Why INDIA is so violent?

The anger, antagonism, outrage and collective soul searching which the country witnessed in the wake of a young girl’s brutal gang rape in Delhi could only get magnified by her death in a hospital in Singapore – a place, where she would have once dreamt to serve as a doctor being a medical student.  The protests started in Delhi where the shrill and anger of the Indians who were in deep slumber until recently, could then be heard from every ‘galli’, ‘nukkad’ and ‘muhalla.’ 

The protests in major cities across the country observed men, women and children screaming for justice and an end to the violence on women. Many others in the social and conventional media have added their commentary to the chorus. This isn’t necessarily the view of the majority of Indians, but certainly represents, at the very least, a vocal minority that is giving vent to deeply held frustrations.

But in a country with an abysmally low rate of convictions for rape and other crimes against women, (26% last year, down from 46% in the 1970s) it seems to be pointless to fixate on ratcheting up the penalty further. Consider that out of 635 cases of rape reported in Delhi this past year only one has led to a conviction. In a country of 124 Crore Indians, the countrymen raised their voice for just one incident. It’s perhaps understandable that people, frustrated by a failed and unresponsive system, are looking for novel and creative solutions to tackle the problem of violence in our society.  

As the Indian Republic heads into its 64th year, we seem to be caught between an illiberal, insensitive government-political class and a rampaging mob demanding instant solutions, with only a thin line separating the two. The gang rape ought to have been understood as a complex socio-political issue, resulting as much from bad policing as from entrenched notions of female purity and honour.

The irony which is intended to be raised through this article is, whether Delhi – the country’s capital should now be called as Rape Capital or Rage Capital?  

Life appears full circle for Yuvraj Singh

9:30pm. 10.2 Over’s. It’s another wicket down for India. Raina falls this time. Loud cheers at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, even as Raina was walking off. It was a much anticipated return of ‘You-We’ (Yuvraj Singh).

It appeared as if just for a moment cricket took a back seat.

If you would have touched down any day before 8^th September at Vishakapatnam, a huge hoarding just in front of the cricket stadium proclaimed – “Welcome to the city of Destiny.” It was for a man who has been on a roller coaster of nightmares, dreams and ideas.

Yuvraj Singh was the fairy-tale at Vishakapatnam, a full capacity crowd had thronged inside the stadium in the anticipation of two major milestones. Vishakapatnam was hosting its first ever T-20 Match and it was a very extraordinary match for all Indians. A born-again Indian batsman – Yuvraj Singh was expected to commence his second innings on the cricket field.

The weather gods however had dissimilar ideas as rain made the match non-starter.   

Yuvraj was diagnosed with the ailment between his lungs within months of winning Man of the Tournament award in 2011 World Cup. His cricket career seemed to be in danger when the diagnosis was first revealed but this flamboyant all-rounder brawled back after undergoing three phases of chemotherapy in US.       

  

His comeback triggered excitement. Earlier he had mentioned that it was a new lease of life for him and he wanted to make that most of it. It doesn’t matters whether he scored 1 run or 34. What mattered was that he was playing.

The unique part behind this story is that he took a lap for few days and we, as One Country, One India, cheered for him. Though this champion of ours, had encountered such big problems, but the key was that when he was back on the field, he forgot it all.

Though India lost the match by 1 run, but Yuvraj Singh was the WINNER. 

Tribute to the LEADER

An aviator, an entrepreneur, an industrialist, a visionary, a reformer, a leader and a patriot – Shri J R D Tata was born at Paris on 29th July 1904. The year 2012 is marked as the 108th Birth Anniversary of this legend who lived his live to transform the nation.

J R D Tata was the first Indian to have flown from Karachi to Bombay, when he founded the Tata Airlines in 1932, the forerunner of Air India which is today the national airliner.

he man who obtained the first pilot licence issued in India took this country to the next level. Ever since, he landed at India, he kept on adding new dimensions to this nation. Creating employments for lakhs of people in the world and working with a motive which aimed only at nation development, talks about the magnanimity and the generosity of the spirit named ‘Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata.’

The nation honoured J R D Tata with numerous commendations including the nation's highest civilian award - Bharat Ratna.

The Indian Air Force conferred the rank of Air Commodore on J R D Tata and later promoted him to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.

This gentleman has made a conglomerate grow, which takes a credit of providing the services and products to the world ranging from salt to software. Under his chairmanship, ‘M’ was replaced by ‘B’ (The Tata Group grew from 100 Million dollar company to 5 Billion dollar company). He started with 14 enterprises under his leadership and half a century later on July 26, 1988, when he left, Tata & Sons was a conglomerate of 95 enterprises which they either started or in which they had controlling interest.

Today on the auspicious occasion of 108th Birth Anniversary of this pioneer, I feel proud to be a part of his legacy and I pledge to sustain this legacy.

Varinder Singh
Blood Group - 'T'

Time is Up. Pack Up.

Time is up. Pack Up – The last word which the superstar uttered before he breathed last on 18^th July 2012. Men have come and men have gone but there’s one man who will always live in our memories and reminiscences, because this special man has made a special place in all our hearts.

‘Babumoshai…’ – This line always echoes in my head whenever I think of you.

The famous bollywood actor, often called as ‘The First Superstar of Indian Cinema’ breathed last at his residence ‘Aashirwad’ in Mumbai on Wednesday and no soon did he do that, grief and shock gripped the nation.

It’s very difficult in life to practice what we preach. Kaka did so. He lived up to his famous dialogue - ‘Zindagi badi honi chahiye… lambi nahi.’

From ‘Aakhri Raat’ in 1966 to his first hit movie in 1969 ‘Aradhana’, from ‘Amar Prem’ to ‘Anand’ in the next decade, this gentleman made his identity as a person who was far beyond the term called ‘Actor.’ The world considered him an ICON.

I still believe that the word ‘Superstar’ was invented for him and for the years to come, it shall always remain his. Experts say, “Rajesh Khanna gave us a crash course in Romance. He introduced us to the special twinkle in the eye that made us feel good about ourselves.”

It’s hard to believe that a legend of an era of melodious songs is lost. The world shall miss the sadness of ‘Kahin door jab din dhal jaye’ and the joy of ‘Mere sapno ki raani kab aayegi tu.’

World Environment Day Celebrated at Tata Power

Commemorated every year on 5th June, World Environment Day is one of the principal vehicles through with the United Nations stimulates the awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. To spread this message and create awareness, the Tata Power Team at Noida celebrated World Environment Day.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, Chief Projects – Eastern and Northern Region where he briefed everyone about the importance of environment being a power company and also reminded everyone about their roles and responsibilities to become true sons and daughters of mother earth.

This was followed by a presentation on the key environmental initiatives being taken by Tata Power as a company and how these initiatives have played a imperative role in combating the various environmental challenges. Dr. Taruna Saxena from Corporate Sustainability and Environment Department was invited to hold a brainstorming session which resulted in identifying few targets which would be taken at divisional level to contribute towards the betterment of environment. This was one of the outcomes of the in house research being carried out to calculate the per capita consumption of paper and electricity.

The event ended with free saplings distribution to employees where the employees owning the sapling need to parent the sprout and make it grow into a tree. A quiz competition was also organized for the employees on the theme of environment.

Nature gives peace to the souls of men. Let us Save it..!

How do you feel SIR..?

It was 6th of May 2011. I was expecting clouds to rain heavily and winds to behave erratically. My desires to see my batch mates at same emotional level had no logical explanations. These absurd thoughts neither had any selfishness nor any dark philosophy hidden within it. But honestly since past 4 years, I was waiting for the day to end up with such kind of dramatic setup.

I woke up that morning expecting lots of phenomenal changes in my local universe. Loitering in my hostel lobby, I interviewed people and expected them to burst out in emotion. I expected the four year long movie to flash on my cerebral projector and drench their faces in tears.

Probably, the fear to shift my co-ordinates was bothering me more than emotional or sentimental detachments. Wild and random fear factors were scaring me. I could have easily figured out situations and emotions that were making me feel uncomfortable, but I wasn't in the mood to do that. I wanted to sit alone in silence, with my mental fluctuations lying on the x-axis. I kept my cell phone on silent mode. I had no idea about what, when and why to speak. My life, which have hitherto witnessed a lot many departures was witnessing one of the greatest departures till date.

The law of inertia which holds true for Newtonian body seemed to synchronize and satisfy my mental state too. I have always hated to call my self a satisfied, complacent and stoic kid but on 6th of may I was helpless, speechless, tasteless.

My search of the "never-land" diluted with the graduation. My quixotic and utopian dreams were drying at that very moment, and I was helpless. I was debating against myself for smoking, drinking, professionalism, responsibilities, love, money, fame and other lot of other affairs, which never knocked my priorities before that day.The waves of fears and hesitations subdued my emotional and sentimental breeze. I never wanted to accept it. This made me feel jittery, I was experiencing the unrest.

Some of my favoured juniors visited my lobby and asked " how are you feeling ?"

If I should utter and accept the truth - I felt like an orphan at that very moment.....!

Book Review: Rich Dad Poor Dad

A book which has been inspiration to many people, but the book seems to have produced as many critics as champions. The first time I read the book, I felt inspired. I wanted to run out and start following some of the ideas in the book, but what I found is that you can’t just merely run down to the “courthouse steps,” spend five hours, and come away with thousands of rupees in your pocket. I happened to pick up this book because of its catchy title “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” and its tag phrase “What the Rich teach their kids about money - that the poor and middle class do not!”

 Rich Dad, Poor Dad will help you reshape the way you think about what you do with your money. By the time you finish the book, you will be able to evaluate your own thoughts and habits surrounding money, and determine what you will need to do differently to accumulate wealth. I think some people miss the point and think this is a "get rich quick" book. Clearly, it is not. You can get rich quicker though and this book explains how.

 The title Rich Dad, Poor Dad refers to the two main male influences that Robert had as a child. His own father, the figurative “poor dad,” worked at a steady job for a living, while the “rich dad” (the father of a friend) ran a multitude of businesses. Most of this book is told from the perspective of Robert learning from his “rich dad” about how to make money – and seeing how his “poor dad” made huge money mistakes. The first two thirds of the book covers six lessons taught to Robert by his rich dad.

At last, some tangible things: read books and take classes to educate yourself! Ask questions! Do something! These are all great tips, but I felt really uncomfortable realizing that the first direct, clear applicable tip found in the book came near the end – and it was to read more books. The book ended with a very brief section that outlined another unbelievably good financial situation.

Mr. Kiyosaki says his main intention behind writing this book is to educate financial literacy to those of us who are not blessed adequate to have a “Rich Dad” to explain us how to invest our money correctly. He argues that the present educational system renders us financially incompetent and, allows rich corporations and the Government to exploit us for money because of this lack of financial literacy. He offers many valuable insights into money management that he obtained from his “Rich Dad” and from his personal practice.

 His definition of ‘assets’ and ‘liabilities’ was a revelation to me, and a sad one at that, because I after reading it, I became conscious that most of the things that I considered my assets were actually liabilities in the long run. Through this book, he also gave detailed examples on how to manage ones cash flow so that returns from the assets can be invested into procuring more assets.

All said and done, I would take down two important lessons from this book:

• The rich don’t work for money – they invent money
• The need to work is to learn, not to earn money

The critics of the book say that the financial advice offered in this book is too general and not very accurate.

 

About the Author: Born and raised in Hawaii, Robert T. Kiyosaki co-founded an international education company that operated in seven countries, teaching business to tens of thousands of graduates. Now retired, Robert does what he enjoys most - INVESTING. Concerned about the growing gap between the haves and have not’s, Robert created the board game CASHFLOW, which teaches the game of money, here before only known by the rich.

 

Being a Twenty - Something

It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you don't recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren't really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.

You look at what your studying or your job... and it is not even close to what you thought you would be doing, or maybe you are looking for a job and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and that scares you.

Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and are constantly adding things to your list of what is acceptable and what isn't. One minute, you are insecure and then the next, secure.

You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.

You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you. Or you lie in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough that you want to get to know better. Or maybe you love someone! but love someone else too and cannot figure out why you're doing this because you know that you aren't a bad person. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision.

You worry about loans, money, the future and making a life for yourself... and while winning the race would be great, right now you are scared just to be a contender!

What you may not realize is that every one reading this relates to it. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out. Share with all your twenty-something friends. Maybe it will help someone feel like they aren't alone in their state of confusion...

It’s called "Quarter-life Crisis." Nothing is constant except change. What’s life without a few risks? Keep playing the game! And be Honest to yourself

Cricket at Delhi: from dawn to dusk !

The IPL fever is in full intensity in India these days. But the team in Noida and Rithala got addicted to this fever last January itself. It was the time when a cricketer from across the border had the temerity ‘the himmat’ to say a few rude things about the national icon – Sachin Tendulkar. Tauba ! Tauba ! But these two teams of Tata Power wanted to make a distinctive allusion to the country that the sky would not fall on such a small remark. Our cow is sacred.

It was 18th of January 2012 when the two teams decided to meet over a cricket match. In India, we consider cricket to be a religion but on that day, we considered it to be a celebration. A week before the match teams started to practice at their locations because each of them wanted the other to lose. Finally the verdict day arrived.

It was still an early morning when both the teams arrived at the Modern School Ground at Barakhamba Road in Delhi. The players were accompanied by their family members to cheer them up. The organizing team didn’t leave a stone unturned when it came to arrangements. It was a gala amalgamation of family, culture, exuberance and cricket. A little warm-up at the field made the players more energetic. They were all set to run an extra mile.

The umpires called both the captains for the toss and it was Noida Team which was asked to bat first. The openers couldn’t impress the spectators but it was middle order which showed a sense of calmness and the maturity to stay till the end as the wicket was slow. The way the top order collapsed reminded me of the cycle stands in front of the cinema hall – one falls and everything else falls. They could manage to set a target of 68 runs in 20 overs and it looked a competitive score because of the slow outfield.

Now it was the chance for the Rithala team to prove themselves but even their batsman couldn’t make an impactful performance. At the end the game became quite close. But it was poor fielding and a few poor deliveries which took the game away from Team Noida.

Both the team members congratulated each other for an abnormal (above-normal) performance. The cricket match which was held was more than a colonial past time because all these players won more friends than matches. The memories of this cricket match has now become everyone’s darling.

Campus Recruitment – A sack of happy memories

Tata Power is a happening place. The days that are spent create memories and the efforts that one makes helps the individual to enjoy an un-disturbed night at home. One such event which has sculptured some happy memories in my mind was the Campus Recruitment Process.

The campus recruitment season of Tata Power started on 8th of December 2011 and it was MNIT – Jaipur first on the cards. It followed with BIT Mesra, KIIT, Jadavpur, and many more but IIM-Rohtak was the full stop point. But everywhere I went, I could feel and experience the same culture. It was indeed interesting to see the air of anxiety which got engulfed in the chilly auditorium, sweat trickling down furrowed foreheads, pulses raising high and a lull falling as a noisy lot of students experiencing their hiccups of the strife involved in getting a first job. This was the archetypal scene on the D-Day of campus recruitment at MNIT Jaipur.

The sessions used to start with pre-placement talk. Company’s services, market presence, growth components, work culture and job profile – it covered them all. Eventually, everywhere the students were found waiting for something else and it was the salary structure. Slide No. 14 brought smile on many faces because it talked about compensation package.

The actual recruitment process always started with an online test to test the aptitude and analytical skills of engineers who were soon destined to become employees of Tata Power. During the online test, I could notice the wrinkles foreheads applying their grey cells to the optimum capacity. As the time was about to run out, frantic attempts were made to finish the maximum problems to make few last minute guesses. The mental workout that was involved was evident from the gasps and sighs from various corners. I could see a number of students discussing answers and trying to self-evaluate their chances of getting through. Some were busy reciting their last however never ending prayers, while some trying to avoid all the adrenalin rush by taking a power nap.

Finally, after the moment of reckoning, the results were read out. At each college, I could distinguish the sight of disappointment and the screams of joy. Then came the necessary instructions for next day’s Group Discussion and Interview but I am certain that as the night deepens, the initial euphoria of having made it in the online test, gives way to mounting tensions, as qualifiers get busy preparing for the interviews. The most interesting part of the preparation was the student gearing up to look the best. After interacting with one of the qualifiers at KIIT, it was very exciting on my part to know that on the night before the interview, there is a hasty hunt for the matching tie and the right fit of footwear and constant advice from their peers on what’s looking good and what is not as many try their formal attire for the first time on the D-Day. After they get over with the ramp show, they also get time to settle down burning the midnight oil, brushing basics, reviewing concepts and running from posts to pillars to find answers for those forgotten engineering questions.

Once the Group Discussion and Interview gets underway, the chill running down spines were obvious. As the friends came out, quick counseling’s were forthcoming to give a sneak peek into the interview panel and the questions being asked. There were last minute flipping through books and discussions. There were few confident and some nervous and shaky exits from the interview rooms.
I was really amused to see the silence which got deafened in the auditorium just before the announcement of the results. And as the results were announced, I could familiarize with ecstasy and mourning with highest profoundness and personification. The Chairman of the panel always welcomed the selected set of future employees.

The campus recruitment process continued for more than 2 months which was the hunt for engineers, diploma graduates and the MBA chaps. I covered more than 11 campuses travelling from Punjab and Haryana in the North to West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa in the East but this 2 month made me learn new lessons of life. And today I realize that there are two set of people – One who have secured their future with us and another who have assessed their mistakes. The latter would have gone and applied for next company, but their efforts being marked by greater dedication, confidence and experience.

To, The Prime Minister

Date: January 16, 2012

To,
The Prime Minister
Republic of India
New Delhi

Subject: Letter from a commoner

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Greetings for the day..!!

I hope that this letter finds you in best of health and conscience.
First of all, I congratulate you for serving this country as a Prime Minister for more than 7 years. I really admire when you stand tall at the Red Fort every year on 15th of August – the day of immense patriotism and express your thoughts as a Prime Minister of a country which is still in deep slumber.

Even you would agree to the fact that the events that have unfolded before us over the last several months does not make any of us proud or indeed happy about our moral compass as a nation that stands shoulder with the rest of the world. Many of us consider you guilty for not speaking enough about these matters in the past but still you can ‘regain’ regards for yourself if you do so now with the utmost conviction.

It’s always good to hear which you highlight some of our achievements for the year by standing on the ramparts of the historic monument – The Red Fort.

If we recap the past few months, we can see that as a nation we have achieved few milestones. As a result of our social and economic policies, we could lift tens of millions of people above the poverty line. Secondly, as a nation we achieved a world leading growth rate of over 8%. Also the FDI inflows reached record levels and major sectors were deregulated further to allow for better productivity and job creation. In addition to this, the tele-density, electricity-density and broadband access rose considerably to reach even the remotest areas.

As a member of G-20 and WTO, we could increase our leverage with other power by negotiating significant trade and nuclear agreements for ourselves. Furthermore, Women and ‘Dalits’ now form more than one-third of our elected representatives, thereby ensuring that their voices are amply heard.

This list is quite long and I personally thank you for your wonderful leadership and contribution in each of our achievements as a nation. But at the same time, I feel very sorry to mention to you that you have failed to feel the pain in our hearts and the wariness of our spirits.

Unfortunately, the list of scam-tainted issues is also very long. These events have cast such a cloud of aspersion on our achievements as a great nation that they have thrown into doubts even the relevance and sanctity of some of our finest democratic institutions.

In the reply to my letter, you can either defend your government or lay the blame at someone else’s door. I am sure that you would have had many occasions to do so and will continue to have many more. But I would only accept you as a true leader if you accept your blunders and request your countrymen to for one more chance to redeem the faith and trust in you.

The dead end is not far. With each passing day, your sustainability is getting questioned. If you want to stay awake to see tomorrow’s rising sun, you are expected to outline certain plans and strategies which could wash away your sins.

You could still re-enact a strong anti-corruption law, which could include effective whistleblower protection and swift justice, which will weed out this menace that afflicts our country. We all are painfully aware that this menace has touched each and every one of us in some form. Ours is a democracy of the people and it’s you who can ensure that we are proud of what we collectively put out. You can justify your position by ensuring that your office is included in the purview of such a law for which, you as Dr. Manmohan Singh must lead by example, as should every member of every public service in this country of ours.

You should also promise that your team shall be available to the commoners via public forums, including the internet, to listen to their feedback and grievances. You should also ensure coordination, due deliberation and time-bound decisions amongst all members of your cabinet with full accountability and transparency. All decisions should stand the test of fairness and professionalism. The common man’s interest should be the end goal and this intent should never be suspected.

Further to improve governance standards, you should instruct all ministers and bureaucrats to make at least two field visits, one announced and the other unannounced, to their respective constituencies - schools, hospitals, public services, offices, police stations, ration offices, Railways, post and telegraph, passport and the like - to ensure their smooth functioning. Additionally, your office should review the service delivery mechanisms of each ministry on a quarterly basis to ensure that those are kept honest and efficient.

Also, our borders are secure because our defense forces and you should ensure that our safety, security, sovereignty and freedom to live, as we desire, are not compromised under any circumstances. We expect you to be thankful to our free although not always fair media for their constant hawk eye on us. I am sure they will be equal partners in the enormous tasks that lie before you and your team.

We are a nation of high accomplishments. We have many more milestones to reach. We may not have put a man on the moon yet but we certainly made a woman capable of going to space. And let us each do our part on this road to collective excellence. Let us resolve that we all too shall fully comply with the law of our land and deliver on our citizen responsibilities.

My dear Prime Minister, it is time to reclaim our destiny. And we do not have a moment to waste. I am confident that with our trust on you and your team, we shall win together as a nation.
Jai Hind.

Warm Regards,

Varinder Singh
An Indian