Typos: The Fitness Dive and the Ten Wharfs - III:
What makes ordinary people like you and me into superhuman soldiers aka the US Navy SEALS who save the world in a week’s work? What built a delinquent young kid into ‘the world’s most dangerous man’ aka MMA legend Ken Shamrock?
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Monday, 14 October 2013
Passionate About India: From aboriginals to tribalism: Why India needs to ...
Passionate About India: From aboriginals to tribalism: Why India needs to ...:
While reading this, I got thinking about the dismal picture of our very own aboriginals – or should I say tribals – as the term “aboriginals” is not used in the Indian context.
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While reading this, I got thinking about the dismal picture of our very own aboriginals – or should I say tribals – as the term “aboriginals” is not used in the Indian context.
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Friday, 20 September 2013
Typos: THE FITNESS DIVE AND THE TEN WHARFS-PART 1
Typos: THE FITNESS DIVE AND THE TEN WHARFS-PART 1:
t’s been a while since I lay a wager with my friends that I was going to get a six pack and uncountable extensions on the original date later, I’m still looking for them in them in the mirror,
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t’s been a while since I lay a wager with my friends that I was going to get a six pack and uncountable extensions on the original date later, I’m still looking for them in them in the mirror,
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Passionate About India: AGRICULTURE NEEDS MORE HOLISTIC REFORMS
Passionate About India: AGRICULTURE NEEDS MORE HOLISTIC REFORMS:
Leaving aside our pseudo-intellectual ministers, it’s more important to understand the real problems of agriculture. At the farm level, the usual suspects are clearly the ones that are addressed the least.
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Leaving aside our pseudo-intellectual ministers, it’s more important to understand the real problems of agriculture. At the farm level, the usual suspects are clearly the ones that are addressed the least.
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Friday, 13 September 2013
Typos: LOOK BEFORE YOU LEASH II
Typos: LOOK BEFORE YOU LEASH II:
Most people in most countries have a very shallow decision making process when it comes to picking up a dog. My friends who want to look macho,
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Most people in most countries have a very shallow decision making process when it comes to picking up a dog. My friends who want to look macho,
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Passionate About India: THE COMMUNAL VIOLENCE BILL: AMEND. ENACT. [NOW!]
Passionate About India: THE COMMUNAL VIOLENCE BILL: AMEND. ENACT. [NOW!]:
There can be no bigger an embarrassment to a secular democracy than a live and much-publicised public rip-off of its citizens’ democratic rights on the pretexts of religion, caste, sect and region. The very recent, disturbing incident in Muzaffarnagar is one such crying instance.
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There can be no bigger an embarrassment to a secular democracy than a live and much-publicised public rip-off of its citizens’ democratic rights on the pretexts of religion, caste, sect and region. The very recent, disturbing incident in Muzaffarnagar is one such crying instance.
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Thursday, 8 August 2013
Typos: BEYOND MARVEL’S MARVEL
Typos: BEYOND MARVEL’S MARVEL:
Picking up from last week it’s a pity most of us in the tropics have neither encountered a wolverine nor its innumerable legends. To see this superhero of the animal kingdom in the flesh, carrying its diminutive size with a gigantic attitude, like a viking warrior walking fearlessly amongst giants, is a sight to embolden quaking hearts and fortify flagging spirits.
Read More....
Picking up from last week it’s a pity most of us in the tropics have neither encountered a wolverine nor its innumerable legends. To see this superhero of the animal kingdom in the flesh, carrying its diminutive size with a gigantic attitude, like a viking warrior walking fearlessly amongst giants, is a sight to embolden quaking hearts and fortify flagging spirits.
Read More....
Typos: BEYOND MARVEL’S MARVEL
Typos: BEYOND MARVEL’S MARVEL:
Picking up from last week it’s a pity most of us in the tropics have neither encountered a wolverine nor its innumerable legends. To see this superhero of the animal kingdom in the flesh, carrying its diminutive size with a gigantic attitude, like a viking warrior walking fearlessly amongst giants, is a sight to embolden quaking hearts and fortify flagging spirits.
Read More....
Picking up from last week it’s a pity most of us in the tropics have neither encountered a wolverine nor its innumerable legends. To see this superhero of the animal kingdom in the flesh, carrying its diminutive size with a gigantic attitude, like a viking warrior walking fearlessly amongst giants, is a sight to embolden quaking hearts and fortify flagging spirits.
Read More....
Passionate About India: SEBI's claims on Sahara start crumbling in Supreme...
Passionate About India: SEBI's claims on Sahara start crumbling in Supreme...:
First the background to this case and on the face-off that Subrata Roy Sahara has had with SEBI, and in this I liberally refer to my previous article. The Sahara group, which has issued OFCDs (Optionally Fully Convertible Debentures) since the year 2001 with all relevant government permissions,
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First the background to this case and on the face-off that Subrata Roy Sahara has had with SEBI, and in this I liberally refer to my previous article. The Sahara group, which has issued OFCDs (Optionally Fully Convertible Debentures) since the year 2001 with all relevant government permissions,
Read More....
Friday, 19 July 2013
Typos: MYSTERIES OF THE MASTERS
Typos: MYSTERIES OF THE MASTERS:
About a decade ago, while strolling through a park in south Delhi, I happened to see a portly figure engaging in a graceful dance-like tussle with two others.
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About a decade ago, while strolling through a park in south Delhi, I happened to see a portly figure engaging in a graceful dance-like tussle with two others.
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Passionate About India: The need for credit expansion in India
Passionate About India: The need for credit expansion in India:
The growth rate has kept plummeting, ebbing now at less than 5 per cent in the previous financial year; even till date, there is little light at the end of the tunnel.
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The growth rate has kept plummeting, ebbing now at less than 5 per cent in the previous financial year; even till date, there is little light at the end of the tunnel.
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Thursday, 11 July 2013
Sutanu Guru: DREAMING ABOUT THE DREAM DEBATE
Sutanu Guru: DREAMING ABOUT THE DREAM DEBATE:
The Mother of all Mai-Baap sarkars in the world has passed an ordinance clearing the Food Security Bill. At the stroke of a pen, Sonia Gandhi will realize the dream expressed by the grand father-in-law Jawaharlal Nehru at the stroke of midnight in 1947. About 800 million grateful Indians will now marvel at her kind spirit as they get virtually free food from the government (Of course tens of thousands of bureaucrats, contractors and suppliers will soon demand that the Pope declare her a Saint for the untold manna from heaven that she is going to shower on them). After organizing the signature campaign and sending the petition to Rome via Federal Express, this smaller group will carry the Gita or Quran or Bible or the Guru Granth Sahib and flock to temples,
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The Mother of all Mai-Baap sarkars in the world has passed an ordinance clearing the Food Security Bill. At the stroke of a pen, Sonia Gandhi will realize the dream expressed by the grand father-in-law Jawaharlal Nehru at the stroke of midnight in 1947. About 800 million grateful Indians will now marvel at her kind spirit as they get virtually free food from the government (Of course tens of thousands of bureaucrats, contractors and suppliers will soon demand that the Pope declare her a Saint for the untold manna from heaven that she is going to shower on them). After organizing the signature campaign and sending the petition to Rome via Federal Express, this smaller group will carry the Gita or Quran or Bible or the Guru Granth Sahib and flock to temples,
Read More....
Typos: A WAVE OF BLUE!
Typos: A WAVE OF BLUE!:
The first cricketing empire of this era was built by a bunch of all-conquering athletes from the West Indies. Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Gordon Greenidge, Dessie Haynes, Richie Richardson, Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh had made the islanders an invincible force for nearly two decades.
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The first cricketing empire of this era was built by a bunch of all-conquering athletes from the West Indies. Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Gordon Greenidge, Dessie Haynes, Richie Richardson, Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh had made the islanders an invincible force for nearly two decades.
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Passionate About India: Education, torn into pieces, globally!
Passionate About India: Education, torn into pieces, globally!:
America holds exemplary credentials on this account. One of the first things that the United States did during its developmental years was to invest handsomely on education to create world-class academic institutions.
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America holds exemplary credentials on this account. One of the first things that the United States did during its developmental years was to invest handsomely on education to create world-class academic institutions.
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Friday, 28 June 2013
Business is Marketing: DO YOU REALLY WANT IT!
Business is Marketing: DO YOU REALLY WANT IT!:
ichael Dell was in India recently. While addressing an audience he was asked, what is the secret of becoming a successful entrepreneur? His answer was something that surprised everyone. He said, “You need to be crazy!” If people call you crazy take it as a compliment for it means you are doing something that has never been done before! An entrepreneur is someone who dares to take risks, who dares to go off the beaten path.
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ichael Dell was in India recently. While addressing an audience he was asked, what is the secret of becoming a successful entrepreneur? His answer was something that surprised everyone. He said, “You need to be crazy!” If people call you crazy take it as a compliment for it means you are doing something that has never been done before! An entrepreneur is someone who dares to take risks, who dares to go off the beaten path.
Read More...
Typos: IN THE WAKE OF DOOM
Typos: IN THE WAKE OF DOOM:
I really wanted to help, as too would perhaps you and many others who you and I might know. But like you, I didn’t know what I should do.
Read More.. Passionate About India: Deaths here are more due to policy failures than n...
Passionate About India: Deaths here are more due to policy failures than n...:
As the scenario in flood-hit Uttarakhand is heading towards being disastrously grave, where hundreds have reportedly perished, thousands more are missing and many more have been made homeless, I have reasons to wonder whether our disaster management efficiency meets the international standards, or even the very least required standards. In books, the relief measures look ubiquitous – 10,000 armed forces personnel are deployed with food, medicines and clothing; also, the assistance of 18 helicopters and transport aircraft paints an imposing picture.
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As the scenario in flood-hit Uttarakhand is heading towards being disastrously grave, where hundreds have reportedly perished, thousands more are missing and many more have been made homeless, I have reasons to wonder whether our disaster management efficiency meets the international standards, or even the very least required standards. In books, the relief measures look ubiquitous – 10,000 armed forces personnel are deployed with food, medicines and clothing; also, the assistance of 18 helicopters and transport aircraft paints an imposing picture.
Read More....
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Typos: JUNGLE NIGHTS: EPISODE 1
Typos: JUNGLE NIGHTS: EPISODE 1:
The croaks seemed to have stirred something deep within. We stood there listening for a fair while, trying to figure out how many of them there might be and then, as if on a silent command, five flashlights came out in unison. Powerful beams chased the sound and little halos lit up the lake. On cue, like new stars on the night sky, bright orange dots twinkled back at us from the surface of the lake…
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The croaks seemed to have stirred something deep within. We stood there listening for a fair while, trying to figure out how many of them there might be and then, as if on a silent command, five flashlights came out in unison. Powerful beams chased the sound and little halos lit up the lake. On cue, like new stars on the night sky, bright orange dots twinkled back at us from the surface of the lake…
Read More...
Passionate About India: Who is the terrorist here? Is it the Naxalite? Or ...
Passionate About India: Who is the terrorist here? Is it the Naxalite? Or ...:
Every time Naxalites strike, the state wakes up to the problem of their menace. Yes, it’s true that today, the actions of Naxalites are looking similar to those of terrorists and I have often condemned their actions in the past.
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Every time Naxalites strike, the state wakes up to the problem of their menace. Yes, it’s true that today, the actions of Naxalites are looking similar to those of terrorists and I have often condemned their actions in the past.
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Friday, 24 May 2013
The Fascinating World of Marketing: MASLOW AS MESSIAH FOR MARKETERS
The Fascinating World of Marketing: MASLOW AS MESSIAH FOR MARKETERS:
The Anna campaign was never a long term movement; it was perhaps not meant to be. Those who fanned the fire included media personalities on one hand whose limited agenda was to get a TRP booster shot for their channels and the corporate bigwigs providing advertising support on the other – not withstanding the fact that many of them were themselves embroiled in various issues,
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The Anna campaign was never a long term movement; it was perhaps not meant to be. Those who fanned the fire included media personalities on one hand whose limited agenda was to get a TRP booster shot for their channels and the corporate bigwigs providing advertising support on the other – not withstanding the fact that many of them were themselves embroiled in various issues,
Read More...
Typos: THE MIRACLE THAT MATTERS
Typos: THE MIRACLE THAT MATTERS:
It is said that Alexandra David-Neel, one of the first Western women to travel to Tibet in the early 1900s, learnt this ancient technique of generating internal heat from the monks.
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It is said that Alexandra David-Neel, one of the first Western women to travel to Tibet in the early 1900s, learnt this ancient technique of generating internal heat from the monks.
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Passionate About India: IPL - caught at silly point!
Passionate About India: IPL - caught at silly point!
The IPL model follows (or at least was supposed to follow) the EPL, NBA and NFL models. They are all professional sporting events with billions of dollars involved within them. However, the critical point to note here is that they are not primarily business models converted to sporting events. But precisely the opposite! The EPL and NBA are inter-club tournaments where the clubs represent sporting tradition and loads of sporting pedigree.
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The IPL model follows (or at least was supposed to follow) the EPL, NBA and NFL models. They are all professional sporting events with billions of dollars involved within them. However, the critical point to note here is that they are not primarily business models converted to sporting events. But precisely the opposite! The EPL and NBA are inter-club tournaments where the clubs represent sporting tradition and loads of sporting pedigree.
Read More....
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Typos: THE FOUNTAIN IN THE CLOSET
Typos: THE FOUNTAIN IN THE CLOSET:
Peter Keldar’s book was based on the adventures of Colonel Bradford, a retired British army officer. Apparently, Bradford’s constitution had been ravaged by the excesses of his demanding profession. Old before his time, the balding, stooping grey haired colonel chanced upon Keldar on a park bench. The colonel and Keldar strike up a conversation and thus began an enduring friendship.
Passionate About India: From Aashiqui 2 and 25 years of QSQT to Amitabh Ba...
Passionate About India: From Aashiqui 2 and 25 years of QSQT to Amitabh Ba...:
Uff! How vividly I remember that summer day – during the start of our summer vacations in class eleventh – when I went to watch this iconic film called QSQT. First day, first show. At the Paras cinema hall in South Delhi. All alone. Because of Juhi Chawla! Yes, only because of her, as I had become a fan of hers ever since she became Miss India! My friends had no such extra love for her and they refused to accompany me! I remember that the hall was as good as empty,
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Uff! How vividly I remember that summer day – during the start of our summer vacations in class eleventh – when I went to watch this iconic film called QSQT. First day, first show. At the Paras cinema hall in South Delhi. All alone. Because of Juhi Chawla! Yes, only because of her, as I had become a fan of hers ever since she became Miss India! My friends had no such extra love for her and they refused to accompany me! I remember that the hall was as good as empty,
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Friday, 10 May 2013
Typos: THE BEST THAT NEVER WAS
Typos: THE BEST THAT NEVER WAS:I don’t know how Hussey is faring right now. Baba won our little battle, and so I’m twiddling my thumbs while I watch “Maa”. But the mind wanders and wonders how Mr. Cricket’s holding up against Steyn. Am I missing out on the best battle this IPL, or is the Dale versus Gayle battle better? Or is it Sunil Narine who poses the greatest challenge for the batting behemoth from Jamaica?
READ MORE.............. http://prashantobanerji.blogspot.in/2013/05/the-best-that-never-was.html
READ MORE.............. http://prashantobanerji.blogspot.in/2013/05/the-best-that-never-was.html
Passionate About India: Who says corruption is punished in elections? And ...
Passionate About India: Who says corruption is punished in elections? And ...: Normally, it is difficult for me to be cynical like media pundits generally are. But after looking at election results in so many states since 2010, the one sad conclusion that I can draw is that the corruption card is being overstated and over-hyped. it appears as if allies and perception management play a bigger role in deciding elections than actual facts related to corruption and plunder.
READ MORE............
READ MORE............
Friday, 26 April 2013
Typos: IT'S NOW OR...
Typos: IT'S NOW OR...:
It is time you empowered yourself, and those you hold dear. And I don’t mean it in the metaphorical sense of the word but in its very real and physical avatar. You, even if you are too slow for golf and too tired to walk, and too busy to breathe, yes you too ma’am, even if you are usually always at home and have a chauffeured car to call your own, and yes your children too, be they boys or girls, even if they are only five years old... Yes, you, even you, and especially if this isn’t you…
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It is time you empowered yourself, and those you hold dear. And I don’t mean it in the metaphorical sense of the word but in its very real and physical avatar. You, even if you are too slow for golf and too tired to walk, and too busy to breathe, yes you too ma’am, even if you are usually always at home and have a chauffeured car to call your own, and yes your children too, be they boys or girls, even if they are only five years old... Yes, you, even you, and especially if this isn’t you…
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Passionate About India: How the cause of humanity never appeals to America...
Passionate About India: How the cause of humanity never appeals to America...:
The film is about how, in less than a decade – starting early 80s when USSR invaded Afghanistan brutally – Charlie Wilson influenced the CIA budget for covert operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan to support the Mujahideen forces and increased the same from a mere 5 million dollars to 10 million dollars initially, and then subsequently to 20, then to 40, then 100, then again to 250,
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The film is about how, in less than a decade – starting early 80s when USSR invaded Afghanistan brutally – Charlie Wilson influenced the CIA budget for covert operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan to support the Mujahideen forces and increased the same from a mere 5 million dollars to 10 million dollars initially, and then subsequently to 20, then to 40, then 100, then again to 250,
Read More....
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Sutanu Guru: THE STUPID HYSTERIA OVER NARENDRA MODI
Sutanu Guru: THE STUPID HYSTERIA OVER NARENDRA MODI:
And so the noise, the trading of barbs, the hyperbole and the hysteria has begun. It is now certain that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will play a key and decisive role in formulating the BJP strategy for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It is also certain that both his die hard supporters and his die hard opponents will raise decibel levels to a crescendo of cacophony, allegations, counter allegations and recriminations. For Modi fans, the man is a Messiah who will miraculously bring about good governance to the country.
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And so the noise, the trading of barbs, the hyperbole and the hysteria has begun. It is now certain that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will play a key and decisive role in formulating the BJP strategy for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It is also certain that both his die hard supporters and his die hard opponents will raise decibel levels to a crescendo of cacophony, allegations, counter allegations and recriminations. For Modi fans, the man is a Messiah who will miraculously bring about good governance to the country.
Read More...
Typos: A PILGRIM’S TALE
Typos: A PILGRIM’S TALE:
The hours pass and I’m waiting still… Shanties and hovels with tiny grilled windows line the streets of this part of Goabagan. From one, an old face, creased and thin, stares listlessly onto the street below where two girls amuse themselves with badminton rackets.
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The hours pass and I’m waiting still… Shanties and hovels with tiny grilled windows line the streets of this part of Goabagan. From one, an old face, creased and thin, stares listlessly onto the street below where two girls amuse themselves with badminton rackets.
Read More...
Passionate About India: The Modi versus Rahul battle reminds me of the Dhi...
Passionate About India: The Modi versus Rahul battle reminds me of the Dhi...:
Like in a Hindi blockbuster, there is this likable guy who was born with many silver, gold and diamond spoons. He is a child of dynasty and privilege and has the power to actually make a difference. Opposing him is a person from a humble, lower caste background who has broken through barriers of caste, privilege and much more.
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Like in a Hindi blockbuster, there is this likable guy who was born with many silver, gold and diamond spoons. He is a child of dynasty and privilege and has the power to actually make a difference. Opposing him is a person from a humble, lower caste background who has broken through barriers of caste, privilege and much more.
Read More...
Friday, 29 March 2013
Typos: WHEN SNAKES BITE...
Typos: WHEN SNAKES BITE...:
The men didn’t know how to react to that. What I had just said had collided with their understanding of their world, that all snakes were dangerous, venomous and almost evil beings and the only possible outcomes of an encounter with one were either an agonizing fatal bite for man or a lethal blow from a stick for the snake.
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The men didn’t know how to react to that. What I had just said had collided with their understanding of their world, that all snakes were dangerous, venomous and almost evil beings and the only possible outcomes of an encounter with one were either an agonizing fatal bite for man or a lethal blow from a stick for the snake.
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Passionate About India: China is all preparing for cyber war. India is sti...
Passionate About India: China is all preparing for cyber war. India is sti...:
The People’s Republic of China may have initially missed out on industrial revolution that made the western nations what they are today and constrained China to an emerging economy in spite of its mercurial economic growth for the last three-and-a-half decades. But learning from the past, it is all set to become a front-runner in the virtual revolution, and is very ready to leverage maximum possible benefits out of it.
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The People’s Republic of China may have initially missed out on industrial revolution that made the western nations what they are today and constrained China to an emerging economy in spite of its mercurial economic growth for the last three-and-a-half decades. But learning from the past, it is all set to become a front-runner in the virtual revolution, and is very ready to leverage maximum possible benefits out of it.
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Friday, 8 March 2013
Sutanu Guru: Playing the fiddle and crying wolf
Sutanu Guru: Playing the fiddle and crying wolf:
THERE is such a torrent of information, news, PR stuff that passes as news, analysis, opinion and pseudo punditry that it becomes almost impossible to stitch together the seemingly diverse strands to weave a coherent picture. But once you just making a list of the seemingly unrelated events, you cannot escape looking at the big picture. And the big picture is a frightening one of the entirely unnecessary and destructive implosion of India’s ambitions to take its infrastructure at least above Third World levels.
Read More....
THERE is such a torrent of information, news, PR stuff that passes as news, analysis, opinion and pseudo punditry that it becomes almost impossible to stitch together the seemingly diverse strands to weave a coherent picture. But once you just making a list of the seemingly unrelated events, you cannot escape looking at the big picture. And the big picture is a frightening one of the entirely unnecessary and destructive implosion of India’s ambitions to take its infrastructure at least above Third World levels.
Read More....
Sutanu Guru: Playing the fiddle and crying wolf
Sutanu Guru: Playing the fiddle and crying wolf:
THERE is such a torrent of information, news, PR stuff that passes as news, analysis, opinion and pseudo punditry that it becomes almost impossible to stitch together the seemingly diverse strands to weave a coherent picture. But once you just making a list of the seemingly unrelated events, you cannot escape looking at the big picture. And the big picture is a frightening one of the entirely unnecessary and destructive implosion of India’s ambitions to take its infrastructure at least above Third World levels.
Read More....
THERE is such a torrent of information, news, PR stuff that passes as news, analysis, opinion and pseudo punditry that it becomes almost impossible to stitch together the seemingly diverse strands to weave a coherent picture. But once you just making a list of the seemingly unrelated events, you cannot escape looking at the big picture. And the big picture is a frightening one of the entirely unnecessary and destructive implosion of India’s ambitions to take its infrastructure at least above Third World levels.
Read More....
Typos: IS MY FOOD EATING ME?
Typos: IS MY FOOD EATING ME?:
I began in the half light of dawn with the dressing closet and waded through the tangled vines of hanging shirt sleeves and stepped over a writhing mass of hooded cobras. I almost let out a high pitched shriek before the man in me reassured me and helped me see the serpentine mess for what it was – a collection of ties I had forgotten to stuff back in the drawer.
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I began in the half light of dawn with the dressing closet and waded through the tangled vines of hanging shirt sleeves and stepped over a writhing mass of hooded cobras. I almost let out a high pitched shriek before the man in me reassured me and helped me see the serpentine mess for what it was – a collection of ties I had forgotten to stuff back in the drawer.
Read More....
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: BANKING ON WOMEN
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: BANKING ON WOMEN:
The All Women Bank will start off with six unspecified branches across the country. It should well be set up in the rural and backward hinterland rather than in the metropolises. The former’s need for the project far exceeds the latter! There are far more illiterate women in the rural belt than in their urban counterpart. According to the 2011 Census, the rural female literacy stands at 58.75 per cent compared to urban female literacy rate of 79.92 per cent. On top of it, generically rural women are less independent than urban women along with lower employment rate. Therefore, the government should shed its stereotype metro-first attitude towards anything that catches media hype and set up the units in the areas where status of women are at its lowest ebb.
Read More......
The All Women Bank will start off with six unspecified branches across the country. It should well be set up in the rural and backward hinterland rather than in the metropolises. The former’s need for the project far exceeds the latter! There are far more illiterate women in the rural belt than in their urban counterpart. According to the 2011 Census, the rural female literacy stands at 58.75 per cent compared to urban female literacy rate of 79.92 per cent. On top of it, generically rural women are less independent than urban women along with lower employment rate. Therefore, the government should shed its stereotype metro-first attitude towards anything that catches media hype and set up the units in the areas where status of women are at its lowest ebb.
Read More......
Passionate About India: Invest in R&D; else, the Rs 2.03 lac crore allocat...
Passionate About India: Invest in R&D; else, the Rs 2.03 lac crore allocat...:
A defence budget of Rs 2.03 lac crore is certainly good news for India but not good enough for it to rejoice because the procurement model itself is fraught with enormous opportunity costs. Plus, the factor of corruption that is being uncovered every now and then in various deals adds to its limitations. General V. K. Singh’s deliberations can be only the tip of the iceberg as there can be more than a few skeletons in the closet. The beginning of the long line of defence scams started with the Bofors scam in 1987 that involved an alleged kickback of Rs.64 crores – an astronomical figure in those days – for the purchase of the Swedish 155mm howitzers.
Read More...
A defence budget of Rs 2.03 lac crore is certainly good news for India but not good enough for it to rejoice because the procurement model itself is fraught with enormous opportunity costs. Plus, the factor of corruption that is being uncovered every now and then in various deals adds to its limitations. General V. K. Singh’s deliberations can be only the tip of the iceberg as there can be more than a few skeletons in the closet. The beginning of the long line of defence scams started with the Bofors scam in 1987 that involved an alleged kickback of Rs.64 crores – an astronomical figure in those days – for the purchase of the Swedish 155mm howitzers.
Read More...
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Typos: PARADISE REGAINED
Typos: PARADISE REGAINED:
This was no easy task. Each floral species that had originally sprouted on these lands when untouched by the hand of man was painstakingly identified and planted. Then they had to be protected from the elements. Encroachers, both animal and human had to be evacuated and all 692 acres of the designated park area secured.
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This was no easy task. Each floral species that had originally sprouted on these lands when untouched by the hand of man was painstakingly identified and planted. Then they had to be protected from the elements. Encroachers, both animal and human had to be evacuated and all 692 acres of the designated park area secured.
Read More...
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: THE GREAT INDIAN ELECTIONS
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: THE GREAT INDIAN ELECTIONS:
To beat these faltering, the Election Commission of India in its model ‘Code of Conduct’ has specified strict Do’s and Don’ts for the political parties: it has banned announcement of new schemes, projects, financial grants and laying foundation stones that are rooted in the sole effort to influence the voters.
Read More...
To beat these faltering, the Election Commission of India in its model ‘Code of Conduct’ has specified strict Do’s and Don’ts for the political parties: it has banned announcement of new schemes, projects, financial grants and laying foundation stones that are rooted in the sole effort to influence the voters.
Read More...
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: THE GREAT INDIAN ELECTIONS
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: THE GREAT INDIAN ELECTIONS:
To beat these faltering, the Election Commission of India in its model ‘Code of Conduct’ has specified strict Do’s and Don’ts for the political parties: it has banned announcement of new schemes, projects, financial grants and laying foundation stones that are rooted in the sole effort to influence the voters.
Read More...
To beat these faltering, the Election Commission of India in its model ‘Code of Conduct’ has specified strict Do’s and Don’ts for the political parties: it has banned announcement of new schemes, projects, financial grants and laying foundation stones that are rooted in the sole effort to influence the voters.
Read More...
Passionate About India: As we dole out intellectually dead budgets, Cuba s...
Passionate About India: As we dole out intellectually dead budgets, Cuba s...:
Spearheading this latent movement forever has been Cuba, which has shown incredible resilience against the American tirade and in many spheres is much better placed than most capitalist countries across the globe. The US trade embargo against Cuba – which the Cubans prefer to call an “economic blockade” – with its entire wherewithal could not destabilize their economy.
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Spearheading this latent movement forever has been Cuba, which has shown incredible resilience against the American tirade and in many spheres is much better placed than most capitalist countries across the globe. The US trade embargo against Cuba – which the Cubans prefer to call an “economic blockade” – with its entire wherewithal could not destabilize their economy.
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Friday, 22 February 2013
The Fascinating World of Marketing: HAVE YOU LOST YOUR SCRIPT?
The Fascinating World of Marketing: HAVE YOU LOST YOUR SCRIPT?:
The U.S. coffee chain Starbucks opened its 7th store in the country on 6th February this year. It said that the brand counted India among the top five global Starbucks market in time to come. For this it was willing to make investments in aggressive expansion and locally relevant innovations (in its products and processes). Thus the store at Delhi showcased examples of Indian craft of weaving and sported handicrafts made by local artists. For its menu also the company has kept the Indian palette in mind; it includes items like Murg Makhni pie and mutton seekh roll, besides also offering Tata Tazo Tea ,a rarity at Starbucks worldwide.
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The U.S. coffee chain Starbucks opened its 7th store in the country on 6th February this year. It said that the brand counted India among the top five global Starbucks market in time to come. For this it was willing to make investments in aggressive expansion and locally relevant innovations (in its products and processes). Thus the store at Delhi showcased examples of Indian craft of weaving and sported handicrafts made by local artists. For its menu also the company has kept the Indian palette in mind; it includes items like Murg Makhni pie and mutton seekh roll, besides also offering Tata Tazo Tea ,a rarity at Starbucks worldwide.
Read More....
Typos: BETWEEN CONTENDERS AND PRETENDERS
Typos: BETWEEN CONTENDERS AND PRETENDERS:
The former mace holders of the number one spot in Test cricket have had their once proud noses rubbed in the green in England, smashed in on the sun baked acres Down Under and finally chopped and buried in the dust bowls of the subcontinent. Will this series help Dhoni’s boys grow a new proboscis this spring? Will India win back the Border-Gavaskar trophy and a bit of pride? The point is, it might.
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The former mace holders of the number one spot in Test cricket have had their once proud noses rubbed in the green in England, smashed in on the sun baked acres Down Under and finally chopped and buried in the dust bowls of the subcontinent. Will this series help Dhoni’s boys grow a new proboscis this spring? Will India win back the Border-Gavaskar trophy and a bit of pride? The point is, it might.
Read More....
Business is Marketing: THE LESS OBVIOUS RULES OF SUCCESS
Business is Marketing: THE LESS OBVIOUS RULES OF SUCCESS:
A simple arithmetic question for you: ‘A bat and ball cost a dollar and ten cents. The bat costs a dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?’ If you answered ‘10 cents’ you also probably are not aware of the ‘less obvious rules of success’. I will try to discuss a few here – the most obvious ones at least. Just as the obvious answer that 90% of the readers gave was actually the wrong answer (the right answer is 5 cents for the ball and a dollar and five cents for the bat), similarly the rules of success are the ones we most often tend to overlook.
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A simple arithmetic question for you: ‘A bat and ball cost a dollar and ten cents. The bat costs a dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?’ If you answered ‘10 cents’ you also probably are not aware of the ‘less obvious rules of success’. I will try to discuss a few here – the most obvious ones at least. Just as the obvious answer that 90% of the readers gave was actually the wrong answer (the right answer is 5 cents for the ball and a dollar and five cents for the bat), similarly the rules of success are the ones we most often tend to overlook.
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All About Business Strategy... Well, Almost...: MEET THE FATHER OF ‘IMPOSSIBLE ECONOMICS’
All About Business Strategy... Well, Almost...: MEET THE FATHER OF ‘IMPOSSIBLE ECONOMICS’:
The world during those times centred around Fioravanti adorning alphamale CEOs, hyperactive about profits, cash flows and growth. Why would this commonly dressed man chatting with me matter anyway? And why would anyone wish to discuss poverty and unemployment over a nice, sunny lunch? Yet, there clearly were signs even then... signs which I should have seen, but missed.
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The world during those times centred around Fioravanti adorning alphamale CEOs, hyperactive about profits, cash flows and growth. Why would this commonly dressed man chatting with me matter anyway? And why would anyone wish to discuss poverty and unemployment over a nice, sunny lunch? Yet, there clearly were signs even then... signs which I should have seen, but missed.
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COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: COMPETENT ADMINISTRATORS?!?
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: COMPETENT ADMINISTRATORS?!?:
The bureaucrats are recruited from the general streams and then trained to hone their skills required for the requisite job. The training and their ability to grasp the skills requires a few years – and since they generally are positioned at a particular office for 5 years before they are rotated – the cycle almost comes to completion by the time they are ready with their wherewithal for the job and they are moved out! Therefore the looming wastage of time, human resource and money is enough to prove that the government is not doing its bit to improve the quality of its bureaucrats. In Ministry of Defence, particularly, this kind of knowledge and expertise gap frequently leads to delay in different activities like acquisitions, training, military readiness and expenditure. The late Mr. K.
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The bureaucrats are recruited from the general streams and then trained to hone their skills required for the requisite job. The training and their ability to grasp the skills requires a few years – and since they generally are positioned at a particular office for 5 years before they are rotated – the cycle almost comes to completion by the time they are ready with their wherewithal for the job and they are moved out! Therefore the looming wastage of time, human resource and money is enough to prove that the government is not doing its bit to improve the quality of its bureaucrats. In Ministry of Defence, particularly, this kind of knowledge and expertise gap frequently leads to delay in different activities like acquisitions, training, military readiness and expenditure. The late Mr. K.
Read More....
Friday, 15 February 2013
Typos: AN UNFAIR TAKEDOWN!
Typos: AN UNFAIR TAKEDOWN!:
The Olympic committee says it dropped wrestling from the proposed list for the 2020 games based on ‘apparent popularity’, television ratings, policy against doping and globalised spread of the sport, amongst other things. Th at, just between you and me, is just plain ridiculous and a whole bunch of words I am not supposed to write.
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The Olympic committee says it dropped wrestling from the proposed list for the 2020 games based on ‘apparent popularity’, television ratings, policy against doping and globalised spread of the sport, amongst other things. Th at, just between you and me, is just plain ridiculous and a whole bunch of words I am not supposed to write.
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COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: MANUFACTURING DEFECTS
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: MANUFACTURING DEFECTS:
However, the wide eyed analysts are staring at the stunning performance of the manufacturing sector that jump started from December last year delivering the highest growth rate in previous 6 months. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ India (PMI) – a production measure – is ever increasing peaking in December with an impressive 54.7 points, if anything, is an indicator of rising demand and frantic purchasing.
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However, the wide eyed analysts are staring at the stunning performance of the manufacturing sector that jump started from December last year delivering the highest growth rate in previous 6 months. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ India (PMI) – a production measure – is ever increasing peaking in December with an impressive 54.7 points, if anything, is an indicator of rising demand and frantic purchasing.
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Passionate About India: The cowardly and inhumane hanging of Afzal Guru by...
Passionate About India: The cowardly and inhumane hanging of Afzal Guru by...:
Kasab was a terrorist from across the border – a man who was seen killing innocent Indians, by millions, almost live on TV! He had to be hanged and announcing it in advance could have created international cross-border tension. His secret hanging was understandable though the political calculations in the times of a fast rising pro-Narendra Modi wave and an intention to extract credit was apparent.
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Kasab was a terrorist from across the border – a man who was seen killing innocent Indians, by millions, almost live on TV! He had to be hanged and announcing it in advance could have created international cross-border tension. His secret hanging was understandable though the political calculations in the times of a fast rising pro-Narendra Modi wave and an intention to extract credit was apparent.
Read More....
Friday, 1 February 2013
Typos: ON THE COUCH WITH THE CAT
Typos: ON THE COUCH WITH THE CAT:
The answer is a lot more complicated than a simple act of jumping over to either side of a fence. It will take me another week to tell you what I and the world make of it. Until then, steady those steps for you never know who’s watching...
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: DEREGULATING REGULATIONS!
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: DEREGULATING REGULATIONS!:
Finally, after series of flawed policies, I saw some sensible and path-breaking policies being announced by our incumbent government. After rounds of debates and discussions, the government finally took the ‘obvious and long-awaited’ decision of deregulating the diesel prices across the nation! This one policy that should have been implemented a way back, came at the time when the nation is facing an economic turbulence and the ruling government is fighting for its survival! Keeping everything at bay, deregulating diesel price would solve multiple problems and in all probability, would provide an impetus to the economy as well.
Passionate About India: His Last Chance
Passionate About India: His Last Chance:
“This light of history is pitiless; it has a strange and divine quality that, luminous as it is, and precisely because it is luminous, often casts a shadow just where we saw a radiance; out of the same man it makes two different phantoms, and the one attacks and punishes the other, the darkness of the despot struggles with the splendor of the captain.
Read More...http://arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.in/2013/02/his-last-chance.html
“This light of history is pitiless; it has a strange and divine quality that, luminous as it is, and precisely because it is luminous, often casts a shadow just where we saw a radiance; out of the same man it makes two different phantoms, and the one attacks and punishes the other, the darkness of the despot struggles with the splendor of the captain.
Read More...http://arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.in/2013/02/his-last-chance.html
Friday, 18 January 2013
Typos: IT’S A LITTLE LIKE LOVE
Typos: IT’S A LITTLE LIKE LOVE:
When the ball is dancing like that, swing bowling becomes a spectacular and unplayable phenomenon. But can swing bowling survive in an era where pitches are prepared with little grass and no time? Does the accurate medium pacer who relies on subtlety more than brute force still have a role to play in an era when bats are bludgeons and bowlers mere cannon fodder? Ramiz Raja and his fellow commentators might say, “umm… without the extra pace, maybe not…..”
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: KATI PATANG
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: KATI PATANG:
State governments and Central government may take a lesson or two from Gujarat as the state’s kite manufacturing industry has grown by six-fold during the past five years with the help of annual International Kite Festival that the state has been hosting since 1989 as part of the official celebration of Uttarayan. Replicating Gujarat, other kite making hubs should organise such international festival with grandeur and also make provisions for kite makers to sell their products at other international kite festivals too. At a central level, more footfalls for the same can be made possible by merging our kite festivals with Incredible India campaign. Here, we are just not taking about a dying industry but also about a decade old tradition.
Passionate About India: COP 18 is a failure; time for a serious relook at ...
Passionate About India: COP 18 is a failure; time for a serious relook at ...:
Given the fragility of human civilization, this rapidly changing climate and deteriorating ecosystem has induced fear and panic among mankind across the globe. Yes, there is no clear evidence that can pinpoint that global warming would be the reason for the end of the world; but then, there is no denial to the fact that human activities have made life worse in many parts of the world. Increasing pollution and use of toxic products have endowed diseases (both new and old) with an environment to incubate and flourish. The fear and panic has also gifted developed nations a reason to meet every year and make policies that seem pro-environment but in reality are pro-rich countries and anti-poor nations!
Thursday, 10 January 2013
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: FAULTY FORENSIC LABS
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: FAULTY FORENSIC LABS: Since last couple of weeks, there have been protests going on all across the nation demanding quick and fast justice delivery. This is not the first time when a criminal is scott free due to delays in our judicial mechanism. Without any apprehension, the entire onus of delays lies on the courts which are struggling with less manpower and insufficient resources. And then, further going down is our investigative team, which again is equipped with stone-age facility and faces huge shortage of staff. Amidst all these loopholes, one peripheral of justice delivery mechanism that is largely getting ignored is our investigation laboratories. In simple terms, cases linger on for ages as the investigating teams fail to present sufficient scientific evidences on time. And, the reason for the same is the sorry state of our forensic labs.
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Passionate About India: The goodness of doctors, the greatness of medical ...
Passionate About India: The goodness of doctors, the greatness of medical ...: My brother-in-law and friend, Prashanto’s mother couldn’t make it, after the burn injuries she suffered during Diwali (refer to my December 13, 2012 editorial http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/how-patents-are-anti-poor-and-are-harming-essentials-like-healthcare-worldwide/44915/). At 74, her body gave up after a fight of more than 50 days. And it was a life well lived. Yes, we always have a slightly better view of life on hindsight. I got to think of three key things today that I want to share.
Read More:http://arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.in/2013/01/the-goodness-of-doctors-greatness-of.html
Read More:http://arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.in/2013/01/the-goodness-of-doctors-greatness-of.html
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
The Fascinating World of Marketing: DO YOU HAVE MUSCLES FOR MICROMARKETING?
The Fascinating World of Marketing: DO YOU HAVE MUSCLES FOR MICROMARKETING?:
Analytics involves sourcing data from internal and external channels (media, blogs, image, and video sites, even sensors, and CCTVs), organise this data, generate insights, make predictions and finally produce recommendations for action. Big Data goes even beyond. It refers to a collection of information, too large and complex to be processed using traditional software tools.
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Analytics involves sourcing data from internal and external channels (media, blogs, image, and video sites, even sensors, and CCTVs), organise this data, generate insights, make predictions and finally produce recommendations for action. Big Data goes even beyond. It refers to a collection of information, too large and complex to be processed using traditional software tools.
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Advertising - Big Idea: AD SOUNDS: THE IMPACT
Advertising - Big Idea: AD SOUNDS: THE IMPACT:
My kill-joy friend smirked and dismissed summarily this sublime line of thinking while brazenly holding forth on his own views. He believed that in these fast-moving, impatient, digitally-driven times, words are swiftly being replaced by memorable sounds. “So, why should a profession which aims to connect brands with end-consumers play footsie and shy away from something offering readymade customer bonding and not pull the trigger? What is so sacred about words anyway?
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My kill-joy friend smirked and dismissed summarily this sublime line of thinking while brazenly holding forth on his own views. He believed that in these fast-moving, impatient, digitally-driven times, words are swiftly being replaced by memorable sounds. “So, why should a profession which aims to connect brands with end-consumers play footsie and shy away from something offering readymade customer bonding and not pull the trigger? What is so sacred about words anyway?
Read More...
Sutanu Guru: UNDERESTIMATING THE INDIAN VOTER AGAIN AND AGAIN A...
Sutanu Guru: UNDERESTIMATING THE INDIAN VOTER AGAIN AND AGAIN A...:
This man has already achieved what no other non-member of the Gandhi family has ever done. The closest to his record is Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was Prime Minister for six consecutive years between 1998 and 2004. P. V. Narasimha Rao is another non- Gandhi who completed 5 uninterrupted years as the Prime Minister. The next best is a Gandhi family member Rajiv Gandhi, who led the government between 1984 and 1989. No other Prime Minister – except Jawaharhal Nehru and Indira Gandhi – has survived five uninterrupted years as Prime Minister. Nehru was PM continuously from 1947 till his death in 1964. Indira Gandhi was PM between 1966 and 1984,
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This man has already achieved what no other non-member of the Gandhi family has ever done. The closest to his record is Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was Prime Minister for six consecutive years between 1998 and 2004. P. V. Narasimha Rao is another non- Gandhi who completed 5 uninterrupted years as the Prime Minister. The next best is a Gandhi family member Rajiv Gandhi, who led the government between 1984 and 1989. No other Prime Minister – except Jawaharhal Nehru and Indira Gandhi – has survived five uninterrupted years as Prime Minister. Nehru was PM continuously from 1947 till his death in 1964. Indira Gandhi was PM between 1966 and 1984,
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Typos: Guarding the streets of an Uncivil Society
Typos: Guarding the streets of an Uncivil Society:
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The Rapist(s)
Most amount of research and ‘experts’ are of the opinion that the rapist is a bully looking to dominate and subjugate a victim. His assumption, at the point of attack is that his quarry is far weaker and he is merely putting her in her place.Read More...
Business is Marketing: CHAINED TO SUCCEED!
Business is Marketing: CHAINED TO SUCCEED!:
The term is attributed to a story written by Rudolf Erich. The story titled The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen is based on a series of tales narrated by the Baron about his travels, with some impossible feats and daring escapes.
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The term is attributed to a story written by Rudolf Erich. The story titled The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen is based on a series of tales narrated by the Baron about his travels, with some impossible feats and daring escapes.
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All About Business Strategy... Well, Almost...: THE MAN WHO NEVER LOST HIS VIRGINITY!
All About Business Strategy... Well, Almost...: THE MAN WHO NEVER LOST HIS VIRGINITY!:
There is the obvious catch when you are so dangerously prone to living on the edge. The competition with British Airways was a serious drain on Virgin Atlantic’s finances. Richard Branson had to sell off Virgin Records, one of his most cherished ventures; for $1 billion to Thorn EMI, so that the proceeds could be invested in Virgin Atlantic. Perhaps the greatest debacle has been Virgin Cola, which was slated to compete with the likes of Coca Cola and Pepsi. The same was the fate of Virgin Clothes,
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There is the obvious catch when you are so dangerously prone to living on the edge. The competition with British Airways was a serious drain on Virgin Atlantic’s finances. Richard Branson had to sell off Virgin Records, one of his most cherished ventures; for $1 billion to Thorn EMI, so that the proceeds could be invested in Virgin Atlantic. Perhaps the greatest debacle has been Virgin Cola, which was slated to compete with the likes of Coca Cola and Pepsi. The same was the fate of Virgin Clothes,
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COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: Cashing on the cash
COMMON SENSE SIMPLIFIED: Cashing on the cash:
The next issue with direct cash transfer is in the access to cash itself. Most of the households in villages are male dominated. In simple words, the financial decisions are sole proprietary of the males in the family.
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The next issue with direct cash transfer is in the access to cash itself. Most of the households in villages are male dominated. In simple words, the financial decisions are sole proprietary of the males in the family.
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