LPG - Subsidy direct transfer.

If you have LPG connection from BP, IOC or HP then you are supposed to have Aadhaar and Bank account linked to your LPG connection to get difference in subsidy amount. It looks simple isn't it.

Once this scheme or process was announced few months back, my wife was after me to get this done. Due to lazyness and more importantly, the complexity in execution involved (well it's my thought), I kept postponing it thinking it could this scheme might be postponed.

It is said in Chennai alone there are about 60 lakhs customers who are suppose to receive subsidy money transferred to their bank account. This requires mammoth effort to have the data entered in the appropriate systems at multiple ends. At-least 4 or 5 parameters are critical: the gas agency with city, Aadhaar number, Gas number, Bank and Account Number. Hence, naturally any data entry error can pose a higher challenges or even wrong pay out to account. Further there are going to multiple human touch point or different agency, can create confusion, particularly if pay out does not happen to one's account it could just be difficult to find out as what went wrong. 

On top of this being a continuous execution, would require high costing resources to be in place to function without a hitch. Hence, to me, the combined cost of having this new system, including subsidy pay out might turn out higher then the current system. Though the intention of the government is good that subsidy needs to reach directly its citizen, but sheer volume and different systems in place might cause a nightmare in its implementation 

Now, did I register?.

Yes, first registered my Adhaar card with the online bank site and then linked my Aadhaar through https://rasf.uidai.gov.in/seeding/User/ResidentSplash.aspx. Though had registered about few weeks before but still awaiting confirmation.

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Indian Youth

The general life trend in an Indian youth's career has changed over the years, particularly graduates of engineering  colleges.  But, always there are exceptions.
1970's to 80:

• Engineering degree was still a male bastion, with few exception.
• Preferred jobs in Railways, Telephones, TNEB and public sectors like BHEL, BEL.
• Once in job, book 'Bajaj' scooter which take 7 years to delivery. 
• Save excess money towards taking delivery of ' Hamara Bajaj' Scooter and marriage.
• Post Marriage save money for kids education.
• 'Loan' for personal use from  Bank is unheard.
• Close to retirement, plan to buy house from saving.

1980's to 90's.

• Girls prefer Engineering too. Yes, both are equal, what's wrong. Engineering is no longer a male bastion.
• Preferred jobs still in public sector and some in large private sectors.
• If Parents not dependent, if one is good in studies look at going abroad for post graduation. No worries, if stipend not available ready to work in Petrol banks, stores.
• Still 'Loan' for personal use be it home, consumer, education not available. 'Loan' from Public sector bank are only for Commerce & Industry.
• 'Body shopping', 'H1 stamping' is widely discussed, if one has couple of years experience. 'H1 stamping' is treated as a life time achievement and probably, the eligibility for marriage.

2000's and beyond.

• Layoff or recruitment freeze in Public sector.
• Whatever be the field of engineering study, preferred jobs are  from so called 'Tier 1' IT services company.
• Yes, campus recruitment and who is bothered about whats the job role. Experience matters.
• Private banks enter Indian market, with door step services for all loan needs be it home, consumer, personal. Hold on, bank did not advertise door step services, if you want to make part payment later.
• Word such as 'Body shopping', 'H1 stamping' looses charm. The word 'EMI' is widely known and available for whatever you want.... right  from baby birth till the end.  Yes, includes the recent addition of education loan too....
• Once in job, buy a smart phone(size of laptop) for text ting and browsing wherever you are. Can't waste time. Ensure to change every six months to a year.
• Few years in jobs, buy a house - more due to parents and peer pressure, preferably with metro city pin code and a car as well. Yes, otherwise real estate will go up every month - inputs from well-wishers and off-course purchase is through bank loan ranging  10 to 30 years.  Hmm... start working to feed the bank !!?!! ..............meant EMI.
• Few more years on... with husband and wife both working, debate about who will take care of kids. No worries SOS parents to take turn to take care of kids.
• 'Saving'.... where?.... money disappears to service EMI, life needs and off course the ever increasing inflation......

Already, you should have started hearing about 'Reverse Mortgage' option of house for senior citizen. 
Yes, Banks are innovative and would continue to offer door step services for all loans needs at whatever stage of life, if you are able to work or make your assets work for bank and you..... at any time or any where..

Yes.. its all 'virtual reality', I own everything but its not mine ......................... (Hypothecated to bank :-) ... ). 

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PM: The Indian way with Modi wave.!

It had been quite some time since my last post on my blog. May be, run out of thoughts as what to post or nothing interesting happened to write on it. With General election results out, its time to express my personal views.

All exit polls predicted a win for BJP. But, non would have expected Congress getting less than 50 seats in final tally. Cong by getting less than 50 seats, cannot even have a leader of opposition on its own. This might be also a first time in 30 years there may not be a leader of opposition, as they ask is the party needs to be have won at least 10% of the total seats.

Gone are the days of one way communication from politicians to public through DD or news paper. The visual media and social media have become powerful and a small mistake any where can cost politicians dearly. Like a T 20 match, the margin for making errors have become very narrow. Public focus these days, are just not limited to politician, a political set up or those who are related to it cannot get away after making adverse comments like 'Mango people' or 'Banana Republic' or having undue protection from Government. 

Everyone acknowledges that change is happening, but changes seem to happen quite fast, even less than a year changes can happen. AAP, which made a dream start in Delhi assembly, seems to have lost focus. When Team Anna was agitating the agenda was on corruption and on the ruling government for allowing it. However, in general election AAP performed badly. Not sure, whether  AAP, lost focus about the objective for which it was formed and in the process all seats even in Delhi was lost, which they won in Dec 2013. People decision on voting changed in less than six month towards AAP. 

After 30 years, a party on its own is having a majority and a first non-congress party to have majority in its own. Last time, it was in 1984 when Congress won over 400 seats and since 1984 each successive government was in collision. Even, in case of collision the country look upon a government and more particularly its leader to be decisive. A collision leader could be true and honest, but the people do not to take lightly the statement such as 'Collision Dharma' from  leader of a ruling party, particularly when corruption or kick back happens uninterrupted.

 Democracy is great and at times it can be challenge as well for political parties. At certain point of time a democratic leader have to take tough decision on his own and take responsibility for it and at times the leader might needs to consult elected representative or people. Again, when to consult and when to take responsibility to take tough decision on his own defines the present day ‘democratic leader’.

 I hope, BJP does not get carried out by election victory. The BJP is bestowed with a responsibility to lead the country which would require them to be cautious in all its action and critically need to deliver as per expectation  by providing good governance. 

 Having governed the state of Gujarat for 4th terms interrupted, the people of India had provided a decisive mandate for Modi, with a belief  better days are ahead for India. 

Signing off with a hope that,  India Shines under democratic leadership of Modi!

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House, eligibility of marriage for male!!??!!!

Surprised to find a front page advertisement in a leading English daily which states “He wants to marry my daughter and doesn’t even own a house?".

That too, this advertisement was issued by government funded housing finance corporation.

This seems to be the height of commercialization. Is it to bring necessary pressure on public so that they purchase a house?. 

One cannot say ‘OWN’ a house as advertisement claim,  the reason being in majority case, the house would have been purchased through debt  and which mean one does not own the house till the time the debt is completely serviced. Debt servicing could normally take about 5~30 years depending on once repayment capability.  Further, most likely these days in India it’s a private sector job, which mean once job is always at stake and what if a person looses the job and what if the hypothecated property is sold on auction due to non - servicing of debt?

The advertisement goes further to say “without tension of unpredictable rental accommodation”. The irony is that with no security in job these days, one is not sure whether the buyer would be in same place from young age till retirement. In fact, for some reason after purchase of house, one wish to rent it, there is equal tension of getting good prospective tenants without any issues year after year.

Again for argument sake what would happened if the advertisement would had been like “She wants to marry my son and doesn’t even own a house”, will the advertiser not be booked under dowry acts or a PIL filed in court?.

The Indian culture of humanness, belief, character, and family background seems to be fading under materialism. I can only hope, such advertisement may be stopped in the future.

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Spicy air travel

Was on short vacation to Goa few weeks back , while on my return I did have enough turbulence before we reached Chennai safely. Well, it was not turbulence due to weather, but due to cancellation of flight from Goa to Chennai. One would think, so what, flight cancellations are common, but I felt mine of unique.

Our return flight was at 4:40 PM, since we had visited scenic beaches the previous day, we did not have any plan to visit place the day of our return journey. Our initial plan was to check out at Hotel around 1:00 PM have lunch and proceed to airport, which is about 35 KM from our hotel. However, the previous day our cab driver suggested to start an hour early and he can take us to couple of beach in south Goa near airport before dropping us at airport for flight. This seemed fine and we agreed.

The next day, the driver picked us up at hotel post check out at 11:30 AM and we went to restaurant for lunch. Post lunch as the driver was taking us to a beach, it was 12:20 PM and a got a recorded phone call from airline stating the flight is cancelled for the evening and asking me bluntly to reach out to call center.

While on the way to a beach, I called up airline call center at 12:30 PM and gave my ticket PNR number and waited for a moment. The rest of it,

Call center: Yes, Sir how may I assist you.

Myself: What does your system say about my booking

Call center: Sorry sir, we really apologize for inconvenience caused, you flight is cancelled for the day.
(This was after I asked about the booking).

Myself: Why?.

Call center: Technical problem in flight,sir.

Myself: That's you problem to fix, so what are the options?

Call center: We have a flight tomorrow at 1:00 PM and you can travel with same ticket with no extra cost.

Myself: What??.... Will you provide for accommodation for stay, as I am not native of Goa and checked out of hotel? It will cost me a fortune for a night stay with family.

Call center: Sorry sir, we can’t provide accommodation (same reply came again and again).

****I was asking myself whether I have taken air ticket or a bus ticket to get such response? ****.

Myself: Come on, if you are not providing accommodation, is there alternative flight to other location like Bangalore, Hyderabad or Mumbai from where I can take flight to Chennai.

Call center: No sir, it already 12:45 PM, we have a flight to Bangalore at 1:55PM and to Hyderabad 2:15PM (then onward to Chennai at 19:25). From call center system allows for changes only upto 2 hours prior flight. Hence, unable to make change.

** I got some solace, immediately asked the cab driver to how long it takes to reach airport from that spot as he was driving towards beach location. He told me 30 minutes, immediately instructed him to drive to airport. ***

 Myself: Please get your supervisor, online. I will be in position to reach airport in another 40 minutes should be in time to reach in time Goa to Hyderabad flight. Hence put me on Hyderabad flight and had to shout" *********** and finally"

Call center: Hold on sir……….. Finally call center person confirms flight changes are done.

My wife and daughter, watching this, made a remark that they way, I was handling the situation was as thrilling like a movie scene..:).

In fact, there also a call few minutes later from airline spokesperson, stating my flight was cancelled, I shouted and asked her to check my reservation update in the system, she took few minutes and confirmed back...Hmmm....
 
Finally, we reached airport for flight by 1:10 PM and where in time for the flight check in and reached Chennai via Hyderabad.

Though, I was able to reach my home and flight cancellation is part and parcel of this industry, I had to manage the crisis on my own initiative for the fault on airline part.

Few question, for which I do not have answers,.

1. Airline being part of travel and hospitality industry, is it not the airline, who should have called me and informed about the flight option as from their internal computer system as they would know that, I am traveling with family and base location is different?.

2. In worst case, if airline cannot provide alternative on same day, should they not provide with appropriate accommodation?.

3. Being a no frill airline, compensation or accommodation are not applicable ?. If this is true, then passengers can be taken for a ride, particularly for small aircraft, when there are no adequate bookings and they can cite this point, if really needed.


Interestingly, the in flight crew circulated the feedback forms and collected it back, though I did mention few points in feedback. Not sure, whether these would be addressed OR is their a guideline/rule of law for passengers in event of cancellation by airline regulatory body for domestic flights in India?.

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Cricket - Bidding Vs Betting

According to web dictionary, meaning of bidding is an offer (often competitive) of setting a price one is willing to pay for something. A price offer is called a bid. The term may be used in context of auctions, stock exchange, card games, or real estate.

Meaning of betting - is the activity of predicting results and placing a wager on the outcome.

Last few days, Indian news is all about betting and spot fixing.

To me, bidding or auctioning and betting has a very thin line of difference and both are not right in cricket, as human is the subject of bidding or betting.

 In first place, sport or hobby start as passion and once a person starts playing for school, college, university, state or in a highest level to home country one would get patriotic about it. One cannot say the same after being auctioned for money… I meant, auctioned. Are the entities which win auction of player’s philanthropic or nonprofit organization? I think not. Like any business entity they might look at the return on investment or maximize resource utilization :-).

Interestingly, there is so much hype and cry for betting. But, unfortunately one did not see such opposition on player bidding for huge amount. Is it because bidding is legal, while betting is illegal?. Also, read an article in a news paper about FICCI is seeking to make betting legal.

To me, as I said, auctioning or betting should not be allowed when human is the subject of bidding or betting. Once, auctioning or betting happens it could get extended into spot fixing or any other forms of fixing.

Let team sport like cricket be made to remain as gentleman game, played with passion and patriotism and not reduced to action film played as per predefined scripts.

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Hinduism - Part 2.

Why does Hinduism have so many gods?. This is the one of the question normally asked. I have heard many answers, but, I thought of giving my own answer. 'Hinduism' is one amongst the oldest living religion date back to millions of years. As per Hindu mythology there are four yugas' namely Satyayuga (golden age),Tretha yuga(silver age), Dwapura Yuga(bronze age) and currently we are in Kaliyuga(Iron age).

Many of the god's incarnation in form of human happened over these yugas. As a matter of fact, god maha Vishnu has so far had 9 incarnation (out of 10) in his total of 10 Desaavatharam.

Hence, as Hinduism dates back to millions of years, each time their was incarnation of god into human and fought over the evil. This could have given new name for god. Further, all Hindu mythology god has associated biography behind it.

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Where is my India?

Where is my India? - This is statement put up by one of the leading news TV channels in the last few days, after the brutal crime happened at the capital in mid December 2012. Without losing time, the guilty need to be punished at the earliest.

The matter should not end with this, the question "Where is my India?" should act as a trigger at this point of time to bring in necessary reforms. About couple of decade back, Doordarshan and news papers where the only source of ‘news’ for public. Everyone is aware of quality of news produced by Doordarshan and even though news paper were privately run provided better coverage of news, unfortunately, one was not getting a complete 360 degree view point about the happenings and communication was one way.

Opening up of economy, evolved the media sector. 90’s saw growth of private TV channel, but the focus of these private channel was on entertainment , as the thought would have been only entertainment would provide sustainable business model for these media channel. Hence, the focus was not on quality of news provided OR analysis of news.

Come 2005, exclusive news channels were born. These news channels started providing a 360 degree view point of news and there has been no hiding of information. For any kind of major incidence happening in India, the media channel is there to provide the necessary information across India. In addition to news channels, the communication facilities and options like mobile, facebook and twitter has provided faster dissemination of information with support evidences.

Reforms in economy alone would not benefit the country, there needs to reforms all around, keeping in mind many factors and has to happen quickly. As this did not happen, some of the sectors have changed drastically due to technology, opening up of economy and professionalism while many sectors are resisting changes to happen. Some sectors in India have moved forward, while some others lag way behind. Anyways its matter of time, changes happen for good. After all, change is the only permanent thing, none can prevent it.

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'End of the world', Phobia....

Mayan's calendar ends on 21st December 2012, which is today and so?.....
I would like to link this up with history and also Hinduism. Mayan's calender started around 3000 BC, around same time as Kali yuga had started after the end of Dwapura Yuga around 3000 BC.

As per Hindu mythology, Kali yuga is set to last for 4,32,000 years and we have hardly reached about 5000 years. Kali yuga is suppose to be the last phase of earth after Sathya, Treta and Dwapara yuga and each of these yuga's had lasted for close to million years.

Mayan calendar could end today and start again tomorrow.

Also wish to point out the famous Bhagavat Gita Quote, 

Hence, tomorrow would be another day.

None, can predict whats is store for each one of us tomorrow.

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Yours Spiritually

Hinduism is one of the oldest religion in the world. Recently, started exploring  'Tirumantiram' by Tirumular written in Tamil. One of verse, I found  interesting at the start, which is very true as how any one get attracted to materialistic world,

    Marathai Maraithathu mamatha yanai
    marathin marainthathu mamatha yanai
    parathai maraithathu parmutharputham
    parathin marainthathu paramutharputhame.

A child looks at a toy elephant carved from wood. It sees only elephant and is not aware of the wood. A carpenter, on the other hand, looks at the quality of the wood and is not bothered about the carved creation. Like a child, we might be ignorant and aware only about outside attraction and materialistic needs and not aware of the lord who has manisfested the world. A saint or jnani on the other hand, sees only God in everything living or non living. He is not aware of the material world as we see it.

Hmmm... seems very true to me...

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Good bye, 2011... Welcome 2012.

As 2011 come to a close and a new year begins, wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year!

Looking back at 2011 from economic perspective, we have seen reports, that the world had not come out fully from recession and some even predicting a double dip recession. 'Gold' has out shined all other investments in the year. From about 1900 INR (22 carat) towards close of 2010, it had reached to about 2600 INR, a whopping 40% return on investment.

Had predicted and written in my blog in Sep 2010, that gold will continue to raise and the same happened. However, along with gold, the USD appreciated against INR towards close of 2010, the likely reason provided by experts is the slowing down of Indian economy in the last quarter of 2011. In spite of repeated raise in the interest rate by RBI, the inflation refused to come down, which can also be the possible cause of slowdown in the economy.

While developed countries real estate sector woes continued, I would say, India real estate market was able to sustain in 2011. However, I read an article about the challenges in Indian real estate sector and hence one need to see, which way it would go in 2012.

Indian automotive sector which had  been reporting increase in sales even during 2008-09 recession period had for the first time  reported a dip in the sales towards in last couple of months of 2011. So, would this be the indicator for Indian economy in 2012?.

Lastly, the Indian IT sector had been able to sustain its growth, though it did not have an exponential growth. The operating model might see a change in coming years. To me, the word onsite, offshore or near shore might disappear in few years time and the focus would be towards ' Cloud' computing.

Well, time is the answer..... For the moment lets be optimistic, welcome year 2012, which is my 4th year in blogging as well ....

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'Aadhaar' - The challenges ahead.

Read an article in a leading daily about Aadhaar card . To me, it looks like "Aadhaar"may hit a road block.

Apart from cost, which is estimated to be very high, I had other thoughts, when I went to 'Aadhar' centre for getting enrolled about a month back.

A. For each card, it took about 15 to 20 minutes per person to get all details & biometric captured in the system. If this is the case, imagine the amount of time / locations it would take to get 120 crores of population, further the article point out, that less than 10 crores had been enrolled so far, from the start date.

B. The support or maintenance cost of these system would be quite huge. Since biometrics image of 4 finger, thumb impression, retina images are being stored for each record, the database might run in Giga or even terra bytes.The maintenance of such system would require huge cost for servers, software/ database upgrade, issue fixes, application patches etc. The running cost may run into multiple crores of INR annually.

C. A common man might have enrolled for these identification namely, Voter Id, PAN, Passport. Except for biometric data, all other relevant data should be present already with corresponding government agencies. If this being the case, not sure why the same data cannot be cleansed and used (particulatly, if biometric data is not used). Majority of our population would have any one of the above identification, hence it would have been much easier for the UIDAI agency to focus on left out population.

In any case, I believe UIDAI might have answers for the above?.

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FDI in retail sector

Couple of days back, India had given green signal to FDI investment retail sector. We are seeing a mixed response on its impact in media.

I still remember early nineties when there used to be protest for introduction of computers in government sector and when a famous food joint opened its operation at Bangalore, but all these died down over period of time. Hence, these days, we find food joints like KFC, Mcdy's, Subways becoming common name in Indian market and co-exists with Indian restaurants. I don't think Indian restaurants had any impact, it only gave consumers more options and also probably, increased Indian restaurant quality in service due to competition.

Also, interestingly, FDI investment was allowed into real estate sector in 2005 and I do not remember any such protest when FDI investment was allowed in real estate sector in 2005. Considering, south east asian crisis, that happened in late 90's, real estate would have been the sector which might have required protection.

This being the case, I do not understand the point in keeping retail sector under protection. By opening up retail sector, I believe its going to provide more options to consumer. When we have accepted 'Washington' apples to be sold at mamaji's shop, what's the point in opposing 'Nagpur' oranges to be sold at MNC hyper market?

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Are you safe from ATM - Skimming?

About a year back, I had written in my blog about email Phishing A year later ATM card skimming seems to growing at alarming rate. If you are an ATM user, are you safe and a broader scale, how safe is India?

Though, have been hearing about, ATM card skimming for some time now, was not really bothered to check more about it, since I thought such theft could well be confined to developed economy. But after reading today news paper reporting about 80 people account at Chennai have been hacked through cloning of ATM card, which left their account depleted, my mind radar was inquisitive to know more about the same. Its also disheartening to note that such 'cloned' ATM transaction had even happened at abroad.

The below presentation had clearly brought the technique used towards skimming ATM card.

How ATM card skimming and PIN capturing scams work.

View more presentations from worldstuff

Interesting, while browsing the web, I came to know that even new technology like 3D printing is used to camouflage the skimming device, so that one would find it very difficult to identify such a device fitted in ATM.

Unlike Phishing, were at least one might have a track record as money is transferred from one account to other account, with 'cloned ' ATM card it would be a challenge from police and bank.

Technology related to money need to evolve over the time and security needs to be made strong, otherwise criminals can get better on the system. ATM being in use for more than a decade now, the security needs to be revisited & improved.

Well, technology can be a boon and at times in turn out to be bane, if not properly put to use.

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Happy 'Eco-friendly' Deepavali!!

Wishing you all a very happy and eco-friendly Deepavali !!!

For most of us, lighting of fireworks is the highlight of deepavali. For many of us, its not deepavali, if one does not ignite sparkling colour light OR hear deafening sound after shutting the ears. In fact, I have known communities where there would be indirect competition amongst neighbours to show their money power, as who lights fireworks for maximum time and also with array of newly introduced crackers.

Interestingly, you could hear the same set of people crib and talk about pollution and global warming the day before or day after. If you have a friendly chat the response would be "Chalta hai... its just one day fun and enjoyment".

To me, one can always do much better things with the money saved as well!!.

Good luck and Happy Deepavali again to all those who celebrate it in 'Eco-friendly' manner.

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Assembly OR Parliament .... Do we know the candidate's background?

Being a weekend was a beach, as I stroll past a group of senior citizen the discussion was around the politics, the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s political scenario was flashing through their speech. The talk was about how simple the politician those days and how they were all glued to All India Radio when election announcement were made.

I could hear discussion getting into the candidates in fray for election in that particular assembly, each one commenting about the candidate on his own knowledge his \her age, business, assets and what he has done and so on...

To be very frank, if any one asks me about the back ground of the candidate in fray in my assembly segment, I would not know. Well, how do I? They were all selected by their party’s high command. But then the question ultimately is, we, the people select candidate for particular assembly segment. Yes, popular promises are made by candidate, however the candidate ability or approach are important if these promises are to turned into reality, this is where I believe candidate background would play an important role.

This assembly election at Tamil Nadu was different, there were stringent condition imposed by Election Commission which made common man happier. At same time, I understand while making nomination some background details are provided by candidate. I feel these background details, should be published in election commission web site and displayed in voting booth as well, so that the common man is aware of the candidate background.

A person’s background is checked before he is recruited by corporate. This being the case, the background of the candidate who is aspiring to be a people representative should have his background checked or at least his background related to education, yearly earning, police verification and records, asset and liabilities details along with salary offered and perks provided can be published, so that common man is kept well informed about his or potential representative.

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An Indian emotion

Some events in life causes emotion, the feeling depends on individual personality. Being an Indian the emotional bondings are much more.

Hmm... do you think why say so?, otherwise, Indian film industry like Bollywood, Tollywood, Kolliwood would not have survived, there has always been a song sequence linked to emotion, whether its Love/Hate or Elation/Sadness or Anger/Sympathy? .

Leave alone film, looks at India social environment not a single day passes without these emotions being expressed or played by politicians or cricket match featuring India, you will find all the ingredients of the emotion expressed. India is a land with a bundle of contradictions and each one are bound to ignite strongly opposite emotions at times. Its not just one moment, I had many such mixed and opposite emotions in just as a flash.

Till about late 90's India was considered as poor and developing country, the western world was ever green and it for the land of opportunities, not any more now. In the last few year, there was so much talks about India, across the world India is considered as 'economic power house', 'India arrived', 'India and China are the future" and further term such as 'BRIC' (referring to Brazil, Russia, India and China) were coined to refer higher future growth countries and India is considered as land of opportunities, I get elated, when ever I hear these comments.

In early 90's India's economy was at doldrums, there was much talk about 'balance of payment crisis' with IMF on which India had to pledge gold to bail out, in less than a decade the situation changed and Iam quite happy for the economic policy maker who had vision, to bring in the desired changes and the results. However, as I get elated, some events happens the very next moment used to bring sadness,

* When at home or office, a sudden power cut. No clean drinking water on tap, hmm.. when we get into a developed country we just drink directly from tap.
* When driving or walking, road rage by auto wallah and two wheeler driving as those they do not have tomorrow without following road rules. There is really no empathy to others while driving, with each one think road is his own.
* The amount of scam, corruption, un-accounted money stacked outside India as reported in news paper.
* uncleared garbage on the road.
* Road accidents, pot holed road, road being dug the very next day by some agency after relaying.

* On one side you have few Indians featuring as top riches in the world having expensive home on the other side of the road you have poorest almost living on the platforms.

Hmm... the list is endless, as we keep counting and celebrating our independence and republic days.

Oh yea... when I wrote last sentence about independence day or republic day, a flash came to my mind.

A short one about anger and sympathy fight I had few days before during the republic day. I was driving toward beach, being a holiday could see lot of traffic near the signal beach I saw a little girl not more that 10 years selling Indian flag in the signal, she was tapping the glass of each car and showing the flag, and indicating that it cost Rs 20/-

As the time passed by, as I was about to get my signal clearance and bang.. she was right in front of my car, I was quite angry, that if she did not move I would loose the signal and have to wait another 5 minutes at the signal, I kept honking as my mind was desperate to get past the signal. But, as I got past the signal her weeping face flashed in my mind, as no one was purchasing .... What a pity ? she had to sell Indian flag in a signal for her livelihood, my anger turned into sympathy. Should I go back and provide some money my mind asked again.... My second thought said are you crazy?... can you ever think of doing it in this mad traffic crowd?

India is a country which teaches family values, love and affection. Interestingly, a casual kiss or a hug to show love to loved one is offensive at a public place , while even attending to a nature's call or spitting at public place is not offensive, hmmm.. I hate this, again as I said India is a land of contradictions.

Watch this video of Dr Abdul Kalam at European union, I sure you would be proud and happy to be Indian.

Lee Kuan Yew wan changed Singapore from an underdeveloped colonial outpost with no natural resource to an Asian tiger and a paradise in less than 25 years, where is our Lee Kuan Yew?

This post is submitted to indiblogger's Close up "Fire-Freeze" contest, the link take you the face book page. One can post their own stories there and happy to receive your comments here.

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Let's contribute prize money to Akshya Patra.

As part of indiblogger (network of bloggers) social network, I came across a note about blog contest towards Akshya Patra foundation which feed poor children. On going through the contest details, couple of thoughts cropped up in my mind and hence thought of sharing it.

• The 2 contest winner along with partner, will be flown to Jaipur on all expenses paid trip for a weekend. As a rough estimate this would be Rs 1,00,000 as prize money, so if at all I win the contest, I wish to pledge this prize money to Akshya Patra themselves, this would enable them to feed 1000's of more children. Providing two square meals a day is more satisfying than visiting Jaipur as a tourist. Like minded bloggers might take the same oath like me and may wish to promote this post, if they like my thought.


• The other one being, Akshaya Tritiya day symbolises with Akshaya Patra, according to hindu mythology Akshya Patra refers to a vessels which keep producing food when you keep giving. So this ideally means, on Akshaya Tritiya day, one have to offer help or offer food or give to others towards prosperity, however this has been completed twisted for the benefit of the sellers. Now, there is a trend in India, that on Akshaya Tritiya day one has to buy towards prosperity, which sounds crazy to me.

Last, but not the least Akshaya Patra foundation will feed 50 children for each valid blog post, the thought of this made me write a post on Akshaya Patra. You may also wish to contribute to Akshaya Patra by going through the link as well.

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Salaried class investment.

As we approach, the final quarter in the financial year, investment proof are to be produced. I used to ponder over, the reason behind asking for some of the investment declaration and associated proof required for them, always felt it can be made much more simpler.

• There is no proof required for conveyance allowance of Rs 800/- per month, total deduct able being Rs 9600/- per year, whereas medical expenses up to Rs 15,000 is are considered reimbursable and we need to collect, save & produce bills otherwise its taxable. Any human being is bound get some kind of ailment from time to time, I do not find a reason to produce bills towards reimbursement, can medical expenses also be made as allowance upto limit of Rs 15,000?. At least, I can avoid collecting, producing bills and submitting them for verification.


• The other one is use of food coupons per months such as Sodexo or ticket restaurant. Lets consider the amount of efforts that goes in towards this exemption, printing of these coupons, the distribution, usage of it and coupons getting converted into cash by food retail outlets, finally used coupons are turned useless and coupon paper re-cycled again. Instead of these food coupons, can it not be made as a allowance for deduction? At least by doing it government can save some trees used for printing these coupons.


• I tried a google search "home loan exemption", the results were all related India, as far as I am aware of only India has this exemption. Home loan exemption seems to benefit builders more than salaried class.

Interestingly, most of the developed countries have exemption, if there are dependents on the salary individual, like unemployed spouse or children, however one may not find such exemption in India.

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Why not AC compartment in suburb train?

Well, its my first blog article on Chennai, which is more related to railway infrastructure

I happened to travel through Chennai MRTS from Velachery to light house today. Some of my thoughts which flashed on my mind, on which I do not have answers.

• Why are most of the station from Velachery to Beach remain in-complete, can we not plan for smaller station, if there is going to be an estimated budget overrun and then keep expanding?.
• I found places dirty and waste dumped all around, can it not be maintained. Don't say the public will not pay for cleanliness, in last couple of years, number of National highway roads has become express ways, which are very nicely maintained and road users pay for the same, like Chennai - Bangalore highways. If it can be done for Road, why not for railways.
• We see Volvo buses on Chennai, Bangalore road on similar line can a coach not be made A/C on the MRTS train with higher charges collected for the same.

In general Indian railways need to think and raise the bar on service offerings, when national highways is doing it in infrastructure development, why not railways? .

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