Jamshedpur.... nurtured by TATA

This is one fine piece of article I received via mail from a friend, on Jamshedpur and the role TATA has played in maintaining and developing the city.

Lakshmi Mittal speaks :

"I visited Jamshedpur over the weekend to see for myself an India that is
fast disappearing despite all the wolf-cries of people like
Narayanamurthy and his ilk. It is one thing to talk and quite another to
do and I am delighted to tell you that Ratan Tata has kept alive the
legacy of perhaps Indias finest industrialist J.N. Tata. Something that
some people doubted when Ratan took over the House of the Tatas but in
hindsight, the best thing to have happened to the Tatas is
unquestionably Ratan. I was amazed to see the extent of corporate
philanthropy and this is no exaggeration.

For the breed that talks about corporate social responsibility and talks
about the role of corporate India, a visit to Jamshedpur is a must. Go
there and see the amount of money they pump into keeping the town going;
see the smiling faces of workers in a region known for industrial
unrest; see the standard of living in a city that is almost isolated
from the mess in the rest of the country.

This is not meant to be a puff piece. I have nothing to do with Tata
Steel, but I strongly believe the message of hope and the message of
goodness that they are spreading is worth sharing. The fact that you do
have companies in India which look at workers as human beings and who do
not blow their software trumpet of having changed lives. In fact, I
asked Mr Muthurman, the managing director, as to why he was so quiet
about all they had done and all he could offer in return was a smile
wrapped in humility, which said it all. They have done so much more
since I last visited Jamshedpur, which was in 1992. The town has
obviously got busier but the values thankfully haven't changed. The food
is still as amazing as it always was and I gorged, as I would normally
do. I visited the plant and the last time I did that was with Russi
Mody.

But the plant this time was gleaming and far from what it used to be.
Greener and cleaner and a tribute to environment management. You could
have been in the mountains. Such was the quality of air I inhaled! There
was no belching smoke; no tired faces and so many more women workers,
even on the shop floor. This is true gender equality and not the kind
that is often espoused at seminars organised by angry activists. I met
so many old friends. Most of them have aged but not grown old. There was
a spring in the air which came from a certain calmness which has always
been the hallmark of Jamshedpur and something I savoured for a full two
days in between receiving messages of how boring and decrepit the
Lacklustre Fashion Weak was.

It is at times such as this that our city lives seem so meaningless.
Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata had created an edifice that is today a robust
company and it is not about profits and about valuation. It is not about
who becomes a millionaire and who doesnt'. It is about getting the job
done with dignity and respect keeping the age-old values intact and this
is what I learnt.

I jokingly asked someone as to whether they ever thought of joining an
Infosys or a Wipro and pat came the reply: "We are not interested in
becoming crorepatis but in making others crorepatis."

Which is exactly what the Tatas have done for years in and around
Jamshedpur. Very few people know that Jamshedpur has been selected as a
UN Global Compact City, edging out the other nominee from India,
Bangalore. Selected because of the quality of life, because of the
conditions of sanitation and roads and welfare. If this is not a tribute
to industrial India, then what is? Today, Indian needs several
Jamshedpurs but it also needs this Jamshedpur to be given its fair due,
its recognition. I am tired of campus visits being publicised to the
Infosys and the Wipros of the world. Modern India is being built in
Jamshedpur as we speak. An India built on the strength of core
convictions and nothing was more apparent about that than the experiment
with truth and reality that Tata Steel is conducting at Pipla.

Forty-eight tribal girls (yes, tribal girls who these corrupt and evil
politicians only talk about but do nothing for) are being educated
through a residential program over nine months. I went to visit them and
I spoke to them in a language that they have just learnt: Bengali. Eight
weeks ago, they could only speak in Sainthali, their local dialect. But
today, they are brimming with a confidence that will bring tears to your
eyes. It did to mine.

One of them has just been selected to represent Jharkand in the state
archery competition. They have their own womens football team and whats
more they are now fond of education. It is a passion and not a burden.
This was possible because I guess people like Ratan Tata and Muthurman
havent sold their souls to some business management drivel, which tells
us that we must only do business and nothing else. The fact that not one
Tata executive has been touched by the Naxalites in that area talks
about the social respect that the Tatas have earned.

The Tatas do not need this piece to be praised and lauded. My intent is
to share the larger picture that we so often miss in the haze of the
slime and sleaze that politics imparts. My submission to those who use
phrases such as "feel-good" and "India Shining" is first visit
Jamshedpur to understand what it all means. See Tata Steel in action to
know what companies can do if they wish to. And what corporate India
needs to do. Murli Manohar Joshi would be better off seeing what Tata
Steel has done by creating the Xavier Institute of Tribal Education
rather than by proffering excuses for the imbroglio in the IIMs. This is
where the Advanis and Vajpayees need to pay homage. Not to all the Sai
Babas and the Hugging saints that they are so busy with. India is
changing inspite of them and they need to realise that.

I couldn't have spent a more humane and wonderful weekend. Jamshedpur is
an eye-opener and a role model, which should be made mandatory for
replication. I saw corporate India actually participate in basic
nation-building, for when these tribal girls go back to their villages,
they will return with knowledge that will truly be life-altering.

Corporate India can do it but most of the time is willing to shy away.
For those corporate leaders who are happier winning awards and being
interviewed on their choice of clothes, my advise is visit Tata Steel,
spend some days at Jamshedpur and see a nation's transformation. That is
true service and true nationalism.

Tata Steel will celebrate 100 years of existence in 2007. It won't be
just a milestone in this company's history. It will be a milestone, to
my mind of corporate transparency and generosity in this country. It is
indeed fitting that Ratan Tata today heads a group which has people who
are committed to nation-building than just building inflluence and
power. JRD must be smiling wherever he is. And so must Jamsetji
Nusserwanji. These people today, have literally climbed every last blue
mountain. And continue to do so with vigour and passion. Thank god for
the Tatas!"

Stin(k)ing Politics and Media...

A lot was said during the infamous “Shakti Sting” operation that the conduct of trespassing into private spaces should not be allowed.
Noted Director Mahesh Bhatt opposed the Sting Operation and went ahead to say that it was aimed at "catching eyeballs" and boosting TRP ratings.
Condemning the way the sting operation was conducted, director Sawant Kumar had said, "had the actor been caught luring an innocent victim, it was understandable. But having a journalist pose and enact a drama is different... it appears to have been staged to trap him".

Like Bhatt and Sawant Kumar there were many from the Entertainment Media who joined the protest against the Sting Operation and raised a huge hue n cry.

Now the *same* episode has been repeated in the field of Politics, where 11 MP’s were caught negotiating for money to raise questions in the parliament. No Director/Actor or the like from the Entertainment Media had raised their voice this time in support of these MP’s.
This Sting appears all fair and just to these very gentlemen’s now. Why the disparity? If it was *privacy* then, it’s *privacy* now.

Only difference is that the people in Entertainment Media was baited with what they like (hot babes i.e.) and the people in Political Media was baited with their likings (money i.e.).

Political Media atleast took a corrective approach by suspending these 11 MP’s. But the Entertainment Media took no action of banning Shakti and the like from their Industry.

Why? Are the men in Entertainment Media even more immoral than these corrupt Politicians?

Bangalore to Bangaluru

So, the politicians of India are up at it again.

As if, changing of names of institutions, gardens and streets were not enough, a new trend has started - Changing names of cities.

After Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai finally it’s Bangalore.

The Karnataka government has 'finally' decided to rename Bangalore to Bengaluru !!

Well, how does it matter?

Perhaps Calcutta has eradicated poverty after being renamed Kolkata.

Perhaps Bombay has less corruption when called Mumbai.

Perhaps the water problem has been solved by calling city as Chennai and not Madras.

Who knows the road and infrastructure of Bangalore can be solved in a similar way!!

Or the idea is to give a new image to this city? We all know that Bangalore was in news recently because of the lack of infrastructure and good roads. Changing the name would simply wipe out this bad image acquired so far by “Bangalore” and Bangaluru can start fresh with clean history. A well know verse in hindi “Na Rahega Baas na Bajegee Bansuri”

Now Imagine the cost involved. All the streets, govt. records, maps, etc etc should be changed. If we know how much changing the name would cost we would certainly be wary of it. Later the govt. will need to implement the legislation.

The only people whom I can think of, who will be benefited with this change in name are those corrupt politicians who would now earn those *extra* emotional votes from the less intelligent man of the society.

Does it make us more Kannadiga when we call Bangalore, Bengaluru?
Will it make me more Indian when I call India as Hindustan, or Bharat?
Let the govt. publish how much it will take just to change a name, and we will see that all the sensible people will opt against such measure.

Laws should be enacted to avoid such name changing which has become the norm and the power should lie with the central govt.
Names should be changed only when "absolutely necessary".
(However I don't know why it would be "absolutely necessary" to change a name of the city after this 50 years of Independence.)

Three Cheers for Nitish Kumar…..

A recent statement from newly elected Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on spat between Maharashtrians and non-Maharashtrians at Mumbai’s J J Hospital campus is something to applaud for. This is what he said:

“Mumbai, being the economic capital of the country, is built on the efforts of all Indians and people from Bihar have contributed immensely to it. Like the national capital Delhi, the economic capital Mumbai too belongs to all.’’

Legislature overpowers the Judiciary at law

I had written about the reservations in Educational institutions some time back and about the fight between the SC and the Political parties for imposing these reservations in Private Institutes. Today reading this news I am totally shocked at the legislature’s behavior of ignoring the judicial decision and forcing the *law*. But I am confused now. If the decision of the highest body of Judiciary i.e. Supreme Court, who is responsible for law enforcement, itself is ignored, then who is going to make sure that this *law* is obeyed and practiced?

Lalu's Rise and Fall

This is an excellent piece of article that I received from rediff and I liked it so much, more because I had myself been a part of that ruined state of Bihar once, that I would like to reproduce the same here in my corner of the web. And despite this fact produced here our Prime Minister holds the gut to applaud and support Lalu.

November 22 is an important date in Bihar's electoral history. After 15 years of Lalu rule, directly and by proxy through his wife Rabri Devi, Bihar has now said enough is enough and shown the RJD the door.

The Rise and Fall of Lalu Yadav
Lalu Prasad Yadav is undeniably one of the most interesting and intriguing characters in Indian politics.
In his 15 years in power, directly or indirectly, he saw his state Bihar go from communal strife to communal amity to caste violence, underdevelopment to rabid underdevelopment.

It was a source of great wonder to the rest of India how Lalu ruled Bihar as the champion of minorities and the downtrodden, mastering the complex caste equations of vote bank politics. Can the Lalu conundrum ever be understood?

Here's a quick look at the highlights of the Lalu era in Bihar:

Lalu took to politics as a Patna University student, and was part of Jayaprakash Narayan's students movement. He won his first Lok Sabha election from Chapra in north Bihar in 1977, became Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly in 1989 and, a year later, became the Bihar chief minister, heading a Janata Dal government.
In the early days of power, Lalu the rustic was like a whiff of fresh air.

Those were the days of the Mandal Commission, and those were the days when Bihar was engulfed by riots in Bhagalpur and Hazaribagh, to name just two places.
After Lalu took over the state's reins, Bihar hardly saw communal violence again. It is one contribution even his severest critics cannot deny.

And his taking over the mantle was symbolic of the empowerment of the backward classes, reservations for whom were suggested by the Mandal Commission, leading to widespread protests throughout the country.

Caste equations were something Lalu was the master of. He carved the Muslim-Yadav alliance, and it was his key to power. A key he used to great effect.

In 1995, he swept the state elections, with an absolute majority of 165 seats in an assembly of 324. His main opponent and the new, rising force in Indian politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party, managed only 41.

Lalu's 1995 triumph was mainly the result of an event soon after he became chief minister. In 1990, BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani rode the crest of the Ayodhya Ram Temple movement by embarking on a nationwide Rath Yatra. It was seen as the ride of Hindutva forces, making the country's huge Muslim population uneasy.

On October 23, 1990, Lalu did what no state government could dare to. He had Advani arrested at Samastipur. It cemented Lalu's position as the protector of minorities, the champion of secularism. It was an image he would exploit in the years to come, by raising the bogey of communal violence to ensure the Muslim vote came his way.

In 1996, Lalu's named cropped up in a major scam unearthed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Millions of rupees had been embezzled from treasuries against the account of Bihar's animal husbandry department. The Opposition had finally found an issue to corner Lalu.

The Janata Dal was divided, and Lalu formed his own party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

When charges were framed against him in the fodder scam, it appeared as if Bihar's king had finally met his Waterloo. But in a political masterstroke, Lalu resigned as chief minister, and instead installed his wife and mother of his nine children, Rabri Devi as chief minister.

While Lalu spent short periods of time in jail, the real rise of criminals unfolded outside, in his state. Kidnapping became an industry, and in many ways Lalu's right-hand man Mohammed Shahabuddin signified all that was wrong with the state. Shahabuddin ran a parallel administration in Siwan even when he was in jail. He was one of the lieutenants who executed Lalu's strategy of dividing and ruling the masses and terrorizing the rich.

Shahabuddin became a Member of Parliament, even as there were arrest warrants against him. Meanwhile, Bihar continued to fare appallingly in every development index. Report after report slammed the state's complete lack of planning, complete lack of ensuring the basic minimum to its residents. But Lalu remained unperturbed, because his power was intact, if not growing.

As Sankarshan Thakur wrote, 'Ask Lalu Yadav [about the lack of development] and he may give you two kinds of responses.

'If he is on record, he will say, the Centre is "responsible for criminal neglect" of Bihar et al. If he is off record, and in a mood to talk, he will tell you development isn't an issue for him. "Development, development, what development? My constituency has lived in underdeveloped conditions for hundreds of years. Development is not an issue for them. Development is an urban middle-class demand, that is why the media keeps harping on it. "Hamra log development leke kya karega ji? Bekaar baat karte hain [What will my people do with development? You talk nonsense)]

Naxalites -- armed ultra-Left militants -- stepped in where the state feared to tread, and bloody battles between them and the upper caste Ranvir Sena became routine in the hinterlands of Bihar.

When Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in 2000 and Shibu Soren made its chief minister, it gave Lalu two leverage points.
One, he now had a new excuse for the underdevelopment of Bihar: that the mineral and natural resource rich part of Bihar had gone to Jharkhand.

Two, he now had an ally in power in a neighboring state. An ally who was as against the BJP as he was.

Even as railway minister, Lalu sought to drive home the BJP's anti-Muslim image. Just before the Bihar elections in February, a railway enquiry committee declared there was no conspiracy behind the fire that engulfed the Sabarmati Express in Godhra in February 2002.

The Gujarat riots that followed the Godhra fire were sought to be justified as retaliation to the pre-planned attack on Hindu kar sevaks. The railway probe results debunked that theory, and fed to the belief that the riots were engineered by Hindutva forces, read the BJP. The message to Muslims in Bihar was clear: the BJP is your enemy. Vote for me, I will protect you.

One of the main problems of unseating Lalu, who enjoyed power without accountability, was the lack of genuine alternatives in Bihar. That began to change with kingmaker aspirant Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan entering the battle for Bihar anew. Paswan and Lalu had similar backgrounds: they were both products of JP's student movement, they were both self-avowed champions of the backward classes. But, Paswan was seen as close to the BJP, who the Muslim populace were wary of. Paswan was a minister in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. That gave him power at the Centre, but weakness in his home state.

On the other end of the political spectrum, Nitish Kumar, also a former Lalu co-traveller, had charted a fresh course, and was harping on the much neglected word in Lalu's Bihar: *development*

As Bihar went to polls twice this year, the chorus of 'remove Lalu, make way for development' had reached a crescendo. The champion of the downtrodden was appealing to the masses to give him one more chance. Just one example is enough to highlight what Lalu's era did to Bihar.

When Lalu found a groom for his daughter Rohini in Hichhan Bigha, the sleepy Bihar hamlet was transformed overnight, with power lines, telephone connections, new roads, water pumps.

After a year, all of it had disappeared, but for the cemented track that connected the village to the main highway. The cemented track was the only memory left of what the Lalu could have achieved, had he wanted to.

Now, out of office, perhaps he could find the time to mull over how, and where, he went wrong.

History’s Worst Software Bugs

This is something to read.... it lists the History’s Worst Software Bugs and tells you what small negligence or errors from programmers can lead to....

Sachin Vs Ganguly

I received this from an old school mate sometime back... thought of posting this but kept forgeting.... well better late than never... so finally it's here......

2,2,2,39,19,11,2,67,93,9,123,6,2,4,47,19,16,74,18,78,82,11,18,37.
31,2,19,20,5,26,51,18,4,9,0,22,55,22,0,48,0,90,90,7,24,25,79,39,60.
The total of the first row is 673. The total of the second row is
746.
Surprise,surprise.The first one is the total of last 25 ODI innings
of the Indian great Sachin.The second one is of Mr.Bong(according to
a famous ex-indian cricketer).

Lets go through some more figures.

16,41,52,52,94,36,32,20,3,55,248,5,2,8,1,8,2,194.
16,101,2,1,12,12,21,88,71,40,57,9,5,45,77,73,144.
The total of the first(sachin's last 18 test innings) - 869 and that
of second(Ganguly's) - 774.

The stats include Sachin's 248 against *Giants* Bangladesh and
Ganguly's 101 against *novices* Zimbabwe.If we take these two innings
out then we have 621 and 673 respectively.The first one is Sachin's
score,the second one of the *worthless* Bong.

If performance and not star system is going to be the key for
inclusion in India team,well then figures don't lie and they say it
all. Note that,I am not saying Ganguly is a better player than Sachin
but both are almost at the same level if their latest performances
are to be considered. So when some Ganguly haters start barking that
Ganguly hasn't been performing of late,the facts say that so hasn't
been Sachin. Shouldn't be the parameters for selection to the Indian
team be the same for all the players or when Sachin's turn comes
past performances and huge experience are the criteria. Then we
should start calling back Gavaskar,Shastri and the likes. Of late
whenever India needed Sachin to perform under pressure he almost
always failed. The latest being the ongoing series against SA and
proving himself in domestic cricket,when has Sachin last played in
domestic cricket? Ganguly has to score runs in domestic cricket to
prove that he is in form after recovering from injury but Sachin is
included in the team automatically after a long absence due to
tennis elbow. Again double standarsds and again no one asks questions.
So all you true cricket lovers think twice before you say something
because you can say anything but the figures will always tell the
truth.