Premature recognition for President Obama?

The Nobel Prize committee has pleasantly surprised, shocked or simply outraged millions around the world with its decision to award the 2009 Nobel Peace prize to President Obama.

As far as I am concerned- and to be honest, my concerns matter little to anyone other than myself- the wise men would have done well to wait for a few years to see the tangible outcomes of various proposals that President Obama has beem making over the past 9 months or so.  Otherwise, they make themselves vulnerable to the accusation that this year’s Nobel Prize for Peace has gone to someone who has so far only announced good intentions. Extending the same logic, I (or indeed, millions of other  earthlings) might qualify for next year’s Nobel Prize by just stating that “I plan to discover a process whereby pollutants in the air are converted into fuel, with pure water and clean air being the by-products”. Heck, I may have no clue yet how to do this- but I’d like to!

Air India’s “in-fight” entertainment

With the strike behind it, Air India is apparently trying extra hard to innovate and differentiate itself from competition. This time, they have come up with the idea of live, in-flight entertainment in the form of crew members physically assaulting each other. This apparently happened between the pilot, co-pilot, a male purser and a female stewardess on a flight to India from the Middle East. Wonder how many passengers will claim to have been “delighted” and choose to fly Air India again!

The Air India saga

Air India is bleeding- indeed, it has been for some years now. The recent strike by executive pilots has only added to the accumulated losses (more than Rs100 crores, by some estimates). I sympathize with the Executive Pilots for feeling bad about a cut in their variable pay. However, the concept of variable pay is not new. Indeed, the essence of variable pay structures is to allow companies the flexibility to cut expenses when times are bad, and hand out hefty bonuses/variable payouts when the good times return. Almost every other company in every industry has some for of variable pay. Several in the IT industry have not paid out the variable components of employee salaries for last year; indeed, some have actually reduced salaries- especially for senior executives- which is what these executive pilots are.

At a time like this, what is needed is for everyone at Air India to work together, improve productivity, reduce costs wherever possible, improve service so that passengers are attracted to the airline and load factors improve.  Only then will the airline remain viable. If the airline closes down, thousands of employees will lose their jobs, not just variable pay. Spare a thought for on-ground staff who are not as well-paid as pilots or cabin crew.

Given the general state of the aviation industry, buoyancy in revenues won’t happen in a hurry. And given Air India’s cost structure, if personnel costs are not managed urgently, there will be little leverage for achieving the level of cost savings required to become profitable.  The short-term option is to pump in equity- derived from taxpayers’ money- which may only delay the inevitable. By giving in to the striking pilots, the government has signaled that it is willing to risk the future of the airline.

Warped sense of priorities

I watched with amusement a news report that Karan Johar had to apologize because “Mumbai” is referred to as “Bombay” in his recently-released movie, “Wake up, Sid”. I say I was amused because the report suggested that some politicians were affronted by this “lapse”. Frankly, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world (including in India) continue to refer to “Mumbai” as “Bombay”. Is it not more important for politicians, people in government and ordinary citizens to worry about the city’s infrastructure, pollution, security, law and order… well, you get the drift I hope.

How referring to a city by a name that, I daresay, is better known than its official name, denigrates the city or the people of that city or state, is beyond me. Can someone enlighten me please?

The China factor

In a world that is today largely unipolar, China is clearly looking to displace the US as the world’s superpower in another 15-20 years. India’s growing economic prowess, and its consequent impact on India’s military strength and political clout globally is therefore definitely a worry for our northern neighbor, as it means there is competition for the top slot.

The government has assiduously sought to downplay media reports on reported “incursions” by the PLA into Arunachal Pradesh, even as the Army Chief has sought to reassure the nation that India is well prepared and that a 1962-like situation will not recur. All that is well and good, but India needs to figure out a more permanent solution. A military conflict is not the answer, but political dialogue has not got us very far either. So I suppose the only solution is to make our economy so strong and resilient, and our development processes equitable and all-pervasive, so that our people are not tempted to succumb to any foreign lures.

Why send priests from India to Nepal?

It is said that that the tradition of sending priests from South India to the Pashupatinath temple in Nepal began with Adi Sankara besting a monk in debate all those centuries ago.  That may well have been the origin of the practice, but surely, it’s time to examine if it makes sense to continue to send priests from India. The recent incident where two priests from Karnataka were disrobed and beaten up (supposedly by Maoists who are allegedly looking to  supplant Indian influence in the Himalayan kingdom) should be used as the reason to pull back Indian priests.

Let YSR’s death not be in vain

If various media reports are to be believed, the Bell helicopter that YSR took on that fateful day may not have been airworthy; even if it was, why was the more modern Agusta not used, when it was available?

There seems to be a tendency among VVIPs to throw their weight around (today’s Times of India mentions a CM from North India who refused to take his pilot’s advice about not flying and later got the pilot transferred).  I am not saying that Mr YS Reddy threw his weight around- but I do wonder why his security officer and principal secretary were not able to prevail upon him to change his views- especially when the met department had predicted heavy rains. Finally, if the weather en route was deteriorating badly, should not the pilots have exercised their professional judgment and changed course at the earliest? Perhaps they tried but were unsuccessful…. we may never know.

I hope this tragedy will serve as a reminder to VVIPs who attempt to over-ride professional opinions.

Sadly, the country has lost one of its more able CMs – one who was very connected with the rural masses and farmers just as he remained focused on upgrading urban infrastructure and attracting investment into the state.

Like millions of others across Andhra Pradesh and indeed, India, I offer my condolences to all 5  bereaved families and pray that God grants peace to the departed souls.

Indian students in Australia

For the past couple of months, Indian media has extensively reported on attacks on Indian students in Australia. At times, there has been almost ghoulish glee shown by some newspapers and TV channels, covering gory details.

I am not doubting that Indians have been the victims of attacks in Australia. But what I am wondering is whether all the attacks are racially motivated or whether some have to do with other factors like basic economics or cultural non-integration?

Let’s look at economics first. Could it be that some Indian students are willing to work at lower-than-minimum wages, therefore becoming an attractive labor pool for Australian employers, who like their global counterparts, are driven by the motive of profit maximization? There may well be Australian businesses (like restaurants) that use this labor pool and in the process, deny jobs to other Australians. I do not know if this indeed happens, or if it does, the scale on which it does. But it certainly seems plausible.

And what do I mean by cultural non-integration? Most Indians stick together when they live overseas. Perhaps this is natural when we first go abroad, and for students who are scrimping and scrounging, it may well be driven by reasons of cost savings as well as the desire for “social security”. But when this clannishness comes in the way of integrating with “locals”, it can become a problem. One may not be fond of guzzling beers (perhaps one can’t afford to buy drinks for a bunch of friends/colleagues every week) but by not making any overt efforts to attempt to integrate with local customs and social practices, we only draw attention to ourselves and stick out like sore thumbs. Hardly surprising then, is it, that these “nails” that stand out are the ones that get hammered?

I have never been to Australia and am basing all this on my experiences in the UK and the US. But I suspect I may not be off the mark. I am not for a minute condoning the attacks on Indians in Australia. But I am raising a larger question and hope this will stir some debate. I look forward to your comments.

Issueless elections- the tragedy of Indian politics

Every election in India (and perhaps elsewhere too) is characterized by some degree of finger-pointing, mudslinging and washing dirty linen in public. But it seems to me that every political party has outdone itself this time. There has been so much rabid talk that it is distressing and even nauseating.

Why can we not have politicians talk about issues that are important to the electorate? Drinking water and sanitation, healthcare, primary education, urban and rural infrastructure, the economy, the threat of terror, energy security and environmental protection, integration with the global economy…. there are so many mega issues we as a nation face.

I ask myself why educated people in their 30s, 40s and even 50s do not enter politics and try to make a real difference. Surely they can bring more energy and enthusiasm than political leaders who are on the wrong side of 60- or even 70! I realize that I am as guilty of this apathy as anyone else… I am like an armchair critic at say a cricket match- it is much easier to sit in the relative comfort of a home and suggest how a batsman should have played a shot (or not) or what the bowler should have done (or not) than actually implement it on the field yourself. I gripe and complain about politicians, their marriages of convenience and their insipid, patently populist election manifestos, but do nothing to see how I can change the system by being a part of it.  But where do I even start? Even people like R K Mishra, who won the Lead India campaign, have chosen to join one of the mainstream, “national” political parties, instead of contesting as an independent candidate. Is anyone listening…?

India wins series in New Zealand

41 years after India’s last win in New Zealand (Tiger Patudi was captain and Gavaskar had not debuted!), the Indian cricket team under Dhoni won a series. The final margin of victory, 1-0 does not do justice to the way the two teams played. 2-1 in favour of India would perhaps have been a fairer result. An obdurate Gambhir stood resolutely between a New Zealand victory and India at the second test in Napier.

Today, however, Vettori and his team had the rain to thank for saving them the blushes of a 2-0 defeat at home. About 3 hours of play did take place on Day 5 and with only 2 Kiwi wickets remaining, Indian fans may be forgiven their dreams of a 2-0 series win.  Sadly, India’s somewhat lackadaisical approach in the last session of the game on Day 4 (knowing that rain was forecast for Day 5) meant that the Kiwis lost only 4 wickets on Day. A fighting Ross Taylor continued to frustrate the Indian bowlers on Day 5, scoring a ton in the process. In annother inspired decision, Dhoni tossed the ball to Sachin, who had not bowled at all in the first two test matches. And as has happened in the past, Sachin got two quick breakthroughs.  With Harbhajan taking wickets at the other end, I daresay an Indian victory would have been certain had we got another hour or so of play (the new ball would have been taken and given Zaheer’s form a couple of wickets would not have been a tall ask). But the fickle weather willed otherwise.

What strikes me most about this series win is that all through the series, the entire team has contributed. They have played as a unit- and the results are there for all to see. Dravid has regained some measure of his confidence and while he was denied a deserving ton in the second test by a poor decision, I am sure he will feel quite satisfied, having scored consistently over 50. The icing on the cake must have been his overtaking Mark Waugh’s record of taking the highest number of catches in the slip.

So in spite of all those fears of seaming tracks and bad memories from 2002-03, India have won quite convincingly in New Zealand.

The players have little time to rest and recuperate before the second edition of the IPL gets underway in South Africa. Not all players will be a part of the IPL- but still, it will be an intense 6 weeks of a different brand of cricket in an environment quite aliet to most of the Indian players. And what makes the IPL even more interesting is that traditional rivals will become team-mates and start lotting the downfall of other traditional team-mates.

Congratulations, Team India- and all the best for future successes.

Phew, that was a close shave…!

After having to follow on, India managed to save the second test match at Napier with a reasonable degree of comfort. While Dravid, Sachin and Yuvraj together scored about 175 runs or so, it was Gautam Gambhir’s tenacious knock of 137 runs that was the bedrock of India’s escape from an ignominous defeat. Gambhir battled the Kiwi attack for 2 days to hold up one end when wickets tended to fall at the other (although in Dravid’s case, it was supposedly a poor decision). What is commendable is the young man’s ability to curb his “natural game” and play the role of a sheet anchor. Of course, just as important was Laxman’s unbeaten knock of 125 runs. Laxman scored his runs at a much brisker pace than Gambhir, and spent less time out in the middle. As always, many of his boundaries bore the hallmark of the touch artist that we know Laxman to be.

Think back to stumps on Day 2 and I’ll wager there weren’t too many out there willing to bet on a drawn match! Vettori and his team were understandably disappointed at having been denied victory. But even in this draw, the Kiwis have proved that they are no pushovers. And that should make the third test at Basin Reserve more keenly contested.

My unrequited advice to Kirsten, Dhoni and the others: get to the venue asap and get used to the conditions!

Varun Gandhi’s purported communal statements

Varun Gandhi denies making the statements he has been accused of making. The statements under question were allegedly made at an election meeting. The Congress and its allies naturally want the Election Commission to disqualify him from contesting the elections. Sections of the BJP and its allies say he said nothing wrong; but other sections within the same BJP feel that he has transgressed a thin line and must be reined in.

Only time will tell if the vitriolic, rabble-rousing statements were indeed made by Varun or if they were “doctored”.  What I do not understand is this: if there was video footage of Varun’s address (and there must be, for all TV channels are carrying it), surely it can be easily established if he did or did not say those hurtful things.

India-New Zealand test series

I write this a few hours before the start of the first test between India and New Zealand. Over the last few weeks, India lost narrowly in the T-20 series, but convincingly won te ODI series. The last ODI match was inconsequential in terms of the series result; however, the manner in which India folded up given seaming, bouncy conditions must have gladdened many a New Zealander’s heart.

For India, the performance with the willow (and the none-too-great bowling effort that followed) must have served as an eye-opener. The pitches on which the previous ODIs were played were a far cry from the monsters they encountered in 2002-03. The Indian top order had a ball, and in the process, piled up runs and agony on the seemingly hapless New Zealanders. But that last match must have caused many in the team to squirm rather uncomfortably in their seats. Of course, the Indians have a brand new middle order in Dravid and Laxman. The conditions at Seddon Park (the winningest ground for the home team) are sure to help seam bowling. And the weathermen predict a sunny start with a chance of rain in the next couple of days. So chances are that the team that wins the toss will bat first.

Here’s hoping for a keenly contested series!

The upcoming elections

As election fever rises across the country, politicians are running around trying to strike alliances and forge “fronts”. As always, getting party tickets to contest the polls is proving to be a messy process.  As election-related dramas unfold in various states and parties (and astrologers make their predictions), I am struck by a sense of despair at the lack of political talent. The same old fogeys with their fossilized views on economics, politics, secularism, foreign policy etc are in the fray. The young turks, of whom I certainly expected much, have disappointed. Many of them did not even attend parliament sessions. As someone said, “in a democracy, people get the government they deserve”. How true!

Of course, instead of carping, I should perhaps approach one of the political parties and see if I can get a ticket. After all, I am well-educated, have a world-view, am reasonably articulate, am high on probity and integrity, and understand the basics of economics and technology. Any thoughts on whether I’ll get a ticket?!

Bharat Ratna for our commandos and cops?

Every year, a raging debate precedes the decision to award the Bharat Ratna. As I understand, the award should go to someone who is “a jewel of India”. The events of the past 60 hours prove that our armed forces and cops qualify. In spite of the huge odds against them and the various challenges (hostages, risk of collateral damage, heritage sites, inadequate information about the hotel layout, no robust estimate of the number of terrorists etc.) they have demonstrated to the world that “Yes, we can”. I therefore think awarding them the Bharat Ratna would not be unfair. To be sure, technical issues such as it being India’s highest civilian award (and therefore it being inappropriate to award it to the army) remain- but what we should recognize is the commitment of the entire force and not individuals. Clearly, this was a team effort, with local agencies like the City Fire Brigade also playing its part in resolving the crisis.