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I always imagine in a beautiful place,with lots of light, room in a cool place. It isn’t chilly but cold like Shimla etc. I would just read, read and write. I can’t imagine anything else. Just coffee, books, pen and me writing. Just like when I watched “finding neverland” . the beauty of thoughts make my eyes wet. The gratness of raising above ur present is having a good effect on me. Is there anywhere I should reach? Its all in my mind.
Im trying to write. I am trying to think. Thinking of the beauty, sadness, frustration, ambition, desperation. My words will reflect that. I wont cheat , I promise

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Believe in all. In India that is up to them. It all depends upon the person to an extend. But what about the world in large? It all depends upon the person, wherever he/she resides.

But believe in god. That is the only thing I have to say. No matter if you are a Muslim or Christian or a Hindu or whatever religion you believe in. the stress is always on god. If you don’t believe in god, the problem is with you, not me. I don’t say that you should believe in god, it is up to you, but give respect to everything. From Taj Mahal to Egyptian pyramids, you have to. Give respect to individuals. He/she may be Gandhi or he/she maybe no one at the moment. But you don’t know his or her future. I was an example. I was nobody before hand. But an accident turned all. My mother came from gulf area. My brothers were worried about me. Now I am safe, to an extent. I believe in god, but not only because of that I was saved, but to do something for this world.

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It was a rare confrontation. The educated, elite students of India took the law in their hands. The objective was to protest against the reservation policy that was to be implemented-a brainchild of a union minister, disguised as a plan for the upliftement of backward classes. Though it was a rare scene, it was not that surprising. Every body knew someone would pick the matter and revolt. When most of the political parties supported the bill, it was left to the students to call the shots. But, they did it in a magnificent way, and to such an extent that now, I am ashamed about the whole episode. The students along other protestors took the goal a much more important thing than the means. What could have a historic protest ended up being an offensive, shameful incident. The protesting student community showed its true colour in front of the media as well as to the whole of India. Thanks to the over excited media, the protestors got wide coverage and not even a single episode was left unnoticed by the public.
May be the protesting students are too young to realize the implications of the means adopted by them. It may sound absurd to most of them who believes that the goal is important than the means to achieve them. It may sound spineless to this rebelling generation-without a cause, to protest but with dignity and respect to colleagues and society.
As far as I am concerned, I am against any kind of reservation, anywhere in the world. Let the deserved get the applause and not the reserved. It is like what some feminists ask for. They call for gender equality but they need separate seats in the bus and separate queues. It is a paradoxical situation and does not have a solution. However, right now, the discussion is about the means adopted and not the pros and cons of reservation. So, coming back to the subject, how can any one, justify the show by the protestors. Coming out with brooms and faking as farmers and fruit vendors, with their white coat on, doesn’t augur well for the nation and it speaks how bad the education system in India still is. Doesn’t it also show how corrupted their minds are? Let us forget the highly educated Indians, and take into consideration the lower middle class and backward class. Even they will agree with the fact that the entire episode lost its meaning by very sarcastic acts like these.
There have been many incidents wherein students in medical colleges were made targets of sarcastic jokes and mental torture because they belonged to the backward or other backward classes. It is to be remembered that these students are the future doctors and engineers. These are the students who have the responsibility to carry forward the development of the nation. These students, in future, will be considered only next to God by the patients and by a bulk of Indians.
It is a sad situation wherein these semi-gods are exposed. It is publicized that these semi-gods have their thoughts deep rooted in discrimination as well as apathy towards other’s rights and feelings. If they had even the slightest of accountability towards the public, if they had the slightest of awareness of the patient’s agony, they would not have resorted to such highly condemnable acts. The act of neglecting their prime duty of attending to the patients shows the indifferent attitude of the present crop of medical students. Is the pain of the patient nothing to a medical student? Is the responsibility towards the protest and the protesters significant than towards the hundreds of poor patients?
Questions are in plenty. Each can respond to suit their standpoints. Nevertheless, let us not forget the big picture in which these protesting students, backward and other backward students, politicians, patients, media as well as the future of the nation fit in. We should take care so as not to offend anyone. Each has its own fears and worries. Every thing should be taken into account. Let us bear in mind that each one is integral to the nation. Let each one of us do our duty properly. Only then, try to discuss even about others. Let the politicians do their job and not of educationalists. Let the students study and not be lawbreakers and let the reservationists become deservers.

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THE WANDERER

I met him at the crossroads, a man with but a cloak and a staff, and a veil of pain upon his face. And we greeted one another, and I said to him, "Come to my house and be my guest."
And he came.
My wife and my children met us at the threshold, and he smiled at them, and they loved his coming.
Then we all sat together at the board and we were happy with the man for there was a silence and a mystery in him.
And after supper we gathered to the fire and I asked him about his wanderings.
He told us many a tale that night and also the next day, but what I now record was born out of the bitterness of his days though he himself was kindly, and these tales are of the dust and patience of his road.
And when he left us after three days we did not feel that a guest had departed but rather that one of us was still out in the garden and had not yet come in.

GARMENTS

Upon a day Beauty and Ugliness met on the shore of a sea. And they said to one another, "Let us bathe in the sea."
Then they disrobed and swam in the waters. And after a while Ugliness came back to shore and garmented himself with the garments of Beauty and walked away.
And Beauty too came out of the sea, and found not her raiment, and she was too shy to be naked, therefore she dressed herself with the raiment of Ugliness. And Beauty walked her way.
And to this very day men and women mistake the one for the other.
Yet some there are who have beheld the face of Beauty, and they know her notwithstanding her garments. And some there be who know the face of Ugliness, and the cloth conceals him not from their eyes.

THE EAGLE AND THE SKYLARK

A skylark and an eagle met on a rock upon a high hill. The skylark said, "Good morrow to you, Sir." And the eagle looked down upon him and said faintly, "Good morrow."
And the skylark said, "I hope all things are well with you, Sir."
"Aye," said the eagle, "all is well with us. But do you not know that we are the king of birds, and that you shall not address us before we ourselves have spoken?"
Said the skylark, "Methinks we are of the same family."
The eagle looked upon him with disdain and he said, "Who ever has said that you and I are of the same family?"
Then said the shylark, "But I would remind you of this, I can fly even as high as you, and I can sing and give delight to the other creatures of this earth. And you give neither pleasure nor delight."
Then the eagle was angered, and he said, "Pleasure and delight! You little presumptuous creature! With one thrust of my beak I could destroy you. You are but the size of my foot."
Then the skylark flew up and alighted upon the back of the eagle and began to pick at his feathers. The eagle was annoyed, and he flew swift and high that he might rid himself of the little bird. But he failed to do so. At last he dropped back to that very rock upon the high hill, more fretted than ever, with the little creature still upon his back, and cursing the fate of the hour.
Now at that moment a small turtle came by and laughed at the sight, and laughed so hard the she almost turned upon her back.
And the eagle looked down upon the turtle and he said, "You slow creeping thing, ever one with the earth, what are you laughing at?"
And the turtle said, "Why I see that you are turned horse, and that you have a small bird riding you, but the small bird is the better bird."
And the eagle said to her, "Go you about your business. This is a family affair between my brother, the lark, and myself."

GOD AND MANY GODS

In the city of Kilafis a sophist stood on the steps of the Temple and preached many gods. And the people said in their hearts, "We know all this. Do they not live with us and follow us wherever we go?"
Not long after, another man stood in the market place and spoke unto the people and said, "There is no god." And many who heard him were glad of his tidings, for they were afraid of gods.
And upon another day there came a man of great eloquence, an he said, "There is but one God." And now the people were dismayed for in their hearts they feared the judgment of one God more than that of many gods.
That same season there came yet another man, and he said to the people, "There are three gods, and they dwell upon the wind as one, and they have a vast and gracious mother who is also their mate and their sister."
Then everyone was comforted, for they said in their secret, "three gods in one must needs disagree over our failings, and besides, their gracious mother will surely be an advocate for us poor weaklings."
Yet even to this day there are those in the city of Kilafis who wrangle and argue with each other about many gods and no god, and one god and three gods in one, and a gracious mother of gods.

SHE WHO WAS DEAF

Once there lived a rich man who had a young wife, and she was stone deaf.
And upon a morning when they were breaking their feast, she spoke to him and she said, "Yesterday I visited the market place, and there were exibited silken raiment from Damascus, and cover chiefs from India, necklaces from Persia, and bracelets from Yamman. It seems that the caravans had but just brought these things to our city. Now behold me, in rags, yet the wife of a rich man. I would have some of those beautiful things."
The husband, still busy with his morning coffee said, "My dear, there is no reason why you should not go down to the Street and buy all that your heart may desire."
And the deaf wife said, "'No!' You always say, 'No, no.' Must I needs appear in tatters among our friends to shame your wealth and my people?"
And the husband said, "I did not say, 'No.' You may go forth freely to the market place and purchase the most beautiful apparel and jewels that have come to our city."
Again the wife mis-read his words, and she replied, "Of all rich men you are the most miserly. You would deny me everything of beauty and loveliness, while other women of my age walk the gardens of the city clothed in rich raiment."
And she began to weep. And as her tears fell upon her breast she cried out again, "You always say, 'Nay, nay' to me when I desire a garment or a jewel."
Then the husband was moved, and he stood up, took out of his purse a handful of gold, and placed it before her, saying in a kindly voice, "Go down to the market place, my dear, and buy all that you will."
From that day onward the deaf young wife, whenever she desired anything, would appear before her husband with a pearly tear in her eye, and he in silence would take out a handful of gold and place it in her lap.
Now, it changed that the young woman fell in love with a youth whose habit it was to make long journeys. And whenever he was away she would sit in her casement and weep.
When her husband found her thus weeping, he would say in his heart, "There must be some new caraven, and some silken garments and rare jewels in the Street."
And he would take a handful of gold and place it before her.

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SHOW ME THE MONEY
(Most popular movie quote, #1, with female respondents)

FRANKLY, MY DEAR, I DON’T GIVE A DAMN
(4th most popular for respondents under 26 years of age)

GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY
(2nd most popular movie quote for respondents over 50 years of age)

I HAVE HEMORRHOIDS SMARTER THAN YOU
(only one person listed it, but it was so funny we had to put it in this news release.
It’s from the 1994 sci-fi western, Oblivion

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Next day, I went to college. I was shocked to see hundreds of nuns in my college. I thought they were going to conduct some gospel classes. But…the faces were similar. Yes, those were all my friends. Why did they look like nuns? Somebody told me that it was a precautionary step to keep the girls safe from boys, to keep them away from provocative actions from guys like me. It was called ‘dress-code’. Those dresses were not figure hugging, doesn’t reveal anything and was in tune with our culture. BU guys thought if I see a girl in t-shirt and jeans I will loose all control. They took the song ‘loose control’ in its literal meaning. Real nuns now look sexier than these BU girls. How I wish I was back in Montessori school where we used to play together. I saw new staircases being built so that we had separate ways. I wondered if I was supposed to marry a girl or a guy in future. If that was the case, I would become a gay. Girls would be aliens to us in one year.

One day I went to jog falls. One girl slipped and fell into a deep pit. I was the only ‘young’ guy around so everyone told me to help her. I was scared. First I asked her if she belonged to BU. She said ‘yes’. Ah, how can I help her? She is a BU product. The university insists that a girl should always get help from a girl. A boy is not supposed to talk to her, walk with her nor touch her. Now, should I help her? I told her that I will get a paper which she will have to sigh, saying that it was with her permission that I touched her, talked, and helped. I don’t want to be debarred form BU! I thought I will break the rule in the name of humanity (a great adventure). Before I turned to get a paper, she got herself out of the pit and gave a scorned look of her lifetime. What can I do; I’m just another law abiding BU product. And, self help is the best help.

Today I am very busy. All these media people are coming for interviews and all. I’m almost 85 years old, but still very healthy because of all the running I made during my BU days to get assignments corrected and to correct my certificates. Now I am called prankish (original name is Prakash) because some illiterate guy wrote so on my BU certificate. Tell me who was prankish; me or the BU guy. Now, I am a Guinness world record holder for not talking to a female for the maximum number of years. All my friends have died; otherwise I would have got competitors. Last year discovery channel did a study on a particular species called ex-BU students. These animals never talk to the opposite sex, even after marriage. The females wear peculiar dresses found only in the pre-historic era.
But my life is smooth because I married a BU girl. So we never talk. No quarrels and no divorce. If there is any problem, we just go to the ‘BU After Effects’ help desk. I wonder what would have happened to my life if there was no Bangalore University. Thanks BU.

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These bad experiences which manifest as bad memories give me the energy to move forward. The good memories are there to cherish. They don’t make my eyes wet nor kindles a fire in my belly. I trust these bad memories. They are the truth. They are not fakes. Nobody can act bad or give fake insults. Its on your face, it’s the truth. These are little pieces of candy one will carry for the whole life. What is there to carry throughout life except memories? Will you carry currencies? One day you will get allergic to those currencies. Will you carry your spouse? She/ he will be too old to carry around by then. Will you carry your books? You would have read volumes of books by that time that no single book would be able to generate your interest.

Yes, it is only these memories that one will carry around for the whole life. And isn’t nice to carry them around? The temptations you went through, the insults you were forced to take, the guilt , the tremendous amount of depression you underwent, the frustrations, and of course, a lot of joyful, satisfying moments. When I said about the fire in the belly, don’t error by linking it to vengeance. We may have been on the wrong side when somebody insulted us. May be we did something which wasn’t expected from us. Sometimes we didn’t do what was expected from us. So, it doesn’t make sense to take vengeance on those people who ridiculed us or passed insults. The fire in the belly tells us to get ahead, do things that will make people applaud you, or to attain the dreams, which seemed unattainable very long ago.

To make things clear from my part, let me say one thing; it was one of those bad memories that prompted me to write this article. Otherwise, I would have slept and would have put these precious times in trash bin. So, it is constructive. It is not a waste. It is eternal. It is one such companion who won’t part ways with you. You and I cannot escape the truth. If I try to run away from facing it, I’m a coward. I don’t want to be one. What about you, my dear friend?

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It was a rare confrontation. The educated, elite students of India took the law in their hands. The objective was to protest against the reservation policy that was to be implemented-a brainchild of a union minister, disguised as a plan for the upliftement of backward classes. Though it was a rare scene, it was not that surprising. Every body knew someone would pick the matter and revolt. When most of the political parties supported the bill, it was left to the students to call the shots. But, they did it in a magnificent way, and to such an extent that now, I am ashamed about the whole episode. The students along other protestors took the goal a much more important thing than the means. What could have a historic protest ended up being an offensive, shameful incident. The protesting student community showed its true colour in front of the media as well as to the whole of India. Thanks to the over excited media, the protestors got wide coverage and not even a single episode was left unnoticed by the public.
May be the protesting students are too young to realize the implications of the means adopted by them. It may sound absurd to most of them who believes that the goal is important than the means to achieve them. It may sound spineless to this rebelling generation-without a cause, to protest but with dignity and respect to colleagues and society.
As far as I am concerned, I am against any kind of reservation, anywhere in the world. Let the deserved get the applause and not the reserved. It is like what some feminists ask for. They call for gender equality but they need separate seats in the bus and separate queues. It is a paradoxical situation and does not have a solution. However, right now, the discussion is about the means adopted and not the pros and cons of reservation. So, coming back to the subject, how can any one, justify the show by the protestors. Coming out with brooms and faking as farmers and fruit vendors, with their white coat on, doesn’t augur well for the nation and it speaks how bad the education system in India still is. Doesn’t it also show how corrupted their minds are? Let us forget the highly educated Indians, and take into consideration the lower middle class and backward class. Even they will agree with the fact that the entire episode lost its meaning by very sarcastic acts like these.
There have been many incidents wherein students in medical colleges were made targets of sarcastic jokes and mental torture because they belonged to the backward or other backward classes. It is to be remembered that these students are the future doctors and engineers. These are the students who have the responsibility to carry forward the development of the nation. These students, in future, will be considered only next to God by the patients and by a bulk of Indians.
It is a sad situation wherein these semi-gods are exposed. It is publicized that these semi-gods have their thoughts deep rooted in discrimination as well as apathy towards other’s rights and feelings. If they had even the slightest of accountability towards the public, if they had the slightest of awareness of the patient’s agony, they would not have resorted to such highly condemnable acts. The act of neglecting their prime duty of attending to the patients shows the indifferent attitude of the present crop of medical students. Is the pain of the patient nothing to a medical student? Is the responsibility towards the protest and the protesters significant than towards the hundreds of poor patients?
Questions are in plenty. Each can respond to suit their standpoints. Nevertheless, let us not forget the big picture in which these protesting students, backward and other backward students, politicians, patients, media as well as the future of the nation fit in. We should take care so as not to offend anyone. Each has its own fears and worries. Every thing should be taken into account. Let us bear in mind that each one is integral to the nation. Let each one of us do our duty properly. Only then, try to discuss even about others. Let the politicians do their job and not of educationalists. Let the students study and not be lawbreakers and let the reservationists become deservers.

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Click to join expressionists

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He traveled 47,000 kilometers a year by road in addition to rail and air travel.
That will come to about 128 kilometers per day. He meets at least a 1,000 people every day at
home and office. His website got 1, 00,000 hits. I am not talking about an industrialist. I am
not talking about any president of the western world and I am not talking about any rock star. I
am talking about a very simple, humble man from the town of Puthupally. He is Mr. Oommen
Chandy, the beloved chief minister of Kerala.
One can get baffled by the statistics given above. But it is true as well as
unbelievable. Why should a chief minister of a tiny state like Kerala travel so much? Why is he
meeting so many people and what are they coming for? Why is his website getting such a
tremendous response?
The answer is very simple. It is because his actions speak louder than his
words. He has got a vision and he will go that extra mile to achieve all what is possible for his
gods own country.His beginning was on a soft note. He didn’t appeared to be a man who can
change the future ok Kerala. Rather, he appeared to be a safe bet till the next assembly
elections. But slowly he started his work. Strong moves against Mr. Karunakaran, made him
powerful in the congress. The party workers who wanted an end to all the problems within the
party rallied behind him. UDF was cleansed and unwanted elements were removed. The front
became strong and more united. But it virtually divided the party into two.

Mass Contact Programme

He came up with a very novel idea of reaching out to the people to know their problems. Rather than
to sit inside his air conditioned closet, he chose to bear the rising mercury. He went to meet the
people. He went to the places where no other chief minister had ever gone. He traveled 47,000 Kms
in one year by road to know the problems of the state. He got 203200 petitions, mostly through
the mass contact program.
That comes to about 556 petitions per day. He solved 42151 petitions out of the 96961 he got
through mass contact programs. He got 3821 petitions via call centre and 2200 by website. He
became a representative of the people of Kerala who no longer was prepared to tolerate mindless opposition to development and growth. He is a chief minister who takes his work seriously. He has visited every district of the state at least half a dozen times since he assumed power. This is the very first time a chief minister has done so. He is the chief minister who had the maximum number of
discussions with opposition. So nothing more has been done by any chief ministers over these
years.
From day one, Mr. Chandy said,” we need result”. He worked nonstop to achieve the unthinkable. He stessed on the need to end the irrational opposition
to investments and growth by the political parties. He took and developed 66.38 acres of land under the fast track program in 59 days. He cleared 68180
files since he assumed power. It was 150000 when he started. The government is running without overdraft for the past many months due to the good governance and his financial policies. He is the first chief minister in India, whose office is
being netcasted live through website. It
has given a new dimension to the concept
of transparency in administration. One can watch him live on www.keralacm.gov.It got 1 lakh hits in the first five months.

Help from Union Government

He helped the state to get the maximum amount of help from center. His major achievements
include the cancellation of the importing of pepper. This was a big relief to the farmers in
Kerala. He helped to get 7650 youths get trained under the prime ministers special job
program. He obtained a subsidy of Rs.720 for coffee powder. He got 100 crores for tsunami
relief fund and 50 crores under flood relief. He obtained 3053 crores for highway development
and 60 crores for revamping energy sector in the state. He got go-ahead signal for doubling of
Ernakulam-Trivandrum railway route. And the center is actively considering setting up of an
Indian Institute of Technology and an All India Institute of Medical Science. Center invested
20000 crores in the state last year alone. So we can realize the amount of effort Mr. Chandy
had put in.
Even though the majority of keralites were with him regarding the
reforms and development plans, the opposition-led by the left party-unnecessarily opposed
each and every action. They blocked the way of the Asian Development Bank that had come
here in connection with the ADB assistance of Rs. 245 crores for tsunami victims’
rehabilitation. They are still the main hindrance on the way to development. The bureaucracy
also failed to keep pace with the chief minister. Thousands of crores from World Bank and the
ADB is misused by them. There are also some problems in the top brass of the police force.

The Oommen Chandy government gave top priority to the welfare of the weaker section and took breakthrough decisions. All welfare pension arrears were cleared during his short tenure. Rs. 18 crores is set apart for this every month under
pension account. Despite financial constraints, welfare pension is given to 15 lakh persons on the 1st of every month. 201 new pensioners were added
under the artisan pension scheme last year. The ‘kudumbasree’ project was strengthened in a major way by this government. And the output is very
visible. It has improved the quality of lakhs of families in rural Kerala. The present government will build 2500 houses for fishermen using 15 crores of rupees that are to be received from the
union government. It will also implement the health insurance scheme for the entire people below the poverty line. All these result in the better standards of living of poor people and the liftement of the ‘below poverty line’ people.
Another major reform the Oommen Chandy government brought in was the cancellation of the
20% special fare charged on Sabarimala bound buses. It was a big relief for the hundreds of
devotees within the state as well as from outside. Special focus was given on matters related
to sabarimala. A plan was laid for a 90.54 hectare development. 50 acre was allotted for
parking at Nilakkal. The government is developing a sewage system at Pampa and a new salary
scheme for temple employees.
Focus is also on matters related with ‘Guruvayoor’. A smart plan for Guruvayoor is being considered by the government.

Civil Supplies

Things are in a roll these days in Kerala. They are in a state of flux. Things, not needed any
more are fast disappearing. The government has taken the initiative to move the economy
ahead. 123 new Mavelli stores under the civil supplies corporation were opened last year. 155
Laabham, 3 Supplyco supermarkets and 17 Maveli medical stores were opened by the state
government.

Transport Sector

The transport corporation flagged off 820 high tech buses, 2 Volvo buses and 290 mini buses.
The income of KSRTC went up to 2.21 crores from 1.6 crores. Another major development is
the coming of the first private bus terminal in Kannur. It is a 24 crores project. A small scale
industries park was inaugurated at Kottari. The state also witnessed the coming up of 30
business clusters at different parts of the state. A light engineering plant at Adoor, a food
processing centre at Pathanamthitta, Edavana furniture industries were all signals of changing
times in Kerala. They state also witnessed the starting of a Women’s apparel park in
Kalamaseerry.

Trivandrum: Airport and Techno Park

The government has taken all steps for the 1st phase of development of Trivandrum airport. It
has been a major request by all the NRI’s of the state and the dream will soon come true. The
land needed for aircraft maintenance facility was made available. The fourth stage of Techno
Park in Trivandrum is being developed. A techno city will be set up on 500 acres of land. 1st
phase of the park will be commissioned by October 2006 along with the commissioning of the
‘Thejaswani’ complex.
Infosys has already got 50 acres of land along with US technologies which got 36
acres. Over 5000 jobs will come up here. Another 14 projects by KSIDC will generate another
1700 jobs in Kerala. Works are underway to build an international convention centre at
Akkulam.

Paalakkad got Computerized

Another landmark development of the state was Paalakkad becoming the first computerized
district capital in the whole of India. This process will make the governance efficient and more
transparent. 220 computers will be used and 247 crores of rupees will be spent. Video
conferencing, touch screen, online dialing chamber and conference hall will be set up. This will
make it a paper free office.
Kerala became the only tourist super brand in the country. The government gave a lot of help
in making this sector become strong. And the results are coming. Kerala got 1000+ crores
investments last year in tourism sector. Within a few years 30000 crores of additional
investment will flow into the state which will change the face of Kerala forever.

Non-Resident Keralites

Issuing of e-cards for NRI’s by the union government is another important priority of this
government. The state government is of the view that the keralites in other countries should
have the voting rights. It is also a dream of the millions of keralites working around the world.
The government is aggressively planning to launch the low cost airline to gulf. It will have 26%
share with the government and the rest will be with private players and institutions. The chief
minister has promised that the Non-resident keralites in the gulf who are not able to visit the
state for the past 5 years owing to financial constraints would be offered a concession of 80%
on air tickets as soon as the Kerala airlines come into existence.
Another major achievement of the present state government is getting the go ahead signal
regarding the ‘Vallarpadom’ project. Our chief minister laid foundation stone of prestigious
Vallarpadom project and NTPC’s second phase. He wants to get the Vizhinjam port cleared at
any cost. It will become a milestone in the development of the state. New roads worth 1600
crores are being laid all over the state with the help from World Bank. The state has also got
the go ahead signal for Cochin Metro rail. It will be of length 30 kilometers. The expected
expense for implementing this project will come to about 2000 crores. The state government
also came up with ‘Clean Kerala Mission’ program to clean up the cities of Kerala.

Ports and Harbors

Vizhinjam
It is an Rs.4500 crores project. There will be different zones like
industrial zone etc. it will have excellent infrastructure like road, rail,
water and power. It will be a company by the government but private
parties will play a major role. The main advantage this one has got is
that it is a natural port. It is 20 meter deep port within one nautical mile
distance from land. It means there is no need for dredging and it
becomes a low cost affair.
Azheekal
This port has got the permission to remove earth. It will be a major port in handling goods. A
Sharjah based company has got into an agreement with the government and will send technical
and financial experts. Another advantage of this port is that even Lakshadweep can also use
this port.
Bepoor
This port will be developed with the help of Parison Company under the BOT (build- operatetransfer)
scheme.
Another major development in the state is the starting of Tottapalli fisheries
harbor. 14.58 crores were spent for undertaking this project.

Kerala v/s West Bengal

Kerala witnessed a series of protests and ‘Bandhs’ sponsored by the left
parties against the grant by the Asian Development Bank for the state. Interestingly West
Bengal had received double the amount from ADB than that of Kerala’s. Kerala had received
just 1022 crores from ADB compared to 2300 crores Bengal received. According to the bank,
West Bengal will be among the top three IT destinations in India by 2010. So what’s the logic
behind all these double standards by the left? It is up to the common people in Kerala to
decide.
Kerala’s economic development has to keep its pace with its social development. It
needs to have a vision 2010 to be among the top states in India. Credit should be given to the
Oommen Chandy government for having evolved some kind of plans to put Kerala in the IT map
of the country. The economy is picking up fast in the state and the fact that 11,716 new small
scale industries got registered in the state in the last four years is a reflection of the changing
times.

Smart City
One of the most controversial but much awaited projects undertaken by the Oommen Chandy
government is the smart city project. It is a prestigious project which will create not less than
30000 jobs. 300 acres of the project has already been booked. It is huge considering the fact that
Kerala is still considered as one of the most dangerous places for investment.
Even if one gets an average salary of Rs. 10000 in any of the companies in the smart city, it will
come to about Rs. 33 crores. And the money the state will get as tax on salary will come to
about Rs. 3.3 crores. But some people are opposing the coming of smart city blindly. Theses are the same people who opposed the coming of tractors and computers. They still shut their eyes when Punjab,
using tractors, and Karnataka, using computers, are laughing all the way to the banks. They
don’t realize how much money these companies will contribute to the treasury and how many
jobs they will create indirectly. India has achieved unprecedented growth in the IT sector. The
share of Kerala so far is just 0.4 percent. How pathetic considering the number of software
engineers passing out of colleges every year. As IT exports of the state of Karnataka surpasses
27000 crores and 8500 crores by TamilNadu, Kerala becomes a silent spectator with a meager
300 crores. The present government has taken a lot of steps in the right direction to increase
our states share of exports. For more information on smart city, log on to
http:/www.tecom.ae/law/law_1.htm.

Power Sector
The power sector of the state witnessed dramatic changes. Well thought out plans delivered
the best for the people. The state produced 674 million additional power units. 23 new
power sub-stations were commissioned and brought down transmission loss from 32 percent
to 26 percent. The state gave free electricity connections to 30812 below poverty line people.
181169 new connections were approved altogether. A Rs. 200 crores plan for Kochi is on the
cards.

Health Sector
The state has got 12 super specialty hospitals and in addition to that it has got over 2500
hospitals. An ‘Ayurveda Puncha Karma’ hospital was started. A research clinic at Thrissur was
also inaugurated. A Government Ayurveda hospital was stated at Kannur and the Kottayam
dental college was completed in record speed. Government also allowed 6.32 crores for mental
hospitals. The cancellation of the use of ‘Endosulpahn’ was made keeping in mind the health of
common people.
Educational Sector
The state boasts of numerous technical schools and a very high literacy rate. The state has got
13200 schools and 52 lakh students are studying at present. The state has got the maximum
number of CBSE schools. It has also got 86 engineering colleges, 20 medical colleges and 540
technical schools. The state should become skilled at using this human resource power. The
grading system implemented in the state is a model for other states to pursue. The state also
cleared way for the setting up of the law university. The opening of SCMS finishing school for
NRI’s is a big help out for the youths aspiring to make out a living in far-off countries. It trains
men for coping with foreign jobs.

Barbarous acts of Left
Kerala has got 40 lakh unemployed men. Shouldn’t we do justice to them and the next
generation? Just because there are some over smart people why should the common man
suffer? Why should the smart city project be cancelled because some section of politicians uses
it as political gimmick? The intelligent people of Kerala should give an apt reply to all this.
972 political marches are taken out every year in the state capital. The loss to the city comes to
about Rs.70 crores. The protesters destroyed public assets worth 1 crore. They destroyed 662
KSRTC buses. 106 buses were destroyed in Trivandrum alone. Out of the 247 injured policemen,
42 were in Kannur alone. 10 cases of attacking hospitals were registered. These people even
attacked ‘milma’ and at the heights attacked 47 educational institutions. 9 cases of attacking
educational institutions are registered in Trivandrum alone. These barbarous attacks caught the
attention of BBC and they ran a report on this. What a shame!
Is this the way our state should go? Is this the smart plan through which our state will become
the top? Is this the way our younger generation will make it big? Time is not ripe for marching
against tractors and computers. The whole world is shrinking and the individuals and societies
who don’t realize this will have their place in trash bins.

Chief Minister is Confident
But nothing will upset our chief minister. He is a complete
practical politician, who had seen lots of ups and downs in his 45-year-old political career.

“There is no going back on development agenda.
Development and care-That is my goal. If I am personally
convinced, I may take a hundred decisions, of which 10 or
20 may go wrong. I accept that truth and drop those 20 and
go ahead with the rest 80. That is what I am going to do till
the next assembly elections.”

More than the huge investments that has flowed into the state, the best part is the all round
development the Oommen Chandy government has brought in. The reforms and packages
uplifted the poorest of the poor and helped them to connect with the mainstream. It is the
biggest gain which no other governments could do in the past.

Goals and Achievements

“My goal is all-round development. The action plan of the Government will
focus on removal of hunger and poverty, development of agriculture and traditional industries
and improvement of quality of education and health care. The Government would also to try
to tap the full potential of the human and natural resources in the State and create an
atmosphere conducive for investment”.

Chandy vows to remove legal blocks and to make timely changes to
the legal system which, at present, is preventing the government from ensuring the deserved
benefits to the marginalized sections of the population. The one-year programme of the
government is buoyed by the confidence received from the 100 day programme.
Our chief minister works to make the state more open to competition and provide
a greater role for the private sector, while safe guarding the interests of public sector
enterprises and their employees.
It is for our good that our chief minister is a person who values the
problems and aspirations of the common man more than political powers and politics itself.
The time is ripe for our next big leap. Time is ripe for the state to make a presence in the
international arena. Let’s put aside our religious, cultural and political differences and work
for a better tomorrow. Let us give due credit to Oommen Chandy for altering the fate of our
land. He is the person who changed the face of Kerala forever, for good. Let our consciousness
and common sense prevail, and not emotions, while we step out to elect the next
government in a few months.

Prakash Behanan Thampi
www.expressions.blog.co.uk
prk_vklm@hotmail.com
prkbehn@gmail.com
+919886790588

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Prakash Behanan Thampi
prkbehn@gmail.com
prk_vklm@hotmail.com +919886790588

Comments

You like to be involved in things, you don't want to just sit back and watch them happen. Chances are, you're also driven by your ideals and want to really make a difference in the work that you do. But that doesn't mean you're unrealistic. In fact, you, more than some, probably have a really good grasp on the inner workings of people's minds — since you might find yourself trying to anticipate their actions to accomplish your goals.

When you have strong opinions, you might find yourself faced with some opposition, but don't let that dissuade you from your convictions. If your ideas matter to you, they probably matter to others too. So what are you waiting for? Climb aboard your next cause and start shaking things up!

You're destined to find fame and fortune in the political world of power, strategy, and negotiations. You're a leader for change, whether you want to become the youngest mayor of your town, diplomatic attaché to Chile, think tank strategist, or even leader of the free world. (Sorry, All-Powerful Ruler of the Universe might be a little much.) The Revolution awaits! So make a difference in the environmental world, or the democratic world, or the republican world, or the women's rights world, or the animal rights world, or...

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You're brown, a credible, stable color that's reminiscent of fine wood, rich leather, and wistful melancholy. Most likely, you're a logical, practical person ruled more by your head than your heart. With your inquisitive mind and insatiable curiosity, you're probably a great problem solver. And you always gather all of the facts before coming to a timely, informed decision. Easily intrigued, you're constantly finding new ways to challenge your mind, whether it's by reading the newspaper, playing a trivia game, or composing a piece of music. Brown is an impartial, neutral color, which means you tend to see the difference between fact and opinion easily and are open to many points of view. Trustworthy and steady, you really are a brown at heart.

i got it from web.tickle.com

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Thus, I came to Banglore. The moment I stepped out of my bus, I was taken aback. I said to myself, “ Hey man, this is not that old beautiful Banglore any more. Banglore has changed a great deal.” Taxies were running like wild bulls, autos were trying to move through every available space and bikes, like rats, trying to get through all these traffic. It was like hell. Banglore has changed a lot, for worse.
Ask any person who has lived in Banglore for the past fifteen years and they will tell how this city has transformed from a joy into a living illustration of a dieing city. The good old days were when there were good quality, well-maintained roads and traffic was so little that one could cross the street with the eyes shut. Now, even if you have an extra eye, it is of no use.
So, what has happened to this garden city? Whose fault is it anyways? And does anybody care for this beautiful city? I don’t think so.

What happened to Banglore is a result of utter negligence and poor governance combined with the lack of education of local people. The people neglected the decisive needs of a city. The need for keeping the city clean, keeping a control over the pouring amount of people from other states and caring the environment were knowingly overlooked by authentic Bangloreians.
Thus, roads became dirtier as the days passed, localities took the back seat everywhere and drastic climatic changes began.

The catalyst that acted midst of these is the poor governance by the State administration. Government that came to power at different points of time, were busy playing politics. As long as they were laughing all the way to the bank, because of all the software companies, they were not interested in pretty silly things like traffic blocks and collapsing drainage. They made Banglore alien in Karnataka and gave long talks and interviews about the advancement of Banglore, when the whole of Karnataka was lagging behind other south Indian states.
When the rest of south India was aggressively increasing the literacy rate of the respective states, Karnataka was sleeping. I don’t know it if was a game plan of all political parties, to keep the masses as their vote banks forever, or lack of able executors. One very disturbing thing I have found out about Kannadigaas is their over enthusiasm on the topics of caste and creed. They don’t realize that they are Indians first and only then will the issue of being a Kannadiga or belonging to a particular caste come.

Lack of educated people is the root of all these undesirable trends in society. What the state government should give priority is to educate the millions of people in villages and connect them to the city. More interaction will bring about far-reaching changes and will effect in less tension. People will become more aware about their rights and duties. I can give an example on over-exploitation of local people by multinationals. Near my place, a multi national construction company is building huge flats. And a large number of localities are working there. They are not provided with even essential facilities like bathrooms or clean drinking water. The bosses in India want to show higher profits to their counterparts in America or Europe. The workers don’t know about their rights and so they assume it is all what they will get.
This would not have been the situation in Kerala, West Bengal or Maharastra. It is because they have unions and know their rights. May be what Karnataka needs is a strong communist party.
It is already late but there is still time. Local people has to understand that this is their state and it is their obligation to keep it clean, under control, and keep it going. Cities like Madras, Kochi and Hyderabad are fast catching up. Nobody else will stand up and take care of Banglore. It is not their city. They will leave the city one day. It is the original Bangloreians and Kannaddigas who will have to live here forever.

Better you eliminate the unwanted elements before they eliminate you. That is the only thing I have to say to you all.

Prakash Behanan Thampi
prkbehn@gmail.com
9886790588

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Bollywood v/s Hollywood

'Pyaar, Ishq aur Mohabbat', 'Love ke liye kuch bhi Karega', 'Kya yehi pyaar hai?', 'Kaho na pyaar hai'. Sounds familiar? And boring? Yes, you got it right dude. These all are hindi movie titles or as Indians want to put it, 'bollywood' titles. 'Pyaar; is competing with 'Ishq' and 'Mohhabat' in bollywood. If one movie with title 'Pyaar' is out a day, next day you will be blessed enough to see three 'Ishq' movies. Though you may not like this cliché, it is damn boring! You just need an IQ above room temperature to understand these movies, leave alone enjoying. I don't know what kind if fun you get from it. Maybe making fun of oneself is a lost art of fun. Sorry, I haven't mastered that art yet. Maybe so much love and affection is the reason behind so many flops. How can one digest this much 'pyar'? Hey, dude, even we need a break. Too much honey is not good, isn't? I am really sick of watching all these wafer-thin story plots and ten songs per film formula. Really, it sucks! I cannot understand the logic behind these. An industry that produced films like 'Mother India' is now busy with skin shows. How pathetic!
Not one in bollywood will say what is going on is stupid. As long as he is laughing all the way to the bank, it doesn't matter. No one says his own buttermilk is sour. I am not saying these people don't have the caliber or are inferior to their western counterparts. But who cares when audience doesnt care?
What I need is films like 'Black', 'Parineeta', 'The forgotten hero', or at least like 'Page3'. Come on man, you can do it! Don't think we are dud heads. Films used to inspire people. Even it played a huge role in many nations independence, like in India. Now, I think, we need a break from it.
Looking to west also promises nothing. They are always under threat from aliens and funny, big creatures that will come in no time from nuclear waste to water closets. If not engaged in fighting these monsters, they will fight among themselves. Let them have fun! I don't have time to waste on all these bullshits. Exceptions are always there. Movies like 'Gladiator', 'Alexander', 'Godfather', 'Matrix' and 'A beautiful mind' will only come from Hollywood. These all are all time greats.
Movies have to be made for entertainment. But when the standard of movies commence to suffer in the name of entertainment, it becomes very cheap. What is shown in the purported witty movies of bollywood is unadulterated stripping and skin show, with occasional second-rate jokes. I still have no idea how can anybody laugh at those jokes. Maybe they were laughing at themselves, or were they?
Though I may say all these, I still watch all these movies. Come on man, who doesn't? Among the blind, the squint rules and I watch his movies. Tell me, what else can I watch? Shrek? Finding nemo? Hmmm, not a bad idea!
I am praying that I will never have to bear all that I am able to endure. These movies don't even require a moment of thinking. What a discovery man has made! Without thinking for 2 to 3 hours. Should get a Nobel for peace and be freely broadcasted in Iraq and America.
Occasional brave jobs by a handful keep alive the real spirit. 'Sixth sense', 'Gladiator', 'A beautiful mind', 'Black', 'Swades', etc are a few to name. But how long? One day the bubble will burst. It won't be like a flop movie, which, later may be termed as critically acclaimed etc, but, an end forever. There wont be a retake then.
Save the industry, that's what I say to these filmmakers. It is an art to make a film. If you don't know the art, just get out of there. If you don't have the money, if you don't have that much brain, if you don't have that much imagination, why are you still lingering around there? To the viewers, I have just one thing to say; don't watch craps. Put your hands together for the best. Otherwise, those brainless people make you a fool.
Lets put aside all the differences over the place of origin. It shouldn't matter if it is a Hindi film or Malayalam film or an English film. The thing is that, we should have the backbone to call a bad movie a bad movie and a good one a good one. Ok, enough is enough; let me go and watch a movie. Ah! I have a pirated one with me. How lucky I am!

Prakash Behanan Thampi

prk_vklm@hotmail.com
prkbehn@gmail.com
+919886790588

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Every road has two directions. The invisible force, which urges us to select the ‘one’, is a complicated, sometimes beyond our control process called ‘emotions’. Each day begins and ends with continuous struggle with emotions. At times we feel whether it is the same sound that guided us till that day that is whispering from the unknown adobe of thoughts. We tend to contradict our previous actions at times. We get a strange feeling that some unknown power in our own thought process is playing with us. If you never knew what was wrong let me tell you that it was the war between our previous knowledge or emotional setup with a new kind of emotion embedded in the mind by a variety of sources. The mind was analyzing whether to go to the previous one or to proceed with the new one, which is a little bit strange to it.
What you see in yourself is what you see in the world. Our mind was quite comfortable with the habituated way of responding to a particular system. But when interruptions and new ways of responding are being fed into the mind, analyzing begins to start. But with regular reiteration of the same idea the old one is forced to take the second seat and the new one becomes dominant. One can use the power of emotions for one’s betterment and development or can be used as a catalyst for doom. One of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century was the understanding of this power and the study and evolution of the ways to use it effectively for man’s betterment.
One of the forerunners in this field is Antony Robbins, whose books, cassettes and seminars have changed lives of many forever. What he did is spectacular. He didn’t do much but just changed the way they thought. He manipulated their thought process for their good. Another person who spotted the magic of this and implemented is the greatest coach in the history of US college basketball, John Wooden. Becoming head coach at UCLA in 1948, his teams went on to set records for the longest winning streak and most championships (10) in NCAA history. He is considered the greatest coach in the history of US college basketball. He employed some simple things, which kindled fire in the belly of his boys. They became unbeatable.
Even cricketers use the same techniques. Steve Waugh, the ex-captain of the Australian cricket team, took his boys to the memorial park of world war heroes to inspire and motivate them before the world famous ‘Ashes” tournament began. The ‘huddle’ Indians employed during the 2003 cricket world cup made sure India reached the finals. Different teams have different ways of inspiring team members. The heart of all these is ‘emotions’.
Remember the moment you decided to run the cross-country marathon just because somebody commented beside you that you couldn’t because you are a chicken hearted. Or when you said enough is enough and went on to complete the entire syllabus in a week’s time. That is what ‘emotions’ can do in our daily life.
Rock stars impact teenagers in a big way. They try to emulate them and be like them even in mannerism. They thought process starts and ends with these rocksters. They become their idols and will do any thing to be like them. Even pop stars have huge impact on people. Songs are the best way to emotionally force the mind to do something. When we hear a sad song, though we may be in a gay mood, we become sad. When we need some energy or push before some rigorous work out and we hear ‘Rocky’ theme song or some hard rock, we are pumped up and raring to go. This is the influence of songs, which has got massive power to adjust our emotions. We get a nostalgic feeling when we listen to ‘back street boys’ or ‘beegees’. We are ready to take on the world after a ‘linkin park’ or ‘mettalica’ song.
Politicians, great personalities, movie stars all make us believe in some absurd things trough working with our emotions and though processes. Did you evaluate what Mr. Bush said at the beginning of Iraq war? The answer may be a big no, because he manipulated your thought process and emotionally made to you to stop thinking and evaluate things but see the world through his. We woke up, realizing our folly, only to find out that it was too late. That is called playing with emotions.
For a moment think how you can make use of these techniques in your every day life. You can enrich your life by adapting to a different way of thinking and taking control of your emotions. If a Tony Robbins can make millions in less than fine years, why cannot you? Take a deep check into your life and how is it going right now. Is it satisfactory or far from that? Are you dead tired when you wake up in the morning? Do you always feel that you don’t get time to let your hair down? Do you always think that you could have made more money and made better living? The funny thing is that you never moved even a single finger to attain all these, right?
This is the root cause of all the problems. The habituated thinking we followed made us to not even entertain the idea of getting out and work on these dreams. Rather, it went as customary to the conclusion that it is beyond our reach.
If you really want to change these things, you can. You can attain what you want and get to know how to work out your strategies with the help of self-help books. If you are facing problem in getting up in the morning, just ignore the bad part of loosing sleep in the cool weather, and, think of the beautiful day ahead and the possibilities awaiting you. This is just an example. Antony Robbins used techniques like this to make millions. John Wooden used these techniques to make his team win tournaments after tournament. You too can use this and make most out of your life. Whether you think you can or you think you cant-you are right. Plan your work for today and work every day to your goal.

Prakash Behanan Thampi
prk@vklm@hotmail.com
prkbehn@gmail.com
+919886790588

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The chairman of IBM once said that there would be a need of maximum five computers in the whole world. Just five computers! Go to a small village in America and you will find at least 10 computers. How the world has changed! I cannot imagine a world without computers unless something smaller, faster and exciting comes along the way to replace them as the ultimate do-it-all gadget. Even what I write down is with the help of a personal computer. So what accelerated the spread of computers and who all were instrumental behind this process? Ask a kid and he will come up with an obvious answer, that is, Mr. Gates. Who? It is Mr. Bill gates, the founder of Microsoft. How come he was the forerunner in all these matters and what did he and Microsoft did together that promoted computers all over the world? Questions are many so let me get started.

First of all, Microsoft liberated us from the tedious and time-consuming job of running operating systems that didn’t support graphical user interface. They liberated us from the process of writing instructions every time we needed some work to be done. Now the user was able to click on the specific icon and get the desired process done. It was possible with the Microsoft operating system called ‘windows’. It opened up a new world of computers to the common people. It was what was needed. The presence of computers spread from just in research labs to shops, from defense work to personal level. Thanks to Microsoft, even I have a computer today, though I use the pirated windows XP OS. A pirate d one! Why? This can be a possible question from thousands of men across the world. Why can’t I use a genuine one and be a true law abiding citizen and contribute something to the society? Don’t disturb your brains. Let it sleep because I have got the answers.

Unlike in the west, the hardware part of the computer costs less in Asia, particularly in India China. For example all the hard ware components needed for a low end computer will come to about Rs22000. it includes a 80 GB hard disk, internal modem, speakers, CD Rom, monitor etc. and now comes the OS. It comes to about Rs9000. taking into account the financial scenario in India and in other developing nations, frankly, say how many families can afford this much money? To a very large extent this is a possible reason why still crores of people are computer illiterate.
The point I am trying to make is that it is not the lack of government support or illiteracy that is preventing the reduction of the digital divide in the developing nations but it is more because of the monopolistic approach by Microsoft and the costly operating systems. What Microsoft don’t understand is the fact that if OS were to cost less, less piracy would have been there and more profits because of larger sales.
The time is ripe for them to make the move and make India their hub and provide with less costly operating systems and reap the benefits before the Linux wave sweeps the whole of India. It is a critical time for India too with Indian companies trying to match global counterparts. They need more tech-literate guys and with the support of government a major chunk of Indians can become like that.
There will be never a second chance. Companies that are late to enter Indian market always find it difficult to catch up later. This is the perfect time for Microsoft to settle in India. If that happens, then I will say,” Microsoft was the best thing to happen in the last millennium.” Otherwise, ‘rest in peace’.

prk behn

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Why India is not a developed, esteemed nation?
It takes a lot of sweat, toil and hard work to rise up to the top. A lot more difficult when too many aspirants are there to keep an eye on you and pull you down when you least expect it. But when a whole nation works day in and day out with one vision in mind, then there is no stopping. Thus America-the super power- was created. So were Britain, Japan and France. The same trail is being followed by many a third world countries because they too have a dream. They had a dream to become a developed nation. They had a dream to become a super power. And the leaders among this quest are India and china, two Asian countries, which boasts of having one by third of all the human population on globe. It is no wonder that they have been eyeing on that dream. With plenty of natural and human resources they can and it is a matter of time before they do it.
Even in this quest China has been always the forerunner. India always lagged. India never went that extra mile which China was always willing to go. India for all time played the no risk game while China rocketed to the lead giving cutthroat competition to worldwide giants. It is an interesting fact to look into and study in detail, why India always comes second and what prevents India from becoming a super power. Is it something to do with the political setup of the nation, something to do with the economic structure or something to with the people itself?

Let us take a brief look into some of the problems that act as a hurdle in the path of becoming a developed, esteemed country:

India is a nation that has a rich heritage and history to its name. Indians are credited with path breaking arithmetical discoveries and scientific explorations when other nations didn't had even developed their own verbal communication. India had people who were masters in astronomy, mathematics, surgical treatment and philosophy. India had universities in which students from all over the world came and had education. But a bird's eye view of the present situation is a far cry from what it was in the past. Though a lion's share of people won't have the same opinion, child marriages and 'sati' still continues in India. At the first instance it may not sound alarming or resemble any kind of thing that directly bloc the progress of the nation. But the fact is that when too many people are occupied in these non-productive activities, there is an alarming amount of waste of manpower and resources. Superstitions still rule villages in India. What we have to take notice of is the fact that villages in other nations like China, Taiwan and Philippines are source of revenue and foreign currency for their respective Governments. Small-scale industries are having field days there.
So the time has come for India to take care of its villages and villagers. It is high time that they build up a good work culture that can take them places. They should be enabled to participate in the global environment, though it may be in a small scale.

A time was there when, whenever a political leader returned from an overseas location, he would talk very animatedly about the cleanliness he witnessed over there. That was absolutely true. India was famous for its filthiness and uncultured people, though, a lot has been changed ever since that time. Roads, which were full of dirt and animal excreta and public places, which stood as symbols of neglect, were the order of those days. People, let alone leaders, didn't know how much it cost India. It stained the picture of India and in front of foreign business heads and politicians. India lost a lot of bucks just because of that. Tourists don't take interest to come to these disease filled surroundings and big business opportunities were lost to clean and contemporary economies.
A majority of Indians don't know the basic rules of behaving in public places. They just don't care. They consider places of worship to be holy but they throw away waste carelessly. Most of them spit on the roads, they throw away waste into open places and don't mind urinating and contaminating natural resources like rivers and ponds. The Government's lack of interest in providing basic amenities has amputated the problem. Finding no trash bins in the side of roads and not cleaning the sewages in time is all the error from the Governments side. A lot has to be done but the people are the real power, which can rapidly make a transformation. They have to decide that they will not make their environment dirty nor they will do any act that will pollute national treasures like rivers and streams. Officially authorized proceedings should be taken against factories or any individual who does so. Let India and Indians stand proud.

Unity is power. Unfortunately this has always been a weak link among Indians. From the time British people came to India, this has been the headache. The people who wanted to take unfair advantage always made it sure to divide Indians on the base of customs, lingo, faith or individual beliefs. Britain achieved their goals by dividing India on the base of language, culture, caste and later religion. As a matter of fact present day rulers of India-politicians-divide India only on the base of cast and religion. It is truly sad to see that even in single religion there is a lot of divisions and unity is still a pie in the sky. Worse is the case when different religions come into the picture. The picture is beyond doubt blurred and is highly inflammable. Politicians use common people to their fullest advantage and in return promises social disharmony and insecurity. How can one expect a nation to use its fullest potential when future is vague? No wonder India lags.
A single riot in Gujarat cost India staggering Rs20000000000. The price to pay is heavy. The downside of being a democratic nation and not being a police state is being exploited. Look at China. Though we can say that it is not a democracy, the people are so united on their causes that it is impossible to witness a massive riots or public nuisances. Time has come for Indians also to be together and leave behind all their religious, political and individual differences and work towards attaining their goal of a progressive and esteemed nation.

Talking about leaders and their role in nation building, I am pretty amazed by the situation in India. At present India can boast of no such leaders who can take them to the next level and that is one of the prime areas where other nations score over them. Leaders who lack long-term vision and who play dirty politics is what India has got. When leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Kennedy built modern America, Russia had their own, like, Lenin and Gorbachev. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru inspired the whole of India and leaders like Rajeev Gandhi made inroads into the scientific and technological fields. Even Indira Gandhi is known for the exemplary work she did as the head of the nation. But the picture doesn't look as rosy now. Only politicians rule now. They are not representatives of the whole of India and they fail miserably to bind together the whole population and to lead from the front.
India is desperately looking for a boss who has the dream and aptitude to take India to the lead. A leader who has mass appeal along with deep knowledge in economic, scientific and technological matters is the need of the hour. A person like Mr. A. P.J Abdul Kalaam, as the President of India, may be an indication of shifting times. The more rapidly it changes, the better it is for India. Dr. Man Mohan Singh, the present prime minister of India has the capability and knowledge to take India fast forward. Let all of the political leaders lend their support to him. And then it will be no surprise if India makes it to the pinnacle in fewer than 15 years.

When you go into the villages of India or into a state like Kerala or West Bengal, one can come across a lot of people sitting unoccupied or playing cards and killing time. Have you ever wondered why it is like that in India? The obvious answer is that there is clear lack of work culture. When they don't have a job to do, they kill time, and this is their pet pass time. Now I don't have to elaborate on why India lags or why Indians are less preferred to do a job. It is a big shame on India.
A culture of doing work and doing it in the best way is alien to many of the Indians. They will prefer to be unemployed than go and do a less glamorous job. All need white-collar jobs. The case of Kerala proves it right. More than 22000 engineers pass out each year from Kerala alone, no to speak of the thousands graduating from other states. More than 2000 doctors pass out annually. Every body needs jobs that are of the highest class. Every body wants be the cream of the crop when in reality only a small amount of cream is needed. Take a look around and you will find hardly any or no carpenters and technicians. When avenues are open, not every body wants to take a walk. And this results in the underdevelopment of the economy. Specialists in non-technical work are hard to locate. India has to transform or face big danger from China, Taiwan and other Asian countries.

This will sound like a joke to many of you out there. But this is truth. To obtain a loan, as little as Rs10000, from any bank in India, it took more than a year some years back. The state of affairs hasn't changed much bar car and house loan area. How can a nation, which has more than forty percent of its population living under poverty line, succeed? And the result of such harsh system has finally come out. The small-scale industries are still not competent enough. When products developed by such SSI's in China and Indonesia floods the Indian consumer and electronics market, Indians are bewildered to counter it. The fault lies with the banking system of India. They practiced rigid procedures and were sluggish to reform themselves. Only when adequate monetary supplies are accessible, can an economy rise to its full potential.
Banks have to change their way of banking in view of the budding economy of India. The primary jobs of the banks are to keep money and distribute it. They keep it nicely but fail to do the second job. Loans should be available to prospective entrepreneurs and help should be made available to them in the form of guidance, analysis and methodological support. If they fail in this job, the whole of the banking system is a letdown. Let them reform swiftly and be pro-entrepreneurs. A colossal blunder was done some forty years back when banks were nationalized. Let us not cry over spilt milk but labor towards the goal of being developed by 2020.

The 2004 Fortune 500 lists of the biggest companies on globe included only less than five companies. What a shame considering the size of the nation and the potential of its economy! How can one justify the poor performance of India in the global arena? It diminishes the illustration of India and serves little to the purpose of branding India as the next super power. Why is it so? Why not many companies make a mark in the global market? No need for any argument. The answer is pretty clear. It doesn't take such thinking. Indian companies fail to think and act globally. But there are exceptions like Reliance, Tata, ONGC, Videocon and Wipro.
But still India hasn't made much of a challenge in worldwide arena.
When we see a BMW car, we think of Germany and its prowess in automobile sector. When we see a McDonalds, we know where it came from. Big companies create big bucks. They bring glory to the homeland. They bring in foreign currency. They bring with them reputation and esteem-needed so badly for India.
So to cut a long story short, Indians have to rise to the occasion and seize all the opportunities globalization and free market has shaped. Let the Tatas and Wipros be our models. Let us redefine business in out own terms. The motto should be 'go global'. Think of the wealth they will bring in and the reputation India as a nation will gain.

These are some of the views I have regarding the matter mentioned on top of the article.

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