Thursday, July 30, 2009

Education bill faces opposition from school authorities

Education bill faces opposition from school authorities: "Apart from these, 25 per cent seats in private schools will be given free."

This is fcking crazy! Why do they want private schools to wind up?

The government is ready to make up for the fee shortfall caused by reservation. But schools say it may not be enough.

"Schools have no other source of income. So we will be forced to raise the fees by 40 per cent," said Sumer Singh, principal, Daley College.

The Govt. has a mint or what?

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Azad proposes 'late marriages' to curb population

Azad proposes 'late marriages' to curb population: "Azad proposes 'late marriages' to curb population"

Our rulers are still trying to curb population! What a pity.

Mallya calls prohibition 'farce', Modi govt snubs him

Mallya calls prohibition 'farce', Modi govt snubs him: "Mallya calls prohibition 'farce', Modi govt snubs him"

Very very well said by Mallya. In retort all the Govt. says is that Mallya should mind his own business. What jerks we have in the Govt! Can Mr. Jaynarayan Vyas (the Govt. spokesperson) give a better retort? He needs to remember that he lives on and spends tax payer money and is accountable for failed policies.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Hinduism

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/books/review/Mishra-t.html

It is a book review. I haven't read the book, nevertheless it reaffirms my faith (as it is not founded on any research of mine) that there is no single defining thing called Hinduism, a thought that excites me greatly and lessens my frustration at the narrow mindedness of the current self-proclaimed saviors and knowledge bearers of Hinduism.

When will I get my next Amazon coupon!!?

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Parties of the poor, for the poor?

What a fucking farce![link]

The Congress party Elections Manifesto 2009, in writing, promises to increase the number of days for which work will be offered under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme as also the daily wage rate. As if this is not enough the party goes ahead to offer literally "free lunches" in community kitchens for a certain class of people. And it then promises to make available 25 kg of foodgrains at Rs 3 per kilogram!

Apart from being an inducement to influence the voters, this promise contains a threat to the foodgrains producers that their produce will be procured at artificially depressed prices. Artificially depressed prices over decades have resulted in mass suicides by farmers. This offer was repeated by no less a person than Ms Sonia Gandhi herself in an electoral speech in Karnataka.

In a meeting that he addressed in Wardha, in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Rahul Gandhi maintained that his party was essentially for the poor and that as long as one poor man remains in the country, he himself, Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh would be there to address his concerns.

Indian politicians have no incentive to see the poor come out of poverty, no incentive, absolutely none!

There is an old adage that goes against giving alms to the beggars; "Give him rather the implements with which to work and earn his bread."

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme condemns millions of people to a life of manual labour, digging pits and filling them, rather than starting an enterprise. Such mindless labour can actually be poverty creating rather than poverty eradicating.

[Via]

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Hi-tech Talaq

Fiza gets rude call, hubby says talaq over phone: "Fiza gets rude call, hubby says talaq over phone"

Otis wants Gandhi articles back, immediately

Otis wants Gandhi articles back, immediately: "Otis said he would negotiate with India on the 'two proposals he had submitted – increase in the spending on the poor and fully paid exhibition of Gandhi's items in 78 countries to spread the apostle of peace's message of non violence.'"

The man and his proposals!

Master Madoff!

Master Madoff by Don Cooper:
"One disgruntled former student, Boston money manager Harry Markopolos, appeared on 20/20 four years ago commenting on the simple investigation he had undertaken regarding master Madoff’s activities and the facts unequivocally indicated fraud: Madoff didn’t make buys or sells, he was making consistently above average returns for his clients, etc.. . He implied that the SEC should have caught those simple, basic aspects of trading in securities. He even had the audacity to suggest that they didn’t because either the SEC was an over-bloated, inefficient bureaucracy and/or so incompetent they couldn’t do the simplest things and therefore a waste of taxpayer’s money and/or – and this is just mean-spirited and obviously a product of Mr. Markopolos’ resentment – the SEC was bought off by a billionaire. Oh right. Please, like that can happen. What would Mr. Markopolos suggest? We get the SEC out of the securities markets so there’s no moral hazard and people will take responsibility for doing the necessary due diligence themselves before investing? Hah! Then what would the master’s like master Madoff do? Freak."
Who will regulate the regulator? Sigh!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Man Who Rumbled Madoff

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (March 11, 2009) - The Man Who Rumbled Madoff: "Markopolos took the team's findings to the SEC in 2000, but federal regulators refused to pursue the case—that is, until the financial meltdown laid bare the fraud on its own and forced them to act."

Wonder why people trust regulators any more than the selfish capitalists....

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Ramadoss turns health messiah again, no hookahs

Ramadoss turns health messiah again, no hookahs: "After the ban on smoking in public places, health minister Anbumani Ramadoss is now taking on the hookah parlours."

This man needs to go! Why can't he worry about his and his family's health? Maybe we should get the essential stats of all of them and vote on a diet plan that he and his family should follow! All the best Ramadoss if that were to happen.

There is a lot of shit that is very dangerous. The smoke that comes out of public transport is a good example. What say Ramadoss, do we ban transport too?

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation has already brought hookah parlours under the purview of the Cigarettes and Tobacco Act.

The corporation has been conducting raids at various hookah parlours in the city and revoking the licenses of parlours that do not have proper documentation.

And of course earning a lot of money from all those parlors whose license is not revoked or will be reissued in the near future.

This world does not need dictators, however noble their intents be.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Building walls with US trading partners - The Boston Globe

Building walls with US trading partners - The Boston Globe: "Democracy is bolstered by prosperity and damaged by downturns. Since the pioneering work of Martin Lipset 50 years ago, social scientists have tried to understand why democracies and wealth go together. My colleague Robert Barro found that this link exists not because democracies increase prosperity, but because prosperity supports democracy. The appeal of democracy's enemies increases when democracies, like the Weimar Republic, are unable to deliver economic success." [Via]

Saturday, March 07, 2009

The Saturday Profile - An Empire for Poor Working Women, Guided by a Gandhian Approach - Biography - NYTimes.com

The Saturday Profile - An Empire for Poor Working Women, Guided by a Gandhian Approach - Biography - NYTimes.com: "Freedom, one woman said, was “looking a policeman in the eye.”"

Caught between bails and ballots

So what will u choose, IPL or general elections? [Via:Cricinfo - Blogs - The Surfer - Caught between bails and ballots]:
"Repeatedly we are told that there is far too much at stake for too many people, for the IPL Board to even so much as contemplate the idea of such a postponement or a cancellation. But who are these stakeholders, and why should elected governments stretch their security apparatus dangerously thin in order to protect their interests?

The Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan players proved that cricket could indeed be a soft target for terrorists in this part of the world. While we may want to believe that India is a lot safer than Pakistan — and there is indeed some strong basis for this belief, 26/11 notwithstanding — this is not the time to traffic in illusions."
Well, honestly I am not sure voting makes any bit of difference in India. So, maybe, I would prefer watching a match instead of bothering to choose between the incompetent Gandhi family (where I base my judgement on their record to this day) and Shri. Advani.
The Indian Premier League is about many things. It’s about money, money, money, money, money… and then, of course, about a bit of cricket, of the frenetic kind, too.

Given that fact, this column has a suggestion to Mr. Lalit Modi, the IPL’s high-profile head honcho. He should request the Central Government of the world’s largest democracy to postpone the general elections scheduled for April-May. Well, actually he should go beyond that: he should demand it.
It is about money, only because it is the kind of cricket people come to a stadium to watch. It may not be the purest form of cricket but is the only form one with a 9-6 job can go to a stadium to watch without having to take a day off. Nobody is forced to go to the stadium. People can choose not to go to the stadium.

I am guessing that the Govt. must have been in the know of the IPL schedule given that the schedule was finalized before the general election schedule. I would be very surprised if the Govts (state and center) were not consulted before setting the dates. Organising such an event without Govt. permission should be impossible in India. Also, if the Govt. cannot keep India safe they should let the people of India know, the earlier the better. No life is so cheap to be left at the mercy of an incompetent Govt, a lot have already been lost. It is only reasonable that such an incompetent Govt. allows its citizens to find means of protecting themselves. It cannot force people to live in shackles because it cannot provide them with protection.

Also, the organizers of the IPL have a contract to keep, and I am not sure how I can sit on judgment for they wanting to keep their contract. The Govt. gets away with not keeping their election time promises, it is only good if others insist on keeping theirs even if it is for big money.
Those cheergirls are worth every penny paid to them: they not only get the fans into the stands well ahead of the contest but also help add colour and zest and life to our newspapers’ front and back pages _ and a few in between.
Well, even the newspapers are behind big money!

Now, this is what makes me furious:
There is a simple solution: postpone the polls, no matter what the Constitution says, no matter what the Election Commissioners may say. After all, can these blokes possibly bring in hundreds of millions to the kitty? Can they conceivably persuade Preity Zinta or Shilpa Shetty — draped in the finest their unabashedly expensive wardrobes can offer — to jive it live in front of TV cameras during the matches?
Unabashedly expensive wardrobes? Are Zinta and Shetty to live like the poor of the world? Will that make their cause more just or the poor any richer? They earn the millions because of investments they make of their own money. In contrast, wonder what the Govt. does with our money? Not much seems to change election after election, not even the sloganeering. Oh!, the sanctity of the constitution is at stake.
In a rational world, it would have been an open-and-shut case, a non-issue. If the governments of the States where the IPL matches are scheduled believed they would not be able to provide adequate security to the players because of the election pressures, then the Central Government should simply tell the Board of Control for Cricket in India that it would do well to postpone, or even cancel, the event.
In a rational world, the Govt. has absolute powers. Ya well!

Unions!

This is exactly what I hate about unions (in the comments of the linked article), the presumption on their part that every worker should be on their side. If you don't want to work for a certain pay, so be it. You want to protest, fair enough. But you cannot force people to follow suit. That's not the way it works! Each individual should have the right to choose who they want to fight for their rights.
Communications Workers of America authorizes strike of 20,000 AT&T workers, could happen soon: "I also am an emloyee and you CAN NOT cross the picket line, If and when there is a strike. You will not be able to keep your job if you do. You have to be a union member in good standing. I do believe that you need to educate yourself... You need to make sure that is really what you want to do if you have bills.. You need to support your union. And for all the people on here that are downing the union. I feel that we are deserving of what we are asking for. We work our butts off also. I for one have been in a wage freeze for some time. How fair is this? I think everyone should educate yourselves before you go off on the CWA. They are fighting for our rights as workers and I am backing them and I will be there picketing and doing whatever I need to do for US as workers."

God's laws?

God's laws or the Catholic Church's laws?
Nine-Year-Old's Abortion Outrages Brazil's Catholic Church - TIME: "Archibishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho of the coastal city of Recife announced that the Vatican was excommunicating the family of a local girl who had been raped and impregnated with twins by her stepfather, because they had chosen to have the girl undergo an abortion. The Church excommunicated the doctors who performed the procedure as well. 'God's laws,' said the archbishop, dictate that abortion is a sin and that transgressors are no longer welcome in the Roman Catholic Church."

Friday, March 06, 2009

Dhoni's Mis-hit

India Today - India's most widely read magazine.: "Dhoni's Mis-hit"

When India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was, fresh off the Indian team’s first win in New Zealand, he began by saying he was “shocked and sad” that sportspersons had been attacked. Pressed further about Pakistan he went on, his responses containing these phrases, “I am glad I am in New Zealand and I don't have to worry about these things… Sides like us are quite happy not to be there, in this kind of a situation…. I am happy we didn't tour Pakistan, and that the government didn't allow us to tour Pakistan. It may or may not have happened to us. But overall I am happy to be here.”

It was the last thing out of his mouth and the first thing that got snapped up. The news channels were happy to call this typical of Dhoni “speaking his mind,”. It was all true, it was gut-feel “honest”. It is probably what every Indian cricketer and every player in the world felt privately at the time. But it was not appropriate.

I am not too sure what is inappropriate about saying that one is happy not to have been shot at.
On a day when some of his peers could have been killed, when a match official was fighting for his life and when seven innocent human beings had lost their lives, the over-arching sentiment from the captain of India called for something other than a statement whose sub-text essentially read: “Ooo, lucky, lucky us”.
He was happy not to be there as a result of decisions that were pretty much out of his control. How that translates to "Ooo, lucky, lucky us" is beyond me! Also, the Sri Lankan Board sending the cricket team despite warnings from security agencies is plain stupid.

Indian women burnt to death - Views - livemint.com

Indian women burnt to death - Views - livemint.com: "Indian women burnt to death"

Maybe this aspect of our culture deserves more attention?

Thursday, March 05, 2009

'Democracy Is A Sin, Infidelity' : outlookindia.com

'Democracy Is A Sin, Infidelity' : outlookindia.com: [Via]
"The Indian government has accused some Pakistan-based militant groups in the Mumbai terrorist attacks."

"I have no knowledge about that."
Heh!

Making nasty comments online can land you in jail

Making nasty comments online can land you in jail: "Making nasty comments online can land you in jail"
“There are so many charges against Ajith, such as x, y, z. Our constitution does not allow such activity so it is not acceptable,” says Cyber lawyer Karnika Seth.
Why does the constitution have to be the last word? Can't it evolve to extend human rights to all?

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (March 04, 2009) - Unglobalization

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (March 04, 2009) - Unglobalization: "Unglobalization"

The article says, G20 leaders.....

Leaders, my foot.

Need is the new specialization?

Greg Mankiw's Blog: Another Loss for Economic Freedom: "Another Loss for Economic Freedom"

The Crimson reports:

Amendment to Stimulus Bill Restricts Hiring of Internationals

Troubled financial institutions that recruit heavily from Harvard may soon face restrictions on hiring international students if they accepted federal bailout funding. Under a recently passed amendment to the federal stimulus bill, companies participating in the Troubled Assets Relief Program—a government financial-rescue plan implemented last fall—will face more restrictions in hiring H-1B visa holders, foreigners with at least a bachelor’s degree and “highly specialized knowledge” in a particular field.

Next they should offer Americans in need jobs without interviewing them. Need is the new specialization, the greater the need the greater the specialization! Hurray! Of course, you ought to be an American.

Masters in need, someone?

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Cricinfo - Warm-up in doubt over ICL stand-off

Cricinfo - Warm-up in doubt over ICL stand-off: "'There's no way we'd stand for that,' New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief Heath Mills was quoted as saying in the New Zealand Herald. 'They're New Zealanders and they're perfectly entitled to play in a domestic league in their own country. We will not accept players being stood down because of the petty politics of another country.'"

Good stand indeed! Enough with BCCI's stupidity and cowardice.

Pub attack: Girls can have their own way, says Advani

Pub attack: Girls can have their own way, says Advani: "'It (the attack) is basically against Indian culture, Indian ethos. Girls or boys, they have their own way', he said, adding that one may not approve the girls in pub but that does not mean one attacks them."

Fair enough! Lets see how consistently he will take the above stand.

MP govt proposes law to regulate Christian properties

MP govt proposes law to regulate Christian properties: "However, Minister, religious endowments Laxmi Kant Sharma said, 'There is no communal feeling behind the move. The government takes care of Muslim properties as well as Hindu properties so Christian properties can also be looked after.'"

Laxmi Kant, the government, wants more responsibility as they are fulfilling all their responsibilities to the best one can imagine.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

U.N. Anti-Blasphemy Resolution

'Freedom Under Fire: U.N. Anti-Blasphemy Resolution' by Christopher Hitchens, Lou Dobbs - RichardDawkins.net: "U.N. Anti-Blasphemy Resolution"
blas·phe·my

1 a: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God b: the act of claiming the attributes of deity
2: irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable
How will anyone decide what is an insult to God? Human rights are inviolable and human rights are sacred and the stupid resolution will be a step towards denying them.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Sachin Tendulkar pulled from T20 exhibition game

Sachin Tendulkar pulled from T20 exhibition game: "Indian cricket authorities forced star batsman Sachin Tendulkar to withdraw from an exhibition match on Friday because one of the participants, New Zealander Hamish Marshall, had links to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL)"

The cowards at the BCCI treating ICL players (ex and current) as untouchables to ensure that they have no competition!

Shame

Smoke Signals: "Shame"

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Advani hails Rahman; UPA takes credit for Slumdog's win

Advani hails Rahman; UPA takes credit for Slumdog's win: "The Government has given itself credit for the 'conducive atmosphere' that's contributing to an 'achieving India'."

It is getting more and more difficult to choose between the parties. Not that it was ever any easier! Conducive atmosphere? Achieving India? Do these people not get it? Think of the number of Rahmans, Danny Boyles, Resul Pookuttys that lurk in extreme poverty in the country, will you? That one Rahman gets an Oscar is because the dude is talented, hard working and is sheer lucky that his talent didn't get wasted.

The Congress might want to brag a little less. Maybe they should remember how BJP lost after their India Shining campaign!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Hindu : Karnataka / Udupi News : Sene opposes provocative dressing: Muthalik

The Hindu : Karnataka / Udupi News : Sene opposes provocative dressing: Muthalik: "Sene opposes provocative dressing: Muthalik"[Via]

This idiot (hope I have offended him) is opposed to women wearing Burkhas and women provocatively dressed and of course, every other jobless dude will soon find reasons to be opposed to something. Now-a-days this world is in grave need of moral policing. Who other than those that are jobless (not sure if the entire blame for their joblessness is on them) could be better suited to indulging in the unethical and immoral nonsense that should be illegal and criminal but isn't!

Muthalik also shares wisdom:
Mr. Muthalik said that provocative dressing by women was responsible for various crimes, including rape and suicides.
Thank heavens that he didn't blame the west for rapes and suicides in India.

ANTIDOTE: The Purpose Of Law

Pretty shocking this:
ANTIDOTE: The Purpose Of Law: "If anyone causes damage or injury to anyone else, he must pay damages. In India, this vital pillar of The Law simply does not exist. You may be hit on the road by a car driven by a reckless driver, and break a few bones, but under our The Law, you can claim no damages as compensation. You may go blind drinking illicit hooch – but there is no damage that the bootlegger will be forced to pay you. Your building may collapse in the rains, but the builder will not pay damages. In all these instances, the criminal law will take over, the police will be called in – and these bullies will extort money from the tortfeasor, as in the case of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, or the Uphaar cinema fire."

Sunday, February 22, 2009

VHP asks Muslim groups to issue fatwa on terror

VHP asks Muslim groups to issue fatwa on terror: "VHP asks Muslim groups to issue fatwa on terror"

So there will be a fatwa on VHP too?

Friday, February 20, 2009

IBNLive : Nandan Nilekani's Blog : The last chance

IBNLive : Nandan Nilekani's Blog : The last chance:
"The NDA government had made a stab at labour reforms and backtracked at the outcry, and while the UPA government had plenty of reformers in its midst, it sidestepped these critical issues. Unless the next government at the Centre takes up these reforms and resists both the inevitable outcry that will come from interest groups and the temptations for easy shortcuts like reservations, we will see our biggest promise - our demographics - become our albatross. As millions of young people with high aspirations enter the workforce and find they neither have the skills to get a proper job, nor the ecosystem that creates proper jobs, the disappointment is going to be palpable. Almost every crisis we have today whether it is the atavism in Mangalore or the parochialism in Mumbai can ultimately be traced to unemployed and underemployed youth. Without quick action the demographic 'dividend' could well turn out to be a demographic 'disaster'. The next five years is our final chance."

Monday, February 16, 2009

Advani-raj

If BJP wins, India wins: LK Advani-India-The Times of India: "'There's no country in the world where constitutional head of government was reduced to this level. What we have is not Manmohan Raj
but Sonia Raj,' said BJP's PM candidate L K Advani at the Rashtriya Raksha and Vijay Sankalp rally here on Sunday. He also said, 'If BJP, India wins.'"

Well, at least he didn't say if Advani wins India wins! I guess if Advani/Manmohan/Sonia and the rest of the Gandhi clan, and any other politician I can think of wins, India only looses. Unfortunately, in a democracy some dude has to win!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

IBNLive : Sagarika Ghose's Blog : Panties and Perverts

I had reached the quoted link via [India Uncut]. Then I had not cared to read the link in its entirety. On reading it I was reminded of how people had ganged up against women who worked at call centers, so much that it had been proposed that women should not be allowed to work later than 10PM in the night! This was their response and solution to a couple of women raped and killed on their way to their way to work at night. Maybe women working late hours and giving up their traditional duties (in line with western culture?) is also not a forward movement for India. Of course, victimizing the victim is indisputably Indian culture?
IBNLive : Sagarika Ghose's Blog : Panties and Perverts: "However much we may hate the Sene, upholding the commercially-driven Valentine's Day as a supreme cultural resource, or seeing the pub as the shining symbol of our social 'freedom' may not be forward movement for India. If young people are choosing urban lifestyles that are desi imitations of Sex And The City, this is hardly a matter of celebration. In fact, today, fears about 'westernization' are so deep that with the exception of UR Ananathamurthy, few of Karnataka's galaxy of public intellectuals have come to the defence of the young women drinking at the Amnesia Lounge in Mangalore on 24th January."

Politically, there is even a consensus on the moral failings of "pub culture, " with even the BJP's ideological opposites, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and health minister Ambumani Ramadoss expressing energetic disapproval of pubs. When union minister Renuka Chowdhury urged that there should be a "pub bharo" campaign against the Sene, several of her own Karnataka Congress leaders protested that drinking was against their norms.
Also, I think she reads too much into the response of politicians who, even if they think otherwise, will not speak anything that will put off their vote banks (a lot of Indians who have in all probability never been to a pub but are very confident of their notions of what a pub is like and especially what men and women do in a pub.).

To me it is hardly a matter of celebration that so many people think freedom should of the kind they think is acceptable.

I am no historian but did Indians never drink? We do have bhang and bhang ki thandai even now-a-days. Why are people so scared of drinking? Its OK not to drink but being scared or calling it un-Indian seems to be a stretch to me and yes I love to drink and would hate to live in a place where I can't buy one at will.

'Despite these riots, I stand by what I wrote' by Johann Hari - RichardDawkins.net

'Despite these riots, I stand by what I wrote' by Johann Hari - RichardDawkins.net:
"'All people deserve respect, but not all ideas do. I don't respect the idea that a man was born of a virgin, walked on water and rose from the dead. I don't respect the idea that we should follow a 'Prophet' who at the age of 53 had sex with a nine-year old girl, and ordered the murder of whole villages of Jews because they wouldn't follow him. I don't respect the idea that the West Bank was handed to Jews by God and the Palestinians should be bombed or bullied into surrendering it. I don't respect the idea that we may have lived before as goats, and could live again as woodlice. When you demand 'respect', you are demanding we lie to you. I have too much real respect for you as a human being to engage in that charade.'"

...........

The protestors said I deliberately set out to "offend" them, and I am supposed to say that, no, no offence was intended. But the honest truth is more complicated. Offending fundamentalists isn't my goal – but if it is an inevitable side-effect of defending human rights, so be it. If fanatics who believe Muslim women should be imprisoned in their homes and gay people should be killed are insulted by my arguments, I don't resile from it. Nothing worth saying is inoffensive to everyone.
It is a tragedy that the editor and the publisher were arrested. Were the fanatic goons arrested? When will mobs stop ruling opinion? To all the goons, stop getting offended! If you have such great conviction in your beliefs try to engage in a to and fro of opinions.
The solution to the problems of free speech – that sometimes people will say terrible things – is always and irreducibly more free speech.
Can't agree more!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Minister scolds, airline cuts back fare hike

Minister scolds, airline cuts back fare hike:
Patel's statement came as leading airlines decided to stop promotional fares to arrest losses, though flag carrier Air India said its fares will be ten per cent lower than those of Jet Airways and Kingfisher's cheapest rates.

Patel said Air India will 'never be a part of such cartelisation and will ensure that competitive pricing ensures better prices to passengers'.
I wonder how Air India can offer 10% lower fares than other airlines. But then it is owned by the Govt., so I guess it has all the money it needs. As far as my experience goes Air India has to be the worst I have been aboard. So unless Air India is eating into tax payer money, it rather offer lower fares, else I would have very little reason to board their aircraft.
Jet Airways announced 30-day apex fares on key domestic routes after Patel made his displeasure over airlines hiking fares clear.
On what basis does Patel know what the correct fares are? Also, from what I know the biggest part of cheap tickets is the airline tax. Maybe Patel should cut the tax a bit!

Also, the Govt.-industry nexus sucks in India. The industry wilts very easily under Govt. pressure and I think that is because of the favors exchanged between the two. Setting up anything, not just an airline but lesser business enterprises would need greasing the palms of the government and of course greasing will continue as long as the enterprise. I am especially skeptical of the big business families in India who very often are seen sucking up to politicians. They keep the Govt. happy and at least till very recently and I guess even now to a great extent the Govt. protects them from any external competition.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Landlords play moral police -Bangalore-Cities-The Times of India

Landlords play moral police -Bangalore-Cities-The Times of India: "House owners in the city are now asking single working women to furnish character certificates on company letterheads, before renting out their houses."

Bastards!

Monday, February 09, 2009

Fire the foreigner, it is the moral thing to do!

Okay, protecting the American's job is the moral thing to do is what the senator said. Of course, to accomplish that favor firing the foreigner!

[Via a friend's shared item on Google Reader]:
"'Hiring American workers for limited available jobs should be a top priority for businesses taking taxpayer money through the TARP bailout program,' Sen. Grassley said.

'With the unemployment rate at 7.6 percent, there is no need for companies to hire foreign guest workers through the H1-B program when there are plenty of qualified Americans looking for jobs,' Sen. Grassley said.

Sen. Grassley and Sen. Sanders both argue that U.S. firms have a moral obligation to protect U.S. workers' jobs."

It is not clear to me why would companies go through the pains of hiring foreign workers if there are enough qualified Americans around who are looking for the same jobs.

Have American companies been hiring foreign workers because they are altruistic? How is it moral to spend the tax payer's money in an inefficient way? Of course, the tax payers can choose to do so and may want the companies getting the bail out to do so as it is their money. That reminds me that H1-B workers pay taxes too and given that they are highly qualified workers the tax each one of them pays, I am guessing and could be wrong, must be more than an average American pays. Anyway, H1-B workers don't have the right to vote and so have no way of controlling how their money is spent.

More wisdom from Grassley on how Microsoft should handle its planned layoffs:
"These work visa programs were never intended to allow a company to retain foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American workers, when that company cuts jobs during an economic downturn,"

"It is imperative that in implementing its layoff plan, Microsoft ensures that American workers have priority in keeping their jobs over foreign workers on visa programs,"
Okay, now we should layoff based on nationality. I would toss a coin if there were two equally valuable employees and I had to fire one but nationality seems like a morally correct option. Senator Grassley, as an American senator must now renounce all stuff he has other than that which is Made in the USA. Having renounced all that isn't made in the USA he should start buying Made in the USA. That will add to the stimulus that the economy needs and is the moral thing to do.

Breaking News: Barber is derogatory!

SRK to drop 'derogatory' term 'Barber' from film posters-India-The Times of India: "The association had earlier objected to the title of the film, terming the use of the word 'barber' 'objectionable and derogatory'.

The association president Uday Takke had reportedly threatened to take to streets if the film, that is set to hit theatres next Friday, was released with some objectionable content."

Wonder what Uday Takke wants us to call him?

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Economic View - It’s No Time for Protectionism - NYTimes.com

Economic View - It’s No Time for Protectionism - NYTimes.com: "Critics of China say it is keeping the yuan undervalued to gain an advantage in the international marketplace. A cheaper yuan makes Chinese goods less expensive in the United States and American goods more expensive in China. As a result, American producers find it harder to compete with Chinese imports in the United States and to sell their own exports in China.

There is, however, another side to the story. The loss to American producers comes with a gain to the many millions of American consumers who prefer to pay less for the goods they buy."

[Via]

Who Hired All the People Getting Laid Off? - TIME

Who Hired All the People Getting Laid Off? - TIME: "As the mass layoffs that are part of the daily news increase, economists and analysts will begin to ask how all of those people came to be employed in the first place. Recent data show that jobs cuts actually increase productivity, at least to a point. At some successful companies, it appears that adding personnel was just poor expense management."

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

ANTIDOTE: On The Side Of Modernity

ANTIDOTE: On The Side Of Modernity: "But this battle must be fought. It is not only about a “way of life” – the good life, if I may add – it is, most importantly, about the subjugation of women. In Mangalore, the goons beat up the women. They want all Hindoo women in sarees, demure, serving dinner dutifully to their (drunken?) husbands. This stereotypical Hindoo woman is their ideal. This may hold appeal to some village women, but it is not the way in which Indian women have been progressing in their long march to Freedom."

After Bush, shoe-cide attack on Chinese Premier

After Bush, shoe-cide attack on Chinese Premier: "Following the incident, Wen said: 'This despicable behaviour cannot stand in the way of friendship between China and the UK'. He was then ushered away by security personnel."

Haha... the Chinese premier calling throwing of a show despicable behavior!

I do think that the Chinese Premier should have been allowed to finish his speech. I also don't condone throwing a shoe at an unarmed defenseless person. But I do wonder what would happen to a citizen of China if he/she had thrown a shoe at the premier at a speech in China. Also, how different would the shoe thrower be treated than the treatment the Iraqi show thrower would have suffered under Saddam's regime....

Monday, February 02, 2009

Assets of ministers, kin exempt from RTI: PMO-India-The Times of India

Assets of ministers, kin exempt from RTI: PMO-India-The Times of India: "Assets of ministers, kin exempt from RTI: PMO"

Dr. Manmohan Singh, thanks for leaving a legacy of corruption behind! What a shame, though!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Pub culture must stop in India: Ramadoss - Economy and Politics - livemint.com

Pub culture must stop in India: Ramadoss - Economy and Politics - livemint.com: "Pub culture must stop in India: Ramadoss"

I wonder when will this nut job leave! According to him "It is not our culture. If it goes this way I don’t think India will progress". I wonder how can he define what is and isn't our culture? Also, drinking is not in our culture??? And if all this is recent what was stopping India's progress earlier? People like Ramadoss, who do everything other than what they get paid for by tax-payers?

Saturday, January 24, 2009

MS Gill...

Cricinfo - Blogs - The Buzz: "Hockey is a spiritual sport in India and is directly related to one's heart"

He sure has lost it!

Why?

Why is it so difficult to get one to do what one wants to do?

India bans Chinese toys for six months-India-The Times of India

India bans Chinese toys for six months-India-The Times of India: "'We welcome the decision. It is good for the industry,' association President Raj Kumar said, adding it is in the interest of the country"

Rather than welcome competition the sissies want protection against competition. How the fck is it in the interest of the country? It for sure is in the interest of the Indian toy makers!
However, trade expert Arun Goyal said, "The ban would encourage smuggling of toys through Nepal borders. That would be more dangerous... It is bad, especially for the slum children, who an afford the cheap Chinese toys only."
Some sanity at the end of the article!

Monday, January 19, 2009

ANTIDOTE: It's Gujarat Versus Goa

ANTIDOTE: It's Gujarat Versus Goa:
"Yes, Ambani, Mittal and Tata have endorsed Narendra Modi – drawing Jug Suraiya’s ire. They say he is a great administrator. Their clearances to set up business came through in a matter of days. Thousands of MoUs to set up new businesses were signed in Gujarat recently. So what?

Are the people happy? Are the people free? Is there social harmony? Is there, indeed, a “body politic” based on a common recognition of the same rules? Or is this just a laboratory experiment in Hindootva? We are Hindoo chauvinists, yes; but mind you, we support private enterprise. Big deal. No matter what Tata, Ambani and Mittal might say or do, I find the “Gujarat model” despicable.

Spot on! Can't agree more.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

VHP activists bash up Christian missionaries at Magh Mela-Allahabad-Cities-The Times of India

VHP activists bash up Christian missionaries at Magh Mela-Allahabad-Cities-The Times of India: "VHP activists bash up Christian missionaries at Magh Mela"

VHP activists or terrorists?
"When the news reached the VHP's camp situated nearby, a volunteer was sent to fetch a copy of the pamphlet and to our horror we found all sorts blasphemous things about Hinduism," senior VHP leader Manoj Srivastava said.
You don't agree with something written on a pamphlet go propagate what you believe is true. You can't just go and beat people up.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Police In Mumbai Shutting Down Open WiFi | Techdirt

Police In Mumbai Shutting Down Open WiFi | Techdirt: "Police In Mumbai Shutting Down Open WiFi"

Such BS! When will the dumb asses get their act right! Lets go to a prehistoric era and only then we shall be safe! Blame the state's incompetence on technology. And why the f*** did the commandos arrive a night later after Mumbai was taken over by terrorists? Were they hooked to wifi too?

Friday, January 16, 2009

Pak artiste flees India after MNS threatens him

Pak artiste flees India after MNS threatens him

The MNS at it again! All they can do is threaten, beat people up, kill, destroy property that they don't own...

Monday, January 12, 2009

Restrictions on reporting from Gaza?

Few in U.S. See Jazeera’s Coverage of Gaza War - NYTimes.com: "In a conflict where the Western news media have been largely prevented from reporting from Gaza because of restrictions imposed by the Israeli military, Al Jazeera has had a distinct advantage. It was already there."

Why should there be restrictions on coverage from Gaza?