Sweeping, Seeping and Snooping

Of late, I find many voluntary and service minded organizations indulging in cleaning the surroundings , clearing the lakes of weeds etc., This is a laudable effort in that it shows the involvement and commitment of the individuals towards a better environment that promises a better tomorrow. On the flip side, I also feel whether this could be a solution for the problems littered around us. If some organizations and good hearted people clean the place for a day or two, what lasting benefits is it going to bring? Will this not lull the civic authorities also? I feel that instead of OR in addition to this, such organizations could join hands and pressurize the civic authorities to do do their jobs. It will be better for such organizations to play a supervisory role,  monitor and track their progress instead of taking the brooms themselves. This is with due respect to these organizations and individuals whose efforts I applaud and in no way this is meant to disrespect or degrade their efforts. This is only a thought viewed with a different hat.

It is pathetic to hear about the technical and civil glitches that is surrounding the  newly built  airport terminals at Chennai. It began with the faulty design of the ramp, then a section of the roof or its false ceiling caved in and the latest is the seepage of the  roof. What is surprising is that if the roof seeps for the rain which lashed Chennai for hardly an hour, how will it stand the real fury of the North east monsoon? What happened to the quality standards and controls that are more talked about than implemented? What about the ownership of such misses that could turn costly? It is pathetic because, we talk so much but in reality none of these is observed or implemented.

On to the snooping of the US governmental agencies of one's data through the Gmail, Skype etc., - Shocking to say the least. Particularly from a country which regards high the privacy and rights of individuals, this is the least expected. At the same time, I admire the US President in admitting openly about its attempted peep at others' data, which also show the intentions of the Govt that appears to be genuine.

But, from a layman's perspective I have always wondered as to how on giving your password all the mail, cloud data  etc., are retrieved. This means someone has access to all your data and he goes on to retrieve your personal data even if your security details are lost by you after checking with some personal and private questions. For a query as to why this org which is storing the data of millions of people across the world are not (mis)using them, my conceivable answer is he does not have time to look into all the mails. If this appears naive, remember, my earlier claim of 'layman' here. But, in the unfortunate event of some sensitive data getting into the wrong hands , then you are done and dusted.

But then, it could also be argued that no one pressurized you to store all these data in a public domain protected by private people. It was on your own volition, you chose to believe them as it is without any service charges and so one has to pay for the same. It will be prudent to park only  banal data in such sensitive areas and not your private data such as passwords, bank account details, credit/debit card details, online transaction passwords etc., Prudence is more required and it is the innocent and the gullible and at times even a careless scholar could become a victim here. So, use your discretion.

If you want unhindered services, accesible from across the world with few clicks but with no cost, then one needs to be cautious. You cannot have the cake and eat it too - right ??

Why cant we be good in Aping, atleast?

Whenever we need any info, it has become a habit to get into any good search engine and get instant answers like instant pain relievers. I myself had indulged in this on many occasions like looking for best blogs of the week, good books to read, good ways of resolving certain issues be it electrical or mechanical etc., Though at global levels of issues we seem to get solutions, if the queries pertain to specific areas, some of the suggested solutions are not relevant. For instance, a person in India requires tips on how to save, how to plan for retirement the answers by the search engines are not at all relevant as they conform more to U.S and other countries !

Under Indian conditions, entrepreneurs have flourished with such innovative thoughts on matrimonial sites and culinary items, I wonder what is preventing our young business minds to focus on this area?

Today in India, courier boys have started getting the acknowledgement in electronic pads. People have stopped walking down to theaters or railway station for booking their tickets as they get it done with their computers. Even the Indian railways have embarked on a green initiative by  encouraging e-receipt through messages on your mobile phone rather than a printed ticket- an open admission of the emerging electronic scenario. It has become a popular sight on the road from milkman to veggiewala, to auto driver cling on to a mobile phone unmindful of the increasing heart beat of others.

I wonder whether any other country is making such rapid strides in the use of internet and technology as India. But, unfortunately we seem to be aping and using things that are so readily available on the market- white or gray - and content with obtaining what we want irrespective of the means. Right from the operating system to mobile phones to kids toys, we have become adept in enjoying off the shelf stuffs rather than creating one. I read recently that "if we are not even capable of making cheap electrical pins and sockets, let us migrate to China, so that the overheads at least come down further".

How true, at least part of it. With so much of talent , so many innovative minds, we still look over the shoulders. Is it sheer laziness, lack of encouragement or unwillingness?  I really wish that someone at sometime, put their thoughts on for how many we look into the internet and how much time we take to sift items pertaining to our region and culture and come out with our own  indigenous answers.  On that day, will bloom the true colors of Indian minds and believe me it will bring in more revolution than what things like Windows did to the world in the 1990s. 

Everyday Gentleman

I was at an awards function recently and there was a small crowd of not more than 100. Since it was literary in nature, the expectations from the motley crowd was high as there were august speakers invited and all were waiting for some good oration.

As is usual, I was in the hall well before the appointed hour and those gathered were indulging in some small talks and even well past the scheduled time of 6 PM, there were no signs of the function getting started. The organizer, a popular personality on TV shows was busy interacting with his own friends and fans and it was well past 6.30 before he took the stage. After mike adjustments, meets and greets the function started almost 45 minutes behind schedule.

The auditorium was soon reverberating with chaste regional language and the audience sat back to enjoy the evening, as the speaker's words and the air-conditioners humming started coexisting nicely. Then started the ringing of mobile phones one after the other and more than their resonance, the attitude of the owners were more irritating. Some chose to immediately pick the call. Some had a good look at the number before answering and in the meantime the phone kept on emitting the jarring loud tone. As though these were not enough, there was a young man who started speaking loudly dismissing the objections of others , before he was virtually evicted from hall.

Then there were small kids accompanying their parents, who were making merry at the last row with steel chairs the sound of which made it hard to hear even some of the speeches, all the while when the parents were not even trying to advise the kids to behave.

I was astonished at the attitude of these, which we dubiously claim as "Indian".  I remember a Senior executive of a bank in Australia apologizing for being a minute late to the meeting, when we were waiting.

I have never heard the mobile phone ringing at any of the meetings even in offices, as it was mandated that we switch off or put them in silent mode. The same people when they are at different countries behave differently and appear impeccable in manners but when they are back , they resume their own 'culture'.

These remind me of the 'Sunday Gentlemen' , whom the famous novelist Irwing Wallace defines in his book of the same name as those who have been declared bankrupt and are in hiding from the public, but are allowed free to wander around the town only on Sunday and even the court or Police have no rights to arrest them on that day. These are also people who are otherwise clad in western dresses and warm handshakes with soft tissues to use on alighting from the car, but forget the basics in a gathering !

How I wish, these are followed by all at all times, not only when they are away from India.

Which means , a Gentleman daily- is that too tall a wish?

Doc in the Dock

It was shocking to read about the jailing of a 70 year old Doctor for having insisted on trying to protect the interests of patients in an Intensive Care Unit, rather strongly.  

(http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2013/03/30&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00300&ViewMode=HTML)

My initial points of observations after reading this news are: The strong ire of the cop who 'felt' insulted by the doc's behavior;  The septuagenarian's plight in Puzhal prison on a hot night ; his mental trauma & insult of spending a night in jail after such a long and glorified service. A dignified doctor with a good track record and also a Professor teaching many of the practicing Doctors, his honor has been trampled upon and I wonder whether he will be in a frame of mind to return to the hospital again.

I am sure there must have been some untoward altercations that must have led to the recommendations of the security for filing such a strong case against the old man. Notwithstanding the same, one wonders as to what has prevented the security in observing the rules of the hospital? If he had been accompanying a VVIP, one can understand that he should be in an alert state. But, it appears he was on a visit to supervise the security arrangements in anticipation of the VVIP's visit.

However high and mighty, when one enters others' space, one has to follow the rules and there is no exception. I have seen photographs of high dignitaries in other countries, where they are properly attired for the occasion be it a hospital or an Industrial unit or a war zone. It's only in India that exemptions are assumed to be made for people in high places and this illusion has to be thwarted by the VVIP themselves by adhering to the rules of the place. Of course, there were leaders like Mrs Indira Gandhi who insisted on a helmet while visiting the Pokharan site and the accompanying  top officials and scientists were also seen with one.

The Doctors' association has threatened to act if the charges are not withdrawn before April 4th- Why so long?

What is the reaction of the Hospital authorities for whom the doctor was on duty that day? 

Some months back, I was visiting the Critical Care Unit almost daily for 3 weeks as a visitor when my brother was a CCU patient and the concerned hospital had good security system in place. The hospital has to answer as to how the security at the ICU entrance allowed the person to walk into ICU with the shoes. Had it been objected at the doorstep, the doctor need not and would not have interfered and the whole incident could have been averted. I recollect when the then President Zail Singh desired to visit Guruvayoor temple, the Dewaswoom authorities insisted that he must remove the shirt, as per the tradition. When the dignitary was not willing to comply with, he was forced to cancel the visit. I wish the Security at the hospital has also put his foot down.

As TOI has rightly observed it is surprising why the Magistrate has not exercised his discretion but has ordered  imprisonment and subsequently provided for release on bail after some sureties and bonds.  The accused has also been ordered to appear at the court and sign every day until further orders. Did the doc tried to kill someone? Why jail him in the first instance. At 70 do you apprehend that he may flee?

Despite the arguments and their counters, my heart goes out to the old man who I am sure would be more shattered for having been jailed for an act of duty which he has undertaken to observe when he took up this noble profession. Former Pakistan President Musharaff has said that " He felt humiliated standing before a Judge". If a Military General used to killings on the battlefields , and the rigors of laws and courts felt like it, imagine the mental agony of  an ordinary doctor used to saving lives, when locked up for a night.

Why is that all the sections of  law are applied stringently against one for doing his duties? So much respect for Senior citizens! 

Misplaced Sympathies

My late brother used to say that God's greatest gift to mankind is "forgetfulness' - How else can you explain man's ability to swallow even the biggest of the misfortunes that could befall him- like losing the spouse or a dear one in the family. It is a custom in part of south India that immediately after the cremation of the dear one, the person who did the last rites has to have a full meal which should include a sweet. It looks atrocious at the outset and I found it difficult to gulp this when my parents passed away. But, it is done as a symbolic measure to urge the 'karta' that life has to go on and one is encouraged to slowly digest the loss and move on with life! What is more surprising is to see at times the karta enjoying the sweet forgetting the tragedy that has befallen him! So frail is our memory or strong is our penchant for taking life on that we forget easy !

But unfortunately, this appears to be followed in letter and spirit by us even for the criminals and convicts, who have undergone free and fair trial even through the highest court of the land. Of late, it has become a fetish to sympathise with the accused and take up cudgels against the victims!

How else can one explain people sympathizing with the killing of the forest brigand Veerappan in an encounter? Have we forgotten the numerous heinous killings he made in the name of self defense and how he deceived a well intentioned forest officer into the jungle in the guise of a discussion on surrender, skinned him alive and left the body hanging down a tree for days? Even now, people visit his grave periodically and pay their respects as though he was a Kattabomman, who fought the British!

I also saw some episodes in a popular TV channel as to how the once notorious 'Auto Shankar' is also being made to appear as one who has gone astray only due to circumstances!

And recently, the clamor of many of the 'popular' personalities asking for pardoning Sanjay Dutt is unbelievable! While people may have their own justifiable reasons, some of them are appalling which includes "He has suffered enough", "He has been working for the good of the society", "His parents were working towards for the cause of Indians". Some take refuge under legal ambiguities and say that he has not been accused as a terrorist and only as an arms peddler! Reports in the media unveil the atrocious manner he has been (proved to be) hobnobbing with anti national elements, possessed and provided protection for illegally conceived arms which were subsequently proved to have been used for a bomb blast in which 257 innocent public lost their lives. It also accuses Sanjay Dutt of having approached unlawful sources for illegal possession of arms for his own security!

I am not here to debate whether the above accused were terrorists or bandits or criminals. It is for the learned courts to decide based on the evidences and arguments of Police. I am only surprised at the misplaced sympathies of the "high and mighty" totally ignoring the decision of the highest court of the land. I am not surprised at the political and business support but the voices of some of the erudite are being so vociferous in their shout for the pardon of Sanjay is what is making me think of the view of justice in our land.

If after doing a criminal act a person has turned a new leaf before the judgement is delivered, does it entail him for a remission? Records at our prisons would give out reams of paper containing the names of such color turned leaves.  Or are we trying to exploit the delay that is associated with the deliverance of justice in our judicial system? This in no way means he/she can be absolved of their criminal acts. As they say, many unprofessional criminal acts are being done only at the momentary flare of tempers or loss of senses, which the majority of people will repent when they are cooling their heels. For those who do not, they are hardened and habitual criminals, about whom I do not intend wasting our time here. The points is one has to not only repent but also pay for their misdeed whether done casually or in a calculated manner.  

As I had already mentioned my intention is not to debate whether these are criminals are not and I am also not concerned about it. My worry is only about the learned people taking cudgels against those confirmed of their accusations, declared as offenders and delivered of sentences to be served. Are we setting up a wrong precedent? Will this precedent be quoted in future for any hardened criminal to come even out of gallows. With education  we also have some responsibility to the society and I wish the learning is used only for the good, for an 'Athenian blockhead is the worst of all blockheads' !

It is also shocking to hear people saying that it is too harsh a punishment! My dear friends, whom are you questioning, the Supreme Court of India? Are you in any way suggesting that the court is incorrect in its analysis and hence you are trying to go above the same? This too for a paltry 3+ years of imprisonment? Yes, paltry- considering the nature of the offense proved.

When I was in Himachal last week I saw a news report in a local newspaper wherein a lady had stated that getting impacted by the Mumbai Bomb blast, she had undergone 25 surgeries and still the shrapnel embedded in her are creating problems for her, but she has no more money for medicines. The tragedy is that the dole of Rs 25000/- announced in a grandiose manner by the Govt is yet to reach her even after 20 years of the incident!

Pray tell me who has suffered 'enough' - whether this lady with bomb pellets in her belly or people like Sanjay Dutt on whose shoulders ride the film industry's 250 crores !

I only wish our learned brethren fight for the real, suffering victims rather than the rich and affluent who could afford to engage lawyers who charge lakhs per appearance.

Let us not bet on the wrong horses and even involuntarily subvert justice.

Let us not allow our memory , rather the loss of it, to blind our views.

Let us not use the delay in the deliverance of justice to the benefit of the accused.

Pausing Clouds !

As the Indigo flight soared into Delhi’s deep blue skies, after the usual abdominal turbulence came the serene state of mind, when the little machine was well above the skies for the naked eye to see anything below other than the white puffs of clouds. Having already travelled 5000 KMs within a week through various modes of transport, this luxury of hitting the home turf after gobbling up the Delhi-Chennai 2200 kilometers in a matter of hours was a huge relief and the mind was ready to embrace my home sweet home. Only some weeks before I was traversing the same distance in 36 hours under the air-conditioned confines of a super fast express and my restless mind was wandering about the days when I used to embark on the same travel sans the comforts of conditioned air. No doubt, as one grows not only in age but also in stature and affordability, one makes the best choice of the day, everyday. And so one thinks!

Man’s never ending quest has never allowed him to be peaceful and always managed to keep him restless on the tenterhooks. A common man fights for his daily bread and when the young, anemic hand was extended the other day over the rail window, I was aghast as to how that hand could hold even a loaf of bread. Then there are those who could spend 70 rupees for a piece of Idly, but under colorful lights, splattering of fountains & the soft music of a maestro! This yawning gap, though one has learnt to take it in the stride, at times, hits people hard too.

Common guy fights for his daily bread, a blue collared worker for his seasonal bonus along with subsidized food, a lucky graduate for a vehicular comfort, a premier educated consultant for better perks as his salary has already been taken care of, top industrialists for more crores of profits… The race is always on without knowing the competitors. The have-nots at times attempt shorter cuts to these positions through the only avenue which requires neither education nor brains- “political self-proclaimed position”  . . . .every one runs after on this hot pursuit. The irony is that while almost everyone is sincerely in pursuit of their goal almost upto half of the above list of seekers, I am yet to hear of one who says “I am done. I don’t need anything any more”. I have never come across anyone who says “I am quitting today as I am satisfied. I have earned enough for my requirements and sustenance for the rest of my life and I feel I have saved enough and its time for me to enjoy life”. As the wants grow and as the expectations soar, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to decide as to what is enough? This is one simple reason that people conveniently cling on to, though the truth could be what to do without a job!

While this is the dilemma of the haves, the have-nots on the other hand are bending backwards even to make the ends meet. There are families which are worried for the next meal; there are students who are looking for next month fees to prosecute their studies; there are sons who keep their arms extended to support the medical needs of their parents. Even one of these isolated punishments could be borne by these but when more than one of these conspire to attack simultaneously they struggle to cope up and when the limit is stretched coupled with an empty belly, the agony at times lead to means which are termed as ‘unacceptable’. Though difficult for the haves’ to understand,  the have-nots never mind these means,  as the end appears to address their problems.

As I was hallucinating, my comforts were disturbed suddenly by a continuous but mild alarm bell and the hostess’ were scurrying around requesting the passengers to fasten their seat belts, as there was some unusual turbulence and the aircraft suddenly stared tossing around. All problems forgotten, the weak and the strong, the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots all started praying that their current ‘God in the cockpit’ handle this exigency well and would have even promised them the moon for a deft maneuvering. When things stabilized and the storm appeared to have blown over, people were back to their mundane ways of not only thinking but also acting ordering from Cokes to roasted cashew nuts to tender coconuts to simple plain teas. 

Had their God in the cockpit were not successful, had the plane not made it safely, all the 500s on board would have settled for the same watery grave  irrespective of their ‘positions’ ! How fickle is life and how ignorant are we of the unexpected and uncontrollable acts, I thought, when I saw the hoardings on the ground running away fast assuring one the heaven on earth at an unimaginable price, little realizing how the passengers were about to touch the heaven or hell without paying a rupee.

As the flight was taxiing even while the seat belts related warning was glowing, I could hear an anxious voice enquiring about the market today.  How I wish people could pause for a moment and realize that they could have also passed away in a moment! 

Saving that plastic !

I know that many have jumped out of their couch wondering why this guy is advising to save plastic when the whole world is trying to shun it. This is not about those plastic bags and toys but about that valuable piece of plastic card to which most of us are wedded to. Incidentally I remember my friend's analogy "wedding and credit cards-both urges one to enjoy in haste and repent in leisure" !! Yes, the topic thrown open for discussion is how to protect your piece of plastic.

I am also amongst the many who were shocked to read about the news as to how many of the credit/debit cards in India have been skimmed to the tune of Rs 30 crores in two months http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Global-gang-skims-Indian-credit-card-industry-of-Rs-30-crore-in-2-months/articleshow/18357670.cms  .There were multiple articles in media, mail forwards and awareness campaigns even by banks on safeguarding your card, but despite all the precautions such global rackets are still going on as this has become truly global.

While booking online Railway tickets, making some online purchases (very rarely) and transfers I had always wondered whether is that all the data required to use some(one's) card. Of course banks and other institutions are coming out periodically with novel methods such as OTPs, virtual keypads to keep beating the fraudsters. But, it appears in this game, atleast so far, the others are seem to be winning and the situation seems to be akin to the computers and viruses.

My intention is not to go through again all the bullet points on its importance, etc., as one can easily get all those through some key punches in any search engines. After reading the above news item, immediately my mind started searching for the areas where I was lax in securing my card and how I could improve my safety belt and so here are some.

First let me recall at what points am I parting with the card. Almost at every place like Petrol bunks, Restaurants, some retail shops - at all these places the attendant takes your card  to a far off and mostly places which are not within your eyesight, to make the transaction. If an errant attendant makes a note of your card number, CVV and date of expiry you are almost done !

Immediate step to mitigate this will be to erase / smudge your CVV number after memorizing it.

Insist that they bring the portable card swiping machine to your table/car. If that facility is not available, please walk down to that place so that you dont need to part with the card.

Keep changing your password say periodically, so that the month forms part of the combination in your password, which could be easy to remember for you. I would prefer a OTP than a permanent password, so that if the password is skimmed once , it cannot be re-used.

I am not very conversant in this area but am aware there are many more suggestions on protecting our cards, which I request the learned visitors to this blog to share and the purpose of this post is to share such wise ideas.

Away from the topic but relevant to the subject, it is better for everyone especially the card user to know some relevant facts about the card and also the ways and means to protect the same. In this context, I gratefully recall a training session on 'Cards' I underwent sometime in 2006 and I would like to acknowledge the knowledge and teaching efficiency of Ms. Prasanna Kompella, my then colleague, on the subject !