A time when the whole state is in a festival mood of Durga Pujo, the state of WB on Oct 3rd has got the biggest blow in its industrial face when the TATAs finally decided to say ‘OK TATA’.
The agitations, the negotiations,the bandhs led by Ms Mamata Bannerjee party Trinamool Congress in Singur has won the battle against the corporate big house TATA’s Nano Plant. Congratulations Ms Bannerjee!!
Are they really won the battle? If yes, then someone has to lose according to rule of a battle. I don’t think TATA has lost the battle. Then, who has lost the battle? This is a very practical question. It’s not the farmers of Singur who have already lost their land as according to Govt rules; once a land is acquired it can’t be returned to the original owners. Even the economic prospect of Singur which would have got a major push towards rapid development due to TATAs Nano plant , has shattered in to pieces after ‘move out’ decision by Mr. Ratan Tata waiting long for a positive outcome.
Clearly, it shows the losers are the people of WB and the fate of WB as a viable and resurgent state for industrialisation. When the whole world is watching this melodrama, our country might have to pay bigger price in future in case of foreign investment.
It’s just a political, illogical win for the agitating party-nothing more than that if we see the whole picture through the mirror of upcoming elections. A more realistic solution might have been reached if the opponents of the plant would have wanted the best for the farmers.
Today I was watching a TV program ‘War of words’ of Mr. Karan Thapar in CNBC 18 channel where the spokespersons of the ruling party CPIM and the opposition party Trinamool Congress, and some other business leaders were present in the show. Every one was trying to defend their positions against the practical questions put forward by Karan but totally failed in their effort. The diplomatic answers were absolutely unconvincing. Even they had gone to such a low level that the spokesperson from the opposition party made a statement comparing TATA to ‘East India Company’ whose only motive is to do business and to make profit.
I was totally startled by the ignorance of the spokesperson and such a ridiculous statement in Media. “Com’n my dear, the whole country and the whole world is watching you”. He might be thinking he is giving some strong point to validate his answer. But in real terms, he was making a mockery of himself and the party as a whole. Every well informed citizen of India knows what TATA has done to the country as a whole through various industrial work and social activities. It has always made the country proud of it. I think Tatanagar is the best example in this case.
I think the politicians should be scrupulous while making such derogatory statement. Because the wrong words in wrong time may send a wrong signal outside. As responsible citizens, the caretakers of ‘Aam Aadmi’ have to be logical enough maintaining the dignity of themselves, the state which they represent and the country as a whole which has always been proud of its culture, civilizations and democracy.
My request to Mr. Ratan Tata- ‘Sir, the whole country respects you and your determination. Please try to avoid such melodrama in future. It hurts your dignity. Umpteen opportunities are there in other parts of Country, please do find out those. Everyone will welcome you because everyone has faith in you’. Good luck for a wonderful car like NANO.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
"The White Lady Of Bangalore Airport"
Got this article in PG ..
Teaser advertisements on Radio Indigo in Bangalore have been asking people why they want to leave Bangalore and even have a site where people can give their reasons. No one can stop anyone from leaving a city to find greener pastures but they stand warned not to travel by air. Bangalore's spanking new airport is apparently haunted by no less than a white witch.
The witch, I mean, lady supposedly walked on the tarmac and was noticed by a pilot, the plane got delayed and obviously there was nothing, further on she hitched a ride with the airport officers and then disappeared. No official report had been made about the incident but Bangalore is rife with all sorts of rumors about this mysterious lady. Newspapers like Mid-day and even Radio Jockey Rohit Barker made fun of the ghost.
It doesn't take long for rumors to become urban legends. And legends then are treated are facts. Delhi had its flying monkey man, there was the 'nale ba' witch in Bangalore, and now the city has its own airport ghost.
Maybe before giving strange women rides in the middle of the night, the airport officials should check the womens' feet. Witches supposedly have feet turned backward.
Jokes apart what the deal with the haunting of places by white women in the middle of night? I've heard similar tales of white witches from people belonging to different countries.
It seems open dark spaces, woods and unlived homes are tagged as areas rife with hauntings.
We have all had that nasty feeling of someone watching us when we are all alone, of not wanting to go into a deserted house or even seeing something move from the corner of our eyes that we brushed off as the working of an overactive imagination.
But those who supposedly have undergone 'hauntings' say the experiences left them cold and some even terrorized. I laughed at the spoof played on Radio Indigo about the Malayalee lady who had seen a headless ghost on the turmac but would I laugh if a perfectly sane person swore that they experienced a haunting at the Bangalore airport?
A lot happens between heaven and earth which we know nothing of.
No smoking !!
A monitory statement in every cigarette packet: “Cigarette smoking is injurious to health”. This statement doesn’t really mean anything to any smokers. The tobacco industry is the one of the higher revenue generating industries for our country, Thanks to all smokers!!
Some smokers try to find some logical reason for his smoking habits and in that case, he/she give the reason of doing some social service in the name of smoking: creating jobs in tobacco industry, being a part of revenue generation in the country. It’s just like trying to prove something without which their life is incomplete- may be a Hobson’s choice for them.
The recent move by the Health Ministry to ban smoking in all public places and in all office premises is a welcome move. Health Minister Mr. Ambumani Ramadoss‘s role in this case is really appreciatory. May be I am ignorant, but I have never seen any health minister other than Mr. Ramadoss, to be always in news for some paradigm shift decisions. His decision and subsequent explanation for the need of legalizing gay sex in India to prevent AIDS disease and give the gay people equal right like other people is another revolutionary decision. Though this case is still pending with Supreme Court, yet we can hope for some positive result soon.
If any of such decisions is to give desired result, the people have to be rational enough and have to judge their acts properly. Then only, we can make our country a smoke free zone.
“Smokers” – take this ban not as a government decision but think of this as a time where you need to show your will power and prove that you can quit smoking . Let’s be a part of anti-smoking campaign
Some smokers try to find some logical reason for his smoking habits and in that case, he/she give the reason of doing some social service in the name of smoking: creating jobs in tobacco industry, being a part of revenue generation in the country. It’s just like trying to prove something without which their life is incomplete- may be a Hobson’s choice for them.
The recent move by the Health Ministry to ban smoking in all public places and in all office premises is a welcome move. Health Minister Mr. Ambumani Ramadoss‘s role in this case is really appreciatory. May be I am ignorant, but I have never seen any health minister other than Mr. Ramadoss, to be always in news for some paradigm shift decisions. His decision and subsequent explanation for the need of legalizing gay sex in India to prevent AIDS disease and give the gay people equal right like other people is another revolutionary decision. Though this case is still pending with Supreme Court, yet we can hope for some positive result soon.
If any of such decisions is to give desired result, the people have to be rational enough and have to judge their acts properly. Then only, we can make our country a smoke free zone.
“Smokers” – take this ban not as a government decision but think of this as a time where you need to show your will power and prove that you can quit smoking . Let’s be a part of anti-smoking campaign
Friday, September 19, 2008
Service Sector and the Middle Class of India
The unprecedented fall of the great kings of investment banking, Lehman Brothers, is a great shock not only to Wall Street but also to the rest of the world. The sub prime crisis is still showing its impacts and no one knows till what time it will continue. The whole US economy is under recession. Even the respite of the skyrocketing oil prices is still unable to have its positive impact on the whole market scenario.
The inflation is causing havoc among common people. The commodity prices are increasing day by day. The worst hit by this will be the ones who were already fighting for two meals a day. Under these circumstances, central bank is revising various interest rates and taking necessary steps what needs to be done.
As middle class people, we always seek two things the most, first is Job and after that job security. Current market conditions may not seem conducive. Whatever happens in US is going to affect the rest of the world as “Dollar” is the main currency used worldwide for all financial transactions across the border and within many countries.
India can never escape from it. As we have seen, when Lehman Brothers filed bankruptcy, it echoed through the BPO segment of India and nearly 2500 in India lost their jobs. Our IT sector, the major job creator in the market and having excellent revenue, mainly works in providing service to outside firms. This service sector is yet the see the real repercussions of the recession in US. Till then what we can do is to keep our fingers crossed and let’s wait and see.
What I am trying to bring out here is to show the “dependency” mainly in our IT/ITES sector with the US market. We can’t even live without this sector as I have already said that is the ‘major job creator’. Everyone aware of this fact!!
The IT/ ITES sector came apropos when our country needed an upward lift to compete with rest of the world. But can we claim that India’s best brains are getting what they deserve from this sector? This is a very controversial question and someone will say ‘Yes’ and someone will ‘No”. I don’t want to go into this controversy. But one thing is true, India’s the ‘best’ brains deserve the ‘best’ things which cannot come very easily as the ‘most’ people in India is ‘Middle Class’. So everyone after a level of education always seek for job (which is the necessary step then).
But I was thinking of a time in future in which the best brains go for some kind of research and do something very miraculous for which the whole country as a whole can be benefited out of that. Our Education system instead of being ‘job oriented’, becomes ‘research oriented’. The opportunity becomes almost same for subject so that everyone can pursue their dreams without any hesitation.
The inflation is causing havoc among common people. The commodity prices are increasing day by day. The worst hit by this will be the ones who were already fighting for two meals a day. Under these circumstances, central bank is revising various interest rates and taking necessary steps what needs to be done.
As middle class people, we always seek two things the most, first is Job and after that job security. Current market conditions may not seem conducive. Whatever happens in US is going to affect the rest of the world as “Dollar” is the main currency used worldwide for all financial transactions across the border and within many countries.
India can never escape from it. As we have seen, when Lehman Brothers filed bankruptcy, it echoed through the BPO segment of India and nearly 2500 in India lost their jobs. Our IT sector, the major job creator in the market and having excellent revenue, mainly works in providing service to outside firms. This service sector is yet the see the real repercussions of the recession in US. Till then what we can do is to keep our fingers crossed and let’s wait and see.
What I am trying to bring out here is to show the “dependency” mainly in our IT/ITES sector with the US market. We can’t even live without this sector as I have already said that is the ‘major job creator’. Everyone aware of this fact!!
The IT/ ITES sector came apropos when our country needed an upward lift to compete with rest of the world. But can we claim that India’s best brains are getting what they deserve from this sector? This is a very controversial question and someone will say ‘Yes’ and someone will ‘No”. I don’t want to go into this controversy. But one thing is true, India’s the ‘best’ brains deserve the ‘best’ things which cannot come very easily as the ‘most’ people in India is ‘Middle Class’. So everyone after a level of education always seek for job (which is the necessary step then).
But I was thinking of a time in future in which the best brains go for some kind of research and do something very miraculous for which the whole country as a whole can be benefited out of that. Our Education system instead of being ‘job oriented’, becomes ‘research oriented’. The opportunity becomes almost same for subject so that everyone can pursue their dreams without any hesitation.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Maths and Life : Chapter 1- Modulus
Nice property eh!!.. I was revisiting this topic in maths a few days back. That was a time; I was having a mood which was going on the negative side of the happiness graph. My self confidence was at all time low level!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
"Marco Polo in China"
An authentic Chinese Restaurant
Location : Park Street, Kolkata
Ambiance : awesome
Food :
Whatever you try it will be very delicious, I can bet on that.
Authentic Chinese preparation, the waiters are very cooperative to suggest you with
some very good dishes.
Basically a Restro- bar ( though No Strong beer is available)
Price Range :
Quite high, but you can feel the value for money.
Dinner for 3 costs around 1500 including drinks.
Overall :
Very Good!! ( for Chinese Food Lovers)
Location : Park Street, Kolkata
Ambiance : awesome
Food :
Whatever you try it will be very delicious, I can bet on that.
Authentic Chinese preparation, the waiters are very cooperative to suggest you with
some very good dishes.
Basically a Restro- bar ( though No Strong beer is available)
Price Range :
Quite high, but you can feel the value for money.
Dinner for 3 costs around 1500 including drinks.
Overall :
Very Good!! ( for Chinese Food Lovers)
Friday, September 12, 2008
' X ' Degree Haze!!
Elevator News : (MC, Kolkata)
11 Sept 2008, Thursday
Current Conditions
33 Degree Haze
12 Sept 2008, Friday
Current Conditions
36 Degree Haze
I have been looking at the weather report in Office Elevator since I have come to Kolkata ( That is the only one thing someone will notice there :)..). There are two variables which the report shows- 'Outside temperature' and ' weather conditions' . But one variable has almost never changed in last month or two. That's the HAZE. Though the weather is not so hot here in Kolkata, yet the humidity is almost unbearable. But compared to chennai it's much better i think, as I have the experience of both the places.
We generally never have the real experience of outside weather conditions. If we ask any rickshawala who is pulling a person for some money, a worker working on the road ...etc , they will be the ones to tell the true picture of the conditions. Sometimes I feel like we , people, never get satisfied whatever we may get and always complaining about something or other which we have not got till now. If we see the positive aspect of it, it is really good. Otherwise, we will become complacent and will never do anything for better cause.
But sometimes it becomes really necessary to stop and think about whatever we have achieved till date and if possible thank the Almighty for all those and thank ourselves also (without which it would have not been possible). At least for one reason we can do this i.e. we are not the ones who are reeling under hot sun and working for just to fulfill the need of the stomach and to stay alive...!!!
11 Sept 2008, Thursday
Current Conditions
33 Degree Haze
12 Sept 2008, Friday
Current Conditions
36 Degree Haze
I have been looking at the weather report in Office Elevator since I have come to Kolkata ( That is the only one thing someone will notice there :)..). There are two variables which the report shows- 'Outside temperature' and ' weather conditions' . But one variable has almost never changed in last month or two. That's the HAZE. Though the weather is not so hot here in Kolkata, yet the humidity is almost unbearable. But compared to chennai it's much better i think, as I have the experience of both the places.
We generally never have the real experience of outside weather conditions. If we ask any rickshawala who is pulling a person for some money, a worker working on the road ...etc , they will be the ones to tell the true picture of the conditions. Sometimes I feel like we , people, never get satisfied whatever we may get and always complaining about something or other which we have not got till now. If we see the positive aspect of it, it is really good. Otherwise, we will become complacent and will never do anything for better cause.
But sometimes it becomes really necessary to stop and think about whatever we have achieved till date and if possible thank the Almighty for all those and thank ourselves also (without which it would have not been possible). At least for one reason we can do this i.e. we are not the ones who are reeling under hot sun and working for just to fulfill the need of the stomach and to stay alive...!!!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Kashmir or North East (NE) ????
My recent visit to my hometown- Guwahati (Asom) was an enthralling experience for me.The city seemed to me changing in a fast pace in the last few years. I still remember the days of Cotton College, where I completed my 12th grade in 2001. After that time, I am just a fellow traveler to the place once in a year, as now I am a part of busy corporate life where 'taking leave' is like the test of one's 'rhetorical skills'.
The whole city seemed to be renovated to suit the modern life style of 21st century. New shopping complexes, apartments, food outlets, branded showrooms is rife experience now there. Even the way people dress there seems to be quite different from our days. The wind of modernization has hit the city to the fullest. When at times we used to think as if we were not having much opportunity for 'coaching' institutes for competitive exams, now it has been solved. Whether students want to do IIT JEE, MBA preparation or any other competitive exam, the problem have been solved now with a number of good institutes mushrooming with their branches in Guwahati lately
Though the city has been going through a noticeable change from a long time, it has not lost its uniqueness. Thats the way a city should have the growth. It should always keep heritage with it wherever it goes in the path of growth.
The gateway to North East, Guwahati, still has its old flavor which I like the most. I am sanguine about one fact: The city is going to be the hub of opportunities if properly planned with the center taking special attention. Yeah, I do agree to the point that 'Terrorism' is undoubtedly the biggest problem of the region. But I argue with another fact : "Which city in India is now free of terrorist outfits?". We, the people of Asom, should try to change the outlook of outside people towards the state. Now It has been high time even ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) , must take rational decisions in every respect if they really want the state to grow instead of claiming some unreasonable demands of 'Independent Asom'. In this regard, Central Govt. also has to be more realistic and take special care of the ' Heaven in NE'.
Once I remember one incident which moved me a lot. A person asked me from where I am. I replied him giving a detailed description of Guwahati. The person's query to my explanation was quite disgusting (though I don't blame the person for that reason) : "Is Guwahati in India??". This is just a small incident I faced. There may be umpteen incidents which will knock at the hearts of NE people staying outside the State. Every people seem to be quite inquisitive if they know someone from NE. They seem to be always bewildered with various thoughts.
Who is responsible for such a situation I faced? -'Is this the common people of NE?' 'Are these the terrorist outfits having their strong base there?' or 'Is this the lackluster response of Center towards the region?'- I am no one to judge the whole scenario . But one thing is true , Terrorism always sprout from a situation where a group/section of people feel the similar frustrated situation of ' being left unattended in a party'.
In the same line of thought, I remember one article in NDTV.com by a columnist, which strongly put forward a very sensible and pragmatic question " If there is a bomb explosion or anything of that sort in Kashmir, the news comes in next day's newspapers in Front Page headlines.But if similar incident happens in NE,WHY it comes in "Tabloids"columns or may be some where in other pages."
Do we have any answer to this question?
The whole city seemed to be renovated to suit the modern life style of 21st century. New shopping complexes, apartments, food outlets, branded showrooms is rife experience now there. Even the way people dress there seems to be quite different from our days. The wind of modernization has hit the city to the fullest. When at times we used to think as if we were not having much opportunity for 'coaching' institutes for competitive exams, now it has been solved. Whether students want to do IIT JEE, MBA preparation or any other competitive exam, the problem have been solved now with a number of good institutes mushrooming with their branches in Guwahati lately
Though the city has been going through a noticeable change from a long time, it has not lost its uniqueness. Thats the way a city should have the growth. It should always keep heritage with it wherever it goes in the path of growth.
The gateway to North East, Guwahati, still has its old flavor which I like the most. I am sanguine about one fact: The city is going to be the hub of opportunities if properly planned with the center taking special attention. Yeah, I do agree to the point that 'Terrorism' is undoubtedly the biggest problem of the region. But I argue with another fact : "Which city in India is now free of terrorist outfits?". We, the people of Asom, should try to change the outlook of outside people towards the state. Now It has been high time even ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) , must take rational decisions in every respect if they really want the state to grow instead of claiming some unreasonable demands of 'Independent Asom'. In this regard, Central Govt. also has to be more realistic and take special care of the ' Heaven in NE'.
Once I remember one incident which moved me a lot. A person asked me from where I am. I replied him giving a detailed description of Guwahati. The person's query to my explanation was quite disgusting (though I don't blame the person for that reason) : "Is Guwahati in India??". This is just a small incident I faced. There may be umpteen incidents which will knock at the hearts of NE people staying outside the State. Every people seem to be quite inquisitive if they know someone from NE. They seem to be always bewildered with various thoughts.
Who is responsible for such a situation I faced? -'Is this the common people of NE?' 'Are these the terrorist outfits having their strong base there?' or 'Is this the lackluster response of Center towards the region?'- I am no one to judge the whole scenario . But one thing is true , Terrorism always sprout from a situation where a group/section of people feel the similar frustrated situation of ' being left unattended in a party'.
In the same line of thought, I remember one article in NDTV.com by a columnist, which strongly put forward a very sensible and pragmatic question " If there is a bomb explosion or anything of that sort in Kashmir, the news comes in next day's newspapers in Front Page headlines.But if similar incident happens in NE,WHY it comes in "Tabloids"columns or may be some where in other pages."
Do we have any answer to this question?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A game of Perceptions!
Two older boys were playing with a younger one. As a part of the game, they used to put two coins - a 1$ coin and a 2 $ coin. The 2 $ coin was smaller in size than the 1 $ coin. Then they used to ask the younger one to choose between the two and to take the one he chose. Every time in course of game, the younger child used to select the bigger coin (1$) and the older ones would laugh at him for selecting the coin less in value than the other.
There was an old man,who was watching all these from a distance, one day called the younger child and told him that he should choose the smaller coin as it is worth of 2 $ while the bigger coin is of 1$ only. Next day again, the children played the same game again, but the younger child again chose the 1$ coin. The old man got astonished at this.
He again tried to make the younger child understand the same things again and asked him " Why you always use to choose the bigger coin?". The child smiled and replied " If I choose the smaller coin , the game will end that day itself. I want to continue the game, that's why I always choose the bigger coin. Let them laugh at my naivety, that way I am earning a 1$ coin everyday."
-- This is a nice story which tells us about how different people can have different perception about the same thing. While the older children thought that the younger child was picking up the bigger coin as he was not intelligent enough to select the smaller coin. But the younger child's perception was totally different. He played to win the game though in a different way.
In our day to day life also, we face different situations which may have varied impact on us. The way something impact us totally depends on how to perceive it. A out of box perception may lead us to gain even from worse situation. So what is needed is a positive attitude towards everything and a composed proactive reaction to it.
There was an old man,who was watching all these from a distance, one day called the younger child and told him that he should choose the smaller coin as it is worth of 2 $ while the bigger coin is of 1$ only. Next day again, the children played the same game again, but the younger child again chose the 1$ coin. The old man got astonished at this.
He again tried to make the younger child understand the same things again and asked him " Why you always use to choose the bigger coin?". The child smiled and replied " If I choose the smaller coin , the game will end that day itself. I want to continue the game, that's why I always choose the bigger coin. Let them laugh at my naivety, that way I am earning a 1$ coin everyday."
-- This is a nice story which tells us about how different people can have different perception about the same thing. While the older children thought that the younger child was picking up the bigger coin as he was not intelligent enough to select the smaller coin. But the younger child's perception was totally different. He played to win the game though in a different way.
In our day to day life also, we face different situations which may have varied impact on us. The way something impact us totally depends on how to perceive it. A out of box perception may lead us to gain even from worse situation. So what is needed is a positive attitude towards everything and a composed proactive reaction to it.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
PC words!!
A few days ago in TOI, I read a article by Jag Suriya ( Second Opinion columnist) on Politically Correct (PC) words. There was a nice explanation given in the article, about how we are getting rid of all emotionally provoked words and words which can create racial discrimination among people in the Society.
The columnist has given some good examples, such as, the PC terms for blacks/negros/niggers ,Whites, Red Indians are African-American , Caucasians and Native Americans respectively. The columnist was very sarcastic in his approach to explain the usage of such PC terms. Language have a very strong influence on the society as a whole. It's the communication media through which everyone try to express themselves or the people/incident around themselves in a more effective way.
The evolution of PC words is of great importance as it holds the key to bridge the differences among the various sections of society based on religion, color, culture etc. People are very sensitive to the words they hear. That is the sole reason, why some people make a good impression of themselves through rhetorical and good oratorical skills.
The point here is that we should abandon all sensitive words and get hold of PC words as soon as possible. The careful usage of these words will help us a lot in more effective communication.
The columnist has given some good examples, such as, the PC terms for blacks/negros/niggers ,Whites, Red Indians are African-American , Caucasians and Native Americans respectively. The columnist was very sarcastic in his approach to explain the usage of such PC terms. Language have a very strong influence on the society as a whole. It's the communication media through which everyone try to express themselves or the people/incident around themselves in a more effective way.
The evolution of PC words is of great importance as it holds the key to bridge the differences among the various sections of society based on religion, color, culture etc. People are very sensitive to the words they hear. That is the sole reason, why some people make a good impression of themselves through rhetorical and good oratorical skills.
The point here is that we should abandon all sensitive words and get hold of PC words as soon as possible. The careful usage of these words will help us a lot in more effective communication.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A horrendous experience!!
"Salt Lake "- a place in Kolkata basically known for software service companies and many other govt offices.
This place is quite planned if we go by the housing layout and everything. The roads are clean and easily accessible from other places.
But I had a horrible experience today afternoon. I went from my office to send some documents by speed post. As I am new to Kolkata , I don't know much of the places. I asked someone on the road in Bengali :) mixed with Assamese and Hindi.... " Dada, aas paas Post Office kothai asse?"...
He thought that I know bengali quite well (I can understand it though), and showed me the route explaining every detail in Bengali. I boarded in to one Shared Auto which goes to Karunamoyee Island ...( Island- people here call every circle that connects 4 roads as island...quite funny..huh..)..aneways I started my jouney towards that Island and in some five to ten minutes I reached there...From there I started walking towards a market (someone showed me ofcourse) where the Post Office is...At first, I was quite ambivalent of finding a post office there as I have never heard of any post office inside an enclosed market.But the gentleman's confident reply compelled me to go there and somehow when I saw the Post Office, I sighed in relief. " Thank God !! I have found one"
But from here onwards , my sanguinity of finishing the simple task at hand proved to be totally wrong. It took me more than two hours to do that...
From one of the employee in the Post Office inside that market, I got to know that in Salt Lake , though there are umpteen post offiices scattred here and there, but there is only ONE Post Office from where one can do Registered/Speed Post..."Only ONE", I grumbled.
I had no other option than to send the document today as it was urgent. So started towards the next Post Office. I looked in to watch ..." It's 1.15pm", I said to myself. I thought like I will be back to office maximum by 1.45pm.
But when I reached the Post Office, the scene was totally different. There was only one counter from where we can do Speed Post!! and there was a long queue of people waiting annoyed at the process. I stood in the queue and counted my position from the 1st person and found out to be 15. I calculated in my mind " 15 *5 mins=75 mins and so i will be back to office by 2.15pm"..
But at last I reached near the counter 5 mins to 3pm and one lady is still before me. Someone in the queue was discussing that the counter would be closed from 3 pm to 3.30pm. I started countdown from that time onwards. I thought that i had to go back today without doing the Speed Post. That feeling depressed me and annoyed me a lot. I persuaded the SINGLE person working there to be fast and do my speed post, and at last I was the last person at 3 pm to have successfully done the speed post. My heart felt with a sense of accomplishment.
But while coming out of the counter, I could see faces of a lot of people still waiting to do a simple task like Speed Post from a long time.
The whole incident was more of a learning and a feeling of how in India - a supposed posh area in a metro Kolkata,Salt Lake, still working like the way I explained. There is only ONE Post Office from where we can do Speed Post and in that, there is only ONE person who is responsible for taking the speed post requests.
There must be a lot more offices in various places within India which are working like the Salt Lake Post Office. It compelled me to think " Is India really shining?". If a country/person/office don't know the value of time, then how can it grow towards prosperity? But for everything we can't blame on government. We, as the citizens of the greatest democracy of the world, must have a sense of our right and should use the power when needed. If we become active, then surely the society as a whole will become active. A serious matter to ponder on!!
This place is quite planned if we go by the housing layout and everything. The roads are clean and easily accessible from other places.
But I had a horrible experience today afternoon. I went from my office to send some documents by speed post. As I am new to Kolkata , I don't know much of the places. I asked someone on the road in Bengali :) mixed with Assamese and Hindi.... " Dada, aas paas Post Office kothai asse?"...
He thought that I know bengali quite well (I can understand it though), and showed me the route explaining every detail in Bengali. I boarded in to one Shared Auto which goes to Karunamoyee Island ...( Island- people here call every circle that connects 4 roads as island...quite funny..huh..)..aneways I started my jouney towards that Island and in some five to ten minutes I reached there...From there I started walking towards a market (someone showed me ofcourse) where the Post Office is...At first, I was quite ambivalent of finding a post office there as I have never heard of any post office inside an enclosed market.But the gentleman's confident reply compelled me to go there and somehow when I saw the Post Office, I sighed in relief. " Thank God !! I have found one"
But from here onwards , my sanguinity of finishing the simple task at hand proved to be totally wrong. It took me more than two hours to do that...
From one of the employee in the Post Office inside that market, I got to know that in Salt Lake , though there are umpteen post offiices scattred here and there, but there is only ONE Post Office from where one can do Registered/Speed Post..."Only ONE", I grumbled.
I had no other option than to send the document today as it was urgent. So started towards the next Post Office. I looked in to watch ..." It's 1.15pm", I said to myself. I thought like I will be back to office maximum by 1.45pm.
But when I reached the Post Office, the scene was totally different. There was only one counter from where we can do Speed Post!! and there was a long queue of people waiting annoyed at the process. I stood in the queue and counted my position from the 1st person and found out to be 15. I calculated in my mind " 15 *5 mins=75 mins and so i will be back to office by 2.15pm"..
But at last I reached near the counter 5 mins to 3pm and one lady is still before me. Someone in the queue was discussing that the counter would be closed from 3 pm to 3.30pm. I started countdown from that time onwards. I thought that i had to go back today without doing the Speed Post. That feeling depressed me and annoyed me a lot. I persuaded the SINGLE person working there to be fast and do my speed post, and at last I was the last person at 3 pm to have successfully done the speed post. My heart felt with a sense of accomplishment.
But while coming out of the counter, I could see faces of a lot of people still waiting to do a simple task like Speed Post from a long time.
The whole incident was more of a learning and a feeling of how in India - a supposed posh area in a metro Kolkata,Salt Lake, still working like the way I explained. There is only ONE Post Office from where we can do Speed Post and in that, there is only ONE person who is responsible for taking the speed post requests.
There must be a lot more offices in various places within India which are working like the Salt Lake Post Office. It compelled me to think " Is India really shining?". If a country/person/office don't know the value of time, then how can it grow towards prosperity? But for everything we can't blame on government. We, as the citizens of the greatest democracy of the world, must have a sense of our right and should use the power when needed. If we become active, then surely the society as a whole will become active. A serious matter to ponder on!!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Singur deadlock
The ongoing melodrama in Singur not only affected the common people but also it has come as a big question to the people of WB to take a rational decision. The adamenacy of Trinamul Congress Leader Mamata Bannerjee, the strikes in Singur and corresponding bandh in WB on last wednesday by CITU - all these accounts for the sensitiveness of Indian common people and the Political leaders taking the advantage of that.
If we browse through any news report or any analysis of the incident, it clearly shows that indeed WB will get benefits out of Tata's Nano Plant in Singur. The industrilization of a state depends how the state is flexible to a change for good.
Tata is helpless unless and untill the local people are cooperative to set up the plant. Already Tata has invested around 1500 crore for the project but they will never resist themselves to pull out of WB if situation becomes worse. Taking advantage of this political turmoil, other states are inviting Tata Motors to setup plant for Nano in their states.
What WB is getting out of all this farce? If they dont come out of all their grudges, they are sure to lose Tata Plant here in Singur. The consequence will be some other state will be benefited.Ratan Tata has already conveyed his decision to pull out if the situation remains same and he also made clear in his statement that even though they have invested a lot already, it would not come as a hurdle in the path of pulling out of WB.
That's true. If some industry set up a plant for some innovative idea, they always have a plan of action in their mind when to launch the product, at what condtions of the market. If they dont get proper response from local people around the plant , it will surely have doubt in their mind regarding the successful accomplishment of the whole project.
WB people, most importantly, Mamata Bannerjee who is heading the agitation must realise now the long term consequences of the Nano Plant in Singur. If they dont, some other state will surely take advantage of this situation.
I do agree the interest of the common people what Bannerjee is concerned about. But every problem has a solution, if it is not , then it is not a problem. Negotiation on some common ground must be reached sooner or else WB will lose Tata Plant.
If we browse through any news report or any analysis of the incident, it clearly shows that indeed WB will get benefits out of Tata's Nano Plant in Singur. The industrilization of a state depends how the state is flexible to a change for good.
Tata is helpless unless and untill the local people are cooperative to set up the plant. Already Tata has invested around 1500 crore for the project but they will never resist themselves to pull out of WB if situation becomes worse. Taking advantage of this political turmoil, other states are inviting Tata Motors to setup plant for Nano in their states.
What WB is getting out of all this farce? If they dont come out of all their grudges, they are sure to lose Tata Plant here in Singur. The consequence will be some other state will be benefited.Ratan Tata has already conveyed his decision to pull out if the situation remains same and he also made clear in his statement that even though they have invested a lot already, it would not come as a hurdle in the path of pulling out of WB.
That's true. If some industry set up a plant for some innovative idea, they always have a plan of action in their mind when to launch the product, at what condtions of the market. If they dont get proper response from local people around the plant , it will surely have doubt in their mind regarding the successful accomplishment of the whole project.
WB people, most importantly, Mamata Bannerjee who is heading the agitation must realise now the long term consequences of the Nano Plant in Singur. If they dont, some other state will surely take advantage of this situation.
I do agree the interest of the common people what Bannerjee is concerned about. But every problem has a solution, if it is not , then it is not a problem. Negotiation on some common ground must be reached sooner or else WB will lose Tata Plant.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Let's welcome " Lakhtakia" Car - Nano
“Small is beautiful !! Some people said that we should call it a ‘Buddha Car’, while others said that we should call it ‘Mamata’ or ‘ Despite Mamata’. We decided to call it as ‘NANO’. “
These were the words uttered by Ratan Tata in the launch of the most awaited ’Lakhtakia’ car by Tata Automobiles - NANO. “ A promise is a promise. And there is no compromise on quality and safety”- This simply draws love and respect to Ratan Tata. His unrelenting passion to prove what he promises, his desire to do something for common people, his confident in himself- all these factors counts to his greatness not only as a business tycoon but also as a common Indian man from his roots.
“This is the biggest thing I have ever done”. This statement clearly shows his satisfaction after lots of question marks on the successful completion of Nano Project. Though the cheapest car on earth will hit the market in Sept this year, a lot of fascination have already started in common people’s mind regarding the car. Some people believe that as far as the mileage and price is concern, it seriously meets their aspiration. Some people are still questioning on the safety issue.
But I do have believe on Tata, the most respected name in every household in India. Tata has always been up to expectation in their products and services .Think of any Industry in Tata group, they are the best in their field.
“ Improving the quality of life” . This tagline of Tata’s is indeed true. I seriously adore one aspect of Tata’s- its responsibility towards society. Every company always works for profit making. This is unequivocal. But keeping in mind the social aspect, only few companies can think of and have worked in practical. If I think of Indian perspective, I can only think of Tata.
I remember one incident when I visited my hometown around two years back ( I usually go home once in a year and this was my first visit after I started my corporate career). One layman asked me “ So where r u working now a days?”. I replied “ Uncle, TATA Consultancy Services(TCS)”. Before I could say something else about the company, he himself started with high acclamation in the name of Tata. His ignorance about TCS was justifiable ( He was thinking like I am working in Tata Truck company), but his respect towards the name TATA was seriously unbelievable. This small incident shows profound impact of Tata on common people.
When few years back Tata Indica came to market, everyone said it was the most successful midsized car launched by Tata and still people believe that. So I don’t think Tata will ever compromise safety and quality for price.
Nano will also make up to people’s expectation. “The biggest thing” done by Tata can never go unrecognized.
Hats Off to TATA!!
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