tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78542376708669917532024-02-20T16:18:02.615+05:30Me, We & They!!this is an innovative blog space aimed at creating awareness among people on important hapeenings around us through enlightened analysis and serious discussion....Dipan Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068783402377058732noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854237670866991753.post-22452168729728676552015-02-10T21:36:00.000+05:302015-02-10T21:37:30.559+05:30Delhi Elections 2015 : A Hypothesis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>A hypothesis</u>: BJP has orchestrated its own defeat in Delhi..</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Reason</u>: To shift the popular focus from rising questions about Modi Govt's non-performance to performance or non-performance of a future Kejriwal Govt..</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Spoiler</u>: Though may have orchestrated its own defeat, but could have never planned for such a humiliating defeat..</span></div>
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Dipan Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068783402377058732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854237670866991753.post-9426655222812446362008-03-18T16:20:00.003+05:302008-03-18T16:31:50.397+05:30TABLE TENNIS: Trivia!!The other day my search, across the alleys of an intriguing maze called the internet, led me to ‘discover’ some interesting facts of an equally interesting sport called Table Tennis (a sport that I used to excel in back in my school days). I felt a deep urge in me to share them with u though I usually resist from making such posts (this time probably my nostalgia got an upper hand)...<br /><br />Ø In the early 1970s the People's Republic of China(PRC) invited American table tennis players to a tournament in the PRC. This marked a thawing in relations with the United States that was followed up by a visit by U.S. president Richard Nixon. The popular media therefore dubbed this visit "<a title="Ping Pong Diplomacy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ping_Pong_Diplomacy">Ping Pong Diplomacy</a>".<br />Ø Multi-talented sportsman <a title="Maxwell Woosnam" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell_Woosnam">Maxwell Woosnam</a>, an Olympic and Wimbledon champion at lawn tennis and one-time captain of the England national football team, once defeated actor and film director <a title="Charlie Chaplin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Chaplin">Charlie Chaplin</a> at table tennis while playing with a butter knife instead of a racket.<br />Ø At the 1936 World Championships contested in <a title="Prague" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague">Prague</a>, two defensive players took over an hour to contest one point.<br />Ø Table tennis inspired the first commercially successful video game, <a title="Pong" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pong">Pong</a>. In <a title="2007" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007">2007</a>, <a title="Rockstar games" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockstar_games">Rock star games</a> made one of the first true simulation by releasing <a title="Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockstar_Games_presents_Table_Tennis">Rock star Games presents Table Tennis</a><br />Ø Soviet rule once banned the sport because it was seen as carrying significant risk of eye damage.<br />Ø Certain world-class players can impart spin approaching 9000 <a title="Revolutions per minute" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolutions_per_minute">RPM</a> on table tennis balls.<br />Ø More than 30 table tennis companies exist around the world, making a full line of accessories from rackets to warm-up suits.<br />Ø A man in <a title="Hawaii" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii">Hawaii</a> has invented a three-player table for table tennis, calling it "<a title="Tri-Pong (page does not exist)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tri-Pong&action=edit&redlink=1">Tri-Pong</a>"<br /><br />P.S. - if u happen to find this post of not much interest or rather boring pleeeeese ignore it and forgive me for trying to push the burden of my nostalgia on u...Dipan Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068783402377058732noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854237670866991753.post-45044385897370573462008-02-28T17:20:00.000+05:302008-02-28T17:22:34.663+05:30WEST BENGAL: When Ignorance Is Not Bliss!!Friends, if the very subject of this entry fails to generate interest in you, I request you to kindly read on.. Here, we are not talking of the West Bengal we so well know, drawing all its legacy from the numerous contributions to the freedom struggle, an endless supply of intellectuals it has produced, the famous ‘Bengali Babus’, or the most successful land reforms experiment in India, neither we are talking of Nandi gram, Singur or Bird Flu that has brought the media’s focus back to West Bengal nor are we discussing the intricacies behind the 30 years of the Left Front rule. Here we are discussing the 3rd largest economy of India and the story of a Resurgent West Bengal that is in many ways leading the path of a ‘Resurgent India’. A further reading can surely help break a few stereotypes and enable us to have a more accurate and well informed understanding of one of the most important states of India and its proud people..<br />Now let’s have a peek inside the growth story that has turned it all around. West Bengal (hence forth to be referred as W.B.) has registered a high growth rate in real State Domestic Product (SDP) over the past 8 years and is one of the top ranking states in terms of growth in per-capita income (5.72% in ’04-’05 as against the corresponding national figure of 5.2%). It has attracted FDI of $119mn (’04-’06) spread over 178 new industrial units and according to volume of exports ranks 7th. Widely known for its equitable distribution of resources and an egalitarian social structure its performance according to HDI indices is especially impressive in literacy rate and life expectancy at birth. W.B. is also one of the most urbanized states and the sheer volume of its market (with a population of about 8 crores) makes it an attractive investment destination. The raising incomes and boom in urban renewal and economic activities have turned it into the 3rd largest sate in terms of savings. Its rural market too is undergoing a paradigm shift and is blessed with enormous potential in agriculture, farm produce, food processing and agro-based industries..<br />Agricultural sector in W.B. that supports 57% of its populace is blessed with a rare combination of 6 agro-climatic zones that make it among others the #1 in meat production, one of the largest producers of fish and the 2nd largest tea producing state. It also leads in the production of potato, rice, edible oils, pine apple and banana, though problems in this area regarding modern marketing mechanism and proper methods of preservation to bring down wastages remain. Floriculture in the state is also thriving with huge exports to countries like Netherlands, U.K., and those in the west Asia. While the rest of the country is going through enormous distress in the agriculture sector (read farmer’s suicide), W.B. has largely remained unaffected..<br />Not withstanding some glitches and hiccups the state government’s plan of re-industrialization has faced, W.B.’s industrial sector is ever growing. The proof in this regard is the massive investments it is attracting and has steadily become one of the favourite destinations for investors. The Sajjan Jindal group is setting up a 10mn tonne capacity integrated steel plant here- the largest of its kind in eastern India; this is apart from the 7 more steel plants coming up in the state. Global auto majors like TATA Motors, Telcon, Ashok Leyland and Urals (Russia) have already made or are considering huge investments in the state. Its more than 32,000 IT professionals working in over 233 companies here have put W.B. on the global map of IT expansion, with the government’s ambition of helping it become one of the 3 largest IT destinations of India. The services sector including IT contributes 57.15% of the SDP. The Retail sector too is experiencing a boom due to huge markets in nearby eastern and north eastern India..<br />Confirming the multi-dimensional nature of its growth story sectors like real estate, petro chemicals and power are also on a higher growth trajectory. The boom in the real estate have seen several high profile projects coming up in important towns like Kolkata, Siliguri, Asansol and Bardhman including the Indonesia based Salim Group’s Calcutta West International City (having the largest FDI in a township project in India). The state also accounts for 4% of India’s petroleum products and 13% of her polymer production. Growth in this sector is far more impressive in terms of both investment volume and number of units being set up. In the power sector WBPDCL is the only power company in the eastern India with a surplus capacity that enables it to export power to other states, mainly to those in North India. Even infrastructural support for backing this growth story is impressive and is ever expanding..<br />Though I’m neither a leftist nor a regionalist and certainly not an upholder of all the wrongs that has taken place in Nandi gram and Singur, the growth story of my state has certainly impressed me. This has compelled me to share it with you, my friends, in a bid to put forward the picture of a new and resurgent W.B. and a few facts that are largely ignored or unattended to even by the people of the state. So W.B. and its people have lot more than its rich legacy and here is an increasingly thriving and prosperous state that is and will certainly be one of the front runners in the growth story of a resurgent India, which is due to become a global power soon..<br /><br />**Sources:<br />· Frontline (Feb 29, 2008)<br />· Indian States at a Glance-West Bengal ’07-‘08 (PHDCCI)<br />· Issues of The Hindu and The Times Of IndiaDipan Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068783402377058732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854237670866991753.post-81048106401135334902007-10-08T10:59:00.000+05:302007-10-08T11:08:21.344+05:30SORRY..FREINDS!!A big sorry to all my frnds for playing this waiting game with u.. actually i'm just a bit too busy with some other activities.. but promise to catch on with u guys very soon, possibly in the 2nd week of the next month..<br />thanx 4 bearing with me..<br />regards<br />DeepDipan Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068783402377058732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854237670866991753.post-80528144628079748572007-04-19T01:51:00.000+05:302007-04-19T20:33:57.236+05:30ARE YOU SMILING TODAY?If you are then possibilities are high that you are a Civil Services aspirant (no prizes for guessing the reason though). Like the thousands others I too was anxiously waiting for the outcome of a particular judgement regarding the disclosure of various facts by the U.P.S.C. Though fully aware that the judgement would arrive only by the mid-day (of 17th April) my anxiousness knew no bounds and led me switch on the T.V. set tens of times since the early morning. Among others, the curiosity of finally having a peek into the heavily guarded dark alleys of a system so powerful kept me up. My repeated encounters with the television set finally bore fruit and upon knowing the outcome my happiness knew no bounds...<br /><br />Even if you are not a Civil Services aspirant- you still have a reason to smile. Smile for an evolution, a (+)ve change and a triumph of openness and transparency. Every knowledgeable person will definitely agree that for better governance lashed with a corruption free and an egalitarian environment access to information emanating out of a regime marked by openness and transparency is an absolute necessity. The movement towards transparency and accountability has a fairly long history. What began as a struggle against a secrecy centered colonial administration has come to be a struggle against our own democratically elected ‘sarkar’. The Supreme Court judgement way back in 1978 in the Meneka Gandhi v/s U.O.I. case conferring Right to Information(RTI) as a fundamental right was a shot in the arm for the movement which went on to see a major milestone with the enactment of the RTI Act in the year 2005...<br /><br />Since then powered with the newly acquired statutory right the movement picked pace and slowly but steadily has lit up numerous secrecy prone dark alleys in the administrative sphere of our country. The latest being the foray into the administrative secrets of ‘the mother of all examinations in India’-the Civil Services examination (better k/a the IAS exam). History stands witness that when ever the people try claiming their rights- the (mighty) system hits back, but usually it’s the people, armoured with a strong determination and a ‘never say die’ attitude, have the last laugh. In the case in hand a number of C.S. aspirants filled petitions under the RTI Act seeking disclosure of certain facts regarding the exams. Even though the CIC threw its weight behind the candidates it got dragged up to the Delhi H.C. where the Court ruled in favour of the candidates and ruled that the desired information viz., individual scores, cut-off marks, answer sheets, model answers and scaling methods(?) needs to be published within a fortnight. The contentions of the U.P.S.C. that the aforesaid revelations will do it irreparable damage and hit at its efficiency and efficacy stands rejected...<br /><br />What does this mean to the candidates? Candidates now will have clearer targets before them, they no longer need to shoot in the dark and above all learn from their past mistakes and try improving their skills to the desired levels. Moreover it will usher in a reign of openness and transparency in the U.P.S.C. administration and hopefully will help revive its of-late dwindling credibility. This landmark judgement will surely have a domino effect and will definitely percolate down to numerous other spheres of administration in our country. The U.P.S.C. has always been a model of uprightness and professionalism in recruitment related services, albeit the few hiccups, this landmark judgement will surely raise its head again with pride and this time round pride not only about its traditional uprightness and professionalism but also for its overall open and transparent functioning...Dipan Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068783402377058732noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854237670866991753.post-50613085683431416732007-03-28T20:40:00.000+05:302007-03-28T21:49:47.622+05:30HONESTY & INTEGRITY: A SET-BACK & THEN A REINFORCEMENT<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">A gruesome murder in November ’05 shook the consciousness of the entire nation- Manjunath Shanmugham was no more. He an official of the IOC, known for his infallible honesty and integrity fell trap to a notorious petrol mafia and was most disgustedly eliminated. It was another bolt on the face of moral uprightness and a definite set-back for those principled- who intends to change the face of our nation by their hard work, efficiency and honesty...<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Given the extent of the poisonous tentacles of corruption prevailing in the system, the few uncompromising have to face day in and out a lot of heat. Instead of the much needed reinforcement they were in fact vicariously punished. The corrupt were found rejuvenated and the incorruptible subjugated. The set-back was so strong that every principled citizen began to introspect and reconsider the very usefulness of his/ her dearly held values of honesty and integrity. Very sadly virtues and principles (an integral part of our Indian culture) were found being sacrificed at the altar of greed and corruption...<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p>In spite of this gloomy black cloud looming large on us, a 26<sup>th</sup> March ’07 court order appeared as a silver lining. Pawan Kumar alias Manu Mittal the main perpetrator of the crime was sentenced to death and his seven accomplices to life imprisonment. The judiciary, and this time the lower judiciary, has effectively put up a crusade against corruption and corruption related crimes. The remarkable speedy trail (which took only nine months) coupled with the public uproar is definitely a shot in the arm for the principled and incorruptible. The dwindling faith the honest in their own strongly held values appear to have regained, they are rejuvenated, and they feel rewarded and reinforced. There appears a cheer in the faces of millions of youngsters willing to make a positive difference in their own walk of life. This judgment has surely once again bugled the victory of the good over the evil...<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p>The bugle now needs to blow louder and we must all join the crusade to hold the flag of the good, the honest, and the incorruptible higher and higher. A strong public opinion is stronger than any mighty system or establishment and once every citizen of our nation realises this- there will surely be no murder of honesty and integrity, only then the true purpose of our democracy will be served. Hats off to the judiciary for the case in point- though there will be appeals before the higher judiciary- and until the final outcome we should not just sit idle but come together and generate such a strong public opinion that not only the perpetrators of crime against Manjunath are punished, but many other murderers of the likes of Manjunath are brought to the books and in the process we can surely witness the emergence of numerous other Manjunaths who can herald a new era marked by honesty and integrity...</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Dipan Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068783402377058732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854237670866991753.post-78014979412108283202007-03-11T11:53:00.000+05:302007-03-13T02:10:21.967+05:30THROUGH THE BACK DOOR: A LALU’S WAY TO SURPLUS!!The rail budget ’07 by Lalu Prasad received kudos from all and sundry. It has been made out be a 'heroic fete' as opposed to Chidambaram’s 'cowardice/ villainous fete' (budget ‘07). But a few days back I happened to watch an IBN-7 story that made me think otherwise and question the very credibility of Lalu’s budget. A brief discussion below will certainly be an eye-opener...<br /><br />The 20,000 crore surplus of the railways has taken the country by awe and a promise to increase it further is fascinating. But the question is where will the surplus come from? The front door management techniques are- using the excess capacity in freight loads, reducing wagon and bogie turn around time, mid term hikes through rationalisation of fares and efficient use of existing track capacity. Primarily on the passenger business side there has been no increase in fares- but Lalu has almost cunningly adopted a few back door techniques like upgrading of 283 trains as ‘super fast’ calling for an additional burden of Rs. 20 as surcharge from every passenger- and in view of the dismal time keeping by these trains the real intentions behind it is questionable. The meals served by the pantry car, in spite of their renowned poor quality, are going to cost more (veg- Rs. 30 & non-veg- Rs. 35) but we are already been forced to shell much more than that (albeit illegally) and any further increase is only going to burden the ‘Aam Admi’ heavily. A laudable initiative of providing lower berths on a priority basis to senior citizens and women above 45 yrs. is not without its own share of blames as in reality even for this humanitarian welfare measure the beneficiaries are being forced to spend extra...<br /><br />I don’t intend to advocate that making profits is wrong or that user charges are always bad. But what we should protest against is the ‘dhokha’ that has been done to our country men and a sheer lack of transparency in the entire process. While the positive features were highlighted with much fan-fare the facts regarding the additional charges imposed were relatively concealed. It proves that the Lalu’s budget is nothing but populist in nature and can be very well termed as a ‘back door entry into surplus’...<br /><br />It’s high time that the largest public mode of transport stands up tall as a model for others to emulate and dwell with issues of utmost urgency- such as the high rate of rail accidents, need for greater transparency, lack of effective accountability, and dismal condition of in-train services. All this and more can in real usher the Indian Railways into a truly ‘world class’ service and in the long run make every Indian proud, happy and satisfied...Dipan Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068783402377058732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854237670866991753.post-27961395211834184972007-03-02T18:45:00.001+05:302007-03-06T00:09:01.976+05:30BUDGET ’07-’08: A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY MISSED OR GAINED?The silver-foil package presented by Mr. P. Chidambaram has started to unpack, lending us all a rightful peak into its real contents. Under the microscopic observation of the argumentative Indians, it has caused varied reactions and has been variously termed as “a disappointment”, “a betrayal of common man”, “timid” & of course in some quarters “a success”. Arguably the most important annual presentation made in India, holds the destiny of a billion plus population under its sway. Hence an enlightened & a serious discussion is called for…<br /><br />A soaring inflation & maintaining the high growth rates are thee twin primary concerns of today’s Indian economy. Budget this year could have been the right opportunity to address both the issues well, but appears to have sadly failed on both the counts. Apart from a few tinny-winy steps it has largely failed to bring about any relief from the clutches of the soaring inflation. Even on the 2nd front it has failed to take along the Indian Inc. and has in the real sense delivered no goods for boosting up the performance of the economy. A few provisions like hiking the dividend tax (by 2.5%), bringing the IT sector under MAT (Minimum Alternative Tax), extending the clutches of FBT (Fringe Benefits Tax) & Service Tax and even the hike in Education Cess (on all taxes) are only steps in the opposite direction. Even the higher tax compliance, instead of being rightfully rewarded, has brought no tangible gains (in the form of some major tax concessions) for the complaints. Missing the golden opportunity the Fin. Min. has failed to focus on the rising unemployment & other major issues of concern. The outlay of women specific progs. stand at a pathetic low of just 0.01% of the total budget. The emphasis on reduction of import duty on the food of cats and dogs, when millions are starving, says it all…<br /><br />The only light in the darkness appears to be the ‘better late than never’ focus on the farm sector and provision for wider credit net and a laudable insurance scheme (the ‘Aam Admi Bima Yojna’). The socialist in the fin. min. got ventilation in forms of highest priority to the social sector, extension of NREG to another 130 districts and a promise to provide 1,00,000 jobs for the physically challenged are laudable. A reduction in the peak rate of customs duty was also desired. Even a hike in spending in the health and education sector deserves applause. The scholarship schemes aimed at taming the high rate of school drop-outs and the above welcome measures however, sadly, appear to be a mere face saving exercise and are even being blamed to be populist in orientation…<br /><br />The golden opportunity though seems to have been overall missed could have been gained. A few innovative and imaginative steps like use of a part of the huge idle forex reserves for infrastructure funding without monetary expansion (as reco. by Deepak Parekh committee) and even a long awaited reform by simplification of direct taxes structure could have helped. An incremental approach by the Fin. Min. seems to have largely failed to balance the social and economic priorities of the 21st c. India that could have added a few more steps towards our gr8 nation becoming a responsible ‘super power’ of tomorrow’s world…<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">**<strong>HISTORY BEHIND THE STORY</strong>:<br />Ø The term ‘budget’ was 1st used in the present sense for the first time in 1773, in a satire entitled ‘opening the budget’ directed against Walpole’s (England) financial plan of the year.<br />Ø The term ‘budget’ is derived 4m an old English word ‘Bougett’ which means a sack or a pouch.<br />Ø Railway and general budget in India was separated in 1921 on the reco. of Acworth Committee.</span>Dipan Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068783402377058732noreply@blogger.com8