Our GREAT Anbumani Ramdoss has done it again !!! He has ordered a 22.5% of quota for SC&STs in Medical and BDS colleges. This did not exist before. "Thamizhan", so far, has taken so many initiatives that subsequently takes mammoth proportions and ultimately destructs this nation..... this is one more to our 'proud' cap !!! "Thamizhan yendru sollada - Thalai Kunindhu Nillada" !!
All the destructive elements that haunts our Nation today were first started by Tamilians. Hatred against other language and other state people first started in TN. "Separatism" - first started in TN !! "Corruption" in mammoth levels first started in TN. Quota beyond 50% first started in TN... the list is endless.
Feb 28, 2008
** Resolution ? **
Last week, in one of the Muslim conventions held in Uttar Pradesh, India - the Ulemahs, have condemned terrorism. From what I read in the newspaper, The Hindu, it is clear that just a resolution was passed condemning terrorism and most of the speakers spoke in length about the 'atrocities' met out to the 'minorities' and in condemning the Govt and the policies. None of the speaker, reportedly, spoke against terrorism or Jihad. Possibly they just passed a resolution without having spoken a word against the atrocities that are being committed in the name of "Jihad". And unfortunately all the newspaper claim this as a major step forward !!
As long as we have a Govt in the centre that fears talking against Jihad and taking strict measures against Terrorists - its going to be a loss-loss situation for the nation. Govt fears that talking against terrorism will be construed as words against Muslims !! Doesn't such a stand implicate the Muslims as terrorists?? When will we have people at helm who see issues as issues and not as 'Vote' banks??
As long as we have a Govt in the centre that fears talking against Jihad and taking strict measures against Terrorists - its going to be a loss-loss situation for the nation. Govt fears that talking against terrorism will be construed as words against Muslims !! Doesn't such a stand implicate the Muslims as terrorists?? When will we have people at helm who see issues as issues and not as 'Vote' banks??
** Sujatha **
Famous tamil writer Sujatha passed away yesterday (27 Feb 08). What a great loss to the Tamil literature and Tamil society?? There is no one in the horizon to touch standards near to that of Sujatha, leaving alone taking his palce. May his soul rest in peace.
Feb 25, 2008
Feb 19, 2008
** INVASION **
The king had a fairly good and large territory to govern. One fine day, a group of rebels, numbering to around 600 decided to attack. They grouped together with a well laid out strategy. They chose one district - blocked all roads leading to the territory and carefully selected the targets!! They killed the guards in-charge of the armoury and looted all the arms and ammunitions. Around 15 died on the King's die - NOT a single death on the rebels side. A two hours operation and a rousing success.
If you thought that the above story should have happened during previous century or in one of those strife struck African nation - you are grossly wrong. This happened just before two days in Orissa, India. A group of around 600 Naxals attacked the Nayagarh district in Orissa, attacked Police Stations and Armouries of the district. NOT a token of resistance was offered.
Two days after the attack - with the Nation's entire Govt machinery behind (including IAF helicopters & bombers), there hasn't been much success in the battle against the Naxals. Govt sources say that 40% of Arms and ammunitions has been recovered so far - but knowing well about Govt responses, I highly doubt those figures.
Naxalism is rearing its ugly head in a big way in India. Its high time that the Govt acts sternly against Naxalism. But the crux of the Naxal growth, in my view, is poverty and poor infrastructure facilities to the people in rural areas.
If you thought that the above story should have happened during previous century or in one of those strife struck African nation - you are grossly wrong. This happened just before two days in Orissa, India. A group of around 600 Naxals attacked the Nayagarh district in Orissa, attacked Police Stations and Armouries of the district. NOT a token of resistance was offered.
Two days after the attack - with the Nation's entire Govt machinery behind (including IAF helicopters & bombers), there hasn't been much success in the battle against the Naxals. Govt sources say that 40% of Arms and ammunitions has been recovered so far - but knowing well about Govt responses, I highly doubt those figures.
Naxalism is rearing its ugly head in a big way in India. Its high time that the Govt acts sternly against Naxalism. But the crux of the Naxal growth, in my view, is poverty and poor infrastructure facilities to the people in rural areas.
** The Sinking Road **
Yes... its true !! Dont be surprised !! One of the roads in Chennai keeps sinking (not the entire stretch but at patches). If you dont trust my words - please do make a visit to Chennai and I will take you to that very road to see that for yourself !! This started happening a few months before on one patch of the road. Around five to six meteres stretch of the road, suddenly sunk by around two feet from the surface. Since then, this phenomenon is being witnessed on quite a few places on this stretch of the road.
Hey.. NO... it is not because of any super natural power - it is just due to the the power of the "contractor" - the person who had built a sewerage line beneath this road. At one end of the road, there is a sewerage plant and hence the sewerage line beneath this stretch of the road is a bit huge and it was constructed before two or three years. Probably the contractor had paid too much of bribe and was not able to provide a quality structure and hence this structure is giving way. This being a very busy road with lot of heavy vehicles plying on a daily basis only has made the matter worse.
A poor quality structure giving way is nothing new. But the measures taken by local authorities to fix the issue is something you can never imagine, thats the icing on the cake. One would expect that the structure beneath the road surface to be fixed first and then the road be laid ... right? But, those sane measures have been given a GO - silently, the surface, wherever its sunk is being filled with sand and stones, brought to the normal road level and being laid with a fresh layer of tar road !! Bingo !! By doing such stupid cover-up operations, they are only laying the foundation for an even greater danger. God Bless us !!
Hey.. NO... it is not because of any super natural power - it is just due to the the power of the "contractor" - the person who had built a sewerage line beneath this road. At one end of the road, there is a sewerage plant and hence the sewerage line beneath this stretch of the road is a bit huge and it was constructed before two or three years. Probably the contractor had paid too much of bribe and was not able to provide a quality structure and hence this structure is giving way. This being a very busy road with lot of heavy vehicles plying on a daily basis only has made the matter worse.
A poor quality structure giving way is nothing new. But the measures taken by local authorities to fix the issue is something you can never imagine, thats the icing on the cake. One would expect that the structure beneath the road surface to be fixed first and then the road be laid ... right? But, those sane measures have been given a GO - silently, the surface, wherever its sunk is being filled with sand and stones, brought to the normal road level and being laid with a fresh layer of tar road !! Bingo !! By doing such stupid cover-up operations, they are only laying the foundation for an even greater danger. God Bless us !!
Feb 11, 2008
** BSNL **
We remained out of telephone link for quite a long time. I made a habit of visiting the local BSNL office almost daily to get our lines restored - only to be told that there is some major cable break and people are working on it. After the first week, the lines were restored only to go down again after two days. Today, after so many days, our telephone link still remains out of service - but to my great surprise, I see that our Broad Band link is working !! The lines may be down - but we have to keep paying the rent - that is the true meaning of "looting" !!
Jan 31, 2008
** Thuglak **
Thuglak is online... subscription fee is $20 p.a. If you are interested -> click here www.thuglak.com
** Another New Car **
This time it is Mahindra that has come out with a cheap car priced at Rs 1.3 lakh.... my friend mailed me the info and I do not know how valid and good the info is .... - Neverthless, the car has nice looks and hence thought of posting.....
** ICL Vs IPL **
Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Cricket Control of India's (BCCI) new wing has got the biggies of India like Ambani, Vijay Mallaya, Sharukh sponsor the newly formed Twenty-20 teams. Thus it has taken a huge leap both financially and on conducting this tournaments as well. Ambani has taken away the Bombay team for 436 crores, Vijay Mallaya the Bangalore team for 435 crore, India Cements the Chennai team for 354 crore, Sharukh the Calcutta team for 312 crore and so goes the list. (Something similar to the Football sponsors) . Now we will have the tournaments conducted in Apr this year.
With this move, the Zee group headed ICL, with Kapil Dev at its helm, is heading towards even tougher battle. Its existence is going to be in question. The ICL was facing a tough battle right from the beginning. The BCCI got it de-recognized by the ICC !! BCCI had the players participating in ICL banned from its official list. BCCI manipulated and got the big stadiums locked for the ICL tournaments. And the final blow was this "IPL" punch!!
Whether cricket will get more interesting or not - cricketers are going to be getting more and more money !! Let us not forget the betting aspects !!
With this move, the Zee group headed ICL, with Kapil Dev at its helm, is heading towards even tougher battle. Its existence is going to be in question. The ICL was facing a tough battle right from the beginning. The BCCI got it de-recognized by the ICC !! BCCI had the players participating in ICL banned from its official list. BCCI manipulated and got the big stadiums locked for the ICL tournaments. And the final blow was this "IPL" punch!!
Whether cricket will get more interesting or not - cricketers are going to be getting more and more money !! Let us not forget the betting aspects !!
** New New YEAR **
Karunanidhi has done it again. He has got a resolution passed in assembly changing the Tamil New Year's day from Apr to Jan ("Thai" first will be Tamil New Year's day henceforth and not "Chithirai" first). It actually makes NO difference to all of us. But, on what basis did he do that? What are the benefits of this move (ofcourse other than the old man's political gimmick) ? - Luckily, for Karunanidhi, does NOT have the necessity to answer anyone - after all Tamil Hindus will take anything and everything !!
Jan 27, 2008
** Bharat Ratna - Cont'd **
If you have something as the HIGHEST award and honour - it should not be given to the "best amongst the AVAILABLE". To me, it is simple - if no one deserves - then DONT give it. I am not surprised at the fact that the award has not been given to anyone in the past seven years.
Talking about the yardstick - YES, I do agree that we lack one. Moreover, over a period of time, this award has been totally politicized. I think, this syndrome started when Rajiv Gandhi decided to confer the award on MGR for sheer political reasons.
Gandhi is considered above this award. So, I think, we should set such a high standard - someone of the stature and caliber of Gandhiji. I dont think that there is a single politician in our nation who deserves this award and hence my view that they should be kept out of it. I am ready to change my view, if we get to see a Politician of the calibre of Gandhiji in our life time. History provides a twisted picture when you learn that both MGR and APJ Abdul Kalam were the recipients of this award. If MGR deserves the award - then why not NT Rama Rao?
Talking about the yardstick - YES, I do agree that we lack one. Moreover, over a period of time, this award has been totally politicized. I think, this syndrome started when Rajiv Gandhi decided to confer the award on MGR for sheer political reasons.
Gandhi is considered above this award. So, I think, we should set such a high standard - someone of the stature and caliber of Gandhiji. I dont think that there is a single politician in our nation who deserves this award and hence my view that they should be kept out of it. I am ready to change my view, if we get to see a Politician of the calibre of Gandhiji in our life time. History provides a twisted picture when you learn that both MGR and APJ Abdul Kalam were the recipients of this award. If MGR deserves the award - then why not NT Rama Rao?
Jan 25, 2008
** Bharat Ratna **
It is shocking to see the list of names that are being recommended for "Bharat Ratna" by all the political parties. Kanshi Ram, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Karunanidhi - well, this can only be the best way to denigrate the highest award of the Nation !! I suggest that we should adopt a resolution stopping this award from going to any Politicians henceforth. That way, we will start taking notice of some real deserving candidates like MS Swaminathan and Ratan Tata.
** More Quota **
In UP, Mayawati has taken the next step on the "Quota Game". Henceforth, in UP, all the Govt contracts will be allotted based on caste Quota.
Yes, so far, it was based on (ruling) party quota - atleast behind the screens. From now on, UP will have an additional quota raj!! If a contractor is an SC/ST, he will get the contract, say, to build roads and bridges. He/She would be preferred over other caste contractors.
Generally, NO poor man can be a contractor. All contractors can enter the fray only if they have sound financial background. They need lakhs of rupees just to pay the earnest deposit. So why the hell do they need a quota??? Well, thats Indian politics for you !! We are never going to see an end to this dirty game !!
Yes, so far, it was based on (ruling) party quota - atleast behind the screens. From now on, UP will have an additional quota raj!! If a contractor is an SC/ST, he will get the contract, say, to build roads and bridges. He/She would be preferred over other caste contractors.
Generally, NO poor man can be a contractor. All contractors can enter the fray only if they have sound financial background. They need lakhs of rupees just to pay the earnest deposit. So why the hell do they need a quota??? Well, thats Indian politics for you !! We are never going to see an end to this dirty game !!
Jan 17, 2008
** Kumble **
Kumble took his 600th wicket today (Jan/17). He has won more matches for India than Sachin and yet, he has not got the credit that he is due for. This man has achieved everything that any cricketer would aspire for - above 600 wickets, a test century, a perfect 10 wicket in an innings and now the captain of the Indian cricket team. His statesman like handling of the crisis after the second test at Sydney thoroughly deserves a round of applause. Kudos to Kumble.
** Indian Missile Program - II **
To my posting on DRDO & Indian Missile program, the below is what my friend wrote...
---------------
Private Companies need to step in to take the research & development also. The requirements of the Armed forces shall be given and they will spend their money to find the product which shall be purchased from them after it is put to test by the end users. That's the model being followed in the U.S.
These private companies like Boeing, Dassault are allowed to sell to friendly countries after the NOC from the U.S State Department. That way, they make their money.
But I would not blame the DRDO as the Politicians made a spoilsport of the DRDO by unwanted interventions. I still remember one of the Wings of DRDO which is the CVRDE (Combat Vehicle Research Development Establishment) in Avadi where the First Director was a Alumini of Indian Institute of Science and he would have completed the MBT in time to be inducted in the 90's. Such was his excellence. But the sad part was that Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 brought in somebody above him due which he was disgruntled and resigned to go to the U.S. Other than the MBT, this guy successfully inducted the Bridge Layer Tank and the Mine Sweeping Tank which still are serving in the armed forces. I had seen able scientists working even from their homes on various drawings. Such was the commitment. Bueracracy spoiled everything.
Another classic example is the Spying case truncated against the ISRO Mahendragiri Director and finally it was proven that it was set up. Nobody would give the honest scientist his honour back. No newspaper carried that report. No politician/Bureacra t apologised for this. so what will be the morale. People now fear to do the right thing as they are always in doubt. Everybody wants to finish his service to go happily with his Full Pension in hand.
Given the independence, Any organisation can perform.People have to be trusted. Independence given. Any Big organisation first is given the Target, when it is agreed by the Organisation then What resources are required to achieve it is asked. Given the time & resources, Any organisation can perform. But the Motivating factor should also be there.
Abdul Kalam in one of his Memoirs talks about Dhawan who was the first director of ISRO when all the rockets were falling into the Sea. Dhawan used to motivate his scientists to go look at the problems associated with the failed Launch and he went to face the Press. Nobody ever knew who was Abdul Kalam or other scientists of the failed Launch. After Many failures, when the first successful Launch happened, Dhawan stepped aside and asked his Team of Scientists to go meet the Press to explain the success story. This fact was emotionally said by none other than Abdul Kalam and Dhawan is no more but his Statue has been errected in front of ISRO in Sriharikota. This is a example of True Leadership who motivated his team to
find success inspite of repeated failures. But for Dhawan, ISRO would not have been a success story. We would have been discussing as another White Elephant.
The Talents are there. It has to be properly nurtured.
Sreedhar
---------------
Private Companies need to step in to take the research & development also. The requirements of the Armed forces shall be given and they will spend their money to find the product which shall be purchased from them after it is put to test by the end users. That's the model being followed in the U.S.
These private companies like Boeing, Dassault are allowed to sell to friendly countries after the NOC from the U.S State Department. That way, they make their money.
But I would not blame the DRDO as the Politicians made a spoilsport of the DRDO by unwanted interventions. I still remember one of the Wings of DRDO which is the CVRDE (Combat Vehicle Research Development Establishment) in Avadi where the First Director was a Alumini of Indian Institute of Science and he would have completed the MBT in time to be inducted in the 90's. Such was his excellence. But the sad part was that Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 brought in somebody above him due which he was disgruntled and resigned to go to the U.S. Other than the MBT, this guy successfully inducted the Bridge Layer Tank and the Mine Sweeping Tank which still are serving in the armed forces. I had seen able scientists working even from their homes on various drawings. Such was the commitment. Bueracracy spoiled everything.
Another classic example is the Spying case truncated against the ISRO Mahendragiri Director and finally it was proven that it was set up. Nobody would give the honest scientist his honour back. No newspaper carried that report. No politician/Bureacra t apologised for this. so what will be the morale. People now fear to do the right thing as they are always in doubt. Everybody wants to finish his service to go happily with his Full Pension in hand.
Given the independence, Any organisation can perform.People have to be trusted. Independence given. Any Big organisation first is given the Target, when it is agreed by the Organisation then What resources are required to achieve it is asked. Given the time & resources, Any organisation can perform. But the Motivating factor should also be there.
Abdul Kalam in one of his Memoirs talks about Dhawan who was the first director of ISRO when all the rockets were falling into the Sea. Dhawan used to motivate his scientists to go look at the problems associated with the failed Launch and he went to face the Press. Nobody ever knew who was Abdul Kalam or other scientists of the failed Launch. After Many failures, when the first successful Launch happened, Dhawan stepped aside and asked his Team of Scientists to go meet the Press to explain the success story. This fact was emotionally said by none other than Abdul Kalam and Dhawan is no more but his Statue has been errected in front of ISRO in Sriharikota. This is a example of True Leadership who motivated his team to
find success inspite of repeated failures. But for Dhawan, ISRO would not have been a success story. We would have been discussing as another White Elephant.
The Talents are there. It has to be properly nurtured.
Sreedhar
** West Bengal **
West Bengal is going through a tough phase - It started with the TATA Nano car factory at Singur, then the two episodes of Nandigram and now the dreaded Bird flu !! An estimated FOUR lakh chickens and ducks need to be killed. And villagers, not happy with the compensation being given have let loose their birds making the culling process even more difficult for the officials. This time, it seems we are worst hit by the flu. Three districts have been quarantined and border with Bangladesh sealed. So far, no human loss has been reported. We can only hope that this problem is culled at the earliest and in an efficient manner.
Jan 12, 2008
** TATA's Car - Nano **
Finally the much talked about 'one lakh' car is out. Full credit to Ratan Tata for this achievement. To know about tech specifications and to see more fotos of the car, please click here.
TATA Dealers are so happy that they have already been flooded with calls. Looks like this car is going to have a wait period of atleast one year after registration (like our good old days when we waited eternally to get a telephone line after booking - we got the telephone line connected to our residence two years after registration). With rear engine, this car, looks like a modified version of our Autorickshaws. So what? Its going to be the world's cheapest car. At this point, all I am worried about is the traffic chaos !!
TATA Dealers are so happy that they have already been flooded with calls. Looks like this car is going to have a wait period of atleast one year after registration (like our good old days when we waited eternally to get a telephone line after booking - we got the telephone line connected to our residence two years after registration). With rear engine, this car, looks like a modified version of our Autorickshaws. So what? Its going to be the world's cheapest car. At this point, all I am worried about is the traffic chaos !!
Jan 9, 2008
** Indian Missile Prog **
"On 8 Jan 2008, DRDO announced that it will be closing the missile programe formally, since most of the missiles in the programme are developed and inducted into Indian Armed Forces. According to statement by Dr. S Pralhada - Head controller of DRDO, new missile and weapons systems will be developed within a five-year time frame at low costs, with foreign partners and private industries."
Indian Missile Program is CLOSED and thats official now. But the above official release is only one of the sample on the series of lies that DRDO has been dishing out and fooling public. - What is Mr Pralhada talking about when he says that most of the missiles were developed and inducted? What happened to Prithvi - Ver II & III?? What happened to Agni?? If he says that the the Indian Missile Prog was successful and all that were designed were developed and inducted... why the hell is he now going for foreign and private partnership?? If it had been successful - are you not supposed to sell your successful missiles to other nations and earn revenue?? Is he saying that the programme was successful, it had accomplished what was intended for and hence is being closed down?? Could there be anything farther away from truth other than this ??
Akash, Nag, Prithvi, Agni .... - we kept reading the "success" stories in news papers and magazines. Truth is, nothing tangible was achieved and not one of those missiles were actually declared as 'success' by the user community (If it had been successful, this programme would not have been scrapped).
In my view, this DRDO, under MoD is a white elephant !! Compare that to the success story of ISRO and you will realise that DRDO is nothing but a BIG flop story. What has DRDO produced till date? Hundreds of crores of rupees is being allocated to DRDO and there is NOTHING worth the name to its credit till date. All it has produced so far is bluffs, botch ups and cover up stories. Can anyone name one single big achievement that this organisation can be credited with - other than playing dirty politics and cheap media tricks by planting "success" stories in the media??
I am sure, had only our ex-President and Father of Indian Missiles known about DRDO before, he would have fought tooth and nail for a separate agency like ISRO for the Missile development program. Unfortunately, it was not to be so and hence this sorry state of current affairs.
Ideally, not just the Missile program, Govt should CLOSE down the DRDO !! This Missile program is just ONE of the skeleton that has fallen out of the DRDO's cupboard.
Indian Missile Program is CLOSED and thats official now. But the above official release is only one of the sample on the series of lies that DRDO has been dishing out and fooling public. - What is Mr Pralhada talking about when he says that most of the missiles were developed and inducted? What happened to Prithvi - Ver II & III?? What happened to Agni?? If he says that the the Indian Missile Prog was successful and all that were designed were developed and inducted... why the hell is he now going for foreign and private partnership?? If it had been successful - are you not supposed to sell your successful missiles to other nations and earn revenue?? Is he saying that the programme was successful, it had accomplished what was intended for and hence is being closed down?? Could there be anything farther away from truth other than this ??
Akash, Nag, Prithvi, Agni .... - we kept reading the "success" stories in news papers and magazines. Truth is, nothing tangible was achieved and not one of those missiles were actually declared as 'success' by the user community (If it had been successful, this programme would not have been scrapped).
In my view, this DRDO, under MoD is a white elephant !! Compare that to the success story of ISRO and you will realise that DRDO is nothing but a BIG flop story. What has DRDO produced till date? Hundreds of crores of rupees is being allocated to DRDO and there is NOTHING worth the name to its credit till date. All it has produced so far is bluffs, botch ups and cover up stories. Can anyone name one single big achievement that this organisation can be credited with - other than playing dirty politics and cheap media tricks by planting "success" stories in the media??
I am sure, had only our ex-President and Father of Indian Missiles known about DRDO before, he would have fought tooth and nail for a separate agency like ISRO for the Missile development program. Unfortunately, it was not to be so and hence this sorry state of current affairs.
Ideally, not just the Missile program, Govt should CLOSE down the DRDO !! This Missile program is just ONE of the skeleton that has fallen out of the DRDO's cupboard.
Jan 5, 2008
** Top 100 products **
PC World has listed the top 100 products - of which, Verizon FIOS is ranked at 4th.. :)
If you wish to have a look at other products... check it out at...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,131935-page,13/article.html
If you wish to have a look at other products... check it out at...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,131935-page,13/article.html
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