What a moment for BJP ! Total sweep literally in Maharashtra state assembly elections. What a comeback in Maharashtra! Hopefully this is runup for the 2029 all India Lok Sabha (parliamentary ) elections. Well done BJP and PM Shri Narendra Modi ji! Much deserved win, a reward for good administration.
Category: Socio-Political-Economic
A little too late, still better late than never…
Watching Amaran, felt my blood boil as Indian armed forces were denied the basics such as bulletproof vests and bulletproof vehicles even as they guarded the Line of Control securing our borders. Something as fundamental as a bulletproof jacket could have saved the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan. Our armed forces faced the worst and most hostile adversaries: the Pakistanis and the Chinese armed to their teeth. Our services are poorest paymasters. Only in recent times, ever since PM Shri Narendra Modi ji took over as our prime minister, our armed forces are getting their due.
Better late than never:
For decades, the Indian jawan fought our enemies without proper security backup such as bulletproof vests or bulletproof vehicles. Its only since 2018, they have access to these lifesaving basics. PM Modi also implemented the long pending OROP, the One rank one pension scheme irrespective of the cadre a defence personnel serves as and his retirement date from services. This is a massive reform aimed at benefiting the veterans.
Sheer harassment awaits you on Arrival at Chennai Airport.
ATTENTION PRIME MINSTER SHRI NARENDRA MODI JI PMO
When I flew in the first week of September, things were as usual at Chennai International. I got picked up comfortably at the terminal arrival T2. When I returned to Chennai Domestic after a local trip by the last week, already dead tired, I had no awareness what a nightmare awaited me.
I was asked to take a buggy to the multistory parking lot a km away. Sounded simple. Now this is the new pickup point for Ola, Uber, pre-paid airport taxis or even private cars. Those who want to transfer to Chennai Metro Rail can always do so from within the airport without having to step out – whether domestic or international. Both have direct connectivity to Metro.
But the problem is, you reach your destination after a tiring travel. There is not a regulated queue for the buggy. I was a lone traveler. I have health issues, I am middle aged, and I can never haul weights. Maximum I can pull up my bags from the conveyor belt and shift them to the low level trolleys. Mostly at this, I am helped at by fellow passengers. The buggy line is long, if at all there is one. People rush to get into the buggy not wanting to wait their turns. Absolute chaos with no discipline or order. Those with light cases manage easily to board the buggy flinging their bags to the holdall in the back. I had a great difficulty hauling my bags on to the back of the buggy that cannot hold big suitcases. Mine had to be put on top jutting out and shaking all the way. Moreover mixed luggages of passengers are piled up precariously one on top of another. I saw ladies struggle to haul their bags to the buggy and get in at the same time. By the time some women successfully placed their trolley bags over the buggy, their seat in the buggy was taken. With the buggy full and leaving without them but with their bags, the women were perplexed. After over 20 minutes of trying to get into one, I summoned someone probably in-charge there to help me. Finally a kind man hauled my luggages to the back of the buggy and I could take a seat in the buggy at the same time. But not after a terrible argument with the driver of the buggy. That by itself was a feat. It took me over 30 minutes just to get from outside the terminal to the parking lot. Here you have multistorey parking and the cars are parked at various levels. You have to take an elevator to reach whatever floor, in case of prepaid taxis. God knows where to wait for Uber. I was told the waiting place was the same as the uber/ola drivers only could drive through. Such a confusion and MESS. Totally harassed.
I thought the international terminal would be different. My husband who traveled last month went through the same nightmare on landing at T2. Early morning, no buggy was available. Trolleys cannot be wheeled beyond a point. He called his cabbie who thankfully walked upto the terminal from the parking. Both of them wheeled the suitcases for over a good half to one km to the parking lot at morning 3 am. It totally drained his energy. Is this what to expect on landing in our hometown after a tired journey. In my case, even if the buggy may be available, I just can’t haul the bags to that height of the buggy holdall. My international flight bags weigh over 18 to 20 kg each. What am I going to do. What brainless people have put such a harrowing system into place? Its not only impractical, it is sheer harassment, nightmare. This is now going on for over 2 months and I wonder whoever has registered an official complaint.
If for security reasons the government wants to keep the taxies and cars at bay at the parking lot, then something like a shuttle bus must be arranged where there must be conductors to handle luggages. I have seen such a system in place in the US. One can board the shuttle to reach parking lots as far as few kilometers without hassles.
Hopefully by the time I return the old way of exiting airport is back. I give up, I just can’t. Wonder how the wheelchair passengers cope up. Its not a straight level ride with their carts to the parking at all. A lot of work needs to be done on warfooting basis. Airport authority need not have to turn our airport into 5 star hotel. At least the basics they must take care of. What is the use of building a swanky new airport and putting passengers through sheer harassment on arrival. Basic amenities must be covered first. You see the airports in the US. They keep the artefacts there in museums not in airports. Airport can be plain but functional and user-friendly. Arrival in Chennai is now a big headache be it international or domestic.
No more IT exemption to Catholic clergy in India
In a landmark decision the Supreme court of India upheld the waiving of exemption from income taxes to nuns and priests of the Catholic church serving in educational institutions, thus bringing the practice from the British era to an end. The catholic clergy in all filed over 93 appeals seeking reversal.
https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-court-ends-tax-exemption-for-catholic-priests-nuns/106944
This really made my day! #beinghindu
Sincere, academic and profession oriented, hardworking, going home straight from work than hitting a liquor bar, going home to family everyday, disciplined, selfless, sacrificing, family oriented, CULTURED in true spirit – truly these are the characteristics of most Hindus. This i am saying after having lived abroad on and off for a quarter century, mixing with foreign cultures. Mainly Hindus don’t disturb others and let them be. That’s a great testimony we have here.
If India is poor, this land is lived in for 10000 years and seen the golden age for centuries. The streets we walk in are centuries old. The temples we visit are 2000 years plus ancient. Poor in only aspects important to the west. NEVER POOR when it comes to what really matters. More than our streets, our lives must be clean. More than the material wealth, our lives must be rich with culture and heritage passed down for millennia.
Why I changed my mind on Amazon and Swiggy.
In Middle east where we are based, I was struck with a very severe viral fever when I ran a temperature of 108 F for a continuous 10 day period. I needed at least two IV injections. Even so, my temperature would be back within 2 hours. I don’t know where I picked up this virus early this year = whether from mall or from our walking in the parks. Later I was told that most of the residents had received a vaccination for this mysterious virus that I didn’t. Many were falling sick and some required hospitalization.
In this period I was asked to have ORS for regaining my lost strength, being a vegetarian. My problem is that I am borderline diabetic. I am not on any pill but I am not supposed to take direct sugar as much as possible = and that too something equal to glucose. I try to keep control by adopting lifestyle changes. Sugarfree ORS was not available over the counter or by order anywhere in Middle East. I was forced to have the ORS with sugar pumped in in generous millies ! The doctor who attended me told me that ORS sugarfree possibly was available in India. Market in India is vast that there is nothing that is not available. I made a mental note to get it during my next home visit.
I asked for sugarfree ORS in pharmacies but nobody had it including the Apollo. There I placed my order, just in case, because they normally source it from others if they don’t stock it. The pharmacist told me only the tetrapacks of 100 ml were available. ORS tetrapack sounded funny even if priced at 45 bucks one pack. Again, you cannot take liquids abroad beyond 1 liter by air. The tetrapacks came in handy whenever I came home from a harsh sun, chilled in my fridge.
During this visit I searched the Amazon and was surprised as well as shocked to note that a whole long list of sugarfree ORS is available as sachets to be dissolved in a glass of water – just the like the sugared ORS sachets I found in Doha. More than delighted. We don’t take the Glucon D kind of thing regularly but when we feel extremely week after travel etc., drained of our energies, this can come in handy.
I don’t regularly order food from Swiggy but their Instamart definitely benefits me. Even the quality of vegetables and fruits is good. Within 10 to 20 minutes maximum on order, I get the subji. We can order the veggies after turning on the gas stove! Living in a polluted metro like Chennai which is also dug up entirely for Metrorail expansion plans facing the wrath of the monsoons at the same time, Instamart is a godsend with quickest service time. For working couples, it can’t get better.
Ten to fifteen years back, I used to order kurtis (rarely) online from those like Jabong. My books were ordered from Flipkart. Flipkart sold out to Walmart. Myntra is owned by Flipkart. Jabong sold out to Myntra. Why should these desis sell out to Amazon and Walmart and bow out. They make a quick profit and then they make a beeline for exit. Big global brand thrive on REINVESTMENT, not on selling the business once you make a landfall. Ploughing back of profits into the trade is the business mantra that our Indian entrepreneurs fail to grasp.
Compared to Ola I have also felt that Uber has better discipline and working ethics. Learn what is best from others.
I have reached the age where comfort and service matter to me most for which I am willing to pay the right price. If the Indian service providers fall short of standards, it is their problem.
Tata’s used to be grotesque car 15-20 years back. But both Tata and Mahindra upgraded themselves and they are the fastest selling India=made sedans and suvs in India today that are also being exported. Their steel and safety features have earned them 5 star rating.
https://www.acko.com/car-guide/safest-cars-in-india/
At least 5 of the top 10 safest cars in India are now India made.
I also notice that Amazon sources its supplies from numerous small sellers and traders. India Mart is there as well but here, you have to bulk-order. India Mart is mostly for wholesalers. Amazon allows for lowest unit of order.
Would rather put my faith and trust on Amazon and Walmart than on Ambani and Adani!
Ratan Tata leaves behind a matchless legacy.
Ratan Tata is no more. A son of India like none other. A visionary who took India forward step by step. His global conglomerate employs millions across the world. The legacy he leaves behind is immense and matchless. A huge fan of Tata both for his ETHICAL business ways and for the humanitarian he was. Men like these are born once in a millennium. After looking at the likes of Elon Musk etc., you reckon why men like Tata matter more for not just India but for the entire universe. An aspect called decency: that sets apart Tata from crude others. We have also had the Ramdev kind of so-called spiritual entrepreneurs. We have witnessed in recent past the rise and fall of the Patanjali Ayurved he founded as a practising yogi! Tata to me was also a yogi, only not in saffron robes. Men like Ratan Tata won’t have a punar janam (rebirth) but if he must, may he be reborn in Bharat/India again and again. Thank you so much Tata ji for what you gave back our ancient motherland. Words cannot describe what I feel from the bottom of heart, for you. Go in peace. But bless Bharat from wherever you are. A life so well lived in public service. Patriotism can take different shades. Like Tata’s for instance. What a selfless life! Business tycoons need not have to be always as brash as the Ambanis and as selfish as the Adanis who are profit motivated and nothing more. Industrial corporations need not have be as ruthless. Somewhere there can be a middle ground. There are those like the Tata group who still engage in ethical businesses who are the reason Bharat is still ticking. My heart feels heavy losing you Ratan ji even if I am aware, all of us have to come to this day sometime. Losing you is like losing a precious diamond. A real Ratan. There is not an area of economy that you have not touched. Its news to me that Tata even brought out the first CBS India cassette recording Nazia and Zoheb Hassan from across the border bringing them international fame. You brought respectability to this country, acquiring foreign manufacturing industries and firms. From TCS (Tata consultancy service (IT company)) and Air India to star hotels to Tata manufactured sedans with Tata buying out international brands like Jaguar of UK and Tetley tea, to Tata steel (that acquired Corus steel) to Tata telecom – and even those like Tata tea, Tanishq (designer jewelry brand) and Westside (fashion and accessories), you have carved a niche for yourself (Tata brand) in (gold) standard in the business world. You leave behind big shoes hard to fill. You are inspiration Ratan ji for generations of Indians. The biggest take away from you for all of us is that, you can keep your ethics and still make it a viable trade; you can engage in selfless public service and still run industrial corporations and manufacturing industries. You can transform societies if you have the will.
Work stress takes it toll.
When 26 year old Anna Sebastian Peraiyil, a chartered accountant working for EY India, succumbed to work stress, it shed light on the prevailing toxic work culture we have in India. Not long ago, Infosys chairman Shri Narayana Murthy went on record saying that Indian youth must be ready to work for 70 hours a week. The founder of Infosys which became the first INdian MNC to be listed in Nasdaq is under fire ever since he made his controversial statement. There can’t be a better time to rethink the work-life balance that is precariously titled so far as careers with Indian corporates are concerned. Anna worked for over 12-15 hours a day including during weekends. She complained of a chest congestion and died within minutes on her way to hospital in an ambulance. Overworked and underpaid being the destiny of hundreds of thousands of young men and women, currently we have the most disillusioned generation in the history of the country who have lost the light in their eyes with early burnout syndrome. We have the younger people opting out of marriage and parenthood and putting material welfare ahead of personal life. Work stress and nonstop chasing of deadlines have driven the IT engineers especially towards dope culture which is an open secret. Social and economic development at what cost? Ambitious young Indians are dropping dead like never before to heart attack and cardiac arrest thanks to the toxic work culture that is the prevailing norm. We have PG medical interns and IITians committing suicide unable to cope up with burgeoning stress. It is time to streamline not only the corporate work culture in India but also take a second look at the grueling routine of interns and freshers in other fields of employment, with effective government policies put in place.
India’s Bangladesh Headache.
Why should the head of an Islamic state seek asylum in India, the Hindu country. Why couldn’t Sheikh Hasina flee to Pakistan or Saudi. What made Dalai Lama seek asylum in India. What made the Jews and Zoroastrians feel safe in India. That is the beauty of Sanathana Dharma, Hinduism, that eschews violence and adharma. Bharat is a sanctuary to all those repressed and on the run.
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How to push back the waves and waves of immigrants battering down the border. The spillover to India is going to have an immediate impact on our border states. Hindus are turning into minority in the seven sister eastern states of India with illegal Bangladeshi immigrants legalizing their residency and taking over villages. Its against the natural setting of predominantly Hindu India. The Rohingya muslims have made Kashmir their home. These disturbing factors are going to work against the majority Hindu state very soon as the muslim population in India thanks to unchecked refugee inflow is going to tip the already precariously balanced apple cart. In the state of Kerala we may be having a situation. Hindus have been reduced to mere 33% or even less and without family planning, the Kerala muslim population seems to have exploded. Wherever the native population has to dip, it is not going to bring in good news. The democracy of India in incumbent upon the demography of India. Hindus continue to have one or two kids maximum. Funny I don’t think that the idea of installation of Bhairava temples in the borders of India is strange at all, as suggested by a renowned Tantrik. With age you believe 100% in holistic ways to find remedy for situations including political and defence matters. With the Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina in India seeking asylum (hopefully on her way to UK), expect some 1.3 crore Bangladeshi Hindus to be hunted down by violent mobs. Any trigger in their political system, the Bangladeshi Hindus face instant backlash – with the women raped and the men murdered in the cold blood. Even temples get demolished and the temple priests hacked to death. The priests are the chief targets. All this for what? India investing heavily in Bangladesh. Bangladeshis given medical visas to get subsidized cataract surgery to cancer treatment in India. Our hospitals are teeming with their patients.
What kind of a state is that the head of the state must flee for life. This is not how masses in mature democracies conduct their affairs. Mass public looting looks scary. Most Islamic countries are societies where jungle laws prevail and the mob unrest is allowed to progress to extreme levels of even ousting the head of the state. Protests may be viewed legal so far as they remain peaceful and don’t turn violent causing damage to lives and public property. Arson is simply inadmissible. There seems to be a collapse of law and order in Bangladesh.
Had this conversation with a Zara shop girl. I said the quality of Zara is not what it used to be. The Filipino girl who was billing, whose face I don’t remember, said that is because the denim is now from Bangladesh NOT India and even the t shirts and tops were. To cut costs Zara moved factory to Bangladesh as India is expensive. Result: quality compromise. This is very much apparent in last few years. For a fact I shop for brands only when there is a sale. Even Zara fittings have gone haywire.
Why can’t nations take care of themselves and not disturb other societies. India needs to seal her borders and if possible install a barbed wire fence. This is where I can appreciate Trump! It is also time to check the sops offered to Bangladeshi citizens in India while our own are poor. Modi government must remember: whatever you do to this kind of society is WASTED. It will be naive of India to expect gratitude or understanding from Bangladesh or Maldives because they are not Hindus. At the end of the day they will belong with the Umma. In Tamil we say ‘vizhalukku iraitha neer.’ If Tamil nadu once upon a time had Srilankan refugees, they were all Hindus and they were very eager to get back to the island nation once things cooled down. Every single one of them has left the Indian soil. That is it about Hindus. While we can empathize with Bangladeshi Hindus whose ancestors have faced worst and violent brutality of the masses, India cannot take on 1.3 crore of them. Plus in the garb of the Hindus it will be mostly the Bangladeshi muslims who will be sneaking in.
This is just the first acid test. SEcond test will be when Pakistan may break up (eventually). That is going to be the defining moment for India. The breakup of Pakistan with refugees knocking at our doors could threaten us with a breakup as well. Guess in one of my posts I have expressed this concern of just not me but most Indians. India is sandwiched between two very violent and bloody and poor and backward Islamic nations. Its going to consume every single ounce of our nerves to plan and be ready for such a situation. I hope the country will be then in good hands like Modi’s. If a rat like Rahul Gandhi must be in charge, then forget Bharat Matha. What the mugals could not do, what the British could not do – this maniac will do ushering in the death of India and extinction of Hindus with his cunning and ulteriorly motivated stewardship.
Who can change destiny. I believe even nations have destiny. From since I read the book ‘Sapiens’ by Yuvah Noah Harari, the best way out of Hindus is to go extinct like the Parsis than live in a world run by ….
Both Kamala and Usha have their roots in Chennai, India.
Kamala Harris and Usha Vance both have their roots in my hometown Chennai, India. I can give this to them being a south Indian woman myself 😀 : They must have substance! Its American politics so its alien subject for me. Another Indian origin man with roots in south India Vivek Ramaswamy was also in the fray but bowed out. The three have not reached this level in the US without merit. Kudos to the Indian American community! Recently Elon Musk heaped praise on Indian origin engineer Ashok Elluswamy for being the reason behind auto pilot innovations in Tesla. Way to go! Another Indian origin NASA astronomer Sunita Williams is caught up in trouble in the space. Let us hope and pray she lands safe.
vijiravindran's 