Someone's Pain & Someone's Gain

As the third day closes on, the stand off between the democrats & republicans continues over what is termed as the biggest US healthcare reform aka Obamacare.

Whilst the controversy continues, India will benefit from this extensive overhaul in the US health insurance sector which intends to include an additional 30mn Americans to sign up for mandatory health insurance.

This single largest reform in the history of US would ultimately boost our Indian economy especially the pharma industry which produces nearly 40% of the generic drugs used in the US.

Apart from the pharma industry the IT & BPM service industry will benefit greatly from the impending reform. Some key facts- the healthcare payer market is estimated to reach ~$18bn with the strongest growth reflecting in the business process outsourcing market which will reach ~2bn.

The US dept. of health & human services estimates that call centers will receive anywhere between 40-45 mn calls this year alone, related to the federal marketplaces. An additional of 3500 letters, emails, and web chat requests is forecasted on a daily basis.

Clearly when such a massive demand for information & services for better health insurance providers arises, India needs to perk up and anticipate that a majority of those calls will be diverted to our BPM industry.

The Indian economy definitely stands to gain from this enormous revamp. Since it implies that more dollars will be spent by the US govt. on healthcare, thereby more dollars will flow into our market- albeit not withstanding the current deadlock.

It is Vote for ‘Against All’

The scratch vote is a negative yet emancipating ballot option allowing us noble citizens to vote against all the candidates chosen in an election.

It gives us room to exercise our vote in toto without having to be subjected to choosing & accepting undeserving candidates with no clear agenda or lacking mass appeal. This negative voting would gradually lead to the objective of candidates being chosen by political parties that truly represent the will of the voters.

It would foster cleaner elections and candidates with strong leadership qualities and goodwill to rise above the rest.

We are finally moving towards an egalitarian society where the burgess a.k.a citizens & tax payers can finally press the NOTA (None of the Above) negating all candidates. However, one must truly utilize their rights & opportunity to vote, rather than not, as that would be deemed as catachresis of the electoral ideology.

A complete misuse of the system that is in place to assist us to put forth a deserving candidate and if they are not truly commendable or lack righteous actions then we should exercise our rights to reject them completely, thereby forcing our nation’s political parties to compete with not only the best candidates but who are worthy contenders as well.

The Game of Numbers

Within two weeks of having taken charge Mr. Raghuram Rajan our current RBI chief, has taken the bull by its horns so to speak. The proverbial bull in the china shop- Inflation, has created havoc in our Indian growth story.

At the beginning of the Fiscal year expected GDP growth rate was pegged at 7.5% and inflation nearing 6%. Anyone with half a mind can understand that these kinds of numbers can mean only one thing- economic slowdown. Actual numbers are worse with Q4 FY2013 GDP growth reported as 4.8% whereas the consumer price inflation was 6.1% as on 30 Aug’13.

I believe that Mr. Raghuram Rajan’s stance on balancing the slow growth with accelerating inflation is a correct one. Even though the US fed’s decision to postpone tapering of stimulus has had a positive impact on our stock markets, however the real worry is the economic growth in the long run.

His decision today to increase the repo rate by 25 basis points was a tricky one as its impact will only be clear in the next quarter numbers. Till then we can only strap on our seat belts and sit tight, as Mr. Rajan is yet to prove his steering capabilities.  And hope that he will drive our economy out of the current fiscal mess and towards a more wholesome and shining growth story projected few years back.

I, however, on the other hand have no doubts on his driving skills and believe that we will reach the desired destination safely provided we can avoid the pitfalls of corruption and implement our economic policies effectively.

The Land Bill has finally Landed

The second ace in the deck for the ruling party is the Land Acquisition Bill which is due for discussion in the Lok Sabha today, with the Govt. managing a “broad consensus” five months ago with the opposition.

After the much anticipated Food bill, the pro-poor & mass vote appeal Land bill is highly anticipated game changer for the current populist regime. The idea is to keep the masses happy with “too little too late” public vote garnering Bills which in the end do not meet the intended purpose except to keep the ruling party in power for another 5 years.

Long term planning is out the window as long as short term gains are big enough (think 10,000 crores in scams) to offset the long term discord that the society is being pushed to the brink of. The only light in the tunnel seems to be this ray of hope that the Land bill will provide to all those people whose sole earnings and livelihoods are dependent on this asset.

It intends to protect & safeguard the rights of the land owners, and the as per the provision, 80 % of the displaced people are required to give their consent in case of private acquisitions and 70% in case of Govt. & Public-Private projects.

This Bill is like a candy in a shiny package and sweet coating but with a bitter inner core. And, unless the execution & implementation is done by keeping its true intentions intact it will fail to achieve the mass appeal it has garnered till now. Similar to the infrastructural reforms and several alluring FDI schemes these bills too have made a loud noise but have had virtually no impact in the lives of the common people.

What the Govt. lacks in long term goal planning it has made up through taking up long standing issues at the end of its term, like they do so in the movies where the hero is yet to make a comeback but in a sequel. I just hope that the sequel is better than the original.

The best days of your life!

As I stroll down beautifully manicured lawns, I reminisce the days of my youth when I was entering my college. Those were the some of the best days of my life that I cherish and have fond memories of.  My son too, will now begin this very same journey of life. The period when one is uncertain and not knowing what the future holds yet filled with optimism and youth and hopes of conquering the world & making a difference.

These days are few to come by, in one’s whole lifespan these few years feel like a drop of rain on the parched earth. Just out of school, boards are over and there are no parents or teachers breathing down your neck. You have nothing to worry about, because you are carefree & young.

You are eager to meet new people and make new friends. Studies are no more your top priority. You dress like a film star and party like one too. When the sunrises, you feel as though the whole world is shining.  You love to play your music really loud, rock music to your ears is like listening to the birds singing, even though your neighbors may harshly disagree.

First few days of your college are like the first few days of your courtship. Filled with lots of expectations and mixed with anticipation and high hopes.  It is important that you don’t lose your way however. As I spoke my mind I shared my concerns with my son who had also joined me for my morning walk. I told him that I did not expect much of him except that he grows up into a respectable young man who would not forget his roots, his culture and most of all his family. He said to me “Dad, I will never forget this day. You have given me permission to go and pursue my studies at one of the best colleges in the world and your blessings are more than enough for me”.

His words convince me that no matter where he goes now and whatever he eventually decides to do; he will be a young man just like I was many years ago, ready to take on what life has to offer and to make the best of it. To never give up and most of all to never forget.

India gets its “Chak De” moments

Hockey, a sport that bought India its greatest moment back in history, has lost its sheen and now all that is left of the great sport is a few sepia-tones reminisce of the past.

But amidst this scenario comes a ray of hope. The young girls, virtually unknown even among the hockey followers in India, have brought back the hockey glory to the nation.

Source:Indiatimes.com

The young athletes surprised everyone with a performance that made the rest of the world prop-up to cheer the players on field. Although they lost tamely to the Netherlands in the semis, they did not lose heart and played their hearts out in beating England 3-2 for the bronze medal. And to top it all, our Rani Rampal was also adjudged the best player of the tournament!

Till this triumphant win broke in the news, did you know when was the last time an Indian hockey team won a medal at the World Cup in hockey? The last real big one was a good 38 years ago, a really long period of wait for a nation that gave birth to the great Hockey legend Major Dhayanchand.

Unfortunately, since this was no cricket nor was the media in an overdrive to proclaim that our team was actually in the semi-finals of a world tournament, the sports channels too chose to ignore it and real followers had to depend on the live stream available on the world hockey body’s website.

These girls will return back as heroes and would be feted, and deservedly so. What comes now is the wait, a wait for accreditation for nimble yet mighty players who rightly deserve the best an athlete can be offered. What makes all worry is that the authorities simply don’t have it in them to help the hugely talented youngsters take the next leap, into a world beating competition at the senior level in the near future.

 Some good has happened though. The Hockey India League last year was a resounding success. It brought to India some of the best players in the world. They played alongside our players, juniors, seniors, upcoming. No doubt our youngsters learnt, not just by playing alongside, but spending time with them, how they train, their dietary habits, their discipline and all else. To be fair to the reviled officials, they did a great job in giving the hosting rights of the semis and the finals to Ranchi, which, apart from Punjab and Bhopal, and to some extent Coorg, is easily the nursery of real hockey talent in the country.

The good news for the Hockey players doesn't end there; Hockey India announced that each member of team will be rewarded with a cash prize of Rs One lakh.

So, let us savor the great achievement of these talented girls and hope this is just the beginning of the many more laurels they would get us.

The Game of Blame

Elected politicians and bureaucrats are important pillars of governance. These two pillars need to work in synergy to run the country efficiently. Innumerable time’s initiatives taken by individuals or organizations for the betterment of the society or country at large are hampered or faced with hurdles put up by some elements of society.

The Mid-day meal crisis was not only a horrific tragedy but a revelation. It brought to light the cracks in the implementation of the initiative right from its inception. The countless number of issues regarding the hygiene and nutrition that have come to be known only prove to show how complaints made to the government falls on deaf ears. Seeing the callous implementation of the plan in not only one but all states makes it clear the problem was the core of this programme, the sync between the government and the bureaucrats was missing. The misappropriation of funds, delay in the delivery of recourses and the lack of quality check by the government in all states has lead to such an incident to take place. The government of Bihar claims it to be conspiracies of the bureaucrats while the bureaucrats believes it to be the failure of the administration and the lack of the authority of the law on the people.

But here in India not only initiatives undertaken on a national level but acts attempted by individuals or small group of people to improve society are brought to a standstill by people with power.  The latest example being of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal who took on a powerful sand mafia in the state and helped curb the illegal mining activities happening in the state.  Soon after which she was suspended by the state government stating it was for ordering the demolition of an under-construction mosque wall in a village in Uttar Pradesh.  Transfer of bureaucrats by politicians is not something unheard of, at least in India. Some of the representatives of the government are actually famous for their tendency to transfer and try and exercise their powers over bureaucrats.

Such incidents and situations give people infinite opportunities to begin the blame game.  Political parties and bureaucrats try and wash their hands of such situations by accusing each other for causing the incident. Many a times it is done to tarnish the others image or is a well thought political move or with personal agenda. Politicizing any situation is not a solution to a mishap. 

We are aware about such incidences but we do not understand the degree to which they are a hindrance to the growth of our society. This leaves me disheartened with a lingering thought, why can’t politicians and bureaucrats forget their personal agenda and instead take accountability for their actions and look out for the public at large.

The politicians and the bureaucrats should come together and rectify this situation and ensure such incidents don’t take place again instead of taking potshots at each other.  Only if they work together and not against each other can such situations not occur in this country. The attention needs to be diverted from accusations to solutions

The Supreme Court does CLEAN-UP ACT

In a ‘landmark judgment’, the Supreme Court of India has said people convicted of crime cannot hold parliamentary positions.

The ruling is indeed a milestone in the country’s political history since there are quite a lot of corrupt and convicted politicians holding offices and important parliamentary positions in India. This is probably one of the many characteristics the countries politics is wrongly known for.

This judgment broadly states that a person cannot fight the Lok Sabha or assembly elections from jail even if not convicted, the Supreme Court has ruled, signaling an end to the practice of politicians contesting polls from behind bars awaiting trial.

Though legislation in India pertaining to convicted lawmakers was more or less the same, that is, the politicians found guilty of a crime were allowed to stay as long as their cases were pending in courts. The different clause this time around is that they can't stay on regardless of appeals to higher courts which is a good step since many politicians in India use their influence and ‘resources’ to constantly keep the appeals alive.

While According to a report out of the 4,835 MPs and MLAs in the country, 1,448 are facing criminal cases. This staggering figure is the highest in the world.

The ruling, which spells more trouble for the political class in an election year, may be yet another check on criminalisation of politics but has the potential to be misused. Political rivals, especially the ruling party or combine, can target each other in the run-up to elections.

Corruption cases mostly don’t even enter the judicial system in India. Even if they make it, the entire process is incredibly slow. Sometimes the documents get lost, witnesses change their statements or complainants withdraw their allegations over death threats.

Apparently this particular ruling passed by the Supreme Court will not allow the corrupt politicians to prolong the cases filed against them. They will not be able to buy time to complete their term in office which is great for the people and will definitely help to clean up the political system but only if the legislation is actually used.

The Election Commission has, in its reports from time to time, been seeking amendment of the law for removal of the incumbent advantage to elected MPs and MLAs convicted of various offences.

But political parties have been resisting change on the ground that ruling dispensations bring false charges to keep rivals out of election process. The political class has welcomed the verdict the Supreme Court verdict.

Yet the fact that a cleansing of the political system was long overdue cannot be denied. This might be a signal to political parties themselves to develop their own internal checks.

The Supreme Court has only made an effort to check the creep of criminality in the legislatures as there has been progressive erosion of public trust of politicians, reinforced by the widespread belief that nothing will set right the political system in control of corrupt politicians. Amidst this cynicism, the Supreme Court’s judgment is a beacon of hope. The right way forward is surely for the top court to devise and enforce procedures that ensure quick, time-bound justice.

Securing the Food Right in India

At a time when the nation is undergoing an economical crisis, a ray of hope shines above the gloomy economy “The National Food Security Bill 2013”.The food security programme when implemented will be the biggest in the world with the government spending estimated at 1.2 lakh crore rupees annually.

The bill is aimed at giving legal rights to 67 percent of the population for a uniform quantity of 5 kg food grains at a fixed price of Rs 1-3 per kg through ration shops.

At a grim current situation where the Indian currency has taken a toll and economy fails to get back at its suitable place, it’s the poor who are stricken by the grave economic trough. This programme, which would provide highly subsidized food to about two-thirds of India’s population, is seen by many as a means of relief to India’s poor.

If the food security bill is implemented properly it will benefit the country by raising the poor households’ expenditure of education, health, and nutritious food, according to a research report from CRISIL. Thus providing households with additional disposable income, households will in effect move up the income bracket. In the case of rural households, spending on education and medical expenditure will increase as income increases. If this happens; this will help increase investments by households in their future.

Here are some of the highlights of this bill:

·         Up to three-quarters of people in the rural areas and up to half of the urban population would get five kilograms of grains per month at subsidized prices (3 rupees per kilo for rice, 2 rupees per kilo for wheat and 1 rupee per kilo for coarse grains).

·         The poorest households would continue to receive 35 kilograms of grains per month under the “Antyodaya Anna Yojana” at subsidized prices.

·         Pregnant women and lactating mothers would receive a maternity benefit of at least 6,000 rupees.

·         Children aged six months to 14 years would get take-home ration or hot cooked food.

·         The central government also would provide money to states and union territories if it runs low on grain.

·         The central government also would provide “assistance” towards the cost of intra-state transportation, handling of grains.

·         In a bid to give women more authority in running their households, the oldest adult woman in each house would be considered the head of that household for issue of ration card.

If the exercise is carried out correctly, several BPL households, which currently do not have access to the PDS, will be given some form of identity proof that will, for the first time, make them eligible for purchasing food grains at the subsidized rate from the PDS.

In addition to guaranteeing food security to poor households, the bill could serve as a means to improve their discretionary spending and thereby improve their quality of life.

In the end I’d like to point out that the ‘Indian National Food Security Bill” is a great effort to arrest hunger and malnutrition in the country and such efforts are both affordable for the government, and in fact, beneficial for the long term sustainability of the Indian economy.

For more detail on the INDIAN NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY BILL 2013 click on the following link:

http://goo.gl/dUP14

Need of the hour

Even as the nation is yet to come to terms with tragedies that hit us within a few weeks’ time, it makes one relook at how ill-prepared we are to face such natural or man-made disasters.

The cloudburst on 16 June washed away from Uttarakhand lives of many people- snapping the backbone of a state, its infrastructure, into several pieces. The floods turned the once bustling cities into ghost-towns that need to be re-built carefully to return them to their former glory.

While the loss of human lives is irreplaceable, the aftermath of the floods is enormous with the economy of the region- which was held together by together- suffering immensely. The state, at present, might have been pushed back by a couple of years on the development front.

As the nation was somber with the Uttarakhand floods, it took another blow which came in the form of blasts at the Mecca of Buddhist pilgrimage, Bodh Gaya.

While elements in politics continue to politicize the matters by playing the blame game, it does make one introspect the system of which we are a part. The question is about the timing. It is about how well and how fast can action be taken whenever we are sounded off on a mishap.

Natural or man-made disaster strike without notice; the question remains why we are unprepared to deal with disasters—to forewarn people, handle the crisis and to rehabilitate the affected.

Every time we have a disaster, exacerbated by human mismanagement of the environment, we are caught on the wrong foot. Worse, government agencies make every possible excuse to shift blame. In all this, we lose precious human lives. Talking about Uttarakhand floods, we know that Himalaya, the world’s youngest mountain range is prone to almost all natural disaster. Therefore, clearly this is a spot, which needed attention and focus. But none came its way. Disaster management demands, firstly, scientific knowledge to understand and map our vulnerability. But the fact is that we do little to plan and prepare ahead.

What’s standing tall amidst the ruins and chaos of these disasters is the resilience of Indian spirit, a key factor that helps in re-building and soothing the wound. In the time of natural disaster or man-made calamities what is needed is a coherent and visible strategy to help people. The plan should not be driven by politics but the desire to help those who are affected by it and not for political gains. In current case, the priority should be the relief efforts without pandering to political leaders who will often do little beyond conduct aerial surveys. Disasters aren’t about how much each leader has done but how many lives are saved.

Troubled Toll Roads

Success is the road you take, not the destination; the question here is what if the journey you take is filled by frequent and high priced toll gates!

Toll gates are becoming a raging topic of discussion over their role in solving inter and intra state traffic woes- or creating one.  Toll gates/booths come under the National Highways Authority of India – a Government body responsible for the development, maintenance and management of National Highways and the toll roads in India. Though the body has an impressive reach of 33 lakh km (approx) in India however, it doesn't live up to the expectations when it comes to management of toll roads on the major high ways of the country.

Most of these are based on BOO basis - Build, Own & Operate. Although the construction company builds the road, they are not given a free hand to charge whatever they want. They are either allowed to earn a fixed RoE (Return on Equity). This method initially proved to be functioning smoothly but is on brink of collapse with millions of cars adding to the Indian road every year.

The bump on the roads doesn't come from just the regular halts at the toll, but also from overpriced toll challans, condition of the roads, non-availability of basic facilities on the toll stretch, less or no signages, and of course, the stray animals on the highways. Many of these prove to fodder a rather inconvenient journey-more so in the night when it’s dangerous.

Talking about India’s Largest Toll gate, the Delhi – Gurgaon Toll, with its 32 + 4 reversible toll lanes, succumbs to high traffic every day during rush hour and 20-30 minutes wait to pay for the toll is almost routine for travelers. To add to this is the lack of a comprehensive traffic management plan and faulty road design, traffic bottlenecks, lack of road space, non-functional traffic signals and unmanned crossings.

Unfortunately, cases like this perpetuate a stereotype of Indian bureaucratic incompetency on multiple levels. But failure in this model does throw light on other mode of collecting toll, for example Automated toll gate system using passive RFID & GSM technology is being preferred and is proposed to be deployed at maximum toll gate by the end of 2014. Then again, there are rumors of the toll being lifted completely. Either way, here’s hoping for a better journey on Indian roads- inter and intra state please.  Till then, start 15 minutes early from home. 

War of the currencies: Dollar Vs Rupee

The rupee has plummeted precipitously against the dollar and this recent dip has brought to the fore one crucial question –Tough times ahead for Indian economy?

Explaining in simple terms, the rupee is losing its sheen and has already lost “purchasing power” or how much it can buy (in the international market). The “value” of our currency is not enough to buy more goods or more dollars itself. In the last two years, the rupee has plunged 30 per cent. This means that we have to shell out 30 per cent more to purchase things that can be had for a dollar!

This tumbling of rupee is on account of factors like foreign investment outflows from Indian markets-debt as well as equity. The recent bout of weakness is fuelled by the prospect of unwinding of the bond purchase programme by the US Federal Reserve and structural factors like India's high current account deficit which makes rupee very vulnerable to external shocks. Typically, the currency of a country with high current account deficit tends to depreciate in such situations, which has been the case with the rupee too. As the Indian rupee slumps to new lows, the country's middle class has been forced to cut back on cars, electronics, smart phones, foreign education, groceries, imports, TV, fridge, ACs, foreign holidays and fuel.

Will this gloomy situation help anybody? Yes. Indian exporters who earn in foreign currency are set to benefit with rupee fall. Also, tourists who plan to visit India will find the exchange rate attractive. NRI’s, who remit money home regularly, are also using the opportunity to convert their foreign currency savings into rupee. But the extension of this situation can only prove to be very dangerous for the economy as the falling rupee adds to India's import bill that is already high due to large oil and gold demand in the country.

Although the RBI on its part will closely follow the foreign exchange market and supply dollars if needed to curb volatility in rupee-dollar exchange rate, the situation is not expected to ease instantaneously but will allow to soothe market tension around 57-58 rate in coming months.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram says that there is no need for panic over the weakness in the rupee and has assured that the government and the RBI were monitoring the situation closely.  I personally think this storm would pass too with gains to some exporters in offshore markets, textile, leather and other export-oriented sectors are particularly likely to gain and other similar industries.

Of course, there are analytics that set a gloomy image for the future such as claims that the Dollar might even hit 65! At this rate, we have to make informed decisions about our investments. As I discuss with some young minds, they come up with the best solution to all the issues:

·         Read & learn about the economies

·         Make educated decisions for your investments

·         Take time & think before you make a move on buying/selling

Potentiality versus Opportunity

Bound by my fad for technology and following the latest developments from the house of world’s leading innovator Apple, I decided to pen down this blog post. Technology excites me and keeping a tab on the latest trends is something I’m fond of. Keeping its trend alive, Apple at its latest Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) announced a flurry of new products that it plans to offer this year, including new operating systems and updated Mac computers. It seems that Apple, one of the world leaders, has found inspiration again and is ready to take the game to the opposition. As for these wonderful pieces of innovation, I’m surely going to review one of them very soon.

iOS 7, the latest version of Apple’s flagship mobile operating system, is the biggest change to the platform since the iPhone was introduced five years ago. Featuring a radically overhauled interface, new Control Center, transparent animations and more, it's pretty impressive. With a greater synergy among hardware and software design, Apple’s iOS 7 features flat, simple design with a vast use of light and bright colors. The new design is evident in everything from sharper, flatter icons, slimmer fonts, a new slide-to-unlock function, and a new control panel that slides up from the bottom of the screen for frequently accessed settings.

Along with this, Apple also plans to introduce the new Mac Pro, which will include a new Intel Xeon processor and come standard with dual AMD workstation discrete graphics processors. It will also support 4K, ultra high-definition displays out of the box, and the system is only one eighth the volume of the earlier Mac Pro. A combination of all these features makes this machine certainly designed for an amazing speed.

I remember Steve Jobs mentioning in one of his interviews that we are living in the post-PC era. I think it has to be true. With the introduction of OS X Mavericks, Apple has proven that there is still much work that can be done to improve computing on the desktop and laptop. With more than 200 new features coming in the fall, OS X Mavericks brings Maps and iBooks to the Mac and introduces many other features.

This reminds me of an article I was reading a few days ago, when a thought crossed my mind, that compelled and redirected me to a different direction. We Indians are a smart race. Test us mentally and we can rise to the challenge. Little wonder that the world’s sharpest brains belong to the Indian lineage and undoubtedly it is a matter of great pride.

Though there is enough potential in our country, there seems to be a dearth of opportunities and resources. Just last month, I had tweeted about this 18-year-old girl, Eesha Khare, who invented a super-capacitor device that could potentially charge your cellphone in less than 20 seconds. Imagine how much time that will save! Being of Indian origin, I doubt if Eesha would have been rewarded in a similar manner if she were to be a resident of India.

Moreover, like I’d mentioned in my previous post, the education system in India must strive to focus on an overall holistic development of a child and an equal importance has to be given to his or her knowledge, hard work, perseverance and passion. The youth today has been abundantly exposed to numerous media channels and cultures that they are constantly on a lookout for ways to represent themselves in front of the world. Their sheer confidence and a steadfast attitude to make it big is something that needs a constant dose of encouragement and there shall be no looking back.  

Therefore, I believe that these young brains that possess immense talent should be given a platform to showcase their work and must be rewarded for their achievements. It’s them who will bring India to the forefront in the years to come and recognizing their gift will help us break new grounds like never before and reach new avenues.

Academic performance: Not the Only indicator of success

This year proved to be yet another milestone of smashing board exam results. Academics have turned into a race- to be better than the best and there seems to be a constant pressure that captivates the young minds today. Studies often show that young minds learn most from their surroundings, the lessons they learn from the actions and decisions they see taken around them.  Nonetheless, the craze to score a 95% or more drives the children into a study frenzy mode.

Although education is not the only deciding factor of an individual’s success in the working world, it seems that schools largely concentrate on the academic performance in terms of grades & marks and not the entire personality development. Parents care about their child's academic performance because they believe good academic results will provide more career choices and job security. Schools, though invested in fostering good academic habits for the same reason, are also often influenced by concerns about the school's reputation which can hinge on the overall academic performance of the school.

In the midst of being involved in classes, a child has no time for any sort of a break or rejuvenation. Though schools do engage children in extracurricular activities, how many schools invest the time and resources on letting a student do what he or she finds interesting. Schools should give each student time to figure out what interests them, once the child expresses a fondness for a certain activity, the school should then nurture and develop that.

While the grades/marks are the foundation of education and what indicates a child’s progress and potential, it is not the only aspect we should concentrate on- a fact which is sadly the case in most schools and colleges today. Personal attributes, integrity, hard work and strong belief in oneself are other factors that must be given attention to succeed. A child may not have much focus on academics only, yet works hard in other areas. Lord Krishna said, “You have the right to perform actions but not to their outcome.” The hard work put in by a student, whether in academics or any other area, should be the focus, the results are not the only indication of a child’s potential.

That brings me to the question that I have often thought of – Is academic performance and high scores the only parameter to judge the potential for success in life? The things a child is ‘supposed’ to know is often over-stepped by the things the child is expected to know. Cramming up the course books might turn them ‘book smart’, but leaves little room to actually apply what one has learnt.

Conducting exams is essential. But creating a fear around them and projecting them as the only basis for judgment needs a change. There have been plenty of examples of people who didn't do well in school and went on to become quite successful in their lives. 

Therefore, it is crucial to shift the focus on an overall holistic development of a child rather than restricting to scoring high percentile. Physical, emotional and social development along with mental growth has to be given equal importance. Success isn't only about being a high scorer; it has to be a reflection of knowledge, hard work, perseverance and passion.

Is it death of Morality or birth of a new Honest Generation?

From the tender years at school we’ve all been taught of morals and to be able to tell between right & wrong. But how many of us have been able to carry on the lessons that our parents and teachers have so painstakingly tried to instill in us.  Does the society we live in leave any room for the right things?

Many feel that morality has been reduced to just a mere concept in our nation today and we can’t blame them for thinking this. The instances we hear of corruption and bribery outweigh the number of stories we hear of justice & morality. One of the major issues that is plaguing the nation and making its future seem not-so-bright is corruption. It is the weed that is sucking out all the positive energy from the nation and is not only ruing the picture of the system in our eyes, but is also giving the nation a bad name internationally. 

Looking at the extent to which corruption exists in our nation is appalling. There seems to be no such activity that can take place without a bribe. Either giving or receiving, we often find ourselves stuck in situations where bribery is involved. From menial jobs to big multinational enterprises, the existence of bribe is rampant.

What seems like a gloomy picture and doesn’t give us much hope to look at a developing nation is also yielding a new spirit in the citizens. While there are individuals in our country who are hampering the growth, there is also a rising consciousness against this issue. Starting from the youth to the senior citizens, there are a growing number of citizens who are realizing the extent to which corruption has plagued the nation. This new army of citizens taking all measures possible- protests, petitions, judiciary and even social media- to try and oust the problem from the system and India.

To make sure that we put an end to corruption is by first making everyone aware of the extent of the harm it has created- something that is already happening. But the best way to oust this evil is to get started with our own selves. Starting from avoiding chalaans by “favoring” the traffic constable to getting our children admitted in institutions by giving “donations”, the practice of 1) checking ourselves and those around us and 2) reporting any wrong doing is a must.  

It is our nation, our future and hence it is up to us to make sure we can bring about the change. As the great Marcus Aurelius puts it, “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

Get ready to take the plunge!

Work has invaded our personal lives and balancing the demands of a busy lifestyle is not an easy thing to do. A culture of ‘all work and no play’ causes high stress levels and cuts time spent with loved ones and creates an inability to switch off from work. But in the hustle bustle of everyday life, it is best managed if we take a break sometimes.  

When we take a break, we're not shirking responsibility; we're taking care of ourselves so that we will have the stamina to be our best. 

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The amount of stress that one undergoes does take a toll on our lives, mentally as well as physically. A holiday with your friends & family helps in relieving this stress and leaves us feeling rejuvenated. Another alarming fact that is raising concern is how the time we spend with our family is reducing. I, for one, do not get to spend as much quality time as I would like to, with my family. My family helps me stay grounded and the little while that I get to spend with them is priceless. So I do make it a point to take at least one with the family, if not two, in a year.

There are so many people who say, “I don’t need a holiday. My official trips are more than enough for me to relax.” Moreover, it’s the time factor that really hits us at times, and we feel like we cannot, under any circumstances, take an off from work. What we tend to forget is that we are entitled to a certain amount of leaves. The deadlines and heavy work load makes us oblivious to the break we deserve.

Many issues that we face at home as well as in office are due to the kind of hectic lifestyles we lead.

The famous saying “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy”, should ideally be incorporated in all our lives. Our performance at work is, in many ways, related to the kind of lives we live. The more we strain ourselves at work, the less productive we will be. There’s a right amount of balance between work and personal life that needs to be maintained.

The simplicity of life away from the city madness is something that we all need to experience in life. Getting back to our roots is another way of rediscovering ourselves. The more time we spend swamped in work, the less we learn about ourselves.

Lead me to the Boss!

Working under somebody can always be stressful; it just depends on whom we are working for. We all find ourselves working for someone or the other in life and the experience depends on whether it is a boss or a leader.

When I was younger, the thought of confronting my boss brought a chill up my spine. I swore to myself that when I will be on the other side of the desk, I will make sure that I can do something to make others feel comfortable. I find being a leader rather than a boss, is far more beneficial, not only to me but my contemporaries as well.

Making them feel as part of a team, gives them the sensitivity of having a greater responsibility in the organization and also reduces my stress levels as the entire burden isn't on my shoulders alone. More than profits, it is your organizations’ human factor that is more valuable. Being a “Boss” can create a gap between you and your colleagues and you must strive to bridge that gap as much as possible. Make sure to instill trust and not fear in them.

Let me share a few tell-tale signs of a leader & a boss.

1. First way for differentiation could be the way how the employees greet the person - The Boss is greeted with a smile. The employees either become straight and stiff or tend to hunch a bit (more like a distant cousin of a bow). Though this may look like respect, it’s not. It is fear. While the Leader is also greeted with a smile, the atmosphere is much more relaxed. This is admiration & respect, which is what you do want!
2. The look on the person's face as he moves around the office - A stern, decided, on-a-mission works well to encourage the team to be go-getters. But a Boss will always overdo it. While it is good to be determined, you must let yourself interact with the team as well. A Leader will make sure to stop by at a colleague’s desk to not only inquire about the work progress but also about things other than work. This is where you connect.
3. Do you guide or do you 'master' - A Boss gives tasks. A Leader asks you to achieve goals and uses terms like “our goals”, “we can and will achieve”.
4. Finding the faults - We all tend to lose our tempers sometimes. The leaders do too. But how to convey that to your employees and how you make them rise out of it is what counts. A Boss will scream at the employee and might also mention “pink-slips” at the drop of a hat. A Leader, though may lose his/her cool at times, will make sure that the employee understands 1) the reason behind the mistake and 2) also suggests a solution for it. Everyone makes mistakes, but as a leader you have to turn that into learning for your team.

Each and every individual in an office, starting from the guard at the gate, to the youngster stuck to his computer screen in his cubicle to the top most management busy with their never-ending meeting schedules, all form a very vital part of an organization. Each one deserves the respect they are entitled to. 

There have been instances, where individuals have gone into depression because of the treatment by their bosses.  It not only tarnishes their name but the name of the organization as well.

The number of CEO’s adopting the ideologies of a leader is increasing tremendously. Coaching employees through an assignment reaps greater benefits than criticizing the employees. Employees don’t need a person of whom they are scared; they need a guide & a mentor.

The joy of running an organization is not in bossing people around but watching them grow into better individuals under your leadership.

Time to battle the unfair means!

To get a driver's license, what you have to encounter is nothing short of a license raj- taking into consideration the slow proceedings which are, at times, marred by corruption. At least that is the general perception about the Transport Department of Delhi. However on the contrary, I had a fairly good experience the last time I visited one of these offices.

Where people usually say that getting a driving license is not an easy task, I believe if one fulfills the criteria set by the Government, it won’t seem like a herculean task. Due to increase in the number of drunken & underage driving accidental cases across India, the process of acquiring a license has to be more strict and rigorous.

This is of course one such example, but with time I have been witness to many changes in the Government organizations. We all can observe the change in the workings of various governmental bodies if only we remove the elements of pre-judged assumptions from our mind. From standing in long queues for hours on end, to sitting for a written test and further appearing for a driving test, the usual process has become longer and tedious.  But at least it is way better than bribing a tout and getting the license even without taking a test. The process though seems long, but we fail to acknowledge that the more thorough the procedure, the better the chances of a clean system being prevalent.

Recently when I had gone to get a new photo identity card, I ensured to undertake the correct steps as usual, even though the process was time consuming. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I no longer needed to wait for long neither was there any back & forth trips to the various desks. It made me wonder, now that the processes are becoming smoother with time, this should definitely encourage people to take the correct route rather than the “shorter” route of taking favors. Every citizen must undergo the crucial process involved and refrain themselves from taking up the simpler path as it further complicates the situation.

To resolve the problem and make things easier, people consider that bribery is the only solution. They are ready to shell some extra money at the cost of correct functioning of the system. The system has been digitized and new training and testing facilities are being implemented that will facilitate in speeding up various procedures of these organizations. I strongly believe that no compromises should be made when it comes to contributing to the development of our nation.

I have seen various steps towards changes over the past few years, but there is still a lot to be achieved as the world cannot change overnight. But it is up to us to undertake the responsibility; after all we must be the change we want to see in the world.  

They want action! They want results!

Outspoken, technology-dependent, easily influenced, materialistic – this is how the media and society at large usually describe the current generation of young adults in India. They might be right to some extent, but there’s an alternate side to this younger generation – they’re courageous and purposeful. And hungry for change!

Media’s portrayal of youth, more often than not, settles around the areas concerned with increasing violence and crimes across the country. But it at times fails to showcase the path that the youth is taking to bring about a change in the society.  

India’s population today stands at 1.25 billion with 54% in the 25 year age bracket; certainly everything is not as gloomy as it is made out to be.

Invigorating and inspiring times provide ample opportunities for individuals to use their inner strength to maximum potency. With the ‘I-can-do’ attitude of today’s youth, achieving dreams is no longer a distant goal for them. If one has to look at growth and development in our country, the credit has to go to the youth, for they have been fighting all odds to make it to the top. The young men and women have always taken a step forward in addressing challenges of national concern irrespective of the returns they may anticipate.

The world witnessed the aftermath of the gruesome gang-rape of physiotherapist in Delhi. Screaming at the top of their voices, battling the lathi charge, braving the water cannons, enough and more campaigns and protests were led by the fearless young who shook the nation and the people in power.

Also, looking at India’s many progressive industries namely IT, infrastructure, retail and real estate that are leading the world by example, youth definitely is the backbone of our future economy, global presence and political stability.

The youth of our country shall also be considered as being the agents of change. They set the catalyst effect which propels the governments of any time and location to tremble and set their focus back on the future of the country. They have been very responsible in situations that are critical and tough which require national level attention.

In a sense, I’m counting on the youth of today. I believe that their actions will have consequences. Their efforts will make a difference.

To quote American president Franklin D Roosevelt, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”

Are You Investing Wisely?

Owning a house is a dream shared by millions in our country, starting from the middle class to the super rich. Of course, the magnitude and the size of owning a property might differ, but the emotion behind the thought remains the same. In today’s scenario, a majority of property buyers opt for a home loan to fund their first homes in India. So once the decision of owning a dream house is made, then the next step of the process of applying for a home loan begins. Ensuring that every aspect is taken care of and then subsequently comparing your decision with the trends prevailing in the real estate market is a hard task.  Many things have to be taken into account such as - the current rate of interest on home loans, impending hike/ fall in interest rates.

Inflation plays a pivotal role in driving the interest rates up or down. This further drives the home loan rates. A rising inflation rate tends to increase the rates on loans. The cost of funds for banks increases, which further leads to an increase in home loan base rates, along with other loan rates, and consequently a raise in EMIs.

Additionally, the rapid increase in interest rates impacts existing loans in one of two ways – either the loan installment (EMI) goes up or the tenure of the loan (in months) increases, keeping the EMI installment constant. For some borrowers, the increase in installment can prove to be too high which could cause them to tip over and default. This holds true for those borrowers who have low incomes, given the inflation in food and various other household products. Thus, the higher interest rates can in turn precipitate non-payment amongst those borrowers who were good up until now.

New buyers must take time before deciding on the home loan plan - fixed or floating loan rates. This is important, in case they choose a fixed rate it would be beneficial in case of rising interest rate expectation and the opposite holds true for floating rates. Also, individuals tend to wait for the interest rates to come down and postpone their buying to lock in good rates.

However, many banks do not always pass on the benefits of a falling interest rate to an existing borrower but would always increase the interest rates overnight. Interestingly a bank always focuses more on acquiring a new customer at a cheaper rate than incentivizing an existing customer. This is because once the home loan borrower has been locked at a particular rate, any exit options comes at a cost to the bank which is wholly passed on to the borrower. This can get tricky for the non-savvy borrowers. New investors must be wary of such gimmicks and thoroughly weigh options which suit their needs and budget and take into account increasing interest costs.

I always believe that it is personally better to go with floating rates especially when the government is able to rein in inflation to less than 6% and thus brings down the base lending rates to banks, which further passed on to the borrowers just as quickly. That would be the best for everyone but somehow, I don’t see that happening very often. And like the rest, I am happy to have a house in the end, despite the bureaucratic stigma of Interest rates and never ending EMI’s.