Critical Issues, Belated Responses?

Posted on January 18, 2011 by indra

After months that the nation has suffered from high inflation particularly in prices of essential vegetables such as onion and tomato, an economist, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, discovers and suggests that ‘the horticulture items should all be removed from the ambit of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act to check volatile prices of fruit and vegetable and ensure farmers get the best prices for their produce’.

Even if we give credit for the idea for which he might expect a Padma Bibhusan if not Bharat Ratna, he very well knows he can’t get it implemented. Can the Prime Minister help his best assistant and supporter come out and get an ordinance issued in 24 hours? However, the same party could go out of the way for declaring emergency and many lesser evils such as declaring a president rule in Bihar. This government even after six years of ruling the country besides the party running it for the most of the six decades can still confuse the aam aadami by blaming NDA for every policy that is wrong, be it telecom or forward trading of essential commodities..

There is another great man rather Maratha running the agriculture who after all his years of running the government and cricket found out and suggested encouragement for the farmers around 50 kilometers of metros and now all towns of population more than 50,000 for growing vegetables. As usual, he is not responsible for anything, but remains the key figure because of compulsion of coalition.

But the funniest was a special report published in India Today on onion. The farmer of Nasik who takes his onion to the town mandi sells it to local traders at a price of Rs 43 a kg. I wish that is true. Will someone confirm what the farmer gets from the traders to whom they sell? As I guess the farmer would not have got anything more than Rs5-7 a kg from the trader.

Can the metros or for that matter all the towns create a farmers’ market places at nominal rental where the farmers can come and sell directly to the consumers?

Can the state government encourage the farmers along the highways and expressways the growing of vegetables and fruits that require fast transportation to the consumers?

Can the government encourage the use of high speed vehicles integrated with the world class technology for increasing self-life of the produce during transportation?

Can the government focus on R&D for improving the yield of the produce to reach the level achieved in the developed countries or China?

Posted in economy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Letter to CM, Bihar

Posted on January 14, 2011 by indra

Dear Nitish Kumarji

Giving you the benefit of doubt, I infer that you are too busy to come with a mission statement for the next five years on your blog. Actually I wished you to write about what you expect from various classes to make Bihar grow as according to your dream. Towards the end of this tenure you should not say that the people didn’t cooperate.

I shall certainly expect certain outcomes as indicator of his success.

Each and every child must reach and be in the schools. Bihar government must get Premji Foundation or some similar reputed agency, involved for improving the quality of teaching. Even it can encourage the model followed by Chandrakant Singh in his Chaitanya Gurukul Public School.

As the health minister announced, I expect that every panchayat will have a health centre and a preventive approach for it through a yoga centre. Compulsory physical training in school curricula can help in this direction. For information, my own village still lacks a health centre. Can the government ensure that all deliveries will be under the supervision of trained midwives? I wish the panchayat head be made accountable for this. As I understand in many panchayats, it’s not happening because of the local politics. Further, the government must involve and seek participation from the community. Many will like to participate in this mission of health care and education. Why can’t every panchayat constitute a body to look after the two basic infrastructures? If I wish to donate for an ambulance for my panchayat who will take the responsibility to effectively use it?

It is unfortunate but fact many, if not most, of the village heads Mukhiyas are busy for their own gains and aam aadami are scared to talk with them, There are hardly any general body meeting or dialogues among the villagers.

The main thrust is to be on creating jobs particularly in the rural areas. It requires an innovative approach. For example, can you appeal and encourage some 100 selected teachers and students of the management institutes to make the subject their project and come out with some implementable ideas? You can also appeal to the trade and business associations of the state to suggest ways and means and take actions to use the educated and skilled human resources, particularly women, in the villages to manufacture and produce items that they can market.

I hope there will be some visible actions.

With regards

Indra Roy Sharma

Posted in bihar, economy, indian politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Gurus’ Nano and Sushant

Posted on January 10, 2011 by indra

‘Business Today’ in its nineteenth anniversary issue has articles from many management greats and gurus such as Tarun Khanna and Vijay Govindarajan:

Tarun Khanna: Tata’s Nano, the first so-called ‘1 lakh Rupee’ car ($2,200, or close to this) and its Ace, the mini-truck, are surely impressive attempts to create affordable transport for India’s masses, with immediate resonance for several consumers worldwide. The Nano might well find a home in other countries, and the re-engineering and tabula rasa design approach taken by the company might also prompt the rethinking of automotive design.

Vijay Govindarajan: But the real breakthrough is yet to come – it is about taking the Nano global. Already, Tata is preparing to take the Nano to other emerging markets. Even more important, the company plans to scale up the Nano platform and launch it in Europe and the US. Imagine for a moment that Tata Motors invests another $2,500 to make the Nano the world’s most intelligent car – with integrated navigation, entertainment, and information. Even at $5,000, the Nano would be the cheapest car and could well take the low end of the US auto market by storm.

Even McKinsey in an article in its January issue, ‘Unleashing Innovation in China’, has a special mention of Nano as an example of India’s strength against that of China.

Indians are pushing the envelope with designs such as the world’s cheapest car, the Nano. They are also finding that innovation in a traditional area can lead to innovation closer to the technological edge—for example, the plan to build a battery-powered Nano. There is no reason China shouldn’t aspire to that kind of innovation as well.

According to Swaminathan SA Aiyar, ‘Tata’s Nano has made India world famous in autos.’

Are the above mentions not exhilarating?

I, myself have been fan of Ratan Tata since I read first about the concept of Nano in media and written about it many times. It was a daring project for its huge investment. Lack of customers for Nano as it appeared after November sale figures appeared, was shocking. The news of Nano catching fire was equally troublesome for me as an Indian and an engineer by profession who spent his life in the sector. However, I thought Tata Motors will overcome that.

Unfortunately Tata Motors tried to market Nano by words of mouth and didn’t make arrangement for financing it easily for the customers going for it as first car. Tata would have made Nano interesting bait for youngsters, both in urban and the rural India.

I was feeling bad about Nano. I wanted it to be the successful product from India flooding the global markets. Instead I was hearing only bad field reports. But then I heard Sushant.

Sushant’s residence is on my route to the park where I go for morning walk every day. He had been wishing every time he sees me. The youngsters these days hardly try to notice the elders. Sushant is different. He is enterprising too.

Sushant is a little handicapped. He limps a bit. It is perhaps right from birth. His father worked in telephone exchange. He managed to get a plot in this sector and build his house too. He has two sons. Sushant is the elder one.

He had a scooter earlier. Then one day I found a Maruti 800. But recently after returning from US, I saw one day a Nano outside his gate. I had not seen Nano in Noida. When I asked, he confirmed that he bought it few days ago.

A conversation with Sushant made me feel good. He was very positive about Nano. When I talked about Nano catching fire, he told me his views. According to him, some customers take a new Nano and get some elctricals changed as advised by some roadside experts. That has been the cause of a short circuiting and fire. I don’t know if he is right. But I remember ignorant customers of Ambassador cars making similar mistake in my days with Hindustan Motors. Once I found some welders doing full electric arc welding of the floor panels that was spot welded in the plant as per the specifications. It would certainly be making the cars unsafe, particularly during crash.

As Sushant told me, on his own he had persuaded some of his friends also to buy Nanos.

I wish Tata Motors takes all the steps to prevent any mis-engineering.

Tata Motors must learn, appreciate and take all steps to prove the product worthy of the hopes and aspirations of the management gurus and senior citizens like me.

Are they hearing?

Posted in economy, education | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Confused or Confusing Government

Posted on January 6, 2011 by indra

There are certainly two sets of news appearing in media. One pains and other excites.

I happened to listen to Kapil Sibal yesterday that was very well covered by digital media. It appeared he was advocating for A Raja and defaming an institution that has been a watch dog: “We are extremely pained at methodology adopted by CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) for arriving at 2G spectrum. There were actually no losses to the exchequer. CAG has done injustice to itself and the Opposition is doing injustice to aam aadmi.” I wonder how a responsible man can say all that in such a manner. How has he been allowed by a prime minister, an economist by training to do that? Why should Sibal thinks that all the technocrats, mainly CAs or financial experts working for CAG are fools and he is the only who understands accounts and technology? I wish the professionals must object to such criticism more vocally and effectively. Unfortunately, for me it was a shock, as I was a fan of Sibal as HRD minister. But as it appears he is just an advocate and not an effective administrator or implementer.

The media carried one more confusing news too and that came from Jairam: “The Akshardham Temple, built on banks of Yamuna River in New Delhi, lacks environmental clearance, but nothing can be done about it now.” What is the purpose? Why doesn’t he prevent? He is another wide mouth man in the government. I am totally confused with his announcements and its intentions. I have started doubting his IIT background.

It was to my excitement that there were reasons to feel good too.

India is poised to overtake the USA and emerge as the World’s second largest economy on purchasing power parity basis by 2050 and has the potential to supersede China to the top spot, according to a report published by PwC.

And Sam Pitroda promises, ‘about 250,000 panchayats would be connected through fibre optics and broadband connections within the next couple of years.’
And thus it goes.
—-
PS: It is interesting to note that ‘CAG-sticks-to-176L-cr-figure’.And Arun Jaitley replied his advocate friend in his own way.

Posted in governance | Leave a comment

Man Mohan and Sonia: Be Decisive; Run or Quit

Posted on January 4, 2011 by indra

A question constantly haunts me. Should Man Mohan Singh be compared with other politician prime ministers that India had till date? Is not he at the best a CEO appointed by Congress Party or more correctly by Sonia Gandhi?

I am sure, for all the bureaucrats and the congress men Sonia Gandhi is the boss. Man Mohan only goes by his wonderfully developed perfect telepathic communication with Sonia Gandhi. How long the country men be kept under confusion? How long would the country go on getting ranked at the bottom of the rankings of transparency Index?

Today, it has become almost necessary for the country to have an effective and independent prime minister who can not only mull but implement and administer his ideas. If it doesn’t happen, no amount of freebies through popular schemes such as NREGA or food security can make the country grow for the people at the bottom of the pyramid.

Man Mohan must have the mandate and guts of Nitish Kumar to confiscate the property and the wealth laundered by any one in public service, be it politician or bureaucrats, or from the respected services or judiciary.

With the corruption scams and scandals covering all the media demoralizing and nullifying the advantage of the demographic dividend, Man Mohan must decide and act. Many including his great supporter Khuswant Singh and modern Ved Vyas expect him to speak out and break his silence. Many have started questioning.

B.S. Raghavan has written: “It should cause no surprise if “the question, “What to do with Dr Manmohan Singh?” has for some time been the burning topic of cogitation among Ms Sonia Gandhi, her family members and close circle of friends and advisers.

I expect him to act as a CEO without any fear and save the nation from the dilemma. He has already wasted his six years.

And let Sonia Gandhi be decisive about Rahul Gandhi and allow him to prove if he can be better than his father and grandparents, as Sonia has already pushed his uncle out of the history book of Congress party.

Posted in governance | Leave a comment

Alumni Meet of IIT, Kharagpur- My Views

Posted on December 27, 2010 by indra

I wish I would have joined the meet of alumni of IIT, Kharagpur of batch that passed out in 1961. Even the mere imagination of some old men in seventies getting together is pretty exciting.

Over the years, I have kept myself in contact with some-TR Murlidhar has recently visited us and stayed with us in Noida. OP Khanna has remained close to us. Perhaps it is so because all of us worked also for Hindustan Motors. I have also kept myself in touch with Prof BB Pandey and his research. I would have loved to meet with those around my roll number ME297 or those who were in Prof. Seyfarth class with me.

I would love to propose the creation of a special fund from the donations from the batch mates, at least a minimum of Rs 1, 00, 000 from each person. I wonder if we could collect about Rs 2 crore.

But I propose the fund for a little different purpose. Many IITians are not equally fortunate as many of the highly affluent ones. The fund can provide assistance to such unfortunate ones if there are any. The assistance may also come from the fund, particularly if they are finding difficulty in supporting the higher education of their children.

Its unfortunate the society keeps on talking about the successful ones and never bother about those who were cursed by the destiny. Should not we do something about them? Will we make a beginning?

I have few reasons for not going to the meet organized by IIT, Kharagpur. Yamuna will not allow me to do that. Moreover I shall feel bad if in Calcutta where we had a house till last June, I am to go to stay in a hotel.

Moreover, the inclement weather, the fog makes any journey at this time of year difficult for the unpredictable troubles.

Further, I have gone through the list of the batch mates that are attending. I would have wished some who were very close to me would have also joined.

Moreover, what is the fun if I can’t meet any of the professors whom I loved?

But let me confirm that I shall pay my Rs 1, 00, 000 if my proposal is accepted.

Posted in education | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dr. Sudarshan Sinha- The Forgotten Physicist

Posted on December 22, 2010 by indra

I came to know about Dr. Sudarshan Sinha only from Kamkhaya as grandfather of Alpana. Kamakhya was trying to get Alpana married to Rakesh, my eldest son, sometime in early 1990s. I met Dr. Sinha first time during the Tilak ceremony when he came to Hind Motor colony’s residence that night in 1993. I met him again in Jamshedpur in the reception of the marriage on January 27, 1993.


I got impressed by his humility during the few minutes of our conversation. Later on, I wrote some letters to him too and he had replied graciously. I still remember one that I wrote when he was ill quoting some slokas of Gita with curative quality. As a reputed physicist, he might have laughed at it.

I am, no way qualified, as otherwise to write about him. But I don’t know why for some time I am thinking to write about him. I have tried to get documents, writings, or photographs from his son and grandchildren. Dr. Gopal Sinha, his eldest son handed over a book before I was leaving for US this time and some notes.

According to Dr. Gopal Sinha, Dr. Sudarshan Sinha had his primary schooling in a village school at Rupauli, followed by the high school at Samastipur. He got married before he did his Matriculation in the year 1934, the year known for the devastating earthquake. But for the scholarship offer to pursue studies after matriculation, he would not have been allowed to go to Patna Sciencc’e College. He always topped (Bihar, Orissa and Nepal). He was awarded four gold medals. His roll No. was 13. He never talked about his exemplary performance. He was very modest. He used to only smile, if someone reminded him of his past. There are many anecdotes, which his friends (usually eminent professors of Physics, Chemistry. Mathematics, Engg. and Medicine had told us. His capability to solve complex mathematical problem without pen and paper was miraculous. He used to help Math.’s expert in for solving their complex problem.

CA Yashvant Kumar wrote from Mumbai in response to my request to the community members through an e0mail to the group and promised to send a written note, but didn’t even after few reminders.

Sir, I guess you want information about Dr. Sudarshan Sinha, a physics scholar, Principle at TNB College Bhagarlpur, Vice-chancellor of erstwhile Bihar (now Bhimrao Ambedkar) University Muzaffarpur, Patna University, Chairman of Bihar School Examination Board, UGC Member etc. Before death, he was residing in Patna. If my guess is correct, I belong to his clan and village called Bathua Buzurg, Distt- Samastipur. If yes please let me know, I shall make a write up.

Before I left for US in September 2010, Dr. Gopal Sinha gave me a book ‘The Vice-Chancellors Remember’. It has a very nicely written article written by Late Dr. Sudarsan Prasad Sinha, ‘Daring the Discord’ reminiscing on how bad was the condition of Bihar University and the way politicians and union leaders interfered.

I wonder Dr. Sudarshan Sinha would have been more widely known in the country or abroad if he would not have from a rural area of Bihar. I would also like to know more about his work in UK and USA. Why did he return? Did he pursue his research in India? I also wonder when a father does everything in his capacity to get his sons well placed in life, why do the sons don’t do something to keep the memory of their father alive in the public mind.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Corrupt India: Can It Change?

Posted on December 21, 2010 by indra

For quite some time, the corruption news are in the headlines in the cover pages. Interestingly, every one denounces it. Sonia doesn’t want to tolerate it any more. Rahul, the prime minister in waiting suggests severe punishment for the corrupt. Even for Advani, the oldman speaks againt corruption as vexing issue. Judiciary also has been sermonizing against it very often. Should Indians who suffer, hope for the decline and ultimately end of corruption at least for getting even small things done?

Recently I went through the famous tale or joke on political corruption about the infamous former President Ferdinand Marcos of Philippines and the deposed dictator of Zaire, the late President Mobutu Sese Seko, and the homes the two presidents built.

President Mobutu visits Manila and is invited home for dinner by President Marcos. Mobutu is awe-struck and jealous of the palatial home that Marcos has built. “Where did you get the money to build this palace for yourself Mr. President,” Mobutu asks of Marcos.

Marcos takes him to a window and shows a massive bridge built across the river. “Do you see that bridge,” asks Marcos, “I got a loan of $100 million from the World Bank!” Yes, yes, yes, says Mobutu, but where has the President got the money for his palace, he asks. “10 per cent!” replies Marcos.

Few years later, President Marcos visits Zaire and President Mobutu is happy to invite him home for a meal. Marcos arrives bewildered at Mobutu’s huge palace. “Mr. President, where did you get the money from to build this palace,” asks Marcos of Mobutu.

Mobutu takes him to a window and shows him a bridge across a river. “Mr. President, I got a $100 million from the World Bank to build a bridge across that river.” True, true, Mr. President, says Marcos, “but I don’t see any bridge across the river?!” “Exactly!” says Mobutu, “a 100 per cent!”

I don’t know if it is true for Indian politicians. But the stories of riches of the family of the chiefs- be it of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka or UP, indicate that it is a prevalent practice. Nothing but a mass uprising can eliminate it. It requires education and social boycott. Unfortunately, the corrupt ones get elevation of status in present society.

Corruption might not be a trouble for the few at top of the pyramid in the society, but torturous for those below.

Can the media continue the fight against corruption till a permanent solution is set in? Can Nitish way of confiscating the property amassed be a solution and get emulated?

Posted in economy, social issues | Leave a comment

Closed Taj Mahal on Friday

Posted on December 18, 2010 by indra

TR Murlidhar and his wife are on holidays in India. They are with us for few days. It’s meeting after 42 years, as they immigrated to UK and then to USA. They are now US citizens. On Friday, December17, 2010, they drove to Agra from my residence in Noida. The main purpose was to see Taj Mahal, the wonder of the world.

I was shocked when they returned in night without seeing Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal was closed on Friday. Murlidhar has seen it many years ago, but for Indira, his wife, it was the first visit to Agra and long cherished dream to see it. One can imagine her reaction and agony. But I found her brave. I could only solace her by uttering morosely, “Next Time”.

Can one think of the logic behind this closure? Is it for allowing prayer in the Masjid in the premises? Is it another appeasement policy and wonderful way we demonstrate our secularism?

Is it not a great example of Incredible India?

Posted in social issues | Tagged | Leave a comment

From New York to New Delhi

Posted on December 16, 2010 by indra

It was raining since some time in night on Sunday, December 12, 2010, when we were to leave New York for Noida. It continued in morning too. Luckily for the first time during our almost twelve days stay, it was a very pleasant Saturday with comfortable temperature and no wind in New York. We enjoyed fully the evening in Times Square of New York. Svanik had further added to our pleasure with his innovative moves.

Rajesh, Shephali and Svanik, all accompanied us to the airport. All of us were a little more sentimental. We all were morose as we would miss each other.

Medicine and metal detector:
We were prepared for the security checks, but I did never even imagine that a phial of ‘Ecospirin’ in the pocket of this heart patient would create so much of trouble. Every time I was passing through the metal detector cabin, it used to buzz. I showed everything to the security officer. He was also not sure what was causing the buzzing. Finally I asked him to take everything in pocket in a tray. The officer took it to X-ray machine and came back satisfied. As he told me, it was the medicine phial that was causing the trouble. The packaging material was having metallic content and that caused buzz. Yamuna kept on blaming me for keeping the medicine in pocket. She told me that Rajesh was still waiting outside at the far distance watching our problem. We waved and he waved back again and again before he left.

Smart Water for 4 dollar
We walked and waited at Gate 7A JFK Airport for Air India 102 that was supposed to start boarding at 2.30 PM, but finally the boarding started at 3.45PM. Why should not the system find ways and means to cut down this wait or waste of time? Why should for a flight, a passenger must report three hours before the flight time? Does it not increase effective time of commute that should be looked into?

Yamuna wanted to have some water. I went and got one small ‘smart water bottle’ from a shop that was manned by pretty aged Indian women. Yamuna was surprised when I told her that I had to pay about $4 (Rs 180) for the small bottle. It’s common when one converts dollars into rupees.

Presidency College connection helps
We had to wait and waste or kill our time without much to do but going through old family photographs on i-Pad that Anand gifted. But then I met Sunil Kumar Gangopadhyaya and the time flew at the speed of light. He did almost all the talking after I introduced myself. He was in Presidency College for his M.Sc in Chemistry in 1957: a student union president, his achievements, associations, his positions and so many stories of his successful life came out from him almost nonstop. But more interesting was his last wish to be cremated in Keoratallah on the bank of Holy Ganga rather River Hooghly, as his father got cremated there. I reminded of Late Braj Raj Rai of Jaso. Both children of Mr. Gangopadhyaya are in USA. When look towards the passengers waiting for the Air India flight, we found most like us retired and visiting their children in USA. Is it not a great achievement of the younger generation of India or the previous one that motivated them to go out and explore?

And in the flight
Finally we got in and surprisingly, I had another experience with one middle age Sardarji on the seat next to me. He was, as it appeared, under pain. He smelled of alcohol. He had a cloth bag full with his things that he was holding in his lap. It was troubling me. But I thought to solace him and said he would get relieved of his pain. Wahe Guruji will help. And to my surprise again, he opened up to the level of annoyance. He kept on touching me and Yamuna and asking for the blessings. He kept on promising to give me his full address and requesting us to visit his village where he had a good farm. He was speaking in rural Punjabi that we hardly understood. I then requested him to keep his bag under the front seat. He complied. I got a little freedom for moving my limbs. I was surprised that he was served whisky too. We got a mini ‘chanachur’ sachet as snack.

Finally, I went in to mute mode. After dinner, finally he slept. But after getting up in the morning, he was totally different He never uttered a word and perhaps had forgotten of his requests and promises.

And in New Delhi
And on New Delhi’s world class airport, I found Yamuna miserable. We had not asked for a wheel chair in excitement of reaching home. The distance to baggage claim area though assisted by many walkers became really too long. But Yamuna finally managed.

Meru Taxi charged Rs 1220 for the Indigo that carried us to Noida in dark because of a power cut. Inverter was down. We were again in India covered with dust in atmosphere, the one thing that makes me sick. And the system has become immune to it.

We are back in the abode that gives some peace.

Posted in personal | Tagged , | Leave a comment