Monday, December 22, 2008

The Difference - Indian Muslim vs Paki Muslim

Raging fires of "Communal Violence", spurted and inflated by few Pakistanis (I'll use Pakistanis because earlier this version was from Islam, which I believe is not Islam, but Pakistan), I think is slowly fading away. The common Muslim of India today is unable to shrug off the belief that he/she is now tainted by a few bunch of Pakistanis. I have several Muslim friends and I can tell you how much they hate Pakistanis. I am really happy that my country, India, was not made devoid of Muslims. Without our Multi-Cultural identity, we would have fallen into the category of Israel, which I believe is a classic example of ethnic cleansing.
Now my Govt. of India is shaking hands with Israelis, it really makes me think, why? Anyhow, in India we have far superior tolerance. We have taken shocks and absorbed mighty blows and still stood strong and united. Be it Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian, first and foremost, we are Indians and India is our motherland. She cares and provides us, thus, it is the duty of every Indian to protect her.
A slap on the face of Pakistanis - I went through a news report in which Imams of Mumbai, refused burials for the terrorists who attacked Mumbai. If I could just touch the feet of these people I would be grateful. They have understood, how much harm it is doing to Islam in India which is far more liberal and forward looking. We do not have Shia, Sunni, Ahmedi clashes because Indian Islam is a vibrant and tolerant society. Muslims get to the highest degrees of education in Inida because their inclination is towards making their generation more progressive. I heard a poop called "Zaid Hamid" on Pakistani Television. In his words, "Muslims girls in India are forced to marry Hindus! They are being oppressed...". Man what a short-sighted fool from Brass-Tacks. No wonder Pakistanis are living under their inferiority complex.
To answer this muslim girls marrying Hindus... Mr. Zaid Hamid, quote me - "In India, all citizens are allowed to marry, regardless of Religion". Muslim boys can marry Hindu girls and vice versa. This goes true for Sikhs and Christians also. Ours is a multi-cultural society and we don't give a shit to what an idiot like "Zaid Hamid" speaks. The befitting answer to the over-gloated fool "Zaid" was given out by an Indian Muslim. You should see the reply and how it was provided.
Unfortunately, Pakistan is nearing its end. Its economy is in total collapse, the people are fighting each other and the fighting is spilling over to India. I believe, the Indian Army, comprising of people from all races and religions, will soon crush out this inborn infidels inside Islam - Pakistan.
Pakistanis are bigger infidels because they have dirtied the Islam and also showed the Islamic world that they are big liers. What they did in Bangladesh in 1971 is evidence to it. They murdered, raped and looted Muslims. Bangladesh became a free state in 1971 owing to this great tragedy.
Pakistan fall is not good news for India as there will be more violence as these Pakistanis have nothing to live on. A mere dollar and a bread thrown at these dogs will enable them to gnaw and bite. They will take up arms because of hunger and total despair in economic collapse. But a weaker divided Pakistan will be easier for India to smash and burn. A greater vigil at borders will ensure that these Pakistani bastards remain at bay and kill each other.
Pakistanis are a shame on Islam. They have dirtied the word Muslim. They are corrupt and total fools driven by their feudal lords. In India, muslims are progressive and now are showing how they can disband the fools who try to attack India. Islam in India is the true Islam. They live peacefully and in co-operation, which is now shown in their vibrant colors. Pakistan despair in creating trouble in India has led them to their own collapse and destruction.
Soon US, UK and Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Cultural India will attack and destroy Pakistan into pieces, on which they can fight amongst themselves and kill each other.

Monday, December 15, 2008

How to survive in Long Term?

I am a management student of Vinod Gupta School of Management, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India. Current economic crisis had made me think almost a thousand times. All theories moving around in the market also makes me more confused of why we students are affected so badly. With jobs in the market drying out has crippled the scenario even more. Even I was left not immune to this crisis even after having fantastic Work and Academic record. With I losing my job it came as a shock to me.
So sub-prime crisis has really become a buzz-word nowadays. We don't see it much in India, as banks here, are far more regulated than in United States. So why India and Indian jobs are feeling the pinch? The reason is the decline in demand in United States for products and services shipped out of India. India has an exports of nearly 24.1% of its GDP towards United States. This is quite a huge percentage. But still India is holding out and keeping things a little more calm. The problems here are not unprecedented, but the control of liquidity regime has ensured that nothing goes wrong at such drastic times.
Thus, I should comment more on liquidity. Liquidity in raw terms is the amount of money available in the market for transactions. It becomes important when people borrow money. People and organizations borrow money to pay off the transactions like, paying for mortgages/loans or paying for services. Thus, banks play an important part. They are both lenders and borrowers. If they borrow more than they can pay off, liquidity is out of the market. The recession begins here. Somehow, the onus also lies in the hands of people apart from these investment bankers having almost out of the world ideas.
Bad news is for the small/medium enterprises. These firms are facing the wrath as they borrow money out of the lenders to pay off for production, services and pays. If the lenders have no liquidity, then where do these people go? The answer is difficult but not impossible. What I propose here is a long term view rather than having a myopic, small term view to the problem.
What should these firms do? I provide the following peoposition which can be followed over a period of 5 years, just as the 5 year plans of Govt. of India.
  1. Competitive market is good but not always in favor. Why I say this is that is keeps pushing the necessary evil down - Costs. A few years back, costs were a phenomenon in themselves. Everyone wanted to cut down costs. They reduce production costs and let the final output to the customers. In simple maths. If I am selling an apple for Rs.5 and earning Rs.1 as profit, can I reduce costs to Rs.2 and make sure I sell at Rs.2.5 and make a profit of Rs.0.50. This way I could sell more because immediately the demand will go up and people will buy at lower costs. But at the same time I earn a lower profit of Rs.0.50. I further percolate this into numbers. If I sold 10 apples I was earning Rs.10 in profits earlier. And after the cost reduction if I sell at Rs.2.50, some 30 apples, I get Rs.15 in profits. This is a gamble that most manufacturers play. Market research comes in handy when you have to deal with the demand in the market. But that too is not fool proof.
  2. Demand is driven by many factors which are complex and not easily understood. Simplest of the explanation is that, how much buying power do the people have and how much they want to buy? If they want to buy only 10 apples and not 30, the situation becomes even worse for the manufacturer. He now sells out say 15 apples at profit of Rs.7.50, Rs.2.50 less from previous. This induces job losses and problems of lesser profits. In a horde of reducing costs all that happens is a spiralling profit problem. The same is true for services.
  3. So what should the manufacturer do? I believe cost-cutting is not a bad idea, but the price cutting certainly is. Due to competitive pressures manufacturers and service providers fall for this trap. Firms doing this are certainly myopic. They are driven by short term goals.

Why hue and cry in making more profits? It is evil and destroys the society fabric. Utterly wrong and misinterprated. Perhaps, firms making more profits should sustain their production. And carefully increasing production and jobs simultaneously. So where do these profit go now. Everyone knows that inflation blows away enough earned. Firms resort to investment into financial tools to earn enough to keep cash at same or a level more. This way accummulated money can sustain the firm.

I shall write more about how these enterprises can sustain even more.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Respecting Women - Why is it important for societies?

I write this article on a simple note. Societies which do not respect their women, will never develop or move forward in any form. In the following analysis, I shall clearly bring out historical and current scenario showing some societies which have developed far faster than others. Today we live in a world which is stricken by violence and violence primarily is targeted against women. This is global phenomenon which is localizing into societies which are slowly indulging into self destruction.

Hindu Societies – Rise, fall and rise…

Hindus were historically very renowned for some of the most influential women and women who spearheaded the society’s main core. Politically, scientifically and socially, women proved themselves in all arenas. Slowly Hindu society fell into a grip of unwanted conservativeness. Right up to late 20th century and even sometimes now, it is still showing up. But surely now, this is dying. Women like Indira Gandhi, Kalpana Chawla and many more have inspired India time and again. Hindu societies are reviving again and women are given back their place in society. The primary reason for free fall of Hindu societies was the dowry system. It has eaten away the basic fabric of Hindu society. Women are seen as objects and not humans. It is highly unlikely in Hindus to think that, because we have several goddesses. Right from the historical times, Hindus have worshipped goddesses and even call this earth as our mother. But women in Hindu societies are still better off when it comes to education and access to facilities. Reason is simple, Hindus are a liberal society. Poverty may drive a family not sending off their girls to schools but it is true for their boys also. So now the phenomenon is seen not as only for girls, which was a problem earlier. Rapid urbanization has led Indian girls into cities and working alongside men. This has its own problems, but it exists in all societies, and Indians are managing it. So the very fabric is being re-established, and the Hindu society is bringing its respect for their women folk back.

Christian – Fall and Rise

I have always appreciated the Christians. They are a progressive society. But it was not always so. At dawn of Christianity, things were not good. Women were persecuted as witches and the society remained backwards for a long period of time. But renaissance changed it all. Protestant thinking helped Christian societies towards prosperity and women were an equal part in it. Now countries like UK, France Germany, USA, Russia and others are considered the most advanced nations. The women have equal rights and have voice in the governance.

Islamic Societies – Divided

One part of Islamic world is progressive and other remains in absolute disarray. Countries like Iraq, Iran and the Turkey have shown how they are liberal. Women have right to vote. Iraq, especially under Saddam was the most advanced. They had girls into schools and every girl was given equal treatment. After the US war on Iraq, probably it will take a little more time for Iraqis to re-gather themselves. Iran is equally liberal, no matter how much west sees it as, but still women have equal rights. Turkey is the most advanced Islamic nation. Economically prosperous and women have respect. But what worries in Islamic world is the hatred against women. Primarily, it has nothing to do with religion. It is a fundamental societal problem. Men have very less respect for women. Counter to it, even in Hindu and Christian societies, women are oppressed. But the democratic views of these societies make sure that oppression comes out in open and the culprits are punished. However, the problem lies in the societies which are unlikely made out of the Wahabis and similar faiths. They are particularly oppressive towards women and publicly endorse such activities.

Why so much talk about women empowerment?

The answer is simple. A woman gives birth to a child. She is the first teacher for the child. She is his/her first mentor. Thus, it is highly important that the woman is empowered, educated and also seen highly in a society. Enabling girls in society ensures that the unwanted elements of societies will not get their recruits from the youth, who will be very much nurtured and brought up by their mothers. If the women are rendered powerless, it pushes the society into chaos. The unwanted elements in society like gangs of criminals, terrorists and rogue politicians find it easy to brainwash these youth. Altogether, they benefit because they get easy recruits. Women are at the center of the family. Actually, in Hindu societies women are considered the family and a family is considered incomplete without a mother. Constant harassment of women in today’s world has ensured that terrorism will never end. I speak rather differently, but I believe if the root cause of this problem is handled now, probably in coming years, terrorism will slowly be routed out.

A simple belief is that if more and more women in backward societies are provided with education, like it is being done in India, the lesser there will be chance of violence in the society. India is looking at golden age now. With 20 years from now, our society will be a shining jewel of secular thinking and democratic way of life through women empowerment.

I shall write more…

Saturday, December 6, 2008

The Love and Hate Relationship

My love and hate relationship with Aricent grows even more. Aricent came up as a savior in these troubled times. They provided me with a pre-placement offer, which is in rarity nowadays. This is year 2008, the great economic crunch causing troubled waters even in the most withstanding organizations. All firms have gone into no hiring or firing mode. It spells doom, it certainly does for us management students, who once were so much sought after. Slowly but surely spark has gone out. The flame burning is slowly dimming out, but I know it will not vanish. Markets are going to come back. It is a temporary phase. But this temporary phase is causing ripples which seem like cyclonic tides. But something has happened with me which is surely amazing. I lived to fight another day. The life was handed out to me by Aricent.

May 12th 2008 – This is the day on which I joined Aricent. First impression about the firm by the looks of its infrastructure was a feeling of awe. They have some of the best buildings in Gurgaon. As I entered the building on Plot-17, Electronic city, I was convinced of a great 6 month long internship with this firm. We were asked to wait in the reception and later we met our mentors. Later in the day I was the first one to be allocated a project with Mr. Manohar. It was a dream come true. Day 1 and I get a project, well that is something. As the first week went by I was convinced of the level of professionalism in the firm. But as the second, third and fourth week unfolded I was shrouded with failures in my project. One after another, they kept on coming. It was not a pretty sight for me. In these times, however, I used to give out long sighs and continue with my work. It was imminent from my attitude that I was in crunch. Daily jobs made me sick. But luckily I have a innate ability to hang on. That is what I am good at and I applied it to my success. Slowly people in the organization started appreciating my work. This was the beginning of the love and hate.

The surviving friends – Apart from my colleagues from VGSOM, I met some very interesting people inside Aricent. The most important of these people were, Ram, Rohit, Deepak and Vidit. Ram is going to be my colleague and Rohit, Deepak and Vidit are from the engineering teams. I met them by coincidence and they became my best buddies. Later point of my work had me interact with some of the most optimistic people I have ever seen, Shiba, Manandeep, Malathi (in Chennai) and Subbu (also from Chennai). I also met some of the most interesting people like Akash from the Administration who handles the Bus services in Aricent. All these people made a big extended family for me. They are excellent people in their work and they correlate their work with keeping good relationships with others. I learnt a lot from them. However, the people from whom I learnt most were Sudhir (my boss), Rakesh (my boss, with whom I met only once) and Prakash (my senior from college). All of them provided me different dimensions of what people and relationships mean. I am so overflowed with joy that I might not have named all you guys.

The farewell and the continuance – We were given a grand farewell by our mentors and seniors. It was so heart touching and it meant a lot to me. I left with a heavy heart. But this was soon about to change. We left on November 7th 2008. I was uncertain whether I will ever get an opportunity to be back with these excellent people again. Alas! It happened. As I was reaching back, I got the news. The news was like millions of roses showered on me. I was with my fiancĂ©e at the time when this news came to me. I have very few words to describe, how we both felt. It was the most pleasant surprise.

Looking towards joining you guys again...

Ashish

As days close in...

Well, someone closest to my heart always asks, "Aren't you anxious?". Well truly, now I am getting really anxious. I don't know how anxious she is, but she must be enjoying this time, before she plunges into shopping excesses for herself. My tryst with my destiny brought me close to this wonderful girl, however, I ask myself, "Am I really ready for the plunge?". The answer comes from deep within my heart. It says, "Yes!". Even though I am anxious, even though my nerves are breaking down, but deep within me I know that the paradise is near. She hasn't promised me the paradise, but surely I know that she would take me to one. It has been a slow and painful affair of getting to know the bits and pieces of how to keep a relationship alive. She hugs me tightly to make me comfortable, and to know that I am not alone. Long have been these 10 months of knowing her, now apart from getting anxious, I am getting impatient. Geez, love does confuse you. And surely guys, I am confused! I love it that I love her, although she says that "She hates me, that she loves me!"...

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Have we Indians forgotten our friends?

Ability to demonstrate - India's abilities in 1960-70 and subsequently 1971, the great Liberation War
We Indians have somehow lost the way. We know that our hatred against ethnic minorities sparked up by unscruplous politicians and the ethnic divide created by these same politicians is keeping us away from the long built friendships along our borders. Bangladesh, as we all know was liberated from the clutches of a maniacal Pakistan in 1971 after it suffered atrocities that were never seen. The worse than Nazi holocaust, the Paki holocaust was even more atrocious. Perhaps, it was the first time that Indians understood, that friends needed to be made. Sheikh Mujibur Rehman was the man. Indians created a bridge for Bengalis and a new nation was created in 1971, Bangladesh. Bengalis, welcomed our troops on their land. We had liberated them. They saw us as a friend who lent out a helping hand in getting their country out of disasters that they faced in the holocaust. Bengalis, Hindu or Muslim are our friends. The holocaust was not only for Hindus, but it was for Muslims also. Every Bengali suffered, in the hands of Pakis.
But what we did after that is unforgiving. We, Indians, forgot Bangladesh. The country became our long lost friend. Now its soil is again used by Pakis. Pehaps, our foreign policy needs a revival in the Sub-Continent. The iron-fist achieved in 70s and 80s need to be revived. Bangladesh and other countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan have to be reattached to India's friendship again. The more these countries are in turmoil, the worse it becomes as Paki terrorist find easy to launch attacks out of them.

Inability to hold fort - Sri Lanka (The worst form of Terrorism)
Sri Lanka's situation should be appalling for India also. Apart from our Tamil brothers dying, our friends in Lanka are also getting killed. Innumerous suicide bombings and some of the worst atrocities. Sri Lanka is a state of constant chaos. Lanka is a heaven on earth with its natural beauty and obviously peace loving people. But why on earth did IPKF go to Lanka? This question still baffles me. If I was a soldier in IPKF, I would have thought not to fire at my own Tamil brothers. I would have rather mediated to get the problem resolved, as it involved our own people. Everybody has a right to live. Pakis, mistreated this right in 1971 Bangladesh and they suffered a humiliating defeat in the hands of Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh with Indian soldiers marching by their side. Sri Lanka is different. It is not just a matter of rights, Lankans are not atrocious like the Pakis were. The matter is now being mediated by Norway which makes no sense. Is our MEA sleeping?

The worst MEA Policy - Nepal
With Prachanda coming to power, it was a clear defeat for MEA. Nepal's ability to remain India's friend is now a big question. Instead of helping its neighbour and the most sturdy friend Nepal in keeping her democracy alive, India let loose a reign of Monarchy in Nepal. Nepal was pushed back 500 years and India's External Affairs Policy sank to the bottom of Bay of Bengal. Prachanda coming to power is just a revive of what was seen in China and Mao. It is appalling that India has such a bad External Affairs Policy. We are too engrossed in Pakis that we are forgetting our friends in SAARC. Now these countries are used as bases by these Paki Terrorists to launch attacks against India.

Second Lesson For Pakis
I think it is time that India does it again to Pakis which it did in 1971. But perhaps now further breakup of the country might not be possible (because it is already in tatters). India can destabilize Pakis completely by International pressure and slowly draining resources towards anti Paki elements. It is a bull-shit that a stable Pak is needed for India's security. But it is a well know fact that peace will come only after a brief and quick period of chaos. To bring this chaos however, it is necessary to set the stage up for by smaller fiascos, what was so brilliantly done in 1971 for creation of Bangladesh. As more Pakis fall into disaster, more Western and India will be willing to destroy it out to hell. Already Pakis have gone bankrupt and as they were living on the scraps thrown by US dries out, they will further fall into chaos. Everyone knows, be it terrorism or military, it runs on food and resources. No one can be a fanatic with empty stomach. Slowly push Pakis into stone age. Recapture and secure their rogue nuclear capabilities. Land-lock them with US on one side and India on other. Perhaps their abilities will wither out and with a bang they can be completely routed out. Muslims, should know that it is not a war against them but a war against the perpetrators of same religion - Pakistan. Pakistan is not an Islamic state, but a rogue state. They committed crimes against Islam during 1971 war, and they are still doing it. My hate as an Indian is clear against Pakistan. But by pointing out my friends in other nations surrounding me, I shall nevel forget that these friends will stand with me, when we finally blow a nail onto Pakistan's coffin with US and other Western Forces on Pakis western borders. After destroying Pakis, perhaps finally world will be in peace. As Pakis are the worst human beings on this planet right now.

A word to liberal Pakis - Collaborate with us, so that these evil doers can be vanquished and you can achieve what is really Pak (Pure).