Thai Tigers – Pets, or predators?

Venue: Tiger Temple, Bangkok, Thailand

Yeah! I recently petted a tiger in absolute amusement, but candidly at that moment I missed a heartbeat and contrived a smile for a perfect picture. That moment with the big cats firmly remains etched an integral part of my memoirs.

Upon getting to the Tiger Temple, I was required to sign a disclaimer stating that if I were injured or killed during my visit, I won't hold the  monks or the temple liable for any damages.  Dress code requirements: 1. No red or bright coloured clothing.  2. No flowing skirts or scarves. 3. No clothing made out of materials that produce audible noise. 

We were then escorted to the area where the tigers were laying about in the sun.  There were a few monks at the spot watching over the tigers and also controlling the flow of tourists.  You are permitted to go and pose with  each tiger (crouching beside or sitting next to) and the volunteers move you in an orderly fashion.

My first impression: I was in complete awe about the whole thing.  Even now, when I see my small frame flanked by the enormous 200 kg.+  big cat, it triggers something weird going on, how can they not react at all.  I figured,  and also shared by many, that the tigers were and had to be drugged to stay docile. Just seems impossible that they are not drugged, even though guides around there insist they weren’t.  There is a lot of confusion.

Are we to believe that they don’t have the hunting instincts? Why are these tigers so tolerant of human activity around them?  Perceptions vary.

It is hard to accept that tigers are displayed as tame creatures that could actually be damaging their identity.They are gorgeous, strong and scary.  The spectacle of a few cats, of course the big ones, on chains is a little depressing.  I was thrilled and chilled by the prospect of close contact with big cat and having photographed next to it, an opportunity which I would not have preferred to miss.  

The tigers appear in good health, but there seems to be something missing that they would allow so much human contact.  When asked the guide if the big cats are sedated at the Tiger temple, he told point blank that they had not been administered drugs.  On the contrary, he told that they were brought to the temple as cubs and as such they don’t have the hunting instincts.

Somewhere I wish to reason out that tigers living in harmony with humans doesn’t sound natural.  Tigers shouldn’t be kept as pets, because they aren’t.  Can these ‘pets’  be returned to the wild?  Can they restore the hunting instincts? They are so much conditioned to be around humans. It is challenging to discard the fact that tiger and ferocity can be split.

Many a time when we drive to wild life sanctuaries in Karnataka - Kabini, Nagarhole, Bandipur….to have a glimpse of “animal sighting”, we don’t even sight the big cat’s footmarks.  The jungle lodges staff would mindlessly convince us that they sighted the wild animal “only the previous day”.   Well, when compared to such experiences, a visit to the Thailand Tiger Temple comprehensively erases your “failed” memories.

Again, though at the risk of being redundant, are the big cats in the Temple really drugged?  I hope and wish it is wrong.   Well, the debate gets endless.

These cats are, doubtlessly, a highly-sought-after-tourist-attraction.

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2013/12/siam-niramit-thai-celebration.html

"Coffee Santhe" - a report

An otherwise Sunday afternoon (12/01/2014); M.G.Road, Bangalore; friendly weather. Take a stroll.  A bunch of banners sporting  the sign “Coffee Santhe” beckons you.   If you are a coffee freak, you would n’t have liked to give a miss. There is no next opinion that Bangalore  and coffee are made for each other.   Though it is not easy to drink so many varieties of coffee in a matter of few hours, the aroma and the flavor of the quality beverage was enticing.  “It doesn’t, after all , require an excuse or planning to sip  the aromatic beverage”,  said a student at the spot.

Bayar's, Hatti Kaapi, Coffeelab, Flying Squirrel (The Artisan Coffee), Classic Pride are a few of the brands who showcased their products.  Barring Cafe Coffee Day, one could experience an array of the traditional filter coffee quality.  The event also enabled a bit of learning coffee-based concepts like robusta, arabica, coffee beans ....

The "Coffee Santhe" was organized by Women Coffee Alliance of India (WCAI).  The purpose was not just to promote and market their products, but more importantly divert the proceeds of the Santhe for the cause of health and educational needs of the children of  women coffee workers.  WCAI is a registered Charity Trust whose primary objective is to better the status of the Indian women coffee workers. "So many hands that go to make a cup of coffee are the less privileged ones", said Ms. Sunalini Menon, Chief Executive, Coffeelab Ltd.   Ms. Menon is  the first woman coffee-taster in India.

Women, who lent a homely touch in most of the stalls,  inspired enthusiasm to explain the right method of filter coffee preparation. "Many households spend more money on coffee powder and milk, but failed to brew good quality beverage", thoughtfully lamented Mrs.Renuka Gangadhar, an organiser. An exclusive  stall depicted the story of the journey of the coffee bean from plant to coffee cup. 

Coffee filters (in different sizes and shapes), coffee mugs, coffee-based soaps, coffee-plants, jewellery and other accessories made from coffee beans  were part of the display.  Cold Coffee and coffee-flavoured eats include cakes and cookies also added to the assortment.

The brand HATTIKAAPI (Hatti in Kannada means a house in village, kaapi is coffee)  claimed their quality process consists of coffee bean lot are handpicked by the specialist and roasted through a German roaster. The beans are then dried, powdered and then packed.  They use bisleri water to prepare decoction and add best quality milk.

It was not a mere slurping and enjoying the beverage.  You also get introduced to the art of brewing coffee. What makes a great cup of coffee?  Coffee Board extended their courtesy by providing the right method of brewing a good cup of coffee in a stainless steel Indian filter:  Wash the stainless steel (filter) and the brewer (container) with hot water.  Place the brew basket inside the brewer. Take a spoon of coffee powder (in the spoon of coffee powder into the basket (filter).  If it is a 2 cup filter, place 2 level spoons of coffee powder. Gently levelling the coffee powder, place the plunger inside the brew basket.  Pour fresh boiling water into the basket (filter) upto the neck.  Close the lid.  In about 10 minutes the decoction is ready in the brewer (container).  Remove the brew basket (filter).  Pour the coffee into  the cup.  Enjoy the aromatic cup of fresh coffee.  Optional: Add milk  and/or sugar as per taste.

The Board also shared the relationship between coffee and good health. The Board reveals that according to research coffee drunk in moderation (4-5 regular sized cups  a day) is safe for healthy adults and can even have beneficial health implications as part of a healthy diet and physically active lifestyle, adding that coffee may help, provide protection against the development of liver disease. Research also suggests that coffee drinking may be protective against Type II diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes).

A brief interaction with a cross-section of the visitors:

"A nice event. I am a coffee connoisseur.  I have come to check out various blends.  I drink about 5-6 cups a day.  Filter coffee is my forte. I constantly keep experimenting.  We explore lots on coffee in other countries", conceded Mr. Sharath, Rediff.

"Some  literature should have been displayed regarding the variety of coffee/coffee beans.  There are only standardised coffee-makers.  Traditional coffee-making techniques should have been exhibited. Making coffee obviously differs from one hand to another when it comes to presentation . I generally drink my best coffee from "Maiyyas" (Jayanagar IV Block)",  confessed Mr.Amruthkumar, Engineer.

"I am a coffee freak.  I have just tried Hattikaapi.  Before I leave I will taste a few more flavours", said Mr. Gangadhar (Retired).

A few overheard:  

"Coffee Santhe is the right place to test and taste blends.  The taste of coffee drinkers have become more discriminating and they demand more flavour from the cup".

"Some bitterness is desirable, to keep the coffee from tasting bland".

"The (coffee) beans should be neither under-roasted, nor charred".

"I prefer pure filter coffee as against coffee with cream and sugar, as, in the latter, the defects may not be noticeable".

"There is no single "best" coffee".

The "Coffee Santhe" is a prelude to the upcoming INDIA INTERNATIONAL COFFEE FESTIVAL 2014 (IICF)to be held at The Lalit Ashok, Kumara Krupa High Grounds, Bangalore-560001  from January 21 – 25, 2014. The highlights of the IICF include skill-building workshops relating to coffee Processing, Roasting, Brewing and entrepreneurship programme.  The IICF is also likely to throw light on changes in the global market, the healthy side of a cup of coffee, innovative methods of coffee delivery to the customer and many more.  The Festival is also expected to showcase the best coffees in the market, the latest technologies employed and the accompanying business opportunities.

Over to INDIA INTERNATIONAL COFFEE FESTIVAL 2014!

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/09/me-without-coffee.html

Your feedback is welcome: krs1957@hotmail.com

Dr.Manmohan Singh’s tenure : A corruption decade decayed the system

In a rare press conference, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh called Mr. Narendra Modi as a “disastrous choice” if he becomes the Prime Minister, in addition to declaring that  he will not seek the PM’s office for the third term.  Mr. Rahul Gandhi will be the appropriate choice with all the credentials as the Congress party candidate, Dr. Singh added.

I am not a big follower of politics.  I, however, happened to watch the entire press conference yesterday (03/01/2014) and it left me with a disgusting impression.  When Dr. Singh was long ago introduced to the parliament, for a moment I thought that we are going to be blessed with a statesman amid tainted politicians,  but yesterday I noticed to see the body language of an apologetic guilty-Singh.

It was childishly ridiculous that Dr. Singh gave a clean chit to himself during his tenure for nearly a decade.  During his interaction with the media, he mentioned that history would be kinder to him than the media and the opposition parties.  He floated the flippant theory that most scandals of UPA-2 occurred during UPA-1.  It is unfortunate that he sought to take refuge that people endorsed Congress to power in 2009, desperately attempting to ratify the wrong-doings of UPA-1.  It was also sickening to listen to him when he bid to distinguish between his personal conduct and the performance of the government.

His utterances lacked even political logic.  Dr. Singh accused Mr. Modi  of “presiding over the massacre of 2002 riots” in Ahmedabad.  That the Supreme Court has already cleared Mr. Modi of all the charges is public knowledge, Dr. Singh’s allegation against Mr. Modi amounts to reviewing the Court ruling.   Can somebody clarify that under the recently enacted Lok Pal Bill, can a contempt petition be filed against a sitting Prime Minister?  As a PM , Dr. Singh could have, nay, should have initiated appropriate action against Mr. Modi.  Yet again he exposed his inability in saving the situation.   In the same breath, did not Congress party instigate the anti-Sikh riots in the aftermath of Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s assassination?  Applying Dr. Singh’s formula, are we to believe that Mr. Rajiv Gandhi was a “disaster” for presiding over the 1984-riots?

For once, I was able to observe a decisive politician in Dr. Singh.  The more he smacks of Mr. Modi, make no mistake, the more stronger the latter will be.  Hate speech against Mr. Modi only diminishes Dr. Singh’s stature.  Or is it that Dr. Singh is subtly playing the self-side goal as a settling score to the ignominy he suffered  all these years in the hands of the Gandhi family? After all, when it comes to politics, there is no permanent friends or foes!    On a serious note, it felt like a contrite looser talking to media, not like a PM of India.

The best joke comes when he says that Mr. Rahul Gandhi has outstanding credentials to become the PM, showing how low sycophancy can take you down.

Hopes were aplenty with the people, because as a former bureaucrat before joining the government, Dr.Singh knew all kinds of inefficiencies existing in the bureaucratic system.  Alas, he failed to apply his knowledge for the improvement of the economy.  Or is it because he had to work under remote control?   In the whole of media comments and analysis, I found one thing common – corruption and inflation, huge issues we are facing today.

Pause for a moment.  Recall the series of scams – Common Wealth Games (CWG), Adarsh Housing scams,  2G scam, Coalgate – to name a few.  If you can restore the swindled amount, the Finance Minister will be presenting “Surplus” budgets, year after year; and I don’t have to pay Rs.100/-for a kg. of onions.

Or does he want to come to the open and say that the black money or hoards of it, all these, are due to “coalition partnership”?   Well, if you want to enjoy power, you should as well take ownership, Dr. Singh.  Or does he want to say that these are entirely the misdeeds of the Congress alone and the “beneficiaries”  have taken monstrously unfair leverage of the meekest PM we have ever had?  Or does he want to say the Congress had used the most qualified PM, as a shield and made him the obvious scapegoat who will be blamed for the Congress’ failures and the party will emerge out of this whole shoddy affairs as an unintended victim of a  bad prime-ministership and in the same stroke Mr. Rahul Gandhi will emerge as the savior?  Or at least, does he think that he could have done a better job as a Finance Minister than a thankless Prime Minister?

The reality is that after 10 years to Dr. Singh and 60 years to Congress, we are flooded with scams and rapes and inflation.  The people are visibly angry and disappointed.  Public opinion is severely against the Prime Minister and the Congress government.  India is potentially a rich country, but its fortunes are stolen by a few and stacked offshore.  Dr. Singh has grossly failed to communicate effectively what his government was, is and intended to do to curb corruption at high levels.  The anger and anguish of the people shoots because Dr. Singh is most educated and a seasoned economist.   He is relating the inflation to international economic changes.  Is the price rise happening in all countries?

But as a top leader Dr. Singh should know not the price increase, but the rampant corruption that led his party down in the recent assembly elections.  He can explain the price rise and always say it was beyond his control, but it would have been qualified statesmanship if he had taken  cognizance that corruption was the chief factor for the crisis.  Never in free India’s history has food inflation touched the dreaded double-digit.  All the hopes aspired by the people of this country are belied, thanks to the spinelessness displayed by the technocrat-turned-politician.  Sadly, he was unable to rule or control.  The people of India should be very careful in exercising their franchise.  Even if they poll for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the coming Lok Sabha elections, it tantamounts to allowing the same corrupt Congress through the back door.

Yet with all the failures, Dr. Singh still claimed that he was not a “weak leader”.  He has dented his goodwill.  His arguments were totally indefensible.  Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has paved the way for Mr. Rahul Gandhi and Mr. Narendra Modi, leaving the government with a legacy of guilt and shame.After all, there is a huge gap between a good man and a good Prime Minister.

Let historians script their documentation.   Can we simultaneously expect the PM-in- office-not-in power, Dr. Singh relax and pen a memoir annexed to his conscience? 

Jai Hind!

SIAM NIRAMIT, a Thai celebration

SIAM NIRAMIT, a Thai celebration

Iniitially I thought it was going to be a dull and utterly uninteresting evening and a potential time-stealer at that.  Though I grudgingly escorted my wife, it ultimately turned out to be an astonishing exposure. It was more than a movie, more than a drama, more than an opera. That was SIAM NIRAMIT, Bangkok, Thailand – a spectacular world-class show.

The name of the show and the name of the theatre is SIAM NIRAMIT. The 80-minute captivating journey (without intermission) unfolds the history and heritage, arts and culture of Thailand (formerly known as SIAM) that have descended through centuries.  SIAM NIRAMIT is the name of the same village created to introduce the traveller to basic Thai living and practices. The show comprehensively makes a splendid celebration of Thai culture. The lavish display has been designed with both locals and foreigners in mind.

The stage show depicts the Thai culture from its inception, comprised of three Acts.

ACT 1 – “Journey Back into History” where you see cross-roads of civilizations.

ACT 2 – “Journey Beyond Imagination” – “Hell” and “Heaven” are staged to perfection with stupendous special effects and human forms being tortured and burned by demons. 

ACT 3 – “Journey through Joyous Festivals”

The decors and background is so enticing that each Act is taking you into another travel to discover the hidden face of Thailand. Special mention is a must on the stage scenery which is simply breathtaking, the spectacular costumes and the set employed  with dazzling  technology that makes the event a truly state-of-the-art production.  Live elephants, stunts, magical illusion, bringing rains, floating angels. hell and heaven on the stage …..  The attention to details, costumes, colourful atmosphere, the background score ….. The stage-preparedness and the lighting and visual effects are sure to leave you mesmerised for long. 

Interestingly, the performers include artists and animals. Don’t be surprised when real elephants come and walk past your seat like it is nothing. A stage that is so large that it makes elephants look small and goats tiny. The performers coming from the side or behind the audience appends glitter to the event.

The amazing elements include a river streaming through the stage along with elephants, goats and chickens.  The dancers plunge in the rivers.

While the vibrance of the show is overwhelming, don’t look for a plot or a dialogue. Just watch the show, you won’t notice the time.  The show is, wherever required, translated in English.  Even if you do not understand any language, it is not a problem. Although there is not only any  talking done by  the actors, the messages are clearly conveyed through such outstanding performing skills and theatre effects. Random people from audience were invited upstage to join the performance. Simply unique!

The stage is huge, the actors are in a big number.  What is fascinating is though about 150 artists and scores of animals performed,  it is not possible to pick any one hero or heroine.  Such was the professionalism and coordination.  Thumbs up to the production team!  I  cannot imagine how the stage and background change in split seconds.  I doubt whether it would have been possible to maintain the incredible pace of set and costume changes throughout.  No wonder the stage is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Thailand is not only bars and beaches, nor only temples and massage parlors.  This live show definitely enriches the visitor a bit more of Thailand.  The effort to make the show realistic was met.

As we got to the spot early, we had time to walk around the cultural village and experience and observe local people’s lifestyle.  We could listen to local music and watch “bamboo” dance.

A truly memorable evening , well worth the time and price.  Any time you contemplate a visit to Bangkok, make SIAM NIRAMIT a compelling part of your itinerary. Go with family and friends and entertain an evening to remember.  Don’t give a miss!

Note:

No pictures are allowed and cameras have to be checked. 

The entry ticket price ranges between 1000 BHT to 2000 BHT depending on your contacts and bargaining skills.

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/01/thai-tigers-pets-or-predators.html

Wishing You All A Happy Noise-free Diwali !

- Krishnamurthy & family

Book Mark:THE MONEYCHANGERS

A great introduction to the financial world!   Having known Arthur Hailey has authored many other outstanding titles like “Hotel”, “Airport”, “Strong Medicine”, to sprinkle a few, it is awe-inspiring how he managed to pick an industry and dish out such uncanny details, let alone blend it with amazing plots.

“THE MONEYCHANGERS”   is a combo of money, people and banking made into a thrilling, totally absorbing story of the financial and personal crises in a reputed financial institution. It is a tale about a big bank which is one day powerful and next day is on the verge of bankruptcy, due to the greed of some executives.

The position of CEO of America’s large bank, Federal Mercantile American Bank, is about to become vacant due to the terminal illness of Ben Roselli, whose grand-father founded the bank.  Two senior vice-presidents – Roscoe Heyward and Alex Vandervoort begin to vie for the position and the power play kicks in.

Roscoe wants financial prosperity for the bank, more importantly  prosperity for himself, at the expense of bank’s credibility.  Whereas, Alex’s basic banking principles are sound.  Roscoe believes in high risk, high gain, even while compromising on basic ethics.   Alex, on the contrary, insists compliance with principles along with calculated risk (where need be).

Roscoe gets involved in a high-profile affair in arranging a loan for $59 million to a big business conglomerate, concealing the negative realities to the FMA’s Board.   Alex, the sole opposition, could not negate the loan, as he failed to command enough support.

The author takes the reader through the journey amid various plots and the tale gets more gripping.  In the process, the reader is navigated through a panoramic view of the banking industry – in security arrangements, branch operations, profit margins, the attractions of foreign currency, the inside of a stock market, the techniques of a surprise audit in a branch bank and much more.

FMA faces a number of problems / decisions:  the mysterious disappearance of $6,000 from the teller’s cash box; counterfeit credit-cards; the question of whether to continue funding a low-cost housing development or to float a master loan for a multinational corporate entity; policy decisions on whether to open new branches……   Above all, the bank faces the choice of a new president.

The plot, in the bargain, engages embezzlement, a little blackmail, undercover operations in counterfeit ring, some high level corporate scam, a major financial disaster, a panic and a near-run on the bank, employing a call-girl character, some kidnapping, torture, visits to insane asylums, a suicide….  Hailey designs his characters carefully so that we relate them to sustain the momentum. .

By the time you finish, page 476,  you are impressed  that you are learning something.  You will really know what is banking. If you are interested in business and finance, you would enjoy the title to the full.  The entire narration in the book is akin to reading a movie.

Though the book was first published in 1975, yet what he said such as credit card abuse, using tomorrow’s money to pursue today’s “dreams”, printing US dollars, the inflation, the gold standard and the monetary system ….  is perfectly valid even in today’s scene , is n’t it?

An  interesting excerpt: "For what they -  the politicians, mostly - on one hand have created a Himalayas of debt which neither they, we, nor our great-great-grand children can ever pay.  And, on the other hand, they have printed, as if producing toilet tissue, a cascade of currency, debasing our good money - especially the honest, gold-backed dollars which Americans once owned.  It is all simply house-keeping - the most flagrantly incompetent, dishonest housekeeping in human history.  This, and this alone, is the basic reason for inflation."  Such epithets are perfectly valid for a country like India.  And there are many such sparkles spread through the book.

Instead of reading a mere fiction, I feel it makes  better sense when you read “THEMONEYCHANGERS” by Arthur Hailey.   You get your money’s worth!  Relentlessly readable!

Fascinating First January

Fascinating First January

What is special of this date that generates so much charm and glamour over us?  It is nothing new that many of us set goals on this eve.  The resolutions we make to stop smoking, multiply money, lose weight ……reflects fresh hope of a new or renewed start.  A feeling of “I have to do” or “can’t fail this year”!

I have not gone through any surveys, nor done any research.  But common sense conveys that even at a conservative assessment, 40 to 50 per cent of those who make declarations break it even before you turn over the January sheet.  Life continues like any other time and majority of the people sail around like a ship without rudder. Complaining about how bad life has become, continues, which is sad!

We all have a clean slate at the commencement of the year.  “A goal is a dream, unless you write it down” – an admirable quote.  If you don’t write it, or tell (if not announce) others, chances are the goal gets derailed sooner.  Of course, the written-down plan of action must be quantified.  You want to lose, say 24 kgs in 2013, that is 2 kgs per month.  By January end, you celebrate that you lost 2 kgs or look at February and say, Oh! I need to shed down 4 kgs.! We are also familiar with experiences like, “This goal cannot be reached” and go for the chocolates and ice-creams.

Setting goals are great.  The top reason for not achieving, I believe, is there is no plan or fear of self-accountability. Again, the goals need not be new.  If you have done a good job in 2012, even sustaining it in 2013 is a good ambition.  Keep it straight and simple!

I wish you all  a Healthy & Happy New Year ( with or without goals!)