NAVEEN SHOULD PLAY THE KING

Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha

“Naveen should play the king and not the king maker” a wish shared by millions of Odia people. Arun Maira, the member of Planning Commission of India recently said in a memorial lecture at Bhubaneswar “this land has the potential to change India and the World”. He must have good reason to say so. With a withering UPA and shrinking NDA; the Third Front Idea looks very promising once again. But, without a cohesive organization; Third Front, as an alternative could be worse than the Problem as political history of last fifty years witness to countless failures on this score. Therefore, Regional Satraps should do well not to wait and watch for the election results of 2013-14 to cobble together a Third Political Alternative for this vast Nation as that attempt would be fraught with danger as conflict of interest of diverse political formation could be its undoing. It is said “power unites Congress Men while divides Non-Congress Opposition”; therefore, if not Ideological Cohesion, at least the Third Front should be given shape on the basis of one Goal and a set of common programs for the Nation on which a broad consensus could be built. India is a young Nation and the aspiration of its young people is sky rocketing each passing day; they not only wish to start their life with an SUV, but wish to live and belong to a powerful Nation whose write runs through the World. And, therefore, Third Front could pursue a goal like “Sampurna Bharat and Samparna Bharat” and could even seek a mandate from the people of India on the issue. This goal alone could unite diverse political formations in Third Front with a ‘Fevicol’.

The current electoral arithmetic forecasts a tie between the two National Parties which could create a minor stir in both the National alliance and which piece would go where, depend upon which formation is closer to the seat of power; here, Third Front stands a better chance as it would be without any baggage of Governance at the centre and at the same time it would be a brand new alliance with freshness which may be of liking of electorate. However, the Leadership of Third Front would remain crucial for its success- a leader who should be acceptable to diverse political mosaic of the proposed Third Front and at the same time he should have tacit blessings from the two National Parties. Naveen Patnaik, the three times Chief Minister of Odisha fits the bill very eminently; having led coalition Govt. twice and single handedly decimating the opposition inside the party and outside having scored 100 plus seats in the State Assembly in the third term. He has also very strong base/network in New Delhi and known to people who matters globally. And, this could be the second best opportunity for Odisha to bid for Delhi Durbar. And, why not? If a Bengali can be hosted on the Raisina Hills; then, why not an Odia at the 7 Race Course Road Residence?

E-mail:streben.market@gmail.com Fax: 0674-2725130 Mobile: 9853426657 Address: Flat # 105 Kalpataru Nivas (apartment), Patia, Bhubaneswar Odisha, INDIA-751024 Twitter: @ideasofhope Blog: www.ideasofhopebikash.blogspot.com 

“Ideas to Execution”

How to make Bhubaneswar an Entrepreneur Friendly City?

“Ideas to Execution”

BIKASH CHOUDHURY

One cool morning met an unusual young man in the living room of a prominent architect in the

city; apparently, he came to persuade the Architect for sponsorship and in the din of the moment he drew our attention to his venture which was no doubt impressive and Idea was brilliant with a dynamic business model. But, he was desperately searching for a last mile funding to launch his product on 1^st April 2013. Later, it was known that he got the last minute funding in the zero hours of 30^th March 2013 from a salaried employee who  withdrew cash from his savings  earmarked for his son’s education and daughter’s marriage; while many stinking rich person, business men turned down the request for Investment on a genuine and path breaking business proposal. Where does one go with a bright business ‘Idea’/ proposal in the city? Banks would ask for assets and documents which most of the time no entrepreneur could comply with. Risky investments normally abhorred by middle class white collar group and Govt. remain inaccessible to an educated entrepreneur even today.

There is an urgent and immediate need to have an Angel Investment Network in the city of Bhubaneswar; that could fund entrepreneurial initiative and at the same time can create an “Institutional Mechanism” in the private sector to assist new entrepreneurs with organizational issues like HR, Finance, Operations, Marketing, Logistics ect., by deploying available talent pool in the city in each domains. There are Entrepreneurship Development agencies in Govt. sector; but, they fail to attract entrepreneurs and guide them in the uncharted territory of creating a new business enterprise. Need a ‘plug and play’ arrangement; wherein an entrepreneur would come just with a “Business Idea or a Business Plan” that should be given a concrete shape by a private institution so created for the purpose to make ‘Bhubaneswar City’ an entrepreneur friendly one, to Global Standards; where dreams are brought into the real world.

Practicing ‘Chartered Accountants’ of the temple city could get together to constitute an organization named “Bhubaneswar Angel Investors Group” that would have mandate to create an Investment Fund in order to deploy in the start up firms in MSME sector. They can easily rope in their clients having surplus funds to create a corpus of Rs.50-100 Crore annually to give a fresh lease of life to Business in the city. There can be a series of collaboration possible with Institutions working in the domain Nationally and even Globally. Any takers? 

Mobile: 9853426657 Address: Flat # 105 Kalpataru Nivas (apartment), Patia, Bhubaneswar Odisha, INDIA-751024 Twitter: @ideasofhope Blog: www.ideasofhopebikash.blogspot.com 

INDIA, THE GLOBL ECONOMIC & POLITICAL POWER OF 21st CENTURY

Bikash Choudhury

Once upon a time India shared 25 % of Global trade and now it runs a current account deficit; there was a time, Global traders were vying for a piece of trade in India and that led to the discovery of  marine way to India from Europe; while currently India struggles to attract Foreign Direct Investment. If we turn the pages of History, we find a small Island Nation imposing its Political wills over half of the World by virtue of its Political Unity and Leadership. There is an opportunity for India; it is now or never. The civilization conflict and Global defense expenditure is taking a heavy toll on Global economy. India could take its diplomatic acumen to the World and change the agenda from ‘conflict to collaboration’ from ‘senseless violence & war to peace & development’. That should put India as the “Conscience Keeper of the World” and at the same time release substantial resources from conspicuous consumption to developmental expenditure not only in India but all across the World and could put a brake to Global slow down with huge benefit for   India in terms of demand for its goods and services; apart from helping India to straighten a few rough edges in South Asia and beyond. Along with this if India could find simple solution that exists for its problems on “bijli, sadak, panni and its sahhar”. India could return to double digit growth if it promises to develop its top 50 cities into Global standards; and resources will never be a constraint; but, the Mindset could- India is free but not independent or independent but not free. Some thing some where has chained us; the Governance model that we inherited from British Empire was designed to “collect and dispatch” and that system continues even today. Senior Ministers in union Govt. admit in public that “in Govt. left hand does not know what the right hand is doing”. This is not an insurmountable problem for India to deal with; a simple solution for this could be to allow the “bottom of pyramid in Govt. to think and act with reasonable checks and balances”. This calls for National Political Unity at the top on supreme National Interest and a bold Leadership. Precisely, that is the ‘raison d’etre’ of ‘Forum for Political Unity of India Foundation’ which dream of a “Sampurna Bharat and Samparna Bharat” and wish to pursue National Political Unity on Basic Issues, Challenges and Concern of the Country by engaging Political Parties at National Level and in States to Develop a common agenda for the Nation, collaborating with eminent persons from all walks of life to engage Govt. at the Centre and States to shape the policies of the Nation and States to bring synergies needed and priorities adhered and to build and shape a “Younger Leadership” through Professional Training and Academic Partnership. A time will come when “the Kohinoor and our Peacock Throne would return to India without asking. Come and join us to shape the ‘India’ of our dreams.

1st BIJU PATNAIK MEMORIAL LECTURE

FORUM FOR POLITICAL UNITY OF INDIA

21.02.2013

1^st BIJU PATNAIK MEMORIAL LECTURE

5 March 2013, at Bhubaneswar

Sir,

We at “Forum for Political Unity of India” the organization that is taking shape wish to approach your esteemed organization for “sponsorship”. The 1^st Biju Patnaik Memorial Lecture would be held at ‘Occasion’ Banquet Hall of Pal Height Hotel in Bhubaneswar on 5^th March 2013, Tuesday in the evening.

The theme for the lecture would be “India, the Global Economic & Political Power of 21st Century- the Journey”

This would be a ‘Unique Event’ in the calendar of Odisha as the date coincides with the Birth Anniversary of legendary leader of Odisha, Late Biju Patnaik, former Union Minister and Chief Minister of Odisha. Apart from a Top Economist (Ashok V Desai); there would be Top Politicians as Speakers on the subject and Delegates (250-300 in strength) would hail from Politics, Economics, Bureaucracy, Journalism, Academics, Businessmen, Professionals, Social Activist and Students.

The Chief Minister of Odisha has been invited as the ‘Chief Guest’ to inaugurate the 1^st Biju Patnaik Memorial Lecture and a Souvenir of fifty pages would be released on the occasion. There is provision for 350-500 CC of press advertisement, and we are working on FM Broadcast, Live Telecast and Web Cast of the event to reach out to a larger discerning audience.

We will be very happy and remain obliged if you could sponsor the event.

Thanking You.

Sincerely yours,

 Bikash Choudhury

Convener

9853426657

FACT SHEET OF THE PROGRAM

• Event: 1^st Biju Patnaik Memorial Lecture

• Venue: Banquet Hall: Occasion, Pal Heights Hotel, Bhubaneswar

• Date: 5^th March 2013, Tuesday 7.30-9.30 hrs in the evening

• Theme: “India the Global Economic & Political Power of 21st Century- The Journey”

• Speakers: Economist and Top Leaders of Political Parties

• Format: The program would start with a Presentation on Modern Art (7.00-7.30 Hrs). The Lecture would be of 60 Minutes duration followed by Classical Music of Odisha and Dinner.

• Delegates: Politicians, Top Bureaucrats, Economist, Journalist, Academics, Businessmen, Professionals, Social Activist and Students

Sponsorship Opportunity

• Principal Sponsor: Rs. 8 lakh

(The 1^st Biju Patnaik Memorial Lecture would be presented by the principal sponsor)

• Associate Sponsor: Rs. 5 lakh

(The Lecture Venue and in other media coverage Associate Sponsor would get the pride of place)

• Co-Sponsor: Rs. 2 Lakh

(All Co-sponsors would receive pride of place in OOH event advertising and other media coverage)

• Souvenir Sponsor: Rs. 2 lakh (Souvenir outer cover would remain dedicated to the sponsor)
•  Full Page Advertisement in the Souvenir: Rs.25,000/-
• Delegate Welcome Kit Sponsor: Rs. 2 lakh (The outer cover of the kit would be branded with the sponsor)

E-mail:forum4politicalunity@gmail.com Fax: 0674-2725130/2720985

Mobile: 9853426657/9238912647 Address: Flat # 105 Kalpataru Nivas(apartment), Patia,Bhubaneswar Odisha,INDIA-751024 Twitter: @ideasofhope Blog: www.ideasofhopebikash.blogspot.com  

HALF A CAR-THE COMMUTING SOLUTION OF INDIA?

Bikash Choudhury

Just very recently I moved from a two wheeler to an SUV out of business necessity than to keep up with the joneses. Found that it has doubled my time in getting around a small city like Bhubaneswar and put pressure on my daily schedule. I wish there were any short cut to getting around the city in style while it should not be taxing in terms of time consumed on the road. I cracked upon an Idea, apparently the time for which has just arrived as city residents battered by traffic snarls daily. India could design a slimmer four wheeler that occupies 65-75% of road space and fits in chuffer and one passenger behind for traveling to office. This car could be on a regular or a brand new plat form designed for the purpose that looks after creature comforts of an office goer while providing safety, driving pleasure and sits comfortably on the wallet in terms of buying price and subsequent maintenance. These challenges can be addressed by simply fabricating a brand new engine of 350-500 Cubic Capacity which could be driven with multiple fuels like: fossil fuel, CNG, Solar and battery back up. The body cage could be fabricated out of composite metals and there could be provisions for one door in either side to access the car easily. This type of four wheeler could free 25-35% of road space that is getting dearer with each passing day and we hardly find an answer to a street fight on minor road mishaps invariably each day on some street corner. Unless, we fix our problem with the quality and quantity of roads in the future; half a car Idea could be an alternative solution to an extent but for a limited period of time.       

                                               

SRADHANJALI TO A TEACHER OF EMINENCE

                                                     Bikash Choudhury

Raju Naik National Foundation organized a “Sradhanjali” for a teacher of eminence and Gandhian by choice Dr. Benudhar Pradhan on 4^th February 2013 at Bharat Scouts and Guides conference hall in the evening. Dr. Pradhan, former Professor of Political Science in Utkal Univesity passed away on 25^th January 2013 at his eldest son’s residence at Benaras. In recent times, we rarely see such a passionate congregation to offer Sradhanjali for a teacher where his students, co-workers, peers, friends, family and admirers vie to speak a few words for the departed soul. Prof. Pradhan touched many human lives, established a chord and altered their Ideas about life and living in a very substantive manner for which he would be remembered always. Undoubtedly, he was a unique teacher on many counts than one. He had seer depth of knowledge in his domain and accumulated incites drawn out of extensive research done on political thoughts of Nehru and Gandhi. Apart from his knowledge, he was known in the campus of Vani Vihar of Utkal University for his simple and down to earth Gandhian lifestyle. He was the cynosure of the city for his early morning walk on bare foot to Bayababa Matha a good 2.5 Km from his residence in Vani Vihar. He kept his schedule unaltered until he moved out of Vani Vihar soon after his retirement. He had a dream, vision and plan for Utkal University and its campus Vani Vihar in lines of ancient university of “Nalanda” which he wrote about many times in Odiya Daily “The Samaj” and that remained unacknowledged and largely ignored by the authorities of the time who were too well known to him and apparently, therefore never consider him for the position of Vice-Chancellor; otherwise, Utkal University would have been in a different avatar much different from, as we see it today. He was an ace academician and highly competent educational administrator with profound knowledge on Gandhian Economic Model; which remain largely unexplored owing to the politics or lack of it in his times. He never approached any body for any personal favors though many in the power structure of his time would have been obliged to do so. In the fag end of his life, he tried his best to give shape to a plan for a Rural University and a Hospital at Kendrapada which remain till now on paper. A Rural University on Gandhian Economic Model could be a game changer not only for the coastal district of Odisha but all across the World as Global slow down stares all of us on the face which is due to less than perfect allocation of resources which has widened the gap between rich and poor, haves and have nots’ and educated & illiterate and crooks and straight. Prof. Pradhan may have passed away as an unsung hero (he may not have liked any other way) but, his life and work would continue to inspire and drive a large humanity as Jesus Christ, Aristotle and Leonard Davinci were feted after their lives; that would remain an unexplained and incomprehensible paradox for times to come.    

INDIA COULD REDRAW THE MAP OF ASIA

Bikash Choudhury

India was dismembered under a colonial rule in 1947 to serve the interest of the super power of the time; falling and failing British Empire. It intrigues me and millions of Indians; as, how a small Island Nation could control not only India but a large part of humanity and earth for centuries? This must have been due to two important things; one is the National Unity and the second one being the Leadership. If India were to redraw the map of Asia on ground and in the mindset (without firing a bullet); then, it should attempt to forge National Unity and Develop a Strong & Bold Leadership. It is quite possible to reverse the division of India in letter and spirit if we could play our cards well enough. Pakistan has been a thorn in the neck since its inception more due to its military and fundamentalist leadership who have thus far run and ruined the civilian Leadership and ordinary peace loving and cricket aficionado Pakistanis. Given a choice Pakistanis would love to sing and dance with Indians in Mussiarahs either in Mumbai or in Lahore. India needs to enhance the quality and quantity of its contacts with Pakistan civil society in spite of all odds; while dealing with war mongers and people with evil designs very firmly. Indian security establishments has enough depth to keep tab on those elements stealthily and neutralize them in covert operation inside or outside the designated territory; in this apparently the peace loving people would co-operate with India on their own interest. India has started well with Bangladesh but it needs more momentum; as columnist after columnist advised India to be more open and broad minded while dealing with its neighbors by addressing their sensitive concerns. The West Bengal Govt. has been a stumbling block on this; as Mamata Banerji remains very scared of red brigade. But, she can be brought around with little dosages of ego massages which our NSA could do well. Further, India need to invest heavily on Tibetan issue to give justice to suffering people of Tibet while attempting to restore neutral state status of Tibet and a buffer between India and China. All of this could happen without firing a bullet and changing the map of Asia substantially in this century.