely hope Indian Legislators save India from dividing any further!

We need Nuclear Passport

2008-09-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

IAEA Clearance and NSG Clearance = Passport

123 Agreement with US = Visa from US

Agreements with any other country = Visa from that Country

It is all together a different matter whether you travel (read: deal commercially with that country in nuclear energy) to that country even after having a visa.

But if you don’t have the passport (NSG clearance and IAEA clearance) you have to sit at home and twiddle your thumbs.

Why is US interested in getting passport for India?
Simple: They have a lot of tourist places (read: Companies who can build Nuclear Reactors and Uranium which they are not using) to attract Indian money.

But that doesn’t mean WE HAVE TO TRAVEL TO US ...

if we have a passport! We can CHOOSE to go to France or Russia (but passport is unavoidable).

So here is a hint to all the political parties bickering against the government;

SHUT UP till you get the Passport!!!

Legalise Prostitution

2008-08-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

I don’t understand this fuss about prostitution. How is it different than any other manual labor?

What is the difference between a person carrying 40Kg on head to earn money AND another person carrying 80Kg on body to earn money?
What is the difference between a model selling the looks and a prostitute the genitals?
what is the deifference between a teacher or any proffessional selling their brain for money and someone selling their genitals?
Are they not just different parts of the body gifted by god? In all the cases the person is selling what was given to him/her by GOD, to be precise his/her body!

Then why the discrimination against the genitals.

I think we give too much importance to this S-E-X thing!!!

We Indians need to mature faster, else Vatsayan (author of Kamasutra) will disown us and gift the Kamasutra copyright to Netherlands (one of the countries where prostitution is legalized)!!!

Terrorism thrives on fear...

2008-07-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

It is our fear that makes someone undertake a terrorist act an extremley drastic step. This is true and similar in between the local extortionist, the corrupt policeman and the Al-Qaeeda. They all depend on our fear to succeed in their activities / mission. It is only our fear that caves us in to their demands.

The easiest way to defeat terrorism is accept it without fearing or a fluttered reaction. (Believe me I have come to realize that the most difficult problems tend to have the simplest solutions, which needless to say are extremely difficult to implement).

Here is how we may start doing this (This does not advocate stopping preventive steps towards terrorism, this proposed reaction is post terrorist act.),
• Accept their act as a matter of normal incident (at the rate it is happening anyway it is becoming normal).
• Support the victims in the best way possible
• People should not flutter and get on with their lives (Indians across the country has managed to do this at alarming simplicity)
• The government and media should talk about it as a normal incident and forget about it the next minute (particularly the opposition parties). The last thing you want to do is politicize the issue and divide the masses. The calm response has to be from one and ALL. This is the most difficult step.

Terrorist are a lot like children, when given no attention to their antics they will stop the antics. It is not profitable or advisable to continue something which is not paying back.

If their acts aren’t terrorizing anyone OR aren’t dividing the masses then they are useless.

Waiting for 'the' Gandhi...

2008-07-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

Being a leader is standing up for something that resonates with most of the targeted audience.
Our freedom fighters had it easy (in garnering support and participation), being leaders, because the “freedom of the nation” was a central idea that caught the attention and imagination of all the masses within the land. Even then the actual freedom took its time coming through. Further the freedom fighters were opposing a law abiding, actually law creating, creature vis-à-vis The British Government. Leaving the few shameful acts like that of General Dyer the British government was pretty much like any other government and better than most of the governments India or its states have experienced. Today there seems to be too many elements creating their own laws/demands for the citizens. The irony is most of them are not a part of the government
India and Indians are not ready for their next Mahatma but that is only because their next “Mohandas” cannot identify a passionate cause within the Indian society
Democracy ensures that we get the politicians/leaders/government we deserve. There cannot be a better example of this than India. Democracy is built on the belief that somebody “of” the people will represent the people and fulfill tasks “for” the people. The expected “of” the people, in India, is a much skewed population. The bias in the population leaves the choice of leaders, and hence the government, in the hands of the poorest and hence almost always the neediest. How appropriate will be the emerging leaders, when “need” is the basis of its followers
The expected “of” the people, in choosing a democratic government, is biased due to the voting patterns or rather the lack of it in some strata of the society. A study of participatory statistics of almost all the elections across India shows a dismal record across Indian masses. It barely crosses the 60% mark of the population. The numbers have further dwindled since the advent of “middle-class”. This section is yet busy exploring their new found status. This has left the choice of government in the hands of the “needy”.
It is no wonder that most of our so called “leaders” are more interested in finding “newer needs” than solutions to existing problems. In fact we are to be blamed for this. The easiest way to create a mass of “followers” is to create a new need which would interest a section of the society. Who says “Divide and Rule” has lost its edge?
We as a society are only too eager to follow a rogue “need” and divide ourselves in number of factions than stay together as Indians. It is this fragmented society that chooses its leader through voting. It is in “their” interest that we as a society stay divided in following our various personal “needs”. It is more important, for them, to keep us involved in irrelevant issues, which keeps them from resolving the main ones.
We as a society have become very outwardly dependent in focus. We want law makers to resolve our problems for us. And for every little issue we want a law to be decreed. This so, even when we know that every law created is only an opportunity for the implementation agency to be corrupt
An immature society will look for a brilliant leader to resolve their issues. But eventually they will continuously be at loggerheads with the policies because they don’t understand the brilliance in them.
A mature society can choose an average leader amongst them and accept the policies because they understand them. This makes it easier for the society to accept the policies as well.

There always will be a society,
A leader will certainly emerge in this society,
The leader will always be apt for the society,
The question is what society would we prefer to be?

I think it is time we take a closer look at ourselves than search a leader everywhere else.

Is it really Rama setu?

2008-07-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

I seriously do not understand the issue over the so-called "Rama setu". My problem starts with some of the Hindus world over calling it "Rama-Setu", this actually hurts the Hindus who believe in Rama.
I have two reasons why I do not think this structure is "Rama Setu",
1) according to Ramayana, the stones that made up the Rama Setu had the name "Rama" inscribed on them. Some of the stones were actually written upon by Rama himself. And NO Hindu will ever believe that the name just disappeared of all or any stones, afterall it is God's name written by god, it has to last forever just like the god himself.
2) It is this inscription that gave these stones a buoyant quality (Before the inscription Jamboovan, the architect of the Rama-setu had a big sinking-stones problem). Some part of the current structure is underwater, raising serious doubts about its mythological origins.
Whether the governments plan to create a shipping channel is economically viable or not is a different question and I have no opinion on it.
But please do not get Rama in to this debate, as this construction has nothing to do with Rama.