Almost everyone in my company & other organization with whom I interact by email, Use the Bottom line in email which says “Please don’t print this email unless you really need to”. This supposedly shows the concern sender have for environment. But apart from & probably more than environment, everyone is concern about Economy (recession & job market). Once in a while (Mostly when travelling from client meetings to office) when I have any discussion about economy, all of my colleagues support Capitalism, Free market & open economy. As they advocate these things are needs of the hour & very much necessary to pull Millions out of poverty in developing countries (Normally my European colleagues finger point towards me when they refer to Poor or developing country).
But today’s economy is driven by consumption & consumption alone. India & China have huge population (read consumers), that’s the exact reason why they are fast growing economies. More the consumption, faster the economy grows. Having said that, is not over-consumption bad, really bad for environment? It is indeed. So equation turns around to be “more consumption is better for economy & bad for environment”. If a developing nation have to choose what will it choose? Economy or environment?
Not being an expert in economy gives me luxury of questioning the very fundamentals of (open) economy. Once you are expert in a field you can’t afford to question the fundamentals of your field as you will fear making fool of yourself, if you did. There is something seriously wrong with open economy fundamentals. As a thump rule economy & environment can’t move forward together with current rules, Laws & Habits of world. We have reached a point where we can’t ignore any of them. In 17th, 18th century, when industrialisation of Europe was happening, Environment was not the issue. They make mess out of environment to became the develop nation. Now when developing nations need to so the same, it is not allowed. West has already caused enough harm to environment even our share (Quota) of harm has been done by them. Should we correct their mistake by not harming the environment anymore & hence stopping our development? Or we should first focus on development without bothering about environment. Either way there is something to lose. American’s per Capita carbon emission is 10 times more than India’s. Doesn’t it say enough what we should choose? Very basic rule of any civilised society says A have committed a crime, A should be punished not B. (A=Developed nations, B= Developing nations).
Atleast west not need to move from over-consumption. How many pair of RayBan shades are enough? How many Adidas, Nike, CAT are enough? Why we are Proved, encouraged to spend/consume more. When it is known that it is not good for harmony & balance with nature. It is one of the un-answered question in my head. Question are endless, answer are non-convincing. We can think, write what we feel but ultimately we will do whatever is expected of us (i.e. consume more).
May 21, 2010
Facebooks' "Draw the Muhammad (PBUH) " campaign : A step Backward
This has been very disappointed week after a long time. Not because of Kites but because of other issue namely “Draw Muhammad campaign on Facebook”. Pakistan’s “ban on Facebook” received the aggressive condemnation from Indian media, as expected. Everyone was using key words “freedom of speech” to justify their stand on the debates running on News Channels. Reason behind Pakistan banning the Facebook was campaign “Draw Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)” started on facebook. When everyone blames Pakistan for over reacting, none of them raise the core issue. Core issue should have been “if it is OK to Murder someone’s sentiment on the name of “Freedom of speech” rather than “whether Pakistan did the right thing”. There are so many other things that Pakistan does which affects India. Those issues are more important to us, as Indians. Pakistan banning a website is not an issue of that importance (at least not from India’s prospective).
Coming back to real issue, First of all we, as mature adults, should understand all religions are not same. Because had they call been same, they would not have called the so different in implementation, concept of GOD etc. 1 thing permissible in one might be forbidden in another. It is ok to be different. Problem occurs when we start assuming them to be same. Painting a Goddess is not a big deal in Hinduism, Infact we grow up watching Mahabharata on Doordarshan. Forget about objections about that, it was matter of pride for Hindu Brothers. Hinduism has history of using Idol, Statue, portrait & other visual medium in faith. Similarly, portrait of Guru Nanak is found in most of the Sikh Homes. Church & Christians’ homes have Jesus’ Famous crucifix (Jesus nailed to cross). But it is totally forbidden in Islam to use any visual medium (Idol, Painting, Photo, statue, cartoon, movie etc) for ALLAH or Prophets (including Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)). Infact using any visuals for ALLAH or his messengers threatens the very base of Islam. You will not see a single visual anywhere in Islamic culture (be it place of worship, home or otherwise). Those who are ignorant or not aware about Islam might see this issue as tiny. But followers of Islam will know gravity of situation. One can realize that issues like “cloths person should wear” don’t attract that much attraction from Muslim World, because their gravity is not as strong as “drawing a cartoon of Prophet”. This issue threatens the very base of Islam, & its condemnation is not only overreaction by Muslims but a natural reaction considering the importance of this issues. I have never written about Fatwa being issued daily on “whether one can listen to music, watch a movie & blah blah” as those issues are very minor in magnitude when compared to cartoon issue.
If it is OK to paint, making statue or draw cartoons in one religion, does it mean other religion should follow the same? Liberalisation is when we respect & accept the different point of view from our own. We should stop seeing others from our point of view, instead try to understand the differences very well & live peacefully thereafter. I strongly believe that campaigns like this will further widen the gulf between faiths. It is not Liberalisation, it is exactly the opposite. I know society is changing with time but I am not sure about its direction (Is it Conservative to Liberalisation or other way?), I seriously doubt it is later.
Coming back to real issue, First of all we, as mature adults, should understand all religions are not same. Because had they call been same, they would not have called the so different in implementation, concept of GOD etc. 1 thing permissible in one might be forbidden in another. It is ok to be different. Problem occurs when we start assuming them to be same. Painting a Goddess is not a big deal in Hinduism, Infact we grow up watching Mahabharata on Doordarshan. Forget about objections about that, it was matter of pride for Hindu Brothers. Hinduism has history of using Idol, Statue, portrait & other visual medium in faith. Similarly, portrait of Guru Nanak is found in most of the Sikh Homes. Church & Christians’ homes have Jesus’ Famous crucifix (Jesus nailed to cross). But it is totally forbidden in Islam to use any visual medium (Idol, Painting, Photo, statue, cartoon, movie etc) for ALLAH or Prophets (including Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)). Infact using any visuals for ALLAH or his messengers threatens the very base of Islam. You will not see a single visual anywhere in Islamic culture (be it place of worship, home or otherwise). Those who are ignorant or not aware about Islam might see this issue as tiny. But followers of Islam will know gravity of situation. One can realize that issues like “cloths person should wear” don’t attract that much attraction from Muslim World, because their gravity is not as strong as “drawing a cartoon of Prophet”. This issue threatens the very base of Islam, & its condemnation is not only overreaction by Muslims but a natural reaction considering the importance of this issues. I have never written about Fatwa being issued daily on “whether one can listen to music, watch a movie & blah blah” as those issues are very minor in magnitude when compared to cartoon issue.
If it is OK to paint, making statue or draw cartoons in one religion, does it mean other religion should follow the same? Liberalisation is when we respect & accept the different point of view from our own. We should stop seeing others from our point of view, instead try to understand the differences very well & live peacefully thereafter. I strongly believe that campaigns like this will further widen the gulf between faiths. It is not Liberalisation, it is exactly the opposite. I know society is changing with time but I am not sure about its direction (Is it Conservative to Liberalisation or other way?), I seriously doubt it is later.
Kites is all Hype(s). Hrithik Roshan as Repeat Roshan (Repeatative Hide & seek)
It is weekend again. The day, I need not to awaken by alarm. Normally working class people in cities live for weekends. Weekend is symbol of freedom for many people. But for me weekend brings mix emotions of Happiness, satisfaction & sadness. On the one hand weekend means no work, No alarm, no deadlines & this blog (Happier side). On the other hand, I feel sad as weekend seems to come too fast now-a-days. It sounds little unusual since most of “Working class” complains of short weekend & not coming fast enough. Sad part of my emotion is, Faster the time (seems to) flies, faster you are growing old & less time left to do whatever you want to do (which I am not even clear about yet). I today’s time there is very little an Introvert, financially not-so-strong, shareef (i.e. decent) guy can do on the weekend. He can sleep, eat somewhere or watch a movie (in theatre). This weekend decided to catch Kites, it was a big release with Hype. I recommended Kites to friends (& as always happen, if you recommend something, you have to arrange for that) I had to book the tickets. We went for 12.15am show, hoping Kites will fly high in sky. But we were left disappointed because we had sacrificed our sleep for that late Kites show (Oops late Night show). I was even more disappointed when my friends refuse to pay me back (for tickets). I got the well deserve punishment for recommending the movie like Hypes (sorry!! I mean Kites). Kites was 40% English, 30% Spanish & 30% Hindi. It was about the Locations, body, beauty, looks, Ishtyle. All looks good even you have story to back it. Audience should feel the emotionally attached to characters to digest such a movie. It was a road chase, Hrithik & Barbra Mori were playing hide & seek LITERALLY. They hide at ten different locations & bad guy/COP always manages to found them & interestingly they manage to escape each time (some fire exchange & similar chase). It was just too repetitive. They repeated the hide & seek plot so many times that i thought it was watching Repeat Roshan & not Hrithik roshan.Funniest part is Kites non-existing story is written by 3 writers. Hope they were Righter not only writers. I love to thrash the movies. After kites, I have concern about Rajneeti now. I am in “Watch or Not-to-Watch” dilemma about rajneeti now !!!!
May 14, 2010
Rare species : Indian Teenager in Dubai Public Bus
I notice a rare species in Dubai Public Bus Today.i saw an Indian Teenager Boy in bus. In first place, I never realize that that it is a rare thing until today. When i saw a 12 years old Indian boy , it felt little odd. I look around the bus & there was no other kid of his age. I start thinking why it is feeling odd to me. I have to find my answer anyhow, so i wear my (virual) logic cap & lost into deep thoughts & analysis (yes! i do analyse random things often). Then i realizes It is not everyday that you see some indian teenager in public bus in dubai. Next Logical step was to find out the reasons behind it. Most of the people Travelling in bus are 20-50 years old, almost 99% of them. Most of them come here to work. so Naturally more productive age group is 20-50. But normally man in his 40s will be having some teenager kids. Logic was simple & plain. Most of people who travel in bus earn less than say 8000 dirhams PM. So thier families will be back home in India & those who earn enough to support family & kids can definately afford a car. Affording is Car is much cheaper than keeping a family in the city (with school going teenager even difficult). you move from "Can afford a car" to "can afford keeping a family without (school going) kids" to "Can afford keeping a family with teenagers". Time you are in third bracket, you have passed the first bracket (Afford a Car). Hardly a teenager subcontinent whose family does not own a car (it is like saying person having Car in india will be having a mobile also, in all probability). that was the reason why it is such a rarity. My feed my logic hungry mind & get down at next stop. I raised the Question & got answer by myself. In that sense it was even more Satisfactory.(amazing how it do wonder ur your self respect when most of your Question are answered by none other than yourself).
April 24, 2010
Twitter : New Age Communication medium or Merely a Luxury
Often my weekend time pass also include reading celebrity tweets. Today was a similar day too. After logging, I read tweets to feed my gossip hunger. After that I noticed how one celebrity just mentioned that her phone battery is low. Her Battery status was instantly known by all her followers, including me. Call it Power of technology, Public’s obsession with celebs or whatever. But technology has made it possible & feasible to interact & reach the stars. Indian Metro’s middle class is getting more obsessed to celebrity culture. Technology has removed all 4 dimensions from communication. 3 locations dimension & forth time dimension has been totally eliminated. People in Delhi, Dubai, London, and Germany all are as close as person next to me (i.e. just a click away) so space dimension are obsolete. There is no time frame also, it is all in real time (Instantly). As far as I want, I can know easily about star (as much as celebs/others are willing to share).
All this pushed me into a sort of Moral dilemma. I might be getting closer to those geographically away. But I don’t know where most of my school friends are. Why technology is not allowing me to interact with them. I can’t communicate to my childhood school friends because they are not on twitter, they don’t have internet in first place.
I will love the luxury of knowing whereabouts of SRKs. But first I need necessity of communicating with family & not-so-rich friends through economical & feasible technology. Necessity should always be affordable & available to all. Luxury might be expensive. Which is not the case here. I can’t see a point in knowing about SRK when I had not talked to my sister for 5 days.
This brings me to most important question. Is It Twitter’s fault? Definitely not. It is my decision & my fault (if it is at all). Best possible way will be when I can enjoy both with equal ease. When can we see Pro-poor technology for communication? Is internet sole way for better communication? Can we not make something which is for masses? Something which is not only affordable, easily available but also required minimum skills to operate. Internet might be ‘taken for granted’ thing for few metro based peoples, but it is still a rarity at least in India. Forget about internet, more than 1 billion people in world don’t have access to electricity even today. Most of them are in Africa & south Asia obviously. More than One third of India’s population live below poverty line. They are many decades away from internet. We need something which has more reach than web based communication. Telecommunication is field, in which technology has raised the people’s living standard more than any other technology in last two decades. Indian lower middle class is slowly getting access to mobile phones, thanks to competition open market & tight regulation in the sector. I really wish it keep up the pace & let more be benefitted from it & not only the selected few economically strong. Communication is very important tool for empowerment of people. Government can’t construct roads connecting every village in next 10 years; it is financially & logistically very big. But Communication can be improved much easily & faster.
Long live SRKs. Long live twitte. Long Live India. Long live poors. Long live peace.
All this pushed me into a sort of Moral dilemma. I might be getting closer to those geographically away. But I don’t know where most of my school friends are. Why technology is not allowing me to interact with them. I can’t communicate to my childhood school friends because they are not on twitter, they don’t have internet in first place.
I will love the luxury of knowing whereabouts of SRKs. But first I need necessity of communicating with family & not-so-rich friends through economical & feasible technology. Necessity should always be affordable & available to all. Luxury might be expensive. Which is not the case here. I can’t see a point in knowing about SRK when I had not talked to my sister for 5 days.
This brings me to most important question. Is It Twitter’s fault? Definitely not. It is my decision & my fault (if it is at all). Best possible way will be when I can enjoy both with equal ease. When can we see Pro-poor technology for communication? Is internet sole way for better communication? Can we not make something which is for masses? Something which is not only affordable, easily available but also required minimum skills to operate. Internet might be ‘taken for granted’ thing for few metro based peoples, but it is still a rarity at least in India. Forget about internet, more than 1 billion people in world don’t have access to electricity even today. Most of them are in Africa & south Asia obviously. More than One third of India’s population live below poverty line. They are many decades away from internet. We need something which has more reach than web based communication. Telecommunication is field, in which technology has raised the people’s living standard more than any other technology in last two decades. Indian lower middle class is slowly getting access to mobile phones, thanks to competition open market & tight regulation in the sector. I really wish it keep up the pace & let more be benefitted from it & not only the selected few economically strong. Communication is very important tool for empowerment of people. Government can’t construct roads connecting every village in next 10 years; it is financially & logistically very big. But Communication can be improved much easily & faster.
Long live SRKs. Long live twitte. Long Live India. Long live poors. Long live peace.
April 6, 2010
Indian Media Test & Results. News Channel or Views Channel.
I took a surprise test of Indian Media today. The moment i was back from Office, i switched on TV as usual. But i made my mind & decide that News channel which will not be running Ayesha-shoaib story will be my Favourite channel. Some channels were not eligible in that. I have high regards for some channels. But Surprise is a surprise & commitment is a commitment.To my surprise Times Now was running the same ayesha-shoaib story, being a channel on my good books. I gave them extra time of 2-3 Minutes & convince myself it might be just coincidense that time when i tuned in channel was running thier 1 minute reporting. But when it continued for more than 5 minutes. I quit & honoured my self commitement. Times Now is no more on my good books by default. It have to earn my respect all over again.
Mood changed, so did channel.Next on radar is NDTV 24x7. They were discussing Food Security with good panel of people. I watched for good 5 minutes, partially because i want to know about food security & mainly because i want to know real mentality of channel. Whether they will come back to same story everyone is running. they didn't. Full Marks.
NDTV india was third under scanner. They were discussing how media is slowly starting to pass judgement. Nice issue raised. Full marks again.
NDTV is my Favourite channel. May be Time(s) to change Now. I will watch News channel who reports. Not Views Channel who give judgement. Media Terrorism is going on. No one can Control. only complains.
Mood changed, so did channel.Next on radar is NDTV 24x7. They were discussing Food Security with good panel of people. I watched for good 5 minutes, partially because i want to know about food security & mainly because i want to know real mentality of channel. Whether they will come back to same story everyone is running. they didn't. Full Marks.
NDTV india was third under scanner. They were discussing how media is slowly starting to pass judgement. Nice issue raised. Full marks again.
NDTV is my Favourite channel. May be Time(s) to change Now. I will watch News channel who reports. Not Views Channel who give judgement. Media Terrorism is going on. No one can Control. only complains.
April 3, 2010
Sania-Shoaib-Ayesha : Biggest Entertainer from India Media.
I was busy on my Laptop, catching up some pending internet gossips, which i missed during last 2 days away from Internet due to exams. Friend was watching TV, strange music from TV got my attention, this sound was mix of Suspense music & some romantic song playing in background (weird combination). I turned my eyes to TV to find out more about the sound & music. I could see clip, which i guessed was from latest Romantic Comedy suspense thriller from Bollywood. But Wait a Minute! It is not. Infact it is a News Channel & I can recognize this voice even if i hear it now & than, More than reporter it sounds like a C grade dubbing. After all it is India TV (If you don’t know, u better not). This channel has very been the same, whenever i tuned to India TV (Once in 2 months or so) They were always telling same brand new story, how "World will end in 2012" or "Pak will be finished by 2015". They always present them as Movie with anchors playing actors. Welcome to free & Liberal Indian media, News are scriptted here, dialogue are written to suite target groups. TRP is for a news channel what profit is for a company. It all that matters.
I normally prefer watching IPL matches in the evening. But this accidental discovery changed my mood. Once again today is a day when I watch TV for research rather than entertainment & information. I do this once in a while & see what is going around in media, what my fellow indians are being forced to watch. Has there been any improvement, how things are changing.
I must appreciate the director, script & dialogue writer for their good work in news channels. If models can act why cant anchors. News are not judged for unbiased here, they are judged on presentation & selection of news. So Today's plot is time tested formula of love triangle "Sania-shoaib ki shaadi".
What i saw on screen was anchors dressed with black coats claiming to be the lawyer of Sania & Shoaib (or Ayesha & Shoaib?).
6 persons are sitting *acting* as witnesses/audience/judges/supporters. 3 on each side to be fair to both. Screen behind anchors (lawyers) shows Sania on half portion, Shoaib on other half with their defending lawyers (or Liars?) standing on their respective client side. Most of witnesses were pan chewing Imam's of various Masjids of Delhi. Proceeding started with Shoaib lawyer claiming how his client hasn't done anything wrong & asked one of his supports to intervene. Opposition lawyer corrected him in well directed, well written act claiming she too have her supporters & asked one of the Maulana to prove how Nikah nama is Right.
Enough! I do care for society but there is limit to torchor I can bear. Even most professional criminals can’t bear tolerance. Channel changed & I took a breath of fresh air.
Is it Commercialization of TV, Free Media, Lowest standard of news or Masala News feeding its targeted Audience? Whatever name is given it is really in bad taste.
Channel Changed to some "Live India", if i am not mistaken it is same channel which was banned due to fake string operation. This channel targeted another audience group, It claim to show "Sania's story by herself" titled "Sania ki kahani sania ki zubaani". Reporter start speaking "I am sania, I start playing tennis at 4 etc..." what surprise me more was what was shown on screen. It shows hottest picture of sania available on net. Imagine a sexiest picture of sania in some awkward situation running on screen & voice behind says I start playing at 4. (whats the purpose?). Focus is not on telling sania's Biography (channel knew few will be interested in it). Purpose is showing sexiest sania picture to audience to whom internet is not available.
AajTak claim to sabse fake (or is it tez?). It runs a latest video shoot at sania's residence. Although there is nothing clearly visible in 15 sec long video clip, same Video is repeated for 15 minutes with anchor shouting "you can see here sania....." making u believe her more than your own eyes. It’s only you who can’t see anything other than some shadow, rest can see it all.
Research must go on. so Channel is changed again. End up at Zee News; here some KRK is blaming Sania Mirza of being a deshdrohi. She remind the viewers how Pakistani peoples made fun of Indians when Rina Roy married Mohsin Khan. He repeated how Pakistanis used to tease Indians "Indians can’t take care of their daughters". He doesn’t want this to happen again. No Matter how hard I try to see things from other perspective, I couldn't imagine his argument at all. Free Liberal modern society might not need censorship. But after watching it, I agree with our politicians, we better censor media from showing the crap & claiming it to be News.
I think Sania deserves a royalty form all these channels who has gained 2-3 days of TRP due to her. She deserves it.
I want to close it on Vir sanghvi Quote on same issue "A young girl is getting married. That should be an occasion for joy. Instead we are turning it into an excuse to spew hatred". I agree with him it is not a matter of national Intrest. Its matter of people's personal life.
Irony being People who treat this as personal matter (Vir Sanghvi or Myself) are also one who are writing about it. Discussing it. It will become personal matter the moment its TRP will drop & public will be sort of bored of it. Sachin should not retire as long as he is scoring runs. Similarly It Media should not drop the issue as long as it is scoring (i.e. Geeting TRP).
It is simple Business & economics. GOD Bless Sania (more than Sania, God Bless India & its Media).
I normally prefer watching IPL matches in the evening. But this accidental discovery changed my mood. Once again today is a day when I watch TV for research rather than entertainment & information. I do this once in a while & see what is going around in media, what my fellow indians are being forced to watch. Has there been any improvement, how things are changing.
I must appreciate the director, script & dialogue writer for their good work in news channels. If models can act why cant anchors. News are not judged for unbiased here, they are judged on presentation & selection of news. So Today's plot is time tested formula of love triangle "Sania-shoaib ki shaadi".
What i saw on screen was anchors dressed with black coats claiming to be the lawyer of Sania & Shoaib (or Ayesha & Shoaib?).
6 persons are sitting *acting* as witnesses/audience/judges/supporters. 3 on each side to be fair to both. Screen behind anchors (lawyers) shows Sania on half portion, Shoaib on other half with their defending lawyers (or Liars?) standing on their respective client side. Most of witnesses were pan chewing Imam's of various Masjids of Delhi. Proceeding started with Shoaib lawyer claiming how his client hasn't done anything wrong & asked one of his supports to intervene. Opposition lawyer corrected him in well directed, well written act claiming she too have her supporters & asked one of the Maulana to prove how Nikah nama is Right.
Enough! I do care for society but there is limit to torchor I can bear. Even most professional criminals can’t bear tolerance. Channel changed & I took a breath of fresh air.
Is it Commercialization of TV, Free Media, Lowest standard of news or Masala News feeding its targeted Audience? Whatever name is given it is really in bad taste.
Channel Changed to some "Live India", if i am not mistaken it is same channel which was banned due to fake string operation. This channel targeted another audience group, It claim to show "Sania's story by herself" titled "Sania ki kahani sania ki zubaani". Reporter start speaking "I am sania, I start playing tennis at 4 etc..." what surprise me more was what was shown on screen. It shows hottest picture of sania available on net. Imagine a sexiest picture of sania in some awkward situation running on screen & voice behind says I start playing at 4. (whats the purpose?). Focus is not on telling sania's Biography (channel knew few will be interested in it). Purpose is showing sexiest sania picture to audience to whom internet is not available.
AajTak claim to sabse fake (or is it tez?). It runs a latest video shoot at sania's residence. Although there is nothing clearly visible in 15 sec long video clip, same Video is repeated for 15 minutes with anchor shouting "you can see here sania....." making u believe her more than your own eyes. It’s only you who can’t see anything other than some shadow, rest can see it all.
Research must go on. so Channel is changed again. End up at Zee News; here some KRK is blaming Sania Mirza of being a deshdrohi. She remind the viewers how Pakistani peoples made fun of Indians when Rina Roy married Mohsin Khan. He repeated how Pakistanis used to tease Indians "Indians can’t take care of their daughters". He doesn’t want this to happen again. No Matter how hard I try to see things from other perspective, I couldn't imagine his argument at all. Free Liberal modern society might not need censorship. But after watching it, I agree with our politicians, we better censor media from showing the crap & claiming it to be News.
I think Sania deserves a royalty form all these channels who has gained 2-3 days of TRP due to her. She deserves it.
I want to close it on Vir sanghvi Quote on same issue "A young girl is getting married. That should be an occasion for joy. Instead we are turning it into an excuse to spew hatred". I agree with him it is not a matter of national Intrest. Its matter of people's personal life.
Irony being People who treat this as personal matter (Vir Sanghvi or Myself) are also one who are writing about it. Discussing it. It will become personal matter the moment its TRP will drop & public will be sort of bored of it. Sachin should not retire as long as he is scoring runs. Similarly It Media should not drop the issue as long as it is scoring (i.e. Geeting TRP).
It is simple Business & economics. GOD Bless Sania (more than Sania, God Bless India & its Media).
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