** Sixth Pay Commission & Defence **

The Sixth pay commission has submitted its recommendations on the revised pay scales for Central Govt employees to the Govt. It is expected that the recommendations are going to be implemented without any major changes.

Last time, after the pay commission recommendations were implemented, there was a huge turmoil in Indian Air Force. The disparity in pay was the bone of contention. Not the disparity in pay between Men and Officers - but amongst Officers themselves and that is what led to the agitation. [ Men, without the support of Officers, in Services, can never do a minor protest, leave alone a huge agitation ].

Whats going to happen this time??? I am not an expert nor have I gone through the whole set of recommendations - but, from what I have seen, let me just quote one recommendation that is about to be implemented. For those serving in difficult areas - there is an allowance. Men would get around Rs.1000 and Officers would get around Rs.6000/- !! So - is the terrain more difficult for the Officers than for Men?? Are the climatic conditions more harmful for Officers than for Men?? When it comes to a posting in difficult terrain, Officers get the best of everything - and still get paid with higher allowances !!

Officers are employed based on higher education qualification, but what has that got to do with the allowances such as that meant for difficult terrain ??? Everytime, a new pay commission submits its recommendations, the Officers get the flesh while the Men are left to be content with bone pieces (because, its the officers who forward the recommendations to the panel !!)

I am reminded of a Service Slogan ..."The safety, honour and welfare of your country comes first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command, come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety comes last, always and every time."

This, like so many other slogans, remains just as a slogan and nothing else. Practically, it is "Self first, Self Next and Self last !!!"

Jai Hind !!!

** Art !! **

French President Sarkozy's wife's nude photo, shot way back in 1993, is about to be auctioned !! The auctioning house has said that it is bringing the photo under hammer only because Bruni (First Lady) is a beautiful lady and the photograph is an art. Well - why did no one identify the "art" till she became the first lady !! You can give one thousand explanations to justify the means to earn money !!

** ICL Vs IPL **

Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) runs the IPL and the rebel ICL is being run by the Zee group. Though the ICL started first and there are many international players of repute - BCCI has played strong arm tactics and has managed in getting the ICC, the world governing body not to recognize the ICL group. Also, the BCCI has flexed its muscles and has got all the countries to impose restrictions on players from playing for ICL.

The worst act of the BCCI is yet to come - now, it has decided to ban all the youngsters playing cricket for ICL from playing cricket in all leagues, divisions, colleges, universities, etc. This would be the most atrocious act. I am not able to understand as to why the Govt is remaining as a mute witness to all these bullying tactics !! Is it because one of its own ministers is the Chairman of the BCCI?? Well, why is no one going to court under the "Monopoly Restrictive Trade Practices"-Act ???

** A Good Question **

"When Dr Haneef was arrested for his links with terrorists by the Australian police - our Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh said that he was not able to sleep. So, why is our Prime Minister not losing his sleep when Sarabjit Singh is languishing in Pakistan Jail and is facing the death sentence??" - that was a nice question posed by one of the BJP MP to the PM in the Lok Sabha !! A nice question !!

** Rajini - Sultan the Warrior **

Click on the link below to see the trailer of Soundarya Rajinikanth's forthcoming animated movie - "Sultan the Warrior" ..... ** Sultan The Warrior **

** STOP THIS **

The second drama, within a week, was enacted with great fanfare. This time, it was for the victorious senior Indian cricket team that arrived from Australia. Felicitations in a huge stadium thronged by thousands of people, attended by ministers and many biggies, cash awards running into lakhs and crores..... When will all these stupid acts stop ?

Indian cricket team really played well and defeated the world champions - there is no denying that... but, why go overboard with all these ceremonies?? Worst factor is, many of the players were averse to such ceremony. But, these days, everything is being looked upon as an opportunity to hog the limelight, especially by the politicians and the "chamchas" who are always on the lookout for opportunities to please politicians. The media plays a big role in this annoying drama - dishing out interviews after interviews to fill in their air time. It doesn't really matter even if you are a servant, mopping Sachin's hotel room - your interview becomes important. Why can't the media be more responsible??

** CT Scans & Cancer **

Research works on the effect of CT Scan over humans have time again proved that the risk of cancer is high in case of adults and is too high in case of children. Specialists recommend that the amount of radiation should be minimized in case of kids; should only scan when necessary; should scan only the indicated region; scan only once and a big NO for multi phased scanning.

With the mushrooming of CT Scan centres being run as business units in India, do we have any rules and regulations in place for subjecting people to CT scans? For most of the ailments, CT Scan has become the next logical step (Doctors go the extent of insisting that you take the Scan in X or Y Scan Centre - as they too get a 'cut' !!). It is being said the those who are not aware of the CT Protocol Guidance should not carry out CT examinations. But in India, the only protocol that works well is the "Profit Oriented Business Protocol" - nothing else. That also reminds me of the Doctor and Pharmacists nexus in India - let me take up that later.

For now, please do know about the risks of CT Scans. In case of any of your friends or relatives need to go for CT Scans, especially the kids, please make them aware of the risks and their right to ask for minimum radiation - scan only the essential parts etc that the specialists suggest.

** Kashmir Singh **

Kashmir Singh has spent 35 years in Pakistan prison on charges of spying. Finally one good man, who happened to be in the right position, saw his plight and took it up with Mushraaf during one of his good moods and the result is freedom for Kashmir Singh after 35 years in Pak prison. Lucky this man, Kashmir Singh is - because, there are quite a few who might have breathed their last in Pak prisons, especially quite a few Indian soldiers who became PoWs during the Indo-Pak War. For a person who remained in Pak prison for 35 years, this man really looked hale and healthy. Thats the "Punjabi Strength" for you !! :)

** Chidambaram Episode **

One Mr. Samy wanted to recite Thevaram and Thiruvasagam at Thiruchitrambalam, situated just in front of the sanctum sanctorum. He, with the permission of HR&CE (Govt Dept) went to the temple. The Dikshithars, who are administering the affairs of the temple protested this move and stopped Samy from entering the sanctum sanctorum.

This is the gist of the whole dirty incident that happened on Apr/30 at Chidambaram Natrajar temple. Mr. Samy could have gone to the temple without a big group of people behind him. The Dikshithars could have allowed Mr Samy. But neither happened and this issue, as like so many other, has been highly politicised.

** Hullaballoo **

India has won the Under-19 world cup and the team returned to India today (Mar/04). The reception that the team received is quite baffling. There were quite a lot of people who thronged the airport and a huge police force for protection. The winning team members were taken on a procession in an open bus through the city (akin to how the seniors were taken around after their T20 championship victory). Every member of the winning team has been awared Rs.15 lakh each and I am sure a few more are yet to come. I only wish that these things does not corrupt the kids and scuttle what could be a good career (you see, everybody is not Sachin!).

I was just wondering whether was it a game or a battle that these guys have won !! Compare this to the plight of a poor girl, named ILLA-VAZHAGI, a slum dweller in Chennai who went on to win the World Carrom championships twice and yet did not get anything from anybody. When one of the news channel highlighted her pathetic condition (there is no space in her house to keep the carrom board !!) TN State Govt has offered her a reward of Rupees ONE lakh !!