(Published in The New Indian Express on 30 Oct.2010)
Bikash Choudhury
Recent White house announcement to wrap-up middle east peace plan through direct talks between Israel & Palestinian in a years time; at last, shows rare courage, confidence and priority of Obama administration to deal with complex global issues and find purposive solution with commitment. Pull out of Iraq and intent to close war in Afghanistan may be a very good start. But, US President must now broaden his engagement in world affairs to give new direction to efforts on peace, sustainable development and climate change compliance; as much to, consolidate his leadership over global affairs; as, to silence his critiques at home. Obama must now engage with world leaders, not only, to cut down nuclear weapons but also to reduce conventional war machine across the board to free resources for World Millennium Goals. Further, He can use his good offices to bring about a negotiated settlement between Tibetan peace loving people and Dragon country. And, end military rule in Burma keeping in view of the desire of vast majority of Burmese people.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Corruption in CWG—System Error
(Published in The New Indian Express on 27 Oct. 2010)
Bikash Choudhury
Suresh Kalmadi was damned by one and all for all the mesh that came to the notice of media just before the beginning of the games. A nation of billion people heaves a shy of relief on successful conclusion of Delhi Common Wealth Games-2010. Mr. Kalmadi unabashedly claimed credit for incident free games from the podium of closing ceremony of CWG. But, some how not many in the gallery could summon the courage to clap; knowing how the events preceding the games had soiled the prestige of our nation in global forum. It looked as though India not quite capable to conduct international events of this magnitude. Every body was comparing with the Olympic games of 2008 at Bezing, China. Having said that, can we actually blame a single individual or an organization for all the follies that eventually forced the Prime Minister of the country to take stock?
Corruption actually follows the laws of attraction. More the discretion of spending public money with the Govt. Babus; more is the attraction of making quick bucks on the side. It was first of all very wrong to entrust so much public money to be spent by a temporary body like “Organizing Committee” without the wherewithal to monitor spending of this nature and magnitude. Having done that at least Govt. should have insisted on a transparent system of purchase mechanism that is available on demand. E-tendering has become a common practice in many organizations to cut down time and money in procurement of goods and services. Organizing Committee (OC) has given a complete go by to such standards and that resulted in buying things at 2-5 times of actual cost. Needless to mention that a few functionaries would have lined their pockets at the expense of the reputation of the country. Only if we can find and punish such individuals then the whole system would take notice; otherwise same charade would surface in the events next. What happened in CWG was an error in the whole system; and, not a temporary delinquency on the part of a few responsible individuals or organization. If we wish to conduct more such global sporting events in future; then, a distinct mechanism can be developed once and for all to deal with the International events of this nature which will cut repetitive work and improve efficiency and effectiveness of the system that deliver results.
Bikash Choudhury
Suresh Kalmadi was damned by one and all for all the mesh that came to the notice of media just before the beginning of the games. A nation of billion people heaves a shy of relief on successful conclusion of Delhi Common Wealth Games-2010. Mr. Kalmadi unabashedly claimed credit for incident free games from the podium of closing ceremony of CWG. But, some how not many in the gallery could summon the courage to clap; knowing how the events preceding the games had soiled the prestige of our nation in global forum. It looked as though India not quite capable to conduct international events of this magnitude. Every body was comparing with the Olympic games of 2008 at Bezing, China. Having said that, can we actually blame a single individual or an organization for all the follies that eventually forced the Prime Minister of the country to take stock?
Corruption actually follows the laws of attraction. More the discretion of spending public money with the Govt. Babus; more is the attraction of making quick bucks on the side. It was first of all very wrong to entrust so much public money to be spent by a temporary body like “Organizing Committee” without the wherewithal to monitor spending of this nature and magnitude. Having done that at least Govt. should have insisted on a transparent system of purchase mechanism that is available on demand. E-tendering has become a common practice in many organizations to cut down time and money in procurement of goods and services. Organizing Committee (OC) has given a complete go by to such standards and that resulted in buying things at 2-5 times of actual cost. Needless to mention that a few functionaries would have lined their pockets at the expense of the reputation of the country. Only if we can find and punish such individuals then the whole system would take notice; otherwise same charade would surface in the events next. What happened in CWG was an error in the whole system; and, not a temporary delinquency on the part of a few responsible individuals or organization. If we wish to conduct more such global sporting events in future; then, a distinct mechanism can be developed once and for all to deal with the International events of this nature which will cut repetitive work and improve efficiency and effectiveness of the system that deliver results.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Language Economy
Bikash Choudhury
If, status-quo persist for another century; then, all new born baby in
our country would cry “Mom instead of Maa” soon after birth. Only,
English language speeches would echo in our Parliament. And, India
would create more quality and quantity of English literature than
native English speaking countries; many, modern Indian languages would
stand marginalized and eventually die of disuse. Therefore, crafty
politicians Mulayam Singh Yadav oppose English language in Hindi heart
land; because, he foresees loss of political hold of his clan, which
may be partially correct. No body can deny the virtue of English
language which empowers people living in the margin of society. As
speaking ability in English open doors of opportunity for under
privileged. However, languages have direct connection with heart and
minds and that not only help communicate thoughts, feelings and ideas
but also create a culture of its own and reflect the lifestyle of
people of its time and place. Conceding supremacy to English language
would blow a death nail in the coffins of our Indian language and
culture.
At least now we must learn from history; India was prosperous,
once upon a time due to its agriculture, trade and culture which
attracted people from various parts of the globe and suffered maximum
number of invasions in the past five hundred years. India could have
rebuffed such challenges effectively, had there been a common national
language or if, there were adequate collaboration and literary
interaction between Indian regional languages which could have
fostered national integration.
English is one of the most modern international language just
appropriate for today’s time, science & technology and very easy to
learn and communicate with global community; however, Russian,
Japanese and Chinese have reached wherever they are today on the back
of their own native language. India could aspire to be a super power
on the strength of its own language without diluting the natural
advantage of Indian competence in English.
Popularity and importance of a language increase, substantially,
once it becomes official language in the corridors of power;
currently, English language hogs the limelight. It is being used in
over eighty percent of transactions in central and state Govt.,
Parliament, and Legislature of States and in Judiciary. Hindi and
other modern Indian languages have long become official languages in
centre and respective state govts., in paper. But, English language
still reign supreme, courtesy our bureaucracy.
Change of system always creates resistance and transition from
English to Indian language would meet stiff resistance. But, with
determination of Govt. and support of people would help arrive at
desired level of competence in Indian language for governance, in a
time span of two decade.
Recently heard an anecdote “one gentleman with PhD degree in
Sanskrit forced to drive an Auto to make a living”, this is not an
isolated example; many such persons languish in our society who made a
choice to pursue a career in one of the Indian languages. Govt. alone
is not at fault; we the people are equally culpable. In a MBA class
room of 47 students at Chennai; it was observed that 26 students did
not have the skill to write in their own mother tongue, Tamil;
Although, Tamil films are very popular among the residents of the
city……… Craze of English language is such, in a normal conversation an
ability to drop a few words or half a sentence in English would make
the speaker feel important among his peers. These minds set need to
change.There are very simple solutions to raise popular acceptance of
Hindi as national language and increase collaboration among other
Indian languages.
Competence in one of Indian language can be made mandatory for
all professional courses and in jobs of both public and private
sector. Further, Central and State Govt. can announce incentives for
competence in Indian language other than mother tongue. All state run
schools can create language lab for all 15 Indian languages
acknowledged in the constitution and encourage students to learn
additional languages voluntarily, apart from three languages which are
mandatory. Every organization should have language cell to promote
Indian language as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
by suitable law; which will create career opportunity for the students
of M.I.L. Teaching and learning of Indian languages over a period of
two to three decade can create an eco-system of language Industry in
publishing and literature. Indians are known for their creative
faculty; once the communication between Indian language takes root,
then it could create world class literature in Indian languages which
would have readers across the globe; thereby, help create a
sustainable language economy.
If, status-quo persist for another century; then, all new born baby in
our country would cry “Mom instead of Maa” soon after birth. Only,
English language speeches would echo in our Parliament. And, India
would create more quality and quantity of English literature than
native English speaking countries; many, modern Indian languages would
stand marginalized and eventually die of disuse. Therefore, crafty
politicians Mulayam Singh Yadav oppose English language in Hindi heart
land; because, he foresees loss of political hold of his clan, which
may be partially correct. No body can deny the virtue of English
language which empowers people living in the margin of society. As
speaking ability in English open doors of opportunity for under
privileged. However, languages have direct connection with heart and
minds and that not only help communicate thoughts, feelings and ideas
but also create a culture of its own and reflect the lifestyle of
people of its time and place. Conceding supremacy to English language
would blow a death nail in the coffins of our Indian language and
culture.
At least now we must learn from history; India was prosperous,
once upon a time due to its agriculture, trade and culture which
attracted people from various parts of the globe and suffered maximum
number of invasions in the past five hundred years. India could have
rebuffed such challenges effectively, had there been a common national
language or if, there were adequate collaboration and literary
interaction between Indian regional languages which could have
fostered national integration.
English is one of the most modern international language just
appropriate for today’s time, science & technology and very easy to
learn and communicate with global community; however, Russian,
Japanese and Chinese have reached wherever they are today on the back
of their own native language. India could aspire to be a super power
on the strength of its own language without diluting the natural
advantage of Indian competence in English.
Popularity and importance of a language increase, substantially,
once it becomes official language in the corridors of power;
currently, English language hogs the limelight. It is being used in
over eighty percent of transactions in central and state Govt.,
Parliament, and Legislature of States and in Judiciary. Hindi and
other modern Indian languages have long become official languages in
centre and respective state govts., in paper. But, English language
still reign supreme, courtesy our bureaucracy.
Change of system always creates resistance and transition from
English to Indian language would meet stiff resistance. But, with
determination of Govt. and support of people would help arrive at
desired level of competence in Indian language for governance, in a
time span of two decade.
Recently heard an anecdote “one gentleman with PhD degree in
Sanskrit forced to drive an Auto to make a living”, this is not an
isolated example; many such persons languish in our society who made a
choice to pursue a career in one of the Indian languages. Govt. alone
is not at fault; we the people are equally culpable. In a MBA class
room of 47 students at Chennai; it was observed that 26 students did
not have the skill to write in their own mother tongue, Tamil;
Although, Tamil films are very popular among the residents of the
city……… Craze of English language is such, in a normal conversation an
ability to drop a few words or half a sentence in English would make
the speaker feel important among his peers. These minds set need to
change.There are very simple solutions to raise popular acceptance of
Hindi as national language and increase collaboration among other
Indian languages.
Competence in one of Indian language can be made mandatory for
all professional courses and in jobs of both public and private
sector. Further, Central and State Govt. can announce incentives for
competence in Indian language other than mother tongue. All state run
schools can create language lab for all 15 Indian languages
acknowledged in the constitution and encourage students to learn
additional languages voluntarily, apart from three languages which are
mandatory. Every organization should have language cell to promote
Indian language as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
by suitable law; which will create career opportunity for the students
of M.I.L. Teaching and learning of Indian languages over a period of
two to three decade can create an eco-system of language Industry in
publishing and literature. Indians are known for their creative
faculty; once the communication between Indian language takes root,
then it could create world class literature in Indian languages which
would have readers across the globe; thereby, help create a
sustainable language economy.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Pune Sinking City?
(Published in The New Indian Express on 13 Oct. 2010)
Bikash Choudhury
I recently came back from a business trip from Pune; this was my second visit to the city in a gap of five years. Before boarding the train from Bhubaneswar for Pune; I had a pleasant memory about the city from my experience in 2005. Clean roads, greenery all around, looked though not crowded and crammed and less dust particles while traveling and no stink of urine and human waste. Actually it confirmed to its old personality of a retirement city with cool weather and metropolitan facility. But, after I landed on 3 rd Oct.2010 at Pune station the pungent odor filled my nostrils and started spoiling my earlier impression about the city. Next five days I was to see complete about turn of the city in all its aspects. Dange Chowke where I lived with a relative about 21 Km fro station was dusty and garbage littered all around. Shops lined the streets are filthy and stinky. While I traveled to Hadspar, the eastern part of city where Magarapatta SEZ is located; the 28 km distance show me absolute deterioration of the city. Garbage lying around, few natural drains/ rivulets encroached upon putting pressure on evacuation of storm water. As fate would have it, on 4th Oct. 2010 Pune received a rain fall of 181mm; highest in a century. That eventually left the Municipal Commissioner injured and a young scientist swept away along with her bike on that fateful night. I came back from Pune, a very sad man; looking at decay of an otherwise vibrant city. Can we do something about it?
Bikash Choudhury
I recently came back from a business trip from Pune; this was my second visit to the city in a gap of five years. Before boarding the train from Bhubaneswar for Pune; I had a pleasant memory about the city from my experience in 2005. Clean roads, greenery all around, looked though not crowded and crammed and less dust particles while traveling and no stink of urine and human waste. Actually it confirmed to its old personality of a retirement city with cool weather and metropolitan facility. But, after I landed on 3 rd Oct.2010 at Pune station the pungent odor filled my nostrils and started spoiling my earlier impression about the city. Next five days I was to see complete about turn of the city in all its aspects. Dange Chowke where I lived with a relative about 21 Km fro station was dusty and garbage littered all around. Shops lined the streets are filthy and stinky. While I traveled to Hadspar, the eastern part of city where Magarapatta SEZ is located; the 28 km distance show me absolute deterioration of the city. Garbage lying around, few natural drains/ rivulets encroached upon putting pressure on evacuation of storm water. As fate would have it, on 4th Oct. 2010 Pune received a rain fall of 181mm; highest in a century. That eventually left the Municipal Commissioner injured and a young scientist swept away along with her bike on that fateful night. I came back from Pune, a very sad man; looking at decay of an otherwise vibrant city. Can we do something about it?
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