Through the Prism

Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill

2011-08-24T01:27:00.002+05:30

Today is the 8th day of fast by Anna. His health is deteriorating. Now Govt. is worried as any serious turn will lead to widespread agitation and Congress & UPA can say good bye to its chances of forming Govt after next election. But Govt. is now short of time. A week was wasted in assessing the situation. They waited to see if the crowds would melt away and they can get rid of Anna as they did with Baba Ramdev. But exactly opposite has happened. Ramlila maidan is witnessing more and more agitators.In Civil society there are more and more voices of dissent with Team Anna. It's painful to read and hear eminent people criticizing Jan Lokpal Bill without offering any new vision or changes in the Bill. Where were they since April when Govt and Team Anna held parleys to draft Lokpal Bill ? They did not insist that their point of view be heard, discussed and added to Lokpal Bill. They would have realized today that Govt. would have treated their suggestions with contempt and would have tabled same Lokpal Bill in Parliament. All Political parties are together in enacting weak Lokpal Bill which would be like CAG or CVC- a toothless,stuffed Tiger.

I do not accept the contention Jan Lokpal Bill is flawed because it is not practical or pragmatic. We can not find honest people to be members of Lokpal, or it will be overwhelmed by cases of corruption at Lower level. Yes if you want to keep Judiciary or M.P.'s action in Parliament out of Lokpal's preview, do so. We can amend and include them in future. But we must have strong Lokpal and then we will see what happens. British never believed that We could Govern. If we had agreed to that then half the world would still be under British rule. We bit the Bullet and today imperfect may be but we are the biggest democracy in world and have changed Governments through elections.

Yes, its possible that Jan Lokpal Bill's shortcoming will hinder its implementation and reduce its effectiveness. But we will not know it till the Jan Lokpal bill is passed and becomes a Law. Whatever the shortcoming it can be corrected by amendments,addition and deleting clauses. Not to pass it because "it will not work", "it will make super dictator", "corruption will not be curbed" etc etc shows lack of guts to take the risk. We will have to take the plunge in the stormy water if we want to Cross. there is no alternative to this.--PK

Punishment to Maria Susiraj

2011-07-06T14:02:00.005+05:30

Judgement and Punishment to accused in Neeraj Grover Murder case is out. Mathew is held Guilty of Culpable Homicide and Susiraj is held guilty of only Destroying Evidence. She was awarded Jail Term for 3 yrs and as she was in jail for more than 3 yrs , she walked out free. This has not gone down well with friends and relatives of Neeraj,They are upset about the fact that she walked out free. They held Candle Light March and are planning to demonstrate against judgement. A twitter war broke out between Suhail Seth and Pritish Nandy. Nandy rightly pointed out here that right way to protest is to demand that Govt. should appeal against the judgement. Once the Hon Court announces Judgement, only higher court can change it.

In India, Maria Susiraj, though present at the scene of crime and also probably helped in chopping and disposing off the body, could be Charged only with Homicide conspiracy or Abatement. There is no crime like Accessory to Murder ( With which she would be charged in USA). As Prosecution could not prove Conspiracy charge ( very difficult in this particular case) as this was Crime of Passion. She could be held Guilty only of Minor offence- Destroying Evidence. Though She was fully aware of Neeraj's murder when she went to Police with Missing Person complain, she could not be charged with any serious offence. In US she would have faced much stiffer punishment as Accessary to Murder is punished. in India like perjury, accessory can get off with lighter Punishment, which is Pity.

Lokpal Imbroglio

2011-07-01T19:21:00.004+05:30

Lokpal Bill is in final stages before it will be forwarded to standing committee for consideration. There are 2 drafts of the proposed Bill- One favored by the Govt. and other Bill which is more stringent,broader,extensive is proposed by Team Hazare. This bill brings PM,Supreme Court, and almost all the Bureaucrats, M.P.s. under Lokpals jurisdiction. Obviously Govt. and Political parties do not want very strong Lokpal Bill for obvious reasons. They are also advised to reject the team Hazare Bill by IAS lobby, which as Administrators and heads of the various organizations and Govt. corporation is conduit for the enormous corruption that takes place in India. There is no branch in Govt. which is not completely corrupt. PM is wrong, there are only few Civil servants who are honest. Majority are completely corrupt. More so when they have just few years of Service left. opposition parties can play footsies with team Hazare as going against it would mean -atleast in Public eye- being with corrupt. They can relax at Center but they are vulnerable at state level. Govt. and Congress is in fix because it has still 2 1/2 yrs to complete and Lokpal Bill, if passed in this session of Parliament can result in Lokpal investigating various scams and corruption cases during run up to next Loksabha elections in 2012. This will result in complete decimation of Congress, without single case being filed in court! 24x7 News channel will get atleast one case per week for their " Breaking News".

Govt. and Political parties are in stronger position as they have to table the Bill in Parliament,discuss and pass the Bill. All the Political parties are together in this whatever may be their public posturing. They can not afford to have strong Independent Lokpal overseeing affairs of the state and M.P.s.This is the attack on the most crucial aspect of Political System. The essence of being in Politics is to have Power and Money. No political Post offers good money officially. Money comes from the patronage and favors that a Politician can provide and this has to be compensated in kind- that is the Bribe and source of Corruption. If this is investigated by a body which is not under the control of Politicians then there will be havoc. How can a Politician get money for self and party? World over the corruption is at this level. In India we have to pay Bribe for day to day events. like getting a Ration Card , driving License, a water Tap, 24 hrs supply of Electricity or even parking spots near our shops or establishments for customers. So parliament would like to have Lokpal who is like CAG,CVC etc. Janta should feel that something is being done, but in effect nothing is done and Lokpal report will be out for public, Then arrest few people and our Snail paced Judiciary will take care of the rest. Politicians popularity will end before the judgement would come.

But this corruption has to end. Many Politicians have suggested, that what we need is not Lokpal Bill but Social awareness so that Society ( not themselves) would become more honest and would shun bribe!!. Even after strong Lokpal and punishment to few, corruption will not end completely but will reduce drastically. It would be deterrent and cost of taking Bribe should outweigh benifits. Atleast serial( ! ) bribing, like in Motor Vehical dept., taxing authorities, low level administrators would end. Today corruption at this level is eating away vital parts of our life. As 1993 Mumbai Bomb Blast case has shown, it was very easy to land ammunition in Konkan because Custom Officers-almost all of them- were taking money to allow smuggled goods to land without checking.

So what will be the Lokpal Bill like? The attitude of Congress is openly hostile to strong Lokpal. They are also sure that other parties will willy nilly support them in Parliament. There will be amendments, but they will be defeated in the voting. it will be difficult to know which parties voted which way. As most of the Political parties will be together in Parliament there will not be advantage to any party. There may not be any 'whip' issued for this voting to make it more opaque for party affiliation. A lokpal on the line of CVC will be installed and Congress and UPA 2 and all Political Parties will crow about fighting corruption. For people's reaction for being made sulphate, we will have to wait till 2012.

It is this realisation which has prompted Anna to start Hunger Strike from 16th August. Digvijay Singh and Sibal would try and malign Anna and will do everything to prevent inclusion of strong measures in Lokpal Bill which will be Tabled in Parliament. If in Bofors case PM Rajiv Gandhi was not named but was held Guilty of Corruption then P.M.'s office should be under the ambit of Lokpal Bill. Mr Sing is fooling people when he says that he as PM is in Favour of including PM in lokpals ambit but party is not in favour. That means he is not in Control of Govt., party is. Argument that Anna should fight election is stupid as he neither has temperament nor necessity to do so. we need people who are outside the Govt/ parliament and can exert Moral pressure on Political class. Mahatma -had he lived- would not have fought election to become M.P.!! If India has to progress and become nation which can provide its people honest administration then Lokpal is just 1st step. It may not achieve all that Team Hazare promises that it would. But here is 1st battle against corruption and we have to win it to win the war. We can do it. Just 90 yrs ago, people gave up their jobs,comforts, education and almost everything to join Freedom Struggle. Today same people are grabbing illegally everything in sight. We have to reverse this slide in our Cultural Values,Ethics, Morals and Honesty. We owe it to our ancient Civilization.

Are you afraid of taking Medicine?

2011-06-28T18:37:00.006+05:30

Yesterday evening I was taking my daily Medicine- I have to take some 6 tablets in the morning and 7 tablets in the evening- my friend who was with me exclaimed ' so many tablets? you dont have to take dinner.' It's different story that my medicines have kept me going at 64 while my father and Grand father died in early 50s due to Heart Attack ( MI). That's why it surprises me that people are so reluctant to take life saving Medicines. They are alive and kicking,making money for their children's education, babysitting their grand children, do multiple trips to visit children and sightseeing exotic lands- all thanks to modern Allopathic Medicines developed in last 80 yrs. When my MIL-who is 84yrs old- started Medical Practice, 99% medicines that are in use today were not known to Doctors.

At the same time Diabetics would drink Neem juice everyday morning, lauki juice for heart, Desi Ghee, Isapgol,Faki for Constipation, all sorts of Churan for Gas (!). Homeopathic and Ayurvedic Medicines everyday for years, But wont take tablets for Lowering their Sugar or Cholesterol, Aspirin ( A wonder drug) to prevent Blood Clots and Heart Attack. They complain that Allopathic Medicines are Habit Forming(!),have side effects etc etc. Show me one thing on this Earth which doesnt have side effect.

Its only Modern Allopathic medicine which compares unfavourably against old remedies. No one would dream of going to London or Nairobi or Singapore by Ship. But Ship was favored mode of transport just 50 yrs ago. Who would like to fight war today with Bow and Arrow or with those Guns which are scattered around all our Ancient Forts ?

100 years ago we would apply Hing on abdomen for Pain or take Castor Oil for Constipation because our knowledge of working of Human Body was limited. As our knowledge increases, we develop medicines which can act at target site to give best result. From Belladonna leaves we have isolated and developed medicines for Abdominal Pain. These are further refined and more effective Medicines are developed by changing the Molecule chemically.This has increased effectiveness and reduced side effects! Today Insulin is more refined and effective, delivery system is so good that one can take exact dose of insulin injection. In future its possible to have implants which will detect Blood Sugar Levels and Deliver Insulin in exact necessary dose in Real time.

So its about time to discard all these inhibitions regarding taking Medicine everyday. Whatever is prescribed for you, take it for as long as you have to- which in many cases is for your life time. But thank your stars that with this, quality of your life has improved and you are going to play with your Great Great Grand children

Me and Hindustani Classical Music

2011-05-11T00:55:00.003+05:30

On Friday I attended Music concert in Santacruze,CA. Artists were pandit Shivkumar Sharma on Santoor and Zakir Hussain on Tabla. The theatre was full. It was gratifying that half way round the world from India, in Santacruze ,which is more than Hours drive from Bay Area,the hall was full of young enthusiastic Hindustani Classical music lovers.Indeed future of Indian Classical Music- Hindustani & Carnatic- is good. Panditji played Maru Bihag in Aalap,Jhod,Jhala and in Rupak Taal, followed by semi classical composition in Hansdhwani. With Zakir on Tabla( He is Sachin T of tabla player)it was exhilarating experience.

It took me back in time. Year was most probably 1966-67, I was Medical student in KEM hosp. Mumbai. My roomy Mukul Bodhe had complimentary tkts of Music Festival to be held in Shivaji Mandir,Dadar. They were of the front row and he wanted company to attend the festival.I had interest in the Music but it was primarily Hindi film music. I had not attended any Classic music concert. He bribed me that everyday he would take me to Chinese restaurant for dinner. I was just introduced to Chinese cuisine and for that food I did not mind torture of listening to Classical music for 3 days. That was what I thought, and agreed.

We, Me,Mukul Bodhe,Manerikar and Vasant Kulkarni went to the Music festival.Even today I remember those evenings of Music. I did not and even now cant recognise Sur or Sargam. I can now recognise few Raag. But then i was novice. But Music was sooo spellbinding. Hariprad Chaurasia's Flute, Amjad Ali Khans Sarod, Shiv Kumar sharma's Santoor- which was just introduced to Classical Music and Panditji used to describe the instrument in detail- with Zakir on Tabla. I remember there was Pt. Ravi Shankar with his famous Taal Vadya Kachehri- which was combined playing of Tabla,Mridung and Carnatic music percussion instruments like Ghatam etc. I was hooked on this music.

This was followed by period when I was collecting and recording Classical Music from any source. I had good collection of Tapes which i used to play on my Panasonic Tape Recorder. During my residency from '72 to '76 i had very little time for live music but would start the tape moment i entered my room in the evening and music would play till i fall off to sleep.

One dayin '75 Mr Tillu, Works Manager in Friends factory gave me tape recording of Sitar played by Abdul Halim Jaffar Khan. There was Yaman and Pahadi dhun. I was just captivated by that music and till today Khan Saheb is my most favorite player. Even today when i play his Tilak Kamod, it brings sukun and peace to my mind.

In '75 I got engaged to K. She is from Gwalior and has learned Vocal and Sitar.She used to sing in Collage Day Programme during college and Medical student days. In our final meeting, before our engagement was finalised, my future FIL asked me whether I liked Classical music? He was relieved to hear that I enjoyed classical music. So when I went to Gwalior after my engagement, all the evenings would start with Classical music being played on his Stereo Music System and would be in background till 1 am or so. There I was introduced to Vocal Music.

Gwalior has 'Tansen Music Festival'. It is held near Miya Tansen's tomb. Its open air festival and artists are not paid. They attend to pay homage to Great Musician. Usually 2-3 artists play/sing on particular evening. Main artiste would start at 11 pm or mid night and may continue till early morning. It is recorded by AIR for archival purpose. This recorded music is freely available in Gwalior. Listening to great artists in that Mahol is altogether different experience.Even the recorded music is great as it captures essence of Hindustani Classical music. There is no time limit. Artiste can explore a raag and can transcend. can move to other raag and finally come back to original raag. That freedom to explore and transcend is hallmark of H C music. Thats why a particular raag would sound different when played by different artists and sometimes by the same artist from its earlier or recorded version. At the top of the pyramid are Vocalist.

Then there is Semi Classical like Dadra,Thumri,Chaiti,Hori, Tappa, and even Gazal. They are more famous and enjoyed by janta than typical raag(Bada Khayal). Like India, its music is also huge, varied,different and unique.Once you start enjoying it, there is no limit.

2011-02-26T02:03:00.002+05:30

My niece in San Jose has to get in High School come this fall. Admission in Private High School is suppose to be very difficult and one has to consider and discuss pros and cons of getting education in these very Prestigious and Costly ( fees are in the range of 25-40 K/annually). Last Saturday ,when I visited them, the discussion was in the full swing. My other sister and Bro-I-L, whose two sons have studied here in South San Jose, pitched in. Strong and weak points of each school,the distance from home,possibility of Carpooling,time spent commuting was all discussed. It was more intense that the discussion one has in India for Undergrad education. One good thing about education in India is,that there are not too many options and Choice is limited. Unlike US where for everything there are multiple Choices and after all the discussion when you make a choice,you are not sure that it is correct one. Reminds you of your CET/GRE/GMAT ?

My niece was very tense. She was counting days for this tension to get over. March 18 or thereabout is date when she is expecting the letter informing her whether her application is approved or not. Then there is big question of Fees. At 40K/yr it was more than fees at undergrad/post grad level. Besides you cant do part time job to ease the burden. So I asked her 'what about Public School?' and She answered 'I would rather not study or study at Home.' It seems Public School of their area though good, was not preferred by many parents.

This really surprised me. When we were looking for house to buy last year, we paid so much attention to School District,Performance of the school,it's ranking etc etc. Areas in Santa Clara or in Fremont, houses were costly as they had very good school district. I remember reading edits in TOI, praising Public Schools system of US and compared them to abysmal condition of imparting education in Municipal/Govt. run schools in India. One of the reason cited was that in US even Rich and Elite parents sent their children to Public School and hence they were better staffed and equipped.If rich and Elite parents in India sent their children to Mun/Govt school then they would improve and will provide quality education ( These edits were during Nehru/Indira Gandhi Socialist era). Today parents in US, if they can afford would send their children to Private School. What a change.

Are Hindus " HORRIFIED" by Hindu Terror ?

2011-02-01T06:33:00.003+05:30

Vir Sanghvi in his Parallax View asks,'Why are we so Horrified of Hindu terror?

Are We? I don't see any anyone being horrified by the Swami Aseemanand's arrest and confession about plot to take revenge on Muslim by violent means. Yes, there is disbeleif but what feeling Hindus have about this revelation is that of "Surprise" Vir admits that as Guju Jain, violence in any form is anathema to him but for majority of Hindus, a Hindu can plan and carry out terror attacks is Surprising. Last heard it was done almost century ago by Bhagat Singh & Co. against British. After Independence violent terror attacks was forte of Communists-Naxalites,Christians from North East trying to cede from India and recently Islamists, as part of Jihad against Infedals(Hindus).

Hinduism is not Violent religion today, but in those early years some 3-4 thousands of years ago Hindus fought with existing(Pagan-Native)religion to establish itself.More likely Hinduism is one of the first 'Religion' in the world. Hindus dont convert because in abscence of any other Organised Religion there was no one to 'convert' from. Like Indian state it was always inclusive and there is no act for which one can be kicked out of Hindu Religion. If you are born a Hindu you die as Hindu as even abusing Gods will not exclude you from the fold as there is no concept of Blasphemy in Hinduism.

We are surprised because except in Mythology,Hindus have not shown violent streak. That particular Gene is lacking in Hindus-unfortunately. we have organised locally or in particular region or community and fought with Kingdoms and people from neighbouring region ( Similar to Europe where French,Italian,Spanish,etc fought with one another, though they were all Christians). But unlike Christian Europe when Muslim tried to invade and threatened to convert, Europeans united under Christianity and Pope and carried out "Holy War" against Muslims and stopped them at the Gate-Turkey. Muslims couldnt go beyond Balkan region and Spain which was occupied by Muslims from Africa,returned to Christianity by defeating Muslims in war and used Islamic method of using sword to convert all Muslims to Christianity and Mosques to Church(reconquesta and Mezquita-Cathedral of Cordoba). But Hindus never united under Hinduism and that's the reason why India was repetedly invaded,Hindus killed and Converted in large number, temples destroyed and Mosque built on it. Coincidently both the events were taking place at almost the same time-400-600 yrs ago. In west Muslims couldnt make any progress and in East ( India) they became the ruler. If we had united and fought as Hindus,we might have stopped invaders at Afghanistan border-Hindukush mountains. Hindu kings either converted to Islam after defeat or had treaty and used time tested method of marrying of their daughters-sisters to invaders and retaind power.

British rule was more civilised and though they encouraged conversion to christianity, the basis of British rule was to co opt Princely states and allowed them to rule. If King was Hindu or Muslim, British did not encourage conversion openly and it was left to Missionaries to do the Job. Except for Dalits and Very Backward Communities ,conversion did not extend to Higher castes. So unlike South America,which was converted to Christianity under Spanish rule,India remained predominantly Hindu and is today almost a Billion strong.

But here is lesson to remember. 1857 War of Independence or Revolt by Soldiers of the British Army in India was the result of Fear of Conversion to Christianity.All over World Conversion from religion of Birth,and Religion evokes strong and Violent passions as seen for last 4 thousand years.Many wars were fought in the past.Untold atrocities were committed in the name of Religion,Lets not allow the Genie to come out of Bottle. Result will be devastating.

How can You ID Munnabhai MBBS ?

2010-12-25T11:52:00.003+05:30

Thanks to Mumbai Mirror, the story of Munnabhai-Dr. Zuber Qureshi working as Housemen (Entry level Resident Doctor in any Hospital) by masqureding as Dr. Meraj Shaikh,in Bombay Hospital for 6 long years has brought to light one Lacuna in Professionals ID. I am working as Consultant Doctor in Mumbai. Nowhere- from my 1st MBBS to MD certificates, Maharashtra Medical Council Registration Certificate- my Photograph is present. Its absolutely easy to do Identity Theft and work as Doctor. In absence of such a ID, how can one identify the Doctor or Lawyer, Tax Consultant,Architect etc. Bombay Hospital had no means to find out dr. Zuber's credentials. On top that, when it is difficult to get Resident Doctors for non-recognized posts, Bombay Hospital has no incentive to find out. Even for Post Graduate Posts and Admission, there is no Mechanism to detect identity theft when Candidate is from out of State, small Medical College. There are Medical Colleges, whose names most people have not heard in India. As a matter of fact, in Chennai, there is Medical College,attached to Deemed University, whose Undergrad(MBBS) and Post Grad. Medical Degrees are recognized by AMA of USA( To my knowledge it must be unique distinction). I heard about it in USA when my Medical College friend told me about it as his children were studying there!!.

Bombay Hospital has promised to check the credentials of all the candidates in future. They can do for Candidates who are Registered with Maharashtra Medical Council as we all carry MMC issued ID Cards-issued after allegation in High Court of Bogus Voting in Council Poll.!! But if someone Registers under friend's name who has migrated abroad,then how this problem can be solved ?.

This problem is not unique to India. Its prevalent in US as well. Remember the film 'This Boy's Life' starring Leonardo,where Toby Wolff falsify his records to gain admission. At Job level there are agencies which do background checks for the Companies,still someone slips through. For Resident Posts,such elaborate and costly checks are not possible. Whats the 'Motive' for such identity theft? In case of Bombay Hospital i can venture to guess that Free accommodation and Food with decent salary must be the reason-as was for most out of town Doctors coming to Mumbai. Here Free accommodation in South Bombay is worth all the trouble.!!

What PM and Congress are afraid of ?

2010-12-22T06:03:00.003+05:30

In the Congress Plenary session,Sonia outlined road map to combat corruption and PM offered to face PAC as he has " Nothing to Hide". Yes we may be sure that PM and even Sonia is personally not corrupt. Corruption is difficult to control and no one in the world has achieved corruption free society. So offer of facing PAC for corruption will serve no purpose. If congress is clean-as it claims to be- than why not face JPC which will have Congressman as Head. Problem is JPC will probe all the aspects of 2G scam,especially role of Govt. and Parliament during allocation of spectrum.

What has bothered people tremendously is the fact that Telecom Minister Raja, Like Dushashan of Mahabharat fame, disrobed Draupadi( Indian nation) of 1.2lac Crore Rupees, in Darbar(Parliament). Like Bhisma,Drona, Dhutarastra, all kauravas and pandavas, Sonia,Manmohan,Pranabda,Congress,Sharad Pawar,NCP,BJP,Left,Laloo,Mulayam, saw and heard everything,PM even advised Dushashan not to do this dastardly act. But our Dushashan went ahead with disrobing Indian Nation and all these stalwarts watched,wringing their hands, chanting " Coalition Dharma". They ignored their basic Dharma of giving "Good Governance". Lord Krishna advised Arjun in Battlefield that he has to follow his "Dharma" and do his 'Karma', whatever the consequences. Congress-nay-all politicians and Parliamentarians did not follow their Dharma and failed us. If Sonia and PM could allow Raja to carry on corruption and look in other direction so that Govt. survives and power remains than how can you expect a Soldier to lay down his life for Nation or few miles of land at Border? he is expected to do so because that is his Dharma and Karma. If following Dharma results in Death so be it !

Democracy,Fundamental rights, all the laws have no meaning if there is no Good and Effective Governance. If one is forced to take job below living wages, he can hardly be expected to insist on Freedom of Expression or Right to Form Union. If there is good governance then people will ignore even violation of their fundamental rights for time being and allow growth to take place. If there is only corruption and bad governance than time is ripe for loss of faith in the Govt.& Democracy and result will be fascist violent end.

2010-12-20T16:04:00.004+05:30

Last week i attended a wedding reception in North Gujrat. Now wedding reception is well planned event in most of the places. These days as most of the work is outsourced or handed over to Event Manager, Host need not worry about most of the preparations. Scenes from Film like "Monsoon Wedding" are passe. BBB would be more like it. In Gujrat, wedding receptions are usually held in open spaces called " Party Plots" and in most Towns,these are close to, rather adjoining one another so if one has to attend 3-4 wedding receptions,then there is no need to rush from one venue to another,find parking space( in Mumbai Valet parking has become 'Must' these days),stand in the queue to wish newly Wed and ensure that your presence is noted by the host- with "Blessings Only" this is first thing one has to do. But in Gujrat this hassle is absent. You can just walk across to another reception. If newly wed are still in Beauty Parlour, you need not fret and fume. Have dinner,walk across to next reception and have desert there. May be stroll in Dining area and decide where the spread is to ones liking and partake as per our personal choice.

One characteristic of Wedding in Gujrat is presence of a small Band and Singers. They sing Gujrati songs, Wedding songs suitable to the ritual taking place, Bollywood songs,Gazals-both Gujrati and Urdu. This practice is absent in receptions in south of Gujrat especially in Mumbai. We have our "Sangeet" on one evening but in reception there is no Band or Singing. Usually it is recorded Shehnai music. I have come across Instrumental music or Live Shehnai once in a while but dont remember singing part. Ofcourse Christian & Parsi weddings have the band and the dance. Here i am talking about Hindu wedding.

I think in Mumbai we must adopt this and have small band and couple of singers singing nice songs during wedding receptions. It has soothing effect and more people will seat in reception area enjoying music rather than rushing off to Dining area. These days more time is spent in Dining area then in reception area. With huge spread that we have it is but natural. It takes lot of time visiting 6-7 counters!! But good music and singing will make the mahol more interesting.

Is OCI/PIO Card is Like Green Card.?

2010-10-15T05:25:00.006+05:30

Ordeal suffered by Dr. Sujith Pandit,a 70 yrs old professor Of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan,Ann Abbor, at kalkatta Airport in June 2009, when he arrived from US is described in blog spot here. He was a US Citizen with Valid OCI card. He had forgotten his old Passport in which Indian Visa was stamped.

His trouble stems from his belief ( Shared by other NRI US citizens) that OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) is Dual Citizenship. It is NOT. OCI/PIO card scheme idea is probably based on Green Card of US. Which gives you almost all the rights of US Citizen except Voting Rights and be elected representative. But there are few differences. Two major ones are:

Like US Green Card, OCI card cant be used as Visa to enter India. OCI/PIO card holder has to send his Passport to Indian Embassy which will either Stamp or apply sticker of Permanent Multi Entry Visa. If Passport is changed or renewed than New passport should be stamped or one has to carry Old passport which has Visa stamp/Sticker. Failure to do so means you do not have Valid Visa to enter India. ( It is more like coming to US after a year with only Green Card without Re Entry permit). Carrying OCI/PIO card will not give you entry.

Second difference is that OCI Card holder is not liable to pay Income Tax on his/her Income not earned in India.

Whenever one has to deal with India ,it is always better to read ALL FAQs. They provide more info than the main page.

After Ayodhya Verdict

2010-10-14T11:49:00.005+05:30

Its almost Two weeks since Ayodhya verdict by Allahabad High Court. The verdict has flummoxed Secularist- pseudo Secularist- in Media and Libertarians. For so often Hindus have received sermons and advice from them regarding solution to Ayodhya Conflict. Accepting Courts verdict was high in those suggestions. Now as Court has given the Verdict in favour of Hindus,its not acceptable to them.

I pity this group as it is not sure what is the meaning of Secularism in Indian Context.

* Is it Separation of State from Religion ?

But then Muslim Politics is all Religion. Even Indian Constitution is subservient to Islam-Koran and Hadith.( Mostly its interpretation by clerics). govt./parliament hasn't got guts to introduce any change in Muslim Personal Law, many of its provisions and practices are unconstitutional and blatantly anti-women.

Is it all religions are equal as far as State policies are concerned?

But then Minority groups are favoured more often then Majority religion. Different yardsticks are applied for everything. Govt. can not touch money received by Church and Christian groups. Muslim trusts can use money for Muslim's benefit. Church and Muslim group use donation money to promote(read to Convert) their religion for this they can have Schools,hospitals and have other Social schemes for poor from all communities. But Hindu Temple Trusts money is Govts. Kitty and can be used to repair roads for President's visit or to have Airport for VIP's to land for Darshan. It's Non Secular nay Fundamentalist-Communal to use this donation money to promote Hinduism. One can use it to support Christian Schools ( as was done in A.P.) but school/Hospitals can not be built as it may be managed by Hindu Fundamentalist who will capture young minds and poison them in Hindu Libertarian views.

The acceptable meaning of Secularism is to Control Hindu temple trusts, institutions and Social organisations and stifle growth of Hinduism. To allow Christian and Muslim groups to carry out their activities and convert Hindus to their faith by means Fair or Foul.

I have problem with this. In world of today, Christians are 1.5 billions,Muslims 1.25 Billions and Hindus 0.92 Billions. Unfortunately as much as 0.9 Billions( 90 Millions) are in India. and remaining 2 Millions are spread across world where at most places there are no Temples, Hindu Institutions or organisation to spread Hinduism and Its thoughts. Here we-Indians- have special responsibility. We are duty bound to spread Hindu religious philosophy, thoughts and principles. It is one of the Worlds longest surviving Religion which is Liberal and allows one to seek God or whatever you want to call it, by whatever means one chooses. There are no compulsions here. there is NOTHING that you have to do to seek your God. No doing Namaz 5 times a day, Fasting for month, attend Friday prayer in the Mosque, going to Church every Sunday, attending Mass, this or that. It is this philosophy that we have inherited and which we are duty bound to spread across world. Muslim Kings and Clerics,Christian missionaries have tried to convince us that Hinduism is inferior religion-almost pagan- and salvation is by converting to Christianity or Islam. We must spread the message of seeking God at our terms because that is also a path to Loving,forgiving enlightening Father(Mother) in Heaven or space or wherever.

2010-10-04T01:18:00.004+05:30

I want to buy a Split A.C. Now as far as Split ACs go, there is nothing to select. I mean you dont have to go to Showroom of Croma/Vijay Sales/Sony Mony to select an AC. They all look similar. We have to just know the Technical specifications, Energy star ratings, and most important, price.

Now going to Showroom is pain as there is traffic,parking headaches and they may not have sufficient brands or brand you want to buy. As such there are full page ads in all Newspapers, informing us different models and their prices.

So I phoned Croma. The sales person was polite. He informed me the price and star rating of carrier,LG,Samsung. They did not have Onida and Voltas brands ACs in stock. So i phoned Vijay Sasles in Infinity Mall. Receptionist informed me that they dont inform prices on phone. I told her that I have full page Ad of Vijay Sales informing Price of Lloyd AC as well as price of almost all white goods like TVs,Laptops etc. If they can mention price in Newspaper than why can't they give out price on phone? its difficult to go to Showroom in Infinity Mall as there is Security and parking hassal and it will cost me Rs 40 for parking. She was adamant and informed me that I have to come to showroom to know the price.

Compare this to policy of US stores. One can know everything about a product online. Amazon,Frys,etc have website where you can know price of each and every item on sale in the store.I felt that if Vijay Sales cant give out price on phone than probably they dont care to cater to their customers. It is better to buy from store and people who care for you.

Vijay sales lost a customer cause they have adopted a stupid policy and dont know how to put it across without offending their customer.

2010-09-29T06:01:00.005+05:30

when I saw front page News in Mumbai Mirror about " Ward boys doing Doctors work in a Hospital in Mumbai", I was more amused than surprised.Because thats an Age Old Practice in India. When I was medical Student in K.E.M. Hospital Mumbai, C.L.W. Suturing was done by wardboys in Casualty. to my knowledge practice is still continuing in all the hospitals. Most probably it started off during World Wars when such wounds were sutured in battlefields by Medical Staff.

C.L.W. is "Contused Lacerated Wound". One gets it when there is any accident,fall while playing,a brawl or any form of injury. One on Scalp are most common, they are difficult to detect as hairs hide them and easiest to suture. You have seen Stallone " Self Suturing" a CLW in Rambo I-First Blood. Next to 'taking out Bullet with Pocket/Kitchen knife', its most common method to show Masochism in movies.

In Casualty, once its established that there is no other serious underlying injury like Fracture or Bleeding, CLW suturing is done and person is sent home. CLW suturing is done to stop bleeding and wound heals in week's time with thin scar. If suturing is not done than wound may bleed and healing takes longer and may leave ugly scar. Suturing is very easy and is more like Sewing done at home. only difference is that one uses Sterilized,Surgical thread with Surgical (Trocar Pointed) straight or Curved needle. Suturing with Curved Needle requires training and skill. With straight needle- most common - it's very easy. Thats why No one wants to do it, and it ends up with Lowermost person who cant say NO. Thats wardboys in Casualty.

In surgery its most basic thing and every one starts off with it. If in casualty Intern is posted or better, if students doing Surgical posting are there then they are given this job as favour. Wardboys are asked to 'Assist' them( Nursing staff wont bother to assist such a simple operation!) with warning for CLW on Scalp that " Take Care and dont push the Bloody needle in the brain". with merriment all around as soon as Students back is turned. Procedure is done with all the surgical care and observing most of the surgical principles. hands are washed, Gloves are put on, Wound is properly cleaned, towels are used to isolate the wound and sterile Technique is used while suturing. In short everything is done as if this is a proper, major surgical procedure. only problem is that Suturing requires no great Skill, hence for busy,overworked Casualty officer, its a burden and irritant which he wants to pass off to someone.

As the procedure is simple and done by person not using skill, result is 'ugly scar". In the case of Head wound, hairs can hide the ugly scar but if its on face or other prominent visible place than scar looks hideous and may require plastic surgery in future. So any wound on face, arms, Legs are referred to Plastic Surgeon. In Public Hospital this means wasting 3-4 hrs as Plastic Surgeons are overworked and they take pretty long time to suture the scar. But they will hide it. In private Set up this is costly affair and may set you back by 10-15K + service charge! Only you will know where the scar ( proof) of abusive,violent husband is and can show him to end all future arguments and fights!

Green Environment Friedly Homes in US

2010-04-21T19:56:00.006+05:30

Last weekend . we went window shopping for Washing Machine. These days all Machine have Energy saving rating in the form of stars and more the stars more Environment friendly machine is. Of course when you read the reviews about performance then we realise that at times more stars have resulted in Lower performance. Sometimes -as in the case of washing Machine- it may lead to use of more harmful detergents to get better wash. It's like Drinking Alcohol will reduce your risk of getting Heart Attack, but increase damage to Liver!!.

In USA I am really surprised at this nitpicking. Look at their Homes! All over US the Floor plan is almost the same. You have 1) Living Room,Dining Hall( for Guests), Family room,Dining space for family, Kitchen and it is an Open Floor plan with no doors 2) Bed Rooms on the same floor or on higher floor. Usually total area is divided equally between the two.

In most part of the USA you need Heating for almost 7-8 months if not longer and Designing of the House doesnt provide for heating only some parts of the house. So at night though only one Bedroom is in use entire 4-5K sq.Ft. house is heated to comfortable level. Same goes for Cooling and Air-conditioning. Even the houses constructed in last few years, when we are aware of Global warming and other Environmental issues have same problem. Besides the heating is done by Gas and US is dependent on not so friendly countries for it's need.

Can something be done to reduce Energy usage to heat/ cool homes? I doubt it. Its 'QWERTY' keyboard problem. Homeowners will find it very difficult and exorbitantly costly to make a switch. Only solution is to popularize Room heaters. But what can be done for Open floor plan ? it will need Central Heating as it is too large for Room Heaters.

Our only hope is that Architectural Association insists on changes in Basic Floor Plan of the homes and make it more Environment friendly.

After Death.

2010-03-25T21:37:00.004+05:30

Last week I attended 'Chautha' of not so close relative. It was in one of the halls of ISKON.

I reached the hall. It had Solemn atmosphere. hall was full.many people were present to pay their last respect. One has to ensure that ones presence is noticed by close relatives of the departed person.2-3 Prabhujis were singing Bhajans. people gathered were talking among themselves. Such occasions are also meant to update latest social news and Gossips. i have nothing against that. Its process by which you try to bring close relatives out of grief of loosing their dear ones. life has to go on.

After some 1/2 an hour or so a senior Prabhuji came. Bhajan stopped. Now sr. Prabhuji started his discourse on life, death, How to lead life as ' human Being '. The highest form of life in this cycle of 84 lacs( or is it 84 Crores?) life forms that 'Atma' has to go through. How God has given us this most precious thing that we are born as human. and how we must utilise this life to reach God and acheive 'Moksha' i.e released from this cycle of Birth and Death. How chanting Gods Name continuously helps in this, and how indulging in materialistic lifestyle and partaking pleasures of this world will lead to rebirth as human or some lowly species.

you simply wonder. Yes i agree we should lead life in noble and pious manner. We should not harm others etc etc etc. But how do we know about God giving us this most precious highest form of life?. Who has died and has come back to this world to tell us what happens after death? or by doing this you will achieve Moksha and by doing that you will have to take rebirth road and start all over again?
Who Knows? May be its working in exactly opposite way. When you hear all that pravachan in Chautha, one realises that all this is Maya and Mithya. What is present and here is TRUTH. whats in future is just our imagination. and After Death. well its just plain.........( select your adjective).

2010-03-25T20:37:00.002+05:30

I am really MAD at these courrier services.

Last week when I entered my home, there was a " we missed you" card from a well known,International courier service. They had a package for me. So i phoned the number and a lady answered:

Me: i have this we missed you card from you.
CS: Whats the number on the card?
me: 00000000
CS: whats the name of the delivery boy?
me: Sandeep.
CS: Ok, What time you will be available tomorrow.
Me: Before 9.30 or after 7pm.
Cs: No No No. He can come there after 11.
me: But i am not home at that time. Cant he come early? say 10.
CS: No he starts from here at 10 so can reach versova at 11 earliest.
Me: OK, ill wait for him.

with lots of effort I reschedule my day and postpone an operation to 12.30.

Next day at 11.30 he has not arrived. so I phone the CS office.
Cs: He is in Andheri. So he will be there anytime.

12 noon he has not come. i phone again. I am angry and start off with accusing tone.

CS: i will give you his phone. you talk to him. His phone # xxxxxx

I phone him.

sandeep has just reached Andheri !!. But he will come soon.

By this time I have calls from Hospital. they are waiting for me. i postpone the operation by 45 mts. and phone Sandeep again and ask him to call me when he reaches my home. I try to impress him and tell him that because he is late i have to postpone operation and i am late for my hospital work.
he promises to phone and i leave for operation.

Operation is over. its about 2.45 pm. no call from Sandeep. so I call him. So far my 5th call to C.service. He takes call when i have phoned some 6-7 times. he informs me that He will be there in 1/2 an hour. i ask him whether he will give the package to my family member who is present now in my house. He refuses, as Bank requires that he verify my ID before giving the package. i phone home and instruct them to call me when Sandeep comes.

At 4.30 pm I am leaving my Hospital. i see a courier guy walking in the society Bldg. i just call him.

are you Sandeep from xxx courier?

finally at 4.30 he has reached 7 Bunglows. i introduce myself and show my Driving License as ID. he is reluctant to give me the package. he has to give it at printed Address only.

somehow I convince him, may be he was tired as well. so he gave me the package.

its from HDFC Bank Mutual Fund. It has account Statement and letter informing me that an earlier undelivered Dividend Warrant has been dispatched by them.!!

So next week I will have to undergo same thing again.

here is Simple question.

Why cant the Courier company deliver mail/Packages between 7 am -10 am & 6Pm to 10 Pm. when most of the customers are at home.?

Will they not get delivery Boys willing to do these shifts?

Why cant they call on mobile and fix up time with receiver so that no one has to waste time waiting for delivery boy to arrive?

Why can't Banks- HDFC,ICICI,HSBC etc- insist that mails be delivered at time convenient to customer?

In a year how many days should we waste waiting for Cheque Books, Demat Delivery Instruction Books, Dividend and many sundry items.?

India's Oscar Entry and Marathi Angst

2010-02-04T09:20:00.009+05:30

Marathi film 'Harischandra chi Factory' produced by UTV was India's official entry for Oscar. It couldnt reach the final list. This week it was released in Mumbai and got rave reviews. I wanted to see this film in marathi. To my surprise Andheri west which had 72 shows of '3 idiots' in PVR,Fun Fame and Cinemax multiplexes, did not have a SINGLE show of this Oscar nominated film HCF!!. These multiplexes had shows from unheard of 6 am to midnight for '3 idiots' but couldnt accomodate a single show of HCF. Besides HCF print is available with English sub titles. Nearest screen for me is Sun City in Parla East. These Multiplexes enjoy tax waiver from Maharastra Govt. and had charged Rs. 350/- for 3 idiots ticket. This is in Mumbai, Capital of Maharastra!!.

A week when Rahul Gandhi and RSS/BJP and all News Chennel/papers have joined issue with Thackereys of Shiv Sena and MNS, one can understand the angst of Marathi Manoos and why Shiv Sena / MNS gets overwhelming support for their cause, if not for their methods.

What Maharastra is facing today was same high handedness from North Indian politician-primarily of Congress- faced by Tamil Nadu in Sixties,Andhra Pradesh in Eighties. That phase gave rise to DMK and its dominence in TN and Telgu desam in Andhra Pradesh. Maharastrians are marginalised in Centre and ruled over by high command in State. CM Chavan had to backtrack on Domicile and knowledge of Marathi for Taxi permits.

How this issue will move in future is difficult to say. Maharastrians are intelligent and proud people. Shivaji Maharaj fought with mighty Mugal Badshah of Delhi Aurangzeb and established Marathi Kingdom. Tilak,Gokhale and others initiated and were at forefront of our struggle for Independence against British. The Indian Constitution- by which Rahul says that Mumbai is for all Indians- was drafted by Marathi/Dalit Dr. Ambedkar. He is also Father Of Dalit movt. and concept of Social Justice in India. In 19th and 20 th Century Maharastra led in initiative in many Social and Cultural activities.

Today this Marathi asmita is ignored.unfortunatelly there are no marathi leader who can inspire and give maharastra it's rightful place in India. In this Development/Business economic milieu, marathi manoos has fallen back. His strong points are of no use to this trading economy. his cultural strong points are jokes for this yappy nation. It will have to wait for that leader.

( Disclaimer: I am Guju by birth but Marathi at Heart)

C-Section Controversy

2010-01-22T00:43:00.005+05:30

Every Year all leading Newspapers raise concern about rising C- Section rate in India. For a good measure they compare rates in other parts of World. There is no doubt that C-sections are done more often now than some 50 yrs ago. usually high rate is considered as bad thing because it is believed-wrongly in my opinion- that more c-sections are done by Doctors because they get more money. if that was the case than China should not have 43% rate as Chinese doctors are employee of the state.

Today WHO report has indicated that C-section rate in India is 18% but in Cities the rate is much higher-about 40%.Lancet in an article has pointed out that unnecessary C.S. has resulted in more admission in I.C.U and more Maternal deaths.Now it stands to reason that if more problems and even death can occur than no obstetrician would like to do unnecessary C.S. and get into trouble. i am working for last 40 yrs as Ob/Gyn. We have discussed this often among collegues and in saminars(In Newspapers as well) and frankly most of us would not like to do C.S. cause we get more money. Main driving force behind this increase is not Money but Reluctance to take Risk by both Parents and Doctors and Premium on the unborn child. For an Obstetrician in city/Metro, losing a Baby is Catastrophe. The whole aim is to see that Mother goes home with healthy baby. There is no reward for Normal Vaginal Delivery if Baby requires extensive NICU care or has Birth Injury. In 60s and 70s we used to deliver even Primi( 1st delivery) with Breech Vaginally but today we are scared to deliver Breech baby Vaginally because if Head is not delivered in less than 5 mts. baby would be dead or severely damaged. This is just not acceptable to parents and Doctors, and is bad for practice.

Assuming 18% overall rate for C.S. in India( WHO) and 40% in urban area its clear that C.S.in rural area is very low. But it's Rural region which has highest Maternal and Neonatal Mortality. If Vaginal delivery is safe and is better choice than result also should be better. Maternal Mortality in urban areas is now primarily due to Hemorrhage from Atonic Uterus( Uterus which doesn't contract) Bleeding disorder caused by Pregnancy hypertension,or some severe Medical Condition. This can occur irrespective of mode of delivery.

It's in the case of well being of the Baby that C.S.is overused. As has happened all over the world, Electronic Monitoring of Foetus( Baby) in 8-9 months in mothers who are elderly (Average age is now 30+),Hypertensive, pre Diabetic,or have Small for Dates babies( IUGR-babies weighing less than 1.5Kg at 9 monts) is routine. Most of the mothers undergo repeated Sonogram where weight of the baby(IUGR), Amount of Liquor around baby( AFI),placental Calcification,Doppler Studies to see Blood Flow to Baby is measured. NST is done. if any of these finding is abnormal than there is possibility of risk to the Unborn Child. So far we have not been able to exactly predict the risk.Even with similar findings Sometimes at C.S., baby is delivered which is absolutely normal and at other baby requires NICU care. Now who should take decision in such cases? Both Doctors and Parents tend to err on safety and go for C.S. rather than attempt Vaginal Delivery. I have had cases when I have decided to wait for a day and have lost baby. In such cases its difficult to explain loss and one is libel to face legal Action and sometimes Violence from relatives. In case of Pregnancy achieved by I.V.F.( Test Tube Baby) Elective C.S. is done.

So the debate will go on. As long as we can not exactly asses risk to unborn Child,C.S. will be done at slightest hint of any risk to the baby. In face of Abnormal Sonogram or NST Report what would you decide? If you cant take risk of (may be) loosing the baby than dont expect Doctor to do so.

If you believe that C.S. is done because doctor gets more money than pay your Doctor same amount whether Delivery is by C.S. or Normal. Put your money where your....

Sorry State of Indian Hockey.

2010-01-13T17:52:00.005+05:30

Thank God!! At last the Revolt of Indian Hockey team is over. This brings to an end another shameful episode in our so called " National Game ". Indian Team consisting of the best players we have and who were demanding promised payment of Money for Podium finish,had to take the extreme step of Boycotting training for World cup,where India is the host. They were labeled as Money hungry. sports person by people who have nothing to show for as achievement. Hockey India washed off it's hand by saying that they dont have Money to pay. How much Money was being demanded? a measly Rs. 4.5 Lacs per player,totaling less than Rs 2 Crore. If administrators cant raise just 2 Crore,- an amount less than what is charged by item Girls in show business for Single appearance- then Mr. Matoo & co. should pack their bags and go home. This state of affairs has been brought about by former president mr. K P S Gill who treated players as bonded labour, at mercy of Hockey board. hockey is not Proffessional in this country. Most of the players have to take up job for livelyhood. Which parent would like to send their children to play such a game.? All over world,sportsperson take up and work hard because they love the game and thats their ticket to better life out of poverty and misery. In south America sports is seen as best way to riches. soccar,Baseball,Basketball is taken up as proffession. If one is not going to get any Money than why play that sport? In India as things stand today , Football has better chance to become No.2 game after Cricket because of the big Money and prestige involved. See how fast Football players of Goan club got out of Misbehavior charges ?

But what can we do ? How do we bring about some change in this set up and attitude?
you have any suggestion?

Remembering 'ma'

2009-11-04T06:46:00.002+05:30

Today morning, in a mental state when you are awake but not out of bed, i suddenly remembered my mother. She died some 15 yrs ago-May her soul rest in Peace-.What i was trying to remember was our life in 70s.

My parents were both Doctors, GPs in Mumbai. They had pretty busy but comfortable life. My father died of Heart Attack.At that time my mother must be 53 or so. I had just passed my MBBS and was doing MD. i was staying in Hostel. My sister had moved to USA. At home only my younger brother was staying.

For the next 5-6 years I was pretty busy as resident Doctor. i hardly had any time. Even when off duty i had to stay in Hospital,at most could get 3-4 hrs off to go out,or visit home. It was difficult to spend any quality time with mother. she used to go for movies, outings, long vacations with my father but after his death suddenly she was isoleted and alone. Ofcourse she had her practice where she met people( It was a time when your Family Doctor was part of your family). But for her Social needs there was no one.She was young widow and Social norms of the time did not allow her to go out alone for movie. I dont remember any movie that i might have seen with her. We did go out for vacation together, but mostly it was short vacation to nearby hill stations or to Nashik-Shirdi. She had my other relatives for company but they would go out together for social functions in the family and she was not very comfertable as she was from different community- she was Saraswat from coastal Maharastra married to Guju Brahmin. Those 10-15 yrs must be really hard for her.

Looking back I feel guilty. In those days we were brought up in joint family and we did not have much communication or interaction with parents. Her being busy doctor didnt help as she would be busy in the evening upto 9 pm. We spent most of the time with friends.At home other relatives were there to take care of day to day issues. We had our vacations,outings etc with friends. I dont remember even thinking about how her social life must have changed after my father's death.she loved touring and she did visit Europe and USA for very long 10 weeks. I used to coax her to go for vacation, but it was with other relatives. I didn't have time or inclination to go out on long vacation or tours.It didnt make sense as well for just 3 of us ,with different interests and outlook of life to go for Family Vacation. Besides at that time going out with parents for movie or outings was not very common. Things did change after I got married. We had family vacations,outings etc. but by then she had got used to her life i guess and was very reluctant to join us. --- PK

Punished For Pre.Natal Sex Test

2009-11-02T10:23:00.006+05:30

A lower court in Mumbai gave maximum punishment to two Doctors under PNDT Act of 2003. They did not carry out any test to know the Sex of the unborn child. Dr. Tated a Homeopath,advertised in a magazine offering treatment to get Male Child. Other Doctor Dr.Adkar was owner of Hospital where Dr. Tated practiced. This was in 2004 and in their defence one can say that in 2004,most Doctors believed that Diagnosing and revealing Sex of the Foetus was punishable under PNDT Act. Lots of people-Doctors and other Lay people- advised various things to select sex of the child before 'conception'. Pre Conception Sex Selection was also covered under the Act and was punishable was not known to many. Most of these method were con and didn't work is different story. Of those who took treatment, more people got Male child than credit should be given to Nature which selects Male child over female Child in the Ratio of 105:100 at birth. Recent studies have shown that in population where Hepatitis-B is prevalent the ratio shifts in favour of Male Child, and some Environmental Conditions change the ratio in favour of Female child. India's skewed Sex ratio is probably combination of this Natural selection and Social causes where Girl child is neglected after Birth or is killed.

But even in Countries which have no record of Female Foeticide-Sex Selection and Abortion of female Foetuses- the Sex ratio is slowly moving in favour of Male. In China with 1 Child norm ratio is almost 120:100. In U.S.A. also the ratio in many states is more than 110:100.If do Google or Wiki search you will find this is true of most of the states in the World.

So here is my problem. Are we overstating case of Female Foeticide ( Million Girls Lost) ? Are so many Sex selection /Detection procedures are carried out in India today? and Girl Child aborted? Is skewed ratio of 140:107 ( ratio at Birth 131) of Mumbai is due to female Foeticide? I dont think so. It will be almost impossible to find Sonologist doing Sex Detection in Mumbai. mind you cases registered under PNDT Act does not offer any guidance as many cases pertain to not following Administrative aspect of the act like not Prominently Displaying the Certificate and such. There are very few cases of Doctors actually doing Sex detection and Abortions as most of us genuinely believe in the cause of the Girl Child and our Associations are in forefront of this effort.

I think one has also to take into consideration falling Birth Rate. All our data of 105: 100 at birth indicates that at the time of Birth More Males are born than Females. If number of children couple has falls from Median of 5 abt 100 yrs ago to just 2 now, we have to factor this into our statistics. I am not expert at statistics but this may explain why ratio is climbing in countries where preference for Male child and female Foeticide is not carried out ( As in USA). Also important is the total births that takes place. But these are all statistical problems. My concern is that we may be paying more attention to a problem which may not have the magnitude it is projected to be. This money and effort if spent on 1-15 age group female child, we may get better result.--- PK

Film Critics

2009-10-31T11:33:00.003+05:30

When his film 'Kambakht Ishq' bombed at Box office, Akshay blamed film critics in mainstream media for the failure of his film. Since then I have been reading reviews in Newspapers and Magazines and watching film reviews on TV. There are quite few blogs which review newly released film. I have to agree that there is some truth in what Akshay says. Many of the critics have no qualification except that they are movie buffs ( Who isn't?). Since a movies fate is decided in 1st week, it is important to have some qualification to be accepted as Film Critic in mainstream media. As such we know that in media 'space is for sale'. So far most of the critics are true to their creed. But it is essential that there should be some criteria to be applied to call some one as Film critic. Right now it is open field but its time this is done more professionally.---PK

Was it a H-Bomb or Firecracker?

2009-09-29T23:05:00.006+05:30

These days a fierce debate is going on among Nuclear Scientists whether Pokharan II was success or dud. Dr.Santhnam,who was in charge of Pokhran II in 1998 has said that yield was just 25Kt and not 45 Kt as claimed. He believes that Thermo Nuclear Device( H Bomb) was dud. He has presented his case in Press Conference and has put it in Public domain. Trust us Indians to discuss such sensitive issue in public fora and on TV talk show. Damage this mess has done to our credibility as Nuclear weapon state and to our Security Vi's a Vi's Pakistan and China is enormous. Pakistan did a Test immediately after Pokhran II but has not discussed anything in Public and inscrutable China would claim great capabilities. Dr. Santhnam has claimed that he wanted to discuss the test result but kakodkar and Chindambaram never allowed it.
So Dr. Santhnam kept quite for 11 yrs, must have murmured his dissent here and there but never to get charged under Official Secrecy Act. Collected his Pension,Gratuity and now singing like a bird. He wants us to believe that he is Whistle Blower. Of course he did not do so while he was at helm. So what should we do with people like Dr. Santhnam. May be what he is saying today is Right and H-Bomb was dud but He is a Lier. He lied to P.M., N.S.A. Mishra, Indian Public. He put his interest above that of this Nation and to protect his interest he lied and maintained silence for 11 long years. he is highly educated Nuclear Scientist but he chose his self interest.If Jawan in Army were to choose his safety in face of enemy or Terrorist, he would be Court Martiled and severely punished and Dishonorably discharged from Army. This scientist is going to enjoy all the perks of his job even when he committed greater crime.
Do you really believe that Education brings out best in a person?---PK

Diplomas from CPS.

2009-09-22T00:04:00.003+05:30

Last week a PIL was filed by Dr.Arun Date against College Of Physicians and Surgeons in Parel. Lawyer representing the Petitioner claimed that CPS established in 1913 has been handing out Fellowship like FCPS and Diplomas like DGO,DFP,DOMS,DORL,DVD etc. It is alleged that CPS doesn't have Hospital,faculty or Infrastucture. petitioner have asked Court to direct Govt. to withdraw recognition to CPS.

I have failed to understand the purpose of this Petition. All the Universities for MD/MS and Diplomas,,National Board of Examination Delhi for DNB also have no Hospital of their own. they have Faculty and Infrastuctue. same is the case with CPS. For Post Graduate Degrees and Diplomas all the state Universities, National Board have CET, then Students have to apply for Post Graduate course and according to Merit List they are assigned Degree or Diploma in a Subject as per their preference ,a Teacher and Hospital where they have to do Resident Doctors post for 3 years for Diploma and 4 years for Degree. They have to write Theses under the Guidence of the Teacher and finally take the Exam. pass it to get either Diploma or Degree.

As far as I know CPS follows the same pattern. With One Teacher one Student policy adopted about decade ago, number of Post Graduate Teachers/students for Degree course of state universities and national Board has gone down. One has to have 'Teaching Expirience' to be teacher for Degree and Univ.Diploma. That is the Teacher has done Post Graduate Training(resident Posts) in Teaching Hospital like KEM,Nair etc. If one has done Registrars Post of 2 years in Cooper or Bhabha,Nanavaty,Lilavaty Hospital in Mumbai then one do not have 'Teaching Expirience' and he/she can not become post Graduate Teacher.!!.No teaching is involved as such.

CPS recognises these Doctors as their Teacher for Diploma Course and assign students to these Teachers and are posted in Hospital like Cooper Hospital,Bhabha Hospital in Bandra,Rajawadi in Ghatkopar,Bhagwati in Borivali etc etc.

Normally there are no takers for these Hoseman/Registrar posts in Peripheral Hospitals if they are not recognised for any Degree or Diploma. Resident posts of these hospitals go vacant and few that are filled are by those who are in transit or by Doctors who want a place to live in Mumbai. (All Resident posts are 24x7 with Resident qarters.) More often than not in all these peripheral hospitals patients are looked after by AMO's. and Patients care suffers. But if these posts are Recognised for Diploma by even CPS then Resident doctors doing Post Gradute courses are available,Honarary Doctors take Classes, arrange for Seminars on one Sunday in a month, and teaching for student is provided. Hospitals like Nanavaty, Lilavati,Somaiya, etc get resident Doctors because their posts are recognised for DNB and Diplomas of CPS.

If the undisclosed reason for this PIL is well known secret that all these posts are sold than this is wrong approach. unfortunatelly all the Post Graduate Degree and Diploma courses in Medicine,dental are allegedly for Sale and at present, price varies from 30 Laks to astonishing 90 Lakhs for Opthalmology and Radiology degree course. There is even 2 year Advance Booking of the Seat !!

If the Court,acting on this PIL withdraws recognition of CPS,many hospitals in Maharastra will loose resident Doctors and finally patients will suffer. Its ironic that there is News item in newspaper that panel has recommended recognition to Coaching Classes on par with College for undergraduate degree.---PK

population Myth?

2009-07-24T12:39:00.004+05:30

Today I came across Amit Verma's column in Mint written in 2007. He contended that Population Explosion's predicted harmful effect on our future is myth. He based his contention on Eberstadt study,which postulates that Monaco's population density is more than that of Bangladesh but Monaco is rich country. Sure but what is the size of Monaco ? .What is it's total population? It is 1.95 sq.km country with population of 32,000. its population is mainly migratory rich french and other International rich.
Well, problem here is that of timeline. Harmful effect of too many people will not be evident in year or two. It may take one or Two Centuries to get there and eventually wont happen because people understand the problem and limit their family size.With spread of education and better living condition only Religious beliefs prevent people from having fewer children. In less than 100 yrs. this change is seen in India. From average 4-6 children two generation ago, now average number of children most couple have is 2-3. Just look around in any major city in India.
The problem is easy to understand as we feel the effect of increase in population of our Metros-Mumbai,Delhi. All the services are deficient. Yes Govt.is not efficient but even efficient administration will find providing Water,Electricity,Roads,Hospitals,School ad Higher education to its rapidly increasing population a difficult,almost impossible task. In the process of providing the basic necessity we pollute our environment,wipe out species after species,Rain forests,Savannas and cause global warming which in turn exacerbates the problem.
What is true for a Metro City is true for State,Nation and World. Only it will take much longer to affect Nation and World. Fortunately we have already taken corrective steps. If you want to give an example than I would suggest that China would not be Economic powerhouse had She not implemented one Child norm. But then this is hypothetical.
I would venture to say that large population as a Great Human resource is bigger myth. there is nothing to support this hypothesis. it was postulated during this economic bubble period. China officially agrees but quietly implements One Child norm by force.
BTW, Whats wrong with having less(1 or 2) Children? They don't ask you not to have Sex.!

2009-07-20T23:16:00.007+05:30

Since 2006, i come to US in summer for 4-6 months. In 06 it was LA but from 07 to date i have been visiting Bay Area. i have stayed in Mountain View, Sunnyvale, N Mathilda and now in River Oaks. All these places have large desi population. in summer parents come for visit.

I go for walk everyday and like to take different routes so that i can visit different areas. I come across many daily walkers,Desi,SE Asians, Latinos and Whites. What has surprised me is the different behavior of these walkers when we cross each other.

SE Asians never ever make Eye contact or attempt to greet or talk. Now this is easy to understand. May be elderly SEA wont know English well and would hesitate to initiate anything. Younger ones may greet or mumble something.

Latinos and Whites would almost always make eye contact and would Greet,smile and ask 'How you doing?' or some variation of it. If he is walking his/her dog then they may even enter into small talk.

Its desi who surprises me. They would not make eye contact in the first place. Eyes staring straight ahead or down like Lakshman facing Sita. No greeting, No conversation. If you cant make eye contact then its difficult to greet them as well. Its difficult to understand this.Same people if we meet in Mumbai Nana Nani Park will take out their entire family history and would rattle out names of mutual friends, relatives, neighbours relatives,children's friends,Schoolmates etc etc. May find out in few days enough to bring marriage proposal. But in US. nothing. Even Gujus and Punjabis-normally very outgoing,gregarious people. Only exception is when they are with their Grandchildren.Then it's easy to greet,smile, talk, the works.

More surprising is the behaviour of Desi younger generation. I have crossed them on N Mathilda on Bus stop where they are waiting for Bus to take them to Lockheed Martin. Or they are walking to their parked car or to Sunnyvale station. They would avoid making any eye contact or any greeting. Are we so ill mannered that we wont smile and greet another human being? Why we cant do something which comes naturally to White Americans? In india we are taught to greet ,Say Namaste. Ram Ram,Jai mata di, jai shree Krishna, Hare Krishna, Sat Shri Akal,jai Jinendra, and Salam Alaekum are normal greeting when we meet even stranger in India. Is it poor upbringing or Inferiority Complex ? Are we so scared in this foreign land that we would like to avoid all contact with strangers even if he is Desi.? May be we will say something which will harm us in future?. These Mexicans-many have no papers - are so friendly.

May be this is the cause for targeting Indians in almost all parts of world. Others may perceive us as snobs or weak. If you are not friendly with people how are you going to assimilate? Assimilation doesnt mean we have to give up our culture or food habits.No minority in US has done that. But by assimilating others could introduce their culture,cuisine to Americans. we are after 40 yrs, and lots of progress,are still outsiders. Its time to change this. Otherwise we will be known by few individuals personal achievement but not for work done by Desi community.

Nature's gem-Trio Farm

2009-07-14T00:59:00.005+05:30

Every monsoon we go to hills on one weekend of July.western ghat hills are most beautiful 2-3 weeks after first rains,especially when there is drizzling. This year on a friends suggestion we went to Trio Farm. it's private property near Panshet,some 30kms from Pune Belgaum Road. One has to take road to mandvi,pass NDA and after travelling some 25 kms on road which can test your suspensions,one reaches this farm.

It is situated at confluence of Mutha and Panshet Rivers which are dammed by Panshet Dam. At present both the rivers have little water but continuous rains for last few days will feed them. The farm has 5 cottages and a dorm.There is kitchen where excellent Maharashtrian food is served. Their puran Poli,Kothimbir Wadi,sabudana wada are very popular.Best part is that there is no TV and no connectivity -unless you have BSNL cellphone. so you have all the time to relax and chill,enjoy mist and rain,watch clouds passing over the surrounding hills.( on clear day one can see majestic Sinhgadh). take a walk and enjoy nature. There one gets feeling of vastness and nature as it should be. It's a great relaxing getaway.

2009-07-08T00:55:00.005+05:30

It was amusing to watch Akshay Kumar's rant against Film Critics. He accused them-especially young just out of college critics who have not directed a film- of sabotaging success of his film 'Kambakth Isq'. As if Critic had given his film 4* then film would have been major super duper hit!!. I can understand his feelings and Business acumen.In this era of 50 Multiplexes having 10 shows a day, first weekend is not spoiled by adverse review then at least film would recover the cost. So he would wish that critics would give good review. But what about the audience? It costs about Rs. 1000 to watch movie in Multiplex. Why should our money wasted on stupid,vulgar film?.

He did not have same opinion when his 'Sing is King' and 'Namaste London' were reviewed by same critics.Many read reviews in Papers,Blogs and on TV channel and decide. All cant afford to waste 1000 Rs. every week. They have to pick and choose. Akshay should pay more attention to script and direction. His buffoonery is now grating on nerves. There is difference between Action film and comedy. Action films can work with stupid storyline but good action sequence. All these Hongkong chinese action movies have similar storyline but one can watch them.Comedies require good comic story,script and most important, timing. Akshay's films fall short on all the counts. he should pull up his act and stop blaming critics for flop films.

Thumbs Down for 90:10

2009-07-07T23:55:00.004+05:30

Yesterday Mumbai High Court ruled against Maharashtra Govt. 90:10 quota for admission in FYJC. The ruling was hailed as victory for merit against reservation by state. I feel sorry for SSC students. For long time they are denied admission in top colleges because the Examination system, subjective form of quation paper and more subjects-which includes 3 languages- resulted in their percentage being less than percentage of students from ICSC/CBSC /IB boards. State Govt. wants to play politics,hence does nothing for 10 months. Come May,State wakes up and pulls out different schemes to favour SSC students, who form majority. State wants to show that it is really concerned about injustice done to SSC students and wants to correct it. Of course the schemes like Percentile system last year and 90:10 quota this year were doomed right from inception and everyone knew that it would not stand legal scrutiny by High Court. But Congress politician can claim that they tried but this rich,urban kid's parents managed to get Court's order to stop it.

How can one insist on Merit when examinations are different. One can compare Apple to Apple. Many argue that SSC board should improve and modernise SSC curriculum. They forget that large majority of 3-4 Lacs student are from underprivileged,rural,dalit and BPL families. To keep them in school is major task.For them passing SSC is ticket to better paying jobs. Many find difficult to clear this exam. If it is modernised and made same as ICSC/CBSC then there will be more failures. As such we have huge number of SSC fail students in state. They have very few job opportunities. They can't join Technical Courses as well. Their plight is really miserable.

High Court has asked State to have Entrance Exam. to level Field for students from different Boards.This means one more CET!!. But there is a way out of this mess. Mr.Kapil Sibal has proposed that SSC exams should be done away with. All the students should get SSC/ICSC/CBSC Cert. if they have certain grade. The curriculum should be one which can prepare them for job at lower level. Those who desire to join FYJC should give CET and take admission. majority will opt out-esp.from SSC stream- and will enter job market or join tech.course. In US situation is same. Majority opt out after High School and take jobs.few join College. This is something worth trying. There are so many jobs that doesn't require College degree and this will be real employment generating scheme.

judgement on Sec.377

2009-07-05T23:25:00.004+05:30

Delhi high Court's judgement has sent joy wave in Gay community. There is a feeling of 'War being Won". Though the judgement is good as it decriminalises consensual gay Sex, it can do nothing as far as Society's attitude towards Gay. Maybe after few decades it will be more acceptable. But basically Indian society(especially Hindu) is more tolerant than western societies. As a matter of fact Trans-sexual( Hijras) are believed to bring Good Luck and are must at Wedding and Birth of a Child. People fear them ( Why?). Hijra gangs are organised gangs and their leaders are wealthy and powerful.Some of them have got elected to Public Posts. But like everything Indian,we are OK if someone is Gay but if your child is gay or trans-sexual then all hell break loose. So the problem is with ones own family,friends,neighbors and relatives.
Gays are mocked,sometimes harassed but they are accepted. There are many Gays who are prominent and leaders in their fields and they are accepted by public. They may have problem with the people with whom they come in contact on daily basis. Can a known Homosexual person will be able to be become Minister? That will be the Litmus test for public acceptability.

Pathetic Condition of Lokmany Tilak Terminus

2009-06-26T21:17:00.003+05:30

Yesterday night i had gone to L.T.Terminus(Kurla) to see off a relative. All the thoughts of great improvement in Railways under Laluji were dashed. The terminus is in pathetic condition. Rlys. have expanded the terminus, so now it has 5 platforms,of which only 2 are in active use. since they did not complete the work in time, so approach road is paved with rocks. taxis and Riks take up most of the available parking so there is no parking place. If you want to drop passengers near entrance then you have to go round the Tilak Rd. station and come back for parking. porters have to carry luggage on their head as carts cant be used as there is no road.

Terminus is smelly,overcrowded place with Dogs moving around freely. You have to pinch to be sure that you are in Mumbai (future Shanghai). There is a Tea stall but it is next to Restroom ( Toilets) and stench from there is puky. We had gone for LTT-Luknow Holiday special. there was no announcement and indicator was just Welcoming all passengers. For Holiday special, the train arrived from Lucknow and in an hour or so left for Lucknow- a 24 hrs journey. You can imagine the cleanliness of compartments and toilets. Only consolation was that it was complete AC train.

Now onwards things would go from bad to worse. Didi is busy with WB politics and Lalgarh. her hands are full with this enormous task of dislodging well entrenched CPM govt. Rlys can wait.and Loksabha elections are after 5 yrs and manmohan cant ask her to perform. So there.--PK

La affair " Shieney"

2009-06-20T06:41:00.005+05:30

These days Newspapers are full of Actor Shiney Ahuja's rape case. He is accused of Raping his maid in his house. Most of us now know the entire incident through 'selective Leaks' from Police in media. His wife -being Loyal and Loving Indian wife- has mounted a very spirited defence in the Press conference. At present he is in Arther Road jail,sharing cell with (?) Abu Salem. yesterday Mahila Ayog got into the act and has demanded Fast Tract Court to try this case and CM has reportedly agreed to it.

Now normally i would accept that if someone is accused of Rape than it's more likely to be true. Very few women have stomach for the publicity associated with the case and subsequent trial. Movies which has depicted rape case trial ( Damini- starring Minaxi,Chintu,sunny Deol and Amrish ) have shown what accuser will face in court. So false allegations are rare ( but not imppossible). Also thats why few cases of Rape are reported and insignificant number of accused are convicted. Main difficulties are 1. Whether the Sex was Consensual or Rape ? 2. Victim chooses to drop the case due to Hostile witnesses, Adverse publicity and victimisation by family,friends and Society.So much so that many victims have dropped charges and preferred to get married to the Rapist!!.

But in the case of Shiney, i am not so sure. Why? Because Actors have this Divine Power conferred on them during their Acting Career. Their Fans simply love them and are willing to do anything for them. Absolutely Sane successful person would behave irrationally when he/she comes face to face with an actor. Last week my nephew who will be dentist in a year, got all excited when we passed a person in my hsg Society. I asked him who was the person ? He was incredulous ! " You don't know him? He is " so n so", Anchor in Roadies.( Motorcycle show on MTV). He is very famous in Pune. "Sab Ladkiyan Marti hai us par". Most of us who stay in Versova,lokhandwala,Andheri ,Juhu come across actors almost everywhere.We haave seen how people and we behave when we see them. Its much worse when person visiting Mumbai from outside sees them.

Newspapers and films like 'page 3' and 'Luck by ..' have depicted the 'sexcaped' of actors and stars. On reported flings of star, his wife would accuse Girls of 'Throwing at Him'( being available for sex). So having sex with female co-worker, junior artiste, aspirant of movie career and female fans is part of job profile or perk of Acting career of Male actor. BTW this is not Indian thing.Its true all over world. i remember a Vidio clip of Micheal Jackson tour to S.E.Asia where a Female fan was shouting 'HE TOUCHED ME!! HE TOUCHED ME' !!! A mere touch of a singing star was enough to make her day. WTF eh?.But thats the POWER ! Ambanis,wadias,Tatas and Mittals cant compete with these Khans and Kapoors. Even Bill and Buffet would take a back seat. They cant compete with Udyan Mukherjee and Sarin Bhan !!.

So it's perfectly logical that Maid might have chosen to work in Ahuja household and would have bragged about it to friends. She might have secret crush on him. She might have agreed to have sex with him and worst Shiney would have agreed to have sex as favour to his maid because this is part of his life persona or myth created by media which he has to uphold. Thats why he was not surprised when Police turned up at his place. It was not bravado as Police has alleged but It might not have crossed his mind that maid has cried 'Rape' and complained. Thats why he allegedly confessed that sex was consensual. Why did maid complain ? well its anybody's guess but even if it was consensual, most would have sense of Guilt & fear when they have sex out of wedlock. besides being first time it must have been painful and not a pleasant experience which must have left her bleeding and with pain in Pvt.parts and Abdomen. that might have scared her.

Or Shiney had really raped her.

Lets hope that truth will come out in court as hoped by Mrs.Anupam.

But first we have to learn and understand that Actors are human like us with no special power.They are not super Human Beings. they are like us with Acting as Proffession. There should be limit to adulation. we have to be rational in our reaction to them and their life.---PK

Public Transport?

2009-06-14T23:03:00.004+05:30

In the evening a friend called.He wanted me to join him for dinner. On Sunday evening Drinks,Dinner and chit chat with close friend ! what more can one ask? I readily agreed. we went to 'On Toes" in JVPD,Juhu. Good food, noisy but nice ambiance and catching up with latest after 3 months in US. We left the restaurant at about 10 pm. My friend R, doesnt have a car and uses Ricks and Maru cabs for commuting. usually there are 3-4 Ricks waiting for passengers. But today there were none.Only desperate ,exasperated couples and families trying to hail a Rick. I knew that this is a bad situation. we waited for almost 30 mnts or so with no luck.There were no Ricks to hire,thats all. finally I told R to hop in my car and I drove him upto Nanavaty Hosp.where we could find Rick willing to go to Santacruze station.

it's nice and politically correct to say that we should avoid using personal vehicle for transport and should use Public transport to save fuel and reduce pollution. Our air will be better if this is done. Today I read dire warning about danger to Environment when Nano and other small cars will replace Two Wheelers in India. But I have been in situation described above. Buses are full and they dont even stop at Bus stops, Ricks are full or refuse to come in the direction my home is. I have waited for 30-45 mnts without success and then walked some 2-3 miles before I could get transport. What can one do in this situation?.If you are with Wife and Children or aged parents, and you cant get transport, what is one suppose to do? You feel utterly helpless,frustrated,angry and impotent.

Do people in US and West face such situation?. They can just get in the car and go wherever they want to in comfort.would i like to tell them to shun their personal transport and use Public one? No way !! When we do not have easy alternatives then what right have we got to tell people to use non existent Public transport? Last week High Court in Mumbai directed the State Govt. to restrict entry of personal vehicles in Fort( Downtown) area. So what that person is suppose to do after getting down from Train at Charni Road station ? Walk all the way to Malabar Hill if he has work there? There is no Public Transport from Charni road to Malabar Hill. Unless you make sufficient arrangements ,its futile to restrict use of Personal Vehicle. You will only increase problems faced by already harried "Aam Adami". Ministers,Bureaucrats, Police,Judiciary will use their vehicle 24x7. it will be common men who will face the besura music.--PK

U.S. home Mortgage rates

2009-06-14T00:41:00.003+05:30

Recently US Home Mortgage rates have started their 'up' movement.This week it reached 5.95%. Till about 2 weeks ago the rate was below 5% with 1 point. Now it is almost 6% with 1 point. Sometimes it is better for consumer that Govt. intervenes and regulates. It's myth that Markets will take care and will correct itself. Between speculators and Greedy players markets and rates will go up and down without any sound fundamental reasons. makets do not behave rationally and for serious matter like Home Mortgage Rates,Regulation by govt.is must as it affects consumer for a long time. In U.S. loan application processing takes 2-3 weeks,if rates are going to change by a Point than its very unfair to Borrower as he will get stuck with this high rate for 30 Yrs.

This is biggest dilemma in Free market situation. If there are no regulation and absolute freedom is granted than there will be repetition of what happened last year. Its prudent to set baseline regulations and fixed interest rates for certain period as is done in India. then both Lender and Borrower know what to expect and there will be more stability. With fluctuating Interest rates Lenders and borrowers are dissatisfied when rates fluctuate widely. Besides it creates negative effect in markets as has happened in US in last 2 weeks. For last 2 weeks Lenders were not enthusiastic to lend in expectation of higher rates.Now borrowers have stopped borrowing cause rates have gone up. They will wait for rates to come down and the momentum achieved by Obama's plan will be lost

2009-06-13T01:21:00.002+05:30

Ashok Jadeja,Self proclaimed Goddess was arrested by Gujrat police. he has allegedly promised his followers that he would double or triple the money deposited with him. Initially he paid the amount as promised,But knew that sucker would again invest the entire amount and Jadeja was not going to loose anything. Now his followers are agitating in front of his Ashram(!). Police has arrested his relatives and an aunt ,who is supposed to be Brain behind this scheme.

A T.V. channel has reported similar event in Delhi. Every year hundreds of people from all strata of Society fall prey to such con.(Nigerian, Rhodesian inheritance is other common con). Though such cases take place regularly and get widespread publicity in media,still there are enough fools in this land to make these Natwarlals rich. We have a proverb in Guju " Lobhiya hoy tyan Dhootara buhkya na rahe"( Where greedy people live, Con men will never starve).

2009-06-11T00:07:00.004+05:30

There is big hue and cry about huge sum being charged for admission in Medical College.Times Now did a sting operation on M.P.from southern state and exposed(!) the scam. Now almost all the aspirant to medical college know the asking price for seat in MBBS/BDS and Post Graduate courses. Its an open secret and these days students dont even appear for CET conducted by Pvt.Med.colleges. All the seats are booked in advance,sometimes 2-3 yrs ago. Every one knows but no action is taken because the Management belongs to Ruling party-Congress/NCP.

Both Congress and NCP have fine tuned this Business in medical Education and today its a Multi Crore business. All these Patils,Kadams and Nimbalkars have built up Educational Empires almost from nothing. it's very simple.

It started in 70s at District Level in Maharashtra. Local Politician( Mostly Congress) with the Blessings of the state level leader,would set up ****** Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana ( Cooperative Sugar factory) and would purchase 5 shares. He is the Promotor. Farmars would be persuaded to join in by purchasing 5 shares each. It's easy to get permission from Govt. ( Congress Govt.). Now from this seed( 5 Shares) a big banyan Tree will grow!. Sugar factory is the source to have seed capital. Coop banks would give huge loans against almost no surety and NO sugar factory has ever repaid the loan. if there is shortage than the farmers are there to contribute towards various causes like natural disasters and Wars.Ofcourse this is not paid to charities but is gobbled by the Chairman of SSK. There is limit to how much one can borrow from banks and poor impoverished farmers can be coerced to contribute. Fortunately for them, big hunger in India's huge middle class to be Doctor or Engineer showed them the perennial source of making money.

Next to Sugar factory they started School and Junior College. Land was available. Initial capital was diverted from sugar factory.People applauded.He has brought Education to their doorsteps.
But what the children would do after passing 10th in Marathi? Ah! He got the answer.it's Technical Institute, with courses in refrigeration,Automobile repair,electrician,Wireman & Diploma in computer,Electronics.

In few years upgrade this to Engg. College with permission from State Govt. This doesn't require lot of Infrastructure. (what's Infrastructure and Labs?). 50% of the seats are paying seats where one can take Donation money under the table. So now the Role is reversed. Instead of asking for contributions He can demand and also can grant favour by reducing or even agreeing to give admission. This is Political windfall as well. Now its easy to get elected as MLA . if luck is good may be MoS or berth in State Cabinet.

But his own family is also growing. His children are rearing to go and he has very little time to manage all these institutions. So he has to expand College,tech. Institute in new Mumbai.Pune.Nashik... so many cities in state. There is surfeit of Eng.Seats. But real shortage of Dentists and Doctors,especially in Rural area. now he is MLA/Minister, so its easy to get permission to start Medical/dental College.

He has the permission but MCI has this stupid rule.There should be a Hospital attached to Med.College. This is really nasty as setting up 200 bed Hospital requires good kitty and lot of hard work. But there is Khajana at the end of the tunnel! so there will be well meaning friends and well wishers, who would contribute towards cost of starting hospital and Med.college and they can request him to admit their candidates.Ofcourse after paying the Donation or Capitation Fee.

Now he has become "Sikshan Samrat".His trust has number of Engg./dental/medical colleges. His children are managing them staying near these Institutes in houses provided and maintained by the Institute. Car,telephones,vacations,Forign Tours are paid for by Institute. He has now applied for "Deemed University" status for his Trust colleges. Congress Govt. in state and Centre,and that hard working HRD Minister will give permission.

As "Deemed University" one is finally free from all supervision.Can conduct own Exams.can confer Degrees which may not be better than one given by Pvt. Management Schools. demand and take money for admission.A blank answer paper can get marks sufficient to get admission in Dental/med college as fixed. yes, Times Now has carried out sting operation but its a minor irritation.Congress friends in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha will make noises. It should look politically Correct. But admissions will continue as it used to. Elections are round the corner and party needs funds. So the Charade goes on. Are Bhai, if this Ukrainian,Russians and even Chinese are making so much money from med.Edu. why should you grudge Patils/Kadams/Nimbalkars making money?

2009-06-09T00:49:00.002+05:30

Today after 3 months i entered Operation Theatre. I had to assist in Tubal Ligation operation by Laparotomy. Both for surgeon and for me it was doing an operation after a long hiatus. For almost more than decade Laparoscopic T.L. is preferred method. But once in while we get a patient who prefers this open method with almost nil chances of failure. For surgeon this operation is more difficult than Lap.TL, takes longer to perform.

when i joined as Resident in OB/GYN yrs ago.T.L. after Delivery was the First operation a Resident would get to do.After 2-3 operations, he was expected to do it on his own with only a Nurse to assist. Every operation day would have at least 4-5 T.L.s. Today the scenario has changed completely. TL is not preferred method. Among my friends and colleagues, i dont think anyone has undergone TL op. In our practice also number of TL op. have gone down drastically and after delivery ( once a preferred time) no one advises TL. If TL is to be done than Interval Lap TL is preferred method. This must be real spanner in achieving targets for Family Planning staff. Lap TL requires costly equipments and trained Doctors. ---PK

2009-06-08T23:56:00.002+05:30

After longish 3 months stay with my son in Bay Area, it was back to Mumbai. Its really HOT here! After bracing 20 C in Sunnyvale,Mumbai's sweltering 30 C was really painful,life sapping ordeal. Today friends had planned to meet in Club. After 3 months of respectful 'Uncle" treatment,it was real pleasure to be with friends. Beer never tasted so refreshing and good. It was time to catch up.Though we were in constant touch thro phone,emails and chats, nothing surpasses get together and chat with friends. In months nothing changes as such but one expects that things would have changed for better during your absence. No such luck!!. Same Crazy,unregulated traffic,Eunuchs and Fruit sellers at Traffic lights,same chaos and Bheed everywhere. Ill have to start getting back to routine. Drive as one has to in Mumbai.

Amit Varma's first book has been published.Though we dont know each other, his blog on Tsunami got me hooked to this wonderful world of Blogs. i will remain indebted to him for this.I have missed his visit to Crossroad in Juhu to promote his Book which has received good reviews and i think i will buy it on my next visit to Crossroad.

Talk with friends these days is dominated by latest affliction suffered by Mumbai suburbs. "Redevelopment". Though the buildings are not even 30 yrs old,their prime location between Bandra and Andheri has made them prime target for redevelopment. So the talk with Builder is "on",then 'Off'. Started again as market in Real Estate has revived.so on and on. Funnily the cost of construction is suppose to be Rs.1000/- PSF. and Market rate for flat is Rs.15000/- psf, so the builder cant pay out even 2-3 residents if they are unwilling to join. It exceeds the entire project cost!! Everyone wants to join in and wants new,bigger house,no maintenance charges with nice corpus. But no one is sure when they will get the possession and how long they may have to stay in rented apartment. If builder runs away then what? For every completed project there are 4 incomplete projects with building demolished and owners staying in rented houses for years. Legal remedy is costly one in these cases. New problems on daily basis for Aam Aadmi.--PK

Medical Facility in West-Is it really great?

2009-02-10T12:48:00.002+05:30

Last Saturday, my son got injured while Skiing. He had injured his Knee.He was given Primary treatment at the Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe. On Monday on his return to Bay Area, he consulted Orthopedist, who examined him and told him Dos and Donts and asked him to wait for 2-3 days for MRI Scan appointment and take his appointment next week with MRI report. Then he will decide on line of treatment and Surgery-Arthroscopy- will be scheduled after obtaining consent from TPA/HMO. So its wait for about 3 weeks before any treatment can be started. If he were to be in Mumbai, his MRI scan with report would be available by Sunday or Monday evening and Surgery if needed could have been done by Wed/Thursday. Why there is so much delay in initiating definate treatment in USA?. When one is paying so much for treatment and when Medical Insurance Premiums are so high, why there should so much delay? Besides it is so costly so no one can afford to pay it without Medical Insurance. There HMO/TPA decide everything and would like to pay the least amount. Prescription drugs are costly and may not be part of your insurance cover. So one is denied effective medicine and given cheap medicine,which is less effective. At the base of this problem is very high cost of Medical treatment. We in India are slowly moving in that direction. With all these Corporate, state of the Art hospitals, treatment will be world class, but at a cost which only few and those covered by Mediclaim can afford. There is Trickle down effect and Private small Hospitals and Nursing Homes increase their charges. After few years Insurance companies already running in loss on Mediclaim Insurance will start cutting cost and will start Deductions and co-payments. Then we will be in the same situation as USA.-PK

Indias Neighbour---USA

2009-02-05T12:33:00.005+05:30

In a very interesting article in TOI, M J Akbar points out that India's closest neighbor is not from the SAARC countries and definitely not Pakistan. Its U.S. of A. How true !!.Though we are on other side of the Globe, we know more about USA than about any of our neighbours. We know about American Politics, are avid followers of Presidential race, heard candidates debating,supported Obama since Jan 2007, Inaugaration watched on TV-though it was almost 1 am. American movies are regularly realeased simultaneously in India.Anjelina and Brad Pitts are household names here. Friends,Baywatch,Sienfeld, Jay Leno and so many TV programmes are watched daily by thousands.They must be having good TRP as can be judged by number of commercials shown during their telecast. Most urban and many rural homes must be having some relative in Amerika. Our shops are full of US brands -made in S E Asia,China. Today our children have moved to US -either for studies or Job- so we keep watch on recession & job loss in US and stimulus package. Slowly Politically and ideologically we are moving closer to US.

Compare to this, we hardly know anything about Pakistan. I get many Pakistani TV chennels,but hardly watch any.Dont know Names of Pakistani Film/TV stars.Singers are known in India as they regularly sing for Bollywood movies and their songs are routinely lifted. Except for the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan,other politicians are not well known in India. Cricketers and Hocky Players are known as Pakistan is our bitter rival in these games. Pakistani authors, Bloggers,Books,Magazines are not known. I remember meeting Pakistani couple in Sylvan Park,Mountain View. We were visiting our respective sons. Unfortunatelly we could hardly converse as we had no common topics. We talked about old Hindi movies and Music. To imagine that just 60 yrs ago we were one country , one family,having common past,culture, life style,Language, sharing everything! Today we are neighbours but almost half a World apart.---PK

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-02-05T11:54:00.004+05:30

I was not surprised by the Box Office failure of S.M. Fox released it with 300 prints( more prints in Hindi dubbed version.) Its a Multiplex movie and more effective in original English version. This once again proves that dubbed versions normally dont do well. Besides its storyline was neither new nor interesting for Bollywood viewer, though its a novelty for foreign viewer. Traditionally movies on slums of Mumbai have not done well in India. Usually they were from Parallel low Budget cinema and had tough time finding a distributor. SM was no exception. True to life movies on Mumbai slums or realities of life in Mumbai doesnt attract upcountry audience and Mumbaikar refuses to pay for what he sees everyday free. All the incidents in SM are part of everyday life for us in Mumbai and doesnt merit even a second glance.

I liked SM for its storyline and format. Life-rather underbelly- in Mumbai was depicted as life expiriences Jamal had. Storyline is taut and is based on true incidents in Vakola-Dharavi slums-playing Cricket on Mumbai airport Airstrip was routine affair. It reminded me of Classic Tom Hank movie "Forrest Gump". FG depicted life and times in US between 1950 and 1990. For my generation it was like that period passing by and we, together with Forrest watching from the sideline. My children(born in 80s) couldnt understand why its a classic movie. This format is very effective as Docudrama, provided the storyline is good.SM has this advantage. Its going to be Oscar deluge for SM. But Rehmans music score in SM does not merit award. He has given much better music in Indian movies-especially in 90s.--PK

2009-02-03T21:26:00.002+05:30

Today while shopping,my daughter's Cell phone was stolen/lost. Between my wife and daughter, this was 3rd phone stolen within a year. Ladies have this real problem. Men can keep his cell phone in Shirt/Trouser pocket or can use Cell phone pouch fixed to the belt. But for ladies ,its either carry it in the purse with all the difficulties of retreiving it when phone rings or carry it dangling from the neck- real Eyesore ! All the Fashion designers have not given thought to this problem and provide good solution.

American President

2009-01-13T20:35:00.003+05:30

In a weeks time Mr.George W will be ex President of USA. This is last week of him being " Most Powerful Politician" in the world. His 8 yrs as US President has almost destroyed US Power, Prestige and Republican Party. But for Stand up comics this is a Great Loss, they could depend on President to provide material for their act almost every week.Like Churchill's quotes, President Bush's quotes will be remembered for decades.

But there is real scary thought. He is Son of Ex President of US. Had privileged life. Good Education. He was Governor of Texas and got " Elected" as President of USA. He campaigned and took part in debates for Nomination as Republican candidate. He debated with Al Gore and John Kerry on National Television and convinced his party and people to elect him as President. How come we never got whiff of his ignorance and incompetence in all these debates, speeches, acceptance speech etc? Can one hide his/her personality, shortfall so successfully and easily in this Television era ?. Today President Elect Obama is darling of the Press/Television and people. But is this real Obama? Are we going to see some other personality in White House ? Its like Movie. We believe that Actor is the person, he/ she is portraying in the film.

Is it that "Average American Voter" feels that President is like a person next door. When you watch " Jaywalkin" you feel that average American (Like any average person) is like President Bush. Limited knowledge, not bothered except for his immediete surroundings, has skewed World view. Unfortunatelly for World, person he elects as President has impact on the lives of Millions, all over the world.

2008-09-25T10:17:00.002+05:30

Went to see movie 'Wednesday' on Sunday Matinee show in PVR Juhu.
Surprise, Surprise !! In the crowd of some 150 people, Elderly and Senior Citizens outnumbered youth by 3:1. Quite a few Senior Citizens were being helped by their Children and Grand Children.

Car Thefts in Mumbai

2008-09-25T09:16:00.002+05:30

News item that Mumbai Police have decided to take Car Thefts seriously will gladden Car Owners in Mumbai. Following illustrates the state affairs prevailing in Mumbai before Ahmadabad Blasts where cars stolen from Mumbai were used.

A friend's old Maruti 1000 was stolen from the bylanes of Santacruze-west last year. He went to nearest Police Station to register his complaint. They noted his Car Number.He was told to come after few days and to look for his car in Mumbai as it may be abondoned after using it for some illegal activities. May be his car was stolen for Joyride by college students. If he filed complaint then if found, he will have to recover it through court after due legal process.

After a week, when his car was not found, his complaint was registered. For 3-4 months nothing happened. Then one day he received a call from Police that his car was found abandoned in Parla-East. He was asked to identify his car.

When he saw his car, he was shocked !!. It was apperent that car was involved in a major accident and was damaged extensively. It must have been an accident where someone must have been injured and matter reported to Police. But Police had no info regarding the accident.

From this it is easy to understand why terrorist can strike wherever and whenever they choose. There is systemic failure at all level,primarily due to corruption. You can get Fake Birth Certificate of municipal Corporation, Ration card, by bribing concerned Inspector/Officer.There are agents who will do this for you. This can be used to make Car Driving Licence( One of the easiest thing to do in Mumbai),PAN card, Voters ID. Now how far away are you from getting Passport? If you have Immigration Officers dancing with Bar Girls in Lonavala, its easy to enter and leave India even when Look out notice is iisued. No wonder there are 25 Million illegal (!) Bangladeshis in India and according to IB they pose major threat to our Security. Is it surprising that we have highest number of Terrorist attacks after war torn Iraq ?.

When Cancer has spread so much and nation is in final stage,do you think we can save our country from Terrorists?---PK

Prepared to Fight Terror

2008-09-19T08:41:00.004+05:30

Had gone for late night show in Versova Multiplex. Famous Music Composer/ Singer/Reality show Judge/Actor and now Star had also come to see movie. He was provided Security by Govt.. A Sub Inspector accompanied the star, like Mary's Lamb. Star was strolling in the Foyer, in deep conversation with friend. S.I. was following them, keeping a respectable distance.

Experts lament that we do not have sufficient number of Security personnel to tackle terrorist attacks. Our intelligence gathering is poor. After targeting Delhi, it is feared that now Mumbai will be the next target and we are using fully trained person to provide protection to a star. Govt. can ask and authorize Private Agencies to provide armed Bodygaurds to famous people. Hollywood stars have their own Security.

What about morale of the Sub Inspector? After taking training and with ambition to do exemplary work in Police force, he is posted to follow a star and provide protection !!. Is he enjoying his work or is bored and disillusionised?.

VP Nominee Gov.Palin

2008-09-04T18:49:00.007+05:30

It's R.N.C. time in US and after managing Storm Gustav successfuly, Party has turned its attention to RNC. They want to make it as Vibrant and successful as DNC to energize voters. Gov. Palin's speech was hard hitting and effective.Unlike Bush and Mccain, Palin can wow the crowd and can get standing ovation. she is one very effective speaker.

All through the week Democrats attacked her for lack of experience. Their concern is that she is Heartbeat away from Presidency and she can not be effective President in case McCain kicks the Bucket during Presidency.

Now this is mean and absurd. Agreed, at 70 McCain is older than any other Presidential Nominee.But that doesnt mean that he may die in next 4-8 yrs. India had Prime Ministers who were older than Senator McCain when they took office.

It's absurd to talk about Gov. Palin's inexpirience cause Democratic Nominee Senator Obama has no leadership experience at all. As Rudy Giuliani said in his speech, Obama's experience amounts to total 3 years as Junior Senator from Illinois. He doesnt have great record as Senator.( Forget all the spin after his nomination).

Gov. Palin is Pro life. She has a son with Downs Syndrome and she did not terminate the pregnancy deciding to have the child, who may require life long support from her. Her unmarried daughter is 5 months Pregnant and She has decided to keep the baby. If she is ready to face challenges for her beliefs and convictions then it shows her strength and determination. What more can one ask from Politicians.? Contrast this with what happened during Trust vote in Indian Parliament.--- PK

Kashmir Crisis

2008-08-28T11:43:00.005+05:30

In May 2008, Kashmir Valley was peaceful.Thousands of tourists were visiting Kashmir. Peace with Elections just few months away lulled everyone to believe that now Kashmir had turned the corner and will join mainstream like all other states with periodic hiccup and all. In May a perfectly logical order was passed by the State Cabinet. Order transfered temporarily, 40 hectors of forest land near Shri Amarnath Cave to build Pre -Fabricated structure to house Pilgrims during 2 months of Yatra. This was not communicated properly to people of J & K by Congress Govt. Separatist, marginalized and loosing support in the valley, grabbed this opportunity and started misinformation campaign. Both Govt. at Center and State were inept. Separatist could convince Vally that Governor had plan to settle Hindus in the alloted land and change the Demography of the region!!. How absurd is this!!!. Center or State Govt. could not resettle 'Ethnically cleansed' Kashmiri Pandits in the valley for 20 yrs and Pandits are living in most inhuman conditions in refugee(!) camps in Jammu. Can anyone believe that this Govt. can change demography in Vally in favour of Hindus?
Agitation started in Kashmir and PDP and NC joined it so as not to loose support in Kashmir. As usual, when faced with opposition and threat from separatist, Congress Govt. gave in and revoked the order to appease separatist. This changed the complexion of this agitation. Jammu region felt betrayed and started agitation against revocation order. And unexpectedly this agitation was as widespread and violent as agitation in Kashmir. For the first time there was ' Intifada' in Jammu. Protestors throwing stones at security forces, Curfew orders couldn't be implemented, Govt. property destroyed, roads blocked and burning of cars, tyres everywhere. In Jammu, Kashmiri & Congress leaders faced peoples wrath.Their houses and property destroyed. They were physically assaulted. Jammu's only demand-non negotiable- is to revoke the order and allot land to shrine Board.

Journalists,TV anchors like Padmashri Barkha,Rajdeep and Karan Thaper et al had multiple programs, where leaders from all political parties in India and Kashmir, Separatists like Mirwaiz,Lone,Mehbooba and Mallik and S.A.S.S. leaders have participated. There is 'grave' danger. Kashmir is angry and agitation is led & fueled by teenagers. So called Children of Conflict. Jammu is also very angry and there also non political teenagers are leading the agitation, employing the same tactics used by agitators in Kashmir. Everyone blames Central and State Govt. for it's inept handling of the crisis when it started.Everyone wants Center to hold talk immediately.Everyone is shocked at the way PMO and Govt. is procrastinating. But the problem is What should PMO & Govt. talk at these meetings?

Strong agitation in Jammu has left Govt. with almost no options. Kashmiri leaders wont agree to give land to SASB. So Jammu will continue their agitation. Blocking of Srinagar Highway may have fueled the separatist movt. in Kashmir but it has also shown what is in store for Kashmir if Jammu is not with them. Mujaffarabad road is option but it has its own consequences.Even Pakistan is not very happy with the idea. Earlier Kashmiri leaders could threaten to cede from India and could wrest any concession from Delhi. Unfortunately this time giving more sops to Kashmir wont stop agitation in Jammu, rather it will fuel it further as Jammu can charge Delhi for appeasing secessionist and favoring them over 'Nationalist' Jammu. So no one is able to answer 'what next?'. Even Azadi will not come in month or two. Azad Kashmir as viable state will be subject matter for another post. Kashmiri leaders are not fools. They have milked this 'Azadi' demand for last 20 yrs and have done exceedingly well for the state. This year Indian Tax payers will pay Rs. 11510 Crore to state or Rs. 11510 to each Kashmiri to shout Anti Indian slogan and burn Indian Tricolor !!!. Unfortunately this time they picked up a wrong issue to demand Azadi and even they don't know how to wriggle out of this.
Lets hope that atleast now matter will be finally settled once for all. Either this way or that.---PK

Why this Double Standard ?

2008-08-26T20:38:00.004+05:30

Last week in Orissa, VHP leader Swami Lakshmananand Saraswati was shot dead in his Ashram. Four other followers of the swami were also killed in the attack. Initial report that Maoist had attacked the Ashram and killed the swami was put out by local administration. But it has emerged that it was preplanned attack carried out by Christian group whose Religious Conversions were opposed by late Swami who had informed state Govt. time and again about threat to his life from these Christian groups.

As was expected, VHP called for the State Bandh which turned violent and mobs attacked Churches,Christian run Edu. Institutes and orphanages and Christian homes. This was widely and repeatedly reported on National T.V. and media.

Why such double standard? Compare this to murder of Graham Stein.All hell broke loose when Christian Missionary was burned alive in 1999 in Orissa. But when Hindu Saint is killed then there is deadly silence!!. Are all Christian Missionaries saints? History doesnt support this. They are ruthless killers when they are spreading Catholicism. American Indian Civilization in N.America, Inca Civilization in S. America, all local Tribal Civilizations in Africa, N.E.India and S. E.Asia were wiped off by Christian Missionaries with the help of the European rulers. In Asia they were in violent conflict with Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists and couldnt make much headway. One of the reason for 1857 Mutiny was fear of religious conversion of Muslims and Hindus to Christianity.

So murders and atrocities committed by Christian groups are kosher and any retaliatory action by VHP or Hindu group- should be highlighted and condemned in strongest terms on TV and Media. Ethenic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits is not even mentioned in press.(It is called exodus of Pandits from Valley!!) This double standard against Hindus has led to simmering discontent among Hindus and its erupts in inhuman acts of violence as witnessed in Gujarat and Orrissa. It becomes much more difficult to rein in attackers by the saner element of Hindu community. India must be the only nation where religious majority is pilloried day in and day out for its religious beliefs and practices. Even in U.S. Catholic issues like Abortion are major presidential Election issues and Candidates vie for support from conservative Christian religious groups and Church. Orthodox Christian/Muslim/Jewish beliefs and practices are no better than their Hindu counterpart. Hindus are slowly developing siege mentality and if majority Hindu community becomes intolerant of other religious groups then it will be disaster for India. ----PK

Will there be change?

2008-08-26T20:20:00.004+05:30

Relative was arriving from San Fransisco by Jet Airways. Scheduled arrival time was 8.45 am. As Typhoon was expected to hit Hongkong I phoned Mumbai airport for ETA. Jet Airways informed me that flight was arriving before time and ETA was 7.05 am!!. I rushed to the Airport. Arrival monitor on Mumbai Airport was displaying ETA for the flight as 8.45 am / on time. Flight landed at 7.05 am ,passengers started coming out at 7.45 am but Airport arrival Monitor did not indicate that flight has landed. Why we cant manage such simple things on International Airport is beyond my understanding. Railways under our Lalu Prasad is doing better job of providing real time info.---PK

Road Travel travails

2008-08-24T12:45:00.005+05:30

On long Independence day weekend,our group had planned to spend the weekend in Daman. A friend has just bought Beachfront Bunglow in Moti Daman. Daman,a former Portugese colony's fame as a travel destination rests on fact that it is surrounded on three side by Dry Gujrat state. Fourth side is Sea but unlike Goa,Daman Beach is rocky where most of the Hotels are. Beach in Moti Daman is Sandy but sand is Blackish and beach is dirty.So swimming is not very popular on Daman beaches. Like Goa, Booze is really cheap but there are no shacks.

Trouble with all the weekend gateaways around Mumbai is travel time to & from destination.Khandala and Lonavala are now easy to reach thanks to Expressway. But road to Daman,Selvassa,Manor -Mumbai-Amdavad highway,is bad between Mumbai & Manor. Its part of Golden Quadrilatral but Congress Govts.have never paid any attention to Roads. Though Daman is Just 130 Kms from Borivli,travel time is usually 4hrs or so. Return journey is especially bad in Sirsad-Vasai belt and traffic jams stretching for 3-4 kms and lasting some 2-3 hrs is common. That's why no one likes to travel by road to Gujrat. People from South Gujrat, start in the morning to catch midnight International flights from Mumbai airport!!.This is going on for years but there is no improvement in road up to Maharastra border. On Gujrat side roads are good and express ways are built between main cities.

Regular travellers start very early from Mumbai,to avoid traffic. But when one is on vacation then why should one get up at ungodly hour? So as expected we were caught up in traffic upto Manor. It took us some 3 hrs to reach Manor. Everyone is so tired that Kamat Restaurant is God sent for Mind,mood,stomach and Bladder!!. Traveling in U.S.-esp. road travel is such a pleasure. One can take regular halts and can expect good restaurants and restrooms there. In India even upscale restaurants have stinking,dirty restrooms. While returning we were in traffic jam near Sirsad for almost 2 hrs. Male members relieved themselves on the roadside in full view of everyone. For Ladies , traveling by road must be a nightmare. When you reach home on Sunday evening, entire fun of weekend vacation has gone up in smoke. Unfortunately there are no alternatives to this situation and in years to come it's going to worsen. You have any suggestions?----PK

2008-07-15T13:19:00.005+05:30

News item in I.E.(here), that Railways will provide real time info to passengers-both on station as well as in trains-about the exact time of arrival is heartening news. This is very useful service provided by Railways and one should congratulate Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav for many such traveler friendly steps taken by him. This facility will be boon for passengers on train. It's common sight to see passengers with heavy luggage standing for long time in Passage of train ,not knowing when the train will reach the station. Families rushing through passage with Bags have woken up many passengers at night. Its really annoying to know that such basic services are grudgingly provided. Hopefully Railways will provide many more such services to make journey comfortable and enjoyable.--PK

Made in China Doctors

2008-07-12T00:29:00.003+05:30

News report(here) that there are more than 6000 Indian Students learning Medicine in China left me wondering about our Higher Education Policy. Though there is great mismatch between demand and available seats in all branches of higher education, Govt. stubbornly refuses to increase number of seats there. In Medicine this mismatch is much more pronounced. China,Russia and other countries have taken advantage of this situation. If only we can increase the seats and make them paying seats,so as to pay for the upkeep of Hospital set up in rural area,we can solve our problem of providing Medical facility in rural area. China & Russia with its language problem cant provide better education than Indian Medical college. Colleges in South India are charging hefty sums to students from US. Unfortunately Govt. gives permission only to trusts managed by Politicians of party in power in that state.Many state govts. have completely ignored setting up of Private colleges.Anybody with good track record of running degree college should be able to start college for higher education. In less than decade we will get rid of the shortfall in supply and everyone will be able to pursue and get degree in field of his choice.----PK

Govt. Offices

2008-07-10T13:17:00.002+05:30

Yesterday I went to UTI-ISL office in JVPD Mumbai to get PAN application form. Its in very small passage( where one can barely stand) in the rear portion of UTI building.Its not painted or plastered for very long time. There is no protection from rain, no roof over the open space in front of it.Long queue of people, to submit their application, struggle in vain to protect their original documents from rain. After that I went to UTI office located in front portion.Its nice big A.C. office but almost empty. UTI-ISL never thought of shifting their PAN card office to better premises. I had blogged about Marriage registrar's office in MHADA bldg. near Bandra Kurla complex here. Recently I heard that it has been shifted to premises that is worst than the earlier one. Cooperative courts in Contractor Bldg. at Bellard Estate-a Heritage bldg.owned by Shapoorji Pallonji- were in very sorry state.Fortunately it has been given new paint and new Men's Restroom, improving its air quality. Moment you enter a Bank's premises you know whether it branch of Nationalised Bank or Private Bank-not HSBC or Citibank- Indian organisation owned HDFC or ICICI Bank. RTO offices in Mumbai are in Tin shades with no provision for Publics or staff's comfort. Even if the office is good to start with, its never maintained properly. RTI act should be used to know how these Govt. offices are planned and maintained. Is it the poor mindset of our Babus? But then they are IAS officers and many secretaries have IIM's as their Alma mater.!! May be its part of our " Incredible India"

Spain's Victory in Euro 2008

2008-06-30T13:37:00.003+05:30

Finally Spain won the title after 44 long years. From the group stage they played attacking,attractive football and their game in 2nd half against Russia in QF was one of the best game of the tournament. When two Giants meet in final, game is often scrappy and played in midfield with very few attacking moves, but yesterday's final was pulsating,attacking game and Spain was the better team.
The only goal scored by Torres indicated that it was Spain's day and luck was on their side. The goal came from nowhere. It was a simple forward pass( and not defence splitting as claimed) from Xavi which was pursued by Torres,Lahm had ball shielded from Torres,Lahm saw Goal keeper rushing forward and was sure that he will collect the ball so he slowed down a little to avoid crashing into GK. Lehman saw that Lahm has ball sheilded from Torres and was slow in sliding to collect the ball. Torres who did not reduce his speed overtook Lahm and was just a step ahead and chipped the ball over Lehman. Ball glided and slipped in the net almost like in slow motion. Even Spanish players did not realize that goal would materialize.
Hindi Commentary on ESPN was very irritating and two hours of this verbal diarrhoea will give headache to listener.Why Indian commentators feel that they have to constantly talk and describe everything is difficult to understand. They are fit for commentary on Radio. Thank God for Super Sport 3 channel which was broadcasting with English commentary.

Crime Scene investigation

2008-06-20T21:52:00.002+05:30

One thing which is very clear in Arushi Murder case is that Indian Police force has lost Art of Solving Murder cases. In time gone by Mumbai Police had reputation of Scotland Yard of East, but handling of Murder weapon by Investigating Officer in Pramod Mahajan case shows that it has reached the nadir. It seems that Officers are less interested in solving crimes and more interested in giving info to News channels. News channels have super sleuths who are Armchair detective. No wonder accused confess to crimes cuase they cant bear more 3rd degree treatment and then retract the confession in court! Our conviction rate is so poor. I find it funny that after week or two CBI is brought in,as if they can do wonders when initial investigations are shoddy and sufficient evidence is not collected from crime scene on the first day. With the passage of time,trail goes cold and evidence is hard to come by. Worst is appointment of Commission headed by retired judge to investigate.They are most ill equipped to solve the crime.Judge cant do the work of good detective. Nanavati Comm. is still investigating after 5 yrs. When we see pro gramme like CSI/Forensic Detectives /seconds to disaster, we realize that use of modern methods of investigations will yield better results and rate of conviction will go up. But unfortunately our Police force is not trained nor there is special Homicide /CSI squads to investigate. Only Terrorist attacks are investigated properly and results are there to see.

Videshlag

2008-06-20T21:12:00.003+05:30

Returning to India after a vacation in US,always brings same feeling i used to get on 1st day of school after summer vacation. I shudder at the thoughts of same routine to be followed for next 10 months, heat and congestion, noise and people all around-jostling,pushing,treading on your toes. Moment you touch down at Mumbai airport ordeal begins. After long,grueling, sleepless non stop flight,when one is awake for almost 30 hrs, one has to walk down a long corridor with heavy stroller bag, to Immigration.Luckily immigration check is fast but then one has to wait for luggage to arrive.It took 45 mts to get luggage and then to take it through customs screening is pain- lift 4-22kg.bags, put them on belt, retrieve them on other side and put them back on trolley, walk long distance to get out of terminal to meet people who have come to receive . To get to your car, walk with your heavy trolley over uneven road with potholes- balancing the bags, and if you get stuck in a pothole then need help to lift the trolley out. Car park is dimly lit and these days it is overcrowded and very difficult to take the car out to the exit. Honking all the while!In US one hardly ever hear honking. In all it took some 2 frustrating hrs from the time of landing to get out of the airport! But i have experienced the same situation for so many years. whats new.It is this "India shining"/"India on the March" thats the reason for frustration. This talk of making Mumbai like Shanghai increases your expectations. You know the Mumbai you left 2 months ago and in just 2 months things are not going to change but when one returns from abroad expectations are raised and one feels that our airport would be like Singapore/Hongkong airport and as user friendly. When you realize that nothing has changed, then frustration creeps in. It takes some 2-3 months to overcome this videshlag. Then i get used to it and switch off my car engine when i am caught up in gridlock at busy junction, increase volume of Red FM-Lage Raho.

Heartbreaks Anymore?

2008-05-22T22:16:00.003+05:30

Was listening to CD of Mukesh's songs. My all time favorite songs from bygone era. Suddenly I realised that we no longer have such sad,melancholic ,depressing songs in our movies anymore. Failure in love does not result in Heartbreaks. May be youth today have other avenues to overcome this. Or is it that todays generation is more practical and less foolishly romantic?.--PK

Abscence of Level Playing field in Battle of Religious Conversion

2008-03-04T11:59:00.002+05:30

This front page article in Mumbai Mirror reinforces my arguments regarding, why Christian missionaries have unfair advantage over their Hindu counterpart(here). Funds received by Christian Missionaries can be utilised for setting up Hospitals,School and colleges and support to weaker sections, tribals and dalits.State or Union Govt has no control on these funds. They can be then motivated to convert to Christianity. Hindu temples Trusts receiving crores in donations from Hindu devotees, have to give money at the dictate of the State govt to organisations controlled by Politicians. Nothing is spent to set up Schools,Hospitals etc. as done by Christian Missionaries.Besides there is no Transparency and Hindu Temple Trusts have donated money to propagate other religion's causes. In such situation how can anyone propagate Hindu religion?.--PK

Russel Peters take on India

2008-02-26T20:56:00.004+05:30

Last week Russel Peters made his maiden appearance on Jay Leno's 'Tonight Show'. He started off with his Stand up act. As he had visited India some times ago,he chose his visit to India as theme. He described his experience when he got off the plane in Mumbai and the joke was on smell of 'SHIT'. When will they come off this stupid joke? At least those who have visited Mumbai recently should be more aware.Is it that these stereotype jokes are acceptable in US?. Compared to Jay Leno, Russel's act appeared to be wash out. I think he needs good writers in his team.

This Economics I can't understand

2008-02-14T21:14:00.003+05:30

Come February and Newspapers are full of predictions on Taxes,especially direct taxes in Budget to be presented on 28 Feb. There are wish lists from various organizations requesting Tax sops to particular industry. Leftist would like increased tax on Rich and Tax benefits to Low income groups. This year there is tremendous increase in Tax collection.Advance Income Tax is all time high. This is considered as result of Low Tax regime brought about by our present PM, who was Finance Minister in 1991. Before 91 we were paying very high I.Tax which resulted in Parallel Economy called 'Black Money' which was bigger than official Economy. With reduction in I.Tax rate, increased vigilance and Computerisation, more and more people are declaring their true income. These days it is advantageous to declare Income, Pay Tax and Invest which will recover Tax paid in just 2yrs. Another punitive Tax was Death Duty/Wealth Tax etc. With removal of these taxes,Tax compliance is better and Peoples' savings/spendings have increased which is reflected in booming Economy.
In USA this is Presidential Election year. Now in final phase debates and focus of Candidates will be on Economy which is threatening to go into recession. Some economists fear that it will be similar to great Depression of 1930. Everyone agrees that Americans-both Govt. and Individuals- spend more than their Income and hence run up great deficit which requires periodic recessions to prevent Great Depression of Economy. Many blame Republican Presidents'-Regan & Bush- Tax Cuts and Supply side policies for this.
But this is what I fail to understand. Today US Income Tax starts with 15% at Income level of $0 to $27K. One has to file return for Monthly Income of $750.-for Self Employed $400/Yr..There is no Tax exemption limit like we have (Rs. 100K). The Death Duty has resulted in Failure of many small to medium businesses in US as they were asset rich but cash poor. President Bush has advocated marginal reduction in Income Tax-from 15% to 10% in lowest bracket and removal of Death Duty. Why this is considered as disastrous for US economy but same proposals when applied to Indian Tax laws were considered as boon to economy is beyond my understanding. When I watch Suze Orman show on CNBC-TV18, I find it appalling that people with 4-8K take home pay /month have hardly any savings to fall back on. Savings earn just 3-4% Interest(Taxable) on Deposits ,many have huge credit card debts.They cant pay back debts of $10-15K and have to file Bankruptcy which increases their interest on all loans. For families belonging to sub 100K/yr in earnings life is tough,they have high debts,pay high interest, can hardly save anything and saving fetch so little interest that there is no incentive to save. Govt. collects Tax from these marginal earners and spends huge amount on Iraq misadventures and exploring space. This finally ends up in Periodic recessions in US which has effect on all the economies of the world. What is the solution? Only God Knows as no two economists agree on given solution.

Doctor's Dilemma

2008-02-07T13:34:00.000+05:30

An email from Dr. Ashok Sinha of Agartala, Tripura is doing rounds among Medical Fraternity. I feel that this particular mail requires wider public exposure than read by only Doctors.

' The recent controversy regarding the village posting of doctors has put the medical community on one side and the whole world on the other side. I remember, 35 years ago, when I was selected for medical college I went to one of my elderly aunts to seek her blessing. She was not very happy about the issue, no, she was not jealous, but she expressed her anxiety very eloquently. "You are such a nice boy, but now you'll become a bad man". That, I think, sums up the attitude of the society towards the doctors. The problem possibly lies with the doctors. They work for money, they do not bother about the society, they can kill female fetuses for a few bucks more, and they can refuse treatment for want of money; they are not up-to-date with knowledge, they do unnecessary tests to get a share of the booty. Most of the complaints are probably true. I have seen ultra-sonologists giving shamelessly false report to assist another shameless gynecologist in going for an unnecessary surgery, and I have seen many more un-parliamentary linen that I should not wash in public. All are true and more. My worry is about the ways the society is trying to go about solving the problem. The society is trying to find a solution without assistance from doctors. It was the same when the consumer protection act came. Most of the sane doctors protested, some insane ones also did. No one listened to us. I remember having told one gathering of legal experts, that they were putting the patients from the frying pan to fire; from doctors clutches to lawyers. I asked them, why did they want consumer protection act for the medical community, to improve services or getting compensation, or did they want just to teach a lesson! I assured them none of these would be possible. People refuse to learn from history. Has the road accident compensation policy improved the quality of drivers? It has only raised the insurance rates and probably helped the family of the dead. If consumer protection act implementation for medical community was intended for compensation, it was good, but if it was meant to improve services, it was useless. People gave us funny looks, thought we were `so bad'. Now the great thinkers of the nation are again at it. They want doctors to go to villages, and because the anti-social doctors do not want to go to villages, they'll have to be forced. I am surprised at the cerebral quality of the people who rake up such ideas. Has any one tried to find out why doctors are not interested in going to the villages! Is it only money! By the way, one of the lowest paid employees in India is a junior doctor. As a junior doctor I was paid a princely sum of Rs. 225/- PM, while the ward boys were paid Rs 400/-. Their duty was 8 hrs, mine 24 hrs; they had one weekly holiday, I had none. They had time for lunch; I did not. I survived because the `sisters' were real sisters; I shared their food. If the barber failed to turn up, I had to `prepare' the patient for surgery; the ward boy would not even have a nightmare of doing it. If the ward boy were absent I had to `ensure' that the patient reached the OT on time, riding on the trolley, guess who pushed it through the corridors of the hospital! But I tell you; I enjoyed my stay as a house surgeon. I am still proud of what I did. Because that was when I learned. That was what prepared me for the future. That is where I learnt how to give a painless suture, how to tackle a violent patient, how to tackle grief. I do not think a Lal Bahadur Institute trained babu will ever understand that, they do not have the training. Look at the position of medical education today. MBBS is a five and a half years course. Already the longest course in the country. But an MBBS degree is truly nothing today. At one time an MBBS degree was equivalent to an M Sc degree. One could become a lecturer after MBBS, could do a Ph D, or D Sc after MBBS. But no more, now MBBS is equivalent to B Sc. MD was a doctoral degree, Doctor of Medicine, now a postgraduate degree, a three years postgraduate degree. A two years postgraduate diploma is not equivalent to M Sc. Even the MCI is trying its best to degrade the status of medical degrees. I invite the society to understand the problem first. Force should come as the last option, not the first. Today an MBBS degree holder is a pariah in society, to be accepted by the people he has to have a postgraduate qualification. `Only MBBS', or `simple MBBS', or worse `plain MBBS' are terms we hear often, but do not understand the agony of it all. MBBS entrance is one of the toughest in the country, but let me introduce you to a tougher entrance, the PG entrance. The number of seats for PG is one third of the total MBBS seats, so in any case two thirds of the MBBS shall remain `plain and simple'. This cutthroat competition has prompted the students to treat MBBS degree as a qualifying benchmark for PG entrance tests. They prepare for the test rather than trying to become doctors. This one entrance test would make or break their career. It is better to be a simple B Sc then to remain a simple MBBS. There are instances where MBBS students are paying smaller hospitals to get internship certificate without going to the hospital so that they can utilize the time studying. What is the result? They do not become a `doctor' after MBBS; they remain students. One third of them get into PG, two- thirds fail. No, not because they are stupid, because the know-all government has put a rationing in the number of seats for PG. Imagine the fate of these students, they are plain MBBS, did not spend time learning during internship, now they are out in the open, no respect, no knowledge, official quacks. This is the most serious wastage of trained manpower the country is facing today, all because of our policy makers. Who is responsible? There was one know-all TV talk show, which said if you cannot become a doctor in five years, you could never be. So cerebral! These are the people who control the society, God help us. One does not become a `doctor' immediately after passing MBBS; it takes at least 2-3 yrs of fulltime work under supervision to be able to work independently. That was what house jobs were. Earlier house jobs were compulsory before MD entrance. After 2 house jobs if one did not get in to PG one could still practice. Now house job has no PG entrance value. Practicing medicine without a House job does not prepare a doctor well. Is there a solution to the problems in villages? It is there, if our great parliamentarians bother to listen to us. By the way I have a few more proposals. I want to make it compulsory for the parliamentarians to stay in a village for one year as MP and fulfill all promises made during election campaign otherwise their Membership would be cancelled. Make it compulsory for IIM graduates to stay in a village for one year to work for betterment of rural finances, before they get their degree. I want High Court judges to stay in villages at least 2 months a year to help solve the pending cases in the villages to be eligible for promotion to Supreme Court. I want the IAS officer to be posted in a village for one year before they are confirmed in their jobs.They can all stay in the excellent accomodation provided in the villages for the doctors. Sounds funny? Who started the jokes! Here is what I suggest. The entire medical course needs to be revamped. Instead of hundreds of confusing degrees there should be one degree, MD. It should be a nine years integrated course, equivalent in status to a Ph D. All students, after four years, would get a provisional registration to work as doctors under supervision. They would select their specialty at this juncture, depending on the merit and other government policies of the time. Even a surgeon would be MD. All the diploma courses would be abolished. There would be specialties in family practice, clinical medicine, hospital based internists, surgeons, ophthalmologists, and all other specialties that we have today. One year out of this course will be a village posting where they can learn the problems of the villages and unlearn some hi-tech solutions to simple problems. There would never be a shortfall of doctors in villages, happy doctors and not frustrated ones. I do not think there would even be a murmur of protest from anywhere. No forcible "Cultural Revolutionary" tactics would be needed. The GPs that we get would be trained ones, not untrained ones as we get now. How does a patient differentiate between a physician MD and a general practitioner MD. The same way they do now, between MDs in Medicine, pharmacology, biochemistry and pathology. In any case, government can recognize certain associations, memberships of which can be made compulsory. (For example, MD, Member of Indian College of Pharmacology, or MD Indian College of Surgeons.). This way every doctor that comes out of the college would have some special skills, and have worked independently for at the least 4 years before being released to the society. There is no wastage of doctors as `simple MBBS'. The super-specialties should be limited to a few, the brightest ones. There should be no further confusing degree like M Ch, DM. The super-specialists would be offered fellowships of the college, e.g. MD, Fellow of the Indian College of Cardiac Surgeons, equivalent to postdoctoral degree, D Sc. By the way this does not solve the problem of the bad guys in the profession as mentioned in paragraph two of this article. I'll share a bitter truth with you. The patients are as much responsible for this situation as the doctors. The ratio of good doctors and bad doctors is exactly the same as the ratio of good guys and bad guys in the society, not more, not less. There is something very wrong in the way patients select their doctors. Name and fame does not depend on skill, knowledge and sincerity. Sound business tactics, sometimes not so ethical, makes one doctor more popular than the other. This article is aimed at sensible people who want a solution, not revenge. The next doctor could be your son; the next patient could be your son. '

New Year Juhu Molestation

2008-01-06T12:19:00.000+05:30

Reading Posts on Juhu Molestation here, and here .i wonder why Sexual Molestation in Public is treated so differently than other crimes. Saksi's suggestion for women to be safe in crowded public places is perceived as 'Blaming the Victim' for the sad, harrowing incident. But when you keep your car unlocked and someone steals your bag, or get mugged in deserted street at night in Crime infested area,or your chain is snatched/pocket is picked in suburban train, part of the blame will be yours. You cant blank it, you cant say that i will not take precaution to be safe, but perpetrator of the crime has to improve and change his mindset. If that were possible then there would be no crime in this world.There will be sexual offenders in any society. Molesting,Raping,taking women as sex slaves after defeating enemy is historical. Major wars are fought on such issues. If anyone thinks that this will be erased from the mind of the males and they will behave, than it's Utopian dream. Being drunk is more dangerous than being high on drug. Alcohol removes the moral and behavioral control that we have acquired by good upbringing. A drink too many makes you reckless and one takes more risks. Even when one is with friends, its better not to allow anyone to cross that limit.In spite of taking all these precautions, there will be cases of sexual offense, but that will be unfortunate.Time and better upbringing will reduce it but wont eliminate it altogether.---PK

Old Family Planning Fraud in New Bottle

2008-01-03T18:36:00.000+05:30

TOI reports that Govt. has announced 'Incentive' scheme to spur acceptance of Vasectomy operation. Those who undergo Vasectomy operation will be paid Rs. 1200/-,'Motivator' will receive Rs 150/- and even surgeon will be paid incentive. Govt. hopes that this will help make Vasectomy more acceptable. Of course women undergoing Tubectomy operation will also be paid similar amount as incentive.
This news brought memory of those good(?) old days when Vasectomy had pride of Place in Family Planning Program. During Emergency Scion of Gandhi family and heir apparent Sanjay had taken up Vasectomy as part of his 5 point program. Teachers,Govt. officials, Police and all those who were in power were given Vasectomy operation targets and they HAD to fulfill the target. Result of this misplaced zeal was forced Vasectomies. Police and other Govt. functionaries rounded up people and forced them to undergo Vasectomy,even those who were not eligible for operation.Surgeons aware of this state of affairs simply gave incision on Scrotal skin and did not Tie/cut the Vas. Ofcourse he was paid off to do this.Incentive money was shared by the staff of Family Planning Dept. I remember people arriving by train from U.P./Bihar etc were rounded off and forced to undergo Vasectomy at V.T. station. After emergency was lifted, Vasectomy program was severely criticized and was held responsible for defeat of Indira Gandhi.
As Vasectomy operation virtually disappeared from the scene, incentive program was introduced. But by this time FP staff had learned the trick. As a person who had worked in the dept. then, I can confidently say that more than 95% of the cases done between 1980 -86 were fake cases.we used to call then as 'D' cases. Everyone including driver/cleaner of the Mobile Vasectomy Van of BMC had share of this loot. In city like Mumbai, Patient could never be traced if address given was in slum. Each center had a team of 'Motivators' who would bring patients for Vasectomy. Everyday 5-6 cases were done. Same people would come again n again for operation and all forms were duly filled and money distributed.Biggest problem was to give names to the patient.Here Marathi newspapers would come handy and Names were lifted from Navakal,Sakal etc. Injections,syringes,Gauze, Cotton and other material was pilfered. There was scramble to get posting at centers doing cases and on Mobile Vasectomy Vans. Vasectomy operation figures improved dramatically. There were cases which were not eligible for Vasectomy, age more than 40 yrs or spouse had undergone tubectomy etc. but those were the days of Dr. Datta Samant led Mill Strike. Many Striking Mill worker opted to get operated to get Rs. 800/-as incentive money.In 1983 this was good amount. Unemployed youth,migrant workers, teenage streetchildren were lured by Motivators to undergo Vasectomy operation. Obviously this FP program couldn't make any dent in burgeonig population. When in 1986 ,incentive program was stopped, number of Vasectomies dropped precipitously and now it is just few thousand cases.
Fate of this program is not going to be different.Crores of Rupees ,badly needed to provide Health care to poor will be diverted and siphoned off. May be this is a pay off to political party worker in Pre Election year. As it is even Female Tubectomy program is not picking up. There should be rethink on Permanant Method like Tubectomy/Vasectomy. Their acceptance is very low these days. Couples prefer to use Temporary methods like Condoms,IUCD or Pill and Emergency contraceptive pill. In case of failure Medical Termination is preferred.This new incentive scheme is invitation to fraud and new generation of FP worker will be initiated into this fraud and will stop promoting temporary methods as well. ---PK

Holy Wars--Religious Conversions

2007-12-31T13:25:00.000+05:30

TOI in its Edit today(here) have asked Hindus to do introspection and try find out reason for converting from Hinduism. Then proceed glibly to provide the reason as " Social ostracism of Dalits and Tribal s". But does converting to Christianity or Islam remove social ostracism? It was true when Islam or Christians were the rulers and they protected converts from Hindu social discrimination. In society Converts belonging to ruling class were higher than "Native Hindoos".But in today's Constitutional Democracy conversion brings no benefit,rather it adds one more hurdle.For Hindus they are now Christian/Muslim Dalits or Tribals. Upper caste Hindus are not going to accept Dalits as equal just because they have converted to Christianity or Islam.Conversion is historically associated with defeat and conquest by other religious group and converts invite ire and hate of their birth community.Converted Dalits even loose the constitutional reservation in Jobs and Education. Thats the reason for increasing clamor for extending benefits to Converts.
The question we have to ask is 'why are they converting from Hinduism.?'It is not Caste or other Social evils like Dowry.Because Dalits are discriminated after conversion.In India Christian and Muslims are equally conscious of their Caste,and they share equally other social evils like Dowry and female foeticide. Women's Social status in Islam is worse than that of Dalits in Hindu society,but are Muslim women converting to other religion? Liberal Hindu religion should be able to get more converts from other religion which are more regimental,dogmatic and dictatorial.
Main reason for Hindus converting to other religion is not reasons advance glibly, but fact that there are no efforts to Propagate this Glorious Liberal Philosophical religion.If you want to Propagate Hindu religion than immedietally you are branded 'COMMUNAL'. Only religious organization which tries to do this work is 'Communal' VHP. Missionaries do lot of good work like establishing Schools, Colleges, Hospitals,Health Centers,Shelters for poor and underprivileged.But from where do they get the money to carry out these activities? From donations given to Churches. Hindu Temples(Churches) are flushed with money donated by Hindu devotees but these funds are managed by Govt. appointed committees as per guidelines issued by State Govt.of the day.They are not interested in propagating Hindu religion,running schools or Hospitals in tribal areas,or providing help to poor with the aim to attract/keep them to Hindu religion.Recently Shri Saibaba Sansthan spent 60Laks of the donation money on President's visit to Shirdi.Tirupati Devasthanam and Jagganath temple of Puri are not known for running School,Colleges,Hospitals or Health Centers/Shelters in nearby Naxal infested Tribal Belt of Andra Pradesh and Orissa.Sabrimalai Temple is under the control of Athist Communist Govt.Vaishno Devi temple Trust in Jammu has done nothing for thousands of Hindu refugees from Kashmir.
This great religion has now only 900Million followers-90% of them in India.If this trend continues and it will, then by next millennium fate of Hindu religion and Civilization will be same as that of other ancient religions-it will be on the brink of extinction-like Zorastrian(Parsis).--PK.

Winds of Change- Greetings

2007-12-28T12:04:00.000+05:30

Till 3-4 years ago, during Diwali and New year I would receive 70-80 Greeting Cards from Friends, Colleagues, Diagnostic Centers and Pharma firms wishing me and my family, a year full of happiness, peace and Prosperity. This gesture would be reciprocated by me and month before Diwali I would go through the process of selecting Card-CRY, Helpage or cards from some other Charitable organizations.Then would come the matter to be printed on the card. As these cards served as surrogate advertisement, informing receiver about attachments to various hospitals, Consulting timing and New facilities being offered, lot of time was spent in drafting the subject matter. Then came printing of the cards and most difficult part-writing names of the recipient,signing the card and writing address on the envelope. It was practice session which proved very useful when there was wedding in the family. Posting was easy with advent of courier service.
This year I have received only 5 greeting Cards. 3 from the Pharma cos. and two from the relatives who always send Greetings on Post card-reminding me that Post Card still exists. But Inbox of my Cell Phone is full with 50 messages,some very simple and other elaborate, some are in Hindi. Inbox of my email has many messages and flash cards with sound and noise of the Crackers bursting.( Now I pay to receive and download!!).
With SMS and e mail, it has become very easy to select Greeting and send it. Selected email-flashcard can be sent- in seconds- to entire contact list which includes all friends and relatives who matter. As sending email and flash card is free, it can be sent to everyone by click of the mouse and receiver feels that I am still a close friend who remembers to send him greetings. SMSing Greeting is more personal and effective as recipient has to view it and then delete to make space for more SMSs. This has virtually finished the Greeting Card business except for Valentines Day cards.

Winds of Change

2007-12-18T20:28:00.000+05:30

Today I went to Udipi restaurant in Andheri West for Cup of south Indian Filter Coffee. Person who took my order was Marathi manoos. Two waiters were North Indians-one was Bihari and other appeared to be from Haryana-Delhi. Surprise ! Nepali Boy was cleaning the Tables and other one was serving water( First thing you get as soon as you sit in Udipi Hotel).
Gone are the days when shetty boys came from Manglore and worked in Udipi Hotels of Mumbai at the bottom of the ladder-cleaning tables and serving Water-gradually moving up to finally own/manage a Restaurant. Kutchhi Shopkeepers who used to get people from their native place to work in the shops have now switched over to employing people from Bihar and Orissa. IT/BPO has definitely changed employment avenues in rural areas.

HIV Capital of the World??

2007-12-06T20:38:00.001+05:30

Finally the Cat is Out of The Bag !!. For years India was suppose to be HIV Capital-having highest number of HIV cases. This year on World AIDs day,Health Minister has finally accepted that we did not have correct figure of HIV infected population. Pune based organization has finally done Scientific Survey of HIV infected people and brought down the figure from 5 million to 2.5 million !!. This should now help to understand how disease spreads and what should be our strategy to reduce the spread. Unfortunately awareness level is going down. Free sex without protection is acceptable. Young generation is more worried about Pregnancy than HIV infection. Multiple partners,casual sex,one night stand is again in the vogue. Are we heading in the direction of Sub Sahara Africa? There whole generation is affected by HIV and the workforce is depleted. We cant even decide what and how should we impart sex education to High School teenager. All our efforts are directed in working on Economic Miracle and Double Digit Growth rate. If HIV spreads at present rate than by 2015 we will have to spend much more on providing Health care and recent example of USA has shown that Health care expenses can drag economy down. It's time to wake up.

Good Bye my Blacki Baby. Rest In Peace.

2007-11-04T13:42:00.000+05:30

Finally it happened.
After week of treating my baby Blackie with IV fluids,Lasix,Rantac,Dextran,Sucralfate. We felt that he is improving. His tongue was regaining pink colour. He was weak but could move around in the room. we were force feeding him and he was retaining it. He was passing good quantity of Urine. Stools were of normal colour. His Blood values were not increasing. He would recognize us and would wag his tail. we were getting hopeful. it was taking heavy toll on me. Giving just 400 cc. in 3 hrs to a dog is real effort and to do it twice a day , more so. we had to lift him and take him down so that he could pass urine. If he cant then I had to Catheterize him.
I had started his Iv drip and gave Inj. Lasix. after 100 cc he got up and started making cooing sound to indicate he wants to eat something. He drank about 300cc Water mixed with electral solution. We were overjoyed. His Iv drip was discontinued. He was taken downstairs where he passed good amount of Urine. We put him in his room and with much releif sat down to watch 'Main Hoon Na' on cable. After an hour or so he walked out of his room and came to his usual place in Drawing room. He stood there swaying a little. I took him back to his room and made him to sit in dog position.
After the picture was over K wanted to sit there for a while. We were feeling at ease. Blacki has started taking feed and passing urine on his own so now things should get better.There was glimmer of hope.We sat there for an hour or so,planning for Diwali.Before going to sleep K went to see Blacki. He was standing and his breathing was fast. She called me. i tried to make him sit. I was wondering whether i should get oxygen cylinder to ease his breathing.
Suddenly he ambled towards K. put his head on her lap. She started patting and baby talking to him.I was stroking his back and could feel the very rapid breathing and fast heart rate.He sat down and K called out to me that he is going, i felt that breathing had stopped and heart was going into Fibrillation(Flutter). He slowly lied down, Took 2-3 gasps and it was all over. I felt more pain and sorrow than ever before. More than what I had felt when my parents,close relatives died. There were no thoughts about what future holds for me-thoughts I had when my parents died. There was only sense of very very deep loss. He had demanded/wanted nothing from me but always gave me lots of love. No conditions were attached to that love. i didnt have to reciprocate. His love, affection and joy on meeting me were always there.Everyday,every hour,every minute. This memory of unconditional love will always remain with me. we will always miss him and remember him.
Good Bye my Blacki baby. Have a nice higher life. Rest in peace.

Pet Problem

2007-11-01T20:59:00.000+05:30

For a month now I am busy with my Pet Blackie's treatment. He is 12 yrs old Pom, and in these 12 yrs I never had to visit Vet except for his Vaccination and occasional check ups. Two yrs ago he developed a Cystic Lump below Anus. It was not troubling him and Vet was not sure about the origin of the lump- it was not Malignant tumor. Last May the cyst burst but healed on its own. Last month the Cyst burst and there was lot of bleeding. Vet advised that the cyst be removed. So Blackie was admitted in Parel Vet.Hospital. At his age there were risks and we were worried. His Blood reports were normal but Heart was enlarged. His operation went off without any problem and next day he was moving about, eating milk and bis.,passing Urine and stools. But his stools were Black and Sticky. His recovery was fast and on 4th day Vet at Parel gave permission to bring him home. We found him little weak, wouldnt go for his daily rounds in Soct. and stools were still Black. we suspected that this is altered Blood and he may be Bleeding in Intestines due to Operation stress Ulcers. Now he had developed cough and would sit down after walking a short distance and had stopped taking feeds. We took him to Vet in Juhu(near Pratiksha) and he felt that it was 'Kennel Cough'. Blackie was treated with usual mix of dext-Saline,Antibiotics,etc. He was going down. We could see that he was getting weaker by the day but his Vet or Vets. at Parel Hospital couldnt diagnose the cause . They continued to treat it as Chest infection-Bronchitis- and we gave Nebulisation,Asthalin,Higher Antibiotics and IV fluid.Our repeted suggestion that this cough can be due to LVF ( Left Ventricular Failure) were ignored. By this time he had stopped eating completely so we started force feeding him with milk. Then we realized that his Tongue had become very pale. He was loosing Blood somewhere( Most likely from Ulcers in Stomach or Intestines). We were desperate. My baby was very very sick and these Vets cant even diagnose the cause. We decided to go for Blood Tests and new Vet. Blackie was taken to Vet. Swali and he felt that Blacki is in Renal Failure.Urgent Blood Tests confirmed this. His Haemoglobin was just 4 Gms(30%) S. Creatinine was 9 mgs and BUN 63mgs.
He was still passing Black stools. he was put on Sucralfate (which covers the ulcers and stops bleeding), Inj. Rantac,Lasix and Iv fluids. He had Post Op. Acute Tubular Necrosis or Low GFR due to Anaemia and LVF. At last we knew what was wrong with him and can now focus on treating the cause rather than just shooting in the dark.Now we are giving him IV fluids and Lasix and hope to get his Creatinine down,stimulate the Renal function. Luckily he doesnt have Pain. He is not breathless. His stools have become normal.He still not taking feeds and we are force feeding him. But prognosis is not very good.We are late by some 10 days. Had his Vet. diagnosed the problem earlier,Vets at Parel Hospital( who are teachers/Proffessors at Vet College) listened to us and been more proactive than he would have had better chance of recovery.We can only pray for his recovery and treat him and give support so that he can give his best shot at recovery.
I feel sorry, when I Google Searched his problem I find that we are so much behind the West in treating our Pets.We dont have decent hospital or equipments.Our knowledge is inadequate and most important there is feeling of Deja Vu.Its just a Dog! When humans are not getting proper treatment who can advocate better treatments for Pets? Even commercial interest is not stimulating better facilities for Pets. Huge stray population has increased the negligent attitude of Vets and ordinary people. ---PK

E Pill-Emergency Contraceptive pill

2007-10-16T12:21:00.000+05:30

I am really pissed off with the TV advertisement of Cipla's Emergency Contraceptive pill. Don't get me wrong. I have no cultural or moral objection to this advertisement. On the contrary I feel its very very effective advertisement, and there lies the problem. Since the airing of these films I have had patients who had used these pills and were pregnant. There are girls who are sexually active and want to use this pill as contraceptive method. Now this pill is meant to be 'Emergency' contraceptive and one should not have emergency every month or 3-4 times in a month. Inadequate knowledge, easy availability in Chemist shop without prescription and lack of supervision by medical personnel can result in complications. If one is Sexually active on regular basis then Regular,more effective Contraceptive methods under Medical supervision should be preferred.
First of all , it's Emergency contraceptive pill, so it should be used only in an Emergency.That means that if you suspect that contraceptive method used by you may not work( Condom broke or slipped off or semen entered the Vagina. or you missed to take the pill or safe period was calculated wrongly. In the case of Rape it should be routinely given.) It is not as effective in Preventing Pregnancy as regular contraceptive methods like Condoms, Birth Control Pills or IUCD-Copper T. Its no more effective than 70-80% ( There is no good Clinical data for this as well). It contains Hormone Estrogen and Progesterone and will alter Hormone Balance and period can be delayed. multiple use may make period irregular. Besides there are side effects like Nausea and Vomiting, Venous Thrombosis etc. Though these side effects are not usually serious.
Finally my pet grouse. E-Pill does not protect from Sexually Transmitted Diseases like Candida and other infections, Herpes and fatal HIV and Hepatitis B & C. This is more dangerous then Pregnancy! Most effective Emergency Contraceptive is to Carry good quality Condom in your purse and ask the Man to use it properly if he wants Sex. If he refuses then walk out for your own good.

2007-09-06T20:45:00.000+05:30

Media coverage and frenzy of the fans seen for last 1 month during Court Judgement,arrest, their stay in jail and finally release on Bail and homecoming in the case of Sanju and Salman, makes me wonder what makes Film Stars such a celebrity. Their fans are from across the Class and Caste, Religion and Social Status, Industrialists & Politicians to Dons.Highly trained professionals to humble daily wage earner. Its not Bachchan or Khans, even chhota mota filmstars/TV actors,Anchors, item girls with 2 dances to their credit and even 'Kallumama ' has fan following. Anyone working as an actor in Film or TV becomes famous and has fan following. Sometimes it is short lived-from few months to few years- but for other Lambe Race ka Ghodas, it is lifelong. They even get elected defeating political leaders with years of experience in Politics. If Amitabh or Shahrukh were to stand in an election against even Soniaji and Rahulbaba, no one will predict the outcome. Unfortunately many of them are petty,megalomaniacs with inflated egos and self worth. Uneducated,ill mannered, uncouth and habitually they throw their weight around. In a Public functions they are given more importance as guest then performer or person in whose honor the function is being held.
I fail to understand why this particular community -Actors-are given such a high celebrity status. Directors,Music Directors,Writers,and all other professionally connected/Creative people don't find even mention in Media and are virtually unrecognized. Is it something to do with our inability to come to terms with and accept concept of 'Film',where you can see a person doing everyday things on screen?. Is that the reason for amazing success of 'You Tube' and hundreds of clips-many absolutely useless and bad- it receives daily. It is excellent subject for research.
Similar to this is our fascination about Aeroplanes and Flying. Most of us would look up to see a plane when we hear their Engine sound. Few years ago when 'Air Deccan' came out with Tickets in Rs. 500/- ,my car driver wanted to fly in plane. He wouldn't believe that flying in plane is one of the most boring experience. Pilots are held in very high esteem. I can understand about Fighter Pilots but Commercial Airlines Pilots receive so much help from technology that flying in most of the cases is made simple and safe. Compared to them Drivers of ST/BEST and Blue Line buses have real difficult task. Is it that after 100 yrs we have still not come to terms with and accept that we/Machine can fly.--PK.

Salman-Jekyll & Hyde

2007-09-06T20:03:00.000+05:30

After a week long drama,which received widest Media coverage, Salman Khan got Bail in Chinkara Case and returned home from Jodhpur jail, a tumultuous welcome from 3 F's, family, friends and fans. His family and friends have suggested that Salman received this harsh(!) sentence from court as he is a Celebrity. His image as Spoiled Brat is because of undue coverage given to his drinking binges, Brawls in the party, Midnight calls to Vivek, Banging door of Ms. Rais home for hours, his alleged links with underworld etc,etc..... He is in fact suppose to be really nice person,helping friends with tips on acting and Body building, giving presents to friends, helping unit hands with money and he even gave money for treatment to Mr. Dhasal.He still resides in modest 2 BR flat -a floor below his parent's home. If this is true then his behavior is typical of Dual Personality and he needs psychiatric help from competent person. If people like Salman-forget everything else but he did go hunting with his co-artists and killed Chinkara knowingly. At that time he was filming for Rajashri film and his cherector in that film is very soft spoken,non violent one, who doesnt get angry or raises his voice ! If after pack up he changes to a person who picks up gun and kills Hiran-Chinkara,then it calls for probe in his personality and behavior. I am amazed by the frenzy of people( And Media as well) in Jodhpur and Mumbai, who wanted to have glimpse of their favorite star and idol. If for todays youth-this is not youth which is in TV studio- but one which takes part in College Elections, is present in large number in protests and venting anger on Professors and VC's. by breaking furniture- Salman and Sanjubaba are the idols then fate of "Rising India" of UPA will not be different than 'Shining India" of NDA...PK

2007-09-05T12:13:00.000+05:30

Reading news item about ms. Mallika Amar Shaikh's efforts for Financial help for her husband Fiery Dalit writer/poet Namdeo Dhasal brought back memories of 70's when Dalit Panther movement took off and had some relevance. But to my mind it brought memories of Mallika's autobiography, which I had read then. Mallika who is daughter of Leftist Shahir Amar Shaikh had vividly described her experience during her first pregnancy and particularly-her delivery in B.M.C. run Nair Hospital. She wrote about behavior of staff in labor room, where she was made to lie on dirty delivery table and at the height of unbearable labor pains, she was slapped, pinched on thighs and buttocks and taunted with most sexually explicit remarks.

Having worked in labor wards of Municipal hospitals, I know that each and every word was true-no exaggeration. Patients are left on Delivery table with no one around them, If she shouts in pain ,she is abused, shouted at and even slapped. Sometimes hours pass before resident doctor in charge ( busy with other emergencies) realizes that particular patient has not delivered and then she is re examined and future action carried out. Usually there is no feedback from the Nursing staff to Doctors regarding progress of a patient. What surprises me the most. Nursing staff,Ward boys and Ayahs come from the same 'class' as patients. Many of them stay in the same locality.Even then why there should be such an animosity and poor behavior and treatment with no compassion? In case of Medical needs they patronize the same BMC/Govt. hospitals. Doctors who usually belong to higher(Richer) class have better attitude and are more compassionate. People belonging to same class should treat them better, instead reverse is true. Is it because of the frustration of their lives and daily grind they face, force them to take it out on people who cant hit back?

I hope situation must have changed now but I doubt it. BMC/Govt. has no money, desire or expertise to run Maternity Homes or Hospitals. They would gladly hand them over to Pvt. parties in the garb of Charitable trusts, if they can navigate the deal through political minefield of BMC. If this cant be done than they are allowed to get dilapidated by willful neglect and then discontinued as in the case of Cooper Hospital or many Maternity homes,to be rebuilt and run by Pvt. Charitable trusts. Besides only those who cant afford services of Pvt. Nursing Homes or Hospital patronize BMC hospitals. These hospitals could provide one with best of treatment at almost no cost,provided Paramedical staff can give service with compassion and authorities have will and desire to infuse much needed funds and resources.---PK

New IT Return

2007-09-02T10:56:00.000+05:30

Finally last week I could manage to file my Income Tax return.Though everything was ready in April but new IT form had not come. Last week I had appointment with my Tax Cons. Gone are the days when one could sign the return,give all relevant challans and papers and let consultant file return at his convinience. Now everything is online and this year no enclosures,so you have to be present when he fills in details,computes your income,tax payable,tax paid and refund -if any -and take print out and then sign it.
TC checked everything on his computer screen,cross checked with me and then clicked 'print'. HP printer got into action and in minute or two print outs were in the tray. TC collected the bunch.
I asked him: "How many prints you need?"
"Three".t th
"But these are lot of papers"
" Yes,but this is one copy. From this year IT return has 30 pages. From last year's one page SARAL form now we have 30 pages Improoved,Taxpayer friendly return."
and he called in his peon and asked him to get 2 sets of Photostat copies.
From next year onwards when you apply for Loan, Visa to travel or even credit card, you will be asked to submit last 3 yrs. IT retuns with computation. You will have to submit almost 100 pages of IT return and sign each and every page. Dont be surprised if your application is rejected! Because it will be difficult to asses what is your income from this confusing return. What Fun!!---PK

A Game of Rummy

2007-08-03T13:01:00.001+05:30

Friend called in the morning.
"What are your plans for the weekend?"
"Nothing in particular."
"OK. we are meeting on Saturday/Sunday for card session.One day at my place and next day at your place."
"Sure. Will you contact everyone?."
"Yeah."
"see you on Saturday, 5 pm."

This is the usual conversation on Thursday for last many yrs. Majority of weekends are spent playing cards-Rummy. we are 11 people in the group so dealing 13 cards to everyone is a painful task. Game takes time and those who have packed indulge in small talk on Politics, Markets,Family matters etc. Stakes are low so there are no opportunities to win significant amount. We tried out other games. We played Bridge, Tin Patti with various variation, but nothing would be attractive after 2/3 sessions and we would go back to playing Rummy. Agreed Rummy doesn't need level of skill and intelligence of playing Bridge nor it requires aggressiveness,false bravado or financial strength and ability to take risk as in Tin Patti. Rummy is slow game and gives you time to socialise, converse and interact with other players. Ideal game for group of old friends. But more than this, it is the nature of the game which attracts people.
* You have cards where everything is ready. Suits(Sequences), Jokers, you have to just show your winning hand!
* You have good cards. 2-3 Jokers, chances for sequence but no true Sequence. one card and you can win! but... you don't get the card and you pay highest amount.
* You have 2-3 Jokers,a sequence but you are waiting for that one final connecting card( 4th card). Its not your day so you don't get that card,you loose.
* You have a sequence,1-2 Jokers, you are progressing slowly. Next pull and you can show and win. But.... you loose.
*You have one True sequence,1 Joker but your game progresses with each pull and .. you win!!
* You have 4-5 Jokers but rest of the cards have very poor connection. No way you are going to get that true sequence. You pay the highest amount. Its punishment game. You know you cant win but you have to play.
* Same scenario as above but luck favours you and you get the true sequence. You don't win but don't loose much.
* Some days your Luck has deserted you. You don't get good cards. You pack up more games than you play. Ones which you play goes nowhere and you steadily loose small amounts.

Yes. Attraction of Rummy lies in these similarities to our everyday life situations. when you look back you will find numerous occasions which resembles various scenario described above.As in life, LUCK plays major and important role in shaping your Progress and Destiny. Your education,intelligence,connections and every thing is second to the element of Luck.If you can play the game of Rummy with equanimity than you will be able to handle triumphs and disappointments in your everyday life.

2007-06-22T01:06:00.001+05:30

After the evening walk in Mountain View Park, We sat down on the bench next to barbecue . I realised that there was a Cell Phone lying in the corner.My first thought was that someone forgot to pick up phone after his sojourn in park. But years of staying in India had made me weary of picking up unattended items in Public places. It can be a IED-we are always warned. I hesitated. Best thing, do nothing and wait for some time.Owner will show up.But if it rings? Then should i answer the phone? How insecure our life is in modern times !! Waiting there, I thought about the owner of the phone. If he cant get this phone back he is going to have tough time.I remembered the amount of time & effort it took to put in all the contacts and other data from my old phone to new phone. Poor guy is in for lot of trouble. I hoped that he had not put in his favourite songs or photos in the phone.
After waiting for some 30 mts or so, I decided to take risk. This is US and not India. Probably less likely to put IED in cell phone. So I picked it up,it was Nokia phone.Unlocked the keys.Nothing happened and then Screen lighted up,From menu went to contacts. Few American names-so this doesn't belong to Desi or Asian. Next in the list-Dad,Home,Mom ,work- ah ! this is no IED. Now confidently I selected the Call log-received call-and called the first # in the list.After few rings a lady answered the phone.
Me: "Hello, whose number is this?"
: Dan, my Boy friend's. Hey... did you find the phone?
Me: " ya, I am in Public park in Mntn.View. Come over and collect it."
: " Dan, someone found your phone in park." to me" He will be ther in 10 minutes"
Me: "Sure, i am sitting opposite car park"
I disconnected the line.
In 10 mts Dan was there with his Dogs. Visibly relieved to find his phone. Thanked me for my effort.
But I wondered. Would I do the same thing in India?May be not---PK

Alaska Cruise

2007-06-14T01:21:00.000+05:30

For almost 2 years, I was planning to take cruise vacation. Star Cruises from Singapore and now Mumbai was always an easy choice. But visiting Penang, Phuket,Goa, Cochin etc was no fun as i had already visited these places and they offered same shore excursions/activities that one can have by visiting Goa. Alaska was ideal choice. It was very different from the all the places i have visited earlier. But Alaska Cruises are costly and one is not sure of weather conditions in Alaska. There may be severe cold or rain and fog that can spoil your trip completely. But big Cruise ship was an added attraction and those on Alaska trip are best of the lot.

For Alaska cruise one has to start preparing from Nov. for next June cruise. Cruise calender is out in November with all the sailing for the next season-Mid May to October. Its a difficult task to choose a cruise that is good but not very costly,and visits places that interest you. Normally cruises start from Seattle(US),Vancouver(Canada) and go north and return or it starts from Seward ,Alaska(US) and travel Southward. Usual port of call are Seward,Janue,Skagway,Kitchikan and Price Rupert among other. I had selected round trip from Seattle with halts at Januea,Skagway and Prince Rupert. One requires Visa for both US and Canada (Single entry).By March one should have Visas ready as its time to make full payment which is non refundable.

My cruise sailing was from Seattle in may end.Cruise Liner was Royal Caribbean. We reached Pier. Our luggage, tagged with special tags with my name and Cabin No. was screened and checked in.Now we had to wait in long que for our check in. As everyone had done e-check in,the process was quick and soon we had our Plastic cards which would work as our Cabin door keys and as Credit card for all the transaction on the cruise. Since our luggage would take some time to arrive, we decided to explore the Ship. Unfortunately Cruises are hyped up vacation. Though the ship was big, facilities were on par with any good resort on land. Rather Five star resort would score highly on every count. Our ship had two main Dining areas.On 9th floor deck was Self serving buffet which had something for everyone. There were Fruits, salads, Veg and Non Veg. main courses, special Dish for the day, soups and Deserts. Sodas and juices were available a plenty.But menu was same everyday,very few changes. Other was Main Dining area, where one can have sit down four course dinner with Salad, side dish, Main dish and desert. The choices were good for Non Vegetarians -especially Sea food lovers as Salmon,Cod,Shrimps were always on the menu,and Lobster and crab alternately- but for vegetarians , it was really tough.They hardly liked anything -except desert. For them Fast Food at Solarium on 9th Floor deck serving Fries,Pizzas,Burgers, Cookies was heaven. They survived on them. Then there is 24 hrs Room service. There were number of well stocked Bars. As one is not allowed to take Alcohol on board , if you want to have drink you have to visit bar.Many bars were located at vantage location and one can really have good time in the bar. There was Disco. after 10 pm. Shows in the afternoon and Evening. Bingo sessions, Magic shows, Culinary ,Yoga, Dancing classes.One can read in Library -though their collection of books was poor.- or play Cards in Card Room. There was well equipped Gym. and Spa. Two heated swimming pools and 6 Jacuzzi or Whirlpools.There was Casino with slot Machines,Poker,Roulette Table. For Children there was special Playing area. On board shopping was Tax free and Duty free-but their inventory was not great. There were speciality restaurants.
But it was confined space. As if one is under house arrest in 5-7* Resort.On the day of cruising there was nothing to do. With sea all around you as far as one can see and waves which makes you sea sick as you walk about unsteadily, after a while it gets boring. To top it, The cabins are really, really small. Though I was prepared for Cabin size after my experience with Nile River Cruise in Egypt- i expected little bigger room in such a big Cruise liner. Room and bathroom were compact and small. It makes one Claustrophobic. So on Cruise ship feeling of Isolation and Claustrophobia is always there. You don't like to go to your 'small' room. On the Decks vast sea all around gives you the same feeling. If you are prone to Sea Sickness then only God can help you. Nausea and Drowsiness makes your life really miserable. You long for Terra Fir ma-Land-under your feet and when Ship docks at port you are impatient to get out of the Ship and on to the land, where you feel at ease. Unfortunately this Cruise vacation comes at pretty high price-never less than $150/per night per person.Cost of Shore Excursions are extra(Say about $500-700 p.p.).
So Is it worth to go on Cruise vacation? Well, I am not sure. One thing I am sure of 'It is not very good Value Vacation for the Money spent.'

2007-06-14T00:58:00.000+05:30

It's pleasure to be in cool Bay Area after very hot and humid Mumbai.In the evening, went to the Public park in Mountain View. There were about 70 people enjoying the cool evening. Soccar was played in central area.There were elderly people taking their walk, young couples with Baby in the pram. Children cycling, toddlers on the slide and swings under the watchful eyes of Grand parents.It reminds you of your park in Mumbai/Delhi san the heat.
What surprised me the most was that most of the visitors were Asians-( South Asians (Desi) and East Asians-mainly chinese) and Maxicans. White Americans-may be couple of them jogging,but no African American. May be this walk in the park is legacy of British rule in India, which Indian middle class has adopted and transported to US.--PK

Do We Own Our Icons ?

2007-04-29T12:58:00.000+05:30

Shobha De in her column in today's Sunday Times (here) asserts that Public Icons are owned by Public. Our Bollywood first family of Bachchans owe their name,fame, wealth to Public adulation. Fans, Journalist have all the right to invade their home and take part,photograph the Ash-Abhi wedding. This is a dangerous assertion and makes mockery of Personal Privacy laws. If Amitabh doesn't extend invitation to Journos or his fans,is it ethical to insist on attending the function?
Shobha De is also an Icon. She is what she is today because Millions of readers -me included- read her column, Books for last 30 yrs or more. Does that give me right to attend her Daughters wedding or insist on taking wedding Photos. Should I insist on knowing their plans for quite(!) Honeymoon?
It's difficult for me to understand why Media-the so called important pillar of our great Democracy-insist on covering such events for days. What national or Social cause is served by knowing thee Menu of Dinner served in Ash -Abhi wedding or number of sweets served in Karishma Kapoor's wedding. There are so many other topics concerning people.Media's creative energy is better spent in highlighting social causes. People and even fans do not have right to know stupid mundane things about film stars life.

Beaches of Konkan--Hirnai

2007-02-27T21:33:00.000+05:30

During last long weekend. I went to Hirnai near Dapoli.It is small village with 3 seaside Resorts/Hotels. It's off the Mumbai-Goa highway,some 300 km. from Mumbai. You travel to Khed on Goa highway and get off towards sea passing through the Khed town.It's hilly region and one passes along winding road through Dapoli. Now the air is clean and fresh. The foliage of Goa is missing but there is sufficient greenery to soothe the eyes.There are Coconut groves and Supari and Cashew plantations.But most famous export of the region is Ratnagiri Mangoes and there are many Mango farms. This year Mango trees were blooming and one can expect good crop. Suddenly road takes a turn and you are facing sea--shining in afternoon sun with Fishermen's boats giving it a perfect picture.
Beach was beautiful,nice ,soft sand and absolutely flat for almost a km or so. Very safe for swimming. Even at full tide,children can go in 100 mts and water would be just waist deep.No undercurrents or shifting sand.Most amazing thing was, waves would not break till end and if you know how to float or have Life jacket than you can just float on water bobbing up and down,no breakers to hit you and throw you off balance.There is hardly any drift. Swimming was more fun than what I have experienced in Goa.
But downside was that there were no other facilities.No sundecks Sunbathe,no shacks for Beer and Fish/Prawns. You have to keep your clothes on sand and a stray Dog may go through them for food or pee on them. It wont get stolen because except for the tourists staying in resorts there is no one on the beach. 3 hrs. of Load shedding in the afternoon is the worst. .Hotel Sea Face where we stayed provides 2* facility and Sea food is really good,the service is really poor and housekeeping is non-existent.The place is good for a short vacation if one is tired of going to same old places like Matheran or Mahabaleshwar.

Swiss Rail-Not so perfect.

2007-02-27T20:50:00.000+05:30

Lalu Yadav presented dream Railway Budget. Rs.20000 Cr. earning from Railways is way beyond any ones expectation. But this success story doesn't mean that Rail travel is comfortable or Trains are punctual ,clean and safe to travel. Far from it. when traveling experience of Train in India will match that of European or other developed nations than trains will be 1st choice . There is tremendous mismatch between the two. At present train travel is preferred by those who can't afford air travel or to places where air link is not available.
Swiss Travel service-especially the Rail Line is famous for its comfort,punctuality and works like clockwork.Trains are impeccably clean,very comfortable seats,Map of the route is everywhere,it is punctual to the minute,regular announcement on PA system in train,Timetable which is easy to understand and best of all-not crowded at all.One wonders at the Economics of running almost empty train.Unfortunately during my stay train travel in Switzerland was marred by glitches in Rail service. On the first day traveling from Geneva to Interlaken via Bern,train was terminated at Thun as there was accident between Thun and Spiez. We had to travel by bus with all the suitcases,and Bus was more crowded than BEST bus in Mumbai !!.On 3rd. day,while visiting Luzern,train was terminated at Hergiswill and we had to complete onward travel by Bus. As we had Swiss Pass this was possible otherwise one has to buy costly ticket. On final day returning from Interlaken to Geneva Airport,train arrived on time at Lausanne,but halted there for more than 15 mts and was late.It was terminated at Geneva City and started it's return journey to Bern on time but I had get off at Geneva with all the luggage, change the platform-had to pay for the luggage trolley- take next train to Geneva Airport.
Swiss Rail Line usually runs perfectly but it's single line system at most of the places and hence even a small problem can potentially throw the system in disarray. They can put the system back on rails in short time besides number of people traveling by train in Switzerland is far less and easily manageable.

Transfer of Power

2007-02-26T21:15:00.000+05:30

Kanchanben first visited me 15 yrs ago. She was a Gujrati lady from Saurastra region,wore bright colored Sari in Guju style and a big round Red bindi adorned her forehead.Kanchanben had an air of authority which was palpable. Her writ run in the family matters.She accompanied her Daughter in Law Manjula,who was Pregnant. Kanchanben's husband was Cloth Merchant and had shop in Mumbai. Her eldest son helped in family business. Manjula was fair and beutiful. She had to cover her face with Ghungat and talked very softly. It was difficult to hear her and take proper history. Kanchanben would prompt her and admonish Manjula to tell me about all her complaints.
Investigation and Medicine that I had prescribed had to pass muster with Kanchanben.I had the feeling that Manjula was not allowed to follow all the instructions,especially about rest and exercise and food she should eat. Manjula had no say in the matter, everything was decided by Kanchanben. Manjula had normal delivery and Kanchanben was present in the delivery room.She was first to cradle her Grandson.Post delivery, Manjula had to follow all the traditional things thats carried out post delivery.Me and Neonatologist were completely ignored and hospital routine was tossed out of window.Same routine was followed when Manjula delivered again after few years. Kanchanben was in charge of all the social and family matters and had last word.
Last year Kanchanben lost her husband.
Last week Manjula came for consultation.Kanchanben was with her. I just couldn't recognise her. she had changed completely. She was wearing very plain,pastel colored saree.Big Red Chandlo had disappeared.Her hair were disheveled and face was haggard. Manjula was in charge,and did not allow Kanchanben to say a word. She readily agreed to get investigations done and took appointment for follow up visit to show the report.
Manjula kept her appointment but she had come alone.

Doctor's Dilemma

2007-02-25T13:56:00.000+05:30

I know Mrs. Arora for last 25 yrs. Her youngest son was born in my Nursing Home. Since then she and her daughters have consulted me often for their Gynaec. Problems. I have attended her Daughters weddings. Her elder daughter delivered a baby boy 9 yrs ago. We had very good Patient-Doctor rapport.

Last year, I was in my consulting Room one evening and a young man rushed in. He was Mrs. Arora’s neighbor. Mr. Arora had severe Chest Pain with Sweating and apparently he had Heart Attack. He wanted me to visit and examine Mr. Arora. I explained to him that I am a Consultant Gynecologist and I don’t have Doctor’s bag, Injections etc. I would be of little help to Mr. Arora. At the most I can give Pain relieving injection. He should contact G.P. who can be of more help to Mr. Arora. I promised to contact G.P. of the area and ask one of them to visit Mr. Arora. Young men hurried off. I phoned Dr. A. and requested him to visit Mr. Arora urgently.

Dr. A. visited Mr. Arora, who had a Heart Attack. Already a Doctor was there. GP. gave him necessary injections, and even Oxygen from Portable Oxy. Cylinder he had in his bag. He called up Cardiac Ambulance and in 30 mts. Mr. Arora was in ICCU receiving treatment. He had massive Heart Attack and couldn’t make it. Mr. Arora died on 3^rd. day. I attended the chautha.

After 2-3 months, Mrs. Arora met me in Shopping mall. She was little miffed and didn’t return the greetings. She told me that she felt very bad that I did not visit when Mr. Arora had Heart Attack. Had I visited him and given treatment,Mr. Arora would be alive today. I tried to explain to her that in these emergencies GP.s are better than consultants as we don’t have Injections and other tools necessary to tackle these emergencies. GPs deal with these on day to day basis and they exactly know what to do and how to transfer such cases to nearby Hospital. But no explanation was good enough for her. Till this day she holds me responsible for her husband’s death.

With rapid advance in Medical Science, it is very difficult to keep in touch with other branches of Medicine. As a matter of fact it is very difficult to keep abreast with new theories and treatment modalities in our specialized branch. It is a loosing battle. We don’t have sufficient time to read all the new treatments being offered today. I find it difficult to read completely ‘Year Book’ which gives synopsis of Papers published 3 yrs ago in various Journals!! If I have to appear for MBBS exam. for renewal of Registration-as suggested by our Heath Minister Dr. Ramdoss- I don’t think I can clear it at First attempt!! A frightening thought. But I am sure I will be in good

Kingfisher Airlines Credit Card Fraud

2007-02-25T12:23:00.000+05:30

Last month Kingfisher Airlines was hit by Credit Card fraud to the tune of Rs.1.5 Crore. Modus Operendi was very simple. When the credit card was given for Bill Payment in ‘Time & Again’ Restaurant-an upmarket Restaurant in Andheri Mumbai, person preparing the Charge slip would memorize 3 digit ‘CCV’ printed on Signature panel of the Credit Card. 16 digit Credit Card No. is already available on copy of the charge slip. He would then pass on this info to his colleagues, who started a Travel Agency and would book Tickets online on Kingfisher Airline Website. These tickets were then sold at discount. Almost everyone on Blogosphere must be using Credit Card extensively and can be victim of this type of fraud.

IT IS VERY EASY TO PREVENT THIS FRAUD.

Please scratch out the last 3 digit printed on signature panel of your Credit/Debit Card, after noting it down at safe place as you would do for Online Log In username and Password for your bank account.

When Credit/Debit Card is used for any transaction in Shop or Restaurant, it is swiped and Machine reads data from Magnetic Strip. ‘CCV’ is needed only when online transaction is done.

A year ago, I had scratched out ‘CCV’ nos. from my Citibank and Standard chartered Cards and I have been using these cards for transactions of Rs. 250.00 to Rs. 21000.00.

Incidentally I have sent repeated e mails to VISA Security and Citicard-India, suggesting that ‘CCV’ should not be printed on Credit Card but sent to Customer by Courier as is done with Passwords. VISA promised to consider the suggestion. There was no response from Citicard or SCB Card.

Rural Service for Doctors.

2006-09-26T12:55:00.000+05:30

Out of Blue, doctors who are going to complete their internship this year, are asked to work for a year in Primary Health Centre in Rural Area. They have signed a Bond when they took admission in Medical College, but for last 4 years this bond was not enforced.Now our enthusiastic Health Minister in Delhi want to enforce the Rural Service clause in entire country, so in next 5 yrs not a single village in India will be without the services of trained MBBS doctor. Predictably Doctors who have faced this farce off and on for last 30-40 years have not taken kindly to this dictate from govt. In Maharastra about 50% have paid the Bond amount of Rs. 1 lac and will not do this Rural service. State is richer by Crore or so and has found out new avenue to fill up state's treasury. Next they will increase the Bond amount so that they can get more money.

But it is more pertinent to try and find out why Doctors are not opting for Rural stint.Usual perception is that these citybred doctors don't want to serve Rural poor inspite of getting expensive Medical Education -paid for by the state. This impression is reinforced by media ,especially Print media. Reporter dont finds it necessary to talk to those who have done Rural Service and find out ground realities. This year those graduates who were preparing for Post Grad.CET for a year would not like to go to Rural area for a year and then appear for CET. Its better to give CET when you have just passed MBBS and have prepared for CET. But others are refusing job that will pay them about Rs. 17000 P.M. There must be reason for that.Past experience shows that many Rural Posting don't have adequate basic facilities to stay. The food is another problem. One can imagine plight of a Lady Doctor in Rural PHC. There is pressure from the local politicians. Many Govt. M.O. dont want them to interfere in the local set up they have established. Sometimes they are asked to do work they are not trained for -like performing Post Mortems. Unavailability of Medicines, Pathological Lab, X Ray and Sonography and other items is another big problem. Just posting a Doctor in PHC doesn't always solve the health problems of rural areas.

Solution to this should be provided by preparing a Model Action plan. This can be done as project by IIM's. Doctors are available and if given just basic facilities they are willing to work in Rural areas.Govt. has no clue about how to carry out project to provide medical help in rural areas and may be they don't have necessary funds to do so.As in past ,for 2-3 years Doctors will be forced to go to Rural areas and then govt. will discontinue the scheme, which will result in great mess for Post Graduate admissions as happened just 4 years ago.

Party time in the Morning- F.M.Radio

2006-08-30T21:24:00.000+05:30

For last two months or so, I am using FM radio as Wake up alarm. Since most of the FM stations have limited stock of songs and they play the same songs almost at the same time everyday, I change the FM station everyday. I keep the Radio on while I go about my morning chores-read Newspaper, my Cuppa of Tea or get ready for work. As Radio is playing in my bedroom, I recognize the song by tune. Most of the songs being played are remix version and one thing is common in all these songs, their rhythm. There is only one Rhythm-THIG..THIG…THIG.. THIG….. There is no variation, no change, nothing. For the entire period of about 2 hrs or so, one feels as if one is in Disco or pub. The different beats, sounds used in original song is completely lost. Sure these songs-remix version are good for party or in disco, but why should it dominate our music so completely? With these songs there is no difference in style and sound used by different music directors. There are songs with very special beats or sounds which has elevated them to classics. In these remix version they sound like any other mediocre composition. Its necessary for FM stations to play original version of the songs in their morning programme as well and not to relegate them in programme after 9 pm.

'Que' mannars

2006-07-02T21:13:00.000+05:30

We were visiting Hoover Dam, It was hot afternoon and we decided to have some soda and Ice Cream at the cafetaria. It was a small place and there were only 2 people behind the counter. There was a long Que of some 15-20 people and person taking order was not particularly quick.We had to wait for some 30 mts. before we were at the counter.she took some time to get what we wanted and more to calculate the charge and change to be paid to us .But during this entire period, people after us in the Que were waiting calmly,talking among themselves,joking. There was no murmur of protest, nothing.

We had gone to Naaz 8 to see 'Chup Chup Ke'. It was weekend and 'Krrish' was just released. There was a long Que, as tickets for Krrish were sold out for all the shows that day, line was of people who wanted to pick up their tickets booked by phone or on net. But there were few who wanted to see other movies running there and their showtime was fast approaching. Only one ticket counter was open but there was no protest and everyone waited for their turn at ticket window. when we entered the moviehall,we had missed the begining.

Imagine situation at Andheri station ticket window. There are 3 ticket windows,the line has some 10-12 people. Ticket clark sitting in poorly lit and poorly vantilated room where temp. is around 38-40 C (110+) has to give ticket for stations between Andheri and Churchgate and Dahanu Rd. on W.R.. Andheri and C.S.T. by main line and Harbour line,Andheri and Karjat,Khapoli,Kasara and Belapur-Panvel.One way or return for all different lines. He has to exactlly know the location of the station,its fare, calculate 'orally' the amount to be collected and change to be paid.He issues the ticket and gives the change. This takes about 15-20 secs. This is what actually happens every day.

But what's the reaction of people in the Que?

" Abe, Haath jaldi chala."
" Saala, soya hua hai kya"
" Chal Fatafat,deri ho rahela hai"

And it goes on.Ticket clark ignores all these barbs and continues to issue ticket nonchalantly.

Cinema Theatres in US

2006-07-01T20:31:00.000+05:30

While taking part in discussion on Movei expirience in Single screen and Multiplexes in India, I felt strong urge to pen my expirience-as a visitor from India- about Movie expirience in USA. During my stay in LA and San Jose I saw six movies-4 Bollywood movies and 2 produced in Hollywood and realesed in US.

Hollywood movies were realesed with lots of pre realese advt./actors being invited to talk shows of Jay Leno & co. Trailors on almost all news channels giving some detail of the storyline.Jokes about the storyline by stand up comics etc.I did not come across any "critical" reveiews of the movie in any newspaper or on News channel, may be I missed it. Only thing I could know was 1st week's collection and it's standing in just realesed movies- at present 'Click' starring Adam Sandlar is in 1st position. Theatres are usually in big malls and have multiple screens. They are nice with jazzy lights and very good ambience.Unlike our multiplexes inMumbai, only basic snacks are available. Tickits are checked at the entrance and there are no assigned seats no. or screen no. is printed, so theoratically one can see any movie screened there and as often as one wants to.Sound is good so is picture quality. Its enjoyable expirience.But this account is incomplete as I was persuaded not to go to Theatre in UV Village near USC,as crowd there is not good(?).

For Bollywood movies there is only one theatre-Naaz 8. I saw movie in Naaz8 of Artesia and in Fremont. Its really difficult to differentiate the two though they are some 400 miles apart. Its collection of 8 single screen theatres!Naaz8 reminded of Chandan and Chitra and Naaz(remember it?) in Mumbai. Dimly lit(Subdude lighting!) entrance and corridors with very poor ambience. Walls had posters of forthcoming movies mounted in old wooden frames, clenliness was not high on the list and Naaz in Fremont had such small Mens Restroom with just 2 urinals!!Men! was it dirty? Though sound and picture quality was ok,it was not great expirience. Unfortunatelly 'Desis'-well behaved everywhere- were transported to India. Popcorns littered the floor,Children were running around and shouting,few laughed so loudly and for so long that it would drown Paresh Rawal's comedy. In the interval the Indian Chai and Samosas were as bad as it used to be some 10 yrs back in India.I almost felt that I was watching movie in single screen theatre in India.Same callous attitude of theatre owners toward their customer. Same run down, poorly lit,dingy and dirty theatre.If i had encountered a rat or two, the expirience would have been complete. My host said that this is better than nothing,so we have to tolerate it. This is the only place we can see Indian movie so....

Should it be like this? Will Indian producers like yashRaj films,Karan Johar and Rakesh Roshan insist on Hindi movies to be exhibited in good theatres-mainstream theatres? May be a show or two daily or on weekends.Naaz8 charges are not less than other theatres, its just making more profit by exploiting Indian viewers.Indians in US can and will pay more to watch Hindi movie in good theatres.Who knows they will make more money as Hindi movies will be realeased in more theatres and for more shows.

" Solution " to Reservation in Higher Education

2006-06-29T03:02:00.000+05:30

Sunil Joshi, guest contributor to Gaurav's Vantage Point has interesting, market oriented solution for Reservation in Education. Simply put. he advocates liberlising the education sector so that anyone can provide any type of education, at a fee that market can bear.Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty advocates the same thing while talking to Shekhar Gupta in" Walk the Talk".

Idea is good,but can it be implemented successfully? our past expirience is not encouraging. Today all the educational institutes have to take permission from Govt. Dept. of Higher Edu.,Proffessional bodies and various other authorities including UGC. Still IIPM and Amity flourish. When Jharkhand Govt. liberalised education, many institutes of Higher(!) education opened in that state with 2-3 room campuses. Finally Supreme Court had to intervene in the matter and banned them. Maharastra and Karnataka have highest number of institutes for higher education , and when there is inspection after public outcry,it's reported that many dont have basic facilities,faculty or staff and equippments/Labs.Medical colleges dont have clinical material(Patients).I know many Doctors with MD/MS who cant perform simple operations independentlly.Many have not seen routine operations during theirMedical edu..These days almost all commerce colleges in Mumbai offer Diploma/Degree in management, are these worth anything?Many of them get job offer with salary of 1-1.5 Lac/PA.

Now imagine the state of affairs if we liberalise the educational field completelly. Yes if stringent conditions are applied than we will get a good institution, but buisnessman is not interested in that. He will get it sanctioned by providing minimum of facility,paying low salary to teachers, and bribing or bringing political,communal or castist pressure. How will a parent or student will evaluate these institution or their fees, their programme & courses offered(Whats that in indian Context?). You must have seen advt. for computer classes-NIIT,APTECH etc- how many student understand what is offered and whether fees are appropriate?.

To liberalise education completelly, we require dedicated educationists,philanthropists who will donate huge sums to start good institutes and vigilant govt. and knowledgeble public. Unfortunatelly we have none and wont see them in forseeable future.

Home Again

2006-03-21T21:42:00.000+06:00

After almost almost a month, I could manage to get my internet service.In February end my contract with BSES ended and my net closed down. To compound the matter, my apartment required repainting and it was not possible to work on desktop or even use laptop.I had applied for MTNL triband but they couldn't supply router as they were out of stock!! There was waiting period of 2 months.Even as I write this the Versova Tel Exchange has cleared workorders of 16 January and there are more than 1000 pending applications!!.
I have been unable to understand this. We are talking about increasing net connectivity for almost 3 years. Mr. Maran had announced his plans for Triband as soon as he became Minister at Centre.Is it difficult to manufacture Triband router in India?If they are easily available in all computer stores then why should it not be available with MTNL? Or is there something fishy here? Most of us would not like to wait indefinitely for net connection ,so we would buy it from the open market.Is there kickback to mandarins in Communication ministry or to Ministers party ? Do people in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo face same problem? what about US/UK?
Anyway after a month I can now log on to blogs and renew friendship's realized how much I missed reading blogs.It was like being cut off from your friends and didn't know what was happening in their lives.Like serials on TV one gets attached/addicted to Blogs and Bloggers.Has Gaurav got new Job? What Amit is doing after returning from Pakistan? Is he writing on England series? Is Vikrum in India? or has he returned to his home? Missed very interesting scientific essays of Sunil.Has Umas's indian writing or Sonia has added new colour ? So many things to read and ponder about.After a month I feel that I have returned home and it's time to relax and read interesting stuff.

STD/ISD Booths.

2006-02-04T00:26:00.000+06:00

Last month I attended Conference tour of Egypt organized by our Association.Tour was conducted by reputed tour organizer from Mumbai.Ours was of group of some 110 or so Medical Consultants from Mumbai,and many are owner of small Nursing Homes in Mumbai.Few of us had Mobile Roaming facility, rest depended on Phone service in Egypt. Now Egypt has good Telecom facility.With so many visitors from Europe,UK,USA and different parts of world, this is not surprising. We purchased Calling Cards from shop in our Hotel in Cairo.But things are not as simple as it appears. With so many companies operating in Cairo,its difficult to find Kiosk having phone whose card you posses. Ofcourse most of the public places have phone kiosk but during tour or while visiting a monument you don't have enough time to search for a particular phone.Since you don't know the pulse rate and charges,suddenly in middle of conversation you are cut off.. At that odd hour its almost impossible to find store selling phonecard. Few had purchased calling cards of Airtel from Mumbai airport,they had to purchase phone card of Egyptian company to call local number, then punch in card number and then punch in home telephone number..You need someone to prompt the 16 digit number or you are going to miss out or punch a wrong number and have to start all over again.Sometimes it was frustrating.
My experience in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur,Singapore or US /UK is no different.Then one realises the ease with which a visitor can make Local/STD/ISD call in India.Thanks to innovative scheme of MTNL/BSNL, we have STD/ISD booths all over India.Any small town or even district place will have number of booths and one can choose and select from which booth to call.With advent of cheap mobile and STD calls,big cities and towns are witnessing decline in these booths.But in smaller towns and District places they are doing roaring business.We instruct our maidservant to call us from her native place-Rajapur in Konkan-before she boards ST bus for Mumbai.Its so simple,transparent and hassle free. Its easy to punch in number,and one can check whether correct number is dialed can talk as long as one wants to,keeping watchful eye on charges!.The booths are open for more than 18hrs a day, so calling is almost 24x7.Besides it gives employment or additional income to large number of people,thus serving a social cause in this country.Really one of the really innovative idea !

2006-01-12T00:05:00.000+06:00

Our group had gathered at friend's house to usher in 2005.'Group" consists of friends who had met for the first time when they were students in 5th std. in Bharda High school opp. V.T. A common passion for cricket had brought us together though we were not in the same class in subsequent years.After S.S.C. all of us joined Science stream in KC. college and after passing out Inter Science, I joined medicine in Mumbai,others went for engineering used to meet during vacations,go for cricket matches, evening walks on Marine Drive, party together-Prohibition was just removed from Mumbai- go for Christmas and New Year eve parties, go out on picnic together and over the years, group became cohesive.We were close friends. Luckily for us, all of us got married in'74-'76 period,shifted to suburb Juhu-Andheri at the same time,had first child -all daughters-in '76-77' and second child -sons-in '81-'82 period.Because of these happy coincidences we could remain together as group.
Now we were partying with families, go on vacation tours together, and though the children had their set of friends, the unwritten rule was that they had to be present in group's parties and tours arranged during vacations. Years flew by. Here we were ushering in 2005. we,friends and spouses were present. Children had moved to US for studies. Girls had graduated and were holding good jobs, all of them except A..... were married and Boys were doing their Masters in US. There was sense of satisfaction and happiness in the air. As if our life's goals, mission had been achieved. What more could one ask from life?
All the friends had good prosperous lifestyle, could give good education to children, daughters was married, and sons were planning to settle in US( They will manage, wont they?). Now we were free to plan and live life as we wanted to. Do things or pursue hobbies which we had put off for years.
Anchors on the TV show had started countdown and 2005 had arrived. We hugged and wished eachother and then as if on cue, children phoned in from US wishing us Happy New Year, all of them had to wish all the uncles and aunties !!. Everyone was in high spirit but H... was not well, she had upset stomach, so she wouldn't join for dinner.In the euphoria of the celebrations no one noticed.
Next day afternoon she phoned me.She was passing blood in stools. I immediately fixed up her appointment with the surgeon friend. He phoned me in the evening.There was a Large Colorectal Polyp. she was posted for Colonoscopy next day. There was large Polyp in colon.we took biopsy and now had to wait to find out whether it was cancerous or not. we spent anxious 5 days and then the verdict was out-it's benign tumour.Second opinion was taken and CT scan done. Same finding. Non cancerous Polyp. Gastroenterologist was confident that he would be able to remove it by Colonoscopy. As it has broad base he may need 2-3 sittings.H... had undergone 2 c-sections and was not willing for surgery. Besides she feared that colostomy will be done and she was not prepared for that.No amount of arguing could convince her, so we decided to go for colonoscopy. But 2 session of Colonoscopy removal convinced us that surgery would be the best option. By then it was time for her daughter to come to India to purchase her wedding dress and jewelry. Then there wasn't sufficient time between Surgery and her US visa interview date. (There was 4 months wait for Visa interview!). They got their Visitor's Visa and now there wasn't sufficient time to recuperate from surgery before she was to fly to LA. So she went for her daughter's marriage, friends from the group went to US to attend the wedding. She returned to India and we took appointment for Colonoscopy.News was bad ,Polyp had grown in size and CT Scan had suspicious area. She was posted for surgery in Lilavati Hospital. I accompanied my friend and we waited in the big lobby on the 1st floor.After long wait-operation lasted for 5 hours- surgeon came out.we hurried to meet him.
He just said " She will need Chemotherapy".This almost shattered us but I recovered,
You could get clear margin and remove the tumour?
yes.
Nodes involved?
No,
Liver metastasis?
No,
Local metastasis?
Ya, in Paracolic gutters and P.O.D.
He walked away. So much for breaking the news gently.!! Such are vagaries of life. This Slow growing Cancer did not spread to the surface of Polyp, instead it chose to spread towards the base, through the wall of the colon to the area outside. Not a single Biopsy showed even a suspicious or pre cancerous cell.!! Here we were faced with Stage III cancer.This is the reason why people believe in Luck,Destiny and stars!
That one sentence had shaken my friend.Now onwards life is going to be different. Ours is generation which made transition from Joint family to Nuclear family. We grew up in large families -what you see in 'Saas Bhi Kabhi...Grand-parents,parents,uncles,aunts,cousins and even guests from native place lived under one roof.There was solid extended family support for everything.The strength was in number and families could take illness,financial disasters, scandals,deaths in it's stride without flinching.But we had moved out from this big comfortable shelter, and were living independently with wife and children.the extended family was there, but it was scattered. After 25 yrs it was not possible for the family to be together as cohesive force.Ones brothers and sisters and cousins were just a phone call away,but they had limited time for you and years of separation had weakened the bonds.They will phone ,come and meet but for an hour or two.Then they have their life,children,and other problems to take care of. One realizes comfort and strength of joint family during such phases in life. We had added disadvantage. Children were far away from us.They would phone everyday but it was not possible for them to come and be with us. With this cancer ,its treatment and possibility of complications, it will be difficult to manage work and look after his wife.He had to go out of town often on business trips.Now it would be difficult to leave H... alone. But the group became the extended joint family.After being together for almost a lifetime we were one family. Circumstances had conspired to force us to be together,to join forces to face the adversary. We were there to give support,to comfort each other,to allay fear of unknown future, and to let everyone know that he/she is not alone.H... has completed Chemotherapy. She did not loose her hair( Her biggest worry) rather she tolerated chemo. very well and had no adverse reaction.She is 'CURED' at present.
We have gathered to usher in 2006. Mood is sober.Events of 2005 has not dampened our spirit. This year children have come home to celebrate Christmas and New Year.There is hope in the air,K.... will be leaving for US in Jan to be with her daughter who has on 28th delivered a healthy baby boy ! The first of the Grandchildren. Life is beautiful once again.We have something to look forward to. God willing 2006 will be year of Grandchildren and group will visit U.S. to bless them. Anchor has started reverse countdown.... but mentally we are already in 2006.

Million Missing Girls

2006-01-11T23:56:00.000+06:00

The recent article in Lancet has again focussed on Female Foetecide that is practiced in some parts of India.There will be edits in Newspapers-TOI- has it as lead edit today.There will be seminars and discussions, but at the end of the day whats the solution? how do we tackle this problem?
As this study has shown, all the 'established' causes have fallen on the wayside.
Its not poor but Middle class and rich are major offenders.
Dowry is not the cause for aborting girl child.
It's not illiterate mother, rather well educated mother prefers to have male child. It also absolves husbands who were accused of forcing their wives to get Sex determination done.
Our society is supposed to be agrarian so extra pair of hands(Son) was preferable. But now statistics show that even in rural economy females contribute more economically, so its not an issue.
As obstetrician I feel really helpless.As technology advances, with 3-D Ultrasonography, better resolution on good machine,it's very easy to know sex of the child. It is now possible that on 3D USG machines even mothers will be able to know sex of the child when USG scan is in progress.
With newer technique even Abortion is easy to perform.Few tablets and female foetus is dead.It will abort on its own or Doctor will have to do to protect mother from severe infection.
In ART methods , its possible to Pre select sex of the foetus before Embryo Transfer.
So where do we go from here? You cant educate well educated mother. All that we have done so far is to show danda of PNDT act to doctors.But there will be black sheep in every field and there will be greedy doctors who will be willing to carry out USG scan.With these newer machines he wont have to even say anything.Mothers will recognise sex of the foetus.
I sincerely hope that we will be able to find out some ways to reduce this.I believe that there is steady decline in demand for sex determination tests.May be after few years ratio will correct itself. But till than I will keep my fingers crossed.---PK

On World AIDS day

2005-12-01T23:52:00.000+06:00

Today is World AIDS Day.Once again its a day to take a hard look at the year gone by and reflect on what we have been able to accomplish. In this battle against one of the most unusual Infectious disease,are we Winning or Loosing? Well, the answer is loud and clear. Right now AIDS has upper hand.We simply have no clue how to handle this epidemic.There are as many solutions as the stakeholders.Poor HIV positive person is bewildered, frightened,helpless person, who has no idea about the disease,and prognosis.Today he is in good health.there are no apparent symptoms to indicate that he is harboring a deadly Virus which is rapidly multiplying in his body and is annihilating his immune system.He knows that he is HIV +ve, but is not aware of what he should do.He has been told that this disease is not curable.He has no knowledge about ARTreatment,and even if he knew, he cant afford it.Large chunk of the funds to fight AIDS is spent on awareness programme.There is little money for subsidizing tests and treatment.He will work today and will wait for the day when Virus will decimate the Immune system and opportunistic infection will strike to begin the end.Then he will be shunned by friends and relatives.But will it matter? He will be already isolated in his mind, waiting for the end to come.
There is no solution in sight.We have to change the approach but what should be the new approach to tackle AIDS?.Awareness can go only this far.There is urgent need to define AIDS as "Infectious Viral Disease" which is not curable.( All Viral diseases are not curable -they can be prevented by Vaccines).This epidemic should be tackled like any other Infectious disease epidemic.There is need to bring change in our Sexual Behaviour.There should be more emphasis on "Safe Sex".These days there is more promiscuity and matching ignorance about STD and 'Safe sex'. Girls- even well educated ones- dont practice safe sex, have unprotected sexual intercourse,and are more worried about getting pregnant than contracting killer diseases like AIDS or Hepatitis B or C !!
In today's TOI there is article about HIV testing done without consent.Why this privileged status for HIV testing? Do you need specific consent for Hepatitis B, Diabetes,Kidney disease, cancer testing ? Should we take special consent for X-ray chest for T.B. and ECG for heart disease. Two years ago when SARS virus hit the S E Asia, anyone transiting through these regions were quarantined on airport.Did anyone take permission to test?
Till last year Blood Banks were collecting blood from donors and then testing it for HIV and other tests. If +ve the blood was simply destroyed after disinfection. Donor was not made aware of HIV status as it was legally forbidden to do so.He would infect his wife,children and donate Blood twice a year which was never used.!Thank God this absurd rule is now removed.TOI article goes on to add that this clandestine testing has actually reduced the spread of infection.Doctors can also act as counselor and HIV +ve person can spread message of awareness better than anybody.
Surprisingly HIV +ve person is treated by Dermatologist and not by Physician!!Its throwback to the time when AIDS was cosidered as part of venereal disease!If there are complications than Physician is called in.In US HIV +ve person is looked after by Physician.Obstetrician - the most vulnerable medical practitioner in contracting disease from patient- has no role in any AIDS programme.This sunday there is a conference on AIDS, arranged by IMA-Mumbai.In the speakers list Obstetrician is missing! Lets hope that in 2006 we may find new, more effective way to contain this epidemic.Amen.

Chhota Shahar-Bada Shahar

2005-11-20T21:27:00.000+06:00

Rashmi in her excellent post tried to define a 'chhota Saher' and 'bada Saher". Its very difficult to define whats chhota or bada sahar.Gaurav feels that if young people from a city like Indore want to move out to big cities than its Chhota shaher.well we can debate what's Chhota or Bada Shaher and never find an answer. Its like who is Indian?
Though i was not convinced by arguments put forward by Rashmi.Attitude of people of Indore is present in magacities like Mumbai,Chennai(of Khushboo fame) and many other.I have stayed in Mumbai my entire life but i have desire to settle down in small(!) towns like Baroda, Valsad, Navsari or Gwalior.The reason I dont pursue this is due to the fact that I am spoilt by this uniturrupted electric supply in Mumbai and am wary of daily Load shedding of some 2-10 hrs thats part of life in other cities. This desire to go to small city may be is the result of nostalgia of my years spent in Girgam(Mumbai).
One way of defining chhota shaher is Physical Boundaries of a city.Small towns have bit of intimacy.We meet same people on different occasions,time and places.People know the landmarks and there are places, shops,food joints known and visited by many residents. There is someone famous for chaat,other for Kebab,third one for Kachodis and list goes on.This is almost impossible in metropolis like Mumbai. As a city grows this intimacy, togetherness is lost and then its bada, anonymous sheher where people mind their own business and are not bothered about you.City looses its characteristics and is like any other city in the country.Visiting Cities in U.S.A. gives you same sense of deja vu.You have seen one, you have seen all. But this is just an academic discussion.This change will be relentless and we will have to live with it.We will be nostalgic about the small town,village we came from.But its a mirage. If you ever return, you will find it has grown to big Sheher, just like one you came from.

Blogfriend.

2005-11-16T00:27:00.000+06:00

That excellent journo-blogger Sonia has informed her blog admirer that she is as pretty as his grandmother but meaner. Now I will accept the first part of this but meaner? naa.That brings me to a question? Can you profile a Blogger by reading his/her posts.? I am regular reader of her posts.I don't know whether she is Beautiful,pretty,Attractive, fair,tall or Short and Fat, unattractive or looking like my grandma.But her posts inform us about her concern for dispossessed,those who got raw deal from life but have chosen to fight back against heavy odds, a battle they may loose.A post on Book reading gave her views on rich and famous having a sham ball at a 7* dos.Her trip to Cambodia.........
I believe that's where blogging is different than writing a piece in Newspaper or weekly.There writer is bit impersonal. Write up is about an event or person in news.Sometimes the write up is different form of advertisement and nothing remotely nasty can be written in it. Novel or short story is all about characters of the story.Sometimes it is autobiographical or writer's past experiences may intrude but its not whole thing, otherwise all the characters of the story would be almost same.
Blogging is about your day to day life.What you feel about happenings around you.YOUR experience,views,take on daily events in YOUR life.Thats why eventhough sometimes the language,prose is not great but its imminently readable and interesting as its all about life through bloggers eyes and mind. Sometimes we have witnessed the same event but someone will blog about it with absolutely different and interesting viewpoint. This reveals bloggers traits which helps you to profile him.Most of the bloggers do write about their friends,workplace,events in their lives, their relatives,spouse.....At the end of the day after few months you develop a friendship with this blogger which he/she may not reciprocate.It takes you to their blogsite everyday to read what your blogfriend has to say about world around him.

In Defence of IIPM

2005-10-11T00:23:00.000+06:00

I am no way connected or interested in IIPM activities and strongly condemn the comments by IIPM sympathizers attacking Rashmi and issue of Legal(!) notice to Gaurav.It is their basic right to express their opinion on IIPM activities which can be refuted or ignored by IIPM.I would like to be Devil's advocate and join issue with Rashmi and Jammag.
1) The Full Page *Advertisement* of IIPM.:-Well since when are we suppose to take seriously what is stated or shown in advetisement? There are so many bloggers working in Advertising firms in various capacities.Do they believe anything they write in any advertisement? whatever is stated in full page advertisement of IIPM,you must take it with bucket of salt. It is no crime to make false claims in advrtisement.It's been done everyday,by everybody, in all advertisement.Give credit to IIPM that it has not resorted to inserting articles in major newspapers,extolling virtues of IIPM or placement of IIPM graduates with their inflated salaries.
2) Ranking of IIPM:- Is anyone bothered about these ranking except the institutes?whats the use of ranking when you can get admission on your score and merit ranking.May be first few in the Merit list can select, rest have to take whatever is offered to them.Besides these ranking are big joke and I simply throw the' India Today' issues on ranking of Medical,Engineering colleges and B-Schools in dustbin.Ranking depends on many variable factors and different agencies give different ranking depending on the weightage given to different criterias.( India Todays ranking of Best chief Ministers-Mr.Naidu & Mr.Krishna-lost elections).I am presuming that they have carried out the whole exercise with honesty and sincerity.Only fools will take admission on the basis of ranking given by Outlook-C,India Today etc.
3)Campuses of IIPM:- A building in Bandra-Kurla complex costs real money.If you dont get acres of public land at throw away lease rent from the Govt. then such a campus is great thing.BTW I have seen campus of many Engg. colleges which are converted coaching class/ school/ Tin sheds.This is in Mumbai.If they have A.C. classrooms with decent desks and P.A.system it is better than what we are used to.Even a decent Toilet is improvement on campuses of many reputed Engg. and Medical colleges. have you seen the campus of* Deemed University* in New Mumbai? Whats wrong with well organised small canteen?Atleast one IIPM campus did have swimming pool ! wow! English Architecture? How many know whats that? You want to do MBA or Architecture? If you are interested in taking admission please go there and check it out . If you dont like what you see don't take admission. If you are a lazy slob then who can help you?
4) Fees:- Now since when this high fee for MBA is an issue? I think we settled that almost 2 yrs ago and gave fitting reply to that Prof.M.M.Joshi who wanted to reduce fees of IIMs.We fought a pitched battle with him and his hidden saffron agenda, remember?We had decided to keep the fees high as students were assured fat salaries on graduation . Even banks were willing to offer loans to prospective students.Keeping that in mind IIPM has kept its fees high between 4.5- 8 lacs.IDBI bank is there to give loan.I am sure they have extension counters in IIPM campuses.But look at the brighter side.IIPM offers free Laptop and Free Europe tour.You have recovered atleast 1.5 lac.and don't have to spend on package tour to Europe!
5) Faculty:- Students were satisfied with their permanent teaching staff .What more you want? If professors from foreign Universities are not not taking lectures then only students have right to complain.
6)Placement:- Why should you believe what is advertised by IIPM? Placement will also depend on Business cycle.When economy is growing, more will get jobs.There were quite a few companies who visited IIPM campus for recruitment.30-40% were recruited from campus recruitment and other managed on their own and got the job with salaries upto 4.5 lacs.Not bad, na?
7) Degree: The MBA/BBA degree conferred by IIPM is not recognised by AICTE/UGC or any state universities.Does it matter? There are so many Degrees in different fields which are not recognised by Indian state.(Medical Degrees from CIS./Mauritius/Seychelles/) .Does that mean they don't know the subject?As long as IIPM graduates are useful to companies which can hire them to carry out their work its ok.
8) Mr.Arindam Chaudhury: Why should it bother us whether he is MBA or not?From which IIM?Anyone can call himself as management Guru.Why not? If he can set up and manage such an Empire than he is Guru.Whats in MBA degree.Is Mr.Jagmohan Dalmiya a Cricketer?But he has made BCCI wealthiest sport body in India.Mr.Chaudhury is better marketers than many IIM graduates.If students believe him and enroll for MBA in IIPM than they are doing it with their eyes wide open.Dont blame him for students' carelessness.Nobody is forcing students to join IIPM.Find out everything you want before joining.If you foolishly believe everything that's given in advertisement than you have noone but yourself to blame.
Above is my opinion based on whats written in article in JAMMAG.I personally have no knowledge and don't waste time reading IIPM advertisement.

It's a Dog's life

2005-09-25T23:57:00.000+06:00

Thrice a year, when the maid who takes my pet dog Blackie down for walk, goes to her gaon on vacation , I have to take him for his daily walks.I take him to lane behind my housing society which has virtually no vehicular traffic and there is large playground adjacent to it.We are familiar with the stray dogs who have made it their home.Most of them are borne here.They are in three groups,and each group has it's own garbage dump. In the morning they are in group surrounding the ragpicker who picks up garbage from neighboring societies sorts the garbage,and keeps aside what she can sell,rest is again filled in plastic bins,from where its picked up by BMC garbage van.Pack of Dogs have that short period, to rummage through the garbage to look for and eat.Skirmishes and fights are common features,since Blackie is not one of the contender for food,they don't bother with him.rather two young dogs want to play with him,tail wagging but Blackie likes only one of them so to other one his response is is to ignore or start low growl which keeps him away.I would avoid feeding them when Blackie is around as controlling them is tough.
Everytime I look for the addition and passing away of old friends.Socksy who was hybrid between stray and may be Pom was intelligent leader of the pack, always ready to rush when intruder was spotted.He was on good terms with Blackie as both had grown up together.But in May, Soksy was weak and disinterested. He would not get up to greet and would look with pathetic eyes.His coat was dirty and there were patches where there was infection.He was being treated but it was a loosing battle.Today morning I did not find him in the pack.It's loss of a friend. Kalu is stray,strong and present leader of the pack.He has many scars to show for the battle fought and won in last 2 yrs.There is a bitch in the pack. she is pregnant at present.May be this would be her third litter.I hope this time few of the new born will survive.From her last littre none survived.But should they?
It's pathetic situation.Since High Court has passed the judgment directing BMC not to kill strays, BMC has lost interest in them.It seems its more profitable for BMC to catch and KILL strays than to catch and sterilize them.NGO who had filed the PIL doesn't have financial or managerial resources to carry out sterilization of strays.They are dependent on BMC to give land to keep sterilized dogs.BMC would hate to part with anything.So there is explosion of Canine population.There is great strain on space and availability of food.Since pack guards its territory fiercely, there are fights and many are seriously injured.Weak ones have to sneak in others territory for food.If they are spotted, they are attacked and injured.Last May a dog had sneaked into our area at night.He was spotted and attacked.He took shelter under the School Bus parked during vacation.Hungry and thirsty he dare not come out from his safe place.He was so fearful that he would not come near the edge.It took almost an hour to cajole him to come and eat Biscuit and milk.He had wounds on the back, near ear and another near leg.During night he managed to sneak away safely- hopefully.When I was a child, we had practice of keeping aside food for Dogs and cows was believed by Hindus that feeding Dogs and Cows will prevent fights among members of the joint family and bring prosperity.Today the practice is dead and with fridge in every house there are no leftovers to feed stray dogs.So canine population has exploded and food source has dwindled.This is slow,painful death by starvation and disease.
Is there a solution to this problem? I don't know.These days one hears constant complaints about stray dogs creating mayhem.Their incessant barking and fights at night are the constant cause of complaint.Last month a stray who was attacking passerbys was stoned to death in Andheri.Group of sickos brutally killed a bitch and tried to burn her.In future stray dogs will be more aggressive as available space for them will reduce.There is no communication and coordination among NGOs workig for strays.Availability of funds is a problem for any animal lover.But people have inherent love for dogs and are willing to help care for them.A milkmen gives milk for all the three packs while supplying milk in our area.An old lady lugs heavy bag filled with chiken legs to feed strays in almost 2 km.area.She refuses all help and does this as mission.Its time for all the Animal Lovers and NGOs to pool their resources and carryout directed help in more organised manner.This problem requires urgent solution.Any suggestions from our IIM trained bloggers? I urge them to apply their skills to find solution to this problem.