BAPU’S VISION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Only Solution for Climate Change

Bikash Choudhury

Complex problem more often than not have very simple solution. Current Global concern about climate change and hullabaloo on international protocol about control of green house gases, carbon foot print of life style and carbon credit is all tall talk and minimal commitment towards real action for abetting against climate change. It is very unlikely that Copenhagen summit would see a radical shift in mindset of developed Nations and Others. In the game of one-up-manship on the issue of survival of this planet and its climate, Nations should desist from playing politics and should not wait for the other to blink first. If today our Mahatma Gandhi would have been alive, then he would have probably advised the Global Leadership to convince their people about changing their life style to save this planet from the ravages of the nature and to lead by example. Why our life style is to be blamed so much? One simple calculation would prove the point beyond any debate. From morning while we get up from bed, and till the time we go to bed to sleep; one average person would have added 15 kilo to the carbon stock in the climate. Houses we live, the cars that we drive to office, cold water that we drink from freeze, Computer that we use to do our job in office, Mobile that we frequently use to communicate and food habit that we have mostly responsible for creating the large part of our carbon additions to already growing Carbon cycle. Further, the waste created out of conspicuous consumption also takes a heavy toll on the climate in the absence of 100% recycling infrastructure of wastes, world over, further worsening the climate condition. Mahatma Gandhi used a very simple technique of Satyagraha to fight with mighty British Empire in the early part of previous century and, eventually succeed in forcing British rulers to leave India.

The Global problem of Climate change also requires a Gandhian repertoire of simple solution for a sustainable civilization to thrive in this planet and only one, having life in our solar system. World population was 1.5 billion in the beginning of 20^th century and current figure stands at 6.5 billion. And, the current Global population is one of the biggest source of carbon harvest; keeping in view the per capita carbon production in our eco-system. Gandhian Idea for simple solution would have been to promote love and understanding between different Race, Religion and Culture. How love between Races would reduce population growth? Love is one immutable emotion if allowed to grow between two divergent communities then that would work as best contraceptives that human mind could have ever thought of, or designed.

“The world has enough for its needs and not for its greed.” Gandhi had coined this phrase when the current Intellectuals and Experts on climate change with pin striped suits had not taken birth. Gandhi had espoused a simple style in his life time at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.The principal corner stone of Gandhian way of life revolved around manual labor- to provide for one’s own need through manual labor and consume that proportion of the produce for living in consonance with nature. But, this is easier said than done. However, Global leaders in their next Copenhagen summit must examine to adopt the Importance of Gandhian way of simple life style to the extent possible in current times as one of the antidote for Climate change and towards a Carbon neutral healthy and sustainable life style to protect this fragile planet from impending ravages of Nature.

My Delhi Diary

Bikash Choudhury

Day-I There was a Assocham conference in Delhi on 4^th Nov 2009 booked my ticket and prepared to get away from Bhubaneswar for some time to get fresh perspective about work and life. Neelachal express was on time on 2^nd Nov.- Karthika Purnima full moon day, a very auspicious day for all Oriya people. My wife Suman and close friend Sibasis came to see me off at the station. And, Off I went boarded the train B-2 compartment of 3AC and occupied my lower berth. The middle berth person booked through Tathkal did not turn-up and therefore I was left to enjoy the perks of two berths. My 125 kg (lean body) perched comfortably in the berth and started looking out to get familiar with people and hunt if any pretty faces around? All were oldie type; therefore I concentrated on my official reading matter and magazine purchased from the station. While reaching Delhi, the train got late by four and half hours, arrived at Delhi at 10 in the evening, unearthly hour for an infrequent visitor to the metropolis, because this vulnerability earn Coolly, Taxi driver and Hotel staffs a very fast buck. One smart taxi driver suddenly came from the back and gave one irresistible offer to drop at Hotel @ Rs. 10. I looked at the guy and agreed. Only wondered, too good to be true. Still managed to reach a decent hotel and the hotel staff at the counter, first demanded an Identity proof; without any hassle gave my PAN card, after having a look at my face and the card, again, he asked for an address proof; after, 30 hrs journey had very little patience left to argue with him. Unintentionally drawing a big face offered my DL and surprisingly the man made a photo copy of the DL and kept in the file. First time in life some body is silently questioning that I could, too be passed off as criminal in spite of my innocent looking face of 42 years. Having completed the formalities rushed to occupy the room and then again ran out immediately to have a smoke out side the hotel to refill Nicotine. By this time stomach was burning with desire to have food and mind was searching for the taste of infamous Paharganj delicacy. After a few enquiry, located one Sardar run forty year old Hotel U-like in Chuna market adjacent to my hotel. Officially, I am supposed to be a vegetarian to shed flab as per unwritten mou with wife & family. But, the aroma of Non-Vegetarian food was filled in the Dhaba and was too much of a test of abstination. I gave in to my taste buds and ordered for Mutton Kimma Masala and Tangri Kabab with Butter Nan accompanied by cut Onions and mint chutney. The first connect of food with mouth sent a pleasant current of 440 volt inside the body and in a desire to eat fast, end up in burning the top roof inside the mouth. However, the experience was exhilarating and beyond words. After a good meal every smoker would be desperate to have a fag to relish the food little more. Did the same- Ditto after returning to the room lying down on the bed resting at the back and swirling the smoke, enjoying every bit of the experience while looking at the Cigarette packet with new graphic-Tobacco cause cancer and Kill. Wondering, if any guarantee of eternal life without smoking? Gone to bed with recent book of Chetan Bhagat Two States, on that page “while Annanya, the girl friend of Krish suddenly announcing break up with him for humiliation heaped on her parents by Kris’s mother”. Slept off thinking about poor Kris and her girl friend sadly being whipped up by their respective parents who otherwise, profess and claim limitless love for their own offspring but heaping misery on the love struck couple on the issue of North Indian vis-à-vis Tamilian? Why society is so much against Love? While Love is the bed rock for new creation of life and continuation of our civilization!

(To be continued)

Mumbai Hea Meri Jan-Thoda Ruk ke Thoda Soach ke Janna

26/11 Mumbai terrorist holocaust and bombing of suburban train in July 2006 has made it known world over that anonymous Mumbai is the best bet for Jihad fundamentalist forces to strike at will most valuable targets with impunity to spread terror world over with the help of 24/7 global media. Who knows, may be the terrorist are all at it again to shred Mumbai after a few months.Mumbaites have shown solidarity with the near and dear ones who have lost lives in the 60 hrs carnage of 26/11 and victim’s family of train bombing by creating awareness through candle marches and human chain. But, is it enough? Mumbaites must have to do much more to shield them from terror strike because they are easy and most valuable target for prospective terrorist groups. Speed of life in the city is one of the added attractions for the Jihadi killers. Anonymity: Mumbaites must now take little time off in week ends to know their neighbors a little better and build a relationship so as to make it difficult for any Jihad elements to take shelter in the city to perpetrate crime. Traffic: Mumbaites must use the services of car pools generously for their own safety and reduce congestion on the roads in the peak time. Central Business districts of Mumbai must have three slots for office/business working hours 8am to 4pm, 9am to 5pm and 10am to6 pm. Further, metro can be divided in 4 zones east–west-north-south and may have four different slots of business hours.

Business: Business houses can relocate part of their operations to nearby locality of Mumbai to decongest the city and help create development of satellite townships.

Governance: City with over two crore population must have the political power to deal with the challenges of living in the City just like State of Delhi. A quarter of tax revenue of the city must be earmarked for the development and infrastructure of the city at least for a decade. Vigilance: Mumbaites must now be extra vigilant about the surroundings and be proactive to share information with authorities in real time for security of the city and their lives. Slums: Forty percent of the city lives in slum. The biggest security threat to the city. Terrorist easily take shelter in the slum before their assault. Huge migrant population in the slum offer anonymity just perfect for operation Human Slutter Mumbai Style. Mumbai is full of Rich, Powerful, Top Professionals and successful middle class who must poll resources to remove slum from Mumbai skylines for enjoying peaceful lives for family and friends. The Macabre dance of life and death at Taj Palace Hotel should not revisit the city in a new form may be in more sinister design. A decent life style for the slum dwellers would partly guarantee the safety of the city.

Mumbai has made millions of dreams come true. Now, it must individually and collectively work to preserve the city and its lives from violence of worst kind and the fear of random terror attack. Ea Mumbai Hea Meri Jan-Thoda Ruk ke Thoda Soach ke Janna.

Author: Bikash Choudhury, Chief Executive of Strategy Consulting Firm 'STREBEN MARKETING SERVICES' based at Bhubaneswar, Orissa. Contact: Mobile: 00 9853426657 Tel: 91-674-2720271

email: streben.market@gmail.com & bikashchoudhury@sify.com

GOLD BOND FOR ROAD SECTOR

Bikash Choudhury

Shining India Campaign bombed in the electoral fray in 2004 general election but the back ground of such confidence of Vajpayee led NDA Govt. was not misplaced; because that was based on immediate need of millions of people, Connectivity. Vajpayee’s vision of having golden quadrilateral project to connect the four metros and Prime Minister Gramya Sadak Yojana to connect villages with concrete roads were a phenomenal work done for the country after a long gap and would continue to serve people of this country for years. Both Golden Quadrilateral Project & PMRSY Project are far from completion.UPA govt. had later lunched NREGA program after taking over in 2004 and removed focus from road connectivity projects of NDA govt. which were not lucrative enough for an electoral arithmetic; however, three years consecutive, over 7% growth of GDP after 2004 could be attributed to an extent, to the good job of previous NDA Govt. in development of Road Sector. Development of Roads not only has a multiplier effect for growth but it can also serve in better administration of far flung areas of the country and save innocent people from the wrath of Maoist Army. You can’t apparently fault the motive of UPA govt. due to the problems of resources and funding; as host of requirements were competing for the same meager amount of public resources simultaneously.

Scarcity of Funding for large ticket infrastructure projects often lead to a long gestation period and huge cost over-run. The growth of demand for Road and Rail Connectivity has out lived the Innovative Financing Options of large projects. Now a days the Private Public Partnership also does not cut much ice; what we urgently need is a new steady source of funds for at least ten years to complete all the Road & Rail connectivity projects and Road Infrastructures of all top 100 cities in lock stock and barrel.

Yellow Metal has always attracted both rich and poor in the country equally as a cultural factor, but this huge investment of the country largely remain idle in the cupboards of rural & urban house holds and lockers of all Commercial Banks. If, we can use fifty percent of such assets on road sector for ten years then our road infrastructure could match easily with any developed countries. More over, the process of upgrading road infrastructure would add huge multiplier to growth in other sectors and make the lives of ordinary persons a heap better than it was otherwise.

Gold Bond of Govt. of India could be the ideal solution. GOI could launch one open ended fresh gold bond scheme for five and ten years lock in period with a very attractive offer to mop up 50% of all private gold reserve in the country. One good scheme could be to offer a simple interest of 1-2% per annum on the present value of gold along with bonus in terms of a fixed percentage of gold, may be ten percent for five years and twelve percent for ten years at maturity. In this model GOI could mobilize huge funds at the least cost and help create a cycle of inflow of productive resources for 20 years; which can be channeled back to road, rail, rural and urban infrastructure sector. And again create spiral effect of growth in both, short and long term. Let us hope to drive at 60 miles per hour without potholes on our highways soon and Pranabada would go laughingly, all the way to bank.

Govt. in whose favor?

Bikash Choudhury

This refers to news report “Govt. plans writ plea over CET” organized by the Orissa Private Engineering Colleges Association (OPECA) to fill up 9000 engineering seats going vacant after second round of JEE counseling. State Govt. must encourage OPECA to fill up the seats with students, of course, with due merit & means to complete the course in larger interest of the state economy. State Govt. should only be concerned with the quality of students selected for supposed to be vacant seats. If 9000 seats are allowed to remain, without students, then the capacity created by private engineering college would go waste; which would be a colossal wastage of productive resources and also it will go against the Industrialisation of the state in the long run.

If OPECA has its way, then they could recruit probably nine thousand students with some merit and the demand of market forces, out of which fifty percent could be turned out as highly skilled manpower four years later. In a very basic Cost- Benefit analysis, any bureaucrat with little amount of scruples would be able to decipher the Huge wind fall Economic Benefit in allowing the OPECA to go ahead with CET, only with a rider to organize Quality Improvement Program (QIP) for such students so that the quality of engineers turned out from CET-III confirm to the minimum standards. Hope Govt. would take necessary legislative measure or if need be, resort to ordinance for a just cause.

FLOOD PREVENTION- A WISE CRACK

FLOOD PREVENTION- A WISE CRACK

Bikash Choudhury

In Medicine they say “prevention is better than cure” the adage is, apparently, as old as the mankind has come to inhabit this earth. However, in India we use this only in very selectively. Recent down pour starting from the beginning of Durga Puja across the country has resulted in flood in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa. As per news report 40,000 people in Balasore in Orissa, 1.8 lakh people affected in Krishna district of A.P and 132 deaths have occurred and 1 lakh houses destroyed in Karnataka and further, 1.6 lakh evacuated in Karnataka and 1,3 lakh people to be evacuated in Vijayawada. In total over half a million people have been severely affected by floods this time and equally appalling is the fact that every year some part of our country gets under water during monsoons devastating human life, livestock, farms, houses, rural & urban infrastructure worth Rs 5-10 thousand crore, on an average, in a back of the envelope calculation. Can’t we prevent or at least minimize this colossal destruction of National Wealth year after year? We can allocate a quarter of the amount for a multi disciplinary research in one of our IIT for five years, to find a permanent solution to floods for good. Hope, some one in south block would pick of the thread sooner than later.

MO SOPNA RA ODISHA

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bêaù^gße, E-mail : bikashchoudhury@sify.com