Its not just Business, its Livelihood

Debates are on to judge success or failure of ‘Make In India’ that seem to be one of the pet projects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative aimed at putting impetus on the Indian manufacturing sector is expected to have a lasting impact on the textiles sector that has witnessed ups and downs over the years. While the mechanized textile sector in some small pockets of the country has seen traction from global players, the vast talent India possessed since ages continued to remain neglected. In addition to bringing in large scale FDIs into the sector, many wish the Make In India campaign revives the lost talent of India that weaved magic in the past era.

In addition to bringing in FDI and latest technology into the textile industry, ‘Make In India’ should enable leading designers from India and word over extend training support to the weavers communities located at Varanasi, Solapur, Medak, Agra etc. and help better the textile products made in these locations. Experts feel, more than Made In India, the objective has to be to build ‘Designed In India’ brand!

Such efforts to improve the skill of talent weaver communities across India will not just help revive the vast talent that has been on the waning; it will also provide the much needed livelihood to these sections of the population who are reduced to suffer in abject poverty. Hope leaders in the textile industry extend their focus beyond numbers and technology and provide support to the large numbers of the families who’s generations have been adding glory to the Indian textile sector that always strived to promote traditional and ethnic attires.

Will our media ever mature?

For the second time in just a year, India is facing the wrath of people of Nepal! And sadly, each time this expression of anger against India, has been a ‘Global Trending’ topic. First it was during the Earthquake that shook Nepal; and now when the Himalayan nation has promulgated its Constitution. Both these times, India had to face embarrassment on the social media. And each of these times, our very own ‘over enthusiastic’ media had a role to play! Unfortunate.

Earlier this year, when the devastating Earthquake hit the Himalayan nation; and our very own machinery and aid was rushed to ‘help’ the victims, we has a nation had to face brickbats instead of roses! And the reason was the widespread animosity about the interference of Indian media, that turned that crisis into a circus. People of Nepal slapped our face stating #GoHomeIndianMedia. And this was a wake up call for us as a nation.

Over the last couple of days, a section in is fighting for their right for better representation in the Nepal Parliament. The new Constitution might require attention of India and our Government to connect and negotiate with Nepal Government.

Even before our Government analyses the impact of the new Constitution, media started airing reports on how the development in that independent nation will have an adverse impact on India.

While Diplomatic channels between India and Nepal are at work to look into the new development; analysis of our over enthusiastic media has exposed more than what must be revealed, putting the Government in a dock. The wrath of people of Nepal on social media is a tight slap on the face for all of us.

Hope these two incidents that has shamed us all, will act as a wake up call for our self-obsessed media tycoons who unfortunately thrive of ‘Bad News’, instead of ‘Good News’!

Dalmiya: the Czar of Indian cricket

The sudden demise of BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya takes me back in time to November 1991! It was the period when following cricket was still new to me. The first World Cup I would ever watch was months away; the first Indian Tour Down Under was round the corner. Cricket was new found love to this 12 year old and playing it was more fun than watching on television.

It was the period when I read a cricketing powerhouse called ‘South Africa’ would be returning to the sport after over two decades of imposed ban. India was to play three one-day internationals against the Proteas. First on November 10, second on November 12 and the final, a day-night game on November 14. It was also the first day-night game I would be watching on television.

Though India won the series 2-1, losing the day-night game! What comes fresh to my mind is the build up to the series. Jagmohan Dalmiya, then Secretary of BCCI stated that this would be a new beginning in the world of cricket and his professes proved true over the years.

Post this series, there have been many instances when I read how Dalmiya shaped Indian cricket to emerge into a force to reckon with. What fascinates me the most is how being an administrator Dalmiya unlocked the financial potential of the Indian Cricket Team or the Men In Blue. Incidentally, it is since 1992 that our cricketers are being called the Men In Blue!

Last year when N Srinivasan had to quit over corruption charges and Jagmohan Dalmiya bounced back to the top post at such late age; it indicated how passionate he was about the sport and how much the sport needed him when it was in a state of crisis.

Today when Dalmiya is no more and tussle is on to elected the new chief of BCCI, I only wish there is someone who could take the game forward in its true spirit!

Go @AllBlacks Go!

The Rugby World Cup is here and Am glued to watching the sport again! Though Rugby is an all-year affair with many events including the hugely popular ‘RBS Six Nations Cup’ are played; the World Cup is the mother of all events. What attracts me the most is the _ Passion _ with which the sport is followed in the Nations where it is played. Watching Tonga take on Georgia, in the second game of the World Cup 2015, what struck me the most is the fully-packed Kingsholm Stadium at Gloucester, England. Stadium was filled with supporters of Georgia and Tonga, a tiny Polynesian Kingdom located at the end of the world map!

Am one among the millions of fans, who follow the sport and love watching their favourite Team/s win on the biggest stage of the sport! While it might take few more years for our very own India to make it to this stage, it is the traditional war cry _ Haka _ that attracted me towards @AllBlacks (defending champions New Zealand) team. I started watching World Cup Rugby in 2007, and ever since it has been my favourite side.

While I back @AllBlacks to retain the Webb Ellis Cup (the first nation ever to possibly do it); it is anybody chance to lay their hands on the coveted trophy. For some time in the world rugby, it’s been easy to safely pick one of four teams: current holders New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and England to win and in this World Cup too, it’s no different!

So, how likely is this going to be? If you consider the All Blacks having won only two of the last seven World Cups despite having the same reputation as they do now — and both wins, mind you, taking place in New Zealand — you’ll agree this World Cup’s going to be a lot more interesting than it looks. But their 42-3-2 win-loss- draw record says it all.

Going by the current form, the least likely winners seem to be the two-time champions Springboks (South Africa), who’ve lost to lesser ranked Argentina, Wales and Ireland in the recent past. But, as past champions, they know how to win when it matters. Australia have beaten New Zealand in August but have lost their last three World Cup games against England. After having won their last seven Test matches as hosts, England, will seek to keep their recent impeccable record at home intact.

When will India get its own Alexander Zverev?

On August 3rd this year I was watching an ATP500 Tennis event on television. A young 18-year-old kid _ Alexander Zverev of Germany _ was playing against a more experienced opponent. Few minutes into the game, I felt this lanky 6’6” boy is a fantastic prospect for the future of Tennis. Doing little search on Google, I realized this young fella has huge following back home and he is being touted has the Boris Becker coming from Germany!

I continue to follow this young talent who will take to the Court at US Open 2015 on Day-2 when he takes on his countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber, seeded 29 in the final Grand Slam of the year. Though it’s fascinating to follow such great talents from around the world, the question that pricks me is – When will India find its own Alexander Zverev?

After Leander Paes stopped playing singles, we failed to find a great talent who would impress at Grand Slam! Though Sania Mirza achieved great success in the women category early in her career, she too successfully changed gears towards doubles to prolong her career. It is a proud moment for the country that this Hyderabad-lass has made it to the top in women doubles.

Coming back to the finding talent for the future, it is quite difficult to point at great singles talent that would make an impression on the world stage. Though Somdev Devvarman, Yuki Bhambri, Rohan Bopanna showed some promise in the initial stage, they seem to be far away from making an impression at the ‘Grand Slam’.

India hosts top notch ATP and WTA events and year 2014 witnessed Tennis Leagues come into the country. These Leagues are a perfect opportunity for young Indian players to rub shoulders with “who’s who” of the Tennis world. Let’s hope we find our own Alexander Zverev, about whom we all are excited and hopeful.

Isn’t this a cardinal sin!

Shri Narendra Modi has just concluded his maiden two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades! While reams is being written and millions of words said about what Modi achieved during the trip, I would like to dwell into one aspect that India missed in the last three decades.

India has been written numerous times to Pakistan seeking its intervention to capture India’s Most Wanted – Dawood Ibrahim. We know this character has a conspirator against Peace in India! And it is unfortunate that very less was achieved since his exit from India in 1993! Since fleeing India, there are hundreds of stories around Dawood Ibrahim setting up his business empire within our country and outside. It is often said that Dawood either operated from Dubai or at least controlled his vast business empire from the Emirates.

In addition to writing to Pakistan, a neighbor who never wished good for India; it is unclear what successive Governments have done to clamp down on the businesses of Dawood Ibrahim. Today, Narendra Modi-led ‘Team India’ is believed to have submitted a dossier containing details of Dawood’s modus operandi from Dubai or any other Emirate. Considering the way Rulers of the United Arab Emirates warmed up to Narendra Modi, there is a very high possibility of them acting against the fugitive based on India’s request!

What troubles me the most is; if Narendra Modi and his Team India could do this; what prevented earlier Governments from doing the same? By pulling plug on Dawood empire, India could have successfully contained his terror across India in general and Mumbai city in particular! By not reaching out to the Rulers of Emirates ‘effectively’, earlier Governments have not just missed opportunities, but also been indirectly responsible for the terror Dawood created in India. And this is a cardinal sin!

Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara!

Our National Flag is not just a symbol, but it is India’s respect and its pride! Over the years it is noted that people use our tricolor quite liberally, by making it out of paper and plastic. Though not done intentionally, these flags made of paper and plastic are often seen in tatters after each Independence Day and Republic Day. This is disgraceful towards our Mother Land and unacceptable. Each time I come across such a sight, it pains me hard.

But, on the eve of the 69th Indian Independence Day, I feel proud! Today, I am able to convince two prominent politicians from two different States of India to make this an agenda point this Independence Day and appeal to their followers to not use our National Flag as a decorative item and pay utmost respect towards it.

Since school days, time and again I came across elders and even teachers’ staple national flag to their shirts. Learning about paying respect towards our country and every symbol it represents, this act was a pain point. Though I remained off from doing such an act at any stage in life, what troubled me was not being able to convince others to not do it.

Years later, today I feel both happy and proud for convincing two political leaders, one each from Chhattisgarh and Odisha to speak to their cadre and people in general and appeal to them to not commit any act that might knowingly or unknowingly lead to disrespecting our Nation’s pride.

Kamayani Express accident: Wake up for modernization of Indian Railways!

Yet another train accident, and what is being feared to be a major one, that might had led to loss of many lives has occurred about an hour ago! This is not the first on any parameters, and may not be the last. But such an accident and loss of lives must strengthen the demand for modernization of Indian Railway. According to the initial media reports, the cause of Mumbai-Varanasi Kamayani Express might that took place near Harda Railway Station and over Machak River is heavy rain in the region. Now if this is the probable reason, then We The People of India deserve better.

Indian Railways historically has been used has a vote gainer by successive Railway Ministers! Unfortunately, minimum efforts have gone into to modernize Railways or even to make it profitable. The 2015-16 Railway Budget had no populist announcement, and considering the state of Indian Railways, it is a welcome change. Though it would be difficult to change the situation in a short time, it is important that a new beginning is made to improve the situation.

During my recent travel I had noticed that better facilities are being added to the various Railway Stations; but not much is noticed inside the train bogies. Also a lot of work is needed to be done for modernization of railway tracks. We have a long way to go before dream of traveling on a Bullet Train in India. Hope the authorities take up the modernization works at utmost priority and ensure we the passengers have a safe journey to our destinations, each time we take a train.

On the other hand, people who are opposing modernization citing escalation of travel cost, must also consider the necessity before creating hurdles.

NREGA, Private involvement may be the answer!

India had Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes for many decades; the most publicized and criticized being _ MGNREGA, the pet project of UPA 1 & 2 Governments. It is beyond doubt that Rural Employment Guarantee programs aided contain poverty to certain extent if not completely. During a recent interaction with few villagers I realized how these programs were a necessity for rural India over the years. Many could provide livelihood to their families, and also support education of their child due to the minimum wages they received.

Unfortunately, India failed to create rural assets like roads, micro irrigation projects or other basic amenities utilizing the available manpower over the years. The biggest drawback noticed in implementing the programs was the lack of accountability among the beneficiaries or the authorities. This lack of accountability had a never recoverable impact on the society that guzzled billions over the years.

Though such programs were not publicized much in the earlier times; MGNREGA was the flagship initiative of the Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA Governments between 2004 & 20014. While the program was being most talked about among the Delhi media, assessment of its impact was ignored from time to time. Though there has been few concerns raised by the Opposition at the highest level; the voices didn’t gather much momentum.

If someone asks, Is a scheme like MGNREGA a necessity? It could be argued that it is needed to ensure growth in rural India. Though there will be certain voice who may not appreciate the idea; but involving private sector may not be a bad idea in this. It would be better if Narendra Modi-led NDA Government could formulate a PPP model to take up works in the rural areas. Getting private players to part fund identified rural infrastructure project that would provide employment to the local populace might be the answer to the functioning of such a program. Involvement of private sector may bring in accountability and fasten our progress.

Why I will watch ‘Bahubali’ on Day-1

My ticket for an early morning show is booked and will be joining those lakhs of people from all around the world to watch ‘Bahubali’ on day-1 across thousands of screens in few hours from now. Am excited about it! Am excited not because I got a ticket, but because I will be ‘living a moment’ that might be an historic moment in the history of Indian cinema, not just Telugu cinema.

‘Bahubali’, was first heard by many average cinema lovers like me around 4 years back; and since then there have been numerous instances when this name has hit us again and again. Media reports, interviews, discussions from the sidelines of its making; each time Bahubali has made an endearing impact on the psyche of a movie buff.

We have heard about the efforts being put in to create ‘Bahubali’ into a magnum opus for everyone associated with the movie, directly or indirectly. The script, taking, sets, music everything about Bahubali was being positioned larger than life. Every character had a superhuman positioning, not just ‘Amarendra Bahubali’ the main protagonist.

Director, Hero and most other characters have sacrificed a lot to make and be part of this project, which has now turned into the costliest movie ever made in India. It is being said that Prabhas has sacrificed 3 most productive years of his career and even delayed his wedding to play the role of Bahubali.

Whether the movie will be a hit or not (though initial reports are suggesting that it will be a big hit), it will be known not just has the most expensive Indian movie, but also has the one that has been made with lot of heart and sacrifices. And I will be joining those lakhs to give my two thumbs up to the movie that we all hope will rewrite history of Indian cinema.