KM Music Conservatory by A R Rahman

(Rahman's world-class studio in Chennai, India)

A R Rahman - the Mozart of Madras - does not need any introduction in India. He has revolutionised Indian film music and has taken it to a new height which none of his contemporaries can match.

He is not just the finest composer of India today, he is also one of the most respected composer/ film personality...has rarely been involved into any controvery, is very soft-spoken and is epitome of humility.

What distinuishes him from the rest of the music composers is - when others are keeping themselves busy on 'musical reality shows' such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Indian Idol (creating 'fake'controversies to boost up TRPs of their on shows), Rahman has been silently working on his dream project - a musical conservatory to nurture future musical talent in India!

And his dream - KM Music conservatory - is now complete and has already begun work - all without much hype/ publicity.

This is probably why not many are even aware of its existence. Check the website of his new venture: http://kmmc.in/

The vision of KMMC says it all:

"The vision of the KM Music Conservatory is to develop and nurture an education in music for all who have the passion to learn. We hope to expand the horizons of musicians in India by creating an awareness of Western music and Music Technology, while continuing to respect and strengthen the art of Indian music."

Check out the courses offered and the faculty (including visiting teachers). 

http://kmmc.in/html/courses.php

It is evident that Rahman has spent enough time and effort on this venture and has come up with an excellent product - just like any of his compositions!

This is the first institute in India of its kind which offers formal degree courses in music. 

Hopefully it will create many more great musicians and composers who will continnue Rahman's legacy further...

आजकालचे म्हातारे लोक...

आजकालची तरुण पिढी पूर्वीसारखी राहीली नाही... अशी तक्रार आपण नेहेमीच ऐकतो. पण आजच्या म्हाताऱ्या पिढीचे काय? ती सुद्धा पूर्वीसारखी राहिली नाही...नाही का?

माझ्या लहानपणीच्या म्हाताऱ्या पिढीबद्दल माझी मते इतकी ठाम बनली आहेत, की हल्लीच्या म्हाताऱ्या पिढीमध्ये ’दम’ नाही असेच वाटते :)

म्हणजे ’आजोबा’ ही व्यक्ती साधारणपणे १९२० च्या आसपास जन्मलेली असते असे माझे ठाम मत होते.

पुढे मग १९३०, १९४० आणि हल्ली तर १९५० च्या दशकात जन्मलेले ’आजोबा’ पहायला मिळायला लागले...आणि वाटले हे काही खरे आजोबा नाही. म्हणजे शाळेतल्या स्नेह-संमेलनात जसे लहान मुलं खोट्या दाढी-मिश्या लावून म्हाताऱ्याची भूमिका करतात ना, तसे काहीसे वाटते ह्या नवीन आजोबांना बघून... ती भूमिका कितीही चांगली केली तरी हे खोटे खोटे चालले आहे असे सारखे वाटत राहाते.

माझ्या काळचे आजोबा हे ईंग्रजांचा काळ बघितलेले होते...आणि त्यातल्या बहुतेकांनी जरी प्रत्यक्ष काही केलेले नसले तरी ’स्वातंत्र्यलढा’ या विषयावर 'convincing lecture' देऊ शकत होते...आणि ते खरेही वाटत होते :)

हल्लीच्या आजोबांच्या नशीबी ते सुख नाही...तरिही काही जण ओढून-ताणून ’संयुक्त महाराष्ट्र लढा’ ह्या विषयावर बोलतात...असो. पण मला काळजी आहे ती ते नंतरच्या आजोबांची...ते कशावर बोलणार?

आजोबा ह्या विषयावरून एक गंमत आठवली...

माझ्या लहानपणी एक म्हातारे आजोबा आमच्याकडे यायचे...त्यांना फुशारक्या मारायची फार सवय होती (म्हणजे तशी सवय असलेले बरेच जण यायचे...पण हे जरा विशेष होते!)...तर नेहेमी ते त्यांच्या काळातल्या गोष्टी सांगायचे आणि त्या आत्ताच्या काळात 'translate' करुन सांगायचे...

म्हणजे...

मी बरंका, त्या काळचा म्याट्रीक...म्हणजे आत्ताचा post-graduate बरं का...

कोणी तरी.... ’का असे का?’ ...

आजोबा: ’का म्हणजे? त्या काळी असे (आमच्या कडे हात दाखवत) ऊठ्सूठ कोणीही म्याट्रीक होत नव्हते...फक्त हुशार मुलेच तिथे पोचत’...

ss
="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">’मग तुम्ही पुढे का नाही शिकलात?’ .... ’कसा शिकणार? गरिबी ना...तरी त्या वेळेस ६२% मार्क मिळवले होते मी...म्हणजे आत्ताचे कमीत कमी ९२% धरुन चाला...तेव्हा काही आत्ता सारखे मार्क वाटत नव्हते, मनाला येइल तसे.’...

’तुम्ही काही लिहीतच नसाल तर देणार कसे तुम्हाला मार्क...’ मी पुटपुटलो...पण ते ऐकायच्या मन:स्थितीत नव्हते.

’...मग मी आयकर विभागात ३६ वर्षे नोकरी केली...त्या काळी माझ्या कडे १ कार होती...म्हणजे आत्ताच्या ३ समजा.’ (चांगलेच पैसे खाल्लेले दिसतात...’)

मग मात्र मला राहावेना...’आजोबा तुम्हाला मुलं किती?’, ’३ मुलगे आणि २ मुली’....

मी: ’वा:! त्या काळची ३ मुलगे आणि २ मुली...म्हणजे आजचे कमीत कमी १५ मुलगे आणि १० मुली असतील नाही का?’

त्या आजोबांचा चेहरा कसा झाला ते पाहणे माझ्या नशिबी नव्हते...कारण लगेच मला तिथून पळ काढावा लागला...पण परिणाम मात्र चांगलाच झाला असणार! कारण तेव्हा पासून ते आजोबा येणे बंद झाले....आणि घरीही मला कुणी रागावले नाही :)

स्वतःचे कौतुक तितके असेल किंवा नसेल, पण नातवंडांचे (फाजील) कौतुक हा गूण मात्र अजूनही तसाच आहे.

जरा नातू light bulb शी किंवा wire शी खेळताना दिसला, की आज्ज्या लगेच ’हा बहुतेक मोठा electric engineer च होणार बहुतेक...’ (’मोठा’ electric engineer बरं का...म्हणजे काय कुणास ठाऊक?)...

किंवा हल्लीचा उच्छाद म्हणजे सा रे ग म सारख्या स्पर्धा...

परवा ३-४ विविध वयाच्या ’ताज्या ताज्या’ आज्ज्या जमल्या होत्या आमच्याकडे (’ताज्या ताज्या’ म्हणजे नुकत्याच आजी झालेल्या...)... तर त्या आपापल्या नातवंडांचे कौतुक सांगत होत्या...

’आमचा XXX ५ च वर्षाचा आहे...पण सा रे ग म मधली सगळी गाणी बरोबर ओळखतो आणि हातानी तबला वाजवतो!’ ...

’आमची XXX तर २ च वर्षाची आहे अजून...पण स्वर बरोबर ओळखते आणि लगेच गुणगुणायला लागते...आता १-२ वर्षानी गाण्याच्या class ला जायचे ना? असे विचारली कि लगेच हो, जाणार तर...नक्की! असे म्हणते (वय वर्षे २ बरं का...)’ ... ’...तसा माझा आवाज ही चांगलाच आहे...तेच तिच्याकडे आले आहे बहुतेक’...

पण नातवंडांचे कौतुक हा ’साथीचा आजार’ आहे... लगेच आमच्या आजीला राहावेना...

’आमचा धाकटा नातू आहे ना...’ (म्हणजे मी नाही, माझा लहान भाऊ..आमचा नंबर तिथेही नाहीच...) ’...तो तर गाणे चालू झाले की स्वत: गाणे ओळखतो, गातो आणि हातानी ठेकाही धरतो.’

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What Is Confidence?

A hypothetical situation where 20 CEOs board an airplane and are told that the flight that they are about to take is the first-ever to feature pilotless technology: It is an uncrewed aircraft. Each one of the CEOs is then told, privately, that their company's software is running the aircraft's automatic pilot system. Nineteen of the CEOs promptly leave the aircraft, each offering a different type of excuse.

One CEO alone remains on board the jet, seeming very calm indeed. Asked why he is so confident in this first uncrewed flight, he replies : "If it is the same software that runs my company's IT systems, this plane won't even take off." !!!!

That is called Confidence!!!

Software roles explained...

1) Project Manager is a Person who thinks Nine women can deliver a baby in One month.

2) Software Developer is a Person who thinks a single woman cannot deliver a baby in nine months.

3) Onsite Coordinator is one who thinks single woman can deliver nine babies in one month.

4) Client is one who knows that it takes a man, a woman & nine months to deliver a baby.

5) Marketing manager is a person who thinks he can deliver a child whether a man and woman is available or not.

6) Resource optimisation team thinks they don't need man or woman, they''ll still produce a child with zero resources.

7) Documentation team thinks 'I don't care how a child is delivered, I'll just document 9 months.'

8) Software QA (Quality Assurance) Auditor is the person who is never happy with the PROCESS to produce baby.

What is Marketing?

What Is MARKETING?

1 . You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich.

"Marry me!" - That's Direct Marketing"

2. You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says: "He's very rich. "Marry him." -That's Advertising"

3. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and get her telephone number. The next day, you call and say: "Hi, I'm very rich. Marry me" - That's Telemarketing"

4. You're at a party and see gorgeous girl. You get up and straighten your tie, you walk up to her and pour her a drink, you open the door (of the car)for her, pick up her bag after she drops it, offer her ride and then say:

"By the way, I'm rich. Will you "Marry Me?" - That's Public Relations

5. You're at a party and see gorgeous girl. She walks up to you and says: "You are very rich! "Can you marry ! me?" - That's Brand Recognition

6. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" She gives you a nice hard slap on your face. -"That's Customer Feedback"

7. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" And she introduces you to her husband." -That's demand and supply gap

la
ss="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">8. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and before you say anything, another person come and tell her: "I'm rich. Will you marry me?" and she goes with him -"That's competition eating into your market share"

9. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and before you say: "I'm rich, Marry me!" your wife arrives. -"That's restriction for entering new markets"

Laughing it off: The situation is geting better...

The job market in India and the rest of the world (which coincidentally makes it 'whole world') is grave...this was probably the worst time to graduate...and as my reputation goes...I have grabbed that coveted opportunity and have completed my MBA...

As my friend once rightly said:

"The B-school promised us that MBA would change our lives...sure, it did! Earlier I had a job and no education loan...now I don't have a job but have a huge bank loan!"

The silver lining to the current banking crisis is - when the banks go bust - so does the money the bank has lended, and the borrowers like me no longer have to re-pay loan...

The bad part is: I have obtained loan from a goverment-owned (federal) bank - so no chance of going it bust...which means I MUST repay my loan -:(

A friend of mine gave me some hope and said 'Don't worry...have patience!'...I said ' I am not worrying...and I do have plenty of patience, but the bank that gave me education loan doesn't...and if I give them hope (just as you gave me), they wouldn't accept it...they want their money :('

Mark Twain was right about bankers when he said:

"A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain" ...and right now it is not just raining....it is pouring torrents!

Anyways, my job search is going on well...yesterday a watchman (a security guard in apartments) in a building next to mine, left his job...so there is one more vacancy for me ...but the competition there is tougher...and surprisingly they don't want 'mindful' watchman :(...they don't even understand what a "mindful watchman" is....they just want a "watchful watchman" - that's all!!!

Today I received an email from an employer (from some junk local Job site, I had never registered to...)...they are 'happy to let me know that I have been shortlisted for an "accountant-cum-office-boy" post in a small office in rural area'...(and I am not kidding...it is true!).

The job description says: "...should be able to perform essential function of this role, which include hearing, speaking, typing, and occasionaly moving and/or lifting up to 15 Kgs!!!"

LOL!!! I am still in doubt whether to apply for this job or not...I can do hearing, speaking and typing (though not at the same time...which is not clearly mentioned in the job description)...but moving/ lifting up 15 Kgs. is something I need to be sure of....

But I look at the positive side....the fact that I am getting some kind of job offers...

Cheer Up ! Things are getting worse at a slower rate...

~ Kaustubh

Bharat Ratna for Sachin Tendulkar...or for Vishwanathan Anand?

Sachin Tendulkar has finally broken world record of Brian Lara and has become first ever player to score 12,000 test runs!!! Amazing...

This has again opened usual debates such as 'Is Sachin greatest cricketer ever?' or 'Is sachin the greatest Indian sportsperson?'...one of such debates that is favourite to electronic media is 'Should Sachin be awarded Bharat Ratna?' This debate has been doing rounds of late - the most recent being in the beginning of year 2008 (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/If-anyone-has-to-be-given-Bharat-Ratna-its-Sachin/265099/)

For the uninitiated, Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, the most prestigeous honor an Indian can get! The other three awards are Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan (in the ascending order)...All the information about awards and award winners till date can be found at: http://india.gov.in/myindia/advsearch_awards.php - a very interesting yet not very popular resource...

The reason for this article is to put forward my thoughts on perennial question: 'Should Sachin be given Bharat-Ratna'

I look at it from 2 perspective...firstly: 'Should a sportsperson be given Bharat Ratna'...some feel that Sports is not the category one should even consider for Bharat Ratna. The award is strictly for those who make India proud by their achievements and contribute towards India's progress - and hence it should only be given to the likes of politicians, leaders, social activists, scolars, scientists et al. Well, yes I do agree to the first part - that it is for somebody who makes India proud, but why not include Sportpersons in that list? If musician (U. Bismillah Khan) and singers (Lata Mangeshkar and M S Subbalaxmi) can be conferred with that honor why not a sportsperson who makes India proud in his domain i.e. Sports!

So I am all for giving Bharat ratna to sportperson as well...

Now the second part of the question: 'Should Sachin be given Bharat Ratna'...now here I have somewhat different views. No doubt that Sachin deserves Bharat Ratna, but in my opinion he is not the most deserving or if he is, there is someone else as well -- and that name is Vishwanathan Anand, India's first chess Grand Master and current world champion!

Vishy has always received less attention from people and media - even though he has been at par (or even ahead of) Sachin in his field. This probably has to do with cricket being the exceedinly popular game in India and also because chess does not have that appeal to attract any common man.

Having said this: The government of India has done its bit to acknowledge Vishy's effort and achievements at every occasion - which is actuall a great and pleasantly surprising thing.

Very few might know that Vishwanathan Anand has achieved all the important state honors that Sachin has - and that too much earlier!

Have a look at his illustrious career: http://tnq.in/Vishwaawards.html

While Sachin has been awarded with Padma Shree (1999) and Padma Vibhushan (2008), Vishy had received Padma Shree in 1988 - way ahead of Sachin! He then was conferred with Padma Bhushan in 2001 (the Padma award that Sachin has not received). Padma Shree (1988) was immediately after becoming India's first Grand Master (and World's youngest at that time);  the Padma Vibhushan was after winning his first ever World Championship title in 2000.

Interestingly, when Sachin's name was being discussed last year (or early this year) for Bharat Ratna, nobody even discussed Vishwanathan Anand's name even though he won the World Chess Championship in 2007 (which he is currently defending in the match against Kramnik). But eventually, Sachin and Vishy - both received Padma Vibhushan award - the only higher award now remaining is Bharat Ratna.

This is not all. 

Arjuna Award - given by the government of India to to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports was given to Vishy in 1985 (!!!) whereas Sachin received the same in 1994.  Then 'Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna' award - India's highest honour for achievements in sports was constituted in 1991 and Vishy was the first recepient of that award. Sachin received the same in 1997/98.

The intention of giving all these details is not to undermine Sachin's achievement in any ways...I am a die-hard fan of Sachin -:)

But the point here is one should not get carried away by popularity cricket in India enjoys over chess and constant media attention Sachin gets. Vishy's contribution is equally important - in fact, in my opinion - more important! Let me explain, why...

There are lots of legendary musicians and singers in India - from previous generations and current generation. U. Bismillah Khan, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, U. Zakir Husain, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, U. Amjad Ali Khan and many more...(sorry in case I have missed on some obvious and most deserving names)

But if you look at the list: Only Ravi Shankar(1999) and Bismillah Khan (2001), from above list, have received Bharat Ratna... that does not mean that others were any less deserving. One reason could be both these not just contributed a lot in their own fields (Satar and Shehnai respect
ively), but they elevated the status of that instrument to a n
ew level! 

...and I think Vishy Anand has done same to chess in India!!!

Cricket has always been popular in India - with Gavaskar, Vishwanath, Kapil, Azhar etc. being stars during their times. Sachin, undoubtedly is in different league - but still he represents a game that was already very popular in India. He did not bring in any revolution in cricket.

Whereas Vishy was India's first Grand Master, at a time when chess was not very popular in India - certainly not a career option. But Vishy changed it all...

Today India has as many as 17 grand masters (GM), 6 women grandmasters (WGM), 57  International Masters (IM) (many of whom may become GM in coming years!) and 19 Women International Masters (WIM).

What is interesting is - most of these players were born in 1980s or later - the time when Vishy started his professional chess career. So it would not be an exaggeration to say that Vishy was the inspiration for these youngsters to becoe what they have become today...

In that respect Vishy raised status the game of chess in India...he contributed much more to chess than Sachin did to cricket in India. And hence I think that Vishy should be considered for Bharat ratna award ahead of Sachin - whenever they are considered for the honor!

Sachin has already set new world record for maximum runs in tests...it would be interesting to see if Vishy wins the current World Champiionship and retains his title (which I guess he will...)...then it would be interesting to see whether Vishy's name pops up in the media for probable contenders for Bharat-ratna...

~ Kaustubh

Laughing it off: Humor on financial crisis

Quote of the day (from a trader): "This (financial crisis) is worse than a divorce. I've lost half my net worth and I still have a wife."

Q: What's the difference between an investment banker and a large pizza?

A A: large pizza can feed a family of four.

Q: How do you define optimism?

A: A banker who irons 5 shirts on a Sunday.

Q: What is the one thing Wall St and the Olympics have in common?

A: Synchronised divingQ: What is the definition of optimism?A: An investment banker ironing five shirts on a Sunday night

Q: How many commodities traders does it take to change a light bulb?

A: None, they don't change bulbs; but the trading price of darkness plummets due to oversupply

The market may be bad, but I slept like a baby last night. I woke up every hour and cried.

I had a cheque returned earlier, because of "Insufficient Funds"... Mine or the banks?

Q: Why did God create market analysts?

A: In order to make weather forecasters look good!

How bad is our economy? Well, I’ll give you my two cents, which used to be a dollar” - Stephen Colbert

The United States has developed a new weapon that destroys people but it leaves buildings standing. It's called the stock market - Jay Leno

Financial experts are saying we are entering a new chapter in the American economy. I believe it’s Chapter 11. –Jay Leno"

To give you an idea how bad the American economy is, Mexico is now calling for a fence along the border. Stay on your side!” –Jay Leno

Oh, I went to my bank today. You know the toasters they give you when you open a new account? They asked for it back. That’s how bad it is. - Jay Leno

.........and finally...

Q: Why are all MBAs going back to school?

A: To ask for their money back. -:)

~ Kaustubh

Booker Awards: Some questions...

The 2008 Booker award has been awarded to an Indian author - Arvind Adiga.
As soon as Aravind Adiga's novel The White Tiger the honours, the whole literary world, bloggers, critics have rushed to write about the author - some applauding his while a few questioning his deservingness to this overnight fame.

Just look at title of a few blogs:
"Aravind Adiga wins Booker prize: a worthy winner?", "Arvind shines at the booker",
"How did The White Tiger capture the Booker?",
"All that you wanted to know about Arvind Adiga", "The Dark Horse" etc.

But very few of them have actually commented on the plot of the book, the literary merits and demerits. All the attention is being given to the person - not the book; which has actually won the award. And this is probably because very few of them (including some notable names) have actually read the book. In fact when Arvind's name was short-listed along with Amitav Ghosh - another Indian name - few notable Indian writers, such as Shobha De and Chetan Bhagat, were asked their views on the nominees, the books and the award.

None of them had actually read the book; none of them talked highly of the authors (considering this as an achievement by 'Indians') and none of them seemed to rate Booker as a true measure of being a highclass writer...it could probably be because of none of these Indian writers who commented on the nominations have won awards themselves. So it could partyly be a jealousy in their part, reluctance to accept achievement of these 'new kids on the block' or a partyly because of genuinely not having read the books and hence not choosing to comment.

Whatever the case might be - it aroused some interest in me to check history of Booker awards.

"The Man Booker Prize for fiction, also known as the Booker Prize, is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original full-length novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of either the Commonwealth of Nations or Ireland." (from Wiki)

The keywords for me are 'by a citizen of either the Commonwealth of Nations or Ireland.' So Booker is NOT a worldwide award - excluding the writers from US and European nations from this awards.

Secondly, if we look at the winners of these awards (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Booker_Prize). In the first 29-30 years India did not produce any winner despite of having some well-established English writers such as Nirad Chaudhari, R. K. Narayan, Khushwant Singh, Gurcharan Das, Shobha De etc. But since 1997 three Indians have won this award. A booker award is a sure way to catapult the sales of that book and take author straight into the top league overnight. Couple it with the fact that India has largest number of English-speaking people, its burgeoning middle-class, that has seen tremendous growth during last one decade or so. The middle class who is the natural buyer of these award winning books.

So is it just a coincidence that suddenly lot of Indian writers are winning (or getting nominated) for Booker awards? Or has it something to do with 'economics of book publishing and sales'?

One can draw parallels with what happened with beauty pageants. Till 1990s, when India was a closed economy, not a single Indian won the pageant. But Indian economy began to open in 1991 and with that opened access to a vast market for beauty care products and a great opportunity for well-known forgeign brands to capture part of it. And then suddenly India won 2 pageants in form of Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen - when nobody had even thought of it in their wildest dreams. And since then winning beauty pageants has become habitual for Indian beauties and has almost lost its 'sensation'. So did these beauty care product and cosmetic companies have any hand in making Indian beauties win thos pageants (keepin an eye on the Indian market)? Well, perhaps I am stretching it a bit too far (undermining 'beauty' of our contestants - but it is not as simple as plain black and white...there are lots of grey areas...and same can be felt about the Booker awards.

I would have never read (rather had not tried to read) 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy. But when it won Booker prize in 1997, I borrowed it from a British Council - just out of curiosity to see why it won the award. To be honest I found that book pathetic, completely undeserving of the accolade it got. But still it became bestseller (and continues to be one) just because it won Booker prize. None of Arundhati Roy's previous works or the books that followed 'The God...' have been able to claim the of success that 'The God...' enjoyed. So was it a fluke, a coincidence or a well-thought arithmetic of economics (by book publishers and other who benefit from book sales)?

Immediately after getting any award you get to see pirated copies of that book on the streets - as if they anticipated the outcome and had the pirated copies ready!

I am not against people who try to manipulate results of an award or sales of their books. I consider these just as any 'marketing gimmicks' to up the sales of a book. What I do not agree with is judging a person's skills only by the yardstick of the number of copies sold or number of awards won...and more annoyingly, this success not only gives them recognition as great authors - but also authority to talk on other social topics!!?? Just as Arundhati Roy has been projecting herself as 'social activist' and has been expressing her 'expert' oponion on every other social issue.

Comparitively the other Indian Booker winner, Kiran Desai has (thankfully!) been 'quiet' in such matters...

Let's see how Arvind changes post his Booker success.

Right now he has every right to be proud of his Booker success!

BTW, I would still like to read the award winning book...I don't form undue opinion about any book without having read it (just by reading reviews...)

NDTV Business Awards: Finance Minister v/s Railways Minister

This is an era of communication devices, mobiles, electronic media etc. - just as last 2 decades belonged to Computers and software. But more than that this is an era of controversies...

Every other day you get to see on television some controvery or the other: some genuine and some crafted!

Recent business award function held by 'NDTV Profit' has caused a few ripples...not because some businessman was undeservingly given the Business Leadership Award - but because a minister was conferred that award??!!

Yes, Lalu Prasad Yadav: The Minister of Railways was given 'Inspiring Leader of he Year 2008' award...and many objected to it; some privately and some openly - as the undisputed king of Bombay stock market, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala did in his blog (http://www.rakeshjhunjhunwala.in/2008/10/wheres-my-award-ndtv.html)

I do not want to comment on Lalu's eligibility for this award or merit of his claim to 'turnaround of Indian Railways' (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/01/24/stories/2007012400150800.htm)...because I do not know the entire story - what are facts and what is a hype as some are claiming it to be (http://criticsworld.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/indian-railways-a-turnaround-story-hype-and-ground-realities/)

Of course, nobody can deny that Indian Railways has been turned around and is now raking in huge profits (Indian Railways made a profit of $5 billion in the year 2006-07: http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/feb/26bud5.htm)
...
...
...

But the point I want to make is something else...


It is about how people (which includes educated class and corporates) fall for financial numbers and profitability and guage performance only on this criteria!
The Change a system can bring about, the difference made to the lives of poor people, overall social impact on well-being of society have little or no bearing on judging success of an individual/ corporate or a ministry.

And this was striking because of an incidence that took place at the same award function.
The custom at the award function was: A recepient of an award (significant awards only) would receive the award from Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, and then would have a brief chat with FM and Pranab Roy, Chief of NDTV.
The recepient of award would tell minister one change he would like to seek from FM and in return FM would tell the recepient his expectations from the awardee as a representative of that business sector/ organization.

So the other award winners such as Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Mittal spoke to FM about their expectations and FM voiced his. It was different when 'businessmen' were talking to FM. But the case was different when a cabinet minister (Lalu - the Railways Minister) was talking to another cabinet minister (Finance Minister).

Firstly, when Lalu's name was announced as 'Inspiring Leader of the Year 2008' (for the turnaround which had happened in 2004-05???) there was a huge cheer and uproar from the businesses - as if Railways was a privately held company. Secondly, most of the focus of the 'turnaround story' was on the profits that railways is now making.

When Lalu had to ask FM one thing he would want FM to do, he said: 'I have already brought Railways back on track...it is now making loads of money. The next big thing on my agenda is Food that is served on trains. For us (Railways) to be able to compete with airlines, we need to serve quality food...but you Finance Minister Sir, have put a service tax on food. So I request you to remove that tax, so that we can serve good food for cheap and make more profits'

There was a wave of laughter amongst the audience, partly because of his request and partly because of the manner in which Lalu said it! The entire mood was in light vein...

But it all changed when FM P. Chidambaram replied with his expectations...

He said: 'I don't agree with you Laluji, that the key issue for Railways is Food. The thing that concerns me most is the state of toilets in Indian Railways...they are in abysmal conditions. The best thing to do is to find a permanent solution to the toilets in Indian Railways...the biggest contribution you can make (to Railways and the country) is to get rid of this massive pollution...'

To me this was the best answer from someone who really saw the ailment and suggested a meaningful suggestion...something that will go beyond earning profits and will touch the lives of thousands and millions of people commuting the trains.

If there has to be controversy it should be around this chat between Railways minister and Finance minister (about what should be the primary objective of a minister - to make money or to bring change) This is what should be discussed...on television, in rint media and blogs.

But I hardly found any mention of this...all the attention and space was given to whether or not Lalu was a deserving person for that award (like the one Rakesh Jhunkhunwala wrote about) ...Come on, move beyond persons, individual achievements and moeny - think about change!


~ Kaustubh

Reviving blog again...better late than never!

Today I bumped into my friend Li's blog...he is very active blogger and I used to get motivated by him..but unfortunately, not for too long... :(

But today, somehow the motivation somehow stayed a bit longer...and here I am, reviving my blog!
It's better late than never...

~ Kaustubh

पुन्हा ब्लॉग सुरु ...

आज अनेक महिन्यांनी मी हा ब्लॊग पुन्हा जिवंत केला. मागचे एक वर्ष मला खूप शिकून खूप म्मोठ्ठे व्हायचे असल्यामुळे (MBA करत होतो ना!) मी ब्लॊगिंग पासून दूर होतो...पण सध्या घरी पडीक असल्यामुळे परत काही तरी लिहावे असे वाटायला लागले.

सध्या जॊब शोधता शोधता इतर वेळेस घरातली कामे ही करावी लागत आहेत. उदा. दळण टाकणे, बॆन्केत चेक भरणे, आजीची औषधे आणणे :(

त्यामुळे माझ्या MBA चा सगळ्यात जास्त उपयोग आईला होतो आहे!
असो...कोणाला तरी उपयोग होतो आहे ना...तुका म्हणे त्यातल्या त्यात...!

पुण्यात लवकरच Commonwealth Youth Games होत आहेत, तिथे traffic volunteer चे काम का करत नाही असा एक मित्राने (?) अनाहूत सल्ला दिला...त्याचा राग व्यक्त करण्या आधिच दुसऱ्या मित्राने अजुन एक खपली काढली...म्हणाला, "तिथे ही तू reject होशील ...त्यापेक्षा games चा mascot म्हणून उभा रहा दारात...लोकांची करमणूक तरी करशील, आणि तू जास्त make-up न करता ही mascot दिसशील..."

असो... "वाईट दिवस चालले असता वाघाला ही लोक शेळी सारखे वागवतात" - जंगलातील जुनी म्हण!
फक्त माझे दुर्दैव असे आहे की माझे वाईट दिवस कायमच चालू असतात...बारमाही "साडेसाती" आहे मला...

चला, आईनी हाक मारली, बहुतेक २३ व्या मावशीला ३७ वा निरोप पोचवायचा असणार...फोनच्या जमान्यातही आमच्याकडे निरोप अजून असे प्रत्यक्ष माणसे पाठवूनच पोचवले जातात...ऐकावे ते नवलच नाही...!

~ कौस्तुभ