MEEK INDIAN SURRENDER TO THE AUSSIE THUNDER

It was the vulgar exposure of the impotency in the Indian batting attack and the brilliance of the research that the Australian think-tank had done on the weakness of so-called “Mighty” Indian batting and the flawless execution of the plan by the committed Australian cricketers that summarizes the proceedings of the Fourth day at the Nagpur cricket test between India and Australia, giving the Australians the much deserved Test Series victory over Indians in India.

I am a staunch supporter of Indian cricket and very patriotic about India winning, but I am a greater patriot of the game of cricket. With the kind of spineless, unprofessional, uncommitted attitude that was displayed by all departments of the Indian Team as well as the selection committee, it would have been an insult to the game had India even managed to salvage a draw in this Test match at Nagpur.

Just look at the Australian Team coach and the management who have done a thorough study on each Indian player. They know exactly how each Indian batsman would react to every ball and they know exactly the limitations of each Indian bowler too, which was evident at the way Anil Kumble who took 12 wickets in the Chennai Test, was hammered all over in this Test. And we have a Captain and team management who bluff around till about one hour before the test match that Harbhajan Singh is fully fit to play the test. That only shows the immaturity of the Indian think-tank and how poorly they have assessed the potential of the opposition. It is high time that Ganguly starts performing in the ground than in the press conferences.

And what to say about the Indian Selectors performance, who were once given a very apt definition, by one of our erstwhile senior cricketer a few decades back. The tailenders of the Aussie team were holding the bat and using it with much better technique than Mr. Akash Chopra and Mr. Yuvaraj Singh, our expert candidates for the opening batsman. We had a wicket keeper, who was said to have been selected for his batting prowess, who also incidentally knows to wear the wicket-keeping gloves and feel comfortable posing to the cameras with them. Normally in a selection process or for that matter any organizational process, first the role to be played by each of the slots in the team or organization, have to be identified and then human resources fitted into the slots based on their expertise in the respective roles. But in the selection process of the Indian cricket team, the objective of the selection is totally absent, so no question of ascertainment of roles of the eleven slots. The players selected in the team are generally unaware of their role as well as expertise and try to fit in the role available to be played when they land up in the cricket ground and finally do not perform at all and the result is before your eyes in the Nagpur cricket test. Everybody, including Tendulkar himself were shouting, chanting and praying for Tendulkar to play the third test, but for what purpose. Maybe even Tendulkar did not know that which was evident from the result.

LET SOMEBODY PLEASE EDUCATE THE BCCI AND ITS SELECTORS THAT INDIAN CRICKET TEAM DOES NOT REQUIRE HEROES OR THE SO-CALLED EXPERIENCED NON-PERFORMING ASSETS, BUT JUST SIMPLE CRICKETERS LIKE DAMIEN MARTIN AND CLARKE, WHO KNOW EXACTLY THEIR ROLES IN THE TEAM AND PLAY IT TO PRECISION TO MAKE THE TEAM WIN.

POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW

I read this article in the Economic Times, Chennai edition, today that the Industrialists fraternity feels it is high time that there is some governance and responsibility code in place for the politicians of our country in the form of a Law on Political responsibility. It was like somebody spelling out the vision that I had been long nurturing in my heart and did spell out in forums but with little effect. It was quite satisfying to see my vision match the thinking of the cream of intellectuals, industrialists and analysts of our country though this is not intended to elevate my status in any manner.

It is we people who vote these politicians to power and it is the industrialists who directly and indirectly provide them with the funds to contest elections, make them wealthy, powerful and also indulge in some development activities for the country whenever they get time out of politicking. There are a lot of laws in place to govern us as citizens of this country and there is a system of Corporate Governance to regulate the activities of the Industrialists. But it is quite ironical that the politicians who are made by the citizens and industrialists, do not have any law to govern their activities.

It is due to these reasons that today politics is the most unethical professions in our country in which the terms like integrity, moral values, statesmanship, discipline and principles do not find a place at all. On the personal side we find politicians not paying their rent, electricity charges, telephone bills and still get away with it throughout their life. On the official side we find their election manifestos and alliances arrangement prior to the elections and their activities and alliances after elections incomparable in all aspects. As the politicians proudly state that there are no permanent friends or enemy in politics and for that matter there is also no scope for integrity, moral values, promises etc. in politics.

So at last the industrial fraternity has come alive to the fact that the political parties just care less for the country and its economy when they draft their unethical election manifestos filled with promises that would spell doom for the economy if implemented and are seeking a code of governance to regulate the extent to which the political parties can make promises and also to see that the justified promises are fulfilled. But the politicians are made up with the support of Industrialists and the voting population of this country. So it is of utmost importance that these two fraternities get together and press for such a legislation in a single voice. Otherwise the clever politicians would successfully create a rift between the two fraternities acting individually and negate all efforts to regulate them.

A ray of light has appeared and gives us hopes that soon a code of governance would be put in place for this political community which is though the smallest in size, but is the most powerful and the most ungoverned and undisciplined in the country. It is really sad that in our country the people in charge of governance are the most ungoverned and require a legislation to discipline them.

SWAMI, SAINT, GODMAN – A SWING IN DEFINITION

I read this article today that the Godman Chandraswami was acquitted from the St. Kitts case. The other day I see one of our respected saints commenting about the nomination of Ms. Sonia Gandhi as the Prime Minister. And nowadays we see saints, sanyasis, swamijis and swaminis trying to gain spotlight in all fronts other than spirituality.

I just wanted to check up whether the definition of these spiritual terms have changed over the period of time with liberalization and globalization of our society. From what I have learnt from my childhood days and what my elders and teachers have thought me, taking sanyas means renouncing all the worldly bonds, the passion for materialistic goals and virtually everything and seek the highest spiritual goal of uniting with the Supreme power. And as people used to climb the ladder of spirituality alienating themselves more and more from the worldly affairs, they were graded by the titles of swamijis, acharyas, rishis, brahmarishis etc.

But now the definition seems to have become diametrically opposite. A person who is a total broke or pauper, who has nothing or nobody in this world to call his own and is not even sure of his next meal takes up the spiritual path, because anyway he does not have anything to renounce and becomes a sanyasi. And there begins his quest for worldly matters. In the next few years from absolutely nobody behind him, we find atleast a thousand people crowding behind him wherever he goes, he would live in a palace like farmhouse supposedly called an “Ashram”, travel only by luxury cars and Airplanes, secured by black cat commandos, becomes the chief guest in all political, social and business gatherings and what not. Any worldly and material requirements that you can ask for is made available to the modern day spiritual leader.

I read from one of my fellow Chennai blogger (Ramya) that the “Pattu Pavadai” a traditional South Indian children wear has been re-invented and re-introduced as “Cinderella Pavadai” to suit the latest westernized Indian taste. Anyway that atleast helped in bringing back the tradition, so what if it is with a slight modification. But by changing the definition of the term "sanyas", thanks to the modern day spiritual leaders, are we not making a mockery of spirituality. I really fail to understand whether this change of definition would do us all any good at a time when foreigners are increasingly becoming more spiritual (in its earlier definition) in their thought and action so as to live in peace and tranquility.

CALL CENTERS – A HI-TECH CONCEPT IN CUSTOMER DISSERVICE

I would really like to meet that marketing genius who devised Call Centers as a means for improved customer service. I feel this concept has contributed more towards alienating the customer from the producer and thereby promoting customer disservice. And the so called Call Centers devised by big Corporates to help customers, appoint such low quality executives who do not have the basic decency while dealing with the customers. The concept of Call Centers have left the customers as orphans with neither the producers nor their Call Centers having any commitment towards the service to the customer.

The foremost thing is that you can never get your grievance cleared by them in the first attempt wherein you would be allotted a complaint number, only to be told the second time that the number allotted is incorrect. Adding to woes is that you never get to communicate with the same person two times, with the result the executives offer you the most irresponsible replies as they are sure you would not be returning to them again. And if you want to complain against the Call Center, you would again be allotted with a complaint number, which would be again incorrect in all probability.

There was this Call Center of a private insurance company belonging to a big industrial group. When I complained about non-receipt of premium notice, I was told that I would receive only if I ask for it. When I enquired about my interim payment against a money-back policy, they promptly informed they had no idea about it. When I demanded a more responsible answer to it, the executive told I can go and lodge a complaint in the branch office of the company. The next day I visited the address only to find that the company had closed the branch about three months back.

I think it is time that we have a regulatory authority in place to regulate the creation and functioning of Call Centers where responsibilities are to be fixed on the parent companies on an assured standard of quality in services to the customers. The word “Guarantee” and “Warrantee” has to be more clearly defined and put into implementation. In India it has become an order of the day for industries to adopt international practices of business concepts only to use the loopholes in it to deceive the customers and make quick money at the expense of quality and customer satisfaction. The slogans that it is a “Consumers Market” and “Customer is God” is all just part of the larger conspiracy to deceive the helpless customer. Where is the choice for the customer when he has to choose between the Devil and the deep sea.

FOOD FOR THE SOUL

I am no poet nor do I read them often. This one was mailed to me by a friend and I was very much impressed by it as it had a very deep message in it that kindled my conscience. I thought I should share it with like minded friends and do my bit in spreading this nice message in this materialistic world where we have forgotten basic virtues of life and stopped listening to our conscience.

The poem goes like this :

As I was walking down life's highway many years ago I came upon a sign that read
”HEAVENS GROCERY STORE.”

When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide
And when I came to myself I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere
One handed me a basket and said "My child shop with care."

Everything a human needed was in that grocery store
And what you could not carry you could come back for more

First I got some Patience. Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding, you need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two.
And Charity of course I would need some of that too.

I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost It was all over the place.
And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.

My basket was getting full but I remembered I needed Grace, And then I chose Salvation for Salvation was for free.
I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me.

Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill,
For I thought I had everything to do the Masters will.

As I went up the aisle I saw Prayer and put that in,
For I knew when I stepped outside I would run into sin.

Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf.
Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel "Now how much do I owe?"
He smiled and said "Just take them everywhere you go."

Again I asked "Really now, How much do I owe?"
"My child" he said, "God paid your bill a long long time ago."

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

1. If all the nations in the world are in debt(am not joking. even US has got debts), where did all the money go? (weird)


2. When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it? (to be given a thought)


3. What is the speed of darkness? (absurd)


4. If the "black box" flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn't the whole airplane made out of that stuff? (very good thinking)


5. Who copyrighted the copyright symbol? (who knows)


6. Can you cry under water? (let me try)


7. Why do people say, "you've been working like a dog" when dogs just sit around all day? (i think they meant something else)


8. Why are the numbers on a calculator and a phone reversed? (God knows)

9. Do fish ever get thirsty? (let me ask and tell)


10. Can you get cornered in a round room? (by ones eyes)


11. What does OK actually mean? (Olli Kuchi)


12. Why do birds not fall out of trees when they sleep? (tonight i will stay and watch)


13. What came first, the fruit or the color orange? (seed)

14. What should one call a male ladybird? (No comments)


15. If a person suffered from amnesia and then was cured would they remember that they forgot? (can somebody help)


16. Can you blow a balloon up under water? (yes u can)


17. Why is it called a "building" when it is already built? (strange isn’t it)


18. If you were traveling at the speed of sound and you turned on your radio would you be able to hear it? (got to think scientifically)



19. If you're traveling at the speed of light and you turn your headlights on, what happens? (i dont have a chance to try)


20. Why is it called a TV set when there is only one? (very nice)


21. If a person owns a piece of land do they own it all the way down to the core of the earth? (this is nice)


22. Why do most cars have speedometers that go up to at least 130 when you legally can't go that fast on any road? (break the law)

TRAFFIC SNARLS IN CHENNAI

I read an article in Chennai edition of today’s “The Hindu” about the traffic snarls in Chennai and blaming the decreasing supervision and commitment of the Traffic Managers of the Police Department. There was a road user giving interview that over the years the supervision by the Traffic Managers of Chennai has been on the decline and they are no longer tough in disciplining the road users. It is more than fifty years since our country got freedom and still our citizens are ready to obey only the language of sticks and punishment. Truly sad for the country.

I do agree with the fact that the Traffic management in Chennai is quite poor mainly owing to improper planning of Traffic movement and their jobs are made difficult with inadequate signals, too many cross roads and lack of infrastructure.

But above all this, there is one major problem for which we cannot hold the Traffic police and the traffic managers responsible and that is total absence of discipline and rationality among the road users, be it the drivers of vehicle or the pedestrians who can be categorized now only as “Jay Walkers”. We find that even matured educated people acting in a totally irrational manner the moment they take out their vehicle on the road. We all know that the driving licence is issued in our country to a person only on attaining the age of 18. The main purpose of this is that only matured drivers should come to the road and normally discipline follows maturity. It is true that nowadays we find 15 and 16 year old kids driving cars. I think for this we should blame the oversmart and corrupt parents who get them the driving licence giving false age proof, and not the raffic managers. And these very parents will blame the traffic police, when their kids are involved in accidents.

Moreover just as with computerization, we find that there are lesser number of persons to do the same job and reduced supervision, in the same manner with growing traffic control amenities it is expected that the road users would follow the traffic rules and have a safe and quick journey with lesser supervision. But we find the opposite not only in Chennai, but I have seen it in Bangalore as well as Hyderabad that when the signal is about to get to red from orange, the people increase their accelerators to jump the signal. In fact, we have been thought right from school and while getting the driving licence to do the opposite. Again we see people walking on the road walk as if they are walking in a garden. They would cross the road wherever they want and they expect the speeding vehicles to stop for them, instead of the opposite. So in short we find the road users do just the opposite of what the rules have always been asking them to do.

So is it really right to blame the traffic managers for the traffic snarls in big cities. Are we as road users behaving the rational way in which we are expected to behave. Why do we think that only we are the most important person on the road and require to reach the destination in time. Instead of trying to jump traffic signals why do we not leave home a few minutes early and drive safely, both for us and others.

COME ON FRIENDS, LET US INCULCATE A SENSE OF SELF-DISCIPLINE, RATIONALITY, MATURITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN OURSELVES. REMEMBER, IF OUR COUNTRY IS CORRUPT TODAY, IF THERE IS TRAFFIC SNARLS IN BIG CITIES EVERYDAY, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT AS IRRESPONSIBLE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTRY

REGRETTABLE QUOTES

The following are supposed to be landmark quotes by experts and intellects of their time. But look how time has made these quotes look so regrettable and also the vision of the people who made them. No wonder the time is the most wonderful invention of nature and the most important discovery of man, if I may say so. One who understands its miracle powers and respects its importance is the most successful.

'I think there's a world market for maybe five PCs.' (Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.)

'640K ought to be enough for anybody.' (Bill Gates, Microsoft, 1981.)

'There is no reason why anyone would want to have a computer in their home.' (Ken Olson, president, Founder, Digital Equipment Corp, 1977.)

'This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be considered as a means of communication. The device is of no value to us.' (Western Union memo, 1876)

'Radio has no commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody.'(Colleagues of David Sarnoff on his Radio project, 1920's.)

'Heavier than air flying machines are impossible.' (Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, 1895.)

'You mean to drill into ground to try and find oil? You're crazy.' (Drillers rejecting Edwin L Drake's oil project, 1859.)

'Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?' (HM Warner, Warner Bros, 1927.)

'What can you do with a guy with ears like that?' (Jack Warner, movie mogul, rejecting Clark Gable, 1930.)

'We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.' (Decca Recording Company rejecting the Beatles, 1962.)

'But what is it good for?' (An IBM Engineer commenting on the micro chip, 1968)

'Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value.' (Marechal Ferdinand, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre.)

'We went to Atari, they said 'No'. So we went to HP; 'We don't need you. You haven't got through college yet'.' (Apple founder Steve Jobs, 1980's)

'Fred Astaire can't act, can't sing, balding... Can dance a little.' (MGM talent scout, 1928.)

'Everything that can be invented has been invented.' (Charles H Duell, Commissioner, US Office of Patents, 1899.)

MY HOLIDAY AT BANGALORE

I had been on a short holiday to Bangalore and let me tell you guys that I really fell in love with that place. Though some of my blog friends here were really critical about the city, but still I felt it is among the most vibrant places in our country. It seems to be much better planned, much better maintained and lot of greenery than any other South Indian cities. There might be places with pot-holes, like the one at Koramangala where I happened to visit, but still when compared to Chennai, it looked like a paradise. The people seem to be more helpful and the Autorickshaw drivers there seem to have landed up from the heaven. They do not take us for a ride, do not charge anything above the meter and finally are prompt in returning the change. May be the autorickshaw drivers there have never come to Chennai for a holiday.

I was also able to offer some food for my soul, as I got the opportunity to attend a lecture session on “Bhagawatha”, the compilations of Stories of the Supreme Lord, purportedly written for the benefit of the people living in the Kaliyuga which is in existence now. What is more important is that the lecture was rendered by a Muslim Scholar named , Sri Mumtaz Ali which shows that true devotion and faith on God knows no religion, language, caste or creed. It kind of gave me a realisation that the scriptures and books by various religions are like various means of Transport to reach the Supreme Lord who is only one. You can choose the mode you want and feel comfortable to attain realization. It is only we humans who have limited our options to the wide transport network created by our pious and spiritual ancestors for reaching God, by religion, language etc.

Please do not mistake me to be a saint or a spiritual leader, which I am definitely not as I possess all the evil habbit which an average human being possesses, but only that I am trying to be a muti-faceted person. I think this would help me in thinking more rationally and for the good of all in general despite all my limitations.