Some days back I was enlightened on the truly entrepreneurial nature of Indians.
A small business owner saw ample opportunity in the Mumbai Railway Ticketing industry.
The business provides insurance to ticketless travelers.
You just heard it !
Insurance to ticketless travelers.
From my knowledge, this firm operates in Bhandup and provides insurance at a premium of Rs. 300/-
Any unlucky traveler can go and encash the fine receipt.
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We surmised the business to have a very good rate of return.
How many people end up getting caught anyway ?
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The company has been around for many years. Obviously, it is discreet and generates revenues through word of mouth.
I also think it's a very scalable model. Have a set up outside every station in Mumbai. Once monopoly has been established, set sail for the rest of the country.
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I am sure the railway authorities, TCs and police must be hand in glove.
Else, how do you explain the miniscule percentage of ticketless travelers that ever get caught ?
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I do not know the name of this company. So don't even ask.
The girl beamed at her card. She was the first in the family to have it made.
Then, her eyes fell on them
And...her heart sank...
Name - Mahalakshmy Gopalswamy
Father's Name - Gopalswamy Mahalakshmy ???
DOB - xx/xx/1986 (Now, what does xx/xx mean?? The year was wrong too !)
Address - Ok, apart from the flat number...everything was wrong !
Phew, she thanked her stars that at least the picture was hers and she could still do her bit !!
But again, nothing, means nothing, was right about their cards. Thank God for the picture !
Her husband Anthony, was now rechristened as Enthunio.
They replied within a few days -
What??? So you wont give me a Voter's Card because I had applied for it earlier too???
Besharami ki bhi hadd hoti hai, or so he thought.
All they had wanted was to vote.
Most of us apply for Voter's Cards in English.
Now, our conscientiousGovernment, ever so concerned about its people, decided to create employment here.
So, our English Applications were translated into Marathi Applications using a translating software !
Ahh now, our Marathi Data Entry Operators, used their skills to re-type the converted information back to English.
Achha achha....So this is how Anthony became Enthunio ??
Ok. I get it.
No problem at all. Employment is a good thing really.
Never mind, if some of us get new names, addresses, birth dates and new daddies too.
Jai Maharashtra !
A mandate for Stability is what is being deemed as the UPA's win.
I can't say I am too happy about the results. Yet, the one silver lining that I see is the downfall of the LEFT.
UPA without the LEFT and other Brokers like the Mayawatis and the Mulayams and the Lalus is definitely a better choice and chance at a stable centre.
I am just so glad that "Mayawati For PM" slogan has been nipped in the bud !!
On the one hand, people of Bengal have shown amazing maturity while on the other hand, I am unhappy that people of a Cosmopolitan City like Mumbai have gone and voted for the MNS !?!
Here's hoping that India sees better and stronger governance this time around.
Congratulations to Mr. Singh and his team for this thumping Victory.
As promised to allthecrap, I shall be coming out with the shortcomings of the NDA (a LOT of which I think are responsible for this dismal performance) in my next post...
Attached below are a friend's thoughts. I couldn't help sharing them here. I agree with most of them. Hope, they help us cast our votes sensibly.
Fiscal Deficit at 10.3% of GDP (highest in history, all time high)
Deaths from terrorist Attacks: 3674 lives (higher than North, Central, South America, Europe,
Real GDP Growth Rate (GDP Growth Rate less Inflation) is Negative, will we finally witness the stone age with the current deceleration in our economy?? My Camera is Ready, should the Congress win
For not supporting the War on terror. The War on terror is after all for countries like
Stalling Infrastructure Projects: Several Infrastructure Projects have been temporarily stalled. The Golden Quadrilateral has several phases still to be completed, our very own Bandra Worli Sea Link took over 10 years to complete, compare it to the Empire State Building built in record 13 months and that too in 1929 (Great Depression)
Making Aviation Expensive: Allowing the Private Airport Developers to charge User Development Fee, thereby making air travel more expensive. Lets rejoice once again and enjoy the good old fashioned rail travel. After all its always been the notion that only the elite can fly
I fondly remember, Aam Admi Ko Kya Mila Campaign by Congress, its good that they left it as a question, as it is still a question, after all what can the, ‘aam admi’ get when for terrorists welfare (Mr. Qasab) the tax payer simply pays closer to about 10 crores a day, what can the aam admi expect??
Aam Admi should not get anything as Congress is all about ‘Khaas Admi’, its just been one Nehru family that has been controlling the destiny of this country since 1947, maybe we haven't suffered enough from Mr. Nehru’s Socialist approach. It does appear if everyone that has a Gandhi Surname has a political future. What good is meritocracy, when most talented Indians are already abroad, why not get away with ridiculous reservations?
Mr. Shivraj Patil finally resigns after over 4 years of slumber, thank God he at least woke up. Why should he get fired any which ways, after all what good are reservations if they don’t protect the incompetent?
Decline in health care: It was quite annoying to visit government run hospitals that are disgustingly, rat and cockroach infested. What good is USD 320 Billion Forex Reserves, where a nation cannot guarantee its citizens quality, affordable health care?
Making
Our local candidate, Mr. Milind Deora during a meeting mentioned that do not come to my home for water, electricity and any other problems. It is not quite as relieving as watching him on news channels after the Mumbai attacks
Indian Army: Feel extremely proud of the Indian Army presentation during last year’s Republic Day, the short and medium range missiles. However, I feel we can reduce our fiscal deficit by creating a museum as we never intend to use these weapons. Our army are much better off committing atrocities in
For increasing tax rates, making us the 23rd least friendly tax climate, eroding investor confidence and entrepreneur’s profits. Instead of plugging in a leaking bucket, Mr. Chidambaram is too busy increasing avenues and milking its existing cash cows
Banning Smoking in Public but being least bothered to enforce it, making a sheer mockery of the government enforcement
My Fellow Brothers and Sisters, Lets get our Country Back
-DS
It's Election year ! Needless to say, I am glad...
I remember, when I turned 18, I was the happiest not because I could drive or do "things" majors do, but that I could Vote.
This is an important duty that every citizen should perform. I call it a duty and not a "Right" because it is now, more than ever, that Indians should participate in this electoral Juggernaut. It is high time we arose and made ourselves heard.
It is no more your right which you can forego under the guise of "cynicism"… "Kuch nahi badlega…kya hoga…yeh sab neta aise hi hain…"
It is the need of the hour that we take our responsibility towards India and ourselves seriously. We owe this to the nation.
Talking about elections, I have come up with a list of my expectations from the Next Government…
Here is my wish list –
- Education
According to official sources, India spends about 4.2% of its GDP on Education. In a young nation, this is appalling.
We have to start looking at education with fresh ideas. Old ideas and complete dependence on public schooling system shall work no more. The passing of the Right to Education Bill is definitely in the right direction and shall bring respite to millions of youth. Now, no longer will kids be denied education on the basis of their castes or economic status.
Yet, the government needs to be more transparent regarding it's efforts to increase and improve literacy rates. For starters, I would want to know what's being done with the 2% cess that I pay – it's uses, the number of schools built, support for teaching staff, etc. A small place like Tuticorin collected 3 crores by way of cess in the fiscal 2004-05. Any guess at the amount utilized? A mere 1 lakh ! I can't imagine the numbers in the highest tax paying city of the nation !
Also, it would be nice if the government tied up with NGOs and provided monetary assistance. Yes, I know – the word NGO means there should be no government involvement. Yet, if big NGOs like Pratham and Akanksha, which are professionally run get financial backing from the Central Govt., it wouldn't take long to ensure 100% literacy in the country. Look at what "Teach India" has done. It's a people's movement – one that shall have far reaching effects in the years to come. Now couple that with billions in aid – it would have a colossal impact.
Also, free food vouchers should be given to families in rural areas to encourage them to send their kids to schools.
From my limited experience at Pankhudi – I have seen the sort of loopholes that plague our system. We teach KG level English to 8/9 grade students ! India has a lonnng way to go in terms of education and only if it can ensure this basic right to one and all, will this Asian Elephant start to dance.
- Infrastructure
In 5 years of governance, the government has failed to complete even ONE of the 47 Highways on their agenda in 2004. If this is the status of the pet project, I can't start talking about other issues !
I would want more number of planned cities in the country. Look at New Mumbai and Chandigarh. Well planned and bustling with activity. It's a tad too late to wish this for Mumbai. Yet, if small problems like traffic congestion were resolved in bits & pieces it would change the face of the city.
In a city like Mumbai which is assaulted by evergrowing population - why has water transportation been given a chance? Water transportation is cheap and can solve the Mahin and New Mumbai traffic torture.
The government needn't go far to look for help. A lot of research is done in the form of projects at esteemed institutions like the IITs. A friend was working on a Traffic Control project and how to solve the situation at a crowded place like Saki Naka. Now, this might just be a thesis. Yet, studies like these form a warehouse of ideas and can be easily implemented IF the government is wiling.
- IT Benefits and Budget
- International Relations
Look at our failure with Myanmar.
In both the instances above, China has been pro-active. It has been actively playing the role of a mentor nation where Africa is involved and has been show-casing to the world that it is ready to take on the mantle of Leader of the Future ! Yes, it's actions in Africa can't be called selfless, yet, they seem to be a win-win for all parties involved.
I wonder, what's has been so difficult for our polity to figure out here.
After a Lonnng Time…a very good decision has come by from the Apex Court.
Come October 2 and smoking shall be banned in all public places in the country.
It didn't matter that heavyweights like ITC & Indian Hotels Association were petitioners against the notification.
Three of the best lawyers of the nation - Harish Salve, Arun Jaitley & Rohinton Nariman represented the companies. Though, I am surprised, that a man of Jaitley's stature moved against such a sentence.
Yet, that's another story altogether.
Filhaal, am very happy for now ! :)
Let's just hope that we have stringent measures in place to enforce this law.
The recent brouhaha against Health Ministry's petition promoting Compulsory Rural Stint for medical students merits attention and sound debate.
At first glance, I felt it was the right thing to do and why should all the wannabe docs refute such a noble proposal? Is 365 days too much to offer your country which subsidizes your education?
Its said, about 8% of primary health centres in rural areas do not have any doctors ! If this young force lent their assistance for a year, it would greatly reduce the burden on the already cracking health infrastructure.
When these young doctors work under such dire conditions, their learnings and observations can lend a great insight into the health care system and the requirements to provide basic health care to rural areas.
Moreover, their stint in the hinterlands would come in handy later on - they would have learnt to function with limited professional help and medical supplies, thus helping create a sound judgment.
Yes, all of the above and a lot more can be said in favor of a compulsory stint in rural areas.
However, when we look at the other side of the coin, the situation appears dismal !
The Health ministry wants all the students to go in for a compulsory internship for 2 years (1 in a rural area of their choice), only after which shall they be given their official doctoral degrees.
Now, most medical students hail from middle class families. Such a compulsion would mean they would end up getting their MS/MD only when they turn 32/33...Follow this up with paltry remuneration they are offered in their initial years. Making a 5.5 years' course (inclusive of 1 year of internship) into a 6.5 years course would only add fuel to the raging discontent amongst medical students.
Just how does one manage taking care of one's family, meeting financial demands and clearing off educational debts?
Moreover, if we were to put our minds to the situation - how do we expect 23 year olds to face the pathetic, almost non existent infrastructure in most rural areas? If we want these people to learn and have an impressive take home, shouldn't the government be working on the basics at least?
Also, if we were to question the commitment of the government, what explains the penalty of 3/5/15 lakhs for students who want to do away with rural stint? Only a select percentage can afford such exorbitant penalty. What about the majority? Why should they alone suffer? Also, why should graduates with foreign university degrees be spared the rural stint?
Rules should apply to all.
I feel to make the initiative successful a mix and match of the following could be used -
- Increase the Stipend of interns
- More credits for students who come out with executable solutions/innovations to solve health care issues
- Instead of the suggested 2 years, break the existent 1 year into various weeks of working in cities, towns and most affected rural areas
- For better performance and encouragement, senior doctors or guides should spend a week/two with these interns. This shall ease away the fears of the fresh graduates and provide them an understanding of what's expected from them.
- Tie-Ups with foreign medical universities, preferably, with countries which have similar health care set up. Our graduates could intern with them, study and learn how these countries deal with health care problems and help infuse fresh ideas in our decaying system
- Adoption of a cluster of villages - In this case, the government could target the worst affected villages first instead of pseudo villages. While a group of interns work there, the government could build up clinics, mobile vans, sanitation camps across the village
- Tie Ups with private sector for establishment of clinics, medical supply and so on
I was in office on the fateful day. Suddenly, a colleague got news alert stating that a bomb blast had occurred at Khar Station and a police red alert had been sounded. Within the next several minutes we kept getting messages and images began flashing on TOI about the gruesome attacks at 7 stations in Mumbai.
A few friends had their parents using the railways to commute to and fro office. It was heartbreaking to see them undergo the ordeal.
174 dead. More than 400 maimed.
Next few days saw the country's top brass holding hushed meetings, sound bytes given by intelligence agencies, news coverage and detailed analysis ranging from intelligence failure to crumbling infrastructure to huge and unmanageable population.
Then came editorials and chain mails espousing "Mumbai's indomitable sprit".
Finally, life resumed its course and most people went back to their routine schedules. Some with signs of indignation, many with signs of indifference and most with resignation to fate.
The memory still triggers emotional and agitated reactions in most of us.
Time and again, I have wondered why we often end up as soft targets. India has probably been one of the worst victims of terrorism. Yet every time we seem to miss the lessons.
Instead of facing the problem head on and taking stern action and remedial measures, our polity has always been escapist and lethargic at best. I do not think we should label such incidences as "Intelligence Failure" alone. In most cases, we have had prior warnings and signals. But it's preventive action that we fail at miserably. We have known the existence and mushrooming of sleeper cells in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and other major economic hubs of India. We are also aware of how well connected these terrorist outfits are and how very simple it is for them to raise finance.
What's scary is that these people are now in the mainstream. For all I know, I could be traveling with one and be blissfully unaware.
The bomb blasts were deemed to be an intelligent and meticulous strike. I do not think so. It was the easiest and the simplest task on earth. If you want to hit and make Mumbai bleed – target its lifeline – the Railways! Timing was perfect too – evening 6 – to inflict maximum fatalities.
A careful study shows that terrorists have changed strategies from religious terrorism to economic terrorism. Instead of attacking places of worship and breaking the tolerant fabric of India, they now target symbols of our prosperity and economic freedom. Their future targets would be educational institutions, stock exchanges, hotels, SEZs.
Are we prepared?
Though the answer might sting and give us nightmares, but to be fair and optimistic - our preparation seems to be rudimentary at best.
Khar Police station is a stone's throw away from the railway station. Yet, it took more than 20 minutes for our forces to gather some sense and reach out to the bleeding masses.
Also, there is a widespread disconnect and alienation with affected areas.
How far has the government gone to relieve people from naxal attacks (More than 20% of Indian districts are inflicted with Naxal presence)? Does the disenchanted and jobless youth from Hyderabad and other affected areas from South India figure on the polity's radar? Why is it that seemingly smart and intelligent youth join extremist Organizations?
It's this widespread inaction and lack of sympathy that has lead to many people taking up arms. The government has failed miserably to address their issues.
Also, we have always been keen to appear as "Diplomatic" and "Correct". Why please our neighours at the cost of national security? Why can't we put our foot down and demand punitive action? More so, why do we keep cribbing and sending polite reminders to our neighbours to correct erring terrorist orgs? What is it that keeps us from cracking down these miscreants on our own?
How far has the government gone to promote Anti Terrorism Squads? How well is the public aware of such organisations and the various options available to it? Does it know how to respond to such acts of violence? Are there any formal channels of redressal?
Is a budget of 1000 crores not enough to defend the nation?? What use are our 2nd largest Standing army and 4th largest Air Force if we cannot serve the public? If people do not feel safe while traveling or shopping? If people become cynical and stay with fear !A sea change in attitude and action is required to fight this menace of terrorism.
Any thoughts on how and what we as responsible citizens should be doing?
