Greetings

Change is inevitable as they say. 13 is almost behind us and  has promised us that 14 will define a change. Each changeover promises same yet very few
promises are delivered. Nevertheless journey continues. Now is time to fulfill promise. Lets all be happy, healthy and helpful to others in 14. Signing off 2013.
Pls promise to be in touch in 14.
Happy Holiday season.

Half cooked year

13 started with slogans that this year belongs to you (saal tera hain.) Year started with outrage over Nirbhaya. Obama took over his second term. Indian economy sluggish and Govt at helm paralyzed. What has happened over the year? Year of 11 was revolution. Year of 12 was year of failures. I would define this year as semi cooked. We had semi finals of elections won handsomely by opposition and has given rise to another uncooked player called AAP.  Government tried to be decisive but again failed on all fronts the situation being undercooked. BJP has shown hope in declaring PM candidate who definitely will mean business irrespective of empty rhetoric of unacceptability around him making him appear semi cooked again. Year 14 will be landmark as we will see finals and finally someone will complete the process.

On International front, Obama took over his second reign which took severe beating during standoff on healthcare reforms which were found undercooked, Snowden snooping accusations. But then did some diplomacy with Putin and Iran over Syria and Iran nuclear. Thankfully US economy has shown signs of recovery due to inherent basics. China continues to be aggressor across East Asia and had unstable issues with India. Though Chinese growth story is not impacted by global recession as it has Indian story but some sheen veered off. Also basic issues of freedom and separatism impacted it internally. Arab revolution countries continue to be unstable like Egypt, lybia. Syrian crisis now has taken serious turn. European economy has done very little to show signs of recovery though Northern countries remain solid as usual. Pakistan the perpetual migraine had elections and Nawaz Sharif returning but with imminent afgan pullout things stand fragile and its warning for India as well. SAARC neighbours had their set of problems where India has to be very careful especially in Bangladesh, Srilanka and Maldives. The ASEAN movement participation was the only positive for India.

On domestic side, country remains indecisive, paralysed and corrupt. On defences matter we remain weak as our soldiers were killed and mutilated. On foreign policy we remain weak. We had new scams and old scams returning. We have dual power centres: MMS vs Gandhi family. We had corrupt UPA allies having their pound of flesh. We had good for nothing ministers. In any other country, this kind of performance had no chance of returning to power in 14. But in India, things work differently and our voting patterns, politics we cannot say that for sure. BJP won in 4 states (I include Delhi as its largest party). System has shown what good meaning executives can do. People like them. I don’t say BJP is incorrupt but Nation had done well from 99-04 under Vajpayee and UPA1 reaped benefits before destroying economy since 09 under UPA2. AAP is new entrant and its largely driven by individual egos. The success in Delhi can be attributed to situation in Delhi which saw public anger during Anna agitation and Nirbhaya protest (13 saw more cases like Gudiya etc). But their agenda seems more flawed than communists and even UPA in terms of free lunch promises. The idealism can sound good but my advice to AAP is to be more mature and wait till 19)

Indian economy has gone worse and if you add impact of faulty UPA promised of food security, RTE etc, 2014 sounds worse. Only hope is elections and reforms which can be as a part of election agenda. Also RBI under new leader remains firm against politics. Slowdown has impacted various sectors. IT industry has taken up new challenges in cloud, mobile, healthcare.  Many new products are emerging from India. Good reports out of silcon valley also help us indirectly. Education though suffered thanks to political intervention. Aviation industry has some new hope after kingfisher debacle in form of tata ventures. World business has some new paradigms opened by internet 3.0 Analytics, Big data and social media 2.0. Core manufacturing, clean and non conventional energy have taken centre stage

Environment continues to suffer and we have seen more catastrophes in 13 than any other year. In India we had a semi man made disaster in Uttarakhand where thousands of people lost lives. Worldwide Hurricanes and earthquakes pounded people. It’s high time people do something to mitigate and help future generations.

On sports side, to start with cricket we had God retiring. Cricket will never be same. Nostalgia hit us when we actually realized that how we have evolved along with Tendulkar as a country. Of course in 12 we had seen lowest point of home defeat against England. 13 saw revival which again is half cooked. We won at home vs Aussies. New team India won champions trophy and few odi series. But the real test (or final) will start in SA during Dec 13 and later in Eng, Aus, NZ in 14. But new generation has sown some promise. Bowling continues to be a worry. On world scene Aussies are reviving and England seem on decline. SAF continues to rule but unless they have some ICC silverware they will not be treated as champions.  Viswanathan Anand’s reign ended in Chennai. Leander amazed everyone by winning US open doubles at the age of 42. Saina struggled. Hockey team struggled. Politics and drug again hampered other sports. Lance Armstrong was disgraced and corruption in soccer and tennis also saw its ugly head. IPL in India was disgraced by spot fixing as well.  Federer had an ordinary year when Joker , Murray and Nadal shared the spoils. All look forward to big year for Indian cricket with away series, ICCT20 and biggest soccer carnival in Brazil .

On cinema, again new directors and genres tried but stars and half cooked idiotic comedies in 100 crore school ruled. Hollywood also continues to have vampires and werewolves to rule though there is new trend of cinematic dramatization of classics. Marathi drama saw top actors performing but we lost many stalwarts. Art and Music saw some new entrants with promise.

On state front, even in later of 14 we will have finals.  Its really time to change this governance where there is corruption, law and order situation is so grave that activists are murdered in broad daylight even i city like Pune. What can you expect from such team of self serving leaders? Do we have option? New parties again serve interest of their leaders with large egos. Opposition is totally divided. Its high time people unite and provide stong option. Thankfully 13 saw good monsoons as compared to the draught situation in 12. Hope irrigation scams wont impact in 14.

City of Pune saw man made tragedies like Shindewadi. BDP, new DP, BRT, Metro, water situation remain unchanged. City lacks leadership and hope in 14 we have one. Expessway and National highways around pune continue to be death traps. We wish real change in 14

On personal side, this year saw a landmark birthday celebrated in that stature. I had change in address which again was landmark. I was able to do some service to society and IIT almamater. Professionally and personally things went well though hectic towards end, though some issues remain uncooked for 14. Need full attention, intent to make those fully cooked in 14 which seems to be the final frontier on all counts.

Lets hope 14 brings all those changes and cook the broth fully. Bit it comes with warning that if cooked more it will be burnt. And thats a possibility as well.

Time to change

Another Diwali celebrated. And we are all ready for more celebration in this season.  Isn’t life all about celebrations? Though some ‘I am superior than thou’s will find Diwali too generic and short term to celebrate.  They dislike crackers agreed its more problem than we think: noise and air pollution, safety hazards etc. But each Diwali we find that society is changing though some diehards aka foolhardy don’t. But let’s hope they will change some day. Apart from crackers i don’t find these souls have anything to complain. At least mere mortals like me don’t find anything sad in meeting of friends and relatives , exchanging greetings (though hackneyed and customary without real emotions as they complain), buying things, helping needy, lights, decoration, food, killas,  rangolis, deepotasavs ( in IIT kgp we had splendid ilu festival still memories are fresh), cultural programs, outings, vacations . In fact i have enjoyed Diwali since chid good and same this year as well. And please don’t say that i celebrate 365 days so i don’t need these 4 days. You are self contradicting sirs. Enough of footage to these know it all, but just can help pointing contradictions. But then few of them are good friends so did not want to take them on publically to an extent i wanted, thus using my own platform to express. Those who want to debate on this, please do so here.  I am all game.

It was fun week and now back to work after short time out.  Elections are just round corner in 5 states. As semi-final to 14, they will give enough indicators to trend. I have been vocal against AAP and MNS to fragment opposition votes acting in the hands of ruling party. Both these parties may have strong justification in opposing all others. But now it’s time to make change and not support continuum else suffer weak economy, lack of development, vote bank uneconomic policies, terror, and corruption for next 5 years. At least give yourself an option. I know many will argue that  all the politicians are same but we have strong example from 91-96 under PVN and 99 to 04 under Vajapayee when economy revived . A well meaning govt can make impact for sure. Lets hope Delhiwalas show the incumbents and so called aam aadmi muazzins their place. Rest states are heading in right direction if you want to believe opinion polls. Congress wants to ban those polls. But will anyone take that party seriously whose election policies rely upon one night before actions leading to election victories as we all know in cities and villages. So there is lot of room to dis believe the opinion polls but congress can do wonders 24 hrs prior to elections as they have since independence. But for all those who care about India, Time to change.

Another controversy has rocked putting sardar patel vs Nehru. It’s a known fact that those opposing to Gandhi Nehru family within congress have been always sidelined in congress. So any defence of congress that sardar was congressman etc is just an empty rhetoric. Sardar showed nation way of unification and restoration of somnath temple out of public participation. Wish we had more of him.

Pune enjoyed Diwali with many cultural programs, less noise and pollution, deepostasavs etc. But spirit was somehow spoilt by tragic accident and loss of 4 lives on highway that leads to mahabaleshwar, konkan and goa. These are spots frequented by most including yours truly during Diwali and other occasions. One pays Rs 250 as toll to reach Kolhapur. But then highway state is pathetic and needs support. This calculation of toll and who benefits is taking sinister turn. Its high time a well meaning government comes out clean. But then when did Maharashtra had well meaning government esp with big barons at helm. But this is the a time to change that as well in 14.

As we enter final tests for sachin, euphoria is all around as i still remember my Diwali vacations in 89 while returning from Mumbai to Dombivali i read that a 16 year old Mumbai boy was selected in Indian team for Pakistan.  And that was 24 years back. Those were some days. Just had a trek to Rajgad back in 89 and this year also had a chance to visit Rajgad. Some places amaze you, and Rajgad does that to you every time. Isnt that another coincidence involving 89 and 13?  24 years have gone by. Then i was std XI student now i am on the brink of 40.  Many things have happened in these years. Lets prepare for a change ie  life watching cricket without sachin as we already have changed watching virat, Dhawan, and rohit exploits in ODI. Romanticism of life has given way to pragmatism. Life has taught you many lessons. It has shown you man great moments.  There is more to look forward from your next generation.  Time for them to form their memories, teachings, experiences. More interesting times ahead..... Time to change.

Guy Next Door

My phone rang on a chilly late January morning in the office. And what happened next gave me the biggest surprise in life. I learned lessons that I cannot forget for the rest of my life.  The call was about Manish, my new neighbor who lived next door.
I still remember the day I met Manish for the first time in my life.
It was a rainy weeknight in the month of June. Monsoons had set in. There is nothing like a good workday at the office followed by favorite dishes served for dinner. I had just finished my dinner as was about to occupy my favorite seat on the couch to watch my favorite TV show on a news channel.  I was trying to get hold of TV Remote which was in the firm grip of my wife watching a soap. I hate these soap operas. While my wife hates bombastic news anchors shouting at the top of their voices and making the life of other panelists miserable. She feels how that can entertain anyone after a long day in the office? But then she doesn’t get my point.  I feel otherwise. Who wants to cry over the fate of a newly-married lady in the palatial house as shown in these soaps? Anyways it’s an eternal dilemma across the families in India. Now both of us have competition from my eight years old daughter. She always wanted to see one of those Japanese cartoons. But then for the time being you could scold her and ask her to do her homework. Once she would be a teenager, and then God only knows what would happen? Doorbell rang. We were wondering who could at that time of day.
"Hi, My Name is Manish, Manish Brar. I have rented the apartment next door and moved in today"

20 years of Objectivism

In Asaami Asaami, PL has made one statement through the protagonist DB Joshi that no one needs to do anything special to keep this world going. (Ref; He wonders how his Benson Johnson company runs without anyone doing any significant work). In fact this fictional statement is exactly opposite to the entire life and philosophy of PL in person.  This statement can be interpreted as totally sarcastic. Sarcasm of PL is inherited from his role model P G Wodehouse who while being totally elitist in his approach as he depicted castle and lords of Victorian England. But then he was the most scathing critic of that class. In same note PL has been branded to be Middle class icon. Though PL is not ultra critical on this wrongfully maligned community but nevertheless has some master strokes of self deprecating humour. Going back to topic of world surviving on hard work of few, no one in literature has described it as strongly as Ayn Rand and her objectivism philosophy. Her thoughts have had a great impact on me personally. I do not totally agree with Ayn Rand on every aspect and I sense a lot of immaturity in her writing (though I don’t claim to be arm chair philosopher or great reviewer and it’s my personal observation as I stand nobody in comparison to stature of Ayn Rand) and black and white portrayal of characters which in real life which you cannot. As I complete 20 years of my first reading of Fountainhead, especially since its Durga Pooja time, some very fond memories rush back.

Flash back to the Durga pooja vacations in 1993. We in the IIT system, had two major vacations: between semesters in Dec and long 3 months in summer after completion of the  year. Kharagpur was an exception where we had three vacations. We had a week long break in Navaratri time when whole Bengal celebrated Pooja shutdown. I think everything remains same after 20 years. So we the gang of students from Mumbai, Pune and far off places had a chance to go home only then unlike local Kolkata and nearby crowds who could go home on weekends. Our first journey in ‘92 Poojas was an adventure when Geetanjali exp got derailed.  But as we entered second year the journey got bit monotonous as it was of 36 hours. One really needed a good book to kill time especially during the journey back to KGP. Journey to home always was more exciting. Added to that, we had 3 hrs halt at Kalyan as there was no direct train to Kolkata then. Coming to ’93, I experienced personal emotional event when someone exited from life, an event typical for that age. Those were gloomy days. And end semester exams were close. But still then you needed a book to read, and there was one black covered book lying in house maybe bought by my uncle. I had no interest to read that but it was very late to go to buy a book. So just took a chance and packed it. And then it changed my life.

Next 20 odd days which I took to read the book changed a lot of things at that impressionable age. What a set of characters and what a narration!! The central character of Howard Roark, the author unsupported character of incomprehensible Domnic Francon, great character of media baron Gail Wynand and slimy one of Elsworth Toohey. But what scared then most was to be someone like the character of Peter Keating. As in IIT system we were mostly all blue eyed Keatings who had to get into world for lack of real engineering skills or interest except for very few who wanted to.  Suddenly there was new purpose and seriousness to learn basics and do something good. Keating is the one who thrives on others excellence or hard work to survive and take credit and gain worldly returns. Thus i firmly believe, contrary to the imaginary D B Joshi, that it takes few good hardworking men to keep system running. Imagine honest IAS/IPS officers taking on system. Imagine well meaning employees in corrupt governance systems. Imagine few key PMs and techies managing whole project amidst loads of good for nothing and pampered project teams involving QAs, BA s, TLs, MLs and so on. Every organization has those. These people are driven by sense of ownership, excellence and achievement and not by external drivers. Search around you in your work place, you will find them whichever might be your domain etc.  But then do all get recognition, some do. Most of these ‘first handers’ as defined by Ayn Rand go unsung. As an example we all know architect of so called Param but not the real creative minds. We all know NR N but not the other key people at the start of Infosys. If anyone has seen movies like ‘The pirates of silicon valley’ or ‘social network’, fact still gets underlined. Not that all these people were not ‘first handers’, but apart from that you need some special skill sets to get recognized and make it big as beautifully explained by Malcomn Gladwell in Outliers. And mostly world has tendency to worship false heroes. But those driven by objectivism don’t care and they march on.

Twenty years of gone by. Professional and person life has given very great experiences but was always helped by Objectivism.

But then in life one faces many ‘Keatings’, one sees many ‘Roarks’ who toil hard for lack of credit and fair returns except their own self actualization. In fact, motivated by Ayn Rand i have also tried to be ‘Gail Wynand’ the mass motivator. I was in same boat of Howard Roark’s many a times, betrayed by ‘Keatings’ and the master scheme of world. But my objectivism was driven by slightly unfashionable motivation and was slightly intangible in form of the nature of work which I liked in those years. And I had to pay price for that. But ultimately objectivism is what mattered and triumphed in the end as per my own standards and not to be judged by anyone. That is the biggest learning I have got from books of objectivism. And it acts like strength during moments of doubt.

Then read every other book of Ayn Rand. Atlas shrugged is a kind of strike by people who really drive the things against the exploiters who in name of altruism manipulate the excellence. Ayn Rand lived in the time of communism vs capitalism. Also read ‘we the people’, and many non fictions as well.

This really was an inspired writing based on philosophy, politics and world situation then. Hats off to the great Ayn Rand.

Wish to continue objectivism which is now more matured with my own age, next decade and beyond.

Come September

All those young at heart in 60s would definitely remember the ‘Come September ‘tune which was trademark of all Brass Bands during marriages then. For those young in 90s like us would recall its cheap imitation tune on which Madhuri danced to her glory: ‘Nazaraenin Mili Dil Dhadka’ along with stupid and constipated looking Sanjay Kapoor. The original hollywood film is a classic with some great scenes and music. We are here in September 13.

Lot of things have happened last month in personal as well as global context. 
This was time for change. Change of address is one of those changes which take its toll. Thus I am sorry for the hiatus on this space. It also brings along new hopes, new experiences and new perspective. Also the old memories of old address like some life defining events: both good and bad, fun you had, people around etc hound you. It was kind of mixed emotions really. Zindagi ke safar mein guzar jaate hain ju mukam.... woh phir nahin aate. I had entered a new address in 2003 from where I shifted to today’s new address in 2013. That year I was on steps of thirties and this year forties are just round the corner. Incidentally I celebrated 10^th birthday in new home as well in 1983 as well as twentieth in new hostel (LLR) in 1993.  Man loves number games. That’s why Sachin’s 200^th test has created storm in India and SA.

Sachin still is non committal about retirement. Cricket is on holiday but promises to return in Oct incidentally in Pune to remain nonstop till world cup 15. ODI team looks settled challenges are in tests and t20s. Leander who is of same age like sachin, and yours truly has defied age in NY. Must say its really a great achievement.  Nadal roared back. Rest all is quiet on sports front since i don’t follow club level soccer, F1 (neo elitists urban happening events). Only thing embarrassed us all was IOA battle with politicians.

On social side, daylight murder of activist Dr Dabholkar and failure of state to maintain law and order highlighted by another Nirbhaya case in Mumbai, was at epicentre. It’s really sad that Maharashtra which has great tradition of dissent, debate, modernism and reforms, stooped down to supari killing to suppress dissent. No clues on motive, and motivators, still there are guesses. But whole affair was shocking and sad.  On other side God men are on wrong side of news. But its surprising why always Hindu institutions are blamed by media or god men ridiculed. Though I m not to judge someone but it’s not just one off case. Nirbhaya verdict to hand death sentence to the rapists was welcomed by society and society really hopes to see this as an impact acting as a deterrent.

Elections 2014 are at centre stage. Modi is India’s only hope to restore the country and economy burdened by lack of policies of wrong policies by UPA govt. Advani dissented but that’s a more democratic sign of functioning than Congress. How we loved Obama Vs Hillary inside democrat party? Is that dissent, possible in Congress? Even Digvijay was shown door at CWC. Even there is a chance that high command will reinstall Kalmadi in Pune Loksabha. That will be a true disaster. But then Indian voting patterns are so scary that we cannot rule out UPA 3 despite so low public credibility, bad mouth , poor performance, corruption if you believe popular media to some extent and social media totally.  Definitely a hung house is on cards. This situation is scarier when the wily opportunists will claim their pound of flesh. I need not name them as we all know who these nationalists or socialists are?

Economy is still scary despite some minor gains on rupee front. Its more political than global issue as explained by our economist PM. Food security, land acquisition and taxation issues need to be revaluated. Need reforms, growth driven model with less subsidies. But for that we need new government. Hope 14 elections will give us this mandate. Thankfully we had good monsoon. But that has not helped eased inflation. Again thanks to some bad governance.

On world stage we have war on our hands as US aggression against Syria takes ominous position. Though Putin had his own way but as always Middle East and regions remains permanent migraine for peace loving people of world. But then world oil economy, capitalism, religion can create a heady cocktail.

Finally we welcomed Ganesha. This blog started in 08 Ganesh Festival. So this blog has lived half a decade. That is a personal landmark though it means nothing more but wish to make more impact in next 5 years.   Each of us can make an impact and I firmly believe the same. That was purpose of Nayakgiri. I pray to Lord Ganesha to give us strength to effect positive changes around us. Happy Ganesh festival to all