Monday, 28 July 2014

Cheers, Bangalore International Wine Festival (July 25-27, 2014)

Gurjit Singh Barry, Wine Educator interacting with the audience on serious and trivial queries

Taste wines for free and buy wines you like

Enjoy traditional grape stomping

The entry fee for the carnival : Rs.49/-

The Bangalore International Wine Festival 2014 showcased wines from all over the world, gave consumers a chance to experience and understand the vast world of wine. Wine lovers in the city of Bangalore could learn the secrets of wine making from experts at the wine festival, organised by the Karnataka Wine Board in association with Horticulture Department, Government of Karnataka, during the week-end at Jayamahal Palace Hotel, Bangalore. Visitors indulged in tasting variety of wines. Several brands from India and across the world participated in the festival. The gala event also offered wine lovers an opportunity to be a part of traditional grape stomping.

Red wine Sangria, White Wine Mojito, Rose Wine Magarita

Commenting about the festival, 63-year old Harish Shetty, a seasoned-drinker said, “it is very exciting to know that there is a growing trend of wine drinkers in the city and am delighted to tickle my taste-buds with a vast range of wines.” “Some emotions just can’t be bottled”, lured Big Banyan premium wines.

A survey indicated that wine consumption in India is “likely to increase to 2.1 million cases by 2017, 73 per cent higher than 1.21 million cases in 2013”. The three-day fete provided a huge platform for various wine houses to showcase their brands. Wine experts gave presentations about wine in India, wine tourism, trends in wine market. A gamut of wine tasting aside, a 10 per cent discount across the board was offered on all brands.

Dedicated wine tours were also promoted. Swati Sahoo, who conducts tour on behalf of Wine Tour India, was pleased to uncork the details about the guided wine tours, short and long ones, ranging from 1 day to 5 days. “Wine tours are regularly organised at Bangalore, Mysore, Nashik, Akluj… The short trip, say, Bangalore, covers the famous vineyards and Wineries, usually not open to public. Guests will be able to taste different wines from vineyards. Wine lovers are welcome to discover the magic of wine-making. The guides would help to uncover the process from grape to bottle,” Swathi said.

Stall owners showed interest in explaining the nitty-gritties of the beverage, the industry and the emerging wine culture. A few of them were enthusiastic to give details about grape growing, geographical conditions, fermentation, canopy management, aging, harvesting, crushing .... till it reaches the bottle and corked. “Quite a few first-timers to taste wine thronged the stalls”, said Mohit Nischol, Business Head, SDU Winery, adding that “wine has been accepted as a family drink.”

Heritage Winery attracted big crowd, as free sampling was going great guns. They listed the various health benefits of consuming suitable quantity of wine. “The antioxidant in the wine increases life span of the consumer, while consumption also increases the quality of blood circulation, relieved mental tension and improved renal function. The calcium content in the beverage strengthened the bones,” their literature claimed.

Image courtesy: The Hindu

By the time you finished a round of sample tasting, free and paid-ones, you can spot the difference in variety, quality of tasting and fortified and a regular wine. You will also be able distinguish between Red wines and White wines, Rose wines and Sparkling wines … The price ranged from Rs.100 to Rs.6,000/- per litre.

The passion for wines and his wine-making experience prompted Ravi Susarla to make the La Terra Winery, a reality. They make wines using local grapes, a first in Bangalore and India. Exquisite grapes grown in the best of climatic conditions, supervised by renowned winemakers and tasted by experienced tasters resulted in the bouquet of “Season Wines.” Winery KRSMA Estates insists that “for the wine to be true, unique and world-class, every step needs their personal touch. Expertise is enlisted from across the world and the exacting standards flow down to every last detail.”

“Wine is all my heart,” believes Ajay Shetty, an ex-banker, who founded Myra Vineyards, based in Bangalore. They gave a ready demo of “Red wine Sangria” – a mix of cinnamon syrup, canberry juice, Red wine and orange/apples (you can add any fruit of your liking, avoid banana though) – that savoured a refreshing experience. Though it is recommended to serve “slightly chilled, open and allow to breath for 15-20 minutes”, I felt wine, a great drink on its own.

Bangalore now has an exclusive wine library. A brain child of K.S. Lokesh, Founder of Madhuloka liquor boutique, Enoteca by Madhuloka promises to offer an array of services to all wine lovers and connoisseurs in the city. Enoteca will be a space where one will be able to taste wines, learn about their history and take in a course on wine appreciation.

Grape stomping image courtesy: Nine Hills

Young and audience-friendly Gurjit Singh Barry, Sommelier and Wine Educator presented great details about the grape, the wine, the industry, the culture, and took questions from a cross section of the audience that were good, bad and the outrageous, while even guiding how to hold the goblet. Colour, clarity and aroma considered in evaluating wine before it is served, he added. If you had the passion and the patience, by the time you exited from the festival venue, you could have been richer with the grasp of the grape-to-wine journey.

Get ‘PROTEQTED’. An off-beat stall promoted a kind of chocolate, branded “PROTEQT’ that seeks to neutralise the after-effects of alcohol, safeguards liver and enjoy the party better.

About 40 wineries including five international ones glittered the event. Stall owners agreed that the main purpose of organising such festivals is to promote “awareness”, and going by the crowd one witnessed, the objective seemed to have been achieved. Many stalls reported brisk sales. A fun-filled and happy week-end, not just happy-hours for the Bangaloreans who could sip many varieties and update themselves with the matured-grape knowledge.

End of the day, a win-wine situation!

Feedback welcome at: krs1957@hotmail.com

Thursday, 24 July 2014

Campus rape: Who are these predators?

Outrage of rape over a six-year old
Tender innocence looted
The horrors grip the nation
Anger spirals in Bangalore
Daughters continue to be hunted and looted down
Bring “teachers” to book
Can cops deliver?
Need for criminal action over disciplinary action

Rape is the most frequented four-letter word in recent times, thanks to Vibgyor High School incident that has thrown open a can of worms. The rape of six-year old girl in the city school has sparked off peaceful and violent protests.

These are tough times. Turbulent too. Instead of asking “how is your child?”, be specific to ask “Is your child free of child abuse?“ Many children have started posing, “Mummy, what is rape?” “Is teacher good or bad?” Pungent realities, squeamish though. Parents face a torrid time. Hard to imagine a six-year old being raped, while even harder to fathom the rapist being a “teacher”. Isn’t it teachers are substitute parents when children are at school? Guru, next to Maatha, Pitha has, odiously, opened new synonyms like sexual offender, criminal, rapist, abuser….. What significance, henceforth, the Teacher’s Day will carry?

A rape that savaged the innocence, the traumatic aftermath terrifying! A tear-jerker that a bright child is in an incomprehensible choke when she should be playing with teddy-bears. It deeply hurts the child is already raped without knowing what it is. Can any psychiatrist clarify how, someone, howsoever perverted he may be, prompted to offend a child of six? There should be no apology, as the offenders convict themselves and even admit to their depravity.

Predators in campus

Is campus rape finally getting the attention it deserves? Girls are disproportionately vulnerable to sexual offences. The abysmal campus adjudication make life easier for predators. More than half the victims are under 18, but the latest is spooky and spine-chilling. Campus rape points out to callous administrations, ill-informed and recalcitrant disciplinary boards, obsolete campus policies inferring that rape is a problem the society has to learn to live with.

To recall: January 21, 2012 witnessed Bangalore police arresting Paul Francis Meekan, the Head Master of Trio World School in Kodigehalli, on charges of sexually abusing a school boy, (“The Telegraph”). On April 19, 2014 a security guard abused a seven-year old girl in Marathahalli on the pretext of buying her chocolates.

Rape culture

Examples: Blaming the victim (“She asked for it”); trivialising sexual assault (“Boys will be boys” – courtesy: Mulayam Singh Yadav); threatening to rape (“I will let loose my boys in your homes and they will commit rape” – TMC MP Tapas Pal’s comment on CPI(M) women members); Sexually explicit jokes; publicly scrutinising a woman’s dress; defining “manhood” as dominant and sexually aggressive; refusing to take rape accusation seriously; teaching women to avoid getting raped instead of teaching men not to rape; tolerance of sexual harassment …. We live in a world that tolerates, glorifies and even excuses forms of sexual violence, when a rape survivor can become a hashtag. Rape, unlike other domestic violence, doesn’t blend so easily in to any other human experience.

Campus rape, a grave and persistent problem

At a time of emotional turmoil, students who are assaulted are compelled to make a choice: Seek help from their school, approach police or remain silent. The majority choose their school, as the expectation of anonymity and the trust that administrators will offer, the sort of support that the police may not.

When girls were 16, parents were concerned about their safe commutation to the college and return. The worry about eve-teasers who throng bus stops/railway stations near schools and colleges has, instead, shifted inside the campus. The stress, now, is on the tiny tots! The parent/s can escort the child only up to the school bus or the gate. Beyond that, we have to take chances …. Is teacher/Principal an educator or a paid employee of the institution? The recent incidents, though isolated, has dented the noble profession’s image.

Always report rape

The student/child must report crime to the parent/police. A complaint to campus authorities is not suffice for obvious reasons. Many children don’t report the abuse fearing parent’s reactions, or because they don’t know how to tell. Those children who maintain “secrecy” are more likely to experience physical and emotional consequences. Many offenders escape, as most offences are unreported. Being tight-lipped, we remain with the problem.

Lies are easy to miss

Are we equipped to teach our children about safety or warning signs? Let us agree on one point: Any child is at risk. Any child regardless of age, gender, colour, race, religion, culture, appearance etc. is abused.

When you chat with the teacher, thinking yourself. “What a nice teacher, I am so glad my ward is in his class!”. Because the teacher is pleasant and socially acceptable, it never cross your mind otherwise. The reality is there aren’t necessarily any telling signs. People generally overestimate their ability to detect deception. Pedophiles do not look like monsters. It could be a priest, your daughter’s teacher, the family friend, uncle, cousin, doctor, police officer, teacher, coach…, any of those could be a sexual offender. Do we want to believe this? No. Is it possible? Yes.

The more we know, the better prepared we are. Most people live in ignorance about the risks of the sexual abuse. Sadly, the abusers don’t look evil. They are charming, kind, agreeable, friendly …. for a reason. They tend to be manipulative and strike their targets. First they gain your trust, then trust your child, and they have the audacity to take advantage of that trust. What you don’t know can hurt you. Public behaviour is not indicative of private behaviour. If predator “looks” like predators, there may be no victims.

We live in a very dangerous and many ways harsh world and we need as many survival skills as possible. Proactive parenting is the best prevention plan, as children are gullible and very precious. Children seldom lie. If they think something is “weird”, or makes them feel “weird”, that is a big red flag. They should think twice before saying “YES” to help a stranger. The school “Head Boy” and class monitors can play a vigilant role in saving the situation, and participate in the parent-teacher meetings and punch their inputs.

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Also read: http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/06/dad-is-bad.html

Feedback welcome: krs1957@hotmail.com

Sunday, 20 July 2014

Onion’s unrivalled political charisma

The spectre of onion prices appear stabilised at Rs.35/- a kg, while the retail outlets are non-committal about the consistency, the pungency might be showing yet again. A raging debate not only for consumers, but economists and policy makers as well, the vegetable is routinely consumed and any spike tends to be politically sensitive. Last year, a truck was hijacked on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. The precious cargo was 40 tonnes of onions. A few eat-outs, last year, suspended serving “onion dosas”. The North Indian kebabs without the raw onion will lose its pride. In rural India, a bowl of rice and onion is used as an indicator of poverty. The public anger over food inflation, if not controlled, can spoil the honeymoon period of the new government, which is empowered and has secured mandate.

With a bumper crop 19 m tonnes , a 14 per cent increase over the previous year, already reported, it defies logic for the price to rise, whereas the consumption is about 15 m tonnes. The toils of the farmers are gone astray while the ultimate consumers are bearing high costs, distinctly depicting the lack of magnitude afforded to agriculture in recent times. Indications are that onion price will surge by September as the stocks are expected to be exhausted by then, the delay in SW monsoon notwithstanding. The consumers’ owes soar with the dawn of the rainy season and the intermediaries and hoarders silently encash the opportunities. Short-term solutions like importing the vegetable and curbing the exports only does more long-term damages.

Onion growers have also claimed that they are pained by the non-availability of quality seeds. According to National Co-operative Agricultural Marketing Federation (NAFED), “onion seeds are currently costing Rs.3,000/- a kg. as against Rs.400/- during normal times”. India is one of the largest onion producers along with US and China.

Last year, the erstwhile Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar asked the Chief Ministers to invoke the Essential Commodities Act against onion hoarders. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has recently blamed the hoarders and asked the state governments to act, while Modi asked the people to “be ready to swallow bitter pills”. Read in tangency, not only likely it is to see the hoarders’ role in the price crisis of the edible bulb, but asking the common man to be prepared for a spurt. The price has been rising across the country, especially in Modi’s town Ahmedabad, where it recently touched Rs.56/- a kg.

The high price of the vegetable has given the opposition parties an agenda. Isn’t it minimal that controlling the middle-men can improve the supply chain considerably? According to National Horticulture and Research Foundation, the “price has gone up and it may increase further”.The government must procure directly from the farmer at a fair price, enable modern storage facilities to regulate flow into the market and make it unremunerative for the middlemen.

Traders operating in the local market committees stock the onions, which they procured from the farmer for a paltry price less than Rs.10/- a kg. and stored it, which has a shelf life of upto six months. The hoarders and big traders have got the taste of blood last year which forced onion prices to dictate Rs.100/- and above. It is hoped the big daddies are not resorting to American policy of dumping the produce into the sea and jack up the prices.

Need for more than quick-fix solutions

Reform of procurement practices and agricultural marketing is overdue. Being a State subject, the Centre even a decade ago circulated amendments to Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act. The main amendment targeted at minimising the wholesale dominance in the marketing chain. High onion price has been a key factor for the ugly food inflation. Retail inflation quickened to 8.59 per cent in April from 8.31 per cent in March, primarily driven by food prices. At the moment, RBI is more worried about tackling inflation, which is necessary for sustaining economic growth in the long-term, while the central bank at the same time would need some clarity on how the monsoon will pan out and the impending union budget. Lower rainfall may pinch farm output and spur inflation. Modi, who steered the BJP to a thumping victory in the last three decades, has induced the optimism that he will take measures to boost economic growth.

The returns of the farmer and cost to the end-user shows a yawning-gap and thus the enormous returns in the supply chain of agri-produce are usurped by the intermediary forces. Probably the sapping phenomenon is also a reason for the youth being averse to pursue farming. Among the host of interventions required to induce vibrancy in the sector, reforms in the APMC are paramount that will ensure remunerative price to the primary producer and eliminate the other villainous forces, which can be in any form – bad crops, market forces, over-export or hoarders. At times, it takes the form of nationwide transport when essential goods are not available and price rise. That the economy’s health is at stake, will Modi be able to crack the whip? The speculation that onion hitting the three-digit mark by September might lead to further hoarding. And it sounds vulgar. The government should thoughtfully consider take-over of all onion warehouses and start selling through Public Distribution System.

Onion is said to be good for heart, but the unfriendly price movement is not conducive to the organ that pumps blood and continue its business as usual. The existing monopolistic control of APMC must be dismantled. Is it a rocketry for farmers to build storage sheds?

The Centre should come up with more than quick-fix solutions, else the parties may have to pay a political price. The 1998-Delhi Assembly election debacle for BJP is attributed to the rising price of “onion” factor. Maharashtra, the main hub for growing onions, must pro-actively show urgency in tackling the hoarders and where the stocks are piled up. There is no gainsaying the fact that most of the 300-odd local market committees that control the price of onions in Nasik district of Maharashtra are henpecked by politicians. Also, this could be a harbinger of the Congress fall, if the Centre exhibits the political will to control the surge in onion price.Export curbs on onions would have little impact on the prices of the commodity, as the price of Indian onion is more than local price abroad. Onion can be a game-changer.

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

TMC MP Tapas Pal’s politics of obscenity - Acche dhin aa gaye?

Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal was, on 30/06/2014, caught on camera purportedly making a sub-human statement, “I will ask our boys to go and rape women …. If necessary”, setting abysmal standard of human behaviour. Pal had commented him saying, “If any CPM man is present here, listen to me. If you ever touch any Trinamool Congress worker …. I will let loose my boys in your homes and they will commit rape….”, the MP had warned, confirming the ingredients of all that is contrary to the dignity of the House, characterized by vulgar display of intolerance and indiscipline. Tapas Pal joined the chaotic bandwagon of making absurd remarks.

Retired IPS Officer Kiren Bedi tweeted: “Wither we as a society? An MP of the ruling party openly threatens rape and violence! Woman party chief also a CM silent! Police looks on!” The controversial comment triggered an uproar. The political furore is growing high demanding that the Speaker should take action and the MP should be sacked and arrested. These remarks are absolutely disgraceful and speaks volumes of utterly shallow mindset. Another day, another example of how Indian politics deals unabashedly in the currency of misogyny. The crime and conversation around sexual violence against women has been amplified across various channels. The dignity of a woman has become cheaper than a candy, isn’t it?

Shame on the family

“On behalf of him, I am saying sorry”, said Nandini, wife of the TMC MP, attempting some damage control, thanks to our colonial masters for bequeathing the five-letter wonder “SORRY”. Pal’s apology is only from the lips, not from the heart. It is not his wife that should apologise for him, he should confront his deeds by himself. Being a woman herself, she should demand her husband to exit public life. Any mother will be ashamed of such remarks, presumably Pal’s mother as well.

What would have been the reaction of Nandini, her husband MP and Bengal Chief Minister & TMC leader Mamta Banerjee, had the same utterance been from any other party politician? How does Pal feel that he is putting his wife before the public into the shameful situation? Isn’t it like sending mummy to explain away your lapse? Had Mamta asked Pal resign his MP seat, it would have enhanced the prestige of the TMC leader and would have set better standards. Isn’t Pal a political anomaly? Alas, a party whose MP does not respect women is led by a woman! It tantamounts to all women are invisible victims. Nevertheless, it is utopian, higher the position, harsher the punishment. The TMC supreme should have slapped a suspension, pending enquiry. Why no one remembers about the Code of Conduct of MPs?

Need for tough presiding officers

What can one expect when over 30 per cent of legislators have felony, convictions, or charges pending? No wonder, rapists and criminals roam free. Why he is not arrested for instigating heinously criminal threats, nor Parliament impeaching him? The parliament should move a privilege motion against him. A Public Interest Litigation has been filed, as his remarks are more criminal than political. MPs are expected to set high standards of probity and rectitude. His remarks only buttresses the point that today the need for emotional quotients to be taught whilst as a young child, while one cannot forget that West Bengal is renowned as the land of scholars like Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray …..

There should be clear and definite mechanisms to deal with the disruptions and the scope of the Speaker should be extended empowering him to the extent which is absolutely necessary. There is a dire need to make MPs accountable for their actions committed that disgusted the parliamentary standards. Like animals who trust the butcher, we continue to trust our politicians. Our respectable parliament has become a fool’s paradise where they can do anything backed by constitutional cover. We are all busy in criticizing the system and feel that our work is done, without providing a solution. Freedom of speech does not bestow on him to lash his tongue.

It is overdue the presiding officers redeemed the pledge they have repeatedly made at countless conferences to observe a “code of conduct” for legislators and create strong disincentive against disruption. Yet again, it is a clear warning to our politicians who have made a mockery of power vested in them by the electorate. The privileges extended to the MPs are being misused as it evades the ambit of judicial intervention. Bring back T.N. Seshan and make him the Speaker. We need people of steel to enforce decorum. The parliament resembles a patient in coma, its faculties frozen, its strength ebbing, with no consciousness at all. It is estimated that disruptions and adjournments has cost the taxpayers more than Rs.250 m. To rewind public memory, in December 2012, President Pranab Mukherjee’s son Abhijit Mukherjee (Cong.) brought huge disrepute to his family name when he termed the anti-rape protesters in Delhi as “dented-painted” women. His sister had to apologise for his abnormal utterance.

One often felt the politicians are insensitive but never realised that a few of them could be downright stupid too. Pal has revealed himself and no amount of apology, withdrawal, denial or explanation will take away the fact that he is hopelessly undemocratic and seriously deficient in either intelligence or tact. Indian women are having high image in the world. In general, Indian women are conscious of dress code as parents from childhood take care of this. Think before you wink. The women’s issue has been for a long time neglected by every political party. Sonia Gandhi did not unseat Abhijit Mukherjee. Today Mamta has done the same thing, explicating that women’s dignity is secondary. A missed opportunity to be a role-model.

Can't the judiciary be proactive?

Your Honour, if Bengal government doesn’t act, can’t Courts consider suo-motu cognisance? When most pillars of democracy are guilty of lack of action, isn’t judiciary the last hope? Venomous leaders, small and big, talk about killing, raping and revenge - a political culture permeated in our system. The 16^th Lok Sabha reportedly had the highest number of MPs with criminal cases against them. According to Association for Democratic Reforms, 34 per cent of the new MPs face criminal charges, who will be our law-makers. Can a logical bad input produce a good output? In many countries, with strict enforcement of law, these politicians wouldn’t have even contested the polls.

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Email: krs1957@hotmail.com

Friday, 11 July 2014

Miles to go before I sleep... Wake-up call, Rahul

(Image Courtesy: Times of India)

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi was caught napping by the Lok Sabha cameras on Wednesday (09/07/2014). The nation is awake when Rahul naps. Could be due to soccer fever? Is Rahul a football fan? Was he giving a live-demo on the significance of power-nap? To his ill-luck, there was no ruckus, parliament was quiet. Jawaharlal Nehru soon after independence said, “As the world sleeps, India awakens”, little foreseeing that the great-grand son would be sleeping in the House when India was awake.

What is distastefully ridiculous is the sycophants coming to his salvage. “It is not true. I totally and categorically deny all aspersions”, said Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi, lamenting that the matter has been “sensationalised”. Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said that a “trivial and frivolous issue” is being unnecessarily highlighted. This is not a controversy …. In the last 14 years during my parliament career, I have seen lot many people taking a nap or sleeping or dozing off in parliament…. Sometime people shut their eyes and listen to their speech very patiently. This must be the case with Rahul Gandhi ….lot many BJP ministers are still sleeping …” said Shukla. “Many people in parliament close their eyes. It doesn’t mean they are sleeping” said senior NCP leader Praful Patel.

Consider “nap” for a moment

A power nap works wonders. Studies have shown that short naps can improve mood, alertness and performance. A mini-snooze of 10–20 minutes is recommended for recharging your batteries. It is far better than overdosing on coffee to try and force oneself to stay awake. The caffeine is not only less healthy, fact remains there is no equivalent for a meaningful siesta. Sitting for long at the work spot may not sound like a lot of exertion, but it can wear you out worse than walking all day long. It has been widely shared that power naps have been found good for rejuvenation, memory and decision-making, apart from cut down on stress. Don’t misread naps for laziness.

Some of the great thinkers were seasoned nappers. John F Kennedy, Ronald Reagon, Albert Einstein … to name a few. Winston Churchill adopted a sleep schedule for all of World War II, sleeping two hours during the day and five hours at night, and as a result was increasingly alert all through the day. “That way you will be able to accomplish more”, he said.

Don’t be surprised, napping-breaks will soon replace coffee-breaks and more nap rooms in a few more MNCs. Alternatively, if you drive to work, nothing like that. Recline the seat; sun-filmed windows can be merrier as you snooze. You can surprise your boss with better productivity.

“Every closed eye is not sleeping, and every open eye is not seeing” – Rahul can claim advantage of the quote by American comedian Bill Cosby.

Let’s hope after every nap, Rahul wakes up fresh and creative. On the flipside, silence is golden and nothing is better than nonsense.

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/01/frankly-rahul_30.html

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Announcing the arrival of ……. Railway Budget 2014-2015

Bangalorean Sadananda Gowda, the Union Minister for Railways, presented Narendra Modi’s maiden Railway budget, this day, the 08/07/2014.

Since the fare and freight hike already underwent an upward revision about a week ago, today’s exercise looks more like an elongated mission statement. The increased budget allocation for cleanliness for the current year by 40 per cent over the previous year is commendable. The budget is more a combo of many things – introducing new trains, improving amenities, dreaming bullet trains, office on wheels ….. Also, improvement of the catering quality, ready-to-eat reputed brands in trains, proposal to set up food courts at major stations, introducing bio-toilets, use of CCTVs at stations to monitor cleanliness activities, provision of potable water are some of the interesting features proposed in Mr. Gowda’s railway document.

A word on bullet trains. Can our tracks carry the bullet trains? Are we ready to reset the tracks? Elsewhere I had read that train running at 225 kmp are likely to cause catastrophic derailment. For the moment, let us slow down the “bullet” plans and address other basic priorities. The moment one says railway safety, it instantly reminds “unmanned level crossings”.

Bio-toilet, the much-needed amenity, given the Indian hygiene culture, must be extended to all the coaches and stations irrespective of the class of travel without levying any extra charges. It is even more relevant in the backdrop of stress on water supply.

Mr. Gowda’s proposal to introduce special pilgrim trains for various religious circuits like Jain circuit, Christian circuit, Muslim circuit, Sikh circuit etc. should be considered with caution, from the security perspective.

It is learnt that there are 2.5 lakh posts lying vacant in the railways and out of these 1.6 lakh posts are in departments directly concerned with the railway safety. Add to this the additional man-power requirements on account of the proposed increase of 58 new trains in the present budget. Mr. Gowda should be aware of the safety factor.

Mr. Gowda has not proposed any deadline to achieve the ambitious plans. Nor has he spelt out with any clarity about balancing the much-required finance. Of course, the Honourable Railway Minister made a mention to “attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)” to the cause of modernisation of the largest Public Sector Undertaking. The idea is undoubtedly luring, but will the FDI investors step in without expecting returns?

The politico-bureaucratic management has so far failed in making the railway modern and safe. The government must come out of its political comfort zone to improve the deteriorating condition of Indian Railways. Make the Railway Board members and General Managers of all the Railway Zones accountable for their decisions, while at the same time, freedom should be given to take decisions without interference from the Ministry. Introduce modern audit and vigilance methods to prevent wastages and frauds.

Mr. Gowda, can we, by whatever you have proclaimed in the budget, take it as a green signal?

The solution is very simple, at the same time not at all easy. Yes, the two-word wonder : “Political will”

Have a safe and passenger-friendly journey, Sir!

Sunday, 6 July 2014

What corporate take over of media groups mean ...

Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal shifted to Mizoram Jewish extremists held over Palestinian teen's murder CD row; unfazed Kumaraswamy defends himself 2,200 Indians to return from Iraq Amla inspires South Africa to big win in first ODI Test cricket cannot be a 10-men club: Srinivasan Six held over Palestinian teenager's murder Iraq analysing jihadist sermon video for authenticity Six students fall ill after having Mid-Day meal in Odisha HC admits Digvijay Singh's letter petition, hearing tomorrow 3 teachers suspended for watching obscene videos in UP school Pak new chief justice takes charge 2,200 more Indians want to leave Iraq: MEA ISIS leader al-Baghdadi's sermon is a show of confidence: Experts 'Blank firing' near Israeli homes in Delhi Krul in dreamland after shoot-out switch Krul in dreamland after shoot-out switch Chopper deal: Quizzing of ex-guvs may take CBI to NDA-I door LeT making recruits learn from Kasab's mistakes Audio CD row; CM rubbishes Kumaraswamy's defence VVIP chopper deal: ED to send LRs to half-a-dozen countries Home Min red flags FDI in sensitive areas of Indian railways Jaitley to present maiden Budget amid expectations of tax sops Tamil Nadu: 11 killed in wall collapse; two arrested Speaker's decision on LoP could be flavoured by BJP, Modi: Nath Rail Budget to propose X-ray system to detect faults in trains 200 more Indians from Iraq return 4 Indian-Americans honoured in US on Independence day Luiz stunner sends Brazil into semi-finals A David vs Goliath encounter Robben is the biggest threat: Pinto Germany end French resistance Science behind the shootout Germany wins European powerhouse battle, move to semis No marriage? 23 Saudi women sue guardians Mars orbiter completes 75 per cent of journey European heavyweight bout! Yet to play at our best: Koepke Lahm may return to right back role Can Messi emulate legendary Maradona? After heartache comes a wave of hilarity Doomsayers made to eat humble pie Now, a film on Messi's route to fame 'Messi can change a game in a second'

What corporate take over of media groups mean…

C S Krishnamurthy, Jul 7, 2014 :

In one of the biggest deals in the media industry, India’s largest privately-owned corporate entity, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has recently taken over the country’s biggest media group, the Network18 Group. Mukesh Ambani formally launches into the media industry.

What does it mean for the media? Does it signify for the freedom of press? Is the Fourth Estate pillar strong enough withstand such powerful ‘influence?’ Does a man who owns a huge business really need media to influence anything? Does it sound any alarm? Can anybody have an effective monopoly in a country with so much media presence? Does it stare at media’s credibility? Too few people are calling too many shots? Or a mere hype and non-story? A section of the press cited a few employees who described the situation as “hostile” takeover. Some analysts say it is natural for corporate bosses to exercise control over policy.

Back in 1983, about 50 corporates controlled the majority news media in United States. Today, the concentration is in the hands of six powerful media corporations. These corporate behemoths control most of what we see, watch, hear and read every day. They also have the authority to pull programmes from circulation if they do not fulfill their criteria or promote a viewpoint.Most media brands have a perspective. There are pro-political party channels, and even the regional parties have their own organs. It is a case of corporate ownership of media and media ownership of RIL. Big business conglomerates get into the media business. Their influence would specify what and how people are informed. When we watch the news, we are passively receiving information delivered to us in the comfort of our living rooms. The news presented to us implies a version of the truth that may not be accurate.

Ambani has as much right as anyone else to own a media house. The worry is about the conflict of interest. In recent elections, Ambani was angered due to the attacks made on him by Arvind Kejriwal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had captured the public mood and even formed a 49-day Delhi-government. Kejriwal had gone all guns blazing for Ambani.

Threatened freedom

Often, many media institutions survive on advertisement revenue, which can lead to the media outlet being influenced by various corporate interests. The ability to make formed decisions is crucial for a fair and functional democracy, but now becomes threatened by such concentration of ownership. The hold on commercial and political power is vulnerable for any democracy if media moghuls control media content.

A major concern that arises from such concentration is very few media owners in the mainstream reach out to the masses and seldom the public hears of editorial muzzle. While it is not easy to document the implicit influence of corporate bosses, most do not have to apprise their subordinates their penchant. The real loss is in the self-serving censorship of political and social ideas in news, articles, magazines, broadcasting and telecasting. But most screening will be subtle, as subordinates learn by habit to conform to owners’ ideas. Subtle or not, the ultimate result is distorted reality.

Corporates can have big budgets to dissect and attack news reports they desire. As the mainstream media is largely corporate-owned, they are largely driven by market forces.

For example, it is very much noticeable how competitive the media companies are among themselves. Competition can be healthy aspect of news reporting and pushing for better quality. The concerned approach has meant that the competition, if not rivalry, has reduced itself to attracting viewers through sensationalism, rather than professional ethics. Many channels report on the same stories and air even commercial breaks at the same time. This type of competition affects the ability to provide quality news and impacts the depth and analysis.

Today’s concentration of media ownership and editorial freedom brings into sharp focus not only the immense responsibility, but also the freedom of the editors. Yet it is the owners and their hand-picked editors, who decide what the vast majority receive. Is it acceptable in a democracy? In the absence of freedom or protection from the owners, the people’s media information interests are jeopardised, if not ruined. Censorship creeps in, not from the government, but from the protection of conglomerate interests.

The public is disenfranchised as there is no effective democracy in the media realm. Sadly, objectivity is replaced by prerogatives.

However, when we actively seek to learn new things and take it upon ourselves to find new sources of information about what is going on in the society or the world-at-large, we find ourselves able to form our opinions without there being the presence of a corporate agenda in our thought process.

While more people are able to produce, and share information widely, within and across borders, this is a blessing for creativity, new threats arising at the same time. If the quality of news and entertainment is concentrated in the hands of the conglomerates, aren’t we suffering both as media consumers and citizens?

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