The truth behind nuclear deal

In this post I have discussed my apprehensions (which might be in sync with the apprehensions of many fellow Indians ) about India-America-Civil-Nuclear Agreement. My apprehensions could be totally baseless - but, I will remain apprehensive unless there is enough transparency and open discussion on this issue. The way how current Indian Government is shying away from any such discussion (which is irresponsible), is further fueling my apprehensions. I hope that some Responsible Government Stance will soon resolve these apprehensions.

N-Deal: Manmohan’s Stand
For last couple of days our great (and aged) Prime Minister has been talking about the importance of Nuclear Energy Resources in a growing Economy like India. He is quite right that going ahead (in long term, coal and gas can not meet country’s energy demand (which should mean cost and ease of availability). N-energy can possibly meet the Country’s Energy Demand (which is fast growing with the growing economy).
In order to make the N-Energy Resources a possibility, our visionary PM is (hell) bent on finalizing Indo-American-Civil-Nuclear Deal as soon as possible. Though N-energy could be a great thing for India, but is the path (which Indian Govt is following) really in Country’s Best Interests?

What this Nuclear Pact could mean for India?
This pact could mean that any N-Energy plant in India will be set up under USA monitoring (under name of IAEA) . Which will also imply that only USA companies (with some Indian Partnership) will be able to generate and sell N-Energy in India. This will also mean that all the supply of raw nuclear material will come from USA. Which will greatly mean that all Indian Economy will under direct control of USA (Supply of Energy Resources has most powerful direct control on an economy - for example, presently most economies are controlled by Coal, and Crude Oil prices).

* Some people might argue that IAEA is an international organization (and not a USA body). I will remind them that the USA attack on Iraq was done under name of UN (which is an international body). Many word powers were against military action on Iraq. But USA managed to put a USA stamp on their action with their powerful lobbying. Similar lobbying will be possible in IAEA.

Where does India Stand as a Nuclear Power?
Is India already not a Nuclear Power? I was under impression that with “Pokhran Nuclear Tests” we had proven our nuclear mental to the world (at least this is what the erstwhile Indian Government had claimed). We also have an atomic energy plant (In Mumbai). So why do we need to fall prey to USA business tactics? As per some reports, India also has also (secretly) pursued Uranium Enrichment (Enriched Uranium will be needed as raw material for N-power plants) for last few decades.

Possible Limitations on India’s way to Self-dependence
A few limitations on India’s way of becoming an independent Nuclear power could be:
* Unavailability of enough Nuclear Raw Material: If we have limited raw material resources, why should we restrict our choices only to USA? There are many other countries (UK, France, Russia) which can provide Enriched Uranium to India. We also are well aware how bad “Monopoly” is for the consumer’s interests. So, I hope that this needs no mention.
* Lack of technology: Though we have functional atomic energy plants in India, but one of Government’s worry could be our lack of technology (not at par with what USA could provide). But why should not we focus on technology development rather than handing over control to USA? The way how our Missile Man (great Kalam) was sent packing from President office (he really deserved an extension), has made it very clear that current government does not care a bit about “Technology Development”. I think that the Congress Regime is all set to make easy money (with the indirect training expenses which USA companies must be spending on educating the current Government about need to N-energy). But if we have to progress as a country, we need to have in-house technology development (That is how China has emerged as a great world power recently).
* International Pressure: USA may try to put (unreasonable trade) sanctions on India, if we pursue N-research (or dilly dally too much on N-pact). But in today’s open economy it should not be very easy for USA to isolate India. We are emerging as a great market, and throwing out India of the open-trade will be a big blow to USA economy itself.

The (Left’s) Right Way
Though Indian Government has all the rights to go ahead with the N-pacts, the way they feel is right. But, however being a democracy they atleast should have an open debate on this issue before taking any further steps (any further negotiations with IAEA). Also, the details of N-deal should be kept transparent (make it public). In case we feel that our current technology can not help us sail through the (current energy crisis), we should have clause in the N-pact to move out of its obligations at any later time (when we have attained the technology ourselves).

USA’s Interests
USA economy is weakening. They need some way to fill up their treasury. Selling N-energy to developing countries can possibly a big avenue of making money for them. Let us discuss how USA has erred in recent years on economic front.

* During Cold war, the two super powers (USA and Russia) made most of their money through exports of defense products and defense technologies. After the end of cold war, the world-wide defense expenditures have declined heavily. This meant that USA had to find alternate trades for making money. Since technology was their biggest strength, USA government decided to use their technology for commercial use. We have seen a dramatic growth in technology in last few decades. But most of this technology which we see today, existed in 70s and 80s (ofcourse there have been great development on VLSI front). But, it was restricted for the defense use. Recent IT growth in south-east Asia has delivered a big blow to USA IT companies (who are now cursing the ghost of outsourcing - after all this word “outsourcing was invented by them). And investors are moving out of USA and trading their money elsewhere. This is cause of major worry for USA government.
* In last few years, USA government has made a big effort to take hold of Petroleum business. This could have helped them to fill their treasuries. The invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq (on name of world peace, terrorism and War of Freedom) had more to do with Petroleum than World Peace. USA wanted to lay down some oil-pipelines through Afghanistan (which would have helped some USA companies which have stake in Petroleum business) to connect Middleeast with Asia (for direct oil supply). Also, USA hoped to take a major stake in oil wells with a dummy Government in Iraq. With a puppet government (which could form policies as per USA directives), USA companies could have entered in petroleum market on full fledge. But both these gambles seem to have played against USA. They have lost more money than what they can possibly recover in next decade.

Congress’ Interests
Though Manmohan Singh mentions that he is committed to make sure that India’s energy needs for next decades are met, I suspect (and every one of us has reasons suspect) if his intentions are fair. If there is nothing dirty in the N-pact, why the terms and conditions of the deal have been kept so secret so far? After all it is not a defense deal (it has even been named a Civil-Nuclear deal), which could be of strategic importance (not to make it public). The funniest thing is that Congress have not even bothered to take their allies (in ruling government) in to confidence. Until last week, Mr Singh was confidently ignoring the Left’s Objections (to N-Deal). Now also they do not seem much bothered about Left’s concerns. They are trying to gain time by promising a parliamentary debate (and if needed a review committee). The times of debate (and details of revue committee) have not been finalized and Government has made its intentions very clear that it will not put any talks with IAEA on hold. Which means that they some how wants to sign the deal. What is making Mr Manmohan so much motivated to resolve India’s Energy concerns (Even with ascertaining if the path he is taking is wrong or right). I can smell billions of dollar in Swiss bank accounts.

Left’s Stand
I am not sure if Left’s stand has any ideological angle or they are just trying to show their importance. The addiction of “being felt important” is really bad. It is true that Left has never enjoyed such a powerful position before (in India). So may be they are just showing off their muscles. Pulling out of the government is a gamble for Left. The next government may not need their support or they may emerge even mightier (so its a gamble). Next few days will prove if their stand has any thing to do with Ideology or if it is just a teenage kid acting strange with his physiological changes.

….

4th September, 2007

I am posting this follow up because I personally believe that there may be a lot of truth in the Left’s Fresh Propaganda. In their statements, left does not sound against nuclear technology or against USA (even if they are), but their demand is to stuck profitable (profitable to country - not to few individuals) deal. Manmohan Singh is stuck to his rote of “Enough power for entire country”. If power is going to cost double, will most citizens be able to afford it?

Beware of Blind Dates

Though Blind Dating is an old fashion in USA (and in Europe to some extent), this is relatively a new fashion in India. In India, blind dating is majorly based on the online friendship sites. If you are you one of those who had been enjoying the fun with Blind Dates, then there are some reasons for you to worry about.

Yesterday evening, the “kidnapping episode” of Mumbai Teenager Adnan Patrawala took a dramatic (and tragic) turn, after Mubai Police recovered his dead body from his own car (on palm beach road). It has been discovered that before leaving from his home for last time, Adnan had chatted (on one famous friendship site) with one of his online friends (who called herself Angel). Angel had invited him for a blind date, and had asked him to meet at Inorbit Mall (Malad, Mumbai). After leaving his home, Adnan was never seen again.

Though Mumbai Police is probing all possible angles on this case, it is quite likely that Adnan would have fallen prey to a criminal (under guise of Angel).

So next time you find a blind date online, make sure that you collect about information from him/her. Take down their phone number. Talk to them on phone before meeting them. And keep some one (either friend on family) informed about your plans.

Which Face of India is this?

I have seen different faces of people in India. Some struggling to construct a better India, these faces are not happy but they are hopeful. Some enjoying the privilege of who they are, these faces are really cheerful (but I do not have much hope from them). Some people cursing India, loosing faith in it, and moving out of India. These faces are both cheerful and hopeful (but not truly Indian). Some who have struggled for long (got nothing in return), and finally lost their faith in System (and Life). These faces are rarely happy or hopeful. They just carry on the daily routine (hope never dies).

But a new face of India has emerged in recent years (I can get glimpses of it for last few years - not sure if this face existed before). Faces which have lost faith, which have lost hope, and which refuse to carry on their daily routines. They have no strength left in their body and soul to live beyond. This is a sad face. This reflects the sick state of our society. Though we are a fast emerging economy, our foreign investments are souring, we are all set to takeover USA economy by 2050, and all other bullshit - but one truth always remains there to bit me - we can not even satisfy the basic needs of our fellow citizens. There are people in this country dying of hunger, dying of acute poverty, dying of their circumstances. Every year, I hear of farmers (who are the largest community of our Country) committing suicide. And yesterday Six people committed suicide, in one of IT city of India. And surprisingly - this time - not all of them were farmers. So absolute poverty is crossing its boundary too, it is becoming global (within India).

Are you willing to do something to change this face of India (other than turning your face around and forgetting about it as if it does not exist)?

Shilpa Recycled

Motion of most objects in universe is periodic - Earth’s revolution along its axis has a period of 24 hours. Earth’s rotation around the sun has a period of 365 day (you can add 0.25 if you are used to being accurate). Weather changes across the year are periodic. Solar Cycles are periodic. Every one observes periodic mood swings. Probably you know of more periodic things than me.

Coming back to Shilpa - Is her latest success period over? Going by the statistics Shilpa Shetty has a bloom period of seven years (sigh… its really long), after which she goes in to a flop spree. Her first Bollywood hit (Baazigar) was released in 1993. She gave a series of flop movies after that and she had to wait seven years for her next success, Dhadkan. Her recent lime-light romp (thanks to cheap stunts @ Big Brother) came again after exactly seven years. Shilpa holds the credit of working in dozens of flop movies (some of them were super-flop as well) between these peaks of her career.

We all know what kind of cheap publicity stunt led her to recently re-invented stardom. She overnight became a front-page news for world-wide media and PR companies started lining up for fat contracts.

But as per the recent media reports, her bloom period seems to be over. PR companies are no more trusting her public appeal and glamor. She is also facing allegation of breaking in to the marriage of a UK-based Indian film producer (No doubt, Shilpa craves for publicity, but I am sure that she may not like the publicity created by this news).
Now an article in british tabloid, has tried to completely tarnish the false persona around Shilpa. The article criticizes Shilpa for her Zero acting talent (which may be true going by her success ration in Bollywood).
Looks like Shilpa has to now wait for another seven years, for something starry.

Are you a Shilpa fan? My Sympathy with you.

Baahar Aao Munna Bhai

“Baahar Aao” is a Hindi phrase, which means “come out”. Today lot of Indians are carrying this wish on their mind. They want Sanjay Dutt to come out clean (frankly speaking clean or dirty does not matter much to them), as soon as possible.



I am a big fan of Sanjay Dutt. I am sympathetic to him for the personal tragedies as well (specially his teenage struggles). He has been a fighter all along his life and I like fighters (Maradona and Serena add to the list). Sanjay has been sentenced to six years imprisonment (under arms act) - Another fight for him.

But can the personal liking justify impunity from law? Specially when some one is involved in anti-national activities? And what if one’s activities COULD have (but not proven) led to the death of hundreds of people. What if these activities could also have shook the national pride and jerked the National Economy? My opinion is that law is same for all. And no one deserves impunity, even if the crime commited was not as grave as I mentioned above. But, unfortunately a large part of Indian population think otherwise. This the reason that special treatment which Sanjay Bawa is getting in Jail is being positively accepted by public and media. And there are different sections, who are hoping for Sanjay to come out soon, though for different reasons.

Fanfare: Sanjay Dutt has emerged as a great actor in the second innings of his career. Vaastav, Haseena Maan Jaayegi, Daud, Kurukshetra, Kaante, Ek Aur Ek Gyarah are some of the movies which his fans watch again and again. But his master piece has been “Munnabhai Series“, which has won him fans all over the globe. Fans are over-emotional human beings. Some of them never believe that their stars have done have any thing wrong (they smell a conspiracy). Some other believe that stars are above law. But almost of all of them never want their starts to be punished (what a great human bonding). This is the reason, why fans all across India protested court’s decision (do they not know that court are the highest authorities in India?) to sentence Sanjay for six years. They also decided to start a signature campaign to show their support to Sanjay (I hope that this campaign is not secretly sponsored by his film financers).

Film Financers: Though Sanjay’s fans are driven by altuistic motives, there are people who have pure business interests in Sanjay. As of today there is more than 50 crores (INR) of investment on Sanjay’s under-production movies. This sect of people is desperately wanting, Sanjay to come out (and shoot their movies). If we belive in “Money Power: Biggest Power”, then we can hope to see Sanjay out very soon (may be on bail).

Sonia Gandhi: Sonia Gandhi has also laid her support to Sanjay and his family in his tough times. This is the biggest surprise of my life. I am not sure what are the basic reasons behind her support. Is she a fan (which I doubt considering her Hindi understanding ability) of Sanjay. Or is this motive political? I will need a few days to arrive at a conclusion. There is a big possibility that by that time Madam might change her mind, and deny any such statement having been issued by her.

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PS: I hope that Sanjay gets bail and finishes his ongoing movies. He might have to serve his sentence, but I am sure that he will come out as a stronger person. He is “Bollywood no 1″ as per me (who else has given so many hits in recent years?).

Sanctifying a Worship Place

“Tirupati Temple Trust” is contemplating on implementing dress-code for women devotees entering the temple. The move has been initiated on a complaint from some male devotee, who got distracted by women worshippers.

What a sad state of affairs. There is a poor soul (probably with his senses completely out of control) who wants to distract his thoughts from women (and may be wine as well) and has taken the shelter in a temple. But he still can not find solitude and mental peace. It is his basic right to demand ban on anything which impedes his way to mental peace.

But as I can sense, the life ahead may not be very easy for this devotee. Women right activists are going to raise a lot of questions. They will ask if people with such mental make up (who are easily perturbed by women around them) really suited to enter a temple premises? Why not to ban the entry of such devotees to temple (rather than forcing a dress code for woman)? If the complaint would have come from a beer bar, or a similar location (may be a market place where wine shops are in plenty), it would have been easier for people to understand the problem. People in general can accept that a men under effect of alcohol can get perturbed, looking at some immoderately dressed women. But, since this complaint has come from a devotee (at the time of performing prayers in a temple), most people are going to raise their fingers (rather than helping the devotee to remain focussed). So even the “pro-women men activists” may join the “women activists” (what a deadly collusion) and start favoring the indecent, immodest female creatures (these modern Ratis).

This is the tragedy of a literate society. They start arguing rationally even over the things, which are not governed by reason. And instead of helping a men to attain mental peace, self control (and Nirvana down the line), women activists (and pro-women men activists) will start arguing with reason. They might even go to the extent of making statements like, “Such people who can not bear the sight of a woman should be put under solitary confinement”.

I can feel the pain of this devotee. And I will fully support the enforcement of dress code for women. But I feel that enforcing the dress code (for women) may not really help much. A beautiful female body will still distract men, no matter how much you cover it. Have you not seen Sushmita Sen in “Main Hoon Naa”? She looks more attractive in Sarees (than she looks in other costumes). The only solution to this problem could be “a complete ban” on women entering the temple (a few extremely ugly women could still be allowed to enter). But probably even that would not solve the problem fully. Women is not the only beautiful object in this world. As I watch on the TV, and read in the reports, these days (not very sure if it never existed in old times) men are getting attracted towards others men as well. We shall ban entry of good looking (well built and healthy - to be more precise) men as well to the temple (why are such people needed at a place of worship? They already have all - what they should pray for?). I know thousands of people who loose their control (give up their principles and integrity) for meager amount of money. Hence, All types of currency (and gold as well) should also be banned inside the temple premises. One last itch - “Delicious Tirupathi Prasadam”. The famous Ladoo of Tirupthi might be too much mouth watering (specially for the devotees under question), we need to ban that as well. Yes, that might constitute a perfect world.

PS: I am a religious person myself. I perform morning prayer and do meditation every day. I follow this routine because it helps me to remain focussed and calm. The little time which I spend in the morning on these activities, helps me to keep my senses under good control all the day. The fact that there are devotees, who get perturbed even during their prayers, really pertubs me. Hence this post.

School or Godown

Two years back, our dear finance minister had levied a 2% education cess (on the total payable tax). The cess yield (which is more than 1 billion US$) was aimed at boosting the primary education system in India. This cess has now seemingly become a permanent feature of the taxation. It will be more honest on government’s part if they stop calling it cess, and rather make it a part of direct tax.
We all know how (in-) efficiently Indian government utilizes the tax revenues. Almost Zero transparency in the administration, even denies the right to know where (or how) the hard earned money of tax payers goes away. But some recent media reports at least give us a little clue about what the “Education Cess” is going in to. A large portion of this money is being spent on maintaining 32,000 buildings (I think it will be in-appropriate to call these buildings as schools, because there are no students enrolled).

Yes, this is shocking but still real. These findings are a part of recent government survey which covered over 11 lacs schools in 35 states and UT. Almost 2.9% of the schools (covered under survey) had no students (and 75 percent of them had no teachers as well). Forty-eight percent of these zero enrollment schools are at primary level. The zero enrollment is highest in Karnatka (almost 25% of total). Though our government has not done much about primary education (which is reflected by the results of survey), I am happy that at least they took the courage of making this survey public.

The Sharp Contrast

Today’s India is apparently being driven to success and prosperity by its educated and ambitous youth. Indian Professional can be seen in the high management layer of numerous successful companies. Most of Indian brilliant student who pass out from premier institutes like IITs and IIMs are never second to the professionals from USA and Europe. Probably this is the reason that Planning Commission has proposed to set up more such institutions (8 IITs, 7 IIMs, 20 NITs, 20 IITs …). This is a brilliant move which might further boost India’s contribution to Information Technology and Management in the Global Market.

But at the same time, I find it shocking to hear that a student of BITs has attempted suicide because of the depression, which he suffered due to ragging. Though Indian professionals have proven their potential on world level, but such incidents (at regular intervals) present a contrasting face of Indian Professionals. How can the institute producing brilliant professionals, can also witness such unprofessional attitude of students and authorities?

When I joined my college (1996), ragging was on decline. Authorities were getting more and more strict against the notorious students. And when I passed out from the college, ragging was almost null. I believe that bright career prospects for students were one of the major driving factors which helped the authorities to curb ragging. Since a student passing out with good character record, was likely to get a very good job, it meant that a student with bad character record had much to loose. Most of the senior students were afraid of twisting their arms with college authorities (not only when the authorities were right, but also when the authorities were wrong). Given that the Indian IT sector is even since on boom, and there is more awareness in society (thanks to Indian Media), I was under impression that ragging in Indian Institutions (Specially the prestigious institutes like BITs) should be very professional (if at all it is there). How can one torture his fellow students to a limit of suicide? It is not only unprofessional but it is in-human as well.

Whenever such incidents take places, college authorities pounce on the students and take steps to implement discipline. But after some time, we again here similar news. Where do we lack? Is there a lack of professional management at such institutes? May be. It is quite likely. If you compare the salary of a graduate passing fresh from the college, with the salary of a senior professor (at one of the prestigious institutes), you might be surprised. When professors, teachers and other authorities get paid so less, it is quite likely that such incidents will keep happening. I feel that in addition to increasing IITs, IIMs (and other institutes), planning commission should also take some steps to attract best teaching talents to such institutes.

PS: Salaries are just one aspect of the problem which exists in the teaching and management staff of these institutes. There are many other issues like local politics, cast politics, presence of undeserving people on board etc, which also needs to be tackled.

Any Guesses on Rakhi's IQ?

I hate fools. I can not stand them.
……..
Recently I happened to watch Rakhi Sawant’s interview on TV. Considering my inability to stand intolerable, I should have shut down the idiot-box. But, contrary I got glued to the TV. It was shocking. And disturbing. And puzzling. And shocking again. I need to admit that I remained depressed for a few days. I feared some grievous mental damage (which is quite likely given that I work as a SW engineer in Bangalore). Sigh… I was wrong. I am still the same.
Last week, I attempted to watch HR starer “Aap Kaa Surroor”. I finished a three hours movie in 30 minutes (trick mode play) and still had to suffer from headache for next three days. So I believe that my mental system is still upright.

…..

Then what was the case with Rakhi? May be she is really not dumb. May be her interview was not really foolish. Now if I recall, it was much below the level of foolishness. Undoubtebly, one needs to possess an extra-ordinarily high IQ to fall (or rather appear to fall) below the levels of foolishness. Any blind guess on Rakhi’s IQ? I feel she is definitely 130 plus.
…

PS: I am again feeling depressed thinking why I gave her a space on my blog. But may be she deserves it.

Looking Through the Dark Eyes

Advancements in medical science has made our lives longer, healthier, and happier. No more people die of Malaria, no more we see polio affected children. Tuberculosis, Cancer are no more incurable. Scientists have almost found cures to AIDS.

Despite all this progress, 45 Million (human) blinds still exist on this planet. only color they can see and feel is the color of Darkness. Though blindness is a major problem in African and Asian countries. But even the developed countries (like USA and UK) have blind population.

Eye Transplant (Corneal Transplant - more accurately) techniques can enlighten many of these dark worlds. More Information on Corneal Transplant.

You can contribute to this great act by donating your eyes. If you are in India you can CONTACT Madhav Eye Bank for eye donation. You can also contribute for blinds, in many other ways.

Eye Donation FAQ

How much the real estate can rise?

live in Bangalore (India). In last six years, real estate prices have rose 3 to 10 times (based on the location) in this city. It is not a local phenomenon to Bangalore. Land prices in my native place, have rose on the similar scale. I am thinking of investing some money in to an apartment. Apartments in Bangalore are out of my budget, so I thought of booking some apartment in Mysore (which is around 100 miles away from Bangalore). But even Mysore prices are out of my reach.

I was getting frustrated with my poverty, but then I read this news which says that a Car Parking Space in Manhattan is currently selling for US$2,25000 . Hmm we are far far better than some people in world.

Though real-estate has been a lucrative business always, but prices in India (as per my knowledge) have never rose so steep. Let us analyze a few reasons why prices are increasing so crazy:

(1) Open Economy: There was a big gap between India and USA (and europe) in terms of salaries and real-estate prices before we opened up our economy. This big gap was the major factor behind real estate boom over last few years. The foreign investors found the increasing prices still affordable (if they compared it with the prices in their own country). The salaries also rose considerably and there were more and more potential buyers who could afford increasing prices.

(2) Low interest rates and easy availability of home loans: Interest rates on home loans have decreased considerably over last few years (though there was a little increase again a few months back but that was not substantial). Also the home loans are very easy available. Most of the banks just ask for last few months salary slips. This means that any person with a high current salary can buy an expensive house.

(3) Rise of Upper Middle Class: The upper middle class in India has come up as a potential consumer in last few years (because of open economy) . High income for professionals (combined with the easy home loans) has created a big pool of consumers who can afford high prices products. The “Real Estate Companies” realize this fact and they conspire together to keep the costs high.(4) Organized Industry: Real Estate was never such an organized industry in India. Now we have dozen of professionally managed real estate firms across India. Dealing with these real estate firms have many advantages: (a) They help you on each step. They even facilitate bank loans. (b) They are more reliable: you can trust that your money will not be eaten away (c) You can trust the quality …

(5) Lack of Investment Options: As the salaries for professional in India are growing, professionals have a big amount of money in their hands. Most of these professionals , really do not know what to do this money. They do not have any prior business background and they do not have much investment skills. They find real-estate as the most safe and effort-less investment. If you try to collect statistics from buyers, you will realize that most of the people buy apartments for investment and not for living (they already have apartments and houses). Increasing rentals also promise them a continuous return on their investment.

A WORD OF CAUTION: There is a big number of consumers who are willing to invest in real-estate sector. Those consumer who made investments a few years back have got very high returns. The commons mentality of investors is that they are going to get similar returns even on the current investments. The real-estate companies realize this mentality of consumers and they have increased the prices on anticipation. Those who are investing their money, need to be a little cautious and analyze if they are really going to get a very good return. As I mentioned before, the biggest reason for real estate boom was the big gap in real estate prices between India and USA. But this gap has been constantly bridging. In fact most places in USA are now more affordable than Bangalore (and other metro cities of India). Also if you compare the availability infrastructure and quality of life, then you will observe that India infact is now much costlier than USA. I know a few friends of mine, who wanted to buy apartments in India (recently) and after checking the prices they decided to buy it in USA. So be a little careful. Do not invest your money blindly in to any property. Check the prices. Analyze how much infrastructure growth can happen in this area (where you are investing) and check up the prices of similar property in the areas where that kind of infrastructure is available. If you see a difference of less than 100%, do not invest. However if you are planning to buy, with an aim of getting a shelter (rather than investment), it might be wiser to go ahead and buy the property.

The Harry Potter Hype

Harry Potter is the most hype phenomenon these days, probably followed by Himesh Reshamiya (Is there any magic H-factor here). Unlike Himesh, Harry is a world wide craze. Next Sunday, readers are going to line up in big queues to buy the latest book in Harry Potter series. In my opinion book (at least the Indian Edition) is priced higher than what it can bes worth. There is more of marketing (than literature) about this book. In my opinion, Harry Potter is not a book, it is a fashion.

Why people want to buy the book on very first day? We know there are great books which have been selling for hundred of years. Readers buy them without worrying about if they bought it very first day of the release, or after fifty years of first release. Whereas for the Harry Potter readers it is a question of prestige if they fail to buy the book ASAP after its release. People will stand up in queues for hours - if they were true readers, they would have rather utilized this time in reading some thing else (may be there is nothing as valuable as Harry Potter, but it still would add to their knowledge). For a true reader is it really necessary to buy a book very first day and then boast about this achievement?

Let us compare Harry Potter with I-phones. Consumer queued up for hours (just like Harry Potter fans) to buy the i-Phone very first day. But is i-Phone just a phone? No, i-phone is a fashion factor. Any other phone may be as good as i-Phone in connecting calls, sending and receiving SMS. What comes extra is the better looks, better style, and the pride of being first in the buyer’s list. Similar is true with Harry Potter. If one has to read Harry, to acquire some knowledge, it may not be a great loss if they do it after few days.

Other thing which I find irritating about Harry Potter discussions is that most of the readers do not discuss about the content of the books. They just talk about the number of copies which got sold. The collection which Harry Potter movies did. Number of fans who queued up outside the stores. When it comes to discuss the content of books, they can just say, it was “Great”, it was “Funny”, it was “Hilarious”… No one has any clue about what knowledge they gain from this book, or how this books might have helped them to become wiser, or how it would have changed their character …

Disclaimer: I am not anti-Harry. But I am anti-Hype. I am really very disappointed with the Harry-Hype. I feel that with Harry-sort-of-reading-habit, our kids are going to reach nowhere. Their focus has become so narrow that they do not know of any other book than Harry Potter. They may not know who are the other writers in this world. And they do not even seem to be interested to know. All they care about is how early they will get the book and not about what they will learn from this book. Disappointing state of affairs.

Same Sex Marriages in India

Geeta and Babli are the pioneers of same sex Marriage in India. Probably they are the first one to disclose same sex marriage publicly in India. Interesting fact is that despite being socially oppressed, here is the Woman again, leading the front. I am not sure if their step is socially and morally correct, but definitely it is bold and courageous.

Is homosexuality in India more amongst woman: I believe that in India homo-sexuality is more amongst woman (than man). I do not have any figures to support my claim but I firmly believe that it is true. I hold the Indian social structure primarily responsible for this.

In India women remain to be socially oppressed and are deprived of basic human rights. I am talking about that India which still forms more than 80% of Indian population. So, the people who have only seen remaining 20% of India may not agree with me.

(1) Though primary education for woman has improved, but still in majority of India families, higher education for woman is not supported. Higher educations means (a) late marriage for the girl child and (b) a troublesome search for a better educated groom for the girl. Both of these are a big headache in Indian families. Un-educated girls are mostly financially dependent on their life partner. This dependency means that they are open for any physical or mental abuse by their life partners. And this abuse happens in large number of families. The girls growing up watching all this abuse never feel comfortable in presence of a Man and are therefore inclined towards another Woman.

(2) There is a high rate of child molestation in India. Children (mostly girls) are abused by close relatives and friends. But most of these incidences never come up: (a) Children is never courageous enough to inform their parents about such incidents (b) Even if parents are informed they try to hide such things fearing a social stigma. The kids who face such abuses, never find themselves comfortable in the company of the sex which abused them. Since the abuse is mostly done by Males, there are more chances that girls will become comfortable with girls.

(3) From early childhood, girls are advised not to mingle much with opposite sex (in schools, at social gatherings, and at work place). This continuous advise is likely to cause a mental frame work in girl’s mind that they are never safe with opposite sex. Also, since girls are not free to have close friendship with boys, they grow up sharing all their problems and concerns with some one of same sex. In the old times, where Man was the sole bread earner for the family, girls had no other choice but to surrender in front of a man after marriage. But in changed times, there are girls who work and become financially independent. Such girls some times refuse to compromise with the family pressure of getting married and they continue to live a bachelor life. They maintain close friendship with other girls (which need not be of sexual nature), and look for mental shelter in their friends.

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ANOTHER EXAMPLE of how easy it is for a Man to come out clean after sexual abuse

Rising Taxes: Will it ever End?

Indian Economy is becoming stronger each year. Is it really? I personally do not see any signs of this. Only way I get to know that econonmy is becoming strong is through newpapers and television. Probably that is the reason I have stopped buysing newpapers and never switch on my TV , these days.

Prices of essentially commodities are on rise. Taxes are on rise. And we do not see any improvement in Infrastructure. Where does all the money collected from taxes go? When I was a kid, we used to avail medical services at Govt Hospital. I studied at Govt Schools. Now I can not find any doctor at that particular hospital. If there is a doctor, he will be too busy with more useful stuff. If at all, you manage to get his time, there will be no medicines available at the hospital and you need to buy it outside. The school where I studied has most of the building abandoned. There are not enough teachers. Those who exist, are not competent enough. There is not enough growth in Infrastructure either (I live in Bangalore. If I was in Delhi, probably I would have less crib about infrastructure). Then where does all our tax go? Revenue is increasing but where is it visible? Taxes increase every year. New surcharges are forced. Surcharges have almost become a permanent part of the budget. In recent years, Sales tax, VAT and other taxes have been enforced in addition to the income tax. With all these new taxes, more than 50% of my income goes away in taxes. I slog hard in office, spending 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. I stay away from my families, stay away from my friends. Finally govt robs me of 50% of my income. Where does this money go? In pockets of ministers, Administrative officers, and power brokers? What an irony. All these people enjoy their lives, roam around the globe, get drunkard every day, enjoy company of beautiful looking friends and take away half share of our salaries. And on other hand here we are, slogging our butts in offices for more than half of our lives. What an irony.

Will these tax hikes ever end. There is no transparency in government. Ther is no accountability either. We do not know where our money goes. We can just imagine that it goes to the pockets of these looters. And since the number of looters is increasing every day, I am much worried.

USA govt is likely to annouce tax cuts for a consecutive fifth year. I am sure that if the tax we pay is utilised correctly, even we can have tax cuts. We need for a transparent and accountable administrative system. Will we ever get?

Have You Turned Fifteen

If you are a girl and you have turned fifteen, Here is a good (or may be not so good) news for you. You can save three precious years of your life. Rather than waiting to become eighteen, you might be able to choose your life partner and get married.

In the changed social scenario most of us (or may be some of us) start taking independent decisions before we enter the teenage. We choose our career (most important part of any one’s life), we choose our friends (most influential people in our lives) and we choose many other small and big things. But, I am not sure if fifteen could be the right age for some to decide on his or her life partner. Though we start making choices in the teenage, but these choices shape our characters until we become old enough. The small or big choices which we make every day as a teenager, keep on bringing drastic changes in our personalities. Our personality stabilizes only after we finish our education and we get settled in career - that is when we grow up. Some small changes still persists, but most of the character has been formed at this stage.

If we want marriages to be stable, we need to make sure that both partners have matured enough at the time of marriage. Fifteen may be a good enough marriage to choose a friend and even to initiate a physical intimacy, but this age is far from marriageable age.

Wedding: A Costly Affair

In India, marriage is probably the biggest affair of one’s life. Ceremonies lasts for many days and there are hundreds and hundreds of guests. In northern part of India, marriage ceremonies are generally arranged in night. There are lot of lightings, flower decorations, loud musics, and so on.

I got married last month. We had a ceremony at bride’s house and another ceremony at my house. All together we invited more than one thousand guests. This number is more than the number of guests which I would have treated in my entire life before marriage. And even if I keep adding to this count, after marriage, I am unsure if I will reach the thousand mark.

Being a girl brings more financial burden (in most parts of India). The dowry system is still prevalent in most casts (sects) in most provinces (though forceful demand of dowry is illegal and it is a punishable crime).

There are families who have excessive money. Spending more money in marriage is a symbol of social status for them. They do not really mind spending a few lacs Rupees more, just to feel different. But then there is a big section of society who really can not afford these big arrangements. They save money entire life, and then spend it on their kid’s marriage in a day. And there are people, for whom their entire savings are not enough, and they take loans (which they pay over years) for the marriages. Since a grand party, is matter of social prestige, it is not very easy to get away with simple weddings in most part of the countries.

Finally some one seems to be putting some effort to control the fatty weddings. DSGPS is thinking of setting some guidelines for the Sikh (a sect in India) weddings. These guidelines are aimed at controlling the expenditure on weddings. I hope that other religions also come up with similar guidelines.

Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy still remains to be a major problem in most parts of the world. In the third world countries (most of Africa, and many parts of asia), teenage pregnancy is mainly because of Child Marriage, illiteracy, and unawareness about the danger of teenage pregnancy (a teenage mother and her kid is likely to suffer health problems). However in developed countries like USA, where most of the teenage pregnancy occur amongst unmarried grils, the problem mainly exists because of lack of sex education amongst teenage kids.

With the changing social and economic scenario in India (where girls are increasingly becoming self-dependent and they stay away from their families for education and work), teenage pregnancy amongst unmarried girls is rising very fast. Though the teenage pregnancy amongst unmarried and married girl is equally harmful, but mostly unmarried girls are under more social, economic and psychological pressure. In most cases, in case of unmarried pregnancies, girls do not feel comfortable discussing the issue with their families and close friends. They can only talk to their partners, who themselves do not feel very comfortable with the situation. In case the couple is not-working (students), they have to also bear the financial pressure and they try to choose the cheapest options (which may not be very safe).

In India there is a great need of counselling centers for teenage pregnancies (pregnancy over all). Also there is an increasing need of sex education at High School level. In USA and many european countries, there are many NGOs working on such issues and they have been successful to a great extent in reducing the rate of childhood pregnancies. We need some similar effort in India.

Some resources on Teenage Pregnancy:
Some useful Information
Fact sheet
Liz Mason’s Site
More Info

Blind Beauty Race

Cosmetics, beauty treatments and other beauty products form a big market in USA and Europe. Beauty care companies mainly offer services and products for Skin, Hair, Teeth and Eyes. But a complete list of services and products is likely to cover each part of your body. The revenues for some of these companies in over a billion US$.

Around a decade back, these companies had set their eyes on Indian Market (there are 1 billion customers after all). The first step in this direction was to create an awareness about beauty in India. This was the time when Aishwarya and Sushmita wore the crown of Miss-world and Miss-universe (that is how these companies plan to enter any country). The life style of Indians has drastically changed from there on. Now there are skin care saloons, slimming centers, hair care centers, and other beauty shops, in each part of Indian cities. Also there are hundreds of options available for cosmetics (these options were very few 10 years ago).

It was a great achievement for India to get the crown of Miss-universe and Miss-world. As a result, today all Indian woman want to look fairer, silkier, slimmer, younger and sexier. There are external and internal treatment available in market to achieve these goals. But none of us care (or are not aware of) about the side effects of these treatments. One of such treatment is “stomach stapling operation” which helps obese people to become slimmer after an operation which reduces the size of stomach (and hence food intake). Apparently some people have already lost their lives after such operations and those who survive are like to suffer from depression. Do we really want to look beautiful at such a cost?

I feel that Indian Woman are following a blind race for beauty. They need to understand that beauty is not skin deep. The thick layer of cosmetics on your face does not really make you young. Rather than focusing on your shape and looks, you need to focus on your health and mental stability. I am worried at the thought, what will be the fate of our country, if our kids are bought up by beauty fanatics.

I am not against beauty or against cosmetics or against any beauty treatments. But we need to be rational enough to understand what cost should be paid (definitely life is a unreasonable cost) for becoming beautiful. And we need to be aware of side effects (in short term or long term) which these cosmetics or treatments will have on your body. Do you ever ask such questions before any treatment which you receive? Even if you ask, you are most likely to get wrong information. Make sure that you receive any information (about the side effect of treatment being taken) in written before you take any beauty treatment next time.

Watch Your Dress Code

This article is in Indian Context

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So often we hear of “Crimes against Women”. Domestic abuse is most common crime against women. But generally, molestation is considered as most shocking. May be because it signals of unhealthy social set up. In some cases it is found that victim of molestation was dressed in provocative clothes. And dress code becomes a hot topic of debate. Some (so called moderns) argue that women should have a right of dressing the way they want. Whereas others (so called conservatives) support the argument that dressing in provocative clothing is likely to invite trouble. Till recently I had never been able to decide who is right. Moderns are right - women should have all the independence. May be conservatives are also right - it is likely that people will get tempted when they see some one in provocative dressings.
Today I read an interesting article on wikipedia, which has helped to decide my VOTE. Now I feel that not being allowed to dress in provocative (socially not acceptable) clothes, can not be considered as curb of freedom. If it is just an individual freedom, even person committing crime can argue that he should be free to molest some one whom he likes. No, that will not be freedom. Some thing which involves more than one person should be bound by social values and practices, rather than individual choice. And as I realized (after reading this article on wikipedia), Dressing had always been guided by social norms. For example one dressed in “Saffrons” is likely to be taken as a hindu priests in India. Whereas, in some other part of the world this may not be true.

Let us have a look at what Wikipedia says:

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Clothing may signal an individual’s receptiveness to sexual advances. Some garments signal lack of interest in advances; some garments and accessories indicate openness to flirtation. What constitutes modesty and allurement varies radically from culture to culture, within different contexts in the same culture, and over time as different fashions rise and fall. Often, exposure of skin and hair is an availability signal; covering skin and hair signals unavailability. However, minute adjustments of “modesty” signals can subvert the surface meaning and convey a mixed message (”I’m nice but I like to flirt too”). Many Muslim women wear a head or body covering (see hijab, burqa or bourqa, chador and abaya) that proclaims their status as respectable and modest women. Streetwalking prostitutes in countries such as the United States where prostitution is illegal dress to advertise their status to potential customers, while avoiding anything that might constitute an unambiguous offer of sex for sale (which would increase their chances of being caught and convicted). They tend to wear current fashions in exaggerated form, bare a great deal of skin, and wear heavy makeup.
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I fully agree with this fact. I feel that women should watch their clothings and should dress up as per the local customs and social values. If in a certain region, a particular clothing can be mistaken as sexual invitation, wearing that is inviting trouble. A men shall not be solely blamed for that. They are just responding to the wrong signals.

My views here are based on pure reason. Please do not mis-understand me as SSP.